Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03-19-21 | Kings v. Celtics OVER 232 | Top | 107-96 | Loss | -115 | 7 h 13 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #565 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Celtics vs Sacramento Kings @ 7:40 ET - This total has been dropping all morning but this has led to great value in this one in my opinion. The Kings have scored at least 110 points in 20 of their last 21 games and none of those went to OT! Sacramento has scored 117 points per game during this stretch. However, the Kings are a 7 point dog here. So that would put this game at about 124-117 and a total above the 240 mark. Can we really expect Boston to get into that range though? You bet...literally! Sacramento has allowed an average of 123 points per game their last 17 games and, again, none of those went into overtime! Also, the Celtics last 6 victories, none going to OT, did see them average 122 points. Look for this one to be very high-scoring and I am happy to fade the line move and grab the resulting extra line value. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
|||||||
03-19-21 | Wisconsin v. North Carolina OVER 137 | Top | 85-62 | Win | 100 | 11 h 16 m | Show |
ACC Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #727 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in North Carolina Tar Heels vs Wisconsin Badgers @ 7:10 ET - I am well aware of the fact that Wisconsin plays solid defense and has been known for scoring troubles at the other end at times this season. However, North Carolina is going to force the tempo here. The Tar Heels do not want this game to turn into a half-court battle. Also, UNC can score plenty in transition and even at the risk of getting sloppy and seeing buckets going the other way. I simply do not see the Heels sitting back on their heels here! It will be full speed ahead and getting quick looks at the buckets including easy looks for their big men down low. The Badgers are a streaky shooting team and I see this is as being one of their better games. Why? Well UNC allowed 36% three pointers away from home this season. By the way, Wisconsin allowed 44.4% shooting from the field when away from Madison this season. Also, North Carolina allowed 69 points or more in 6 of their last 7 games. Their most recent game stayed under the total but the Tar Heels entered that game on a 6-2 run to the over. Also, the Badgers are off an under but this followed a 4-0 run to the over in Wisconsin games in which they allowed at least 73 points in all 4 games. Also, the Badgers ugly game against Iowa was preceded by a 5-game stretch in which they scored at least 68 in all 5 games. Look for each team to get to 70 here in a match-up that will surprise many in terms of the pace it is played at. 10* OVER the total in North Carolina |
|||||||
03-18-21 | Jazz v. Wizards OVER 235.5 | Top | 122-131 | Win | 100 | 8 h 59 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #551 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Washington Wizards vs Utah Jazz @ 7:05 ET - The Wizards game last night was on pace for 260 points as they had 195 points through 3 quarters for a 65 point quarterly average. Inexplicably, the 4th quarter totaled just 45 points and the game stayed under the total. This followed back to back overs for Washington and the 240 total points scored still would have gone over the total which is posted on tonight's game. In fact, I feel we're retaining some line value here thanks to yesterday's game staying under the total. Now it is the Jazz in town to face the Wizards and Utah is off an under but this was preceded by a 10-4 run to the over in their last 14 games. The Jazz have averaged 120 points per game, not including OT points, last 9 games. The Wizards have averaged 120 points per game their last 9 home games. This one should get well into the 240s and make up for last night's surprising finish when the Wizards hosted the Kings. I am aware Westbrook might miss this game for Washington but they have scored an average of 122 points per game in the 3 home games he has missed this season. I am aware Conley might miss this game for Utah but the Jazz have scored an average of 122.5 points per game in the last 6 games he has missed. 10* OVER the total in Washington |
|||||||
03-18-21 | Drake v. Wichita State +2.5 | Top | 53-52 | Win | 100 | 8 h 48 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #714 Thursday 10* Top Play Wichita State Shockers (+) vs Drake Bulldogs @ 6:27 ET - Here is another one with a classic line flip. Wichita State was favored by 2.5 points and now the line has swung the other way and it is Drake favored by 2.5 points! I know the Bulldogs have the better record on the season but they closed the season going 7-4 last 11 games including losing 2 of last 3. Wichita State closed the season with a loss to Cincinnati by just a single point in the AAC Tourney but this followed an 8-game winning streak for the Shockers! In fact, Wichita State was on a 15-2 run prior to the loss to the Bearcats. The Shockers and Bulldogs are former rivals in the Missouri Valley Conference but Wichita State is now in the AAC and did play the tougher schedule this season. I do not believe the betting markets are practically factoring that into this match-up and we'll take advantage of that here. 10* WICHITA STATE |
|||||||
03-17-21 | Bucks v. 76ers +6 | Top | 109-105 | Win | 100 | 10 h 30 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #532 Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 7:05 ET - Well aware of the fact that Philly is in a back to back spot and playing 5th game in 7 days and still without Embiid. However their key guys did not play huge minutes yesterday and Philadelphia has won 6 straight games. Yes the Bucks are on a winning streak too but Milwaukee's road cover at Washington was their first ATS win in their last six road games. That's right...Bucks had been on an 0-5 ATS run in away games. The 76ers are off a non-covering win but have not had back to back ATS losses since mid-February. They may not get the outright win here but I look for at least a cover in this one. The Bucks, prior to huge win over Wizards, had seen 4 of last 5 wins come by 6 or less points. Look for the home team to get the cover for the 4th straight time in this series as the host is 3-0 ATS last 3 meetings between these teams. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-17-21 | Toledo v. Richmond +3 | Top | 66-76 | Win | 100 | 9 h 31 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #706 Wednesday 10* Top Play Richmond Spiders (+) vs Toledo Rockets @ 7 ET - I understand the line flip here but the Spiders opened up as the favorite for a reason. Now Richmond is a 3 point dog and I won't hesitate to step in. The Spiders have had about two weeks off and normally that is a bad thing but that is not the case here! Senior big man Grant Golden (finger) and senior guard Blake Francis (hip) have both been able to recover better from injuries as a result of the extra time off. These two are the top two scorers for Richmond and Golden is also solid in terms of assists and rebounds. I know each of these guys have been listed as a game time decision for this evening but I would be very surprised if they miss this game. Keep in mind, the NIT is down from the usual 32 teams to just 16 for this season. The Spiders certainly want to make a run at it and I just don't see these guys missing this game. I know Richmond is on a 3-game losing streak but Francis missed the most recent game and played only 9 minutes in the prior game (got hurt) and with Francis in the lineup for a full game the Spiders have never lost back to back games. I feel strongly that both guys will play but even if 1 of the 2 misses, Richmond will have 4 guys on the floor that average double digits in points, and again I do expect this number to be 5 though! The Spiders are undervalued here against a MAC team that, in regulation time, has allowed an average of 77 points per game last 4 games. The Rockets will struggle to do enough on the defensive end against a Spiders team that has allowed an average of only 65.6 points per game even during a rough 4-4 stretch to end the season! 10* RICHMOND |
|||||||
03-16-21 | Knicks v. 76ers OVER 216 | Top | 96-99 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
Atlantic Div Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #525 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks @ 8:05 ET - The Knicks are in a back to back spot here. Their 5-point loss at Brooklyn last night did go over the total. The over is 7-1 in New York's last 8 games. Joel Embiid is currently out for the 76ers and that certainly impacts the interior defense of this team. Overall, Philadelphia has been trending over of late. The over is 5-1 in their last 6 games. Also, the Sixers have a big game against the Bucks on deck. Looking ahead to a showdown with an East challenger certainly will not help the level of the defensive intensity for Philly in this one. Yes the Knicks are a divisional foe but Philadelphia has a long winning streak against New York and could get caught looking ahead to tomorrow's game versus Milwaukee. The Knicks have averaged 111.5 points per game their last 4 games. The 76ers are averaging 127.2 points per game in regulation time of their last 5 games. More of the same expected here as this one flies over the total. 10* OVER the total in Philadelphia |
|||||||
03-15-21 | Kings +3.5 v. Hornets | Top | 116-122 | Loss | -107 | 9 h 35 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #503 Monday 10* Top Play Sacramento Kings (+) @ Charlotte Hornets @ 7:05 ET - The low line on this game makes no sense and, in typical contrarian fashion, I am fading public perception and fading the line move as this one has moved up a little higher this morning. Charlotte is a very small favorite here even though they are at home where they are 11-8 this season and even though the Kings are on the road where they are 6-11 this season. Additionally, the Hornets are on a 9-5 run and have won 3 straight games while Sacramento is on a 3-12 run. Given all of the above the line makes no sense here, right? Exactly! Give me the team no one wants here! The Kings are off a loss but are 3-0 L3 when off a loss. Also, Sacramento does have revenge in this one for a 1 point home loss to the Hornets earlier this season. Charlotte does have a long road trip on deck and could look right past the Kings here. Grab the points! 10* SACRAMENTO |
|||||||
03-14-21 | Spurs v. 76ers -2.5 | Top | 99-134 | Win | 100 | 8 h 29 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #562 Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs San Antonio Spurs @ 6:35 ET - The Spurs blasted Orlando without DeMar DeRozan but that game was at home and the 76ers are not the Magic. That said, the reason for this low line on the Sixers is that Joel Embiid is out. I know that Philly has often struggled in games without Embiid in the lineup this season. However, the 76ers will have Ben Simmons back for this one and the Spurs being without DeRozan is a key loss. The Spurs had lost back to back games and 4 of 6 prior to the win over the Magic. The Sixers have won 4 straight and 8 of their last 10 games. They won both match-ups last season including by 11 when the teams met here in Philly. Look for another double digit win in this one as well as a well-rested Simmons takes over with Embiid out and look for Dwight Howard, as he so often does, to have another huge game with the big man out. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-14-21 | Ohio State v. Illinois -6 | Top | 88-91 | Loss | -107 | 6 h 3 m | Show |
Championship Best Bet - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #658 Sunday 10* Top Play Illinois Illini (-) vs Ohio State Buckeyes @ 3:30 ET - The Buckeyes upset Michigan yesterday thanks to hitting a ridiculous 12 of 22 three pointers! The Illini hung on to beat Iowa yesterday despite making only 3 of 15 three pointers! You see the difference? This is helping to create line value here because Ohio State scored a total of only 32 points yesterday from inside the arc. Illinois scored a total of 73 points yesterday from inside the arc. Recent meetings between these teams have been tight but I look for the Illini to pull away as this one goes on. The Buckeyes are playing for 4th time in 4 days and their game prior to upsetting the Wolverines went into overtime too. Conversely, the Illini are playing just their 3rd game in 3 days and their first one was a blowout win over Rutgers. Strong situational edge here for the favorite. Lay it. 10* ILLINOIS |
|||||||
03-13-21 | Pistons v. Nets OVER 227.5 | Top | 95-100 | Loss | -107 | 10 h 37 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #543 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons @ 7:05 ET - The Pistons are off an ATS win but SU loss in their 1st game after the break. Though they came up just short of the outright upset there I do expect Detroit to continue to play better now that the Blake Griffin situation is behind them. Griffin actually went to the Nets but has been ruled out of this game with continued left knee issues. The fact is that the Pistons should have another respectable game here like they did at Charlotte but I also don't see them stopping Brooklyn. The Nets have played 4 of their last 6 games at home and in this stretch dating back to the final week of February, Brooklyn has won 5 of the 6 games and averaged 124 points per game in regulation time of the 5 victories. More of the same expected here but they are about an 11 point favorite here. A 124-113 type game sounds about right here and that puts this one nearly 10 points above the line. I will take it. Keep in mind the Nets had to raise their defensive intensity some in a bigger game versus the Celtics Thursday. Don't be surprised if you see a dropoff in level of defense played in this one as the Pistons have the worst record in the Eastern Conference. 10* OVER the total in Brooklyn |
|||||||
03-13-21 | Georgetown v. Creighton OVER 143 | Top | 73-48 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 13 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #619 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Creighton Bluejays vs Georgetown Hoyas @ 6:30 ET - Not only did each of the Big East semi-final games involving these teams stay under the total, they did not even come close to going over. However, the Hoyas did allow 62 shots from the field to Seton Hall yesterday but the Pirates had a horrible shooting performance. As for the Bluejays game, they also took 62 shots but shot poorly and they faced a Connecticut team that also shot very poorly. Give some credit to the defensive play as well but this situation falls into the "I have seen this movie before" category! After a pair of low-scoring games yesterday, the betting markets are now backing the under here and yet we'll see much better shooting today and a great pace to this game. Like I said, I have seen situations like this in the past and this is so often how it ends up playing out. The posted total on the two games between these teams in each of the two regular season meetings was in the 150 to 152 range and now you have a total on this one dipping into the low 140s. This is a value spot. The last meeting between these teams totaled just 111 points which is also leading to line value here. The teams entered that game on a 3-0 run to the over in their meetings and had totaled at least 151 points in 4 consecutive meetings. By the way, Creighton had averaged 90 points per game in their 2 games immediately preceding yesterday's low-scoring win. As for Georgetown, they had averaged 72.4 points per game in their 5 games preceding yesterday's low scoring win. The Bluejays are favored by 9 points here and that puts this game in the 82-73 range or mid-150s which is well above where this total is now. Lets take advantage. 10* OVER the total in Big East Championship Game |
|||||||
03-12-21 | Connecticut v. Creighton OVER 143.5 | Top | 56-59 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top Total - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #849 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Creighton Bluejays vs Connecticut Huskies @ 9 ET - These teams are both on fire right now and I don't see that slowing down here. The Huskies have been a different team since James Bouknight came back. Connecticut enters this game on a 5-game winning streak and has averaged scoring 81.2 points per game during this win streak. Overall the Huskies have won 7 of 8 games and have averaged 80.6 points per game in the 7 wins. Now UConn faces a Creighton team which is off back to back wins in which they have averaged scoring 90 points per game. Also, the Bluejays have scored at least 77 points in each of their last 4 wins and that includes a victory over Villanova in which the Jays scored 86 points. I just don't see either team being stopped here today as they are both loaded with confidence right now in the offensive end and that means plenty of points from both teams. In regulation time of their two games this season they averaged only 136 points but the situation was different in terms of player health for those match-ups as well as just the way the teams were playing at the time. I like what I am seeing from both these teams right now and look for plenty of points in this one as a result. Already firing on all cylinders at MSG, more of the same expected here. 10* OVER the total in Creighton |
|||||||
03-12-21 | 76ers -4 v. Wizards | Top | 127-101 | Win | 100 | 9 h 43 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #529 Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ Washington Wizards @ 8:05 ET - The 76ers rolled the Bulls last night despite being without Joel Embiid plus Ben Simmons and despite the fact Chicago made 14 of 29 three pointers. The Sixers still won the game by 22 points. Now they could have Embiid back tonight plus the Wizards have a very concerning situation with Bradley Beal. A top scorer for Washington, he is currently being limited by a knee injury that is lingering and this is even after the All Star break was able to give him some rest too so this is certainly not a good sign. That plus the fact the Wizards just got blasted by 15 points at Memphis Wednesday is not a good sign for Washington as they now host a tough Philly team. Philadelphia has beaten the Wizards 4 straight times by an average margin of 9 points per game. That said, I am happy to lay the short number on the road in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-12-21 | Georgetown v. Seton Hall -2.5 | Top | 66-58 | Loss | -103 | 9 h 30 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top Side - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #848 Friday 10* Top Play Seton Hall Pirates (-) vs Georgetown Hoyas @ 6 ET - The Pirates are off a hard-fought OT win but the Hoyas have the disadvantage of playing a 3rd game in 3 days. Also, Georgetown is off a huge upset win over Villanova. Conversely, Seton Hall's win over St John's did not come easily but the fact is the Pirates had finished the regular season on a 4-game losing streak. As a result, Seton Hall felt some extra pressure in their 1st game of the Big East tourney. With that first win now out of the way, and with the Pirates the only team other than Villanova to win this tourney in recent years, Seton Hall knows they have a real shot at winning this tournament thanks to the Wildcats being knocked out of it. I like the fact that the Pirates reached double digits in shots blocked yesterday plus held the Red Storm to just 24% from beyond the arc. The Hoyas benefitted from hitting 41% from three point land yesterday plus going 23 for 23 from the line against Nova. Neither of those stats likely to be repeated here and I expect the Pirates to roll in this one as a result. They beat the Hoyas when they faced them away from Georgetown and the only reason they lost the game in which they visited them is because the Hoyas made a ridiculous 10 of 16 shots from beyond the arc. That is not being repeated here. 10* SETON HALL |
|||||||
03-11-21 | 76ers v. Bulls OVER 227 | Top | 127-105 | Win | 100 | 9 h 15 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #513 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 8:05 ET - Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid - the two 76ers All-Stars - will each miss this game due to covid-19 protocol requirements. That is also why they did not play in this past weekend's all-star game. In typical contrarian fashion, with the Sixers two big scorers out for tonight, I am on the over here! Yes, look for their absences to effect the defensive play of Philly in this game and the Bulls will try to run the 76ers right out of the building! The over is 3-1 in Chicago's last 4 games and 3-0 in Philadelphia's last 3 games. The Sixers have allowed 117 points per game last 5 road games. The Bulls have allowed an average of 118.5 points per game last 4 games overall. Look for more of the same here. 10* OVER the total in Chicago |
|||||||
03-11-21 | Butler v. Creighton OVER 135 | Top | 56-87 | Win | 100 | 8 h 11 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #697 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Creighton Blue Jays vs Butler Bulldogs @ 6 ET - I am well aware of the fact that this game is at Madison Square Garden and both Butler and Creighton do not score as well when they are away from home. I am also aware that we got some good fortune here yesterday when the Bulldogs game against Xavier went to overtime and that allowed that game to get over the total. However, lets look at some important facts here and why I am expecting yet another over involving these teams (I used the over in their Saturday match-up as a big play). The fact is that Creighton has scored quite well on the road in recent weeks other than a tough battle at Villanova - but who does not struggle with the Wildcats? That said, lets look at the Blue Jays other 5 road games since mid-January. Creighton has averaged 71.4 points per game in those 5 games. As for the Bulldogs, they are on a hot run of upset wins so they are surging with confidence. Butler has won 3 of its last 4 games and even though 2 of their last 3 games have been played away from home, the Bulldogs averaged 68.3 points per game in regulation time of those 3 games. Given those numbers and the fact that the Blue Jays are a double digit favorite here with good reason, you can see why I like the over in this match-up. The last meeting totaled 166 points and though the prior meeting this season was low-scoring, Creighton had an unusually poor shooting game in that one. The Blue Jays are again firing on all cylinders now and Butler is playing at a higher level thanks to all the recent upset wins boosting confidence. The result should be another high-scoring shootout here. 10* OVER the total in Creighton |
|||||||
03-10-21 | Wizards +3.5 v. Grizzlies | Top | 112-127 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 8 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #501 Wednesday 10* Top Play Washington Wizards (+) @ Memphis Grizzlies @ 8:05 ET - This line looked funny based on its opener and of course the masses are going one way and I am going the other in a typical fade the masses contrarian situation for me. The Grizzlies just beat the Wizards by double digits before the All Star break. That game was at Washington and now this game is at Memphis and the line opened up at nearly a pick'em. This is despite the Grizzlies having the much better record plus being at home plus having just destroyed the Wizards. Something seems odd about that right? Do not let the odds fool you! The road dog is the play here. The Wizards want revenge and the all star break was a good reset point for them plus they have been playing much better overall of late with 8 wins in last 11 games and 1 of the losses was the loss to Memphis and one of the other defeats came by just a single point. 10* WASHINGTON |
|||||||
03-10-21 | Butler v. Xavier OVER 133 | Top | 70-69 | Win | 100 | 8 h 47 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #627 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Xavier Musketeers vs Butler Bulldogs @ 6 ET - These teams met a little over two weeks ago and the game totaled a ridiculous 114 points. That is because the teams combined for a ridiculous 16% from three point land as they hit 8 of 50. That is not happening again here. These teams normally would have combined to hit at least 16 of the 50 and that would have put this game up to 138. I look for a high-scoring game to surprise some people here. Butler has scored 73 points in each of its last two games and the over is 5-2 in their last 7 games. Xavier is off back to back low-scoring games but this was preceded by a stretch of just 1 under in 5 games. The Musketeers scored an average of 73 points per game in those 5 games. Xavier also has allowed 78.5 points per game their last 4 games away from home. 4 of the last 5 meetings between these teams have stayed under the total including both this season but, as long-time followers know, I am a contrarian. This one goes over the total as look for a tight game late with plenty of extra free throws for the team in the lead and plenty of threes fired up for the team trailing. We have seen this play out before. A lot of late scramble points if needed but truly I think we'll see a lot more scoring early and more consistently throughout this game than many expect. Much better shooting expected here. I am aware of the injury situation for both teams but feel any disruption to the playing rotation will also just lead to more confusion defensively and actually just leads to even more points here including quick points in transition too. 10* OVER the total in Xavier |
|||||||
03-09-21 | Oakland v. Cleveland State OVER 138.5 | Top | 69-80 | Win | 100 | 9 h 55 m | Show |
Horizon League Total of the Month - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #824 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Cleveland State Vikings (-) vs Oakland Golden Grizzlies @ 7 ET - I understand this total in terms of being rather low because we saw some crazy results yesterday in this tourney. It is tournament time and Oakland has a great long-term reputation in the Horizon League and knocked off Northern Kentucky last night. This is the "anything can happen" time of year when you see upsets in tournament action similar to the "on any given Sunday" mantra relating to the NFL. Here is the thing about that though. Lightning usually doesn't strike twice and the Golden Grizzlies just had their "anything can happen" moment last night. Oakland beat the Norse by double digits despite Northern Kentucky taking 11 more shots from the field and despite the Golden Grizzlies being putrid - 10 of 26 - from the free throw line! Oakland was fortunate is the point I am making as the Norse made just 33% from the field for the game and also were held to 23% from beyond the arc. None of those stats are likely to be repeated again here and the Vikings are the superior team. Cleveland State is 18-7 on the season while Oakland is 12-17. The Golden Grizzlies will shoot much better from the free throw line tonight but both teams are off deceiving performances in terms of points allowed and that is why I love the over here. The Norse scored just 58 points on Oakland but took 69 shots from the field! The UW-Milwaukee Panthers scored only 65 points on Cleveland State but also took 69 shots from the field. Wisconsin-Milwaukee made just 3 of 17 three pointers so that is what held them back. So both teams off unders last night but Cleveland State entered last night's game on a stretch of just 2 unders in 10 games! As for Oakland, they are 21-7 to the over this season and yesterday's under followed a stretch of 8 straight overs. Both the Golden Grizzlies and Vikings were fortunate in terms of points allowed last night. That will not be repeated tonight. 10* OVER the total in Cleveland State |
|||||||
03-08-21 | Elon +5 v. Hofstra | Top | 76-58 | Win | 100 | 8 h 14 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #779 Monday 10* Top Play Elon Phoenix (+) vs Hofstra Pride @ 6 ET - The Pride took advantage of a Delaware team yesterday that had not played a game in 5 weeks. Even with that edge, Hofstra was nearly upset and had to pull away late. They were fortunate that the Fightin' Blue Hens lost by 8 points despite the Pride missing 12 free throws out of 29! That poor free throw shooting and the fact that Burgess and Ray played the whole game - all 40 minutes - could come back to bite Hofstra here. Elon has the lesser record on the season but keep in mind they were also priced this way in the game against James Madison yesterday and the Dukes were the #1 seed in this tournament. That said, I feel we have some solid line value here with the Phoenix. That is particularly true because Elon won yesterday's game despite shooting only 32% from inside the arc! That is right, the Phoenix made just 8 of 25 shots from 2-point land and yet still beat James Madison. It is now a 6-0 SU and ATS run for Elon entering this one. Look for that streak to reach 7-0 for the Phoenix here. I do expect an outright upset but will grab the points just in case. 10* ELON |
|||||||
03-07-21 | Texas v. TCU OVER 137 | Top | 76-64 | Win | 100 | 11 h 47 m | Show |
Big 12 Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #747 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in TCU Horned Frogs vs Texas Longhorns @ 7 ET - The first meeting between these teams had a posted total of 141 and fell well under the total. So, with the odds makers again posting a 141 on the rematch, of course the betting markets treat it like some major mistake and have pounded the under early in this one. Now, at a 137 as of early game day morning, it is go time for us and we pull the trigger on the over in this one. Couple keys here. TCU shot just 36% from the field at Austin in the earlier match-up. That won't be repeated here. The Horned Frogs are shooting 45% in home games this season. Also, the Frogs are catching UT off back to back huge wins including a big rivalry victory at Oklahoma Thursday. As a result, the Longhorns level of defensive intensity in this one could absolutely be a few notches below where you would expect. That said, the Horns are scoring an average of 75 points per game this season and are unlikely to again hit just 28.6% of their threes in this one like they did in the first meeting! Also, Texas Christian University is averaging 70 points per game on their home floor this season and UT scored 70 points in the first meeting despite the rough shooting from beyond the arc. You can see why I am expecting this game to get to at least the mid-140s. By the way, Texas is off an under but has not recorded unders in back to back games in 2 months. 10* OVER the total in TCU |
|||||||
03-07-21 | Texas Tech +8 v. Baylor | Top | 73-88 | Loss | -108 | 8 h 14 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #741 Sunday 10* Top Play Texas Tech Red Raiders (+) @ Baylor Bears @ 4 ET - The Bears check the box on a number of things here that make it hard for me to imagine them winning this game by much of a margin. They already have a loss this season so it is not like they are motivated by going for an undefeated record. Baylor also already won at Texas Tech this season so there is no revenge angle in play here for the Bears. Also, they already locked up the Big 12 title. With all of the above factored in, look for the Red Raiders to prove to be the team that wants this one a little more! Of course that does not mean they will win this game outright but I do expect Texas Tech to put up a helluva fight and for this game to likely be decided by a final margin of just a bucket or two. The Red Raiders last 7 losses have featured 6 by a margin of 8 or less points and 2 of those defeats were in overtime. In fact, other than the 8 point loss to Baylor, the other 5 of those tight losses were decided by an average margin of just 3.6 points. Look for another tight one here as the Red Raiders are back on track and playing as a confident bunch as they enter this game on a 3-0 run with an average margin of victory of 18.7 points per game. 10* TEXAS TECH |
|||||||
03-06-21 | Butler v. Creighton OVER 134 | Top | 73-93 | Win | 100 | 9 h 53 m | Show |
Big East Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #643 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Creighton Bluejays vs Butler Bulldogs @ 5 ET - I am well aware of the fact that the Bulldogs have not scored well on the road this season. However, I love the set up here and the corresponding line value. Butler is likely to shoot more and score better than you would expect here because they are off back to back upset wins over Seton Hall and Villanova. Facing a Bluejays team not known for defense (allowing 68 ppg at home) the Bulldogs will score enough here for us. The big key to the play though is a Creighton team known for huge games on the offensive end at home and that enters this game off back to back road losses at Xavier and Villanova. Now the Bluejays are back home where they are averaging 83 points per game this season. They are about a 13 point favorite here so if the odds makers are right about the spread and the Jays hit their average you are talking about an 83-70 type game. Now Butler is averaging only 60 points per game on the road so that would put this at a 73-60 type game. The reality? I am expecting more than that from each team based on the factors noted above and it should at least finish in between these projected totals and that would be 143 points. That is still a comfortable win for us and shows solid margin with this play. I expect the Bluejays to force a fast tempo in this one at home. 10* OVER the total in Creighton |
|||||||
03-05-21 | Georgia Tech v. Wake Forest +9 | Top | 75-63 | Loss | -102 | 11 h 17 m | Show |
ACC Game of the Month - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #840 Friday 10* Top Play Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+) vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ 8 ET - Of course it has been a disappointing finish to the regular season for Wake Forest. However, the Demon Deacons are not going to lay down here in their home finale. That said, this is simply too many points in my opinion. Georgia Tech is only 3-5 in road games this season while Wake Forest is 5-5 in home games. Also, the Yellow Jackets are off a huge home win versus Duke. Not sure how excited the Jackets are going to be about this game as a result. That said, the Demon Deacons are likely to prove to be the hungrier team and they lost the first match-up with Georgia Tech this season largely due a big disparity in 3-point shooting as they had a horrific shooting night. However, Wake Forest is hitting 34% from beyond the arc this season and Georgia Tech is shooting 35% from beyond the arc this season. In other words, and particularly with this rematch being at Winston-Salem, the Yellow Jackets are unlikely to hold such an edge from 3-point land in this one. Look for this one to go down to the wire as the Demon Deacons are a very hungry home dog here and I just do not see them losing this game by double digits on their home floor. 10* WAKE FOREST |
|||||||
03-05-21 | Duquesne v. St Bonaventure OVER 130 | Top | 59-75 | Win | 100 | 3 h 51 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #859 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in St Bonaventure Bonnies vs Duquesne Dukes @ 11 AM ET - Long-time followers know I like contrarian plays. This total certainly fits the bill in that regard. Duquesne got a low-scoring win over Richmond yesterday to advance to this game. That one stayed under the total. St Bonaventure also is off a low-scoring game and it was a very ugly 55-52 loss to Dayton. That is going to bring out the best in the Bonnies here. Keep in mind the two regular season meetings between these teams averaged just 118 points totaled per game yet the odds makers opened this up at 131. Of course the total dropped from its opener. In typical contrarian fashion, I am going against the markets here. Note that the Bonnies entered their game against the Flyers off an 88-point outburst. Also note that Duquesne has averaged scoring 76 points per game their last 7 games. 10* OVER the total in St Bonaventure |
|||||||
03-04-21 | Raptors v. Celtics OVER 217 | Top | 125-132 | Win | 100 | 10 h 41 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #547 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:05 ET - The Raptors are depleted by quarantine requirements for multiple key players due to the covid-19 restrictions. That did not stop the Pistons from putting a beating on them last night and certainly Toronto is not going to get any mercy from Boston either. Indeed the Celtics knocked the Raptors out of the playoffs last year and have since dominated Toronto in both meetings this season. Boston scored an average of 123 points in those two games and won them by an average margin of 13 points. Each game flew over the total and I expect more of the same here. The Celtics enter this game on a run of 6-2 to the over. The Raptors enter this game on a run of 9-2 to the over their last 11 road games. More of the same here. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
|||||||
03-04-21 | George Washington v. George Mason OVER 134 | Top | 59-73 | Loss | -120 | 7 h 2 m | Show |
A-10 Tourney TV Top - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #765 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in George Mason Patriots vs George Washington Colonials @ 5:30 ET - We are getting line value here as these teams just met and the total was posted in the low 140s and yet now we have a total in the mid-130s. The last meeting stayed under the total but that is because George Mason shot only 30.6% from the field! The Patriots dominated the offensive glass in that game and took 72 shots for the game but simply had "one of those nights" which is, of course, giving us line value here. The pace should again be there for an over but this time the teams should cash them in! George Mason's other 3 recent games have seen them score at least 77 points and actually average 82 points in those 3. I know George Washington has not scored well other than their first back in mid-February after a long layoff but the Colonials have averaged scoring 68 points per game in their last 3 meetings with the Patriots and they are an 8 point dog here. 76-68 sounds about right to me and that puts this game 10 points above the current total. I'll take it. 10* OVER the total in George Mason |
|||||||
03-03-21 | Pacers v. Cavs +7 | Top | 114-111 | Win | 100 | 8 h 7 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #532 Wednesday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers (+) vs Indiana Pacers @ 7:05 ET - The Pacers are on a 4-game SU and ATS losing streak while the Cavaliers have won and covered 4 straight. Of course Indiana would love to reverse this trend but this is Cleveland's last game before the All-Star break and they are hungry to keep the winning going and enter the break on a 5-game run. The Pacers have their home finale before the break on deck for tomorrow so this situation favors the Cavs in my opinion. Cleveland had a horrific losing streak going before starting this win streak and they do not want to lose that winning feeling right before the break. They will go all out here and if they do fall short look for it to be by only a bucket or two. The Pacers are just 3-9 SU their last dozen games and one of the wins was by just 6 points. That said, I love the valuable with the sizable home dog in this one. 10* CLEVELAND |
|||||||
03-03-21 | Connecticut -120 v. Seton Hall | Top | 69-58 | Win | 100 | 9 h 39 m | Show |
Big East Game of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #669 Wednesday 10* Top Play Connecticut Huskies (-) @ Seton Hall Pirates @ 6:30 ET - The set up here is perfect. The Huskies are on the road so we get line value. Connecticut is playing with revenge for a home loss to the Pirates last month. Also, the Huskies now have leading scorer James Bouknight back and they did not have him for the first game versus Seton Hall. Since Bouknight has returned to the lineup UConn has lost only once and that was to Villanova, the top team in the Big East. As for Seton Hall, they enter this game struggling badly as they have lost back to back games including an ugly loss at Butler. The Bulldogs are not a very good team and the Pirates lost to them by 9 as an 8 point favorite! Overall, Seton Hall is on an 0-4 ATS run while the Huskies enter this game on a 4-1 SU and ATS run which includes 3 of 4 since Bouknight returned with the only loss being at the hands of a very strong Villanova team as noted above. Bouknight is definitely the star of the Huskies and they are 8-2 SU in the games he has played in this season with the only other loss being a 2-point loss in OT versus Creighton when the Bluejays were ranked 9th in the nation! Bouknight has been on the floor for only 2 Big East losses this season and those came against the two best teams in the conference. Seton Hall certainly does not fall into that category and I look for the Huskies to roll to a road rout in this one behind another huge game from Bouknight as they get their revenge. 10* CONNECTICUT |
|||||||
03-02-21 | Hawks v. Heat OVER 220.5 | Top | 94-80 | Loss | -112 | 10 h 18 m | Show |
SE Div Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #517 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:35 ET - These teams totaled only 208 points in Sunday's match-up but the over is 8-1 the last 9 times Atlanta has entered a match-up off a game in which they were held to 114 points or less. Also, Miami was on a 5-2 run to the over prior to the game against the Hawks this past weekend. The Heat could have Jimmy Butler back for this one as well. The two meetings between these teams that preceded Sunday's game each totaled more than 250 points. I don't expect that range here but I do like the value here with this total. It is down around 220 whereas Sunday's posted total went off the board in the mid-220s. Nice line value here. I'll take it! Neither team shot well from the field in Sunday's game and that has led to excellent value here as you'll probably see a flip of the script here and each team shoots much better in this one. 10* OVER the total in Miami |
|||||||
03-02-21 | Xavier v. Georgetown +2 | Top | 66-72 | Win | 100 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #618 Tuesday 10* Top Play Georgetown Hoyas (+) vs Xavier Musketeers @ 7 ET - Georgetown leading scorer Jahvon Blair will be back for senior night in Washington DC tonight. The Hoyas still managed to get by without him at DePaul on Saturday afternoon. Georgetown now faces a much tougher challenge then they did with the Blue Demons but I don't see the Hoyas being denied in their home finale. Georgetown should hold a rebounding edge here and the Musketeers are not quite the same team without guard Nate Johnson. I know they just upset the Bluejays but that makes me like going against Xavier even more here as they could be a little flat after upsetting Creighton. That was the Musketeers home finale and now they face a team highly motivated to win their home finale as well. Keep in mind, Xavier was on an 0-4 ATS run prior to knocking off the Bluejays. Also, the Hoyas enter this game on a solid 6-2 ATS run at the betting window. With the early line move toward Xavier, I like this one even more. Grab the home dog in this one as they have gone from being a slight favorite to now being the underdog in this one. Traditionally going against moves like this works out very well and I love this spot for all the reasons noted above too. 10* GEORGETOWN |
|||||||
03-01-21 | Pacers v. 76ers -5 | Top | 114-130 | Win | 100 | 10 h 51 m | Show |
Earliest Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #504 Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs Indiana Pacers @ 7:05 ET - The Sixers are normally fantastic on their home floor. But they just gave a horrific effort versus the Cavaliers on Saturday and lost the game in OT outright as a double digit home favorite! Suffice to say, Philadelphia was not happy with that result and will be ready to go here after a very rare home loss. The 76ers beat Brooklyn by 16 points the last time they entered a game off a home loss. Also, here they can take advantage of an Indiana team that has lost 10 of its last 14 games. The Pacers Malcolm Brogdon is dealing with a knee injury and missed their last game. Even if he goes tonight he is unlikely to be 100 percent and this is an angry Sixers team that Indiana will be facing here. Look for the home team, 14-3 this season and 31-4 last season as a host, to roll by double digits in this one! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
03-01-21 | Dayton v. St Bonaventure OVER 132.5 | Top | 55-52 | Loss | -107 | 9 h 46 m | Show |
Total of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #829 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in St Bonaventure Bonnies vs Dayton Flyers @ 5 ET - I am well aware of the fact that the Bonnies have trended under recently as well as truly being an "under team" for the season. However, this total is far too low considering the opponent. Dayton is averaging 72 points per game on the road this season. The reason St Bonaventure has trended under this season is solid defense but they won't be able to totally shutdown this Flyers team that has some skilled scoring options. At the same time, the Bonnies are averaging 77 points per game on their home floor this season. Again, the under trend has certainly not been because St Bonaventure can't score well because they truly do score very well as a host. The Bonnies enter this game off an 88-point outburst versus George Washington and they have now averaged 82 points per game their last 4 home games. Dayton did have a recent 2-OT game on the road but even removing those points from the equation, the Flyers have averaged 73 points per game their last 4 road games. However, not including OT points, Dayton has also surrendered 76.5 points per game their last 4 road games. Their defensive play has been much better at home than on the road this season. The Flyers almost always get to the mid-60s in points scored and the Bonnies are favored by 7.5 points here for good reason. That said, I certainly see this total getting to at least the 140 mark and the 150 range would not be a total shock either given all of the above. 10* OVER the total in St Bonaventure |
|||||||
02-28-21 | Clippers v. Bucks OVER 236 | Top | 100-105 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 17 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #563 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Milwaukee Bucks vs Los Angeles Clippers @ 3:35 ET - The Clippers are off back to back unders but that had a lot to do with playing at Memphis. The Grizzlies certainly are not known for getting involved in high-scoring games. That is worthy of note because LA, prior to those B2B unders, was on a 5-0 run to the over in road games. As for the Bucks, they are red hot and playing at home and so they should continue to shoot very well here. Buoyed by the confidence of a 4-game winning streak, Milwaukee has been particularly red hot in the last 3 games as they have averaged 132 points per game. However, when winning despite allowing an average of 117.3 points per game, you can tend to have a bit of a let up on the defensive end because you feel your offensive production will continue to bail you out. That said, don't be surprised if this game flies over the total as the Clippers have scored 119 points or more in 6 of their last 7 road games and the Bucks are flying high right now and have seen 7 of their last 9 home games go over the total. This one will too. 10* OVER the total in Milwaukee |
|||||||
02-28-21 | Villanova v. Butler OVER 129.5 | Top | 61-73 | Win | 100 | 4 h 27 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #791 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Butler Bulldogs vs Villanova Wildcats @ Noon ET - The Wildcats have a much tougher game with Creighton on deck. Will their defensive focus be a little distracted here as a result? I absolutely believe that will prove to be the case here and, at the same time, Butler is off a tremendous effort on the defensive end that certainly will not be repeated here. The Bulldogs just held Seton Hall to 52 points but the Pirates are definitely not in the same class as these Wildcats. Also, the last 3 meetings between these teams each went over the total and the last 2 averaged 153 points per game! We have got a low total to work with here when you consider that Villanova is averaging 78 points per game this season. Yes, Butler is averaging only 65 points per game at home this season but the Wildcats are a double digit favorite for a reason. In other words could we see a 75-65 type game here? Absolutely! The Wildcats lost their last visit to Hinkle Fieldhouse so they won't take their foot off the gas in this one as they have been reminded of that defeat heading into this one. 10* OVER the total in Butler |
|||||||
02-27-21 | Cavs v. 76ers OVER 223.5 | Top | 112-109 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 18 m | Show |
Total Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #549 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Philadelphia 76ers vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:05 ET - This is simply one of those games that jumped off the page at me because I do not see the Sixers being interested in playing defense here. Where is the motivation for a strong effort against a bad Cavaliers team. That said, we are also getting line value because of public perception. What the markets are looking at here is that the Sixers have stayed under the total in 4 straight games and the Cavaliers have stayed under the total in 5 straight games. However, prior to holding Houston to just 96 points, Cleveland had allowed an average of 124 points per game their preceding 11 games. If you factor that in and loo at this line of a -10 then it means we should see a 124-114 type game which is well above the posted total on this one. The 76ers are off B2B wins but that was preceded by a 2-4 stretch that saw them allow 116.7 points per game in those 6 games. 10* OVER the total in Philadelphia |
|||||||
02-27-21 | Creighton v. Xavier +5 | Top | 69-77 | Win | 100 | 8 h 52 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top Side - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #684 Saturday 10* Top Play Xavier Musketeers (+) vs Creighton Bluejays @ 5 ET - Without a shadow of doubt, of course, Creighton is a very good team. Also, Xavier looks very unimpressive to the betting markets because of a recent 1-3 run. However, all that has done here is create exceptional value in my opinion. Keep in mind, the Musketeers had an unwanted two weeks off due to health protocol impacting their schedule so one could give them a mulligan for the home loss to Connecticut which followed. Since then Xavier has had two tough road games and just one home game. They won the only home game and the Musketeers are now 10-2 at home this season. Again, I know the Bluejays command (and deserve) respect but prior to a road win and cover at Georgetown in their most recent away game, Creighton was on a 1-3 ATS run in road games. This is Xavier's home finale and you know they would love nothing more than to get revenge for their road loss at Creighton earlier this season plus close the home portion of their schedule with a big win. As you would expect, the Bluejays don't shoot as well nor score as well on the road as they do at home. As you would also expect, the Musketeers do shoot better at home plus score better as a host. They have a great shot at the upset here which certainly has me liking the added value of having these points on our side too. 10* XAVIER |
|||||||
02-27-21 | Marquette v. Connecticut OVER 135 | Top | 62-80 | Win | 100 | 6 h 39 m | Show |
Big East Beast Top Total - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #645 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Connecticut Huskies vs Marquette Golden Eagles @ 2:30 ET - The first meeting between these teams stayed well under the total but look for the second one to play out much differently. Both teams enter off wins. Also, the Golden Eagles are now 3-1 to the over in their last 4 road games while the Huskies are 3-1 to the over in their last 4 home games. Additionally, Connecticut now has James Bouknight back and he is a big scorer for him. Marquette is averaging 70.8 points per game on the road and UConn is averaging 75.7 points per game at home. Don't be surprised when this game gets into the mid-140s. The Huskies are off back to back unders but those games were on the road and that stretch was preceded by a run of 6-1 to the over. That run resumes for them starting today at home. 10* OVER the total in Connecticut |
|||||||
02-26-21 | Rockets v. Raptors -7 | Top | 111-122 | Win | 100 | 12 h 33 m | Show |
Early Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #536 Friday 10* Top Play Toronto Raptors (-) vs Houston Rockets @ 7:35 ET - The Rockets have lost 9 straight games. Houston went 1-8 ATS during this run and the lone ATS win never should have happened. The Rockets trailed by 26 points at the half - and by as many as 29 points during the game - at Philly last week but got a bit of a miracle back door cover in that game. Even with under 10 minutes to go in the game Houston was still down 18 points. The point is that the Rockets very easily could be on an 0-9 ATS run and the fact is they are highly like to fall to their 10th straight SU loss here and I look for Toronto to win this one by double digits. The set up here is solid as the Raptors are off back to back losses and will be extra hungry here as a result. Toronto, prior to the B2B defeats, had won 9 of 12 games both SU and ATS and I fully expect them to respond here. Also, the Raptors are on a streak of 20+ games in which whoever the SU winner is in their games is also the ATS winner. Considering that as well as the fact that the Rockets have lost 9 straight games, you can see why I fully expect the home team to get the win AND cover in this one! 10* TORONTO |
|||||||
02-26-21 | Drexel v. James Madison OVER 143 | Top | 84-78 | Win | 100 | 5 h 15 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #821 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in James Madison Dukes vs Drexel Dragons @ 4 ET - Something going on here when you look at this total. It has been creeping up higher from its opener even though these teams totaled only 137 points when they met last month and that was the 5th straight under in this series. Also, James Madison's Matt Lewis is listed as questionable with a knee injury and yet still the total went higher. Part of the reason in my opinion is that both of these teams are coming off long layoffs. Drexel's is nearly 3 weeks and the Dukes is nearly 2 weeks. When teams have time off like this without games they tend to come out a little rusty and miss assignments on defense, don't switch properly in terms of defensive play, turn the ball over too often leading to quick transition points the other way. All those factors can lead to higher scoring games and are more common this season when two teams come into a game after long layoffs. So my opinion is that some sharp action is starting to come in on this total and it was already one that was on my radar for today. The Dukes have won 7 straight games and are favored to win this game at home for a reason. Note that James Madison has scored an average of 82 points per game in their last 11 wins! The Dragons have scored 73 points or more in 3 of their last 4 road games and will be in this game all the way. Getting this one to the 150 range can be expected as Drexel is hitting 48.6% from the field in road games this season and the Dukes are averaging 81.2 points per game at home this season. 10* OVER the total in James Madison |
|||||||
02-25-21 | Magic v. Nets OVER 226.5 | Top | 92-129 | Loss | -113 | 10 h 26 m | Show |
Early Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #521 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic @ 7:35 ET - Without Kevin Durant Tuesday the Nets game still totaled 245 points and Brooklyn had a super impressive 30 assists on their 44 buckets. The Nets continue to pile up points and I don't expect that to stop now against an Orlando team they can dominate. The Magic had a ridiculous 93 point performance at home against Detroit on Tuesday so they will be happy to run and gun here with a Nets team that has been doing plenty of that this season. In fact, in Brooklyn is 23-10 to the over in their games this season including 12-5 in home games. The last time these teams met they combined for 237 points last month. That was a 7 point win for the Nets and I can't see them being overly excited about playing great defense here against an Orlando team that is 6 games below .500 on the season and has won just 5 of 15 road games this season. The Nets have won 7 straight games and have averaged 124.3 points per game their last 6 games. They are an 8 point favorite here. 124-116 sounds about right and that puts this game more than dozen points higher than the current number posted. Either way, even 230 puts us into the win column here and I am expecting at least that much here. 10* OVER the total in Brooklyn |
|||||||
02-25-21 | Iowa +5.5 v. Michigan | Top | 57-79 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 31 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #737 Thursday 10* Top Play Iowa Hawkeyes (+) @ Michigan Wolverines @ 7:30 ET - The #3 team in the nation at home where they are 11-0 this season and facing a team that is only 5-4 this season when away from home and yet this one featured a 3.5 as an opening line. The odds makers had the right idea and yet the market place things they have it all wrong and have already pushed this line to as high a 5.5 in some spots. In typical contrarian fashion I am on the other side of the move but, as always, it is not without reason. The Hawkeyes are 5-2 SU in their last 7 road games and the two losses each came by 5 or less points. That said, I love the line value here as Michigan is off of 3 straight hard fought wins and is going to be really tested now by a dynamic Iowa offense that is averaging 80 points per game its last 4 games. The Wolverines are off a high-scoring win over Ohio State but had averaged only 69 points per game in their 3 preceding games. Allowing 87 points to the Buckeyes also has to be a concern for Michigan as they now take on the highest scoring team in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes also have far and away the best assist to turnover ratio in the conference plus they lead the Big Ten in rebounding. Grab the generous points here. 10* IOWA |
|||||||
02-24-21 | Celtics v. Hawks OVER 225.5 | Top | 112-127 | Win | 100 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
Early Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #507 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics @ 7:35 ET - These teams were both in action yesterday and each game stayed just under the total. That is part of the reason the early move on this total was from a 227.5 to a 225.5 and I am jumping in on this one. Before the Hawks game stayed under the total yesterday, the over was on a perfect 8-0 run. Also, these teams have met twice this season and both meetings were last week and both meetings went over the total. Before yesterday's under, the Celtics road games were on a 4-2 run to the over. In the Hawks 8-0 run to the over the games averaged 238 points so they aren't just going over, they are flying over! That is the type of game I am looking for here as both teams will be relentless in the offensive end after they each lost very tight games yesterday and will be pushing hard to get back into the win column here. 10* OVER the total in Atlanta |
|||||||
02-24-21 | Seton Hall v. Butler +7.5 | Top | 52-61 | Win | 100 | 11 h 47 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #684 Wednesday 10* Top Play Butler Bulldogs (+) vs Seton Hall Pirates @ 7 ET - This line is not up everywhere right now and that is because of the questionable status of three senior starters for Butler. The Bulldogs have Bo Hodges, Bryce Nze, and Aaron Thompson all listed as questionable for this one. My take on this is I don't see these guys again all missing another game. Maybe not all 3 play but I would be surprised if at least 2 of the 3 are not seeing action in this game tonight. Why? Well they are seniors and even though they have two more regular season games left this is definitely the most winnable game on their schedule that remains. Their next two games are versus Villanova and at Creighton. Yikes! By the way, even without all 3 of those aforementioned starters, the Bulldogs were down by only 5 points with a minute and a half to go in their 12 point loss to the Musketeers Sunday. Now they are at home and a big dog and could have some starting firepower back for this one and note that Seton Hall is 13-9 this season while Xavier is 12-4. The Pirates are certainly solid and have gone 10-6 in Big East action but the Musketeers are no slouches it is just their Big East schedule has been heavily impacted by covid. There is simply tremendous value with the home dog in this match-up and I suspect this line will steadily come down as the day goes on so lets jump on the early value here in a game the Bulldogs will be gunning hard for the upset win. It truly is their most winnable game left on the schedule and historically they are a tough team at Hinkle Fieldhouse. 10* BUTLER |
|||||||
02-23-21 | St. John's v. Villanova -11 | Top | 58-81 | Win | 100 | 10 h 22 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #628 Tuesday 10* Top Play Villanova Wildcats (-) vs St John's Red Storm @ 8 ET - Randomly playing revenge situations will get you in trouble in no time but finding the right revenge spots can be pure gold. The best teams in the Big East this season are Villanova and Creighton. The Wildcats lost by double digits at St John's earlier this season and now it is payback time. Why should we expect a solid home win for Villanova here? Well the best sample size to look at is how the Red Storm performed against the Bluejays this season. St John's has already faced Creighton twice and lost each game by an 18 point margin. Villanova can do the same here and this line is down to an 11 as of early game day morning. I'll take it. The Wildcats will take advantage of a Red Storm team that has allowed 86 points per game in its last two games. Villanova is a very strong shooting team at home. Also, the Wildcats are allowing just 66 points per game as a host this season. Coincidentally the posted total on this game is 152.5 and 86-66 indeed sounds about right and the expectation of that final score is justified per the above. The point is you can see why I am expecting the Cats to win this one by about 18 to 20 points. 10* VILLANOVA |
|||||||
02-23-21 | Pistons v. Magic OVER 207 | Top | 105-93 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 12 m | Show |
Eastern Conference Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #567 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons @ 7:05 ET - These teams just met on Sunday and the game had 159 points through 3 quarters and was on pace for 212 for the game before a horrific 4th quarter kept the game under the total. When I look at the stats from that game, the teams both shot poorly from 3-point land as they combined for just 20 of 70 from downtown. If these teams hit their season averages for threes they would have knocked down 25 of those so 5 more threes which equates to 15 more points and the game would have gone over the total. We get a little line value with this total now pushed even a little lower than Sunday's and I liked the pace of Sunday's game and the fact each team only had 11 turnovers. In other words, the scoring opportunities were there but the teams were just "off" and I don't expect that to be repeated here. Look at it this way too...the Magic have won 3 straight games and 4 of their last 5. They are favored here for a reason and have averaged 115 points in those 4 victories. They are a 3-point choice in this game which put the final score at about 115-112 which is 20 points above the current number on this one. I am not expecting that many necessarily but I am expecting about 217 based on all of the above and that still puts this one at double digits above the current posted number as of early Tuesday. I'll take it! 10* OVER the total in Orlando |
|||||||
02-22-21 | Bulls v. Rockets +1 | Top | 120-100 | Loss | -103 | 7 h 25 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #554 Monday 10* Top Play Houston Rockets (+) vs Chicago Bulls @ 8:05 ET - The Rockets have had extra time off due to cancelled games. This has given them even more time to think about their current 7-game losing streak. That said, I expect a highly motivated Houston team to take the floor tonight at home against Chicago. As for the Bulls, they take the floor off a win and cover but that was at home against Sacramento. What is noteworthy about this is Chicago hasn't covered consecutive games since mid-January so, coming off an ATS win, odds favor the Bulls falling short tonight. There was a reason the odds makers opened up the team on a 7-game losing streak as the favorite here. Don't let the line fool you. Grab the Rockets as they get back on track in a big way in this one. Chicago was on a 4-9 ATS run prior to knocking off the Kings Saturday. 10* HOUSTON |
|||||||
02-22-21 | NC-Greensboro v. Western Carolina OVER 141 | Top | 77-56 | Loss | -118 | 8 h 28 m | Show |
Total of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #845 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Western Carolina Catamounts vs UNC Greensboro Spartans @ 5 ET - Top team in conference standings visiting the worst team. The best comparison we have for this and, by the way, UNC Greensboro does still need to win games to lock up the top spot, is when the Spartans recently faced Samford. The Bulldogs are having a very rough season just like the Catamounts are and Greensboro blasted them in each game and both totaled at least 150 points. Note that Western Carolina enters this game having allowed 79.1 points per game their last 10 games and that does not include the OT period in their loss at Chattanooga. That said, plenty of points expected here as the Spartans enter this game off a very rare poor shooting game that resulted in a tight, low-scoring 60-55 home win. On the road, UNC Greensboro has scored at least 71 points in 10 of 11 games. In fact, the Spartans have averaged 80.3 points per game in those 10 games. This game has the makings of an 80 to 70 type affair and UNC Greensboro highly motivated after losing their most recent road game plus coming off a dismal home effort that result in a win that did not even feel like a win. The Spartans now cut loose in this one and force the Catamounts to run and gun. 10* OVER the total in Western Carolina |
|||||||
02-21-21 | 76ers -2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 103-110 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 51 m | Show |
Eastern Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #537 Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:05 ET - The Sixers are off back to back wins but non-covers. Finally in this one they should have both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons both on the floor together and I expect a road rout to result. Since the Raptors have had some recent wins and because the 76ers are the visitors for this one, we are getting a low number to work with. That said, I won't hesitate to step in as there is great value with this line opening up at a 2.5 this morning. 6 of the Raptors last 7 losses have come by 4 or more points. Each of Philly's last 7 wins have come by 5 or more points. Toronto is playing their home games in Tampa this season and they have certainly not held the same home court edge as in years past. The Raptors enter this game 1-3 SU last 4 home games and the lone win was against an Orlando team this is winning just 40 percent of their games this season. Now Toronto is facing a 76ers team that is 19-5 SU this season in games in which Embiid has played. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-21-21 | Rhode Island v. George Washington OVER 139.5 | Top | 70-78 | Win | 100 | 13 h 10 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #793 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in George Washington Colonials vs Rhode Island Rams @ 11:30 AM ET - When a team hasn't played a game in 5 weeks they are going to come out sloppy, there will be turnovers, there will be missed switches on defense, and the result will be opportunities for a lot of points in transition. This total first opened up at a 143 and has since dropped to a 139.5 as of the night before this early game for Sunday. I like the value after the line move here. Don't be surprised if this game turns into a bit of a run and gun affair because the Rams will look to run the Colonials right out of their own building. That is why Rhode Island is a big favorite here and they will certainly not show any mercy nor take their foot off the gas. The Rams have scored at least 80 points in each of their last two meetings with George Washington. The Colonials enter this game allowing 75 points at home this season. Rhode Island enters this game allowing 72 points per game on the road this season. The Rams allow 60 shot attempts per game on the season and GW is allowing 62 shots per game when a host this season. In other words, this game will have a better pace than you might expect and it will have a bit more run and gun too as George Washington can't afford to sit back and constantly get into half-court sets. First game after 5 weeks off is going to see a lot more of just pure talent trying to take over and score the ball quickly. 10* OVER the total in George Washington |
|||||||
02-20-21 | Warriors v. Hornets OVER 230.5 | Top | 100-102 | Loss | -112 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #523 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Charlotte Hornets vs Golden State Warriors @ 8:05 ET - The Warriors are in the 2nd game of a back to back and yesterday's game at Orlando flew over the total. Look for this to do the same as the over is 12-4 in the Hornets last 16 games. Charlotte comes in with fresh legs as they have not played in nearly a week. Look for the Hornets to push the pace here as they are averaging 119 points per game last 9 games. Golden State is averaging 123 points their last 5 road games and they continue to pile up points in recent weeks. Non-conference match-up with very little defense expected here. Recent meetings between these teams stayed under the total but the situation here as well as the way these teams have been playing of late dictates an over. 10* OVER the total in Charlotte |
|||||||
02-20-21 | Texas Tech +1.5 v. Kansas | Top | 61-67 | Loss | -109 | 6 h 48 m | Show |
Big 12 Game of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #639 Saturday 10* Top Play Texas Tech Red Raiders (+) @ Kansas Jayhawks @ 2 ET - The Red Raiders have had a layoff due to a combination of weather and covid issues forcing postponements. That can, of course, be detrimental to a team. However, Texas Tech is not a normal team as they are one of the best teams in the nation and they are also fighting mad here. Their most recent game left the players and the coach fuming and they have been waiting a long time to get back on the floor and they will make the most of this opportunity today. The Red Raiders also have lost 3 games against Kansas including the most recent one by a single point in December. That said, Texas Tech is hell bent on revenge here and I am well aware of the fact that the Jayhawks have been playing better and winning some games. The key here though is who they faced. Now Kansas is in more of a dog fight style of game here and the last 5 times they have played a game with a spread either way that was 5 or less points, they have gone 0-5 SU and ATS. The Jayhawks simply aren't the same team they used to be and they already got blasted at Allen Fieldhouse earlier this season. I am not saying Kansas will get blasted here but I am saying the Red Raiders get the road win. Payback time here. 10* TEXAS TECH |
|||||||
02-19-21 | Bulls v. 76ers -9 | Top | 105-112 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 48 m | Show |
Eastern Conference Game of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #506 Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs Chicago Bulls @ 7:35 ET - Two games ago the Sixers had Ben Simmons on the floor but played without Joel Embiid. Then the very next game Embiid was back but Simmons missed. The 76ers still built a 29 point lead in that game and led by about 15 to 20 points at a minimum from that point on but found a way to blow the cover late against the Rockets. I do not expect a repeat of that here with both stars back together on the floor tonight. Also, the Bulls are still without Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter and those two forwards average a combined 30.7 points and 12.4 rebounds a game. This one sets up well, as a result, to be a home blowout. Prior to the non-covering win versus Houston, the 76ers had been a perfect 4-0 ATS run when at home off an ATS loss. Once again off a non-cover and with big personnel edges in this one in terms of the injury situation, the 76ers roll and get a solid cover to improve to 5-1 ATS last 6 when at home and off a non-cover. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-19-21 | IUPU-Indianapolis v. Youngstown State OVER 150.5 | Top | 72-70 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 23 m | Show |
Horizon League Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #825 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Youngstown State Penguins vs IUPUI Jaguars @ 5 ET - Both of these teams struggle defensively. IUPUI is allowing 75 points per game and 49% shooting when on the road. Youngstown State allowing 46% shooting on the season including 35% from three point land. The threes should be flying for the road team in this one as the Jaguars are hitting 39% of their 3-pointers in road games this season! The over is 5-0 in the Jags last 5 games and on an overall 7-1 run their last 8 games. I don't see that slowing down here. The Penguins are off an under at home but that was preceded by just 2 of their 7 preceding home games staying under the total. The Pens last 4 lined home games have seen them average 75.8 points per game. IUPUI has averaged scoring 81 points per game their last 5 games and, again, all 5 of those went over the total. Last season's meetings between these teams both flew over the total and averaged 161.5 points per game. This one will likely get into that range as well. Look for another high-scoring shootout here. 10* OVER the total in Youngstown State |
|||||||
02-18-21 | Raptors v. Bucks -6.5 | Top | 110-96 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 24 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #570 Thursday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks (-) vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:35 ET - The Bucks just lost to the Raptors by a double digit margin on Tuesday. They were favored by about a half dozen points in that game and yet got crushed. In Thursday's rematch, Milwaukee again favored by a similar amount. Must be a huge mistake by the odds makers, right? Long-time followers know how I feel about supposed mistakes by odds makers! The point is that this is set this way with good reason and, in typical contrarian fashion, I am backing the team no one will want here. The Bucks have lost 4 straight games but note that they are 2-0 this season when off a home loss and both victories came by a double digit margin. I expect this one will too. Lay it. 10* MILWAUKEE |
|||||||
02-18-21 | Iowa v. Wisconsin OVER 144.5 | Top | 77-62 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 25 m | Show |
Total of the Month - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #739 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Wisconsin Badgers vs Iowa Hawkeyes @ 7 ET - The Badgers are known for low-scoring games generally speaking but the Hawkeyes are at the other end of the spectrum for sure. That said, and with this total dropping from the upper 140s to the mid 140s, I like the value with the over in this one. These teams have trended under in recent meetings but 3-point shooting has had a lot do with it. For example, in their most recent meeting they totaled 130 points but had they made a normal percentage of the threes they took in that game it would have totaled 151 points. Iowa enters this game having averaged 87.4 points per game and knocking down 39.6% of three pointers on the season. Wisconsin enters this game with some respectable numbers on offense in home games as they have averaged 73.5 points per game and knocked down 40.3% of three pointers as a host this season. Poor shooting both inside and outside the arc is why their most recent meeting totaled just 130 but don't be surprised if this one makes up for that. The Hawkeyes have averaged 82.6 points per game their last 5 road games and are off a huge performance at Michigan State. The Badgers are off an ugly home performance versus Michigan but will make up for that here and did average 70.6 points per game in last 5 home games prior to facing the Wolverines. Look for the Badgers to take advantage of a Hawkeyes defense allowing 77.6 points per game as travelers this season. 10* OVER the total in Wisconsin |
|||||||
02-17-21 | Rockets v. 76ers -10.5 | Top | 113-118 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 44 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #556 Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs Houston Rockets @ 7:35 ET - 76ers will have Joel Embiid back tonight plus they are back on their home floor where they are known for dominating. After 3 straight losses - all on the road - the Sixers can't wait to come out strong at home and take out their frustration someone. That someone is the downtrodden Rockets and they should provide the perfect punching bag for Philly to take advantage. Houston has cleaned house this season and now is struggling ever since. The Rockets enter this game having lost 6 straight games. Also, Houston's last five road losses have all come by 12 or more points and, in fact, the average margin of defeat has been a very ugly 21 points per loss! That said, you can see why I am expecting a blowout home win for Philly here and this is a rare case in which I am willing to lay big points. The 76ers need a big win and the Rockets continue to get crushed in road games. More of the same here. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-17-21 | Marquette v. Butler -2 | Top | 73-57 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 16 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #672 Wednesday 10* Butler Bulldogs (-) vs Marquette Golden Eagles @ 6:30 ET - The Bulldogs lost by 3 at Marquette two weeks ago but couple of important notes about that. One is that this is the only win that the Golden Eagles have had in their last 7 games! Another is that when you look at the box score for that game it is somewhat of a miracle that Marquette even won that game. The Golden Eagles took only 39 shots from the field but hit 61% of them. That high shooting percentage will most definitely not be repeated on the road. Also, the Bulldogs had just 9 turnovers in the game while Marquette had 22. Again, bit of a miracle that the Golden Eagles somehow held on to win that game. Now it is payback time and I like the fact that Butler is at home for this one. The Bulldogs have won 6 of 9 home games this season while Marquette is just 2-6 ATS in road games on the season. Butler has won 3 of its last 4 home games and that included knocking off Creighton when the Bluejays were ranked #8 in the nation. They can play with anyone here at Hinkle Fieldhouse and I expect a solid home win here after they arguably deserved much better in the first meeting in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. 10* BUTLER |
|||||||
02-16-21 | Nuggets v. Celtics OVER 221.5 | Top | 99-112 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 30 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #535 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets @ 7:05 ET - The Celtics are off back to back unders but this was preceded by a 4-1 run to the over. Also, after an embarrassing loss at Washington where they scored just 91 points, Boston will bounce back on the offensive end and score a pile of points here at home. However, the Nuggets will score plenty here as well even if down a few guys. Keep in mind, players missing for Denver can also impact defensive play and I am certain that is why this total is in the 220 range even though the Nuggets are without some guys. The fact is that Denver is on a 10-3 run to the over. The Nuggets have scored an average of 120.4 points per game in those 10 games that went over the total. The Celtics respond off the embarrassing loss to the Wizards but do not be surprised if the Nuggets continue their high-scoring ways as well and this turns into a shootout. I also do not expect the defensive intensity of Denver to be at its best (not even close actually) considering that they are coming of a huge revenge win over the Lakers. 10* OVER the total in Boston |
|||||||
02-16-21 | Providence v. Connecticut -5.5 | Top | 61-73 | Win | 100 | 10 h 38 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #608 Tuesday 10* Top Play Connecticut Huskies (-) vs Providence Friars @ 6:30 ET - The Huskies seek revenge for a loss by a double digit margin at Providence last week. Connecticut actually had 9 more shots from the field but the Friars had 18 more free throw attempts. That latter statistic will not be repeated here at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT. Also note that Connecticut's James Bouknight is very close to returning from his elbow injury. The Friars are off a road win but entered that game having lost 4 of last 5 away from home. Huskies are averaging 76 points per game at home this season while Providence has been held to an average of 62 points per game in last 3 road games. The revenge-minded home team gets a boost with the imminent return of Bouknight even if he is yet on the floor this evening. There is a mental aspect to this as well that their star's return is imminent. 10* CONNECTICUT |
|||||||
02-15-21 | Bulls v. Pacers OVER 226.5 | Top | 120-112 | Win | 100 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #519 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls @ 7:05 ET - The Bulls Markkanen got hurt a few games back and including that game and through their most recent game Chicago has also been without Porter and Carter. That said, the Bulls scoring must be way down, right? After all, these are 3 of their top scorers. That is what is funny about how things often work. Without these guys one could say Chicago has been a little more disjointed. What happens then? Teams play a different style often when guys are out and others are stepping in. For the Bulls, this has led to them still scoring quite well - 114.6 ppg their last 5 games - but really starting to slip up on the defensive end as Chicago has allowed 120.5 ppg their last two games. Long-term the over is 6-2 in Bulls road games as their defense certainly is not known for traveling well and that is even when their healthy. That said, and with this total dropping from a 230 to the mid-220s this morning, we have excellent line value here. The Pacers have averaged 118 points their last two games plus are off a very high-scoring win at Atlanta which totaled 238 points. The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these teams and they totaled 231 points in their only meeting this season. Their most recent home game was low-scoring but it came against a strong Utah team. Prior to that, 6 of Indiana's last 7 home games totaled at least 227 points and this one will too! 10* OVER the total in Indiana |
|||||||
02-15-21 | Virginia v. Florida State UNDER 130 | Top | 60-81 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
Total of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #844 Monday 10* Top Play UNDER the total in Florida State Seminoles vs Virginia Cavaliers @ 7 ET - Big game involving top two teams in the ACC. I am well aware of the fact that the Seminoles are on an over streak but the Cavaliers are going to dictate that this game will be an ugly grinder. It is just the way Virginia games are and, especially in a big one like this, I do not see the Cavs allowing there to be any tempo in this game. The Cavaliers are so good at dictating tempo and forcing a slow pace. Virginia's last 5 games have resulted in 4 unders and those games have averaged just 112.7 points per game. We are getting extra value with this total posted in the 130 range because of the Seminoles long-term scoring process. However, do not overlook the Noles defensive play! FSU is off a high-scoring OT win versus Wake Forest but that was an usual situation for them Saturday as it was their first game in over two weeks. Prior to the shootout with WF, the Seminoles 10 prior wins saw them allow just 64.4 points per game. Now ratchet that down many notches because of playing slow-paced Virginia and you can see why I would not be surprised to see this game fall into the 115 to 120 range for total points. 10* UNDER the total in Florida State |
|||||||
02-14-21 | Spurs v. Hornets OVER 229 | Top | 122-110 | Win | 100 | 21 h 5 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #507 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Charlotte Hornets vs San Antonio Spurs @ 7:05 ET - The Spurs are off a big win at Atlanta where they totaled 125 points despite being able to back off and score only 15 in the 4th quarter! The Hornets are also off a big win as they scored 120 points in their win over Minnesota which was also on Friday like the Spurs. That said, I like to look for overs when teams are off of high-scoring wins as there tends to be a natural let up on defense. Essentially it is just a case of thinking your offense can bail you out of anything so why worry too much about defense? Note that the Hornets have scored an average of 120 points their past 8 games. Also, holding true to what I mentioned earlier, when Charlotte is 5-1 to the over the last 6 times when off a win. Being at home here, the Hornets will continue to push the pace and the Spurs come into this one with plenty of confidence after their big win at Atlanta. Overall, the Hornets are 11-3 to the over their last 14 games. 10* OVER the total in Charlotte |
|||||||
02-14-21 | Marquette +7.5 v. Seton Hall | Top | 51-57 | Win | 100 | 18 h 31 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #803 Sunday 10* Top Play Marquette Golden Eagles (+) @ Seton Hall Pirates @ 3 ET - The Golden Eagles will be ready to bounce back after an embarrassing blowout loss at Villanova by a 32-point margin. That was their first really bad loss of the new year as in 2021 the average margin of defeat had been 6.4 points per game. That said, and considering they are in a good spot, Marquette is offering significant line value here after opening up at about an 8 point dog. The Pirates are in the perfect spot to struggle as they are off back to back wins on the road as a very small favorite. Now Seton Hall has not played in over a week while Marquette played on Wednesday. After that blowout loss to the Wildcats, the Golden Eagles will be ready to respond here as they look for some revenge against the Pirates. Seton Hall has actually won 5 straight games against Marquette so payback is on order here. Look for the Pirates to fall to 0-3 ATS in their last 3 home games as they have lost back to back games both SU and ATS and the Golden Eagles challenge them all the way after getting embarrassed on Wednesday. 10* MARQUETTE |
|||||||
02-13-21 | Villanova v. Creighton OVER 143.5 | Top | 70-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 13 m | Show |
Total of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #693 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Creighton Bluejays vs Villanova Wildcats @ 5 ET - Villanova's defensive numbers haven't been nearly as strong as in recent seasons. The Wildcats are allowing opponents to hit 45.5% from the field including 37.2% from three point land. Creighton loves to fire up 3-balls, particularly when at home, and the Bluejays are hitting 50% from the field including 37% from beyond the arc in their home games this season. Creighton is averaging 83 points per game this season when at home but Villanova is winning a ton of games again this season thanks to very consistent scoring. The Wildcats are scoring an average of 79 points per game this season. The over is 7-4 in Bluejays home games this season and 6-3 in Villanova's conference games this season. Look for these trends to continue here as I expect both teams to get into the 70s in this one. The Cats have been into the 70s in all but 2 of their 15 games this season. The Jays have scored at least 70 in 9 of their last 10 home games. 10* OVER the total in Creighton |
|||||||
02-13-21 | 76ers -110 v. Suns | Top | 111-120 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 25 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #563 Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ Phoenix Suns @ 3 ET - The 76ers are off a loss at Portland Thursday but the Trail Blazers made 11 more three pointers than cold-shooting Philly did that night. The fact that Philadelphia lost the game by a margin of only 4 points despite getting outscored by 33 points from beyond the arc says a lot actually! Plus, keep in mind, the Sixers had won 4 straight road games heading into that one. That said, I like the value here with Philly now available at essentially a pick'em price and coming off a loss. Philly is a perfect 4-0 the last 4 times they have entered a game off a loss. This is a double revenge game for the Sixers as the Suns took both meetings last season. I know Phoenix comes into this game on a hot streak but their two most recent wins have seen them allow an average of 118.5 points per game. The 76ers will be in lockdown mode on defense after the loss to the Blazers. Philly has allowed just 107.7 points per game the last 3 times they have entered a game off a loss. Steals, blocks, rebounding...the Sixers have the edge in this match-up in all 3 categories and I like the situational edge here as well. 10* PHILADELPHIA |
|||||||
02-12-21 | Spurs +2 v. Hawks | Top | 125-114 | Win | 100 | 23 h 53 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #545 Friday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs (+) @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:35 ET - The Spurs are off home loss and it was a bad one as they lost by a margin of 23 points. That type of loss often easier to bounce back from than the one the Hawks just had which was a one point loss at Dallas. Atlanta did win their most recent home game but that was preceded by 4 straight losses for the Hawks as a host. As for the Spurs they have been road warriors this season with a 7-3 mark away from home both SU and ATS. San Antonio has played the tougher schedule so far this season. Also, the Spurs are at that time of the year where they would take their annual rodeo trip and they will not be back in San Antonio until their game over two weeks from now on the 27th. Traditionally the Spurs have done very well on this annual road trip and this is the first of 7 away games. Also, Atlanta is just 4-6 SU against Western Conference teams this season while the Spurs are a perfect 3-0 SU against Eastern Conference teams this season. Look for that trend to reach 4-0 after the final horn sounds on this one. 10* SAN ANTONIO |
|||||||
02-12-21 | Temple +6.5 v. Cincinnati | Top | 69-71 | Win | 100 | 23 h 1 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #897 Friday 10* Top Plays Temple Owls (+) @ Cincinnati Bearcats @ 7 ET - The last 4 games between these teams have been decided by an average of just 3.8 points and now the Owls are a 6.5 dog in this one and it is a revenge spot. Temple lost at home against Cincinnati a week ago. The Owls enter this one off 3 straight losses but they got the big dog cover with a strong effort at Wichita State on Sunday. Temple is now on a 3-0 ATS run in road games and I look for the Owls to continue that strong run as travelers here. Though the Bearcats got the cover at Temple a week ago, Cincinnati is 2-9 ATS in their other games this season and I feel they are over-valued in this one. Opponents are actually shooting 47.5% against the Bearcats in their home games this season while the Owls are holding opponents to 40.9% in their road games this season. I am grabbing the hungry, undervalued dog in this one. 10* TEMPLE |
|||||||
02-11-21 | Pacers v. Pistons +3 | Top | 111-95 | Loss | -109 | 23 h 23 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #534 Thursday 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons (+) vs Indiana Pacers @ 8 ET - While it might seem hard to trust a 6-18 team against a team playing around .500 this season, in typical contrarian fashion I am on the ugly dog here. In this case the Pistons have a rest edge as they were off last night after hosting the Nets on Tuesday. As for the Pacers, they were at Brooklyn last night to face those same Nets. That said, tough spot for Indiana here. Also, as bad as the Pistons full season record is, they have been more competitive of late. Detroit has won 3 straight home games outright as home dogs and that was against tough teams - Nets, Lakers, 76ers! Going further back, the Pistons are on a 7-2 ATS run last 9 home games so they have been strong as a host this season. The Pacers entered last night's game at Brooklyn on a 3-9 ATS run and I look for Indiana's covering struggles to continue here. 10* DETROIT |
|||||||
02-11-21 | Purdue +2.5 v. Minnesota | Top | 68-71 | Loss | -115 | 20 h 33 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #737 Thursday 10* Top Play Purdue Boilermakers (+) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers @ 5 ET - Early line movement toward Minnesota already and I understand that because of the revenge angle. However, there is a match-up issue here. The Boilermakers outrebounded the Golden Gophers by 17 in the first meeting and it was not entirely a fluke. Minnesota has been outrebounded by a margin of 2 boards per game this season while Purdue is outrebounding opponents by 7 boards a game on the season. Comparing these two teams' stats on the season, the Boilermakers are also the better shooting team. Purdue has won 6 of 8 games entering this one while Minnesota is off a win but that was preceded by 6 losses in 8 games. The Boilermakers also have a rest edge here having not played since the 6th while the Gophers just played on the 8th. Minnesota has a great home record this season but the odds maker set this line very low with good reason. Don't let the number scare you away. Look for the road team to roll in this one. 10* PURDUE |
|||||||
02-10-21 | Hawks v. Mavs -4 | Top | 117-118 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 29 m | Show |
Non-Conf Game of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #520 Wednesday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks (-) vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:35 ET - The Hawks are off a big win versus the Raptors Saturday and that snapped a 3-game losing streak for Atlanta. That said everything must be "all good" again and the Hawks back on track, right? No, not at all! They were very fortunate to not only beat the Raptors but especially by a double digit margin! Toronto had 97 shots from the field compared to just 74 for Atlanta. The Hawks had 18 turnovers compared to just 6 for the Raptors. So how did this win happen? Insane shooting that will not be repeated for Atlanta on the road here. The Hawks shot 57% from the field and made a ridiculous 19 of 36 from three point land. Just crazy numbers for shooting and that leads to value here with the Mavs as short home favorite. Dallas has gotten back on track with wins in 3 of its last 4, including a win at Atlanta, but the Mavericks are still flying under the radar with the betting markets because they are on a long-term poor ATS run. That can lead to special value in certain situations and that is precisely what we are seeing right here. Lay it! 10* DALLAS |
|||||||
02-10-21 | Connecticut v. Providence +1.5 | Top | 59-70 | Win | 100 | 21 h 1 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #644 Wednesday 10* Top Play Providence Friars (+) vs Connecticut Huskies @ 4 ET - The Huskies are a different team without leading scorer James Bouknight and he is out indefinitely with an elbow injury. Connecticut is now on a 1-3 SU/ATS run without him. As for Providence, reinforcements are very near to returning as both Jared Bynum and Jimmy Nichols are nearing returns. So when someone casually looks at this game, they see an 8-4 team laying just 1.5 points at a 9-10 team. However, as you can see, there is absolutely a reason this game is priced this way so do not be fooled by the 4-win team in this range. The Friars are off a home loss in which they allowed 92 points and they will be ready to respond big here and improve to 5-0 this season when off a game in which they allowed 79 or more points. Another disadvantage for UConn here is this is just their 2nd game in the past 2 weeks. The home team in a much better spot here from a situational and personnel perspective. 10* PROVIDENCE |
|||||||
02-09-21 | St. John's +2.5 v. Butler | Top | 73-76 | Loss | -106 | 13 h 6 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #631 Tuesday 10* Top Play St John's Red Storm (+) @ Butler Bulldogs @ 9 ET - The Red Storm are red hot entering this game on a 6-0 SU run and 8-0 ATS run. St John's next game after this is not for a full week. That said, the Red Storm can absolutely lay it all on the line here with a strong aggressive effort. Speaking of aggressive play, that is the reason St John's is averaging twice as many (10) steals per game as Butler is (5) this season. Turnovers were a key in the first meeting between these teams and that was a Red Storm home win by double digits. Now in this second meeting, because Butler is at home, the host is a popular choice. The line opened up with St John's -1.5 but has flipped and is now up to a -2.5 on the Bulldogs! Love the added value here with the road dog. Butler enters this game off a home win versus DePaul but this was preceded by a stretch that saw the Bulldogs go 3-7 over 10 games. Butler is simply not as strong this season and the Red Storm are surging. Not only do they do a better job in terms of steals and blocked shots, St John's also has been the better shooting team this season across all categories - from the field, free throws, and three pointers. Grab the road dog Red Storm here plus the points but expect an outright win. 10* ST JOHN'S |
|||||||
02-09-21 | Knicks v. Heat OVER 207 | Top | 96-98 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
Total of the Month - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #503 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Miami Heat vs New York Knicks @ 7:30 ET - We have got a low total to work with here and I know it is because of the Knicks long-term reputation this season as they have a penchant for unders. However, the fact is there is great value here. The total has gone from as high as a 209 to as low as a 206.5 and even though the Knicks are on a run that is only 2-3 to the over, all 5 of those games totaled at least 209 points. Also, even though the Heat have long been known as a lower-scoring grinder-type team, that has not been the case this season. Miami has averaged 110.3 points per game their last 6 games. The Heat have allowed an average of 112.1 points per game their last 16 games. These teams just met on Sunday and the game totaled "only" 212 points but that was enough for the over and was the 3rd straight over in meetings between these teams. That game was on pace for 238 points as of halftime and I feel the fact the scoring pace died in the 2nd half helps to give us even more value here in coming right back with another over. Look for the over trend to reach 4-0 in meetings between these teams. 10* OVER the total in Miami |
|||||||
02-08-21 | Raptors v. Grizzlies OVER 223.5 | Top | 128-113 | Win | 100 | 23 h 19 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #563 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Memphis Grizzlies vs Toronto Raptors @ 8 ET - The Grizzlies have trended under this season but Memphis has scored an average of 113.8 points during their current 7-3 run their last 10 games. The Grizzlies are on a 3-game losing streak, in part, because they have allowed 122.3 points their last 3 games. Now they host a Raptors team that is on a 5-0 run to the over and is 8-4 to the over in road games this season. Toronto has scored an average of 121.2 points per game their last 5 games. But the Raptors have allowed 121.5 points their last 4 road games. We get a rather low total here because of the long-term reputation of the Grizzlies. The key here in this situation is the set-up is perfect for big points from Memphis but the Raptors will not slow down either. As a result the Grizzlies and Raptors get into a back and forth tussle here with plenty of scoring. 10* OVER the total in Memphis |
|||||||
02-08-21 | SMU v. East Carolina OVER 139 | Top | 71-56 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 29 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #845 Monday 10* Top Play OVER the total in East Carolina Pirates vs SMU Mustangs @ 5 ET - Don't be fooled by the total here. The game between odds makers and the betting markets can be a funny thing. That said, why did this total open at a 139 when each of the Pirates 7 games in 2021 have had a posted total below that? Exactly! The average total posted in those 7 games was just 132.3 points. That said, do not let the number fool you as this one should fly over. The Pirates do hit a respectable 35% of their threes when at home and the Mustangs are hitting 35% of threes on the season even on the road where they are at 36% on the season. SMU is off a low-scoring hard-fought win that was their 2nd straight under but this followed 3 straight road overs that saw the Mustangs average 76.3 points per game. The Pirates will get their points at home but this is an East Carolina team that, prior to a low-scoring loss at Memphis, allowed 75.3 points their 4 prior games. So this game should be in the 76-70 range in my opinion and actually cracking the 150 mark would not surprise me at all. That said, the value is here for us. 10* OVER the total in East Carolina |
|||||||
02-07-21 | Kings v. Clippers -8.5 | Top | 113-110 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 59 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #560 Sunday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers (-) vs Sacramento Kings @ 3:05 ET - The Kings have won and covered 7 in a row so, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side here. Sacramento is in a very tough spot here as this game starts at Noon local time and this is after the Kings were in action yesterday at home against Denver. Sacramento did get an upset win in that game while LA enters this game angry off an upset loss so the situation is perfect. That is why I am willing to lay points here as I expect the Clippers to go all out here and roll to a win by at least a dozen points. Los Angeles does not play again until Wednesday and also they do not have another home game until next Sunday. Also, they were off yesterday so they are rested and ready to go all out here and they are not happy about their home loss to a Celtics team that was without Jaylen Brown. Look for them to make up for that here as the Clippers are a perfect 6-0 this season when off a loss! The Clips have won the last two meetings by an average margin of 28.5 points and roll again here. 10* LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS |
|||||||
02-07-21 | Georgetown v. Villanova OVER 142 | Top | 74-84 | Win | 100 | 16 h 3 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #811 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Villanova Wildcats vs Georgetown Hoyas @ 2:30 ET - The Wildcats are off just their 2nd loss of the season. When they lost their first game they responded by scoring 87 points in their next game. At home and not happy about scoring just 59 points in their loss to St John's, Villanova will take a very aggressive approach here and won't take their foot off the gas. However, don't be surprised if the Hoyas run right along with the Cats! Georgetown, after a long layoff due to postponed games, has come back with a perfect 2-0 SU mark even though they were a big dog in each game. The Hoyas are playing with a ton of confidence as a result especially since they are coming off a red-hot shooting effort against Creighton. Look for the Hoyas to carry some momentum from that one right into this one and I am looking for a very high-scoring affair as a result. We are getting some value here with the low total because this series has trended under in recent meetings. The value is there because the situation is telling me this should be an over. The Cats are angry and want to put up 90+ if they can but Georgetown comes in with confidence and hot shooting. 10* OVER the total in Villanova |
|||||||
02-06-21 | Nuggets -3 v. Kings | Top | 114-119 | Loss | -100 | 19 h 44 m | Show |
NBA TV Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #531 Saturday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets (-) @ Sacramento Kings @ 5 ET - The Kings are hot so they are garnering the attention of the betting markets and I fully understand that. But in typical contrarian fashion, I like the Nuggets here. Denver is really ticked off heading into this game as they were up nicely at halftime against the Lakers Thursday and then had a horrific 2nd half. The Nuggets also play this game with double revenge against Sacramento. These teams met twice earlier this season and the Kings won each game including a 2 point win at Denver when the Nuggets were an 8 point favorite. The Nuggets have had enough of this Sacramento team this season plus are in a foul mood after what happened against the Lakers Thursday. Denver had won 11 of 15 before the collapse against the defending champs. Also, the Kings were on a 2-9 SU run before covering 6 straight games heading into this one. I am not totally sold on Sacramento just yet and feel the odds makers are on to something considering the Nuggets have lost both match-ups to the Kings and yet are now favored by more than the -1 they laid in the first meeting at Sacramento. Trust me it is not a mistake and I feel the road team wins by 7 to 10 here. 10* DENVER |
|||||||
02-06-21 | Wisconsin v. Illinois OVER 136 | Top | 60-75 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 37 m | Show |
Big Ten Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #657 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Illinois Illini vs Wisconsin Badgers @ 2:30 ET - The Badgers generally are known for defense and for tough play at home. Also, when off a loss, Wisconsin has really shown a knack to D up in their next game. But in this case they are off a win and the O/U is 5-2 in the Badgers last 7 games they have entered off a win. Also, on the road this season the Badgers are allowing 68 points and 36% shooting from three point land. Neither one of those stats is overly impressive and now Wisconsin faces a red hot Illinois team that is confidence offensively. The Illini average 82.2 points per game this season. Also, Illinois has won 7 of 9 games and have averaged 78 points in those 7 wins. The Illini, not including OT, have allowed 74 points per game their last 4 games. I like taking overs when teams are off wins. They tend to put a little more reliance on their offense when they are rolling and pay a little less attention to the defensive side of the game. It is just a natural thing and I feel the Illini, at home, will also dictate the pace and flow of this game and they will force it to be a higher-scoring game. Getting this total in the mid-130s is a solid value. 10* OVER the total in Illinois |
|||||||
02-05-21 | Pelicans v. Pacers OVER 226 | Top | 114-113 | Win | 100 | 23 h 38 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #515 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Indiana Pacers vs New Orleans Pelicans @ 7:05 ET - The posted total on this one is much higher than the first meeting between these teams a month ago. Big mistake by the odds makers right? Of course not. The fact is that both these teams have been trending over the total since that meeting and that game also flew well over the total. The Pelicans are off a high-scoring win and the Pacers are off a high-scoring loss. The over is now 13-2 in the last 15 games for New Orleans. The over is now 8-2 in the last 10 games for Indiana. Last season both meetings went over the total and I look for another season series sweep for the over this season as well! The Pacers will score well at home but they have allowed 117.1 points per game their last ten games. The Pelicans have allowed 116.9 points per game their last 15 games. You can easily see why I would not be surprised to see this game get into the mid-230s and yet we are dealing with a total in the mid-220s. I'll take it! 10* OVER the total in Indiana |
|||||||
02-05-21 | Maryland v. Penn State -2 | Top | 50-55 | Win | 100 | 23 h 7 m | Show |
Early TV Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #860 Friday 10* Top Play Penn State Nittany Lions (-) vs Maryland Terrapins @ 7 ET - Why is a 6-8 team favored over a 10-8 team? Precisely why I am playing the 6-8 team. The fact is the Nittany Lions are off a bad loss at Wisconsin and in bounce back mode. Before the ugly loss to the Badgers, Penn State had beaten Wisconsin as part of a 3-1 SU and ATS run and that victory over the Badgers was at home where the Lions have won 3 straight and they should make it 4 in a row Friday. The Terrapins are off a win versus Purdue by the slimmest of margins but are on a 2-6 ATS run and off the nail-biter win, will fall flat here. Maryland averaging just 62.6 points per game on the road this season while the Nittany Lions are averaging 81.1 points per game at home this season. The Terps are the better team defensively but the home/road dichotomy for PSU is a big one and they again come up big at home with a strong shooting performance off a loss. 10* PENN STATE |
|||||||
02-04-21 | Jazz -7 v. Hawks | Top | 112-91 | Win | 100 | 24 h 9 m | Show |
Early Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #506 Thursday 10* Top Play Utah Jazz @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:35 ET - The Hawks are in a very tough spot here. Even though they are at home and it is the Jazz who are the travelers, Atlanta had to do battle with Dallas last night while Utah was resting. The Jazz have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA for awhile and have won 12 of their past 13 games. The Hawks have been a little short-handed of late and now playing a back to back certainly won't help matters. Atlanta entered last night's game against the Mavericks having lost each of their past two home games so playing at home certainly hasn't translated to an automatic W for the Hawks this season. In fact they already had a 3-game losing streak in home games earlier this season. 11 of the last 12 wins for the Jazz have come by a double digit margin. Look for this one to as well. 10* UTAH |
|||||||
02-04-21 | Cincinnati v. Temple +2.5 | Top | 63-60 | Loss | -109 | 23 h 37 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #736 Thursday 10* Top Play Temple Owls (+) vs Cincinnati Bearcats @ 7 ET - I am a Philly guy and was surprised the Owls didn't get it done on Sunday against Tulane. The game meant a little something extra after the passing of John Chaney whose name is synonymous with Temple basketball. The fact is that Sunday's disappointing result had a lot do with getting outrebounded and also the Green Wave shot much better. The Owls actually had just as many shot attempts as Tulane did in the game. Now Temple catches a break with facing a Cincinnati team that has not played in 3 and 1/2 weeks. Not only that, the Bearcats have lost 6 of their last 7 games. The Owls had won 3 of 4 before Sunday's loss and will respond big at home here. Cincinnati will struggle after the long layoff. Temple head coach Aaron McKie is also an Owls grad and the loss of Cheney means something extra to him for sure and I really look for a tremendous effort from the home team here and, unlike Sunday, they are catching the right team at the right time and they are a dog. I will take it. 10* TEMPLE |
|||||||
02-03-21 | Mavs -120 v. Hawks | Top | 122-116 | Win | 100 | 23 h 47 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #567 Wednesday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks (-) @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:35 ET - A team that has lost 6 straight games both SU and ATS is a small road favorite? Exactly! In typical contrarian fashion I will grab the team that has lost 6 in a row and yet is favored here. Keep in mind, as a general rule, the odds makers are quite sharp! That said, the Mavericks are favored here for a reason and I am going to recommend a play on the money line here as it is available as low as a -120 price as of Tuesday evening. Why lay 1.5 or 2 points when you can lay a -120 price instead of a -110 price and than any SU win is also a winning ticket for your bankroll. I like the fact that De'Andre Hunter is likely to miss another game here plus the Hawks have some other injury issues. The Mavericks are the healthier team coming into this game and also very hungry as the losing has them fired up. This is a Dallas team that, prior to losing 2 straight road games to Utah (the Jazz are playing VERY well right now) had gone 5-2 SU in its 7 preceding road games. Also, Atlanta has lost back to back home games and remember they had a 3-game home losing streak early last month. Deja vu here? Yes I fully expect it as the underlying theme here is the Mavs are favored on the road for a reason. Lay it! 10* DALLAS |
|||||||
02-03-21 | Seton Hall +1 v. Providence | Top | 60-43 | Win | 100 | 23 h 48 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #681 Wednesday 10* Top Play Seton Hall Pirates (+) @ Providence Friars @ 7 ET - When I see two teams with similar records and yet the game is around a pick'em, I will immediately be looking at the road team. In other words the odds makers are telling us who the better team is just by the fact that the road team is not a dog even though they are away from home and facing a team with a similar record. In this case, I was already looking at this game as the Pirates fell just short of the cover for me against Villanova on Saturday. That game saw Seton Hall hurt by one long scoreless drought that ended up being the difference in the game. The fact is the Pirates had 6 more shot attempts from the field in the game but the Wildcats shot a ridiculous 10 of 22 from three point land. Now Seton Hall is taking on a Providence team that has lost 5 of its last 7 and 1 of those 2 wins came in OT! In fact, the Friars are 5-6 in their last 11 games but 3 of the 5 wins came in extra time including one was a double OT game. Included in this stretch was an OT win at Seton Hall and the Pirates will now take advantage of their shot at revenge here. 10* SETON HALL |
|||||||
02-02-21 | Grizzlies v. Pacers -5.5 | Top | 116-134 | Win | 100 | 23 h 8 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #550 Tuesday 10* Top Play Indiana Pacers (-) vs Memphis Grizzlies @ 8:05 ET - The Pacers will certainly be ready to go here. They are off a bad loss to Philadelphia where they blew a big lead late courtesty of a horrible 4th quarter and bad play in the final minutes. Now Indiana will take advantage of hosting a Memphis team that, after nearly two weeks off, will be playing the 2nd game of a back to back plus it is their 3rd game in 4 nights plus they have division rival Houston on deck. Horrible spot for Grizzlies and the Pacers come in angry after blowing that game against the 76ers Sunday. 10* INDIANA |
|||||||
02-02-21 | Butler v. Marquette OVER 129.5 | Top | 67-70 | Win | 100 | 20 h 37 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #603 Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Marquette Golden Eagles vs Butler Bulldogs @ 5 ET - This total has been adjusted to low. It has been set low because Butler tends to play lower-scoring games and because the under has cashed 4 straight times and 6 of the last 7 in Marquette games. However, note that the Golden Eagles have allowed at least 68 points in each of their last 5 games. On the season Marquette is allowing 70 points per game. On the other end of the court, this is a team that averages 72 points per game and you can see from that why I am expecting this game to get into the 140 range. Bulldogs games are trending under in a big way with 8 of their last 9 falling short of the total. However, the Golden Eagles will dictate the flow of this game and they have scored at least 76 points in each of their last 4 meetings with Butler. Each of those 4 games totaled at least 133 points and this one will too. 10* OVER the total in Marquette |
|||||||
02-01-21 | Rockets v. Thunder +5 | Top | 136-106 | Loss | -104 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #540 Monday 10* Top Play Oklahoma City Thunder (+) vs Houston Rockets @ 8:05 ET - The Rockets are on a roll with 5 straight wins but 2 of the wins came by a margin of 3 or less points and the most recent one, though by double digits, had a lot do with being an ideal situation. Houston is off a win at New Orleans where the caught the Pelicans off a huge upset win over the Bucks and completely out of gas in a back to back. That said, the value here is with the home dog. Oklahoma City might have been looking ahead to this game when they got throttled and allowed 147 points to Brooklyn Friday. Either way, that kind of ugly loss certainly caught their attention after entering that game off back to back road wins that were outright upsets as underdogs. That said, I look for the revenge-minded Thunder to get right back on track here. I know each of these teams are different in terms of their rosters compared to August through early September when the Rockets ousted them from the playoffs. However, there is no doubt this game means a little extra something to Oklahoma City and, coming off that ugly loss, they respond large here and very likely even get the outright win for some true payback. For added insurance, I am grabbing the points here. 10* OKLAHOMA CITY |
|||||||
02-01-21 | Georgia Tech +4.5 v. Louisville | Top | 58-74 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 33 m | Show |
Daytime Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #853 Monday 10* Top Play Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+) @ Louisville Cardinals @ 2 ET - The Yellow Jackets should have Bubba Parham back for this one as he is making the trip to Louisville after missing the last game to attend his cousin's funeral. I like the set up here as this is a classic case of two teams going the opposite direction and this is particularly true as it pertains to the betting window. The Cardinals are off a loss that dropped them to 1-3 SU and ATS in their last 4 games. They scored only 50 points in that game and it was against a Clemson team that just got waxed at Duke. For some more comparative reasoning though that is the same Tigers team that Georgia Tech just beat by 18 points. Also, the Yellow Jackets just beat Florida State by double digits while one of Louisville's 3 recent losses was against the same Seminoles team and they lost by double digits. The Jackets really stepped up without Parham in their most recent game to beat the Noles and now they get a boost with his return. I like those factors as well as the fact we're getting some points here against a team that has not covered any of the last 4 times they were favored in the -3 to -6 range. Cardinals fade continues as the Yellow Jackets improve to 3-0 ATS in their last 3 meetings with Louisville. 10* GEORGIA TECH |
|||||||
01-31-21 | 76ers v. Pacers OVER 223.5 | Top | 119-110 | Win | 100 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #519 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:05 ET - The 76ers are off back to back unders but this was preceded by a 9-2 run to the over. The Pacers are off an under but this was preceded by a 5-1 run to the over. Philadelphia allowed just 94 points to a bad Minnesota team Friday but this was preceded by allowing 115.6 points per game their preceding dozen games. Also, the Pacers have allowed 115.1 points per game their last 7 games. Given the above as well as the fact each team is averaging 113 points per game on the season, I expect this game to get well into the 230s. Look for the over to improve to 5-1 in Indiana's last 6 games. The Pacers have scored 120 or more points in 2 of their last 3 games but this is a team that has been struggling defensively. Also, the 76ers are known for their struggles on the defensive end when away from home. Consider their game against the Timberwolves an aberration as Philadelphia entered that game having allowed 106 points or more in a dozen straight games. Both teams are rested plus neither team has a game tomorrow either so they can each go all out here. Look for a high-scoring game as a result. 10* OVER the total in Indiana |
|||||||
01-31-21 | St. John's +4.5 v. Marquette | Top | 75-73 | Win | 100 | 5 h 10 m | Show |
Big East Beast - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #819 Sunday 10* Top Play St John's Red Storm (+) @ Marquette Golden Eagles @ 3:30 ET - The last time the Red Storm lost a game it was at home against the Golden Eagles by a bucket. The last time Marquette won a game was that tight victory at St John's. The point is that now we get a chance at right back revenge and can ride a hot team and fade a cold team. That said, I like our chances here. In that first match-up the Red Storm actually had 13 more field goal attempts than Marquette but simply had an off shooting night. But this is a St John's team that is now surging with confidence courtesy of a 3-game winning streak and they have won 4 of their last 5 overall and are on a 5-0 ATS run. The Golden Eagles have lost back to back games and 6 of their last 9 SU. During this 9-game run, Marquette has covered just ONCE! Grab the value with the road dog in this one as they are primed for an upset so I will gladly take the points here. 10* ST JOHN'S |
|||||||
01-31-21 | Drexel v. James Madison OVER 141 | Top | 64-73 | Loss | -115 | 4 h 3 m | Show |
Philly Dominator - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #809 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER the total in James Madison Dukes vs Drexel Dragons @ 2 ET - The fact that the Dragons are allowing just 64 points per game this season is a bit of a misnomer as they are allowing 44% shooting from the field. So that is helping to give us line value here because I fully expect the Dukes to score plenty against Drexel in this one. James Madison is at home here and they have averaged 82 points per game at home this season plus shot 48% from the field as a host. As for Drexel, they have averaged 75.6 points per game their last 7 games. James Madison is off an under but this was on the heels of a 5-1 run to the over. Drexel has seen 3 of its last 4 road games go over the total. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER the total in James Madison |
|||||||
01-30-21 | Blazers +2.5 v. Bulls | Top | 123-122 | Win | 100 | 12 h 2 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #501 Saturday 10* Top Play Portland Trail Blazers (+) @ Chicago Bulls @ 8 ET - As long-time followers know I often like to go against the grain and I like the fact that this line is moving toward the Bulls in early market activity. I will fade the move and grab the extra value with the Trail Blazers. Portland was up by 20 in the first quarter of their eventual 3-point loss at the Rockets and they know they let one slip away there. Look for the Blazers to be extremely focused on getting back into the win column here. Portland is on a 5-2 ATS run in road games and had won 4 of 6 SU away from home prior to the tight loss at Houston. As for Chicago, they are just 2-5 SU in home games this season and plus the Trail Blazers have revenge from a home loss to the Bulls early this month. Payback time is here. 10* PORTLAND |
|||||||
01-30-21 | Kansas v. Tennessee OVER 130 | Top | 61-80 | Win | 100 | 9 h 58 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #713 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Tennessee Volunteers vs Kansas Jayhawks @ 6 ET - Where is the motivation to play defense here? This is an SEC-Big 12 match-up and neither team is going anywhere fast this season. Yes I know they are ranked teams but the Jayhawks had lost 3 straight before their win over TCU while Tennessee had endured an unimpressive 3-3 stretch before their win over Mississippi State. Last season when these teams met they had a similar total posted in the 130 range and yet the game totaled 142 points. I expect a similar result this time around too and I love taking advantage of the value in a match-up when both teams are off a very unusual result. In this case, the Vols are off a game that totaled just 109 points after they had allowed more than 70 points in 4 of their most recent 6 games. Also, before the low-scoring win over the Bulldogs, the Volunteers had scored an average of 76.2 points per game their most recent 10 games. The Jayhawks are off a game that totaled just 110 points but that was preceded by Kansas allowing at least 75 points in 3 straight games. Also, the Jayhawks entered that game having scored an average of 72.6 points per game their preceding 5 games. If each team gets into the mid-60s here we can not lose this play and I see no reason each team won't get close to the 70 mark here. 10* OVER the total in Tennessee |
|||||||
01-30-21 | Villanova v. Seton Hall +6 | Top | 80-72 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 16 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #648 Saturday 10* Top Play Seton Hall Pirates (+) vs Villanova Wildcats @ 3:30 ET - Seton Hall is loaded with seniors and juniors and that is the key to why they will bounce back here. The Pirates just lost an unbelievable game at home against Creighton Wednesday. Seton Hall had a huge lead rather late in the 2nd half and then witnessed a miraculous comeback as the Bluejays just had one of those shooting stretches where they could not miss. A younger team would be in trouble in their next game but Seton Hall is loaded with upperclassmen who know how to respond in a situation like this. The Pirates are at home which helps here and they also have plenty of confidence against the Wildcats. Though only 2-3 SU in the last 5 games against Villanova, Seton Hall has a knack for playing the Cats tough as the 3 losses each came by just 2 points apiece. The Wildcats are off a dominating win versus Providence but that was driven by a 19-9 turnover edge. They won't have that edge against the Pirates and, in fact, the turnovers are about equal in the last 4 meetings between these two teams. I expect Seton Hall to be very focused and motivated at home here after the way they lost to Creighton Wednesday and with the fact this is also a revenge game as the Pirates lost a tight one less than 2 weeks ago at Villanova. Payback time. Grab the generous points. 10* SETON HALL |
|||||||
01-29-21 | 76ers v. Wolves OVER 224 | Top | 118-94 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 41 m | Show |
Non-Conf Total of the Year - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #577 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Minnesota Timberwolves vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 8:05 ET - I know that between covid and injuries, there are couple of big names on the injury report for tonight's game. However, ask yourself this question...who is going to play defense and why? This is a non-conference game for one thing. For another thing, the 76ers are off a massive win over the Lakers that will likely leave them flat-footed defensively after giving so much effort against LeBron and Company. As for the Timberwolves, they will simply be running and gunning here because what do they have to lose? Minnesota has lost 13 of its last 15 games and is going nowhere this season. So Minny is 3-0 to the over in their last 3 games and has allowed an average of 120 points per game their last 4 games. Philly is off an under in their hard-fought win versus LA but the Sixers entered that game on a 9-2 run to the over. Philadelphia allowed an average of 117.4 points per game during that 11 game run and I expect this game to get into the 230s and possibly even the 240s as I just don't foresee much defense in this non-conference affair. 10* OVER the total in Minnesota |
|||||||
01-29-21 | Detroit v. Youngstown State OVER 150 | Top | 78-75 | Win | 100 | 8 h 51 m | Show |
Total Annihilation - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #833 Friday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Youngstown State Penguins vs Detroit Mercy Titans @ 5 ET - Both teams off confidence-boosting wins which followed a 2-5 SU run for Detroit and an 0-4 SU run for Youngstown State. That said, I like the value here with the over. The Titans allowed an average of 85 points per game in those 5 losses and the Penguins have allowed 80 points per game their last 5 games. Both teams can be expected to score well based on facing sub-par defensive play plus the fact they each can score quite well and they play at a fast pace. The Titans are averaging 75 points in road games this season and the Penguins are averaging 81 points per game in home games this season and their O/U record is 8-3 this season. 10* OVER the total in Youngstown State |
|||||||
01-28-21 | Blazers v. Rockets OVER 228.5 | Top | 101-104 | Loss | -115 | 7 h 19 m | Show |
TNT Smash Pass - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #561 Thursday NBA 10* Top Play OVER the total in Houston Rockets vs Portland Trail Blazers @ 7:35 ET - I am very much aware of the fact that Rockets games have been trending under but the Blazers are in town and this one promises to get quite wild in terms of scoring. Portland is averaging 120 points per game on the road this season but allowing 116 when away from home! The Trail Blazers defensive numbers are ugly including allowing opponents to hit 48% from the field. As for the Rockets, they are scoring an average of 113 points per game their last 5 games and the last match-up between these teams a month ago totaled 254 points. Both teams have fresh legs as they come in rested and also do not have a game on deck for tomorrow either. All out effort with plenty of points and this one will surprise some by turning into a bit of a track meet with quick running and gunning. The over improves to 4-0 in Portland's last 4 games with a high-scoring shootout here. 10* OVER the total in Houston |