Saturday March 13, 2010:
OFF

At this point, not a lot of value on the board. When teams are fighting for their lives on neutral courts, deciding who wants it more and how much to factor in how they played the day before can a tough order. Take San Diego State for example, they shot 62.5% from 3-point range last night against New Mexico so are they on a hot streak or will that percentage balance out tonight against UNLV? Also, the Aztecs needed one more big win to feel safe that they are in the dance, so will they exhale now that they are in or will they still be motivated to play tonight in the MWC Championship? Throw in UNLV shot lights out in an upset win over BYU, and this is a game you certainly want to stay away from.

*****

Friday March 12, 2010:
Last night was a wash at 2-2, with none of the games being close. I was either really right (Tulsa by 16 and New Mexico State by 21) or really wrong (Wake Forest lost by 21 and Oklahoma State lost by 19). For tonight, I’ve got just one play I really like. Enjoy!

New Mexico (-2.5) covers vs. San Diego State
Simply put, I feel like the Lobos are the better team and they have been playing great basketball this season. They’ve won 15 games in a row and have a perfect 12-0 record this season in games decided by 6 points or less. With this expected to be a close game, I like my chances here.

*****

Thursday March 11, 2010:
Took yesterday off, not much out there I liked. However, I’ve got three plays today I like, including an upset special. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
98-83-7

Wake Forest (-4) covers vs. Miami
The Demon Deacons are a really good team and this game matters to them to stay off the bubble.

Oklahoma State (+4.5) covers vs. Kansas State
Upset Special! Cowboys have been hot, Wildcats have not.

New Mexico State (-5) covers vs. San Jose State
This is a mismatch, Aggies are the far superior team.

**ADDED PLAY: Tulsa (-1.5)

*****

Wednesday March 10, 2010:
OFF

College Basketball Record:
98-83-7

*****

Tuesday March 9, 2010:
It was a solid 2-1-1 ATS run yesterday, with an odd beatdown by the Gaels of St. Mary’s over Gonzaga. For tonight, I’ve got just one play that I like. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
97-83-7 ATS

St. Joseph’s (+13.5) covers vs. Rhode Island
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Rams of Rhode Island seemed like a lock for the dance. They had a superb overall record and sizzling RPI to match. However a few bad losses, including an embarrassing loss to UMass to the end the regular season has them on the outside looking in. That tends to happen when you finish up 2-5 down the stretch of the regular season. For tonight, the Rams have been playing poorly as I mentioned while the Hawks had to fight and scrap to win their last two regular season games just to make it into the A10 tourney. The difference in the sense of urgency between these teams is the difference tonight. I like a close game tonight that just might be an upset.

*****

Monday March 8, 2010:
It was a strong week last week, going 7-4 ATS over that stretch. For tonight, I’ve got 4 solid mid-major plays that I’m looking at. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
95-82-6 ATS

Troy (+5)
Gonzaga (-4)
Appalachian State (+5)
North Texas (-1)

*****

Saturday March 6, 2010:
Texas A&M (-3.5)
Villanova (-3)
Maryland (-4.5)
Oklahoma State (-12)
Purdue (-5.5)
Colorado (-4.5)

*****

Friday March 5, 2010:
I’m enjoying the start of conference tournaments, allowing there to be much more action on this Friday than a typical Friday during the regular season. For tonight, I’ve got three plays that all involve mid-major clubs. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
89-79-6 ATS

Harvard (-7.5) covers vs. Penn
Harvard is 20-6 and Penn is 5-20, what does that lead you to believe? I’m thinking this has blowout written all over it.

Citadel (-2.5) covers vs. Samford
Hard to believe that this season I can say with confidence that Citadel is superior to an opponent, but that is the case. Don’t let their reputation fool you.

Wichita State (-2) covers vs. Missouri State
At one time, Missouri State was playing great basketball but that hasn’t been the case in MVC play. I like Wichita State to take care of business here, as they still have postseason aspirations.

*****

Wednesday March 3, 2010:
It has been a busy time for yours truly as of late, none the less I have got the Daily Dose of Hoops back rolling again. Sorry for the week off, but I’ve got a really good one tonight that I think you will like. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
88-78-6 ATS

Wake Forest (+7.5) covers vs. Florida State
The Demon Deacons have lost three in a row and this is a must-win game for them to stay on the bubble. They may not win straight up, but I expect them to compete and for their size to match up well with the Seminoles.

Kansas State (+9.5) covers vs. Kansas
This is a rivalry game and the Wildcats are one of the best teams in the country. On the other side, Kansas just lost and I like the timing here for Kansas to possibly lose two in a row. I could see Kansas State getting that signature win here that propels them onto the national spotlight. For now, I’d like to profit from an inflated line.

Friday February 19, 2010:
Cashed in Arkansas State last night, as they covered the number and just missed winning straight up. For tonight, I’m looking at the Ivy League and a Friday night BracketBuster matchup. Enjoy!

Cornell (-3) covers vs. Harvard
While the Crimson have a really good record, they just don’t have the talent that Cornell has. This was very evident when the last meeting ended with 86-50 massacre by the Big Red.

William & Mary (+4) covers vs. Iona
Here, both teams have similar records, including 11-5 in their respective conferences, but that is misleading. The Tribe play in the CAA, which considered a tougher league than the MAAC. Also W&M has an RPI of 46 while the Gaels have an RPI of just 96. I like the dog to win straight up here.

*****

Thursday February 18, 2010:

Arkansas State +7

*****

Wednesday February 17, 2010:
Cashed in UWGB -2.5 over Cleveland State last night, as the Phoenix got off to a slow start but stormed out the gates in the second half and never looked back. Randy Berry led the way with 19 points and Green Bay shot a scorching 52.9% from the field. For tonight, I have just one play yet again. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
86-76-6 ATS

Northwestern (-6.5) covers vs. Penn State
There were a lot of tempting lines out tonight, but I’m sticking with this one because I feel it offers the best pure value. The Wildcats need this win to keep their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament alive, while the 0-12 Nittany Lions are just hoping to wake up when this nightmare of a season ends.

*****

Tuesday February 16, 2010:
It was a good night on Monday, going 3-1 ATS. The lone loss was Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who was winning 60-47 in the final minutes before being outscored 15-4 down the stretch.

College Basketball Record:
85-76-6 ATS

Wisconsin-Green Bay (-2.5) covers vs. Cleveland State
Both teams have similar Horizon League records, with the Phoenix at 9-6 and the Vikings at 9-5. UWGB is tough at home and should take advantage of the Vikings poor play on the road (3-7 on the season).

*****

Monday February 15, 2010:
After a so-so week that hung around .500, I’m heading back to the drawing board and getting my hands dirty to make sure this is a winning week. This is getting into the prime time of the year in college basketball, as the NCAA Tournament is getting closer. For tonight, I’ve got some great picks to cash in on. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
82-75-6 ATS

UConn (+9.5) covers vs. Villanova
If there was ever a time the Huskies were going to come out and give their max effort, it would be tonight. Their backs are against the wall and they just had what head coach Jim Calhoun described as an “embarrassing” effort last Saturday. Playing at Villanova in a must-win game on national television, I’ll take the points expecting a hard fought game.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee (-9) covers vs. Youngstown State
Simply put, the Penguins are just 2-10 on the road and they face an underrated Panthers squad. I’m expecting this one to turn into a blowout, with UW-Milwaukee still fighting for position in the Horizon League Tournament.

Texas A&M (+7.5) covers vs. Kansas
The Aggies have been playing good basketball as of late, having won 6 of 7, and they also sport a perfect 13-0 home record for the season. Kansas is the better team, but this might just be an upset lurking.

New Mexico State (-11) covers vs. Hawaii
The Warriors just played at Louisiana Tech on Saturday, now they are playing at New Mexico State tonight. Hawaii is just 2-9 in WAC play and has not won a road game all season (0-6). Despite a slow start to the season, New Mexico State has come on strong and is in thick of the WAC race at 8-3.

Saturday February 13, 2010:

Michigan State -7
Vanderbilt -17
Richmond -3.5
Oklahoma +8
Florida -4.5
George Mason +13.5
Wisconsin-Green Bay +13.5
Wake Forest -3
North Texas -4.5

*****

Friday February 12, 2010:

Siena -4.5
Pittsburgh +3

*****

Thursday February 11, 2010:

Arkansas State +9.5

*****

Wednesday February 10, 2010:
Monday wasn’t a good start to the week, going just 1-3, and I was off Tuesday due to travel (stranded in Charlotte on my back from the Super Bowl). For tonight, I’m back in town and ready to rock ‘n’ roll for the rest of the week. For tonight, I’ve got 2 plays. Enjoy!

Charlotte (+9.5) covers vs. Dayton
Simply put, this line is 7 points off. The 49ers are 8-1 in the A10 and have a 7-4 road record on the year. I expect this game to come down to the wire and for Charlotte to have a great shot at winning straight up.

UTEP (-3.5) covers vs. SMU
While SMU is playing better than normal (climbed back to .500 in C-USA play), the Miners sit atop the conference standings and have been playing very well themselves. Big man Derrick Caracter has found a home in El Paso, after transferring from Louisville.

*****

Monday February 8, 2010:
Saturday ended on a good note, finishing 3-2 ATS. For tonight, I’ve got a solid four-pack of plays with mostly mid-majors except for the Nova-West Virginia game. I’m hoping to kick off another winning week with a strong start tonight. Enjoy!

College Basketball Record:
74-65-6 ATS

Loyola-Chicago (+21) covers vs. Butler
Here, while the Bulldogs are the better team, the margin is closer than the experts think and oddly enough the Ramblers have given this Butler teams fits in recent years. Butler is 41-2 at home in their last 43 regular season home games, both losses came at the hands of the Ramblers and they nearly won in the earlier matchup this season when they lost by 1 in Chicago to the tune of 48-47. I’m taking the points here.

Siena (-11.5) covers vs. Fairfield
This game matters to the Saints, as they need to win to clinch at least a share of the MAAC regular season title. Also, the Stags are missing two starters tonight so hanging tough on the road against a Siena team that has won every home game should be too much to ask tonight.

Western Carolina (-7) covers vs. Elon
One thing is certain, with the Catamounts and Phoenix, neither team will be up for mascot of the year. But on the floor, Western Carolina won’t lose two in a row and needs this win to stay near the top of the Southern Conference standings.

West Virginia (-5) covers vs. Villanova
I like Nova, but their lack of size hurts them in games like this. I expect the Mountaineers to bother a lot of shots, control the paint, and dictate the tempo to their liking. On the road and having a quick turnaround from losing at Georgetown Saturday, this isn’t an ideal spot for the Wildcats.