Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03-23-18 | Clemson v. Kansas -5 | 76-80 | Loss | -107 | 10 h 14 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #878 Friday 8* Kansas Jayhawks (-) vs Clemson Tigers @ 7:05 ET - Yesterday when I used Michigan in their blowout win over Texas A & M my analysis mentioned how the Aggies had basically played the "perfect game" versus North Carolina in their prior game and how that tends to be followed by a team falling flat in their next game. That is exactly what happened and the Wolverines dominated them last night. I look for a similar result here. Clemson played their "perfect game" versus Auburn in a blowout win Sunday and I expect them to come crashing down to earth big-time in this one. The loss of forward Donte Grantham (ACL) is going to be felt here as the Jayhawks frontcourt holds a big edge in this one in my opinion. The Tigers have shot the ball very well so far in this tourney but they certainly face a much bigger test Friday and, keep in mind, Clemson had been held to 58 points or less in 4 of their 7 games prior the Big Dance. As for the Jayhawks, they've scored at least 74 points in 10 of their last 11 games. Before allowing Seton Hall to shoot 45.3% Sunday, Kansas had held 5 of their last 7 opponents to 42.9% or less from the field. The Jayhawks are 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) last 10 NCAA Tourney games while the Tigers are a long-term 3-5 SU and ATS in the Big Dance. Also, Clemson is 0-4 ATS last 4 versus Big 12 opponents. 8* KANSAS |
|||||||
03-23-18 | Nuggets +1.5 v. Wizards | 108-100 | Win | 100 | 9 h 39 m | Show | |
Early NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Game #853 Friday 8* Denver Nuggets (+) @ Washington Wizards @ 7:05 ET - The Nuggets are in a fight for a final playoff spot in the West. They also have revenge in this spot as they lost at home to the Wizards early this season. Denver has a poor season record on the road but they've actually won 5 of their last 9 road games and one of those losses was that tough recent multiple-OT loss at Miami. In other words, the Nuggets are a much better road team now than they were earlier this season. The Wizards have covered only 12 of their 35 home games this season. Also, Washington has lost 6 of their last 10 games overall and 4 of those 6 losses have come on their home floor. Look for the Nuggets to improve to 7-3 ATS this season when playing with home loss revenge. 8* DENVER |
|||||||
03-22-18 | Texas A&M v. Michigan -2.5 | Top | 72-99 | Win | 100 | 10 h 44 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #818 Thursday 10* Top Play Michigan Wolverines vs Texas A & M Aggies @ 7:35 ET - The Aggies played the perfect game versus North Carolina and now the public is so enamored with Texas A & M that the line on Michigan in this game is being driven down from as high as a -4 to where it is now seems headed for a -2. Sure the Aggies looked great but everything was falling in for them and coming up roses while the Tar Heels couldn't buy a bucket. It was just one of those nights but now everyone over-reacts and you know where the value is now. Keep in mind, the Aggies beat a Providence team in round one that is certainly a good team but not great. Now A & M faces a Michigan team that has won 11 straight games and has allowed less than 35% from the field so far in this tourney. The Wolverines had a very tough shooting effort in their tight win over Houston in the 2nd round but Michigan had previously shot 44% or better in 8 straight games! Keep in mind, the Aggies (prior to getting hot in the first two games of this tourney) were held under 39.4% from the field in 3 straight games. I am not sold on this Aggies team but the world is and that has created value that is truly off the charts here with a Wolverines team that was seeded #3 with good reason! Big value here. 10* MICHIGAN |
|||||||
03-22-18 | 76ers -7.5 v. Magic | Top | 118-98 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #801 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ Orlando Magic @ 7:05 ET - The 76ers are in a back to back spot here but they got up huge last night versus Memphis and were able to rest up for tonight's game at Orlando. Also, the Sixers first two back to backs this season have seen them win both and average 115 points per game. The Magic just don't have the offense to keep up here. Orlando has lost 7 of their last 8 games. The Magic were held to 88 points or less in 5 of those 7 defeats. To put that in proper perspective, Philly has been held to 88 points or less just once this entire season. In fact, the 76ers have scored 98 points or more in 12 straight games. That's why odds are high that another Philly victory by a double digit margin is on tap here. The Sixers have won both meetings with the Magic this season by double digits and the average margin of those games was 15 points. Another rout here. Orlando 4-10 SU and ATS versus Atlantic Division opponents this season. The 76ers are 10-4 SU and ATS versus Southeast Division opponents this season. Philly is 16-10 SU and 17-9 ATS this season when off of a non-conference game. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-21-18 | Nuggets -9 v. Bulls | Top | 135-102 | Win | 100 | 11 h 19 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #761 Wednesday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets (-) @ Chicago Bulls @ 8:05 ET - Yesterday this line was as high as double digits but as of early this morning it has settled in at -9 in most spots. Of course the majority are looking at this game and find it hard to justify laying this big of a spread on the road but, trust me, the odds makers knew what they were doing setting this line this high. This one has road rout written all over it. Denver is fighting for their playoff lives but off of back to back losses and that is why they will take out their frustration on a Bulls team that has nothing to play for at this point in the season. Also, helping our cause here is the fact that Chicago is quite banged up right now. Denver is 4-1 SU and ATS their last 5 meetings with the Bulls but only won by a single point in their non-covering win over the Bulls at home earlier this season. Chicago shot unusually well in that game and that won't happen again here. The Bulls have been held 45.1% or less from the field in 6 of their last 8 games. After the epic multiple-overtime loss at Miami Monday, Denver is fired up about responding huge here at Chicago. The Nuggets are a long-term 20-10 ATS after a game in which they allowed 130 points or more. The Bulls have lost 10 of their last 14 games and the Nuggets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 wins. In other words, odds favor a big win and cover for the road fave in this one. 10* DENVER |
|||||||
03-21-18 | Western Kentucky +4.5 v. Oklahoma State | Top | 92-84 | Win | 100 | 10 h 7 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #765 Wednesday 10* Top Play Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+) @ Oklahoma State Cowboys @ 8 ET - Even though the Cowboys had a shot at the cover versus Stanford Wednesday, they certainly were fortunate to even have that end-game opportunity as they were unimpressive again. For the 4th straight game Oklahoma State was held under 41% from the field. I look for the cold shooting to catch up with them here because Western Kentucky comes into this game red hot. The Hilltoppers have shot better than 53.5% in each of their two games in this tournament and it is not like they played push-overs. Western Kentucky faced Boston College and USC. Also, prior to allowing 46.8% from the field against the Trojans, the Hilltoppers had held each of their 3 prior opponents to 38.5% or less from the field. Western Kentucky allowed just 59.3 points per game in those 3 contests. The Hilltoppers are 6-1 ATS as an underdog this season and also are 6-2 SU and 7-1 ATS in all tournament games this season. The Cowboys are 2-9 ATS this season in games with a posted total in the 140s. Also, Oklahoma State has gone 0-3 ATS this season when playing with 1 day or less of rest between games. 10* WESTERN KENTUCKY |
|||||||
03-20-18 | Penn State +2.5 v. Marquette | Top | 85-80 | Win | 100 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach CBB Game #665 Tuesday 10* Top Play Penn State Nittany Lions (+) @ Marquette Golden Eagles @ 7 ET - Yes Marquette has home court edge but there is a reason they opened at nearly a pick'em in this game. Now that the line is all the way up to a 2.5 as of early gameday morning it is "go time" with this one. The big edge the Nittany Lions have here is on the defensive end. Additionally, Penn State is loaded with confidence because they've notched a number of significant victories away from home this season. PSU just got a big win at Notre Dame here in the NIT and, previous to this, the Nittany Lions defeated Ohio State 3 times this season (including on a neutral floor and in Columbus) and they also lost at Purdue by just 3 points! Penn State has proven multiple times that they can raise their level away from home against top quality competition. The Golden Eagles shoot the 3-ball well but so too do the Nittany Lions. The key is on the defensive end where Penn State has allowed less than 30.9% from beyond the arc in 4 of their last 6 games. By comparison, Marquette has given up 35% or more from three point land in 8 of their last 11 games! On the season the Golden Eagles are allowing a dozen points more per game than PSU is. The Nittany Lions are 10-4 ATS in tournament games and 7-2 ATS their last 9 games versus teams that averaged 77 points or more per game. Marquette is 6-12 ATS this season after allowing 80 points or more in their prior game. 10* PENN STATE |
|||||||
03-19-18 | Stanford v. Oklahoma State -7.5 | Top | 65-71 | Loss | -104 | 9 h 42 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #618 Monday 10* Top Play Oklahoma State Cowboys (-) vs Stanford Cardinal @ 7 ET - This is a #2 vs #3 match-up in the NIT and the line may seem high given the small difference in seeding between these teams. However, don't be fooled, the Cowboys should absolutely win this game by double digits. Oklahoma State shot very poorly versus Florida Gulf Coast in the opening round but still won that game by double digits. Given that the Cowboys are again at home and off of a rare poor shooting performance, I expect a big game from Oklahoma State on the offensive end. As for the other end of the floor, the Cowboys have been playing much better than the Cardinal. OSU has held 6 of their last 7 opponents to 41.7% or less from the field. Stanford, on the other hand, has allowed 44.7% or more in 5 of their last 6 games. The Cardinal have allowed 83 points or more in 4 of their last 6 games. The Cowboys have given up 68 points or less in 4 of their last 6 games. Oklahoma State has covered 6 of their last 7 games. Stanford is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 true road games. The Cardinal are 3-11 ATS their last 14 non-conference games. The Cowboys are 9-5 ATS this season in games with a posted total in the 150s and they get the job done again here. 10* OKLAHOMA STATE |
|||||||
03-18-18 | Florida State +6 v. Xavier | Top | 75-70 | Win | 100 | 12 h 4 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #719 Sunday 10* Top Play Florida State Seminoles (+) vs Xavier Musketeers @ 8:40 ET - Here we go again. The odds makers, in the eyes of the public and therefore the betting markets, don't know what they're doing. After all, why would they make #1 seed Xavier only a 4 point favorite over the #9 seed Florida State? Guys I have said it many times before and I'll say it again. The odds makers are sharp. They know what they're doing. That doesn't mean that a method like this works all the time (because crazy things do happen in games from time to time as we all know) but the point is that this method does work quite often. That method is being contrarian and, of course, everyone has pounded on the #1 seed Musketeers here and driven this line all the way up to a 6 as of gameday morning. I'll gladly grab the other side and take the generous points. The Seminoles have more than enough to make up for the potential absence of Terance Mann and played Friday's game looking like the team they were early this season. Remember the Noles were 12-2 in early January after a win over North Carolina. This is a talented team that is very dangerous when they raise their game to another level and they proved that to be true again with their dominating effort versus Missouri in round one. Xavier is just 1-3 ATS in neutral court games this season and FSU is a long-term 6-1 ATS as a neutral court dog of 3.5 to 6 points AND all 6 of those wins were OUTRIGHT wins! Another potential upset here but at least a cover the way I handicap this one! 10* FLORIDA STATE |
|||||||
03-18-18 | Texas A&M v. North Carolina -6 | 86-65 | Loss | -114 | 10 h 32 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #710 Sunday 8* North Carolina Tar Heels (-) vs Texas A & M Aggies @ 5:15 ET - The Aggies shot the ball surprisingly well and still barely covered versus Providence in their round one win. I am not sold on Texas A & M just yet. Keep in mind they had been held under 39.4% from the field in each of their 3 games prior to the win over the Friars. Also, the Aggies had been held to 30% or less from 3-point land in 5 of their 7 prior games. Now Texas A & M faces a Tar Heels team that averages 82 points per game and is shooting 36.6% from beyond the arc on the season. UNC didn't cover against Lipscomb in the opening round but of course they didn't care, that was just a "win and move on" game and they were looking ahead to this tougher game that would be against Providence or the Aggies. Enter Texas A & M and North Carolina will be ready. They're playing their best basketball of the season and have won 10 of their last 13 games. The Heels non-cover versus Lipscomb was just their 4th ATS loss in those 13 games. Aggies 10-16 ATS as an underdog. UNC 18-3 SU and 15-6 ATS in March games. This is the time of year when the Tar Heels kick things up a notch and I really like them to make a run in this year's post-season as their entire starting five is made up of upperclassmen. 8* NORTH CAROLINA |
|||||||
03-18-18 | Butler +3.5 v. Purdue | 73-76 | Win | 100 | 5 h 37 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #713 Sunday 8* Butler Bulldogs (+) vs Purdue Boilermakers @ 12:10 ET - The Bulldogs lost by 15 to Purdue in mid-December despite a huge edge in offensive rebounds and despite having 18 more field goal attempts. Butler is a long-term 26-9 ATS in NCAA Tournament games and that includes 5-1 ATS in recent seasons. Purdue is 5-12 ATS in games with a posted total in the 140s this season. Don't you find it interesting that the #2 seed Boilermakers opened as only a 3.5 point favorite over a #10 seed Bulldogs team? Precisely! You know where I am going with this. It is the type of contrarian play I love. The masses will be lining up on the small favorite and I am grabbing the points! 8* BUTLER |
|||||||
03-17-18 | Florida +2 v. Texas Tech | Top | 66-69 | Loss | -104 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
NCAA 2nd Round Game of the Year - Rickenbach CBB Game #533 Saturday 10* Top Play Florida Gators (+) vs Texas Tech Red Raiders @ 8:40 ET - The Gators had some slip-ups this season but when they come to play they can play with anybody. That said, their performance against St Bonaventure in Round 1 showed me they're ready to go here in the Big Dance. Keep in mind, Florida beat Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Texas A & M in the regular season plus also beat Gonzaga by 6 and lost to Duke by just 3 points! Texas Tech's 10 point win over Stephen F Austin is the perfect example of a deceiving final score as the Lumberjacks were really in that game most of the way against the Red Raiders. It was the 8th straight Texas Tech game where the Red Raiders did not cover and I expect this one to make it 9 in a row. Keep in mind, TT entered that game on a 2-5 SU run and that included losses to West Virginia twice and Kansas as well. The point is that the Red Raiders have had trouble against the top teams in the nation and they're in trouble again here in my opinion. Texas Tech is on a 5-13 ATS run against teams with a winning record! The Gators are a long-term 9-4 SU and 10-3 ATS versus Big 12 opponents and also an overall 12-4 ATS in games on a neutral court with a line between pick'em and +3. They get the job done again here! 10* FLORIDA |
|||||||
03-17-18 | Seton Hall +4.5 v. Kansas | Top | 79-83 | Win | 100 | 11 h 33 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #527 Saturday 10* Top Play Seton Hall Pirates (+) vs Kansas Jayhawks @ 7:10 ET - The #1 seed Jayhawks are laying a very small number against the #8 seed Pirates. Of course you know what that means for a contrarian guy like me. When something looks "off" or "too easy" you know where I'll be more often than not...on the other side! Many will be lining up to lay a very small number with a top-seeded Kansas team but I believe the odds makers were very sharp in the way they set this line because Seton Hall is built well for an upset here. If the Pirates do fall short look for it to be by just a single possession (3 points or less). Seton Hall is loaded with upper classmen, is solid both in the frontcourt and backcourt, and they are hungry after first round exits from the tourney each of the past two seasons. Now, after getting past NC State in the first game, look for the Pirates to make some noise in this tourney. The Jayhawks have been hot but Seton Hall is on a 6-0 ATS run. Also, Kansas only got 4 points from their bench in the win over Penn Thursday. The Quakers hung around with the Jayhawks until midway through the 2nd half. The Pirates can do more than just "hang around" here and the thin bench of Kansas could do them in here especially with 7-footer Udoka Azubuike still dealing with a knee injury for the Jayhawks. The Pirates are a long-term 26-11 ATS as an underdog and Kansas is 0-3 ATS the last 3 times they've held an opponent to 66 points or less. They held Pennsylvania to 60 points Thursday. 10* SETON HALL |
|||||||
03-17-18 | Buffalo v. Kentucky -5.5 | 75-95 | Win | 100 | 10 h 38 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #538 Saturday 8* Kentucky Wildcats (-) vs Buffalo Bulls @ 5:15 ET - With all due respect to the Bulls for a strong season and an upset win over Arizona Thursday, this is not the MAC! Yes, I know they just beat a Pac-12 team and certainly deserve credit for that but they shot lights out while Arizona made only 11% of their three pointers in that game! Now Buffalo faces an SEC school known for being a basketball powerhouse. I know it has been a "down season" by Wildcats standards but Kentucky is now playing their best basketball of the season. UK has won 8 of their last 9 games both SU and ATS and they're ready to make a run here in the Big Dance. Look for Buffalo to drop to 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in games versus SEC opponents. As for the Wildcats, they are peaking at the right time and are 15-2 SU (and 13-4 ATS) in tournament games. 8* KENTUCKY |
|||||||
03-16-18 | Syracuse +4.5 v. TCU | Top | 57-52 | Win | 100 | 12 h 29 m | Show |
NCAA 1st Round Game of the Year - Rickenbach CBB Game #875 Friday 10* Top Play Syracuse Orange (+) vs TCU Horned Frogs @ 9:40 ET - TCU started the season 12-0 and then wrapped up the season going 9-11. The Horned Frogs numbers on offense are impressive but they leave a lot to be desired on the defensive end. Facing Syracuse is going to be a problem as the Orange play a unique style that is tough to prepare for when you're not use to seeing it. This games has a low total posted on it because the odds makers are expecting Syracuse to dictate the tempo. That said, it is certainly noteworthy that TCU is an ugly 4-7 SU in neutral court games with a posted total in the 135 to 139.5 range. Also, as a neutral court favorite of 3.5 to 6 points, the Horned Frogs have gone 2-6 ATS and all 6 of those losses were upset defeats which is what I am expecting here. It actually helps that the Orange had the play-in game on Wednesday and they certainly impressed in their ability to slow down a high-powered Arizona State offense. Syracuse should do the same thing to TCU here. The Orange will take advantage of a Horned Frogs team that will struggle with its shooting after the long layoff. Syracuse is 11-2 ATS (including 4-0 ATS in recent seasons) when they are a neutral court dog of 3.5 to 6 points. TCU went 1-4 SU this season when held to 68 points or less in a game and the Orange allowed 68 points or less in 22 of their 34 games this season. 10* SYRACUSE |
|||||||
03-16-18 | Nets v. 76ers -8 | Top | 116-120 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 19 m | Show |
Philly Special - Rickenbach NBA Game #804 Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:05 ET - Though this is a back to back spot for Philadelphia, there is no shortage of motivation here and clearly the 76ers are the better team of course. This is the first time that the Sixers are hosting the Nets since Brooklyn thoroughly embarrassed them in a 141-118 loss last April. Philly owes it to their home fans to get payback for that one here and, of course, the Sixers need every win they can get right now as they battle for playoff positioning. The line on this one opened up at 11.5 but is all the way down to an 8.5 as of early Friday morning. Of course that has added to the value here and the Sixers are 20-10 ATS at home this season and 8-3 ATS their last 11 games versus teams that allow 106 points or more per game. Brooklyn is 1-11 SU (and 4-8 ATS) in divisional games this season and the 76ers avenge last season's embarrassing home loss and, though this is a back to back spot, they still crush the Nets. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-16-18 | Kansas State +1 v. Creighton | Top | 69-59 | Win | 100 | 10 h 57 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #865 Friday 10* Top Play Kansas State Wildcats (+) vs Creighton Bluejays @ 6:50 ET - Creighton's overall numbers on the season look impressive but they rely heavily on outside shooting and that has not traveled well for them this season. The Bluejays are strong at home but on the road they've knocked down a more modest 34.8% of their threes while allowing 39.1% three-point shooting to their opponents. Creighton averages 77.2 ppg on the road while allowing 82.3 ppg away from home! While most all teams have a home/road dichotomy the Bluejays is at the far end of the spectrum and I will take advantage by backing Kansas State here. The Wildcats were no match for Kansas in the Big 12 tournament but, prior to that, the Cats had held 7 of their last 9 opponents to 67 points or less. That holds significance here as the Bluejays (prior to a tight loss in the Big East tournament) had allowed 83 points or more in 4 of their last 5 games. Creighton is 2-8 ATS their last 10 lined games. The Wildcats were 5-3 ATS their last 8 games away from home prior to the ugly loss to the Jayhawks. The Cats are 4-0 SU the last 4 times they've played with 5 or 6 days of rest between games while the Bluejays are just 2-2 SU as their shooting tends to go cold after a layoff. Also, Creighton is on an ugly 3-9 ATS run versus teams with a winning record. Going contrarian here. Give me the lower seed! 10* KANSAS STATE |
|||||||
03-16-18 | Murray State +10.5 v. West Virginia | 68-85 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach CBB Game #887 Thursday 8* Murray State Racers (+) vs West Virginia Mountaineers @ 4 ET - Plenty of veteran leadership in the form of upperclassmen on this Murray State team. Yes they come from the Ohio Valley Conference but these guys can play and they are loaded with confidence right now. That makes for a dangerous combination for West Virginia to contend with here. Sure, the Mountaineers played the tougher schedule on the season but the Racers enter this game having won 13 games in a row. Murray State has covered 4 games in a row and only 1 of their 5 losses this season came by more than 5 points. Keep in mind, West Virginia is only 9-9 SU since starting the season 15-1. The Mountaineers have allowed 50% from the field in their last 4 games. The Racers have only allowed about 40% from the field in their last 10 games! Murray State went 3-1 SU and ATS versus teams that average 77 points or more per game this season. West Virginia went 3-7 ATS this season versus teams that average 77 points or more per game. This could be one of the upsets many have been looking for and if the Racers do fall short I still expect it to be a game in which they keep it within single digits. 8* MURRAY STATE |
|||||||
03-16-18 | Providence +2.5 v. Texas A&M | 69-73 | Loss | -105 | 5 h 42 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #867 Friday 8* Providence Friars (+) vs Texas A & M Aggies @ 12:15 ET - Friars 32-18 ATS L50 as an underdog. Providence covered 10 of last 15 games versus teams with a winning record. Overall, Friars covered 5 of last 6 games and the lone ATS loss narrowly missed covering. Providence has been playing very well on the defensive end. Aggies enter this game on just a 3-4 SU (and 2-5 ATS run!) and are over-rated in my opinion. After yesterday was nearly devoid of upsets, you're going to see a few more today on Friday and though this is only a "mild one" (10 seed over a 7 seed) it is an upset I am expecting. Grab the points just in case but Texas A & M likely to struggle again here. Aggies only 2-7 ATS (and 2-7 SU!) when off of a loss in conference action and Friars have played the tougher competition in recent games which has them battle-ready here! 8* PROVIDENCE |
|||||||
03-15-18 | Alabama v. Virginia Tech -2 | Top | 86-83 | Loss | -102 | 14 h 40 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach CBB Game #722 Thursday 10* Top Play Virginia Tech Hokies (-) vs Alabama Crimson Tide @ 9:20 ET - Time and time again when Alabama faced a big game it seems they tensed up and could not make shots. The Crimson Tide shooting performance to close out the season was abysmal and I don't foresee any reason that should change here as Bama faces the pressure of a "win or go home" situation. The Tide were held under 38% from the field in 3 of their last 5 games. Alabama averaged just 60.3 points per game in those 3 games. The Hokies certainly haven't been lighting up the scoreboard of late but they faced a slew of tough opponents and Virginia Tech at least shot 44% or better until they were held to 42% in their loss to Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament. The Hokies have wins over Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia this season. They have proven they can beat the best teams in the nation and I think they step up here and crush Alabama. The Crimson Tide have lost 6 of their last 8 games and Donta Hall is listed as questionable here. Hall leads the team in rebounds and blocked shots and is 2nd in scoring. Alabama is 0-4 ATS this season after allowing 80 points or more in their prior game. The Hokies are 14-5 ATS in first round tournament games and also went 7-2 ATS this season in non-conference games. Compared to the Crimson Tide, the Hokies are the much better shooting team including from three point land. 10* VIRGINIA TECH |
|||||||
03-15-18 | San Diego State v. Houston -4 | Top | 65-67 | Loss | -106 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #732 Thursday 10* Top Play Houston Cougars (-) vs San Diego State Aztecs @ 7:20 ET - On the surface, it would seem logical to grab the points with the team that has won 9 straight games and gone 8-1 ATS in the process. Of course, defying logic is a big part of being a contrarian and the fact is that the Aztecs are going to have their hands full with a Cougars team that is also playing their best basketball of the season. Houston, prior to losing by a single point to a quality Cincinnati team in their conference tournament, had won 10 of their 11 previous games. Both these teams play solid defense but the Cougars numbers are even better and, again, they face a tougher schedule than San Diego State does. Also, Houston is the much better shooting team from three point land in comparison with the Aztecs. San Diego State is a long-term 7-11 ATS (and 6-12 SU) as an underdog and only 3 of Houston's 27 wins this season came by less than 4 points. Only 2 of San Diego State's 10 losses came by less than 4 points. The Cougars are 5-1 ATS when off of a game where they were held under 60 points and they are also a perfect 4-0 ATS this season when off of a loss to a conference foe. 10* HOUSTON |
|||||||
03-15-18 | Loyola-Chicago +2 v. Miami-FL | 64-62 | Win | 100 | 9 h 39 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #735 Thursday 8* Loyola (IL) Ramblers vs Miami (FL) Hurricanes @ 3:10 ET - Miami played the much tougher schedule but this Loyola team is a very strong one on both ends of the floor. The concern for the Hurricanes is not only that they went just 4-4 SU in their last 8 games (Ramblers lost only 5 games all season), but it is also the fact that the Canes allowed 52.8% or higher from the field in 3 of the 4 wins! A lack of defense kills a team come tournament time and I like the way Loyola has played on that end of the floor. The Ramblers enter this game on a 10-game winning streak and have won 17 of their last 18. The lone loss came by just 2 points. By the way, the Hurricanes recent wins in their unimpressive 4-4 SU run their last 8 games have come by an average margin of just 2 points per game. That is why there is certainly some additional value by having the points in this one even though they're small. The Ramblers have allowed an average of just 54 points per game their last 5 games! Loyola is 15-1 SU their last 16 games against teams with a winning record. Miami is 4-10 ATS their last 14 games against teams with a winning record. This has the makings of an upset (11 seed over 6 seed) and that is why this line is where it is! Grab the small dog in this one! 8* LOYOLA (IL) |
|||||||
03-15-18 | Oklahoma +2.5 v. Rhode Island | 78-83 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 1 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #723 Thursday 8* Oklahoma Sooners (+) vs Rhode Island Rams @ 12:15 ET - The Rams have the better record by far, they are the higher seed, and this line is an enticing to the markets to take Rhode Island and lay the small number. Of course you know what that means where there appears to be an enticement on the board. It means it usually doesn't pan out and it certainly is something that bears digging deeper into. In this case, a huge key is that Oklahoma played a much tougher schedule than the Rams did. The strength of schedule edge that the Sooners had this season will serve them well in crunch time in this game. Though I don't expect it to last throughout the tournament, I do expect freshman phenom Trae Young to have a huge game here. Oklahoma is 9-3 SU in their last 12 March games and they went 10-2 SU in non-conference games this season. Though the Rams have the better defensive stats by far, Rhode Island is actually 2-5 ATS when facing a team that allows 77 points or more per game. Also, the Rams are 6-11 ATS when off of a loss in conference action. 8* OKLAHOMA |
|||||||
03-14-18 | Temple +10 v. Penn State | Top | 57-63 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
Philly Special - Rickenbach CBB Game #617 Wednesday 10* Top Play Temple Owls (+) @ Penn State Nittany Lions @ 8 ET - Yes the Nittany Lions are home and yes they won 20 games this season. However, Penn State displayed awful shooting in the Big Ten Tournament. The Nittany Lions averaged 36% from the field in their 3 Big Ten Tourney games. Now PSU hosts a Temple team that relishes the role of underdog and that shot very well in their conference tournament. The Owls shot 48% from the field and that included a match-up with Wichita State! Temple comes into this game with plenty of confidence after the way they battled with the Shockers and 6 of their last 10 losses have come by 8 points or less. On the season the majority of their losses were by 8 points or less and I love the big dog value we're being offered here in a game for Pennsylvania pride. As a road dog of 9.5 to 12 points Temple is 3-1 ATS and all 3 victories were SU upset wins! Also, the Owls are 11-3 ATS in tournament games the last 3 seasons combined. Yes PSU is definitely improved and they are at home here. But still are they truly 10 points better in this situation? I don't believe so. They've won only half of their last 4 home meetings with Temple. The Owls have won the other 6 meetings. So the point is that the Nittany Lions are only 2-8 SU their last 10 games versus Temple and I know that Penn State is improved and the Owls are down a little overall this season. But when you look at the way these teams shot in the conference tourneys too and how that is likely to carry over here, the road dog has some big scoring runs in them here. 10* TEMPLE |
|||||||
03-14-18 | North Carolina Central v. Texas Southern -5.5 | 46-64 | Win | 100 | 12 h 34 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #610 Wednesday 8* Texas Southern Tigers (-) vs North Carolina Central Eagles @ 6:40 ET - After starting the season 0-13, the Tigers finished up the campaign going 15-6 their last 21 games. Of course Texas Southern had a brutal non-conference schedule filled with road games against top quality programs. I believe this will serve the Tigers well here and their strength of schedule was much tougher than that of North Carolina Central. Have to give the Eagles credit for getting here of course but they did get a rather favorable string of match-ups through their conference tourney with the only truly tough opponent coming in the Championship Game when they got by Hampton. Keep in mind, prior to their conference tourney, in their last 5 road games of the regular season, NC Central went 0-5 SU and ATS in road games. Of course this is a neutral site game but the point is that the Eagles couldn't do anything away from home and they'll have their hands full with taking a big step up in class (don't be fooled by Texas Southern's overall season record) and the Tigers should roll in this one. 8* TEXAS SOUTHERN |
|||||||
03-13-18 | Northern Kentucky v. Louisville -6.5 | Top | 58-66 | Win | 100 | 11 h 41 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #547 Tuesday 10* Top Play Louisville Cardinals (-) vs Northern Kentucky Norse @ 7 ET - Big line move toward Northern Kentucky here based on the fact that Louisville certainly had higher hopes than the NIT and, of course, the Norse would love nothing more than to knock off a big in-state school. However, even if Northern Kentucky is up at the half here I would foresee Louisville crushing them in the 2nd half. The Cardinals can approach the NIT two different ways. Make a run at winning the whole thing or just lay down because they're disappointed about not being in the Big Dance. I am confident that the former not the latter will be the case and, once again, even if down at the half, these guys would wake up at halftime and crush the Norse in the 2nd half. They don't want to lose to a much smaller in-state foe. Of course the Cardinals have played a much tougher schedule than the Norse. Also, the Cards have the home court edge here. As a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points, Louisville has gone 8-1 SU and they only failed to cover twice in those 9 games! Before getting knocked out of the ACC Tourney in a game in which Virginia started on fire and the Cardinals hit a bad stretch of shooting in the first half, the Cards had gone 13-6 ATS in their 19 prior games. They bounce right back here. 10* LOUISVILLE |
|||||||
03-13-18 | Long Island +5 v. Radford | 61-71 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 28 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #543 Tuesday 8* LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds vs Radford Highlanders @ 6:40 ET - Big move toward Radford in this one and I understand based on their defensive numbers on the season. The Highlanders also played a slightly tougher schedule than LIU Brooklyn. However, the key to the value with the Blackbirds here is they have a veteran backcourt that is not going to be rattled by Radford's style of defense. In fact, I like Brooklyn's chances of breaking down the defense and getting some easy buckets in transition. The Blackbirds are loaded with confidence now after finishing the regular season strong and then making a big run through the conference tourney. LIU Brooklyn has won 5 straight games and they are shooting the ball very well. The Blackbirds have held 3 of their last 5 opponents under 35% from the field! Radford has not been shooting the ball well at all as they've been held to 36.2% or less from the field in 3 straight games. On the other end of the floor the Highlanders have allowed 39.5% or more in 5 of their last 6 games. The Blackbirds are 6-2 ATS (and SU!) their last 8 games as an underdog and are relishing that role again here! Radford is a long-term 4-12 ATS as a favorite and I love fading the masses here as the Highlanders are getting plenty of attention. Grab the generous points! 8* LIU BROOKLYN |
|||||||
03-12-18 | Spurs +12.5 v. Rockets | Top | 93-109 | Loss | -102 | 9 h 2 m | Show |
Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Game #505 Monday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs (+) @ Houston Rockets @ 8:05 ET - The Spurs have been left for dead by many but they are still battling for their playoff lives and received some encouraging news about the impending return of Kawhi Leonard. That said, even though Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge are out for this game, San Antonio is going to put up a fight at Houston. The Spurs knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs last year but, of course, this season is entirely different and the fact is that Houston has already gotten revenge (twice) on SA during this season. That has the Spurs actually as arguably the more motivated team here and they will put up a helluva fight. San Antonio certainly has been in a slump but only 2 of their last 17 losses have come by more than a dozen points. With the Rockets James Harden wanting to take care of his ailing knee, I see Houston being careful not to over-exert themselves in this back to back spot. After blasting the Mavericks at Dallas last night, that led to extra value here. 15 of the Rockets last 22 wins, prior to crushing the Mavs, had come by a dozen points or less. The Spurs are 8-4 ATS (and SU!) this season when off of a loss by a double digit margin. The Rockets are a long-term 2-4 ATS (and SU!) when off of a game where they allowed 85 points or less. 10* SAN ANTONIO |
|||||||
03-12-18 | North Carolina A&T +11.5 v. Liberty | 52-65 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 20 m | Show | |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #513 Monday 8* North Carolina AT & T Aggies @ Liberty Flames @ 6 ET - I know that Liberty has the home court edge and that the play a tougher schedule than North Carolina AT & T does. However, the Flames missed out on a chance to go to the Big Dance because of a last second deep three-pointer at Radford in the conference tourney championship. That type of loss is very difficult to get over as Liberty had visions of the NCAA Tourney dancing in their heads before that gut-wrenching last second shot. I feel this opens up the door for the scrappy Aggies to make a good push early on in this game. That said, even if the Flames are able to recover and get the win I feel they'll struggle to win this by more than single digits. NC AT & T comes into this game having shot very well and averaging 78 points per game in their last two games. On the season they do average 75.6 points per game and Liberty is averaging just 71.2 points per game. Certainly the Flames are the better team defensively but I doubt they're going to be on top of their game after that disappointing loss at Radford. Keep in mind that Liberty had gone on a 5-8 SU run from mid-January through late February and they are simply over-priced here given the situation. 8* NORTH CAROLINA AT & T |
|||||||
03-11-18 | 76ers -6 v. Nets | 120-97 | Win | 100 | 11 h 33 m | Show | |
Philly Special - Rickenbach NBA Game #815 Sunday 8* Philadelphia 76ers (+) @ Brooklyn Nets @ 7:35 ET - Revenge game for the Sixers as they lost their only other game with the Nets this season in Brooklyn back on January 31st. Philly was an 8 point favorite for that one but lost the game by 8. Now, even though this situation is a much better one for the 76ers and even though they have revenge, they are only favored by a half-dozen in the rematch. I won't hesitate to lay the points here. The Sixers are off of a rare loss while Brooklyn is off of a rare win. Philly is likely to bounce back as, dating all the way back to Christmas, they have only had a losing streak of more than 1 game twice. The 76ers are 9-2 ATS the last 11 times when off of a loss. As for Brooklyn, they have only managed back to back wins 4 times this entire season! The Nets have allowed 118.6 points per game their last 5 games. The 76ers have allowed 107.2 points per game their last 5 games. Of course this is a difference of 11.4 points and I do expect the Sixers to take this game by double digits. When, in the 2nd half of a season, Philly faces a team that is averaging 106 points or more per game on the season, the Sixers have gone an incredible 25-5 ATS. Also, when entering a game off of 3 or more road games, Philly has gone 8-2 ATS this season. When, in the 2nd half of a season, Brooklyn faces a team that is averaging 106 points or more per game on the season, the Nets have gone an awful 5-24 SU. That certainly holds significance here because when the 76ers win they cover - 32-3 ATS in their 35 SU wins this season! 8* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-11-18 | Houston +4.5 v. Cincinnati | Top | 55-56 | Win | 100 | 7 h 12 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #827 Sunday 10* Top Play Houston Cougars (+) vs Cincinnati Bearcats @ 3:30 ET - Of course it goes without saying that the Wichita State team that Houston beat yesterday is certainly a much stronger team than the Memphis team that Cincinnati knocked off. The key to the value here is that the Bearcats expended a lot of energy in the 2nd half to beat the Tigers after a dismal first half effort that was truly inexcusable. For Cincinnati to have a first half like that in a semi-final game truly says a lot about whether or not the Bearcats can be trusted and the answer right now is a no. After back to back non-covering wins for Cincy, they are now 3-5 ATS in their last 8 games and, though they have revenge here they were held to 39% in their last meeting with the Cougars and they have not been shooting well recently either. After yesterday's performance, the Bearcats have been held to 41% from the field in their last 3 games combined. Houston has been at the other end of the spectrum. After scoring 77 against Wichita State yesterday, the Cougars have scored 77 points or more in 6 of their last 7 games. Houston is on a 7-2 ATS run and they've shot 40% or better from three point land in both meetings with the Bearcats this season. The Cougars are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games against teams with a winning record and I'll grab the points here as they are 4-2 ATS (and SU!) this season as an underdog. Upset potential certainly looms here! 10* HOUSTON |
|||||||
03-10-18 | St. Joe's +7.5 v. Rhode Island | 87-90 | Win | 100 | 8 h 49 m | Show | |
Philly Special - Rickenbach CBB Game #519 Saturday 8* St Joseph's Hawks (+) vs Rhode Island Rams @ 1 ET - The Rams actually were losing outright to VCU yesterday with about 5 minutes to go but rallied for the 9 point win. As for the Hawks, they dominated George Mason yesterday by holding their shooting under 30% overall from the field. St Joseph's has now held each of their last 3 opponents under 37% from the field and that included a big win at Rhode Island a week and a half ago. Of course the Rams are looking to avenge that loss here but the Hawks also certainly weren't happy about getting swept by Rhode Island in last year's series and are looking to return the favor this season by delivering an upset here in conference tourney action. St Joseph's is 9-5 ATS as an underdog this season and the Hawks are also a long-term 7-2 ATS in tournament semi-final games. The Rams didn't cover yesterday's game unless you played them very late in the 30 minutes are so leading up to tip-off. I played against them with VCU and the Rams were +10 and held in the +9.5 range for much of the morning. The point is that Rhode Island failed to cover yesterday for the 5th time in their last 6 games (1-5 ATS run) and I am going to go against them again right here as the Hawks stay hot! The ATS runs above combine for a 21-8 run! 8* St Joseph's |
|||||||
03-10-18 | Maryland-Baltimore County +11.5 v. Vermont | 65-62 | Win | 100 | 6 h 16 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #549 Saturday 8* UMBC Retrievers (+) @ Vermont Catamounts @ 11 AM ET - Of course the Catamounts have all the history on their side in their match-up with the Retrievers and they also have the home court edge here. However, UMBC lost badly in both games with Vermont in the regular season and that has led to line value here. The Retrievers lost the two games by an average margin of 21.5 points even though they actually took a combined 5 more shots from the field in the 2 games. The point is that, just with hitting some more shots, the end results would have been much different and UMBC comes into this game as hot as they've been all season. They've won 10 of their last 12 games SU and covered both of their tourney games. Of course the Catamounts are also hot, as usual, as they've won 5 straight but they are just 1-1 ATS in tournament action and this will be, by far, their toughest match-up yet. I like the fact that the Retrievers are a long-term 8-2 ATS in tournament action while Vermont is a long-term 4-9 ATS in their games against teams with a winning record. This will be a much closer game than many are expecting. 8* UMBC |
|||||||
03-09-18 | Providence v. Xavier -7.5 | Top | 75-72 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 35 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #858 Friday 10* Top Play Xavier Musketeers (-) vs Providence Friars @ 6:30 ET - The Friars are off of a hard-fought OT win over Creighton while Xavier blew right past St John's. That sets up the Musketeers well for pushing the pace and blowing right past Providence here. Xavier now on a 15-5 ATS run in neutral court games. 4 of the last 5 wins for the red hot Musketeers have come by a double digit margin. 10 of Providence's 12 losses this season have been by 9 points or more so, when they lose, they tend to lose big and of course I am not expecting a Friars upset here. In other words, this one has blowout written all over it. Providence is 0-4 ATS in a neutral court game with a posted total between 150 and 154.5 points. Each of the last 5 meetings between these teams has been decided by 9 or more points and I expect another one here. 10* XAVIER |
|||||||
03-09-18 | VCU +10 v. Rhode Island | 67-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 59 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #829 Friday 8* Virginia Commonwealth Rams (+) vs Rhode Island Rams @ Noon ET - VCU lost the regular season match-up and failed to cover with a big key being the fact they got dominated on the glass. However, when you look at how these two teams rebounded during the season that edge doesn't make sense at all. In other words, don't look for a repeat of that here. Also, Virginia Commonwealth has triple revenge here including the fact they were knocked out of the conference tourney by Rhode Island last March after losing to them in February of last year as well. RI 5-11 ATS when off of a loss in conference action. VCU now 5-2 SU and ATS L7 conference tourney games. Payback time! 8* VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH |
|||||||
03-08-18 | 76ers +1 v. Heat | Top | 99-108 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 43 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #653 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) @ Miami Heat @ 7:35 ET - The Sixers are available at +1 in some spots as of early gameday morning but the bottom line is that this game is roughly a pick'em so I am going to talk about some SU stats here. The fact is that the 76ers are playing this game with revenge for a loss in Miami that should never have happened and they know it. Though all the games had been close this season, Philly let that one get away and they know it never should have happened. Had they not blown the big lead Sixers would be 3-0 against the Heat this season. Close games or not, the 76ers have had the upper hand through most of the playing time between these two teams this season and it is not "old news" either as all of their meetings were in February. With that said, the Sixers are offering great line value here because their loss at Miami is one of only 3 losses they've had in their last 13 games. As for the Heat, their numbers have been nowhere close to that as they've won only 5 of their last 15 games! Sixers 9-3 SU and ATS versus Southeast Division teams this season. Miami is 1-9 SU last 10 versus teams that average 106 points or more per game. Combined stat of 18-4 SU favoring the 76ers here! I'll take it! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-08-18 | San Diego State -3.5 v. Fresno State | Top | 64-52 | Win | 100 | 9 h 49 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #719 Thursday 10* Top Play San Diego State Aztecs (-) vs Fresno State Bulldogs @ Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV @ 5:30 ET - Not only is San Diego State playing this game with double revenge from the regular season, they also hold a huge edge because of a key injury for Fresno State. The Bulldogs recently lost senior guard Jaron Hopkins to injury. In the game he got hurt he had only played 12 minutes and Fresno State lost that game by double digits. In the games since, the Bulldogs scored only 54 points against Air Force and then they lost at New Mexico in OT. When Hopkins was rolling the Bulldogs were rolling - 5 straight wins and he averaged 17.6 points per game. Included in that stretch was a huge 20-point performance from him in the most recent win versus San Diego State. I look for his absence to make a huge difference in this rematch. The Aztecs come in red hot on a 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS run and that continues here as Fresno State remains winless ATS since the Hopkins injury. 10* SAN DIEGO STATE |
|||||||
03-08-18 | Boston College +4 v. Clemson | 82-90 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 58 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #663 Thursday 8* Boston College Eagles (+) vs Clemson Tigers @ Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY @ 2:30 ET - At first glance this line might seem "off" to the casual observer as Clemson is ranked, well-rested, and went 22-8 this season and they're only laying 4 points to a Boston College team that was barely above .500 for the regular season and is now playing a 3rd game in 3 days. Don't be fooled though. The Eagles are now officially "in the zone" after they proved they could remain hot a 2nd straight day. Sometimes teams can get that first win but they don't really have the moxie to put together a run but this Eagles team is really starting to believe in themselves after wins over Georgia Tech and NC State in this tourney. Now, here is the biggest key of all though. The Tigers went 16-3 in the 19 games Donte Grantham played. Clemson is only 6-5 in the 11 games since he was lost for the season (ACL). Also, 2 of those wins came against Georgia Tech, 1 against Pittsburgh, and 1 against Wake Forest. Those are the 3 worst teams in the ACC. Yes, the Tigers got one big win (over NC) after Grantham got hurt but their other win was against Florida State which again showed their true disappointing selves in yesterday's loss to these Eagles. The point is that the Tigers (other than the win over the Tar Heels) really don't have a lot to show for their efforts since Grantham was lost for the season. His absence will loom large in today's game too with the way the upstart Eagles have been playing. Clemson 1-4 ATS last 5 games and I am grabbing the points but expecting the upset here! 8* BOSTON COLLEGE |
|||||||
03-08-18 | Louisville +7.5 v. Virginia | 58-75 | Loss | -108 | 4 h 15 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #661 Thursday 8* Louisville Cardinals (+) @ Virginia Cavaliers @ Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY @ Noon ET - The Cardinals get their shot at revenge against the Cavaliers. Not only did Virginia win both games this season, they won the 2nd game in one of the craziest finishes of the season that resulted in a 1-point last second win at Louisville. The Cards enter this game on a 13-6 ATS run and, just as they showed again yesterday, they can get wicked hot with their outside shooting. That is a key to success against the Cavs stifling defense and the Cardinals were down only 5 in the final minutes of their loss at Virginia this season too. In summary, it was a rather tight road loss and a home defeat in the final second for the Cardinals and that is why I am grabbing the generous points being offered in this one on a neutral floor. 8* LOUISVILLE |
|||||||
03-07-18 | Raptors v. Pistons +5.5 | Top | 121-119 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach NBA Game #568 Wednesday 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons (+) vs Toronto Raptors @ 8:05 ET - This is a very nice set up for the home dog to get the outright win which means certainly I love having the generous points being offered here. Toronto is in a back to back spot and off of a game they had no business covering last night. I know this all too well as I had Atlanta +13 last night. The Hawks were ahead OUTRIGHT at the end of each of the three quarters and then the fourth quarter so virtual insanity take place over the final 6+ minutes when Atlanta went from 3 down to losing by 16. In the books it looks like a blowout but of course it was anything but and is helping to give nice value here. When the Raptors are not in a back to back this season they have gone 41-13 SU. However, in the 2nd game of a B2B this season they are just 5-4 SU. You can see the huge variance there and the Pistons are seeking revenge for getting blown out by 29 at Toronto last week. Detroit is also hungry because they just ran into a buzzsaw in Cleveland when they faced the Cavaliers right after the Cavs had allowed 126 points in their prior game. Though the Pistons recent numbers don't look that great they have been on the road a lot. Now they're back home where they've won 7 of their last 10 games. Also, prior to the blowout defeat at Toronto, 3 of the 4 prior meetings between these teams had been decided by 5 or less points. Pistons payback here. 10* DETROIT |
|||||||
03-07-18 | Boston College v. NC State -3 | 91-87 | Loss | -108 | 6 h 12 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #578 Wednesday 8* NC State Wolfpack (-) vs Boston College Eagles @ 2:30 ET - The Eagles got the early win yesterday over Georgia Tech but the Yellow Jackets got plenty of good looks at the basket and open shots. The problem for GT was just an inability to knock down shots and Boston College won't have that same luxury against a Wolfpack team that averages 81 points a game. NC State was particularly hot over the last 5 weeks of the season. In their 9 games since the calendar turned to February North Carolina State shot a combined 50% from the field. The Wolfpack are not great defensively but, keep in mind, the Eagles just don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with NC State and they're will be some tired legs after yesterday's game. BC just doesn't have much of a bench. Yesterday they only got a total of 22 minutes from the bench. That means the 5 starters averaged about 36 of the 40 minutes! The Wolfpack will run Boston College right out of the building in this one. 8* NC STATE |
|||||||
03-06-18 | Hawks +13 v. Raptors | 90-106 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 48 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #505 Tuesday 8* Atlanta Hawks (+) @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:05 ET - The Raptors have won all 3 meetings with the Hawks this season. Toronto truly not even worried about this game as a result. That, of course, is when dogs can be at their most dangerous and Atlanta has been scrappy on the road the past two months. They only have a 5-4 ATS record to show for it but note that the Hawks loss by 23 at Indiana in their most recent away game was the only road loss by more than 11 points that Atlanta has suffered in their past 9 games. The scrappy Hawks are getting 13 in this spot and the disinterested Raptors have what they view as a much tougher game (Pistons) on deck for tomorrow. Toronto is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games but only 1 of the 5 was a win by more than 13 points. Also, this is an odd stat to put a lot of weight into but yet it has been consistent and supports this play: Raptors 11-21 ATS in Tuesday games including 2-6 ATS this season. Atlanta is 14-8 ATS on Tuesdays in recent seasons including perfect 3-0 ATS this season. Hawks are also 10-6 ATS playing with home loss revenge this season. 8* ATLANTA |
|||||||
03-06-18 | Wake Forest +5 v. Syracuse | Top | 64-73 | Loss | -106 | 10 h 34 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #521 Tuesday 10* Top Play Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+) vs Syracuse Orange @ 7 ET - This line has gone from a -3 to a -5 on Syracuse as the markets feel the odds makers have made some type of egregious error by having the 19-12 Orange as only a 3 point favorite over an 11-19 Demon Deacons team. It's never that easy guys and the odds makers knew what they were doing with this one. Wake Forest plays Syracuse tough. The Demon Deacons are only 1-2 in the last 3 meetings but all 3 games were close ones and the Orange have really struggled to knock down shots this season. Syracuse is averaging 67.6 points per game on just 41.9% shooting this season. The Demon Deacons are hitting 38.2% of their threes this season while the Orange are hitting only 32.3% from three point land. While it is true that, on the season, Syracuse has the better numbers on defense than Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons finished up the season strong and allowed an average of just 39% from the field in their last 3 games. The Orange defense really struggled more as the season went on and, prior to allowing just 40% in their regular season finale, Syracuse had allowed 44% or more from the field in 6 of their previous 8 games. Look for the Orange to drop to 1-5 ATS on the season in games against teams with a losing record. 10* WAKE FOREST |
|||||||
03-06-18 | Georgia Tech +4 v. Boston College | 77-87 | Loss | -110 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #517 Tuesday 8* Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+) vs Boston College Eagles @ Noon ET - After standing by to let the markets do their thing they've now driven this line all the way up from Boston College being about a pick'em all the way up to a 4 point favorite. It is now "go time" with Georgia Tech here! The Yellow Jackets are 12-4 ATS in March games and 3-0 ATS in first round tournament games. The Eagles are 1-8 ATS in tournament games. The Yellow Jackets also looking to avenge an 8 point loss at Boston College early last month where they were outscored by 16 points in the 2nd half. The difference is the game was the Eagles hitting 11 of 23 three-pointers and it is highly unlikely they do that here in a neutral court game. Grab the generous points here. 8* GEORGIA TECH |
|||||||
03-05-18 | Bowling Green +7.5 v. Central Michigan | Top | 77-81 | Win | 100 | 10 h 50 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #715 Monday 10* Top Play Bowling Green Falcons (+) @ Central Michigan Chippewas @ 7:05 ET - I had my eyes on Bowling Green for their first round game in the MAC Tournament since they got blasted on their home floor by Buffalo in their regular season finale. Of course the Bulls are in a class of their own this season as they dominated the MAC East but the fact is that anytime a team gives up 100 on their home floor, especially in their final game of the season, you know they're going to be geared up for a bounce back performance in their next game. The fact that this game is on the road means extra line value for the home shading factored in plus the fact that odds makers had to over-adjust some after the Falcons got blasted. Bowling Green did lose at home to Central Michigan in their regular season match-up but the Falcons led the Chippewas at the half in that game. Also, Central Michigan just had to play on Saturday due to a shooting on campus that moved their game from Friday to Saturday and from on-campus to another location 30 miles away. While they did win that game the Chips are now on short rest and have gone just 2-4 ATS the last 6 times they've played with 1 day of rest or less between games. Central Michigan is also 2-4 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points and all 4 of those losses have been outright upset defeats! Another one wouldn't surprise here but I am grabbing the generous points with the Falcons. They are 5-0 SU and ATS this season when playing with home loss revenge. 10* BOWLING GREEN |
|||||||
03-04-18 | Suns v. Hawks -3 | 112-113 | Loss | -107 | 6 h 11 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #802 Sunday 8* Atlanta Hawks (-) vs Phoenix Suns @ 3:35 ET - The Hawks were leading the Suns by 10 points with under 3 minutes to go in the game in Phoenix in early January. Atlanta ended up losing that game by a single point. Suffice to say it is time for some payback here! The Hawks are 17-6 ATS in non-conference games this season. Also, Atlanta is at least a respectable 4-4 SU in their last 8 home games plus they're on a 5-2 ATS run their last 7 games overall. The Suns are on a horrific 2-16 SU run their last 18 games. Also, many of those losses were blowout losses for Phoenix and they're certainly facing a motivated Hawks team here. The home team is 6-0 SU in the last 6 meetings between these teams and with the low number on this game any SU Hawks win is highly like to be also be an ATS Win. Lay it! 8* ATLANTA |
|||||||
03-04-18 | Cincinnati +3 v. Wichita State | 62-61 | Win | 100 | 4 h 7 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #815 Sunday 8* Cincinnati Bearcats (+) @ Wichita State Shockers @ Noon ET - After opening up at a pick'em, this line has gone all the way up to a 3. Of course everyone is jumping on Wichita State at home and that is leading to great line value with the revenge-minded Bearcats. Cincinnati wants this game badly after losing to the Shockers at home two weeks ago. That loss ended a long home winning streak for the Bearcats and they're hungry to avenge that loss early Sunday. Cincinnati is allowing just 57.2 points and 36.9% from the field this season. Wichita State allowing 71.1 points and 41.7% from the field. Look for the edge on defense and the high motivation factor to lead to a road win for the revenge-minded team here. The Bearcats have a straight-up mark of 13-1, 93% when off of a win in conference action this season. 8* CINCINNATI |
|||||||
03-03-18 | Nuggets v. Cavs -4.5 | Top | 126-117 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 14 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #504 Saturday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers (-) vs Denver Nuggets @ 7:35 ET - The Cavaliers have done so poorly ATS this season (particularly at home) that you know a turnaround is coming and we're also getting line value as a result. This line was around a half-dozen points but has already dropped to a 4.5 as of early gameday morning and this is offering great line value on a Cleveland team that will be hungry. After losing at home to the 76ers Thursday night, the Cavs need a bounce back game and they're catching Denver at the perfect time to take advantage. The Nuggets are off of a win at Memphis last night so Denver is in a back to back spot here. Also, speaking of ATS struggles, the Nuggets have failed to cover 4 in a row but this is not the spot to rectify the situation. Denver is 6-11 ATS this season in games with a posted total of 220 or more. Cleveland is 17-7 SU in home games with a posted total of 220 or more and 39-21 SU long-term when off of an upset loss as a favorite. With those solid SU stats and the fact that this line is down to a 4.5 I feel very comfortable about an ATS win here as the Cavs are fired up to get back on track! 10* CLEVELAND |
|||||||
03-03-18 | Notre Dame v. Virginia -9 | Top | 57-62 | Loss | -106 | 8 h 0 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NCAAB Game #564 Saturday 10* Top Play Virginia Cavaliers (-) vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ 4 ET - Here is what people are talking about: Virginia is off of a miraculous last second win at Louisville. Notre Dame has Bonzie Colson back. Here what people are not talking about: The Cavaliers were knocked out of the ACC Tournament last spring by the Fighting Irish. It was the first time that Notre Dame had beaten the Cavaliers since joining the ACC. Also, Colson was good but not great in his first game back and that was against a very bad Pittsburgh team. So here is the takeaway: there is tremendous line value here with the Cavaliers in their home finale. They have revenge on their minds after what happened in the ACC Tourney last year. To put that game in proper perspective, the Cavaliers haven't allowed that many points (71) this entire season. The Cavs defense is going to bring their "A game" here. The Irish are smart enough to know this not a game to push Colson too hard in. They need him for the upcoming tournament games not for this one final regular season games. For the Cavaliers they are a very hard-working team and they want to send the seniors off the right way in their final home game. They'll be able to dominate defensively and the Cavaliers offensive production this season is much better than last year. Of course this is a big reason they're now the #1 ranked team in the nation and they're not getting the respect they should here. I'll gladly step in and take advantage. Notre Dame is just 4-8 ATS their last 12 games. The Cavaliers win at Louisville was a non-covering win and the Cavs haven't had 2 straight ATS losses this entire season. In other words, an ATS win for the home team as they avenge last season's loss. 10* VIRGINIA |
|||||||
03-03-18 | Boston College +8 v. Florida State | 76-85 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 4 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #545 Saturday 8* Boston College Eagles (+) @ Florida State Seminoles @ 2 ET - The Eagles beat the Seminoles earlier this season at Boston College. As a result, the Seminoles will be seeking revenge here. However, BC lost at Florida State by 32 points here last February and were knocked out of the ACC Tournament in a 22-point loss the prior year. In other words, Boston College still has some unfinished business in terms of dealing with FSU. The Eagles are off of a dominating home win versus Syracuse and only lost by a single point (for an easy cover) at Miami in their most recent road game. A recent 23-point blowout road win at Pittsburgh (as well as that gritty performance against the Hurricanes) gives the Eagles plenty of confidence heading to Florida State. Simply put, the Noles have been a disappointment as this season has gone on. They've now lost 4 of their last 6 games and Boston College can actually finish with a higher seeding in the ACC tournament than FSU by getting the upset win today. Florida State is on an 0-6 ATS run and though the Seminoles are a very lengthy team on defense they've still been giving up high shooting percentages and big points. Florida State has allowed 81.2 points per game their last 5 games! FSU is 3-8 ATS when they enter a game on an ATS losing streak of 3 or more games. The Eagles are 10-6 ATS in conference games this season. 8* BOSTON COLLEGE |
|||||||
03-03-18 | St. John's +5 v. Providence | 57-61 | Win | 100 | 5 h 24 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #519 Saturday 8* St John's Red Storm (+) @ Providence Friars @ Noon ET - The Red Storm may be without Big East leading scorer Shamorie Ponds again. However, they just beat Butler in double OT Wednesday without him. They used a lineup that was long on length and defensive skill and St John's got another big win. They are as hot as they've been all season as they've won 5 of of their last 7 games including 3 wins over tournament teams. Those 3 wins included Wednesday's win over the Bulldogs and victories over Duke and Villanova! The Red Storm are on the road for this one but that hasn't mattered in the series with Providence. The last 4 meetings have not only been covers for the road team they've also been outright wins. Those four victories have come by an average margin of 13 points per game. Way back in late December the Friars handed the Red Storm what would end up being their worst home loss of the season! St John's hasn't forgotten that 22 point embarrassment on their home floor and they're seeking redemption today! The Red Storm are 3-1 ATS this season when seeking revenge for a blowout loss of 20 points or more. Providence is 3-10 ATS as a favorite this season! I'll gladly take all the points I can get in this one but we likely won't need them. 8* ST JOHN'S |
|||||||
03-02-18 | Missouri State v. Southern Illinois +3 | Top | 63-67 | Win | 100 | 9 h 38 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #860 Friday 10* Top Play Southern Illinois Salukis (+) vs Missouri State Bears @ 7 ET - Missouri State hung on for the win versus Valparaiso despite the Bears allowing 79 points on 45.5% from the field including 52.6% from three point land. Their luck runs out here as the Bears defense has been garbage for 3 straight games and, keep in mind, they had lost 4 straight games before getting past the Crusaders yesterday. Now they face a Salukis team that is ticked off of after a sub-par ending to the regular season. Southern Illinois is the healthier team and they are the more rested team here. Also, there is no shame in the fact that they lost to Loyola (top team in MVC) two games ago and then they definitely just threw in the towel in the season finale on the road. That said, lets not forget that before these two losses, the Salukis had won 8 of their last 9 games! Missouri State is on a 2-9 ATS run against teams with a winning record. They also are 1-6 ATS when playing with road loss revenge. Also, after scoring 80 points or more in a game, the Bears are 4-12 ATS the past 3 seasons. Look for the Salukis to improve to 4-1 ATS when playing with 5 or 6 days of rest between games. 10* SOUTHERN ILLINOIS |
|||||||
03-02-18 | St. Peter's v. Rider -5 | 66-55 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 28 m | Show | |
Hidden Gem - Rickenbach CBB Game #876 Friday 8* Rider Broncs (-) vs St Peters Peacocks @ 7 ET - This one is real simple guys. I got burned by St Peters yesterday. They got very fortunate, caught lightning in a bottle, and rallied late to win against Monmouth. The Peacocks are not a very good basketball team. Sometimes crazy thing happens and that was the key to St Peters truly miracle win over the Hawks yesterday. They won't be so fortunate against the Broncs! Rider's defensive numbers sure don't impress but the reason they went 22-8 this season is because of their firepower on offense. Simply put, the Peacocks won't be able to keep up. Also, unlike Monmouth, the Broncs are loaded with scorers so they'll be able to get the big buckets they need during the stretch run. St Peters is 1-9 SU (and 3-7 ATS) when playing against a team with a winning record this season. Also, the Peacocks are 2-5 SU the last 7 times they've played a game with 1 day of rest or less between games. As for Rider, they are 14-3 SU (and 12-5 ATS) this season against teams with a losing record. Also, the Broncs are a long-term 15-8 ATS after a game in which they allowed 80 points or more. 8* RIDER |
|||||||
03-01-18 | Valparaiso +3 v. Missouri State | Top | 79-83 | Loss | -104 | 12 h 58 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #565 Thursday 10* Top Play Valparaiso Crusaders (+) vs Missouri State Bears @ 9:30 ET - The whole world is jumping on the Bears here. That is a Missouri State team that has lost 8 of its 10 games since Reggie Scurry has been out. Also, the Bears could be without another player that is part of their regular playing rotation as guard Ronnie Rousseau is questionable with an illness. Another key here is that it is hard to beat a team 3 times in one season. The Bears have knocked off the Crusaders in each of the first two meetings in the regular season and you can bet that Valparaiso loves the fact that they are getting this opportunity at revenge in the conference tourney. The Crusaders have picked up some momentum with 3 wins in their final 5 games of the regular season and are definitely playing their top basketball of the season right now. One of those two losses came to the MVC top team too as it was a loss at Loyola-Chicago. Valparaiso actually was down only 3 points on the road against the Ramblers with less than 4 and 1/2 minutes to go in that game. A valiant effort and the Crusaders will have no trouble with a similar effort in a "win or go home" game against the Bears. Simply put, a wounded and bad Missouri State team is getting too much respect here. The Crusaders are 3-1 SU and ATS when playing with road loss revenge this season and the Bears are 1-9 ATS when off of a loss in conference action. 10* VALPARAISO |
|||||||
03-01-18 | 76ers +3.5 v. Cavs | Top | 108-97 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #503 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) @ Cleveland Cavaliers @ 8:05 ET - The 76ers are off a tough loss at Miami Tuesday and they know they had no business losing the game. The way the 4th quarter played out late was absolutely unacceptable and they'll come out with plenty of fire here at Cleveland. Keep in mind the Sixers are off of back to back losses but had previously won 7 straight games. The Cavaliers have a long winning streak (SU) against Philadelphia and the 76ers are tired of hearing about it. The Sixers now have the horses to compete with LeBron James and Company and the Cavs haven't exactly lit the world on fire in home games this season. In fact, the Cavaliers are 6-23 ATS in home games this season and 10-35 ATS as a favorite. Philly is 9-2 ATS in road games with a posted total of 220 points or more. Also, in the 2nd half of a season, when the 76ers face a team that scores an average of 106 points or more per game, the Sixers have gone 22-5 ATS their last 27. More of the same here and an outright upset would not surprise but if they lose I expect it to again be on a final shot and that means value with the points! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-01-18 | Lakers +4.5 v. Heat | 131-113 | Win | 100 | 12 h 36 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #501 Thursday 8* Los Angeles Lakers (+) @ Miami Heat @ 7:35 ET - The Lakers have won 3 straight games and confidence is building as 4 of their last 5 wins have come by blowout margins of 19 points or more. Los Angeles is also on an 8-2 ATS run. The Heat come into this game off of a very fortunate last second win over Philadelphia Tuesday. Miami simply had no business winning that game and it those types of victories that often leave a team flat in their next game. Look for the Lakers to roll right into Miami and take advantage. Keep in mind, even with that win over the 76ers, the Heat are on a 3-8 SU run their last 11. Miami is on a 9-19 ATS run in home games! The Lakers are 10-2 ATS this season when off of a win by a double digit margin. 8* LOS ANGELES |
|||||||
03-01-18 | St. Peter's v. Monmouth -3.5 | 60-58 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #580 Thursday 8* Monmouth Hawks vs St Peters Peacocks @ 5 ET - This is a neutral site game and the Hawks are favored with good reason. Monmouth actually stood up to top competition at times during the season and I feel that gives them a significant edge in a tourney setting like this. The Peacocks closed the regular season with back to back wins but those came against two of the worst teams in the MAAC. You have to look long and hard to find a game where St Peters actually stepped up against top competition and I feel they'll once again struggle in a big-game setting. Monmouth is on a 6-3 ATS run in neutral court games while St Peter's is on an 0-3 ATS run in conference tournament games. The Hawks are the better shooting team from the field including from 3-point land and I expect that to be a key difference maker in this match-up. 8* MONMOUTH |
|||||||
02-28-18 | Pelicans +5 v. Spurs | Top | 121-116 | Win | 100 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #713 Wednesday 10* Top Play New Orleans Pelicans (+) @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:35 ET - The Spurs are off of an upset win at Cleveland over LeBron James and the Cavaliers. That makes this the perfect spot to fade San Antonio as the Spurs had lost 4 straight and 6 of 7 prior to that win. Also, the Spurs are only 2-8 ATS in divisional games this season. Though they have revenge on their side here against the Pelicans, San Antonio is 5-11 SU when playing with revenge this season. New Orleans has won 2 of the last 3 meetings between these teams and the Pelicans enter this game on a 6-game winning streak! Look for the road dog to stay hot on Wednesday! 10* NEW ORLEANS |
|||||||
02-28-18 | Providence +10.5 v. Xavier | 74-84 | Win | 100 | 8 h 11 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #719 Wednesday 8* Providence Friars (+) @ Xavier Musketeers @ 6:30 ET - Xavier is seeking revenge here for a loss at Providence in early January. However, the Musketeers entered that game also seeking revenge and it still didn't matter as the Friars beat them for a 2nd straight time. Yes, it is true that the Musketeers have home court edge here but that has also been factored in this line and Xavier is a very sizable favorite considering they've lost the turnover battle 32-17 in their last two meetings with Providence! Also, the Musketeers defense just isn't what it use to be. Even in home games Xavier has allowed about 50% from the field in their last 5 games! The Musketeers are allowing 75.4 points per game this season and in the Big East only one other team, Marquette, is allowing a higher ppg average. Only 4 of the last 16 wins that Xaviers has have come by more than 10 points. The Musketeers tend to let teams hang around I like the value here with a Friars team that is a long-term 28-18 ATS as an underdog. Look for Xavier to drop to 3-6 ATS the last 9 times they've been a home favorite in a range of 9.5 to 12 points. 8* PROVIDENCE |
|||||||
02-27-18 | Wizards v. Bucks -3 | Top | 107-104 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 44 m | Show |
Early TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Game #508 Tuesday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks (-) vs Washington Wizards @ 8:05 ET - The Bucks are off of a tight home loss to New Orleans and that certainly holds significance here because Milwaukee hasn't lost back to back games in 5 weeks. The Bucks were on a 9-3 SU run prior to the loss to the Pelicans. Milwaukee is catching the Wizards at the right time to get right back on track. Washington is off of a big home win versus the 76ers but the Wizards had previously lost 3 of their 6 prior games. Washington is a long-term 40-63 SU when they are an underdog and this is a very small number to lay on the Bucks at home. Milwaukee is a long-term 65-33 SU when they are a favorite. The Bucks are 8-2 ATS this season when off of an upset loss as a favorite and they are also 10-4 SU and ATS when they are off of a game where they allowed 115 points or more. The icing on the cake for motivating the home team here is that the Wizards have won their last two visits here. Payback time. 10* MILWAUKEE |
|||||||
02-27-18 | Miami-OH +3 v. Kent State | 83-90 | Loss | -107 | 10 h 52 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #513 Tuesday 8* Miami-Ohio RedHawks (+) @ Kent State Golden Flashes @ 7 ET - This is one of those games (line opened up at just 1.5 on Kent State) where it simply looks too easy to just take the revenging team on their home floor and lay a small number. Of course we all know what happens more often than not when something looks too easy. The fact is that the RedHawks are offering solid line value here as this line has already climbed up to a 3 and could even go a little higher. Miami-Ohio has seen their last 6 games decided by an average margin of just 3.5 points per game. They're use to playing tight low-scoring games and they're the better team defensively in comparison with Kent State. These two teams are currently tied for 2nd place in the East Division of the MAC and I look for the RedHawks to ride the momentum of back to back wins. Kent State is off of a win but it came by just a single point and they entered that game having lost 5 of their 6 prior games. In other words, the Golden Flashes last 7 games have featured just 1 win by more than a single point! Also, prior to the tight win over Bowling Green, Kent State had allowed 48% or more from the field in 4 of their 5 prior games! The RedHawks are 10-4 ATS on the road this season and 14-6 ATS as an underdog! Kent State is 9-24 ATS in home games with a posted total between 135 and 139.5 points. 8* MIAMI-OHIO |
|||||||
02-27-18 | Florida v. Alabama -2 | Top | 73-52 | Loss | -107 | 10 h 31 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach CBB Game #526 Tuesday 10* Top Play Alabama Crimson Tide (-) vs Florida Gators @ 7 ET - Florida, of course, has the long-term reputation in basketball while Alabama is all about football. However, it is no mistake that the Crimson Tide are favored here. This basketball program has come a long way under coach Avery Johnson and, on Senior Night, I look for a huge game from Alabama here. They've suffered 3 straight losses but 2 of those were on the road. Off of a rare home loss in their most recent game, look for the Crimson Tide to bounce back huge here. Alabama is still 12-3 SU at home this season and, with this line having fallen to just a -2 this morning, any SU win is likely to equate to an ATS win for the Tide as well. Alabama is 49-28 SU long-term when they enter a game on an ATS losing streak of 3 or more games. Also, in home games with a posted total between 135 and 139.5 points, the Crimson Tide are a long-term 26-11 SU. They are the better defensive team in this match-up and also shoot better than the Gators. So why are people backing Florida here? Long-term reputation and the revenge angle since the Gators lost to the Tide earlier this season. However, the reason not to buy into all that is that prior to a tight win versus Auburn in their most recent game, Florida had lost 5 of their last 7 games and had just 1 ATS win in those 7 games! The Gators are 0-4 SU and ATS this season in games with a posted total in the 130s. 10* ALABAMA |
|||||||
02-26-18 | Warriors v. Knicks +12 | Top | 125-111 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
Game of the Month NBA Game #710 Monday 10* Top Play New York Knicks (+) vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:35 ET - The Warriors are off of a huge win versus Oklahoma City so this one sets up perfectly. Yes, I know that the Knicks have an unimpressive record and in the midst of a 1-9 SU run but this chance to host star-studded Golden State only comes around once a year. New York will absolutely be "up" for this game while the Warriors are still relishing in the after-effects of having enjoyed a big win over Kevin Durant's former team. That's because Russell Westbrook and Company had become a bit of a nemesis for the Warriors in recent meetings so GS could absolutely be a little flat for this game. Plus this will be their first game after traveling all the way from coast to coast and they just faced the Thunder on Saturday. Golden State is known for a "ho-hum approach" to a game like this as they've gone just 1-7 ATS versus Atlantic Division teams this season and 7-19 ATS the last 3 seasons combined. Also, after a game in which they allowed 90 points or less this season, the Warriors have gone 1-3 ATS. The Knicks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against teams that allow 106 points or more per game on the season. New York has gone 6-1 ATS against teams from the Pacific Division this season. The Knicks also are a perfect 4-0 ATS this season in games with posted total of 220 points or more. The Warriors likely find a way to gut out a win here but the "amped up" home dog keeps this one within a single digit margin. 10* NEW YORK |
|||||||
02-25-18 | 76ers +2.5 v. Wizards | Top | 94-109 | Loss | -107 | 10 h 19 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach NBA Game #809 Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) @ Washington Wizards @ 8:05 ET - The 76ers are in a back to back spot here but they are so hot it doesn't matter. They led Orlando by about 20 in yesterday's game before the Magic closed the gap late. The Sixers hung on for the cover but truly coasted at the end and the final score doesn't do justice to the domination that Philly had in that game. They've won 7 straight and have covered 5 of those 7 games and I am happy to take a hot 76ers team plus get a few points here at Washington. The Wizards are off of a home loss but actually have lost 2 straight home games and now and their defense has allowed 49.5% in their two games since the All Star break. As for the Sixers, their D has allowed 45.5% or less in NINE straight games! Washington is 13-24 ATS as a favorite and the Wizards are also just 10-18 ATS at home this season. Philadelphia is 10-5 SU and ATS when off of a win by a double digit margin and also 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS against Southeast Division opponents this season. More of the same here! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-25-18 | UCF v. Temple -5 | 56-75 | Win | 100 | 5 h 57 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #820 Sunday 8* Temple Owls (-) vs Central Florida Golden Knights @ 2 ET - The Owls got embarrassed 60-39 in a very ugly loss at UCF earlier this season. Temple hasn't forgotten that defeat and they're out for revenge in a big way here. While the Owls are a healthy team, the Golden Knights are quite banged up and Temple will take advantage of this. Central Florida is on a 1-5 ATS run in road games while the Owls had covered 6 in a row before an embarrassing home loss to Houston last Sunday. That sets this one up well and I expect Temple to roll. The Owls are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in a home game with a posted total in the 120s and also a long-term 4-2 ATS as a home favorite in a range of 3.5 to 6 points. The Golden Knights are a long-term 7-18 ATS as a road dog of 3.5 to 6 points. Payback time here for the Owls! 8* TEMPLE |
|||||||
02-25-18 | Pistons +4.5 v. Hornets | 98-114 | Loss | -107 | 5 h 1 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #801 Sunday 8* Detroit Pistons (+) @ Charlotte Hornets @ 1:05 ET - The Pistons are off of a home loss to Boston on Sunday. Detroit is now on an 0-6 ATS streak but, keep in mind, the Pistons were on a 6-3 SU run prior to falling short to the Celtics. Also, Detroit has revenge on their mind here as they lost to the Hornets in mid-January. Prior to that defeat, the Pistons had won 3 straight over Charlotte and they are certainly catching them at the right time to exact revenge. The Hornets are off of a big divisional win at Washington and now have won 3 straight games. When Charlotte is on a SU winning streak of 3 or more wins, they've gone 9-16 SU and ATS. The Hornets are on a long-term 7-13 ATS run in Sunday games while the Pistons are on a 16-11 ATS run on Sundays and are 16-10 ATS this season as an underdog. 8* DETROIT |
|||||||
02-24-18 | Celtics v. Knicks +4.5 | 121-112 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 40 m | Show | |
Divisional Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Game #503 Saturday 8* New York Knicks (+) vs Boston Celtics @ 7:35 ET - The Celtics got the win by a dozen point last night at Detroit but look for that to leave the tank close to empty for tonight's game at New York. Keep in mind, these teams just enjoyed a long layoff so it is tough to come back and right away face short rest situations. As for the Knicks, they are rested here as they faced the Magic at Orlando on Thursday. New York will be ready to go here as they were embarrassed by a 30 point margin at Boston last month. Payback is on order here! The Knicks had won 2 of the 4 prior meetings and they're catching them at the right time to get another W here. When the Celtics are in the 2nd game of a back to back and are facing an Eastern Conference foe, they are 0-4 ATS their last 4. Look for the Knicks, with some extra confidence after winning their first game back from the break, to improve to 5-2 ATS in Saturday games this season. 8* NEW YORK |
|||||||
02-24-18 | Kansas +2 v. Texas Tech | 74-72 | Win | 100 | 6 h 8 m | Show | |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach CBB Game #593 Saturday 8* Kansas Jayhawks (+) @ Texas Tech Red Raiders @ 4:15 ET - The Red Raiders are 16-0 SU at home this season, ranked higher than the Jayhawks, already beat Kansas, and yet they are very nearly a "pick'em" in this match-up. Don't be fooled! The Jayhawks are the play. Kansas is going for a national record 14th straight regular season conference title and, to do it, they need to avenge a rare home loss to Texas Tech which was suffered last month. The Jayhawks are playing so much better now than they were then as they've reeled off 3 straight wins and these were, by no means, easy match-ups. Kansas got a hard-fought road win at Iowa State plus key victories over quality Big 12 opponents Oklahoma and West Virginia. While the Jayhawks have been shooting lights out of late, the Red Raiders confidence is shaken after demoralizing road losses at Baylor and Oklahoma State where poor shooting certainly played a role. Expecting Texas Tech to bounce back off of a loss? The fact is that the Red Raiders are 0-4 ATS this season when off of a loss in Big 12 action. Kansas is 7-1 SU in road games with a posted total between 140 and 144.5 points while Texas Tech is 2-4 ATS in home games with a posted total between 140 and 144.5 points this season. Look for the Jayhawks to improve to 5-1 SU the last 6 times they've played with home loss revenge. 8* KANSAS |
|||||||
02-24-18 | Boston College +9.5 v. Miami-FL | 78-79 | Win | 100 | 5 h 42 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #555 Saturday 8* Boston College Eagles (+) @ Miami-Florida Hurricanes @ 2 ET - The absence of Bruce Brown is significant for the Hurricanes. Since the guard got hurt, Miami has won just 4 of 7 games and, in those 7 games, only 1 was a victory by double digits for the Canes. In other words, there is huge value here with the big road dog Eagles. Yes, this is a revenge game for Miami as they lost at Boston College two weeks ago and are seeking to avenge that defeat. However, the Hurricanes are off of a big upset road win at Notre Dame and the Canes had entered that game on an 0-3 SU run and 2-9 ATS run! Miami is just 1-6 ATS in home games this season and also just 1-6 ATS this season when off of a win in ACC action. The Eagles are off of back to back losses (SU and ATS) but had previously gone 9-4 ATS in conference action this season and they resume their winning ways (at least in terms of a cover) at Miami early Saturday afternoon. 8* BOSTON COLLEGE |
|||||||
02-24-18 | Michigan v. Maryland +1 | 85-61 | Loss | -105 | 4 h 4 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #532 Saturday 8* Maryland Terrapins (+) vs Michigan Wolverines @ Noon ET - It looks too easy to simply take the ranked team that is 12-5 in Big Ten games over the unranked team that is 8-9 in Big Ten games. Of course whenever something looks too easy on the surface, you know what that means. Nothing is ever that easy and that is when it is time to dig a little deeper. What you will find upon further digging here is that Maryland is 15-2 SU at home this season and also playing their best basketball in a long time. The Terrapins are off of back to back wins, have won 4 of their last 6, and they've shot better than 50% combined from the field in their last 6 games! The Wolverines are also coming into this game hot but are off of a road win at Penn State that was preceded by Michigan losing 3 of their 4 prior road games. In road games with a line ranging anywhere from +3 to -3 the Wolverines have gone 4-9 ATS and SU! The Terps are 9-3 SU when playing with road loss revenge and also a perfect 5-0 SU in Saturday games this season. 8* MARYLAND |
|||||||
02-23-18 | Celtics v. Pistons +2 | Top | 110-98 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 40 m | Show |
Early Smash Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #802 Friday 10* Detroit Pistons (+) vs Boston Celtics @ 7:05 ET - Both these teams were struggling prior to the All Star Break but what was very disconcerting about the Celtics performances was a lack of defense. Boston allowed 50% or more from the field in 3 of their 5 games prior to the break. The Pistons, on the other hand, held 4 of their final 6 opponents prior to the break to just 44% or less from the field. Detroit has also gone 9 straight games without allowing an opponent to hit better than 48.7% from the field. On the other end of the floor, the Celtics have been held under 100 points in 4 of their last 6 games. Conversely, the Pistons have won 6 of their last 9 games and have averaged 109.2 points per game during this stretch. Only 1 time in their last 11 games has Detroit been held below 103 points! Look for Boston to drop to 1-4 SU and ATS on the season when they are off of a game where they allowed 115 points or more. As for the Pistons, they are 16-9 ATS this season as an underdog and I also expect them to improve to 4-1 SU and ATS when they enter a game with 3 or more days of rest between games. The hungry home dog (revenge from home loss in most recent meeting - in December) gets their payback here. 10* DETROIT |
|||||||
02-22-18 | Knicks +3.5 v. Magic | 120-113 | Win | 100 | 8 h 26 m | Show | |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Game #553 Thursday 8* New York Knicks (+) @ Orlando Magic @ 7:05 ET - This line is practically inviting you to take Orlando as the Magic are such a small home favorite in this match-up and the Knicks have lost 8 straight games. However, as usual, I am going contrarian here and I love New York in this match-up. Oftentimes the best thing that can happen for a team that is struggling is to have a break in the action and that is exactly what the Knicks just benefited from with the All Star break. New York is playing this game with home loss revenge and that is a situation that has seen the Knicks go 8-4 ATS this season. Also, home court has not meant much in recent meetings in his series as the road team is 4-1 SU and ATS in the last 5 meetings! Orlando has a penchant for playing down to the level of competition they face as the Magic have gone 5-14 SU (and 6-13 ATS) in games against teams with a losing record this season! More of the same in this one as I am forecasting Orlando to drop to 3-8 ATS as a favorite this season. Grab the points! 8* NEW YORK |
|||||||
02-21-18 | Georgia +3 v. South Carolina | Top | 57-66 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
Earliest Cash Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #705 Wednesday 10* Georgia Bulldogs (+) @ South Carolina Gamecocks @ 6:30 ET - The first lines that popped up on this game had South Carolina as nearly a pick'em on their home floor. Keep in mind, this is even though the Gamecocks are 39-11 SU in home games the past 2+ seasons and the Bulldogs are 12-23 SU in road games the past 2+ seasons. Wow...must be a gift from the odds makers, right? It is never that easy folks and yet sure enough the markets have jumped all over South Carolina here and Georgia is now available at as high as a +3.5 and I'll gladly go contrarian and grab the dog here. I love to fade the line moves in situations like this and the Bulldogs are playing with home loss revenge here as they lost despite holding the Gamecocks to just 27% from the field last month at Georgia. The Bulldogs are 7-1 ATS (including 2-0 this season) when playing with home loss revenge. Georgia enters this game with plenty of confidence as they are off of back to back wins and have played very well on both ends of the floor in those victories. The Gamecocks are off of a big upset win as a sizable underdog but previously had lost 6 straight games. In those 6 games South Carolina averaged only 62 points per game. The Bulldogs are the better shooting team on the season and also have the better defense in terms of field goal percentage allowed. The Gamecocks are 1-3 SU and ATS this season when off of a win in SEC action. Also, South Carolina is a long-term 13-27 ATS as a home favorite of 3 points or less. Bulldogs payback time. 10* GEORGIA |
|||||||
02-20-18 | Creighton +5.5 v. Butler | Top | 70-93 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 23 m | Show |
Early Annihilation Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #509 Tuesday 10* Creighton Bluejays (+) @ Butler Bulldogs @ 7 ET - Even though this is a revenge game for Butler (lost at Creighton last month), there is a history of success for the Bluejays in their meetings with the Bulldogs. Creighton has won and covered 3 straight in this series and the Bluejays are 7-2 ATS in their 9 meetings with the Bulldogs. I also like the fact that Creighton is off of a loss here as they are 7-0 SU this season when off of a loss. You read that right, the Bluejays have not lost back to back games this entire season. As for Butler, they are off of a win which adds to the line value here because, prior to that win, the Bulldogs had lost 3 straight ATS and SU! Butler allowed 56% shooting from the field in those 3 games as their defense has struggled. As for Creighton, they had played solid defense (particularly defending the perimeter and 3 point shots) prior to their home loss to Marquette. Creighton is on a 21-4 SU run (including 7-1 SU this season) when off of a game where they allowed 80 points or more. The Bulldogs won't be able to keep up here. Butler is 3-7 SU and ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record plus 2-6 SU and ATS in their last 8 games against teams that average 77 points or more per game. The Bluejays come into this angry and improve to 8-0 SU this season when off of a loss but I'll grab the generous points in case they fall just short. 10* CREIGHTON |
|||||||
02-19-18 | Maryland v. Northwestern +1 | Top | 71-64 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 30 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #706 Monday 10* Northwestern Wildcats (+) vs Maryland Terrapins @ 7 ET - The Wildcats led by as many as 27 points in the first half versus Michigan State Saturday. Northwestern was still up by 22 points at the half. The Cats ended up losing the game. After scoring just 11 points in the 2nd half against the Spartans Saturday, there is no doubt the Wildcats are going to give a huge effort here! Even though Bryant McIntosh missed the game versus Michigan State, Anthony Gaines did a great job in his absence. McIntosh could be back here but whether he is or not should not prove to be a factor against the Terrapins given the way Gaines played. This line is roughly a pick'em and Maryland is 0-10 SU this season when they are not favored. Also, the Terrapins are 1-5 SU when off of a win in Big Ten action and also just 1-8 SU in road games this season! The Wildcats are on a 39-12 SU run in home games including 11-4 SU this season. Also, the Cats are 4-2 SU and ATS this season when revenging a road loss. Off of a loss at Maryland earlier this season, payback is on order for the very angry home team here as the Wildcats look to redeem themselves after giving top-ranked Michigan State a run for their money but then letting it slip away. 10* NORTHWESTERN |
|||||||
02-18-18 | Houston v. Temple +2 | Top | 80-59 | Loss | -106 | 6 h 45 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #856 Sunday 10* Temple Owls (+) vs Houston Cougars @ 4 ET - Everyone just watched Houston knock off Cincinnati in a big win Thursday so they'll be the popular choice here. The line has already moved the way of the Cougars in this one as the markets are pushing that way early on gameday. The fact is that the Owls are very quietly playing solid basketball and are flying under the radar right now. This is the perfect spot to back Temple (off of a tight loss at Wichita State) and to fade Houston after their upset win at home versus the Bearcats. The Cougars are only 3-4 SU in their last 7 true road games and the Owls are 4-0 SU in their last 4 home games. Prior to that, Temple's two most recent home losses came by just 2 and 3 points respectively and both of those teams were quality opponents. The Owls can play with anyone with the way their playing right now and they are catching Houston at the right time for a mild upset win at home. Temple has covered 6 straight games and is playing as well as they have all season long. The Owls are shooting the ball very well and will also rally around the home crowd here. Houston is a long-term 5-9 ATS as a road fave of 3 points or less. Also, the Cougars are 3-6 ATS this season when they are off of a win in conference action. Temple is 6-1 SU and ATS after a game in which they scored 80 points or more. The Owls are 11-3 ATS this season off of a conference game. They are "all in" on this one and primed for the upset! 10* TEMPLE |
|||||||
02-18-18 | DePaul +11 v. Seton Hall | 77-82 | Win | 100 | 4 h 29 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #845 Saturday 8* DePaul Blue Demons (+) @ Seton Hall Pirates @ 1 ET - The odds makers must have made a mistake, right? If Seton Hall was favored by 6.5 at DePaul 3 weeks ago wouldn't the Pirates be favored by at least 12.5 at home (factoring in at least 3 points for home court edge)? Instead Seton Hall opened up as low as a 10 and the markets are jumping on the Pirates and the line has been driven to as high as an 11 as of about 4 hours before game time. The key to the value here (and the reason the odds makers handled this one the way they did) is because DePaul is playing their best basketball of the season and Seton Hall is playing their worst ball of the season. I don't see that changing here. The Blue Demons are at the bottom of the Big East standings so it is hard for the Pirates to get excited for this game. Seton Hall just faced one of the top teams (Xavier) in the standings and they have Providence on deck. That holds some significance here because the Pirates are looking up in the standings at the Friars. Should the Pirates find a way to win this game today? Yes but I don't see it being a blowout. Seton Hall has allowed at least 48% from the field in 4 straight games and DePaul is 1-2 SU (but 3-0 ATS) in their last 3 games as they've scored at least 75 points in all 3 games and the two losses each came by just a single point! The Pirates are 1-6 ATS (and 2-5 SU!) after allowing 80 points or more in their prior game. This could be a huge upset but certainly the big points should prove to be enough even if the Blue Demons don't pull off the shocker. 8* DEPAUL |
|||||||
02-17-18 | North Carolina v. Louisville -1 | Top | 93-76 | Loss | -107 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Rickenbach CBB Game #634 Saturday 10* Top Play Louisville Cardinals (-) vs North Carolina Tar Heels @ 8:15 ET - After missing two games, Cardinals forward (and leading scorer) Deng Adel is expected back for this one. That should help key a Louisville signature win which is much needed at this time of year as teams need to impress the tournament committee. The fact that the Tar Heels are a ranked team and have won 4 straight games and yet are installed as a dog should tell you a lot here. It is no mistake...the odds makers know what they're doing...and the home team is the play in this one. Louisville will prove to be the hungrier team. Also, the home team has dominated this series as 6 of the last 10 games were not neutral floor games. In those 6 games, the home team won every game. North Carolina is 0-7 SU and ATS the last 7 times they've been an underdog. While the Tar Heels have won 4 straight games, their defense has been sketchy at times with sub-par efforts versus NC State and Duke included in that winning streak. The Cardinals have won back to back games heading into this one and they really put the clamps down on defense in those two games. That return to solid D was much needed and resembled how the Cards were playing earlier this season when they were on top of their game. Couple this resurgence with Deng's return and the fact that Louisville is playing their biggest game of the season and you have a great set up here. The Cardinals are on a 9-3 ATS run and are 6-1 ATS this season when off of a win in conference action and are 48-5 SU at home the last 3 seasons. 10* LOUISVILLE |
|||||||
02-17-18 | Missouri +1 v. LSU | Top | 63-64 | Push | 0 | 7 h 21 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #513 Saturday 10* Missouri Tigers (+) @ LSU Tigers @ 2 ET - Missouri is red hot right now, playing solid defense, and they have revenge here. LSU of course has the home court edge here but their defense has been missing in most all of their recent games and the odds makers have this one priced this way for a reason! As you can see it looks inviting to just take LSU at home in a game that opened up at a -1 but the fact is that Missouri's mediocre road record is poised to add another W today. Even though LSU is 10-4 at home this season they come into this game having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Also, in 6 of their last 8 games, LSU has allowed their opponent to hit at least 51% from the field. Missouri's defense, on the other hand, has been rock solid as they've held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 69 points or less and 40% or less from the field. Missouri is 4-0 SU this month and on a long-term 16-5 ATS run in February games. This team is playing with a ton of confidence right now and the fact they lost at home to LSU last season and have lost all 3 visits to LSU is what strengthens this play as there is plenty of motivation. As for the home team here, they are on a 6-14 SU run in February games and also are 2-6 SU and ATS their last 8 games against teams with a winning record. 10* MISSOURI |
|||||||
02-17-18 | SMU v. UCF -3 | 37-52 | Win | 100 | 5 h 17 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #502 Saturday 8* UCF Golden Knights (-) vs SMU Mustangs @ 11 AM ET - The Golden Knights want this game badly as the Mustangs have held the upper hand in this series in recent years. This includes SMU winning their first match-up this season as well as knocking them out of the conference tourney last spring! Suffice to say, UCF hasn't forgotten this and they're ready to exact revenge today. Central Florida is going to take advantage of home floor as well as the fact that the Mustangs are dealing with a ton of injuries. Having already lost a couple of scholarship players in Everett Ray and Jarrey Foster, things went from bad to worse when star Shake Milton was injured earlier this month. UCF has a boost of confidence heading into this one as they've shot the ball very well and won each of their last two games. As for SMU, they haven't shot the ball well in any of their past four games. All 4 were losses! The Mustangs are 1-4 ATS this season in games with a posted total in the 120s. The Golden Knights are a long-term 23-9 ATS as a favorite including 7-2 ATS this season! 8* CENTRAL FLORIDA |
|||||||
02-16-18 | Bowling Green +14 v. Buffalo | Top | 82-95 | Win | 100 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #827 Friday 10* Bowling Green Falcons (+) @ Buffalo Bulls @ 7 ET - Perfect spot for a huge upset but, at the very least, the Falcons should at least keep this one in single digits. Buffalo only lost 2 games in conference action this season. One was at Northern Illinois but they had beat the Huskies in the 1st meeting. The other defeat was at Kent State and then the Bulls badly wanted revenge in the next meeting. They got it and that was Buffalo's most recent game as they are off of a huge revenging win versus the Golden Flashes. Look for that to leave the Bulls a little flat in this one. The fact is that Buffalo has owned this series recently with Bowling Green so they may not be as focused on the Falcons as you would otherwise think. That is going to allow a quality BG team to give the Bulls a run for their money in this one. Before Buffalo's strong effort on defense versus Kent State, they had allowed 85 points per game on 46% shooting from the field. As for the Falcons, before allowing 81 points in a high-scoring win versus Western Michigan, they had held their last 4 opponents to 58.5 points per game on 38.5% shooting! The Falcons are playing their best basketball of the season and are fully focused on this game and on a 5-0 ATS run. The Bulls are off of a big revenging win and could be in for a letdown here. That said, the big points should prove to be more than enough in this one! Buffalo is 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. The Falcons are 5-1 ATS this season when off of a win in MAC action. 10* BOWLING GREEN |
|||||||
02-15-18 | Nuggets +3 v. Bucks | Top | 134-123 | Win | 100 | 12 h 2 m | Show |
Earliest Cash Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #501 Thursday 10* Denver Nuggets (+) @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:05 ET - The Bucks are 19-9 SU at home this season while the Nuggets are 8-19 SU on the road this season. Why then is Milwaukee such a small home favorite here? Precisely! As usual there is more than meets the eye at first glance here. The key in this match-up is that the Bucks defense has improved but in recent games but their offense has not impressed of late. As a result, simply put, Milwaukee won't be able to keep up with this high-powered Denver team in this one. The Bucks have averaged only 98 points per game in their last 7 games. By comparison, the Nuggets have averaged 115.1 points per game in their last 8 games. Yes, Milwaukee has the better defense in comparison with Denver but the Nuggets certainly aren't going to be "sleeping' on D with this being their final game before the All Star break. The Nuggets are on a 15-8 ATS run against Central Division opponents. The Bucks have covered just 10 of their 28 home games this season! 10* DENVER |
|||||||
02-15-18 | Cincinnati v. Houston +3.5 | Top | 62-67 | Win | 105 | 10 h 60 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CBB Game #510 Thursday 10* Top Play Houston Cougars (+) vs Cincinnati Bearcats @ 7 ET - Everyone will want the small road fave here that is undefeated in conference games this season. Hence the title of Contrarian Crusher on this one. Houston is being overlooked by most in this match-up because Cincinnati is so highly ranked and because the Bearcats are 12-0 SU in AAC action. The key to the value here on the Cougars is that many have forgotten they led the Cats by 18 on the road in their first match-up this season. Yes, that big lead did get away from the Cougars and they ended up losing the game by double digits. However, that is unlikely to happen at home. In other words, don't be surprised if Houston again gets a sizable lead but, the difference this time is that they'll hold onto it! This is why I see great value with grabbing the points here. Cincinnati is only 9-15 ATS in games against teams that average 77 points or more. Also, the Bearcats are off of a big win at SMU and they have a showdown with Wichita State on deck. The Cougars have quietly gone 12-0 at home this season and are "flying under the radar" which makes them a very dangerous home dog here. Houston is also 10-4 ATS (and 11-3 SU!) when playing with road loss revenge. Having gone 6-2 ATS in lined home games this season and coming into this game having allowed just 49.8 points per game in their last 4 games, the Cougars are going to be extremely tough as they eye their 20th win of the season and a big upset. 10* HOUSTON |
|||||||
02-14-18 | Heat +7.5 v. 76ers | Top | 102-104 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show |
Earliest Cash Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #703 Wednesday 10* Miami Heat (+) @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:05 ET - The Heat are in a back to back spot here but have actually gone 4-1 ATS the last 5 times they've played the 2nd game of a back to back. Also, with last night's cover at Toronto, Miami is 5-1 ATS their last 6 games against teams with a winning record. Even though they've endured a bit of a slump recently, so many of their losses have been very tight. That is why the Heat getting significant points here is certainly a solid line value. Miami is only 12-10 SU their last 22 games but the average margin of those 10 defeats was 4.9 points. NONE of the 10 losses came by double digits. In other words, getting big points here is indeed a solid value. I know Philadelphia has been hot but this is the final game before the All-Star break for both of these teams and the Heat want it just as bad. In fact, having lost at Philly (by 6) less than two weeks ago strengthens their resolve here. The Sixers are having a great season but they are 0-3 SU and ATS this season when they enter a game on a streak of 3 or more unders. Also, the long-term numbers in that situation are 6-11 ATS and 2-15 SU! Also, when Philadelphia enters a game having played each of their 3 prior games at home, they are 2-4 ATS this season and 4-21 SU the last 3 seasons combined. This one has upset written all over it and certainly there is value with grabbing the points which is what I am recommending for a top play here. 10* MIAMI |
|||||||
02-13-18 | Boston College -6 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 81-58 | Win | 100 | 9 h 56 m | Show |
Early Blowout Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #519 Tuesday 10* Boston College Eagles (-) @ Pittsburgh Panthers @ 7 ET - When you are laying close to a half-dozen points on the road you better have the decided edge and it also helps to have a motivational edge. In this specific case we can certainly "check the box" on both of those important factors. The Panthers are having a horrific season that honestly can't end soon enough! Pittsburgh is on a 13-game losing streak! The Panthers aren't just losing either, they're getting blasted! Pitt's 13 losses have included 11 defeats coming by a dozen points or more! Here is the problem though...will the Eagles be motivated? Of course they will! They lost at home to the Panthers last January by double digits! That game was tied at the half but Boston College had half as many field goal attempts even though they were the home team in that one. In other words, payback is in order here. The Eagles are 5-0 SU as a favorite this season so, even though they've had some SU losses of late they've been playing a very tough schedule and now will take full advantage of facing a weaker foe. As for the Panthers, they are 5-13 ATS in games with a posted total in the 130s. Also, Pittsburgh is 1-5 ATS when they enter a game on an ATS losing streak of 3 or more games! 10* BOSTON COLLEGE |
|||||||
02-12-18 | Knicks v. 76ers -11.5 | Top | 92-108 | Win | 100 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
NBA TV Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #702 Monday 10* Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs New York Knicks @ 7:05 ET - The Knicks have lost 6 straight games. I know the line seems steep here but is justified as the loss of Kristaps Porzingis is a huge one for New York. The game he got hurt was at home against Milwaukee and the Knicks have played 2 games since. In those 3 games the Knicks lost by an average margin of 15.7 points per game. Another blowout loss is likely here as the Sixers are at home and rolling. The 76ers have won 3 straight games and all of them were blowout wins. In fact, 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 wins have come by more than a dozen points. The average margin of victory in those 6 easy wins has been 16.7 points. The Sixers have allowed just 41% from the field in their last 6 games combined. The Knicks are allowing 109.1 points per game on the road this season and, without Kristaps Porzingis, New York is likely to struggle to be competitive in this one. The Knicks are 5-21 SU (and 7-19 ATS) in February games. The Sixers are 16-9 SU (and 17-8 ATS) in home games this season! This is a classic case of hot versus not and facing a hated division rival insures that the 76ers won't take their foot off of the gas in this one! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-11-18 | Cincinnati -7.5 v. SMU | Top | 76-51 | Win | 100 | 8 h 3 m | Show |
ESPN Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #831 Sunday 10* Top Play Cincinnati Bearcats (-) @ SMU Mustangs @ 4 ET - Even though the Mustangs have revenge from a 20 point loss at Cincinnati earlier this season, the Bearcats still have revenge on their minds too. Why? Because SMU knocked them out of the conference tourney last March AND also because the Mustangs have dominated Cincinnati in recent meetings at SMU. With that said, there will be no shortage of emotion from the road team in this one. Though their line may seem high, keep in mind the odds maker is factoring in the same key factors as what I noted above plus the fact that the Mustangs are down to just 7 scholarship players right now. SMU is currently without a couple of key players too as both Shake Milton and Jarrey Foster are expected to miss this game. The Mustangs are 1-3 ATS in games with a posted total in the 120s this season and the Bearcats stifling defense will frustrate them. SMU is also 5-9 ATS in games against teams with a winning record. Cincinnati is on a 6-0 ATS run against teams with a winning record. Also, the Bearcats are 11-0 SU and 8-3 ATS in conference action this season. This play has the makings of a road rout. 10* CINCINNATI |
|||||||
02-11-18 | Raptors -3.5 v. Hornets | 123-103 | Win | 100 | 4 h 27 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #801 Sunday 8* Toronto Raptors (-) @ Charlotte Hornets @ 1:05 ET - The Raptors have won both meetings with the Hornets this season and both victories have come by double digits. A similar result is likely today as Charlotte comes into this one on a 3-game losing streak while Toronto is on a 4-game winning streak. The Hornets are an ugly 6-17 ATS this season as an underdog. Also, in games against Atlantic Division opponents, Charlotte is a long-term 13-27 ATS! The Hornets are playing this game with home loss revenge but have gone 3-9 ATS in that situation. The red hot Raptors are 5-2 SU and ATS in Sunday games and are very use to playing these early starts as they have a number of them each season on weekends. Also, Toronto is an incredible 20-5 SU (and 16-9 ATS) when facing a team with a losing record. The Raptors are battling for the top spot in the Atlantic Division as the Celtics are right there with them and this added motivation leads to the road team making it 5 in a row as they take advantage of a struggling foe. 8* TORONTO |
|||||||
02-11-18 | Michigan v. Wisconsin +4 | 83-72 | Loss | -101 | 6 h 52 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #820 Sunday 8* Wisconsin Badgers (+) vs Michigan Wolverines @ 1 ET - First reaction will be to play the ranked team laying a small number against a team that has had a very rough season. Of course that is why there has already been a major line move toward the Wolverines in this one. However, this truly looks like a great spot for an upset win at home for the Badgers which makes having the points a great option in this one. Wisconsin is coming off of a road trip where they were very competitive at Maryland and then smashed Illinois. This gives Wisconsin some extra confidence returning home to take on Michigan. This is always a big game for the Badgers and they have some added incentive this season after being bounced from the Big Ten tourney by the Wolverines last season. The Badgers are 13-3 SU at home in their last 16 meetings as the host versus Michigan. Also, Wisconsin is 5-2 SU and ATS in home games with a posted total in the 120s. You can see from the total in this one that a low-scoring grinder of a game is expected here and that certainly favors the Badgers whose confidence has grown with better play in recent games. Michigan is off of a loss at Northwestern is now just 11-19 SU in their last 30 road games. 8* WISCONSIN |
|||||||
02-10-18 | Pelicans v. Nets +2.5 | 138-128 | Loss | -108 | 7 h 56 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Game #502 Saturday 8* Brooklyn Nets (+) vs New Orleans Pelicans @ 6:05 ET - While it may seem inviting to take the Pelicans and lay the short number after they got demolished last night at Philly, the fact is that New Orleans is 3-7 SU and ATS when off of a game where they were held to 85 points or less. Also, the Pelicans are 12-30 SU when playing the 2nd game of a back to back. When facing a team with a losing record this season, New Orleans is 1-5 SU its last 6. Brooklyn is a surprising 15-5 ATS when facing a team that averages 106 points or more this season. Also, the Nets have plenty of motivation here as they lost at New Orleans earlier this season and they also lost the last time they hosted Brooklyn. The Nets have lost 4 straight games but are 8-3 ATS when they enter a game on a losing streak of 3 or more games. They have a significant rest edge here as well as the home court edge. Grab the generous points. 8* BROOKLYN |
|||||||
02-10-18 | Purdue +3.5 v. Michigan State | Top | 65-68 | Win | 100 | 8 h 31 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Rickenbach CBB Game #621 Saturday 10* Top Play Purdue Boilermakers (+) @ Michigan State Spartans @ 4 ET - The Boilermakers are off of a loss by a single point. Not only was that just their 3rd loss of the season, the 3 defeats have come by an average margin of just 2.7 points per game! Purdue has not lost a game by more than 4 points this season. There is certainly value here as they are getting 3.5 points in this match-up and they've defeated the Spartans 3 of the last 4 games including a sweep last season (with both wins by double digits). These teams have identical records but Michigan State's 3 losses have come by an average margin of 11 points per game. Those were 3 of the Spartans most challenging games of the season too in terms of the match-up and this is certainly another one. That is why there is great line value here with the underdog Boilermakers. Purdue is 7-0 SU on the road this season and 7-0 SU on Saturdays. Michigan State is 1-8 ATS when off of a win in conference action. Also, the Spartans are the much younger team while the Boilermakers start 4 seniors who certainly know how to handle playing on the road. 10* PURDUE |
|||||||
02-10-18 | Mississippi State +6 v. Missouri | 85-89 | Win | 100 | 6 h 22 m | Show | |
Daytime Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Game #531 Saturday 8* Mississippi State Bulldogs (+) @ Missouri Tigers @ 2 ET - This is a revenge game for the Tigers since they lost at Mississippi State in late January. However, the Bulldogs have had Missouri's number as they have won each of the last 3 meetings and all 3 meetings came by a double digit margin. Another issue for the Tigers here is that their leading scorer, Kassius Robertson, has shot much better on the road than at home. He has had enough bad performances at home this season to prove that it is certainly no fluke. Something gets in Robertson's head when at home. The only other Tigers player averaging double digits this season is Jordan Barnett and he is stuck in a shooting slump that has seen him go just 9 for 31 in his last 4 games! The Bulldogs enter this game having won 4 straight while Missouri has won 3 straight. There is no question that both teams have been hot but the information above as well as the fact that Mississippi State is a sizable underdog here has me eagerly backing the road dog in this one! The Bulldogs are on a 12-6 ATS run in February games. Missouri is improved this season but this is still a team that is only 3-8 SU the last 11 times they're off of a win in conference action. I expect their 3-game run ends here as this is a big game for both teams and an outright win by the Bulldogs wouldn't surprise me in the least. Grab the generous points! 8* MISSISSIPPI STATE |
|||||||
02-10-18 | Florida -2.5 v. South Carolina | 65-41 | Win | 100 | 5 h 10 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #527 Saturday 8* Florida Gators (-) @ South Carolina Gamecocks @ Noon ET - The Gamecocks knocked the Gators out of the SEC Tournament and then won again at Florida on January 24th. Since that victory last month, South Carolina has gone 0-4 SU and ATS. The Gators, playing with double revenge here, are 6-0 ATS as a road favorite of 3 points or less. The Gamecocks are also 0-2 ATS this season when off of a game where they allowed 80 points or more. South Carolina has been playing poorly on both ends of the floor while Florida is back on track after a home win versus LSU. The angles above combined for a 12-0 ATS spot favoring the Gators. 8* FLORIDA |
|||||||
02-09-18 | Clippers +3.5 v. Pistons | Top | 108-95 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
ESPN Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #803 Friday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers (+) @ Detroit Pistons @ 7:05 ET - Big revenge game for the Clippers here. Many will be looking at the revenge angle for Blake Griffin as the Pistons star gets a shot at the team that traded him away. However, the Clippers also appear to be fortified after the trade and they were the better team to begin with as well. That said, market perception has driven this line up from a 2.5 to as high as a 4 as of early gameday morning. This has led to fantastic line value for Los Angeles in this spot. The Clippers lost to the Pistons at home very early this season and the Clips also lost in their most recent visit to Detroit. That said, the Clippers have revenge on their minds here and are well rested and fully focused on making this a successful road trip. Coach Doc Rivers even said that it was a great time for the Clips to get away from home as they look to make a move up the standings and get away from any distractions at home. This is the first of seven straight road games for the Clippers. They've been off since Monday and they are not home again until the 28th. They know this road trip is critical. The Clippers come into this game having won 4 of their last 5 overall and they also have victories in 5 of their last 6 road games. They are 23-12 ATS when playing with home loss revenge and 8-3 ATS when playing with 3 or more days of rest between games. The Pistons have won 5 straight games but are 7-14 ATS when they enter a game on a winning streak of 3 or more games. Detroit is 11-17 ATS as a favorite this season. Take advantage of the line move and grab the points here with the revenge-minded road team. 10* LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS |
|||||||
02-09-18 | Toledo v. Miami-OH +3 | Top | 73-67 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 33 m | Show |
Earliest Cash Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #836 Friday 10* Top Play Miami (OH) Redhawks (+) vs Toledo Rockets @ 6:00 ET - The Rockets will be a popular choice here as they are leading the MAC West Division and because they have had their way for many years now in match-ups with the Redhawks. Of course that makes this a big revenge game for Miami (OH) and I love the fact that the Redhawks are off of a tight road loss that was decided very late while Toledo is off of a very tight home win where they barely hung on for victory against upset-minded Northern Illinois. The Rockets are facing another upset-minded team today and this time it is on the road. That certainly holds significance here because Miami's home record is nearly identical to Toledo's road record this season. Additionally, the Redhawks are allowing only 64.2 points per game and just 40.6% FG shooting in home games this season. For comparison's sake, the Rockets are allowing 77.1 points per game and a lofty 45.5% FG shooting in their road games this season! Toledo is a long term 13-23 ATS in Friday games and I look for the Rockets to drop to 5-9 ATS on the season in games where they are a favorite. Miami is an incredible 11-4-1 ATS as an underdog this season. Also, the Redhawks are 6-2-1 ATS this season against teams that average 77 points or more per game. 10* MIAMI-OHIO |
|||||||
02-08-18 | Celtics +2 v. Wizards | Top | 110-104 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
TNT Early Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #505 Thursday 10* Boston Celtics (+) @ Washington Wizards @ 8:05 ET - These teams have only met once this season and Washington got the win on Christmas Day at Boston. Of course the Wizards wanted that game badly as they were eliminated from the post-season by the Celtics in May. Now the revenge angle lies with Boston. With both teams entering this game off of losses that followed hot streaks, I am happy to be back the team with the extra motivation as well as with the much better defense. The Celtics are allowing just 43.2% from the field this season while the Wizards are allowing 45.7% from the field. Boston is also 10-2 ATS as an underdog this season and 12-2 ATS when playing with revenge (including 4-0 ATS with home loss revenge) this season. Washington is an ugly 3-6 ATS this season when they enter a game having played each of their 3 prior games on the road. The Wizards are also a poor 11-23 ATS this season when they are an underdog. Celtics roll on the road in this one. 10* BOSTON |
|||||||
02-08-18 | Duke v. North Carolina +2.5 | Top | 78-82 | Win | 100 | 12 h 44 m | Show |
ESPN Dominator Top Play - Rickenbach CBB Game #550 Thursday 10* North Carolina Tar Heels (+) vs Duke Blue Devils @ 8 ET - Both teams have under-performed compared to expectations. Of course Duke is ultra-talented but they are a very young team certainly as they start 4 freshmen. North Carolina is the much more experienced team and, of course, they have the home court edge here. With Duke as the higher-ranked team and with the Tar Heels having lost 3 of their last 4 games, there has been a line move from a pick'em to as high as a 2.5 on this game. This is offering up exceptional line value on the home dog. UNC is 6-3 ATS in home games this season. Duke is on a 6-11 ATS run in February games. In regular season meetings the home team has won 3 of the last 5 and in the 2 home losses one came by just 4 points and the other by just a single point. I'll gladly take the more veteran team at home and getting points. Remember that the Tar Heels are also seeking revenge for last season's loss to Duke in the ACC tournament. 10* NORTH CAROLINA |
|||||||
02-07-18 | Rockets v. Heat +5 | Top | 109-101 | Loss | -108 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Game #704 Wednesday 10* Top Play Miami Heat (+) vs Houston Rockets @ 7:35 ET - The Rockets are off of a big win last night at Brooklyn but, don't be fooled by the final score, it was quite a battle and took a lot out of Houston. Now they are in the 2nd game of a back to back and this is a situation that has seen them go only 1-5 ATS this season. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS when playing the 2nd night of a back to back. Going from Brooklyn to Miami makes the travel situation even tougher. The Heat are in the midst of a 4-game losing streak but they truly have been "right there" in those games. In fact, Miami's last 5 losses have come by an average margin of just 3 points per game. With that said, there is substantial line value here with the generous points being offered on the home dog. Keep in mind, the Heat have played just 4 of their last 15 games at home so all the time away from home definitely caught up with them. Now, off of a home game and with another home game on deck, look for Miami to come up with a big performance here. The Heat lost the first match-up between these teams this season but they had swept them last season. Also, Miami is 25-10 ATS and SU when off of an upset loss as a favorite and they got upset at home by Orlando on Monday. Within that long-term run, note that this season's stats are 6-1 ATS and 7-0 SU in that situation! In other words, look for the Heat to bounce back huge in this spot. 10* MIAMI |
|||||||
02-07-18 | Maryland +4.5 v. Penn State | Top | 70-74 | Win | 100 | 9 h 6 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Game #713 Wednesday 10* Top Play Maryland Terrapins (+) @ Penn State Nittany Lions @ 6:30 ET - While it is true that the Terrapins defeated the Nittany Lions in Maryland early last month, it is also true that Penn State is still a game ahead of them in the Big Ten standings entering this contest. The Terps have been tough-luck losers in a number of their games and are a much better team than their Big Ten record indicates. Keep in mind, Maryland went 11-2 in non-conference action and they've faced some very tough teams in their Big Ten schedule thusfar. The Nittany Lions are entering this game off of a huge win where seemingly everything went right for them while everything went wrong for their opponents. This resulted in a PSU win by a score of 82-58 versus Iowa. The last 4 times that the Nittany Lions have held their opponent to 65 points or less, they are 0-4 SU in those games. The Terrapins are 5-1 SU against Penn State. The Terps are off of a win but had previously lost 6 of their 8 prior games. The key there was they faced Michigan State twice, Purdue, Michigan, and Ohio State. The other of the 6 losses was a 3-point loss at Indiana. In fact, Maryland's last 4 losses have come by an average of 4.5 points per game which also happens to be the line on this game. However, Penn State is not in the class of those teams that the Terrapins lost to. In other words, big value here. The Terps are on an 18-8 ATS run as an underdog and get the cash again here! The Nittany Lions are a long-term 5-15 ATS when off of a game where they scored 80 points or more. 10* MARYLAND |
|||||||
02-06-18 | Wizards v. 76ers -6.5 | Top | 102-115 | Win | 100 | 12 h 49 m | Show |
TNT Early Top Play - Rickenbach NBA Game #512 Tuesday 10* Philadelphia 76'ers (-) vs Washington Wizards @ 8:05 ET - The Wizards are off of a big win last night at Indiana as they took advantage of the Pacers being without their entire starting backcourt. Both Victor Oladipo (illness) and Darren Collison (knee) missed last night's game versus Washington while both guards did play in the Pacers win versus the 76ers Saturday. This is helping drive some value here as the markets may not fully pick up on this and the fact is that these teams just faced the same team but at entirely different strength levels. Additionally, in terms of the set up here, the Sixers are off of a loss plus playing with 2 days off between games while the Wizards are off of a win and playing in a back to back. The rest edge plus motivating factor plus home court factor all in favor of Philadelphia here. Washington is a long-term 39-69 SU (and 45-63 ATS) the last 108 times they've faced a team that is averaging 106 points or more per game. The 76ers are 4-1 SU and ATS when facing a team from the Southeast Division this season. Also, Philadelphia is 19-4 ATS when, in the 2nd half of a season, they are facing a team this is averaging 106 points or more per game on the season. Wizards are playing 5th game in 8 nights. Sixers playing just 3rd game in 6 nights. 10* PHILADELPHIA |