Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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11-16-14 | Massachusetts -5 v. Boston College | Top | 71-62 | Win | 100 | 10 h 10 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the UMASS Minutemen. Jesse Schule |
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11-14-14 | Minnesota +6.5 v. Louisville | Top | 68-81 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 38 m | Show |
This is a 5* play on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. |
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04-07-14 | Kentucky v. Connecticut +3 | Top | 54-60 | Win | 100 | 20 h 34 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Connecticut Huskies (1st Half)
Not too many people would have picked Kentucky to make it to the Championship game, but even fewer would have picked UCONN. The Huskies though are coming off upset victories over Florida and Michigan State. Connecticut shot 55.8% from the field against the Gators, while holding Florida to 38.8% from the field, and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. Kentucky has won it's last three games by hitting big shots in the final minutes, but they haven't gotten off to a good start in any of those games. Aaron Harrison's 3-pointer bailed them out in the final seconds against Wisconsin, and he hit similar shots in the final minute against Louisville and Michigan. The freshman haven't faltered yet, but they've looked like a team on the verge of collapse the entire time. It's tough to depend on a late rally every night, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Wildcats come up short in the Final. Take UCONN (1/H) GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-05-14 | Kentucky v. Wisconsin +2 | Top | 74-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Wisconsin Badgers (1st Half)
The Wildcats haven't led at the half in any of their last three games, and yet they are a favorite against the Badgers in this Final Four match-up. Wisconsin is coming off an overtime win over Arizona, and the Badgers continue to shoot the ball well from three point range. Frank Kaminsky was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, and he was like a man against boys, scoring 28 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Speaking of men against boys.. The Wildcats continue to win games with a starting lineup made up entirely of freshmen. The kids have made some mistakes, but so far they've been able to make the big plays at the right times, sneaking away with victories in close games. It would come as no surprise to anyone, if this group of freshman were to get caught up in the hype, lose their focus and hit a wall here against a more experienced Wisconsin team. Many of these Kentucky players are already looking ahead to the NBA, and that could prove to be a distraction. Take WISKY. GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-05-14 | Connecticut v. Florida -6 | Top | 63-53 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
This is a 6* play on the Florida Gators.
The Connecticut Huskies are the big underdogs here in the Final Four, coming off a come from behind upset win over Michigan State. They trailed the Spartans 25-21 at the half in that game, but took over in the second half. Florida on the other hand has won four straight games by double digits, and the Gators have had healthy halftime leads in all of those games. Florida has won 30 straight, but their last loss came to these Huskies in Connecticut. That game was decided by a buzzer beater though, and the Huskies had home court advantage. "It's a different game. That was four months ago," Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie said. "We're a different team. I'm a different coach. Billy Donovan's definitely got a better understanding of his team and what it takes for his team to win. So it's going to be a whole different game." Don't be surprised to see Cinderella turn into a pumpkin. Take FLA. GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-05-14 | Fresno State v. Siena +1.5 | Top | 68-81 | Win | 100 | 2 h 7 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Siena Saints.
When I saw the Saints getting 8 points against Fresno State in the first game of the NIT Final, my first thought was that the bookies have made a mistake. I feel strongly that Siena is the better of the two teams. In fact I bet them both straight up +$320 as well as taking the points in that game. Here is what I had to say: "The Saints have won seven of their last eight games overall, and they have won three straight on the road, including an upset over Quinnipiac. Siena isn't getting a lot of respect from the bookmakers here, and that seems to be a trend recently, as teams from the MAAC Conference have been grossly underestimated. We saw it when Manhattan pushed Louisville to the brink, and Iona lost by a single point as an enormous dog versus LA-Tech. The Bulldogs finished the season strong, but their final two games of the season came against the two worst teams in the Mountain West, and I think the Saints will give them a much stiffer challenge." Now the Saints won Game 1, but have since allowed the Bulldogs to tie the series. They got off to a horrible start in Game 2, getting blown off the court in the first half. They didn't appear to be ready for a battle on their home court, and may have been guilty of taking their opponent too lightly. I expect the home team to bounce back with a much better effort in the Final, keep in mind this team has won and covered 8 of it's last 10. Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-03-14 | Minnesota v. SMU -155 | Top | 65-63 | Loss | -155 | 9 h 58 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the SMU Mustangs.
I played SMU in their last game against Clemson, largely based on the fact that they shown the ability to compete with the upper echelon teams in the country. Here is what I said: "SMU finished with a record of 12-6 in the AAC, tied with Connecticut. The Huskies are going to the Final Four, but the Mustangs swept the season series, including a 64-55 upset win in Connecticut. That wasn't the only ranked team they had success against, they also had home wins against Memphis and Cincinnati" The Narrowly eked out a victory against the Tigers, but in the end it was the desired result. The Mustangs come in with far better numbers shooting the basketball, and they have hit 43.5 % from three point range over their last five games. Minnesota needed overtime to get past Florida State on Tuesday, and I think the Gophers will find they are biting off more than they can chew against SMU. Take the Mustangs. GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-02-14 | Fresno State v. Siena -125 | Top | 89-75 | Loss | -125 | 30 h 33 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Siena Saints.
When I saw the Saints getting 8 points against Fresno State in the first game of the NIT Final, my first thought was that the bookies have made a mistake. I feel strongly that Siena is the better of the two teams. In fact I bet the Saints both straight up +$320 as well as taking the points in that game. Here is what I had to say: "The Saints have won seven of their last eight games overall, and they have won three straight on the road, including an upset over Quinnipiac. Siena isn't getting a lot of respect from the bookmakers here, and that seems to be a trend recently, as teams from the MAAC Conference have been grossly underestimated. We saw it when Manhattan pushed Louisville to the brink, and Iona lost by a single point as an enormous dog versus LA-Tech. The Bulldogs finished the season strong, but their final two games of the season came against the two worst teams in the Mountain West, and I think the Saints will give them a much stiffer challenge." After taking Game 1 in Fresno, the Saints are roughly even money to win at home in Game 2. It almost seems like taking candy from a baby? Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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04-01-14 | Clemson v. SMU -160 | Top | 59-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on SMU.
The Mustangs will meet Clemson in New York tonight in the NIT Semi Final. Clemson has had the easier path here, coming off wins over Georgia State, Illinois and Belmont. Their last two wins came by a combined margin of just five points, and they might be biting off more than they can chew against a much tougher opponent tonight. SMU finished with a record of 12-6 in the AAC, tied with Connecticut. The Huskies are going to the Final Four, but the Mustangs swept the season series, including a 64-55 upset win in Connecticut. That wasn't the only ranked team they had success against, they also had home wins against Memphis and Cincinnati. Clemson on the other hand has lost four straight against ranked opponents, and really the Tigers may have had some narrow defeats, but more often than not, they have come up short when playing top tier teams. The Mustangs also have a significant advantage in field goal percentage, as well as perimeter shooting. Take SMU. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-31-14 | Siena +8.5 v. Fresno State | Top | 61-57 | Win | 100 | 105 h 47 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Siena Saints. Well I took at stab at the Aztecs as a 3-1 dog on the ML versus Arizona, and San Diego State opened up an early lead, took a four point edge to the locker room at the half, but collapsed in the final five minutes. I don't regret it for a second, and while we didn't see the desired result, I think it was clear that the bookmakers weren't giving SDSU enough respect. I see a similar opportunity on Monday, with the Siena Saints playing Fresno State. This time I will not only play the dog SU, but also take the points. The Saints have won seven of their last eight games overall, and they have won three straight on the road, including an upset over Quinnipiac. Siena isn't getting a lot of respect from the bookmakers here, and that seems to be a trend recently, as teams from the MAAC Conference have been grossly underestimated. We saw it when Manhattan pushed Louisville to the brink, and Iona lost by a single point as an enormous dog versus LA-Tech. The Bulldogs finished the season strong, but their final two games of the season came against the two worst teams in the Mountain West, and I think the Saints will give them a much stiffer challenge. Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-29-14 | Wisconsin v. Arizona -145 | Top | 64-63 | Loss | -145 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Arizona Wildcats.
The Wildcats survived a scare from the Aztecs in the Sweet 16, and now they face another tough team in Wisconsin. The Badgers have already disposed of one Pac-12 team in this tournament, beating Oregon by a score of 85-77. They had to come back from a 12 point deficit at the half in that game though, and were pretty fortunate to have escaped with the win. The Badgers were hitting their shots against Baylor on Thursday, but they struggled from the free throw line hitting just 11-of-20. Arizona on the other hand hit 19-of-25 from the charity stripe in their win over San Diego State, and 5-of-12 from beyond the arc. Nick Johnson was a perfect 10-for-10 at the line, but he was just 2-of-12 from the field. He'll need to be a lot better tonight, but should come in with a lot of confidence after scoring 15 points in the final three minutes of the game. After seeing the Wildcats beat a very good Azetcs team, despite playing a poor game by their standards, I think it says something about just how good Arizona actually is. Take the Cats. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-28-14 | Michigan State -115 v. Virginia | Top | 61-59 | Win | 100 | 84 h 8 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Michigan State Spartans.
The Virginia Cavs are the number one seed, and the ACC champs boast a record of 30-6 on the season. They will face a Spartans team that finished third in the Big-10, with a record of 28-8. The Spartans battled through injuries this year though, and now that they are finally healthy, they appear to be peaking at the right time. The Spartans have no shortage of experience going deep into the tournament, while this is uncharted territory for the Cavs. When it comes to coaching, I have to give the edge to Sparty with Tom Izzo. "Over the years I think one of the successes we have had as a program is we could play racehorse or smash mouth," Izzo said. "We have been able to play both." said Izzo. I don't like betting on one dimensional teams, whether it's a defensive powerhouse that struggles offensively, or an offensive juggernaut that can't play defense. Yesterday I went against the Bruins because I thought they relied to heavily on their offense, and tonight I will use the same principle in betting against Virginia, as I've seen them really struggle offensively. Virginia did not look sharp on the offensive side of the ball in their game against Pitt in the conference Final. The also trailed Coastal Carolina at halftime in their first round matchup of the tournament. The Spartans have also been tough defensively, but they have better shooters, and they've been dominating the boards in recent games, averaging 34.2 RPG, five more than the Cavs. In a close game, I think experience and coaching will likely be the difference, in favor of MSU. Take Sparty. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-28-14 | Kentucky v. Louisville -200 | Top | 74-69 | Loss | -200 | 105 h 43 m | Show |
This is a 6* play on the Louisville Cardinals.
Kentucky played it's best game of the year against the Shockers, and might have to match that performance in order to beat Louisville tonight. I wouldn't want to count on this youthful, inexperienced team though. One thing that I noticed in the game against the Shockers, was Julius Randle and the expression on his face. He had the look of a kid, with his hand in the cookie jar. It looked like nobody was more surprised than Randle himself. It's also important to remember that Kentucky trailed Wichita State for most of that game, but in the final minutes they hit their shots and the Shockers didn't. If they played again tomorrow, I'd bet on the Shockers again. Louisville forced 18 turnovers in their win over Saint Louis, and they'll likely put plenty of pressure on Kentucky's freshmen tonight. Here is what coach Pitino said to his team prior to the game: "I said, 'Guys, that's the exact game you're going to be in,' " Pitino said. " 'And you're going to have to be the prettiest team in an ugly game because that's the way it's going to be.' ... We grinded out a win, and that's what the NCAA tournament is all about." He'll likely be preaching a similar story tonight. Take L'Ville. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-27-14 | San Diego State +6.5 v. Arizona | Top | 64-70 | Win | 100 | 82 h 33 m | Show |
This is a free #NCAAB play on the San Diego State Aztecs.
The Arizona Wildcats are an enormous favorite in their Sweet 16 match-up versus San Diego State, and I'm gonna go out on a limb here and call for the Aztecs to WIN OUTRIGHT! That's right, I'm taking them on the moneyline, looking for the big payout. The Wildcats are a good team, and they've been impressive in recent games, but San Diego State could give them trouble. These teams have met four times since 2009, with each team winning twice. Three of those four games were decided by single digits, with the exception being an Aztecs victory in San Diego. The Aztecs covered the spread in three of those four games, and they lost by just a single point in Arizona last year. These teams come in with nearly identical records, with each team suffering just four losses on the season. One stat that just jumps off the page for me, is how successful the Aztecs have been in overtime. They have won eight straight in post-regulation, and 17 of their last 18. To me, this is a sign of a team that is well coached, and very disciplined. Such experience in close games could prove to be the difference against Arizona. Take SDSU. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-27-14 | UCLA v. Florida -185 | Top | 68-79 | Win | 100 | 46 h 46 m | Show |
This is a 6* play on the Florida Gators.
The Gators will face UCLA tonight in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, and the Bruins are a popular underdog pick. Fans and experts alike have branded UCLA as a "dangerous" opponent. I couldn't disagree more. I don't like betting on one dimensional teams, whether it's a defensive powerhouse that struggles offensively, or an offensive juggernaut that can't play defense. The Bruins fit the mold of the latter. The Gators are the more balanced team, excellent on both sides of the ball. They've allowed opponents an average of less than 52 points over their last five games, all against top notch teams. They held Kentucky to 60 points in the SEC tourney, and Missouri and Pitt both failed to score 50. The Bruins have put up some big numbers offensively, but their strength of schedule isn't all that convincing. They are coming off wins over Tulsa and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. The what? The Who .. admittedly I don't know a lot about the lumberjacks, but I guarantee you the Gators will make life a helluva lot tougher for the Bruins. The Gators have won and covered in each of the last three meetings, all of those coming in the NCAA Tournament. I don't expect any different here tonight. Take FLA. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-26-14 | Illinois State v. Siena -140 | Top | 49-61 | Win | 100 | 11 h 58 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Siena Saints.
The Saints have won six of their last seven games overall, and they have a home record of 12-4 this season. They host the Illinois State Redbirds tonight, and they are just a slight favorite. The Redbirds are coming off back to back home wins over Morehead State and Texas A&M. They haven't been nearly as successful on the road though, with a record of 3-10 this season. Siena isn't getting a lot of respect from the bookmakers here, and that seems to be a trend recently, as teams from the MAAC Conference have been grossly underestimated. We saw it when Manhattan pushed Louisville to the brink, and Iona lost by a single point as an enormous dog versus LA-Tech. The Redbirds didn't have much success in their only previous meeting with an MAAC team, losing at home to Manhattan by a score of 79-70. I think the home team should be a much higher favorite in this spot, and we get great value backing the Saints. Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-23-14 | Kentucky v. Wichita State -170 | Top | 78-76 | Loss | -170 | 26 h 55 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Wichita State Shockers.
The Shockers were the Cinderella team of last year`s tournament, making it all the way to to the Final Four before losing to Louisville last April. The Cardinals were very fortunate to win that game, as Wichita State held a 12 point lead in the second half. It might have been a case of a team that was "like a deer caught in the headlights." Since that loss last April though, the Shockers have won 35 straight. Most of those 35 victories came by double digits, and they covered the spread at an amazing rate of 25-6-1. Still there are doubters, that will say that the Shockers haven't played anybody, or that they benefited by a soft schedule. I don't buy that for a second, after all this is the same team that upset Pitt, Gonzaga and Ohio State last year, and they've been in a league of their own ever since. Kentucky is a good team, that has been playing well lately. Still, they went 1-6 against ranked opponents this season, and they are facing perhaps the best team in the country. The Shockers aren't being asked to cover a lot of points, and I can't pass up on a team that is 35-0 as just a small favorite. Take the Shockers. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-22-14 | North Dakota State v. San Diego State -2.5 | Top | 44-63 | Win | 100 | 10 h 54 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the San Diego State Aztecs. It wouldn't be the "Big Dance" without Cinderella, and North Dakota State was the belle of the ball on Thursday, upsetting Oklahoma in overtime. They needed a late rally to come from behind, hitting a three-pointer with eleven seconds left on the game clock to tie the score in regulation. While we have already seen that you can't count out the underdog, barring another miracle, we should see this Cinderella turn into a pumpkin tonight. The Bison face a San Diego State team that comes in with a record of 30-4, including 6-1 in neutral site games. The Aztecs needed overtime to get past New Mexico State in their first round match-up, but that game wasn't really close until a late fourth quarter collapse. San Diego State led by a dozen at the half, and they made a quick recovery in overtime. This Aztecs team has plenty of experience in close games, winning eight straight in overtime, and 17 of their last 18 games in post-regulation. Such experience is hard to come by, and I find it astonishing that the Aztecs are such a small favorite here. Take SDST. GL, Jesse Schule
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03-21-14 | George Washington v. Memphis -155 | Top | 66-71 | Win | 100 | 39 h 15 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Memphis Tigers.
Memphis lost to Connecticut in the AAC Conference Tournament, and after the game senior guard Geron Johnson guaranteed at least two victories in the Big Dance. The Tigers should have an excellent chance to win their first game of the tournament, as they will face the George Washington Colonials. The Colonials are coming off a 75-54 loss to VCU in their conference tournament. They finished the season in third place in the A-10 Conference, but most of their wins have come against unranked opponents. The Tigers are just 2-2 in their last four, but each of those games came against Top 25 teams. Their two wins during that stretch came against Louisville and SMU, while they lost at Cincinnati before falling to the Huskies in the conference tourney. The Tigers are second in the nation with 21.3 transition points per game. The Colonials could be in over their heads here, just a year removed from a 13-17 season in 2012-13. Take Memphis. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-21-14 | Oklahoma State -152 v. Gonzaga | Top | 77-85 | Loss | -152 | 37 h 16 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs finished first in the West Coast Conference, and defeated BYU in the final of their conference tournament. As impressive as their season has been though, the fact is.. they played just one ranked team, and that was a loss to Memphis by a score of 60-54. The Oklahoma State Cowboys have had a much different path to the tournament, playing in the Big-12, the Cowboys play ranked teams almost every week. They've won five of their last seven overall, with both those losses coming in overtime to Kansas and Iowa State. It's no coincidence that this recent stretch of strong play comes as Marcus Smart returned from suspension. He's averaged 19 points in the seven games since his return to the lineup. "I'm ecstatic about it," Smart said. "It's every college student-athlete's dream to make it to the NCAA tournament, just try to make a run and give yourself an opportunity. That's what we have here." Given the Cowboy's improved play at the end of the season, I think the "Smart money" is on Oklahoma State. Take OKST. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-21-14 | Tennessee -185 v. Massachusetts | Top | 86-67 | Win | 100 | 14 h 21 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Tennessee Volunteers.
The Massachusetts Minutemen lost their final home game to Saint Louis, by a score of 64-62. Then they were knocked out of the second round of the conference tournament, losing 85-77 to George Washington. The Minutemen face a tough test this afternoon against Tennessee, a team that has really been playing well lately. After winning their final four games of the season, they defeated South Carolina in the SEC Tournament, before losing a close game to #1 ranked Florida. The Gators had to come from behind, at one point trailing by double digits. Massachusetts doesn't really match up well against the Vols, as they are giving up a lot of size in the front court. Tennessee has won all three meetings with the Minutemen since 2003, most recently in November of 2012. The Vols dominated the boards in that game, and won by a score of 83-69. UMass has failed to cover in each of it's last six games, and I expect that trend to continue here this afternoon. Take the Vols. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-20-14 | Arizona State v. Texas -130 | Top | 85-87 | Win | 100 | 33 h 20 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Texas Longhorns. The Arizona State Sun Devils finished 5th in the Pac-12 with a 10-8 record, but most of their wins came in Arizona. They are another one of those Jeckyll and Hyde teams, playing well at home, but struggling mightily on the road. They've lost six straight contests outside of Arizona. It will likely feel like a road game in Milwaukee as they face the Longhorns tonight. Texas won more games than Arizona State during the season, despite playing in the Big-12, facing the likes of Kansas, Iowa State and even 5th place Baylor is ranked in the top 25. There are no easy games in the Big-12, and Texas came up short, losing to Baylor in the conference tournament. The Sun Devils have lost three straight, all of those games away from home, and none of those three were close. They were blown out by a score of 79-58 by Stanford in the Pac-12 tourney, and prior to that they lost by double-digits at Oregon State. Texas on the other hand has proved all season long that it can compete with the nation's best, even on the road. They beat the Tar Heels at Chapel Hill, the Bears at Waco, and they looked pretty good again West Virginia in the first round of the Big-12 tournament. Take Texas. GL, Jesse Schule
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03-20-14 | NC State v. St. Louis -145 | Top | 80-83 | Win | 100 | 17 h 40 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Saint Louis Billikens. The N.C. State Wolfpack are a trendy pick after knocking off Xavier in the first round on Tuesday. T.J. Warren has been lighting it up, averaging 28 points per game over his last five starts. As hot as N.C. State has been, the Billikens have been ice cold. Saint Louis was upset by St. Bonaventure in the conference tourney, and prior to that they lost three in a row before finishing the season with a road win at Massachusetts. These recent trends have resulted in the 5th seeded Billikens only slightly favored against an inferior opponent. Warren and the Wolfpack have been playing over their heads, and there is no guarantee they can play at that level again tonight. Saint Louis should be able to improve on their effort versus the Bonnies, after all this is a team that won 19 straight during the season. They are one of the only teams in the nation that start five seniors, and they don't rely on any one player for scoring. Mark Gottfried expressed concerns: "I don't know that I've seen very many teams that start five seniors anymore in college basketball," Gottfried said. "That's going to be an interesting challenge for our young, inexperienced team." I think getting the Billikens as a small favorite here is too good a deal to pass up. Take SLU. GL, Jesse Schule
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03-19-14 | Wyoming v. Texas A&M -4 | Top | 43-59 | Win | 100 | 11 h 18 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies finished with a losing record in the SEC, and they bowed out of the conference tourney after losing in overtime to Missouri. They played very well at home this season though, finishing with a record of 16-3. They will face the Wyoming Cowboys tonight, who have lost five of their last six overall. The Cowboys last road game was a double digit loss at the hands of the Utah State Aggies, who are one of the bottom feeders in the Mountain West. I can't see a team that has struggled lately against some of the worst teams in the Mountain West, competing with an SEC team on the road. Both these teams suffer from Jeckyll and Hyde syndrome, playing well at home and poorly on the road. I reckon the smart money is on the home team here tonight. Take A&M. GL, Jesse Schule
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03-18-14 | Utah -1 v. St Mary's CA | Top | 58-70 | Loss | -106 | 13 h 43 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Utah Utes. The Utah Utes and St. Mary's Gaels both have similar records, but Utah has played far better teams in the superior Pac-12 conference. The Utes faced just one opponent from the West Coast Conference this season, and it was a blowout home win over the BYU Cougars, who finished ahead of the Gaels in the standings. Utah will be looking to bounce back from a crushing defeat at the hands of the Arizona Wilcats, as they scored just 39 points in a 71-39 blowout in the second round of the Pac-12 tournament. Prior to that though they defeated the Washington Huskies in their first round matchup, and they had won three of their final four games of the season, including an upset victory on the road at Cal. These teams haven't played in over a decade, but Utah won the last two meetings in 2002 and 2003. The Utes have the better shooters, as they shoot for a higher percentage, from the field, from beyond the arc and at the free throw line. I think the Gaels will find themselves outgunned here by a more talented team. Take Utah. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-18-14 | Stony Brook v. Siena -155 | Top | 55-66 | Win | 100 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Siena Saints. The Saints played very well down the stretch, winning each of their last four games of the season. They lost a close game to Canisius in the first round of the conference tournament, by a score of 71-65. They will host the Stonybrook Seawolves in the first round of the CBI Tourney, and the Saints are a well deserved favorite in this spot. Stonybrook has to try to put a devastating loss behind them, after falling to Albany in the Conference Final, and missing a birth to the NCAA Tournament. Here is what coach Pikiell had to say: "We just didn't make shots," he said. "It was a close game. We didn't make plays when we had to." "We won 23 games," Pikiell said. "And I'm not apologizing for that. We're going to be back in this thing again." This looks like a big let down spot for Pikiell's team, and I think they will struggle up against a very good Siena squad. The Saints were 10-4 at home this season, and all four of those losses came to teams that are far better than Stonybrook. Take the Saints. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-18-14 | Wright State -2 v. East Carolina | Top | 73-59 | Win | 100 | 9 h 41 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Wright State Raiders. The Raiders were red hot down the stretch, winning six straight before being knocked out of their conference tournament by Milwaukee. Two of those wins came on the road, and they will have to play on the road tonight against East Carolina. The Pirates are coming off a loss to UTEP in the second round of the C-USA tourney. They shot just 43.1% from the field in that game, and they also struggled from the free throw line, hitting 6-of-11 (54%). The Raiders come in feeling the hot hand, as they are shooting 49.8% over their last five games. The Pirates have hit just 41.7% of their shots during that same span. I like Wright State's chances of bouncing back from a tough loss, as they should be able to get the better of an inferior opponent here tonight. Take the Raiders. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-16-14 | Michigan State v. Michigan +3 | Top | 69-55 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 44 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Michigan Wolverines.
Buckle up, today's game between Michigan and Michigan State has all the signs of being another epic battle. Oddly we see conference champions getting points in this game, even though they've won seven straight, finishing with a 17-3 record in conference play. The winning streak started with a 79-70 home victory over the Spartans, who they also defeated in East Lansing earlier in the year. With these two teams having a history of playing close games, I'd think twice about laying points here. We witnessed what the Wolverines can do in last year's tournament, and when they are hitting their shots, it's going to be tough for anyone to beat them. They were hitting their shots yesterday, shooting 53.2% from the field, and 12-of-23 from beyond the arc. "We've got six of our eight that play can make 3s," Beilein said. "And, as a result, when you have that many guys and pretty much they have different green lights, but they have green lights. So when they're shooting it well, we can spread people out." I expect Michigan to stay hot shooting, making life difficult for the Spartans. Take MICH. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-16-14 | Duke -1 v. Virginia | Top | 63-72 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 17 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Duke Blue Devils.
As a professional handicapper, it's important to know the difference between making the right call, and just getting lucky. My win with Virginia yesterday was one that I chalk up to pure luck. Watching the game, I was impressed with the Cavs defense, but it was frustrating to watch them fail to execute on offense. They looked like a team that was happy to be there, lacking in the confidence and experience that it takes to win. Somehow they managed to shoot 46.7%, and 3-of-12 from three point range, but it sure looked worse than that. They were constantly throwing the ball away, and just holding on to the ball until the shot clock would run down, and then throw up a prayer. With over five minutes left to play, they had just a five point lead, and at that point it looked as if they just stopped trying to score entirely. While Pittsburgh had a chance to hit a game tying shot in the final second, the Cavs ended up going to the free throw line and getting a miraculous cover. I believe if they play the same style today, Duke is going to punish them for it. The recipe for success is simple, if the Blue Devils can hit their shots, the Cavs won't be able to keep up. Duke hit 57.1% from the field against N.C. State, and 7-of-17 from beyond the arc. This Duke team has more weapons that Pitt, and I don't think Virginia can stop them from scoring. Take Duke. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-15-14 | Ohio State v. Michigan -2.5 | Top | 69-72 | Win | 100 | 7 h 49 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan just narrowly escaped with a victory by a single point versus Illinois yesterday, and they will face the Buckeyes this afternoon. Ohio State also had a scare, as it had to come from behind to beat Nebraska. The Cornhuskers led by as much as 18 points in the second half, but could not hold on, as Ohio State eventually won 71-67. The Buckeyes did not shoot the ball well, and were just 4-of-18 from beyond the arc. They will find it very tough to hang in there versus Michigan unless they can flip the switch and start hitting some shots. Michigan wasn't exactly shooting out the lights either yesterday, hitting 10-of-30 from downtown, with Nik Stauskas going 2-for-10. They didn't stop trying though, and a player like Stauskas is going to start to catch fire sooner rather than later. The Wolverines won by double digits (70-60) at Columbus in February, and they are just a slight favorite here in this game. I expect the Buckeyes struggles versus Michigan to struggle, and don't be surprised to see Stauskas respond with a big game. Take MICH. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-15-14 | Pittsburgh v. Virginia -3 | Top | 48-51 | Push | 0 | 6 h 3 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Virginia Cavaliers.
Despite poor perimeter shooting, hitting only 30% from beyond the arc, Virginia slipped past Florida State by a score of 64-51 on Friday. They will face Pittsburgh this afternoon, and the Panthers are coming off a win over North Carolina, by just a five point margin. These teams met back on February 2 in Pittsburgh, and the Cavs handed the Panthers a loss on their home court. Viriginia didn't shoot particularly well in that game either, hitting just 4-of-12 three point attempts. Virginia is 5-0 on neutral territory this season, and they've shot the ball well in those games, hitting 50% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc. If they can find their shots today, this could get ugly for Pittsburgh. The Cavs have lost just once in their last 15 games, and that came on the road in their season finale at Maryland, falling in overtime to the Terrapins. Pittsburgh on the other hand lost seven of their final 14 games of the season, and of those seven wins, four came in overtime. The Panthers played well enough to build a 20 point lead against the Tar Heels, but then sloppy defense allowed North Carolina to come all the way back to within three points in the final minute. Virginia deserves to be a significant favorite here after the season it's had, and I think the Panthers will have their hands full here, don't be surprised if the Cavs run away with it. Take UVA. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-14-14 | Baylor v. Texas +1 | Top | 86-69 | Loss | -106 | 10 h 23 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Texas Longhorns.
After blowing out West Virginia on Thursday, the Longhorns face Baylor Friday night. I personally think this Texas team might just be a lot better than it's record indicates. They finished with a respectable record while playing in the toughest conference in the country, and when you look at the Longhorns losses, there aren't any questionable ones. Texas is far better defensively, and they should dominate the boards versus the Bears. Texas won both meetings during the regular season, including a 74-60 win at Waco. The Longhorns have been a good bet against Baylor in recent seasons, covering the points in seven of the last eight head to head meetings. The Longhorns did everything right in a blowout win over the Mountaineers yesterday, and leading scorer Jonathan Holmes was 7-of-8 from the field, 4-of-4 from the free throw line for 20 points, while playing just 18 minutes. I expect Texas to shut down Baylor with tough defensive minded play, just as they did to West Virginia on Thursday. Take Texas. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-13-14 | West Virginia v. Texas -2.5 | Top | 49-66 | Win | 100 | 37 h 8 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Texas Longhorns.
The West Virginia Mountaineers registered a few impressive wins against some of the Big-12's best teams this season. Most of those wins came at home at Morgantown though. They won their season finale in a 92-86 home win over Kansas, despite 41 points from Andrew Wiggins. The Mountaineers didn't have much success against Texas though, losing both meetings by double digits. They also struggled away from Morgantown, with just four wins on the road all year. I personally think this Texas team might just be a lot better than it's record indicates. They finished with a respectable record while playing in the toughest conference in the country, and when you look at the Longhorns losses, there aren't any questionable ones. Texas is far better defensively, and they should dominate the boards versus West Virginia. The Mountaineers are going to have to shoot out the lights just to make a game of it, and they haven't really shown the ability to do that outside of Morgantown. Take Texas. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-13-14 | Marquette v. Xavier -1 | Top | 65-68 | Win | 100 | 37 h 7 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Xavier Musketeers.
Xavier finished with a better record than Marquette, but both teams struggled at the end of the season. Marquette lost three in a row, including their final home game, falling 91-90 in OT versus St. John's. The Musketeers lost their final two games of the season, on the road at Seton Hall, and at home in a close game versus the Big East champs Villanova. These teams split the season series, with each team winning on their home court. The Musketeers will be without junior center Matt Stainbrook, who is sidelined with a knee injury. He was unable to play in the season finale, still they managed to keep the score close against the Wildcats, losing 77-70. "Us not having Matt was tough, but I think we learned more about each other," Philmore said. "It didn't turn out the way we wanted it to, obviously, but we stuck together. It just wasn't enough. Sometimes, it's not always enough." I think they will make the necessary adjustments, and get the job done against an inferior Marquette team tonight. Note that Marquette has been a terrible bet in conference play the past few seasons, with an ATS record of 15-6-1 in their last 22. Take Xavier. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-13-14 | Duquesne v. Richmond -2 | Top | 64-76 | Win | 100 | 34 h 59 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Richmond Spiders. Richmond finished the season with four straight losses, but three of those four were on the road, and the lone home defeat came in a close game against VCU, who finished just one game out of first place in the conference. They will play the Duquesne Dukes in the first round of the Atlantic-10 Tournament. The Dukes finished near the bottom of the conference with a record of 5-11. They did win two of their final three games, including an upset of the conference champs St. Louis. It think it's a little dangerous to read too much into that one game however, as the Dukes caught the Billikens when they were struggling. On the whole, the Spiders have been by far the better team, yet they are not being asked to cover any significant spread here. The Dukes lost by a whopping 20 point margin on their home floor in the only meeting with Richmond during the season, and I would expect the Spiders to prevail here on neutral territory. Take Richmond. GL, Jesse Schule
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03-12-14 | Oregon State v. Oregon -6.5 | Top | 74-88 | Win | 100 | 19 h 51 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Oregon Ducks.
The Ducks started off the season skyrocketing up the rankings, but after opening the season with 13 straight wins, they just collapsed. They went on to lose eight of their next ten, dropping off the map as far as the national polls are concerned. Lately they've looked a lot more like the team they were at the beginning of the season, winning seven in a row, including upsets over UCLA and Arizona. This winning streak started with a home win over the Beavers, who they will face tonight in the first round of the Pac-12 tourney. Oregon shot 51.7% from the field in that game, winning by a score of 93-83. The Ducks upset conference leaders Arizona in their final game of the season, and they should be full of confidence heading into tonight's game. Making matters even tougher for the Beavers, they have really struggled from the free-throw line, hitting just 57.3% over their last five games. With Oregon hitting a spectacular 80.4% from the charity stripe in their two neutral site games this season, that could be a big factor here tonight. Take the Ducks. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-12-14 | Air Force v. Fresno State -7 | Top | 59-61 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 22 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Fresno State Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will face Air Force in the first round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament Wednesday, and they beat the Falcons in both previous meetings during the season. Fresno State is one of the hottest teams in the conference, finishing strong in the second half of the season, winning eight of it's last 10 games. The last time they played the Falcons, it was a blowout victory by a 17-point margin on the road at Colorado Springs. Air Force did manage to win it's final home game, edging out Boise State in overtime by a score of 64-61. Prior to that they suffered lopsided losses to UNM and UNLV by a combined 54 points. The Bulldogs have been shooting well over their last five games, hitting 41% from three-point range. During the same span, Air Force has hit just 25.2% from beyond the arc. This game has double-digit blowout written all over it, and I think the Bulldogs are a bargain as a favorite of just single digits here against a clearly inferior opponent. Take FRES. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-12-14 | USC v. Colorado -8.5 | Top | 56-59 | Loss | -106 | 15 h 23 m | Show |
10*
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03-11-14 | BYU v. Gonzaga -3.5 | Top | 64-75 | Win | 100 | 11 h 36 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
I cashed in with the Cougars last night, and I was very fortunate that I elected to pay the big price to take them straight up, instead of laying the points. They held a lead for most of the game, but allowed the San Francisco Dons to sneak back into it and force overtime. They face the conference leaders Gonzaga tonight, and I just don't think they will be able to keep up with the Zags. The Cougars did win the last meeting between these two teams, but that was in a close game in Provo. Prior to that Gonzaga laid a beating on BYU, winning by a score of 84-69 at home. They handled the St. Mary's Gaels with relative ease last night, winning by a score of 70-54. Junior guard Tyler Haws had a rough night, shooting just 5-of-19 from the field, going 0-for-2 from beyond the arc. He managed to get his points at the free throw line, hitting all 14 of his attempts from the charity stripe. BYU will need to be a lot better than they were last night, if they are going to upset Gonzaga. Take GONZ. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-10-14 | San Francisco v. BYU -4.5 | Top | 77-79 | Loss | -116 | 15 h 47 m | Show |
This is a 5* play on the BYU Cougars.
The San Francisco Dons have played very well, winning 13-of-17 overall in 2014. They have beaten the teams that they should beat, but have struggled against the elite teams in the West Coast Conference. Two of their four losses this year have come versus the BYU Cougars, who they play tonight in the WCC Conference Semifinal. BYU defeated the Dons in San Francisco by a score of 83-76 back in January, and then again in Provo by a score of 68-63 a month later. The Cougars have won six of the last seven in this series, but many of those games have been close. The Cougars have won nine of their last 10 overall, and those victories have come against some of the better teams in the conference, including an upset of conference leaders Gonzaga. I bet on the Dons in their win over San Diego, but they very nearly allowed the Toreros to come back and steal that game after leading all night. I think they will come up just short against the Cougars tonight, and I'm prepared to pay a hefty price to take them SU. Take BYU. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-08-14 | North Carolina +7.5 v. Duke | Top | 81-93 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 26 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Duke Blue Devils haven't lost at home since falling to the Tar Heels by a score of 88-70 back in 2012. They are 16-0 at home this season, and they are a significant favorite in their final home game versus North Carolina tonight. Duke has struggled though in recent games, losing outright at Wake Forest, and failing to cover a home versus Virginia Tech and Maryland. The Terrapins came very close to ending Duke's unbeaten run, losing by just two points. Of course the Tar Heels got the better of Duke just two weeks ago at Chapel Hill, and the Blue Devils would like nothing more than to avenge that loss here tonight. Recent meetings between these two teams have been close though, last year the Tar Heels lost at Cameron by a score of 73-68, and in 2011 they lost by a score of 79-73. North Carolina has covered the spread in seven of it's last eight visits to Duke. The Tar Heels have been hot with their perimeter shooting of late, hitting 41.2% from three-point range over their last five games. That's 10% better than Duke has converted during the same span. Take UNC. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-08-14 | Providence +11.5 v. Creighton | Top | 73-88 | Loss | -106 | 18 h 29 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Providence Friars.
The Creighton Blue Jays appear to be falling apart at the end of the season, coming off back to back losses to bottom feeders of the Big East. This slip up has allowed Villanova to pass them in the standings, as they fall to second in the conference. The Blue Jays are still undefeated at home, although they narrowly defeated Seton Hall by a score of 72-71 in their last game in Omaha. They host the Providence Friars tonight, and they are being asked to cover an enormous double digit spread. The Friars have won three straight, two of those victories coming on the road at Butler and Seton Hall. Their last loss was an 82-79 defeat in overtime to the conference leading Wildcats. The Friars whupped the Blue Jays in Providence earlier this season by a score of 81-68. Both these teams are capable getting hot, and I like the Friars chances of keeping this one relatively close. Take Providence. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-08-14 | San Diego v. San Francisco -4 | Top | 60-69 | Win | 100 | 13 h 25 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the San Francisco Dons. The Dons have been playing pretty good ball of late, winning nine of their last eleven games. Two of those victories came against San Diego, who they will face in Las Vegas this afternoon, in the WCC Conference Tournament. Their only losses during that span came at the hands of the powerhouse teams in the WCC - Gonzaga and BYU. The Dons won by a score of 74-67 in San Diego in the last meeting, and they've taken nine of the last 10 meetings, covering the points in eight of those contests. San Diego is coming off a home loss to BYU, who's 13-5 conference record is identical to that of the Dons. The Torreros have struggled away from San Diego, losing all six of their games versus conference opponents with a winning record. The Dons have been a good bet the last few seasons, with an ATS record of 38-13 in their last 51 games within the West Coast Conference. Take San Francisco. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-07-14 | Oakland v. Wright State -2.5 | Top | 57-73 | Win | 100 | 19 h 56 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Wright State Raiders.
Oakland needed a miracle to get past Youngstown State on Tuesday, winning 96-92 in overtime. The Grizzlies came back from a 10 point deficit in the final three minutes of regulation, hitting a pair of free throws with less than one second on the clock. It might take another miracle to avoid defeat to a superior opponent on the road just three days later. The Raiders have won four straight, and it all started with a win at Oakland, by a final score of 72-71. Oakland hasn't beaten the Raiders since 2001, losing four straight meetings, two of those this season. Of Oakland's 13 wins this season, 10 of those have come at home. Wright State on the other hand has a record of 13-2 at home, and they won their only previous game played at a neutral site. The Grizzlies last seven victories have come against teams with a losing record, and during that time they are 0-8 versus teams that are above .500 in the Horizon Conference. The better team is just a small favorite, and you can sign me up, because I'm all over this one. Take the Raiders. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-06-14 | East Tennessee State v. Florida Gulf Coast -9 | Top | 64-69 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.
The truth be told, I haven't watched a lot of games in the Atlantic Sun Conference this season, in fact I probably haven't seen one from start to finish. That being said, we all likely remember the FGCU Eagle's run in last year's tourney. They appear to be heating up at the right time again this year, and they host the Eastern Tennessee State Buccaneers in the Conference Semifinal Thursday. The Eagles won in a rout the last time the Bucs traveled to Florida, winning by a final score of 90-62 back in January. In fact, the Eagles won their home games versus ETSU in each of the last three seasons, by an average margin of greater than 10 points. In fact not many teams have had success playing in Fort Myers, as the Eagles boast a stellar home record of 13-1. Each of FGCU's last five home games have been double-digit victories, and I expect them to make it six in a row here tonight. Take FGCU. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-03-14 | Xavier -1 v. Seton Hall | Top | 62-71 | Loss | -110 | 18 h 28 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Xavier Musketeers.
The Seton Hall Pirates will host Xavier on their Senior's Day, but they could be without their leading scorer Fuquan Edwin, who wasn't able to go in a home loss to Providence on Friday. He's listed as questionable, but I can imagine that just a couple days after he couldn't even attempt to play, chances are he's not going to be very effective even if he plays. The Musketeers are coming off an upset win over Creighton, and prior to that they beat St. John's in New York. They might have revenge on their minds, as the Pirates ended their 13-game home win streak with a 68-60 upset at Cincinnati on February 1st. Edwin led all scorers in that game, so if he can't play, it certainly hurts their chances of pulling off another win over a more talented Musketeers team. The Pirates have not been a good bet at home in recent seasons, with an ATS record of 8-19-1 in their last 28 home games. The Musketeers are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 overall. With the status of their star player in question, I think the Pirates should be a significant dog in this spot. I see great value backing Xavier to win outright. Take the Musketeers. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-02-14 | New Mexico -235 v. Nevada | Top | 72-58 | Win | 100 | 7 h 28 m | Show |
This is a 6* play on the New Mexico Lobos.
The Lobos have won four straight, and 10 of their last 11 overall. They are on the road tonight at Nevada. The Wolfpack haven't played for 10 days, since they defeated Air Force by a score of 75-56 at Colorado Springs. Prior to that though, Nevada lost five straight, two of those at home, including an embarrassing home loss to last place San Jose State. Nevada has played the Lobos three times over the past two seasons, losing all three meetings by double digits. New Mexico is 13-2 against Mountain West teams this season, and 9-2 ATS in it's last 11 games overall. They beat the Wolfpack at home two weeks ago by a score of 90-72. New Mexico shot 55.2% from the floor in that game, and hit 19-of-21 free throws. This is a mismatch, no matter the venue, and the I think the chances of an upset are slim at best. I'm taking the Lobos to win outright. Take UNM. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-02-14 | Monmouth v. Siena -7 | Top | 54-70 | Win | 100 | 15 h 21 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Siena Saints.
The surging Saints have won three straight, and two of those three victories came against the teams ranked in the top 3 in the conference. They will host Monmouth this afternoon, and the Hawks have lost nine of their last 10, with the only win during that span coming against the last place team in the MAAC. Monmouth played it's last road game at Iona, and it was an 89-70 blowout loss. They have lost seven straight on the road, by an average margin of nine points. Siena has a solid 9-4 record at home, and they should be able to handle a bottom feeder like Monmouth quite easily. The Saints have only one loss versus a team with a losing record, and that came against these very Hawks. This sets up as a revenge spot, for the home team that is playing it's best ball of the season. If this game is close, and I don't expect it will be, then the team that hits it's free throws will have a decisive advantage. Siena is shooting 71.3 % from the charity stripe this season, and 76.7% over their last five games. That's more than 15% better than Monmouth during the same span. Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-01-14 | San Francisco -155 v. Loyola Marymount | Top | 65-61 | Win | 100 | 13 h 30 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the San Francisco Dons.
The Dons are a team on the rise, winners of four in a row, and eight of their last 10. The only losses during that span came against BYU and Gonzaga, the first and second place teams in the conference. They are just a slight favorite on the road tonight, against the last place Lions. Loyola Marymount had lost seven in a row prior to defeating Santa Clara in a close game at home on Thursday. The Broncos sit just a game up on the Lions, at the bottom of the WCC standings. They have lost 13-of-15 games in 2014, and both wins during that span came against teams with losing records. The Dons have had plenty of success against Loyola recently, going 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, with the only exception being an overtime loss by a single point. The Lions are 2-14 ATS in their last 16 games versus WCC teams, and a horrendous 6-18 ATS in their last 24 overall. Loyola certainly doesn't look too appealing getting just a handful of points at home, and I think the best bet is the Dons to win outright. Take SF. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-01-14 | California v. Arizona State -175 | Top | 60-78 | Win | 100 | 8 h 12 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Arizona State is coming off a home win over Stanford, after dropping back to back games on the road. This is a bit of a Jeckyll and Hyde team, as they are far better on their home court. They boast a stellar 15-1 home record, with the only defeat coming to Washington back in January. Cal is another team that struggles on the road, and they were clobbered in Arizona on Wednesday, by a score of 87-59. Prior to that they defeated the last place Trojans at home, but they didn't look sharp at all in that game. The Trojans led 30-27 at halftime, and it wasn't until late in the second half that the Bears were able to establish control. They already lost to Arizona State at home this season, and they aren't likely to get a better result here tonight. Take AZST. GL, Jesse Schule |
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03-01-14 | St. Joseph's +2 v. St Bonaventure | Top | 83-74 | Win | 100 | 5 h 27 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the St. Joseph's Hawks.
The Hawks have won five straight heading into Saturday's game at St. Bonaventure, and they've won three straight on the road. The Bonnies have lost back to back games to two of the worst teams in the A-10 Conference, and they look to be catching St. Joe's at a bad time. The last time the Bonnies played at home, they blew a 10-point first half lead, losing 87-78 to Rhode Island. They were dominated on the glass, with the Rams out-rebounding them 40-26. It won't get any easier against the Hawks, who are shooting better than 50% from the field over their last five games, and 41.8% from three point range. The Hawks put on a shooting clinic in their last game, a 79-53 blowout win over a decent Dayton team. They hit 58.3% from the field, and 9-of-15 (60%) from beyond the arc. Given the shoddy defense we've seen from the Bonnies lately, they are likely to struggle against a superior opponent here. Take the Hawks. GL, Jesse Schule |
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02-27-14 | Siena +7.5 v. Quinnipiac | Top | 72-70 | Win | 100 | 22 h 18 m | Show |
This is a 10* play on the Siena Saints.
The Saints are coming off back to back wins, one of those coming on the road at Rider by a score of 69-60 on Sunday. Prior that they had lost four of five, but two of those defeats came in overtime, to Canisius and Quinnipiac, and all four were close. They will be on the road tonight, taking on the Bobcats in a revenge match. Quinnipiac was fortunate to force overtime in the previous meeting, rallying from a nine point deficit late in the fourth quarter. They have since gone undefeated, now winners of seven in a row. This has caused them to be quite overvalued though, as they are a hefty favorite tonight versus a team that they should struggle to beat. It should be noted that while they have won seven straight, only one of the Bobcat's opponents during that span has a winning record. The Saints are likely to hang around and keep this game close, if they don't in it outright. Take Siena. GL, Jesse Schule |
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02-26-14 | Towson -1.5 v. James Madison | Top | 69-66 | Win | 100 | 12 h 10 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the Towson Tigers.
The Tigers are just one game back of Delaware in the Colonial Conference standings, and both teams play tonight. A Tigers win combined with a Hen's loss would see Towson take over as the conference leaders. They are in the road playing James Madison, who have won three in a row at home. The Dukes won those games against some of the weaker teams in the conference though, and none of those wins came by a convincing margin, the last two by just a combined three points. The Tigers are a good road team, covering the spread in six of their last eight away games. James Madison has not fared well at home, covering just twice in it's last 10. In the Tigers last game (a road win over Hofstra), they hit 50% from beyond the arc, and a spectacular 80% from the charity stripe. In a game they need to win, I'm comfortable backing the more talented Tigers here tonight. Take Towson. GL, Jesse Schule |
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02-25-14 | Dayton v. St. Joseph's -165 | Top | 53-79 | Win | 100 | 10 h 56 m | Show |
This is an 8* play on the St. Joe's Hawks.
The Hawks have won four straight, and 10 of their last 12. The only two losses during that span came at home to the conference leaders Saint Louis, and on the road at Richmond. They did beat Dayton in Ohio earlier this season, and now they are just a slight favorite at home versus the Flyers tonight. Prior to that, the home team had won nine straight in this series, and St. Joe's has covered the points in five of the last six. Dayton is coming off a road win at Duquesne, sneaking past the Dukes by a score of 57-54. It was an ugly game, with both teams shooting below 40% from the field. Dayton also turned the ball over 15 times, and a similar effort tonight would surely prove costly. The Hawks have won some big games at home this season, defeating the likes of VCU and #21 ranked Massachusetts. They should be able to pull out a victory over a team like Dayton, regardless of how well the Flyers have been playing. Take St. Joe's. GL, Jesse Schule |
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02-24-14 | Syracuse -205 v. Maryland | Top | 57-55 | Win | 100 | 9 h 46 m | Show |
This is a 6* play on the Syracuse Orange.
It was only last week the the Orange were undefeated, and I had written in my weekly column that they were the most overrated team in the country. Things change fast, and Syracuse has now dropped back to back games, and they will try to avoid a third on the road tonight in Maryland. The Terrapins won't be catching Syracuse at a good time, and they are winless versus ranked teams this year, with a record of 0-5. Maryland hasn't played since defeating Wake Forest 71-60 on Tuesday. They allowed the Deacons to shoot 47.1% in the game, but 18 turnovers proved to be costly for Wake Forest. Maryland has a solid 10-3 home record, and a respectable 7-7 conference record. They have won the games they were supposed to win, but they haven't been able to pull off any notable upsets. I think a team that won 25 straight to start the season will find a way to avoid losing it's third straight here on the road tonight. Take Cuse. GL, Jesse Schule |