Sports Picks & Predictions

4 Unit Play. #770 Take Oklahoma State over Georgetown (7:30 pm ESPN 2) Important game for both teams as neither wants to leave the island 1-2. Oklahoma State got run off the court last night against North Carolina but their style of play should be more effective against Georgetown. The Pokes have depth and that should also benefit them playing three games in three days. Georgetown has been a massive failure over the last couple of years and I see this year being no different. 

10 Unit Play. #547 Take Wisconsin over Georgetown (8 pm ESPN 2) The Hoyas have never handled prosperity well and I believe they should make a change at the head coaching position. Wisconsin is stable and will be a top ten team all season long as they return their top seven players from last year’s Sweet 16 performance. The Badgers also have revenge on their minds with Georgetown, as the Hoyas beat them last year in New York City. Let’s not overreact to the Hoyas beating the Ducks yesterday, as Oregon has been struggling to open the season.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #520 Take Middle Tennessee State over Toledo (7:30 pm) The Rockets have played a road heavy schedule to open the season and that will eventually catchup with them starting tonight in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders struggled in their last game against the Tigers but expect them to take out their frustration tonight on the Rockets. MTSU is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a loss in their previous game. 

4 Unit Play. #542 Take Eastern Kentucky over Idaho State (3 pm) The Colonials should get back on the winning track today in Cancun against the Bengals. Idaho State is 0-2 on the season and every one of their losses has been by at least 9 points. Eastern Kentucky plays in a better conference and they have the best player on the floor in Nick Mayo. EKU is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 nonconference games. 

4 Unit Play. #742 Take Connecticut over Oklahoma State (9 pm ESPN U) Both teams have yet to really challenge themselves early in the season. Thus, we will side with the better ranked team in the preseason with an established coach and system. Oklahoma State has a new coach and I think they will struggle to score points once they face a competent team. UCONN finally got into the win column beating LMU on Friday and expect them to play more relaxed in Maui on Monday night. UCONN is 37-16 ATS (1 push) in their last 54 neutral site games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

5 Unit Play. #578 Take Over in Iona @ Nevada (8 pm) Both teams have coaches that like to get up and down the floor and that should set up a strong play with the over. Iona shoots a lot of three point shots and they will get hot at some point and rattle off a quick ten points in the blink of an eye. Nevada has gone over the posted total in 8 of their last 12 nonconference games (1 push). Iona has gone over the posted total in 36 of their last 53 nonconference games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

5 Unit Play. #782 Take Wyoming over South Dakota State (9 pm) We went against the Pokes earlier this week but I was impressed with how they played at Montana. The Cowboys are always a tough out and now they are facing a team that is in major rebuilding mode. Throw in the fact that the Jackrabbits have had some weather delays getting to Wyoming and I expect them to lose this game by double digits. Wyoming returns experience with four of their five starters back from last year and they have adjusted well to their new coach and the loss of their best player. SDSU is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games. Wyoming is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 nonconference games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #538 Take Over in Oregon State @ Nevada (10 pm ESPN 3) Both teams like to push and I see this score closer to 150 that 140. The Wolf Pack have gone over this posted total in both of their games and Coach Musselman has always liked to score points more than play lock down defense. Oregon State has gone over the posted total in their last five road games. Nevada has gone over the posted total in 7 of their last 11 nonconference games (1 push). 

4 Unit Play. #596 Take New Mexico over New Mexico State (9pm ESPN 3) The Aggies are the little brother to the Lobos in this state and I do not see them keeping this deficit under double digits tonight at the Pit. New Mexico has not looked sharp in the early part of the season but they talent is there. These teams play home and home’s each season but New Mexico has dominated winning 8 of the last 9 match-ups (7-2 against the spread). NMS is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against Mountain West teams. New Mexico is 15-4 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 21 games against WAC teams.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #575 Take Monmouth over Syracuse (7 pm ACC Network) The Orange continue their home heavy nonconference schedule tonight against Monmouth. Thus far the Hawks have not had the same road magic as last year, but they also learned that they still need to win their conference tournament in order to make the Big Dance. Thy took a similar South Carolina team to the wire this week and I just do not see them losing by double digits in this game. Monmouth is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. Syracuse 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against MAAC teams. 

4 Unit Play. #735 Take Connecticut over Loyola Marymount (10 pm) Playing on the road may be just what this Connecticut team needs after back to back losses at home to start the season. This is a true road game that UCONN scheduled on their way to Hawaii. LMU lost by 14 points at Nevada on Monday and that is also how I see this game going as well. UCONN is due for a good game where they put it all together and it will come tonight at Gersten Pavilion.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #536 UNLV over UC Riverside (10 pm) UNLV lost their opening game at home to South Alabama but this is a get-well game for the Rebels tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV is in a complete rebuild mode but they are still able to get talent and Riverside has always been a bottom feeder team and this year should be no different. The Highlanders are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games against MWC teams. 

4 Unit Play. #527 Take Tulsa over Wichita State (8 pm ESPN 3) Tulsa is in rebuilding mode but so is Wichita State to that extent. Seems like too many points to be giving considering Tulsa plays in a better conference and made the NCAA Tournament last season. Coach Frank Haith can keep the scoring down and allow Wichita State to win by 15-17 points giving us the cover with Tulsa. 

4 Unit Play. #540 Take Marshall over Morehead State (7 pm) The Thundering Herd has a surprising season last year under Dan D’Antoni and finished in a tie for third place in Conference USA. They return four starters and should be even better this year. Morehead State returns just two starters and they are predicted to be just a middle of the pack team in the Ohio Valley. 

4 Unit Play. #744 Take Duke over Kansas (9:45 pm ESPN) These are two great teams but Duke is always a tough out in New York City and playing in Hawaii on Friday will catch up to Kansas in this game. Duke is banged up with most of their superstar freshman out but they play their starters most of their minutes and that should benefit them this early in the season. Kansas is electric in the Big 12 but not the same team outside of conference. Duke is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Big 12 teams.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #733 Take Wisconsin over Creighton (8:30 pm FS1) Wisconsin is legit and a top ten team in the country. I am not totally sold on Creighton yet as an automatic team to make the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin can beat you in a variety of ways and they thrive on going into hostile environments and coming out on top. They won a ton of road games last season including at Maryland and Iowa. Wisconsin is 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games. 

4 Unit Play. #724 Take North Carolina over Long Beach State (8 pm ACC Network) The Beach continues to overschedule during the nonconference portion of the season and will get the check for this game but also lose by 20+ points. Long Beach fell apart against a so-so Wichita State team on Sunday night and I expect them to pick up right where they left off tonight at the Dean Dome. UNC has covered the spread in five of their last six home games.  

4 Unit Play. #766 Take San Francisco -5.5 over Illinois Chicago (11 pm) UIC has been a bottom feeder program and will struggle to keep this score under a double-digit deficit. The Dons should have new life with a new coach and thus much of the player turnover from year to year should end. The Flames have two decent players but everybody else on their squad is terrible. 

4 Unit Play. #760 Take Pepperdine -8 over Cal Poly (10 pm) The Waves quietly had a good season last year finishing fourth in the WCC and they return some talent from that squad. Cal Poly had a poor year and I just do not see things getting much better in 2016-2017. They return just two starters and only won four games last year in the Big West and ten overall. 

4 Unit Play. #838 Take New Mexico -16 over Idaho State (10 pm) The Lobos are the second-best team in the MWC this season and should have no problem taking out the Bengals at the Pit tonight. This is an important game season for them and their head coach and I believe they are good enough to make the NCAA Tournament this season. Only the coaches son does not return but this team will be better without him and should be able to score points at will in this game. Idaho State plays in a one bid league and they are not among the top teams in the Big Sky. New Mexico will win this game by twenty points.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #778 Take Columbia over UC Irvine (7 pm CBSSN) Look for the Lions to close out the season with a victory and a CIT Championship. Both teams have guards that can light it up but this is a tough situation with regards to travel for the Anteaters. Irvine has played three road games thus far and that will catch up with them tonight. Playing in Ivy League venues is always a tough chore and look for the Lions to pull away late. Columbia is 43-21 ATS in their last 64 nonconference games. 

4 Unit Play. #752 Take Morehead State over Nevada (8:30 pm ESPN U) It is almost imperative for the Eagles to win this game if they have hopes of winning the CBI crown. This is a best of three series with Nevada hosting games 2 and 3 (if necessary). The Eagles have had a tougher path to the championship round including a pair of road victories. Nevada has not left the state since March 2nd and they have not been a very good road team this season. That is because they cannot shoot and they foul a lot. Generally you get homer refs in these games and that should be the case again on Monday. Nevada is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against teams with a winning home court record. Morehead State has covered the spread in 6 of their last 7 home games. 61% of the money is coming in on Nevada yet the line is moving up telling us the sharps like the Eagles. 

10 Unit Play. #713 Take Syracuse over Virginia (Sunday 6:10 pm TBS) It is always hard to blowout a team from your conference in the NCAA Tournament and I believe Virginia will have their hands full with Syracuse for 40 minutes. This is uncharted territory for Virginia and I expect the pressure to get to them especially if they cannot put away the Orange early. Syracuse has experience in the Elite Eight whereas Virginia does not. The Orange have been playing their best basketball in the NCAA Tournament and Virginia is not a great shooting team from beyond the arc. Virginia is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games played on Sunday. Pressure!

3 Unit Play. #522 Take Kansas over Villanova (8:49 pm CBS) Just do not believe that Villanova can continue this hot shooting against a great defensive team like Kansas. The Jayhawks are the ability to beat you in a variety of ways and they will be able to attack the suspect size of the Wildcats. Villanova is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against Big XII teams. Kansas is 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games overall.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

3 Unit Play. #871 Take Wisconsin over Notre Dame (7:27 pm TBS) The Badgers are on a mission and will once again do just enough to win the game and advance to the Elite 8. Wisconsin has been terrible on offense and outstanding on defense. If Nigel Hayes could ever get going I believe Wisconsin could win this game comfortably. We saw last night that the ACC is not invincible and just because six teams made the Sweet 16 does not mean most of them will make the Elite 8. Notre Dame does not have the outside shooters like in past years and they will have trouble scoring inside against Wisconsin. The Badgers are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games against teams with a winning record. Notre Dame is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 nonconference games.  

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. #816 Take Oregon over Duke (Thursday 10:05 pm TBS) It is not too often you will find the Blue Devils as an underdog this early in the tournament but it is for good reason on Thursday night. Oregon has been playing outstanding basketball of late and they have the depth and size to really hurt this Duke team. The Ducks have won 10 straight games and only a couple of those games have been competitive. Oregon is better at both ends of the floor and I just cannot see Duke winning this game unless they get hot from the three-point line. Duke is just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games. Oregon is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 NCAA Tournament Games. 

4 Unit Play. #818 Take Oklahoma over Texas A & M (Thursday 7:35 pm TBS) Both teams struggled in their second round games against mid-majors but I just believe the Sooners have a higher upside and thus that is the basis for our selection. Oklahoma played in the better conference this season and out of all four teams in the West Region they are the only one to be a consistent top 10 team. The Aggies had a miracle finish against the Panthers and I just cannot see them being able to follow that up against a much better team in Oklahoma than they faced in Northern Iowa. Conference pride will also be on the line as they are still harsh feelings with the Aggies for the way that they left the Big XII. Oklahoma will get hot at some point from the three-point line and that will be the difference in this game. Texas A & M is 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game. Oklahoma is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against teams from the SEC. 

4 Unit Play. #794 Take Nevada over Vermont (10 pm) The Wolf Pack have been tearing apart these mid-majors in the second half of games. Nevada has a major edge tonight since this will be their third straight home game and Vermont played in Seattle on Monday night. The Pack are taking great pride in wanting to win this tournament and they are getting an energized home crowd to go along with a first year head coach that wants to make a statement. The Catamounts have been playing without Ethan O’day and that is a major void they might not be without tonight. Nevada got Marqueze Colman back on Monday and that helps out a lot with their depth issues even if he does not put up a lot of points. Vermont is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 nonconference games. Nevada is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #660 Take Valparaiso over Saint Mary’s (7 pm ESPN) This will be an out of body experience for the Gaels since they did not travel east at all during the 2015-2016 college basketball season. That lack of nonconference challenge is what costs them a berth in the NCAA Tournament and now they must settle for the NIT. Sooner or later a one seed will win and cover in this tournament and I believe it will happen tonight. Coach Drew will have his team on high alert after what happened last night and playing at the ARC is always a tough spot. Valpo is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games played on Tuesday.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #724 Take Xavier over Wisconsin (5:40 pm TNT) Wisconsin is about running on empty and they do not have much left in the tank. They got lucky Pittsburgh played worse than them on Friday or they would have been knocked out of the tournament in embarrassing fashion. The problem is their two best players have been playing terrible of late and without them playing well and making shots this team just struggles to score points. Hayes and Koenig have not produced three straight games and I do not see them being able to turn it around on Sunday. Wisconsin will play better on offense today but it will not be enough to keep the deficit under double digits. Going in I thought Xavier was the weakest of the 4 two seeds but they seem to be undervalued all season long. The Musketeers are just as physical as are the Panthers and they are deeper, smarter, and better coached. Xavier is 28-5 on the season and just do not beat themselves. If Wisconsin lights it up from long range they can keep it close but I just do not see that happening. Xavier beat Wisconsin in the second round in 2009 and history will repeat itself again. Xavier is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games against Big 10 teams. Wisconsin is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against Big East teams. 

5 Unit Play. #529 Take Indiana over Kentucky (5:15 pm CBS) This is just too many points for a pick’em game. Kentucky is not as strong as they have been the last two years especially on the defensive side of the floor. Indiana has just as much talent as does Kentucky and this could be a landmark win for Coach Tom Crean and company. If Indiana wins this game the Hoosier faithful will finally embrace Tom Crean and I just do not see them getting blown out in this game. Indiana is 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games against teams with a winning record. Kentucky is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 nonconference games. The value lies in Red. 

4 Unit Play. #543 Take Louisiana Lafayette over Furman (2 pm) The Paladins needed a miracle finish to beat ULM but their luck is going to run out in this game. Once Davidson left the Southern Conference it become one of the bottom conferences in the country and thus a team from the Sun Belt should have no problem beating them. The Ragin Cajuns took UALR to the brink last week and we saw how good the Trojans are by beating Purdue. 70% of the money is coming in on ULL and that is with good reason.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #847 Take Cincinnati over Saint Josephs (Friday 9:55 pm True TV) We have had a great feel for this Hawk team all season long but I feel they will be a quick one and done come earlier Saturday morning. Saint Joseph’s won the Atlantic 10 Conference yet they enter this game as an underdog against a middle of the pack team from the American Conference. To me that is a good sign to play Cincinnati. Neither team can shoot all that well and the Bearcats have the bodies to match-up with the Hawks in the paint. 

4 Unit Play. #836 Take Wisconsin over Pittsburgh (Friday 6:50 pm TNT) The Panthers are always known for tough noise defense and rebounding but that is not the case with this team. The Panthers are shaky on defense and they have never had great offensive teams. Pittsburgh have lost three of their last four games and two of those games came against teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament (Georgia Tech & Virginia Tech). I believe the rest did Wisconsin good and they will be refreshed and ready to play on Friday in St Louis. Wisconsin has the higher upside if they play well and that will be good enough to win this pick’em game. 

4 Unit Play. #826 Take Oklahoma over Cal State Bakersfield (4 pm TNT) The Sooners are one of the most disappointing teams in the entire country this season. That being said they still have a ton of talent and with their guards they have the ability to go deep into this tournament. Throw in the fact they are playing this game in Oklahoma City and expect a 20-point plus victory for OU. Bakersfield plays in the worst conference in the country and they have a retread as a coach in Rod Barnes. His teams seem to get better once he leaves and I have no confidence that he can keep this game close.  

10 Unit Play. #742 Take Purdue over Arkansas Little Rock (4:30 pm TBS) NCAA Tournament Game of the Year. Purdue is one of the most physical teams in the country and their size will be too much for the Trojans to overcome. UALR played in a weak one bid league this season and they have yet to see a team as big as Purdue. The Trojans play a very similar style as does the Boilermakers, both rely on defense and that fits right into Purdue’s strength. UALR averages just 33.8 rebounds per game (286th in the country) and Hammonds and company will fest on the backboards on both ends of the floor. Purdue comes in with a chip on their shoulder as they gave away the Big 10 Tournament Championship Game by failing to execute down the stretch. The Trojans played just two teams this season that made NCAA Tournament (Texas Tech & Tulsa both bubble teams). The only question is how well Purdue will shoot the basketball because of they can find the touch from long range they will win this game by 15-18 points. When Purdue wins, it tends to come by double digits. 

1 Unit Play. #619 Take Southern over Holy Cross (6:40 pm TRUE TV) Granted I do not know very much about either of these teams but I do not that Bill Carmody is a loser. The Crusaders have no business being in the NCAA Tournament since their record is just 14-19. There were riding during their conference tournament that ended a week from today and all this time off is not a good thing for them. Expect them to come back to reality tonight. The Jaguars have some decent wins on the season and they are a much better offensive team in this match-up. Holy Cross is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games.  

10 Unit Play. #564 Take Over in New Mexico State @ Saint Mary’s (11 pm ESPN 2) I always like to take the over in first round games of the NIT. Coaches tend to be more laid back and not try and micromanage each game and that will be the case again on Tuesday. Both of these teams are defensive minded but each has shooters and expect them to both score at least 65 points giving us the win with whoever comes out on top. Saint Mary’s has gone over the posted today in 8 of their last 10 games played against team from the WAC.  

10 Unit Play. #888 Take Connecticut over Memphis (3:15 pm ESPN) Besides the players and coaches I just do not believe Memphis wants to win this game and make the NCAA Tournament. That is because they would have to keep their coach for the fans, media, and administration want to replace. We saw yesterday that Connecticut was not tired despite playing in a marathon on Friday and they should have even more energy for this game. The Huskies are not a lock to make the NCAA Tournament and thus the cannot afford to take this game lightly. UCONN beat Memphis twice this season including a 20-point victory in Memphis last March. Memphis is not a bid stealer today. Connecticut is 35-15 ATS (1 push) in their last 51 neutral site games. 

10 Unit Play. #748 Take Kansas over West Virginia (6 pm ESPN) The final score of the Kansas game was not indicative of how Kansas was in control for 40 minutes and was never in danger of losing that game. West Virginia got a gift from Oklahoma down the stretch and they are certainly playing with house money in this game. That being said Kansas is far and away the best team in the league and they have a big advantage playing this conference tournament in Kansas City. Unlike Oklahoma, Kansas is not soft and they do not beat themselves. West Virginia will not be able to make enough jump shots to stay close and it will be rock chalk Jayhawk on Saturday evening. Kansas has not only been winning a lot of late they have been covering the spread as well going 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games. 

5 Unit Play. #584 Take Fresno State over Colorado State (11:30 pm CBSSN) The Bulldogs have a real chance to win this conference tournament and the bracket has really opened up for them. They face a similar team in Colorado State than what they faced last night. Actually the Rams play less defense than do the Rebels and that only bodes well for the Bulldogs. The Rams were just 8-10 in a bad MWC this season and this will be their third game in three days. Fresno State won the only meeting by 14 points. The Rams are 18-38 ATS (1 push) in their last 57 games following a victory in their previous outing. Fresno State has covered the spread in 4 straight games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. #532 Take St Josephs over George Washington (2:30 pm NBCSN) We have collected big with St Joes all season long and will go to the well once again. The Hawks have been in a freefall at the moment losing two straight games to close out the regular season but I expect them to rebound on Friday. Neither team is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and thus the Hawks just cannot go through the motions. St. Joes is not a good match-up for George Washington evident by the fact they beat them by 18 points in the district (GW’s home floor). The Colonials struggled to put away a bad Billikens yesterday and the rested Hawks are ready to attack and jump on them early in this game. George Washington is 0-6 ATS (1 push) in their last 7 games played on Friday. St Joes is 19-7 ATS (1 push) in their last 27 games played on Friday. St Josephs is much more physical and that will pay dividends in this game. 

4 Unit Play. #716 Take Wisconsin over Nebraska (9 pm ESPN 2) Nebraska is just not a very good team and they will struggle against the top of the conference. Wisconsin falls into that category as they are playing outstanding basketball winning 11 of their last 13 games. The Cornhuskers have lost five of their last six games with just a win over Rutgers (one of the worst teams in the country). Wisconsin is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games. Wisconsin will pull away late and win this game by double digits and move onto face Maryland. 

4 Unit Play. #786 Take Fresno State over UNLV (9 pm CBSSN) Every year people expect the Rebels to magical make a run in the conference tournament since it is played in their home arena. But this is a sinking ship at the moment coming off a triple overtime win against Air Force and they have a lame duck coach. Fresno State has the talent to win the tournament and they take a step forward in that today with an easy victory. This line opened with UNLV as the favorite but skyrocketed the other way with no end in sight. UNLV had better teams the last couple of years and still did not do anything in the conference tournament. Fresno State has already won in Las Vegas this season and it will happen again on Thursday. The Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. UNLV is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games. 

10 Unit Play. #784 Take New Mexico over Nevada (5:30 pm CBSSN) We used this same game over the weekend and easily hit with the underdog Lobos in a game that was not as close as the final score would indicate. The fact remains that Nevada just cannot shoot the ball well enough this season to beat top teams and will likely be without Marqueze Colman for this game yet again. If the Lobos played with the same effort that Nevada does, they would have won the regular season title. This team has been shaky most of the season but the just have much more talent than does Nevada. New Mexico dominated both of the regular season meetings and it should be no different in Las Vegas. Nevada has never won a conference tournament game in the MWC and the Lobos have had some success in Las Vegas and always bring a big fan base. Nevada is 7-20 ATS in their last 27 neutral site games. 

4 Unit Play. #546 Take Oregon State over Arizona State (11:30 pm PAC-12 Network) The Sun Devils are a much better team when they play at home compared to road/neutral sites. The Beavers have been playing well down the stretch winning three of their last four games. Would go higher with this play but second leading scorer Try Tinkle is out but they Beavers still have enough to beat the Sun Devils. Arizona State has lost five of their last six games and most of the time when they lose it comes big. The three-point loss to California was a little misleading since they threw in a three point shot at the buzzer. 

4 Unit Play. #544 Take USC over UCLA (9 pm PAC-12 Network) The Trojans look to win for the third time in this battle of Los Angeles taking place in Las Vegas. USC does not want a loss as it would hinder their NCAA Tournament chances and expect them to take care of business on Wednesday. Both meetings this year were epic blowouts and that just means the Bruins struggle with the quickness and atheism of the Trojans. The Bruins have lost four straight games including a pair of home games to the Oregon schools last week. The vibe is just not very good in Westwood at the moment with fan outrage and poor performance. UCLA is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games. USC is 5-1 ATS is their last 6 games played on Wednesday. 

4 Unit Play. #532 Take Charlotte over Rice (6 pm ASN) This appears to be a one team tournament with UAB the heavy favorite but I expect the 49ers to beat the Owls for the third time and move onto the round of 8. The 49ers pounded the Owls twice this season beating them by an average of 21 points per game. Rice has lost three straight games and they have not been competitive in this games. Charlotte lost their last time out to North Texas but still have won three of their last four including a victory against Rice. The Owls are 7-18 ATS (1 push) in their last 26 games. The 49ers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games. 

4 Unit Play. #725 Take Take Gonzaga over Saint Mary’s (9 pm ESPN) I just do not believe Saint Mary’s is good enough to beat Gonzaga three times in one season. The Zags are more battle tested in this tournament and this may be a winner take all game. The Gaels had a major rebuild at the start of the season and they did not really challenge themselves during the nonconference portion of the season and thus their record is a little misleading. Saint Mary’s is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games. Gonzaga is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games played on Tuesday. 

4 Unit Play. #532 Take Gonzaga over BYU (11:30 pm ESPN 2) I just believe Gonzaga is the better team in this 2/3 match-up at the WCC Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs have been one of the most disappointing teams in the country this season but I believe they are the best team in this conference. They are strong on the interior and if they get anything from their guards they will win this game by close to double digits. BYU struggled against Santa Clara allowing the Broncos to come back despite having a big lead. Gonzaga was in control of both meetings with BYU this season before they got a little close at the end of the game (BYU beat them once). BYU is 16-35 ATS in their last 51 neutral site games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #643 Take New Mexico +2.5 over Nevada (10 pm ROOT Sports) The Lobos are falling apart at the seams but they are healthier than the Wolf Pack at the moment. New Mexico pounded the Pack in the first game of the season winning by 12 points and that score is misleading since it was a pounding in Albuquerque. Nevada has been playing a soft schedule of late and they have had trouble putting these bad teams away. These team will likely meet against in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament next week in Las Vegas, but I expect the Lobos behind Elijah Brown to earn the regular season sweep on Saturday.

4 Unit Play. #572 Take USC +3 over Oregon (4 pm PAC-12 Network) The Trojans need this game to ensure they make the NCAA Tournament this season and expect them to complete the weekend sweep of the Oregon schools on Saturday afternoon at the Galen Center. The Ducks have a chance to win the conference outright but I just do not believe they will be able to accomplish that. They struggle for most of the game on Wednesday to put away UCLA and the Trojans pounded the Bruins twice this season.

4 Unit Play. #558 Take Missouri State over Drake (9:30 pm ESPN 3) This line is soft considering how bad Drake played in MVC play this season. The Bears beat the Bulldogs twice this season and expect them to complete the trifecta in Saint Louis on Thursday. Missouri State has some quality wins this season and they will move onto the second round of the conference tournament. 

4 Unit Play. #542 Take Arizona over California (9 pm ESPN) The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing road trip to Utah and Colorado dropping both games. But despite that they have won six of their last eight games and still are a very tough out at home. They need to win both games to ensure they receive a first round bye in the conference tournament and I expect them to take care of business against Cal tonight. Cal is playing outstanding basketball of late winning seven straight games but only two of them came on the road. This will be the most difficult road game they face in PAC-12 play this season and expect them to not be up to the challenge. Arizona needs it more and they get it by close to double digits. 

10 Unit Play. #770 Take Fresno State over Colorado State (11 pm CBSSN) This line should be double digits. Colorado State is coming off a tough loss to Nevada in overtime and going back on the road again will do them in. I feel Fresno State is playing the best basketball of anyone in the MWC at the moment and they have a good chance to win the MWC Tournament next week. This team is starting to get healthy and will enter this game having won four straight games. They also have the best player on the court in Marvelle Harris and he is the reason why they can win it all next week in Las Vegas. The Rams are not performed well on the road this season and they have lost four of their last five games (none were against top teams in the league). Colorado State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. Fresno State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. 

4 Unit Play. #560 Take New Mexico over San Diego State (9:30 pm CBSSN) This is a one bid league and winner take all in the upcoming conference tournament in two weeks in Sin City. With the Aztecs already winning the regular season title this game means much more to New Mexico in hopes of improving their seeding. This is a game the Lobos really want since they got jobbed by the refs in the first meetings with a terrible call late in the second half. San Diego State just does not have the offensive firepower this season and New Mexico has the best player on the floor. The Lobos are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games following a double digit loss at home in their previous game. Expect another bounce back on Tuesday. 

4 Unit Play. #551 Take Indiana over Iowa (9 pm ESPN) The Hawkeyes are in free fall at the moment and the wrong team is favored tonight in Iowa City. The Hoosiers need just one win in their last two games to clinch the Big 10 regular season and they will get it tonight. Iowa has lost four of their last five games with just a 4-point home victory against Minnesota as their only bright spot. Teams are starting to figure out the Hawkeyes and only Mike Gesell is playing well at the moment. Indiana has a variety of ways to beat you on the offense end and there will be a celebration tonight for Tom Crean and company. Iowa is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games. 

4 Unit Play. #531 Take Kentucky over Florida (7 pm ESPN) The Gators are done and they are not making the NCAA Tournament this season. They have lost three straight games and the current players have yet to gel with the new coach. The Wildcats are not losing two games in a row and they must win out to ensure a piece of the regular season championship. Florida is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall. 

10 Unit Play. #719 Take Kansas over Texas (9 pm ESPN) Unlike Oklahoma, Kansas is not soft and playing these road games in hostile environments means everything to this team (even more the NCAA Tournament success). This is just too big of a gauntlet for Texas to run and they have already earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament this season. Beating Oklahoma was great, but the Sooners gave away that game letting Texas close on a 25-5 run. Again Oklahoma is soft, Kansas is not. The Jayhawks have covered the spread in 8 of their last 9 games. 

10 Unit Play. #836 Take Wisconsin over Michigan (6 pm BTN) This game got bumped off of CBS but that just makes it that much stronger for Wisconsin. The Badgers are playing like the second best team in the conference at the moment only behind Michigan State. They are winning home and away and also winning when they play good or play bad. Michigan is coming off two straight road losses and I just do not believe they are playing well at the moment. Their score against Northwestern was misleading and much closer than the nine-point margin would indicate. But the main reason for this selection is that this is just not a typical Michigan team. The Wolverines rely so much on the three point shot and they just do not have the shooters like they have in year’s past. Coach Gard is just moments away from being named permanent head coach and this Badger team has responded in a great way. The Badgers have lost just one game since January 13th and they have the ability to score on Michigan in a variety of ways. Wisconsin is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Big 10 games. 73% of the overnight money is on Wisconsin and it is for very good reason. The line should be 8.5 and we will pound this short number. 

4 Unit Play. #825 Take Duke over Pittsburgh (2 pm CBS) Would go much higher on this game if I knew for sure Grayson Allen would not be punished for past game transgressions. That being said Pitt has taken a major setback in the last couple of years and will enter this game having lost 4 of their last 6 games. Pitt has struggled against the top teams in the ACC and today will be no different. Duke has won 6 of their last 7 games. 

10 Unit Play. #569 Take South Carolina over Mississippi State (2:30 pm SECN) The Gamecocks have a gaudy record and they are not as good as their 23-5 record would indicate but they have enough talent to beat Mississippi State in Starkville. Carolina has won two straight games against teams that are ahead of Mississippi State in the standing and already beat the Bulldogs by double digits this season on January 26th. The Bulldogs are improving under first year coach Ben Howland but this will take a major rebuild and moving to the top of the standings will have to wait a couple of years. Mississippi State already has home losses to Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Yes, they played A & M tough this week but this is more a statement of how far the Aggies have fallen compared to how much the Bulldogs have improved. Carolina has not only been winning games they have been covering the spread as well going 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games. Mississippi State is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games played on Saturday. The better team just has to win on Saturday and that will happen easily. 

4 Unit Play. #544 Take Miami over Louisville (2 pm ESPN 3) Just do not believe Louisville has top end talent this year. Throw in the fact that their season will come to an end next week and their schedule is too difficult to win the regular season title. Miami has a great chance to win the regular season crown but this is a must win game for them to accomplish that feat. The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven games including a victory against Virginia last Monday. If they can beat the Cavaliers, they can certainly beat the Cardinals. Miami is 13-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 home games. Louisville is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games. 

10 Unit Play. #766 Take Utah over Arizona State (9 pm PAC-12) When the opening lines were posted I could not believe this spread was in single digits. Utah is starting to put things together and will enter this game having won four straight including an impressive sweep of the LA teams last week in Southern California. The Utes still have a great chance to win the conference with three home games to close out the regular season. The Sun Devils have won just one road game on the season during PAC-12 play and their last four losses overall have come by double digits. Arizona State is 6-14 ATS (1 push) in their last 21 PAC-12 Conference games. Utah is 20-8 ATS (1 push) in their last 29 games played on Thursday.  

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. #576 Take Nevada over Utah State (10 pm the MWC) The Wolf Pack already beat the Aggies in Logan and expect them to complete the season sweep on Wednesday. Utah State has struggled on the road this season and they do not play much defense whatsoever. The Wolf Pack is one of the top teams in the MWC and they still have a great chance to earn a top four seed in the upcoming MWC Tournament. Nevada is seconds away from winning straight games and this team seems to give maximum effort each and every night. The Aggies are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. Nevada is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games. 

4 Unit Play. #712 Take Davidson over Rhode Island (6 pm CBSSN) The Rams continue to be one of the most overvalued teams in the entire country. We all know they are playing this season without their best player in EC Mathews and most of their seven wins have come against the bottom teams in the Atlantic 10. Davidson has a solid home court advantage and will enter this game having won two straight games including an impressive 99-point performance over the weekend against St Joes (a team that beat Rhode Island twice). Rhode Island is 3-12 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 17 games against teams with a winning record. Davidson is 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games played on Tuesday. 

4 Unit Play. #520 Take Green Bay over Cleveland State (8 pm ESPN 3) The Vikings are terrible and just got run out the gym by Milwaukee last game out. This is the same Panther team that the Phoenix beat last Monday in Green Bay. The Vikings are just 3-12 in the Horizon League and when they lose it tends to be by a big margin. 4 of their last 5 losses have come by over tonight’s posted number. The Phoenix already beat them by 20 points in Cleveland this season and expect a similar result tonight. Green Bay is a much better home team and that will pay extra dividends. Cleveland State is 1-6 ATS (1 push) in their last 8 games overall. Green Bay is 12-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 16 games played on Monday.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

5 Unit Play. #850 Take USC over Utah (6 pm PAC-12 Network) The Trojans bounced back nicely with a win on Wednesday and expect the extra rest to pay dividends tonight in Los Angeles. The Utes have won three straight games but they have not been able to handle prosperity well this season and they will struggle to keep up in scoring tonight at the Galen Center. Utah is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games played on Sunday. USC is 6-0 ATS (1 push) in their last 7 home games against teams with a winning road record.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. #525 Take Miami over North Carolina (1 pm CBS) ACC Game of the Year. Miami has the talent to run up and down the floor with North Carolina and taking the points in early games is always a good thing. The Hurricanes are a quite 21-4 and will enter this game having won 5 straight games. Carolina is coming off a disappointing game against Duke in which they gave away the game against a depleted Blue Devil team. Expect a carryover effect in this game against Miami, a team that beat Duke by double-digits this season. People are really starting to question Roy Williams as an in-game coach and I do not see this critique ending any time soon. The Tar Heels have lost three of their last five games and this is one of the worst shooting teams from the arc in the conference including going 1 for 13 last time out. Miami knows that if they win this game, they can win the ACC regular season title and expect them to whether the storm early then take control in the second half. Miami is 9-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 13 games played on Saturday. North Carolina is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. 

10 Unit Play. #713 Take George Washington over Duquesne (7 pm) The Colonials are fighting for their NCAA Tournament life and will enter Wednesday in a must win situation as their victory over Virginia can only take them so far. That being said they already beat this team by 27 points this season and playing in Pittsburgh should not all the Dukes to win this game. GW has already won three conference road games this season including at VCU so expect them to take this game by 7-10 points. The Dukes are coming off an OT game giving up 108 points to UMASS. 

6 Unit Play. #539 Take Bowling Green +6 over Northern Illinois (5 pm ESPN 3) We will grab the points for a second straight night with two middle of the pack MAC teams. The Falcons have been in a free fall at the moment but I believe they are due for a good performance after a pair of home losses. The Huskies played an embarrassing schedule in nonconference play and thus their 17-8 record is a little misleading. Bowling Green is 17-7 ATS in their last 24 road games.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

5 Unit Play. #705 Take Milwaukee over Green Bay (8 pm ESPN 3) Just believe that the Panthers are the better team in this in-state battle and look for them to complete the season sweep of the Phoenix tonight in Green Bay. Both teams have played three games in five days and thus taking the underdog sets up well for two tired teams. Green Bay got pounded by Oakland giving up 111 points to a team Milwaukee beat on last week. Green Bay lost a couple of key players off their squad last season and Milwaukee will use their veterans to win this game by 4-5 points. Milwaukee is 14-5 ATS (1 push) in their last 20 road games. 

4 Unit Play. #859 Take Miami over Florida State (6:30 pm ESPN U) Miami may be the best team in the ACC and they will head to Tallahassee having won three straight games. The Hurricanes are the much better offensive team in this game as Florida State relies heavily on just two players. The Seminoles have been playing bottom feeder teams in the ACC and have not played a ranked team in over three weeks. They were destroyed by Syracuse this week and expect a carryover effect to occur. This is a must win game if Miami wants to win the regular season ACC title. Miami is 17-8 ATS (1 push) in their last 26 games overall. Florida State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. #606 Take Maryland over Wisconsin (6:30 pm ESPN) Big 10 Game of the Year. Wisconsin appears to have righted the ship but to me it is just fool’s gold. They have won six straight games but four of them were at home and the two road wins were against bottom feeders Illinois and Penn State (combined 6-14 in conference play). They have recorded quality wins during this streak against Michigan State and Indiana but they had a major edge in free throws in both of those games. Both coaches chirped about this and we have seen in recent games that the refs are not sending Wisconsin to the free throw line that often and that will definitely be the case against on Saturday. It has been over a month since Wisconsin has had to play in a hostile environment and their schedule is really back loaded as they still have to play at Iowa, at Michigan State, & at Purdue after this trip to College Park.

Maryland is the best offensive team in the conference and one of the top five teams in the country. They are loaded at every position and will enter this game having won five in a row. In the first meeting against Wisconsin, Maryland was in control before a late Badger rally nearly sent the game into overtime. That will not be the case tonight, as Maryland just does not lose games at home. Maryland beat a much better Wisconsin team at home last season and this game means a lot of Diamond Stone, as he shunned Wisconsin for Maryland and I expect him to come up big yet again. Maryland is 20-6 ATS (1 push) in their last 27 games played on Saturday. Had the line been only 5 or 6 points I would have likely gotten off this game but the line being at 9 shows me that the sharp money will be on Maryland, while the public will be all over Wisconsin. 

10 Unit Play. #785 Take Greensboro over VMI (7 pm) The Keydets have mailed in the season as they are 1-11 in a weak Southern Conference this season. Since the turn of the calendar they have won just 1 game and will enter this game having lost six straight games. Only one of those games was competitive and the Spartans have already beaten the Keydets by 17 points this season. Greensboro is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against teams with a losing record. VMI is 3-15 ATS in their last 18 games overall. 

4 Unit Play. #537 Take St Bonaventure over Fordham (7 pm) The Bonnies went into Philadelphia and beat St Joes by double digits. This is the same Hawks team that just destroyed the Rams over the weekend in the Bronx. Thus this play is more about going against the Rams, as they have lost six of their last eight games and all of those losses have come by double digits (22, 16, 14, 25, 31, 11). When they lose they get hammered! If Fordham gets hot from three they might be able to hang around but the Bonnies are a bubble NCAA Tournament team and have too much on the line to take this game lightly. The Bonnies are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 Atlantic 10 games. Fordham is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games. The line is way too low and we will side with the much better team. 

4 Unit Play. #548 Take Wisconsin -8 over Nebraska (7 pm BTN) The Badgers are on a roll and I expect them to run the table at home since they have a very weak schedule. Nebraska will be without Shavon Shields tonight after a hard fall over the weekend and that is a major void for them to fill. Wisconsin is getting contributions from numerous players and this is a game they will win by double digits. Nebraska has a one hit wonder two years ago and now has reverted to back to the bottom middle of the pack. 

10 Unit Play. #757 Take New Mexico over Utah State (10 pm CBSSN) I like the Lobos and they are coming off a frustrating game against San Diego State in which they had the Aztecs on the ropes in San Diego before a late collapse. I believe they will take out their frustrations out on the Aggies, a team they already beat by 18 points this season. The Aggies have lost five straight games and they have not been able to compete in the MW since joining the league a couple of years ago. They are a terrible defensive team and expect New Mexico to light up the scoreboard. Finally, their home court edge is all but gone the last few years already losing five times in Logan this season. The Lobos have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games. The Aggies are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 

10 Unit Play. #547 Take St Josephs over Fordham (2 pm) The Hawks are just a much better team than are the Rams. St Joes ran into a hot shooting team on Wednesday and suffered a rare loss but expect them to bounce back in a big way on Saturday. The Rams have not recorded a quality win during conference play and their last three losses have been blowouts. St Joes is 13-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 games. Fordham is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games. 

10 Unit Play. #532 Take St Josephs over St Bonaventure (7 pm) Just cannot go against the Hawks until they lose a game. They are playing outstanding basketball at the moment and faring very well against the spread as well. The Hawks have lost just one game since December and that came against VCU, a game they dominated for 37 minutes only to give it away at the end of the second half. They really have not had many competitive games for their 18 wins (especially recently) and that is amazing since they are not a lights out shooting team. The Bonnies are a solid team but they are not ready to challenge the top teams in the Atlantic 10. The Hawks are 13-2 ATS (1 push) in their last 16 games overall. 

10 Unit Play. #751 Take Duke over Georgia Tech (9 pm ESPN U) Duke has had over one week to process how bad they have been playing this season. Expect Coach K to fix that and they will get this road game in Atlanta on Tuesday. Georgia Tech showed some signs during the nonconference portion of the season but they are reeling at the moment having lost six of their last eight games. Duke has beaten Georgia Tech is 32 of the last 35 games including 11 of the last 13 games in Atlanta. Just feel at some point Duke is going to start to put things together and this is a game they need in order to right he ship. Duke is 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games following a loss in their previous game. 

4 Unit Play. #738 Take New Mexico over UNLV (8 pm CBSSN) UNLV continues to get way too much respect from the odds makers. The new coach bump has worn off and this team still has many glaring holes that cannot be fixed this season. The fact is that UNLV is just not that good with a 4-5 record in MW play. New Mexico has gone through a few lulls this season but is starting to heat back up having won three straight games including a victory in Boise over the weekend. They are well coached and can score points in a variety of ways. UNLV is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. New Mexico is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games. 

4 Unit Play. #519 Take North Carolina over Louisville (7 pm ESPN) We will bite on this even though we expect Louisville to play much better than they did on Saturday against Virginia. That being said, North Carolina is a much better offensive team that Virginia and they are rolling at the moment undefeated in ACC play. Louisville is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Coach Pitino just does not like the way his team is playing at the moment and expect that to continue again on Monday with a second straight home loss. 

10 Unit Play. #603 Take St Josephs over Rhode Island (6 pm CBSSN) The Hawks have been a staple for us this season and we expect them to complete the season sweep of the Rams on Saturday in Kingston. St Joes has lost just one game since December 1st and that was a game against VCU in which they controlled throughout only to give it away at the close of the second half. For the most part, the Hawks have been sluggish in the first half before turning on the jets in the second half. They have not had a competitive game since they beat Rhode Island on January 10th. The Rams have lost three of their last five games with their two victories coming against bottom feeder teams in the A-10 (La Salle & Fordham). This team has played the entire season without EC Matthews and that is beginning to take its toll on this team down the stretch. The Rams have already lost a couple of home games this season and hopefully the officials will not let Dan Hurley intimidate them.

St Joes holds a 58-41 lead in the all-time series record and the average margin of victory over the last five games in under 5 points. St Joes is 13-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 games overall including going a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games. Rhode Island is 2-9 ATS (1 push) in their last 12 games following a victory. Anything can happen in college basketball, but the wrong team is favored and we will gladly take the field goal with a better more experienced roster. 

4 Unit Play. #586 Take Purdue over Nebraska (4:30 pm BTN) Purdue has had some lapses this season during conference play but they are still loaded with talent and size and should have no problem taking down Nebraska by double digits. The Cornhuskers last six losses have come by at least 9 points so they do not really lose close games. If Purdue can make shots this game will be over early and I expect that to happen. Nebraska is 12-25 ATS (1 push) in their last 38 games against teams with a winning record. Purdue is 28-13 ATS in their last 41 games against teams with a winning record. 

4 Unit Play. #772 Take UCLA over Washington (10 pm FS1) The Huskies sit atop the standing in the PAC-12 yet are not considered an NCAA Tournament team at this point. The Bruins need a sweep of the Washington Schools this weekend and I expect them to a pair of wins by double digits. The Bruins have already beaten Arizona in Los Angeles and thus they should be able to take down the Huskies tonight. Washington is coming off a tough OT loss to Utah in Seattle last weekend and expect a carryover effect into that game. Much like Colorado & Utah needed victories last night, UCLA falls into that same boat. Washington is 6-13 ATS in their last 18 games following a loss in their previous outing. 

10 Unit Play. #568 Take Utah over California (11 pm ESPN U) The Utes appear to have righted the ship having won three straight games including a sweep last week of the Washington schools. They have lost just one home game this season and will have revenge on their minds facing a depleted Cal team. The Bears are 6-21 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 29 games played on Wednesday. Utah is 42-20 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 62 home games. Utah needs this game and they get it by double digits. 

4 Unit Play. #759 Take San Diego State over Nevada (11 pm ESPN U) The Wolf Pack are coming off their best win of the season against UNLV and expect a letdown in this game since the arena will only be half full for this weekday game. Nevada did not deserve to win that game on Saturday since they did not make a three-point basketball and UNLV missed half of their 28 free throws. Unlike the Rebels, the Aztecs have an identity and a competent coach in Steve Fisher. San Diego State continues to be undervalued by the odds makers since they are 7-0 and clearly the best team in the MWC. Boise State and UNLV were higher favorites in Nevada than is SDSU and that just does not make any sense. The Broncos handled Nevada pretty easy in Reno in a game where the final score was closer than what the game was. SDSU then went into Boise and won and I really feel they win this game by double digits. We used the Aztecs on Saturday for an easy top play winner and will continue to ride them until their lines are properly adjusted. The Aztecs are 3-1 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 6 road games. Nevada is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 MWC games. 

10 Unit Play. #520 Take Miami over Duke (7 pm ESPN) Duke still garners a lot of respect from the odds makers but this team is nowhere near as good as they have been in recent years. They are just a jump shooting team without Amile Jefferson and Miami is just a much more talented team. The Hurricanes have had some success against better Duke teams in recent years as well so I do not expect them to be intimidated tonight especially since they are playing at home. Teams are going to take great joy in pounding Duke this season and tonight it is the Hurricanes turn. Duke is 4-13 ATS (1 push) in their last 18 games played on Monday. Miami is 5-1 ATS (1 push) in their last 7 home games. 

4 Unit Play. #662 Take Michigan State over Maryland (6:30 pm ESPN) Sooner or later the Spartans are going to break out of this funk and we will take them tonight laying just a couple of points in East Lansing. When Michigan State wins, they tend to win big and that is how I see this game going. Denzel Valentine has come back from injury with a flurry and this is a game I think Michigan State just finds a way to win. With the College Gameday crew on hand expect a rocking crowd and a 7-10 point victory for the Spartans. 

10 Unit Play. #636 Take San Diego State over Utah State (6 pm CBSSN) Really puzzled why this spread is not double digits. San Diego State is clearly the best team in the MWC and expect a better effort today then they gave against Fresno State earlier in the week (The Bulldogs are a better team that the Aggies). The Aztecs have already beaten the Aggies in Logan this season and they have won their three conference home games by an average of 11 points per game. Utah State has three conference victories but none of them have come against good teams (SJSU, Colorado State, Air Force). USU’s only conference loss that was single digits came against SDSU, the other three they lost by 15,18, & 12. With San Diego State it always come down to can they make shots and I feel they will make enough of them today. Utah State is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record. SDSU is 5-0 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 7 games coming off an ATS loss in their previous game. 

10 Unit Play. #738 Take Penn State over Wisconsin (8 pm BTN) We have a good feel for this Wisconsin team at the moment hitting plays for and against them and they just do not deserve to be favored by anybody in conference on the road. We saw last night that their win against Michigan State on Sunday was not that impressive since the Spartans just dropped a home game to Nebraska. Wisconsin really has trouble scoring points and seems to go through prolonged droughts each game this season. Throw in the fact that Zak Showalter was in a boot this week (he will play) and expect them to struggle mightily on Thursday. Penn State has had a brutal schedule thus far in conference play with road games at Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, and Northwestern. I am actually impressed that they are 2-4 in Big 10 play. This is the year most of the Big 10 can take it out on Wisconsin, as they have very little talent to go along with an interim coach. It is Penn State’s turn tonight. Wisconsin is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a victory. Penn State has covered 7 of their last 10 Big 10 games. 

10 Unit Play. #559 Take Colorado State over Air Force (9 pm ROOT Sports) The Falcons are a sinking ship at the moment having been blown out in four straight games. None of those setbacks are against teams that will likely make the NCAA Tournament come March. This team really struggles to score points and that is the one thing Colorado State is good at. The Rams do not play much defense but they should be able to outscore the Falcons to win this game by double digits. Colorado State has a win against UNLV, a team that just beat Air Force by 36 points. The Force is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games. 

4 Unit Play. #742 Take Virginia over Clemson (8 pm ESPN 3) These two teams are heading in opposite directions and Clemson is up by two games in the loss column to Virginia. That makes this game very important to Virginia and I expect them to get it by double digits. The Tigers record is a little misleading with four home games out of their first six ACC games and we all know Clemson is a much better team at home. Virginia is a perfect 8-0 at home this season and they have won both of their conference home games by double digits. Those came against Miami and Notre Dame and I believe both of those teams are better than Clemson and they standing will reflect that later in the year. Virginia has covered the spread in five of their last seven home games. 

4 Unit Play. #876 Take Wisconsin +6.5 over Michigan State (1:30 pm CBS) Wisconsin has been able to control the pace of the game and make late rallies to keep games close and expect more of that on Sunday. Michigan State has not been playing well of late and I just do not see a blowout at the Kohl Center.

10 Unit Play. #668 Take Boise State over San Diego State (10 pm ESPN 2) Always dangerous to go against San Diego State in conference play but this line is way too short considering how well the Broncos have been playing of late. Both teams are undefeated in conference play but this will be the Aztecs third road game in their last four. Boise State has not lost a game since November 29th and they are one of the best offensive teams in the country. If Boise State was to win the MWC this year and be in line for an at-large bid, they need to win this game outright since it is in Idaho. San Diego State is 3-7 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 12 road games. Boise State is 21-6 ATS in their last 27 MWC games. 

5 Unit Play. #714 Take Tulsa over Connecticut (7 pm ESPN 2) The Huskies just do not have the size without Amidah Brimah in the middle and they have not been playing great basketball of late. Tulsa is coming off two straight wins and they have a great coach in Frank Haith, who continues to avoid major punishment from the NCAA. Tulsa has a veteran team and I expect them to take care of business tonight at home. Tulsa is 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games played on Thursday. UCONN is 4-12 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 games following an ATS loss in their previous game.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

4 Unit Play. #529 Take St Joes over George Mason (7 pm) St Joes is taking a step down in class from their last couple of A10 games to face the Patriots tonight in the district. The Hawks are a perfect 3-0 in true road games this season and they have a great inside out presence. George Mason is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Atlantic 10 games.  

4 Unit Play. #767 Take New Mexico over UNLV (10 pm CBSSN) I just do not see a spark for UNLV in this game with a new coach on the bench. New Mexico continues to be underrated and the odds makers are over adjusting their spreads because they went 0-3 in Hawaii during Christmas. New Mexico is 3-0 in the MWC this season and all three of those games have been utter blowouts. We will gladly take the points in this game and feel we have the better team on Tuesday. New Mexico is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record. UNLV is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games. 

4 Unit Play. #765 Take Minnesota over Nebraska (9 pm BTN) Minnesota sticks and I truly believe Richard Pitino may not be the coach next season. But that being said I just do not believe this Nebraska team is good enough to be laying this many points against anybody in the Big 14. The Cornhuskers caught lighting in a bottle two years ago and they have gone back to the bottom of the league the last two years. Nebraska is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 Big 10 games. Minnesota hangs around in this game for 40 minutes.