Today's NHL Picks
Anaheim at Colorado
The Ducks head to Colorado tonight where they are 7-3 in their last 10 games versus the Avalanche. Anaheim is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Ducks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-110). Here are all of today's picks.
Anaheim at Colorado
The Ducks head to Colorado tonight where they are 7-3 in their last 10 games versus the Avalanche. Anaheim is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Ducks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-110). Here are all of today's picks.
| FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Time Posted: 11:30 a.m. EST |
| Game 1-2: San Jose at NY Islanders (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.526; NY Islanders 9.848 Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 2 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-165); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-165); Over |
| Game 3-4: Vancouver at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.016; Washington 10.122 Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-145); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (+125); Under |
| Game 5-6: Edmonton at Detroit (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.339; Detroit 10.428 Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-225); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+185); Under |
| Game 7-8: New Jersey at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.764; Florida 10.280 Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-150); 5 Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-150); Over |
| Game 9-10: NY Rangers at Winnipeg (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.724; Winnipeg 11.626 Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1; 4 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+100); Under |
| Game 11-12: Nashville at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.124; Chicago 12.522 Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-220); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-220); Over |
| Game 13-14: Calgary at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.943; Dallas 12.578 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-200); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-200); Over |
| Game 15-16: Anaheim at Colorado (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.663; Colorado 10.557 Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-110); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-110); Under |
Joe Gavazzi
CBKB
Florida St. vs. Virginia (-6-) Noon ET ESPN2
4% Virginia (-6-)
The only thing preventing this from being a Top of the Ticket play is the fine record of Florida St. under 12th year HC Hamilton whose teams are 112-66 ATS as dog to -1. It certainly is NOT the Florida St. bubblicious underdog role which has seen more participants bleed with need over the years. Besides, the dog role did not help the Sems when they took 5 in a 62-50 loss at C’ville, one of two 12 point defeats to the Cavs this year. Far more interested in backing No. 1 seed Virginia, who enters off a loss at Maryland last Sunday, thus ensuring full focus for this contest. No surprise that under HC Bennett, Virginia maintained their Defensive Dandy status all season long with numbers of 55/38/32 and their combination of +11.4 in rebound, TO, and Assist/TO margin. The experience of Harris and Mitchell are of key consideration. But, it is a young, emerging guard tandem of PG Perrantes and scoring guard Brogdon that has lifted the Cavs to the top of this loop. Expect this to translate to a double digit victory today.
Pitt vs. N. Carolina (-1) 2:30 ET ESPN2
3% N. Carolina (-1)
The Panthers used the momentum of their miracle OT win vs. Wake Forest last Saturday to make a statement in their opening game 84-55 victory against Wake on Thursday. But, the only thing keeping this from a higher rating is the record of 11th year Pitt HC Dixon in this role which finds his Panthers to be 46-23 ATS as dog to -1. Veteran Carolina HC Smith counters that with his own solid CPP (coaching personality profile) that finds his Tarheels’ teams to be 49-22 ATS following a loss. Last Saturday night, the Tarheels traveled to Cameron, where the Dookies got their revenge from an earlier 74-66 defeat. Yet, current form still suggests that Carolina is the play. That loss snapped a 12 game winning streak which has seen Carolina go 9-4 ATS. Along the way was a 75-71 victory vs. this Pitt team at the Smith Center. This streak has coincided with the return to the lineup of Leslie McDonald, who has eased the burden on the perimeter for PG Paige and made life a lot easier for interior forces, McAdoo, Tokoto and Meeks. Long-term concerns abound about the Tarheels’ ability from the arc and the stripe, another reason to be conservative in this rating.
Illinois vs. Michigan (-7) Noon ET ESPN
5% Michigan (-7)
Following a 75-55 victory vs. Penn St. on January 4th, the Illini stood 13-2 SU, 2-0 SU in Big 10 play. Then, the bottom fell out in a run that saw the Illini go 1-11 SU, 2-10 ATS. Miraculously, they turned it around with a 62-49 victory vs. Minnesota, February 19th. Since that time, they have gone 5-1 SU ATS, including upset wins at Minnesota, at Michigan St., at Iowa, and vs. Indiana yesterday (64-54). The key has been a defense that in 4 of those 6 games has held the opposition to 54 or less points. Now, the bad news for the Illini … their lone loss during this major turnaround was to this Michigan team by a wipeout score of 84-53. CCT handicapping theory is clear that the Illini’s 2 most recent upsets, including yesterday, combined with Michigan’s 5-0 SU streak to end the season (and maintain the No. 1 seed), is a bad omen for the Illini today.
St. Bonnie vs. St. Louis (-6) Noon ET NBCS
4% St. Louis (-6)
The Bonnie’s snapped a 0-4 SU, 0-5 ATS season-ending slide with an 82-72 victory against a LaSalle team who is the league’s biggest underachiever this year. So what! Today, it is a different animal and a very focused one. The Bills ended a 19 game winning streak when they beat GW (66-59) on February 21st. That led them to a 25-2 SU record with losses to only possible No. 1 seeds, Wisconsin and Wichita St. But, the bottom fell out with a 71-64 home loss to Duquesne (as -15). That keyed a 3 game losing streak before the Bills were able to turn things around with a season ending 64-62 road win at NCAA bound UMass. Consider that a buy sign for the most experienced team in the country with 5 senior starters. Under 2nd year HC Crews, the fundamentals installed by former HC Majerus have stuck like glue. Yet, St. Louis is rarely a margin team this season. It is not often that you see a 26-5 SU team with a 10-17 ATS mark. But, that is exactly what we have with SLU today, a reason why we get this huge discounted, value price. It will pay off for us in what I expect to be a double digit victory.
Dayton vs. St. Josephs (-1) 2:30 ET NBCS
3% St. Josephs (-1)
Dayton was good to us in their victory over Fordham yesterday closing out the Rams with an 87-74 win. Now, the Flyers remain on the precipice of the NCAA bubble with a closing season burst of 10-1 SU, 8-3 ATS. Following a 12-2 SU, 10-4 ATS run, St. Joes cooled down the stretch with a loss at GW and season-ending LHG embarrassment to underachieving Big 5 rival, LaSalle (71-73). Expect that to key a bounce back today against a Dayton team the Hawks defeated twice this season, by margins of 26 and 3 points.
S. Carolina vs. Tennessee (-10) 3:30 ET ESPNU
5% Tennessee (-10)
Following an 83-67 loss at Auburn on February 26th, the Gamecocks stood 10-18 SU for the season, 3-12 SU in the league. An improbable home upset of Kentucky sparked resurgence. Though it was followed by a loss to league leader, Florida, the Gamecocks have since spurted to a 3-0 SU ATS mark, all as underdog, covering by 43 points. Should we consider it a coincidence that this surge began at Mississippi St., when the tongue lashing of profanity administered by 2nd year HC Martin was a highlight of social media in recent days? But, handicapping theory is clear that 3 times is enough (upsets that is), especially when your next contest is in CCT play. Now, they must meet an opponent whose interior forces of Maymon and Stokes dominated the Gamecocks in an earlier meeting by a count of 72-53 on February 8th. The Vols have been ontheir own late season surge, as they have taken seriously the allegation that they remain on the bubble. Their last 3 games have been victories of 76-38 vs. Vandy, 82-54 at Auburn, and 72-45 to close the season vs. Missouri. Key difference from their opponent is that the Vols were favored in all those games. Please note that the Vols’ last 7 victories have all been by 16 or more points. Tennessee continues their ascent to the positive side of the bubble.
CBKB
Florida St. vs. Virginia (-6-) Noon ET ESPN2
4% Virginia (-6-)
The only thing preventing this from being a Top of the Ticket play is the fine record of Florida St. under 12th year HC Hamilton whose teams are 112-66 ATS as dog to -1. It certainly is NOT the Florida St. bubblicious underdog role which has seen more participants bleed with need over the years. Besides, the dog role did not help the Sems when they took 5 in a 62-50 loss at C’ville, one of two 12 point defeats to the Cavs this year. Far more interested in backing No. 1 seed Virginia, who enters off a loss at Maryland last Sunday, thus ensuring full focus for this contest. No surprise that under HC Bennett, Virginia maintained their Defensive Dandy status all season long with numbers of 55/38/32 and their combination of +11.4 in rebound, TO, and Assist/TO margin. The experience of Harris and Mitchell are of key consideration. But, it is a young, emerging guard tandem of PG Perrantes and scoring guard Brogdon that has lifted the Cavs to the top of this loop. Expect this to translate to a double digit victory today.
Pitt vs. N. Carolina (-1) 2:30 ET ESPN2
3% N. Carolina (-1)
The Panthers used the momentum of their miracle OT win vs. Wake Forest last Saturday to make a statement in their opening game 84-55 victory against Wake on Thursday. But, the only thing keeping this from a higher rating is the record of 11th year Pitt HC Dixon in this role which finds his Panthers to be 46-23 ATS as dog to -1. Veteran Carolina HC Smith counters that with his own solid CPP (coaching personality profile) that finds his Tarheels’ teams to be 49-22 ATS following a loss. Last Saturday night, the Tarheels traveled to Cameron, where the Dookies got their revenge from an earlier 74-66 defeat. Yet, current form still suggests that Carolina is the play. That loss snapped a 12 game winning streak which has seen Carolina go 9-4 ATS. Along the way was a 75-71 victory vs. this Pitt team at the Smith Center. This streak has coincided with the return to the lineup of Leslie McDonald, who has eased the burden on the perimeter for PG Paige and made life a lot easier for interior forces, McAdoo, Tokoto and Meeks. Long-term concerns abound about the Tarheels’ ability from the arc and the stripe, another reason to be conservative in this rating.
Illinois vs. Michigan (-7) Noon ET ESPN
5% Michigan (-7)
Following a 75-55 victory vs. Penn St. on January 4th, the Illini stood 13-2 SU, 2-0 SU in Big 10 play. Then, the bottom fell out in a run that saw the Illini go 1-11 SU, 2-10 ATS. Miraculously, they turned it around with a 62-49 victory vs. Minnesota, February 19th. Since that time, they have gone 5-1 SU ATS, including upset wins at Minnesota, at Michigan St., at Iowa, and vs. Indiana yesterday (64-54). The key has been a defense that in 4 of those 6 games has held the opposition to 54 or less points. Now, the bad news for the Illini … their lone loss during this major turnaround was to this Michigan team by a wipeout score of 84-53. CCT handicapping theory is clear that the Illini’s 2 most recent upsets, including yesterday, combined with Michigan’s 5-0 SU streak to end the season (and maintain the No. 1 seed), is a bad omen for the Illini today.
St. Bonnie vs. St. Louis (-6) Noon ET NBCS
4% St. Louis (-6)
The Bonnie’s snapped a 0-4 SU, 0-5 ATS season-ending slide with an 82-72 victory against a LaSalle team who is the league’s biggest underachiever this year. So what! Today, it is a different animal and a very focused one. The Bills ended a 19 game winning streak when they beat GW (66-59) on February 21st. That led them to a 25-2 SU record with losses to only possible No. 1 seeds, Wisconsin and Wichita St. But, the bottom fell out with a 71-64 home loss to Duquesne (as -15). That keyed a 3 game losing streak before the Bills were able to turn things around with a season ending 64-62 road win at NCAA bound UMass. Consider that a buy sign for the most experienced team in the country with 5 senior starters. Under 2nd year HC Crews, the fundamentals installed by former HC Majerus have stuck like glue. Yet, St. Louis is rarely a margin team this season. It is not often that you see a 26-5 SU team with a 10-17 ATS mark. But, that is exactly what we have with SLU today, a reason why we get this huge discounted, value price. It will pay off for us in what I expect to be a double digit victory.
Dayton vs. St. Josephs (-1) 2:30 ET NBCS
3% St. Josephs (-1)
Dayton was good to us in their victory over Fordham yesterday closing out the Rams with an 87-74 win. Now, the Flyers remain on the precipice of the NCAA bubble with a closing season burst of 10-1 SU, 8-3 ATS. Following a 12-2 SU, 10-4 ATS run, St. Joes cooled down the stretch with a loss at GW and season-ending LHG embarrassment to underachieving Big 5 rival, LaSalle (71-73). Expect that to key a bounce back today against a Dayton team the Hawks defeated twice this season, by margins of 26 and 3 points.
S. Carolina vs. Tennessee (-10) 3:30 ET ESPNU
5% Tennessee (-10)
Following an 83-67 loss at Auburn on February 26th, the Gamecocks stood 10-18 SU for the season, 3-12 SU in the league. An improbable home upset of Kentucky sparked resurgence. Though it was followed by a loss to league leader, Florida, the Gamecocks have since spurted to a 3-0 SU ATS mark, all as underdog, covering by 43 points. Should we consider it a coincidence that this surge began at Mississippi St., when the tongue lashing of profanity administered by 2nd year HC Martin was a highlight of social media in recent days? But, handicapping theory is clear that 3 times is enough (upsets that is), especially when your next contest is in CCT play. Now, they must meet an opponent whose interior forces of Maymon and Stokes dominated the Gamecocks in an earlier meeting by a count of 72-53 on February 8th. The Vols have been ontheir own late season surge, as they have taken seriously the allegation that they remain on the bubble. Their last 3 games have been victories of 76-38 vs. Vandy, 82-54 at Auburn, and 72-45 to close the season vs. Missouri. Key difference from their opponent is that the Vols were favored in all those games. Please note that the Vols’ last 7 victories have all been by 16 or more points. Tennessee continues their ascent to the positive side of the bubble.
Ecks and Bacon
Ben lee lost his two team reverse in college basketball on Thursday.
(1) LaSalle +1.5/Saint Bonaventure (L)
(2) Cal-Irvine -10/Cal-Riverside (W)
For Friday E&B have two plays in college basketball.
Illinois +7.5/Michigan (game is under way)
And a three team five point teaser
(1) Iowa State from +4 to +9/Kansas
(2) Ohio State from -6 to -1/Nebraska
(3) Virginia from -8 to -3/Florida State
Ben lee is 3-1 +$95 for week twenty 66-88-2 -$1918.
All E&B selections will be for $50 unless noted
Ben lee lost his two team reverse in college basketball on Thursday.
(1) LaSalle +1.5/Saint Bonaventure (L)
(2) Cal-Irvine -10/Cal-Riverside (W)
For Friday E&B have two plays in college basketball.
Illinois +7.5/Michigan (game is under way)
And a three team five point teaser
(1) Iowa State from +4 to +9/Kansas
(2) Ohio State from -6 to -1/Nebraska
(3) Virginia from -8 to -3/Florida State
Ben lee is 3-1 +$95 for week twenty 66-88-2 -$1918.
All E&B selections will be for $50 unless noted
Harry Bondi - Bonus Play
TEXAS (+1.5) over Baylor
9:30 p.m. ET
Another FREE PICK winner here yesterday with NC State runs the record to 14-4 the last 18 days!
There is an old adage that says, "It's difficult to beat the same team three times in one season," but we tend to disagree. Sometimes a team simply matches up poorly against another team and that's the case here. In two meetings this season, Baylor could not solve the Texas defense, shooting 36% and 32% from the floor in losses by 14 and 5 points. We see no reason why that will change tonight and we certainly don't see why Baylor should be labeled the favorite. We used Texas last night in a blowout win over West Virginia as part of another winning day for the "Steam Team" and we'll ride'em again here. Hook'em horns!
TEXAS (+1.5) over Baylor
9:30 p.m. ET
Another FREE PICK winner here yesterday with NC State runs the record to 14-4 the last 18 days!
There is an old adage that says, "It's difficult to beat the same team three times in one season," but we tend to disagree. Sometimes a team simply matches up poorly against another team and that's the case here. In two meetings this season, Baylor could not solve the Texas defense, shooting 36% and 32% from the floor in losses by 14 and 5 points. We see no reason why that will change tonight and we certainly don't see why Baylor should be labeled the favorite. We used Texas last night in a blowout win over West Virginia as part of another winning day for the "Steam Team" and we'll ride'em again here. Hook'em horns!
