OC Dooley:
“2 UNIT” NATIONAL-TV PRIMETIME LINETRACKER (Tulsa +2’ at Memphis in an 8:10 eastern tipoff telecast on ESPNU cable): For those who have followed the American Conference chase all season there have been two programs with enormous previous success (Connecticut and Memphis) who have for the most part struggled. Even though Memphis holds a “series” stranglehold versus tonight’s opponent (15-3 past eighteen clashes) they have been cast as a relatively small home favorite by the oddsmakers which speaks volumes to their struggles. It was last month when Tulsa trounced the Tigers by an EIGHTEEN point margin on their home floor, but tonight they have a chance to make a statement on the highway versus a team that traditionally has given them fits. Tulsa (20 overall victories) has turned it up on DEFENSE holding each of the past three opponents (55, 39 and 58) to extremely low point total
“2 UNIT” NATIONAL-TV PRIMETIME LINETRACKER (Tulsa +2’ at Memphis in an 8:10 eastern tipoff telecast on ESPNU cable): For those who have followed the American Conference chase all season there have been two programs with enormous previous success (Connecticut and Memphis) who have for the most part struggled. Even though Memphis holds a “series” stranglehold versus tonight’s opponent (15-3 past eighteen clashes) they have been cast as a relatively small home favorite by the oddsmakers which speaks volumes to their struggles. It was last month when Tulsa trounced the Tigers by an EIGHTEEN point margin on their home floor, but tonight they have a chance to make a statement on the highway versus a team that traditionally has given them fits. Tulsa (20 overall victories) has turned it up on DEFENSE holding each of the past three opponents (55, 39 and 58) to extremely low point total
Dr. Bob
*Tulsa (+2 ½) over MEMPHIS
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 659
Tulsa beat Memphis by 18 points at home despite horrible 3-point shooting (2 for 12) and free throw shooting (61.8%) and I will bet that Memphis continues to struggle against good teams. With their home loss to SMU on Thursday the Tigers are now just 2-9 straight up and 1-9-1 ATS against teams ranked in my top 100 and their average game rating in those games is 6.1 points lower than their overall rating. My ratings favor Tulsa by 1 point in this game and I’ll take Tulsa in a 1-Star Best Bet at +2 points or more and for 2-Stars at +3.
*Florida International (+10 ½) over WESTERN KENTUCKY
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 649
Florida International failed to cover the spread in their last two games by 15 ½ points and 13 points but that’s actually a good omen for the Panthers tonight, as FIU applies to a very good 217-98-6 ATS contrary situation that plays on teams that didn’t come close to covering the spread in their two most recent games. My ratings favor Western Kentucky by 10 ½ points, so the line is fair, and I’ll take Florida International in a 1-Star Best Bet at +10 points or more and for 2-Stars at +11 or more.
Opinion – UNLV (-2) over Wyoming
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 656
UNLV is without leading scorer Rashad Vaughn for a 5th straight game but the line has dropped from 3 ½ points down to 2, which is pretty close to a fair line (I get UNLV by 1 ½ points). The reason for liking the Rebels is a 52-151-5 ATS situation that applies to Wyoming that is based on their home upset loss to Fresno State a few nights ago. I’ll lean with UNLV at -2 or less and I’d take UNLV in a 2-Star Best Bet at -1 or better.
Opinion – Milwaukee (+3 ½) over UTAH
06:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 511
The Bucks have let me down lately but I’ve still profited a lot backing them this season and tonight they’re in their best role. The Bucks are 19-6 ATS after a loss and 21-8-1 ATS on the road this season. On the road after a loss has been 10-2 ATS for Milwaukee and my ratings favor Utah by just 2 ½ points. I’ll lean with the Bucks plus the points.
Opinion – GONZAGA (-13) over Brigham Young
07:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 686
As you probably know by now, BYU is what I refer to as a bully – a team that beats up on bad teams but plays relatively worse against better teams. BYU is great as a favorite against mediocre or bad teams but the Cougars are just 15-41-1 ATS as an underdog after a victory, including 0-3 ATS this season. My ratings favor Gonzaga by 15 points and this is certainly a game the Bulldogs will be motivated for. I’ll lean with Gonzaga minus the points and I’d play Gonzaga as a 1-Star Best Bet if the line drops to -12 or less.
*Tulsa (+2 ½) over MEMPHIS
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 659
Tulsa beat Memphis by 18 points at home despite horrible 3-point shooting (2 for 12) and free throw shooting (61.8%) and I will bet that Memphis continues to struggle against good teams. With their home loss to SMU on Thursday the Tigers are now just 2-9 straight up and 1-9-1 ATS against teams ranked in my top 100 and their average game rating in those games is 6.1 points lower than their overall rating. My ratings favor Tulsa by 1 point in this game and I’ll take Tulsa in a 1-Star Best Bet at +2 points or more and for 2-Stars at +3.
*Florida International (+10 ½) over WESTERN KENTUCKY
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 649
Florida International failed to cover the spread in their last two games by 15 ½ points and 13 points but that’s actually a good omen for the Panthers tonight, as FIU applies to a very good 217-98-6 ATS contrary situation that plays on teams that didn’t come close to covering the spread in their two most recent games. My ratings favor Western Kentucky by 10 ½ points, so the line is fair, and I’ll take Florida International in a 1-Star Best Bet at +10 points or more and for 2-Stars at +11 or more.
Opinion – UNLV (-2) over Wyoming
05:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 656
UNLV is without leading scorer Rashad Vaughn for a 5th straight game but the line has dropped from 3 ½ points down to 2, which is pretty close to a fair line (I get UNLV by 1 ½ points). The reason for liking the Rebels is a 52-151-5 ATS situation that applies to Wyoming that is based on their home upset loss to Fresno State a few nights ago. I’ll lean with UNLV at -2 or less and I’d take UNLV in a 2-Star Best Bet at -1 or better.
Opinion – Milwaukee (+3 ½) over UTAH
06:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 511
The Bucks have let me down lately but I’ve still profited a lot backing them this season and tonight they’re in their best role. The Bucks are 19-6 ATS after a loss and 21-8-1 ATS on the road this season. On the road after a loss has been 10-2 ATS for Milwaukee and my ratings favor Utah by just 2 ½ points. I’ll lean with the Bucks plus the points.
Opinion – GONZAGA (-13) over Brigham Young
07:00 PM Pacific Rotation: 686
As you probably know by now, BYU is what I refer to as a bully – a team that beats up on bad teams but plays relatively worse against better teams. BYU is great as a favorite against mediocre or bad teams but the Cougars are just 15-41-1 ATS as an underdog after a victory, including 0-3 ATS this season. My ratings favor Gonzaga by 15 points and this is certainly a game the Bulldogs will be motivated for. I’ll lean with Gonzaga minus the points and I’d play Gonzaga as a 1-Star Best Bet if the line drops to -12 or less.
