Randall the Handle
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
NY RANGERS -½ -1.08 over Ottawa (REG)
This one is pretty much a non-brainer and until the Senators show something else, there’s no reason whatsoever to not keep wagering against them. Again, this is a beaten team before they even step on the ice. They’ve dropped five in a row and have been outscored 22-5 over that stretch. They’ve scored one goal or less in four of those five games. Right now they can’t score, they can’t prevent goals and both goaltenders, be it Elliott or Leclaire pray their name isn’t called today because both have no confidence. Meanwhile, the Rangers are among the hottest teams in the league. They have one regulation loss over its last 13 games. In other words, they’ve picked up points in 12 of its last 13 and should have am easy time of it against this physically and mentally damaged invader. Well, it’s rarely easy in the NHL but as long as the Rangers show up, and nothing suggests they won’t, they’ll beat this team like everybody else has. Play: NY Rangers -½ -1.08 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).
Dallas +1.36 over MONTREAL (REG)
The Stars are going bad, real bad in fact and have not picked up a single point in five straight road games. Overall the Stars have slipped down to 11th place in the West after winning just once in its last six games. They’re coming off a 6-3 loss in Philly and that score is really not a true indication of how they played. They definitely outplayed the Flyers in the first period and were looking good early in the second after tying it 1-1. What transpired next was a couple of quick Flyer goals followed by a slew of bad penalties and before they knew it they were down big. This team is not as bad as its current slide suggests and its biggest problem has been the inconsistent goaltending of Marty Turco. What is noteworthy here is that the players are jacked up for tonight, as they make a rare appearance in one of hockey’s hot beds. The Stars have played just once in Montreal over the past seven years so you know they’ll be ready to go for sure. Besides, the Canadiens have a ton more appeal as the dog than they do as the chalk. This is a team that struggles to score and although they’re also very difficult to score against, this appears to be the right setting for an upset, as the Habs have Ottawa on deck and again, the Stars will be extra jacked up. Play: Dallas +1.36 (Risking 2 units).
PHOENIX +1.20 over New Jersey (REG)
The Coyotes have dropped three in a row and four of its last five but you should never count this team out. They’re one of the few teams in the NHL that have avoided prolonged losing streaks because they play their hearts out almost every shift. In fact, just to give you an idea of how tough they’ve been, this is the Coyotes first three-game losing streak of the year. They Coyotes will play with an extra sense of urgency while the Devils may not. New Jersey is coming off a very tough 1-0 OT at MSG. They will only be out to the West Coast for one game, this one, and then they’ll head to Colorado and will conclude its four-game trip on Long Island. The Devils are in top spot in the East with 65 points. Most teams traveling to the coast will get a few days in the sun with consecutive games in L.A., Phoenix, San Jose or Anaheim. This is a one and done for the Devils so fun in the sun may be more appealing than a game in Phoenix, where they’ve played just once in the past six years. Definitely a great shot to catch the Devils not at their best. Play: Phoenix +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
All games include OT unless stated otherwise
NY RANGERS -½ -1.08 over Ottawa (REG)
This one is pretty much a non-brainer and until the Senators show something else, there’s no reason whatsoever to not keep wagering against them. Again, this is a beaten team before they even step on the ice. They’ve dropped five in a row and have been outscored 22-5 over that stretch. They’ve scored one goal or less in four of those five games. Right now they can’t score, they can’t prevent goals and both goaltenders, be it Elliott or Leclaire pray their name isn’t called today because both have no confidence. Meanwhile, the Rangers are among the hottest teams in the league. They have one regulation loss over its last 13 games. In other words, they’ve picked up points in 12 of its last 13 and should have am easy time of it against this physically and mentally damaged invader. Well, it’s rarely easy in the NHL but as long as the Rangers show up, and nothing suggests they won’t, they’ll beat this team like everybody else has. Play: NY Rangers -½ -1.08 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).
Dallas +1.36 over MONTREAL (REG)
The Stars are going bad, real bad in fact and have not picked up a single point in five straight road games. Overall the Stars have slipped down to 11th place in the West after winning just once in its last six games. They’re coming off a 6-3 loss in Philly and that score is really not a true indication of how they played. They definitely outplayed the Flyers in the first period and were looking good early in the second after tying it 1-1. What transpired next was a couple of quick Flyer goals followed by a slew of bad penalties and before they knew it they were down big. This team is not as bad as its current slide suggests and its biggest problem has been the inconsistent goaltending of Marty Turco. What is noteworthy here is that the players are jacked up for tonight, as they make a rare appearance in one of hockey’s hot beds. The Stars have played just once in Montreal over the past seven years so you know they’ll be ready to go for sure. Besides, the Canadiens have a ton more appeal as the dog than they do as the chalk. This is a team that struggles to score and although they’re also very difficult to score against, this appears to be the right setting for an upset, as the Habs have Ottawa on deck and again, the Stars will be extra jacked up. Play: Dallas +1.36 (Risking 2 units).
PHOENIX +1.20 over New Jersey (REG)
The Coyotes have dropped three in a row and four of its last five but you should never count this team out. They’re one of the few teams in the NHL that have avoided prolonged losing streaks because they play their hearts out almost every shift. In fact, just to give you an idea of how tough they’ve been, this is the Coyotes first three-game losing streak of the year. They Coyotes will play with an extra sense of urgency while the Devils may not. New Jersey is coming off a very tough 1-0 OT at MSG. They will only be out to the West Coast for one game, this one, and then they’ll head to Colorado and will conclude its four-game trip on Long Island. The Devils are in top spot in the East with 65 points. Most teams traveling to the coast will get a few days in the sun with consecutive games in L.A., Phoenix, San Jose or Anaheim. This is a one and done for the Devils so fun in the sun may be more appealing than a game in Phoenix, where they’ve played just once in the past six years. Definitely a great shot to catch the Devils not at their best. Play: Phoenix +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
Tom Freese Blue Line Club 10* "NO BRAINER" TONIGHT!!
Utah is 13-6 ATS their 19 home games and they are one of the most balanced teams in the NBA with six players averaging double figures. The Cavaliers don't have balance as Lebron James and Mo Williams are taking more than half the teams shots on most nights. The underdog in this series is 5-2 ATS the last 7 meetings. This is a tough spot for the Cavs as they play their fourth straight road game. This game is in Utah where the air is rare. We will side the home lovin' Jazz. "NO BRAINER" PLAY ON UTAH
Utah is 13-6 ATS their 19 home games and they are one of the most balanced teams in the NBA with six players averaging double figures. The Cavaliers don't have balance as Lebron James and Mo Williams are taking more than half the teams shots on most nights. The underdog in this series is 5-2 ATS the last 7 meetings. This is a tough spot for the Cavs as they play their fourth straight road game. This game is in Utah where the air is rare. We will side the home lovin' Jazz. "NO BRAINER" PLAY ON UTAH
Brandon Lang
Thursday's Selections ...
10 DIME - THE CITADEL BULLDOGS - I remember watching this team do battle on the road at Michigan State and saying to myself what a good little squad Ed Conroy has with the Bulldogs.
His two guards Zach Urbanus and Cameron Wells gave the Spartans fits, and I was even more impressed with their ability to shoot the trey.
They come in here off a home loss to the leader of the South division of their conference Charleston 61-55 which was a game preceded by a win on the road against the leader of the North Division, Appalachian State 62-58.
Now they face Chattanooga who is red-hot, riding a 5 game winning streak, and 7 of their last 10 but let's examine this little winning streak by the Mocs.
Of their seven wins only one has come against a winning team, Eastern Kentucky at 10-6.
Their other 6 wins have come against 3-13 Greensboro, 4-13 Georgia Southern, 6-9 Long Island University-Brooklyn, 9-14 Tennessee Temple Christian, 2-14 Missouri Valley State and 6-9 Jackson State.
So as you can see, not exactly the elite of the elite, and now they step back up in class to face a very good Citadel team that has shown great ability to compete against the big boys.
Quite frankly the wrong team is favored and look for Citadel to get back on the winning track.
10 DIME - OREGON DUCKS -Love the ducks here.
They catch an Arizona State team that is playing only their 4th true road game of the entire year and considering they are 0-3 SU and ATS in the other 3, I have all the confidence in the world it will go to 0-4 tonight.
Forget their 2 neutral site games early this year losing to Duke by 11 as a 10 point pup or the 19 point win over LSU as a 4 point chalk, I want to talk about the losses to BYU, UCLA and USC.
At BYU they were catching 8 and lost by 11, at UCLA they were catching 1 1/2 and lost by 2 and at USC they were catching 2 1/2 and lost by 10. The bottom line is they have trouble executing down the stretch in close games and with this line a pick'em, Vegas is essentially telling you this is going to be a close game.
Oregon on the other hand has turned the corner.
Yes, they come off a 7 point loss at home to Oregon State as an 8 point chalk, but I want to focus on the 2 games prior to that at Washington and Washington State.
Against a 12-4 Washington State they rolled in their and beat them outright by 11 as an 11 point road underdog, and at Washington they won in OT by 2 as a 6 point dog.
I can see where they came back home in a bit of a letdown spot and Oregon State just got them at the perfect time but tonight they will come back refocused and reenergized for the big home win over a struggling road team.
Ernie Kent has his Ducks sitting near the top of the Pac-10 conference with Cal, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona State and USC, and he would like nothing better to get to 3-1 in conference play and I believe he gets it.
Great line value with the Ducks off their loss to Oregon State but as I said, huge flat spot for them off the back to back road wins against Washington and Washington State.
Grab Oregon at home.
10 DIMER - ST.MARYS GAELS - Love the Gaels tonight at any number.
This is the game they have been waiting for. The game they want. The game they need.
Call it a changing of the guard in the West Coast Conference tonight, because this is the game St. Mary's has been waiting all year for.
They have won and covered every single home game this year with exception of their 4 point home loss to a damn good Vandy team out of the SEC.
In fact, they have won their other 8 home games by margins of 32, 22, 25, 41, 21, 15, 28 and 38. Nobody with exception of Vandy has been able to stay within single digits of this team at home.
Now both teams took big hits from their squads last year with both returning just 1 starter and as you can see, the Zags at 12-3 and the Gaels at 15-2 haven't missed a beat.
However, I just feel St. Mary's is the better team all around and the key was the minutes back up point guard Micky McConnell got when Patty Mills broke his wrist last year.
They have a great inside out game with McConnell and 6'11" center Omar Samhan, who is the only returning starter from last year.
Both teams are well balanced as both teams have 4 starters averaging double figures but St. Mary's almost has 5 with their 5th starter getting you 9.9 points a game.
The Gaels have been paying out like a slot machine going 12-3 ATS for the year and this is without question their biggest game of the year and the McKeon Pavillion will be rocking tonight.
Laying this small number with St. Mary's tonight as the power shifts in the West Coast Conference tonight.
FREE SELECTION - WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Thursday's Selections ...
10 DIME - THE CITADEL BULLDOGS - I remember watching this team do battle on the road at Michigan State and saying to myself what a good little squad Ed Conroy has with the Bulldogs.
His two guards Zach Urbanus and Cameron Wells gave the Spartans fits, and I was even more impressed with their ability to shoot the trey.
They come in here off a home loss to the leader of the South division of their conference Charleston 61-55 which was a game preceded by a win on the road against the leader of the North Division, Appalachian State 62-58.
Now they face Chattanooga who is red-hot, riding a 5 game winning streak, and 7 of their last 10 but let's examine this little winning streak by the Mocs.
Of their seven wins only one has come against a winning team, Eastern Kentucky at 10-6.
Their other 6 wins have come against 3-13 Greensboro, 4-13 Georgia Southern, 6-9 Long Island University-Brooklyn, 9-14 Tennessee Temple Christian, 2-14 Missouri Valley State and 6-9 Jackson State.
So as you can see, not exactly the elite of the elite, and now they step back up in class to face a very good Citadel team that has shown great ability to compete against the big boys.
Quite frankly the wrong team is favored and look for Citadel to get back on the winning track.
10 DIME - OREGON DUCKS -Love the ducks here.
They catch an Arizona State team that is playing only their 4th true road game of the entire year and considering they are 0-3 SU and ATS in the other 3, I have all the confidence in the world it will go to 0-4 tonight.
Forget their 2 neutral site games early this year losing to Duke by 11 as a 10 point pup or the 19 point win over LSU as a 4 point chalk, I want to talk about the losses to BYU, UCLA and USC.
At BYU they were catching 8 and lost by 11, at UCLA they were catching 1 1/2 and lost by 2 and at USC they were catching 2 1/2 and lost by 10. The bottom line is they have trouble executing down the stretch in close games and with this line a pick'em, Vegas is essentially telling you this is going to be a close game.
Oregon on the other hand has turned the corner.
Yes, they come off a 7 point loss at home to Oregon State as an 8 point chalk, but I want to focus on the 2 games prior to that at Washington and Washington State.
Against a 12-4 Washington State they rolled in their and beat them outright by 11 as an 11 point road underdog, and at Washington they won in OT by 2 as a 6 point dog.
I can see where they came back home in a bit of a letdown spot and Oregon State just got them at the perfect time but tonight they will come back refocused and reenergized for the big home win over a struggling road team.
Ernie Kent has his Ducks sitting near the top of the Pac-10 conference with Cal, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona State and USC, and he would like nothing better to get to 3-1 in conference play and I believe he gets it.
Great line value with the Ducks off their loss to Oregon State but as I said, huge flat spot for them off the back to back road wins against Washington and Washington State.
Grab Oregon at home.
10 DIMER - ST.MARYS GAELS - Love the Gaels tonight at any number.
This is the game they have been waiting for. The game they want. The game they need.
Call it a changing of the guard in the West Coast Conference tonight, because this is the game St. Mary's has been waiting all year for.
They have won and covered every single home game this year with exception of their 4 point home loss to a damn good Vandy team out of the SEC.
In fact, they have won their other 8 home games by margins of 32, 22, 25, 41, 21, 15, 28 and 38. Nobody with exception of Vandy has been able to stay within single digits of this team at home.
Now both teams took big hits from their squads last year with both returning just 1 starter and as you can see, the Zags at 12-3 and the Gaels at 15-2 haven't missed a beat.
However, I just feel St. Mary's is the better team all around and the key was the minutes back up point guard Micky McConnell got when Patty Mills broke his wrist last year.
They have a great inside out game with McConnell and 6'11" center Omar Samhan, who is the only returning starter from last year.
Both teams are well balanced as both teams have 4 starters averaging double figures but St. Mary's almost has 5 with their 5th starter getting you 9.9 points a game.
The Gaels have been paying out like a slot machine going 12-3 ATS for the year and this is without question their biggest game of the year and the McKeon Pavillion will be rocking tonight.
Laying this small number with St. Mary's tonight as the power shifts in the West Coast Conference tonight.
FREE SELECTION - WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
Wunderdog
Game: Gonzaga at St. Marys (11:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: St. Marys -4 (-105)
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Game: Gonzaga at St. Marys (11:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: St. Marys -4 (-105)
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The Gonzaga Bulldogs have ruled the roost in the West Coast Conference, but a new player has been developing and emerging, and looks to have the upper hand here. The Gaels have been knocking on the door, but this looks to be the year they break through. For the first time the Gaels will have had that edge over the Zags as Omar Sanhan will be the best player on the floor. Sanhan is a beast to contend with inside averaging a double-double. He is not alone however. The Gaels’ twin towers also include Ben Allen, and he is at 10 points per game and 8 boards as well as a solid playmaker in Mickey O'Connell dishing out 108 assists to just 44 turnovers. The Bulldogs took a hit from graduation and are still talented, but have lost a ton of experience which will hurt them in this one vs. a team that is hungry to knock them off, and for once has the better team. I'll go with St. Mary's here.
Eafra Soccer
Soccer Record: 86-63-14 (57.7%) +20 units
NHL: 56-33 (62.9%) +19 units
10-2 on last 12 Soccer Bonus Plays
Today's Top Plays are: Soccer
1* Trabzonspor(+105), Turkey Cup at 1:30pm EST
1* Rayo Vallecano +1(-125), Spain Cup at 2pm EST
1* Atletico/Recreativo OVER 2.5(-140), Spain Cup at 4pm EST
Twitter: EafraSoccer
Soccer Record: 86-63-14 (57.7%) +20 units
NHL: 56-33 (62.9%) +19 units
10-2 on last 12 Soccer Bonus Plays
Today's Top Plays are: Soccer
1* Trabzonspor(+105), Turkey Cup at 1:30pm EST
1* Rayo Vallecano +1(-125), Spain Cup at 2pm EST
1* Atletico/Recreativo OVER 2.5(-140), Spain Cup at 4pm EST
Twitter: EafraSoccer
10* COLLEGE HOOPS GAME OF THE WEEK
Butler is 56-4 Straight up their last 60 home games including 6-0 this year. The Bulldogs return all five starters from last years team. Butler plays with revenge from a loss to Cleveland St in the Horizon league Championship last year. The Bulldogs are led by are led by Gordon Hayward and his 16.8 points a game. Hayward can play both guard and forward. Shelvin Mack scores 15 points a game and team leader Matt Howard scores just under 11 points a game. Butler has won 20 or more games in four straight years. Cleveland St is 5-25 ATS when they lose straight up vs. a team with revenge. The Vikings are just 7-10 straight up this year and they have 3 double digit scores. This is not the movie Hoosiers but it is Hinkle Fieldhouse.
10* COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME OF THE WEEK PLAY ON BUTLER -
Thursday NCAAB Play GC
On Thursday night the Free NCAAB play is on the Arizona Wild Cats. Game 553 at 10:00 eastern. Arizona while not the same team as in years past,should still be good enough to cover as a point dog here tonight. They are 13-0 vs losing teams and have won here 8 of the past 12 years. Oregon St. is 9-33 in conference games and 3-14 at home when the total is 130 to 135. Grab the points here tonight in this PAC 10 match up. On Thursday I have the 32-4 Sun Belt conference goy,A Triple angle Big East conference winner and a Big city Blowout side, which sholud win east as well. Plus the 44-13 system winner in the late NBA game on TNT.Jump on and make some nice change on Thursday. For the Bonus Play take Arizona plus the points. BOL GC
On Thursday night the Free NCAAB play is on the Arizona Wild Cats. Game 553 at 10:00 eastern. Arizona while not the same team as in years past,should still be good enough to cover as a point dog here tonight. They are 13-0 vs losing teams and have won here 8 of the past 12 years. Oregon St. is 9-33 in conference games and 3-14 at home when the total is 130 to 135. Grab the points here tonight in this PAC 10 match up. On Thursday I have the 32-4 Sun Belt conference goy,A Triple angle Big East conference winner and a Big city Blowout side, which sholud win east as well. Plus the 44-13 system winner in the late NBA game on TNT.Jump on and make some nice change on Thursday. For the Bonus Play take Arizona plus the points. BOL GC
ROBERT FERRINGO
1.5-Unit Play. Take #578 Samford (-3) over Charleston (9 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #524 Troy (-5) over North Texas (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #513 Auburn (+14.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #536 Oregon (Pk) over Arizona State (8:30 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #582 UT-Martin (+2.5) over Tennessee Tech (9 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #558 San Jose State (-1) over Boise State (10 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #533 Florida Atlantic (+12) over Western Kentucky (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #526 UL-Monroe (+2) over South Alabama (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #509 Buffalo (-2.5) over Bowling Green (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #579 Jacksonville State (+18.5) over Murray State (8:30 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #548 LBSU (-4.5) over UCSB (10 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #513 Auburn (+19.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.) AND Take #565 Gonzaga (+9) over St. Mary’s (11 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #505 Seton Hall (+11) over Georgetown (7 p.m.) AND Take #561 Portland (+6) over San Diego (10:30 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #527 Youngstown (+10) over Valparaiso (8 p.m.) AND Take #569 Citadel (+6.5) over Chattanooga (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #512 Butler (-10.5) over Cleveland State (7 p.m.) AND Take #513 Auburn (+19.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #521 Denver (+6) over UL-Lafayette (8 p.m.) AND Take #526 UL-Monroe (+7) over South Alabama (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #520 Middle Tennessee (-9) over Florida International (8 p.m.) AND Take #579 Jacksonville State (+23.5) over Murray State (8:30 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #578 Samford (-3) over Charleston (9 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #524 Troy (-5) over North Texas (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #513 Auburn (+14.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #536 Oregon (Pk) over Arizona State (8:30 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #582 UT-Martin (+2.5) over Tennessee Tech (9 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #558 San Jose State (-1) over Boise State (10 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #533 Florida Atlantic (+12) over Western Kentucky (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #526 UL-Monroe (+2) over South Alabama (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #509 Buffalo (-2.5) over Bowling Green (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #579 Jacksonville State (+18.5) over Murray State (8:30 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #548 LBSU (-4.5) over UCSB (10 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #513 Auburn (+19.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.) AND Take #565 Gonzaga (+9) over St. Mary’s (11 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #505 Seton Hall (+11) over Georgetown (7 p.m.) AND Take #561 Portland (+6) over San Diego (10:30 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #527 Youngstown (+10) over Valparaiso (8 p.m.) AND Take #569 Citadel (+6.5) over Chattanooga (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #512 Butler (-10.5) over Cleveland State (7 p.m.) AND Take #513 Auburn (+19.5) over Tennessee (7 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #521 Denver (+6) over UL-Lafayette (8 p.m.) AND Take #526 UL-Monroe (+7) over South Alabama (8 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #520 Middle Tennessee (-9) over Florida International (8 p.m.) AND Take #579 Jacksonville State (+23.5) over Murray State (8:30 p.m.)
