SERVICE PLAYS FOR THURSDAY 1/31
- Thread starter Bootlegbobby
- Start date
POINTWISE
DUKE over North Carolina State (Thurs) RATING: 2
CLEVELAND ST over Ill-Chicago (Thurs) RATING: 4
DUKE over North Carolina State (Thurs) RATING: 2
CLEVELAND ST over Ill-Chicago (Thurs) RATING: 4
WINNING POINTS
Thursday, January 31
***BEST BET
*Phoenix over San Antonio by 14
The Suns have been up and down even going through a 3-5 stretch last month. They
seemed straightened out now. The Spurs, however, remain inconsistent going 3-10
ATS through Jan. 27. The Spurs lost to the Suns at home in mid-December, 100-95.
The Suns still haven?t forgotten losing in their controversial playoff series to the Spurs
last season, believing they are the superior team. They should be plenty inspired for
this matchup. It?s the Spurs? third road game in four days. PHOENIX 111-97.
Thursday, January 31
***BEST BET
*Phoenix over San Antonio by 14
The Suns have been up and down even going through a 3-5 stretch last month. They
seemed straightened out now. The Spurs, however, remain inconsistent going 3-10
ATS through Jan. 27. The Spurs lost to the Suns at home in mid-December, 100-95.
The Suns still haven?t forgotten losing in their controversial playoff series to the Spurs
last season, believing they are the superior team. They should be plenty inspired for
this matchup. It?s the Spurs? third road game in four days. PHOENIX 111-97.
THE SPORTS REPORTER
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
BEST BET
*NEVADA over FRESNO STATE by 20
Fresno?s another one of those borderline outfits suffering from cluster injuries. Stripped of
depth, with a team not overwhelmingly talented to begin with, the minutes pile up on the
survivors, and such teams wear down late in games against capable opposition.Wolfpack
has played through its early-season inconsistencies, and established firm Marcelus Kemp
(joined by Brandon Fields and Armon Johnson) will keep the point pressure on outmanned
visitor. NEVADA, 84-64.
--------------------------------------------------------------
BEST BET
DALLAS over *BOSTON by 5
The national audience gets a treat tonight, as a resurgent Mavericks squad pays their only
visit of the season to Boston. Dallas hasn't been quite the road beast this year that they
were last season, but have picked up the pace in 2008 and have the luxury of two full
days off prior to tonight's game. The defensive intensity emphasized by Coach Avery
Johnson and Dirk Nowitzki's scoring ability have both manifested themselves after spending
some time on cruise control during the end of 2007 -- check the game log. Dallas
shows all the signs of a team coming together to fulfill their potential. On the other hand,
while Boston has been dominant at home, they've proven mortal in January and probably
spent Tuesday night partying in South Beach after a game with the Heat. Trust us, it's not
easy finding warm weather in this country right now and the high-flying Celtics are sure
to have enjoyed their time in Florida. Their record up to this point speaks for itself, but
there's room for complacency during this time of the season. DALLAS 85-80.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
BEST BET
*NEVADA over FRESNO STATE by 20
Fresno?s another one of those borderline outfits suffering from cluster injuries. Stripped of
depth, with a team not overwhelmingly talented to begin with, the minutes pile up on the
survivors, and such teams wear down late in games against capable opposition.Wolfpack
has played through its early-season inconsistencies, and established firm Marcelus Kemp
(joined by Brandon Fields and Armon Johnson) will keep the point pressure on outmanned
visitor. NEVADA, 84-64.
--------------------------------------------------------------
BEST BET
DALLAS over *BOSTON by 5
The national audience gets a treat tonight, as a resurgent Mavericks squad pays their only
visit of the season to Boston. Dallas hasn't been quite the road beast this year that they
were last season, but have picked up the pace in 2008 and have the luxury of two full
days off prior to tonight's game. The defensive intensity emphasized by Coach Avery
Johnson and Dirk Nowitzki's scoring ability have both manifested themselves after spending
some time on cruise control during the end of 2007 -- check the game log. Dallas
shows all the signs of a team coming together to fulfill their potential. On the other hand,
while Boston has been dominant at home, they've proven mortal in January and probably
spent Tuesday night partying in South Beach after a game with the Heat. Trust us, it's not
easy finding warm weather in this country right now and the high-flying Celtics are sure
to have enjoyed their time in Florida. Their record up to this point speaks for itself, but
there's room for complacency during this time of the season. DALLAS 85-80.
Last edited:
Arthur Ralph
Arthur Ralph
Super Pick Wright State GOM
900 College Dog Thursday:
Long Beach State
Desperate times eh? Hes pushing here with his GOM. Not sure how many SP's in a row he has lost but the past 2 weeks if you had faded all of them, you would be up rather large.
Arthur Ralph
Super Pick Wright State GOM
900 College Dog Thursday:
Long Beach State
Desperate times eh? Hes pushing here with his GOM. Not sure how many SP's in a row he has lost but the past 2 weeks if you had faded all of them, you would be up rather large.
DCI
CBB
Atlantic 10 Conference
Temple 68, FORDHAM 66
Atlantic Coast Conference
DUKE 83, NC State 62
NORTH CAROLINA 96, Boston College 72
Atlantic Sun Conference
Belmont 78, STETSON 72
FLORIDA GULF COAST 74, Lipscomb 70
Gardner-Webb 79, NORTH FLORIDA 69
JACKSONVILLE 78, Campbell 70
Big East Conference
NOTRE DAME 83, Providence 72
Big Sky Conference
Montana State 69, EASTERN WASHINGTON 68
Northern Arizona 72, NORTHERN COLORADO 67
PORTLAND STATE 70, Montana 62
WEBER STATE 65, Idaho State 58
Big Ten Conference
Minnesota 70, MICHIGAN 65
WISCONSIN 66, Indiana 62
Big West Conference
Cal State Fullerton 81, LONG BEACH STATE 74
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 79, UC Irvine 69
Horizon League
LOYOLA (CHICAGO) 64, Youngstown State 59
UIC 68, Cleveland State 67
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 69, DETROIT 60
WRIGHT STATE 68, Green Bay 64
Northeast Conference
MOUNT ST. MARY'S 73, St. Francis (N.Y.) 63
QUINNIPIAC 80, Saint Francis (Pa.) 68
Robert Morris 71, MONMOUTH 60
Sacred Heart 80, FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 74
WAGNER 78, Long Island 71
Ohio Valley Conference
JACKSONVILLE STATE 73, Eastern Illinois 71
Murray State vs. AUSTIN PEAY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
TENNESSEE STATE 69, Samford 60
TENNESSEE-MARTIN 80, Tennessee Tech 77
Pacific-10 Conference
Stanford vs. WASHINGTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
UCLA 70, Arizona State 55
USC 69, Arizona 65
WASHINGTON STATE 75, California 61
Southern Conference
CHATTANOOGA 81, Georgia Southern 75
Southland Conference
NORTHWESTERN STATE 79, Nicholls State 78
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 68, Central Arkansas 58
Summit League
IPFW 73, South Dakota State 64
IUPUI 78, Southern Utah 60
OAKLAND 85, North Dakota State 82
WESTERN ILLINOIS 72, Umkc 69
Sun Belt Conference
DENVER 60, Florida International 56
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 73, Middle Tennessee 64
South Alabama 78, NORTH TEXAS 74
TROY 86, Louisiana-Monroe 81
WESTERN KENTUCKY 72, Ualr 59
Western Athletic Conference
NEVADA 77, Fresno State 67
New Mexico State 76, HAWAI'I 75
CBB
Atlantic 10 Conference
Temple 68, FORDHAM 66
Atlantic Coast Conference
DUKE 83, NC State 62
NORTH CAROLINA 96, Boston College 72
Atlantic Sun Conference
Belmont 78, STETSON 72
FLORIDA GULF COAST 74, Lipscomb 70
Gardner-Webb 79, NORTH FLORIDA 69
JACKSONVILLE 78, Campbell 70
Big East Conference
NOTRE DAME 83, Providence 72
Big Sky Conference
Montana State 69, EASTERN WASHINGTON 68
Northern Arizona 72, NORTHERN COLORADO 67
PORTLAND STATE 70, Montana 62
WEBER STATE 65, Idaho State 58
Big Ten Conference
Minnesota 70, MICHIGAN 65
WISCONSIN 66, Indiana 62
Big West Conference
Cal State Fullerton 81, LONG BEACH STATE 74
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 79, UC Irvine 69
Horizon League
LOYOLA (CHICAGO) 64, Youngstown State 59
UIC 68, Cleveland State 67
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 69, DETROIT 60
WRIGHT STATE 68, Green Bay 64
Northeast Conference
MOUNT ST. MARY'S 73, St. Francis (N.Y.) 63
QUINNIPIAC 80, Saint Francis (Pa.) 68
Robert Morris 71, MONMOUTH 60
Sacred Heart 80, FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON 74
WAGNER 78, Long Island 71
Ohio Valley Conference
JACKSONVILLE STATE 73, Eastern Illinois 71
Murray State vs. AUSTIN PEAY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
TENNESSEE STATE 69, Samford 60
TENNESSEE-MARTIN 80, Tennessee Tech 77
Pacific-10 Conference
Stanford vs. WASHINGTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
UCLA 70, Arizona State 55
USC 69, Arizona 65
WASHINGTON STATE 75, California 61
Southern Conference
CHATTANOOGA 81, Georgia Southern 75
Southland Conference
NORTHWESTERN STATE 79, Nicholls State 78
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 68, Central Arkansas 58
Summit League
IPFW 73, South Dakota State 64
IUPUI 78, Southern Utah 60
OAKLAND 85, North Dakota State 82
WESTERN ILLINOIS 72, Umkc 69
Sun Belt Conference
DENVER 60, Florida International 56
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 73, Middle Tennessee 64
South Alabama 78, NORTH TEXAS 74
TROY 86, Louisiana-Monroe 81
WESTERN KENTUCKY 72, Ualr 59
Western Athletic Conference
NEVADA 77, Fresno State 67
New Mexico State 76, HAWAI'I 75
DCI
NHL
N.Y. ISLANDERS 3, Los Angeles 2
PHILADELPHIA 3, N.Y. Rangers 2
Montreal vs. WASHINGTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Toronto vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
OTTAWA 4, Boston 2
Vancouver vs. TAMPA BAY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
NASHVILLE 3, Columbus 2
NHL
N.Y. ISLANDERS 3, Los Angeles 2
PHILADELPHIA 3, N.Y. Rangers 2
Montreal vs. WASHINGTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Toronto vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
OTTAWA 4, Boston 2
Vancouver vs. TAMPA BAY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
NASHVILLE 3, Columbus 2
DCI
NBA
DETROIT 104, L.A. Lakers 97
BOSTON 96, Dallas 91
Cleveland 102, SEATTLE 96
PHOENIX 106, San Antonio 98
NBA
DETROIT 104, L.A. Lakers 97
BOSTON 96, Dallas 91
Cleveland 102, SEATTLE 96
PHOENIX 106, San Antonio 98
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Minnesota Golden Gophers - 1.5 over (at) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan (5-15, 1-7) off to its worst start in 25 years ranks last in the Big Ten allowing 71.2 ppg. Minnesota (12-6, 2-4) is averaging a league third best 73.6 ppg under new coach Tubby Smith, its bench outscoring opponents benches 510-284.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 8 over Providence Friars
Providence (12-7, 3-4) is 2-4 on the road. Notre Dame (14-4, 4-2) enters off a 90-80 win at then No.18 Villanova on Saturday. The Irish are 12-0 at home, by an average of 19.8 pgg, and 4-0 (3-1) ATS over Providence last four meetings.
Indiana Hoosiers + 4 over (at) Wisconsin Badgers
No.13 Wisconsin (16-3, 6-1) vs. No.11 Indiana (17-2, 6-0) entering off a 68-63 home loss to (15-5) UConn is 11-1 last 12 games following a loss. Hoosiers, who start the top two scorers in the league in Big Ten play, have defeated the Badgers last two meetings.
Washington Huskies + 2 over Stanford Cardinal
No.14 Stanford (16-3, 5-2) is 1-1 last two road games, winning at (2-5 PAC 10) Cal 82-77, losing at (3-5 PAC 10) Oregon 71-66. Washington (12-8, 3-4) is 10-2 at home including a 78-70 win over Oregon on 01/17. Huskies have won the last five home meetings.
Minnesota Golden Gophers - 1.5 over (at) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan (5-15, 1-7) off to its worst start in 25 years ranks last in the Big Ten allowing 71.2 ppg. Minnesota (12-6, 2-4) is averaging a league third best 73.6 ppg under new coach Tubby Smith, its bench outscoring opponents benches 510-284.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 8 over Providence Friars
Providence (12-7, 3-4) is 2-4 on the road. Notre Dame (14-4, 4-2) enters off a 90-80 win at then No.18 Villanova on Saturday. The Irish are 12-0 at home, by an average of 19.8 pgg, and 4-0 (3-1) ATS over Providence last four meetings.
Indiana Hoosiers + 4 over (at) Wisconsin Badgers
No.13 Wisconsin (16-3, 6-1) vs. No.11 Indiana (17-2, 6-0) entering off a 68-63 home loss to (15-5) UConn is 11-1 last 12 games following a loss. Hoosiers, who start the top two scorers in the league in Big Ten play, have defeated the Badgers last two meetings.
Washington Huskies + 2 over Stanford Cardinal
No.14 Stanford (16-3, 5-2) is 1-1 last two road games, winning at (2-5 PAC 10) Cal 82-77, losing at (3-5 PAC 10) Oregon 71-66. Washington (12-8, 3-4) is 10-2 at home including a 78-70 win over Oregon on 01/17. Huskies have won the last five home meetings.
POINTWISE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
COLLEGE HOOPS
(7:00) NORTH CAROLINA 105 - Boston College 69
(7:00) NOTRE DAME 78 - Providence 73 (ESPN)
(7:00) Wisc-Milwaukee 66 - DETROIT 56
(7:00) Minnesota 80 - MICHIGAN 65
(7:00) WRIGHT STATE 67 - Wisc-Green Bay 63
(8:00) WESTERN KENTUCKY 81 - Ark Little Rock 69
(8:00) NORTH TEXAS 84 - South Alabama 83
(8:00) Cleveland State 67 - ILLINOIS CHICAGO 62
(8:00) LOYOLA-CHICAGO 78 - Youngstown State 77
(8:00) LA-LAFAYETTE 74 - Middle Tennessee State 64
(8:00) Temple 75 - FORDHAM 73 (CSTV)
(8:30) TROY 76 - La-Monroe 65
(9:00) DUKE 87 - North Carolina State 61 (ESPN2)
(9:00) Indiana 71 - WISCONSIN 70 (ESPN)
(9:30) DENVER 72 - Florida International 59
(10:00) CAL-NORTHRIDGE 73 - Cal-Irvine 60
(10:00) WASHINGTON STATE 66 - California 52
(10:00) NEVADA 78 - Fresno State 70
(10:00) WASHINGTON 60 - Stanford 58
(10:00) Cal-Fullerton 83 - LONG BEACH STATE 79
(10:30) UCLA 79 - Arizona State 59
(10:30) Arizona 74 - USC 72
(12:00) New Mexico State 67 - HAWAII 57
(8:30) AUSTIN PEAY 76 - Murray State 63
(9:00) WEBER STATE 68 - Idaho State 61
BEST BETS: NORTH CAROLINA, WISC-MILWAUKEE, CLEVELAND ST,
YOUNGSTOWN STATE, DUKE, DENVER
NBA
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
(7:35) DETROIT PISTONS 100 - Los Angeles Lakers 99
(8:05) BOSTON CELTICS 106 - Dallas Mavs 94 (TNT)
(10:35) Cleveland Cavaliers 97 - SEATTLE 'SONICS 89
(10:35) PHOENIX SUNS 104 - San Antonio Spurs 93 (TNT)
BEST BETS: LOS ANGELES LAKERS, PHOENIX (1)
GOLD SHEET
COLLEGE HOOPS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
NORTH CAROLINA over Boston College by 20 to 24
06-Unc -7 77-72,
Unc -11' 71-56 (CT-neut.)
NOTRE DAME over Providence by 7 to 10
06-UND -8' 81-78 TV-ESPN
Wis.-Milwaukee over DETROIT by 12 to 15
07-UWM -6' 55-53; 06-UWM
+1 65-64 (OT), DET -7' 91-84 (OT)
Minnesota over MICHIGAN by 4 to 6
06-MICH -11' 82-80, Mich -1' 62-51,
Mich -8 49-40 (CT-neut.)
WRIGHT ST. over Wis.-Green Bay by 11 to 14
07-WGB -4' 52-49; 06-
WSU -3' 78-67, Wsu +5 65-54, WSU -6' 67-51 (CT)
WESTERN KENTUCKY 81 - Arkansas-L.R. 64
Sun Belt contender WKU
needs to keep pace with division-leading S. Alabama, so have no problem
bucking UALR quintet continuing to falter when it cant dictate its preferred,
slower pace, going 1-10 vs. spread last 11 when allowing 75 pts. or more.
Doubt unsteady-shooting Trojans (41% FGs, ugly 28% in 40-pt. output at
Denver Jan. 16) can slow down revenge-minded, high-octane, mistake-forcing
?Topper squad (77 ppg, 19 takeaways pg) that owns the most devastating
transition offense in loop. 06-ALR +6 71-69
NORTH TEXAS over South Alabama by 3 to 5
06-USA -6 90-89 (OT)
Cleveland St. over ILLINOIS-CHICAGO by 3 to 5
07-CLE -3' 68-51; 06-
Uic -1 72-62, Csu +7' 60-55
LOYOLA-CHICAGO over Youngstown St. by 4 to 6
07-YSU -3' 71-61; 06-
YSU +2' 76-71, LOY -9' 80-68
LA.-LAFAYETTE over Middle Tennessee St. by 7 to 10
06-MTS -8 71-59
Temple over FORDHAM by 3 to 5
06-FORD -3' 80-73
TROY over La.-Monroe by 3 to 5
06-ULM -1' 91-78 (OT)
DUKE over N.C. St. by 15 to 19
06-Duke -7' 79-56, Ncs +9' 85-80 (CT-OT-neut.)
TV-ESPN2
WISCONSIN over Indiana by 3 to 5
06-IND -2 71-66 TV-ESPN
Florida Intl. 72 - DENVER 66
Now that UDs No. 1 scorer and rebounder F
Kummer has joined vet G Bullock on sidelines for remainder of year with serious
ankle injury, improving FIU should continue its recent surge in Sun Belt
(covered 4 of last 5 thru Jan. 23). Panthers two quality transfers6-10 C Hicks
(via Pepperdine; 13 ppg, 6 rpg) & 6-5 G RedWhite (via Texas A&M; 11 ppg,
season-high 23 vs. S. Alabama Jan. 17 give FIU enough firepower to prevail
vs. impotent Pioneers (SB-worst 55 ppg), who desperately continue to seek
some scoring punch. 06-FIU -8 61-59
CS NORTHRIDGE over UC Irvine by 11 to 14
06-CSN -3 67-61, UCI -6'
75-66
WASHINGTON ST. 66 - California 51
Matchups didnt work for Cal LY
against Wazzu, which dictated tempo and prevented many second chances by
Bears on offensive end. With Cougs very similar to year ago, dont see
dynamics changing much, and Pac-10 sources wonder if recent home sweep
Golden Bears suffered vs. Arizona schools signals a downturn for Cal. 06-Wsu
+2 73-56, WSU -11' 59-46
NEVADA over Fresno St. by 7 to 10
06-NEV -9 85-75, Nev -3 81-68
Stanford over WASHINGTON by 1 to 3?06-STAN -2 78-77, WASH -3' 64-52
CS Fullerton 82 - LONG BEACH ST. 70
Dan Monson doing admirable job
with massive Long Beach rebuilding project. But definite firepower edge
belongs to CSF, which will relish chance to turn tables on local Big West rival
after succession of losses to hated 49ers in recent years. Doubt LB keeps pace
vs. Titan transfer specials, Gs Akognon (ex-Wash. State; 21.2 ppg), F.
Robinson (ex-East Carolina; 15.7 ppg) & F Cutley (ex-Kent State; 13.9 ppg).
06-LBS -3' 95-85, Lbs +3' 94-8
UCLA over Arizona St. by 11 to 14
06-UCLA -19 60-50, Ucla -11' 67-61
SOUTHERN CAL over Arizona by 5 to 7
06-USC +1 80-73, Usc +7 80-75
New Mexico St. over HAWAII by 4 to 6
06-NMS -7' 92-86, Nms +6' 71-68
COLLEGE HOOPS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
NORTH CAROLINA over Boston College by 20 to 24
06-Unc -7 77-72,
Unc -11' 71-56 (CT-neut.)
NOTRE DAME over Providence by 7 to 10
06-UND -8' 81-78 TV-ESPN
Wis.-Milwaukee over DETROIT by 12 to 15
07-UWM -6' 55-53; 06-UWM
+1 65-64 (OT), DET -7' 91-84 (OT)
Minnesota over MICHIGAN by 4 to 6
06-MICH -11' 82-80, Mich -1' 62-51,
Mich -8 49-40 (CT-neut.)
WRIGHT ST. over Wis.-Green Bay by 11 to 14
07-WGB -4' 52-49; 06-
WSU -3' 78-67, Wsu +5 65-54, WSU -6' 67-51 (CT)
WESTERN KENTUCKY 81 - Arkansas-L.R. 64
Sun Belt contender WKU
needs to keep pace with division-leading S. Alabama, so have no problem
bucking UALR quintet continuing to falter when it cant dictate its preferred,
slower pace, going 1-10 vs. spread last 11 when allowing 75 pts. or more.
Doubt unsteady-shooting Trojans (41% FGs, ugly 28% in 40-pt. output at
Denver Jan. 16) can slow down revenge-minded, high-octane, mistake-forcing
?Topper squad (77 ppg, 19 takeaways pg) that owns the most devastating
transition offense in loop. 06-ALR +6 71-69
NORTH TEXAS over South Alabama by 3 to 5
06-USA -6 90-89 (OT)
Cleveland St. over ILLINOIS-CHICAGO by 3 to 5
07-CLE -3' 68-51; 06-
Uic -1 72-62, Csu +7' 60-55
LOYOLA-CHICAGO over Youngstown St. by 4 to 6
07-YSU -3' 71-61; 06-
YSU +2' 76-71, LOY -9' 80-68
LA.-LAFAYETTE over Middle Tennessee St. by 7 to 10
06-MTS -8 71-59
Temple over FORDHAM by 3 to 5
06-FORD -3' 80-73
TROY over La.-Monroe by 3 to 5
06-ULM -1' 91-78 (OT)
DUKE over N.C. St. by 15 to 19
06-Duke -7' 79-56, Ncs +9' 85-80 (CT-OT-neut.)
TV-ESPN2
WISCONSIN over Indiana by 3 to 5
06-IND -2 71-66 TV-ESPN
Florida Intl. 72 - DENVER 66
Now that UDs No. 1 scorer and rebounder F
Kummer has joined vet G Bullock on sidelines for remainder of year with serious
ankle injury, improving FIU should continue its recent surge in Sun Belt
(covered 4 of last 5 thru Jan. 23). Panthers two quality transfers6-10 C Hicks
(via Pepperdine; 13 ppg, 6 rpg) & 6-5 G RedWhite (via Texas A&M; 11 ppg,
season-high 23 vs. S. Alabama Jan. 17 give FIU enough firepower to prevail
vs. impotent Pioneers (SB-worst 55 ppg), who desperately continue to seek
some scoring punch. 06-FIU -8 61-59
CS NORTHRIDGE over UC Irvine by 11 to 14
06-CSN -3 67-61, UCI -6'
75-66
WASHINGTON ST. 66 - California 51
Matchups didnt work for Cal LY
against Wazzu, which dictated tempo and prevented many second chances by
Bears on offensive end. With Cougs very similar to year ago, dont see
dynamics changing much, and Pac-10 sources wonder if recent home sweep
Golden Bears suffered vs. Arizona schools signals a downturn for Cal. 06-Wsu
+2 73-56, WSU -11' 59-46
NEVADA over Fresno St. by 7 to 10
06-NEV -9 85-75, Nev -3 81-68
Stanford over WASHINGTON by 1 to 3?06-STAN -2 78-77, WASH -3' 64-52
CS Fullerton 82 - LONG BEACH ST. 70
Dan Monson doing admirable job
with massive Long Beach rebuilding project. But definite firepower edge
belongs to CSF, which will relish chance to turn tables on local Big West rival
after succession of losses to hated 49ers in recent years. Doubt LB keeps pace
vs. Titan transfer specials, Gs Akognon (ex-Wash. State; 21.2 ppg), F.
Robinson (ex-East Carolina; 15.7 ppg) & F Cutley (ex-Kent State; 13.9 ppg).
06-LBS -3' 95-85, Lbs +3' 94-8
UCLA over Arizona St. by 11 to 14
06-UCLA -19 60-50, Ucla -11' 67-61
SOUTHERN CAL over Arizona by 5 to 7
06-USC +1 80-73, Usc +7 80-75
New Mexico St. over HAWAII by 4 to 6
06-NMS -7' 92-86, Nms +6' 71-68
CAPPERS ACCESS
(Thur) CBB Notre Dame
(Thur) CBB Wisconsin
(Thur) CBB NC St
Super Bowl XLII Patriots
LT'S LOCK
The LOCK: UNC -19
The STREAK: 1 win
The RECORD: 552-450-21
JOE WIZ FREE PLAY
North Texas
Pistons
Redzone Sports
free play
La Lakers
(Thur) CBB Notre Dame
(Thur) CBB Wisconsin
(Thur) CBB NC St
Super Bowl XLII Patriots
LT'S LOCK
The LOCK: UNC -19
The STREAK: 1 win
The RECORD: 552-450-21
JOE WIZ FREE PLAY
North Texas
Pistons
Redzone Sports
free play
La Lakers
COMPS:
HUDDLE UP
LA Lakers/Detroit over 197
HAWKEYE
MINNESOTA -1.5 OVER MICHIGAN
TRACE ADAMS
Washington Huskies
#1 SPORTS
ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK + 13 1/2
TOTALS 4 U
N.C. STATE + 18
ARTHUR RALPH
UCLA
HD'S ACTIONLINE
USC
SCOTT DELANEY
5♦ UW MILWAUKEE
BIG TIME SPORTS
THURSDAY JANUARY 31st
NO. ARIZONA -1 OVER NO. COLORADO
COMPUTER SPORTS
NOTRE DAME-8
BIG AL COMP
Denver Pioneers -4.5 over Florida International
WestCoastCapper
NCAA Basketball
1/31/2008 at 8:00:00 PM
South Alabama at North Texas
South Alabama -3.5
RAZOR SHARP
THURSDAY: PROVIDENCE +8 over Notre Dame
NEVAVDA SHARPSHOOTER
THURSDAY
CAL ST FULLERTON -7.5 OVER LONG BEACH ST
PLATINUM PLAYS
CBB: ARIZONA WILDCATS + 4 Over the USC Trojans
THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Thursday: Take Stanford -2 over Washington
HUDDLE UP
LA Lakers/Detroit over 197
HAWKEYE
MINNESOTA -1.5 OVER MICHIGAN
TRACE ADAMS
Washington Huskies
#1 SPORTS
ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK + 13 1/2
TOTALS 4 U
N.C. STATE + 18
ARTHUR RALPH
UCLA
HD'S ACTIONLINE
USC
SCOTT DELANEY
5♦ UW MILWAUKEE
BIG TIME SPORTS
THURSDAY JANUARY 31st
NO. ARIZONA -1 OVER NO. COLORADO
COMPUTER SPORTS
NOTRE DAME-8
BIG AL COMP
Denver Pioneers -4.5 over Florida International
WestCoastCapper
NCAA Basketball
1/31/2008 at 8:00:00 PM
South Alabama at North Texas
South Alabama -3.5
RAZOR SHARP
THURSDAY: PROVIDENCE +8 over Notre Dame
NEVAVDA SHARPSHOOTER
THURSDAY
CAL ST FULLERTON -7.5 OVER LONG BEACH ST
PLATINUM PLAYS
CBB: ARIZONA WILDCATS + 4 Over the USC Trojans
THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Thursday: Take Stanford -2 over Washington
EZ Winners
1 STAR: (707) PHOENIX (-7) over San Antonio
(Risking $110 to win $100)
9:30PM Central Time
NCAA
1 STAR: (751) ARIZONA (+3.5) over Usc
(Risking $110 to win $100)
9:30PM Central Time
1 STAR: (707) PHOENIX (-7) over San Antonio
(Risking $110 to win $100)
9:30PM Central Time
NCAA
1 STAR: (751) ARIZONA (+3.5) over Usc
(Risking $110 to win $100)
9:30PM Central Time
Marc Lawrence
Game: Wis-Green Bay at Wright State Jan 31 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Wright State
Reason: Play On: Wright State
Note: Theres nothing like a strong home court to welcome back a team from a three game road trek. Teams who have won 30 or more of their previous 40 games are 535-168 SU in this role since 1990. And the Raiders do own a strong home court, having gone 21-4 SU & 18-6-1 ATS in their last 25 conference games, including 16-2 SU & ATS when hosting .450 or better opponents. They did, however, lose most recently to upstart Cleveland State at the Nutter Center, guaranteeing a focused effort here tonight. What makes this play even more attractive is that Green Bay takes to the road after having been camped at home in their previous three games. Look for a smooth landing from Orville & Wilbur here tonight. KEY STAT: Wright State is 5-0 ATS in games after facing Detroit.
NELLY
THURSDAY - Jan. 31
LA Lakers + over Detroit
Many are pointing to Bynum's injury as a big factor in the recent slide for the Lakers. There is no doubt that it is a big loss but the schedule has also played a pretty big role. Los Angeles has lost outright in four of the past six games, but the losses came against Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, and Cleveland, a pretty tough lot. The Lakers have also delivered convincing double-digit win over the Nuggets and the Knicks without Bynum so a huge drop off in play should not be expected in his absence. The Pistons play at home tonight but four of the previous five games came on an exhausting road trip. Detroit has seen its defensive numbers slide in recent weeks, allowing over 93 points in five of the past six games. The Pistons own a fantastic record at home but Detroit will be greatly overvalued in this match-up. Los Angeles crushed the Pistons by double-digits in a meeting earlier this season and the Lakers are capable of surprising Thursday night.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
THURSDAY
Play on: New Mexico State over Hawaii
We were hurt last night in college hoops as the "day late, dollar short" mindset took hold at BDS. Actually, the lines maker empowered a huge offset in "numbers" with pay back games (including tourney)and same season revenge. Some of us were caught zigging, instead of the obvious!
Here we have a situation that is really important to the 'Bows playing into triple revenge, but the line is very predictable noting the aforementioned. Visiting NMS 4-1 ATS in the series, but Hawaii is 1-7 ATS at home and allowing 50% FG as a defense this season. Add an assist to turnover advantage for the Aggies and I'm backing the visitor
Tony Mathews
Matchup: California vs. Washington State
Selection: Washington State -10.5 (-110)
Explanation: We will lay the points with Washington State as they face-off against California in Thursday's College Basketball contest.
Washington State is the team with the much better defense. California (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 72 points per game, while Washington State (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 44.4 points per game. It's clear that the Washington State defense is much better then the California defense.
Washington State has already proven they are much better then California. In fact, Washington State is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings against California.
Take Washington State -10.5!
Sports Gambling Hotline
The Fighting Irish have been impressing us with their play this season, and tonight they get to play host to a Providence team that hasn't traveled well this year.
The Friars are just 4-6 away from home, and 3-7 against the spread in those 10 games played on the highway. They have also lost the last 3 series meetings, and we see them going down to defeat once again tonight.
Notre Dame is fresh off their road win at Villanova, and now come back home where they have yet to lose a game at 11-0 straight up. The Irish have covered in 5 of 8 games with a line in South Bend, and we see them covering this price tonight.
Until we see more evidence that the Friars can actually step up on the conference road, we will go against them.
Play on the Irish.
2♦ NOTRE DAME
KARL GARRETT
LA snapped a 3 game slide with a home win and cover over the Knicks on Monday. This is the start of a huge road swing for Los Angeles just before the All-Star break and I expect they will be razor sharp in this game as they want to get this road trip off on the right foot.
The Lakers have gone 10-8-1 against the spread on the road this season, and they do come into the Auburn Palace looking for a season series sweep over a Detroit team they dumped 103-91 back in November.
The Pistons are just 3-6 against the spread their last 9 games, and this price is just a little too high for my liking.
G-Man says to take the points with the Lakers tonight.
1♦ LAKERS
JIM FEIST
Few think of the Lakers as a strong defensive team, as they prefer to run, but the Lakers are very good defensively, allowing 44% shooting by opponents ? 4th best in the NBA. And who is just ahead of them? The Pistons. So you have two teams in the Top 4 defensively meeting here. When they met earlier this season, the game went under the total. Detroit is 12-6 under the total at home where they allow 87 ppg. Fans might be looking at an offensive game, but the stats suggest a defensive battle. Play the Lakers/Pistons under the total!
Dave Cokin
CBB
735 Indiana @ 736 Wisconsin 9PM ET
Indiana-Wisconsin shapes up as a very exciting battle. The Badgers are extremely tough at home, but I believe Indiana is the better team and they've been fearless on the road. Kelvin Sampson will have no trouble getting his troops revved up for this crucial conference tilt, particularly off their very poor performance last weekend vs. UConn. I believe Wisconsin is a shade overrated at this point, and I like the idea of taking more than one possession on the number with what I feel is the stronger entry. Indiana plus the points.
Bobby Maxwell
We head to the Valley of the Sun tonight for a FREE play on the Spurs as they take on the Suns in Phoenix.
Tuesday's loss to the Sonics has to be a huge wake-up call to the Spurs that they need to get it in gear if they are going to be contenders in the Western Conference.
San Antonio went to Seattle and lost 88-85 Tuesday, falling to a team that had lost 15 straight games. If that doesn't shake things up with this team, nothing will. Expect them to come out in Phoenix tonight and play with a little more passion and not the slow-motion it looked like they'd been playing in the last month.
And Phoenix might just be the right team for the Spurs to face right now. San Antonio is 8-3-1 ATS in its lat 12 visits to Phoenix and eliminated the Suns from last season's Western Conference playoffs.
Phoenix is just 9-11 ATS at home, and that's after cashing the last three home games.
The Spurs know exactly what to expec when they see the Suns and if the bookmaker wants to give us this many points, we'll certainly take them. Grab the points and watch as the professionalism of the Spurs comes through and they show some pride in this one, competing right down to the buzzer.
And remember they don't have to win for us to get the cash. Keep it close and we're winners.
2♦ SAN ANTONIO
JEFF BENTON
The Lakers begin a ridiculous nine-game road trip tonight, and they do so against one the best teams in the NBA in one of the hardest places in the league for visitors to win. Detroit, which comes into this game having won three in a row overall, is 32-13 on the season (27-17-1 ATS), including 15-4 at home (13-6 ATS). And in their last nine at the Palace, the Pistons are 9-2 SU and ATS.
What?s more, Detroit has dominated the Lakers in recent years, going 8-2 in the last 10 (7-3 ATS), and it is 11-3-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings going back to the 2004 NBA Finals. The Pistons have also defeated the Lakers eight straight times in Motown (7-1 ATS), with an average margin of victory of 15.8 points per game. Additionally, this is a revenge spot for Detroit, which lost 103-91 at L.A. earlier in the season. However, the Pistons didn?t have point guard Chauncey Billups or big man Antonio McDyess in that contest. Both will play tonight, while the Lakers are still without big man Andrew Bynum (he had 12 points and 7 boards in the home win over Detroit), while Luke Walton is questionable.
Finally, the Lakers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight overall (including a ridiculously lucky cover vs. the Knicks on Tuesday), and while L.A. plays again tomorrow night (at Toronto), the Pistons after this one are idle until Sunday (so no look-ahead issues for Detriot). Lay the wood here in what should be an easy double-digit rout for the host.
(based on a 1 to a 10 ♦ Rating)
5♦ DETROIT PISTONS
TONY WESTON
The freak show that is LeBron James scored 17 in the fourth quarter Wednesday to help the Cavs knock off the Blazers in a game where he scored 37 points, a game after scoring 41 against the Lakers.
Over the team?s last seven games James is scoring four more points than his season average, as he?s putting up 34.7 points per game in a stretch where Cleveland is 6-1 SU and ATS.
While the Sonics are 4-1 ATS their L5 games, they?re 1-4 SU and have shown a lot of inconsistency on the court.
Seattle is giving up 104.5 points per game this year and have allowed at least 109 points in four of their L9 games.
That doesn?t bode well as ?King James? comes to town playing out of his mind.
James will get his 40 points and the Cavs will win easy.
Take Cleveland on the road.
3♦ CAVALIERS (1♦ to 5♦ Scale)
MATT RIVERS
For Thursday take the Pistons
I am just not that sold right now on Kobe and the Lakers. Los Angeles did start the season in great form but things have not been the same ever since Andrew Bynum went down with the injury. LA did just come back and somehow cover the last game at home against the Knicks but they were losing most of the way and have frankly been terrible over the past few weeks. Phil Jackson's squad is clealry missing their young big man and it has showed in the home losses to the Cavaliers and Suns.
Detroit is as good as they come in the East and may not be a total powerhouse themselves but, as usual, they are as solid as they come and as experienced as they come. Chauncey, Rip, Rasheed, Tayshaun and others form a quality squad that in MoTown can suffocate you with their defense and totally wear you out after 48 minutes. I really see things playing out this way today as the Lakers are way overmatched and to be honest with you extremely mediocre right now.
I'm not calling for the Lakers to lose by 50 but I do see them beginning this insane 9 game road trip with a poor performance and a double digit loss!
John Fina
January 31, 2008
Selection: Nevada -8.5 (-110)
Today Fresno State will be on the road as they take on Nevada. We will lay the points with Nevada! The Nevada offense should be able to take control of this game. Nevada (at home) is scoring an average of 75.2 points per game, while Fresno State (on the road) is scoring an average of only 61.9 points per game. The bottom line, the Nevada offense should be able to control this game from start to finish. In this series, there has been value with the favorite. In fact, the favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Lay the points! Take Nevada -8
VEGAS EXPERTS
Indiana Hoosiers at Wisconsin Badgers
Thursday, January 31st, 9:00 PM ET
Hoosiers shot poorly in their loss to Connecticut: 37.1%. They had shot 45.5% in 12 of their previous 14 games: look for their shooting eye to return against the Badgers. Wisconsin shot poorly too in its 60-56 loss to Purdue but ordinarily does not shoot as well as Indiana. WISCONSIN is 0-7 ATS after a combined score of 125 points or less this season.
Play on: Indiana
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes Jan 31 2008 7:05PM
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes
Reason: Toronto has lost 3 of their last 4 while the Hurricanes have won 3 of their last 4. The Maple Leafs are 6-14 in their last 20 games. In their last 34 road games Toronto is 9-25. The Hurricanes haven't had a very good season so far but they are playing a Leafs team that is on the verge of being blown up and this is a game Carolina can easily win. Carolina is 12-5 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Carolina has won 2 of the last 3 meetings. Play on the Huricanes
Game: Wis-Green Bay at Wright State Jan 31 2008 7:00PM
Prediction: Wright State
Reason: Play On: Wright State
Note: Theres nothing like a strong home court to welcome back a team from a three game road trek. Teams who have won 30 or more of their previous 40 games are 535-168 SU in this role since 1990. And the Raiders do own a strong home court, having gone 21-4 SU & 18-6-1 ATS in their last 25 conference games, including 16-2 SU & ATS when hosting .450 or better opponents. They did, however, lose most recently to upstart Cleveland State at the Nutter Center, guaranteeing a focused effort here tonight. What makes this play even more attractive is that Green Bay takes to the road after having been camped at home in their previous three games. Look for a smooth landing from Orville & Wilbur here tonight. KEY STAT: Wright State is 5-0 ATS in games after facing Detroit.
NELLY
THURSDAY - Jan. 31
LA Lakers + over Detroit
Many are pointing to Bynum's injury as a big factor in the recent slide for the Lakers. There is no doubt that it is a big loss but the schedule has also played a pretty big role. Los Angeles has lost outright in four of the past six games, but the losses came against Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, and Cleveland, a pretty tough lot. The Lakers have also delivered convincing double-digit win over the Nuggets and the Knicks without Bynum so a huge drop off in play should not be expected in his absence. The Pistons play at home tonight but four of the previous five games came on an exhausting road trip. Detroit has seen its defensive numbers slide in recent weeks, allowing over 93 points in five of the past six games. The Pistons own a fantastic record at home but Detroit will be greatly overvalued in this match-up. Los Angeles crushed the Pistons by double-digits in a meeting earlier this season and the Lakers are capable of surprising Thursday night.
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
THURSDAY
Play on: New Mexico State over Hawaii
We were hurt last night in college hoops as the "day late, dollar short" mindset took hold at BDS. Actually, the lines maker empowered a huge offset in "numbers" with pay back games (including tourney)and same season revenge. Some of us were caught zigging, instead of the obvious!
Here we have a situation that is really important to the 'Bows playing into triple revenge, but the line is very predictable noting the aforementioned. Visiting NMS 4-1 ATS in the series, but Hawaii is 1-7 ATS at home and allowing 50% FG as a defense this season. Add an assist to turnover advantage for the Aggies and I'm backing the visitor
Tony Mathews
Matchup: California vs. Washington State
Selection: Washington State -10.5 (-110)
Explanation: We will lay the points with Washington State as they face-off against California in Thursday's College Basketball contest.
Washington State is the team with the much better defense. California (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 72 points per game, while Washington State (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 44.4 points per game. It's clear that the Washington State defense is much better then the California defense.
Washington State has already proven they are much better then California. In fact, Washington State is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings against California.
Take Washington State -10.5!
Sports Gambling Hotline
The Fighting Irish have been impressing us with their play this season, and tonight they get to play host to a Providence team that hasn't traveled well this year.
The Friars are just 4-6 away from home, and 3-7 against the spread in those 10 games played on the highway. They have also lost the last 3 series meetings, and we see them going down to defeat once again tonight.
Notre Dame is fresh off their road win at Villanova, and now come back home where they have yet to lose a game at 11-0 straight up. The Irish have covered in 5 of 8 games with a line in South Bend, and we see them covering this price tonight.
Until we see more evidence that the Friars can actually step up on the conference road, we will go against them.
Play on the Irish.
2♦ NOTRE DAME
KARL GARRETT
LA snapped a 3 game slide with a home win and cover over the Knicks on Monday. This is the start of a huge road swing for Los Angeles just before the All-Star break and I expect they will be razor sharp in this game as they want to get this road trip off on the right foot.
The Lakers have gone 10-8-1 against the spread on the road this season, and they do come into the Auburn Palace looking for a season series sweep over a Detroit team they dumped 103-91 back in November.
The Pistons are just 3-6 against the spread their last 9 games, and this price is just a little too high for my liking.
G-Man says to take the points with the Lakers tonight.
1♦ LAKERS
JIM FEIST
Few think of the Lakers as a strong defensive team, as they prefer to run, but the Lakers are very good defensively, allowing 44% shooting by opponents ? 4th best in the NBA. And who is just ahead of them? The Pistons. So you have two teams in the Top 4 defensively meeting here. When they met earlier this season, the game went under the total. Detroit is 12-6 under the total at home where they allow 87 ppg. Fans might be looking at an offensive game, but the stats suggest a defensive battle. Play the Lakers/Pistons under the total!
Dave Cokin
CBB
735 Indiana @ 736 Wisconsin 9PM ET
Indiana-Wisconsin shapes up as a very exciting battle. The Badgers are extremely tough at home, but I believe Indiana is the better team and they've been fearless on the road. Kelvin Sampson will have no trouble getting his troops revved up for this crucial conference tilt, particularly off their very poor performance last weekend vs. UConn. I believe Wisconsin is a shade overrated at this point, and I like the idea of taking more than one possession on the number with what I feel is the stronger entry. Indiana plus the points.
Bobby Maxwell
We head to the Valley of the Sun tonight for a FREE play on the Spurs as they take on the Suns in Phoenix.
Tuesday's loss to the Sonics has to be a huge wake-up call to the Spurs that they need to get it in gear if they are going to be contenders in the Western Conference.
San Antonio went to Seattle and lost 88-85 Tuesday, falling to a team that had lost 15 straight games. If that doesn't shake things up with this team, nothing will. Expect them to come out in Phoenix tonight and play with a little more passion and not the slow-motion it looked like they'd been playing in the last month.
And Phoenix might just be the right team for the Spurs to face right now. San Antonio is 8-3-1 ATS in its lat 12 visits to Phoenix and eliminated the Suns from last season's Western Conference playoffs.
Phoenix is just 9-11 ATS at home, and that's after cashing the last three home games.
The Spurs know exactly what to expec when they see the Suns and if the bookmaker wants to give us this many points, we'll certainly take them. Grab the points and watch as the professionalism of the Spurs comes through and they show some pride in this one, competing right down to the buzzer.
And remember they don't have to win for us to get the cash. Keep it close and we're winners.
2♦ SAN ANTONIO
JEFF BENTON
The Lakers begin a ridiculous nine-game road trip tonight, and they do so against one the best teams in the NBA in one of the hardest places in the league for visitors to win. Detroit, which comes into this game having won three in a row overall, is 32-13 on the season (27-17-1 ATS), including 15-4 at home (13-6 ATS). And in their last nine at the Palace, the Pistons are 9-2 SU and ATS.
What?s more, Detroit has dominated the Lakers in recent years, going 8-2 in the last 10 (7-3 ATS), and it is 11-3-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings going back to the 2004 NBA Finals. The Pistons have also defeated the Lakers eight straight times in Motown (7-1 ATS), with an average margin of victory of 15.8 points per game. Additionally, this is a revenge spot for Detroit, which lost 103-91 at L.A. earlier in the season. However, the Pistons didn?t have point guard Chauncey Billups or big man Antonio McDyess in that contest. Both will play tonight, while the Lakers are still without big man Andrew Bynum (he had 12 points and 7 boards in the home win over Detroit), while Luke Walton is questionable.
Finally, the Lakers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight overall (including a ridiculously lucky cover vs. the Knicks on Tuesday), and while L.A. plays again tomorrow night (at Toronto), the Pistons after this one are idle until Sunday (so no look-ahead issues for Detriot). Lay the wood here in what should be an easy double-digit rout for the host.
(based on a 1 to a 10 ♦ Rating)
5♦ DETROIT PISTONS
TONY WESTON
The freak show that is LeBron James scored 17 in the fourth quarter Wednesday to help the Cavs knock off the Blazers in a game where he scored 37 points, a game after scoring 41 against the Lakers.
Over the team?s last seven games James is scoring four more points than his season average, as he?s putting up 34.7 points per game in a stretch where Cleveland is 6-1 SU and ATS.
While the Sonics are 4-1 ATS their L5 games, they?re 1-4 SU and have shown a lot of inconsistency on the court.
Seattle is giving up 104.5 points per game this year and have allowed at least 109 points in four of their L9 games.
That doesn?t bode well as ?King James? comes to town playing out of his mind.
James will get his 40 points and the Cavs will win easy.
Take Cleveland on the road.
3♦ CAVALIERS (1♦ to 5♦ Scale)
MATT RIVERS
For Thursday take the Pistons
I am just not that sold right now on Kobe and the Lakers. Los Angeles did start the season in great form but things have not been the same ever since Andrew Bynum went down with the injury. LA did just come back and somehow cover the last game at home against the Knicks but they were losing most of the way and have frankly been terrible over the past few weeks. Phil Jackson's squad is clealry missing their young big man and it has showed in the home losses to the Cavaliers and Suns.
Detroit is as good as they come in the East and may not be a total powerhouse themselves but, as usual, they are as solid as they come and as experienced as they come. Chauncey, Rip, Rasheed, Tayshaun and others form a quality squad that in MoTown can suffocate you with their defense and totally wear you out after 48 minutes. I really see things playing out this way today as the Lakers are way overmatched and to be honest with you extremely mediocre right now.
I'm not calling for the Lakers to lose by 50 but I do see them beginning this insane 9 game road trip with a poor performance and a double digit loss!
John Fina
January 31, 2008
Selection: Nevada -8.5 (-110)
Today Fresno State will be on the road as they take on Nevada. We will lay the points with Nevada! The Nevada offense should be able to take control of this game. Nevada (at home) is scoring an average of 75.2 points per game, while Fresno State (on the road) is scoring an average of only 61.9 points per game. The bottom line, the Nevada offense should be able to control this game from start to finish. In this series, there has been value with the favorite. In fact, the favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Lay the points! Take Nevada -8
VEGAS EXPERTS
Indiana Hoosiers at Wisconsin Badgers
Thursday, January 31st, 9:00 PM ET
Hoosiers shot poorly in their loss to Connecticut: 37.1%. They had shot 45.5% in 12 of their previous 14 games: look for their shooting eye to return against the Badgers. Wisconsin shot poorly too in its 60-56 loss to Purdue but ordinarily does not shoot as well as Indiana. WISCONSIN is 0-7 ATS after a combined score of 125 points or less this season.
Play on: Indiana
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes Jan 31 2008 7:05PM
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes
Reason: Toronto has lost 3 of their last 4 while the Hurricanes have won 3 of their last 4. The Maple Leafs are 6-14 in their last 20 games. In their last 34 road games Toronto is 9-25. The Hurricanes haven't had a very good season so far but they are playing a Leafs team that is on the verge of being blown up and this is a game Carolina can easily win. Carolina is 12-5 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Carolina has won 2 of the last 3 meetings. Play on the Huricanes
Net Prophet
NBA:
LA Lakers +8 over Detroit
NHL:
Toronto/Carolina OVER 6 -130
Montreal +100 over Washington
NBA:
LA Lakers +8 over Detroit
NHL:
Toronto/Carolina OVER 6 -130
Montreal +100 over Washington
LT Profits
Los Angeles Kings (130)
Thu Jan 31 '08 7:05p
The Los Angeles Kings may have the fewest points in the league, but they have been playing much better lately and they could take advantage of a New York Islanders team that should be decimated by the flu.
Even when fully healthy, the Islanders are struggling right now, especially at home. In fact, the Islanders have not won at the Nassau Coliseum in 2008, as they have lost five straight home games since beating the New Jersey Devils on December 29. Furthermore, they have at least five cases of the flu right now including franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro.
The Kings are actually 5-2 overall in their last seven games, and they have picked up a point in three of their last four road games, with outright road upset wins vs. the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers, as well as an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers to begin this road trip on Tuesday.
These teams have met just once in the ?New NHL? era, with the Kings prevailing 4-2 in Los Angeles. Considering the directions these teams have been going in lately, look for another Kings upset win tonight.
Kings +130
Wisconsin -4.0 (-110)
Thu Jan 31 '08 9:00p
Both the Wisconsin Badgers and the Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of losses last Saturday, but Wisconsin has been virtually unbeatable at home and should prevail tonight.
In fact, the Badgers are a ridiculous 103-6 straight up at home since Coach Bo Ryan took the job before the 2001-02 season, with only two of those losses coming vs. Big Ten opponents (both to Illinois). They are 4-0 vs. Indiana in this building during this time with the wins being by a whopping average of +16.5 points per game.
Now granted, the Badgers are 0-4 against the spread in their conference home games this season despite going 4-0 straight up in those games. However, they were double-digit favorites on every occasion, and they still won those games by an average of +9.5 points. While that AMOV was not good enough to cover those big spreads, it is more than good enough to cover this spot safely. Remember also that Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring defense whle allowing just 54.7 points per game, a figure that drops to 52.7 points at home.
The Hoosiers has their 13-game winning streak snapped with a surprising home loss to Connecticut Saturday. Sure, they are still 6-0 straight up in the conference, but they have been fortunate in that they have opened their Big Ten schedule with what are currently the bottom six teams in the conference standings. Furthermore, they are just 3-3 ATS in conference despite that soft slate.
We feel that Wisconsin represents a big jump in class from the teams that Indiana has been facing, and the fact that this game is at the Kohl Center should result in a rather handy Badgers victory.
Wisconsin -4
Los Angeles Kings (130)
Thu Jan 31 '08 7:05p
The Los Angeles Kings may have the fewest points in the league, but they have been playing much better lately and they could take advantage of a New York Islanders team that should be decimated by the flu.
Even when fully healthy, the Islanders are struggling right now, especially at home. In fact, the Islanders have not won at the Nassau Coliseum in 2008, as they have lost five straight home games since beating the New Jersey Devils on December 29. Furthermore, they have at least five cases of the flu right now including franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro.
The Kings are actually 5-2 overall in their last seven games, and they have picked up a point in three of their last four road games, with outright road upset wins vs. the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers, as well as an overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers to begin this road trip on Tuesday.
These teams have met just once in the ?New NHL? era, with the Kings prevailing 4-2 in Los Angeles. Considering the directions these teams have been going in lately, look for another Kings upset win tonight.
Kings +130
Wisconsin -4.0 (-110)
Thu Jan 31 '08 9:00p
Both the Wisconsin Badgers and the Indiana Hoosiers are coming off of losses last Saturday, but Wisconsin has been virtually unbeatable at home and should prevail tonight.
In fact, the Badgers are a ridiculous 103-6 straight up at home since Coach Bo Ryan took the job before the 2001-02 season, with only two of those losses coming vs. Big Ten opponents (both to Illinois). They are 4-0 vs. Indiana in this building during this time with the wins being by a whopping average of +16.5 points per game.
Now granted, the Badgers are 0-4 against the spread in their conference home games this season despite going 4-0 straight up in those games. However, they were double-digit favorites on every occasion, and they still won those games by an average of +9.5 points. While that AMOV was not good enough to cover those big spreads, it is more than good enough to cover this spot safely. Remember also that Wisconsin leads the nation in scoring defense whle allowing just 54.7 points per game, a figure that drops to 52.7 points at home.
The Hoosiers has their 13-game winning streak snapped with a surprising home loss to Connecticut Saturday. Sure, they are still 6-0 straight up in the conference, but they have been fortunate in that they have opened their Big Ten schedule with what are currently the bottom six teams in the conference standings. Furthermore, they are just 3-3 ATS in conference despite that soft slate.
We feel that Wisconsin represents a big jump in class from the teams that Indiana has been facing, and the fact that this game is at the Kohl Center should result in a rather handy Badgers victory.
Wisconsin -4