Pick 'n' roll: Saturday's best NBA bets
New Orleans Hornets at Charlotte Bobcats (1, 182)
The Hornets have been hovering around the .500 mark following their torrid start to the season, but they are still in contention in the difficult Western Conference. New Orleans has won five of its previous seven games, including victories over Orlando, Denver and Boston.
Superstar Chris Paul is averaging 18.1 points and 9.7 assists over his last 10 games to power the Hornets.
The Charlotte Bobcats are also in the playoff picture, but it’s in the Eastern Conference and Charlotte is currently six games under .500.
Charlotte is also riding a four-game winning streak entering Friday’s action, but Chicago was the only opponent to sport a winning record.
To provide more distraction for the Bobcats, rumors have surfaced that Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is looking to trade star player Gerald Wallace, a sign that the team could be waiving the white flag on the season.
If the ownership doesn’t care about winning games this season, why should the players?
Pick: New Orleans
Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks (-7, 204)
The Atlanta Hawks are starting to take flight, having won five straight and sitting just 3 ½ games back of the Miami Heat in the Southeast division.
The team is being powered by Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson, who are both filling up the basket at a high pace. Crawford is averaging 27.2 points per game over his last six, while Johnson is averaging the same figure over his last five contests.
Four of the five wins came on the road for Atlanta, so they will be glad to be home.
As well as Atlanta is playing, the Houston Rockets are doing just the opposite. Houston has lost six of seven, allowing its opponents to top 100 points in each contest.
The Rockets also struggle on the road, winning just seven of 21 contests, and Atlanta has won the last three contests. Houston will also be playing the second night of a back-to-back, so they should also be tired heading into the match.
Pick: Atlanta
New Orleans Hornets at Charlotte Bobcats (1, 182)
The Hornets have been hovering around the .500 mark following their torrid start to the season, but they are still in contention in the difficult Western Conference. New Orleans has won five of its previous seven games, including victories over Orlando, Denver and Boston.
Superstar Chris Paul is averaging 18.1 points and 9.7 assists over his last 10 games to power the Hornets.
The Charlotte Bobcats are also in the playoff picture, but it’s in the Eastern Conference and Charlotte is currently six games under .500.
Charlotte is also riding a four-game winning streak entering Friday’s action, but Chicago was the only opponent to sport a winning record.
To provide more distraction for the Bobcats, rumors have surfaced that Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is looking to trade star player Gerald Wallace, a sign that the team could be waiving the white flag on the season.
If the ownership doesn’t care about winning games this season, why should the players?
Pick: New Orleans
Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks (-7, 204)
The Atlanta Hawks are starting to take flight, having won five straight and sitting just 3 ½ games back of the Miami Heat in the Southeast division.
The team is being powered by Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson, who are both filling up the basket at a high pace. Crawford is averaging 27.2 points per game over his last six, while Johnson is averaging the same figure over his last five contests.
Four of the five wins came on the road for Atlanta, so they will be glad to be home.
As well as Atlanta is playing, the Houston Rockets are doing just the opposite. Houston has lost six of seven, allowing its opponents to top 100 points in each contest.
The Rockets also struggle on the road, winning just seven of 21 contests, and Atlanta has won the last three contests. Houston will also be playing the second night of a back-to-back, so they should also be tired heading into the match.
Pick: Atlanta
Ice picks: Saturday's best NHL bets
Anaheim Ducks at Phoenix Coyotes (-135, 5.5)
The Anaheim Ducks may have lost star center Ryan Getzlaf, but his loss hasn’t slowed the ducks at all. Anaheim has won three straight and six of seven. One of the biggest reasons for the hot streak is the sensational play of goaltender Jonas Hiller.
The first time All-Star had gone six straight games without surrendering more than two goals before allowing four tallies in a wild 7-4 win over St. Louis. He has a 2.43 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage this season.
The Coyotes look to be returning to their defensive ways as well following a 5-1 win over Toronto. Netminder Ilya Bryzgalov made 28 saves and looks to be rounding into form after a recent battle with the flu.
The under has gone 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between these clubs and there is no reason why that trend shouldn’t continue.
Pick: Under
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes (-125, 5.5)
The Tampa Bay Lightning may be one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. The Bolts are the Southeast division leaders and just two points back of Philadelphia for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay has won five of its last seven games, but not in the way one would think. The Lightning have been doing it with defense, allowing just three goals in the five wins (although an unsightly 14 goals were scored in the two losses) and scoring 12. That is a sharp contrast from the team which earlier in the season was suspect defensively but would just outscore its opponents.
The Lightning’s scoring slowdown can be linked directly to the slump of superstar Steven Stamkos, who has just one assist in his last six games.
Carolina had a three-game road trip snapped by Buffalo on Thursday, but the Canes have been all about offense as of late. Carolina has yielded 14 goals the last four games and their currently-porous defense could be the perfect opportunity for Stamkos and the offense to wake up.
Tampa Bay is 1-8 in its last nine games in Carolina, but that victory came the last time the Lightning were at the RBC Center. Tampa Bay has won four of the last six head-to-head meetings and has also won five straight within the division. Add in the chance that Stamkos gets back on track and Carolina will be in for a tough night.
Pick: Tampa Bay
Anaheim Ducks at Phoenix Coyotes (-135, 5.5)
The Anaheim Ducks may have lost star center Ryan Getzlaf, but his loss hasn’t slowed the ducks at all. Anaheim has won three straight and six of seven. One of the biggest reasons for the hot streak is the sensational play of goaltender Jonas Hiller.
The first time All-Star had gone six straight games without surrendering more than two goals before allowing four tallies in a wild 7-4 win over St. Louis. He has a 2.43 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage this season.
The Coyotes look to be returning to their defensive ways as well following a 5-1 win over Toronto. Netminder Ilya Bryzgalov made 28 saves and looks to be rounding into form after a recent battle with the flu.
The under has gone 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between these clubs and there is no reason why that trend shouldn’t continue.
Pick: Under
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes (-125, 5.5)
The Tampa Bay Lightning may be one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. The Bolts are the Southeast division leaders and just two points back of Philadelphia for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay has won five of its last seven games, but not in the way one would think. The Lightning have been doing it with defense, allowing just three goals in the five wins (although an unsightly 14 goals were scored in the two losses) and scoring 12. That is a sharp contrast from the team which earlier in the season was suspect defensively but would just outscore its opponents.
The Lightning’s scoring slowdown can be linked directly to the slump of superstar Steven Stamkos, who has just one assist in his last six games.
Carolina had a three-game road trip snapped by Buffalo on Thursday, but the Canes have been all about offense as of late. Carolina has yielded 14 goals the last four games and their currently-porous defense could be the perfect opportunity for Stamkos and the offense to wake up.
Tampa Bay is 1-8 in its last nine games in Carolina, but that victory came the last time the Lightning were at the RBC Center. Tampa Bay has won four of the last six head-to-head meetings and has also won five straight within the division. Add in the chance that Stamkos gets back on track and Carolina will be in for a tough night.
Pick: Tampa Bay
College funds: Saturday's best NCAAB bets
No. 12 Missouri at No. 13 Texas A&M
The Aggies have shot up to sit as the No. 2 team in the Big 12, their 15-1 record only bettered by unbeaten Kansas.
Texas A&M isn’t a dominant offensive squad, but dominant is the perfect description for the Aggies’ defense.
Texas A&M ranks fifth in the nation in points against, 12th in field goal percentage against and allows opponents to shoot just 28.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, 17th in the nation. The Aggies are also second in the nation in defensive rebounds and fourth in rebounding margin, so opponents are one-and-done when forced into a bad shot.
The Aggies’ defense has already granted them wins over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Washington and Arkansas, but they’ll be in tough against Big 12 rival Missouri.
The Tigers are the antithesis of Texas A&M; that is, Mizzou is among the weaker defensive teams in the nation, but they can score – a lot.
Missouri ranks fifth in the country in points per game, as well as shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 38.2 from 3-point range.
The Tigers have five players averaging in double figures, but are led by junior guard Marcus Denmon. Missouri has already topped the likes of Nebraska, Illinois and Vanderbilt en route to a 15-2 record.
Something will have to give in this matchup of high-octane offense against air-tight defense. Texas A&M will look to feed off the home crowd, plus their rebounding advantage should help them edge out a win.
Pick: Texas A&M
Marquette at No. 17 Louisville (-6.5, 153)
It seems every matchup in the Big East features two marquee programs, with Saturday’s Louisville-Marquette matchup no exception.
Both clubs are familiar with the NCAA tournament as of late and Marquette is still one of the country’s most dangerous clubs despite not being ranked.
The Golden Eagles love to score, fuelled by the dangerous trio of guards in Darius Johnson-Odom, Jimmy Butler and Dwight Buycks, who combine to score more than 41 points per game. Marquette also relies on Jae Crowder to provide scoring in the paint.
Marquette (12-5) has lost by an average of 4.4 points in their defeats to Duke, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh – all quality teams proving Marquette is no slouch.
Louisville looks to be back on track following a subpar 2009-10 season that saw the Cardinals get bounced in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Rick Pitino’s club has a strong 13-3 record, with losses to Kentucky, Villanova and an upset at the hands of Drexel.
Louisville has been getting things done on both ends of the court this year, but unlike previous seasons the Cardinals are focusing on offense. Senior Preston Knowles leads a Louisville club that ranks 13th in the nation in points scored, but the Cardinals also allow just 64.5 points against per game and hold opponents to just 39.1 percent shooting from the floor.
Perhaps Louisville’s Achilles’ heel is its lack of success at the free throw line, where the team shoots just 67.4 percent. Those missed free throws at the end of games can keep an opponent in the contest.
Louisville has already lost twice on its home court and while they could survive Saturday’s test against Marquette, the Golden Eagles are always in the game until the end and this should be no different.
Pick: Marquette
No. 12 Missouri at No. 13 Texas A&M
The Aggies have shot up to sit as the No. 2 team in the Big 12, their 15-1 record only bettered by unbeaten Kansas.
Texas A&M isn’t a dominant offensive squad, but dominant is the perfect description for the Aggies’ defense.
Texas A&M ranks fifth in the nation in points against, 12th in field goal percentage against and allows opponents to shoot just 28.7 percent from behind the 3-point line, 17th in the nation. The Aggies are also second in the nation in defensive rebounds and fourth in rebounding margin, so opponents are one-and-done when forced into a bad shot.
The Aggies’ defense has already granted them wins over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Washington and Arkansas, but they’ll be in tough against Big 12 rival Missouri.
The Tigers are the antithesis of Texas A&M; that is, Mizzou is among the weaker defensive teams in the nation, but they can score – a lot.
Missouri ranks fifth in the country in points per game, as well as shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 38.2 from 3-point range.
The Tigers have five players averaging in double figures, but are led by junior guard Marcus Denmon. Missouri has already topped the likes of Nebraska, Illinois and Vanderbilt en route to a 15-2 record.
Something will have to give in this matchup of high-octane offense against air-tight defense. Texas A&M will look to feed off the home crowd, plus their rebounding advantage should help them edge out a win.
Pick: Texas A&M
Marquette at No. 17 Louisville (-6.5, 153)
It seems every matchup in the Big East features two marquee programs, with Saturday’s Louisville-Marquette matchup no exception.
Both clubs are familiar with the NCAA tournament as of late and Marquette is still one of the country’s most dangerous clubs despite not being ranked.
The Golden Eagles love to score, fuelled by the dangerous trio of guards in Darius Johnson-Odom, Jimmy Butler and Dwight Buycks, who combine to score more than 41 points per game. Marquette also relies on Jae Crowder to provide scoring in the paint.
Marquette (12-5) has lost by an average of 4.4 points in their defeats to Duke, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh – all quality teams proving Marquette is no slouch.
Louisville looks to be back on track following a subpar 2009-10 season that saw the Cardinals get bounced in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Rick Pitino’s club has a strong 13-3 record, with losses to Kentucky, Villanova and an upset at the hands of Drexel.
Louisville has been getting things done on both ends of the court this year, but unlike previous seasons the Cardinals are focusing on offense. Senior Preston Knowles leads a Louisville club that ranks 13th in the nation in points scored, but the Cardinals also allow just 64.5 points against per game and hold opponents to just 39.1 percent shooting from the floor.
Perhaps Louisville’s Achilles’ heel is its lack of success at the free throw line, where the team shoots just 67.4 percent. Those missed free throws at the end of games can keep an opponent in the contest.
Louisville has already lost twice on its home court and while they could survive Saturday’s test against Marquette, the Golden Eagles are always in the game until the end and this should be no different.
Pick: Marquette
Bettor's best friend (BBF): Saturday's wagering tips
Lines to keep an eye on
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies: Dallas is without star Dirk Nowitzki for the ninth consecutive game Friday against San Antonio. Dallas is just 2-6 without Nowitzki so far and facing Memphis on the second half of a back-to-back could be a difficult game.
If Nowitzki returns? Look for Dallas to gain a huge boost from his presence.
Weather to watch
The weather in Pittsburgh is forecasted to involve flurries and high of 33 degrees, but a possible low of 20. It’s going to be cold and possibly messy for the Steelers’ home playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Who’s hot
NFL: The over is 9-1 in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ last 10 playoff home games.
NBA: The Atlanta Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a favorite.
NHL: The New York Rangers have played the under in eight streak games.
NCAAB: The under is 21-5 in Rutgers last 26 home games.
Who’s not
NFL: The Green Bay Packers at 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Atlanta Falcons.
NBA: The New Jersey nets are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 road games.
NHL: The San Jose Sharks are 0-6 in their last six home games.
NCAAB: The Duke Blue Devils are 0-6 ATS in their last six games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Key stat
7.22 – the average margin of victory between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007. That margin shrinks to 4.25 if you subtract a 38-7 Steelers win from November 2007.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Josh Smith, Atlanta – The Hawks may be riding a hot streak thanks to the scoring binges of Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, but forward Josh Smith left Tuesday’s win over Toronto after spraining his ankle. Smith averages 15.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and is a game-changer on the defensive end due to his blocking prowess. Smith is listed questionable for Saturday’s contest, but even if he plays the ankle could hinder his explosiveness and ,ultimately, his effectiveness.
Game of the day
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 37)
Notable quotable
“We've been to the AFC championship, we've been to the divisional round, we've done everything we're supposed to do. What's next for us? What's next is finish." – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, on what the team’s mindset is entering Saturday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tips and notes
The Houston Rockets were granted a salary cap exception Friday for injured center Yao Ming. Yao suffered yet another season-ending injury and there is doubt about his chances of returning next season as he is in the final year of his contract. The exception allows Houston to sign a free agent or trade for a player without matching salaries, up to the value of a midlevel exception (about $5.8 million). Houston got the same exception last season from another Yao injury and used it to sign Trevor Ariza, who was later traded in a deal that brought Courtney Lee to Houston.
The Toronto Maple Leafs designated rookie goaltender James Reimer to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Reimer was playing in place of the injured Jean-Sebastien Giguere and went 4-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Injuries and suspensions forced Toronto to have an increased short-term need for skaters, as well as Giguere declaring himself healthy enough to reclaim the starting gig.
Leon Rose, the agent for Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony, was in attendance for Friday night’s NBA game between the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Rose is also the agent for Knicks’ center Eddy Curry, but seeing as Curry doesn’t even sniff the court in Mike D’Antoni’s system, it could be saying something that Anthony’s agent is watching the Knicks amid the “Melo-Drama.”
Lines to keep an eye on
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies: Dallas is without star Dirk Nowitzki for the ninth consecutive game Friday against San Antonio. Dallas is just 2-6 without Nowitzki so far and facing Memphis on the second half of a back-to-back could be a difficult game.
If Nowitzki returns? Look for Dallas to gain a huge boost from his presence.
Weather to watch
The weather in Pittsburgh is forecasted to involve flurries and high of 33 degrees, but a possible low of 20. It’s going to be cold and possibly messy for the Steelers’ home playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Who’s hot
NFL: The over is 9-1 in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ last 10 playoff home games.
NBA: The Atlanta Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a favorite.
NHL: The New York Rangers have played the under in eight streak games.
NCAAB: The under is 21-5 in Rutgers last 26 home games.
Who’s not
NFL: The Green Bay Packers at 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Atlanta Falcons.
NBA: The New Jersey nets are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 road games.
NHL: The San Jose Sharks are 0-6 in their last six home games.
NCAAB: The Duke Blue Devils are 0-6 ATS in their last six games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Key stat
7.22 – the average margin of victory between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007. That margin shrinks to 4.25 if you subtract a 38-7 Steelers win from November 2007.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Josh Smith, Atlanta – The Hawks may be riding a hot streak thanks to the scoring binges of Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford, but forward Josh Smith left Tuesday’s win over Toronto after spraining his ankle. Smith averages 15.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and is a game-changer on the defensive end due to his blocking prowess. Smith is listed questionable for Saturday’s contest, but even if he plays the ankle could hinder his explosiveness and ,ultimately, his effectiveness.
Game of the day
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 37)
Notable quotable
“We've been to the AFC championship, we've been to the divisional round, we've done everything we're supposed to do. What's next for us? What's next is finish." – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, on what the team’s mindset is entering Saturday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tips and notes
The Houston Rockets were granted a salary cap exception Friday for injured center Yao Ming. Yao suffered yet another season-ending injury and there is doubt about his chances of returning next season as he is in the final year of his contract. The exception allows Houston to sign a free agent or trade for a player without matching salaries, up to the value of a midlevel exception (about $5.8 million). Houston got the same exception last season from another Yao injury and used it to sign Trevor Ariza, who was later traded in a deal that brought Courtney Lee to Houston.
The Toronto Maple Leafs designated rookie goaltender James Reimer to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Reimer was playing in place of the injured Jean-Sebastien Giguere and went 4-2 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Injuries and suspensions forced Toronto to have an increased short-term need for skaters, as well as Giguere declaring himself healthy enough to reclaim the starting gig.
Leon Rose, the agent for Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony, was in attendance for Friday night’s NBA game between the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Rose is also the agent for Knicks’ center Eddy Curry, but seeing as Curry doesn’t even sniff the court in Mike D’Antoni’s system, it could be saying something that Anthony’s agent is watching the Knicks amid the “Melo-Drama.”
DCI CBB:
01/15/11 Predictions
Season
Straight Up: 1995-566 (.779)
ATS: 774-802 (.491)
ATS Vary Units: 2505-2500 (.500)
Over/Under: 765-743 (.507)
Over/Under Vary Units: 1132-1203 (.485)
America East Conference
Boston U. 66, ALBANY 63
MAINE 68, Binghamton 60
STONY BROOK 58, New Hampshire 52
VERMONT 82, Umbc 58
Atlantic 10 Conference
CHARLOTTE 81, Fordham 63
Massachusetts 81, La Salle 74
SAINT LOUIS 64, Saint Joseph's 61
Temple 70, DUQUESNE 66
XAVIER 68, Dayton 63
Atlantic Coast Conference
DUKE 78, Virginia 53
FLORIDA STATE 68, NC State 61
MIAMI (FLA.) 76, Boston College 72
VIRGINIA TECH 81, Wake Forest 62
Atlantic Sun Conference
BELMONT 79, Campbell 59
JACKSONVILLE 65, East Tennessee State 61
NORTH FLORIDA 68, USC Upstate 58
Big 12 Conference
COLORADO 79, Oklahoma State 75
IOWA STATE 71, Baylor 69
KANSAS 78, Nebraska 58
KANSAS STATE 83, Texas Tech 70
TEXAS 82, Oklahoma 62
TEXAS A&M 75, Missouri 68
Big East Conference
Connecticut 76, DePAUL 65
Georgetown 73, RUTGERS 67
LOUISVILLE 79, Marquette 76
PITTSBURGH 79, Seton Hall 63
SYRACUSE 75, Cincinnati 60
Big Sky Conference
MONTANA 76, Portland State 63
MONTANA STATE 78, Eastern Washington 65
NORTHERN ARIZONA 78, Sacramento State 62
WEBER STATE 80, Idaho State 64
Big South Conference
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 69, Winthrop 66
COASTAL CAROLINA 74, Presbyterian 62
HIGH POINT 91, Vmi 88
Liberty 68, RADFORD 60
UNC ASHEVILLE 81, Gardner-Webb 68
Big Ten Conference
Michigan 68, INDIANA 64
MICHIGAN STATE 74, Northwestern 66
OHIO STATE 75, Penn State 56
WISCONSIN 65, Illinois 60
Big West Conference
CAL POLY 70, UC Irvine 63
Cal State Fullerton 76, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 75
LONG BEACH STATE 66, Pacific 63
UC SANTA BARBARA 72, UC Riverside 61
Colonial Athletic Association
Drexel 64, WILLIAM & MARY 53
GEORGE MASON 74, Georgia State 60
HOFSTRA 64, Old Dominion 63
JAMES MADISON 74, UNC Wilmington 62
TOWSON 70, Delaware 69
VCU 74, Northeastern 58
Conference USA
EAST CAROLINA 69, Tulane 68
Houston 69, SMU 68
Marshall vs. MEMPHIS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
SOUTHERN MISS 68, Ucf 67
Uab 70, TULSA 66
UTEP 81, Rice 62
Great West Conference
CHICAGO STATE 80, Texas-Pan American 79
NEW JERSEY TECH 75, Houston Baptist 70
South Dakota 79, NORTH DAKOTA 74
Horizon League
Cleveland State 74, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 61
GREEN BAY 72, Uic 62
WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE 72, Loyola (Chicago) 63
Ivy League
Cornell 68, COLUMBIA 66
Yale 70, BROWN 68
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Canisius 71, MANHATTAN 61
SAINT PETER'S 65, Niagara 55
Mid-American Conference
BALL STATE 64, Central Michigan 54
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 72, Toledo 59
OHIO 75, Kent State 71
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
DELAWARE STATE 61, Bethune-Cookman 55
HAMPTON 75, Norfolk State 62
MORGAN STATE 81, South Carolina State 64
North Carolina A&T 68, HOWARD 67
UMES 73, Florida A&M 68
Missouri Valley Conference
ILLINOIS STATE 61, Evansville 59
NORTHERN IOWA 60, Southern Illinois 51
Wichita State 69, DRAKE 57
Mountain West Conference
COLORADO STATE 75, Tcu 67
San Diego State 68, NEW MEXICO 64
Unlv 67, AIR FORCE 57
WYOMING 70, Utah 69
Northeast Conference
LONG ISLAND 79, Wagner 69
QUINNIPIAC 70, Central Connecticut State 66
ROBERT MORRIS 72, Monmouth 54
SACRED HEART 74, Bryant 60
SAINT FRANCIS (PA.) 68, Fairleigh Dickinson 65
ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 61, Mount St. Mary's 59
Ohio Valley Conference
Austin Peay 75, TENNESSEE STATE 72
Eastern Kentucky vs. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
JACKSONVILLE STATE 71, Tennessee-Martin 67
Morehead State 68, EASTERN ILLINOIS 58
Murray State 75, TENNESSEE TECH 68
Pacific-10 Conference
ARIZONA 70, Arizona State 58
STANFORD 69, Washington State 64
Ucla 71, OREGON 69
Usc 67, OREGON STATE 61
Patriot League
American 71, COLGATE 61
LAFAYETTE 78, Navy 73
LEHIGH 75, Army 65
Southeastern Conference
Alabama 65, ARKANSAS 64
FLORIDA 76, South Carolina 63
KENTUCKY 78, Lsu 55
OLE MISS 72, Georgia 70
Vanderbilt 76, TENNESSEE 75
Southern Conference
CHATTANOOGA 67, Samford 64
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 81, The Citadel 59
DAVIDSON 73, Wofford 70
Furman 82, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 69
WESTERN CAROLINA 76, Appalachian State 74
Southland Conference
McNEESE STATE 84, Texas State 78
Northwestern State 83, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 79
SAM HOUSTON STATE 69, Nicholls State 63
Stephen F. Austin 63, UT SAN ANTONIO 62
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI 68, Southeastern Louisiana 66
UT ARLINGTON 84, Lamar 74
Southwestern Athletic Conference
ALABAMA A&M 59, Alabama State 57
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 63, SOUTHERN 60
Mississippi Valley State 76, ALCORN STATE 73
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 66, Grambling State 60
TEXAS SOUTHERN 61, Jackson State 59
Summit League
IUPUI 78, South Dakota State 72
North Dakota State 67, WESTERN ILLINOIS 62
Oakland 82, IPFW 78
ORAL ROBERTS 82, Umkc 69
Southern Utah 75, CENTENARY 69
Sun Belt Conference
ARKANSAS STATE 73, Middle Tennessee 68
DENVER 72, Fairleigh Dickinson 63
Florida Atlantic 70, WESTERN KENTUCKY 68
North Texas 83, TROY 78
SOUTH ALABAMA 70, Ulm 60
UALR 74, Louisiana-Lafayette 67
West Coast Conference
GONZAGA 86, Loyola Marymount 65
PORTLAND 83, Pepperdine 65
SAINT MARY'S 86, Santa Clara 61
San Francisco 69, SAN DIEGO 59
Western Athletic Conference
BOISE STATE 82, Nevada 73
LOUISIANA TECH 68, Hawai'i 67
NEW MEXICO STATE 86, San Jose State 74
Utah State 70, FRESNO STATE 60
Non-Conference
COPPIN STATE 71, North Carolina Central 63
Harvard 69, GEORGE WASHINGTON 67
Idaho 74, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 69
VILLANOVA 79, Maryland 72
01/15/11 Predictions
Season
Straight Up: 1995-566 (.779)
ATS: 774-802 (.491)
ATS Vary Units: 2505-2500 (.500)
Over/Under: 765-743 (.507)
Over/Under Vary Units: 1132-1203 (.485)
America East Conference
Boston U. 66, ALBANY 63
MAINE 68, Binghamton 60
STONY BROOK 58, New Hampshire 52
VERMONT 82, Umbc 58
Atlantic 10 Conference
CHARLOTTE 81, Fordham 63
Massachusetts 81, La Salle 74
SAINT LOUIS 64, Saint Joseph's 61
Temple 70, DUQUESNE 66
XAVIER 68, Dayton 63
Atlantic Coast Conference
DUKE 78, Virginia 53
FLORIDA STATE 68, NC State 61
MIAMI (FLA.) 76, Boston College 72
VIRGINIA TECH 81, Wake Forest 62
Atlantic Sun Conference
BELMONT 79, Campbell 59
JACKSONVILLE 65, East Tennessee State 61
NORTH FLORIDA 68, USC Upstate 58
Big 12 Conference
COLORADO 79, Oklahoma State 75
IOWA STATE 71, Baylor 69
KANSAS 78, Nebraska 58
KANSAS STATE 83, Texas Tech 70
TEXAS 82, Oklahoma 62
TEXAS A&M 75, Missouri 68
Big East Conference
Connecticut 76, DePAUL 65
Georgetown 73, RUTGERS 67
LOUISVILLE 79, Marquette 76
PITTSBURGH 79, Seton Hall 63
SYRACUSE 75, Cincinnati 60
Big Sky Conference
MONTANA 76, Portland State 63
MONTANA STATE 78, Eastern Washington 65
NORTHERN ARIZONA 78, Sacramento State 62
WEBER STATE 80, Idaho State 64
Big South Conference
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 69, Winthrop 66
COASTAL CAROLINA 74, Presbyterian 62
HIGH POINT 91, Vmi 88
Liberty 68, RADFORD 60
UNC ASHEVILLE 81, Gardner-Webb 68
Big Ten Conference
Michigan 68, INDIANA 64
MICHIGAN STATE 74, Northwestern 66
OHIO STATE 75, Penn State 56
WISCONSIN 65, Illinois 60
Big West Conference
CAL POLY 70, UC Irvine 63
Cal State Fullerton 76, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 75
LONG BEACH STATE 66, Pacific 63
UC SANTA BARBARA 72, UC Riverside 61
Colonial Athletic Association
Drexel 64, WILLIAM & MARY 53
GEORGE MASON 74, Georgia State 60
HOFSTRA 64, Old Dominion 63
JAMES MADISON 74, UNC Wilmington 62
TOWSON 70, Delaware 69
VCU 74, Northeastern 58
Conference USA
EAST CAROLINA 69, Tulane 68
Houston 69, SMU 68
Marshall vs. MEMPHIS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
SOUTHERN MISS 68, Ucf 67
Uab 70, TULSA 66
UTEP 81, Rice 62
Great West Conference
CHICAGO STATE 80, Texas-Pan American 79
NEW JERSEY TECH 75, Houston Baptist 70
South Dakota 79, NORTH DAKOTA 74
Horizon League
Cleveland State 74, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 61
GREEN BAY 72, Uic 62
WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE 72, Loyola (Chicago) 63
Ivy League
Cornell 68, COLUMBIA 66
Yale 70, BROWN 68
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Canisius 71, MANHATTAN 61
SAINT PETER'S 65, Niagara 55
Mid-American Conference
BALL STATE 64, Central Michigan 54
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 72, Toledo 59
OHIO 75, Kent State 71
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
DELAWARE STATE 61, Bethune-Cookman 55
HAMPTON 75, Norfolk State 62
MORGAN STATE 81, South Carolina State 64
North Carolina A&T 68, HOWARD 67
UMES 73, Florida A&M 68
Missouri Valley Conference
ILLINOIS STATE 61, Evansville 59
NORTHERN IOWA 60, Southern Illinois 51
Wichita State 69, DRAKE 57
Mountain West Conference
COLORADO STATE 75, Tcu 67
San Diego State 68, NEW MEXICO 64
Unlv 67, AIR FORCE 57
WYOMING 70, Utah 69
Northeast Conference
LONG ISLAND 79, Wagner 69
QUINNIPIAC 70, Central Connecticut State 66
ROBERT MORRIS 72, Monmouth 54
SACRED HEART 74, Bryant 60
SAINT FRANCIS (PA.) 68, Fairleigh Dickinson 65
ST. FRANCIS (N.Y.) 61, Mount St. Mary's 59
Ohio Valley Conference
Austin Peay 75, TENNESSEE STATE 72
Eastern Kentucky vs. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
JACKSONVILLE STATE 71, Tennessee-Martin 67
Morehead State 68, EASTERN ILLINOIS 58
Murray State 75, TENNESSEE TECH 68
Pacific-10 Conference
ARIZONA 70, Arizona State 58
STANFORD 69, Washington State 64
Ucla 71, OREGON 69
Usc 67, OREGON STATE 61
Patriot League
American 71, COLGATE 61
LAFAYETTE 78, Navy 73
LEHIGH 75, Army 65
Southeastern Conference
Alabama 65, ARKANSAS 64
FLORIDA 76, South Carolina 63
KENTUCKY 78, Lsu 55
OLE MISS 72, Georgia 70
Vanderbilt 76, TENNESSEE 75
Southern Conference
CHATTANOOGA 67, Samford 64
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 81, The Citadel 59
DAVIDSON 73, Wofford 70
Furman 82, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 69
WESTERN CAROLINA 76, Appalachian State 74
Southland Conference
McNEESE STATE 84, Texas State 78
Northwestern State 83, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 79
SAM HOUSTON STATE 69, Nicholls State 63
Stephen F. Austin 63, UT SAN ANTONIO 62
TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI 68, Southeastern Louisiana 66
UT ARLINGTON 84, Lamar 74
Southwestern Athletic Conference
ALABAMA A&M 59, Alabama State 57
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 63, SOUTHERN 60
Mississippi Valley State 76, ALCORN STATE 73
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 66, Grambling State 60
TEXAS SOUTHERN 61, Jackson State 59
Summit League
IUPUI 78, South Dakota State 72
North Dakota State 67, WESTERN ILLINOIS 62
Oakland 82, IPFW 78
ORAL ROBERTS 82, Umkc 69
Southern Utah 75, CENTENARY 69
Sun Belt Conference
ARKANSAS STATE 73, Middle Tennessee 68
DENVER 72, Fairleigh Dickinson 63
Florida Atlantic 70, WESTERN KENTUCKY 68
North Texas 83, TROY 78
SOUTH ALABAMA 70, Ulm 60
UALR 74, Louisiana-Lafayette 67
West Coast Conference
GONZAGA 86, Loyola Marymount 65
PORTLAND 83, Pepperdine 65
SAINT MARY'S 86, Santa Clara 61
San Francisco 69, SAN DIEGO 59
Western Athletic Conference
BOISE STATE 82, Nevada 73
LOUISIANA TECH 68, Hawai'i 67
NEW MEXICO STATE 86, San Jose State 74
Utah State 70, FRESNO STATE 60
Non-Conference
COPPIN STATE 71, North Carolina Central 63
Harvard 69, GEORGE WASHINGTON 67
Idaho 74, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 69
VILLANOVA 79, Maryland 72
DCI NHL:
01/15/11 Predictions
Season: 201-153 (.568)
BOSTON 3, Pittsburgh 2
Calgary vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
N.Y. Rangers vs. MONTREAL: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Buffalo vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Tampa Bay vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
FLORIDA 3, New Jersey 2
DETROIT 4, Columbus 2
NASHVILLE 3, Chicago 2
Atlanta vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
PHOENIX 3, Anaheim 2
LOS ANGELES 4, Edmonton 2
SAN JOSE 3, St. Louis 2
01/15/11 Predictions
Season: 201-153 (.568)
BOSTON 3, Pittsburgh 2
Calgary vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
N.Y. Rangers vs. MONTREAL: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Buffalo vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Tampa Bay vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
FLORIDA 3, New Jersey 2
DETROIT 4, Columbus 2
NASHVILLE 3, Chicago 2
Atlanta vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
PHOENIX 3, Anaheim 2
LOS ANGELES 4, Edmonton 2
SAN JOSE 3, St. Louis 2
SUNSHINE FORCAST NFL:
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Baltimore Ravens (+3) at Pittsburgh Steelers [AFC Divisional Playoff]
Power Rating Projection:
Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Baltimore Ravens 19
Statistical Projections:
Baltimore Ravens 15
Rushing Yards: 80
Passing Yards: 175
Turnovers: 2
Pittsburgh Steelers 21
Rushing Yards: 113
Passing Yards: 208
Turnovers: 1
SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:
Baltimore Ravens 20 Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Baltimore Ravens (2 stars)
Green Bay Packers (+2) at Atlanta Falcons [NFC Divisional Playoff]
Power Rating Projection:
Green Bay Packers 20 Atlanta Falcons 18
Statistical Projections:
Green Bay Packers 22
Rushing Yards: 123
Passing Yards: 249
Turnovers: 1
Atlanta Falcons 23
Rushing Yards: 133
Passing Yards: 215
Turnovers: 1
SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:
Green Bay Packers 19 Atlanta Falcons 13
Green Bay Packers (1 star)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Baltimore Ravens (+3) at Pittsburgh Steelers [AFC Divisional Playoff]
Power Rating Projection:
Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Baltimore Ravens 19
Statistical Projections:
Baltimore Ravens 15
Rushing Yards: 80
Passing Yards: 175
Turnovers: 2
Pittsburgh Steelers 21
Rushing Yards: 113
Passing Yards: 208
Turnovers: 1
SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:
Baltimore Ravens 20 Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Baltimore Ravens (2 stars)
Green Bay Packers (+2) at Atlanta Falcons [NFC Divisional Playoff]
Power Rating Projection:
Green Bay Packers 20 Atlanta Falcons 18
Statistical Projections:
Green Bay Packers 22
Rushing Yards: 123
Passing Yards: 249
Turnovers: 1
Atlanta Falcons 23
Rushing Yards: 133
Passing Yards: 215
Turnovers: 1
SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:
Green Bay Packers 19 Atlanta Falcons 13
Green Bay Packers (1 star)
