Sports Picks & Predictions

*3 Star Big Play* Detroit has sped their game up noticably from a year ago, and against teams that don't make a huge effort to stall they have had some nice totals on the upside. The first game ended at just 101, but Loyola shot 25.9% from the floor and neither team shot many free throws at all. Look for that to change here.

*5 Star Top Play* I can't figure out why this line is so low. I really don't think Siena will allow St. Peter's to slow this game down to a crawl. Ubiles may or may not play, but even if he doesn't I think 130 should be easily attainable. St. Peter's will need to score to have a chance in this one. Take the over.

*3 Star Big Play* Earlier in the year Duquesne was slowing down, but it seems like they have ratcheted their pace back up. Xavier plays much faster this year since Sean Miller has moved on to Arizona. I think a lot of free throws are a good possibility here. A total around 145 is what I am expecting.

*3 Star Big Play* C of C is a scoring machine of late and they should push the tempo nicely against Davidson. Davidson is down a lot from a year ago, but they still have some solid shooters. The shooting in the first match up was ridiculously bad, which gives us value on the over this time.

*3 Star Big Play* Northern Illinois is a team that loves to run when given the opportunity, and I truly think Ohio will give them that chance. If you look at NIU's totals against other teams with a faster pace than average they are very high. Ohio is also a team that is up and down on their totals, but this match up leads me to believe we will see the upper 140's in this one. Take the over.

*5 Star Top Play* VCU has adopted a new run and gun style this year and that should fit very nicely with a Towson team that plays no defense. VCU may run away with this game and score 90 points or so, but that only leaves Towson needing around 60. I made this total 153, so I see value in the over here. Take the over and expect a beatdown and a lot of points.

The Lakers are on a nice scoring roll of late and the Indiana Pacers are the perfect team to play when you are scoring points. Indiana likes to run and gun and play virtually no defense. Granger and company will put up plenty of points, but Bryant and the Lakers should have a field day. Three officials who are higher scoring than the average league official helps put this one over the top. Play the over in this game.

*5 Star Top Play* St. Joe's is a team that really likes to push the ball this year, but they simply aren't very good. UMass has had wide ranges in their totals, but when they play other teams who like to push the ball they score in bunches as well. The combination of two teams who love to run and take the ball to the basket should mean a game that goes over the posted total.

*5 Star Top Play* Normally I'm a little hesitant to play totals this high, but I think this one should be around 170. Villanova is an over bettors best friend this year, and if you have watched Notre Dame play you know they like to run and shoot three's as well. Nova will probably have too much firepower, but expect both teams to score plenty of points in this one.

*3 Star Big Play* I made this total 150, so I see some value on the over here. Vanderbilt has been scoring in bunches of late, and Tennessee's full court press definitely speeds up the game. These two rivals generally have spirited games and this one should be no different. Take the over and enjoy a fast paced game between two teams that hate each other.

*3 Star Big Play* Providence plays an uptempo style every single game and UConn has shown more of a tendency to run this year than in year's past. Neither team's defense is up to par, so there will probably be quite a few open looks. UConn is coming off a huge win and has momentum, but Providence has a nice home court advantage. Look for a close game with a lot of points.

*3 Star Big Play* The Suns and the Bobcats played earlier this month with the Bobcats winning 125 to 99. Charlotte is a much higher scoring team than they were earlier this year after adding Jackson to the mix. The Suns haven't had a game go below this total in the last six games, and I really don't think they will tonight either. Take the over.

With Kevin Garnett back the Celtics become a better defensive team in an instant. The Clippers have had 24 unders and 19 overs this season and the last four meetings between these two teams have stayed under the posted total. Expect Garnett to be a defensive force in this one and the game pace to stay pretty slow, especially if Eric Gordon is out again.

*3 Star Big Play* The Missouri Valley Conference has been a place where the tempo has picked up on the whole this year. Missouri State is a much improved team that has started pushing the tempo a lot more of late. Missouri State is averaging 73.5 points per game and Creighton is a team that has typically pushed the tempo more than most in this league. I made this one about 142, so I'll take the value with the over in this one.

*3 Star Big Play* Wisconsin Green-Bay is a team that has typically been a friend to over bettors and Youngstown State doesn't have a defense that is capable of stopping much. The two teams played earlier this year and the final was 75-67. The teams put up 142 despite shooting 39% and 42% from the floor. I expect the shooting percentages to be up in this one and the lower total makes me like the over here!

*3 Star Big Play* The Florida State Seminoles defeated Georgia Tech on the road, but it took overtime to get it done. Even with the overtime period the final total was 125 that game. I thought the line might open around 130 here, but we got 134.5 so it looks like value on the under. The Seminoles should continue to slow the tempo down, and Georgia Tech won't press the issue too much either. Take the under.

*5 Star Top Play* Both of these teams have a tremendous offense. Rhode Island scores in the high 70's on average and Xavier is much more of a running team with Sean Miller gone now. This should be a good game and it should be a run and shoot type of tempo. Take the over and look for around 160 points in this one.

*5 Star Top Play* Along with Wisconsin and Samford, Air Force is one of my favorite teams to play an under with. Air Force can stay in games by dictating a slow pace, and that is exactly what I expect them to do in this one. Utah tried to speed up earlier this year, but they are back to playing pretty slow again too. Take the under.

*5 Star Top Play* When these two teams get together the result is a half court slow it down defensive battle. Riverside doesn't have much offense, but they should be able to "D" it up against Irvine. Expect a very close game, but this is a game I think stays under 120. There is a lot of value on the under in this one.

*3 Star Big Play* Portland's whole plan of attack has changed with Nic Raivio injured. He is their play maker and their go to guy on the offensive end. Last game we saw how much different they play without him, and the end result was a game that went WAY under the posted total. I'm going to bank on him being out in this game and I'll take the under.

*3 Star Big Play* Montana is a team that can play in spurts, but overall they are a very defensive minded team. Montana State has been scoring less of late and holding their opponents down. I put this one at around 120, so I see a lot of value on the under. Look for this in-state rivalry to stay low scoring.

*3 Star Big Play* Houston is a run and shoot type of team and although Memphis has definitely slowed down this year I think this line is set too low. The Cougars will try to force the issue, but they will also leave Memphis shooters wide open throughout this one. I think a lot of three's will be drained in this one. Look for this to go above 150.

*3 Star Big Play* This game should be very sloppy, but I think that will good for under bettors. Elon is a terrible team, as witnessed by their performance of late. Chattanooga isn't very good either, and they lack offensive firepower. I think a final total around 130 is a good bet. At 136 the value is with the under.

*3 Star Big Play* The under is 16-6 in ODU's last 22 games and the under is 11-5-1 in William and Mary's last 17 home games. Old Dominion has some excellent defense and they should be able to make this a low scoring affair. William and Mary is much improved and this game should mean a lot in the CAA race, so I expect tough defense and a half court game.

*3 Star Big Play* Southern Miss has slowed down in a BIG way over the last few weeks and I have definitely noticed. East Carolina is a team that can score a lot of points, but usually not against teams that are strong defensively. Expect Southern Miss to dictate the pace of this game. I put this total below 130, so I'm definitely taking the under here.

*5 Star Top Play* Bar none Samford plays the slowest tempo in all of college basketball right now. Greensboro isn't a good basketball team, and I don't figure they will be able to dictate the tempo in this one. Samford likes a final score around 100, and I wouldn't be shocked to see it in this one. Take the under big here.

*3 Star Big Play* Towson simply can't play hardly any defense and George Mason has been improving offensively of late. Mason has quietly been putting up big numbers and I don't see why they would stop in this one when Towson is running and gunning and giving them open looks. Take the over and expect Mason to put up 75 or so themselves.

*5 Star Top Play* The Salukis are doing a lot more running this year than they did last. The pace should be quick here and it should be a very close game. Eldridge can score in bunches for Illinois State and S. Illinois has a score by comittee system in Carbondale. I put this one at around 140. Take the over.

*3 Star Big Play* Kansas heads to Iowa State to take on the Cyclones in a hostile environment. Iowa State has sped up in a big way this year and it has helped them overall. The over is 7-3 in the Cyclones last 10 home games. I think this one could stay closer than many expect, but Kansas should put up a lot of points here!

*3 Star Big Play* Defense is a foreign term to both of these teams. Last year they met and scored 157 points, and both of these teams have been scoring a whole lot of points and giving up a lot recently. The over is 5-1 in Auburn's last 6 road games. Both teams will want to push the tempo, take the over here!

*5 Star Top Play* If you've been paying attention to college basketball much at all over the last few weeks you should know that Villanova is a great team to bet on the over with. Over bettors have been rolling in the dough because of the Wildcats. They will push the tempo here and if St. John's wants any chance in this one they'll have to score a lot of points!

*3 Star Big Play* Kent State showed their offensive prowess in the second half against Buffalo a couple of days ago. The Golden Flashes scored 55 points in the second half in a huge win over the Bulls. Akron can put up some points, but they'll definitely need to if they want to get past their rival. Take the over.

*3 Star Big Play* I fully expect Northern Colorado to win this one in a pretty big way, but I think the best play is on the over. Northern Colorado averages a game total of about 153 at home and Sacramento State is very poor defensively. Northern Colorado will push the tempo in this one. Northern Colorado has the capability to put up 85 or so by themselves. Take the over!

*5 Star Top Play* I put this one at about 125. Riverside has virtually no offensive firepower, but they play good defense. Cal Poly seems to adapt to the tempo of their opponent. In this case the opponent is slow, so I expect them to play pretty slowly as well. Take the under and expect a close game to the end.

*5 Star Top Play* C of C likes to run and shoot and Furman has virtually zero defense. Charleston can probably put up 85 or 90 themselves if they want to in this one. I expect this one to get ugly and Furman to score quite a bit in mop up duty in the 2nd half. Take the over and expect something closer to 150.

*3 Star Big Play* The under is 8-0 in Citadel's last 8 games. Wofford seems to adapt nicely to the team they are playing, so I expect they will slow down just fine in this one. Citadel's last 6 games have all been under 121, so I'm expecting this one to finish around 115. Take the under here.

*5 Star Top Play* I know both of these teams can score points like there is no tomorrow, but I'm looking at the referee crew for this game and I see tons of value on the under. If the number were 215 I would stay away, but at such a high level I have to take it. All three of these refs rank in the top 6 in the NBA for lowest scoring refs, all averaging less than 198 per game. I'll take the under!

*5 Star Top Play* Air Force is probably my favorite team to bet on unders with. The team controls the tempo better than anyone else, and that helps them stay in the game against better opponents. I doubt they win this game, but if they keep the pace where they want it they will hold New Mexico down enough to keep it reasonably close. A total around 120 wouldn't shock me.

*5 Star Top Play* DePaul has a new coach, but they continue to play a very slow tempo as they did under Jerry Wainwright. Now they have lost their best player in Mac Koshwal due to injury. Who will score for the Blue Demons? Marquette isn't nearly as strong offensively as they were last year. I expect DePaul to slow this one down enough to where the under hits here.

*5 Star Top Play* The Michigan Wolverines came out with a big win against UConn last weekend, but now they travel to face the Badgers in the Kohl Center, where they are almost unbeatable. Wisconsin has absolutely played great defense this year and the under is 8-1 in their last 9 games. The under is 19-7-1 in Michigan's last 27 road games. I wouldn't be surprised to see a game total under 115 here.

*5 Star Top Play* Both of these teams play faster than they did a year ago and both are on a nice over roll of late. This should be a very close game and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there are a lot of free throws in this one. Take the over and expect a game in the upper 130's in this MVC match up.

*3 Star Big Play* The Bradley Braves and the Southern Illinois Salukis are both very different teams than a year ago. They both play a much faster pace than last year and allow more points as well. The over is 10-3 in Southern Illinois' last 13 home games. The last meeting between these two ended 86-81. Look for both teams to shoot pretty well and this one to go over.

*3 Star Big Play* Memphis isn't given enough credit for the quality of defense that they play. UTEP has slowed down dramatically in the last few weeks, with three of their last six games ending at 105 or less. I expect Memphis and their defense to give UTEP fits in this one. Expect a slower pace than normal and some very solid defense in this one.

*5 Star Top Play* Texas Tech loves to push the tempo and Iowa State has adopted a new strategy of running and gunning this year. The line of just 152.5 doesn't seem to account for Iowa State's tendency to run and push the tempo this year. Nothing will be slowing the tempo down so as long as some shots fall I think 160 is very attainable here. Take the over here.

*5 Star Top Play* I had this one pegged at around 129 or 130, so we're getting a lot of value on this one. Eastern Michigan has no defense whatsoever and they have allowed a load of points of late. This won't be a high scoring game, but 123 is just too low in this case. Take the over here!

*3 Star Big Play* Both of these teams are on a huge streak of scoring a lot of points. The over is 12-4 Kent State's last 16 games and 12-3 in Buffalo's last 15 overall. The Bulls from Buffalo particularly like to push the tempo and they are a pretty solid team. This should be a close game that will likely go down to the end and we could see a lot of fouls at the end of this one.

*3 Star Big Play* Demontez Stitt is expected to sit out tonight with a injured foot. That should slow Clemson down a bit on offense because Stitt is quite a play maker for them. Georgia Tech won't want to run all game long and Clemson is actually slowing down a bit from their tempo a year ago. I think this line is based more on last year's Clemson team than this season's. Take the under here.

*3 Star Big Play* George Mason is great at controlling the tempo of a game. Hofstra does like to a run a little bit, but I think Mason can slow them down nicely. Expect this one to be a great half court battle and I think this one will go down to the wire. Barring a lot of free throw attempts from both teams I like this one to stay very low scoring. Take the under.

*3 Star Big Play* The Suns and the Grizzlies have a long history of scoring a whole lot of points. The last two meetings, both this year, have had 231 and 237 points scored between the two. The over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two. Both of the teams have been scoring a whole lot of late, so everything is set up nicely for the over.

*5 Star Top Play* St. Joe's simply can't play defense this year, and Towson can't do much at all on defense either. Both teams should have their way offensively. The over is 11-2 in St. Joe's last 13 games. Phil Martelli's squad is playing an opponent who won't mind running, so expect a lot of fast break opportunities.

*3 Star Big Play* Indiana has been playing surprisingly fast this year and they have been fairly competitive most of the year. Minnesota has also sped up this year and I definitely see them being able to force the Hoosiers into plenty of turnovers. As long as the shooting percentages aren't awful this one should go over.

*3 Star Big Play* This Buffalo team is really pushing the pace a lot this year, playing faster than anyone else in the MAC, at least of late. Akron can score when it has to, and I certainly think they will need to in this one. Buffalo will push the tempo and Akron should be able to hang around long enough to put this one over.

*5 Star Top Play* Villanova has been a great over team this year and I don't see it ending in this one. The over is 9-1 in Nova's last 10 games. Last game against Seton Hall Georgetown's total went to 158, so they have proven they can play in high scoring affairs. There should be a lot of trips to the line in this one and I see it going over the posted total.

*5 Star Top Play* Detroit is a new team this year because of their pace change. The odds makers continue to line their games as if it were last year's team. The over is 20-7 in the last 27 home games for Wisconsin Green-Bay and the over is 7-3 in Detroit's last 10 games. Look for this one to go over the posted total in what should be a tight game.

*3 Star Big Play* Washington State has sped up in a big way this year and Stanford isn't efficient at all on the defensive end of the floor. Klay Thompson is a great scorer for the Cougars and the Cardinal have several players who should be able to get in double figures in this one. Look for an up and down game where the winning team puts up 80 plus.

*3 Star Big Play* Cal and Washington both run with reckless abandon and press the opposition like crazy. Both are on huge over streaks right now and Washington is a whole different team when playing at home. I think this will be a very competitive game, but the winner of this may have tp score 85 or 90 points. Take the over.

*5 Star Top play* Western Michigan should push the tempo in this one. Last year both of their meetings went well above this total and I don't see any reason to expect this one to be any different. If Central Michigan wants to stay in this game they better score. Take the over big in this one.

*3 Star Big Play* Rhode Island can score points at will, especially against a team like Fordham. As long as Fordham shows up and shows a decent amount of points I don't see this one staying under this total. Rhode Island put up 101 points last time out and I think 90 points or so is possible again this time out. Take the over.

*5 Star Top Play* Portland State has continued to run this year, but they play less defense than a year ago and are less talented. Northern Colorado runs more, but they are a much better team than a year ago. I fully expect that when these two teams get together this time it will take a whole lot of points to win this game. Barring some very bad shooting I think this one sails over.

*3 Star Big Play* When these two Chicago teams go at it you can expect a hard fought game with a lot of tough defense being played. Neither team scores a lot to start with and the rivalry games like this tend to bring lower scoring games. I expect a tight game that goes to down to the wire, but the best play is the under.

*3 Star Big Play* The Rockets have slowed down quite a bit of late and the Heat offense isn't the same because Dwayne Wade is dinged up right now. The referees here, especially Marc Davis, also lead me to wanting to play the under in this one. I don't think the pace will be quick, so barring a game with tons of free throws this one should stay safely under.

*5 Star Top Play* The pace of this game should be lightning quick. Last time these two got together they scored 216 and Tyreke Evans didn't even play for the Kings. Look for a whole lot of open layups and transition buckets in this game and very little defense being played. I think there is great value in this over.

*3 Star Big Play* The over is the play based on this year's data and the trends from the past. The over is 20-6 in Gonzaga's last 26 games and 16-5 in Saint Mary's last 21 home games. Both teams have plenty of offensive firepower and I don't see anyone looking to slow the pace here. Expect a lot of three pointers and as long as they shoot a decent percentage I think this goes over.

*5 Star Top Play* The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Utah between these two and last year they scored more than this total in all three of their match ups. I don't understand such a low line. Two of three referees in this game are two of the highest scoring refs in the league because of the number of fouls they call. Take the over in a big way here.

*5 Star Top Play* Washington State is playing a much faster pace this year and the Cal Golden Bears love to run with their strong backcourt and gifted scorers. The over is 9-3 in Washington State's last 12 overall and 24-11 in Cal's last 35 road games. This has the makings of a very fast paced game that goes down to the wire. Take the over!

*3 Star Big Play* Northridge scores almost 80 points a game at home and while Riverside will slow this one down some I think they will have to score to stay in the game. Look for the Matadors to push the tempo at every opportunity in front of their home crowd. I think a game a little above 140 is likely. Take the over.

*3 Star Big Play* Samford plays the very slowest tempo in all of college basketball. In their last 10 games the highest total was against Texas Tech and that was just 127. The under is 8-1 in their last 9 home games and 5-1 in their last 6 overall. Charleston comes in on a nice under streak in conference play as well, at 14-3 to the under in the Southern conference. Take the under here.

*3 Star Big Play* Detroit has sped up their pace from last year and the over is 7-4 in their games this season. Wisconsin-Milwaukee doesn't have a very good defense, so I expect Detroit to get some easy buckets and force the tempo a bit in this one. Expect a close game and quite a few free throws. Take the over.

*5 Star Top Play* Eastern Illinois has been an absolute under machine both on the road and in conference. The under is 17-5 in their last 22 OVC games and 11-3 in their last 14 road games. Eastern Kentucky isn't the type of team that pushes the tempo. Both meetings last year were safely under this number and I expect this one to be as well.

*5 Star Top Play* Three of the highest scoring referees based on past data are calling this game and Golden State always runs and runs some more. Miami should be able to put up plenty on a Golden State defense that gives the opposing team way too many open looks each game. This should be a shootout.

*5 Star Top Play* This line looks off to me, so I'm going to jump on it. I put this one at about 145, so I'm getting 7 points worth of value. Creighton and Southern Illinois play two of the fastest tempos in the MVC, so I would expect when they get together plenty of points will be scored. This one should be higher than it was in recent years.

*3 Star Big Play* Clemson has actually been a nice team for under bettors this year, but I'm going with the history in this series. UNC pushes the ball unlike any other team in the ACC and Clemson trapping style gets them some easy buckets in this match up as well. I think these two will run the streak to 5 in a row for the over when they meet on Wednesday.

*5 Star Top Play* When these two teams get together we get two of the best slow it down teams in all of college basketball against one another. This is a grind it out, use up all of the shot clock type basketball game. There will be a lot of three pointers attempted, so one potential fly in the ointment is a ridiculous percentages of 3's hit. Barring that, I see this one staying under 120.

*3 Star Big Play* All of the sudden Texas has become an absolute scoring machine this year. With Damion James, Dexter Pittman, and Avery Bradley they have a trio of players with the ability to score at any time. Texas has upped their tempo a whole lot this year as well. Iowa State likes to run a lot this year and they average 77 points per game as well. Take the over here.

*5 Star Top Play* Without Kevin Garnett the Celtics tend to go over the posted total much more often. Without KG they are much weaker defensively and they also tend to run more often. New Jersey can't play defense so I figure Boston should get a nice lead and then let the Nets score quite a bit in mop up time. Take the over here.

*5 Star Top Play* Rhode Island scores 78 points per game and St. Joe's is allowing 77 points per game. It sure sounds to me like Rhode Island and its fast tempo should have a field day against St. Joseph in this one. At the same time St. Joe's should be able to score plenty against a lesser than average Rhode Island defense that has trouble getting back in transition. Take the over and expected a shootout.

*3 Star Big Play* This is a very low number, but it is definitely still a pretty good value. These teams have both scored less than 40 points in a full game this season and I wouldn't be shocked if 50-52 points wins this one. The pace will be extremely slow and I don't expect a very good shooting night for either team. Take the under.