SPORTS WAGERS
Colorado +235 over CAROLINA
OT included. It’s not easy to pull the trigger on the Avalanche, especially if you had them last night in Buffalo (a 2-0 loss) like we did. Against the team that allows the most shots on net in the entire league, Colorado only mustered 23 last night. The Avs will now go back to-back and will also play their fifth road game in seven days after losing five straight and 19 of its last 22 games. The Colorado Avalanche are easy pickings that the opposition loves to see on their calendar. Can we make a case for them? No chance but we can easily make a case to fade the favorite and that is what this wager is all about.
The Hurricanes are coming off their bye week and by now regular readers of this section will know what that means. It means they are vulnerable. Thus far, teams coming off their byes are now 2-9. We’ve also noticed that the goaltenders on the teams coming off a bye are the least prepared player on the ice. Last night, Peter Budaj of the Kings looked awful. Chad Johnson on the Flames was yanked in Calgary’s return, James Reimer of the Panthers was yanked upon their return and Steve Mason of the Flyers was also yanked. What do all those goaltenders have in common? They are all backups, former backups or not in the upper tier of goaltenders and you can absolutely, 100% add Cam Ward to that list. Ward’s save percentage of .904 is one of the weakest in the league and when he’s in goal, Carolina is always in jeopardy of losing. So once again the fade is on against teams coming off a bye and we’re not going to let up because it’s the Avalanche. Incidentally, when the Islanders came off their bye, they hosted the Avalanche and lost so it could happen.
Florida +116 over ANAHEIM
OT included. Do you want to see domination? If so, watch the replay of the Wild and the Ducks from this past Tuesday. In perhaps the most flattering score of the decade, Anaheim won 1-0 despite playing the entire game in its own end. The Ducks did not belong on the same ice as the Wild that day. That said, it is never wise to put too much emphasis on one game but it goes a little deeper than that. The Ducks just played six road games in 14 days while covering over 6000 miles in the process. They return home tonight from an exhausting trip and chances are they won’t be sharp. The Ducks have been outshot 37-23 and 39-22 respectively over their last two games. There are not many teams in this league that have had as many weak efforts as Anaheim has had this year and perhaps it has something to do with their difficult traveling schedule. When the Ducks are good, they’re really good but when they’re focus or determination is lacking, they become extremely beatable, as we trust they’ll be tonight.
Let’s assume for a moment that the Ducks are not flat at all. Should that be the case, they are still in big danger of losing here because the Panthers have become a force and will remain as one as long as they stay healthy. Florida is coming off a 6-5 OT victory in San Jose on Wednesday. They were not sharp in that game after being off for three full days following a 7-4 victory in Nashville the previous Saturday. We can almost assure you that the Panthers will be much better tonight than they were on Wednesday. Florida has scored six goals or more three times over its last six games. They have recoded 37 shots on net or more in four of their last six and it all coincides with their three top players all being healthy and playing at the same time for the first time this season. Florida has won six of its last seven. They have won three of four against the West with only loss occurring against the Kings when they, the Panthers returned from their bye week. This is a determined, talented and confident intruder that is worthy of getting behind in this very favorable spot.
Colorado +235 over CAROLINA
OT included. It’s not easy to pull the trigger on the Avalanche, especially if you had them last night in Buffalo (a 2-0 loss) like we did. Against the team that allows the most shots on net in the entire league, Colorado only mustered 23 last night. The Avs will now go back to-back and will also play their fifth road game in seven days after losing five straight and 19 of its last 22 games. The Colorado Avalanche are easy pickings that the opposition loves to see on their calendar. Can we make a case for them? No chance but we can easily make a case to fade the favorite and that is what this wager is all about.
The Hurricanes are coming off their bye week and by now regular readers of this section will know what that means. It means they are vulnerable. Thus far, teams coming off their byes are now 2-9. We’ve also noticed that the goaltenders on the teams coming off a bye are the least prepared player on the ice. Last night, Peter Budaj of the Kings looked awful. Chad Johnson on the Flames was yanked in Calgary’s return, James Reimer of the Panthers was yanked upon their return and Steve Mason of the Flyers was also yanked. What do all those goaltenders have in common? They are all backups, former backups or not in the upper tier of goaltenders and you can absolutely, 100% add Cam Ward to that list. Ward’s save percentage of .904 is one of the weakest in the league and when he’s in goal, Carolina is always in jeopardy of losing. So once again the fade is on against teams coming off a bye and we’re not going to let up because it’s the Avalanche. Incidentally, when the Islanders came off their bye, they hosted the Avalanche and lost so it could happen.
Florida +116 over ANAHEIM
OT included. Do you want to see domination? If so, watch the replay of the Wild and the Ducks from this past Tuesday. In perhaps the most flattering score of the decade, Anaheim won 1-0 despite playing the entire game in its own end. The Ducks did not belong on the same ice as the Wild that day. That said, it is never wise to put too much emphasis on one game but it goes a little deeper than that. The Ducks just played six road games in 14 days while covering over 6000 miles in the process. They return home tonight from an exhausting trip and chances are they won’t be sharp. The Ducks have been outshot 37-23 and 39-22 respectively over their last two games. There are not many teams in this league that have had as many weak efforts as Anaheim has had this year and perhaps it has something to do with their difficult traveling schedule. When the Ducks are good, they’re really good but when they’re focus or determination is lacking, they become extremely beatable, as we trust they’ll be tonight.
Let’s assume for a moment that the Ducks are not flat at all. Should that be the case, they are still in big danger of losing here because the Panthers have become a force and will remain as one as long as they stay healthy. Florida is coming off a 6-5 OT victory in San Jose on Wednesday. They were not sharp in that game after being off for three full days following a 7-4 victory in Nashville the previous Saturday. We can almost assure you that the Panthers will be much better tonight than they were on Wednesday. Florida has scored six goals or more three times over its last six games. They have recoded 37 shots on net or more in four of their last six and it all coincides with their three top players all being healthy and playing at the same time for the first time this season. Florida has won six of its last seven. They have won three of four against the West with only loss occurring against the Kings when they, the Panthers returned from their bye week. This is a determined, talented and confident intruder that is worthy of getting behind in this very favorable spot.
SPORTS WAGERS
RICHMOND +5½ over VCU
The VCU Rams have been on the national radar after six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Final Four in 2011. One could argue the Rams are the poster boys for mid-major college programs, but their high profile has them overvalued nearly every time they play. Casual bettors may not have heard of many of their opponents but they know who VCU is. The Rams are again rolling through their conference schedule with an 11-2 record but with their work nearly done, the Rams don't have to kill themselves the rest of the way.
The Richmond Spiders are just two games back of the Rams in the Atlantic 10 standings but an at-large bid by way of a conference championship looks to be their only way into The Tournament. Tonight the Spiders play their biggest game of the season against their biggest rivals in-front of a national audience, as this game with VCU will be carried on ESPN2. Being on ESPN is a big deal for any school but for a mid-major program like Richmond, it might as well be the Super Bowl. A great example of this was BYU at Pepperdine just eight days ago. Pepperdine won outright, 99-83 as a nine-point dog. While it's just one game, it is an example of how a home dog can rise up when the national cameras are rolling. While many teams rely on the three-point shot, the Spiders are actually ranked 13th nationally in two-point shooting percentage (55.4%). Richmond moves the ball well too, as its 62.3% assist per fields goals made is 14th in the country. The Spiders have dropped four straight to VCU over the last two seasons but that only increases the points being offered here and thus, the value. The Spiders are in good form by winning four of their last six including three straight at home. They also figure to be the more determined and focused group here, as the Rams wait for bigger and better things.
STANFORD +135 over California
The California Golden Bears had their five-game win streak ended by #6 Arizona on Sunday. While there's no shame in losing to a ranked team on the road, that result is not going to help catapult Cal into NCAA Tournament contention. The Golden Bears are a bubble team in search of signature wins. Cal has had five opportunities to face ranked competition this season, but failed to cash in on any of those opportunities. The Golden Bears have one chance left before the conference tournament to make an impression on the Selection Committee, which is at home against #8 Oregon next Wednesday, which has to be at the very least in the back of their minds and maybe the front.
It would be understatement to declare that the Golden Bears and the Cardinal have no love lost. The feud between these institutions is one of the most personal and bitter rivalries in all of college sports. We have said it before and we will say it again, in rivalry games you can expect the unexpected. In the previous two fixtures that transpired in Palo Alto, Stanford was the victor. As long as Coach Dawkins is at the helm for Stanford, he brings a breadth of expertise and practical experience of how to win at high levels. It is worth noting that the Cardinal got off to a red-hot start this year when they began their campaign with a 6-1 record. Along the way, Stanford beat some reputable basketball teams, including Weber State, Seton Hall and Colorado State who have emerged as the top dog in the Mountain West. Since that start, the Cardinal has gone 6-12 and thus depleted their stock in the process so now would be the time to buy low. Though the Cardinal have played .333 ball, they demonstrated a propensity to come in under lofty numbers against some excellent basketball teams, as they are 3-0 ATS against UCLA, Arizona and Kansas. Additionally, this is a basketball team responsible for an outright home victory against Utah.
The Cardinal are just 4-9 in conference play this season. Their only shot at The Big Dance will be through the Pac 12 tournament but there is still some fun to had before the end of the regular season. The Cardinal are in a great position to spoil the tournament hopes of their conference brethren on the bubble. Stanford has won just one of their last four games. On paper it doesn't look very good but a closer look shows the Cardinal are playing in close games against quality competition. Two games ago Stanford was tied 67-67 at #6 Arizona with 1:55 remaining, but the Cardinal didn't hit another basket in a 7-point loss. Last time out, Stanford held a 69-68 lead at Arizona State with 37 seconds left, but again gave up seven straight points to lose another heartbreaker. While the market sees defeats, we see a well-coached team that is a minor tweak or two away from pulling off some upsets as opposed to a team that is losing all the time. The kicker here is once again based on the bitter hate these two have for one another and in that regard, Stanford has nothing to lose whatsoever but they can achieve great satisfaction from being the team that puts the Golden Bears on the outside of the bubble looking in. That’s huge motivation and reason enough to get behind this undervalued squad taking back a price at home.
RICHMOND +5½ over VCU
The VCU Rams have been on the national radar after six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Final Four in 2011. One could argue the Rams are the poster boys for mid-major college programs, but their high profile has them overvalued nearly every time they play. Casual bettors may not have heard of many of their opponents but they know who VCU is. The Rams are again rolling through their conference schedule with an 11-2 record but with their work nearly done, the Rams don't have to kill themselves the rest of the way.
The Richmond Spiders are just two games back of the Rams in the Atlantic 10 standings but an at-large bid by way of a conference championship looks to be their only way into The Tournament. Tonight the Spiders play their biggest game of the season against their biggest rivals in-front of a national audience, as this game with VCU will be carried on ESPN2. Being on ESPN is a big deal for any school but for a mid-major program like Richmond, it might as well be the Super Bowl. A great example of this was BYU at Pepperdine just eight days ago. Pepperdine won outright, 99-83 as a nine-point dog. While it's just one game, it is an example of how a home dog can rise up when the national cameras are rolling. While many teams rely on the three-point shot, the Spiders are actually ranked 13th nationally in two-point shooting percentage (55.4%). Richmond moves the ball well too, as its 62.3% assist per fields goals made is 14th in the country. The Spiders have dropped four straight to VCU over the last two seasons but that only increases the points being offered here and thus, the value. The Spiders are in good form by winning four of their last six including three straight at home. They also figure to be the more determined and focused group here, as the Rams wait for bigger and better things.
STANFORD +135 over California
The California Golden Bears had their five-game win streak ended by #6 Arizona on Sunday. While there's no shame in losing to a ranked team on the road, that result is not going to help catapult Cal into NCAA Tournament contention. The Golden Bears are a bubble team in search of signature wins. Cal has had five opportunities to face ranked competition this season, but failed to cash in on any of those opportunities. The Golden Bears have one chance left before the conference tournament to make an impression on the Selection Committee, which is at home against #8 Oregon next Wednesday, which has to be at the very least in the back of their minds and maybe the front.
It would be understatement to declare that the Golden Bears and the Cardinal have no love lost. The feud between these institutions is one of the most personal and bitter rivalries in all of college sports. We have said it before and we will say it again, in rivalry games you can expect the unexpected. In the previous two fixtures that transpired in Palo Alto, Stanford was the victor. As long as Coach Dawkins is at the helm for Stanford, he brings a breadth of expertise and practical experience of how to win at high levels. It is worth noting that the Cardinal got off to a red-hot start this year when they began their campaign with a 6-1 record. Along the way, Stanford beat some reputable basketball teams, including Weber State, Seton Hall and Colorado State who have emerged as the top dog in the Mountain West. Since that start, the Cardinal has gone 6-12 and thus depleted their stock in the process so now would be the time to buy low. Though the Cardinal have played .333 ball, they demonstrated a propensity to come in under lofty numbers against some excellent basketball teams, as they are 3-0 ATS against UCLA, Arizona and Kansas. Additionally, this is a basketball team responsible for an outright home victory against Utah.
The Cardinal are just 4-9 in conference play this season. Their only shot at The Big Dance will be through the Pac 12 tournament but there is still some fun to had before the end of the regular season. The Cardinal are in a great position to spoil the tournament hopes of their conference brethren on the bubble. Stanford has won just one of their last four games. On paper it doesn't look very good but a closer look shows the Cardinal are playing in close games against quality competition. Two games ago Stanford was tied 67-67 at #6 Arizona with 1:55 remaining, but the Cardinal didn't hit another basket in a 7-point loss. Last time out, Stanford held a 69-68 lead at Arizona State with 37 seconds left, but again gave up seven straight points to lose another heartbreaker. While the market sees defeats, we see a well-coached team that is a minor tweak or two away from pulling off some upsets as opposed to a team that is losing all the time. The kicker here is once again based on the bitter hate these two have for one another and in that regard, Stanford has nothing to lose whatsoever but they can achieve great satisfaction from being the team that puts the Golden Bears on the outside of the bubble looking in. That’s huge motivation and reason enough to get behind this undervalued squad taking back a price at home.
Power Sports
Kent State vs. Akron
Pick: Kent St.
I'll maintain the notion that while Akron is clearly the best team in the MAC this year, they've also been quite lucky. While the Zips continue to win, they're doing so by close margins and it's starting to catch up at the betting window where they're just 1-5 ATS their L6. Earlier this week, they were backdoored on a last second layup by Toledo. That final basket made the score 71-65. Akron was a 6.5-pt favorite.
Four of the Zips last five wins have been by six points or less. They now have 10 such victories this season, most of them coming in conference play. They are a very impressive home team (won 30 straight!), but are just 3-6 ATS here this season. Therefore, I wouldn't want to get caught laying this kind of a number as they get set to host rival Kent State.
Kent State is off a close win of its own Tuesday as they outlasted Miami 76-72. That was a nice bounce back from a poor showing at Toledo last Saturday. The Golden Flashes have also won three of their last four MAC road games. Like Akron, Kent St has covered only one of its last six games. But they are getting points and in a rivalry situation, I naturally lean to the dog. The Flashes average 77.8 PPG, so it will be difficult for Akron to gain any distance here.
Kent State vs. Akron
Pick: Kent St.
I'll maintain the notion that while Akron is clearly the best team in the MAC this year, they've also been quite lucky. While the Zips continue to win, they're doing so by close margins and it's starting to catch up at the betting window where they're just 1-5 ATS their L6. Earlier this week, they were backdoored on a last second layup by Toledo. That final basket made the score 71-65. Akron was a 6.5-pt favorite.
Four of the Zips last five wins have been by six points or less. They now have 10 such victories this season, most of them coming in conference play. They are a very impressive home team (won 30 straight!), but are just 3-6 ATS here this season. Therefore, I wouldn't want to get caught laying this kind of a number as they get set to host rival Kent State.
Kent State is off a close win of its own Tuesday as they outlasted Miami 76-72. That was a nice bounce back from a poor showing at Toledo last Saturday. The Golden Flashes have also won three of their last four MAC road games. Like Akron, Kent St has covered only one of its last six games. But they are getting points and in a rivalry situation, I naturally lean to the dog. The Flashes average 77.8 PPG, so it will be difficult for Akron to gain any distance here.
Larry Ness
California vs. Stanford
Play: Stanford +3½
The Cal Bears are 18-7 (9-4 in Pac 12 play) after having their five-game winning streak snapped in 62-57 loss at Arizona on Saturday (Wildcats are currently ranked 5th in the nation). California is 4th in the Pac 12 and can ill afford a loss to rival Stanford if it wants to keep its at-large NCAA tourney hopes alive. Stanford is 12-13 overall and is mired near the bottom of the Pac 12 standings at 4-9. Any postseason hopes for the Cardinal are currently on life-support.
The 6-11 Ivan Rabb was a preseason All-American and will likely be a high NBA draft pick but he hasn't quite measured up to expectations. He's averaging 14.7 & 10.6 but if the Bears are to make a deep Pac 12 tourney run (they may need that for an at-large bid), Rabb needs to be more consistent. Swingman Bird has stayed healthy for most of the year and while never reaching the lofty expectations since entering Cal, the senior is averaging 14.5 & 4.9. Freshman PG Moore (13.5 & 3.7 APG) has been solid and giving Cal even more size up front are the 7-0 Okoroh (5.1 & 5.9) and the 7-1 Rooks (5.1 & 4.7). Cal allows 62.2 PPG (13th), best in the Pac 12.
Stanford let Johnny Dawkins (Mr, NIT) go but Jerrod Haase's first season in Palo Alto has not gone all that well. The 6-8 Reid (17.2 & 8.6) is a keeper but his surrounding talent is middle-of-the-road, at best. The perimeter players are Pickens (12.0), Sheffield (7.2), Cartwright (7.2 & 3.5 APG) and Marcus Allen (7.0), with the 6-9 Humphrey (9.5 & 6.5) helping Reid out up front.
Stanford is no bargain and Cal is the better team but this is a bitter rivalry and I want the home dog, considering Stanford has won 20 of the last 23 meetings with Cal in Palo Alto.
California vs. Stanford
Play: Stanford +3½
The Cal Bears are 18-7 (9-4 in Pac 12 play) after having their five-game winning streak snapped in 62-57 loss at Arizona on Saturday (Wildcats are currently ranked 5th in the nation). California is 4th in the Pac 12 and can ill afford a loss to rival Stanford if it wants to keep its at-large NCAA tourney hopes alive. Stanford is 12-13 overall and is mired near the bottom of the Pac 12 standings at 4-9. Any postseason hopes for the Cardinal are currently on life-support.
The 6-11 Ivan Rabb was a preseason All-American and will likely be a high NBA draft pick but he hasn't quite measured up to expectations. He's averaging 14.7 & 10.6 but if the Bears are to make a deep Pac 12 tourney run (they may need that for an at-large bid), Rabb needs to be more consistent. Swingman Bird has stayed healthy for most of the year and while never reaching the lofty expectations since entering Cal, the senior is averaging 14.5 & 4.9. Freshman PG Moore (13.5 & 3.7 APG) has been solid and giving Cal even more size up front are the 7-0 Okoroh (5.1 & 5.9) and the 7-1 Rooks (5.1 & 4.7). Cal allows 62.2 PPG (13th), best in the Pac 12.
Stanford let Johnny Dawkins (Mr, NIT) go but Jerrod Haase's first season in Palo Alto has not gone all that well. The 6-8 Reid (17.2 & 8.6) is a keeper but his surrounding talent is middle-of-the-road, at best. The perimeter players are Pickens (12.0), Sheffield (7.2), Cartwright (7.2 & 3.5 APG) and Marcus Allen (7.0), with the 6-9 Humphrey (9.5 & 6.5) helping Reid out up front.
Stanford is no bargain and Cal is the better team but this is a bitter rivalry and I want the home dog, considering Stanford has won 20 of the last 23 meetings with Cal in Palo Alto.
Will Rogers
Fairfield vs. Quinnipiac
Pick: Quinnipiac
The set-up: It's MAAC action Friday night as the 13-11 Fairfield Stags visit the 10-16 Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Stags are 8-7 in league play and the Bobcats just 7-9.
Fairfield: The Stags have won five of six and are hoping to keep that positive mojo going against a beatable opponent. A trio of guards in Nelson (19.2), Cobb (13.9 & 4.2) and Johnson (11.6) are joined by the 6-8 Sidibe (8.3 & 10.1), up front.
Quinnipiac: The Bobcats enter off back-to-back losses to Saint Peter’s and Rider, losing 112-107 in their most recent game. Guards Dixon (16.2) and Kiss (13.7 & 5.5) make for a quality backcourt duo with the 6-9 Daniels (12.5 & 6.0) being the team's best frontcourt player.
The pick: The Bobcats can score but defense has been the team's Achilles heel all season, allowing 81.7 PPG (338th). However, the Bobcats just recently won 73-71 at Fairfield and while that gives the Stags the revenge motive, I'm not willing to 'bite!' Quinnipiac is 9-3-2 ATS in their last 14 games overall and 10-3-2 ATS in their last 15 conference matchups. Take the home team.
Fairfield vs. Quinnipiac
Pick: Quinnipiac
The set-up: It's MAAC action Friday night as the 13-11 Fairfield Stags visit the 10-16 Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Stags are 8-7 in league play and the Bobcats just 7-9.
Fairfield: The Stags have won five of six and are hoping to keep that positive mojo going against a beatable opponent. A trio of guards in Nelson (19.2), Cobb (13.9 & 4.2) and Johnson (11.6) are joined by the 6-8 Sidibe (8.3 & 10.1), up front.
Quinnipiac: The Bobcats enter off back-to-back losses to Saint Peter’s and Rider, losing 112-107 in their most recent game. Guards Dixon (16.2) and Kiss (13.7 & 5.5) make for a quality backcourt duo with the 6-9 Daniels (12.5 & 6.0) being the team's best frontcourt player.
The pick: The Bobcats can score but defense has been the team's Achilles heel all season, allowing 81.7 PPG (338th). However, the Bobcats just recently won 73-71 at Fairfield and while that gives the Stags the revenge motive, I'm not willing to 'bite!' Quinnipiac is 9-3-2 ATS in their last 14 games overall and 10-3-2 ATS in their last 15 conference matchups. Take the home team.
David Banks
VCU Rams @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders +3.5
It’s an Atlantic 10 showdown as VCU (20-5, 10-2) travels to Richmond (15-9, 9-3) to take on the Spiders on Friday night. The Rams are coming off a week in which they beat St. Bonaventure and George Washington in miraculous fashion, winning both games on last-second heroics. A weekend win over Davidson made it six in a row for the Rams, which tied for the regular season conference title a year ago. VCU beat the Spiders 81-74 just 16 days ago on Feb. 1.
JeQuan Lewis averages 14.9 points per game to lead the Rams. Second-leading scorer Justin Tillman (12.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg) scored 18 points to lead VCU in the first win over Richmond. The Rams, which give up just over 65 points a game (41st in the nation), forced 13 Richmond turnovers. VCU faces St. Joes before taking on the Spiders and then will have just four remaining regular season games. The Rams are a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament but can improve their seeding with a strong finish to their regular season.
Richmond could really use a win over the Rams to help their NCAA tournament resume. The Spiders have six games remaining and face George Mason (17-8, 7-5) before they play VCU on Friday. Richmond lacks a big nonconference win and, if the Spiders do not win out, they may have to win the A-10 tournament to qualify for the Big Dance. If it is going to happen, it will be up to Richmond’s super seniors, 6-9 T.J. Cline, the team’s leading scorer (19.2 ppg) and rebounder (8.4), and 6-0 guard ShawnDre’ Jones (17.2 ppg).
VCU Rams @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders +3.5
It’s an Atlantic 10 showdown as VCU (20-5, 10-2) travels to Richmond (15-9, 9-3) to take on the Spiders on Friday night. The Rams are coming off a week in which they beat St. Bonaventure and George Washington in miraculous fashion, winning both games on last-second heroics. A weekend win over Davidson made it six in a row for the Rams, which tied for the regular season conference title a year ago. VCU beat the Spiders 81-74 just 16 days ago on Feb. 1.
JeQuan Lewis averages 14.9 points per game to lead the Rams. Second-leading scorer Justin Tillman (12.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg) scored 18 points to lead VCU in the first win over Richmond. The Rams, which give up just over 65 points a game (41st in the nation), forced 13 Richmond turnovers. VCU faces St. Joes before taking on the Spiders and then will have just four remaining regular season games. The Rams are a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament but can improve their seeding with a strong finish to their regular season.
Richmond could really use a win over the Rams to help their NCAA tournament resume. The Spiders have six games remaining and face George Mason (17-8, 7-5) before they play VCU on Friday. Richmond lacks a big nonconference win and, if the Spiders do not win out, they may have to win the A-10 tournament to qualify for the Big Dance. If it is going to happen, it will be up to Richmond’s super seniors, 6-9 T.J. Cline, the team’s leading scorer (19.2 ppg) and rebounder (8.4), and 6-0 guard ShawnDre’ Jones (17.2 ppg).
Mike Rose
Valparaiso at Oakland
Play: Valparaiso +1.5
The Valparaiso Crusaders swept the Oakland Golden Grizzlies last season en route to claiming the Horizon League’s regular season title. If Greg Kampe’s kids find a way to pull off the same feat this season, they will have set themselves up nicely for a shot at winning the conference with four games remaining on the regular season docket. The Crusaders have struggled away from their Rec Center, so it must bring its “A” game if it expects to even the series up and more or less wrap up the league title. Though the Golden Grizzlies return home winners of three straight, they just don’t come off as being the same team that went into Valpo and scored the huge outright victory. It barely got by second to last place Cleveland State on the road, and needed overtime to get past Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a game it went off the board as 12.5 point favorites. Valparaiso recently destroyed both of those teams and enters this tilt seeking same-season revenge. Look for Peters and his amped up Crusader teammates to acquire just that.
Valparaiso at Oakland
Play: Valparaiso +1.5
The Valparaiso Crusaders swept the Oakland Golden Grizzlies last season en route to claiming the Horizon League’s regular season title. If Greg Kampe’s kids find a way to pull off the same feat this season, they will have set themselves up nicely for a shot at winning the conference with four games remaining on the regular season docket. The Crusaders have struggled away from their Rec Center, so it must bring its “A” game if it expects to even the series up and more or less wrap up the league title. Though the Golden Grizzlies return home winners of three straight, they just don’t come off as being the same team that went into Valpo and scored the huge outright victory. It barely got by second to last place Cleveland State on the road, and needed overtime to get past Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a game it went off the board as 12.5 point favorites. Valparaiso recently destroyed both of those teams and enters this tilt seeking same-season revenge. Look for Peters and his amped up Crusader teammates to acquire just that.
Brad Wilton
Friday night comp play release is to lay the small wood with the ramming Rams as they play against Richmond tonight.
VCU looks to be the class of the Atlantic 10 - along with Dayton - and they do bring a 7-game straight up winning streak into this clash tonight. Included is a home win by 7 as the -10 point favorites over tonight's foe, Richmond.
Price is a lot smaller tonight for a play on the superior Rams, and I am going to lay it.
Richmond was just blasted at George Mason to fall to 15-10, and unless the Spiders run the table, they will be playing in one of the lesser postseason tourneys this March.
By all accounts, this is not one of the Spiders better editions, so go ahead and lay the small wood with with Rams.
2* VCU
Friday night comp play release is to lay the small wood with the ramming Rams as they play against Richmond tonight.
VCU looks to be the class of the Atlantic 10 - along with Dayton - and they do bring a 7-game straight up winning streak into this clash tonight. Included is a home win by 7 as the -10 point favorites over tonight's foe, Richmond.
Price is a lot smaller tonight for a play on the superior Rams, and I am going to lay it.
Richmond was just blasted at George Mason to fall to 15-10, and unless the Spiders run the table, they will be playing in one of the lesser postseason tourneys this March.
By all accounts, this is not one of the Spiders better editions, so go ahead and lay the small wood with with Rams.
2* VCU
Chris Jordan
My Bonus Play for tonight is on the VCU Rams, against crosstown rival Richmond. The Rams, who bring a seven-game win streak into this one, are looking to match their longest win streak of the season, set Dec. 10-Jan. 11.
The Rams just secured their 15th win in 17 games with a 91-81 victory over Saint Joseph's on Tuesday, when senior guard JeQuan Lewis dropped a career-high 34 points behind nine 3-pointers versus the Hawks.
VCU (21-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10) is tied atop the conference standings, with Dayton, while Richmond (15-10, 9-4) is two games back, alone in second place.
The Rams have won four straight in this series, including the first meeting on Feb. 1, when they won 81-74. And while they're just 9-13 at the window this season, they seem to like playing on Fridays, as they've covered eight of their last nine TGIF games.
4* VCU
My Bonus Play for tonight is on the VCU Rams, against crosstown rival Richmond. The Rams, who bring a seven-game win streak into this one, are looking to match their longest win streak of the season, set Dec. 10-Jan. 11.
The Rams just secured their 15th win in 17 games with a 91-81 victory over Saint Joseph's on Tuesday, when senior guard JeQuan Lewis dropped a career-high 34 points behind nine 3-pointers versus the Hawks.
VCU (21-5, 11-2 Atlantic 10) is tied atop the conference standings, with Dayton, while Richmond (15-10, 9-4) is two games back, alone in second place.
The Rams have won four straight in this series, including the first meeting on Feb. 1, when they won 81-74. And while they're just 9-13 at the window this season, they seem to like playing on Fridays, as they've covered eight of their last nine TGIF games.
4* VCU
Jack Brayman
My Bonus Play is on Cornell, which is at the bottom of the Ivy League standings, along with three others at 2-6 in conference play.
One of those teams is Dartmouth, which is just 5-16 on the year, and has lost seven of 10 overall.
Neither team has shown any signs of life, but the reason I like the Big Red is because they'll be looking to snap a four-game losing skid while also hoping to complete a series sweep of Dartmouth tonight.
With one win over Dartmouth already, the confidence will be there for tonight.
1* CORNELL
My Bonus Play is on Cornell, which is at the bottom of the Ivy League standings, along with three others at 2-6 in conference play.
One of those teams is Dartmouth, which is just 5-16 on the year, and has lost seven of 10 overall.
Neither team has shown any signs of life, but the reason I like the Big Red is because they'll be looking to snap a four-game losing skid while also hoping to complete a series sweep of Dartmouth tonight.
With one win over Dartmouth already, the confidence will be there for tonight.
1* CORNELL
Eric Schroeder
After hitting Arizona in college hoops last night, I've got my skates laced up and blades sharpened nice! So let's hit the ice with tonight's Bonus Play, as I like the Columbus Blue Jackets laying the cheap price to the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a key division battle.
I've watched Pittsburgh dominate lately, but yesterday was an emotional high for Sidney Crosby, who reached his 1,000-point milestone, and then made it to 1,001. But after the Pens went up 2-0, they let the Winnipeg Jets back in the game and then had to go to overtime.
I think Pittsburgh has exhaused so much energy this week, that it's time for a letdown.
Columbus (36-15-5) and Pittsburgh (36-13-7) have split their two games this season, but overall it's been the Blue Jackets who have outscored the Penguins 10-5. And make note, The Penguins are 1-2-2 in their last five games at Nationwide Arena, including a 7-1 shellacking on Dec. 22.
Take the home team here, laying the cheap price.
3* BLUE JACKETS
After hitting Arizona in college hoops last night, I've got my skates laced up and blades sharpened nice! So let's hit the ice with tonight's Bonus Play, as I like the Columbus Blue Jackets laying the cheap price to the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a key division battle.
I've watched Pittsburgh dominate lately, but yesterday was an emotional high for Sidney Crosby, who reached his 1,000-point milestone, and then made it to 1,001. But after the Pens went up 2-0, they let the Winnipeg Jets back in the game and then had to go to overtime.
I think Pittsburgh has exhaused so much energy this week, that it's time for a letdown.
Columbus (36-15-5) and Pittsburgh (36-13-7) have split their two games this season, but overall it's been the Blue Jackets who have outscored the Penguins 10-5. And make note, The Penguins are 1-2-2 in their last five games at Nationwide Arena, including a 7-1 shellacking on Dec. 22.
Take the home team here, laying the cheap price.
3* BLUE JACKETS
