The Bum's Monday's Best Bets NBA-NHL-NCAAB !

[StarDust Bum]

Struggling Kansas State favored by 5 over Baylor


BAYLOR BEARS (13-5, 3-2 in Big 12)

at KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (13-7, 1-4 in Big 12)


Tip-off: Monday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas State -5, Total: 136.5

Kansas State looks to rebound from another subpar offensive output when it hosts Baylor on Monday night.

Despite wearing the Big 12's favorite tag in the preseason, the Wildcats continue to disappoint after losing for the fourth time in five Big 12 contests. K-State dropped its second straight game, a 64-56 decision, at Texas A&M on Saturday. Jacob Pullen (18.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.4 RPG) finished with 21 points, but shot just 7-of-19 from the field. In five Big 12 matchups, Pullen is shooting just 29-of-72 (40.3%). Curtis Kelly (10.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG) finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, but that wasn't enough as the Wildcats shot 40.0% from the floor (20-of-50) and had 17 turnovers and only seven assists. Second-leading scorer Rodney McGruder (11.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 40.2% three-pointers) contributed to Kansas State's struggling offense with a scoreless effort (0-for-4) and is now just 2-of-13 in his last two contests. The 56 points versus the Aggies marked the Wildcats' fourth sub-60 point game in the last 10 contests.

After losing by 20 versus Kansas in the previous game (85-65), Baylor rebounded for a 76-57 rout of Oklahoma State at home on Saturday. Freshman sensation Perry Jones III (14.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 57.5 FG%) finished with 24 points, while leading scorer LaceDarius Dunn (21.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 42.3% three-pointers) added 16 for his 15th straight double-figure scoring game of the season. The Bears shot a sizzling 60.0% (24-for-40) from the field and limited the Cowboys to just 39.2% shooting (20-of-51). Jones has been impressive in his first five Big 12 games, averaging 19.8 PPG and 5.6 RPG and shooting a conference-best 70.6% (36-of-51) from the floor. He's also hit double-digit scoring in all five league games, and has scored at least 20 points in four of those contests.

Kansas State leads the all-time series between the two schools, 12-10, but the Bears have won three of the past five games in Manhattan. In Baylor’s last trip to K-State on Jan. 21, 2009, Dunn scored 33 points and hit nine three-pointers. The Wildcats won both games in 2009-10, including a 76-74 victory in Waco, where Pullen scored 25 points and an 82-75 decision during the Big 12 Tournament semifinals in Kansas City behind Pullen's 26 points. Six of the past eight contests have decided by less than 10 points, including three by two points. Although neither of these teams have been a great bet this season (Baylor is 4-7 ATS, Kansas State is 4-10 ATS and 1-4 ATS in Big 12), the Bears are 5-1 ATS in their past six trips to Manhattan and these three FoxSheets trends also like Baylor to cover the spread on Monday night.

Play On - Road teams as an underdog or pick (BAYLOR) - in a game involving two good three point shooting teams (>=36.5%) after 15+ games, after 2 straight games making 50% of their 3 point shots or better. (38-10 since 1997.) (79.2%, +27 units. Rating = 4*).

Scott Drew is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games versus teams who average 40 or more rebounds/game on the season after 15+games as the coach of BAYLOR. The average score was BAYLOR 77.3, OPPONENT 78.9 - (Rating = 2*).

KANSAS STATE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) after scoring 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was KANSAS STATE 69.7, OPPONENT 76.3 - (Rating = 2*).

This four-star FoxSheets trend expects the game to finish Under the total.

KANSAS STATE is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) vs. top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 12+ points/game this season. The average score was KANSAS STATE 65.0, OPPONENT 67.5 - (Rating = 4*).

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Betting Preview: Thunder visit hot Hornets

The Oklahoma City Thunder look to continue their recent success over the New Orleans Hornets when they meet Monday night in Louisiana. The Hornets have been hot lately, winning eight-straight.

Oklahoma City (28-15 straight up, 22-21 against the spread) has won and ‘covered’ both meetings against New Orleans this year. The first was a 95-89 home win as 3 ½-point favorites back on Nov. 29. The dynamic duo of Kevin Durant (28.3 PPG) and Russell Westbrook (22.7 PPG) combined for 51 points.

The second game was Dec. 10, a 97-92 Thunder road win as three-points ‘dogs. Durant and Westbrook had 44 points, but they also got 18 from 6-foot-10 forward Serge Ibaka and 13 from forward Jeff Green.

Oklahoma City is 4-0 SU and ATS in the last four meetings against New Orleans overall. The ‘under’ is 3-0 in the last three, with an average combined points scored of 184.7.

Scoring depth has been an issue for coach Scott Brooks. Green is third on the team at 14.8 PPG, but his production has been steadily declining and is only 10.9 PPG in January. The team is 4-1 SU and ATS when Green has scored in double-digits this month, 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS when he hasn’t.

Green scored just seven points in the last game, a 101-98 home win over the New York Knicks on Saturday. Durant hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to survive, although not coming close to ‘covering’ the eight-spread. Oklahoma City is 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in its last three games.

New Orleans (29-16 SU, 25-19-1 ATS) is 6-2 ATS during its eight-game winning streak and in a statistical tie with Oklahoma City and Dallas for third place in the West Conference.

The Hornets have been nothing if not resilient, with three of their recent wins coming in overtime. The last two games were extremely impressive, a 100-59 win at Atlanta on Friday and a 96-72 home win over San Antonio on Saturday. Both were as small ‘dogs.

Atlanta was missing starters Al Horford and Marvin Williams and shot just 29.1 percent from the field. San Antonio had all its starters, but managed to shoot just 36.2 percent.

The ‘under’ is 6-2 during New Orleans winning streak, with the two that went ‘over’ only due to the overtime period. The ‘under’ is 11-4 in New Orleans last 15 home games overall.

New Orleans is not explosive offensively at 94.3 PPG (ranked 26th). It relies on double-digit scoring from all of its starters, paced by power forward David West (18.9 PPG) and point guard Chris Paul (16.2 PPG). Bench scoring is weak overall, but has been improved lately with Marcus Thornton averaging 15.3 PPG the last three games.

Coach Monty Williams has his team bringing the defensive intensity every night. New Orleans is now No. 1 in the league (91 PPG). That number is even slightly better at home (90.1 PPG).

The Hornets are 18-5 SU and 13-10 ATS at home this year. The Thunder are just 12-9 SU and 11-10 ATS away. They have struggled on the road recently at 2-5 SU and ATS. One of those wins and ‘covers’ came at a hurting Dallas team missing star Dirk Nowitkzi. The other win at Houston came with leading scorer Kevin Martin out.

This will be a big test for Oklahoma City, especially with New Orleans trying to atone for the two prior defeats this season.

There are no significant injuries to report. Tip-off from New Orleans Arena is 5 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast locally.

[StarDust Bum]

Notre Dame, Pitt highlight NCAA betting slate

Monday’s men’s basketball schedule features a big showdown in the Big East when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to the Petersen Events Center to tangle with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Notre Dame appears to be back on track after losing three of five games earlier in the month with a 66-58 victory over Cincinnati this past Wednesday as a 4 ½-point home favorite and an 80-75 win over Marquette as a 3 ½-point home favorite on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish are now 16-4 straight-up and 8-7 against the spread, and 5-3 SU in Big East play.

Senior’s Ben Hansbrough and Tim Abromaitis have provided the bulk of the offense for Notre Dame this season. Hansbrough is averaging 15.8 points per game, leads the team with 3.8 assists, and is shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range, while Abromaitis is averaging 15.2 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game. A third senior, forward Carleton Scott rounds out a very experienced lineup with 11.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

The Irish are averaging 75 points a game and shooting 44.9 percent from the floor. They have been efficient from the foul-line, converting 72.8 percent of their attempts and are hitting 36.7 percent from beyond the three-point line. Notre Dame is averaging just below 38 rebounds per game.

Pittsburgh put itself in position to move up in the rankings with a huge 74-66 win over the current No. 3 team Syracuse this past Monday. The Panthers closed as a 6 ½-point home favorite and the total went ‘over’ the 138 point line. They followed this up with an 80-50 rout of DePaul as a 16-point road favorite to run their record to 19-1 SU overall and 8-7 ATS. Pitt is currently the only undefeated team in conference play at 7-0 SU.

The Panthers are an extremely deep team with nine players averaging over 10 minutes of playing time a game. Junior guard Ashton Gibbs is the team’s leading scorer with 16 points per game. Senior guard Brad Wanamaker leads the team in assists with 5.4 per game and is averaging 12.9 points and senior center Gary McGhee is the big man underneath the boards with 7.7 rebounds per game.

Pitt is ranked 19th in the nation is scoring with an average of 80 points per game and is ranked first in team assists with an average of 19.9 per game. What makes the Panthers extremely effective is their 43 rebounds per game which is also ranked first in the country. Add in the fact they are shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three-point range and you can easily see why they are one of the current favorites to win it all this year.

Notre Dame is 3-4 ATS in its last seven road games and 3-2 ATS in its last five games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in three of last its last four games.

Pittsburgh is 3-1 ATS in its last four games at home and 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in three of its last four games as well.

Head-to-head, the Irish have actually won three out of the last four games both SU and ATS. Last season they knocked Pitt out of the Big East Conference Tournament with a 50-45 victory as a two-point underdog and beat the Panthers 68-53 in the regular season as a one-point home underdog.

This time around, these teams are not that closely matched. The Irish should open as a double-digit road underdog and will need every point possible to keep things close enough to cover. Unless the line breaches the low-teens mark, the Panthers remain the pick in this one.

[StarDust Bum]

NHL Odds: Rangers, Caps in duel of stingy squads
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The New York Rangers are 7-6 in their last 13 games, with the ‘under’ going 11-1-1. John Tortorella’s troops complete a three-game road trip with Monday’s duel against the Washington Capitals, whose ‘under’ backers have collected at 23-4-1 in their last 28 contests.

New York went to a shootout in Saturday’s 3-2 win as a 106 road dog against the Atlanta Thrashers. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist held Atlanta’s skaters to 0-for-3 in the deciding frame, while New York’s Mats Zuccarello connected on a 10-foot wristshot for his squad’s clincher.

Lundqvist finished with 20 saves in regulation time, with his mates outshooting the Thrashers in that span, 29-22. The Sweden native improved to 21-15-3 (45 points) in his 39 starts, while lowering his GAA to 2.25.

New York’s Brian Boyle and Wojtek Wolski each poked one goal, uniting for 10 shots. Boyle’s scoring strike was the third in his last five games, while Wolski picked up his fifth point in his last four outings.

The tight affair’s five combined goals ducked ‘under’ the NHL odds. New York was outdrawn in faceoffs, 30-22, while both squads united to go 0-for-5 on power plays.

The Rangers lifted their record to 16-9-1 (33 points) in their first 26 road games, with the ‘under’ moving to 18-7-1. Boyle and Co. have killed 81.8 percent of their penalties in that span.

Washington notched a second straight win in Saturday’s 4-1 triumph as a 125 road favorite against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin scored three of his squad’s goals on eight shots, notching his 10th career hat trick.

Ovechkin’s mate Nicklas Backstrom logged a team-high two assists, extending his streak of games with at least one point to five. The centerman struggled in the faceoff circles, winning a sparse 3-of-13 draws.

Capitals netminder Braden Holtby stopped 35-of-36 shots, achieving first star honors. The rookie made his second straight start after being recalled from the AHL’s Hershey Bears, improving to 4-2-1 (9 points) in seven outings with Washington.

The lopsided battle’s five goals dipped below the 5 ½-goal ‘total.’ Washington was outshot by the Maple Leafs, 36-31, while being outdrawn in faceoffs, 32-26.

Holtby could stay in net for Monday’s matchup if veteran goalies Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are unable to start. Varlamov (2.22 GAA) may remain as a backup due to recovering from a knee sprain, while Neuvirth (15-6-4, 34 points) is listed as “questionable” on the DonBest.com injury report with a groin pull.

Washington is 16-5-5 (37 points) in its first 26 home dates, with the ‘under’ cashing at 19-4-3. Bruce Boudreau’s crew has launched 33.1 SOG per game in that stretch.

The Capitals are 7-2 in their last nine meetings against the Rangers, with the ‘over’ going 5-3-1.

New York won the most recent clash between the rivals, 7-0, as a 100 home dog. Lundqvist logged 31 saves in the Dec. 12 shutout, while Varlamov allowed all seven goals for Washington.

Monday’s rematch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (PT), with Versus providing the national television coverage.

New York is playing the front end of a back-to-back spot, returning home for Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers. Washington will be off for one day, visiting the Atlanta Thrashers as part of Wednesday’s league slate.

[StarDust Bum]

Week 12 NCAA basketball betting preview

Expect to see the top 10 of the next AP rankings to be filled out by the same 10 schools as last week, just don't expect them to be in the same order.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will still be on top of both polls following wins over Iowa and Illinois. Thad Matta's troops remain one of two unbeaten teams on the campaign, with OSU and San Diego State each sporting 20-0 straight-up marks.

Writers and coaches will now have to come up with a pair of new schools directly behind the Buckeyes after both No. 2 Kansas and No. 3 Syracuse fell from the unbeaten ranks.

The Jayhawks saw their 69-game win streak at Allen Fieldhouse come crashing down in Saturday's setback to No. 10 Texas.

The Orange dropped their first two games of the season, falling at Pitt on Monday and then back home in the Carrier Dome to Villanova on Saturday.

Villanova, ranked seventh last week, preceded its win at 'Cuse with a defeat at Connecticut last Monday.

Duke and Pittsburgh, 4-5 last week according to the AP, figure to move up to the 2-3 holes left by Kansas and Syracuse.

Rick Barnes' Longhorns should inch up a rung or two following wins over the Jayhawks and Texas A&M Aggies. Ranked 10th last week by the writers, Texas now controls the Big 12 with a 4-0 conference mark. Two of the three losses on the Longhorns' ledger were to Pitt and UConn by a combined three points.

Here's a quick rundown of where the top 10 will be for the coming seven days.

1. Ohio State (20-0 SU, 9-8 ATS)
The Buckeyes can stretch their Big Ten lead to two games when they host Purdue on Tuesday (Jan. 25), a game that we will preview here at Don Best Sports. It's the only scheduled meeting between the conference's top pair of teams who swapped underdog road wins against one another last season. Ohio State closes the week Saturday (Jan. 29) at Northwestern.

2. Kansas (18-1, 8-9)
Bill Self looks to get his squad back on track after its first loss with a Tuesday trip to Colorado followed by Saturday's home game against rival Kansas State. The Jayhawks swept all three from the Wildcats last season, including a 72-64 win as six-point favorites in the Big 12 Championship tilt.

3. Syracuse (18-2, 7-11)
Coming off back-to-back losses, the Orange host Seton Hall on Tuesday before starting a three-game Big East road trip at Marquette on Saturday.

4. Duke (18-1, 10-8)
The Blue Devils start the week with an ACC matchup on Thursday against Boston College. Duke then steps outside the conference with next Sunday's trek to New York City to take on St. John's at Madison Square Garden. The two schools met in Durham last season with Coach K's group prevailing 80-71 as 17-point chalk.

5. Pittsburgh (19-1, 8-7)
Jamie Dixon's Panthers try to move to 8-0 in the Big East and win their 10th-straight when Notre Dame visits Pitt on Monday (Jan. 24). The Panthers end the week on Saturday at Rutgers.

6. San Diego State (20-0, 12-6)
Provo's Marriot Center is the site for one of the week's biggest contests between Mountain West co-leaders SDSU and BYU on Wednesday (Jan. 26). The Aztecs will be seeking double-revenge after being topped twice last season by the Cougars with the games splitting at the window. San Diego State returns home for Saturday's matchup with the Wyoming Cowboys.

7. Villanova (17-2, 11-5)
The Wildcats visit Providence on Wednesday before coming back to Philly for Saturday's only regular-season matchup with Georgetown. 'Nova and the Hoyas split their battles last season, each winning at home and both games going 'over' the NCAA odds.

8. Connecticut (16-2, 9-3)
A trip to Marquette on Tuesday is followed by the first of two regular season games against Louisville on Saturday in Storrs. UConn fell twice to the Cardinals last season, including a tough 78-76 loss at home as four-point chalk.

9. Brigham Young (19-1, 7-9)
The Cougars follow up Wednesday's marquee matchup with San Diego State at home by traveling to New Mexico on Saturday. BYU has been defeated on its last two trips to Albuquerque.

10. Texas (16-3, 11-3)
Atop the Big 12 standings after a pair of big wins, the Longhorns will trek to Stillwater for Wednesday's battle against the Oklahoma State Cowboys before coming home to face Missouri on Saturday. Texas dropped an 82-77 decision in Columbia last February with the Tigers favored by three.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, January 24Game Score Status Pick Amount

Cleveland - 7:00 PM ET New Jersey -9 500
New Jersey - Under 190.5 500

Phoenix - 7:00 PM ET Phoenix +4 500
Philadelphia - Over 206.5 500

Memphis - 7:00 PM ET Memphis -4.5 500
Toronto - Over 203.5 500

Detroit - 7:00 PM ET Orlando -12 500
Orlando - Over 192.5 500

Washington - 7:30 PM ET Washington +7.5 500
New York - Over 210.5 500

Milwaukee - 8:00 PM ET Milwaukee +8 500
Chicago - Under 178.5 500

Houston - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota +2.5 500
Minnesota - Over 220 500 ( POD )

Oklahoma City - 8:00 PM ET Oklahoma City +4.5 500
New Orleans - Over 192 500

Sacramento - 10:00 PM ET Sacramento +7 500
Portland - Under 192.5 500

San Antonio - 10:30 PM ET San Antonio -5.5 500
Golden State - Over 210.5 500


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Monday, January 24Game Score Status Pick Amount

VCU - 7:00 PM ET Towson +10 500
Towson - Over 141 500

Georgia St - 7:00 PM ET Georgia St +10 500
Drexel - Over 123.5 500

William & Mary - 7:00 PM ET Northeastern -5 500
Northeastern - Over 125 500

Notre Dame - 7:00 PM ET Pittsburgh -11 500
Pittsburgh - Over 136.5 500

Furman - 7:00 PM ET Wofford -7 500
Wofford - Over 139

NC-Wilmington - 7:00 PM ET NC-Wilmington +14.5 500
Old Dominion - Under 118.5 500

James Madison - 7:00 PM ET Hofstra -1.5 500 ( POD )
Hofstra - Over 142 500

Morehead St. - 7:00 PM ET Ball St. -1.5 500
Ball St. - Over 122 500

Rider - 7:00 PM ET Rider +1.5 500
Siena - Over 142.5 500

George Mason - 9:00 PM ET Delaware +7 500
Delaware - Under 129.5 500

Baylor - 9:00 PM ET Kansas St. -6 500
Kansas St. - Over 137 500

Montana St. - 9:05 PM ET Montana St. -2.5 500
Idaho State - Under 133.5 500


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Monday, January 24Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +144 500
Carolina - Over 5.5 500

NY Rangers - 7:30 PM ET NY Rangers +170 500
Washington - Under 5.5 500

Nashville - 9:30 PM ET Calgary -123 500
Calgary - Over 5 500

St. Louis - 9:30 PM ET Colorado -125 500
Colorado - Under 5.5 500

Dallas - 10:00 PM ET Dallas +150 500
Vancouver - Over 5.5 500

Boston - 10:30 PM ET Boston +103 500
Los Angeles - Under 5.5 500



Good Luck !

[StarDust Bum]

Hornets seek 9th straight win Monday


OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (28-15)

at NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (29-16)


Tip-off: Monday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: New Orleans -4.5, Total: 191

NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant gets a big-time challenge against the league’s hottest defensive team tonight in New Orleans.

Streaky New Orleans has caught fire once again, winning eight in a row straight up and covering the spread in six of those wins. The defense has been absolutely stifling during the eight-game winning streak, allowing a mere 84.5 PPG. The Hornets held six of those opponents below 90. In their past two contests, they limited the Hawks to an absurd 59 points in Atlanta, and the NBA-leading Spurs to 72 points in a 24-point home win. Though this will be their third game in four days, the Hornets might be eager to get back out there -- the eight-game winning streak ties their longest of the season which began with an 8-0 record (SU and ATS).

Durant’s first two games against the Hornets this season haven’t gone well, as he’s shot a miserable 35.7% from the field in those games. However, the Thunder won both those games thanks to strong free-throw shooting (89.7% in their first meeting, 88.5% in their second) and outstanding performances from point guard Russell Westbrook, who has gotten the better of superstar Chris Paul. Westbrook is averaging 27.0 points and 10.5 assists in those two head-to-head matchups, while shooting an uncharacteristically high 51.4% from the field. Paul averaged 17.5 PPG in the two matchups and scored just 14 points on 5-15 FG in his one game versus the Thunder last season. Westbrook is coming into the game red-hot, averaging 30 PPG over his last four games.

The Thunder are coming off a tough week of games, visiting the Lakers and Denver before hosting the Knicks on Saturday. The first two games were losses, while they needed a Durant three-pointer as time expired to pull out the win over New York. Overall, the FoxSheets lean towards Oklahoma City for Monday night’s game, including these two trends:

NEW ORLEANS is 15-37 ATS (28.8%, -25.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 100.9, OPPONENT 101.6 - (Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Any team (NEW ORLEANS) - after 6 or more consecutive wins, tired team - playing 6 or more games in 10 days (91-53 over the last 5 seasons, 63.2%, +32.7 units. Rating = 2*).

There is also some FoxSheets data pointing towards the Under, including:

NEW ORLEANS is 13-2 UNDER (86.7%, +10.8 Units) when playing their 3rd game in 4 days this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 90.4, OPPONENT 88.0 - (Rating = 3*).

[StarDust Bum]

Pittsburgh looks for 8-0 start in Big East


NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (16-4, 5-3 in Big East)

at PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (19-1, 7-0 in Big East)


Tip-off: Monday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Pittsburgh -11, Total: 138.5

Pittsburgh goes for its 10th straight victory, and eighth win in a row in Big East play, when it hosts Notre Dame in a matchup of two Top 20 teams.

There is no tougher venue to visit in-conference than Petersen Events Center, which doesn’t bode well for a Notre Dame team that is 0-3 on the road, losing by 12, 22 and 18 points. The Irish are scoring a meager 56.3 PPG on 41.1% FG in these three contests. They have made an excellent 36.9% of their three-pointers this year, but that number dips to 24.6% in seven games when they leave South Bend. Ben Hansbrough is big reason for this discrepancy, with 18.8 PPG and 46% three-pointers at home, compared to just 13.0 PPG and 27% three-pointers on the road. Hansbrough pumped in 28 points in Saturday’s 80-75 win over Marquette to increase his team-best scoring average to 16.4 PPG this season.

Pittsburgh has been absolutely dominant in Big East play with a 5-2 ATS mark, outscoring conference foes by 14.5 PPG. The Panthers are out-shooting their Big East opponents 49.1% to 38.8% FG, and hold a rebounding margin of +9.3 RPG in conference games. In the past three contests, Pittsburgh has an incredible +17.7 RPG margin, thanks to Gary McGhee who has three straight 10-rebound games, including a career-high 15 boards in Saturday’s 80-50 blowout win at DePaul. Pittsburgh has held every opponent under 45% FG during its nine-game win streak due to head coach Jamie Dixon’s frequent substitutions. The Panthers have great balance with six players averaging at least 7.0 PPG and nine players averaging 12+ minutes per game with only one logging over 30 minutes per contest -- 31.3 MPG for leading scorer Ashton Gibbs.

Although the Panthers dropped both meetings last season (68-53 at Notre Dame and 50-45 in Big East Tournament), they are 6-3 SU and ATS the past nine times they have hosted the Irish. These two FoxSheets trends also like Pittsburgh to win and cover the big spread on Monday night.

NOTRE DAME is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in road games after one or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons. The average score was NOTRE DAME 68.6, OPPONENT 80.2 - (Rating = 3*).

PITTSBURGH is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 80.0, OPPONENT 68.6 - (Rating = 2*).

This four-star FoxSheets trend expects the game to finish Under the total.

Mike Brey is 25-7 UNDER (78.1%, +17.3 Units) versus excellent ball handling teams - committing <=12 turnovers/game as the coach of NOTRE DAME. The average score was NOTRE DAME 67.8, OPPONENT 65.1 - (Rating = 4*).