Brad Diamond
North Carolina +2½
Well coach “K” is back, the Blue Devils (18-5) are at home and the national press in talking Duke. Granted this is same floor revenge for Duke who lost here last March 76-72 to UNC (21-4), but the Heels have won their last 9-of-10 SU (5-5 ATS) and they are the underdog. The dog in the series is 6-2 ATS with the road unit 19-7 ATS. Fundamental advantages bring a young Duke team looking to drive higher in the polls with an aggressive defense holding the opposition to 67.9 points per game. Critical too, here is their foul shooting which has been super last five games @ 78.4%. That’s an important edge on your home floor in a rivalry game, but UNC is the better rebounding team. In fact, they are #1 in the nation in rebounding their own shots @ 42.8%. If forward Pinson is back for the Tar Heels the bench will solidify a nice addition. With all the line pressure, coach “K” in the building you can be assured the public will be pushing the number higher. So, from the contrarian standpoint, we must take the points and back UNCs incredible 5-1 ATS recent mark at Duke.
North Carolina +2½
Well coach “K” is back, the Blue Devils (18-5) are at home and the national press in talking Duke. Granted this is same floor revenge for Duke who lost here last March 76-72 to UNC (21-4), but the Heels have won their last 9-of-10 SU (5-5 ATS) and they are the underdog. The dog in the series is 6-2 ATS with the road unit 19-7 ATS. Fundamental advantages bring a young Duke team looking to drive higher in the polls with an aggressive defense holding the opposition to 67.9 points per game. Critical too, here is their foul shooting which has been super last five games @ 78.4%. That’s an important edge on your home floor in a rivalry game, but UNC is the better rebounding team. In fact, they are #1 in the nation in rebounding their own shots @ 42.8%. If forward Pinson is back for the Tar Heels the bench will solidify a nice addition. With all the line pressure, coach “K” in the building you can be assured the public will be pushing the number higher. So, from the contrarian standpoint, we must take the points and back UNCs incredible 5-1 ATS recent mark at Duke.
DAVE COKIN
CELTICS +1.5
Pretty good situational spot for the Celtics. Boston has been a good bounce back team for the most part. I’ll look for them to display some intensity here after a very poor second half at Sacramento, against a Kings team that was shorthanded.
Portland managed to get a win last time out, but the Blazers have been just plain lousy when it comes to stringing anything positive together. They’re only 8-14 playing off a win, and even worse than that against the number.
Boston isn’t elite, but they’re certainly decent, and I like backing okay teams off a bad performance, particularly when matched up against an opponent they can handle. No prob with the betting line as the Blazers are favored. I’ll take the Celtics in this spot.
CELTICS +1.5
Pretty good situational spot for the Celtics. Boston has been a good bounce back team for the most part. I’ll look for them to display some intensity here after a very poor second half at Sacramento, against a Kings team that was shorthanded.
Portland managed to get a win last time out, but the Blazers have been just plain lousy when it comes to stringing anything positive together. They’re only 8-14 playing off a win, and even worse than that against the number.
Boston isn’t elite, but they’re certainly decent, and I like backing okay teams off a bad performance, particularly when matched up against an opponent they can handle. No prob with the betting line as the Blazers are favored. I’ll take the Celtics in this spot.
Allen East man
Belmont -4.5
I will go with the Bruins in this one. This team is on fire. Belmont has won 13 straight games and they are on a 7-1 ATS run in their last eight games. The Bruins are dominating the OVC. They are on the road for this game, but that has not been a problem at all. They have won seven straight road games. Last week they went to rival Murray State and won by 12 points in a game that was never close. They also beat Tennessee State, another OVC competitor, by 17 points on the road on Jan. 28. Belmont has won seven straight games by at least 10 points, and I expect them to do the same thing here. Belmont already beat Jacksonville State by 17 points once this year, and JSU is just 3-3 SU in its last six games. The Gamecocks are just 3-3 SU in their six league home games. They don't have a great home-court advantage, and I don't think they will have enough to get the job done here. Take Belmont.
Belmont -4.5
I will go with the Bruins in this one. This team is on fire. Belmont has won 13 straight games and they are on a 7-1 ATS run in their last eight games. The Bruins are dominating the OVC. They are on the road for this game, but that has not been a problem at all. They have won seven straight road games. Last week they went to rival Murray State and won by 12 points in a game that was never close. They also beat Tennessee State, another OVC competitor, by 17 points on the road on Jan. 28. Belmont has won seven straight games by at least 10 points, and I expect them to do the same thing here. Belmont already beat Jacksonville State by 17 points once this year, and JSU is just 3-3 SU in its last six games. The Gamecocks are just 3-3 SU in their six league home games. They don't have a great home-court advantage, and I don't think they will have enough to get the job done here. Take Belmont.
Marc Lawrence
UCLA -5
Edges - Bruins: 18-1 SU home following three consecutive away games, including 6-0 SUATS versus greater than .730 opponents. Ducks: 0-3 ATS after facing Arizona versus .800 or greater foes. With the Bruins returning home off a previous home loss - their only home defeat of the season - we recommend a 1* play on UCLA.
UCLA -5
Edges - Bruins: 18-1 SU home following three consecutive away games, including 6-0 SUATS versus greater than .730 opponents. Ducks: 0-3 ATS after facing Arizona versus .800 or greater foes. With the Bruins returning home off a previous home loss - their only home defeat of the season - we recommend a 1* play on UCLA.
