Sports Picks & Predictions

*3 Star NIT Total DOMINATION* I have been very profitable backing the Colorado Buffaloes 'over' plays this year, so I wouldn't have played this 'under' if I didn't see a lot of value in it. The Alabama Crimson Tide have played 35 games this year. Only three of their 35 games have gone over this posted total. Colorado has been playing teams that like to push the tempo just like they do of late, which has resulted in five straight overs. Alabama is a defensive-minded team. The Crimson Tide allow just 59.2 points per game on the year. Colorado's strength is in their ability to shoot, but they haven't played many defenses as strong as Alabama's over the course of the season. The postseason tournaments have seen a lot of high scoring games, which has pushed this number up to 143.5. Remember though, this game is being played at Madison Square Garden, which has typically been an 'under' bettors friend. I think Alabama slows the game down and this stays under the posted total.

*3 Star NCAA BB Total DOMINATION* The smaller postseason tournaments have brought about a lot of fast paced basketball with high scoring final scores. It seems that these teams are letting loose a bit, and the fouling at the end of the game has pushed the totals higher in many cases as well. This is the first of a best of three series in the CBI Finals. Creighton played in the Missouri Valley, where everyone tries to slow the game down. The Blue Jays have showed in the postseason that they are more than willing to run if their opponent likes to push the pace. Oregon is a team that typically likes to run. The over is 2-1 in Oregon's three games in the CBI postseason tournament. The over is 3-0 in Creighton's three games in the postseason tournament. Take the over in this game.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The San Antonio Spurs have been a pretty high scoring team this year, and I think their offense will speed up without Tim Duncan in the lineup. Duncan is still a great defender, but the Spurs push the pace more without Duncan in the game. Both of the first two games the Spurs have played since Duncan's injury have gone over the posted total. These two teams played on March 1, and the final total was 202 in that game, despite the teams combining to shoot 8-31 from beyond the arc. I expect the pace to speed up in this one, and the shooting numbers should improve a bit as well. I like this one to get above 200. Take the over!

*3 Star Elite Eight Total DOMINATION* I believe this line is an overreaction to Arizona's amazing offensive explosion against Duke on Thursday night. Neither team pushes the ball consistently, so I don't think the pace will be too fast. The Wildcats of Arizona were very inconsistent this year, other than Derrick Williams. Williams is a beast and he'll get his points, but the rest of the team hasn't proven able to put together too many good games in a row. Kemba Walker should light up the scoreboard again, but UConn's big men might have a tougher time of it today. Neither team turns the ball over much so that shouldn't be much of an issue today. I think this one finishes around 140 or so, so I like the under in this game.

*3 Star NBA Total Domination* The Golden State Warriors have picked the pace up once again over the last few games. Earlier this year Golden State slowed down a tick, but not lately. Golden State averages 105 points per game at home, and this Toronto defense is one of the worst in the league. Toronto has allowed 123 and 114 points in their last two games. Golden State's "defense" is allowing 113 points per game in their last five contests. I think this has a ton of potential to be a major scoring fest. Expect very little defense and a ton of quick shots in this one. Take the over!

*3 Star NBA Total Value* The Washington Wizards probably have the single worst defense in the league right now, but they are still running and gunning on offense. Denver is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, and they are probably the best offense. Denver has consistently been putting up huge numbers offensively. I think Denver could easily put up 120 points or more in this one. I think Washington will keep running and this one will go over the posted total.

*3 Star College Hoops Total Domination* The North Carolina Tar Heels are at their best when they are running, and Marquette likes to force the tempo. I don't see either team slowing this game down at all. Marquette has plenty of shooters to knock it down from long range, while North Carolina has the big men who run the floor very well. Expect the pace to be extremely quick here, and since I believe it will be a close game, I expect plenty of free throws to help push this one over the posted total. Take the over here.

*3 Star Sweet Sixteen Total Domination* The Jimmer Fredette show will take on Florida in this Sweet Sixteen matchup. The Cougars of BYU definitely look to get out in transition and run, but I think Florida will make a devoted effort to slow this game down. The Gators have a good defense, especially against three-point shooting. Florida has the point guards that can control the pace of the game if they wish. I expect Florida to try to take away all other options for BYU and make Jimmer win this one by himself. I believe this line is a little bit inflated for an NCAA Tournament game on a neutral floor with less than ideal shooting backdrops. I like the under in this game.

*3 Star Spurs/Nuggets Total DOMINATION* The San Antonio Spurs will be playing without Tim Duncan tonight. Duncan is still a great player, but I think he means more to the team on defense now than on offense. The Nuggets will be playing without Afflalo, who is their best defensive player. Both teams like to push the pace, and I think the pace here will be quick. I expect the Spurs to play quicker without Duncan, and I think the Nuggets will get into the lane easier without the shot blocker down low. The over looks like a good value based on what the tempo should be in this game. Take the over.

*3 Star NCAA Hoops Play of the Day* The Miami Hurricanes often struggle to score on the road, and the Alabama Crimson Tide have a tremendous defense, especially on their home court. Alabama allows only 52 points per game at home this year. Miami is averaging 67.8 points per game on the road, but I don't think they'll reach that tonight. The under is 5-1 in Miami's last 6 road games. The under is 4-1 in Alabama's last 5 as a home favorite. I like this one to stay in the mid 120's, below the posted total.

*3 Star NBA Top Totals Play* The Milwaukee Bucks have been an 'under' bettors dream this year, especially at home. The under is 25-11 in their 36 home games this year. The Kings have been on a big run to the 'over' but they scored 93 points or less in three of their last four games. The referees in this game are huge to the under side. The trio of referees that will be calling this game have a combined record of 104 games under the posted total and 59 games over the posted total. The Bucks offense is bad, their defense is good, and the referees should have a slow whistle. I like the under here.

*3 Star College Hoops Total DOMINATION* The Kent State Golden Flashes have surprised a couple of teams to get this far in the NIT Tournament. Colorado really should have made the NCAA Tournament, but they were snubbed. The Buffaloes have a terrific offensive, especially on their home floor. Colorado is averaging 84.4 points per game at home this year and 84.8 points per game in their last five contests. This number is set high, but it is set high for a reason. Six of Colorado's last eight games have gone over 153 points (one of those that didn't finished at 152 points). Kent State's defense will have their hands full, and I think both teams will be pushing the tempo here. The over is 10-4 in Kent State's last 14. The over is 11-3 in Colorado's last 14 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star NCAA BB Total Value* The oddsmakers have had trouble lining the Buffalo Bulls games the last couple years. Buffalo plays against a lot of teams who like to slow the game down in the MAC, but the Bulls push the tempo when they can. The Bulls also get a lot of second chance points. The over is 43-18 in Buffalo's last 61 games overall. The over is 17-5 in Buffalo's last 22 non-conference games (77% over). What about Iona? The Gaels are a team that pushes the tempo at every opportunity, and they love to shoot the three ball. Iona has several very good three-point shooters. Buffalo's defensive weakness is guarding the three-point line. The three's should be falling in this game, and I expect both teams to get plenty of second chance points. I like the over.

*3 Star NCAA BB Late Night BAILOUT* The Duquesne Dukes have a way of forcing the tempo against just about everyone. Oregon also likes to pressure defensively and try to force turnovers. I think the pace of this game will be very quick. Duquesne forces more turnovers than any other team in the country. Oregon has been very good offensively at home this year. The Ducks average 71.2 points per game at home. The over is 5-1 in the Ducks last 6 home games. I expect this game to stay uptempo all the way throughout, and since I expect a close game here, free throws should help push the total even higher. Take the over in this one!

*3 Star College Hoops Total DOMINATION* The New Mexico Lobos weren't a particularly powerful offensive team to start with, and now they are without Dairese Gary. Gary was their leading scorer this year, averaging 14 points per game. He is out the rest of the year with a knee injury. Alabama has one of the top ranked defenses in the entire country, and they play at a nice slow pace. Alabama is allowing just 51.6 points per game at home this year. New Mexico's defense is solid as well. I expect this to be a game played in the halfcourt, and I think the under is a very good value here. Take the under.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The Utah Jazz defense has been non-existent over the last few games. Utah has allowed 112.2 points per game over their last five contests. Only once in their last ten games have the Jazz allowed less than 100 points to their opponent. Memphis has been very good on offense at home. The Grizzlies average 103 points per game at home and the over is 21-13 in their 34 home games this year. The over is 7-2 in their last 9 games overall. The over is 5-0 in Utah's last five games overall. Both teams have been pushing the pace of late, and I think their will be plenty of shots put up in this game. I like the value on the over. I expect this one to finish up around 210 points. Take the over.

*3 Star NCAA BB Total DOMINATION* The Florida State Seminoles got Chris Singleton back for the NCAA Tournament, and that makes them a completely different team. Florida State may have the best defense in the country. They have a lot of long players who can contest the shot, but they also do a good job staying in front of their man. Notre Dame will likely keep the tempo quite slow here, and Florida State is poor offensively. I think this is the type of game that could be much closer than many expect. Look for the Seminoles athleticism to cause Notre Dame some problems. I like the under here.

*3 Star NBA Late Night BAILOUT* The Los Angeles Lakers have been a solid 'under' team all year. The under is 42-27 in their 69 games this year. The under is 38-13-2 in the Lakers last 53 Sunday games. Portland is a team that struggles offensively, and they like to slow down the tempo of the game. Last time these two met in February the final was 106-101, but that was in overtime. The score at the end of regulation was just 87-87. The teams combined to make 20 three-point shots in that game, and I think that is unlikely to occur again. Kobe Bryant is dinged up and Andrew Bynum is questionable for this game. I expect a slow pace and a game that goes under the posted total.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* I have always been fond of early Sunday afternoon 'under' plays. The Atlanta Hawks have been a very good under team this year. Detroit has been all over the map when it comes to totals, but away from home they simply don't score nearly as much on average. The Pistons average just 91.7 points per game on the road, and the under is 22-12 in their 34 road games this year. The Hawks offense has been terrible of late. Atlanta is averaging 89.8 points per game in their last five contests. Atlanta will likely put up more against this terrible Detroit defense, but this line seems too high. I could easily see this one finishing at something like 97-87 or so. I like this one to stay a few points below the posted total. The under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between these two. Take the under.

*3 Star Early Bird* The Kent State Golden Flashes are a talented team, but they don't shoot the ball well. Fairfield is a very good defensive team, but they aren't good at all offensively either. It is interesting to note that the under is 11-7 in Kent State's 18 road games this year. The under is 16-9 in Fairfield's 25 lined games this year. I just don't see either team being able to light it up against a solid defense. This game should be close all the way, and I think the defenses will be in control. Take the under in this early afternoon game.

*3 Star March Madness Sunday Favorite Play* The Washington Huskies game plan heading into each game is to push the tempo and get their opponent running. North Carolina loves to run and they have the big men who can finish in transition. Washington isn't the type of team to slow a game down and I don't think North Carolina is at all either. Look for both teams to be looking to score in transition at every possible opportunity. Thomas and Marshall, the point guards for the two teams, are as quick as they come. Expect a very fast paced game. I like the over.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a huge win at Dallas last night. This is likely to be an emotional letdown spot for the Spurs, but the Bobcats offense has been absolutely horrendous of late. Charlotte has scored just 78 and 82 points in their last two games, and I don't think they'll top the 85-88 point range in this one. San Antonio is a little less likely to be pushing the tempo than normal because they are on the back end of a back-to-back in their schedule. The under is 8-2 in Charlotte's last 10 games. The under is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings between these two. I really like the under here.

*3 Star NBA Bookie SMASHER* The Indiana Pacers picked up a big win over the Bulls last night. The Pacers offense has come alive of late, and Tyler Hansbrough is a large reason why. Hansbrough has scored 29 points or more in three of their last four games. The Pacers lowest point total in those three games was 106 points. The Pacers will push the tempo and the Grizzlies will likely run with them. The over is 7-1 in Memphis' last 8 games overall. The over is also 7-1 in the Grizzlies last 8 home games. Take the over in this matchup.

*3 Star March Madness Top Total* The Gonzaga Bulldogs showed their offensive firepower on Thursday night against St. John's. The Bulldogs were absolutely dominant on the boards (they outrebounded St. John's 41-18). BYU can definitely score, and we all know Jimmer Fredette is a scoring machine. The one thing BYU could have trouble with right now is a team with a strong inside game. No Brandon Davies could equal lots of solid looks for guys like Robert Sacre and Elias Harris. BYU will look to push the tempo at every opportunity, and I don't think Gonzaga will try to slow it down much either. The pace should be there for a high scoring game, and both teams are great at the free throw line. I like the over in this game.

*3 Star Total Value Play* The SMU Mustangs have made a concerted effort over the last half of the year to slow the game down as much as possible. It has worked quite well for them overall. SMU is giving up just 57.8 points per game over their last five contests. SMU doesn't guard beyond the arc well, but Jacksonville struggles badly shooting it from deep. SMU is one of the slowest paced teams in the country, and I think they'll be able to control the tempo here. This is the type of game where I think Jacksonville really struggles to score and this one stays under the posted total.

*3 Star NIT Total DOMINATION* The Buffalo Bulls and Western Michigan Broncos both play in the MAC. These two met earlier this year in Western Michigan. Buffalo came out with a 79-68 victory in that one. Both teams have sped up their pace substantially in the two months since that first meeting took place. The over is 10-5 in Buffalo's 15 road games this year. The over is 43-17 in Buffalo's last 60 games overall. The over is 12-3 in Western Michigan's last 15 against the MAC, and it is 10-4-1 in their last 15 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star Hidden GEM Totals Winner* The College of Charleston Cougars have a way of pushing the pace of a game. Charleston has an extremely efficient offense, and their guards can shoot from deep or get to the basket. Cleveland State played quite a few teams who slow it down inside their conference, but the Vikings have shown they are willing to run of late. The over is 10-2-1 in their last 13 games overall. The over is 16-7 in Charleston's last 23 non-conference games. I think this one has a good chance to get to 150 or higher. Take the over.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The Sacramento Kings have been an 'over' machine of late. Last game against Cleveland the game went well 'under' and I think that is giving us some nice value here. Without Tyreke Evans in the lineup the over is now 17-2 for the Kings. The Philadelphia 76ers have sped up their pace quite a bit over the last few weeks. Sacramento simply doesn't play any defense, but they do put up shots in a hurry. The over is 10-3 in the last 13 road games. I like this game to be up and down. I expect this one to go over the posted total.

*3 Star NIT Total DOMINATION* The California Golden Bears have been pushing the pace very well this year. Colorado should have made the NCAA Tournament, but they were snubbed. The Buffaloes are terrific on their home court. Colorado is averaging 84.2 points per game at home. Cal averages 74.8 points per game on the road. The over is 9-3 in Colorado's 12 home games this year. The over is 20-5-1 in Cal's last 26 games overall. Both teams will push the pace, and I think the shooting numbers will be pretty good here. I like the over.

*5 Star First Round FAVORITE Play* The North Carolina Tar Heels are a team that wins when they get out in the open floor and run. All of the North Carolina big men can run the floor exceptionally well. Long Island plays even faster than North Carolina and I just don't think they will attempt to slow the game down. This Long Island team gets to the free throw line more than any other team in Division I. Long Island's two point defense has been terrible all year, and it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see North Carolina score 90 points or more here. I like the over in a big way here!

*3 Star Top Seed Total DOMINATION* The Kansas Jayhawks are an extremely efficient team on offense. Boston University has good defensive numbers on the year, but when they have played top teams they have given up a bunch of points. Villanova scored 82, Kentucky scored 91, and even LaSalle scored 84 points. Kansas has the best offense Boston has seen this year, and I expect the Jayhawks to put up a huge number here. Boston may try to slow things down at the beginning of the game, but once they get way behind they will start to speed up. I like the over in this game.

*3 Star Under the Radar Total* The Utah State Aggies aren't very happy at all that they received a #12 seed. The Aggies were expecting to get at least an eight seed, but the committee didn't do them any favors. At the same time, Utah State certainly has a chance in this matchup. Kansas State has been inconsistent this year. Jacob Pullen is the man that makes the Wildcats go, but he is dealing with a high fever and flu-like symptoms. Pullen is expected to play, but he might not be himself in this one. Utah State is great at dictating tempo, and they will want to slow this one down. The under is 7-3 in Utah State's last 10. The under is 6-0 in Utah State's last 6 NCAA Tournament games. The under is 5-1 in Kansas State's last 6 neutral site games. I like the under here.

*3 Star Late Night Totals BAILOUT* The Missouri Tigers love to play what they call "40 minutes of Hell" basketball. The Tigers press all game long and try to force the tempo of the game. On the offensive end Missouri has several guys who can score on a consistent basis. Marcus Denmon has become a real leader for this team. Cincinnati is a great offensive rebounding team, and that is a weakness for Missouri. I expect the Bearcats to get a lot of offensive putbacks in this one. Cincinnati actually uses the press a bit as well, and I think the pace here will be quicker than most would expect. Missouri's defense is high risk and high reward. The Tigers give up a lot of easy baskets, but they also force a lot of turnovers. Take the over in this one.

*3 Star Total DOMINATION Play* The BYU Cougars will be playing essentially a home game here. Since they lost to San Diego State in the MWC final, BYU is being overlooked by some people. I think the BYU Cougars are very capable of putting up a big number in this game. Wofford is a team that specializes in three-point shooting, and that is the one area where BYU is vulnerable defensively. Wofford's defense is not good at all, and the Cougars should have plenty of open looks here. I expect Wofford to want to slow the tempo of this game down, but I also think BYU will push at every opportunity. Since I expect BYU to be in the lead, Wofford will likely speed up a bit later in the game. Take the over.

*3 Star Early Bird Special* The Morehead State Eagles and Louisville Cardinals will square off in one of the early games on Thursday. Morehead State isn't a team that likes to push the tempo at all, so it might seem a little strange to take an over with them. Louisville is a team that pressures the basketball very well and they force turnovers by the bunches. Morehead State's single biggest problem this year has been with turnovers on the offensive end. Louisville lost leading rebouner Rakeem Buckles, and Morehead State's Kenneth Faried is the best rebounder in the nation. I expect Faried to put on a show in this one. Plenty of putbacks for Morehead State and plenty of turnovers for Louisville should lead to an over in this game.

*3 Star West Coast Total TKO* The Long Beach State 49ers play in the Big West Conference, where defense is basically non-existent. Long Beach runs and puts up the points, but they don't play defense well at all. Washington State is completely capable of putting up a lot of points, and I don't expect them to shy away from running in this game. Klay Thompson is one of the best scorers in the nation, and I expect a huge game out of him. The over is 6-2 in Washington State's last 8 games. The over is 11-7-2 in Long Beach's 20 road games this year. Expect a high scoring affair in this one.

*3 Star Total Value Play* The Mississippi Rebels tried to run as much as possible this year in the SEC, but most teams looked to slow the pace down. Cal is a team that sped up their pace in a big way as the year went along. The oddsmakers just weren't able to catch up to the Cal Golden Bears new pace on offense. The over is 19-6-1 in Cal's last 26 games overall. The over is 12-4 in Cal's 16 home games this year. I expect the pace to be quick here, and this one should sail over the posted total.

*3 Star NBA Bookie SMASHER* The Orlando Magic are coming off a tough loss in Los Angeles and they are playing their fourth game in six days. The Milwaukee Bucks offense is easily the worst in the NBA right now, and they have been absolutely embarrassing of late. Orlando often lives and dies by the three-point shot and the Bucks guard beyond the arc quite well. The oddsmakers simply haven't been able to set a number low enough for the Milwaukee Bucks of late, especially at home. The under is 24-8 in the Bucks last 32 home games. The under is 14-4 in the Magic's last 18 games overall. I like the under in this one.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The Detroit Pistons are a different team on their home court. It isn't that they are good on their home floor, but rather they like to run and gun on their home court. The Pistons average about 92 points per game on the road, but they average 100 points per game at home. They also give up 102 points per game on the road. What about Toronto? The Raptors are averaging 106 points per game in their last five ocntests, and they give up 107 points per game on the road. I think this is a contest where both teams will get over 100. The over is 25-8 in the Pistons 33 home games this year. Take the over.

*5 Star Top Total Play* The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles played at the fastest tempo of anyone in the OVC this year. Western Michigan was one of the fastest teams in the MAC, and they sped up more as the year went by. Both teams shoot the three pretty well and neither team defends well beyond the arc. Western Michigan should get plenty of second chance points in this game as well. Western Michigan was an 'over' machine this year. The over was 21-8-1 in their 30 games, including 12-3-1 in their 16 home games. Take the over.

*3 Star March Madness Opening Game Total* The UAB Blazers weren't expected to get into March Madness, and now they are looking to prove that they do belong. UAB's calling card is their terrific defense. UAB doesn't foul that much, and they guard beyond the arc very well. Clemson is a team that changed the way they play this year under their new coach Brad Brownell. Clemson uses a lot of the shot clock on offense and they play great man defense. Opponents don't find many easy shots against Clemson, and if the Tigers get the lead they are great at bleeding the clock. In a game like this on a neutral floor the under usually has a little extra value. The under is 9-3-1 in Clemson's last 13 games overall. The under was 17-11-1 in UAB's 28 lined games this year. Take the under.

*3 Star Total Value Play* The Boise State Broncos are very good at pressuring the basketball and forcing turnovers. Austin Peay struggled all year with turnovers, and that was in a very weak conference. I think Boise State will be able to force lots of turnovers that lead to easy baskets in this game. Both teams prefer an uptempo style of play, so I don't think anyone will be stalling in this game. While Boise State does create a lot of turnovers, they also leave shooters open quite a bit, and Austin Peay has some shooters that should be able to make them pay. I think the shooting percentages will be pretty good here, and the pace will push this one over the posted total.

*3 Star Total DOMINATION* The James Madison Dukes are a solid team from the CAA. This was a league with plenty of great defenses (Old Dominion, George Mason, VCU, etc) but James Madison was still able to put up quite a few points on a regular basis. Davidson plays at a quick tempo, and the Wildcats have a fairly weak defense overall. James Madison should be able to get plenty of open looks from deep in this one, and I expect them to make quite a few. Davidson also likes to shoot it from beyond the arc early and often, and at home they usually shoot it well. James Madison's defense has given up open three's all year. I see lots of three-pointers and two fast paced offenses leading this game to an over.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The Oklahoma City Thunder are a very dangerous team on the offensive end. The Washington Wizards play virtually no defense. Washington loves to push the tempo with John Wall at the point and Nick Young at the two guard spot. Oklahoma City is fully capable of a playing a fast paced game. The Wizards do a lot of fouling, and Oklahoma City is the best free throw shooting team in the NBA. Expect a high paced game here with lots of fouls and free throw attempts. The referee crew is also a nice boost for the 'over' in this game. I like this one to go over the posted total.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The New York Knicks have clearly established now that they can put up some HUGE point totals with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire on the court. Chauncey Billups is expected to be back for this one as well. The Pacers have been pushing the tempo, and Indiana plays terrible defense. Indiana has given up 109.4 points per game in their last five, and this will be the best offense they have faced in quite some time. I think this game is played at a very quick pace, and I think the Knicks have the potential to put up 120 or more in this game. The over is 7-3 in the Knicks last 10 home games. I like this one to go over the posted total.

*3 Star Duke/North Carolina Total DOMINATION* The North Carolina Tar Heels have been sloppy in their first couple ACC Tournament games. I expect them to come out ready to play against their rival. Both teams like to push the pace, and I don't think that will change in this game. Harrison Barnes is absolutely red hot right now, and I think Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler have the capability of going off today as well. Tyler Zeller is playing well for UNC and he runs the floor very well for a big man. Both of the first two meetings between these two saw the teams put up more than 60 shots a piece, and I think the same thing happens here. The total has been lowered for the neutral court, but I think the value is on the over. Take the over.

*3 Star NBA Play of the Day* The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a big win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night. Philly is likely to be a bit tired in this one. Milwaukee is the single best 'under' team in the NBA right now. The under is 23-8 in their last 31 home games. Philadelphia has been playing teams that push the pace of late, but the Bucks won't allow this game to turn into a track meet. I like Milwaukee's defense to slow down a tired Philadelphia team. Milwaukee averages only 91 points per game, and I think they'll be right around that figure in this one. I think this game ends around 180. I like the under here.

*3 Star College Hoops Total DOMINATION* UCSB made it to the NCAA Tournament last year and they are looking to make it two straight years. Long Beach State won the Big West regular season, and they beat UCSB in both meetings during the regular season. I expect UCSB to do their best to slow this game down. Both teams know it is win or go home here, and that usually leads to a little less running up and down the floor. Both regular season meetings finished in the 120's, and I think this one is likely to finish in the same area. The under is 16-5 in UCSB's last 21 neutral site games. The under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between these teams. Take the under here.

*3 Star Mountain West Total Value* The BYU Cougars will square off against San Diego State for the third time this year in the Mountain West Conference final. This should be a tremendous game. BYU won both regular season meetings, but it will probably be tougher for them without Brandon Davies. I actually think Davies not being in this game makes it more likely to be high scoring. Davies was easily their best interior defender and rebounder. San Diego State's strength is in their amazing frontcourt. BYU will likely try to push the tempo more than ever here, because they know San Diego State's halfcourt defense is very good. I like the value on the over in this one.

*3 Star Pac 10 Title Tilt Total* Who is going to slow the tempo of this game down? Both Washington and Arizona love to get out in transition and score quickly. The two regular season meetings finished at 153 and 173 points. Both played teams who slowed down the tempo yesterday and saw the game finish under the posted total. I think both offenses will show up ready to go in this one. The neutral floor makes the total a little lower than normal, but this total is 6.5 points lower than the last meeting between these two (and that game finished well over the posted total). I think this will be close to the end, with plenty of free throws attempted, and I like the over.

*3 Star Big 10 Totals TKO* The Michigan State Spartans finally showed up yesterday. Michigan State beat Purdue for their first signature win in months. Penn State slopped their way to a 36-33 (yes that score is correct) win over Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions play at one of the slowest tempo's in all of college basketball. Michigan State doesn't push the tempo nearly as much this year as they have in the past. I believe Penn State will do everything they can to make this a halfcourt game and a low scoring game. Michigan State's offense still isn't clicking, and I think this is a game where the winner may struggle to get to 60 points. The 'under' has been the play at the Big 10 Tournament this week, and I think it is the play here as well. Take the under.

*3 Star Late Night BAILOUT Total* The Washington Huskies can push the pace of the game better than just about anyone in the land. Washington's pressure defense is very effective at speeding up the game, and Isiah Thomas and Bryant-Amanning are a great combination running the floor. Oregon likes to play at a fast tempo as well, and both games during the regular season went above this total despite not many free throws being attempted. I like this one to get above 155 points, so I like the value on the over.

*3 Star NBA Total Domination* Here's an interesting statistic for you: the over is 15-1 in games that Tyreke Evans has not played this year for the Kings. They aren't necessarily a better team without him, but they are certainly a better 'over' beat. The Kings defense is one of the worst in the league, and the Spurs have put up 109 points or more in three of their last four games. All three referees in this game lean toward the over based on their history as well. The Kings should push the pace and the Spurs will get plenty of easy buckets. I like the over in this matchup.

*3 Star SEC Total TKO* The Tennessee Volunteers have drastically changed the way they play this season. Bruce Pearl's team slows the pace down considerably when they are taking on a athletic team like the Gators. Last time these two met the final was 61-60, and that was largely because Tennessee used up the shot clock every single time they got the ball. On a neutral court, the shooting numbers are typically a little lower. I believe we are getting a generous line here because of the Volunteers past tendency to push the tempo. Take the under.

*3 Star NCAA BB Top Total* The Akron Zips and the Western Michigan Broncos are two of the teams in the MAC that actually like to push the ball when given the opportunity. Most teams in this league like to slow it down, but when these two meet, there should be plenty of shots taken. Earlier this year they put up 154 points despite some horrific three-point shooting numbers. The oddsmakers have been off on Western Michigan all year. The over is 20-8 in their 28 games this year. The over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings between these two teams. I like the over in a big way.

*3 Star Maryland/Duke Total Takedown* The over is 7-2 in Maryland's last 9. Maryland is at their best when they are pressing and forcing turnovers while pushing the pace of the game. Duke is certainly capable of putting up points in bunches. Kyle Singler has been cold of late, but he heated up last year around this time and I think he will do the same again this year. I look for some solid offensive performances from both teams and the pace should push this one over the posted total.

*3 Star Afternoon Total DOMINATION* The UTEP Miners are playing this one on their home floor, where they are very good offensively. The recent play of both teams show that they have both decided to pick up the pace quite a bit compared to what they were at earlier in the year. The CUSA referees have been calling a lot of fouls in this tournament, and in a tight game like this, I expect plenty of free throws. Tulsa has a big edge on the boards, and they should get plenty of second chance points. I like this one to get up around 140. Take the over.

*3 Star Late Night Totals Winner* The LSU Tigers have picked up their pace in the last few games. This is still a team that isn't good at all, but they have decided to stop slowing games down. Vanderbilt should be more than happy to run in this game, because they are a very good team offensively. Vanderbilt beat LSU 90-69 just a couple weeks ago in Baton Rouge. I think Vanderbilt drains a lot of three's in this one, and I like this one to end above the posted total. Take the over.

*3 Star CUSA Total DOMINATION* The Marshall Thundering Herd will give the UTEP Miners a good test in this one. Marshall has a balanced offense and they can put up some points. UTEP has the league's best scoring in Randy Culpepper. Marshall should get quite a few offensive rebounds and second chance points here, but the Thundering Herd also don't play particularly good defense. Both teams are good at getting to the line, and I expect there to be a lot of free throws taken in this game. The first meeting between these two hit 156. I expect this one to be lower, but I think it will finish above 140. Take the over.

*3 Star WAC Total Takedown* The Nevada Wolfpack and the New Mexico State Aggies have a history of playing high scoring games against one another. The two teams are quite evenly matched, and I expect this to be a good game. The last four meetings between these teams have all gone above this posted total. Both teams like to get out in transition when they can, and both teams are very adept at getting to the free throw line. I like the over in this one.

*3 Star Big Ten Total TKO* The Iowa Hawkeyes stunned the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, and they have some solid momentum going into this game. Iowa has been pushing the tempo of the game quite a bit of late, which should help the over a lot in this one. Michigan State badly needs this win, and they should be able to get it against this young Iowa team. Michigan State put up 85 points on Iowa in their most recent meeting. The Spartans won't slow the game down, and I think they will get plenty of opportunities in transition in this game. I expect a much higher scoring game than this line is indicated. Take the over here!

*3 Star CUSA Total Takedown* The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have blown two chances to beat Memphis this year at the end of the game. I expect them to play them tough once again. The key to Southern Miss staying in the game is slowing down the pace and playing solid defense. I think they'll keep this one low scoring, and it will go below this posted total.

*3 Star Totals Early Bird* The UC Irvine Anteaters and the Long Beach State 49ers are both teams that love to run. This game should be played at a very quick pace. Both meetings between them this year topped 160 points, and now we are getting the over at just 150 in this game. I like the value here. The oddsmakers have been wrong on UC Irvine for quite a while now. The over is 22-10-3 in their last 35 games overall. The over is 14-6-2 in their last 22 against Big West opponents. I like this one to at least make it to 155 points. Take the over.

*3 Star Big 12 Totals Takedown* The Texas Tech Red Raiders fired Pat Knight yesterday, but he'll still be on the sidelines for this game. I expect Texas Tech to put forth a solid effort here and try to show some pride. Missouri presses all game long and will certainly force plenty of turnovers here. Texas Tech is a team that likes to run and force the tempo as well, so there shouldn't be any walking the ball up the court in this game. The first meeting finished at 92-84, but Missouri did shoot 56% in that game. I think this game could up around 160, which is still well above the posted total. The over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these two. Take the over.

*3 Star NBA Total Domination* The Indiana Pacers have picked up the pace quite a bit since Frank Vogel took over as their coach. Indiana really pushes the tempo of the game. In eight of their last ten games the Pacers have put up at least 82 shots, which is well above average. At the same time, the Pacers defense has been getting worse. Earlier in the year they had impressive stats on the defensive end, but those are now mediocre. Minnesota is a team that enjoys the fast paced tempo as well. These two teams met a month ago and the final was 116-105. I think another game of around 220 is very possible. Take the over in this one.

*3 Star Hidden Gem Totals Winner* The Long Island Blackbirds really push the pace of the game. They are one of the fastest teams in the nation. Robert Morris will attempt to slow this game down to some degree, but I think LIU is likely to get the lead, which will force Robert Morris to speed up their play. The two regular season meetings finished at 139 and 150, but the game with just 139 saw both teams shoot poorly from the floor. I think the pace stays pretty quick here, and I like the over.

*3 Star NCAA BB Early Bird* The Iowa State Cyclones and Colorado Buffaloes have met twice, and the pace of the game was breakneck in both matchups. The total finished at 164 in the first game and 185 in the second game. Both games didn't have too terribly many free throw attempts, rather it was just a lot of pushing the pace by both teams. I expect more of the same in this one. The other thing that should help this game is that it should be competitive. Neither team has been good on a neutral court, and both defenses are terrible. I think a close game at the end with a lot of fouling is pretty likely here. The over is 8-3 in Iowa State's last 11. The over is 15-9 in Colorado's 24 lined games this year. I like the over.

*3 Star NBA Total Domination* The Houston Rockets are my favorite team in the NBA to play an 'over' with right now. Rick Adelman's team is pushing the pace better than anyone right now. Kyle Lowry is now the point guard, and he has established himself as a solid scorer over the last few weeks. Lowry is very quick and he fits into the offense well. Phoenix is a still a team that likes to get up and down when they can, and Houston's defense is not good at all. The Rockets give up 106.5 points per game on the road, and Phoenix scored 106 per game at home. The over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these two. Expect another shootout on Tuesday night. Take the over.

*3 Star Big Sky Totals Takedown* The Montana Grizzlies and the Weber State Wildcats are very familiar with each other. They played in the Big Sky finals last year, and Montana upset Weber State. Weber State is without Damian Lillard, the Big Sky's best player. Weber State has turned into a more defensive minded team, because they now have less offensive firepower. Montana is a great defensive team with two big shot blockers inside. The under is 7-1 in Montana's last 8. The under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings between these two teams. I like this one to stay under.

*3 Star MSG Total DOMINATION* The Villanova Wildcats completely changed the way they played recently. Star guard Corey Stokes has been injured and he is a game-time decision for tonight's game. Jay Wright decided to slow the tempo down to a crawl last game. Wright said "This is what we're going to do if we don't have Stokes, this is what we're going to do if we do have Stokes." Even if Stokes does play, I don't think he'll be flying up and down the floor. It seems the Wildcats have decided to use their defense (which is pretty good) and slow the game down on the offensive end. South Florida always tries to slow the game down, so they should be just fine with the slower pace. In their last five games South Florida is averaging just 60 points per game. The under is 8-3 in South Florida's last 11 games. Madison Square Garden is a good under arena, and that should help the shooting percentages to be low here. I like the under.

*3 Star Big East Total DOMINATION* The Seton Hall Pirates are a different team than they were last year. They were a run and gun type of team last year, but they aren't anymore. Now the Pirates are a slow it down team that plays very good defense. Rutgers is also a team that plays solid defense and runs down the shot clock when they have the ball. Madison Square Garden is the venue for this one, and it has always been known to be an 'under' venue. The shooting percentages are typically low at MSG. I like this one to stay slow paced and I think the under is the way to go here.

*3 Star NBA Total DOMINATION* The Los Angeles Clippers will be without Eric Gordon again, since he reinjured his wrist Saturday against Denver. The Bobcats are playing without Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas right now. When Paul Silas first came in, the Bobcats were trying to run more, but they are now back to grinding it out with the tempo. The one guy who takes quick shots is Jackson, and he is out tonight. Jackson is their leading scorer at 19 points per game, and no one else averages more than 14.4 points per game. The under is 8-2 in the Clippers last 10 games. The under is 4-0 in Charlotte's last 4 games. I like this one to stay under the posted total.

*3 Star Summit League Showdown* It seems strange to bet on an 'over' at 171 points, but with these two teams it is well-deserved. South Dakota State shoots the three ball at better than 41% on the year. They also like to run and push the tempo. Oakland is one of the fastest paced teams in the entire country, and they have a great shooting team as well. This is a classic case of two great offenses and two terrible defenses. These two teams met twice during the regular season and the final totals were 185 and 201! The over is 22-8 in South Dakota State's last 30 games. The over is 19-7 in Oakland's last 26 against a Summit League opponent. I think the winner of this game will need to put up 95 points. Take the over.

*3 Star Hidden GEM Total* The North Texas Mean Green are an extremely efficient team on offense. They shoot more free throws than any other team in college basketball. The Sun Belt referees have shown a tendency to blow the whistle like crazy in this tournament, and I think a bunch of free throws are likely in this one. Western Kentucky and North Texas both like to run, and I expect the pace here to be quick. These two met in February and the final was 87-76. The over is 12-4 in North Texas' last 16 games overall. The over is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings between these two teams. I think this game gets over 150 points pretty easily, so I like the over here in a big way!

*3 Star VCU/ODU Total DOMINATION* The VCU Rams and the ODU Monarchs meet tonight in what should be a great CAA tournament finale. This is a conference that gets overlooked by some, but they play some great basketball. The Old Dominion Monarchs are the single best offensive rebounding team in the nation, and they outrebounded VCU 40-21 in their last outing. VCU is a team that pushes the pace when it can, and they shoot the ball pretty well from the floor. The two games between these two this year finished at 109 and 129. The game that finished at 109 had only 15 free throws total (extremely low) and the teams shot 40% and 39% from the floor. I expect this to be an intense game, and I think trips to the line will come far more frequently. At just 125, I like the value on the over.

*3 Star WCC Total Domination Play* The Saint Mary's Gaels may have ended the regular season on a bit of a swoon, but I expect them to be ready to play in the WCC Tournament. They are definitely a team capable of winning the tournament, and I think they'll come out with a chip on their shoulder today. Santa Clara is a team that likes to push the tempo, and Santa Clara gets to the free throw line very often. St. Mary's biggest strength is their ability to knock down the three-ball. Santa Clara doesn't defend well at all beyond the arc. The two regular season meetings both went under the posted total due to low shooting percentages and not many free throws. I don't think that will happen a third time, and the number is set 5 points lower than their first meeting. I like the over.

*3 Star Hidden GEM Totals Winner* The Fort Wayne Mastodons and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits meet in the Summit League Quarterfinals tonight. The Jackrabbits are the second best three-point shooting team in the nation, and Fort Wayne is the 22nd best. Both defenses are poor, and I think this is the type of game where some high shooting percentages and a lot of made three's is quite likely. Both teams are very good at the line, and if this is a close game at the end I think we could see quite a few extra points at the charity stripe. The over is 21-8 in South Dakota State's last 29 games overall. I think this one gets into the midd 150's. I like the over.

*3 Star NBA Bookie CRUSHER* I'm typically not a fan of Golden State 'unders' but I see some nice value in this play. The Warriors don't run and gun nearly as much on the road as they do at home. The under is 25-11-1 in their last 37 road games. The under is also 28-11 in their last 39 Sunday games. The Warriors have played some uptempo teams in the past couple weeks on the road (Indiana- 209 points, Phoenix- 200 points, Washington- 208 points, and Utah- 207 points). Philadelphia is one of the slower paced teams in the NBA, and they are giving up just 93.6 points per game at home. These two played once earlier this year and the total finished at 205. In that game, Golden State made 15 out of 23 three-point attempts. I think the number is set too high here, and I think this game will stay under the posted total.

*3 Star Under the Radar Total* The Stony Brook Seawolves really slow down the pace of the game, and they are terrible offensively. Vermont is probably the best team in this league, and they are extremely good on the defensive end. These two met twice in the regular season and the scores were 55-49 and 65-42, both well under this total. This game is on a neutral floor, which tends to help the under. I think the pace here will be slow, and neither team will shoot very well from the floor. I don't think Stony Brook will get above 50. There is a solid chance this stays below 110, so take the under.

*3 Star Lakers/Spurs Total DOMINATION* The Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs have a major history of playing low scoring games. It seems that these teams slow the tempo down and play some great halfcourt defense when they meet each other. The Spurs have played at a faster pace much of the year, but they have actually slowed down a bit of late. Tony Parker still isn't completely healthy, and the Los Angeles defense is very good. The Lakers have lots of shot blockers who make it tough on Parker and Manu Ginobili to get to the basket. The under is 11-3 in the Spurs last 14 home games. The under is 37-13-2 in the Lakers last 52 Sunday games. I like Sunday afternoon unders, and the trends are very strong here. The under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings. Take the under in this big matchup.

*3 Star West Coast Total Domination* San Diego State is a very talented basketball team. They have a great frontcourt and they play extremely good defense. The Aztecs have been an 'under' team at home for the last few years. The under is 50-22-1 in their last 73 home games. Colorado State is a worthy opponent, but the Rams shouldn't be able to push the pace here. The first meeting between the two finished at 110 points, and the shooting numbers actually weren't terrible. I think there is a lot of value on the under in this game. Take the under.

*3 Star Late Night Bailout* The CS Fullerton Titans and the UC Davis Aggies have a couple things in common. Both teams have a very good offense and both teams have a horrific defense. Fullerton really pushes the tempo, and UC Davis likely won't work to slow it down, especially at home. The over is 16-5 in UC Davis' last 21 games overall. The over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings between these two. I had this one projected in the upper 150's, so I like the value on the over.

*3 Star Sun Belt Total* The Denver Pioneers are the single slowest paced team in all of college basketball. Florida International likes to push the pace, but I don't think they'll be able to too much in this one. The first meeting between these two went over, but it went into overtime and there were 65 free throws taken. I'm expecting a more normal amount of free throws here. This will be played on a neutral court, which has proven in the past to be beneficial to the under. I like the value on the under in this one.

*3 Star Southern Conference Total Takedown* The College of Charleston Cougars are a team I've followed closely all year, and they have been good to me. Charleston is a terrific offensive team, and they absolutely pick apart bad defensive teams like Elon. Elon likes to run and push the tempo, and Charleston will be fine with that. The over is 5-1 in Elon's last 6 games. The over is 21-5 in Charleston's last 26 games following a straight up loss. The over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. I like the over in this matchup.

*3 Star Sun Belt Special Total* The North Texas Mean Green are probably the most talented team in the Sun Belt, but they had a disappointed regular season. I expect them to show up in the tournament and make a run for the NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Troy is a team that pushes the pace in a big way, but they are awful defensively. North Texas is extremely efficient on the offensive end, and they get to the free throw line very often. The first meeting between these two finished at 89-81. I think this will be track meet type of game, and I like the over.

*3 Star Defensive Battle* The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are very short-handed right now. Utah State isn't the team you want to be playing short-handed. The Aggies of Utah State have a great defensive team, and I think they'll shut down Louisiana Tech in this one. Neither team pushes the pace, and I think this game will be played in the halfcourt. Louisiana Tech's top two players will be out for this one. The under is 12-5-2 in Louisiana Tech's last 19 games. Take the under.

*3 Star Ivy League Total* Brown absolutely crushed me last night by not scoring a point in the final 7 minutes of the game (yes you read that correctly), but this generally is a team that can score more than anyone in the Ivy League. Columbia has the single worst defense in the Ivy League, and both of these teams like to push the pace. The first meeting this year was 87-79, and I don't think it is out of the question at all that these two get to 160 or more in this game. The over is 8-2 in Brown's last 10 road games. Expect very little defense in this one. I like the over here.

*3 Star Pace Play of the Day* The Stanford Cardinal were a team that controlled the tempo and slowed it down a lot earlier this year, but they have sped up a lot of late. California loves to run, especially on their home floor. I think there will be plenty of points scored in transition in this matchup. The first meeting between these two finished at 82-68. The over is 7-1 in Stanford's last 8 games. The over is 21-6-1 in Cal's last 28 games. The over is also 6-2 in the last 8 meetings between these two. I like this one to get up into the upper 140's. Take the over.

*3 Star Summit League Totals Gem* Oakland has been an 'over' machine all year long, and I think we are getting a pretty good value here. Southern Utah has a bad defense and I don't think they'll be able to control the pace of this one. I expect this one to get into the mid 160's. I like the over.

*3 Star Big 10 Totals TKO* The Purdue Boilermakers offense has been heating up of late, and Iowa is not impressive defensively. The Hawkeyes have been trying to push the pace at home, and I think Purdue will put up quite a few points in this game. I think this game has a good shot at getting to 140. Take the over.

*3 Star Under the Radar Total* The Charlotte 49ers used to be a team that ran, but they aren't that way anymore. Charlotte uses solid defense and a halfcourt offense to try to stay competitive. St. Joe's is a terrible shooting team, especially away from home. The under is 24-7 in Charlotte's last 31 home games. The under is 10-2-1 in St. Joe's last 13 games inside the Atlantic 10. This has all the makings of a game that stays in the halfcourt and I think there is a lot of value on the under here.

*3 Star SEC Totals Takedown* The Alabama Crimson Tide are making a push for the NCAA Tournament, and they are doing it with their strong defense. Georgia struggles offensively, and I just don't think either team will want to push the pace. Both teams prefer to play in the halfcourt, and both force their opponent into tough shots because of their solid halfcourt defense. I expect this game to be very competitive all the way through, and I think both teams will stay with what has worked best for them all year. I like this one to stay under the posted total.

*3 Star Big 12 Total* The Kansas State Wildcats are playing great basketball right now and Jacob Pullen has ben red hot. Iowa State pushes the tempo at every chance, and I think Kansas State will put up a big number here. The first time these two played this year the final was 86-85. Expect another high scoring affair.

*3 Star Hidden Gem Totals Winner* I've been on the Detroit 'over' train for quite a while, and they've been very good to me. The Titans push the tempo extremely well, and they are very adept at getting to the free throw line. Valparaiso is a team that typically plays to the pace of their opponent, which is what makes this line a nice value. Both of their meetings during the regular season went over the posted total. The over is 5-1 in Valpo's last 6 games overall. The over is 21-7-1 in Detroit's last 29 games overall. The over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between these two. I like the over a lot in this game.

*3 Star NBA on ESPN Total Domination* The Orlando Magic are coming off a huge comeback victory over the Miami Heat last night. It was one of the better comebacks in recent history, but I think they'll have a very tough game on their hands tonight. Chicago is upset at the way they blew a 20 point lead in Atlanta earlier this week, and I expect the Bulls to be ready to go. These teams have a history of playing to defensive battles in the halfcourt, and I think that is likely to happen here as well. The under is 10-2 in Orlando's last 12 games. The under is 4-0 in the Bulls last four. The under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings between these two. I expect a very close game that is played in the halfcourt here. Take the under.

*5 Star Total DOMINATION Play* I don't typically play too many Ivy League games, but this one really jumped out at me as a great value. The Brown Bears push the tempo more than anyone else in the Ivy League. Brown put up 100 points last game against Dartmouth, and they are giving up 74 points per game in their last 5 games. Cornell has started to find their offense of late as well, averaging 70 points per game while playing against some slow paced teams. In the first meeting between these two the final was 91-79. I'm not predicting 170 points in this one, but I do think this one has a good chance to get to 155 points or so. I like the over in a big way here!