Rating: 2 Units

North Texas will use its tough defense to contain LSU's average offense and the Mean Green will find a way to score enough points against a below-average LSU defense to pick up a victory on Tuesday and move on to the second round of the NIT. North Texas allowed an average of only 62.4 points per game which was 7th best in the country and gave up 40.7% shooting which was 31st in the nation. In contrast, LSU gave up 74.8 points per game which was 268th. The Tigers allowed 33.3% shooting from 3-point territory, which was 160th and that plays to North Texas's strength on offense as the Mean Green shot 37.5% from three-point range which was 21st in the nation. North Texas averaged 34.7 rebounds per game while holding their opponents to 29.4 boards per contest.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hawks still had to face the Clippers at the time this preview was written, so no line was available. However, one should expect Los Angeles to be favored by at least six in this game. Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but Atlanta is playing on back-to-back nights in Los Angeles against two teams battling for playoff position. The Lakers have won the last two meetings between these teams in Los Angeles and won both of those games by 16 points. In fact, when L.A. defeats Atlanta, they win big, so look for a dominating performance out of the Lakers.

Rating: 2 Units

The Sabres look to bounce back from a rough loss and I see them taking over this game against a struggling Kraken team. The Sabres should create plenty of scoring chances with Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Sabres, who allow only 2.96 goals per game, should limit the Kraken offense, which averages only 2.68 goals per game, with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make plenty of big saves. The Sabres should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.

Rating: 2 Units

The Sixers (37-30) struggled for a bit Saturday but pulled away for a 109-98 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22 and Buddy Hield had 14 for the Sixers, who played without Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, De'Anthony Melton and Robert Covington. Spoelstra tweaked his lineup again without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and Kevin Love. Herro has been out since Feb. 26 with injuries to his knee and feet. Spoelstra is cautiously optimistic about Herro's return before the end of the regular season. They'll need him if they have aspirations of another deep playoff run.

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland improved to 77-30 in games with Mitchell, who is scoring 28 points per game in addition to career-high averages in assists (6.2), rebounds (5.4) and steals (1.8). They’ll need Max Strus (knee) and Evan Mobley (ankle) back in the lineup if they want to outduel the Milwaukee Bucks for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race but they can rest tonight against a Pacers team that can’t seem to find their groove since February arrived, going just 8-11 ATS. They tend to suffer from the Monday Blues, too, with at 6-14 SU and 7-13 ATS effort in their last twenty performances, including 2-11 SUATS against avenging opponents. Indiana beat Cleveland twice in the opening weeks of the season and as we all know, revenge is a dish best served cold. The Cavs’ 3-0-1 ATS record as a pick-or-dog in this series with same-season double revenge exactly seals the deal.

Rating: 2 Units

The Red Wings are coming off an impressive win and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Red Wings should create plenty of scoring chances with Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Red Wings should also limit a Penguins offense that averages only 2.85 goals per game with Olli Maatta, Jake Walman, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Alex Lyon to make plenty of big saves. The Red Wings should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.

Rating: 2 Units

Dallas stands 9-3 ATS with same-season revenge in this series over the last seven years. In addition, Jason Kidd’s boys are currently riding a nifty 11-5 SUATS run, including cashing their last five tickets in a row. Meanwhile, the Nuggets arrive off a Friday visit to San Antonio and will be staring dead ahead to a same-season revenge contest with their chief combatant, Minnesota, in the Western Conference playoff race. That spells trouble, with Denver just 3-8 ATS away before Minny meetings, including 1-5 ATS versus winning foes. The Nuggets are on an impressive SU run right now, winning four straight before the Spurs and ten of their last eleven, but the Mavs check plenty of boxes here. Look for Kidd & company to reach the winner’s circle in the last regular season meeting between the two D’s.

Rating: 2 Units

If Wisconsin doesn't go overtime yesterday and get physically pounded by Edey, I might lean toward the Badgers. But this is a team that has played three games including a blowout, a solid win and an overtime win over one of the best teams in the nation. That takes a physical and emotional toll when you face an Illini squad that has played just two games and has Shannon Jr, who will have a fun matchup with Storr. But the Illini also have Domask, Hawkins (6-10, 2250), and Quincy Guerrier, who had 13 points on Saturday. Athletically, Storr can stay with some of those guys, but the rest of the Badgers will have trouble with the Illini's quickness.

Rating: 2 Units

The Phoenix Suns have not been a reliable squad to back recently. They are only 4-4 in their last eight games, covering the spread on just two occasions in that span. The Milwaukee Bucks continue to succeed, issuing a 7-3 record in their last ten games. Phoenix has been kept in check recently, averaging only 112.5 points in its last five games, below its season average. Milwaukee is the superior offensive squad. Phoenix is averaging 117 points per 100 possessions compared to 118.5 per 100 by Milwaukee. When the Bucks win, it’s usually by comfortable margins. Four of their last five home wins have been by at least nine points.

Rating: 2 Units

Nashville has won 11 of its last 13 and the Predators have won eight of the last 10 that Jusse Saros has been in goal. Saros has a respectable 2.83 goals against average with a .907 save percentage and a pair of shutouts, Joey Daccord has a very strong 2.34 goals against average for Seattle but has lost four of the last five games that he has played in goal for the Kraken. At the other end of the ice, Seattle struggles to put the puck in the net, with a goals for average of only 2.71 which is 27th in the NHL. Nashville has played well against Western Conference opponents winning eight of the last nine and the Predators have played very well on the road of late winning seven of the last eight.

Rating: 2 Units

Oregon comes in with three straight ugly wins where they haven’t cracked 70 points in downing Utah, UCLA and Arizona. The Ducks are banged up and trying to get by with smoke and mirrors at this point. That might be too much to ask against a Colorado squad with eight straight wins on the books. The Buffaloes just held a very good Washington State team to 52 points, marking just the second time this season the Cougars failed to crack the 60-point mark. Williams coming back was a boost psychologically for Colorado: though he struggled in 19 minutes, his presence provided a boost. Colorado has been rolling and that keeps going here as they win the conference tourney crown.

Rating: 3 Units

LA finds themselves tied with Golden State for the 9th and 10th seeds in the Western Conference playoff race. The Warriors also lost on Wednesday, dropping a 109-99 same-season revenger to Dallas, but the Dubs landed in a tough situation as a result: they’re a mere 3-10-1 ATS away after Dallas when facing an avenging opponent, including 1-6 SUATS against winning foes. The Lakers earned tonight’s avenging role three weeks ago when they lost at Golden State, 128-110, and they bring the NBA’s third-best Field Goal Percentage into this fray. With just 14 games remaining in the regular season, the race is suddenly on, so expect a big game out of LeBron James here. Finally the Lakers are 6-0 SUATS in this series when seeking same-season revenge from a loss of 7 or more points. 

Rating: 2 Units

Western Kentucky is having a strong Conference USA Tournament, winning the first game by 20 points and the second by 31, while holding opponents to an average of 61.5 points per game and scoring an average of 87 points per game. In Thursday’s semifinals victory, Western Kentucky shot 50% from three point land hitting 11 of their 22 attempts. On the defensive end of the court, Western Kentucky made 11 steals and held Middle Tennessee to 31% shooting overall and 25.9% shooting from 3-point territory. Western Kentucky lost its first meeting versus UTEP on the road 93-87, but bounced back at home with a 90-80 victory in the second game between the two. This time around it appears as though Western Kentucky is playing far better defense then when facing UTEP the first two times and will use its new-found defensive pressure along with its high octane offense that has the highest adjusted tempo in the nation, per Kenpom, to win by double digits today. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Zips have won three of their last five games. They’re playing well offensively, scoring 73 points per game in their last three games. They shot the ball better at the charity stripe, making over 76 percent of their free throws during that span. They’re the better rebounding team and they dominated the glass in their first two meetings, so expect them to get a lot of extra scoring chances in this game. They turned the ball over less than nine times per game and won’t give the Golden Flashes a lot of easy-scoring opportunities. The Golden Flashes played well defensively in their last game, but they’ve given up over 73 points per game in their last three games and gave up 80 points per game in two games against the Zips, so I don’t have a lot of confidence in their defense. The Golden Flashes have won two straight games, including an impressive win over the top-seeded Toledo Rockets. They aren’t playing well offensively and they were held under 70 points in three of their last four games. They’ve also struggled at the charity stripe, making less than 65 percent of their free throws in their last three games. They won’t win the rebounding battle and they’ve been careless with the ball. The Zips held three of their last four opponents under 64 points and they’ve had Kent State’s number this season, winning both of their games by an average margin of 9.5 points, so expect more of the same in this game. Go with the Zips to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

This will be a great game between two of the best teams in the NHL. The Hurricanes look to pull off the upset but the Maple Leafs have won two games in a row and look to step up on their home ice. The Maple Leafs, who average 3.57 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Maple Leafs should limit the Hurricanes' offense with Jake McCabe, T.J. Brodie, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers at the blue line and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ilya Samsonov to make plenty of big saves. The Maple Leafs should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.

Rating: 2 Units

New Mexico's run in this tournament is over, they have gotten here by playing fast and using their guards to push the tempo and score quickly. The top post players were on the other side of the bracket, they did not have to play Osobor and Utah State, but now they do have to play LeDee and San Diego State. LeDee leads the conference in scoring, and will be the difference maker here. He has been dominating the tournament and will do so again here. In the first round he went for 34 and 16 as UNLV did not have a post player to stop him, then he went up against the conference player of the year in Osobor, and still put up 22 and 8 in a win. New Mexico has Toppin inside, but the freshman is thin and inexperienced, LeDee will take advantage here. Both teams have excellent guard play that will offset, the battle in the paint will decide the game, which is why the Aztecs will take the crown.

Rating: 2 Units

The Rockets (31-35) won for the sixth time in seven games on Thursday, rolling over the Washington Wizards 135-119 for their fourth consecutive victory. Houston has generated momentum despite being without standout center Alperen Sengun (ankle/knee) for the last two games, relying on a smaller lineup with rookie guard Amen Thompson replacing Sengun. The three-guard lineup worked against the Wizards. Thompson (20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals) contributed an all-around effort to complement the scoring of Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, who totaled 64 points, with Green adding eight boards and VanVleet nine assists. Houston's play of late has sparked hopes of challenging for a play-in berth in the Western Conference, with recent wins bolstering those odds.

Rating: 2 Units

The Gators have the type of team that can match up well with the Aggies. The Aggies are led by one of the best backcourts in the country in Taylor and Radford. The pair combined for 55 points in the win over Kentucky. The Aggies' third guard, Obaseki, has emerged to average 14 points in the two Aggies’ wins thus far. The Gators can match that. Clayton Jr. is neck-and-neck at the moment with Taylor for SEC Tournament Most Outstanding Player and his backcourt mate Pullin has averaged almost 15 points per game in the two tournament games while leading the team in assists and steals. The Gators have their stellar third guard as well with Will Richard averaging double-digits in the two wins, including 17 in the win over Georgia. The Aggies thrive in their ability to get shots up quickly and attack the offensive glass. They meet their equal in the Gators. The Gators finished first in the SEC in rebounding while the Aggies finished second. Texas A&M was able to slow down Florida in the second half of its home win over the Gators earlier this season. Florida has to play fast and I’m banking on that happening on Saturday. That type of game switches the advantage over to the Gators. It will be another tightly contested game today but this one will be a more high-scoring game that will ultimately favor the Gators.

Rating: 2 Units

New York is tough at both ends of the ice, as goalie Igor Shesterkin has a 2.60 goals against average and .912 save percentage. As a team, New York has a goals against average of only 2.67, which is fifth best in the NHL. Pittsburgh struggles to put the puck in the net as the Penguins are 25th in goals for. New York has won 14 of its last 18 games and Shesterkin has been in goal for 11 of the 14 victories. The Rangers have won six of the last eight versus Pittsburgh and New York has won 10 of its last 14 against the team from the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh has lost four of its last five. Pittsburgh showed signs of throwing in the towel for this season when trading away Jake Guentzel who still remains second in points for the Penguins this season.

Rating: 2 Units

NC State has won three straight after flopping down the stretch but one has to be concerned about fatigue being a factor as they play for the fourth straight day here. Kevin Keatts doesn’t go with a deep rotation and that can take a toll when playing a physical team like Virginia who bleeds the life out of you on every possession. Sure, the Cavaliers have looked about as effective offensively as Angola did against the original Dream Team back in the ’92 Olympics over the last month but they can strangle teams on the defensive end of the floor. Look for Virginia, with fresher legs, to take down the Wolfpack and end their Cinderella run.

Rating: 2 Units

These are two of the worst teams in the NBA at covering the spread. With that said, someone needs to cover, and Charlotte is in a much better spot. The Suns will have to make some decisions with their rotation, they play three games in four days, and will need to find spots to get bench guys major minutes to not tire out their stars. The Suns play the Celtics, Hornets and Bucks in these three games, the obvious game to rest some of their players is when they play this Hornets team. The Hornets have been over achieving lately, they won two of their last three games, and find a surprisingly effective one-two punch with Bridges and Miller. Vaslije Micic has been a welcomed surprise for the Hornets, he has scored double figures in each of his last seven games, and is coming off a 25 point game last time out. The Suns are going to be tired as they have to play the Celtics the night before, then immediately travel to Charlotte. This is a good spot to fade a team on a back to back.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats are the stronger of the two teams nearly across the board offensively. They are a better shooting team by far, a strong 3-point shooting team, and are nearly equally efficient. They have a stronger bench and can compete with the Aggies in the paint. Defensively, the Aggies have the advantage. They are stronger in every defensive category excluding 3-point defense. That will be the Aggies' undoing on Friday night. The game went back and forth and was decided by the Aggies' advantage on the offensive glass and the free-throw line. The Aggies shot 30 free throws in the game compared to 21 for the Wildcats and they had 25 offensive rebounds. I expect a rested and fresh Kentucky team to shoot the ball better in the rematch and keep the pace fast to build a lead that the plodding Aggies can't come back from.

Rating: 2 Units

Fittingly, these teams have already played in Madison Square Garden this season, a home game for St. John's. The Huskies won 77-64. Although the Red Storm is playing better these days, UConn is still on a different level than almost every team in the country. This defense can beat up the best offenses, something that St. John's already knows. UConn held the Red Storm to 65 points in round one and 64 in round two. The Huskies have one of the nation's most efficient offenses, something that St. John's can't fend off forever. Expect the Huskies to win convincingly again.

Rating: 2 Units

Sam Houston State has had a solid defense all season allowing just 69.6 points per game and the defense was on full display Wednesday when holding FIU to 59 points. The Bearkats offense is averaging 72.3 points per game. Sam Houston has covered the spread in eight straight games and on the season is 17-11-1 ATS. Sam Houston State defeated UTEP twice during the regular season. The Bearkats defeated the Miners in late January 60-56 and again in late February 65-54 but split the games against the spread, losing the first and winning the second. UTEP’s defense will be a thorn in the side of Sam Houston State but the Bearkats will use their own tough defense that held FIU to 59 points on Wednesday to shut down the below average UTEP offense. The Miners are shooting just 44.8% overall which is 169th and from 3-point territory hit only 32% of their attempts, which is 306th in the country. This game will be similar to the first two, which were very low scoring and will be close throughout with Sam Houston State pulling away over the final 10 minutes. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Vols dropped their only game against the Bulldogs this season and it was their defense that let them down. The Vols allowed the Bulldogs to shoot over 50% from the floor in the loss and were outscored 36-32 in the paint. Additionally, the Bulldogs' bench came alive and scored 33 points compared with just four points from the Volunteers' bench. With this game in Nashville, the Vols should have a significant home-court advantage and I expect a much better effort both from their defense and with the efficiency of their offense. The Vols finished the season first in the SEC in fewest turnovers per game but had 16 turnovers in the loss to Mississippi State. Look for the Vols' to bounce back nicely here with a comfortable double-digit win to advance to the SEC Conference Semifinals.

Rating: 2 Units

Sam Houston State has had a solid defense all season allowing just 69.6 points per game and the defense was on full display Wednesday when holding FIU to 59 points. The Bearkats offense is averaging 72.3 points per game. Sam Houston has covered the spread in eight straight games and on the season is 17-11-1 ATS. Sam Houston State defeated UTEP twice during the regular season. The Bearkats defeated the Miners in late January 60-56 and again in late February 65-54 but split the games against the spread, losing the first and winning the second. UTEP’s defense will be a thorn in the side of Sam Houston State but the Bearkats will use their own tough defense that held FIU to 59 points on Wednesday to shut down the below average UTEP offense. The Miners are shooting just 44.8% overall which is 169th and from 3-point territory hit only 32% of their attempts, which is 306th in the country. This game will be similar to the first two, which were very low scoring and will be close throughout with Sam Houston State pulling away over the final 10 minutes. 

Rating: 2 Units

Michigan State needed that win over Minnesota yesterday to give that some confidence and momentum. In that first game, they were not manhandled on the boards. Purdue shot 51% from the field, but that was at home, where Edey went to the line 20 times and made 14. The motivation is for Michigan State to attempt to take down Purdue to get a better seed and Tom Izzo could use the bracket as motivation. If they don't win and 10 different things happen, they could be on the outside looking in.

Rating: 2 Units

The Gators should come into this game knowing that there isn't anything certain about their NCAA Tournament status so a win here is imperative. The Gators have defeated the Bulldogs in both games, one in overtime, 102-98, and then by just six points, 88-82. The most surprising thing in the two games was the shooting of the Bulldogs. They shot a combined 51% in the two games overall and 36% from 3-point range. The area that should be concerning for the Bulldogs is in the paint. Florida outrebounded Georgia 87 to 58 in the two games and the Gators scored nearly 100 points in the paint combined in the two games. At their best, the Gators are a difficult matchup with tons of length and a top-notch backcourt.

Rating: 2 Units

Oklahoma City is 22-8 ATS at home, including 19-6 ATS as home chalk. Rest assured, they will be more than anxious to make amends for a 146-111 defeat at Dallas a month ago, the worst loss this season by the Thunder. On the other side of the coin, the Mavericks were riding a 0-7 ATS skein in this series until the aforementioned drilling in Dallas. Look for OKC to improve on its A-OK 12-4-1 ATS mark in games when seeking revenge from a same-season loss of 32-plus points here tonight.

Rating: 2 Units

Marquette scored 87 points against the Villanova Wildcats the first time. The Golden Eagles put up 85 the second time. Nova can not keep up with Marquette if they score 80 again. Not based on Wednesday's disastrous performance. So, just like both of January's matchups, Marquette will cover the spread. Turnovers and shooting are clear favorites for the Golden Eagles. This one won't be close, as Marquette dominates shorthanded.

Rating: 2 Units

Virginia enters their portion of the ACC Tournament in a tenuous spot for a spot in the March Madness field after their offense disappeared in the second half of the season. The Cavaliers did down Georgia Tech in their finale to finish the regular season 22-9 overall and 13-7 in the conference on the year. Against Georgia Tech, Virginia took control of the game with a 13-3 run midway through the first half to break a 15-15 tie. The Cavaliers were up 14 at the half, saw the lead trimmed to nine briefly early in the second half, but reeled off a 16-5 run to take a 20-point edge before cruising from there. The Cavaliers have the rest advantage, having been off since Saturday while Boston College plays for the third straight day here.

Rating: 2 Units

Western Kentucky is 42nd in the nation in scoring with an average of 80.2 points per game and shoots 46.7% overall which is 67th in the nation. Western Kentucky gives up plenty of points at 75 per game but that is due in part to having the highest adjusted tempo per Kenpom at 75.2, which creates far more possessions than normal, yet the Hilltoppers are holding opponents to the 50th lowest field goal shooting percentage and 64th lowest three-point shooting percentage. New Mexico State scores only 67.6 points per game, is 299th in field goal shooting percentage and 247th in three-point shooting percentage. Western Kentucky lost by two points on the road to New Mexico State earlier this season but at home defeated the Aggies by 14 points. Western Kentucky covered the spread in both meetings between the two.

Rating: 2 Units

The Maple Leafs have won four of their last six games and five of their last six road games. They have played well offensively, scoring 15 goals in their last four road games. They have also played well on special teams, converting over 22 percent of their power play opportunities. The Flyers have done a good job of killing penalties, but they’ve struggled defensively in recent games, giving up 10 goals in their last three games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Maple Leafs in this game. The Flyers have lost four of their last six home games. They have struggled offensively, scoring only five goals in their last three games. They’ve also struggled on special teams, converting less than 15 percent of their power play opportunities. The Maple Leafs are good at killing penalties and they played well defensively in recent games, giving up seven goals in their last three games, so expect them to keep Philadelphia’s offense in check. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with their comeback win over Texas on Wednesday, but can they beat the Cyclones twice in one week to advance? K-State took down Iowa State last weekend at Bramlage, holding the Cyclones to 43.1 percent shooting, including 5-for-17 (29.4%) from long range. The Wildcats were also inefficient (40.7 FG% and 29.2 3PT%) but scored 20 points off Iowa State turnovers. It was enough on Saturday, but it's doubtful the Cats will be able to overcome poor shooting again on Thursday to move on. That said, Iowa State isn't a great offensive team, ranking 131st nationally in true shooting percentage. It got to the free-throw line a lot in the first meeting between these teams, but it isn't reliable at the charity stripe (69.0 FT%). As long as the Wildcats don't pick up too many cheap fouls, I don't envision the Cyclones winning by enough to cover. Expect K-State to use the atmosphere at T-Mobile Center to its advantage again tomorrow to at least cover the spread in a must win game for Kansas State.

Rating: 2 Units

It has been a resurgent season for South Carolina, which finished 11-21 only a season ago. The Gamecocks are well on their way to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016-17. Despite its upswing, South Carolina carries a chip on its shoulder into the conference tournament. Gamecocks guard Meechie Johnson said he and his teammates are determined to prove their regular-season success was not a fluke. He did not hesitate when asked about his motivation heading into the tournament.

Rating: 2 Units

St. John's is hot, but Seton Hall has cooled down their offense all season. In game one, the Red Storm finished with 65 points. In the second one, they only mustered 62. The Pirates are strong defensively and will keep St. John's in check yet again. Which is why, if they don't pull off another win, they'll at least keep it within one possession. Seton Hall is more reliable at the free throw line, which helps against the St. John's defense. The Pirates have controlled the glass in both meetings. Expect a Seton Hall to give St. John's fits again.

Rating: 2 Units

In round one, UConn scored 80 on Xavier. In the second meeting, the Huskies ran it up to 99 points. Considering that the Musketeers' defense guided them for most of the season, that's an ominous sign for today's battle. If (when) the Huskies score 80+ again, Xavier's offense won't be able to keep up. UConn has the best defense in the Big East as well. Rebounding and turnovers should favor the Huskies too. They say that the Huskies feel at home in The Garden, and that'll be crystal clear on Thursday. Take UConn to cover the spread comfortably.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kansas Jayhawks, with their impressive season record of 22-9 and standing 6th in the Big 12, exhibit a compelling case for victory in this matchup. Their offensive arsenal, averaging 76.0 points per game with a field goal percentage of 49.4%, is a testament to their efficiency and ability to dominate on the court. Coupled with a solid defense that limits opponents to 68.6 points per game and a formidable 40.5% shooting from the field, Kansas has the depth and skill to control the game's pace. The resilience and tactical acumen shown by key players like Charlie McCarthy and Dajuan Harris Jr., with his 6.4 assists per game, are pivotal to the Jayhawks' success. Even considering potential injury concerns, the depth and quality of Kansas's roster, along with their proven track record and statistical superiority, strongly position them for a win in this high-stakes Big 12 showdown.

Rating: 2 Units

Michigan has some talent, but they have been one of the worst Power 5/6 teams all season. DePaul might be worse and a few others, but when you don't play defense, there's usually something more than just a lack of talent as an issue. Juwan Howard's days may be numbered and maybe he gets the benefit of the doubt due to his health and alum status. Penn State is a year away from making a dent in this league once Rhoades gets his players. Baldwin Jr. is one of his players and he'll be the big difference in this game.

NBA Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

Cleveland was 7-4-1 ATS this season as a road pick-or dog. The Cavs saw a three-game series win skein snapped in a 123-104 home loss to New Orleans in late December. Meanwhile, on the flip side, the Pelicans arrive off an 18-point same-season avenger against Atlanta with another same-season revenge contest on tap against the Clippers. Finally, New Orleans is 0-8 SU and 1-7 ATS in non-conference games after facing Atlanta

Rating: 2 Units

This will be a great game between two of the top teams in the Central Division. The Predators look to pull off the upset but the Jets have been rolling and look to take over this game from the first period. The Jets, who average 3.06 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Jets, who allow only 2.38 goals per game, should limit the Predators offense with Dylan DeMelo, Josh Morrissey, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to make plenty of big saves. The Jets should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.

Rating: 2 Units

The Blues look to step up on their home ice but I see the Kings controlling this one from the first period. The Kings, who average 3.05 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Kevin Fiala, Anze Kopitar, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Kings, who allow only 2.59 goals per game, should limit the Blues offense, which averages only 2.78 goals per game, with Drew Doughty, Matt Roy, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Cam Talbot to make plenty of big saves. The Kings should win the game with a strong performance on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats will be desperate and motivated, as they're playing close to campus and need a win to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. They ended their regular season with a crucial win over Iowa State, riding their stingy defense to the upset. The first matchup between these teams was a dogfight. Kansas State, 20th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, defends well both inside and outside the arc. Its opponents shoot 40.6 percent overall and 31.3 percent from three-point distance.

Rating: 2 Units

The Razorbacks never lived up to their recent success this season. They were rarely consistent on either end and were one of the worst defensive teams in the SEC. In the first matchup, they allowed the Commodores, ranked last in the SEC in scoring and field goal percentage, to shoot over 50% from the floor and dominate the paint. The Commodores finished with 44 points in the paint and dominated the weak interior defense of the Razorbacks. Arkansas had just 26 points in the paint in the first game and the team likely would have been blown out save for a 36-point performance from Battle. The Razorbacks shot just 40% as a team in the game against statistically the worst defense in the SEC. The Razorbacks can and probably should win this game but 6.5 points is too much for them to give up at this point.

Rating: 2 Units

Sam Houston State’s defense, which allows an average of only 69.6 points per game on 42.9% shooting overall and 31.6% shooting from long distance will be too much for FIU. The Bearkats have covered the spread in each of their last seven games while winning each of the seven straight up. Sam Houston’s offense, while playing at an adjusted tempo of 67.8 per Kenpom, which is 167th, is able to score an average of 72.3 points per game despite only a slightly above average pace. The Bearkats grab 9.6 offensive boards per game which is 83rd in the nation, giving them plenty of second look opportunities which helps to offset a below average field goal shooting percentage. Sam Houston State split its regular season two-game series with FIU, losing the first 68-61, but bouncing back to win the second on the road in South Florida 70-56. FIU was able to shoot well against Jacksonville State in its opening round victory, hitting 50% of its 3-point attempts but will be hard pressed to do the same against a tough Sam Houston State perimeter defense that is 62nd in the nation in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 31.6.

Rating: 2 Units

The Terps have been the better team and I do expect Reese to play. It sounds like Kevin Willard sacrificed the Penn State game to have Reese ready for the tournament since that's the only way they are making the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers wants to grind this one out, but when you look at tournaments, it's nice to have one difference-maker on the floor on offense who can carry you. Maryland has that in Jahmir Young, who can at least get them past one round, but probably not much further than that.

Rating: 2 Units

Neither team finished the regular season with any momentum, as both dropped their season finales and three of their last four overall. The Sooners were dominated by Texas, while the Horned Frogs dropped a winnable game on senior day to UCF. Which squad will "get right" today? I'm betting the answer to that question is TCU. The Horned Frogs defeated the Sooners 80-71 in their lone regular-season meeting (Jan. 10). TCU was outshot and outrebounded but took better care of the basketball (+7 turnover margin) and scored 25 points off of Oklahoma's 14 turnovers. Senior forward Emanuel Miller paced the Horned Frogs with 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting in the home win. I feel confident TCU, winners of four of the last five in this series, is due to bounce back. This game impacts both squads' NCAA Tournament resumes, but the Horned Frogs are better positioned to take advantage. OU has been without junior forward John Hugley IV (8.4 PPG) since early February and senior guard Rivaldo Soares aggravated an ankle injury in the Sooners' loss to the Longhorns. He averaged 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game on 73.5 percent shooting in Oklahoma's last three games, so his availability will be crucial to the Sooners' success. TCU is experienced and deep enough to take advantage, especially beyond the arc (36.4 3PT%). Miller is a consistent scorer, having reached double figures in 19 straight games. The Horned Frogs' tournament resume is less complete than the Sooners' is — they'll make the necessary plays to win and cover.

Rating: 2 Units

Notre Dame took the only meeting between the teams this season and they have been better offensively down the stretch than they were most of the year. The problem for the Fighting Irish is that they sputtered defensively, giving up 80 points to Georgia Tech in their first-round victory. Notre Dame has to find a way to defend the Demon Deacons, who have a variety of weapons on the offensive end of the floor. Wake Forest is stellar at the charity stripe and they know they need at least one, if not two, victories, to improve their resume for the tournament committee. The Demon Deacons take advantage of a fatigued Notre Dame squad to pick up a win and advance to the quarterfinals.

Rating: 2 Units

BYU's 90 points on Feb. 13 were the most UCF allowed this season and the most the Knights have surrendered since Miami scored 88 points in November last season. Central Florida's hot shooting kept it alive in that game, but it can't count on another performance like that tomorrow. If the Knights are going to win or cover, they'll need to live up to their billing as one of the nation's best defensive squads.

Rating: 2 Units

The Golden Knights got a solid performance in their victory over Detroit. However, this is a team that is not playing very good hockey right now. The victory came after four straight losses, and they have lost seven of their last nine. The most disturbing part of that is that they have given up 42 total goals in those nine games. Seattle was shut out by Winnipeg, but that came after back-to-back wins on the road. They are 3-3-0 in their last six games at home, giving up 15 total goals in all six games. Look for a rebound opportunity for Seattle, who have already proven that they can beat the Golden Knights in Seattle this season.

Rating: 3 Units

A nasty 126-97 loss in Beantown, the worst by Utah in this series since at least 1990, dropped the Jazz to 7-4 ATS of late in this series. And it sets up nicely as well, with Boston wrapping up a 5-game west coast road wing here tonight. Consider that Utah is 119-37 SU and 89-65-2 ATS at home against non-rested non-conference foes since 1990, including 9-3 ATS as a dog.

Rating: 2 Units

This will be a great game between two of the best teams in the NHL. The Stars look to step up on their home ice but the Panthers are rolling and look to take over this game from the first period. The Panthers, who average 3.31 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Panthers, who allow only 2.34 goals per game, should limit the Stars' offense with Gustav Forsling, Aaron Ekblad, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to make plenty of big saves. The Panthers should win the game with a strong performance on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks are not losing back to back games at home against a team that doesn't have their star player. Coach Thibodeau will have his troops ready for this game. Maxey will likely return for the 76ers, but the Knicks should also be getting their best perimeter defender in Anunoby back for this game. The Knicks are too small in the backcourt to put Anunoby on Maxey all game, but if Philly's All-Star gets hot, they have an answer in Anunoby to slow his production. Brunson had an off game, he will bounce back here, he only shot 1-9 from three in the game, while he is shooting over 40% from three on the year. Brunson will get back to his averages and help lead the Knicks to a victory here. A win here would also give the Knicks the tiebreaker over the 76ers, which can be very important come playoff time, especially if the 76ers get hot when Embiid returns. The best unit in this game in terms of analytics is the Knicks' defense that ranks 9th in efficiency, they were able to hold the 76ers to 79 points, the defense will show up again, while the offense gets back on track with a win here.

Rating: 2 Units

Miami had high expectations heading into the season but vastly underperformed when all was said and done. Nine straight losses to end the season hardly inspire confidence heading into the conference tournament either. Boston College won their final two games of the regular season and they won a pair of meetings against Miami, including one six days ago on the road. While the Eagles are nothing great this season, they at least have momentum, not to mention having had success against the Hurricanes this season. With nine straight defeats, it’s impossible to back the Hurricanes here, especially as a favorite. Take the Eagles and the points but don’t hesitate to sprinkle on the moneyline as well.

Rating: 2 Units

Will the third time be the charm for San Francisco? The Dons have Cinderella qualities, but if they're going to make a statement in March, they need to slay the Zags. USF is a combined 0-4 against WCC darlings Gonzaga and Saint Mary's, as everyone but leading scorer Jonathan Mogbo (14.7 PPG and 10.3 RPG) has struggled to play up to their potential. The Dons are at their best when their guards get in a rhythm, as they space the floor and create mismatches for Mogbo. They attempt nearly 40 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, but those shots have been difficult to hit against the Bulldogs and Gaels. Gonzaga is among the top teams in the nation in opponent two-point shooting percentage, forcing the Dons into off-rhythm shots. I won't expect that to change in today's semi-final game, as the rested Bulldogs haven't forgotten their identity. USF is a fun team to watch when it's at its best, but I don't expect too much cheering from the Dons' sideline tonight.

Rating: 2 Units

It will be very likely that Boston wins this game, but many will question if 14 is a bit of a stretch. There is no denying that they have dominated the Trail Blazers of late, winning three of the last four games, and winning each of those games by at least 14. Plus, Portland has been terrible of late. However, in their last 15 losses, only three of those were by more than 13. That would make it seem like Portland could keep this game close. However, Boston is too talented at both ends of the court. They have dominated Portland in the past and will do so as well here. Boston is 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10.

Rating: 2 Units

I know the Islanders played the night before, but it was in Anaheim. That's a quick trip for the New York squad as Ilay Sorokin gets the start and he's been solid this season at 22-13-11 with a 3.01 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. In their six-game-winning streak, Sorokin has been sensational as has the offense. He's been in net in five of those victories. The Islanders are 14-12-5 on the road and face a team that is just mediocre at home.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bulls return home after an impressive 3-1 run through the West Coast. They are still within striking distance of the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and Philadelphia 76ers who are ahead of them in the standings. The Bulls are 24th in the NBA in points per game. They are 23rd in field goal percentage and 19th in 3-point field goal percentage. The Bulls are 25th in the league in 3-point field goals made per game. On the defensive end, the Bulls are 13th in scoring defense. They are 11th in field goal defense and 16th in 3-point defense. The Bulls are also 16th in total rebounds per game and second in fewest turnovers per game.

Rating: 2 Units

The New Jersey Devils have not been able to find a groove all season and resorted to trading a key player in Tyler Toffoli. They have lost four of their last five games. The New York Rangers continue to shine. They have issued a 7-3 record in their last ten games and are 22-8 on home ice. The Devils continue to struggle defensively and in the net. They have squandered four or more goals in four of their last five games. The Rangers are piling on the goals against the Devils this season, netting 10 goals in the two wins, while only allowing three goals. I recommend the puck line as four of the Rangers' last five wins have occurred by at least two goals

NBA Game of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

The fact that the Sixers were nicked 110-96, at home three weeks ago, gets their attention, especially given the fact that Philly is 10-4 ATS of late with same season revenge from a double-digit loss, including 4-0 ATS as a dog of more than three points. New York is 0-6 ATS at home since February when hosting avenging foes. Finally, Philadelphia is 12-5 ATS in this series with same-season revenge from a loss of 14 or more points, including 6-0 ATS away.

Rating: 2 Units

Orlando is playing solid basketball of late, even with their loss to the Knicks Friday night, and have pushed into the top spot in the Southeast Division race. The Magic have struggled offensively this season but they have played good defense all year long. Indiana is the exact opposite as they lead the league in offensive output, ranking 1st in points per game and field goal percentage. Their problem has been trying to stop other teams from piling up points against them. Indiana losing Mathurin is going to be a problem for them down the stretch of the season and hurts them here. Look for Orlando, who is a solid 21-8 at home on the year, to come up with the victory in this contest.

CBB Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

UAB will be gunning to join SMU in the 20-win club, which would be a major accomplishment for head coach Andy Kennedy considering they welcomed zero returning starters this campaign. The Blazers are 13-2 ATS as either a dog or a favorite of fewer than 4 points this season. Battling tough opposition is no problem either, as the fi re-breathers are 10-5 SU and 12-2-1 ATS versus winning opposition this season. Finally, UAB is 9-2 SU in Last Home Games, including 5-0 SUATS the last five games.

Rating: 2 Units

The Edmonton Oilers are clicking. They have won five of their last seven games entering Saturday. The Pittsburgh Penguins are a demoralized squad. They are 10 points out of a playoff spot and traded a few key players this week. They have lost four of their last five games. Edmonton has been stellar in the defensive end, conceding two or fewer goals in five of their last seven games. The Penguins are slumping. They have only scored 10 goals in their last five games entering Saturday night's game. The Oilers just beat them by a 6-1 score last week and I expect another convincing win.

Rating: 3 Units

The Purdue Boilermakers are going to be the #1 seed in the conference tournament. Purdue has won the Big Ten season title. They are 16-3 in conference play this season. Purdue was dealt an upset road loss by Ohio State last month and has replied by winning four games in a row propelled by the scoring. They beat Michigan State 80-74 this past weekend and were marked as 2.5-point dogs in a 77-71 road win against a ranked Illinois squad on Tuesday. The Boilermakers have covered the spread in two of their last five bouts.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are attempting to conclude a successful regular season with a road win. Nebraska has issued a solid 11-8 conference record, placing them third in the Big Ten. Nebraska is in a groove, recording the win in five of its last six games. The only defeat in that span was in a road loss against Ohio State. Nebraska was a nine-point favorite in a 67-56 home win against Rutgers on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights have covered in four of their last five games.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kings have been very good this season, but they have not played particularly well at home. While they are 4-1-1 in their last six games at home, those four victories came against Columbus, Anaheim, Ottawa, and New Jersey, not exactly the heavyweights of the league. Dallas caught fire after a tough stretch that saw them lose six of seven games. They are fighting for the top record in the Western Conference and the fact that they have played so well on the road (19-9-5) should put the Stars in the driver’s seat in this game.  Dallas has won the last two meetings between these teams and is 7-3-0 in the last 10 meetings. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Winnipeg Jets have dominated Vancouver in recent history, winning the last four meetings. It has been more brutal than that, however, as they have won all four games by at least two goals, outscoring Vancouver, 20-9. The Jets have had the Canucks number, but not in this game. The Canucks are red hot, winning three straight, and now they return home to begin a big homestand. This is the Canucks chance to put the rest of this conference in the rearview mirror and the Jets will be the first victim. The Canucks have allowed a single goal in each of their last three games. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets are 10-4 ATS in games when seeking revenge from a 13-point point loss when facing .484 or fewer foes. In addition, the Jazz are caught in the middle of a same season revenge sandwich, coming off an avenger with the Bulls with yet another same-season revenge affair on tap with the Celtics while sporting a 9-19 ATS ledger in road games before battling Boston. The feeling here is you do not want to be wearing a Jazz uniform tonight.

Rating: 2 Units

Both teams have struggled in recent games, with Northwestern on a 0-2 slide and the Gophers winning just one of their last four contests, but the Wildcats are one of three teams tied with 8 conference losses this season, and a win here helps them clear the pack. NU lost 75-66 as -1.5-point chalk at Minnesota in early February and besides being 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS with revenge this season, the purple Cats are also 11-4 ATS with revenge in this series, including 7-1 ATS  at home. Minnesota tried and failed in its most recent game to gain a measure of revenge against Indiana, and the Gophers are a disturbing 10-38 SU and 17-31 ATS after facing the Hoosiers. Sure, it’s tough going against the biggest moneymaker in college hoops this season but no risk it, no biscuit. Senior Day in Evanston seals the deal.

Rating: 2 Units

Booker has been the heart and soul of the Suns over the last few weeks and without him in this one, Phoenix will struggle to pull away, let alone get the win. The Celtics could be without Brown but have depth that they've been missing in past years that they can lean on heavily. Boston won in Phoenix last year and has that confidence to draw from, as well as absolute need to get out of the loss column. In the end, Boston's defensive tenacity will be the difference, as they have the scoring to build off of their ability to get stops against a Booker-less Suns team. Boston has covered the spread in two of the last three against this team, while the Suns have only covered once in their last five games, as those trends carry over into this one.

Rating: 2 Units

Virginia has to have this game to avoid dropping in the ACC standings as the Tournament gets set to kick off on Wednesday. A win assured the Cavaliers of the third seed in the ACC Tournament. A loss could drop them as low as the fifth seed which would force the Cavaliers to play on Wednesday rather than earning a two-game bye right into the quarterfinals as either a third or fourth seed. The Cavs won the first matchup on the road with a nine-point victory over the Yellow Jackets. The key to beating the Cavs is a top-flight offense. Their most recent losses include games against North Carolina and Duke, both with a top-five offense in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets don't have the firepower to do that and the Cavs are far more comfortable in a defensive struggle.

CBB Game of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

The timing is right with UConn hitting the road off a No. 1 seed-clinching home win over Marquette, especially since they own a dismal 0-5 ATS record in the Last Game of the Season versus .600 or greater foes. Not so for Providence, who is 11-2 SU in Last Home Games, including 4-1 SUATS the last five contests. The Friars have been a strong underdog this season, going 9-3 ATS, including 3-0 ATS at home, and they just so happen to own a perfect 5-0 SUATS mark as a dog of more than 1-point in Last Home Games. With Providence primed to get even with the Huskies for a 9-point loss on the last day of January, finally Providence is 10-1 SUATS as a home dog since 2021, including 4-0 SUATS versus .800 or greater foes; and 4-0 SUATS when seeking revenge

Rating: 3 Units

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-12, 10-9 ACC) have carved a niche in the Atlantic Coast with dynamic play. The defeat to Georgia Tech in the last outing demonstrated the team's fighting spirit, despite the unexpected setback at home. With an offense that averages 78.6 points per game, Wake Forest slightly edges out Clemson in scoring. The Demon Deacons excel in shooting efficiency, boasting a 47.5% field goal percentage and an impressive 37.4% from three-point range. Free-throw shooting is among the best in the country, with an 80.0% success rate, showcasing the ability to capitalize on all scoring opportunities.

Rating: 2 Units

The Louisville Cardinals are playing for nothing more than pride and the chance to build some momentum heading into Tuesday's opening-round matchup in the ACC. The Cardinals fell to Virginia Tech at home on Tuesday night, 84-60. The loss ensures the Cardinals the 15th seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament and a date with the 10th seed. On Tuesday night, the Cardinals gave up 13 3-point field goals to fall behind early and never fully recovered. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield led the Cards with 19 points while Mike James chipped in with 16.

Rating: 2 Units

The Oregon State Beavers picked up a huge upset win on Thursday night, picking up a 92-85 win over Utah on the road. Jordan Pope had a huge night with 25 points in 7-of-13 shooting while going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Tyler Bilodeau also had a big night with 20 points and six rebounds. Dexter Akanno rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Beavers with 18 points. As a team, the Beavers shot 51 percent from the floor overall and over 40 percent from the line.

Rating: 3 Units

SC has been quite the surprise this season, going from 11-21 / 4-14 last year to 24-6 / 12-5 this campaign. Meanwhile, Mississippi State sits in mid-pack with an 8-9 conference ledger and a loss here tags head coach Chris Jans with his second straight 8-10 effort in two seasons in Starkville. Even so, we’ve got some good stuff in our corner with the Bulldogs today. For openers, MSU is 27-12- ATS at home coming off a previous home loss, including 22-6-1 against foes that are not coming off a loss of more than 7 points. Next, it’s Senior Day at The Hump, and with five starters who returned from last year’s squad being honored, the cowbells should be at full volume. And finally, there’s a matter of revenge, as the Bulldogs look to even the score for a 68-62 defeat in Columbia back on January 6. All of this leads to max value on this payback rematch, in addition the Bulldogs are 4-0 ATS with revenge in this series.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hurricanes have won three of their last four games and four of their last five road games. They are playing well offensively and scored nine goals in their last three road games. They have also played well on special teams, converting over 26 percent of their power play opportunities. The Devils are good at killing penalties, but they’re not playing well defensively, giving up 15 goals in their last four games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Hurricanes in this game. The Devils have lost three of their last four games and two of their last three home games. They have struggled offensively and scored eight goals in their last three games. They’ve done well on special teams, converting over 22 percent of their power play opportunities. The Hurricanes are great at killing penalties and they’re playing well defensively, giving up eight goals in their last four road games, so expect them to keep New Jersey’s offense in check. Go with Carolina to cover the money line.