Sunday 2/28/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Grand Salami - February

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI
Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
2/1 No games scheduled - - -
2/2 12 64.5 75 OVER
2/3 3 16 15 UNDER
2/4 12 64.5 77 OVER
2/5 4 21 27 OVER
2/6 12 62 67 OVER
2/7 3 16.5 17 OVER
2/8 4 20 20 PUSH
2/9 12 64.5 72 OVER
2/10 3 16.5 10 UNDER
2/11 9 49.5 66 OVER
2/12 7 35.5 47 OVER
2/13 10 52 56 OVER
2/14 5 25 24 UNDER
2/15 7 38.5 47 OVER
2/16 8 43.5 39 UNDER
2/17 3 16.5 21 OVER
2/18 11 60.5 68 OVER
2/19 5 26.5 24 UNDER
2/20 9 47 59 OVER
2/21 6 30.5 34 OVER
2/22 4 21 27 OVER
2/23 9 49.5 43 UNDER
2/24 4 22.5 21 UNDER
2/25 10 54.5 51 UNDER
2/26 5 26 21 UNDER
2/27 9 47 53 OVER
2/28 7 - - -
2/29 6 - - -

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cavaliers (41-16) at Wizards (27-30)

Date: February 28, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

The Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the best point guards in the world. Yet, it is Kyrie Irving's counterparts who are causing the team problems.

After being badly burned by one All-Star point man, Irving and the Cavaliers must deal with another one as they visit John Wall and the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

In Cleveland's four losses this month, including two this week, the opposing point guard has had at least 22 points every time. The first three were far from superstars - Charlotte's Jeremy Lin, Boston's Isaiah Thomas and Detroit's Reggie Jackson. On Friday, though, it was Eastern Conference All-Star starter Kyle Lowry who dealt the Cavaliers a crushing blow, scoring 43 points and hitting the winning jumper with 3.8 seconds left as Toronto won 97-95.

The assignment isn't any easier against Wall, second to Russell Westbrook among guards with 33 double-doubles.

"We just gotta come ready to play, understand that John Wall is gonna be going 100 miles per hour," Cavs guard J.R. Smith said. "He's gonna be a lot like Kyle. We just gotta figure out a way as a team to stop him."

Cleveland (41-16) also must recover from a game in which it never trailed for the first 45 minutes but ended up seeing its lead atop the East dip to two games over the Raptors, who in turn won the season series tiebreaker.

"Obviously, it was a 1-2 matchup and we wanted to come out on top, but they beat us," said Irving, who had 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting with one assist. "... Now we just gotta get ready for Sunday going against a Wizards team that's trying to get into the playoffs."

Washington (27-30) would settle for being Cleveland's first-round opponent considering its 10th-place standing in the East. The Wizards also want to show they can beat the league's elite because they're 0-5 this month against teams with winning records.

"On Sunday, we're gonna come out with a lot of intensity because you don't wanna get embarrassed in front of your home crowd and lose by 20 or 30," Wall said of the nationally televised game.

His 23 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds lifted Washington to a 103-94 win over league-worst Philadelphia on Friday.

In their four victories since the All-Star break, the Wizards have allowed an average of 89.5 points on 40.1 percent shooting. They've given up 110.7 points per game in their 30 losses this season, worst among East teams.

'We just have to defend. Offense is not our problem," Wall said.

He had no answer defensively for Irving in the last meeting as the Cavaliers won 121-115 in Washington on Jan. 6. Irving scored 32, hitting a season-best 14 of 22 from the field. Wall had 20 points and 12 assists but committed seven turnovers.

Wall scored 35 in a 97-85 win in Cleveland on Dec. 1, but an injured Irving didn't play that game - the Cavs' only blemish during their 15-1 start at home.

"We were the only team earlier in the season to go beat Cleveland at home," Wall said. "... We've shown glimpses, but you gotta be able to do it not matter who's on the court and who you're playing."

LeBron James scored 34 in D.C. last month but hasn't topped 25 in five straight games and has a poor 19-to-14 assist-to-turnover ratio in the last three. He didn't hit the rim with a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer Friday.

'People get so caught up in the physical side of the game, we lack mental (strength) right now and we've got to continue to get better with it,' James said after committing six turnovers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hornets (30-27) at Hawks (32-27)

Date: February 28, 2016 3:30 PM EDT

The Charlotte Hornets entered February outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

They're wrapping up the month bearing down on first place in the Southeast Division.

Seeking five wins on a six-game trip for the first time in franchise history, the Hornets look to move percentage points ahead of Atlanta for second place by sending the Hawks to their worst five-game homestand in 14 years on Sunday.

At 7-2 this month, Charlotte (30-27) is in the midst of the franchise's best February - in terms of winning percentage - to climb within 1 1/2 games of division-leading Miami. It has stepped up its play on defense, allowing an average of 98.3 points after yielding 106.3 in its final 10 games of January, and is no longer a pushover on the road.

The Hornets, who last won eight February games in 1996-97 when they finished the month 10-3, beat Indiana for the second time on their six-game trip with a 96-95 victory Friday. Kemba Walker scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and put Charlotte ahead on a layup with 2.4 seconds left.

"I just want to make plays," said Walker, averaging an East-beat 24.1 points in February. "I love those kind of moments."

The Hornets have won five of six on the road after opening the season 6-17 away from Charlotte. Their only loss on this trip came Wednesday against conference-best Cleveland.

Wins in Atlanta have been few and far between, however, as the Hornets are 2-15 there since 2007-08. The Hawks, though, are struggling to protect home court.

After opening its homestand with three straight losses, Atlanta (32-27) bounced back Friday with a 103-88 win over a Chicago team missing Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose.

'It hasn't gone the way we wanted,' center Al Horford said. 'Being able to come out here tonight and get a win is big for us.'

Still, the Hawks' only two wins in their last seven games have come against the banged-up Bulls, and a loss Sunday would give them their first 1-4 homestand since January 2002.

Shaky 3-point shooting is one of the biggest reasons Atlanta is on pace for 44 wins after leading the East with 60 last season.

Second in the league in 3-point shooting at 38.0 percent in 2014-15, the Hawks hit just one of their first 18 attempts from beyond the arc Friday and finished 7 of 34. They're shooting 23.9 percent over their last three games with Kyle Korver going 3 of 14 and Kent Bazemore 1 of 15.

Leading scorer Paul Millsap is 5 of 19 from deep on the homestand, scoring 12 points or less three times.

Breaking out of the funk won't be easy against a Charlotte team that is limiting opponents to 30.0 percent from 3-point range and an average of 6.6 made 3s per game on its trip.

The Hornets have held the Hawks to 25.9 percent 3-point shooting in the last two meetings.

Walker had 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting in leading Charlotte to a 107-84 win over Atlanta on Jan. 13. The Hornets had lost the previous three meetings as Walker averaged 13.7 points and shot 36.1 percent.

Bazemore had nine points in the last meeting after combining for 39 in Atlanta's home-and-home sweep of Charlotte during the first week of the season. He's 7 of 14 from 3-point range in the season series, and the Hawks are 16-8 when he hits at least two.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Raptors (39-18) at Pistons (30-29)

Date: February 28, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

With leading scorer DeMar DeRozan slowed by flu-like symptoms, Kyle Lowry delivered the best game of his career for the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

With his fellow All-Star still on the mend, Lowry may need a similar performance two days later.

Lowry will try to help the ailing Raptors win their fifth straight when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

Toronto (39-18) needed every one of Lowry's 15 field goals in 20 attempts in Friday's 99-97 win over Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland. DeRozan made just 1 of 11 shots for six points, even retreating to the locker room at one point, but Lowry came through with a career-high 43.

The 10th-year point guard added nine assists, five rebounds and four steals while turning the ball over just twice. He capped the performance with his first NBA game-winning shot, a 23-foot pull-up jumper with four seconds left before LeBron James' 3-pointer at the buzzer missed everything.

"It's one of the top performances I've been around, especially with the circumstances," coach Dwane Casey said. "Him taking the team that's at the top of the conference like that, and I think the best player in the league, and putting us on his back and carrying us home."

But while his Raptors pulled within two games of the Cavaliers and claimed an all-important tiebreaker by winning the season series, Casey still downplayed it.

'Again, it is just one game,' he said. 'If we come back and stub our toe on Sunday, what does it mean? Nothing, zero, it is one of 82.'

Game No. 58 might come without DeRozan, who averages a team-high 23.2 points ahead of Lowry's 21.4. DeRozan missed Saturday's practice, and Casey said he was better but not quite 100 percent.

Lowry, who has averaged 26.2 points and 8.2 assists while shooting 55.1 percent over the last five games, had opposite performances in the Raptors' two wins this season over Detroit (30-29). After making only 4 of 15 shots for 18 points and no assists in a 111-107 victory in Toronto on Jan. 30, he made 9 of 14 to finish with 25 points and seven assists in a 103-89 victory on Feb. 8 in Detroit.

Toronto has won nine of 12 against the Pistons, including four of five at The Palace.

Andre Drummond was held to more subdued numbers than he's used to against the Raptors, averaging 11.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, and although he scored only 15 points on Saturday, he played a key role inside in Detroit's 102-91 win at Milwaukee.

Drummond grabbed 17 boards, including seven on the offensive glass, for his league-leading 50th double-double while opening up the 3-point line for the Detroit shooters. Marcus Morris made 3 of 6 shots from deep for 20 points - his most in 15 games - and Reggie Jackson finished with 22 points and eight assists.

The Pistons have responded from a season-high five-game skid with their first three-game winning streak since Jan. 4-9.

'Guys are getting more comfortable with their roles," Jackson said. "We've been trying to attack downhill and just take what the defense gives us."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (31-28) at Pacers (31-27)

Date: February 28, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

Damian Lillard didn't take much of a break from the scoring prowess that helped his Portland Trail Blazers become one of the NBA's hottest teams this month.

The Trail Blazers hope his unrest continues so they can keep climbing the Western Conference standings.

While looking to start a new streak of 30-point games, Lillard aims to help Portland start another lengthy run when it visits the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.

The Blazers (31-28) avoided their first losing streak since early January by opening a six-game road trip with Saturday's 103-95 victory at Chicago, their 12th win in 14 games.

Lillard made 12 of 26 shots for 31 points after a 23-point effort in Thursday's 119-105 loss to Houston, which snapped his five-game run with at least 30 - the franchise's longest streak with at least that many points since Geoff Petrie during the Blazers' inaugural 1970-71 season.

Lillard was snubbed from the All-Star team for the first time since his 2012-13 rookie season earlier this month but has responded by averaging 33.8 points in five games since, including a career-high 51 in a win over league-leading Golden State on Feb. 19.

His personal spurt has helped Portland to the league's second-best record since Jan. 23, shy of only the 13-1 Warriors, while climbing into a tie with Dallas for the West's sixth seed.

Saturday's victory was Portland's fourth straight on the road and sixth in seven games there.

"Going on a six-game road trip, it's easy to let that linger over and come out here (Saturday night) and not have a good performance," Lillard said. "We showed some true character."

The Trail Blazers are one of three teams with 600 made 3-pointers this season and had drained at least 10 in eight of nine games prior to Saturday. They matched a season low with five in Chicago, including an 0-for-4 showing by Lillard - just his fourth game this season without a make from deep.

Portland sank 18 of 36 shots from long range in a 123-111 home win over the Pacers on Dec. 3, the most 3-pointers ever made by an Indiana opponent. The Trail Blazers have won three straight in this series, including a win last season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to snap a four-game skid there.

Indiana (31-27) had won five of seven before Friday's 96-95 loss to Charlotte when Kemba Walker's shot with 2.4 seconds left wiped away Monta Ellis' previous go-ahead bucket.

Walker and the Hornets bothered the Pacers with the pick-and-roll all game, taking advantage of dribble-drive matchups against Indiana's bigs, something coach Frank Vogel expects plenty of against the Trail Blazers.

"They've got one of the best point guards in the world that obviously was a shock he wasn't on the All-Star team," said Vogel of Lillard. "And C.J. McCollum's not far behind. They're both playing at a high level."

Lillard and McCollum combined to make only 13 of 35 shots but still combined for 47 points and 14 assists in Portland's December victory. Paul George missed all nine of his 3-pointers and finished 4 of 17 from the floor for 11 points with five turnovers.

The Pacers play five games this week and follow Sunday's contest with six of seven on the road, where they are 13-17.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 76ers (8-50) at Magic (25-32)

Date: February 28, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

A late-February matchup between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers won't move the needle much in regards to the Eastern Conference playoff race, but it should at least make for another entertaining game.

Two of the NBA's worst defensive teams of late, they'll square off for the second time in six days Sunday night in Orlando in what projects as another high-scoring affair.

The Magic recorded their highest point total in a non-overtime game this season in Tuesday's 124-115 victory in Philadelphia, a result that fostered hope of a belated playoff push. Those chances have since dwindled with two consecutive losses in which Orlando (25-32) consistently failed to get stops.

After surrendering 51 points to Stephen Curry in Thursday's 130-114 loss to Golden State, the Magic allowed New York to shoot 51.2 percent during a 62-point first half en route to Friday's 108-95 defeat at Madison Square Garden.

"If there are any teams in the league that don't have any excuse for being flat on the second night of back-to-backs, it's young teams," coach Scott Skiles said of the slow start. "We should be out there wild, playing free and having a ton of energy. So it's very disappointing.'

A defensive decline has contributed to Orlando's 6-19 record since Jan. 1. Opponents have averaged 109.8 points and shot 47.3 percent over the Magic's last 16 games and they've allowed 112.4 points per game in five since the All-Star break.

That mark still betters that of the 76ers, who've permitted 117.6 points per game in five losses following the break. Philadelphia (8-50) has dropped seven straight and 11 of 12 to retain ownership of the league's worst record.

The Sixers did show some improvement on the defensive end Friday against Washington, but they shot 38.5 percent in the second half as the Wizards rallied for a 103-94 win.

"I think by and large it was a good game but those portions of it, that's the difference whether you win or lose," coach Brett Brown said in reference to a 13-0 run that gave Washington a 79-72 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The 76ers also struggled from the outside, finishing 8 of 25 from 3-point range after a 7-of-23 effort in Wednesday's 111-91 loss at Detroit. They averaged 12.3 3s on a 44.1 percent success rate over their previous four games.

Philadelphia has made 41.1 percent of its 3-pointers in three season meetings with the Magic, including a 9-of-19 performance in a 96-87 win in Orlando on Jan. 20. Isaiah Canaan is 11 of 19 while averaging 16.7 points for the series but 1 of 7 over the last two games.

Orlando figures to again feature former Sixer Nikola Vucevic, who scored a season-high 35 on Tuesday and is averaging 22.6 points and 11.1 rebounds over a seven-game stretch.

Evan Fournier added 21 points in the last matchup and scored 20 against the Warriors before being held to eight on 3-of-10 shooting by the Knicks.

The Magic also hope to again capitalize on Philadelphia's ball-control issues. They scored 28 points off 22 turnovers Tuesday and had 27 on 17 giveaways in a 105-97 victory in Philadelphia on Nov. 7.

Philadelphia's Nerlens Noel had 16 points and 11 rebounds in Tuesday's meeting but is questionable for this one after exiting Friday's game late with a left leg injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Timberwolves (19-40) at Mavericks (31-28)

Date: February 28, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Chandler Parsons believes the Dallas Mavericks can't afford any more losses to lesser opponents if they hope to make a run in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Minnesota Timberwolves currently fall into that category, though they're starting to show glimpses of a bright future behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Mavericks hope to take care of business with their first back-to-back victories this month Sunday night when the improving Timberwolves go after their sixth win in 10 games.

After overtime losses to Utah and Orlando, Dallas (31-28) hoped to get hot during a six-game stay at American Airlines Center. The Mavs split their first two and nearly suffered another tough defeat Friday before rallying from a 23-point deficit in a 122-116 OT win over Denver.

Parsons led six players in double figures with 27 points and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Raymond Felton keyed the comeback, hitting the tying basket with 10.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter and scoring eight of his 16 points in the extra period.

Nowitzki is averaging 23.7 and Wesley Matthews is scoring 17.7 on the homestand.

"We're trying to get that fifth seed, make a run here and be playing the best basketball we have down the stretch," Parsons, who has scored 20 per game in the past 16, told the team's official website. "We can't be giving up many more games to teams that are not as good as us."

The Mavericks, however, have won consecutive games just three times since the calendar flipped to January. As a result, they've fallen into a sixth-place tie with surging Portland.

The Northwest Division-worst Timberwolves qualify as a lesser foe at 19-40, but they have wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago, Toronto and Boston over this 5-4 stretch.

They pulled off a rally from 14 points down in Saturday's 112-110 victory at New Orleans. Towns finished with 30 points and 15 rebounds, Zach LaVine added 25 points and Andrew Wiggins scored 20 and knocked down the go-ahead free-throws with four seconds left.

'It's our 19th win, and they've all been satisfying,' interim coach Sam Mitchell said. 'The young guys made plays. It makes you feel good that they're learning and growing.'

Towns, the Rookie of the Year favorite, certainly appears to be doing that. He's averaging 22.4 points while shooting 57.2 percent and pulling down 12.1 rebounds over his last 16 games.

LaVine has been more than just a slam dunk champion, scoring 17.3 per game and making 42.6 percent from 3-point range in his past 14. Wiggins has contributed 23 per game over his last 10.

Although they've averaged 109.4 points on 48.7 percent shooting in their past 10 games, the Timberwolves have also surrendered 111.2 and a 47.8 field-goal percentage over that span.

Dallas has won five straight in this series, though the two meetings this season have gone down to the wire. Nowitzki led the way with 29 points in a 93-87 win at Minnesota on Jan. 10 before Parsons had 30 with Nowitzki sidelined in a 106-94 home victory Jan. 20.

Towns led Minnesota with 27 points and 17 rebounds and Wiggins scored 23 in that contest.

The Timberwolves, who have dropped nine of 10 in the second of back-of-back games, are reportedly working on a buyout agreement with veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Heat (32-26) at Knicks (25-35)

Date: February 28, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Losing their leading scorer seems to have finally caught up with the Miami Heat during back-to-back defeats, though help may be on the way in the form of a seven-time All-Star.

Following his departure from Brooklyn, Joe Johnson is expected to be back in New York and eligible to make his Miami debut Sunday night when the Heat try to keep the Knicks from winning consecutive games for the first time in more than five weeks.

After winning its first three games after Chris Bosh was sidelined due to blood clots, Southeast Division-leading Miami (32-26) couldn't keep up with Golden State in Wednesday's 118-112 home defeat before struggling offensively in Saturday's 101-89 loss at Boston.

Heat president Pat Riley said that the club is still exploring its options regarding Bosh, who is averaging a team-high 19.1 points. According to a recent report, the 11-time All-Star forward is under increasing pressure from physicians to sit out the rest of the season.

Goran Dragic has stepped up during this stretch, averaging 19.8 points, 7.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds in the past five games. Hassan Whiteside has put up 19.5 points and 17.3 boards while becoming the first Miami player with four straight double-doubles off the bench since 2010.

After Saturday's game, Miami announced that it had made a move to bring in another scoring option by signing Johnson off waivers after he was released by the Nets.

The veteran swingman has made 85 3-pointers this season, more than any Heat player. Since averaging 10.5 points on 35 percent shooting in his first 32 games, the 34-year-old Johnson has averaged 13.4 with a 48.4 field-goal percentage in his last 25. He could be pushed into action after Miami was down to 10 active players due to injury or illness against the Celtics.

'To put somebody on the floor that can shoot the ball, can score different areas of the floor, make plays, it just adds to what we're trying to do,' star guard Dwyane Wade said. 'Obviously losing Chris right now ... (Johnson is) another playmaker, another scorer.'

The Heat hope to avoid their longest losing streak since a four-game skid from Jan. 17-22 and win this season series for the third consecutive year. They held the Knicks to a combined 34.9 percent shooting in winning two November meetings by a total of 36 points, but Carmelo Anthony scored 25 and New York shot 55.7 percent in a 98-90 road win Jan. 6.

The Knicks snapped a six-game home slide with Friday's 108-95 victory over Orlando. Anthony led the way with 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points.

'I think that's the way we need to play,' Porzingis said. 'Everybody was involved. Everybody was attacking. Everybody was trying to be aggressive when we had the opportunity.'

Porzingis has found a groove with 17.4 points per game in his last eight. He had 20 and 14 rebounds in a 95-78 loss at Miami on Nov. 23 before totaling 23 and 12 in the last two meetings.

After allowing an average of 109 points on 49.1 percent shooting in its previous five games, New York (25-35) limited the Magic to 41.9 from the field. The Knicks, who have dropped 13 of 16, seek their first back-to-back wins since Jan. 18 and 20.

They snapped an eight-game losing streak in this series with last month's victory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Sunday's hot teams
-- Cavaliers won six of their last eight games (7-14-1AF). Wizards won four of their last six games (7-5HU).
-- Charlotte won six of its last seven games (11-9AU).
-- Raptors won seven of their last nine games (9-8AF). Detroit won its last three games (3-5HU).
-- Portland won seven of its last eight games (5-2 last 7AU). Pacers are 5-3 in their last eight games (2-4 last 6HF).
-- Minnesota is 5-4 in its last nine games (4-2 last 6AU).

Cold teams
-- Atlanta lost five of its last seven games (1-3 last 4HF).
-- 76ers lost last seven games, are 0-4 vs spread in last four.
-- Magic lost three of last four games (5-7HF).
-- Dallas lost six of its last nine games; four of their last six games went to overtime (7-3 last 10HF).
-- Miami lost last two games but covered four of last five. Knicks lost eight of their last ten games.

Series records
-- Cleveland won four of last five games with Washington.
-- Hawks won three of last four games with Charlotte.
-- Toronto won seven of last nine games with Detroit.
-- Portland won five of last six games with Indiana.
-- Orlando won six of last eight games with Philly.
-- Mavericks won last five games with Minnesota.
-- Knicks lost eight of last nine games with Miami.

Totals
-- Four of last five Cleveland games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Charlotte-Atlanta games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Toronto-Detroit games went over.
-- Six of last seven Portland games went over the total.
-- Four of last five orlando games went over the total.
-- Eight of last nine Minnesota games went over total.
-- Last three Miami-New York games stayed under.

Back/backs
-- Portland is 4-8 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Minnesota is 4-5 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Miami Heat won/covered last three times they played nite before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nittany Lions (15-13) at Spartans (23-5)

Date: February 28, 2016 12:00 PM EDT

Though a Big Ten regular-season title remains somewhat of a longshot, Michigan State appears zeroed in on a much greater goal.

Arguably the nation's most complete team over the past month, the sixth-ranked Spartans look to keep rolling in Sunday's home game with improving Penn State.

Having struggled on both ends during a three-game conference losing streak in mid-January, Michigan State (23-5, 10-5) has excelled in all facets in winning seven of eight since, with a one-point overtime defeat at then-No. 18 Purdue the blemish. Already one of Division I's best rebounding teams, the Spartans have emerged as one of the premier outside shooting ones during their dominant stretch.

Led by the ultra-efficient duo of Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes, Michigan State has averaged 12.9 3-pointers and shot 52.9 percent from beyond the arc over its last seven games. The Spartans were 14 of 22 in Tuesday's 81-62 win at Ohio State, eclipsing 80 points for the fifth time in six contests.

'We're all very confident, all the work we've put in at this point is paying off,' Forbes said.

Forbes has connected at a 56.7 percent rate from 3 over the last eight and went 6 of 8 in recording 20 of his 27 points in the second half against the Buckeyes, helping the Spartans pull away after leading by just two late in the first.

Forbes finished 6 of 8 on 3s during a 20-point effort in a 92-65 rout at Penn State (15-13, 6-9) on Jan. 10, just prior to the midseason lull that's compromised the Spartans' chances of winning the Big Ten. They're still squarely in contention for a top four finish that would yield an advantageous double-bye for the conference tournament.

The Nittany Lions have come a long way since that matchup, notching a pair of Top 25 victories over Indiana and Iowa earlier this month. They followed a 79-75 result over the then-No. 4 Hawkeyes with consecutive wins over Rutgers and Nebraska.

Defense has keyed the surge, as they held both Rutgers and Nebraska under 60 points after limiting Iowa to its second-lowest field goal percentage in Big Ten play at 41.2 percent.

Though the conference's lowest scoring and worst-shooting team, Penn State has made strides in those areas as well. It hit a season-high 11 3s in Thursday's 56-55 win over Nebraska and is shooting 40.0 percent from beyond the arc during the streak.

"Guys are shooting with great confidence," coach Patrick Chambers said. "We're working every day on shooting and those guys are getting in extra, shooting on their own, and that's why you earn the right to make shots. That's why shots are falling for us at home. So it's really great to see."

Shep Garner is 14 of 26 from 3-point range while averaging 20.0 points during the run, highlighted by Thursday's 22-point effort. Brandon Taylor added 19 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging 18.7 points and 9.1 rebounds over a seven-game span.

The Nittany Lions have shot just 25.7 percent from 3 and 37.9 percent overall in Big Ten road games, though, and Michigan State leads the conference in scoring defense (63.5 points per game) and field goal percentage defense (37.2).

Penn State is 1-18 all-time in East Lansing and has lost five straight there. The Spartans have won six straight in the series since a 61-48 loss in the 2011 Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Musketeers (25-3) at Pirates (20-7)

Date: February 28, 2016 12:30 PM EDT

A statement-making win over the top team in the nation has Xavier aiming for not only its first Big East regular-season title, but also a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Those opportunities, however, could quickly evaporate if the fifth-ranked Musketeers can't take care of business against a Seton Hall team that still has something to prove.

After James Farr's career-best effort keyed a win in the first meeting, Xavier will chase its fifth consecutive victory overall and first in three visits to Prudential Center on Sunday.

The Musketeers (25-3, 13-3) moved within a half game of No. 1 Villanova in the Big East with a 90-83 home win Wednesday before the Wildcats extended their lead with Saturday's victory. Xavier also made a case to earn one of the NCAA Tournament's top seeds for the first time.

The squad hasn't won a regular-season title since taking the Atlantic-10 crown in 2010-11 and has never earned higher than a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

'We know we're capable of competing against anyone in the country,' said Myles Davis, who had 16 points and six assists off the bench. 'Each game we're going to see something new, something different. March is coming up, so we've still got time to get better.'

Edmond Sumner missed three games after a hard fall in the opening minutes of a 31-point loss at Villanova on Dec. 31. The freshman looks fully recovered, averaging 15.7 points in his last six after finishing with 19 to go along with a career-high nine assists and six rebounds against the Wildcats.

J.P. Macura also came up big with 19 points as Xavier recorded a season-high 24 assists.

Xavier, which owns the highest ranking in school history, is second in the Big East with 80.4 points per game and a 35.6 3-point percentage. It could find the going much tougher against a Seton Hall team that leads the conference with a 30.7 defensive 3-point percentage and ranks second with a 39.3 defensive field-goal percentage.

The Pirates are also second with 66 points allowed per game after holding Providence to 28.4 percent shooting in Thursday's 70-52 home win. Isaiah Whitehead had 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four blocks, while Angel Delgado added 14 points and 10 boards.

Whitehead is third in the Big East with 16.9 points and 5.0 assists per game.

"He makes everyone better, but he makes it very simple for them," coach Kevin Willard told the school's official website. "He's starting to understand what he means to this team and what the point guard position means both offensively and defensively."

Seton Hall (20-7, 10-5) would still like to pad its improving tournament resume after winning seven of eight since a 84-76 loss at Xavier on Jan. 23 to move into sole possession of third place.

Desi Rodriguez had 21 points in the first meeting, Khadeen Carrington scored 19 and Whitehead added 17 but shot just 6 for 20. Whitehead finished with 19 points and Rodriguez added 16 in a 90-82 win in the most recent matchup at Seton Hall on Jan. 31, 2015.

The Pirates will certainly have to keep a closer watch on Farr after he finished with career highs of 24 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Trevon Bluiett, who contributed 15 points, has averaged 15.7 on 60 percent shooting in three career meetings.

Seton Hall has dropped five of its last six games versus ranked opponents.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Devils (21-7) at Panthers (19-8)

Date: February 28, 2016 2:00 PM EDT

James Robinson is already discussing Pittsburgh's NCAA Tournament selection as more of a when than an if, but those with a say in the matter might want to see the Panthers first beat a Top 25 team.

Their seventh chance to do so comes Sunday against Duke in Pitt's final home game, and the 15th-ranked Blue Devils can't afford to give away ground in the race for the regular-season ACC title.

Pitt (19-8, 8-7) is 0-6 against the Top 25, and this is its last shot at such an opponent in the regular season with its final two games coming at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. The losses have been by an average of 12.5 points with the Panthers limited to 37.7 percent shooting and 24.2 from 3-point range, though their senior leader remains confident.

"This year I think we have a special group of guys," said Robinson, who will make his school-record 130th start. "Once we do get into the NCAA Tournament we can really make some noise. As a senior you definitely want to play forever."

But after Wednesday's 67-60 home loss to No. 11 Louisville, coach Jamie Dixon doesn't sound quite as sure about the Panthers' tourney status having lost four of six with opponents shooting 40.2 percent from 3-point range.

"Close isn't good enough," said Dixon, whose team was 4 of 18 from deep. "There's no consolation in that. You need to win a big one at home."

Top scorer Michael Young, who averages 16.1 points per game on 53.4 percent shooting, has been limited to 12.7 on 42.9 in the last six games.

Robinson, however, finished with 12 points against the Cardinals and has averaged 15.5 in his last four contests after a four-game stretch in which he was limited to 6.0 points per game on 26.7 percent shooting. The tested veteran's coach has plenty of confidence in him entering a meeting with the defending national champion.

"He's played against the best," Dixon said. "He's played in the toughest leagues around the last couple years, the last four years, so he's played against the best players."

This is the only meeting this season, but Duke (21-7, 10-5) has won both since Pitt entered the ACC by an average of 14.5 points. Last season's 79-65 final at Duke saw Robinson go 1 of 8 from the field for two points.

The Blue Devils sit one game back in the loss column of North Carolina and Miami with home games against Wake Forest and the seventh-ranked Tar Heels remaining.

They're coming off Thursday's 80-65 home win over Florida State, in which Grayson Allen scored 18 points but was 7-of-20 shooting. The sophomore guard, who was inconsequentially reprimanded by the league for a second tripping incident in two weeks against Florida State, has been more impressive on the road lately with 24.8 points on 50.6 percent and 45.5 from 3-point range over a 3-2 road span.

Marshall Plumlee had 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Seminoles as Duke faced an unranked team for the first time since Feb. 6. They played four straight against the Top 25, winning the first three by a combined seven points.

"The emotion that we've had to have for these last five games - really, they're tired," said coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose team remains without Amile Jefferson but has won six of seven since dropping four of five. "And you could tell, and it's not because of being physically out of shape. They're giving me everything."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Green Wave (10-18) at Mustangs (23-4)

Date: February 28, 2016 3:00 PM EDT

With his collegiate career winding down, Nic Moore hasn't allowed a nagging shoulder injury to keep him from helping SMU vie for a second consecutive American Athletic Conference regular-season title.

Moore should be healthy enough to continue his strong play at home when the No. 24 Mustangs try for a third straight win Sunday against Tulane.

With three games left for Moore and SMU (23-4, 11-4) this season, the senior guard has done all he can of late to lead his team no matter how physically grueling that may be. Second in the AAC averaging 16.6 points, Moore shrugged off that lingering injury and a tough first half to score all 12 of his points in the final 20 minutes of Thursday's 69-62 win at Memphis.

He went 4 of 9 from the field and hit a floater with less than a minute to play that gave the Mustangs a three-point lead. Moore also recorded six assists and a season-high six steals as SMU won its second straight following a 3-4 stretch.

'I thought Nic was really hurt and (Memphis) did a great job trying to keep him from getting it, but he kind of gutted it out,' SMU coach Larry Brown said. 'Pretty awesome performance.'

Attempting to win back-to-back league regular-season titles for the first time since a three-season Southwest Conference run from 1964-65 to 1966-67, SMU is one-half game behind first-place Temple, which won the lone meeting between the schools. Another league championship is all the Mustangs have to play as they're barred from the postseason because of NCAA sanctions.

Before Sunday's finale at Cincinnati, Moore plays twice more at home, where he's averaged 23.2 points and gone 24 of 48 from 3-point range in the last six. He's also recorded 18 assists over the last two in Dallas.

"You look at all the dynamics that have gone into this year, what he's done, he's been as good as any player in the country," Brown said earlier this month.

Moore didn't have one of his better outings while scoring 12 points on 2-of-9 shooting in a 60-45 win at Tulane (10-18, 3-12) on Jan 17. Neither did the Mustangs as a team, shooting a season-low 40.4 percent and going 1 of 10 from 3-point range while committing 15 turnovers. However, SMU held the Green Wave to 29.2 percent from the floor, outscored them 32-16 in the paint and forced 20 turnovers it turned into 21 points.

'We did a lot of good things, played extremely hard and were really connected on the defensive end,' Tulane coach Ed Conroy said. "We put them in position where they would have to dig down a little bit.'

Tulane has dropped six straight at SMU, last playing there in January 2013.

Following consecutive wins at East Carolina and Memphis that involved four combined overtime periods, the Green Wave have lost back-to-back home contests while allowing Houston and those same Pirates to shoot 56 percent.

Senior guard Louis Dabney has averaged 20.8 points and gone 16 of 35 from beyond the arc in the last six games but was held to nine on 2-of-9 shooting against the Mustangs in January.

Tulane has lost 32 in a row against ranked opponents since beating then-No. 25 North Carolina State in December 1999.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hawkeyes (20-7) at Buckeyes (18-11)

Date: February 28, 2016 4:00 PM EDT

In spite of its recent woes, Iowa could soon force a tie atop the Big Ten without needing any help.

The eighth-ranked Hawkeyes first need to top short-handed Ohio State on Sunday.

Iowa (20-7, 11-4) has fallen 1 1/2 games behind first-place Indiana after losing three of four but can trim that deficit this weekend with the Hoosiers idle. The Hawkeyes then host Indiana on Tuesday.

To have a share of the Big Ten lead on the line in that game, though, Iowa first must avoid a season-high third consecutive defeat.

The Hawkeyes will require a much improved performance from their 67-59 home loss to Wisconsin on Wednesday. They were held to their lowest point total and shooting percentage (32.7) of the season.

Jarrod Uthoff, one of the Big Ten's leading scorers (18.6 ppg), was limited to 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting. Iowa committed 14 turnovers, its most since a season-high 17 in a loss at then-No. 4 Iowa State on Dec. 10.

"We didn't execute like we needed to. So we just have to do a better job of that, and they've got to understand that what I'm asking them to do is something they haven't already done," coach Fran McCaffery said. "They've already proven they can play (well), just got to get back to playing that way."

Iowa has won two straight and three of four against Ohio State, including victories in both visits to Columbus against ranked Buckeyes teams. The teams haven't met since Jan. 17, 2015, when Iowa won 76-67 at home despite Uthoff and Peter Jok totaling 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting.

Jok is averaging 25.3 points in his last three games, but starting backcourt mate Mike Gesell has shot 5 for 25 in that span.

Ohio State (18-11, 10-6) has won 11 of 13 at home, but the losses were to Top 10 opponents Maryland and Michigan State. The Buckeyes have lost four straight home games against ranked teams dating back to last March, and had a four-game overall win streak snapped Tuesday with an 81-62 loss to the No. 6 Spartans.

It was Ohio State's first game since losing Jae'Sean Tate for the season due to shoulder surgery. The sophomore forward was averaging 11.7 points and 6.4 boards.

"I think he's the heart and soul of this team. We challenge our guys when we have a man down, we need to man up," coach Thad Matta said. "It's one of those things you hate for Jae'Sean. But, with that said, you need to find a way to regroup again."

Freshman Mickey Mitchell got his first start to replace Tate but went scoreless in 21 minutes.

Buckeyes leading scorer Marc Loving (12.9 ppg) had 19 points, his most in 14 games. Freshman guard JaQuan Lyle, averaging 10.5 points, has a combined 35 in his past two contests.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Huskies (16-12) at Ducks (22-6)

Date: February 28, 2016 8:30 PM EDT

Oregon has maintained its slipping grasp on first place in the Pac-12 thanks to its continued dominance at home.

Washington, meanwhile, is having a once-promising season spiral out of control.

With their conference title hopes all but dashed, the Huskies try to save their fading NCAA Tournament chances in Sunday night's challenging road test against the 13th-ranked Ducks.

Oregon (22-6, 11-4) owned a seemingly comfortable three-game lead on No. 22 Utah in the Pac-12 race following a 76-66 win over the Utes on Feb. 7, but ensuing road losses to California and Stanford provided an opening that the charging Utes have seized with six straight wins to move to 12-5 in league play.

The Ducks have since regrouped with back-to-back victories over Oregon State and Washington State at Matthew Knight Arena, where they've won a school-record 24 straight after topping the last-place Cougars 76-62 on Wednesday.

With California and Arizona also within striking distance, Oregon - which swept the season series with Utah - still has some work to do to earn its first regular-season conference championship since 2001-02. After facing the slumping Huskies, the Ducks play their final two on the road against UCLA and USC.

"We still have Utah right there, Arizona right there, Cal right there. It's going to be a tight race," coach Dana Altman said. "We have a really tough game on Sunday."

Washington (16-12, 8-8) had been in the thick of the race with a 7-3 start but has since unraveled by losing five of six. The last three defeats have come by three points or fewer, including Thursday's heartbreaker at Oregon State in which Steven Thompson's contested 3-pointer at the buzzer lifted the Beavers to an 82-81 win.

Though Thompson appeared to travel on the deciding shot, drawing Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar a reprimand from the Pac-12 for questioning the non-call, the Huskies still had their chances in a must-win game where they shot a season-high 56.6 percent and held a 79-73 lead with 1:48 remaining.

'We did a lot of things that would allow you to win a ball game, but we don't have anything to show for it,' Romar said.

Andrew Andrews had 30 points, though the Pac-12's leading scorer missed a critical free throw with 3.3 seconds left and had a turnover in the final minute.

The Huskies figure to face additional adversity in a trip to Eugene, where they've lost five straight and the Ducks have won 15 consecutive Pac-12 games. Washington, currently on a four-game road skid, lost 78-74 at Oregon last season and haven't won there since March 4, 2010.

Ducks guard Dillon Brooks is averaging 20.2 points in the last nine games, and now he faces a Washington team which allows a conference-worst 84.1 per game.

This up-tempo matchup features teams that each excel at causing turnovers, with the Huskies among the Division I leaders with 16.7 takeaways per game and Oregon second in the conference at 14.4.

Oregon has been considerably better at taking care of the ball, averaging a league-low 10.3 turnovers in conference play and 8.7 over its last six. Washington's 14.4 giveaways per game are the most in the Pac-12.

The Ducks have struggled to defend the 3-pointer, though, with conference opponents shooting 39.5 percent against them. Washington went 11 for 24 from beyond the arc against Oregon State, with Andrews finishing 6 for 9.

"Washington has a number of good shooters, so we are going to have a tough matchup, and our defense against the 3 really has got to improve," Altman said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's Pac-12 Tips
By David Schwab

The Sunday’s college hoops schedule wraps things up with a key matchup in the Pac-12 between the Washington Huskies and the No. 13 Oregon Ducks in an 8:30 p.m. ET tip in Eugene. This will be the final game in a trio of Pac-12 Sunday night tilts that opens with Washington on the road against Oregon State at 6:30 p.m. The other conference clash sends USC on the road in an 8 p.m. start at California.

Washington Huskies at No. 13 Oregon Ducks (ESPNU, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Oregon -10 ½

Betting Matchup

The Huskies are an even 8-8 straight-up in conference play with a profitable 11-5 record against the spread. They are coming off a tight 82-81 loss to Oregon State this past Wednesday as four-point road underdogs. The total went OVER 154.5 in that game and it has gone OVER in six of their last nine games. Senior guard Andrew Andrews scored 30 points in the losing effort and he remains the Pac-12’s leading scorer with 20.3 points per game. Washington is averaging 83.1 PPG, which is the 11th-highest total in the nation.

Oregon is clinging to a slim lead in the conference standings at 11-4 SU. The Ducks knocked-off Oregon State and Washington State in their last two games as double-digit home favorites, but they have failed to cover in their last four games. The total has gone OVER in five of their last eight outings. Sophomore forward Dillon Brooks has had the hot hand all season long with a team-high 17.2 PPG and he has been able to bump that up to 21 points over his last five starts. Oregon is averaging 77.7 PPG and shooting 46.4 percent from the field.

Betting Trends

-- The Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a SU loss and they have covered in five of their last six road games. The total has gone OVER in their last eight games on the road.

--The Ducks are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 home games and they have gone 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five games at home.

--The underdog in this Pac-12 tilt has covered in eight of the last nine meetings and the total has gone OVER in five of the last seven games in Oregon.

Washington State Cougars at Oregon State Beavers (Pac-12 Network, 6:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Oregon State -12 ½

Betting Matchup

Washington State is bringing up the rear in the Pac-12 with just one SU win against 15 losses and it is a costly 3-13 ATS during this dismal slide. The Cougars did manage to cover as heavy 18.5-point road underdogs in this past Wednesday’s 76-62 loss to Oregon with the total staying UNDER 147 ½ points. The total has now stayed UNDER in nine of their last 10 games. Washington State is averaging 71.1 PPG, which is the second lowest total in the Pac-12.

The Beavers moved to 7-8 SU in the conference standings with Wednesday’s victory over Washington, but they have failed to cover in two of their last three games to fall to 8-7 ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of their last six contests. Senior guard Gary Payton II has been Oregon State’s most effective player this season with 15.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists a game. He is coming off a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) in the win against the Huskies.

Betting Trends

-- The Cougars are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games following a SU loss and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five road games.

-- The Beavers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games and the total has gone OVER in six of their last seven games played at home.

-- The road team in this matchup has covered ATS in eight of the last nine meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in the last five games.

USC Trojans at California Golden Bears (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: California -7 ½

Betting Matchup

Southern Cal is in the midst of a 1-4 slide both SU and ATS in its last five games and the total has stayed UNDER in three of those outings. The Trojans have lost their last two games to Utah at home and Stanford on the road as slight favorites to fall to 8-7 SU (7-8 ATS) in conference play. In the 20-point loss to the Cardinal, they shot just 42.6 percent from the field while going 5-for-18 from three-point range. USC is averaging 81.8 PPG on the year with a 46.1 field goal percentage.

The Golden Bears are in the thick of the Pac-12 regular season title race at 10-5 (both SU and ATS) and they are riding a six-game winning streak both ways heading into this game. The total has stayed UNDER in five of their last seven outings. Freshman forward Jaylen Brown leads a group of five players scoring in double figures with 15.8 PPG. Cal is averaging 75.3 PPG, but this has ticked-up to 79.2 points during this six-game run.

Betting Trends

-- The Trojans have failed to cover in four of their last five road games and the total has gone OVER in seven of their last eight games on the road.

-- The Golden Bears are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five home games and the total has stayed UNDER in 10 of their last 14 Sunday games.

-- Head-to-head in this conference clash, the road team is 10-4-1 ATS in the last 15 meetings and the OVER has gone 8-2-1 in the past 11 meetings at Cal.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Notes for Sunday's games..........

Home side won last four Xavier-Seton Hall games; Musketeers lost by 9-8 points in two Big East visits here, but beat Pirates 84-76 at home on Jan 23. Xavier won nine of last ten games; they beat #1 Villanova in last game Wednesday; Musketeers won seven of last eight road tilts, losing at Crieghton. Seton Hall won seven of last eight games. Big East home teams are 7-9 vs spread in games where spread was 3 or less points.

UConn outscored Houston 28-8 over last 12:50 of 69-57 win Jan 17 in Texas; teams split four AAC meetings- Cougars lost 80-43 in only visit two years ago. Huskies won six of last eight games, winning last three at home, by 18-2-6 points. Houston won seven of its last nine games; they are 3-1 in last four road games, losing by 14 at Tulsa. AAC double digit home favorites are 7-15 against the s spread.

Duke won six of its last seven games, losing at Louisville in its last road game; Blue Devils won 80-65/79-65 in two ACC games vs Pittsburgh, which is 5-7 in its last dozen games, losing two of its last three at home- the win was over Wake Forest in double OT. ACC home teams are 11-7 vs spread in games where spread was 2 or less points. Duke is shooting 39.3% on arc in ACC tilts; Pitt is last in ACC in 3-point defense.

Valparaiso/Green Bay are locked into #1/4 seeds for Horizon tourney, so this is for pride; Valpo is 7-2 in last nine series games, winning 85-70 at home Jan 16, holding Phoenix to 32.4% from floor- they lost last two visits here, by 1-14 points. Crusaders won last four road games, winning in OT at Milwaukee Friday. Green Bay won its last five home games. Horizon home underdogs of 4+ points are 12-10 vs spread.

Michigan is 3-4 in its last seven games, losing last two on road by 10-4 points; they get 39.8% of points behind arc, 7th-most in country. Big 14 home favorites of 6 or less points are 10-7 vs spread. Wolverines lost 15 of last 17 games with Wisconsin- their 77-70 win here in '14 was first in last 10 visits to Madison. Badgers won nine of last 10 games, including last five at home, as they worked their way back onto the bubble.

Memphis lost eight of last 11 games after a 12-5 start; they're 2-3 in last five home games, where natives are restless. Tigers got swept by Tulsa LY, losing by 18 on road, by 2 in OT here. Tulsa won five of its last six games, but is 2-3 in last five road games- one of wins was at SMU. AAC home teams are 8-6 against the spread in games where spread was 3 or less points. Tulsa is forcing turnovers 21% of time in conference play.

Arizona State lost last two games by 38-45 points; they trailed 44-10 at half in last game, so they have issues. ASU lost three of four visits to Boulder, losing by 9-6 points last two years- home side won six of eight series games. Colorado won seven in a row at home since losing its home opener by hoop to Utah; they upset Arizona here in last game. Pac-12 home favorites of 6+ points are 22-9 against the spread.

Nevada can tie for third in league with win here, but UNLV is #6- you want to play them first in MW tourney, in Vegas? Wolf Pack lost by 9 in Ft Collins Feb 6, after leading by 9 early in second half. Rams are 5-1 in last six series games, winning three of last four visits here. Nevada has improved a lot this year; they've won four of last five games, losing in OT at UNLV. Colorado State lost its last four road games, by 7-2-13-7 points. Mountain West home favorites of 4 or less points are 8-5.

Virginia Tech beat Wake Forest 93-91 at home Jan 13, with both teams scoring over 1.25 ppp; Wake lost despite going 13-25 on arc. Teams are 4-4 in last eight series games, with last three decided by total of 5 points; Hokies lost last three visits here, by 3-11-3 points. Deacons are 1-12 in last 13 games; they get leading scorer Thomas (suspension) back here. ACC hosts are 11-7 vs spread in games where spread was 2 or less.

California won its last six games, five by 12+ points; they're 8-0 at home in Pac-12, beating Oregon/Arizona/Utah here. Home side won last five USC-Cal games; Trojans lost last four visits to Berkeley, by 4-8-1-13 points. USC lost four of last five games after an 18-5 start, getting beat by 20 at Stanford last game; Trojans' only Pac-12 road win outside of LA was Jan 1, at Wazzu. Pac-12 home favorites of 6+ points are 22-9.

Oregon won eight of last ten games; they're 8-0 at home in Pac-12, with last five home wins all by 10+ points. Washington lost its last five visits here, by 5-25-5-7-4 points. Huskies lost five of last six games after 15-7 start; they've lost last four road games, giving up 87.8 ppg. Washington is 5th-least experienced team in country- it has begun to show. Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 8-4 against the spread.

Tennessee State is 5-5 in its last ten games after a 14-4 start; they lost at Belmont 103-95 in first meeting- Belmont shot 71% inside arc, scored 1.27 ppp. Bruins are 6-1 in OVC series games, winning by 31-6 points in three visits here. State is 19-9 after being 10-51 last two years; this is Senior Day for them. OVC home underdogs of 3 or less points are 6-10 vs spread. Young Belmont team lost two of its last three road games.

Iowa lost three of last four games after a 19-4 start; they've lost three of last four on road, with only win at Illinois. Hawkeyes won three of last four games with Ohio State, winning by 10-6 points in last two visits here. Buckeyes won four of last five games, beating stiff teams; they've split last four home games, are now without Jae'Sean Tate for season, a big loss. Big 14 home underdogs of 5 or less points are 4-10 vs spread.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Sunday 2/28 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 44 - 153 / $271.00

BEST BETS: 6 - 13 / $20.50

Best Bet: CRAZSHANA (9th)

Spot Play: GALACTIC GALLEON N (12th)


Race 1

(7) DOT DOT DOT DASH may have too far to come from this spot but she's probably the best closer in here and the added distance could help. (8) ALLERAGE STAR blew away a cheaper field last week and has the speed to overcome the post. (1) BRANDOS MUSCLE MAN was sharp off the claim but he faces some tough ones on the class hike.

Race 2

(3) YOU'RE MAJESTIC didn't fire at all last week in a strung-out race but I have to believe she's better than that. (10) CASH ME OUT ships from The Meadowlands where he was wiped out in his most recent versus better. (2) TOBER was sharp in victory versus lesser in his first start off the bench.

Race 3

(2) BRICKYARD CLASSIC was a winner when last at this level and at this distance; if he doesn't get lost early in this bulky field he's got a chance. (10) SOUL TRAIN appears to have more talent than he's been showing. (5) PASADENA STAR has been good in his last few and is certainly logical from this spot.

Race 4

(1) ZORGWIJK NOVA has been a very consistent sort with this level of trotters and she was Sears' choice. (5) EXTRACURRICULAR enters a new barn while sharp and the veteran is a prime contender here. (3) THEREISADEMONINME looks for two straight for the raging Julie Miller barn.

Race 5

(10) SCOTTISH CROSS was collared at the wire last out by a classy rival and the veteran mare can rebound here, provided she's away smoothly from the second tier. (1) LATOKA is sharp and looks for four straight. (8) FOREVER AS is also sharp and seems to be a closing threat from this outside spot.

Race 6

(10) ARMOR HANOVER is up in class and has missed some time but he's shown live moves since arriving locally and faces a field full of question marks. (7) KLM EXPRESS rebounded with a good effort last out. (1) VEGLIANTINO draws the best post and should be a player.

Race 7

(4) COUSIN EDDIE continued his good form last out for his new barn and seems like the most logical option here. (2) FOLLOW MY DREAMS has been improved since Stratton took over the driving. (6) NOBLE ANTHONY is up a notch in class looking for two straight.

Race 8

(1) SHORTSTACKED keeps Brennan in the bike, drops in class, draws best and should be aggressively handled. (2) FORT KNOX qualified nicely but may need a start. (7) SOMESIZESOMESTYLE also gets class relief but the outside post may be too much to overcome.

Race 9

(5) CRAZSHANA had no chance last week getting away last from the eight hole; Bamond trainee was awesome prior to that and this improved post makes him legit here. (4) NOT AFRAID tailed off in his last couple but the Takter trainee is always capable of turning things around in a hurry. (7) MAJOR ATHENS was last week's winner and he'll probably be forwardly placed again.

Race 10

(1) ROETHBLISSBERGER gets that all-important post relief which makes him a serious player. (3) FOUR BOYS drops back down to the 20K level and draws well enough to be a force. Nice to see (2) FAT MANS ALLEY find the winner's circle again, as he did last week after saving ground and he remains at the same level.

Race 11

(5) PASS THEM BY N fired hard but was outbattled last week; give him another chance here. (1) DIAMOND COWBOY was caught uncovered last out and tired; trip will be better today. (3) CLASSIESISTAR N finally gets some needed post relief.

Race 12

(1) GALACTIC GALLEON N gets much-needed class and post relief today and was a winner when last at this level. (7) WINDS OF CHANGE gets Dube in the bike for Takter and he may be firing from the gate. (3) SNAP TO IT A gets a free ride off a win here last week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Sunday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (3rd) Collin's Smile, 8-1
(6th) Kowboy Boots, 7-2

Fair Grounds (3rd) Lemon Lover, 7-2
(4th) Artistic License, 4-1

Golden Gate Fields (5th) Bountiful Desert, 3-1
(8th) Arthur's Honor, 4-1


Gulfstream Park (2nd) Rafidain, 7-2
(9th) Leslie's Harmony, 5-1


Oaklawn Park (4th) Steelman Run, 6-1
(7th) Funny Questions, 7-2


Parx (2nd) Careful Choice, 3-1
(6th) Fire Alarm, 3-1


Santa Anita (7th) Georgia Blue, 7-2
(9th) Kadesha, 7-2


Sunland Park (6th) Bueno Ora, 7-2
(9th) Flat Gone, 6-1


Tampa Bay Downs (1st) Red Rose Cat, 3-1
(8th) She's Going Strong, 8-1


Turf Paradise (3rd) Chief Warrior, 3-1
(7th) Shared Life, 9-2


Turfway Park (2nd) Stan's Old Habits, 6-1
(7th) Princess Drossie, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Sunday

839 ARIZONA STATE @ 840 COLORADO 4:30 PM

TAKE: 840 COLORADO -6.5

Tough times lately for Arizona State. The Sun Devils have been on the wrong side of three consecutive rather lopsided decisions, and the prospects for a fast recovery today aren’t the best.

This is the back end of the dreaded altitude journey for ASU, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest they’re looking like a fatigued team right now.

I don’t like factoring in “need” to a great extent when handicapping games, because needing a game doesn’t ever guarantee that the team in that situation necessarily wins. But this is an absolute must win game for Colorado if they want to maintain any hope of grabbing an at-large NCAA invite. So I think I’m okay in assuming the Buffaloes will be focused as they close out the home portion of their schedule.

As for Arizona State, I’ll admit to some concern the humiliation factor comes into play here. The Sun Devils were the butt of Twitter jokes galore in the disastrous loss at Utah. I have to think their pride will show here and that ASU will be all out to make amends for what happened the other night at Salt Lake City.

So I’m not sure there’s any kind of emotional edge here either way. But the scheduling dynamics do favor Colorado, and the fact remains that Arizona State is simply not very good right now. Thus, even off the court-storming victory over Arizona, I don’t see this as a flat spot for the home team with all that’s on the line. I doubt this is a blowout, but the number isn’t prohibitive, and I’ll therefore look to spot the points here with Colorado.