Handicapper: IndianCowboy
Sport: College Basketball
Game: Mississippi Rebels @ Utah Utes - Friday November 21, 2008 6:30 pm
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: Utah Utes +2 (-110) (Normal)
Yes, I know the Utes are playing an SEC team but as you know I follow the SEC very closely. I need to have very good reasoning and motivation for a particular team to make a play as I simply do not make many plays. Having said that, did you know that Utah has a new coach in Coach Boylen. He used to be the Assistant Coach at Michigan State under Tom Izzo and was with the Houston Rockets before that as assistant coach when this team won their respective championships. The guy is just 41 years old! He is a great coach and has great wisdom of the game. Utah is 1-1 and this is the first big game of the year at home and you better believe that the 10th winningest program in college basketball history will be fired up for this game in a big way. I look for these young Utah players, 5 of which are freshman recruits, as well as the fourt returning starters to make a difference today. Remember, this is this Ole Miss's squad's first road game. These two teams have no history of playing each other and although Ole Miss is 2-0, they were both home wins against South Alabama and Arkansas State. Utah just destroyed Wisconsin Green-Bay 79-60. Let's roll with the Running Utes as if they get a lead early they might not just look back in this game as they will look to bury the Rebels early.
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Handicapper: IndianCowboy
Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: New York Knicks @ Milwaukee Bucks - Friday November 21, 2008 8:30 pm
Pick: 3 unit(s) TOTAL: Under 209.5 (-110) (Normal)
I like the under here for several reasons. For one, you might already be aware but Jamal Crawford has been traded to Golden State for Al Harrington. That certainly makes for an interesting dynamic for this game. Usually it takes a team a bit prior to that individual getting set with his new team and gel with them. Take for example A.I. when the Pistons lost to the Nets in game one of his new start with his team. Such is the case here. The Bucks are good folks. Remember, the Bucks beat the Knicks in game 1 earlier this year. There were many that got onto to the Knicks for that loss, but the Bucks are better than most people give them credit for. They defeated the Knicks 94-86 in that game on the road. The Bucks are a defensive team - heck, they held the Celtics to 102 points at home in overtime. They held San Antonio to 78 points and Phoenix to 104 points in regulation. Why can they not hold the Knicks to around a 100 if less considering they have a new rotation so to speak tonight. Plus, the Bucks come off a tough road trip which included Utah and Denver. The Bucks play overs on the road and unders at home as it is much more of their pace. Look for this game to be around the high 190's.
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Handicapper: IndianCowboy
Sport: College Football
Game: Fresno State Bulldogs @ San Jose State Spartans - Friday November 21, 2008 9:30 pm
Pick: 3 unit(s) ATS: San Jose State Spartans +3.5 (-105) (Normal)
You ever wonder why some lines are 3.5? Gosh, why not just make it an even field goal right? Well, it is because Vegas increases their edge. In essence, an increase in the shaved dice in order for them to win more likely when you butt heads. Consequently, that is what you have here. Look, would you rather take a Fresno State team that although is 4-1 on the road, still hits the highway for a nationally televised game at night, with 2/3rds of the public on them, who has MISSED 9 STRAIGHT COVERS, beat La Tech by a field goal when favored by -4.5, beat Utah State by 2 when favored by 16, beat UCLA by 5 when favored by a touchdown and who beat Toledo by 1 when favored by 6 - or would you rather bet on a San Jose State team that is not backed by the public, who is at home for this game, who has revenge from a 0-30 to this team last year, who comes off an ugly 17-41 loss at Nevada and who has a top 30 defense in many categories in the league? The bottom line is, let's take the better defense, as good defense has the edge over good offense in my opinion, plus tack on the fact of the home field advantage and revenge with Fresno State one of the worst cover teams of 2008-2009, I will gladly take San Jose State to get it done here at home. The Spartans are 5-1 ATS when following a game they allowed more than 40 points.
