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**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:11 PM

NCAAB Best Bets:

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [823] YALE -5 1.91

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [823] TOTAL o123½ 1.91
(YALE vrs DARTMOUTH)

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [825] BROWN +20 1.91

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [827] COLUMBIA +5½ 1.91

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [827] TOTAL o122 1.91
(COLUMBIA vrs PRINCETON)

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [830] PENNSYLVANIA -7 1.91

02/17/2012 @ 04:00 PM CBB [832] VCU -5½ 1.91

02/17/2012 @ 06:00 PM CBB [833] TOTAL o139 1.91
(VALPARAISO vrs LOY MARYMOUNT)

02/17/2012 @ 06:00 PM CBB [834] LOY MARYMOUNT -5½ 1.91

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:15 PM

NHL Best Bets:

02/17/2012 @ 04:05 PM NHL [1] ANAHEIM +1½ 1.36

02/17/2012 @ 04:05 PM NHL [3] TOTAL o5½ 2.00
(SAN JOSE vrs CAROLINA)

02/17/2012 @ 04:35 PM NHL [5] NASHVILLE +1½ 1.44

02/17/2012 @ 04:35 PM NHL [7] MONTREAL +1½ 1.33

02/17/2012 @ 04:35 PM NHL [10] TOTAL u5 2.30
(WASHINGTON vrs FLORIDA)

02/17/2012 @ 06:35 PM NHL [13] COLORADO +1½ 1.38

**Kaptain** · 02-17-2012, 07:16 PM

thanks BUM....get em PODNA

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:25 PM

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, February 17

Yale has big game with Harvard Saturday, but its only big if they win at Dartmouth, whom they beat 62-52 (-12) Jan 28, in game they trailed by a point with under 9:00 left. Yale outscored Big Green 16-6 from line in that game, but turned ball over 19 times- their last three games were won by total of six points. Ivy League home underdogs are 4-7 against the spread this season. Dartmouth is 0-8 in Ivy play but they covered four of last five games- they're 1-2 as a home dog, losing by 16-2-9/

Likewise, Harvard has big game with Yale Saturday, but if they were to lose, would just be tied for first (they have playoff game if teams wind up tied fir first). Crimson (-15) won 68-59 at Brown Jan 28, as Bruins were just 11-20 from foul line. Harvard covered once in last five games; they're 0-3 as Ivy home fave, winning home games by 16-11-5 points. Brown lost its last five games; they're 2-1 as an Ivy road underdog. Iby League double digit home favorites are 1-8 against the spread.

Princeton won its two Ivy home games last week by 12-8 points, after starting league play 2-3 in all road games; Tigers (-1.5) beat Columbia in New York 62-58 Jan 14, turning ball over only six times, making 7-14 on arc. Lions were +14 on boards in that game, with 13 offensive rebounds; they're 1-2 as an Ivy underdog, with both road losses by 5 points. Ivy League single digit home favorites are 6-5 against the spread. Princeton is 2-2 as an Ivy League favorite, 0-1 at home.

Cornell won its last three games by 9-1-9 points, scoring an average of 75 ppg; they lost at home to Penn 74-62 (+2) Jan 14, making 3-17 from arc, while Quakers hit 10-20 treys. Big Red has road losses ar Harvard by 11, Columbia by 5- they won at lowly Dartmouth. Penn split its last four games after a 4-0strt to Ivy play- they scored 53-50 points in their two losses, averaged 67 ppg in five wins. Ivy League single digit home favorites are 6-5 against the spread.

Northern Iowa won four of last five games, but covered just one of last five on road; they opened season by waxing CAA's Old Dominion by 17 on road. CAA home favorites of 7 or less points are just 4-7 vs spread out of conference this season; MVC road underdogs of 6 or less points are 13-8. VCU had extra day to prepare for this, since they last played Tuesday, a last-second 62-61 loss to George Mason, which snapped its 11-game winning streak; Rams are 2-4-1 in last seven tries as favorite. MVC is 8th-ranked league, CAA the 14th.

Quick turnaround for improved LMU squad that had huge win in its last game, late Wednesday night at St Mary's; Lions won last three at home by 3-10-2 points. Valparaiso is 6-3 in Horizon road games, including win at Butler. Both teams here won five of its last six games. WCC is 11th-ranked league, Horizon 17th. WCC home favorites of 8 or less points are 4-7 vs spread in non-league games; Horizon single digit road underdogs are 10-7-1. Crusaders are 6-3 against the spread as an underdog.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:30 PM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, February 17

Hot Teams
-- Orlando won/covered four of its last five games.
-- Mavericks won four of last five on road, covered seven of last ten.
-- Miami won/covered its last four games. Cavaliers are 4-1-2 vs spread in last seven games as a home underdog.
-- Pistons won five of last seven games, covered seven of last eight. Sacramento covered five of its last six road games.
-- Warriors won three of their last four games. Oklahoma City won its last seven home games (5-2 vs spread).
-- Houston won four of last five home games (5-3-1 as home favorite). Minnesota covered five of last seven as a road underdog.
-- Memphis won four of its last five games.
-- Hornets won last two games, are 5-3 vs spread in last eight games as a road underdog. Knicks won last seven games, covered nine of last ten.
-- Washington covered four of its last six road games.
-- Lakers won/covered their last three home games.

Cold Teams
-- Bucks lost six of their last eight games, but covered last four games as a road underdog.
-- 76ers lost three of their last four home games.
-- Toronto lost six of last seven games; they're 3-2 as a home favorite. Bobcats lost last 13 road games, covered last three.
-- Nuggets lost six of their last eight games (5-4-1 as road dog).
-- Jazz lost five of their last six games, but they're 8-4 as home faves.
-- Suns lost four of their last five games.

Wear and Tear
-- Bucks: 3rd game/5 nites. Magic: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Mavericks: 3rd game/5 nites. 76ers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Bobcats: 3rd game/5 nites. Raptors: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Heat: Had last two nites off. Cavaliers: 2nd game/6 nites.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Pistons: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Warriors: 4th game/6 nites. Thunder: 3rd gme/4 nites.
-- Wolves: 7th game/11 nites. Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nuggets: 3rd game/4 nites. Grizzlies: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Hornets: 3rd game/5 nites. Knicks: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Wizards: 3rd game/4 nites. Jazz: Had last two nites off.
-- Suns: 4th game/5 nites. Lakers: Had last two nites off.

Totals
-- 12 of last 14 Milwaukee game went over the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Cleveland home games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Detroit games went over the total. Under is 11-3 in Kings' road games since Smart has been coach.
-- Over is 7-0-1 in Golden State's last eight road games.
-- Last four Minnesota games went over the total. 10 of Rockets' last 12 games stayed under.
-- Under is 6-1 in last seven Memphis home games.
-- New York's last four home games stayed under total.
-- Six of last seven Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Phoenix games stayed under total.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:37 PM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, February 17

Hot teams
-- Ducks won five of their last six games.
-- Hurricanes won three of their last four home games.
-- Red Wings have won an amazing 21 home games in a row.
-- Washington won three of its last four games.

Cold teams
-- New Jersey lost its last three games, scoring five goals.
-- Sharks lost six of their last eight road games.
-- Nashville lost three of its last four games- they scored exactly three goals in each of their last five games.
-- Buffalo lost its last three games, outscored 13-4. Canadiens lost eight of their last twelve road games.
-- Washington lost eight of its last eleven games.
-- Bruins are 0-7 in game following their last seven wins. Jets lost four of their last six home games.
-- Avalanche lost seven of its last nine road games. Edmonton lost three of last four games, but won four of its last five at home.

Totals
-- Ten of last twelve Anaheim games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight San Jose games went over the total.
-- Under is 9-2 in Detroit's last eleven home gmes.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in Buffalo's last seven home games.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in Washington's last five road games.
-- Over is 10-3-1 in Boston's last fourteen road games.
-- Last six Edmonton games went over the total.

Series records
-- Devils won last two games with Anaheim, 3-1/2-1.
-- Carolina won 5-2 at San Jose in LY's meeting.
-- Red Wings won three of last four games with Nashville.
-- Sabres won their last six games with Montreal.
-- Washington lost four of its last five visits to Miami.
-- Home side won nine of last ten Boston-Winnipeg games.
-- Oilers won three of last four game with Colorado.

Back-to-Back
-- Sharks are 4-2 on the road if they played the night before.
-- Buffalo is 1-6 at home when it played the night before.
-- Winnipeg is 0-9 when it played the night before.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:41 PM

Lakers favored big over Suns Friday night

PHOENIX SUNS (12-18)

at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (17-12)

Tip-off: Friday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -8, Total: 185½

The Lakers seek their fourth straight home win when they invite the Suns for a visit on Friday night.

Phoenix is in a bit of a funk with three straight losses, but the Suns usually get up for L.A., going 6-3 ATS in the past nine meetings. But the Lakers are 12-2 SU (9-5 ATS) at home this season, allowing a paltry 84.7 PPG. And Phoenix has lost nine of its past 10 trips to Staples Center. Can the Lakers dominate the Suns again? To find out, connect to the NBA Three At Three for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each weekday. NBA Three At Three has been sizzling this week, going 8-4 ATS.

The Suns played very well against Atlanta on Wednesday, making 54% of their shots and winning the rebounding battle 38-33 in a 101-99 loss. Steve Nash led the way with 22 points and 16 assists, as all five starters scored in double figures. Nash is shooting 60% from the floor with 12.9 APG in his past seven games. Grant Hill finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, while Channing Frye (9.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG) had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Hill made just 1-of-12 shots in last month’s 99-83 loss to the Lakers. Marcin Gortat (15.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG) was held to 13 points and six rebounds against the Hawks, making him 9-of-25 FG in his past two games, but he produced 16 points and 12 boards in the most recent meeting with the Lakers. His work on the glass will be key in combating L.A.’s huge frontcourt that leads the NBA with 45.3 RPG and out-rebounded the Suns 49-35 in January. The FoxSheets provide another three-star reason to expect the Suns to keep the score close:

L.A. LAKERS are 5-21 ATS (19.2%, -18.1 Units) after a combined score of 175 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was L.A. LAKERS 97.3, OPPONENT 97.8 - (Rating = 3*).

The L.A. defense was stellar again on Tuesday, holding the Hawks to 78 points on 34% FG. Pau Gasol (20 points, 13 rebounds) and Andrew Bynum (15 points, 15 rebounds) were the stars in that win. Gasol, who has been the subject of trade rumors, has not let the chatter affect his play. He now has seven straight double-doubles with 18.6 PPG and 14.0 RPG during this stretch. Kobe Bryant has been off the mark this month (37% FG, 32% 3-pt FG), including a season-low 10 points on 5-of-18 FG in Tuesday’s win. But Bryant was on fire when he last faced the Suns on Jan. 10, pumping in a season-high 48 points (18-of-31 FG) in the victory. Since the 2005-06 season, Bryant is averaging 31.8 PPG in 24 games versus Phoenix. The FoxSheets have a three-star trend steering bettors away from the Suns:

PHOENIX is 6-23 ATS (20.7%, -19.3 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 94.9, OPPONENT 103.6 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:42 PM

James and Heat return to Cleveland Friday

MIAMI HEAT (23-7)

at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (11-16)

Tip-off: Friday, 7:35 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -9½, Total: 198½

LeBron James returns to Cleveland for the first time this season as Miami visits the Cavs on Friday night.

Can the Heat win by double-digits over the pesky Cavaliers? To find out, connect to the NBA Three At Three for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each weekday. NBA Three At Three has been sizzling this week, going 8-4 ATS.

It’s been a heck of a road trip so far for Miami. After dropping the first game in Orlando, they’ve reeled off four wins in a row, SU and ATS, each by 15 points or more. This team is clearly gelling with Dwyane Wade finally back at 100%. Since the Orlando loss they’re winning games by an average score of 108.0 to 90.5, and they’re shooting 49.2% from the field while holding opponents to 39.8% FG. James (28.0 PPG on 54.5% FG, 8.2 RPG, 6.8 APG) is averaging 24.8 PPG on 53.8% FG, 8.0 RPG and 6.3 APG over only 32.3 minutes per game during that span. Wade (21.9 PPG) has added 21.3 PPG on 55.2% shooting in just 26.8 MPG. The limited minutes were because of a three-games-in-three-nights stretch earlier in the week, but after two nights off, the Heat stars should be ready to go 40 minutes.

Obviously, all eyes will be on James, who is playing his third career game as an opponent in Cleveland. He torched the Cavs twice last year, going for 38 points in just 30 minutes in a blowout win in December 2010, then recording a triple-double (27 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) in his return last March. However, Miami dropped that second game, 107-91 at home. The FoxSheets have a three-star trend backing the red-hot Heat:

Play On - Road favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MIAMI) - good team - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game, after scoring 105 points or more 3 straight games. (87-42 since 1996, 67.4%, +40.8 units. Rating = 3*).

The Cavs have done a solid job through the first four games of their homestand, going 2-2 SU and 2-1-1 ATS despite being without PG Kyrie Irving (18.2 PPG on 49.8% shooting) for the first three of those games. With Irving back in the lineup on Wednesday, Cleveland beat the Pacers handily, 98-87, in a game that was never really in doubt. Irving led the way with 22 points on 8-for-12 FG (and 3-for-5 from three) in the win.

After losing Anderson Varejao to a broken wrist, they lost handily to Philadelphia on Saturday but bounced back with a solid win over Indiana on Wednesday. C Semih Erden, Varejao’s replacement, was shut out over 14 minutes in the Philadelphia loss, but bounced back with 18 points and eight rebounds in the win over Indiana. The FoxSheets have a coaching trend siding with the Cavs:

Byron Scott is 25-10 ATS (71.4%, +14.0 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive home games in all games he has coached since 1996. The average score was Scott 97.8, OPPONENT 93.3 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:43 PM

Knicks go for 8th straight win hosting Hornets

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (6-23)

at NEW YORK KNICKS (15-15)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: New York -10, Total: 184½

The legend of Jeremy Lin continues as the Knicks host another cupcake opponent when New Orleans visits on Friday night.

Since Lin stepped in as their primary point guard two weeks ago, the Knicks are 7-0 SU and 5-1-1 ATS. However, aside from a win over the Lakers (who had played an overtime game in Boston the previous night), the Knicks haven’t really had a challenge during that span. The Hornets actually might be their toughest matchup of the Lin era, as they play an ugly, slow-down style that could keep this game within reach. Can the Knicks keep the win streak alive and cover the huge spread? To find out, connect to the NBA Three At Three for ATS picks covering all the marquee NBA games each weekday. NBA Three At Three has been sizzling this week, going 8-4 ATS.

Despite losing C Emeka Okafor (9.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG) to a knee injury, the Hornets are coming off back-to-back SU wins for the first time since their first two games of the season, and they’re 7-5 ATS (3-9 SU) away from home this year. PG Jarrett Jack (15.2 PPG, 6.7 APG) is also hurting, missing six of the past seven games because of a sore knee. But they held off the Jazz at home on Monday, then they pulled off an upset Wednesday in Milwaukee. C Chris Kaman (10.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG), benched for his lethargic defense for a good chunk of the season, has been a revelation for the scoring-starved Hornets. In those two wins, he averaged 22.5 PPG and 11.5 RPG. But the best argument for a New Orleans cover is that they play the slowest tempo in the NBA. That methodical style will leave less margin for error than usual for the Knicks. This FoxSheets trend also sides with the Hornets:

NEW ORLEANS is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in road games on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 98.3, OPPONENT 87.7 - (Rating = 2*).

After having to pull out a win late in Toronto, the Knicks had little trouble disposing of the Kings at home on Wednesday. Lin (12.7 PPG), who is averaging 24.4 PPG on 51.2% shooting and 9.1 APG during his magical run, was more of a distributor in that game, handing out 13 assists while scoring 10 points on only six field goal attempts. Lin’s Achilles heel has been turnovers, as he’s averaging 5.3 per game during this seven-game stretch.

PF Amar’e Stoudemire (18.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG) is still figuring things out in the Lin Era, as he’s averaging 16.0 PPG on just 39.4% shooting in his first two games back in the lineup since the death of his brother. Carmelo Anthony (22.3 PPG, 39.9% shooting from the field) has really only been effective as an isolation player throughout his career. While he insists otherwise, he and Lin seem unlikely to mesh. This FoxSheets trend thinks the Knicks will win big Friday night:

Play Against - Road underdogs of 10 or more points (NEW ORLEANS) - after failing to cover 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread against opponent hot team - having covered 6 or 7 of their last 8 against the spread. (37-17 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.5%, +18.3 units. Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:45 PM

Mavs seek 6th straight win visiting Philly

DALLAS MAVERICKS (19-11)

at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (20-10)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Philadelphia -3, Total: 179½

The red-hot Mavericks look to extend their win streak to six games when they visit Philadelphia on Friday night.

Dallas will be short-handed for this matchup as a trio of guards -- Jason Terry (quadriceps), Delonte West (finger) and Rodrigue Beaubois (death in family) -- will be sidelined Friday night. These three backcourt players contribute a combined 30.4 PPG and 9.5 APG. This is not good news considering how well the 76ers play defense at Wells Fargo Center, allowing just 83.6 PPG on 41% FG. This commitment on the defensive end has led to a strong 12-6 ATS mark at home. Look for Philly’s deep and talented backcourt to dominate the perimeter and lead PHILADELPHIA to the win and cover on Friday.

The FoxSheets provide a three-star trend supporting the 76ers:

Play On - Home favorites (PHILADELPHIA) - off a road loss by 10 points or more, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record. (55-20 over the last 5 seasons.) (73.3%, +33 units. Rating = 3*).

Dallas is 8-5 ATS on the road, including 5-1 ATS as a road underdog this season. Dirk Nowitzki is finally looking healthy, as he is averaging 23.7 PPG on 51% FG in his past seven games. But the Sixers have done a pretty good job defending him in the past five seasons, limiting Nowitzki to 40% FG (5-for-21 threes) in these 10 meetings. But Nowitzki will benefit from the absence of Philly’s best interior defender, C Spencer Hawes (8.3 RPG, 1.5 BPG), who is out indefinitely with an Achilles injury. Both SG Vince Carter (12.2 PPG, 47% FG in past five games) and SF Shawn Marion (15.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG in past three games) will have to continue their strong play with the depleted Dallas backcourt.

The 76ers have gone 13 straight games without reaching 100 points, but they have really valued the basketball. Their 10.5 turnovers per game are the lowest in NBA history for a single season. Philadelphia is arguably the deepest team in the league with eight players scoring at least 8.9 PPG this season. Andre Iguodala is the team’s best player, with 12.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 5.3 APG this season. But he has shot terribly over his past four games (36.8% FG), and makes just 39.7% FG in 14 career meetings with Dallas. Reserve PG Lou Williams is Philly’s top scorer at 16.1 PPG, and he has played outstanding in the past three contests (21.0 PPG, 5.3 APG). He was just 2-of-11 from the field in two meetings with Dallas last year though.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:49 PM

Valpo, LMU square off in Friday BracketBuster

VALPARAISO CRUSADERS (19-9)

at LOYOLA MARYMOUNT LIONS (17-10)

ESPN BracketBuster Game
Tip-off: Friday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Loyola Marymount -5, Total, 138

While each of these teams enter this game having won five of their past six, it’s Loyola Marymount that’s done it against quality competition: The Lions followed up a road loss on Saturday at Gonzaga with an impressive 15-point upset win at 16th-ranked Saint Mary’s in a game in which they were a 14-point underdog. The pick here, however, is underdog VALPARAISO, which is 7-0 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the past three seasons. Over that same span, Loyola Marymount is 1-9 ATS in home games where the total is 135 to 139.5.

This three-star FoxSheets trend also likes Valpo.

Play Against - A home team (LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT) - in non-conference games, off a road win against a conference rival. (69-28 over the last 5 seasons.) (71.1%, +38.2 units. Rating = 3*).

This marks the first all-time meeting between these two schools. Valparaiso has previously played five current West Coast Conference teams a total of seven times and owns a 5-2 record against league members. The most recent meeting between Valpo and a WCC squad came on Nov. 21, 2008, when the Crusaders lost to San Diego, 73-66, on a neutral court.

Over the past five games, Valpo is shooting a scorching 47.1 percent (48-of-102) from beyond the three-point arc. The Crusaders started the season shooting under 30 percent from long range over the season’s first 10 games, but since is hitting at a 38.4% clip from behind the line. Meanwhile, the team is also extremely proficient from inside the arc, knocking down 55.4% of its tries from two-point range, which is tied for second nationally. Of Valpo’s seven rotation players who have been playing the entire season, all seven are hitting at least half of their two-point attempts. The player who’s been standing out the most recently is junior Richie Edwards, who started his hot stretch with back-to-back, 16-point efforts two weekends ago against Detroit and Wright State. Last Thursday against Cleveland State, Edwards posted a 20-point night, his best effort of the season against a Division I opponent, and then scored 19 points in his first career start at Youngstown State. Last time out, the junior went 5-of-7 from the field and 8-of-9 from the foul line for a team-best 19 points against Illinois-Chicago.

Loyola Marymount’s win over Saint Mary’s was its third victory in five tries this season against a ranked opponent, and it gave the Lions their most wins in West Coast Conference play since the Elite Eight team in 1989-90, which went 13-1. LMU entered this week ranked 17th nationally in three-point field goal defense and are now holding opponents to 28.8 percent shooting from long range after limiting Saint Mary's to 21.4 percent. The Lions average nearly 71 points per game, led by 16.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG from senior Drew Viney. Sophomore Anthony Ireland adds 15.4 PPG as well, as LMU boasts four players averaging in double figures on the season. The Lions also lead the WCC and rank 45th nationally in free throw percentage, hitting 73.0 percent. Their top six scorers all hit better than 73 percent, including LaRon Armstead's 85.5 percent, which leads the conference and ranks 42nd nationally.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-17-2012, 07:52 PM

UNI and VCU begin BracketBuster weekend

NORTHERN IOWA (17-11)

at VCU RAMS (22-6)

ESPN BracketBuster Game
Tip-off: Friday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: VCU -6, Total, 124½

It’s hard to decide which of these two teams is coming off a more heart-breaking loss: While Evansville’s Denver Holmes banked in a 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left to sink Northern Iowa, 63-62, on Wednesday, George Mason’s Sherrod Wright raced up the court and made a buzzer-beating 25-foot three-pointer in a 62-61 win over VCU. The loss to Evansville was Northern Iowa’s fifth straight road defeat, and the Panthers failed to cover any of those games. VCU has lost only two home games all season and is the pick here to win and cover the point spread.

This three-star FoxSheets coaching trend also like the Rams to win and cover on Friday.

Ben Jacobson is 9-25 ATS (26.5%, -18.5 Units) after having lost 2 of their last 3 games as the coach of NORTHERN IOWA. The average score was NORTHERN IOWA 64.2, OPPONENT 64.9 - (Rating = 3*).

Neither of these teams is in line for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, but they’ll both have plenty of incentive with this being a nationally televised game as part of ESPN’s BracketBuster series. Northern Iowa is 5-4 in BracketBuster games over the years while VCU is 4-3. And although this will be the first meeting between the schools, the teams do share the common bond of knocking Kansas out of the NCAA Tournament the past two years. VCU is led by senior forward Bradford Burgess, whose 13 points per game leads the team. Expect the Commodores to try to push the tempo of this game and make it a track meet, which would get Northern Iowa out of its comfort zone as a team that prefers a much slower-paced, half-court game.

Northern Iowa’s leading scorer is 6-foot junior guard Anthony James, who comes off the bench for 13 points per game. The Panthers lead the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring defense, holding opposing teams to less than 62 points per game despite playing in a conference in which three teams average 70 points or more. They also take care of the ball well on offense, turning it over just 10.8 times a game. Northern Iowa ranks 28th nationally in offensive turnover percentage and 27th in three-point percentage, shooting 39.2 percent from behind the arc. UNI freshman forward Seth Tuttle leads the Missouri Valley Conference in field-goal percentage (66%). What the Panthers lack, however, is the athleticism to keep up with a talented team like VCU for 40 minutes.

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