Emory Hunt
ARIZONA @ L.A. RAMS | 01/17 | 8:15 PM EST
ARIZONA +4
ANALYSIS: These teams split during the regular season, with the Rams winning the last matchup. This game will come down to ball security, and that's where I can't trust Matthew Stafford in this spot. I like the Cardinals to take control of this game like they did in their first matchup of the season....in this very same building.
+90 2-1 IN LAST 3 NFL PICKS
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Larry Hartstein
CANISIUS @ MANHATTAN | 01/16 | 2:00 PM EST
MANHATTAN -4.5
ANALYSIS: The Jaspers have covered three straight and I like Steve Masiello's team to cover this middling number Sunday against visiting Canisius. The Golden Griffins have failed to cover their last four road games, most recently losing by 10 at Niagara on Thursday. Manhattan is a much better shooting team and is led by Jose Perez, a senior forward who's averaging 23 points over his last three games. Canisius hits 30.3 percent of its 3-pointers, worst in the MAAC. Lay the points.
PHILADELPHIA @ TAMPA BAY | 01/16 | 1:00 PM EST
TAMPA BAY -8.5
ANALYSIS: The Eagles only lost by six in the regular-season meeting, but that was a misleading final score. The Bucs outgained Philly 399-213 and took a knee instead of scoring at the end of the game. Leonard Fournette and Lavonte David returned to practice Wednesday, providing an additional boost after the team activated Shaquil Barrett from the COVID list. Inclement weather could conceivably help the run-first Eagles, but I still like Tom Brady's short-passing attack to control this game. While Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown won't be on the field, it should be noted that Rob Gronkowski missed the regular-season meeting. As long as the Bucs' O-line, which features three Pro Bowlers and allowed an NFL-low 23 sacks, holds up against Philly's front four, Tampa should win by 10.
+1505 67-46 IN LAST 113 NFL PICKS
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Justin Perri
WYOMING @ NEVADA | 01/17 | 8:00 PM EST
WYOMING +2.5
ANALYSIS: I have this one projected as a dead even matchup. Wyoming is a strong competitor and has looked good this season. Nevada hasn't been able to get many games in do to Covid, but they're on a five game slide against the spread. The last time they covered it was November 30th. Wyoming has upset their Mountain West foe in three straight meetings, and I think theres a chance they do it again today. This is a solid team, grab the extra points.
HARVARD @ DARTMOUTH | 01/17 | 7:00 PM EST
DARTMOUTH +1.5
ANALYSIS: It's time for everyone's favorite phrase because... the model has the wrong team favored! I a projecting Dartmouth to win this game by a point and a half. They have looked stronger at home and I think they manage to take this game from Harvard who has been on a bit of a slide, recently failing to cover against Columbia. Road dogs in conference play are usually a good bet, they should continue to be so here. Take the points on the home dog.
PENN @ PRINCETON | 01/17 | 4:00 PM EST
PRINCETON -5
ANALYSIS: This line is a bit small, I have Princeton winning by 8 points in my model. Princeton has won this the last four meetings and it looks like they're well poised to do so again and cover. The Tigers are 10-0 SU at home this season and should continue to play well in New Jersey, Penn is 3-6-1 ATS on the road and are also the less experienced team. Princeton has looked good offensively so far in conference play while Penn lost to Columbia, and it looks like Princeton should have an edge on the boards. Take the home favorite.
+55 5-4 IN LAST 9 CBB ATS PICKS
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Matt Severance
PENN @ PRINCETON | 01/17 | 4:00 PM EST
PRINCETON -191
ANALYSIS: This pick is certain doom because both Justin and Max are on it; now that it has dipped below -200 on the moneyline, I have to play it as I do think Princeton wins but have no opinion on the spread like those two. The Tigers are on a seven-game winning streak and are 9-0 at home. Princeton leads the Ivy League in win margin (11.5), field goal percentage (.492), three-point field goal percentage (.380), three-point field goals made (163) and rebounding defense (33.1).
PURDUE @ ILLINOIS | 01/17 | 12:00 PM EST
ILLINOIS -115
ANALYSIS: Spectacular way to tip off the holiday. The Illini's starting lineup of Trent Frazier, Alfonso Plummer, Jacob Grandison, Da'Monte Williams and Kofi Cockburn is the best performing lineup in the country with at least 150 possessions played. Illinois also apparently will get a key player back in guard Andre Curbelo. He hasn't played in nearly two months due to injury but is suited up. Purdue is just 2-7 ATS in its past nine -- we'll pay the extra nickel for the moneyline and avoid a possible push in a 1-point Illini win. Both teams are stellar offensively but Illinois is quite a bit better defensively.
MT ST MARY'S @ MERRIMACK | 01/17 | 3:00 PM EST
MERRIMACK -160
ANALYSIS: Merrimack has been pretty good for us this season and is a veteran team that's 4-1 in the NEC, while Mount St. Mary's is 1-4. This ML feels like it should be bigger. The Warriors struggle to score at times but are an excellent defensive team in allowing 62.8 ppg. They had won four straight before a home loss Saturday, but MSM also lost Saturday and had to travel for this fairly quick turnaround. The SportsLine Projection Model has Merrimack winning by six, but I'm going to avoid the spread.
UMBC @ STONY BROOK | 01/17 | 4:00 PM EST
STONY BROOK -174
ANALYSIS: Stony Brook had its game Saturday at New Hampshire postponed but it was due to COVID problems within the UNH program, not Stony Brook -- which was the preseason favorite to win the America East. The Seawolves are first in the league in free-throw percentage in league contests, making 85.7 percent. They are also second in two-point percentage (54.7) and turnover rate in conference games. UMBC might be running on fumes a bit in its third game in five days.
+1767 78-51-3 IN LAST 132 CBB PICKS
PHOENIX @ SAN ANTONIO | 01/17 | 8:30 PM EST
SAN ANTONIO +4.5
ANALYSIS: Phoenix just ruled out Deandre Ayton and it's looking doubtful that Cameron Johnson will play. I believe the healthy Spurs can win this outright but won't turn down the +4.5. It's the second of a B2B for Phoenix, which has covered just two of its past eight in that scenario. San Antonio is 6-0 ATS in its past six games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
INDIANA @ L.A. CLIPPERS | 01/17 | 3:30 PM EST
L.A. CLIPPERS -119
ANALYSIS: Can't say I have a TON of faith in this pick but the Pacers are without both Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner, so the Clippers should be able to pull one out at home. Indiana has just one victory in its past 10.
+685 13-5 IN LAST 18 NBA PICKS
PHILADELPHIA @ N.Y. ISLANDERS | 01/17 | 7:30 PM EST
N.Y. ISLANDERS -175
ANALYSIS: Philadelphia enters on a seven-game losing streak -- scoring more than two goals just once -- and still without some of its best players due to COVID/injury. I could see the Isles' Ilya Sorokin (2.11 home GAA) perhaps pitching a shutout. New York has won five straight as a favorite.
+1376 29-13 IN LAST 42 NHL PICKS
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Mike Tierney
ARIZONA @ L.A. RAMS | 01/17 | 8:15 PM EST
L.A. RAMS -4
ANALYSIS: For a team pulling out all the stops to win now, as indicated by the Wednesday signing of retired safety Eric Weddle, it’s almost inconceivable to imagine the Rams going down in the opening round. While QB Matthew Stafford has been all over the map and the star-studded defense has displayed inconsistency, this is a No. 4 seed to be reckoned with. The Cardinals are a road threat, but WR DeAndre Hopkins’ absence has led to a 1-4 straight-up slump. RB James Conner is banged up (again). The surprisingly quick return of Rams RB Cam Akers from injury is a welcome bonus. I'm on L.A.
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Tom Fornelli
ARIZONA @ L.A. RAMS | 01/17 | 8:15 PM EST
UNDER 49.5
ANALYSIS: The two regular-season meetings saw 57 points scored in the first meeting and 53 more in the second. So why in the hell am I taking an under here when the total is at 49.5? Because familiarity breeds two things: contempt and lower scores. Both teams know where the other will attack them and how to counter it. Plus, games just tend to be lower-scoring in the postseason because the intensity ratchets up a notch, and coaches will get a bit more conservative, whether intentionally or not. So with all of that in mind, I don't think our Monday night finale will have the same kind of fireworks the first two meetings did.
+890 24-14 IN LAST 38 NFL PICKS
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R. J. White
ARIZONA @ L.A. RAMS | 01/17 | 8:15 PM EST
ARIZONA +4
ANALYSIS: The Cardinals enter the playoffs losers of four of their last five games, while the Rams won five straight before an OT loss to the 49ers to end the year. But I have just as many questions about the Rams despite their winning streak, particularly at the quarterback position. Matthew Stafford has thrown four pick-sixes and eight picks in all on his own side of the field. Will Sean McVay dial his involvement back and rely more on the run game against a vulnerable Arizona rush defense? The Cardinals are 7-1 on the road this year and have the better QB in this matchup, so I like catching more than a FG in this one.
+769 21-12 IN LAST 33 NFL ATS PICKS
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Hank Goldberg
ARIZONA @ L.A. RAMS | 01/17 | 8:15 PM EST
L.A. RAMS -4
ANALYSIS: I think the Rams crush the Cardinals. With all of its acquisitions (Matthew Stafford, Von Miller, etc.), Los Angeles was built to make a deep run in the playoffs. Receiver Cooper Kupp is having a spectacular season, and coach Sean McVay is proven in the postseason, already having led the Rams to the Super Bowl. I love L.A.
+460 9-4 IN LAST 13 NFL PICKS
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Stephen Oh
NASHVILLE @ ST. LOUIS | 01/17 | 8:00 PM EST
ST. LOUIS -125
ANALYSIS: My model says the Blues win in 60 percent of the simulations, so you're getting solid value with them at this number. St. Louis has been strong at home this season, going 15-4-2 and winning six straight before dropping a 6-5 decision to Toronto on Saturday. The Blues will have revenge on their mind after a 4-3 overtime loss at home against Nashville on Nov. 11. Jordan Kyrou, who leads St. Louis with 39 points, has notched 14 (five goals) during his seven-game streak and Ryan O'Reilly has scored three goals in as many contests after tallying twice on Saturday.
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Max Gorenstein
PENN @ PRINCETON | 01/17 | 4:00 PM EST
PRINCETON -5
ANALYSIS: The Tigers are much better team than the Quakers. Kenpom ranks the Tigers 75 spots ahead of the Quakers due to the Tigers elite offense. Even with a slow pace, they rank in the top 25 in the nation in PPG, field goal percentage, and three point percentage. The Quakers defense is not good. They are bottom 50 in Division I in opponents PPG and field goal percentage allowed. Even though the ATS trends don’t support this, the Tigers are the better team. Lay the points with the Tigers in this Ivy League matchup.
+190 3-1-1 IN LAST 5 CBB ATS PICKS
SEATTLE @ CAL BAPTIST | 01/17 | 10:00 PM EST
UNDER 146.5
ANALYSIS: Both of these teams have been playing great defensively. The Redhawks allow just 66 PPG on 41.7 percent shooting and the Lancers allow 64.8 PPG on just 40 percent shooting. The Under has cashed in five of the Redhawks last six games and it has also nine of the Lancers last 12 games. The Redhawks’ offense is terrible on the road. They are shooting just 37.25 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from deep. Their offense will struggle again in this game and it will keep this game under the total.
+570 20-13 IN LAST 33 CBB O/U PICKS
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Mike Barner
PORTLAND @ ORLANDO | 01/17 | 7:00 PM EST
PORTLAND -1.5
ANALYSIS: The Trail Blazers are expected to get reinforcements for this game with C.J. McCollum no longer on their injury report. He hasn’t played in over a month because of a collapsed lung, so expect him to be on some sort of a minutes restriction. However, with him, Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic all healthy, they are a much more dangerous team. Meanwhile, the Magic are set to play their sixth straight game without Wendell Carter Jr. (hamstring) out. They went 1-4 without him the last five games, which included a loss to the Pistons.
+790 64-51-1 IN LAST 116 NBA PICKS
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John Bollman
DETROIT @ BUFFALO | 01/17 | 1:00 PM EST
BUFFALO 115
ANALYSIS: These two teams played against each other in their last game and the Red Wings won 4-0, however Sabres are down to about their fifth string goalie but he picked up the win in Nashville last week and didn’t look terrible in Detroit last game. They finally have their top line healthy in Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson and the Red Wings are just 4-11-3 on the road this season. Take the value in the home dog.
NASHVILLE @ ST. LOUIS | 01/17 | 8:00 PM EST
ST. LOUIS -130
ANALYSIS: Blues will be getting Colton Parayko, Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn back in the lineup, and they are already a daunting 15-4-2 at home. Predators are 13-6-3 on the road and they have lost 2 in a row overall. They will also be with Mattias Ekholm and could be without Filip Forsberg again. Juuse Saros has been very good in net for the Predators but Ville Husso has been much better in net for the Blues than Binnington, and Husso is expected to get the start. Take the Blues at home.
+1220 24-10 IN LAST 34 NHL PICKS
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Micah Roberts
PURDUE @ ILLINOIS | 01/17 | 12:00 PM EST
UNDER 147.5
ANALYSIS: The Over has cashed in Purdue's last four games, and Purdue is only 2-7 against-the-spread in its last nine, which includes both Boilermaker losses. Illinois has looked like the best Big Ten team in winning its last six (5-1 ATS). Both teams are loaded with offense and like to play quickly, but, in such a big game, I’m looking for both stellar defenses to help slow the pace. The Under is 5-1 in Purdue's last six game as an underdog. Under is the top play.
PENN @ PRINCETON | 01/17 | 4:00 PM EST
OVER 147
ANALYSIS: Princeton is going to do its thing. The Tigers average 81.2 points a game, allow 70.2 points, shoot 49.4 percent from the field and 38.3 percent on threes. The Tigers are 13-3 (11-3 ATS) and 10-0 at home. Penn allows 75.1 points a game and likes to run as well. The Quakers have won just six games, but 10 of their 17 games have gone Over and nine of their last 10 as a road dog have gone Over. This should be an entertaining game to watch. Over is the top play.
+78 3-2 IN LAST 5 CBB O/U PICKS
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