I'm backing Yale on Friday night.  How much is revenge worth?  Well, Penn is in 8-times revenge tonight, which shows that teams don't always avenge a season sweep.  The Quakers don't shoot well, make less than 64% of their FTA, and leave a lot to be desired on the boards.  Meanwhile, Yale defends the perimeter well and are in good shape on the offensive end.  They have six players averaging between 13.3 ppg and 9.2 ppg.  Anthony Dallier is one of the better dishers in the Ivy League and Myie Oni & Jordan Bruner are beasts on the glass, combining for more than 14 rpg. Yale is 6-1 SU in their last seven games, losing only to Temple by six points.  They're on a 9-3-1 ATS run in the league and they're on an 8-0 SU & 7-1 ATS run against Penn, including a 4-game SU/ATS win streak at Penn, winning by 16 ppg.  I expect more of the same and I'm backing Yale on Friday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Valparaiso, my Thursday night Smash.  The Crusaders have had no trouble at all with Youngstown State, sweeping the last two season's meetings, going 4-0 SU/ATS with an average win margin of more than 22 ppg.  Good news for Valpo fans tonight is that YSU has yet to learn to play with urgency on the defensive end. The Penguins allow 81.6 ppg on 45.8% shooting and own a negative rebound margin.  They don't shoot well at the other end and that includes Cameron Morse, who averages over 21 ppg, but makes just 39.7% of his FGA.  The Penguins are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games and have covered just seven of their last 24 at home (0-4 ATS streak) allowing 84 ppg.  Valpo's Alec Peters should dominate.  Peters leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 24.3 ppg & 10.4 rpg. Valpo won last year's meetings by scores of 97-68 and 96-65.  I expect another win and cover tonight.  I'm laying the points with Valparaiso, my Thursday Smash.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with William & Mary, my DogPound Crusher.  UNCW will attempt to force an uptempo game and while their offense is typically up to it, the Seahawks aren't quite as fierce on the defensive end.  UNCW ranks 329th in FG percentage allowed with opponents making 47.5% of their shots.  They're mediocre on the glass and have covered just two of their last 14 against teams that average more than 77 ppg.  William & Mary fits the bill on the offensive end, averaging over 81 ppg.  HC Tony Shaver has a deep team with nine players averaging in double-digits in minutes played per game and a 10th who averages 9:47 per game.  And we're talking about a Tribe program that has strung together three straight 20-win seasons.  David Cohn is a strong distributor, while guard David Dixon and forward Omar Prewitt help form a decent outside-inside scoring game.  William & Mary enters on a 5-1 ATS run as a road dog of 7 to 12 1/2 points and they're on a 5-1-1 ATS run against UNCW, including 3-0-1 ATS in Wilmington.  We expect the Tribe to hang the number in this one.  I'm taking the points with William & Mary, my DogPound Crusher.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Creighton on Wednesday.  We have backed the Blue Jays in each of their last two games with success.  They won and covered on the road against St. John's and Providence, and now return home where their only loss of the season came against Villanova. Butler is just 2-2 SU on the road, with the losses coming to St. John's and Indiana State.  The problem for the Bulldogs in this one is that they'll likely oblige with Creighton's fast-paced tempo, not a good idea more often than not.  The Jays average 87.5 ppg on a nation's best, 53.7% shooting, including 42.2% from behind the arc.  And no one has a matchup for 7-foot RS frosh Justin Patton, who takes opposing big-men outside just as easily as he operates underneath the basket.  Patton also forces opposing bigs to hustle down the floor for the entire 40 and he's become the perfect compliment to Maurice Watson, Jr., who leads the nation averaging 9 apg. Creighton is on a 22-7 ATS run as a favorite and they're a perfect 4-0, 100% ATS when laying less than seven points.  Butler may get payback at home on January 31, but we'll back the Blue Jays in Omaha. I'm laying the points with Creighton on Wednesday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the big spot with Davidson, my Blowout Game of the Week on Wednesday. This is not the same Fordham team that beat the Wildcats a season ago.  Gone are three starters and apparently, the ability to shoot the rock.  The Rams have made just 41.3% of their FGA this season, which ranks 300th in the nation.  They aren't too hot from the deep perimeter either, where they rank 279th from behind the arc.  That's bad news for Fordham, facing a Davidson squad that holds the opposition to 41.1% shooting.  The Wildcats are led by Jack Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge, who both average over 20 ppg. Gibbs is a decent disher, as are fellow backcourt mates Jon Axl Gudmundsson and Rusty Reigel, who combine for better than a 2:1 assists/turnover ratio.  They'll attack a bad defensive Fordham team, one that's allowed the opposition to make 48.2% of their FGA.  Add in poor work on the boards and the Rams' are ripe for a beating from a Davidson team in revenge.  The Rams enter on a 0-7-1 ATS slide, while Bob McKillop's program is on a 7-0 ATS run at home following at least four straight non-covers (averaged 83 ppg in the seven wins).  I'm laying the points with Davidson, my A-10 Beatdown GOW.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing Florida State, my Knockout on Tuesday night.  We've been on the Seminoles a couple times of late and we'll back them against Duke.  The 'Noles are still flying a little under the radar. They're not only talented, but the talent runs deep with 11 players averaging in double digits in minutes played.  FSU is the 8th best shooting team in college baskets and play just as well at the other end of the floor where they hold teams to 38.9% shooting (23rd stingiest).  Six players average between 18 ppg & 7 ppg and everyone knows their role.  Xavier Rathan-Mayes continues to be one of the best dishers in the ACC, while Jonathan Issac is an ultra tough matchup on the glass.  Duke owns excellent talent once again, but Coach-K is missing from the bench and the Blue Devils are mediocre from behind the arc.  Duke enters on a 0-5 ATS slide as a dog of less than seven points and they're on a 1-7 ATS slide in the ACC.  Meanwhile, FSU has covered six of their last seven conference games.  I'm backing Florida State, my Knockout on Tuesday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Duquesne, my A-10 DogPound Game of the Week.  The Dukes remain undervalued away from home in the matchup with La Salle.  Duquesne has won four of their last five, while covering four straight games.  Jim Ferry has plenty of depth with 10 players averaging over 9 minutes of playing time per game even with Josh Steel sidelined by suspension for all but two games this season.  La Salle can score points, no doubt about it, but they play very little defense.  Not only do they allow 79 ppg, but they rank 330th and 338th in FG percentage and 3-point percentage allowed, respectively.  The Explorers also struggle on the glass and we believe the line has been priced too high for a team that doesn't put a lot into the fundamentals.  Besides the 4-0 ATS run mentioned above, the Dukes are also on a 9-1 ATS run on the regular season road, going back to last season, while La Salle is just 5-12-2 ATS as chalk. I'm grabbing the points with Duquesne, my Atlantic-10 DogPound GOW.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Creighton, my Road Warrior.  The Blue Jays were quite impressive last time out, beating St. John's, 85-72 on the road and the game wasn't as close as that.  What made it so impressive is that the Jays were off their first loss of the season, falling late to top-ranked Villanova in their previous game.  But there was no hangover, no flat effort and the Jays rolled. We expect more today as they attempt to avenge a sweep by the Friars a season ago.  In fact, CU is in 5x revenge, for what it's worth. There's a difference this season though.  Greg McDermott has four returning starters and his best team he's had, even better than those led by his son Doug in my opinion.  Meanwhile, Ed Cooley lost three starters from last year's squad and while he has a good program, it is rebuilding and the Friars have been knocked around in step-up games this season. The Jays are a perfect 5-0 SU/ATS as a single digit favorite this season, while Providence is on a 1-4 ATS slide.  I'm laying the points with Creighton, my Road Warrior.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Florida State on Saturday, my ACC Daytime Dominator Game of the Month.  Virginia Tech got hammered last time out, losing 104-78 at NC State.  While the margin may have surprised, the loss itself did not.  Va Tech was fresh off an upset win over Duke, the final win in an 8-game winning streak.  But other than Duke, it wasn't as though the Hokies beat up on a slew of elite opponents.  They will face an elite opponent today.  The Hokies want to play uptempo, high scoring basketball, but they're running into a Seminoles' squad that ranks 19th in FG defense, holding this season's opponents to 38% shooting.  They're also great defending the trey, and allow just 68 ppg.  FSU nails over 50% of their FGA; owns a strong inside-outside game; and has seven players averaging between roughly 18 ppg & 7 ppg.  The 'Noles also have Jonathan Isaac, an absolute beast on the glass, while Xavier Rathan-Mayes is one of the best assist-men in the league.  FSU is on a 5-1 ATS ACC run and they're on a 6-2 ATS run at home against the Hokies. The 'Noles are also looking to avenge a sweep at the hands of Va Tech a season ago.  I'm laying the points with Florida State, my ACC Daytime Dominator GOM.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Michigan State, my Slam Dunk on Saturday when they hook-up with Penn State at the Palestra.  The Spartans are beginning to hit their stride, winning four straight, while covering all four.  They've been outstanding on the offensive end, averaging 19 assists and just 11 turnovers in their last three games, while out-rebounding three of their last four opponents. The Spartans have shot well all season, nailing 48% of their FGA, while also playing typical Izzo style defense, holding opponents to a 29th best 39% shooting.  This is bad news for a PSU squad that's made just 42% of their FGA this season.  The Nittany Lions also struggle in another strong MSU category, rebounding.  The Spartans' recent win over Minnesota at Williams Arena is looking more impressive, especially when you consider MSU was out-scored 31-10 at the FT line.  The Spartans head into this one on a 4-0 spread run.  They're 17-5 ATS in their last 22 Big-10 games, and they've covered four of the last five meetings with Penn State. I'm laying the points with Michigan State, my Slam Dunk.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing the Colorado Buffaloes, my Road Warrior on Thursday.  The Buffs are all about defense, while ASU seems allergic to defending.  Colorado enters allowing just 67.4 ppg on 39.3% shooting, including 30.3% from behind the arc.  Both of those shooting percentages are ranked in the top-40 in college baskets.  The Sun Devils are at the other end of the spectrum, allowing over 82 ppg on 47.1% shooting (314th). They don't defend the 3-point line and outside of Obinna Oleka, they don't rebound well at all.  In fact, they're pretty bad at it.  The thing is, Colorado has George King & Wesley Gordon to offset Oleka.  The two average a combined 15.2 rpg.  CU also has five players averaging between 15 ppg and 7 ppg, and Tad Boyle has a deep team with 10 players averaging in double digits in minutes played per contest.  Finally, while the Buffs are on a 5-1 ATS conference run, the Sun Devils are on a 2-6 ATS slide at home. I'm backing Colorado, my Road Warrior on Thursday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing Middle Tennessee State, my Thursday night Slam Dunk.  MTSU ran off eight straight wins before recently dropping two in a row.  But they bounced back in the win column last time out, defeating UAB, 60-49.  The Blue Raiders did it with defense, which is their calling card.  I expect that stingy defensive play to throw a wrench into a Rice squad that wants to run and run some more.  MTSU isn't void of talent on the offensive end with three players averaging more than 15 ppg. They also own three strong rebounders and a couple of decent dishers.  MTSU enters on a 7-1 ATS run and they've covered four straight on the road. Meanwhile, Rice is a bankroll burner at home, currently on a 1-7-1 ATS slide in front of the friendlies. I'm backing Middle Tennessee State, my Slam Dunk on Thursday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Boise State, my KO release.  UNLV is off a nice home win over Wyoming, but the Rebels were a 1-point favorite, so no one was too shocked.  The team is short on depth, missing a key player, and short on talent.  I'm not ready to jump on board off the win.  I am ready to go against them and back Boise State, who should have little trouble controlling this game on the defensive end.  They're outstanding defending the perimeter and allow just 66.7 ppg.  The Broncos also own a big matchup advantage in the backcourt with 6'7 guard Chandler Hutchison capable of driving his defender inside, or shooting mid-range jumpers.  Hutchison, averaging 18 ppg and pulling down 8.5 rpg will also make his matchup work under the glass.  I also don't like the fact UNLV doesn't have a strong disher, with Jovan Mooring the best on the team with a mediocre 50/33 assist/turnover mark. Boise enters on a 5-1-1 ATS run as road chalk of less than seven points, while UNLV is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 as a dog and on a 1-6 ATS slide in conference play.  I'm laying the points with Boise State, my KO release. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.  

I'm laying the points with UC-Davis on Wednesday.  This is HC Jim Les' 6th team at Davis and likely his second best squad, trailing only the 2014-15 team that fininshed 25-7.  The Aggies are 18-11 in their last 29 games and will look to exact revenge for an ugly blowout loss to UCSB in the conf tourney that ended their season last March.  But this season, UC-Davis is the deeper, much healthier, and better team.  They put nine players in double digits in minutes played per game. UCSB is a mess right now.  Eligibility issues have popped up effecting three players, including their leading rebounder, Jalen Canty, who's the second best player on the team.  UCSB is expected to be without his 26 minutes, 10.2 ppg, & 7 rpg tonight and will also be missing Ami Lakoju and his 16 minutes per night.  They were absent the other night when the Gauchos lost a home game to Seattle.  UCSB is just 2-10 SU this season with their two wins coming in OT over Cal-State Bakersfield and against Sonoma State.  UCSB is on a 1-8 ATS slide, while the Aggies are on a 12-5 ATS run as a home favorite of less than seven points.  We'll back UC-Davis, our Big West Mismatch GOM.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.  

I'm taking the points with Ole Miss, my DogPound Crusher on Tuesday.  This will mark Florida's second home game of the season and while they will be jazzed to play in front of the home folks, we believe they're laying too many points. Ole Miss represented themselves well on the road, taking Va Tech to the wire already this season.  The Rebels had a horrible first half against Kentucky last time out, but caught the Wildcats in an angry mood off a loss to in-state rival Louisville.  Andy Kennedy has been able to refocus his squad off bad losses, currently on an 8-1 ATS run off a loss by more than 20 points.  Ole Miss owns strong backcourt play on the offensive end, led by Deandre Burnett and should give the Gators a game.  The Rebels are on a 15-5-1 ATS run off a double-digit home loss and they're on a 6-0 spread run at Florida.  I'm grabbing the points with Ole Miss, my DogPound Crusher.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the short points with Tennessee, my Revenge Wipeout.  Nice spot for the Vols to avenge last year's sweep at the hands of the Razorbacks. Rick Barnes had some newcomers on the roster to start this season, but he does believe he has a deeper and more talented team than he coached last season.  So far, we agree.  The Vols took Oregon to the brink before losing by four, came withing two points of knocking off North Carolina in Chapel Hill, battled Gonzaga, and just won on the road in a hostile environment, beating Texas A&M 73-63 as a 9 1/2 point dog.  Mike Anderson's squad has played a less difficult schedule losing their only two real step-up games by 14 to Minnesota and by nine to Florida. Anderson has underwhelmed at Arkansas and his Hogs are 3-12 ATS on the road after playing a game as a dog. Meanwhile, the Vols are on a 6-1 ATS run against teams playing better than   basketball.  This is a spot where the tough early season schedule benefits Tennessee.  We'll back them tonight, laying the points with the Volunteers, our Revenge Wipeout.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with William & Mary, my Daytime Dominator on Monday. The Tribe open the new year with a chance to shock the Pride and we believe they will.  Hofstra is not a good defensive team, ranked in the 200's in both FG percentage and 3-point percentage allowed, yet they'll play at William & Mary's desired pace.  The visitors are a much better team on the defensive end, holding opponents to 42% shooting, including 31% from behind the arc.  They're also fairly deep with nine players averaging more than 10 minutes played per game.  Daniel Dixon leads the way in scoring, while the team's best all-around player, Omar Prewitt has talked about having this meeting marked on the calendar since Hofstra knocked the Tribe out of the CAA semifinals last March.  Prewitt had his worst game of the season, making just 1-of-12 shots with just one rebound, while being whistled for four personal fouls.  As bad of a night as Prewitt had, the game was still tied with less than 20-seconds to go before Hofstra won 70-67.  Bill & Mary lost to Northeastern last time out, but they're on a 22-4-1 ATS run off a SU loss. Meanwhile, the Pride have covered just 9 of their last 30 home games.  I'm grabbing the points with William & Mary, my Daytime Dominator on Monday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Florida State on Saturday afternoon, my Shocker. The Cavaliers are off a big road win over Louisville last time out and HC Tony Bennett is working his magic again.  But the Cavs are beatable at home.  They lost by nine at home to West Virginia, and barely held on for a 2-point win over Ohio State.  Both teams slammed the door on Virginia on the offensive end, something we believe Florida State will do, also.  The Seminoles rank 23rd in the nation, allowing opponents to make just 38.1% of their FGA, including just 30% of their 3-pointers.  At the same time, they nail over 51% of their own FGA.  FSU owns a strong inside-outside game with seven players averaging between 17.4 ppg & 7.2 ppg.  Jonathan Isaac is a beast on the glass and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is one of the better dishers in the league.  I do believe FSU will be too strong for Virginia to cover the big spread.  I'm grabbing the points with Florida State, my Top Shocker on Saturday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing the Pitt Panthers, my Afternoon Annihilator on Saturday. Things didn't start out too well for Pitt and we won going against them twice on these pages, cashing with Eastern Michigan & SMU.  But the new coaching staff led by Kevin Stallings and the players are now on the same page and the Panthers roll into this one with an 11-2 SU mark. They also own the exact type of play on the defensive end, the schemes they run, to slow down Notre Dame.  The Irish want to bomb away from the deep perimeter, but Pitt allows the opposition to make just 30.2% of their 3-pointers.  Meanwhile, I expect Pitt to damage Notre Dame inside the arc at the other end, where they make over 48% of their shots.  14 games into the season and this marks Notre Dame's first true road test.  I'm betting they don't pass.  The Irish enter on a 2-9 ATS slide on the road after winning at least two straight games, while the Panthers enter on an 8-1 ATS run at home if they're off a SU, but non-covering home win.  I'm backing the Pitt Panthers, my Afternoon Annihilator. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Duquesne on Friday, my CBB Shocker.  Neither team is outstanding on the offensive end, but there's a big difference on the defensive end where the Dukes have played a decent brand of basketball and Fordham has struggled.  The Rams are allowing teams to make over 48% of their FGA, ranked 331st in the nation. I also don't like the fact that two of Fordham's key backcourt players, JaVontae Hawkins and Will Tavares, have combined for just 19 assists, while committing 48 turnovers on the season. Duquesne, meanwhile, will make them work on the defensive end and while the Dukes don't have a superstar on the offensive end, they do have five players averaging in double figures in scoring.  Duquesne enters on a 10-2 ATS road run, while the Rams have dropped five straight lined games.  We also note the road team in this series is on a 6-1-1 ATS run.  I'm grabbing the points with Duquesne, my Friday Shocker. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with San Diego, my DogPound Crusher.  We played the Toreros and won on these pages on December 22.  San Diego enjoys an uptempo game and will take advantage of San Francisco's mutually desired quick pace. The Toreros are decent from behind the arc and make about 75% of their FTA, something we like when we're grabbing points (SFO is making just 64% of their FTA).  San Diego also has five players averaging between 18.6 ppg & 7.6 ppg.  In fact, Brett Bailey & Olin Carter-III combine for more than 36 ppg.  San Francisco has a few scoring options, but I don't like the way they handle the basketball.  Their guards all have mediocre at-best assist-turnover ratios, and the guard who handles it the most, Ronnie Boyce-III, has more turnovers than assists on the season.  San Diego enters on a 4-0-1 ATS run as road dogs, while the Dons have covered just 4 of their last 14 as chalk.  I'm grabbing the points with San Diego, my DogPound Crusher.

I'm grabbing the short points with Portland on Thursday night, my Shocker GOW.  If you've followed me this season, you know we have been involved more than once with the Pilots, cashing with opponents Portland State and CS-Fullerton.  We noted Portland's short bench and the fact they were playing a lot of games in a short period of time. Well, Portland has finally had a few days off and while the bench is short, it is extremely talented, especially Alec Wintering, Jazz Johnson, & Gabe Taylor.  The three average a combined 53.6 ppg.  Pacific also operates with a short bench, but the roster isn't nearly as talented at the top as Portland's.  And with a few days of rest, we'll back the Pilots in this one.  We note that Pacific is on a 0-6 ATS slide off a SU win.  I'm taking the points with Portland, my Shocker of the Week.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Evansville, my Road Warrior on Thursday.  The Purple Aces roll into town riding a 6-game winning streak, playing a strong brand of defensive basketball.  Evansville ranks in the top-50 in the nation holding the opposition to 62.7 ppg on 39.3% shooting.  They're also excellent defending the deep perimeter. Illinois State also plays at a slower paced tempo, doing their best work on the defensive end.  This one could very well end up being a case of the first team to 65 wins.  And we don't mind grabbing more than 4 buckets in a game like that.  We also note that the chalk in this game is poor at the charity stripe.  Evansville enters on an 18-5 ATS run as a dog of 7 to 12.5 points. They're on a 7-1 ATS run in Normal, Illinois.  And they're catching the Redbirds fresh off a tourney in Hawaii. We'll grab the points with Evansville, our TKO.

I'm laying the short points with UCLA, my Wednesday Slam Dunk.  The Bruins head into Eugene with a 13-0 record and double-revenge on their mind.  They catch an Oregon team that will play to UCLA's desired pace and obviously, that's a huge deal considering the Bruins average 95.8 ppg on a nation's best 55% shooting (42.8% 3-point shooting).  They also hit the glass well and we believe even if Ducks' forward Chris Boucher returns tonight, he won't slow down the Bruin attack on either end.  And virtually everyone who matters on this team shares the rock. UCLA averages nearly two-dozen assists per game.  Steve Alford's troops head into this one on a 6-0 ATS run against teams that hold their opponents to 39% or less shooting.  They're 6-0 ATS against teams that outscore their opponents by at least 8 ppg.  And while the Ducks are 0-4 ATS at home against teams playing better than .600 road basketball, the favorite in this series is on a 5-0 ATS run. UCLA had no issues with a big game in Lexington, beating Kentucky earlier this season and I don't believe they'll have any issues in this road game.  I'm laying the points with UCLA, my Slam Dunk on Wednesday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with USC, my Mismatch on Thursday night.  Both teams like to hit the 80 point mark and both teams also play defense.  But this is a step-up game for the Bears and I don't believe they're up to the task of keeping it inside the number.  Despite playing a relatively easy slate, the Bears have dropped five in a row ATS and once again they're a tad overvalued.  USC is a perfect 11-0 SU this season and while Andy Enfield's team is scoring 82 ppg, it's the Trojans' defensive play that should separate these two tonight. USC still doesn't have Bennie Boatwright on the floor, but he's missed a half-dozen games already, so the rest of the team knows all about picking up the slack. Even with Boatwright sidelined, USC still has five players averaging between 15.5 ppg & 9 ppg.  Jordan McLaughlin and De'Anthony Melton are excellent at finding open shooters on the offensive end and the Trojans are +8 rpg on the season.  As mentioned, Missouri State is on a 0-5 ATS slide. Meanwhile, the Trojans are on a 19-6-1 ATS non-conference run.  I expect more of the same tonight in this neutral court affair in Las Vegas.  I'm laying the points with Southern California, my Mismatch.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with San Diego, my DogPound Crusher on Thursday night.  In order to cover point-spreads of 3 buckets or more, you need to be able to score a few points.  North Texas may be 6-5 SU, but they are a horrible shooting team and don't put a lot of points on the scoreboard. The Eagles' roster is getting deeper, but they rank 296th in the nation, making less than 42% of their FGA and rank 319th in 3-point accuracy, making just 30.6% of their treys.  San Diego will force a quicker tempo.  They're solid from behind the arc and make about 75% of their FTA, something we like when we're grabbing points.  The Toreros also have five players averaging between 18.5 ppg & 7.5 ppg.  In fact, Brett Bailey & Olin Carter-III combine for 36 ppg.  I also don't like the way North Texas takes care of the basketball, or doesn't take care of it for that matter.  Outside of J-Mychal Reese, the Eagles are a little shaky in the assist-turnover category. And we should note even Reese has a less than 2:1 ratio.  San Diego enters on an 8-2-1 ATS run as a dog of less than 7 points, while North Texas is 4-17 ATS against teams with a winning record and they've dropped four straight ATS off a SU win.  I'm grabbing the points with San Diego, my DogPound Crusher. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm grabbing the points with Portland State on Tuesday, my Slam Dunk.  These teams played right to the wire last season before Portland won 78-72.  PSU actually led by a point with about five minutes to go, and trailed by just a trey with less than a minute left in the game.  Portland State may or may not have the services of Braxton Tucker, but he's missed four of nine games this season and they're used to picking up the slack.  The Vikings are also the deeper team with five other players averaging in double digits in scoring and a sixth player averaging 9 ppg.  Depth is not something Portland owns.  Gabe Taylor and Alec Wintering continue to get worked hard.  The Pilots are basically a 7-man team and Taylor & Wintering were forced to play all 40 minutes in Sunday's win over Oregon State.  It marked the second straight game that Wintering played the full 40, while Taylor played 37 minutes in the previous game.  Tonight's contest will be Portland's third in five nights.  They have just two players with more than six assists on the season and their leading assist man, Wintering has 52 turnovers to go with his 62 assists.  The Pilots enter on a 5-13-1 ATS slide off a SU win, while PSU is on a 5-1 ATS run on the road against teams with a winning home record.  I'm grabbing the points with Portland State, my Slam Dunk release on Tuesday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the short points with Fresno State, my Mismatch on Saturday night. Pacific is an absolute mess on the offensive end, soon to be known as the gang that couldn't shoot straight. The Tigers are making just 37.3% of their FGA, which ranks 341st in CBB and none of their top four scorers are making better than 39% of their shots. Pacific isn't a lot better on the defensive end where they rank #211 in FG percentage allowed.  Bad news facing a surging and undervalued Fresno State squad.  The Bulldogs rank 16th in the nation making 50% of their FGA, while holding the opposition under 40% shooting on the season.  FSU enters on a 5-1 run with the lone loss coming by just 3 points to Marquette in Milwaukee.  Five Bulldogs average between 13.5 ppg and 9 ppg.  Fresno's key players Jahmel Taylor and Jaron Hopkins are transfers from Washington & Colorado, respectively, and both are having big seasons.  FSU whipped Pacific 71-52 as a 10-point home favorite last season and we believe the adjustment for venue has been overvalued.  The Bulldogs enter on a 7-1 ATS run on the road, while UOP is on a 1-6 ATS underdog slide.  I'm laying the number with Fresno State, my Mismatch on Saturday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Indiana State, my Top Shocker release.  This is the fourth time we have taken points with the Sycamores and we cashed the first three, including covers over Utah State, Iowa State, and Butler.  ISU has been "money" outside of Mo-Valley action, currently on a 14-4-1 ATS run, and they're a perfect 6-0, 100% as an underdog this season.  ISU plays outstanding defense and the Sycamores also have a fantastic backcourt tandem of Brenton Scott and Everett Clemons. Scott is averaging 19.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg, while Clemons has dished out 53 assists with just 16 turnovers on the season.  They also have quality depth with 10 players averaging more than 9 minutes played per game.  ISU apparently read the press clippings after their upset win over Butler and proceeded to lose outright to Western Kentucky as a 9-point favorite last time out.  But they're back to getting a lot of points and should be refocused off the loss.  Valpo is off to a strong start and we cashed with them last time out.  But the Crusaders don't shoot well, ranked 276th in FG percentage and 346th from behind the arc, making just 27% of their 3-pointers.  Alec Peters is the key cog, but ISU owns the players capable of frustrating the 6'8 forward on the offensive end.  The Crusaders are on a 0-4 ATS slide at home and I'm going against them here. I'm taking the points with Indiana State, my Top Shocker.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Davidson, my DogPound Crusher.  It's a pseudo home game for the Kansas Jayhawks tonight, and while they'll have a ton of support at Sprint Center in KC, Mo., it's not quite the same advantage as playing at Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence.  Having said that, this number is close to where it would be if they were playing on their true home floor.  Davidson was a 16-point dog at Chapel Hill last time out and played well, before losing 83-74, covering against the home standing Tar Heels.  Jack Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge are the real deal, averaging 24.3 ppg & 20 ppg, respectively.  The two combined for 52 points against North Carolina and I expect a big game from both again tonight.  Bob McKillop runs a tough-to-defend motion offense and his Wildcats get after it on the defensive end, where they have held their opponents to 37.9% shooting.  And if the spread comes down to free throws, we have an 80% FT shooting underdog, while KU makes a horrendous 58.8% from the stripe.  Kansas has covered just 2 of their last 8 as chalk, while the 'Cats are on a 6-1 ATS run off a SU loss and they're 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight against the Big-12.  I'm grabbing the points with Davidson, my DogPound Crusher.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Incarnate Word on Wednesday night.  UNLV is a mess.  We've already won a couple of times going against them, including wins with South Alabama and this past weekend with Duke, a 94-45, 25-point cover.  The Runnin' Rebels are not only short on talent when all hands are on deck, but will likely be without two important players tonight with both Dwayne Morgan (9.4 ppg & 7.2 rpg) and Christian Jones (10.5 ppg & 6.5 rpg) listed as doubtful. Morgan and Jones are the top two rebounders on the team and the 3rd and 4th leading scorers. Incarnate Word entered this season 55-29 (.655) through their first three seasons at the Div.-1 level, and are 5-3 this season.  They also have one CIT appearances along the way.  The Cardinals own road wins over St. John's, Rice, and Nebraska, over the past couple of seasons and have faced road games at Oklahoma & Purdue. They also gave Texas a run for their money earlier this season in Austin before losing 78-73.  IW will not be intimidated by the small crowd in Las Vegas tonight. They also have four players averaging between 19.2 & 11.8 ppg and Shawn Johnson not only leads the team in scoring, but pulls down 9.4 rpg.  Finally, UNLV hosts this "unknown" foe between games against Duke and Oregon.  Tough spot for the Rebels.  We're grabbing the points with Incarnate Word on Wednesday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday, my DogPound Crusher.  The Flames main weakness is deep perimeter defense, but DePaul is hardly the team to expose this issue. The Blue Demons are making less than 27% of their 3-point attempts this season (347th).  Only four players have actually made a 3-pointer for DePaul on the season and their leading scorer, Eli Cain has made just 11% of his treys over the last four games.  DePaul is a poor shooting team in general and they have covered just 7 of their last 25 home games.  UIC leading scorer, forward Dikembe Dixon (22.7 ppg & 6.7 rpg) should have little trouble creating havoc inside.  And we note that the Flames are among the best in the nation at drawing fouls, scoring over 22 ppg from the FT line.  UIC enters on a 9-4-1 ATS run when getting points and we'll back them tonight.  I'm taking the points with UIC, my DogPound Crusher.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with St. Joseph's, my Mismatch on Sunday.  The record may not look too pretty at first glance, but the Hawks opened the season with three straight wins, then took on a very difficult stretch of opponents.  St. Joe's hung tough before losing to Temple, NC State, and Ole Miss, then ran out of steam against top-ranked Villanova.  Nothing to be ashamed of in any of those defeats.  The level of competition drops off dramatically when they face inner-city rivals Drexel on Sunday.  The Dragons have struggled and mostly against lesser competition than the slate St. Joe's have faced.  Another big problem for Drexel has been turnovers.  The Dragons have committed 53 turnovers in their last three games against High Point, Lafayette, and LaSalle.  In fact, they averaged just 10 assists and 18 turnovers in those three outings.  Drexel enters on a 2-10-1 ATS slide as a home dog of less than 7 points, while the Hawks are on a 5-0-1 ATS run off a loss by more than 20.  They're also on a 6-1 ATS run in the last seven meetings at Drexel.  I'm laying the points with St. Joe's, my Sunday Mismatch.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing Valparaiso, my KO release on Saturday.  Both the Crusaders and Missouri State have two losses on the season, but that's where the similarity ends.  Valpo is battle tested.  They had the unfortunate task of facing Oregon off the Ducks' 17-point loss to Baylor, and if that wasn't enough, they faced Kentucky at Rupp Arena, following the Wildcats' 97-92 home loss to UCLA. Talk about examples of wrong place, wrong time!  Meanwhile, 5-2 Missouri State's losses came against Air Force and DePaul.  Valpo's forward-guard tandem of Alec Peters (25.1 ppg & 9 rpg) and Shane Hammink (14.6 ppg & 4.9 rpg) should prove too much for the Bears.  We expect a better overall season in the MVC for Mo-State, but we believe they're a tad overvalued against this Horizon League foe.  Valpo is on an 8-1 ATS run when the line is in the +3/-3 range and they're 28-7 ATS off a SU road loss.  The Crusaders won last year's meeting, 74-45.  We don't expect a blowout of that magnitude in Springfield tonight, but we do expect a win and subsequent cover.  I'm backing Valparaiso, my KO release.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Duke on Saturday, my Daytime Dominator. We have already played against the rebuilding Runnin' Rebels twice this season and we'll look for another win doing so here.  UNLV's weaknesses were on display against a so-so Arizona State squad in the Sun Devils 97-73 win last Saturday.  ASU nailed 49% of their FGA, including 50% of their treys. Besides the fact they're short-handed and coached by the administration's 4th or 5th choice as the person to succeed Dave Rice, UNLV will likely attempt to play a faster pace than they should, playing right into Duke's desired tempo.  The Blue Devils have put five players in double-digits in seven games already this season.  UNLV has covered just one of their last seven as an underdog, while Duke is 4-0 ATS against MWC competition.  We saw the Blue Devils crush Appalachian State by 35 points a couple of weeks ago.  UNLV and App State rate close to the same level in our power rankings.  We expect a similar margin in this one.  I'm laying the points with Duke, my Daytime Dominator. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Indiana State on Wednesday, my Value Beatdown.  This isn't the first time we have taken big points with the Sycamores, having taken 13 when they took Iowa State to the wire in a 73-71 loss, easily covering the spread.  ISU has been "money" outside of Mo-Valley action, currently on a 13-3-1 ATS run, and they're a perfect 5-0, 100% as an underdog this season.  ISU plays outstanding defense, ranked 37th in FG percentage allowed and 35th defending the trey.  The Sycamores also have a fantastic backcourt tandem of Brenton Scott and Everett Clemons.  Scott is averaging 19.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg, while Clemsons has dished out 47 assists with just 14 turnovers on the season and 10 players average more than 10 minutes played per game. Butler won last year's battle, 85-71, falling short of a 17-point spread.  The final score was a tad misleading as ISU was within six with 7 1/2 minutes to go.  BU outscored ISU 24-13 at the FT line, afforded 15 more attempts.  Butler heads into this one on a 6-16-1 ATS slide as a 7 to 12 1/2-point road favorite.  We'll back Indiana State, our Value Beatdown.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with UC-Irvine on Tuesday night, my Slam Dunk.  Arizona is off the loss to Gonzaga, getting knocked around throughout the course of the game.  The final score of 69-62 didn't tell the story and was misleading.  Arizona trailed by double-digits less than four minutes into the game, at halftime, and by 14 with less than eight minutes to go in the game.  And now, not only is Arizona still missing Allonzo Trier (eligibility), but the backcourt was further depleted with the high ankle injury to starting point-guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright who is expected to miss eight weeks.  UCI has big-time size on the interior and they play a deliberate, slow tempo game. I doubt they'll allow U of A to get into a track meet meaning this game stays inside the hefty number.  The Wildcats are just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, while the Anteaters are on a 6-1 ATS run, overall.  I'm taking the points with UC-Irvine, my Slam Dunk on Tuesday.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Charlotte on Tuesday, my DogPound release.  We played against Charlotte over the weekend and cashed when Oregon State covered the number.  We have a pretty good read on the 49ers and feel they're a "play-on" getting double-digits from Wake Forest. Charlotte will use their 3-guard attack with all three averaging more than 12 ppg led by Jon Davis (20.8 ppg).  And while Charlotte shoots well from behind the arc, Wake Forest has been struggling of late, making just 10 of their last 50 3-pointers.  Wake frontliners have been a turnover waiting to happen with Arians, Collins, Mitoglou, and Moore committing a combined 49 turnovers this season with just 16 assists.  Wake heads into this one having covered just 3 of their last 17 home games, including a 0-4-1 ATS mark at home when favored by 13 or more.  Meanwhile, Charlotte is on a 19-9-1 ATS run, overall.  I'm grabbing the points with Charlotte, my DogPound on Tuesday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Indiana State, my DogPound Crusher.  Greg Lansing took his first four Sycamore teams to postseason tourneys, but his last two have fallen short.  However, we believe this season will mark a return to postseason play.  Indiana State's 3-4 SU record is misleading. The Sycamores are eight points from a 6-0 SU run, including a 73-71 hard-fought loss to a very good Iowa State team. None of ISU's four losses have come by more than three points and they're outstanding on the defensive end of the floor.  Utah State began the season with wins over UC-Irvine, NJIT, and Idaho State.  But when the competition stepped-up, the losses started coming and by margin.  The Aggies have lost three in a row by 21, 24, and 14 points.  And while Indiana State may not be at the level of those teams, Purdue, Texas Tech, and BYU, they will force USU out of the offensive comfort zone.  ISU has covered four straight as a dog and they're on a 12-3-1 ATS run in non-conference action.  Once again, we feel they're undervalued.  I'm grabbing the points with Indiana State, my DogPound Crusher.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Vanderbilt, my Knockout Shocker on Saturday.  The Commodores lost a couple of key players from last season's squad, but Bryce Drew is not without talent in his first year in Nashville.  Vandy will still burn teams from the deep perimeter and they're making 41% of their 3-pointers, good enough to rank 22nd in the nation. Richard Pitino is off to a good start in a season when he needs to impress the administration.  But Minnesota is overvalued in this one.  In fact, according to my power ratings, the wrong team has been installed the favorite in this neutral court affair (Sioux Falls, SD).  Vandy put it all together in their most recent game, handing Tennessee State (6-1) their first loss of the season with an 83-59 thrashing. And if it comes down to it, we also have the nation's 30th best FT shooting team on our side.  Vandy enters on a 39-17 ATS run following a win by 20 or more, while the Gophers are on a 5-15-1 ATS neutral site slide. We'll take the points with Vanderbilt, our Knockout Shocker.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with St. Mary's, my KO release.  This marks the second time we'll have played the Gaels, winning the first when they won and covered at Dayton.  SMC is deep and getting outstanding play in the paint and on the perimeter.  They're fundamentally sound, not only making a high percentage of shots, but with 99 assists and just 42 turnovers on the season, an average of 19.8 apg and 8.4 tpg.  Stanford is off a nice win over Seton Hall, but this is their toughest test yet and we don't believe they have the offensive firepower to hang with the Gaels, who're playing well on the defensive end, also.  SMC has held their last three opponents to 63, 64, and 57 points. They head into Wednesday on an 8-0 ATS run after allowing 65 points of less over the last three seasons.  SMC also enters on a 7-0 ATS run as a road favorite of less than 7 points.  We'll back them again.  I'm laying the points with St. Mary's my Knockout on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Washington, my DogPound release.  These teams met just four days ago in Las Vegas with TCU coming away with a 93-80 victory. The final score is a bit misleading because it was a four-point game midway through the second half.  In fact, TCU didn't truly put it away until Washington phenom Markelle Fultz (23 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 6.7 apg) fouled-out with roughly seven minutes to go.  At the time, Fultz had 27 points and 5 steals. U-Dub gave up too many layups on Saturday and we expect more attention to the defensive end tonight.  Add in their work on the offensive end where they average 91 ppg on 50% shooting and we expect a close, tight contest to the very end. We note that Washington is on a 32-21 ATS run in revenge under Lorenzo Romar, while the Horned Frogs are on a 2-9 ATS slide off a SU win.  I'm taking the points with Washington, my DogPound release on Wednesday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Villanova, my Matchup Mismatch.  The Wildcats look primed to make a legitimate run at their second straight national title. They're off-and-running and face a completely out-manned Penn Quakers' squad that's been all over the eastern seaboard, except in their home city of Philadelphia.  Penn lost their leading scorer and rebounder from last season, center Darien Nelson-Henry.  Their biggest problem last year was that they couldn't shoot the basketball. This season's numbers are better, but misleading because they have played just one step-up opponent (Miami-Fla) and shot less than 40%, while committing 20 turnovers.  Meanwhile, despite having to replace two key parts to last year's championship team, Jay Wright's Wildcats are once again loaded with five players averaging from 18 ppg to 11 ppg.  Penn loves to use a 3-guard attack, but so does Nova and they obviously do so at an entirely different level.  Tonight's line opened shorter than any of the previous three meetings and we'll look to take advantage.  I'm laying the points with Villanova, my Matchup Mismatch.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with LaSalle, my Mismatch on Sunday.  The Explorers were hamstrung last season due to a lack of talent, but as some put it, their best three players were all sitting out a transfer season.  Those three players (B.J. Johnson, Pookie Powell, and Demetrius Henry) are all playing well through three games in 2016.  Forward B.J. Johnson leads the team in scoring (18.7 ppg) & PG Pookie Powell has 15 assists and just 3 turnovers, while averaging 13 ppg.  In fact, Powell and backcourt mates Jordan Price & Amar Stukes have combined for 34 assists and just 11 turnovers in LaSalle's 1-2 start.  The Drexel Dragons won't be able to match up in our opinion. New coach Zach Spiker has to replace four of Drexel's top six scorers from a season ago and the Dragons are likely going to have to battle to stay out of the CAA cellar this season.  They're on a 17-37-3 ATS slide at home, including 4-15 ATS at home against teams that make at least 8 3-pointers per game.  LaSalle has made 9 in each of their first three contests.  LaSalle owns the talent advantage in this meeting as Drexel is in rebuilding mode with a new coach. I'm laying the points with LaSalle, my Mismatch on Sunday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Charlotte on Saturday, my Shocker.  Davidson is being overvalued in our opinion on Saturday. We like a live underdog that knows how to shoot from all spots on the floor. And while the Wildcats are leaving a lot to be desired with their shots, Charlotte is one of the most accurate teams in CBB.  The 49ers not only average 95 ppg, but they're nailing 49% of their FGA and 48.4% of their 3-points, good enough to rank 2nd in the nation behind the arc.  Charlotte has covered 8 of their last 10 off a SU loss, so they normally bounce back well, and they're on a 5-0 ATS non-conf run.  The Wildcats have covered just 4 of their last 16 non-conf games.  Again, we like a double digit dog that can shoot the rock and we'll grab the points today with Charlotte, our Shocker on Saturday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Utah, my Blockbuster Blowout on Friday.  We haven't backed too many big favorites this season, but this one certainly warrants doing so.  UC-Riverside is one of the worst offensive teams in college basketball.  Remove a game against Fresno-Pacific from the schedule and you'll see UCR made just 33.8% of their FGA, including 18.4% of their 3-pointers in their two games against division-1 opposition.  They lost both by double digits.  Utah may not be quite at the level of last year's 27-9 squad, but they're much better than UNLV and Portland, the two teams who have already pounded the Highlanders. Utah has played a soft slate thus far, but UCR qualifies as another softy. The Utes are averaging over 90 ppg and they have been outstanding on the defensive end, holding teams to 24.6% shooting, including 20.3% from behind the arc. Those numbers will go up as the opposition gets better, but the Utes were focused on playing better 3-point defense this season and we doubt UCR will put a dent in their strong numbers so far this season.  10 Utes are averaging at least 12 minutes played per game and five average in double digits in scoring.  Utah beat UCR 88-42 just two seasons ago.  Many faces have changed, but we expect another spread covering mismatch. I'm laying the points with Utah, my Blockbuster Blowout.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Indiana State on Thursday, my Shocker release. Simply put -- the Sycamores have been undervalued here and we expect them to give the Cyclones their toughest test of the young season.  ISU has been a bankroll burner as a double digit favorite under HC Prohm, covering just 12 of 40.  We're betting this game plays much closer than the line would indicate throughout the course of the contest.  I'm grabbing the points with Indiana State, my Shocker on Thursday. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with North Texas, my Wednesday Shocker.  The Mean Green return four of their five starters from last year's team and are looking to take a step or two in the right direction in C-USA.  Their biggest problem last season was hanging onto the basketball, committing too many turnovers.  But Rutgers isn't a squad that forces teams into committing a lot of miscues, even in their 4-0 start to the season.  In fact, toss out a meaningless game against Molloy and the Scarlet Knights have forced just 34 turnovers in three games.  I do like the hire of Steve Pikiell, who did a fantastic job at Stony Brook.  I do believe he'll turn this cellar-dwelling program around relatively soon. However, I don't believe they should be laying this many points quite yet, to this opponent. I'm grabbing the points with North Texas, my Wednesday Shocker.  Please check back for possible additional plays on Wednesday on these pages.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Middle Tennessee State, my Beatdown play on Tuesday.  The Blue Raiders return two key cogs from last year's 25-10 season, including Reggie Upshaw and Giddy Potts.  Potts led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage last season.  But as good as these two players are, neither is leading the team in scoring. That distinction belongs to yet another talented baller in JaCorey Williams. The 6'8 forward, an Arkansas transfer is lighting it up after sitting out last season.  Williams is averaging 20.3 ppg on 55% shooting.  Toledo doesn't have the defenders to matchup with these three players mentioned above.  And the Rockets' leading scorer, Jonathan Williams is throwing down 21.7 ppg, but making just 40% of his FGA.  I expect Williams' scoring to drop-off in this one.  Both teams are 2-1 SU, but Toledo can get a little careless with the basketball as we have seen in their loss to St. Joe's and somewhat against Wright State.  I expect MTSU to get after it and force Toledo miscues.  Both teams like to get up and down the floor in a hurry, but this plays into MTSU's advantage. Toledo is allowing 84 ppg and the Raiders are on a 14-3 ATS run against teams that allow at least 77 ppg. Meanwhile, the Rockets are on a 2-10 ATS slide against teams that score at least 77 ppg.  MTSU won last year's meeting, 78-70.  We expect another win and cover in this meeting.  I'm laying the points with Middle Tennessee, my Beatdown on Tuesday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer. (Be sure to check back throughout the day for possible additional CBB releases).

I'm taking the points with Valparaiso on Monday night, my CBB Shocker.  When Bryce Drew left Valpo for the Vanderbilt job, the administration took little time turning to Drew's top assistant, Matt Lottich to take over the reigns.  Lottich was an assistant the last three seasons when the Crusaders piled-up 78 wins.  Valpo lost a few players from last year's team, but Lottich received great news when Alec Peters decided to return rather than head to the NBA.  Peters averaged 18.4 ppg and 8.4 rpg a season ago and the forward is off to an even better start this season, averaging 25.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg.  Valpo is 3-1 with the lone loss coming in a near impossible spot, facing Oregon off the Ducks' embarrassing loss to Baylor.  Valpo hung tough until the final 12 minutes of the game.  They'll face a middle of the pack SEC squad tonight, a Tide team that doesn't shoot well, making less than 42% of their shots this season. The wrong team is favored in my opinion.  Valpo enters on a 27-7 ATS run off a SU road loss, while the Tide are on a 1-6 ATS slide against teams with a winning record.  I'm taking the points with Valparaiso, my Monday Shocker.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Eastern Illinois.  We have a rare early revenge opportunity for EIU, a team many, including myself have in the running for an Ohio Valley West Division title.  The Panthers fell 70-67 when these teams met on November 14, thanks in part to a horrible first half led to a 38-27 halftime deficit.  EIU came storming back in the final 20 minutes, cutting the lead to 2 points late in the game before falling short.  Troy barely hung on despite being afforded 17 more FT attempts.  Look for the Panthers to exact a little early season revenge.  I'm laying the points with Eastern Illinois, my Daytime Dominator.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing the St. Mary's Gaels, my Daytime Dominator on Saturday.  SMC is off to a tremendous start to the season. While the win over Prairie View means little, the punishing double-digit win over Nevada is eye-opening.  SMC is deep and getting outstanding play in the paint and on the perimeter.  They have 47 assists and just 11 turnovers in their first two games, combined.  Five players average between 9.5 ppg and 23 ppg, led by 7-foot center Jock Landale.  They're facing a hamstrung Dayton team.  The Flyers are banged-up on the front-line, missing Kendall Pollard and Josh Cunningham, who're both out indefinitely.  Cunningham was having a big game in the Flyers 77-72 win over Alabama, before injuring his ankle.  It adds up when you consider they already lost Dyshawn Pierre from last year's roster and had to deal with the tragic death this summer of center Steve McElvene.  The Flyers enter on a 2-7 ATS slide in their last nine home games, while the Gaels are on a 9-2 ATS non-conference run and they're on an 8-0 ATS run off a home win by more than 20 points.  I'm backing the St. Mary's Gaels, my Daytime Dominator on Saturday.  Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with UConn on Thursday night, my Bailout Blowout. The Huskies came into the season ranked in the top-20, only to start 0-2 for the first time since the LBJ administration was coming to a close.  Kevin Ollie's troops have not shot well through two games, but we believe they're getting "just what the doctor ordered" tonight. LMU coach Mike Dunlap wants his team to focus on rebounding, but they fell six boards short in their 15-point loss to Nevada last time out, while watching the Wolf Pack nail over 56% of their FGA.  Offensively, Dunlap has had a tough time keeping his top scorers in the program.  2014-15 leading scorer Evan Payne left for Long Beach State after that season, while last year's leading scorer Adom Jacko left early for the NBA. Buay Tuach is the only Lion averaging in double-digits in scoring through the first two games. The Lions have covered just 2 of 13 at home off at least one loss, while cashing just 8 of 25 at home since Dunlap took over the program.  Look for UConn to get in the win column by a spread covering margin.  I'm laying the points with Connecticut, my Bailout Blowout. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with SMU, my Dominator on Thursday.  This marks the second time this season we have been involved with these two teams, going 2-0 thus far.  We went against Pitt on Friday and cashed with Eastern Michigan, then backed SMU and won by 27 when they faced EMU. There are likely to be more early season adjustment from Jamie Dixon to Kevin Stallings for the Pitt Panther basketball program, plus the Panthers no longer have James Robinson to quarterback and direct the team on the floor.  This is a problem against a Southern Methodist squad that owns the perimeter players to drive the Pitt backcourt out of its game.  I expect another strong perimeter performance on Thursday.  Pitt has been a serious bankroll burner, currently on a 13-39-3 ATS slide off a SU win and 2-10 ATS off a win by 15 or more.  Meanwhile, when SMU gets going, they take no prisoners, on a 7-2-1 ATS run off a win by 21 or more.  I'm laying the points with SMU, my Dominator, when they take on Pitt at MSG.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing the Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday night, my KO release.  Greg McDermott has done a tremendous job making CU a landing spot for high-end recruits and transfers and he has the program back in the top-25 and looking to challenge for a top-3 spot in the Big East by season's end.  The backcourt is strong, do doubt about it. Marcus Foster and Maurice Watson, Jr., are one of the best backcourt tandems in America.  But Watson did have his problems in the second half in CU's season opener against UMKC, a team expected to finish in the lower half of the WAC this season.  Watson committed 7 turnovers and the Jays finished with 17 turnovers as a team. Wisconsin is one of the few teams that can match and surpass CU in the backcourt.  Taking it one step further, the Badger frontcourt should give CU more trouble than it can handle tonight. Everyone is back for Greg Gard's Badgers.  And while Creighton is a Big Dance contender and then some, the Badgers have true Final Four potential.  Wisconsin is 6-0 ATS on the road following a home game under Gard, and they're 11-3 ATS off a SU win.  I'm backing the Wisconsin Badgers, my Knockout release.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Oakland, my Mismatch release.  The Grizzlies no longer have star guard Kay Felder on the roster, he left early for the NBA. But they were hoping transfer Stevie Clark, once a top-75 recruit, could fill Felder's shoes, at least from a play-making standpoint.  If the opening win over Bowling Green is any indication, Clark will fit-in just fine.  The 5-11 guard dished out 9 assists, while finishing with just 2 turnovers in 28 minutes of action. Oakland's backcourt is still loaded with scoring ability, including Martez Walker and Sherron Dorsey-Walker, who combining for 39 points and 20 rebounds (yes, the two guards pulled down 20 boards) in the 78-70 win & cover.  Oakland led Bowling Green by as many as 14 points, but coach Greg Kampe will use Oakland's loss of concentration at one point of the second half as motivation for improvement.  But backcourt is where the Grizzlies own a big advantage over Western Michigan.  The Broncos have too many question marks in the backcourt to hang around in a game where the home team is going to push the tempo in their usual attempt to create a shootout.  WMU is off an unimpressive win over Marygrove College, a team that had already lost by 35, 18, and 24 points to St. Francis (Indiana), Huntington University, and Rochester College, respectively.  WMU is on a 3-13 ATS slide off a SU win, while the Grizzlies have been a serious bankroll builder, including a 25-6-1 ATS run off a SU win.  We have the Grizzlies challenging Valpo for the top spot in the Horizon this season, while WMU is going to have a tough time finishing higher than 5th in the 6-team MAC West.  As far as this game is concerned, I'm laying the points with Oakland, my Monday Mismatch.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with SMU on Sunday, my Daytime Dominator.  We took the points with EMU on Friday night and the Eagles cashed the ticket, covering as a dog in a 93-90 2-OT SU loss to Pittsburgh.  But while we do believe EMU will contend in the MAC, that play was as much against the new-look Pitt Panthers as anything else.  Pitt led 40-31 at the half, but doesn't have the perimeter shooters to handle EMU's 2-3 matchup zone.  SMU owns the type of perimeter plays to shoot over the Eagles, Syracuse-like defensive schemes.  And once Tim Jankovich's troops got rolling, the Mustangs outscored Gardner-Webb 45-16 in the second half en route to a 72-44 victory.  I expect another strong perimeter performance on Sunday.  The Eagles are just 9-19 ATS in their last 28 road games and we'll lay the points with SMU, our Daytime Dominator. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with South Alabama, my Friday Shocker.  New UNLV coach Marvin Menzies performed well on the recruiting trail and on the floor in his nine seasons in Las Cruces.  His New Mexico State Aggies won 64% of the games he coached.  Menzies takes over a Runnin' Rebel program that doesn't even qualify to be called a shell of its former self.  The program returns only three players who saw more than one minute of playing time last season and the top seven scorers are no longer on the roster.  Menzies himself wasn't one of the program's top three choices to replace David Rice.  But when Chris Beard left for Texas Tech just one week after accepting the coaching job in Las Vegas, the Rebels' administration was left scrambling. Menzies' team of newcomers will face a South Alabama team returning four of its top five scorers and a lot of upperclassmen.  There are also some new faces on this roster, but coach Matthew Graves said this summer's tour of Europe got everyone on the same page.  UNLV enters as the inexperienced team tonight and will likely land near the bottom of the MWC when the season comes to a close. They dropped their final five games of last season ATS and have failed to cover 10 of their last 12 games.  Meanwhile, the Jags closed on an 11-6 ATS run.  And finally, the once impossible venue for visitors, the Thomas & Mack Center, no longer holds a big advantage for the Rebels.  In fact, I won't be surprised if the arena is less than half full for the opener.  I also won't be surprised if USA leaves Vegas with a SU win, but we'll grab the points for insurance.  I'm taking the points with South Alabama, my DogPound release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Eastern Michigan, my Late Release Slammer.  Early season adjustment from Jamie Dixon to Kevin Stallings for the Pitt Panther basketball program, plus the Panthers no longer have James Robinson to quarterback and direct the team on the floor.  EMU enters the new season with solid perimeter and in the paint play, including big-man James Thompson back for another year of potential paint domination.  I expect this battle to be much closer than the line would indicate and I'm grabbing the points with Eastern Michigan, my Late Release Slammer. Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with the North Carolina Tar Heels on Monday night. We cashed with the Heels on Saturday, while passing the Villanova/Oklahoma contest. UNC began the game playing a little out of character, attempting too many 3-pointers. But they eventually settled down, finished with their season-long 17 3-point attempts per game average and punished the Orange inside the arc. Tonight I expect the Heels to attack in the paint where they have averaged over 43 ppg during the Big Dance. Villanova caught fire as soon as the tourney began. Remember, the Wildcats shot a ton of treys during the regular season, but they made a mediocre 35% of those attempts. However, they have caught fire at the right time and are making nearly half of all 3-point attempts in the Big Dance. The difference in this game from their previous five is that Villanova is going to have to defend in the paint and I don't believe they match-up well with UNC at either end. I do believe the Heels own the talent and athleticism to deny Villanova open looks from behind the arc at the other end of the floor. The Heels also own something the 'Cats haven't faced in the Dance, which are tall guards. In fact, tall everything. This is a Carolina team with NBA size, which will make it tough for the Villanova guards to drive into the paint and kick the ball out. Deny the paint and Villanova's offense will get frustrated in my opinion. And unlike Oklahoma, the UNC backcourt can create their own shots at the other end. Not only that, but the Heels can work the ball inside whenever they want to check the tempo (if Villanova gets hot from distance). UNC has covered four straight and they're on a 16-5 ATS run in neutral site games, winning by an average of more than 11 ppg. We said UNC was the best team in CBB back in January. We'll back them here against the hottest shooting team in the dance. I'm laying the points with North Carolina, my Championship Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with North Carolina on Saturday. Syracuse has shocked the basketball world with their run to the Final Four when many people felt they didn't deserve a spot in the Big Dance at all. I was not one of those people. I did feel they were deserving of an invite, but I didn't believe they'd make it through the second round. Give the Orange credit for the comeback win against Gonzaga and the big come from behind shocker over Virginia. But the defensive changes made in order to speed up the Cavaliers won't work here, in my opinion. North Carolina has the quickness, depth, and athleticism to overcome any defense Syracuse throws at them. Yes, we know the Orange played UNC tough in both regular season meetings, but while Syracuse is likely to be bothered by the sight-lines of NRG Stadium, the Heels will be the least affected of the four remaining teams. The Heels don't worry much about the 3-point line on the offensive end and will instead run their crisp passing offensive attack inside the arc like they have done all season. In order to beat Jim Boeheim's famed-zone, you must have supreme athletes, a crisp passing, and a high octane offense and the Heels have it all. UNC has covered five straight against fellow ACC opponents and they're 7-1 ATS in their last eight, overall. We should also note that UNC is 9-1 ATS under Roy Williams after allowing an opponent to make at least 55% of their FGA. Notre Dame nailed 55.1% of their FGA in the Elite-8 matchup, yet UNC still won by 14 points. Williams spoke about his team needing to focus in on Syracuse shooters better than they did against the Irish. History says they'll get it done. And one final note, UNC is +42 in rebounds in their four Big Dance games, combined. I don't believe we'll see many second chance opportunities for Syracuse in this one. I'm laying the points with North Carolina, my Knockout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Valparaiso on Thursday night. Valpo felt snubbed by the NCAA selection committee and you can understand why. The Crusaders (30-6 SU) lost to Green Bay in OT to end their Horizon run and were relegated to the NIT. The loss came on a night when Green Bay made 12 of 22 3-pointers, the equivalent of an 18 of 22 night from inside the arc. Since then, Valpo has played with a chip on their shoulder, winning four straight games to get here, including three double digit victories along the way, and a 72-70 win over a tough BYU team in the semifinals. George Washington was impressive in their easy win over San Diego State last time out. But let's face it, the Aztecs didn't belong in the Big Dance, although they felt they did, and they were afforded three straight home games against mediocre teams having to travel to So Cal. And once the Aztecs ventured away from home, they fell right back into the horrible shooting team they have been all season. SDSU, one of the worst shooting teams in the nation, made just 29% of their FGA in the semifinal loss, including 3 of 22 3-pointers. Back to the title game. Valpo is the better defensive team in tonight's NIT championship, holding teams to 63 ppg on 38.9% shooting. They've allowed just 21 made FGs per game, while GWU allows 25.1, while making 25.9 per game. We should note that Valpo makes 25.9 FGs per game, themselves with both of tonight's entries averaging nearly the same amount of attempts. The Crusaders are also the better rebounding team in this matchup. I'm laying the points with Valparaiso, my NIT Knockout. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Nevada on Wednesday night. The Wolf Pack came within a 3-pointer of grabbing a road win in game-one of the best of three series, before losing 86-83. Nevada actually led with roughly five minutes to go and if they shot their normal rate at the FT line, they likely would have won the game. Instead, they made just 67% of their attempts, making just 18 of 27 FTA. The Pack have been outstanding at home this season with a 14-3 SU mark. They're 7-1 SU in their last eight home games and have covered nine of their last 10. And speaking of free throws, Nevada averages over 24 attempts per home game, while Morehead State gets whistled quite a bit on the road, allowing over 26 FTA per contest. The Wolf Pack ranks 26th in FG percentage defense and 81st in 3-point defense. I expect defensive play to be the difference in this one with the Eagles struggling on the defensive end for most of the season, including in the first meeting in this series. They have seen their hosts make over 46% of their FGA, while shooting under 42% on the road, themselves. Nevada puts four players in double figures per game, with a fifth player averaging 9.4 ppg. And Cameron Oliver cleans the glass, pulling down nine boards per game. I expect Nevada to even the series at one game apiece, while covering the number along the way. I'm laying the points with Nevada, my Knockout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Kansas on Saturday. Villanova couldn't be any hotter, canning shots, seemingly at will. But the Wildcats haven't faced a strong deep perimeter defense in the Dance, at least until now. Kansas has held their opponents to 39.7% shooting this season, including 32.3% from behind the 3-point line. Villanova has made 97 of their last 162 FGA, virtually 60% shooting, while making 33 of 62, 53% of their 3-point attempts. That's obviously some serious shooting, but they haven't faced a stout deep perimeter defense since their Big East tournament matchup with Seton Hall, which ended in a 69-67 Pirate win. Villanova made just 24 of 57 FGA (42%), and just 8 of 23 3-pointers in the loss. And despite taking a lot of treys, that 35% 3-point outing against Seton Hall was on par for Villanova over the course of the season. Kansas owns the length, the athleticism, and the defensive know-how to slow the Wildcat attack. Getting the ball inside and kicking it out has been the blueprint for success for Villanova in the tourney thus far, but Kansas has too many skilled players inside to allow that to happen on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, Graham, Mason, and Selden, are the best trio of backcourt defenders Villanova will have faced. Advantage Kansas. Then there's the other end of the floor, where Kansas ranks in the top-5 in both FG percentage and 3-point accuracy. The Jayhawks enter on a 4-0 ATS run against teams with a winning record and they're 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games, overall. I'm laying the points with Kansas, my Saturday Knockout. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Gonzaga on Friday. Syracuse deserved to be in the Dance and I've been saying it since the field was announced. But to think Gonzaga was one WCC tourney loss away from not making the Dance is mind-boggling. Gonzaga owns the type of player to thwart Jim Boeheim's famed 2-3 matchup zone. The Bulldogs are long and athletic and their size on the deep perimeter should give them the advantage tonight. That's the key to this game, along with Gonzaga's underrated play on the defensive end where they rank 26th in FG percentage allowed and 5th defending the 3-pointer. Gonzaga enters on a 7-0 ATS run and we'll back them here. I'm laying the points with Gonzaga, my Bailout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Virginia on Friday night. The Cavaliers play a more deliberate tempo than anyone the Cyclones have faced this season. But UVA does so, not because they can't shoot, which is the case for many teams who play at a slower pace. Instead, the Cavaliers are as efficient as it gets, making 49% of their FGA, including 40% from behind the arc, ranking 10th and 8th in the nation, respectively. An example of how well they play on the offensive end: Virginia nailed over 53% of their FGA and 43% of their 3-point attempts in nine neutral site games this season, while averaging 15.6 apg and just 8.8 tpg. They averaged just 9.1 tpg in 11 road games. Iowa State allowed 80 ppg on the road this season, and while they shaved that to 73 ppg in seven neutral site games, they did allow opponents to make 45% of their FGA. ISU made 50.3% of their FGA on the season, overall, but since Tony Bennett took over at Virginia, the Cavaliers have played 96 games against teams that came into the contest shooting 45% or better. UVA held those 96 teams to an average of 59.5 ppg. And in 146 games as chalk under Bennett, UVA has outscored their opponents by an average margin of 11 ppg. And finally, with the style of play UVA utilizes on the defensive end, this looks to be the game where ISU's lack of depth comes into play. The Cyclones are mainly a six-man team, seven if we stretch it. The Cavaliers enter on a 6-1-1 ATS run and we'll back them to remain red-hot. I'm laying the points with Virginia, my Beatdown on Friday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Texas A&M on Thursday. As this line has climbed, we have jumped in. OU has received a big majority of the tickets in this one, moving the number away from our ratings. First of all, we have nothing but the utmost respect for Buddy Hield. But we don't like OU's match-ups against Danuel House and Jaylen Jones, and we feel Sooner forward and leading rebounder Ryan Spangler is in for a tough night in this one when dealing inside against Jones and Tyler Davis. A&M owns a lot of length on the defensive end, making life tougher on OU's deep perimeter game than they're used to. I'm not a big fan of 3-point happy teams and the Sooners take more than 40% of their shots from behind the arc. OU has been overvalued this season, covering just three of their last 16 against teams with a winning record, while failing to cover any of their last seven games, overall. The one caveat would have come if this game was played closer to A&M's big come from behind win over Northern Iowa. But they've had enough time to recover and we believe they'll upset the Sooners. We'll back the Aggies as they look to extend their season and gain a spot in the Elite-8. We're taking the points with Texas A&M, our Sweet-16 Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Miami on Thursday. Villanova has cruised through the Dance thus far, however, the Hurricanes will be their toughest test yet, by far. Miami rates well above Iowa, Villanova's most recent victim. Meanwhile, Miami beat Buffalo and Wichita State, with an impressive win over the Shockers. Wichita State owned Final-4 potential, and came from behind to take a second half lead over the Hurricanes, but Miami was able to regroup and put the Shockers away. It'll be interesting to see how 3-point-happy Villanova reacts to a strong backcourt at both ends of the floor. Thus far, the Wildcats have made 65 of 111, 59% of their FGA, including 49% of their 3-point attempts. But 42% of their shots have come from behind the arc and I do believe that's going to be a problem for Villanova as the level of competition picks up. Jay Wright's backcourt is going to have to focus more on the defensive end than they did in their first two games because Miami guard Angel Rodriguez is playing like a man on a mission. The senior point-guard has averaged 26 ppg, 4.5 rbg, 4.5 apg, and 3.5 spg so far in the Dance. Add in backcourt mate Sheldon McClellan and I believe Villanova is going to get a little more than they can handle. Miami has held their first two opponents to less than 37% shooting. Villanova is just 1-5 ATS in their last six against the ACC. We should also note that under Jay Wright, the Wildcats have covered just nine of their last 29 after making at least 50% of their FGA in back-to-back games. It's tough to shoot at that superb level, especially when the competition takes a dramatic turn upwards. I'm taking the points with Miami, my Knockout Shocker. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Ohio on Wednesday. A couple of close calls by Ohio to get here, but I expect a more comfortable win margin in this one. The Bobcats have a lot of offensive "outs," with five players averaging between 17.4 ppg and 10 ppg, and while he averages over 15 ppg himself, Jaaron Simmons has been a fantastic creator for everyone around him, piling up 268 assists on the season (7.9 apg), and a better than 2:1 assists/turnovers ratio. His team averages nearly 80 ppg at home, where they make 47% of their FGA and rank 20th in 3-point accuracy. They'll host a Morehead State team that has been hot, putting W's in both the SU and ATS columns, but one that allows over 46% shooting in road action. They've also seen their hosts average 26 FTA per game, while Ohio has averaged over 25 FTA per game at home. MSU is upside down in the assists/turnovers department in true road games. Ohio is on a 7-1 ATS run as home chalk of six or less this season, averaging 83 ppg and allowing 74 ppg. I'm laying the points with Ohio, my Slam Dunk, as they look to extend their non-conference run to 10-2 ATS. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Valpo on Tuesday night. St. Mary's brings balanced scoring and they have shot well on the season. But Valpo brings incredible play on the defensive end that I believe will more than enough to gain the win and cover in front of the home folks. The Crusaders, the veteran team between these two programs, have held teams to less than 63 ppg, the 9th stingiest defense in college basketball. They rank 3rd in the nation in FG percentage defense, holding opponents to 38.4% shooting, and Valpo owns a rebound margin of +13 per contest. They've allowed just 21.5 made FGs per game at home, while forcing guests into a 0.78 assists/turnover ratio, and shut down their first two NIT opponents, winning by double digits in both games. One big advantage that means more in today's style of CBB is the amount of trips Valpo gets to the charity stripe compared to SMC. The Crusaders average more than 23 FTA per home game, while the Gaels average just 15 FTA per game on the road. And speaking of the road, SMC never left the state of California in non-conference play this season. In fact, their first trip out of California overall, came in a conference clash at BYU on February 4, 21 games in to the season. This marks their farthest road trip of the season up to this point. The Crusaders own the top player on the floor tonight with F) Alec Peters, who I expect to be a matchup nightmare for the Gaels. Valpo enters on a 6-1-1 ATS run at home against teams playing better than .600 basketball on the road. They're 9-0 ATS against teams that make at least 45% of their FGA and hold teams to 42% or less. I expect the Crusaders to advance to MSG and I'm laying the points with Valpo, my KO release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with UConn on Saturday. Statistically speaking, these teams are closer than the casual observer would think. Kansas is a little better on the offensive end, while the Huskies are a little better on the defensive end. UConn can throw a wrench into the Jayhawks' game plan, at least enough to keep this close. The Big East entry allows just 21.7 made FGs per game on 38.4% shooting. Meanwhile, they nail nearly 80% of their free throws, which could prove very important with Kansas allowing over 22 FTA per game away from home (road & neutral). Daniel Hamilton has dished out 164 assists on the season and two more UConn guards have topped 80 each. The three can hang with the Kansas backcourt duo, top "dishers," Frank Mason and Devonte Graham. And then there's the coaching aspect with Kevin Ollie able to match Bill Self. Ollie coached the Huskies to a national title two years ago and was an assistant on their 2011 national championship team. Meanwhile, Self hasn't advanced beyond the second round of the Big Dance since 2013. We saw UConn's fortitude on Thursday when they came out of the locker room sluggish and fell behind Colorado early. The Huskies looked dead to rights, before Ollie directed his team to a solid, 74-67, come from behind win. The Huskies are on a 37-15-1 ATS run on neutral courts, and they're on a 5-0 ATS run, overall. Finally, UConn has never lost a Big Dance game (7-0 SU) with Ollie as coach. I believe this one will go down to the wire, making the points worth taking. I'm grabbing the points with UConn, my DogPound release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Wichita State on Saturday. Those who have followed me on my Las Vegas radio shows know how much I liked this Wichita State team before the season began. Then injuries and suspensions hit and the Shockers struggled (relatively speaking) in the early portion of the season. But they're clicking on all cylinders at this point, holding seven straight opponents under 60 points. The Shockers have held their first two Big Dance foes to 35.6% shooting, including 24% from behind the arc, and they have produced a +18 turnover margin in the two games. Miami has been outstanding for most of the season, making more than 47% of their FGA, but struggled at times against Buffalo, before winning 79-72 as a 14-point favorite. The difference in the win came at the FT line where Miami scored 10 more points than the Bulls. Miami allows the opposition to nail over 24 FGs per game on 43% shooting, averaging just 1 1/2 more FGs made than the opposition, while WSU makes nearly 25 FGs and allowed less than 19 on 38% shooting. The Shockers also own the much better turnover ratio, including defensively, where they forced the opposition into a 0.61 ratio, allowing just 9.1 assists per game and producing 15 turnovers per game. Wichita enters on a 44-16-2 ATS run off a cover and they're on a 9-3 ATS tourney run. Miami, meanwhile, has dropped four straight games ATS. I'm laying the points with Wichita my Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the chalk with the Oregon Ducks on Friday evening. My power ratings, good enough to have us on a 54-31 winning CBB run, tell me that the two worst teams in the Big Dance are Holy Cross & Southern, the team the Crusaders beat in the play-in game. You need to be able to score points to hang with Oregon if the Ducks care about a non-conference game, and obviously they care about this one. Holy Cross is 327th in scoring per game, 291st in FG percentage, and 265th in 3-point accuracy. The 15-19 (SU) Patriot tourney winners won their final five games just to get to four games under .500. You'd think they play decent denial basketball on the defensive end because of their low-scoring offense, but it's not the case. Holy Cross, ranked 287th in FG percentage defense and 263rd defending the trey, are involved in low-scoring games because of the tempo, not defensive prowess. Oregon should name the score in this one. The Ducks have four players averaging between 16.8 ppg and 12.1 ppg. Casey Benson has a ridiculous assists-turnover ratio, dishing out 103 assists with just 23 turnovers, and Chris Boucher (12.1 ppg) is a beast on the glass, pulling down over 7 1/2 rpg. Over the last five games, the Ducks have averaged over 23 FTA per game, while Holy Cross, too in love with the deep perimeter game, only attempted 16 FTA per game in their last five. A lack of focus would be the only thing that keeps the Ducks from winning big...and there's no reason to believe they'll lack focus at any point in this game, whether the starters or the reserves are on the floor. Oregon is 14-3 ATS under Dana Altman after committing 14 turnovers or less in each of their previous five games. They're 30-11 ATS in all March games he has coached at Oregon, and he's on a 6-1 ATS run in the Big Dance. We saw Virginia and Kansas cover big lines in mismatch's yesterday. I expect Oregon to join that club today. I'm laying the points with Oregon, my Beatdown release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with South Dakota State on Friday. To hang with or beat the Terps, a team's chances improve greatly if they have at least one solid "big," along with a decent backcourt. South Dakota State has it. Forward Mike Daum has the goods to give the Terrapins trouble, averaging over 15 ppg and 6 rpg on the season. Daum has been even better down the stretch, averaging nearly 20 ppg. The backcourt consists mainly of George Marshall and Deondre Parks. The two vets averaging almost 30 ppg combined, and the Jackrabbits have two more guards averaging 9.1 ppg & 8.6 ppg. In all, nine players on the SDSU roster average more than 10 minutes played per game. The Summit League entry allows just 5.9 made treys per contest and they average 23 FTA per game, while Maryland has averaged less than 16 FTA per game over their last five contests, while allowing teams to make 46% of their FGA and 40% of their 3's. The Terps do own a solid front-line, while Melo Trimble leads the team in scoring from the guard position. But Trimble has been struggling on offense of late. Then again, he's shot just 41% on the season, including 33% from behind the arc. Maryland simply didn't close well, winning three of their last eight games, including a 68-63 loss to Minnesota, a team SDSU beat 84-70 on the road. The Jackrabbits have handled good defenses well under Coach Nagy, going 14-4 ATS against teams that hold opponents to 42% shooting or less. I'm betting SDSU will hang the number and I'm taking those points with South Dakota State, my DogPound release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing Gonzaga on Thursday night. The Zags front-line is going to prove to be too much for the Pirates, in my opinion, even with Angel Delagdo on the floor. Mark Few's Bulldogs are good at drawing fouls inside and their offensive attack has balance. Seton Hall won four straight, including the Big East tourney, but they're terrible at the FT line, making just 66% of their chances, and I don't like their assists/turnover ratio which is exactly 1.00. The Pirates average as many turnovers as they do assists. Besides the front-line, Gonzaga can draw players outside, nailing over 40% of their 3-pointers, and when they do get to the FT line, they are 12th in the nation converting those opportunities. The Zags have covered five straight games and they're on a 7-0 SU first round run under Few. Seton Hall has been a spread darling this season, but I'm betting the run ends here. I'm backing Gonzaga, my Bailout Beatdown. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Fresno State on Thursday. The Bulldogs are a veteran-laden team who captured the MWC with a win over San Diego State, part of a current 9-game winning streak (8-1 ATS). Marvelle Harris is a nightmare matchup for any opposing backcourt. Harris averages 20.6 ppg, nearly 5 rpg, and owns better than a 2:1 assists/turnover ratio on the season. A total of seven Bulldog players average virtually 8 ppg or more. The veteran backourt averages over 8 steals per game and forces 15 turnovers per contest. This is a tough matchup for the Pac-12 runner-up that shoots too many treys for my blood. Fresno is used to facing teams that enjoy the deep perimeter, facing a slate of opponents who averaged over 21 3-point attempts per contest. They're not as big in the paint as Utah, but they fight and contest every single entry pass and shot. And we know the Utah bench is nothing to write home about, with questionable depth. Fresno enters on a 7-0 ATS run against teams with a winning record, and they're also on a 7-0 ATS run against teams that force no more than 12 turnovers per game, (Utah forces 10.2). We'll grab the points with Fresno State, my Main Event Dog. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Yale on Thursday. No news when we state that except for last season, 12-seeds have been the way to go ATS over 5-seeds more often than not. We aren't playing Yale because of this fact, but instead, we believe the Bulldogs rebounding ability will take away one Baylor positive. Yale owns a rebound margin of +11.1 per game. They're also playing very close to home and enter on a smoking-hot 17-1 SU winning run. Yale won 13 of those 17 by double digits and won 15 times by at least nine points. So, yes, the Baylor schedule has been tougher, but the Bulldogs haven't been simply sneaking by teams. And while Yale enters on a 9-3-1 ATS run, the Bears are 1-8 ATS in their last nine non-conference games. I'm grabbing the points with Yale, my DogPound release on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Tulsa on Wednesday. One particular Las Vegas sports book group was set to open this game near PK'm. But they understood they'd have so much action coming in on Michigan, they had to adjust that number, according to the VP of Business Development at CGT. That in itself, tells how much public perception has meant to this number. Tulsa had won three straight and five of six, including wins over SMU, Cincinnati, and Temple, before losing two of their next three to Memphis. The more we look at it, the more it seems as though Memphis was just a bad matchup for the Golden Hurricane. By losing that second meeting, Tulsa has had an extra day of rest and we feel they'll be ready to potentially pull the upset here. Michigan misses Caris LeVert. Yes, they saw plenty of action without their top player, but the fact is, even though they're used to his absence, they're a different team when he's not on the floor. The Wolverines are also too reliant on the 3-pointer, with 44.5% of their shots coming from behind the arc. By doing so, they don't get to the FT line, averaging just 16 FTA per game. If the trey goes sour, they don't have the FT bailout. Tulsa averages 23 FTA per game, play a better brand of defense in FG percentage allowed than Michigan, and in a matchup of guard-heavy teams, are more diverse on the offensive end. Tulsa enters on a 5-0 ATS run against teams playing better than .600 basketball, while U-M is 1-4 ATS in their last five games. I'm grabbing the points with Tulsa, my Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with IPFW on Tuesday night. A difference in styles and motivation in this opening night matchup in the NIT. The Mastadons rank 26th in scoring, averaging over 80 ppg and are one of the best deep perimeter shooting teams in the nation, ranked 6th in 3-point accuracy, making over 40% of their attempts. SDSU would be happy with a "first team to 60 wins," type of contest. If the Aztecs get their wish, it'll be tough to cover the double digit spread. As far as the motivation factor, IPFW came up short in the Summit League tournament after posting a 12-4 league mark. But they've had plenty of time to get over it, and the Mastadons are reportedly thrilled with the NIT bid. Meanwhile, the Aztecs are used to Big Dance invites with Sweet-16 potential under Steve Fisher, not settling for smaller tourneys. But those are the cards that have been dealt after falling to Fresno State in the MWC title tilt in Las Vegas. The team and its fans are not too excited for this NIT contest. Reports are saying SDSU's sellout streak at Viejas Arena will end at 72, as they're expecting the facility to be half full. Motivation in the NIT is not unlike motivation in pre-New Year's Day bowl games. Some teams are excited, while others go through the motions, used to bigger and better tourneys. IPFW puts four players in double figures in scoring per night and a 5th is averaging more than 8 ppg. Three players have piled up between 120 & 81 assists on the season. The Aztecs own strong defensive numbers, but they struggle badly with FG accuracy and 3-point shooting on the offensive end. They've also come up short in the steals department and IPFW is 8-1 ATS this season against teams that average no more than six steals per game. SDSU enters on a 4-9-1 ATS slide at home and they're 0-6 ATS over the last two seasons against teams that average at least eight made 3-pointers per contest (IPFW averages 10.4 made treys per game). Finally, the Summit League entry enters on a 36-14-2 ATS run on the road. I'm grabbing the points with IPFW, my Tuesday NIT Knockout. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Kentucky on Sunday.  The teams met once in the regular season, ending in a 79-77 Texas A&M win in OT.  We had the Aggies in that one and got a little fortunate at the end.  Kentucky led 76-75 with 10-seconds left in OT and had just gained possession of the basketball along with a foul on A&M to stop the clock.  But a controversial technical foul was called on Kentucky's Isaac Humphries, who was in celebration mode.  The official who made the call mistook his happiness with taunting, and A&M sank the FTs.  I had A&M that day, and realized right away I got help from the guys with the whistles.  The Wildcats were a 2-point road favorite in the matchup, and here they are, laying just 3 1/2 on a neutral floor.  A&M gets it done on the defensive end, but they didn't exactly shine against Kentucky. The Wildcats made 27 of 54 shots in the OT loss, including 10 of 20 from behind the arc.  And over the last four games, all wins & covers, the 'Cats have averaged 90 ppg on 52.5% shooting, including 50.7% from area code 3.  John Calipari's troops own a +33 rebound margin during the run and have committed just 34 turnovers, while piling up 73 assists to just 36 for the opposition.  A&M will attempt to throw a wrench into the Kentucky offense, but I don't believe the Aggies will be able to keep up at the other end.  The Wildcats have covered four straight games, enter on a 20-8-2 ATS run in SEC play and they're 10-4 ATS against teams playing better than .600 basketball.  I'm laying the points with Kentucky, my SEC Beatdown.  Thanks & GL!  Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Purdue on Saturday. Nice comeback win by Michigan last night, a game that was reminiscent of the Wolverines win over Purdue in Ann Arbor on February 13. Last night, Michigan trailed Indiana 66-61 with 1:50 to go in the second half, but outscored the Hoosiers 11-3 to close the game and pull-off the 72-69 win. Last month, Michigan trailed Purdue 56-50 with three minutes to go in regulation. The Boilermakers had numerous chances in the paint, but never scored another point, falling 61-56, getting outscored 11-0 over the final 3:17. The Boilermakers whipped U-M by 17 points in the first meeting and their strengths were on display and seemed to be in control for most of the 80 minutes of action in the two games, combined. Michigan takes 44.5% of all their shots from behind the 3-point line. But Purdue defends the deep perimeter well, holding teams to 31.4% shooting from behind the arc. And due to the amount of treys, Michigan only attempts about 16 free throws per game. They're weak on the glass, while Purdue has dominated inside, and also produced nealy 18 assists per game. The Boilermakers enter on a 4-0-1 ATS run in their last five games, overall, and they're on a 6-1-1 ATS run against Michigan. I'm laying the points with Purdue, my Big-10 Beatdown. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Tulsa on Friday night. We ended up in the black playing against Memphis multiple times in conference action this season, but we did lose one when we backed Tulsa on February 28. The Golden Hurricanes lost 92-82 as short chalk, but the final score didn't give a true indication of how close the game actually was. Tulsa led at one point of the second half and were within four with less than three minutes to go in the game. But the Hurricanes went ice cold, scoring just four points over the final 2:43 of the contest. Memphis won just five of their final 14 games and went through some serious in-game dry spells on the offensive end. The Tigers rank 292nd in FG percentage and 275th in 3-point accuracy. Memphis played just one neutral site game this season, but in road action, they allowed 80 ppg on 45% shooting, and saw their opponents average a whopping 30 FTA per game. Tulsa was the much better team away from home this season, and while they're on a 5-1 ATS run against teams with a winning record, the Tigers enter on an 8-22 ATS slide against teams playing better than .600 basketball. Tulsa was a 2-point favorite at Memphis in the Tigers home finale just two weeks ago. I have no problem laying the number today on a neutral floor. I'm laying the points with Tulsa, my Knockout on Friday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with North Carolina on Friday. The Irish are off the big come from behind win over Duke yesterday. Notre Dame trailed 64-48 midway through the second half and looked like they were on their way to their third big, double digit loss in four games. But Duke went cold, the Irish caught fire and closed regulation on a 22-6 run to send the contest to OT, where Mike Brey's team won 84-79. I'm sure the big comeback reminded UNC fans of what happened to their Tar Heels in South Bend in early February. UNC held a nine-point lead at the half, led by double digits in the second half, and held as big as a 15-point lead before the Irish made the run, winning 80-76. It marked the third straight win by Notre Dame over North Carolina, including last season's ACC postseason tourney championship victory. One situation UNC has pointed to in the last two meetings is the huge Irish advantage at the FT line. Notre Dame attempted 70 FTA in the last two meetings, combined, to just 28 FTA for the Heels. I expect a "market correction" in this one with UNC averaging 21 FTA per game away from home this season and Notre Dame averaging less than 16 FTA per game outside of South Bend. The Heels are the much better rebounding team over the last five games, where they also averaged nearly 17 assists per contest. While the Irish have taken care of the basketball this season, I do expect the Heels to do their best to smother the Notre Dame backcourt in this one after they committed 18 turnovers against Duke. The Irish have lost three of their last five games, including an 18 point loss to Miami and a 21 point loss to Florida State. I'm laying the points with North Carolina, my Revenge Wipeout on Friday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing Mississippi State on Thursday night. It took a while, but Ben Howland has MSU on the same page and they have won four of their last six outright, covering five of those games. We have backed Mississippi State a couple of times down the stretch, cashing both times. MSU has scored 72 ppg on 46% shooting, while allowing just 68 ppg over their last five outings, a nice improvement over what was going on early in the conference season. Georgia has really been struggling with their accuracy, making just 40% of their FGA over their last five contests, while allowing those teams to make nearly 10 treys per game on 40% 3-point shooting. UGA has averaged more FTA per game over their last five than MSU, but the team from Athens also watched the opposition take more than 23 FTA on average. And while UGA has forced just 9.4 turnovers per game in their last five, MSU has forced a strong, 0.79 assists-turnovers ratio. We should also note that UGA forced fewer than 11 tpg on the season and Miss State is on a 10-1 ATS run against teams that force no more than 12 tpg. I expect Miss State's surge to continue at least for one more game. I'm backing Mississippi State, my SEC Shocker. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with North Carolina on Thursday. Those who follow me already know I'm not the biggest Panther fan in 2016. We have gone against Pitt in each of their last two games and we cashed both tickets. Obviously, yesterday's win was a little close for comfort, but the bottom line is that Pitt is not as strong as their 14-1 SU start to the season would indicate. The Panthers are just 7-9 SU in their last 16 games, even with yesterday's win. They're also on a 0-8 ATS slide this March and last, not finishing either season well. It wasn't easy plucking our money down on Syracuse, because Pitt had matched up well with them during the season. But the Panthers did not match up well with North Carolina in their regular season meeting. UNC smothered Pitt's ball handlers and forced 19 turnovers in an 85-64 win. Meanwhile, the Heels finished with 26 assists and just 11 turnovers. Roy Williams' 2016 version is all about getting the ball to the what is arguably the nation's best front-line. I expect more of the same here. And once Pitt collapses inside, the Heels will find open shots on the perimeter. Besides the 0-8 ATS slide mentioned earlier, we also note that Pitt is on a 0-7 ATS slide against elite rebounding teams, those that average at least seven more rpg than they allow (UNC +12.3). I'm laying the points with North Carolina, my Early Knockout. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Marquette on Wednesday night. Chris Mullin's first year on the job as coach of his alma mater got off to a decent start. SJU began 7-3 SU, with a win over Syracuse, included. The nightmare began following the win over the Orange on December 13, and the Red Storm are just 1-20 SU since then. The Johnnies have been simply ugly on the defensive end, while "simply ugly" would be a nice way to describe their play on the offensive end. Marquette, ranked 45th in FG percentage, and with virtually five players averaging in double figures in scoring, should have little trouble finding their shot and making it a 3-game season sweep. Twin Towers Henry Ellenson & Luke Fischer will lead an attack against a defenseless Red Storm team that has been non-competitive too often this season. The only difference I expect in this one compared to the first two meetings is for Marquette to win by a larger margin. They led St. John's by 18 points in the second half in the second meeting before letting up, and led by double digits with 20 seconds to go in the first meeting before winning by six. No let-up in the conference tourney. I'm laying the points with Marquette, my Mismatch on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Air Force on Wednesday afternoon. The season can't end any quicker after a nightmare campaign for UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels began the season 8-2 SU, including wins over Indiana & Oregon. In fact, their two losses came by a bucket to UCLA and by six points to Wichita State. Things were looking bright for UNLV. But since then, they have won just nine of 21 games, suffered a poor season in a bad conference, and saw their coach get fired in January. Making matters worse, they now have a roster with potentially eight fewer players on the floor tonight than when the season tipped-off. The latest casualty is freshman sensation Derrick Jones, who has been suspended for the rest of the season due to alleged irregularities on an ACT test he took last year. UNLV's first game without Jones wasn't a pretty one. In fact, they looked like they packed it in when they lost 92-56 to San Diego State to end the regular season. Air Force lost 100-64 to UNLV in interim coach Todd Simon's second game on the job. The Rebels were rocking through Simon's first three games and then the season crashed once again. The Falcons avenged the 36-point loss with a 79-74 win over UNLV on February 16 and have now won two of the last three meetings. I expect the Falcons' pace and style of play to throw a wrench into UNLV's system, playing without a true playmaker. And while AFA has covered four of their last five against teams with a winning record, UNLV enters on a 2-8 ATS slide, overall. Yes, the conference does play the tourney in Las Vegas, but take it from someone who attends the tourney virtually every postseason. The MWC does a fantastic job of making this as close to a neutral site feeling as humanly possible. I'm taking the points with Air Force, my DogPound Shocker. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Syracuse on Wednesday. Pitt swept the Orange this season and last, but there's a little something different going on right now in Syracuse that should help them in this one. Michael Gbinije has caught fire down the stretch, scoring 72 points in his last three games, combined, while dishing out 18 assists. The Orange have had no problem hanging with Pitt in the first half and beyond in each meeting this season, tied at intermission in one contest and trailing by only two points in the other. Syracuse led Pitt with less than four minutes to go in one game and they were within two points late in the second half of the other. Pitt began this season 14-1 SU, but against a soft slate. They're just 6-9 SU in their last 15, and after Saturday's loss to Ga Tech, (we had GT), the Panthers are now on a 0-7 ATS slide in March of this season and last. Pitt is on a 1-10 ATS slide after scoring no more than 65 points in back-to-back contests over the last three seasons (scored 61 & 59 in their last two games). When the well begins to run dry, they haven't shown an ability to recover quickly on the offensive end. I'm grabbing the points with Syracuse, my Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Penn on Tuesday night. The Penn/Princeton rivalry renews after a 73-71 OT win by Princeton in January. Penn held an 11-point lead with less than four minutes to go in regulation and owned a five point lead in OT, before losing by a bucket. Part of the problem was a huge disadvantage at the FT line. Penn finished 4 of 11, while the Tigers made 22 of 30. Two Quakers fouled-out, while five players finished with at least four personal fouls. Meanwhile, not a single Princeton Tiger was whistled for more than two personal fouls in the game. Darien Nelson-Henry was a nightmare matchup for the Tigers at both ends in the close win and I expect Penn's leading scorer and rebounder to find success once again. And while Princeton enters on a 1-5 ATS run at home against teams with a losing record, Penn is on a 13-3 ATS run at Princeton and they're 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, overall. Both teams know their fate. Penn's season ends when this one goes final, while the Tigers are likely to get a call from the NIT, finishing runner-up to Yale in the Ivy League. I expect a closer game than the line states and I'm taking the points with Penn, my DogPound release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Wisconsin on Sunday. The Badgers will seek revenge in this one after losing 61-55 to Purdue earlier this season. That was one loss in a 9-9 SU start to the season for the Badgers. That included a 2-4 SU slide after Greg Gard took over the reigns when Bo Ryan retired in mid-December. The Badgers have since won 11 of 12 outright, while covering 10 of 12. The problem for the Boilemakers is that they'll face one of the top defensive teams in the nation. Purdue has shot well in three straight games, but the Badgers are a different situation, even on the road where they have held the opposition to 20 made FGs per game on 40% shooting. They have been outstanding in same season revenge for years, and Purdue is just 1-6-1 ATS against teams playing better than .600 basketball. I'm grabbing the points with Wisconsin, my KO play on Sunday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with LIU-Brooklyn on Saturday. This marks the second time in three days I'll have played against NEC top-seed, Wagner. We cashed with Robert Morris in opening round play on Wednesday. Wagner won 59-50 (lost ATS), but they were in a dogfight most of the way and were tied at 42 with less than six minutes to go in the game. We mentioned in that write-up that Wagner struggles with their shot. The Seahawks rank 257th in FG percentage and 237th from behind the arc. I also stated that Wagner would be perfectly happy with a "first team to 60 wins the game" style of play. When that's the case, it's tough for a favorite of four buckets, in this case, to cover point-spreads. LIU-Brooklyn, the league's 6th seed, swept the regular season meetings, winning 82-69 at home and 71-70 on the road, in the same venue they'll play today. As you can see, LIU-Brooklyn dictated the tempo. The Blackbirds held poor-shooting Wagner to a grand total of just 10 made treys on 37 attempts in the two games, combined. The Seahawks also had no answer for LIU forward Jerome Frink. Frink is 3rd in the league in scoring and combined for 43 points and 21 rebounds in the two wins. There's a ton of talent on this team, with four players averaging between 16.7 ppg and 12 ppg. And they're led by coach Jack Perri, who assisted on LIU-Brooklyn NEC tourney championship teams in 2011 & 2012, and won another tourney title in his first year as head coach in 2013. He knows his way through a conference tourney. Just three NEC tourneys all-time have gone exactly according to seeding and the last to do so was 22 years ago. Can the Blackbirds make it a 3-0 season sweep over Wagner? Maybe, but we just need them to hang the number. I'm taking the points with LIU-Brooklyn, my Tapout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Georgia Tech on Saturday. Ga Tech's four-game winning streak came to an end on March 1, but there was no shame in a hard fought 56-53 loss to Louisville, covering the spread as a 12-point road underdog. They're back at home for senior day with a chance to exact revenge for an 89-84 loss at Pitt. The Panthers rolled through their first 15 games of the season building a 14-1 SU record against mostly soft opposition. But since then, the Panthers are 6-8 SU in their last 14 games and are overvalued here as far as we are concerned. Jamie Dixon's troops have averaged just 64 ppg on 40% shooting on the road this season. At the same time, they have allowed their hosts to make 48% of their shots. Ga Tech would like to take this one into the high 70s, which is their ppg average at home. They're the much better rebounding team in this situation and average less than 10 tpg at home. Ga Tech doesn't give up a lot of "freebies," be it put-backs or fast-break opportunities off of turnovers in Atlanta. And we should note in the first meeting, Ga Tech made four more FGs than Pitt, but couldn't overcome a big deficit at the FT line. Ga Tech made 8 of 15 FTA, while Pitt nailed 25 of 30 in the five-point win. Pitt is 2-9 ATS this season against teams that average at least four more rebounds per game than they allow, and they're 0-6 ATS this March and last as Dixon's team have struggled down the stretch. I'm laying the points with Ga Tech, my Knockout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Texas A&M on Saturday. Both teams are red-hot, both teams own a win over Kentucky this season, but A&M is the team in revenge. Vandy whipped the Aggies 77-60 in early February on a night when the Commodores couldn't miss. Vandy nailed 51% of their FGA in the win, including 13 of 29 treys. That game started a four game losing streak for A&M, but they have since bounced back with a five game winning streak, and they have a shot at an SEC title. They have been outstanding at College Station this season, posting a 16-1 SU record, while outscoring their opponents by an average of 16 ppg. They have posted strong defensive numbers and I highly doubt the Commodores will come close to the same success they saw on the offensive end in the first meeting. A&M averages 24 FTA per game at home, while Vandy's hosts have averaged 24 FTA per contest. And while Vanderbilt only forces 8 turnovers per game on the road, A&M has a terrific assists-turnover ratio of 1.71 at home, averaging nearly 20 apg and just 11.5 tpg. A&M enters on a 7-0 ATS run in revenge of a loss when the opponent scored more than 75 points in the win. The Aggies won the rematch by an average of nearly 14 ppg, holding the opposition to 57 ppg. Last time on this floor, the Aggies beat the Commodores 69-58 as a 5-point favorite. I won't be surprised if we see a similar result today. I'm laying the points with Texas A&M, my Morning Massacre on Saturday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Illinois State on Friday night. Opening round action in the MVC and we have teams headed in the opposite direction over the last several weeks. Indiana State had dropped six in a row SU before ending their season with a home game against horrible Bradley. How bad were the 5-27 Braves? Well, Indiana State, on that 0-6 SU slide was a 13-point favorite. The Sycamores were also 0-8-1 ATS in their last nine games before the win. The boys from Terre Haute can't hit the broadside of the barn, ranked 337th in FG percentage and 309th in 3-point accuracy. And they have been outscored by an average of 75-61 in their last five games, making just 34.5% of their FGA and 23.3% of their 3-point attempts, (those numbers include the blowout win over BU). Illinois State enters on a 9-3 SU (8-4 ATS) run with the three losses coming at Wichita State (beat WSU earlier this season), at Northern Iowa, and in OT at Missouri State. They have held their last five opponents to 62 ppg on 39% shooting, while making 47% of their own FGA. They also held those teams to an average of five made 3-pointers per game on 25.7% shooting. The Redbirds are also making 76% of their FTA to less than 63% shooting by the Sycamores. The teams split the regular season meetings with Illinois State winning the most recent meeting by 28 points. I expect another spread covering win tonight by a team that's long and tough on the defensive end. I'm laying the points with Illinois State, my Friday Tourney Crusher. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Arizona on Thursday night. California has been hot, winning and covering seven straight games. They also own a win this season over Arizona, a 74-73 victory on January 23. Only two of the seven wins came on the road and those were against the two Washington schools. Toss the Cougars and Huskies out of the mix and Cal is 1-6 SU on the road this season, and an OT win over Wyoming away from 0-7. To beat Cal, especially by margin, you normally need the "bigs" inside to handle Cal's frontline and Arizona owns the personnel to win that battle. Arizona is a beast at home, going 15-1 SU this season and 106-12 since Sean Miller took the reigns in Tucson. They're shooting over 51% from the field at home, including nearly 40% from behind the arc. We should also note that the Wildcats attempt over 29 FTs per game at home, while the Bears have seen their opponents attempt 27 FTs when Cal is on the road. Arizona is the much better rebounding team in this situation and the Bears own a poor 0.71 assists-turnovers ratio on the road. Arizona enters on a 16-6 ATS run at home against teams with a winning record, winning by an average score of 81-61. They're also 7-0 ATS at home after losing at least two straight, outscoring the seven opponents by an average margin of 25 ppg. What a difference a year makes. Last time here, (March 5, 2015) Arizona beat Cal, 99-60 as a 19 point favorite. The Golden Bears are obviously a better squad this season, but I still expect a spread covering win for the Wildcats. I'm laying the points with Arizona, my PAC-12 MAIN EVENT. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with the Temple Owls on Thursday night. We have been playing against Memphis over the past couple of months and while we have turned a profit, we did lose one when they came from behind to beat Tulsa last time out. But that win came at home. In fact, it was the Tigers' home finale. This one is on the road where Memphis is 1-7 SU this season. They'll face a motivated Temple squad that's tied atop the AAC with SMU at 12-4. SMU has been banned from the postseason, but the Owls can't afford a home loss to a struggling Memphis team. There is same season revenge involved in this one after Memphis squeaked out a 67-65 win at home over Temple on January 13. The biggest note from that game involved free throws. Memphis made 23 of 30, while the Owls were afforded just nine FTA, making five. We should note that under Coach Dunphy, Temple is 9-2 ATS in revenge of a loss by three points or less. Temple outscored those 11 teams by an average of 72-62. And while the Owls have covered the last four meetings, the Tigers have covered just five of their last 19 road games against teams playing better than .600 basketball, and they're 1-8 ATS following a cover. I'm laying the points with Temple, my AAC Revenge GOM on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Butler on Wednesday. Some teams just have the other team's number in conference basketball action. Seton Hall and Butler have met six times since January of 2014 with the Bulldogs posting a 5-1 SU mark and 6-0 ATS record. In fact, the lone Seton Hall win came in a 51-50 final with the Pirates failing to cover as a 2 1/2 point favorite. Butler has since won and covered three straight meetings. I'm not the first to mention it, but the motion offense Butler employs has been baffling the Pirates and I expect more of the same in this one. Seton Hall also picked up a pair of huge wins in their last two outings, knocking off Providence and Xavier in their final two home games of the season. The wins will go far in solidifying the Pirates' Big Dance ticket. This is a big game for Butler and I do believe they'll respond in spread covering fashion. The Bulldogs nail virtually half of their shots at home and they are facing a Seton Hall squad that averages just 11 assists per game, while committing 14 turnovers per game on the road. Besides their 6-0 ATS head-to-head mark, the Bulldogs are on a 6-1 ATS run, overall. I'm laying the points with Butler, my Knockout release on Wednesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm taking the points with Robert Morris on Wednesday. The most successful team in NEC tourney history didn't have a typical regular season. Robert Morris has won a conference-best eight NEC tournaments and they have appeared in the title game in six of the last seven postseasons. The Colonials struggled this season, finishing as the 8th seed. But RMU gave top-seeded Wagner all the Seahawks could handle in both meetings, losing by just three points at home and by eight points on the road. Wagner doesn't shoot well and they rank 250th in the nation in scoring. The Seahawks prefer to win games on the defensive end and if they have their druthers, they'd be perfectly happy with a "first team to 60 wins," outcome on Wednesday. It's been six meetings since Wagner beat RMU by double digits, which is what they must do to cover tonight's number. RMU's Rodney Pryor has reached double figures in scoring in 30 of the team's 31 games this season, including both meetings with Wagner. While you could see the Seahawks were all about denying the senior guard, others stepped up their scoring for the Colonials, including Kavon Stewart and Billy Giles, who combined for 40 points in the first meeting, and Isaiah Still stepped up and scored 15 points in the second meeting. RMU harassed Wagner, forcing 20 turnovers and 19 turnovers in the two games. These teams just met on February 27, so it's a chance for quick revenge for the Colonials. And like the first two meetings, I expect another tight game that finishes inside tonight's posted number. I'm taking the points with Robert Morris, my NEC DogPound. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm backing SDSU on Tuesday night. The Aztecs did something completely out of the norm for a Steve Fisher-coached team last time out. They blew a 63-54 lead at home with little more than one minute to go in the game. SDSU was outscored 12-0 to close the game and lost 66-63 to Boise State. The Aztecs missed seven straight FTs down the stretch and made just 17 of 32 FTA for the game. But New Mexico has really hit hard times, dropping three straight games and with a coach firmly on the hot seat. Lobo faithful have been calling for Craig Neal's dismissal all season and while SDSU isn't the Elite-8 material of some of Fisher's teams, they are the best team in the MWC and will certainly be refocused after the unforced meltdown over the weekend. SDSU enters on a 9-1-2 ATS run off a spread loss and they're 8-3 ATS in their last 11 at New Mexico. Meanwhile, the Lobos have covered just five of their last 19 off a SU loss. I'm backing San Diego State, my Slam Dunk. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

I'm laying the points with Kentucky on Tuesday night. Nice chance for a quick bounce back for the Wildcats who fell short over the weekend at Vanderbilt. Kentucky is tied atop the SEC at 11-5 with Texas A&M and I expect the 'Cats to be refocused for this one. Kentucky had no trouble at all with Florida in the first meeting, winning 80-61. They not only couldn't miss, but also had little trouble with the Gators on the glass. Florida has had a tough time with their shot all season and rank 261st in FG percentage and 300th in 3-point accuracy. The Gators have made just 39% of their FGA over the last five games (26.7% 3-pointers) and will face a Kentucky squad that has held their last five opponents to less than 38% shooting. There aren't likely too be many "freebies" in this one either, with Kentucky averaging just over 7 turnovers per game over the last five contests. Florida has dropped three straight games SU/ATS and have lost seven of their last eight ATS. The Gators are also on a 0-4 ATS slide at home, and they're 0-7 ATS in same season revenge going back to last season. I'm laying the points with Kentucky on Tuesday, my Knockout release. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.