LT Profits
Akron +8.5
Not so much separates the Akron Zips and the Virginia Commonwealth Rams statistically that either of these teams deserved to be this big of a favorite over the other, so Akron offers nice value at this number.
Akron is 6-3 straight up overall, and they are a nice 2-1 on the road, upsetting Niagara outright and beating Fairleigh Dickinson by 44, and in their other road game, they actually covered the number at Pittsburgh.
The Zips have been solid defensively, allowing only 59.2 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting, and that will make any team desirable as a decided underdog like this. If you take out that Pittsburgh game, Akron allowed an average of just 50.0 points in their other two road contests.
Now VCU has an identical 6-3 SU record, but they are allowing 68.2 points per game defensively. Given that they do not figure to match their scoring average of 76.1 points vs. the Akron defense, that defense makes them vulnerable here, and even if the Rams do manage to get a decent lead, the backdoor will always be open.
We do not expect that to happen however, as we see the Zips keeping this contest close from start to finish, and with a little luck, and outright upset would not be impossible.
Pick: Akron +8.5
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday lay the number with UCLA.
When looking for the worst team in division one college hoops you have to take a look at this motley Loyola Marymount bunch. Long gone are the elite 8 days of Kimble, Fryer and the late Hank Gathers. Today this program is as bad as it gets and the 0-10 record does nothing to hurt that sentiment.
Meanwhile at home today we have a top 10 at the very worst UCLA team that has advanced to three straight Final Fours headed by one of the best coaches in the country in Ben Howland. The Bruins are not a total offensive juggernaut that run up and down the court and score 100 a game but their defense is ferocious as usual making me believe that today's visitors in the Lions seriously may not score 40 points.
Collison, Shipp, Aboya and the Bruins are going to win this thing going away. The only way they don't cover would come in garbage time as UCLA wins big but just misses out on grabbing the cash in a 24 or so point victory. But I would not be shocked to see an absolute burial of a final something like 85-40 making me think that the upside is a lot higher than the downside making this big chalk the clear way to go.
Utah (-3) at NEW JERSEY
The Jazz, losers of five straight at New Jersey, are in revenge after suffering their most lopsided home defeat of the season. But understand, Utah was severely short-handed in that Nov. 29 clash, which the Nets won 105-88. So with Andrei Kirilenko healthy (Carlos Boozer is doubtful for tonight), I am thinking the Jazz will have an easy time tonight because the Nets have struggled at home this season, going 4-7 and allowing 103.3 points per game.
I know Utah comes off one of its worst offensive performances of the season in Boston on Monday night, but it’s this type of game the oddsmakers are begging you to take the Nets with the writing on the wall. The writing that says: take the Nets, the dog is the play. But in reality, the Jazz are the favored team for a reason.
Despite the futility in the Garden State, the Jazz are on ATS runs of 4-1 on the highway, 5-1 playing on one days rest and 4-1 against teams with a winning record. On the other hand, the Nets are mired in a 2-5 rut when hosting teams with a losing road record. The head-to-head meetings, I’m not going to lie to you, favor the Nets. But you know what, if there were ever a trend-breaker – this is the game.
1♦ JAZZ
Illinois State -5' at CENTRAL MICHIGAN
This should be an easy one for the undefeated Redbirds on the road, thanks to Emmanuel Holloway, who in four road games this season is shooting 55.6 percents from the field and a scorching 56.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Dating back to last season, Illinois State has won its last four true road games. The Redbirds are 4-0 this season away from Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, with two victories coming on their opponent's home floor.
And since Illinois State is one of just 13 NCAA Division I basketball programs that are still undefeated, I feel comfy in laying the chalk with the ‘Birds, especially since they’re on ATS runs of 10-3 versus the Mid-American Conference, 7-3 off a straight-up win and 4-1 overall. On the other hand, CMU is mired in a 1-4 ATS skid against the Missouri Valley Conference. ISU outscores teams by an average final of 84-69, so let’s aim for the double-digit win tonight.
3♦ ILLINOIS STATE
Akron +8.5
Not so much separates the Akron Zips and the Virginia Commonwealth Rams statistically that either of these teams deserved to be this big of a favorite over the other, so Akron offers nice value at this number.
Akron is 6-3 straight up overall, and they are a nice 2-1 on the road, upsetting Niagara outright and beating Fairleigh Dickinson by 44, and in their other road game, they actually covered the number at Pittsburgh.
The Zips have been solid defensively, allowing only 59.2 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting, and that will make any team desirable as a decided underdog like this. If you take out that Pittsburgh game, Akron allowed an average of just 50.0 points in their other two road contests.
Now VCU has an identical 6-3 SU record, but they are allowing 68.2 points per game defensively. Given that they do not figure to match their scoring average of 76.1 points vs. the Akron defense, that defense makes them vulnerable here, and even if the Rams do manage to get a decent lead, the backdoor will always be open.
We do not expect that to happen however, as we see the Zips keeping this contest close from start to finish, and with a little luck, and outright upset would not be impossible.
Pick: Akron +8.5
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday lay the number with UCLA.
When looking for the worst team in division one college hoops you have to take a look at this motley Loyola Marymount bunch. Long gone are the elite 8 days of Kimble, Fryer and the late Hank Gathers. Today this program is as bad as it gets and the 0-10 record does nothing to hurt that sentiment.
Meanwhile at home today we have a top 10 at the very worst UCLA team that has advanced to three straight Final Fours headed by one of the best coaches in the country in Ben Howland. The Bruins are not a total offensive juggernaut that run up and down the court and score 100 a game but their defense is ferocious as usual making me believe that today's visitors in the Lions seriously may not score 40 points.
Collison, Shipp, Aboya and the Bruins are going to win this thing going away. The only way they don't cover would come in garbage time as UCLA wins big but just misses out on grabbing the cash in a 24 or so point victory. But I would not be shocked to see an absolute burial of a final something like 85-40 making me think that the upside is a lot higher than the downside making this big chalk the clear way to go.
Utah (-3) at NEW JERSEY
The Jazz, losers of five straight at New Jersey, are in revenge after suffering their most lopsided home defeat of the season. But understand, Utah was severely short-handed in that Nov. 29 clash, which the Nets won 105-88. So with Andrei Kirilenko healthy (Carlos Boozer is doubtful for tonight), I am thinking the Jazz will have an easy time tonight because the Nets have struggled at home this season, going 4-7 and allowing 103.3 points per game.
I know Utah comes off one of its worst offensive performances of the season in Boston on Monday night, but it’s this type of game the oddsmakers are begging you to take the Nets with the writing on the wall. The writing that says: take the Nets, the dog is the play. But in reality, the Jazz are the favored team for a reason.
Despite the futility in the Garden State, the Jazz are on ATS runs of 4-1 on the highway, 5-1 playing on one days rest and 4-1 against teams with a winning record. On the other hand, the Nets are mired in a 2-5 rut when hosting teams with a losing road record. The head-to-head meetings, I’m not going to lie to you, favor the Nets. But you know what, if there were ever a trend-breaker – this is the game.
1♦ JAZZ
Illinois State -5' at CENTRAL MICHIGAN
This should be an easy one for the undefeated Redbirds on the road, thanks to Emmanuel Holloway, who in four road games this season is shooting 55.6 percents from the field and a scorching 56.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Dating back to last season, Illinois State has won its last four true road games. The Redbirds are 4-0 this season away from Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, with two victories coming on their opponent's home floor.
And since Illinois State is one of just 13 NCAA Division I basketball programs that are still undefeated, I feel comfy in laying the chalk with the ‘Birds, especially since they’re on ATS runs of 10-3 versus the Mid-American Conference, 7-3 off a straight-up win and 4-1 overall. On the other hand, CMU is mired in a 1-4 ATS skid against the Missouri Valley Conference. ISU outscores teams by an average final of 84-69, so let’s aim for the double-digit win tonight.
3♦ ILLINOIS STATE
Larry Ness' 7* MASSIVE MISMATCH: 31-17 run
November and December can be 'tricky' months, as handicappers "feel their way around" the new CBB season. Larry's had few troubles in the early going, entering tonight's play on a 31-17 (64.5%) run with all his CBB releases going back to 11/20. Don't miss his 7* MASSIVE MISMATCH tonight, a game with B-L-O-W-O-U-T written all over it!
UNLV
Hot capper alert - nhl
2-0 yesterday. I will post when I get later today.....
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff9900><TD width="50%">Results for:
</TD><TD width="50%">Over All:
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Capper</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bob Akmens [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">W-L-P</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10-4-0 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Playing</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]NHL [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">W/L %:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]71.43% [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Bet Type</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Total:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]+23.25 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Length Of Time</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Type:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]units [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
2-0 yesterday. I will post when I get later today.....
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#ff9900><TD width="50%">Results for:
</TD><TD width="50%">Over All:
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Capper</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Bob Akmens [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ffffff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">W-L-P</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10-4-0 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Playing</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]NHL [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">W/L %:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]71.43% [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#ffffff><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Bet Type</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]All [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#f3f8fc><TD width="50%">Total:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]+23.25 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Length Of Time</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]10 [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD width="50%" bgColor=#ececff><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#d7e3f2><TD width="50%">Type:</TD><TD width="50%">[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]units [/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Robert Ferringo College BB
2-Unit Play. Take #561 Siena (+18) over Pittsburgh (9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #535 SMU (+19.5) over Texas A&M (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Portland State (-5) over Cal-Poly SLO (10 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #529 Georgia State (+13) over Georgia Tech (7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #549 Canisius (+25) over Syracuse (7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #551 Citadel (+29) over Michigan State (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #526 Marshall (-5.5) over Ohio (7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #555 Jacksonville State (+11.5) over UAB (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
2-Unit Play. Take #561 Siena (+18) over Pittsburgh (9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #535 SMU (+19.5) over Texas A&M (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Portland State (-5) over Cal-Poly SLO (10 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #529 Georgia State (+13) over Georgia Tech (7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #549 Canisius (+25) over Syracuse (7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #551 Citadel (+29) over Michigan State (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #526 Marshall (-5.5) over Ohio (7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #555 Jacksonville State (+11.5) over UAB (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17)
Jeff Benton
Comp Play
UCLA
It’s impossible to put into words just how atrocious Loyola Marymount is, but I’ll try. The Lions have lost all 10 of their games, and they’ve scored more than 59 points just once, and that was in Saturday’s 81-61 loss at U.C. Santa Barbara as a 17-point road underdog … the same U.C. Santa Barbara that lost by 29 points to Illinois State in late November! Among the other schools that have tripped up Loyola Marymount this year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee (75-51), U.C. Davis (64-55), Wagner (72-51), Arkansas-Little Rock (67-59) and U.C. Riverside (59-52).
About the only “decent” loss for the Lions this year was a competitive 65-54 setback to Notre Dame as a 22½-point home underdog. However, the Irish had stopped in Southern California to play that game on their way out to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, so I think it’s safe to assume the Notre Dame players weren’t totally focused for Loyola Marymount that night.
UCLA, a legitimate Top 15 team, is 6-2 on the season, including 5-0 at home where it has outscored opponents by an average of 20 points per game (78-58). And with no look-ahead game on the horizon – the Bruins host Division II Mercer on Saturday – I’m willing to bet that UCLA will come out ready to play a full 40-minute game. If they do, they’ll bury the undermanned Lions, who are 16-35-2 ATS in their last 53 road games, 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog of 13 points or more and 0-5 ATS in their last five against the Pac-10.
Comp Play
UCLA
It’s impossible to put into words just how atrocious Loyola Marymount is, but I’ll try. The Lions have lost all 10 of their games, and they’ve scored more than 59 points just once, and that was in Saturday’s 81-61 loss at U.C. Santa Barbara as a 17-point road underdog … the same U.C. Santa Barbara that lost by 29 points to Illinois State in late November! Among the other schools that have tripped up Loyola Marymount this year: Wisconsin-Milwaukee (75-51), U.C. Davis (64-55), Wagner (72-51), Arkansas-Little Rock (67-59) and U.C. Riverside (59-52).
About the only “decent” loss for the Lions this year was a competitive 65-54 setback to Notre Dame as a 22½-point home underdog. However, the Irish had stopped in Southern California to play that game on their way out to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational, so I think it’s safe to assume the Notre Dame players weren’t totally focused for Loyola Marymount that night.
UCLA, a legitimate Top 15 team, is 6-2 on the season, including 5-0 at home where it has outscored opponents by an average of 20 points per game (78-58). And with no look-ahead game on the horizon – the Bruins host Division II Mercer on Saturday – I’m willing to bet that UCLA will come out ready to play a full 40-minute game. If they do, they’ll bury the undermanned Lions, who are 16-35-2 ATS in their last 53 road games, 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog of 13 points or more and 0-5 ATS in their last five against the Pac-10.
Jeff Benton
15 Dime: ST. MARY'S (minus the points vs. Oregon)
10 Dime: CLIPPERS (plus the points vs. Bulls)
St. Mary’s
Not long ago – and we’re talking as recently as last year – that the only teams that would be favored at McArthur Court in Eugene, Ore., were Pac-10 powers like UCLA and Arizona. That’s how tough a venue McArthur Court was, and how good Oregon basketball was. In fact, last year, the only visitor that was favored at Oregon was UCLA, and the Bruins lost by five points as a 3½-point chalk. Well, times – and the Ducks’ talent – have changed. Tonight, St. Mary’s – a small California college – invades McArthur Court as a short favorite, which tells us to two things: How far Oregon has fallen and how good the Gaels are.
The Ducks have lost three of their last four games, and they weren’t competitive in any of those four losses to North Carolina (98-69), Texas (70-57), Utah (95-81) and San Diego (64-57). Saturday’s loss to San Diego in Portland was especially disturbing, considering the Toreros had lost their best player in their previous game, yet still traveled north and outshot Oregon 55.8 percent to 35 percent and held the Ducks to just 17 first-half points.
Oregon’s struggles actually go back to the start of the season, when it barely beat Northern Colorado at home 66-64, then lost three days later at home to Division II Oakland 82-79 in overtime. That was an obvious sign that this was going to be a down year for the Ducks. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s is a program that’s on the rise. Last year, the Gaels challenged perennial power Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference championship, cracked the Top 25 for a spell, and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
This year, St. Mary’s is off to a 6-1 start, and even though it hasn’t faced the most daunting of schedules yet, it is still averaging 77.2 points per game … and going up against an Oregon squad that’s been dreadful on defense, allowing 76.6 ppg on 46.1 percent shooting. In fact, the 64 points that San Diego scored on Saturday were the fewest an opponent has produced against the Ducks this year!
St. Mary’s is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against Pac-10 opponents, including last year’s 99-87 home rout of Oregon as a two-point favorite. Considering the Gaels could very well be better than last year while the Ducks are definitely worse, it’s easy to see why the oddsmakers have installed St. Mary’s as the favorite here. Lay the points.
Clippers
After a series of blowout and heartbreaking losses to start the season, the Clippers finally seem to be getting their act together. They’ve won three in a row and four of their last five games, and they’re on an 8-2 ATS run. Most impressively, Los Angeles has won three straight road games, and while two of those road wins (Minnesota and Oklahoma City) weren’t exactly against top-notch competition, the third road win (120-112 overtime win at Portland) definitely was. Besides, when you start out 3-15, any road win is a big road win.
Speaking of that 3-15 start, there’s no question that the Clippers laid an egg in several of those defeats. But they also were victims of bad luck in a bunch of those losses, too, falling to the Nuggets in overtime in the season-opener, losing to the Spurs at home by three points, losing at Philadelphia by four, losing again to Denver by one and losing at Dallas by a bucket. The point is that Los Angeles has been a lot more competitive than its 7-17 record indicates.
As for the Bulls, they’ve been among the most disappointing teams in the NBA for the second straight year. And when I say disappointing, I mean like losing to the Bobcats 110-101 in overtime (as the Bulls did last night) and losing to the Grizzlies at home 106-96 (as they did in their most recent home game). Not only that, but Chicago comes into this game in a 1-6 ATS slump, including 1-5 ATS as a favorite. And get this: The Clippers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five meetings with the Bulls, and they’re 4-0 the last four years when playing in Chicago! Throw in the fact that L.A. is 7-1 ATS in is last eight games as an underdog (4-0 as a road underdog) and 5-1 ATS in its last six on the road, and I’m grabbing the points with Baron Davis (22.7 ppg last six), big man Al Thornton (double-digit scoring in four straight games), rookie Eric Gordon (22 points last night at Oklahoma City) and the improving Clippers.
15 Dime: ST. MARY'S (minus the points vs. Oregon)
10 Dime: CLIPPERS (plus the points vs. Bulls)
St. Mary’s
Not long ago – and we’re talking as recently as last year – that the only teams that would be favored at McArthur Court in Eugene, Ore., were Pac-10 powers like UCLA and Arizona. That’s how tough a venue McArthur Court was, and how good Oregon basketball was. In fact, last year, the only visitor that was favored at Oregon was UCLA, and the Bruins lost by five points as a 3½-point chalk. Well, times – and the Ducks’ talent – have changed. Tonight, St. Mary’s – a small California college – invades McArthur Court as a short favorite, which tells us to two things: How far Oregon has fallen and how good the Gaels are.
The Ducks have lost three of their last four games, and they weren’t competitive in any of those four losses to North Carolina (98-69), Texas (70-57), Utah (95-81) and San Diego (64-57). Saturday’s loss to San Diego in Portland was especially disturbing, considering the Toreros had lost their best player in their previous game, yet still traveled north and outshot Oregon 55.8 percent to 35 percent and held the Ducks to just 17 first-half points.
Oregon’s struggles actually go back to the start of the season, when it barely beat Northern Colorado at home 66-64, then lost three days later at home to Division II Oakland 82-79 in overtime. That was an obvious sign that this was going to be a down year for the Ducks. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s is a program that’s on the rise. Last year, the Gaels challenged perennial power Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference championship, cracked the Top 25 for a spell, and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
This year, St. Mary’s is off to a 6-1 start, and even though it hasn’t faced the most daunting of schedules yet, it is still averaging 77.2 points per game … and going up against an Oregon squad that’s been dreadful on defense, allowing 76.6 ppg on 46.1 percent shooting. In fact, the 64 points that San Diego scored on Saturday were the fewest an opponent has produced against the Ducks this year!
St. Mary’s is 4-1 ATS in its last five games against Pac-10 opponents, including last year’s 99-87 home rout of Oregon as a two-point favorite. Considering the Gaels could very well be better than last year while the Ducks are definitely worse, it’s easy to see why the oddsmakers have installed St. Mary’s as the favorite here. Lay the points.
Clippers
After a series of blowout and heartbreaking losses to start the season, the Clippers finally seem to be getting their act together. They’ve won three in a row and four of their last five games, and they’re on an 8-2 ATS run. Most impressively, Los Angeles has won three straight road games, and while two of those road wins (Minnesota and Oklahoma City) weren’t exactly against top-notch competition, the third road win (120-112 overtime win at Portland) definitely was. Besides, when you start out 3-15, any road win is a big road win.
Speaking of that 3-15 start, there’s no question that the Clippers laid an egg in several of those defeats. But they also were victims of bad luck in a bunch of those losses, too, falling to the Nuggets in overtime in the season-opener, losing to the Spurs at home by three points, losing at Philadelphia by four, losing again to Denver by one and losing at Dallas by a bucket. The point is that Los Angeles has been a lot more competitive than its 7-17 record indicates.
As for the Bulls, they’ve been among the most disappointing teams in the NBA for the second straight year. And when I say disappointing, I mean like losing to the Bobcats 110-101 in overtime (as the Bulls did last night) and losing to the Grizzlies at home 106-96 (as they did in their most recent home game). Not only that, but Chicago comes into this game in a 1-6 ATS slump, including 1-5 ATS as a favorite. And get this: The Clippers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five meetings with the Bulls, and they’re 4-0 the last four years when playing in Chicago! Throw in the fact that L.A. is 7-1 ATS in is last eight games as an underdog (4-0 as a road underdog) and 5-1 ATS in its last six on the road, and I’m grabbing the points with Baron Davis (22.7 ppg last six), big man Al Thornton (double-digit scoring in four straight games), rookie Eric Gordon (22 points last night at Oklahoma City) and the improving Clippers.
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Handicapper: AAA Sports
Austin Peay vs. Arkansas (NCAAB) - 8:00 PM EST Premium Pick
Pick: Point Spread: -6.5/-102 Arkansas Play Title: 3*College Hoops Heavy Hitter
Click Here to View Pick Analysis
A huge rebounding edge for the Hogs tonight and most recently that part of their game has been very dominent. The Governors are going to do their best to get open shots on the perimiter tonight but that is also a strong point for Ark, their perimiter D. They just simply matchup very well for tonight's action and we should cover this number easily, in my best estimation..
Austin Peay vs. Arkansas (NCAAB) - 8:00 PM EST Premium Pick
Pick: Point Spread: -6.5/-102 Arkansas Play Title: 3*College Hoops Heavy Hitter
Click Here to View Pick Analysis
A huge rebounding edge for the Hogs tonight and most recently that part of their game has been very dominent. The Governors are going to do their best to get open shots on the perimiter tonight but that is also a strong point for Ark, their perimiter D. They just simply matchup very well for tonight's action and we should cover this number easily, in my best estimation..
ChicagoSportsConnection
ChicagoSportsConnection
GOLDEN ST +6.5 @ Indiana....7:05 EDT
Warriors have been playing some very tough teams and now get an equal opponent.
This will be their first of a 5 game road trip.
We like betting a team in the first game of the road trip because they are usually phsyched and ready to go.
....IND on the other hand is coming home off of a medium sized road trip.
.....First game back.....we like going against teams in this situation.
IND, by the way , is 1-6 SU in their L-7.
.........................................................................
CLIPPERS+3 @ Chicago........8:35 EDT
Our original plan was to bet ON the Bulls last night (which we did) ...then bet against them tonight ( which we will ).
We'd feel alot better if they had won for us last night....but we will stick to the plan since the Bulls had to play OT last night....and now some of their players are coming down with flu symptoms (it's that time of the year).
CLIPPS...8-2 ATS in L10 games
..............4-1 SU in L5.
ChicagoSportsConnection
GOLDEN ST +6.5 @ Indiana....7:05 EDT
Warriors have been playing some very tough teams and now get an equal opponent.
This will be their first of a 5 game road trip.
We like betting a team in the first game of the road trip because they are usually phsyched and ready to go.
....IND on the other hand is coming home off of a medium sized road trip.
.....First game back.....we like going against teams in this situation.
IND, by the way , is 1-6 SU in their L-7.
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CLIPPERS+3 @ Chicago........8:35 EDT
Our original plan was to bet ON the Bulls last night (which we did) ...then bet against them tonight ( which we will ).
We'd feel alot better if they had won for us last night....but we will stick to the plan since the Bulls had to play OT last night....and now some of their players are coming down with flu symptoms (it's that time of the year).
CLIPPS...8-2 ATS in L10 games
..............4-1 SU in L5.
