The set-up: The 29-32 Detroit Pistons are still holding onto the No. 8 seed in the East but they are just 1 1/2 games up on both the Heat and Bucks. They will be in Philadelphia tonight to take on the 23-38 76ers, who recently announced that Joel Embiid's season is over and that the team's top draft pick, Ben Simmons (league's overall No. 1 pick), would also be held out until next season (Simmons has not played at all this season).

Detroit: The Pistons have been on a roller coaster as of late, following a 114-108 OT win against the Hornets bu scoring just 98 points in their next game, in a loss to the Celtics. The Pistons then scored 120 points (again in OT) in beating the Trail Blazers but once again 'crapped out' by scoring 86 points in a 23-point loss at New Orleans this past Wednesday. PG Reggie Jackson's (14.7 & 5.5 APG) struggles continued in the loss to New Orleans, as he was 4-of-16 overall in an eight-point effort. Backup Ish Smith (8.3 & 5.0 APG) also had eight points but in just 19 minutes off the bench. Head coach Stan Van Gundy has indicated he may give Smith the start over Jackson. "We haven't ruled it out -- I'm still thinking," Van Gundy said. "We've got to get better energy off the start of games." Smith started the first 21 games while Jackson was recovering from tendinitis in his left knee. He moved into a reserve role when Jackson returned, but outplayed Jackson in February. The Pistons have talent, as outside of Jackson and Smith, five other Detroit players average between 11.1 and 16.2 PPG.

Philadelphia: The 76ers have not only lost Embiid (20.2 & 7.8) for the season but they've traded Nerlens Noel and Ersan Ilyasova. Stepping up has been rookie Dario Saric (11.4 & 6.2), who has averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds a game since the All-Star break. His nine double-doubles match Embiid's total for the most among first-year players.Justin Anderson, a second-year forward who was acquired from Dallas as part of a deal that cost the Sixers center/forward Nerlens Noel, made his first seven shots en route to an 8-of-12 performance against the Knicks,matching a career high with 19 points. The 105-102 home win snapped Philadelphia's three-game slide.

The pick: The Pistons are a woeful 10-20 SU (11-119 ATS) on the road and all season have underachieved considering the team's talent (Van Gundy's fault?). Anyway, just why should they be laying points at Philly, where the 76ers are a money-making 23-9 ATS on the season? Philadelphia is a 10* play.

The set-up: No. 1 Kansas is 27-3 overall and at 15-2 in Big 12 play, has already clinched its 13th straight Big 12 regular season title. However, with a sellout crowd expected to energize Gallagher-Iba Arena on Senior Night, beating Oklahoma State will be no easy task. The Cowboys have won 10 of 12 to reach 20-9 overall and 9-8 in Big 12 play. OSU lost its first six league games but could just (should?) make the Big Dance as an at-large team due to its recent run. The last team to make the NCAA Tournament field after falling in their first six conference games was the 1985-86 Maryland Terps.

Kansas: The Jayhawks are hoping to nail down a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance and are favored to do just that. Senior PG Frank Mason III (20.3-4.0-4.9) is favored by many to be named Player-of-the-Year but Kansas' most exciting player is 6-8 freshman Josh Jackson (16.3 & 7.2). The Jayhawks do it all on the offensive end, except shoot free throws, Kansas averages 82.5 PPG (19th) on 48.6% shooting (16th), including 40.8% on threes (10th). However, the team makes only 65.7% of its free throws, ranking 307th.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys' turnaround has been a sight to behold. Sophomore guard Jawun Evans is second in the Big 12 in scoring (18.6) and assists (6.0 per game), fourth in steals (1.9) and sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1). Right behind Evans is junior wing Jeffrey Carroll, who is fourth in the league in scoring (17.0), fourth in field-goal percentage (53.8) and eighth in rebounds (6.7). He could join Georges Niang (Iowa State, 2015-16), Jordan Hamilton (Texas, 2010-11) and Kevin Durant (Texas, 2006-07) as the fourth player in league history to finish in the top 10 in each of those categories. Guard Forte (13.4) is the team's third double digit scorer and at 85.6 PPG (9th), the Cowboys are on pace to set a new school record for scoring average (83.5 in 1988-89) and on track to be the second-highest scoring squad in Big 12 history (Kansas averaged 90.9 points in 2001-02). Unlike Kansas, OSU makes its free throws, connecting on 78.4%, which ranks 4th in the nation.

The pick: OSU's play has Kansas' attention and it's hard to go against the Jayhawks in what is basically a pick-em game. Both teams can score but Kansas makes the kind of defensive stops the Cowboys haven't quite yet mastered. The Jayhawks also have proven time and time again this season that they can win the close ones. Kansas is a 10* play.

The set-up: Villanova shocked Georgetown to win the national championship back in 1985, in one of college basketball's most legendary upsets (read Frank Fitzpatrick's book: The Perfect Game). The 27-3 Wildcats are defending champs (ranked No. 2 in the AP poll) and wrap their regular season at 14-16 Georgetown Saturday at high noon. There is nothing significant about this meeting, as the Wildcats will be the Big East's No.1 seed (14-3) in the conference tourney, while the 5-12 Hoyas will soon be "done for the year."

Villanova: The Wildcats clinched the regular-season league crown with a 16-point win over Creighton last Saturday and have had a full week of rest in preparation for this one. Villanova senior Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins are a pair of local products, so this marks their last "trip home" to Washington D.C. The 6-6 Hart (18.6 & 6.5) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while the 6-7 Jenkins adds 13.2 & 4.7. PG Brunson (14.7 & 4.3 APG) and fellow guard Bridges (10.5 & 4.7) are also double digit scorers with the 6-7 Paschall (7.1 & 3.8) rounding out the starting-five.

Georgetown: The Hoyas are coming off a 62-59 loss Tuesday at Seton Hall, a game in which the team fumbled the ball in several of its last possessions. They have lost four in a row and are in real danger of ending the season with a sub-.500 record for the second straight year (Hoyas were 15-18 last season). Embattled head coach John Thompson III said in a statement to ESPN.com: "First and foremost, our fans are terrific and have been terrific. They've experienced some good times with us, and now, with the stretch we are having, I understand their frustration. There is no one more frustrated than I am. We are accustomed to winning. I know that our players and staff are working hard and playing hard. No one cares more about this program and tradition than I do." A pair of 6-5 seniors have really been the only players Georgetown has been able to count on this season. Pryor (18.0 & 5.0) is a graduate transfer from Robert Morris and Peak (16.4-4.0-3.4) will cap his best season, after a four years at the school.

The pick: Both Peak and Pryor will be honored Saturday but expecting much help from the crowd at the Verizon Center is likely 'fool's gold.' Attendance has not been good (that's being generous) and those who show up have been described as 'lifeless.' Villanova's local D.C. boys, Hart and Jenkins, may get more of a welcome. Make Villanova a 10* play.

The set-up: The MVC tourney, better-known now as "Arch Madness," began last night, although 16-15 Missouri State and 14-15 Northern Iowa will take the court for the first time in this tourney, Friday night. Missouri State owns the slightly better overall record but was just 7-11 in MVC play, while Northern Iowa was 9-9. The teams split two regular season meetings, with the road team coming away with a win each time.

Missouri State: The Bears limp in having lost six of seven, including a 55-52 home loss to the Panthers. Missouri State will own the best big man in this game, as the 6-9 Alize Johnson leads the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (10.5). A pair of guards also chip in averaging double digits, Miller (13.1 & 3.8 APG) and Rousseau III (11.6).

Northern Iowa: The Panthers eto be making a late push, ripping off four consecutive wins in early February but Northern Iowa lost its final three games. Guard Morgan leads the ete scoring (14.7) and also in rebounding (5.9), as Northern Iowa's top-scoring frontcourt player, Koch (10.9 PPG), may be an accurate shooter at 57.3 percent from the floor but he's hardly much of a rebounder (3.7 per game). 

The pick: Neither team figures to advance past the next round but Northern Iowa was able to recently win at Springfield, so this neutral setting (Scottrade Center in St. Louis) should make it easier. Note that Northern Iowa is 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 neutral-site games. Make the Panthers a 10* play.

The set-up: The 35-26 Oklahoma City Thunder lost 114-109 last night in Portland and now visit the 19-42 Phoenix Suns, who scored 120 points last night at home in beating the Hornets by 17 points. The Thunder are battling the Jazz for first-place in the Northwest Division (OKC currently trails by two games), while the Suns are going head-to-head with the Lakers (also 19-42), to see which team finishes with the West's worst record (will the loser actually WIN in that race?).

Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook (31.4-10.6-10.1) just may match the Big O's triple-double season of 196-62 but his 45-point effort Thursday wasn't enough as the Thunder suffered a 114-109 road loss at Portland. He's now scored 40-plus in seven of the past 15 games. However, for OKC to seriously threaten in the postseason, the Thunder will need more than Westbrook. The team's second-leading scorer, Victor Oladipo (16.1), will sit out his fifth consecutive game tonight with a back issue, which is NOT good news. Center Kanter (14.4 & 6.9) did not miss as much time as was feared and returned four games ago. He's averaged 17.7 & 9.3 the last three, which is great news. The 'wild card' for OKC's playoff hopes could be the Chicago duo of Gibson and McDermott, which OKC recently acquired. Gibson's averaged 10.0 & 4.5 and McDermott 8.8 & 4.5 in their four games.

Phoenix: The Suns ended a three-game slide by shooting a season-high 59.7 percent from the floor in Thursday's 120-103 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Six different players scored 14 or more points in a well-balanced offensive effort that also featured a defensive charge that held the Hornets to 12 fourth-quarter points. Defense is not something we see often from the Suns, who allow 112.6 PPG, ranking 29 of 30 NBA teams. The youthful but very talented backcourt duo of Bledsoe (21.2-5.0-6.4) and Booker (20.8) remain the Suns' core but center Tyson (8.4 & 11.4) and Knight (11.0), who was the first guard off the bench for most of the season, have both been benched. Neither has played at all in the last four games and the standout recently has been the 6-7 Williams, who in just under 24 minutes per game, has averaged 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in these last four. Also, rookie power forward Marquese Chriss scored a team-best 17 points last night and has now reached double digits in four of the past five contests. Backup PG Tyler Ulis played 23 minutes last night, handing out a season-high eight assists wile scoring eight points.

The pick: The Suns are playing loose and while I like the additions of Gibson and McDermott, I've never been much on either Westebrook or OKC. The Thunder are a poor road team (12-18 SU), so why play them as a road favorite? Make Phoenix an 8* play.

The set-up: The 23-7 West Virginia Mountaineers are ranked 10th in the current AP poll, while the 20-9 Iowa State Cyclones are ranked 24th. However, it's Iowa State which currently owns the Big 12's No. 2 seed at 12-5, as West Va. sits a game behind, at 11-6. However, If the Mountaineers can defeat the Cyclones tonight (West Va. has already won 85-72 in Ames back on Jan. 31), they own all tiebreakers over Iowa State and Baylor for the second seed in the conference tourney which will take place at the Sprint Center in Kansas City next week.

Iowa State: The Cyclones enter on a six-game winning streak, which includes a win over then-No. 9 Baylor. The Cyclones also won 92-89 at now-No. 1 Kansas on Feb. 4th, in the game following their home loss to the Mountaineers. Monte Morris leads the team in scoring (16.1 PGG) and the Big 12 in assists (6.2 per). He just missed out on his second triple-double of the season in an 86-83 victory over Oklahoma State on Tuesday, when he finished with 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. Naz Mitrou-Long (15.8 & 4.7), Deonte Burton (14.3 & 6.4) and Matt Thomas (12.0 & 4.0) also are averaging double digits in points for the Cyclones. All four are guards and often, head coach Steve Prohm has five guards on the court, creating a difficult matchup for most teams. Iowa state averages 80.6 PPG (29th) and shoots 39.8 percent from three-point range (17th).

West Virginia: Bob Huggins once again has a quality team. The Mountaineers had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 71-62 loss at Baylor on Monday. "Defensively, we got real tentative," coach Huggins told reporters. "And they really just beat us to death on the glass." That was a big win for Baylor but as noted, West Va. just needs to win here at home and it will claim the No. 2 seed for the Big 12 tourney. Depth is a key for this team, as 10 players average 11-plus minutes, chipping in between 4.5 and 12.9 PPG. The best of the group is PG Carter (12.9-4.9-4.) plus the 6-8 Ahmad (11.7 & 4.1) and the 6-9 Adrian (10.1 & 6.0) could create some problems inside for a small Iowa State lineup.

The pick: West Va. is 15-2 SU in Morgantown and just needs to win (not cover) to claim that No. 2 seed. On the other side, a win by Iowa State means avoiding Oklahoma State, one of the hottest teams in conference, in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Tonight's contest also could play a big role in seeding for the NCAA Tournament. All things being equal, I want the avenging team getting the points. Make Iowa State an 8* play.

The set-up: It's first round Horizon League tournament action on Friday evening from Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, as the #7 seed, the 8-22 Detroit Mercy Titans (6-12 in league games) will take on the #10 seed, the 8-23 Milwaukee Panthers (4-14 in league play).

Milwaukee: The Panthers come into the tourney on a nine-game losing streak (3-6 ATS), including a 81-74 home loss to these Titans. Milwaukee is a guard-oriented team, led by Stull (13.3 & 6.5), Wichmann (13.1) and PG Haas (5.3 & 3.8 APG). The team's most effective frontcourt player is the 6-7 Nze (7.0 & 5.1), who comes off the bench.

Detroit: The Titans easily own the best frontcourt player in the 6-7 Hogan (15.4 & 6.0) plus three guards score in double digits. That trio includes Allen (14.3), McFolley (14.3) and Jenkins (11.1). What holds Detroit back is the team's awful defense. The Titans allow 84.8 PPG (348th) and opponents shoot 49.8% from the floor (350th).

The pick: Two bad team here but series history favors Milwaukee, which won earlier this year at Detroit, 73-69 in OT. Milwaukee is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings between these two teams and considering Detroit is 0 -5 ATS in its last five neutral site games, the Panthers are a 10* play.

The set-up: The 35-25 OKC Thunder are trying to catch the Utah Jazz in the Northwest and just beat the Jazz 109-106 Tuesday night at home, closing to within 1 1/2 games of Utah. They head to Portland tonight to take on the 24-35 Trail Blazers, who find themselves in a virtual three-way tie with the Kings and T-wolves (both are 25-36), 2 1/2 games back of the No. 8-seeded Denver Nuggets.

The pick: There was a time when opposing teams dreaded coming to Portland but no longer. The blazers are just 14-13 SU & 12-15 ATS at home this season. OKC is a 10* play.

The set-up: The 10-21 Manhattan Jaspers (5-15 in MAAC games) and the 17-14 Rider Broncs (10-10 MAAC)) meet in first round action Thursday in the MAAC tournament. Manhattan: The Jaspers are led by PG Turner (15.1 & 3.3 APG) and the 6-9 Waterman (14.5 & 7.1). They limp into this tourney having lost five of their last six, including 93-82 at Rider just recently (Feb. 22). Rider: There can't be much doubt as to which is the better team, as the Broncs enter on a three-game winning streak, averaging 98.3 PPG. The team's starting-five all averages in double figures. The backcourt is Taylor (15.7 & 5.0) and Jordan (11.5 & 5.8 APG) plus three 6-7 forwards start up front. Thomas leads that group in scoring (14.1) and rebounding (8.9), joined by Carey (11.3 & 6.9) and Lundy (10.7 & 4.1). The pick: Let me note that Manhattan did best Rider 76-73 on its home court and I don't believe it's far-fetched for the Jaspers to 'hang' in this neutral setting. After all, the Broncs are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven neutral site games and the underdog is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings between the two schools. Make Manhattan an 8* play.

The set-up: The 8-23 Marist Red Foxes are the No. 10 seed (5-15) and will meet the 17-14 Canisius Golden Griffins, who are the No. 7 seed (10-10) in MAAC tourney action in Albany.

Marist: The Red Foxes lost 10 of their last 12 games to finish the season at the bottom of the standings, getting the No. 10 seed by virtue of a coin flip over Manhattan (also 5-15). Marist is a perimeter-oriented team, led by the guard trio of Hary (18.0), Parker (12.6-5.8-3.2) and Funk (12.5). However, the team does not score much, averaging a modest 69.4 PPG (268th).

Canisuis: The Golden Griffins will be looking to bounce back from a three-game losing skid with an opening-round win. Robertson (16.5), Douse (11.1 & 4.2) and Johnson (3.9 PPG but a team-leading 4.2 APG) start in a three-guard lineup with the 6-6 Crumpton (16.2 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Valenti (13.9 & 5.2) starting up front.

The pick: Canisius averages 79.2 PPG (just about 10 points more than Marist) and after crushing the Red Foxes 91-58 at home, just recently lost on the road to Marist, 76-74. Canisuis sets the record staright, here. Canisius is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 9-22 Niagara Purple Eagles and the 10-20 Quinnipiac Bobcats meet Thursday in the MAAC tournament at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY..

The pick: Both teams come in on losing streaks and the winner earns the right to get waxed in its next game by Monmouth, the league's regular season champion at 18-2 (26-5 overall). Quinnipiac won both meetings during the regular season, 81-78 at Niagara and 89-81 at home. No reason for it to be different here on a neutral floor, considering the Purple Eagles are 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 neutral site games. Make Quinnipiac an 8* play.

The set-up: The MWC was once a talented league but the last few seasons, the league has been well below average. UNLV was, for a log time, the face of this league but not now, as the 10-19 Rebels get set to host 13-15 Utah State on Senior Night.

Utah State: The Aggies have won two straight to move to 7-10 in league play, as they travel to Las Vegas. The 6-9 Moore (16.6 & 5.5) and guard McEwen (14.5 & 5.0) are the team's lone double digit scorers.

UNLV: The Rebels have been downright awful, going 3-13 in league games. It's not obvious, at first glance, why UNLV has fallen so far. Mooring (12.4 & 4.0 APG) and Poyser (11.0) are a decent guard duo and a pair of 6-7 forwards, Green (11.7 & 5.2) and Jones (10.3 & 6.4), are solid players.

The pick: It's hard to make too strong of a case for UNLV but taking Utah State on the road (as a road favorite??), makes little sense. UNLV is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 31-29 Indiana Pacers are in San Antonio Wednesday night to face the 45-13 Spurs. The Pacers limped into the All-Star break on a six-game losing skid but have won two of three since getting back on the court, beating the Grizzlies and Rockets. The Spurs are finally back home after the annual Rodeo Road Trip, during which they went 6-2. “It was a good trip,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. “We had one bad night out of 11 or 12 days. I thought they maintained their focus really well, especially coming back off the break and playing the last couple of games. I thought we did a good job."

The pick: There's an advantage to being on the road for most of February (San Antonio's annual Rodeo Road Trip), as the Spurs will play 12 of their 17 games in March at home and 16 of their final 24 regular-season games will be contested at the AT&T Center. However, the Spurs are a modest 14-11 ATS at home this season and the Pacers should expect George to break out of his current slump, anytime. How about tonight? Make the Pacers an 8* play.

The set: VCU (23-6) and Dayton (23-5) have both likely done enough to earn an at-large bid to the Big Dance, even if one of them doesn't go on to earn the A-10's automatic bid by capturing the conference tourney. The Flyers are 14-2 in league play with the Rams a game behind at 13-3. VCU won the first meeting 73-68 at home, so  a win by the Rams would give them the tie breaker.

VCU: The Rams find themselves one game back of the Flyers after seeing their nine-game winning streak snapped in a 69-59 loss to Rhode Island in their last outing. PG Lewis (15.1 & 4.4 APG) and the 6-7 Tillman (12.1 & 8.3) are the team's lone double digit scorers but the 6-7 Alie-Cox (9.7 & 4.1) plus guards Doughty (9.0) and Williams (8.7) are all quality players and regular contributors.

Dayton: The Flyers toppled Davidson 89-82 in OT in their last outing, giving them eight straight wins. Guards Cooke (16.3 & 5.3) and Smith (13.9-3.1-4.2) plus the 6-6 Pollard (13.9 & 5.1) are the team's key contributors.

The pick: VCU has won at least 24 games for 10 straight seasons (the run spans three head coaches) and the Rams will surely win at least 24 gain this year, although win No. 24 won't come here. VCU is a modest 10-15 ATS on the season, while Dayton is a money-making 18-8 ATS and has gone 14-1 SU at home, winning by an average margin of just under 15 PPG. Make Dayton an 8* play.

The set-up: The 24-36 Knicks are off back-to-back one-point games (a win and a loss) as they travel to Orlando to take on the 22-28 Magic. The Knicks have lost seven of nine overall, while the Magic have lost six of eight.

New York: Carmelo Anthony nailed a jumper with 0.3 seconds left in Saturday's 110-109 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers but could not knock down an open three-pointer at the buzzer on Monday, as the Knicks dropped a 92-91 decision to the Toronto Raptors. It's been a uneasy time for Anthony (23.5 & 6.0) as of late and a season of frustration. However, but he is still playing heavy minutes (an average of 38.7 in three games since the All-Star break). The Knicks are promising they are not trying to lose and get a better draft position, something head coach Jeff Hornacek addressed before Monday's game.r New York is hoping Kristaps Porzingis (18.1 & 7.1), who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, will return soon, taking some of the scoring burden off of 'Melo.

Orlando: Like New York, Orlando is not looking ahead to a playoff berth and signaled its intention to play small by trading away power forward Serge Ibaka for athletic wing Terrence Ross before the All-Star break. Ross, who is starting for Orlando after coming off the bench in Toronto, scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting in the team's 105-86 Saturday home win over the Hawks.

The pick: The Magic have played more energetic basketball since the All-Star break, while the Knicks are a woeful 9-20 SU on the road this year. At this price, this is an excellent spot for the home team. Make Orlando an 8* play.

The set-up: Washington had positioned itself for a run at Kevin Durant a few years ago, hoping he would look to "return home" as a free agent. It turns out, the Wizards never had a chance, as Durant spurned the Wizards and his former OKC coach (Scott Brooks) during his free-agency situation last July. Durant now returns to D.C. with the 50-9 Golden State Warriors to take on the 34-23 Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Golden State: Durant (left pinkie) returned from a one-game absence to score 27 points in Monday's 119-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, a game in which Steph Curry shot 0 for 11 from three-point range."I forgot to adjust to the thickness of the air," Curry joked to reporters after the contest. "It happens but you have to find other ways to impact the game." It shows just how dominant this Warriors team is, as despite Curry's misfires, Golden St. won by double digits. The Warriors come to Washington having won 19 of their last 22 games. Golden St. ranks first in scoring (118.2 PPG) and in FG percentage (48.9%) plus third in three-point percentage (38.6). The Warriors allow 105.4 PPG ( to rank 13th but rank first in both opponents' FG (43.6) nd three-point (32.5) percentage!

Washington: Th Wizards won 18 of 21 games prior to the All-Star break but are 0-2 since play resumed. They lost 120-112 at Philly on Friday and then had a streak of 23 consecutive games of 100 or more points halted by Utah, when the Jazz beat them 102-95 in Washington on Sunday. The loss to the Jazz was only the team's second in its last 21 home games. Washington owns a terrific starting-five (all five average in double figures), led by guards Wall (22.9-4.5-10.7) and Beal (22.6), but needs more production off the bench. The team is hoping the addition of Bogdanovic, who averaged 14.2 PPG in 55 games for the Nets, will add that needed bench scoring.

The pick: Bogdanovic has averaged a modest 8.5 PPG in his two games with Washington but he is a proven scorer (it will take time). However, after a great run heading into the break, all of a sudden the Wizards need to beat the NBA's best team in order to avoid their first three-game losing streak since Nov. 11-16, when they fell to 2-8. I don't like their chances, as the Warriors have won six consecutive visits to Washington and have won 10 of their last 11 overall meetings with the Wizards. What's more, the Wizards are catching Curry off that 0 for 11 three-point performance last night. The last time he shoot so poorly was when he missed all 10 three-point attempts against the LA Lakers back on Nov. 4 and then set an NBA record with 13 three-pointers against the New Orleans Pelicans in Golden State's next game. In Golden State's win at Washington last year, he had 51 points and 11 three-pointers. OUCH! Golden St. is a 10* play.

Rutgers: However, the Scarlet Knights are hardly a team one can count on, as only a one-point home win versus Nebraska and a two-point victory at Penn State have separated Rutgers from a winless Big Ten slate. Rutgers enters on a five-game slide since its win in Happy Valley and the Scarlet Knights have not scored more than 65 points in any game during that span. However, Sanders (13.1-3.5-3.3), Johnson (11.0 & 3.4) and Williams (9.8 & 5.0) are a decent guard trio plus up front, the 6-7 Freeman (10.9 & 8.1) and the 7-0 Gettys (7.7 & 5.0) are not over-matched.

The pick: I'm sticking with my belief that Maryland is vastly overrated and its recent slide confirms that fact. Rutgers doesn't score much (66.0 PPG ranks 319th) but the Scarlet Knights also don't allow many points either, giving up 66.8 PPG (56th) on 40.6% shooting (36th). Make the home dog a 10* play.

The set-up: The 18-10 Georgia State Panthers are on the road in Sun Belt Conference action Monday night, playing at the 19-9 the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Panthers are 11-5 in SBC play (tied with Ga. Southern), while the Red Wolves are a half-game back at 10-5. All SBC teams are looking up at 12-3 Texas-Arlington.

Georgia State: The Panthers' best player is the 6-8 Hollowell (15.4 & 5.5) and the 6- 8 Clayton (6.1 & 7.0) joins him up front, leading the team in rebounding. There is depth on the perimeter, although only Simmonds (12.8) averages in double figures. Four others average between 6.6 and 8.5 PPG but Seymour has missed the past three games while tending to a personal matter and it is unknown if he will rejoin the team for Monday's game.

Arkansas State: The Red Wolves are a perimeter-oriented group, led by Carter (16.3), Simms (13.4 & 4.9), Lindsey (10.6) and PG Thomas (8.4 & 5.7 APG). The 6-7 Bruce (7.2 & 5.10 is the team's leading rebounder.

Th pick: This will be the only meeting between the two schools this season and while ASU is 11-1 SU (7-3 ATS) at home this season, I believe Georgia State is the better team and that Hollowell will the best player on the court. Georgia St. is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 35-24 Toronto Raptors opened February 2-5 but have put together three straight wins (over Charlotte, Boston and Portland) as they head to Madison Square Garden tonight, to take on the 24-35 NY Knicks. The Knicks are coming off a 110-109 win over Philadelphia on Saturday, when Anthony bailed them out with a game-winning jumper with under one second to go, after the Knicks had blown a double digit lead.

Toronto: The Raptors have won the last two of their three-game winning streak without the services of PG Kyle Lowry (22.8 & 6.9 APG), who has a sore wrist. All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan (27.7) has totaled of 76 points in those two games, while newly acquired forward Serge Ibaka has fit right in by averaging 16.5 and 8.5 rebounds in his first two contests with the team. DeRozan ws quicjk to add that there is little doubt that the defensive presence of Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker is making a difference. "I think it's obvious," he said in his postgame on-court interview with Sportsnet after Sunday's 112-106 win over the Trail Blazers. "What P.J. brings and what Serge brings, it makes a big difference."

New York: 'Melo is hitting on all cylinders lately, averaging 28.4 points over his last seven games to push his season mark to 23.5 PPG (adds 6.0 RPG). However, the Knicks could be without second-leading scorer Kristaps Porzingis (18.1 & 7.1) for a second straight game, as he sat out the Philly win with an ankle injury. Despite all of New York's woes, the Knicks are still just four games out of a playoff spot. Derrick Rose, who like Anthony had trade rumors surrounding his name, has shot 53.4 percent over his last six games and is averaging 17.6 PPG and 4.4 APG on the season.

The pick: Toronto is on a five-game winning streak against the Knicks, with four of those wins coming by double digits, but it's my belief that with the trade deadline passed, the Knicks will be a 'tough out' down the stretch, especially at MSG. Make the Knicks a 10* play.

The set-up: Kansas has clinched a 13th consecutive Big 12 regular season crown (ho-hum!) but current No. 12 West Virginia still has a chance to nail down the Big 12's No. 2 seed in the conference tourney. As for No. 9 Baylor (note: a new poll will be released prior to teh tip of this came), after earning the first-ever No. 1 ranking in school history back in early January, the Bears have suddenly lost five of their last eight games and need to sweep their final two games to avoid potentially slipping all the way to a No. 5 seed in next week's Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.

The pick: The Mountaineers are nicknamed "Press Virginia" and Baylor knows all too well about West Va.'s relentless defensive pressure. The Bears committed 29 turnovers in losing 89-68 back on Jan. 10 in Morgantown and will have to do a much better job of protecting the ball here, to get a "W." Easier said than done, as West Virginia leads the nation in turnovers forced per game (21.55) and steals per game (11.0). West Va. is 10* play.

The set-up: The 22-6 Wisconsin Badgers are 11-4 in Big Ten play and with Purdue losing Saturday at Michigan, have a chance to get back into a tie for first with a win Sunday at East Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans are 17-11 overall, including 9-6 in Big Ten play, as Tom Izzo looks to make it 20 straight NCAA appearances by his team with an at-large NCAA bid, that's assuming MSU doesn't surprise and win the Big Ten tourney.

Wisconsin: The Badgers enter this game losers of three of their last four but Purdue's loss last night should give them a spark. Losing Thursday at Ohio St. was obviously not good news but the silver lining was Bronson Koenig making 5 of 9 from three-point range, breaking out of a slump that had seen him go 8-of-36 from beyond the arc over his previous six games. He scored 27 points and ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.8 PPG to the 6-10 Happ (14.4 & 8.9). Happ leads the team in scoring (15.6 points), rebounding (8.3), assists (2.9), blocks (1.5) and steals (2.6) during conference play to make him the only player in the nation to top his team in all five categories in league action! The 6-8 Hayes was a preseason All-American but overall, has disappointed averaging 13.4 & 6.0.

Michigan State: The Spartans are coming off an 88-72 home win over Nebraska on Thursday, which has them within one-half game of a three-way tie for fourth in the Big Ten. Izzo lost senior guard Harris (10.7) for the season two games ago, so it's all up to a quartet of freshman to "bring it home" (meaning an NCAA bid) for the Spartans. It's quite a group, led by the 6-7 Bridges (16.3 & 8.3), who is joined by the 6-8 Ward (13.1 & 5.9), PG Winston (7.0 & 5.4 APG) and SG Langford (6.5). Langford has a season-high 17 points against Nebraska!

The pick: The Badgers seemed to be in cruise control at 21-3 but this team is struggling, while Izzos team' is in 'tournament mode.' Michigan State is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 18-40 Phoenix Suns come off a 128-121 OT loss Friday at Chicago and continue to own the West's worst overall record (Lakers barely edge them out at 19-30). As for the 25-31 Milwaukee Bucks, they entered the All Star break on a three-game winning streak but saw that end Friday at home against the Jazz, falling 109-95

Phoenix; The Suns allowed 108 points in regulation to Chicago (a whopping 128 for the entire game) and only the woeful Nets allow more points game in and game out than Phoenix (112.7 PPG ranks 29th). The Suns own a terrific backcourt duo in PG Bledsoe (21.5-5.0-6.3) and Booker (21.2) plus the first guard off the bench is Brandon Knight (11.0), who was once a solid starter in this league. The 20-year-old Booker scored 27 points vs. the Bulls and has now scored 20 or more in 21 of his last 23 games but Knight was held out of Friday's game to give Tyler Ulis (3.2) more minutes. Ulis is auditioning to be the team’s backup PG and had six points to go along with four assists in 13 minutes. Center Tyson Chandler (8.4 & 11.4) also sat out to give Alex Len (7.5 & 6.4) extra time but the ex-Maryland player struggled in scoring four points and and grabbing seven rebounds in 35 minutes.

Milwaukee: The Bucks took a huge hit when Jabari Parker (20.1 & 6.1) was lost for up to 12 months right before the All Star break with a torn ACL. Milwaukee is not out of the postseason discussion just yet, sitting two games back of No. 8 Detroit, although the red-hot Heat are a half-game in front of them, as well. However, Milwaukee badly needs to find some consistent scoring help from players other than Giannis Antetokounmpo (23.5-8.7-5.4), who is a true All Star. Michael Beasley (9.5 & 3.6) has come through by averaging 19.7 PPG in Milwaukee's last three contests but Greg Monroe (11.5 & 6.8) has been a season-long underachiever and Khris Middleton, last year's leading scorer at 18.2 PPG, has just returned to the court to average a modest 10.2 PPG in five games (hamstring injury had kept him all season).

The pick: With all the Suns' problems, it's hard to trust Milwaukee as any kind of a favorite when only Antetokounmpo can be counted on to produce regularly. Yes, the Bucks won easily in Phoenix earlier this season (137-112) but the Suns have won 14 of the last 21 games against Bucks. Take the points and make Phoenix a 10* play.

The set-up: The No. 15 Cincinnati Bearcats are 25-3 overall and at 14-1 in AAC play, need a win on the road Sunday to stay in a first-place tie with red-hot SMU (winners of 11 straight and 21 of 22) atop the conference. Cincy travels to Orlando Sunday afternoon to face the UCF Knights, who check in at 18-10 overall, including 9-7 in league play.

Cincinnati: The Beracats have lost just once in their last 19 games but it was at SMU, as the two teams match win-for-win as the regular season comes to a close next weekend. Cincinnati jumped out to a 24-point first-half lead and led Memphis by 19 at the half on Thursday, only to see (allow?) the Tigers to shoot 58 percent after the break (54.4% for the game) and draw within six before holding on for an 87-74 victory. "This time of year you're just trying to continue to win and get to the next game," head coach Mick Cronin said. "We learn our lessons. We've got to obviously play a better defensive game." Defensive lapses are rare for Cincy, as the Bearcats allow just 61.4 PPG (8th) on 38.2% shooting (6th). A six-man rotation averages between 7.3 and 13.9 PPG. Up front it's the 6-9 Washington (13.9 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Clark (10.2 & 7.9) while the team's four-guard perimeter group is led by Evans (13.6 & 4.0) and PG Caupain (10.1-4.6-4.6).

UCF: Head coach Johnny Dawkins was run out at Stanford (the Cardinal wanted NCAA not NIT appearances) but landed here in Orlando and has done an excellent job. UCF had won 13,12 and 12 games the previous three years but already owns 18 wins in 2016-17 and comes into this game on a three-game winning streak, after a slump saw the Knights lose six of seven from Jan. 22 to Feb, 11. All five UCF starters scored in double figures Wednesday at Temple, as the team came back from 11 points down in the second half to pull off a 71-69 victory. Guards Taylor (16.7-4.4-3.7) and Williams (15.4 & 4.8) are the leading scorers but no one can fail to notice the 7-6 Tacko Fall (11.9 & 9.7).

The pick: The Bearcats’ 25-3 record through 28 games is the best during Cronin's 11-year tenure and it doesn't look like SMU plans on 'blinking' down the stretch, so the Bearcats need to keep pace. UCF is 12-3 SU at home but hasn’t beaten a ranked foe since a 68-63 decision over Connecticut back in November of 2011. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 8-0, with seven of those wins coming since both teams joined the AAC. Nothing changes here. Make Cincy an 8* play.

The set-up: The Anthony Davis-DeMarcus Cousins era opened with a thud, as the two stars combined for 56 points and 23 rebounds in their first game together, yet the 23-35 New Orleans Pelicans lost by 30 points in Thursday's home game with the Rockets. Adding insult to injury, the Rockets toyed with the Pelicans despite James Harden scoring just 13 points on 3 of 9shooting. The Pelicans look to regroup Saturday night in Dallas, where they will take on the 22-35 Mavericks.

New Orleans: No one was predicting the Pelicans were ready to challenge the Warriors after they traded for Cousins but Thursday's result represented a cold reminder of just how much work New Orleans has in front of themselves. Cousins put it best. "For some reason, I guess people expected a championship," he told reporters afterward. "I know the reality of it. We've had one practice and a shootaround. This isn't something that is just going to happen overnight. Do we look good on paper? Yes. But being good on paper doesn't win games."

Dallas: The Mavs returned frrom the break last night and lost 97-84 at Minnesota, their third straight loss and fifth in seven games. Dallas acquired center Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers prior to Thursday's trading deadline and the expectation is that he will be available for Saturday's contest. The Mavericks expect Noel to be the starting center in the very near future, which would allow veteran Dirk Nowitzki to move back to his natural position of power forward. We'll see. To be sure, the 22 year-old Noel adds to a young nucleus that includes Harrison Barnes (24), Seth Curry (26) and rookie sensation Yogi Ferrell (23).

The pick: New Orleans gave up three guards (Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway) in the deal for Cousins and the lack of backcourt players contributed to 20 turnovers against the Rockets. Expect things to improve greatly in this one. New Orleans won 111-104 win over the Mavericks back on Dec. 26 and I expect the first "W" of the Davis-Cousins era to come tonight. New Orleans is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 32-25 Atlanta Hawks have fallen 2 1/2 games back of the surging Washington Wizards in the Southeast and currently own the No. 5 seed in the East. They lost for the third time in four games Friday, shooting just 38 percent in a 108-90 home loss to the Heat. The 21-38 Orlando Magic were quiet on trade deadline day and continued their free fall that night by coughing up a lead in Thursday’s 112-103 home loss against Portland, their sixth loss in seven games.

Atlanta: Dennis Schroder (17.5 & 6.3 APG) has replaced the traded Jeff Teague at PG without missing a beat but was suspended one game for being late in returning back from the break. He should be back in the lineup tonight, joining PF Millsap (18.0 & 7.8) and center Howard (13.4 & 12.8). Glenn Robinson Jr. (13.0) has really come on lately plus the Hawks added Ersan Ilyasova in a trade with the 76ers. He scored nine points in 16 minutes last night but has averaged 14.2 & 5.8 on the season and will help this team down the stretch.

Orlando: The Magic traded Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for Terrence Ross but that surely didn't improve a team which is going nowhere, fast. Swingman Evan Fournier leads the team ins coring at 16.8 PPG and center Nikola Vucevic (14.1 & 10.0) is a solid player but the Magic's home record speaks for itself. Orlando is 9-19 SU in Amway Arena and 7-20-1 ATS.

The pick: Schroder gets back in the lineup and the Hawks cruise past Orlando, just kike they have in two earlier meetings, winning 131-120 and 111-92. Atlanta is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 15-13 Iowa Hawkeyes are just 7-8 in Big Ten play as they travel to College Park to take on No. 24 Maryland. The Terps are 22-6 overall and 10-5 in the Big Ten, sitting third behind Wisconsin (11-4) and Purdue (12-3).

Iowa: The Hawkeyes come in off a 96-90 overtime win over visiting Indiana, which was preceded by a three-game losing streak. I win here gets them to .500 and keeps the team's very slim at-large NCAA hopes barely alive. Senior guard Peter Jok (21.0 & 6.0) is the team-leader (shoots 92.1% on FTs) but Fran McCaffrey has a young squad overall. In fact, the team's next three best scorers are all freshman. The trio includes guard Bohannon (9.2) plus forwards Cook (11.8 & 4.9) and Persnl (9.0 & 4.1).

Maryland: The Terps need to snap a two-game slide, after losing 71-60 at Wisconsin and 89-75 at home to Minnesota. Guard Melo Trimble (17.4-3.4-3.6) has scored in double digits in 17 consecutive games and 26 overall this season but the year hasn't gone as planned for the player who returned to Maryland to improve his NBA draft stock (it's been a choppy year). Maryland also depends on freshman, as 6-7 forward Justin Jackson (10.8 & 6.2) and guard Anthony Cowan (10.4 & 3.8 APG) are the Terps' only other double digit scorers behind Trimble.

The pick: Maryland won 84-76 at Iowa back on Jan. 19, as five players scored in double figures. Maryland hasn't lost three straight since Feb. 25-March 4, 2012 but the Hawkeyes are 3-1 in rematch games this season, so I'm taking the points. Iowa is a 10* play.

The set-up: The 23-5 Florida Gators and the 23-5 Kentucky Wildcats not only own similar overall records but both teams are also 13-2 in SEC play, leaving them tied atop the league. The Gators ripped the Wildcats 88-66 in Gainesville back on Feb. 4, so if Florida could win here in Rupp Arena, it would give them a season sweep and the tie breaking advantage for the upcoming SEC tourney. If that's not enough drama we have Kentucky head coach John Calipari announcing that it will be a game-time decision as to whether his prized freshman PG, De'Aaron Fox (15.5 & 5.3 APG), will be able to play.

Florida: The win over Kentucky was the fourth contest in what has become a nine-game Florida winning streak in which the Gators have also gone 7-2 ATS. A look at the team's stat sheet shows seven palyers averaging 21-plus minutes and contributing between 6.5 and 13.6 PPG. The leading scorers are guards Allen (13.6) and Barry (12.7), with the 6-8 Robinson (11.2 & 5.8) rounding out the players in double digits. He was paired up front with the 6-11 Egbunu (7.8 & 6.6) but he was lost to a season-ending injury in mid-February. The 6-9 Hayes (6.4 & 4.1) is getting most of his minutes. The Gators are an excellent defensive team, allowing just 65.9 PPG (47th) on 40.7% shooting (34th).

Kentucky: The Wildcats counter with an offense scoring 88.2 PPG (4th) on 48.2% shooting (27th) but off course, they could be without their starting PG. Fellow freshman guard Monk (21.1) is the team's top scorer and 6-10 freshman Adebayo (13.0 & 7.4) is the team's best frontcourt player. A veteran by Kentucky standards is sophomore guard Briscoe, who adds 13.5 & 5.4.

The pick: In the teams' earlier meeting, Florida was led by guard Kasey Hill (9.7 & 4.8 APG), who scored 21 points. Devin Robinson had 16 & 9, Barry came off the bench for 14 and Allen scored 12. Egbunu had eight points and seven rebounds but as noted, is out for the season after tearing his ACL on Feb. 14. The Wildcats shot only 37.7 percent in that Feb. 4 game and here's the rub, only two opponents have reached their season average in scoring against the Gators this season, Georgia in overtime and Auburn in regulation. However, after getting 'spanked' in Gainesville by the Gators, I'm not going against the revenge-minded Wildcats who average 91.7 PPG in lined contests here at Rupp. Kentucky is a 10* play.

The set-up: The 24-5 North Carolina Tar Heels take their No.8 AP ranking into Pittsburgh early Saturday afternoon for a game with the 15-13 Pitt Panthers. The Tar Heels sit atop the ACC at 12-3, while the Panthers are near the bottom at 4-11.

North Carolina: The Tar Heels remained unbeaten at Chapel Hill this season with Wednesday's 74-63 win over No. 7 Louisville, which also upped their ACC lead to trwo games. A regular season and ACC tourney title would likely earn North Carolina a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday. North Carolina is loaded, despite the loss of guard Williams (6.2) to a season-ending knee injury. Berry (14.6 & 4.0 APG) will get some extra backcourt help now from Britt (4.8) but the frontcourt talent is an embarrassment of riches. The Tar Heels have excellent size in the 6-10 Meeks (12.7 & 9.1) , the 6-9 Hicks (12.1 & 5.6) and the 6-10 Bradley (7.4 & 5.4). Then there are the talented swingmen like the 6-8 Jackson, the team's leading scorer at 18.7 PPG (4.7 RPG) and the 6-6 Pinson (7.7 & 4.3), who lately starts in the backcourt. More good news comes Roy Williams' way in that North Carolina has also steeped things up on the defensive end lately, allowing just 59.0 PPG on 38.9 percent shooting the last three games.

Pittsburgh: Maybe Jamie Dixon knew what he was doing when he left Pitt at the end of last year to return to his alma mater (TCU). Senior forwards Michael Young (20.4 & 7.0) and Jamel Artis (19.3-4.9-3.4) are first and third, respectively, in ACC scoring but the Panthers lost eight straight from Jan. 7 through Feb 4, ruining a 12-3 start. Pitt was headed for a fourth win in five games Wednesday but coughed up a 19-point lead in a 63-59 loss to Wake Forest. Kevin Stallings first season in Pittsburgh is turning into a 'nightmare.'

The pick: Pitt almost beat North Carolina in Chapel Hill back on Jan 31 (lost just 80-78) but that should only serve as more motivation for a team like the Tar Heels, which has a No. 1 NCAA seed in its sights. A "two-man" team can't trade points with the Tar Heels. Make North Carolina an 8* play.

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The set-up: The 34-21 Washington Wizards opened the season 2-8 but slowly got things turned around. They then 'sprinted' to the All Star break on an 18-3 run, taking over the top spot in the Southeast Division and climbing to the East's No. 3 seed, just two back of the Celtics. Washington gets back on te heourt tonight in Philadelphia against the 21-35 76ers. Philly's record may not look very good but when one considers this team won just TEN times all of last season, it's been quite a turnaround for this franchise.

Washington: The Wizards own a terrific starting-five, led by guards Wall (22.8-4.6-10.6) and Beal (22.2). Up front, center Gortat (11.9 & 11.4) is surrounded by forwards Morris (14.9 & 6.8) and Porter (14.6 & 6.7). However, an anemic bench has been the team's Achilles heel. Washington surely helped themselves on Wednesday, acquiring veteran shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (14.2 PPG) from the Brooklyn Nets to spread the floor and give the bench a proven scorer. "Bojan is a very good shooter and a talented overall scorer whose versatility gives us an added dimension as we gear up for the stretch run," Washington president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. "He is a proven starter that will provide us an added boost off the bench and allow us to be creative with our lineups."

 Philadelphia: Center Jahlil Okafor (11.4 & 4.8) seemed to be rumored to be going to a different team every day over the last few weeks but in the end remained in a 76ers uniform while fellow center Nerlens Noel (8.9 & 5.0 in just under 20 minutes) was sent to Dallas in exchange for center Andrew Bogut, who is expected to be waived. The 76ers also sent PF Ersan Ilyasova (14.8 & 5.9) to Atlanta in an effort to open up minutes for promising rookie Dario Saric, who will likely move into the starting lineup in the spot vacated by Ilyasova. Saric has averaged 10.8 & 5.9 in just over 24 minutes.

The pick: Of course, rookie center Joel Embiid (20.2 & 7.8) has been the key to the team's turnaround but he sat out the last 11 games with a knee injury. He made it through a full practice on Wednesday but has yet to be cleared and likely will sit out the next two contests. However, the 76ers closed the first half of the season going 3-2 SU and 5-0 ATS heading into the break, all without Embiid. Note that Saric averaged 20.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting in those last five games, giving a window into why the 76ers moved Ilyasova. Love the way Washington is playing and picking up Bogdanovic is "just what the doctor ordered" but the 76ers are a money-making 20-9 ATS at home. Philly is a 10* play.

The set-up: It's Horizon League action Friday night when the 22-7 Oakland Grizzlies visit the 17-11 Green Bay Phoenix. The Grizzlies are 12-4 in the Horizon League, one game back of first-place Valpo, while the Phoenix sit in third-place at 11-5.

Oakland: The Grizzlies may be one game back of Valpo but they've beaten the Crusaders in both meetings this season, so a tie at the top would give them the league's No. 1 seed for the tourney. Oakland won its seventh straight game 101-72, this past Tuesday at home over Youngstown State, shooting an impressive 52.0% from the floor. The team knew it could never replace Kay Felder (24.4-4.3-9.3) but guards Martez Walker (17.1) and Dorsey-Walker (12.6-5.2-3.7) plus the 6-7 Hayes (15.7 & 7.9) have this year's team at 22 wins, just one shy of the 23 wins Felder led this team to last season.

Green Bay: The Phoenix upset the Grizzlies back on Jan. 27th in Oakland, 80-72. Small had 16 points, while Lowe, Kanter and Jones all had 14 points. Th team's leading scorer is Cooper (13.2 & 5.2) but he had just nine points (4 of 13 shooting) in that first meeting. He's joined in double digits by fellow guards Small (10.7 & 5.2) and Jones (10.6) plus the 6-10 Kanter (10.6 & 5.7). The 6-8 Lowe chips in 6.6 & 5.1.

The pick: Since that Jan. 27th loss to Green Bay, Oakland has ripped off seven straight wins and I say make it eight in a row, as the Grizzlies keep the pressure on Valpo to not slip up. Make Oakland a 10* play.

The set-up: The 24-33 Sacramento Kings begin life without DeMarcus Cousins when they return from the All Star break to host the 25-31 Denver Nuggets. Cousins was traded to New Orleans with the Kings getting Buddy Hield (sixth overall pick of the 2016 draft) and Tyreke Evans (played his first four NBA seasons in Sacramento), Langston Galloway and a 2017 first-round draft pick.

Denver: The Nuggets currently hold down the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot but five teams return from the break within 3 1/2 games of Denver, including the Kings and Pelicans. Injuries have left Denver shorthanded during parts of (most of?) February but the Nuggets were on an 11-8 run heading into the break and just may be getting healthy. Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (17.2 points, groin injury), fellow forward Kenneth Faried (ankle) and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (back) may return after missing the final four games before the break plus forward Wilson Chandler (illness) also should be back. Faried averages 9.9 & 8.0, Mudiay 11.8-3.5-4.2 and Chandler 15.6 & 6.7. 6-10 center Jokic (16.3 & 8.9) is quickly becoming the team's MVP, as he averaged 23.4 & 14.4 in the five games prior to the break. Speaking of the All Star break, second-year player Jamal Murray (8.9) scored 236points in the Rising Stars Challenge to earn MVP honors.

Sacramento: The Kings can't replace Cousins' 27.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game but they won't miss his NBA-leading 17 technical fouls. Rudy Gay (18.7) has been lost for the season so that means PG Darren Collison leads Sacramento in scoring (13.7 PPG) and center Kosta Koufos is its leading rebounder (5.4 RPG). Cauley-Stein (5.8 & 2.7 in about 13 MPG) figures to get a heavy share of the 34 minutes per game Cousins averaged and Sacramento GM Vlade Divac has always loved Buddy Hield saying, "His work ethic is exactly what we want here."

The pick: The Kings had won four straight before getting blasted 109-86 by the Warriors to close the first half and also own four straight wins over the Nuggets.The Nuggets are 10-18 SU on the road and now they come in at about a 'TD' favorite on the road?? I think not. Make Sacramento a 10* play.

The set-up: Gonzaga stayed at No. 1 in the AP's most recent poll (released this past Monday) and is two wins away from completing a perfect 30-0 regular season. The 28-0 Bulldogs (16-0 in WCC play) will host the 12-16 San Diego Toreros Thursday night, who check in at 5-11 in league play. Tonight's winning team is hardly in doubt, with only the margin TBD!

San Diego: The Toreros posted a 60-58 double-overtime victory against Santa Clara on Saturday, halting a five-game losing streak. San Diego's starting lineup does not feature a player taller than 6-7. Forwards Brett Bailey (15.9 & 7.0) and Cameron Neubauer (11.0 & 5.4) are 6-6 and 6-7, respectively. They are joined by guard Carter (15.2) but that trio doesn't get much help.

Gonzaga: PG Nigel Williams-Goss (a Washington transfer) averages 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists, making him a near-lock for WCC player of the year honors. Up front, the 7-1 Karnowski (12.8 & 5.8), 7-0 freshman Collins (10.6 & 5.9) and the 6-9 Williams (9.9 & 5.8) should have their way with San Diego's small frontcourt. Gonzaga averages 85.4 PPG (10th) on 51.4% shooting (3rd).

The pick: San Diego only averages 66.0 PPG (322nd) on 41.1% shooting (318th) and in the first meeting this year, lost 79-43. Yes, Gonzaga has ripped off 20 consecutive double-digit victories but this impost is more than just a double digit one, it's more than three 'TDs!' Take the points and make San Diego a 10* play.

The set-up: The 5-23 Oregon State Beavers and the 13-13 Stanford Cardinal have each had disappointing seasons (particularly OSU) but both enter this contest off impressive wins. OSU rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to record their first league victory in Sunday's 68-67 upset of Utah. Meanwhile, Stanford played just once last week but made it count, taking down its biggest rival Cal, 73-68 at Maples Pavilion which handed a severe blow to Cal's at-large NCAA Tournament hopes.

 Oregon State: The Beavers' season all but ended when 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle (20.2-8.3) broke his wrist after six games. Oregon State opened the season by going 4-9 in non-conference play but lost its first 14 Pac 12 games, before breaking through this past Sunday. Guards Thompson scored a career-high 31 points in the win over Utah and leads the team in scoring at 16.8 PPG. Fellow guard McLaughlin (11.1 &3.1 APG) plus the 6-10 Eubanks (14.7 & 8.2) are really all the significant contributors OSU has now, without Tinkle .
Stanford: Swingman Pickens (12.5 PPG) led Stanford with 23 points in Friday's upset of Cal plus the team's best player, the -8 Travis Ried (17.3 & 8.6) also added 19 points and nine rebounds while helping to foul out both Cal centers! The 6-9 Humphrey (9.4-6.4) joins Reid up front with the team's best perimeter players along with Pickens being Allen (7.2), Cartwright (7.1 & 3.5 APG) and Sheffield (7.0). 

The pick: Johnny Dawkins was fired at Stanford after eight years, because he led the team to just one NCAA appearance. He did win two NIT titles but the Stanford faithful wanted NCAA, not NIT bids. It's ironic that in his first season as Stanford's head coach, Jerrod Haase's would love to get his team into the NIT. Stanford is 20-2 at Maples Pavilion against Oregon State since 1993 and the Beavers have yet to win on the road this year (0-11 SU getting outscored 80.8-63.0 PPG), so I'll make Stanford a 10* play.

The set-up: The 16-11 Providence Friars (6-8 in Big East play) will be on the road Wednesday night to take on the 22-5 Creighton Bluejays (9-5 in Big East). The Friars are going nowhere in the Big East (tied for 6th in a 10-team league) but own home wins the last two games over Butler and Xavier. Creighton only has slim conference title hopes (Villanova is 11-2) but the team routed Georgetown on Sunday, 87-70.

Providence: The Friars are an at-large "bubble team" and a win here would be a huge help. PG Cartwright (11.1 & 6.7 APG) has overcome knee tendinitis to average 14.9 points over his last nine games. The 6-8 Bullock (16.7 & 6.1) is the team's best player with two 6-7 players, Holt (12.1 & 5.8) and Lindsey (10.0 & 4.2) rounding out the team's double digit scorers. Coming on is freshman guard Alpha Diallo (5.1), who is averaging 11.3 points on 55 percent from the floor over his last six games.Creighton: The Bluejays suffered a huge loss when PG Maurice Watson Jr. (12.9 & 8.5 APG) was lost for the season eight games ago to a torn ACL. We're a completely different team now (without Watson). We still get our transition buckets, but we also have to go to our half-court motion game. … My game is coming slow and easy," Marcus Foster told reporters after Creighton beat Georgetown. Foster scored a career-high 35 points against the Hoyas and leads the team at 18.6 PPG. Guard Thomas (11.9-5.6-3.1) is playing more PG now with Watson out plus 7-0 freshman center Patton (13.5 & 6.30 is having a fine season. The 6-8 Huff (9.2 & 4.) is a solid frontcourt player, as well.

The pick: Providence has won six of the eight meetings between the teams since Creighton joined the Big East prior to the start of the 2013-14 season but one of those two Creighton wins came in Providence back on Jan. 7, as the Blue Jays ended a five-game losing streak to the Friars with a 78-64 road victory. Creighton will visit No. 2 Villanova on Saturday but a loss here would take a lot of luster off that showdown. Make Creighton  a 10* play.

The set-up: Coach K has returned to the bench and the 22-5 Blue Devils will take a seen-game winning streak (Coach K has been on the sidelines for the last five) into tonight's game in the Carrier Dome against 16-12 Syracuse. The 10th-ranked Blue Devils are 10-4 in ACC play and the Orange just 8-7, as two of the most successful coaches in college basketball history go head-to-head. Mike Krzyzewski holds a modest 4-3 edge against Jim Boeheim

The set-up: The 15-12 Indiana Hoosiers take their 5-9 Big Ten record to Iowa City to face the 14-13 Iowa Hawkeyes, who are not much better in league play at 6-8. Iowa's at-large chances are almost nil and Indiana's are heading towards nil fast, after four consecutive losses and six in the last seven games!

Indiana: How the mighty have fallen. The Hoosiers opened the season as the AP's 11th-ranked team and in the Armed Forces Classic over in Honolulu back on Nov 11, took down the AP's 3rd-ranked team Kansas, 103-99 in OT. When the Hoosiers met Butler in Indianapolis on Dec 17, they were 8-1 and ranked 9th (had earlier been as high as No. 3!). However, Indiana lost to Butler and not much has gone right since, as doing the math, the Hoosiers are 7-11 since that 8-1 start.The team's recent slide has severely jeopardized its chances for an at-large bid. It's been a injury-plagued stretch but leading scorer James Blackmon Jr. (17.0 & 4.8) and 6-8 sophomore forward Juwan Morgan (7.0 & 5.3) both played well in Indiana's recent 75-74 hard-luck loss at Minnesota. Blackmon scored 22 in his third game back from a leg injury and Morgan had 14 points for his best output since returning from a foot issue last month. Junior guard Robert Johnson ranks second on the team in scoring (13.2 & 4.2) but is trending in the opposite direction while averaging 4.3 points on 4-of-24 shooting in his last three games. The 6-10 Bryant (13.1 & 7.0) is a solid contributor (although he's averaged just 8.0 PPG on 6-of-22 shooting over his last two games) but a real 'killer' was the 6-8 Anunoby (11.1 & 5.7) being lost for the season with a knee injury in mid-January.

Iowa: Senior guard Peter Jok leads the Big Ten in scoring (20.4) but overall, Fran McCaffrey's team is young. Freshman forward Tyler Cook is the only Hawkeye other than Jok scoring in double digits (11.7 & 4.5), while freshman guard Jordan Bohannon tops the team in assists (4.4) and avergages 9.2 PPG. The Hawkeyes' losing streak stands at three following a 70-66 home loss to Illinois on Saturday. "Sometimes you've got to go through it, and experience it - the good, the bad," coach Fran McCaffery told reporters. "You know, if you're out of the game, what did your teammates do right? What did they do wrong?"

The pick: Both teams score well, as Indiana ranks second in the Big Ten at 80.3 PPG and Iowa third at 79.9. Indiana misses Anunoby but is getting healthier and a late-season run is not hard to imagine. The Hoosiers have won five of the last six meetings overall with the Hawkeyes, including two straight in Iowa City. Make it three straight, as Indiana is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 14-15 Evansville Purple Aces (5-11 in MVC play) draw a tough assignment Tuesday night when they visit Wichita to take on the 25-4 Wichita State Shockers (15-1 in MVC play). A 10-game win streak has vaulted Wichita State into the AP poll for the first time this season (at No. 25), making it the sixth straight season in which the Shockers have been ranked in the AP's top-25. It matches the school record for such a streak, first set from 1960-66.,

Evansville: The Purple Aces were on a surprising four-game winning streak heading into Saturday but it abruptly ended when they lost at Bradley 84-72, by getting outscored 43-17 to end the game (note: Bradley is just 10-19 on the season). Senior guard Jaylon Brown (20.3) leads the MVC in scoring and free-throw percentage (86.1) but only sophomore guard Ryan Taylor (14.9) joins him in averaging double-figures on the season. The drop-off after this guard duo is severe, as no other Evansville player averages as much as 7.0 PPG and the team's best big man is the 6-8 Howard, who averages modest totals of 6.5 PPG and 5.1 RPG.

Wichita State:The Shockers crushed Northern Iowa 73-44 on Saturday to reach 25 wins for the eighth straight season and shares the MVC lead with Illinois State. There are just two games to play prior to the conference tourney (Arch Madness), as Wichita St.pursues its fourth straight MVC regular-season title. The 2016-17 season was expected to be a rebuilding one with Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet (two of the greatest players school in history) gone to the NBA but that hasn't been the case. "Those guys have gotten so much better since earlier this year,'' Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall told reporters about his streaking team. "The only thing I can say to anyone who doesn't think we're an NCAA Tournament team is they don't watch enough basketball. All you have to do is watch our team." The 6-8 McDuffie leads the team in scoring (a modest 11.8 PPG) and rebounding (a modest 5.9 RPG) but that hardly tells the whole story. Wichita can score (81.5 PPG ranks 26th in the nation) and can also defend, allowing just 62.2 PPG (11th) on 37.4% shooting (3rd)!

The pick: Yes, the number is high but the Shockers have won the last eight meetings with the Purple Aces by an average of 15.5 PPG, as well as 14 of the last 15 encounters at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State has won by an average margin of 24.2 PPG during its current 10-game winning streak, featuring a lineup in which 10 players average 13 MPG and at least 4.8 PPG. Talk about balance AND depth. Lay the points and make Wichita St. a 10* play.

The set-up: It's A-10 action tonight from Philly, as the 17-9 Rhode Island Rams take on the 14-11 La Salle Explorers at the Tom Gola Arena. (if you don't know Gola's name, you are way too young!). The Rams have won seven of 10 and are 9-5 in conference play (tied with Richmond), three games back of 12-2 VCU and Dayton. The Explorers are 8-6 in league games and come in having won six of their last eight home contests.

Rhode Island: More was expected out of the Rams this year, as the Blue Ribbon Yearbook listed them at No. 25 before the season. The Rams haven't ever looked like a top-25 team this year. The starting-five is guards Matthews (14.8 & 4.2), Terrell (12.6) and Dowtin (5.6), joined up front by the 6-7 Martin (13.8 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Iverson (9.4 & 7.5). Guards Garrett (7.5) and Robinson (6.1) are the top reserves.

La Salle: The Explorers top-five scorers are all listed as guards, with Robinson (18.0 & 6.3), Price (16.5 & 4.3) and Powell (13.1 & 4.2) scoring in double digits. The team gets very production from its frontcourt, as the biggest contributors are the 6-9 Henry (5.9 & 4.0) and the 6-10 Washington (5.1 & 4.1).

The pick: I noted earlier that La Salle has played well at home recently. However, the Explorers are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog, while the Rams are 7-0-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings at La Salle. That makes sense, as the road team is 13-3-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings in this series. Make Rhode Island a 10* play.

The set-up: The 17-9 Iowa State Cyclones and the 17-10 Texas Tech Red Raiders are both considered 'bubble' teams for at-large bids to the big Dance. The Cyclones are 9-5 in the Big 12, putting them in a stronger position than the Red Raiders, who check in at just 5-9 in league play (four games left for both teams in regular season play).

Iowa State: The Cyclones won the first meeting between the two schools, 63-56 in Ames back on Dec. 30th. ISU comes in on a three-game winning streak, as well as four wins in the eteam's last five. That 4-1 run includes a resume-building 92-89 victory over Kansas in Lawrence and also includes wins over Oklahoma, Kansas State and TCU, all by at least eight points. “That’s when you want to play your best basketball – late in the season,” Cyclones senior guard Naz Mitrou-Long said in a news conference after scoring a game-high 25 points Saturday vs. TCU. “I definitely feel we’re starting to do that. We’re putting some complete games together.” Long (15.9 & 4.8) is one of four players (all listed as guards) who average in double figures. The others are PG Morris (16.0-4.5-6.0), Burton (14.3 & 6.7) and Thomas (11.6 & 4.1). The Cyclones can trdde points with most teams, averaging 80.7 PPG (34th).

Texas Tech: Chris Beard's (of Arkansas-Little Rock fame) first season at Tech has not been a smashing success, as Saturday's hard-luck OT loss at West Va. dropped Texas Tech to 1-7 SU on the road this season. However, the Red Raiders are a 'tough out' here in Lubbock, where they are 15-2 this season, which includes last Monday’s 84-78 win over Baylor. Guard Evans (15.7) is the team's leading scorer but the team's strength is up front with a trio of 6-8 players in Smith (13.0 & 7.5), Livingston (10.6 & 3.7) and Ross (8.8 & 2.8). Texas Tech has lost three of four but two of its next three games are in Lubbock,

The pick: As noted, Tech has been a strong home team but while the team owns an "inside edge" over the perimeter-oriented Cyclones, one can see by the above numbers than neither Livingston nor Ross are good rebounders. Iowa State has won six of the last eight meetings with Texas Tech and makes it SEVEN of nine, here. Iowa State is a 10* play.

The set-up: The 9-18 Boston College Eagles take their 2-12 ACC record on the road to play the 21-6 Florida State Seminoles, who are 9-5 in ACC play and currently rank 17th in the latest AP poll (new poll will be out prior to tip-off).

Boston College: Head coach Jim Christian's star shown brightly at Kent State, where he averaged 22.8 wins per season in a six-year stint (two NCAA appearances). That got him the TCU job were he flopped miserably, going 56-73 in four years. He returned to the MAC with Ohio U. and won 24 and 25 games in two seasons but then it was off to BC and the results have been 'ugly.' He was 13-19 his first season, 7-25 last year ahe future, as Robinson averages 19.1-3.9-3.1 and Bowman 14.1-4.7-2.9. However, it seems highly unlikely that Christian will be around too much longer, as BC limps into Tallahassee on a 10-game losing skid.

Florida State: The Seminoles have mostly been known for their defense in the Leonard Hamilton era but FSU has found an offense this season, averaging 83.6 PPG (16th). A trio of guards start, including leading scorer Bacon (16.8), PG Rathan-Mayes (10.3 & 4.7 APG) and Macon (9.1). Up front, 6-10 freshman Isaac (12.7 & 7.7), who figures to be a "one & done," is joined by the 7-1 Ojo (5.3 & 2.5). FSU returns home off a two-game road swing in which the team lost to Notre Dame and Pitt, falling from a tie atop the ACC with North Carolina. The fall has been dramatic, as the Seminoles enter this game alone in fifth-place in the top-heavy ACC.

The pick: It's time to 'get well' against a Boston College team which didn't play a true road game until January and is 0-6 SU on the ACC road. FSU's road struggles are real (5-6 SU) but they are 16-0 at the Donald L. Tucker Center, going 10-3-1 ATS while outscoring lined opponents 91.6-to-70.6 PPG. Florida State has won five straight meetings with Boston College, including a 22-point decision in the first round of last season's conference tournament. Another 'three-TD' win (or more), is the expected result in this one. FSU is a 10* play.

The set-up: The NBA's All Star weekend concludes with tonight's East vs. West All Star game from New Orleans. Brad Stevens (East) and Steve Kerr (West) are the coaches but as they noted, coaching is not an integral part of this game (exhibition?). Kerr will have the unique opportunity to put four of his players on the court at the same time, PG Curry, SG Thompson plus forwards Durant and Green. However, as most likely know, the 'drama' will be not if Kerr chooses to play his four Warriors at the same time but whether Kerr will put OKC's Russell Westbrook on the court with Durant. I think all know the history.

The pick: The West won 196-173 last year and 163-158 the year before, as Westbrook walked away with MVP honors both times. In a game loaded with stars, the West stars will shine brighter again tonight and maybe Russell will once again walk away with that 'cherished' MVP trophy. The West is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 14-12 Georgetown Hoyas play at No. 20 Creighton on Sunday afternoon. The Bluejays are 21-5 overall, including 8-5 in the Big East. It's been a tough season for Georgetown and head coach John Thompson III, as the Hoyas are only 5-8 in league play.

Georgetown: Thompson led Georgetown to 11 straight postseasons (eight NCAA and three NIT) to open his coaching career at the school made famous by his father but last year's 15-18 season has now been followed by this year's 14-12 record, so far. The Hoyas are led by a pair of 6-5 guards, Pryor (a Robert Morris transfer) and Peak. Pryor averages 18.3 PPG and 5.2 RPG, while Peak averages 16.6 PPG and 3.6 APG. Th 6-10 Govan and the 7-0 Hayes give Georgetown some wide bodies inside but these days, Hayes (4.3 & 4.4) is becoming less and less of factor. In contrast, Govan scored a season-high 23 point in an 80-62 home win over Marquette back on Feb. 11, which was the last time Georgetown played.

Creighton: The Bluejays opened 18-1 (5-1 in Big East games) but have been a sub-.500 team since, at 3-4 (all league games). Adding insult to injury, Creighton is now playing without Maurice Watson Jr. (national-best 8.5 assists per game) after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-January. His loss directly coincides with the team's current 3-4 slide. However, the cupboard is hardly bare. Foster (18.0) and Thomas (12.1 & 5.6) can match up with Pryor and Peak in the backcourt plus the 7-0 Patton (13.7 & 6.3) is easily the equal of Govan and gets help from the 6-8 Huff (9.2 & 4.0).

The pick: Creighton will be playing with a chip on its shoulder after losing badly at Georgetown back on Jan. 25th, 71-51! Guards Foster and Thomas combined for just 16 points on 7-of-24 shooting in that game, while allowing Pryor and Peak to get 38 points on 15 of 30 shooting. However, 7-0 freshman center Patton dominated Govan in that game, scoring 20 points and adding seven rebounds. Creighton shot 1 of 18 on threes in that contest but remember, this is a team which comes into this game shooting 52.1 percent from the floor (2nd-best in the nation), including 41.1 (5th) on threes. No way the Bluejays shoot poorly here at home, where they average 84.2 PPG. Revenge works. Make Creighton a 10* play.

The set up: Maryland joined the Big Ten before the 2014-15 season and the Terrapins currently own the top winning percentage in the conference at .793, while Wisconsin is second at .784 during teh same time frame. Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue all entered this weekend tied at 10-3 atop the Big Ten but Purdue moved to 11-3 with Saturday's easy 80-63 win over Michigan State. Later this afternoon, either Maryland or Wisconsin will join them, with the loser of the game falling one game behind with four games left before the conference tourney.

Maryland: The Terps are 22-4 overall, after following a two-game slide with solid wins over Ohio State and Northwestern. Melo Trimble (17.2-3.5-3.5) is coming off a career-high 32 points in Wednesday's win over Northwestern, shooting 12 of 17 from the floor. Trimble had an opportunity to declare for the NBA Draft after last season but in an effort to improve his stock, he returned to school. He's had a 'choppy' year at best, as he was a combined 16-for-52 (30.8%) from the floor over his previous four games prior to his outstanding effort against Northwestern. Maryland's only other double digit scorers this season are both freshman, the 6-7 Jackson (11.0 & 6.3) and guard Cowan (10.7-4.0-3.7).

Wisconsin: The 21-5 Badgers enter today's game off back-to-back losses, the most recent being a 64-58 defeat at Michigan on Thursday. More bad news from that game is that
senior guard Bronson Koenig (13.4) sat out against the Wolverines because of a left calf strain which dates back to a Jan. 24th contest with Penn State. Prior to sitting out against Michigan, he had connected on just 14 of 55 shots overall (25.5 percent), including 7 of 31 three-pointers (22.6 percent) . He averaged only 8.8 points per game in that span. Stepping up lately has been the 6-10 Ethan Happ, the team's leading scorer (14.5) and rebounder (9.1). He's averaging 18.4 points and 10.4 rebounds the last four weeks and Maryland really has no one to match up with him. The 6-8 Nigel Hayes (13.3 & 5.9) has been a major contributor for years at Wisconsin and this season is no different.

The pick: Maryland owns a 6-1 record in Big Ten road games this season but I'm still not sold on the Terps. Koenig participated in shooting and drill sessions during a short practice on Friday but his status is still unclear for the Badgers against the Terps. That said, after back-to-back losses, I want no part of going against Wisconsin in this game. The Badgers are a defensive 'giant,' allowing only 60.5 PPG to ranjk 4th in the nation. They are 13-1 SU at home, holding lined opponents to just 55.8 PPG. Koenig or no Koenig, Wisconsin is a 10* play.

The set-up: Saint Mary's is 23-3 (13-2 in WCC play) and ranked No. 22 in the latest AP poll. The Gaels will be in Provo tonight to take on the 19-9 (10-5 in WCC) BYU Cougars, who have lost only twice on their home court this season. The Cougars' only setback at the Marriott Center in WCC play came at the hands of Gonzaga.

St. Mary's: The Gaels expect to see Gonzaga again in the WCC championship game and remembering that last year's 27-5 record was not enough to earn an NCAA at-large bid, a loss here and against Gonzaga, would leave them with at least five losses this season (trouble?). The Gaels bounced back from a loss to No. 1 Gonzaga last Saturday by routing Loyola Marymount 81-48 on Thursday night. Junior center Jock Landale recorded his 12th double-double of the season on Thursday and leads the Gaels in scoring (17.0) and rebounding (9.5), sharing the WCC lead in rebounding with the Cougars' Eric Mika. Both Naar (9.8 & 5.3 APG) and Rahon (8.7-4.1-5.8) are comfortable playing the point plus the 6-6 Hermanson (12.5) and the 6-9 Pineau (6.5 & 6.30 help out Landale up front.

BYU: I noted 6-10 center Mika's rebounding skills earlier but he also has 16 double-doubles on the season, averaging 20.0 PPG. Childs, a 6-8 freshman, helps out averaging 9.4 & 8.6. A trio of guards all average in double digits, led by freshman PG Haws (14.3-3.0-3.3) plus Emery (13.3) and Bryant (10.1). BYU is 14-2 SU at home, losing to only Gonzaga and shockingly, to Utah Valley State.

The pick: BYU fell at St. Mary's 81-68 back on Jan. 5. The Gaels shot 55 percent from the floor, had 21 assists on 31 FGs and outrebounded the Cougars, 37-27. The Cougars are hoping to have better answers for the Gaels' offense in the rematch but I wouldn't bet on it. St Mary's is 8-1 SU (7-3 ATS) on the road, losing to only Gonzaga. A loss to anyone else this year (other than to the Bulldogs) just may doom the team's at-large hopes. One could call this a "must-win!" St. Mary's is a 10* play.

The set-up: It's rare for a Tom Izzo team to be on the NCAA 'bubble' but that's the case here in 2017, as 16-10 Michigan State (8-5 in Big Ten play) visits West Lafayette to take on the 16th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, who are 21-5 overall, including 10-3 in Big Ten play.

Michigan State: The Spartans enter having won four of five and could they be finding their groove? Tuesday's 74-66 win over Ohio State moved them into a tie for fourth place with Northwestern in the Big Ten. "We're a grinder team, and I'm proud of my guys for being that way," Spartans coach Tom Izzo said after the victory over the Buckeyes. "It's a blue-collar team and I don't mind people calling me a blue-collar coach." MSU is also a young team. The 6-7 Bridges (16.2 & 8.4) is a star plus is joined by fellow freshman forward Ward (13.2 & 5.9) and PG Winston (7.2 & 5.3 APG). Senior guard Harris (11.1) is the best veteran.

Purdue: The Boilermakers are now in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten with Maryland and Wisconsin, which has lost back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Purdue has won four in a row and nine of its last 11. Talking about stars, 6-9 sophomore forward Caleb Swanigan (18.7 & 13.0) has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles and leads the nation with 22. The 7-2 Haas (13.2 & 5.3) doesn't start but is the team's second-leading scorer. Starting alongside Swanigan up front is the 6-8 Vince Edwards (11.7 & 5.0) with that duo joined by a three-guard lineup which includes freshman Carsen Edwards (10.9) plus juniors Mathias (9.9-3.6-3.8) and Thompson (7.3).

The pick: Purdue head coach Matt Painter, whose Boilermakers lost to Michigan State in the 2016 Big Ten tournament championship game in Indianapolis, is impressed with how the Spartans are playing in February. "They have made strides since we played them in January," Painter said. "They were coming off two road losses when we played them. When you go back and watch tape, it's always interesting to see what you did well, what you struggled at and how we could have been better." Yes, Purdue handled MSU the first time but still, has dropped eight of its past 10 against Michigan State, despite notching that victory last month. As for Painter, he's just 8-13 against Izzo and the the Spartans. Take the points and make Michigan State a 10* play.

The set-up: Notre Dame (20-7 / 9-5 in ACC) returned to the AP top-25 this past Monday and Saturday afternoon will head to Raleigh to take on the 14-13 NC State Wolfpack, NC State is just 3-11 in ACC play and Thursday fired head coach Brian Gottfried, making the unusual choice of allowing him to finish the season coaching the team.

Notre Dame: Mike Brey, ND's head coach, expects a better effort from the Wolfpack here than the ones that have caused the Wolfpack's six-game slide. "Throw out the record of North Carolina State given the dynamics of the program right now," Brey said. "They're going to play great. We are going to have to play fabulous to win a road game." Notre Dame came off a 24-win season that ended in the Sweet 16 and this year, opened 16-2, including 5-0 in ACC play. Doing the math, that makes the Irish only 4-5 since, all in league action. However, Notre Dame has recovered from a four-game slide to enter on a three-game winning streak. Colson, a 6-5 small forward, leads in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (10.7). He's joined in double figures by the 6-8 Beachem (15.0 & 3.9) plus guards Farrell (14.7 & 5.5 APG) and Vasturia (14.1-3.8-3.4). That quartet is basically the entire team, as no other player averages more than 5.2 PPG.

NC State: Since beating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in late January for the first time since 1995, NC State has lost six straight, with four defeats coming by 24 points or more. The Wolfpack were picked to finish 6th in the preseason but are 14th (15-team league) and have shown zero signs of life other than freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. He averages 19.0-4.4-6.7 and is almost surely a "one-and-done" player! The Wolfpack have been a defensive sieve in their losing six-game streak, allowing 91.5 PPG.

The pick: Notre Dame should have little trouble scoring on NC State, as the Wolfpack have allowed at least 84 points in each of their last six games (all losses). No reason to think that the 'troops' will rally around Gottfried as the feeling around the school has better been described as "Good Riddance!" Make Notre Dame an 8* play.

The set-up: It's Horizon League action Friday night as the 21-5 Valparaiso Crusaders go on the road to take on the 19-7 Oakland Golden Grizzlies. Valpo leads the conference with an 11-2 mark and Oakland sits in second place at 9-4, although the Grizzlies won the first meeting this year at Valparaiso, 78-66!

Valparaiso: The Drew name is legendary at Valpo and after starring there years ago as a player, Bryce Drew went 124-49 in five seasosn as head coach, winning four regular season titles. Last year's team was 16-2 in league play but lost in the conference tourney and then didn't get an expected at-large bid to the big Dance. Valpo went to the NIT and didn't lose until the championship game, finishing with 30 wins. Drewe took the Vandy job and his assistant, Lottich, has taken over. The Crusaders did lose guard Darien Walker (8.0) and the 6-10 Fernandez (5.6 & 7.2) from that team but with the 6-9 Peters back, Valpo was again expected to be teh league's best team. That's been the case with Peters (23.1 & 10.7) leading the way. Returning guards Hammink (15.5 & 4.0) and Tevonn Walker (11.4 & 5.6) join Peters in double digits plus the 6-7 Adekiya (8.6 & 5.1) is a solid frontcourt partner for Peters.

Oakland: The Golden Grizzlies were 13-5 in league play last year and lost in the championship game of the first-ever Vegas 16 tourney (finished with 23 wins). However, do-everything PG Felder (24.4-4.3-9.3) did not return for his senior season. Still, led by guards Martez Walker (16.7) and Dorsey-Walker (12.7 & 5.3) plus the 6-7 Hayes (15.8 & 7.6), Oakland is on the verge of another 20-win season.

The pick: Oakland enters on a four-game winning streak but Valpo comes in 10-1 over the team's last 11 games plus is playing with revenge from that earlier loss at home to Oakland. In that game, Valpo shot just 36.2%, including 3 of 14 on threes. Valpo won't shoot that poorly again. Oakland has played well against Valpo in recent years but at this price, Valpo only needs a win to cover. Make Valpo a 10* play.

The set-up: Two All Stars square off Thursday night as Isaiah Thomas (29.9 & 6.3 APG) leads the 37-19 Boston Celtics into Chicago to take on Jimmy Butler (24.4-6.3-4.9) and the 27-29 Bulls. Boston's PG looks to record a team-record 41st consecutive 20-point performance, as last night he scored 33 points in a 116-108 home win over Philly to match John Havlicek's franchise mark of 40 set back in 1971-72. Chicago swingman Butler, who had missed four of five games, scored 19 points and matched his season best of 12 assists in Tuesday's 105-94 victory over Toronto. Adding a little more suspense to the mix, the Celtics have been linked to Butler in trade speculation.

Boston: Thomas' backcourt partner Avery Bradley (17.7 & 6.9) has been sidelined by an Achilles problem, missing 19 of Boston's last 20 games. He's out again tonight but led by Thomas' superb play, Boston has won 14 of the 19 games Bradley has missed, with the Celtics surging to a 4 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division plus currently own the East's No. 2 seed, just 2 1/2 games back of the Cavs. Thomas has topped 25 points in 10 consecutive contests (averaging 33.9 PPG during that span) and has scored 35 or more on 14 occasions this season. After some early season injury issues, center Horford (14.8-6.7-5.0) and SF Crowder (14.0 & 5.7) have settled in to deliver Boston consistent efforts in support of Thomas' outstanding play.

Chicago: The Bulls shook things up after missing last year's playoffs with Rose and Noah going to the Knicks and Gasol to the Spurs. However, the "new-look" Bulls (Wade and Rondo were the big additions) are sub-.500 and while they currently own the East's 7th-seed, they are uncomfortably only 1 1/2 games inside the playoff 'cut line.' Wade has averaged 19.1-5.2-3.8 and Rondo a very disappointing 6.6-5.2-6.5. Wade's wrist has kept him out of the last two games (three of the last four) and his availability for tonight's contest will be determined after Thursday's shootaround. Forward Nikola Mirotic (9.0 & 5.1) also has missed the last two contests with a back issue and appears unlikely to play on Thursday.

The pick: The Bulls are barely hanging onto one of the last two playoff spots in the East plus find themselves surrounded by trade rumors involving not just Butler (the team's lone All Star) but power forward Taj Gibson and center Robin Lopez, as well. Meanwhile, the Celtics have won four straight and 11 of their last 12 games. Boston is a 10* play.

The pick: The bad news for Michigan is that Wisconsin has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two schools but the Wolverines acquitted themselves very well earlier this season, losing just 68-64 in Madison. Happ struggled against the increased defensive attention placed on him by the Wildcats in Northwestern's upset win and don't think Michigan head coach John Beilein didn't take notice. In fact, when Wisconsin beat Michigan in Madison back on Jan. 17th, Happ made just 5 of 13 shots, as Michigan easily covered as a 10 1/2-point dog.The home crowd helps Michigan to a win. make the Wolverines a 10* play.

The set-up: The 20-5 Duke Blue Devils jumped from 18 to 12 in Monday's AP poll and head to Charlottesville 8-4 in ACC play where the 14th-ranked 18-6 Virginia Cavaliers await, also 8-4 in league play. The ACC race is tightening at the top and now, every game carries added importance

Duke: The Blue Devils have won five in a row, including their last two road games, at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Coach K is back on the sidelines and Duke is beginning to look like the team that was ranked No. 1 in the preseason before a rash of injuries led to some unexpected struggles. The team owns an outstanding mix of veterans and dynamic freshmen. Sophomore Luke Kennard (20.0 & 5.1) leads the team in scoring and has hit 45.9 percent from three-point range. Junior Grayson Allen (15.9-4.4-4.0) has flourished in the primary PG role (plus has stayed out of trouble, lately) while 6-9 senior Jefferson (11.3 & 9.10 has been healthy all season. The emergence of 6-8 freshman Jayson Tatum (15.6 & 7.0) alongside Jefferson in the frontcourt has made the Blue Devils a more complete team and what happens if the 6-10 freshman Harry Giles (5.0 & 4.4 in 14 games) ever finds his game?

Virginia: The Cavaliers win with defense, leading the nation in holding opponents to 55.1 PPG. The team's grinding style of play doesn't allow for too much scoring (69.3 PPG ranks 271st), led by PG London Perrantes (12.6 & 3.9 APG) and he has upped his production to 15.7 PPG in ACC play. Fellow guards Marial Shayok (9.7) and Devon Hall (8.5 & 4.4) also have averaged double digits in points during league play. The 6-7 Isaiah Wilkins (7.6 & 6.3) leads the team in rebounds, blocks and steals.

The pick: The saying goes that a good defense beats a good offense but I'm not convinced Virginia can slow Duke enough (Blue Devils average 81.9 PPG on 48.2% shooting) or score enough themselves in this contest. Duke has beaten Virginia in three consecutive regular-season matchups and I say make it four straight, here. Duke is a 10* play.

The set-up: SMU moved to 22-4 (12-1 in AAC play) with its 60-51 home win over Cincinnati this past Sunday. The Mustangs also jumped from 25 to 19 in Monday's latest AP poll. They now get set to host the 4-20 Tulane Green Wave (1-11 in AAC play). Talk about teams heading in opposite directions? I guess SMU just needs to avoid a let down!

The pick: SMU wins with defense, ranking 3rd in points allowed (58.0 PPG) and seventh in opponents' FG percentage (38.4%). Tulane is over-matched here and SMU has won all 15 home games this season (9-1 ATS and has outscored lined opponents 76.1-to-55.0 PPG), extending its home winning streak to 19 in a row,  Big number to cover but make SMU an 8* play.

The set-up: No. 19 Maryland will take its 21-4 record (9-3 in the Big Ten) into Evanston tonight to face the 19-6 Northwestern Wilcats (8-4 in Big Ten play). Northwestern is courting history, as the Wildcats are the only Power-5 school to have not made an NCAA appearance but after upsetting Wisconsin 65-59 on the road, Northwestern is clearly set to end that drought come Selection Sunday 2017.

Maryland: The Terrapins had fallen from first to third in the Big Ten standings with the back-to-back losses Purdue and Penn State but remain just a game back of the Badgers after beating Ohio State 86-77 last weekend, Maryland's highest-scoring point total in conference play.thi season (Maryland plays at Wisconsin this coming Sunday). Maryland's leading scorer is Melo Trimble (16.6), who had an opportunity to declare for the NBA Draft after last season. However, he in an effort to improve his his stock. He's failed to do that with a disappointing season to-date, especially lately. Trimble is shooting a combined 16-for-52 (30.8%) from the floor over his last four games. Maryland's only other double digit scorers this season are both freshman, the 6-7 Jackson (11.1 & 6.4) and guard Cowan (10.6-4.0-3.6).

Northwestern: The Wildcats upset Wisconsin despite the absence of leading scorer Scottie Lindsey (15.4) and he'll miss again here, sitting out for a fourth straight game while battling mononucleosis, Fellow guard Bryant McIntosh had a season-high 25 points in the win over Wisconsin and he's now scored 21, 22, 21 and 25 points in the last four games to bump his season average to 14.0 PPG. The 6-7 Law (13.5 & 6.0) and the 6-8 Pardon (8.0 & 8.1) are Northwestern's best frontcourt players but 6-6 guard Lumpkin (6.8 & 6.4) is also a good rebounder.

The pick: A first-ever NCAA tournament invitation is tantalizingly close, as Northwestern will be trying to beat a ranked team in consecutive games for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Then again, I'm buying into this being a a "year of firsts" for Wojo's team. I've believed all season that Maryland is overrated, so let's amke Northwestern a 10* play.

The set-up: The 16-7 Boise State Broncos own a half-game in lead over the CSU Rams in the MWC (9-3 to 9-4) and Tuesday will be in Albuquerque to take on the 15-10 New Mexico Lobos, who are 8-5 in league play.

Boise State:The Broncos entered the season with four straight 20-win seasons on their resume (an average of 21.8 wins per year) and should (will) reach the 20-win plateau again in 2016-17. The Broncos enter playing solid basketball, having won 10 of their last 13 games. The team's strength is the guard trio of the 6-7 Hutchison (17.1 & 8.6) plus Austin (12.2) and Reid (9.6).

New Mexico: The Lobos have won six of eight coming in but are more of a two-man team. That duo is guard Brown (18.8) and the 6-8 Williams (17.8 & 7.0).

The pick: Now here's the catch, Williams is expected to miss another three weeks of game action due to a stress reaction in his left foot (last played Jan. 28th). "The Pit" is no longer a feared venues. Make Boise State an 8* play..

The set-up: The 17-9 Colorado State Rams will travel to Arena-Auditorium in Laramie on Thursday to take on the 16-10 Wyoming Cowboys. The Rams are 9-4 in MWC play, just a half-game back of first-place Boise State, while the Cowboys check in at just 6-7 in league action.

Colorado: The Rams come in on a roll, having won six of their last seven, losing only a three-point decision at home to Boise St. in that stretch. Guards Clavell (18.6 & 6.4), Nixon (12.2) and Paige (9.3) provide an excellent perimeter trio, while the 6-8 Omogbo (14.1 & 10.6) takes care of the frontcourt.

Wyoming: The Cowboys come in 2-3 in their last five games, falling to Boise State, San Diego State and Utah State while beating Air Force and Fresno State in that span. Guard James (14.8 & 4.7) leads in scoring but gets contributions from three other perimeter players, McManamen (12.0), Gorski (8.7) and Adams (7.0). The 6-8 Dalton (12.7 & 8.8) is the team's second-leading scorer and best rebounder but comes off the bench. The starters up front are the 6-9 Herndon (10.7 & 6.1) and the 6-10 Naughton (5.2 & 3.4).

The pick: The Rams have had the better season (surely in MWC play) but I'm not convinced they are the better team. My 8* play is on Wyoming.

The set-up: The 32-23 Toronto Raptors head to Chicago having lost 10 of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Bulls return home off a 2-4 road trip in which they lost the final three games by an average of 25.7 PPG. The final loss of that trip, 117-89 at Minnesota on Sunday, leaves them at 26-29 and with the East No. 7 seed. However, the Bulls are just 1 1/2 games inside the playoff 'cut line!'

Toronto: The Raptors were last in action on Sunday and hadn't played since the previous Wednesday, the team's first three-day break of the season. Toronto seemingly had its game with the Pistons in hand but somehow let a 16-point fourth-quarter lead disappear in a 102-101 loss. It wasn't all that long ago that Toronto was putting pressure on the Cleveland Cavaliers atop the East but the team's recent slump has seen them fall four games behind the Celtics in the Atlantic Division and currently, the Raptors hold the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. "We can (get back to our previous form) but it has to be quick," All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "Like I said, 27 more games and that's going to fly by. We haven't got much time. When it comes to practice time, we have to be able to take things on the go and run with it." DeRozan is averaging 27.9 PPG on the season and 29.0 PPG in three games since returning from an ankle injury but missed the potential game-winning jumper in the final seconds on Sunday. His backcourt partner Lowry (22.8-4.7-7.0), is in another one of his shooting slumps, connecting of just 35.5% from the floor the past five games.

Chicago: When the Bulls lost Sunday at Minnesota, they played without Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Paul Zipser and Nikola Mirotic. Wade (wrist) and Zipser (ankle) are questionable to return for Tuesday's game, Butler (heel and head contusion) will be evaluated after Tuesday morning's team shootaround and Mirotic continues to deal with back spasms. Jimmy Butler (24.5-6.4-4.9) has sat out four of the last five games coach Fred Hoiberg told reporters after Sunday's loss that he isn't certain if shutting Butler down for games this week against the Raptors and Boston Celtics is the solution.Future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade (19.1 & 4.5) missed two of the last three and role players Nikola Mirotic (9.0 & 5.1) and Paul Zipser (4.1 & 2.3) are day-to-day as well.

The pick: Chicago looks like a M*A*S*H unit but here's the rub. The Raptors seem to have lost all confidence and here, as a fairly sizeable road favorite, will be looking to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Bulls. Maybe they will break that streak but I'll make the home dog an 8* play.

The set-up: The 20-5 (8-4 in Big 12) West Virginia Mountaineers will venture into Lawrence, Kansas Monday night and waiting for them will be the 3rd-ranked Jayhawks (23-3 / 10-2 Big 12), who will well-remember the 85-69 whopping that West Virginia handed them back on Jan. 24th in Morgantown.

West Virginia: The Mountaineers are ranked 13th and have bounced back nicely from an 82-75 home loss to Oklahoma State on Feb. 4th, winning 61-50 at Oklahoma and 85-66 at home against Kansas State. West Va. can score (86.0 PPG ranks 10th) and stop opponents from scoring, allowing 65.8 PPG (47th). Five players are bunched in scoring from 11.8-to-9.3 PPG. PG Carter (11.8-4.4-4.3), leads the way, followed by the 6-8 Ahmad (11.6 & 4.1) and the 6-9 Adrian (10.8 & 6.1) plus guards Miles (9.5) and Philips (9.3). Miles is the only non-starter, as the 6-9 Macon (4.8 & 3.0) typically opens each game.

Kansas: The Jayhawks survived a trip to Lubbock on Saturday, escaping with an 80-79 win. Frank Mason III (20.1-4.3-4.9) played through an illness but made just 4 of 13 shots, while scoring only 12 points, He logged a season-low 26 minutes before fouling out with 3:05 remaining but the fact that Kansas survived in "crunch time" without him, can only be good news for the Jayhawks down the road. Mason is a national player-of-the-year candidate but 6-8 freshman Josh Jackson (16.6 & 7.0) is rapidly becoming a star. He scored a career-high 31 points on Saturday, including the game-winning free throw! Kansas averages 83.5 PPG (18th), with increased production at home, where the Jayhawks average 88.2 PPG.

The pick: The NCAA Championship Selection Committee gave the Jayhawks a No. 1 seed – No. 2 overall seed – in the first ever preliminary release of the March Madness bracket on Saturday morning. Maybe of even more importance to the Jayhawks is the fact that Kansas has won 12 consecutive Big 12 titles and with a visit to Baylor on tap for Saturday (and just a one-game lead heading into Monday), this is no time to lose at home. By the way, Kans did lose its last home game, ending a 51-game home winning steak at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas has not lost at home to West Virginia since the Mountaineers joined the conference in 2012-13 and why start now? Kansas is an 8* play.

The pick: The 76ers roll into Charlotte off back-to-back wins but without their best player and with trade rumors swirling. As for the Hornets, despite the team's poor play in 2017, a playoff spot is still there for the taking. The 76ers won 102-93 over the Hornets back on Jan. 13 in Philly but that victory snapped a six-game losing streak for t Shes in this series. Hornets repay the favor here at home. Charlotte is a 10* play.

The pick: Baylor's 70-52 win over visiting TCU on Saturday keeps them just one game back of Kansas in the Big 12 and near the end of that game, the student section was chanting "We want KU. We want KU." The Bears will host the Jayhawks on Saturday in a potential first place showdown but first must take care of business at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders showed they certainly won't be a pushover, taking Kansas to the wire on Saturday, before losing 80-79. Recent history reveals that over the last three seasons here in Lubbock, Texas Tech defeated Baylor in 2014, before the Bears have won one-possession games the last two seasons. Upset alert! Make Texas Tech a 10* play.

The set-up: The 25-29 Detroit Pistons are in Canada tonight to take on the 32-22 Toronto Raptors. The Pistons are off a 103-92 Friday home loss to the Spurs, after having started to trend in the right direction with four wins in the team's previous five games. In contrast, not much has gone right for the Raptors, who enter this contest off a 112-109 Wednesday loss at Minnesota, the team's ninth in its last 13 games.

Detroit: Despite the loss to the Spurs, the Pistons are back to playing well at home with seven wins in their last nine contests at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Center Andre Drummond (14.7 & 13.8) posted his 35th double-double of season in Friday's loss and is surrounded up front by the trio of Harris (16.4 & 5.1), Morris (14.2 & 4.5) and Leuer (11.1& 5.6). Harris is the team's leading scorer but recently, Van Gundy has been starting Leuer. The starting backcourt is PG Jackson (15.5 & 5.6 APG) and SG Caldwell-Pope (14.1), with Ish Smith (8.4 & 4.9 APG) coming off the bench. Despite some recent problems, the Pistons still rank 5th in points allowed (101.5 per) but note that Detroit ranks 20th in opponents' FG percentage (45.9%)

Toronto: The Raptors made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season and were tied at 2-all with the Cavs but then got blown out in Games 5 & 6. They opened this season 22-8 (thru Dec. 26) but have since been a sub-.500 team, falling behind both Boston and Washington into the 4th-seed in the East. The backcourt of DeRozan (27.9 & 5.3) and Lowry (23.0-4.7-7.0) can be deadly but DeRozan has had nagging injuries and Lowry is capable of going into prolonged shooting slumps. Other than center Valanciunas (12.3 & 9.9), steady contributions by the remaining roster have been few and far between.

The pick: The Pistons' starters were outscored 82-54 and outrebounded 39-27 by Spurs' and you know that's bad news with Detroit's lack of depth. Yes, Detroit has six double digit scorers plus Smith just misses, but the Pistons rank only 24th in points scored (101.5 PPG) and that's not good enough against the Raptors, who rank 5th at 109.2 PPG. Toronto averages 112.7 PPG at home, while the Pistons are just 9-18 SU and 10-17 ATS on the road this season. A key component to this YUGE play on the Raptors is that Toronto has been off since Wednesday, the team's first three-day break of the season. 10* on Toronto.

The pick: Memphis has 18 overall wins (and a few quality ones) but most still have them on the outside looking in on the NCAA at-large 'map.' A win won't help but a loss would certainly hurt. Memphis should well-remember losing 77-66 at Temple back on Jan 25th but the problem is that despite a 13-2 SU home record, Memphis is just 4-6 ATS in lined home games. Memphis comes in just 1-5 ATS its last six when favored and despite Temple covering at home against Memphis back on Jan 25th, the road team has covered in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two schools. Temple is a 10* play.

The pick: The Heat just keep winning but as noted above, they also are dealing with a number of key injuries. The 76ers were off last night while the Heat travel from Brooklyn, setting up a very live home dog. Make Philly a 10* play.

The set-up: The 21-4 Florida State Seminoles are ranked 14th in the latest AP poll, while the 18-7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish just fell out of the top-25 (had been No. 20). The schools meet for the second time this season Saturday at South Bend, with FSU winning the first time around 83-80 in Tallahassee.

Florida State: The Seminoles have typically been known for their defense under Leonard Hamilton. However, this year's team allows 70.6 PPG (ranks 135th), much higher than normal. Then again, at the other end of the court, FSU is averaging 84.8 PPG on 49.0 percent shooting, ranking 14th in the nation in both categories! A trio of guards in Bacon (17.6), PG Rathan-Mayes (10.2 & 4.7 APG) and Mann (8.8) are complemented by an outstanding freshman, the 6-10 Isaac (13.1 & 7.8), up front. The team also features some excellent depth, as Isaac gets help up front from the 7-1 Ojo (5.3 & 3.6).

Notre Dame: Mike Brey's team won 24 games last season and surprised almost all by reaching the Elite 8. The Fighting Irish then opened this season 16-2, including 5-0 in ACC play. However, that 83-80 loss at FSU on Jan. 18th began a 2-5 slide by the Irish, all in league games. SF Colson (16.1 & 10.8) leads in scoring and rebounding plus three others score 14-plus PPG. That group includes the 6-8 Beachem (15.2 PPG but a poor rebounder), PG Farrell (14.1 & 5.4 APG) and SG Vasturia (14.0). However, no other player scores more than 5.3 PPG.

The pick: Here's the bottom line. Notre Dames is just 1-6 this season against ranked opponents, while FSU is 6-1 Enough said. Make FSU a 10* play.

The set-up: The 15-10 Ohio State Buckeyes visit College Park on Saturday to face the 20-4 Maryland Terrapins. The Buckeyes are only 5-7 in Big Ten play so far, while Maryland is 8-3, although the Terps have lost back-to-back league games!

Ohio State: Thad Matta has has some career since taking over at Ohio State in 2004-05. The team was on probation that first year but it's been nine NCAA berths (two Final 4s) and two NIT berths (won title in 2008) the 11 season since. Now, here in 2016-17, the Buckeyes are facing the prospect of a losing Big Ten season, something Matta has never experienced. The Buckeyes are coming off a 70-64 win on Wednesday against Rutgers at home. Kam Williams had 23 points to lead Ohio State. However, C.J. Jackson started at PG for the second game in a row with JaQuan Lyle dealing with an ankle injury. Marc Loving, a senior forward, missed part of the first half after he suffered a cut above his left eye. "We need to get as close to 100 percent as we possibly can, but it's sort of that time of the year," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "I think even the managers had ice on them after the game, but to look ahead or look behind with this group is not good." Ohio State is led in scoring by junior SF Jae'Sean Tate (14.1 & 6.1), followed by the 6-8 Loving (11.7 & 5.0), PG Lyle (11.4-5.0 APG), 6-10 center Trevor Thompson (10.8 & 9.4) and redshirt junior guard Williams (10.6).

Maryland: The Terps were hanging right with Wisconsin at the top of the Big Ten before losing 73-72 at home to Purdue and then 70-64 at Penn State. The loss to unranked Penn State hurts and the Terrapins have lost back-to-back games for the first time in 2016-17. Guard Melo Trimble reached 1,500 points for his career in the loss to Penn State but overall, while he's had a good season (16.9 PPG), it hasn't been the outstanding one everyone anticipated. Freshman Justin Jackson flirted with a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds against the Nittany Lions and the 6-7 freshman averages 11.4 & 6.3 on the season, joining Trimble and guard Cowan (10.2 & 4.) as Maryland's only three double digit scorers.

The pick: Maryland may be 21-3 at home in conference play since 2014-15 but the Terps have lost two of their last four home contests. Maryland has won the last three meetings with Ohio State (by an average margin of 15 points) and Ohio State hasn't beaten a ranked team since knocking off then No. 4 Kentucky back on Dec. 19, 2015. However, if Ohio State is to keep its its slim NCAA Tournament hopes alive, I win here may be a must. However, we don't need a SU win to cover. Take the points and make Ohio State a 10* play.

The set-up: The 15-9 Marquette Golden Eagles will be in Washington D.C. for a 12 noon ET tip to play the 13-12 Georgetown Hoyas on Saturday. Marquette comes in 6-6 in Big Est play while Georgetown checks in at just 4-9.

Marquette: The Golden Eagles' leading scorer is guard Howard, who checks in at a modest 12.3 PPG but Marquette is an outstanding offensive team. It averages 82.9 PPG to rank 18th nationally and as a team shoots 48.8% from the floor (19th), including 42.2% on threes (3rd). In all, seven players average between 8.8 and 12.2 PPG, with six averaging in double figures. 6-11 center Luke Fischer (12.1 & 6.1) is the lone big man in that group, surrounded by six guards. Fisher began his career at Indiana but this is his third year with Marquette. He's currently just nine points and two rebounds shy of becoming the 20th player in school history with 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds. Steve Wojciechowski has been the head coach since Fischer arrived but Marquette hasn't been an NCAA invitee in that span, although the team did win 20 games last year, after winning only 13 in Fischer's and Wojo's first season in Milwaukee.

Georgetwnn: John Thompson III continued the tradition set by his father at Georgetown, taking the Hoyas to eight NCAA berths in his first 11 years at the school. However, the Hoyas fell to 15-18 (7-11 in Big Est play) last year and are headed down that path again, this season! Guards Pryor (18.2 & 5.0) and Peak (16.4 & 4.0) are quality players but are the team's only double digit scorers. Georgetown features the 6-10 Govan (9.6 & 4.) plus the 7-0 Hayes (4.6 & 4.6) but combined, the duo hardly compares to Georgetown's long history of outstanding big men. The team scores 75.5 PPG and allows 71.6, so it's 13-12 record seems about right.

The pick:The Hoyas check in at just 8-6 SU and 3-9 ATS at home this season, continuing a trend from last season, as Georgetown is only 5-13 ATS in its last 18 home games. Inconsistency has plagued Marquette this season but the Golden Eagles are a much better team than Hoyas. Make Marquette a 10* play.

The set-up: The 20-5 Monmouth Hawks have followed last year's strong season (Hawks finished with 28 wins) with another one here in 2016-17. They lead the MAAC at 12-2 and travel to NYC Frday night to take on the 9-16 Manhattan Jaspers, who at 4-10, sit 10th in the 11-team MAAC.

Monmouth: The Hawks had a great regular season last year but after a loss in the MAAC tourney, the at-large bid the team expected to get, never came. Reigning MAAC player-of-the-year Justin Robinson again lead this year's team, as the 5-8 PG averages 19.3 PPG and adds 4.9 APG. He's joined on the perimeter by fellow gurds Seaborn (14.9) and Hornbeak (10.5) plus up front, 6-10 center Brady (9.4 & 6.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Monmouth scores well (80.6 PPG which ranks 37th) and is easily the league's best team.

Manhattan: The Jaspers are going nowhere and feature only two double digit scorers, guard Turner (15.40 and the 6-9 Waterman (13.7 & 6.6). Manhattan has been one of the top guns in the MAAC in recent years but thaht was then and this is now. The Jaspers have lost five of seven but come off a narrow 68-67 defeat to visiting Marist in their last outing.

The pick: No way the Hawks have much motivation for this visit to the Big Apple, as the team learned all too well last year that only a MAAC tourney win will earn them a ticket to the Big Dance. Take the points with this huge home dog and make Manhattan a 10* play.

The set-up: The 40-12 San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of their annual annual "Rodeo Road Trip," which this year takes them on an eight-game trek. They lost at Memphis on Monday on the first leg of the journey, then bounced back with a 111-103 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 25-28 Detroit Pistons come in off lopsided home wins over the 76ers and the Lakers but will not be able to get away with making just 9 of 38  or 23.7% of their triples (as they did in those two wins) against the Spurs and expect to win.

San Antonio: SF Kawhi Leonard (25.5 & 5.9) sat out the Spurs' loss at Memphis due to a quadriceps injury but returned at Philadelphia to score 32 points. He has now scored in double digits in 81 consecutive games, the longest streak by a San Antonio player since Tim Duncan had a 91-game stretch over 2002-03." Leonard stands out as the team's best player these days, although PF Aldridge (17.4 & 7.9) is a solid No. 2. Then there is that San Antonio depth, with seven players chipping in between 6.5 and 11.7 PPG. It must be noted that Gasol (11.7 & 7.9) is the biggest contributor of that group and is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery to fix the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. He hasn't played since Jan. 17 (is expected to be back in late-Feb.) but the team is 8-3 in the 11 games he's missed. As expected, the 7-0 Dedmon is getting more time and in three of his last four games (averaging 25 minutes per in those contests), he's topped double digits in rebounds.

Detroit: The Pistons are back to playing well at home, with seven wins in their last eight contests at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Center Andre Drummond (14.8 & 13.8) posted his 34th double-double of season in Wednesday's win over the Lakers with 24 points, 17 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals. Harris (16.4 & 5.1) and Morris (14.2 & 4.5) start in the frontcourt with Drummond, while PG Jackson (15.6 & 5.6 APG) and Pope (14.2) are the starting guards. The 6-10 Leuer (11.1 & 5.7( is a part-time starter and makes it six double digit scorers for Detroit, plus backup PG Ish Smith (8.2 & 5.0 APG) is a quality contributor.

The pick: Despite some recent problems, the Pistons still rank 5th in points allowed (101.9 per) but they are not quite in San Antonio's class, as the Spurs allow 98.8 PPG (2nd) on 44.2% shooting (4th). Note that Detroit ranks 20th in opponents' FG percentage. The Spurs are 21-6 SU on the road this year and have won four straight in the series, including 109-99 and 104-87 wins in their last two visits to Detroit. Make San Antonio a 10* play.

The set-up: The Akron Zips are 20-4 overall and are easily the MAC's top team, leading the East with a 10-1 record (note: no other MAC team is better than 6-5 in league play, in either the East or West divisions). The Zips travel to Ypsilanti, Mi. Friday night to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles, who check in at 13-11 overall, including 5-6 in the West.

Akron: The Zips had a 12-game winning streak snapped 85-70 at Ohio U on Saturday (Feb. 4th) and then just barely edged Ball State 65-63 at home this past Tuesday (as a nine-point choice). However, as noted above, Akron is the class of the MAC, led by a pair of 6-10 players in Johnson (16.6 & 7.4) and Cheatham (11.7 & 7.8), who are joined by a quartet of guards all averaging between 7.8 and 9.4 PPG. The Zips shoot well (47.7% which ranks 41st) but hardly dominate foes, averaging 78.6 PPG while allowing 70.5.

Eastern Michigan: The Eagles have one 6-10 player in Thompson (14.2 & 10.8) but not two, like Akron. They do however, more than match Akron on the perimeter with four guards scoring in double digits. Mangum (15.6) leads the group, followed by Lee (13.1), Toney (10.4) and Bond (10.0). EMU scores about the same as Akron at 78.5 PPG and allows a similar amount of points as well (71.6).

The pick: While the team's look similar "on paper," take a second look at their respective records. At this price, make Akron an 8* play.

The set-up: The first time this season UCLA and Oregon met was back on Dec. 28th in Eugene, the Pac 12 opener for both schools. The Bruins were 13-0 and ranked No. 2 in the AP poll and the Ducks were 11-2 and ranked 21st. Oregon won that game 89-87 and as the teams get set for the rematch at Pauley Pavilion, both are 21- 3 with Oregon ranked 5th and

UCLA 10th. However, the Ducks are 10-1 (Arizona is 11-1) while the Bruins are 8-3, a half-game back of 9-3 Cal for fourth in the league.
Oregon: The Ducks made a huge leap of eight spots in Monday's newly released AP, after beating then-No. 5 Arizona 85-58 on Saturday. The Ducks shot 65.2 percent from the floor against the Wildcats, including 16 of 25 on three-pointers, It was Oregon's largest margin of victory ever against a top-10 team. Brooks is healthy these days and leads the team with 14.4 PPG. Oregon also has four other double digit scorers in guards Dorsey (12.6) and Ennis (11.0), plus 6-9 forward Bell (10.9- & 7.6) and 6-10 center Boucher (12.4 & 6.9).

UCLA: The Bruins ranks second in the nation in scoring at 92.9 PPG and are No. 1 in FG percentage at 53.5%. They have six players scoring in double figures, led by freshman forward TJ Leaf at 17.1 PPG along with a team-high 8.9 RPG. Senior guard Bryce Alford is averaging 16.4 PPG but most feel that 6-6 freshman PG Ball (15.1-5.8-7.8) is the team's MVP. Guards Hamilton (14.7) and Holiday (13.4) plus the 7-0 Welsh (10.4 & 8.3) round out the double digit scorers.

The pick: Brooks made a three-pointer in the final seconds to win the first meeting, finishing with 23 points and a season-high nine rebounds. UCLA is playing with revenge but Oregon may be just "too good." T.J. Leaf is considered a first-round NBA draft pick but he needs to step up in situations like this. So far, that hasn't been the case as against Jordan Bell of Oregon, Lauri Markkanen of Arizona and Chimezie Metu of USC (UCLA's three losses), he's been neutralized, averaging just 11.1 PPG and a pathetic 3.3 RPG. UCLA allows 76.5 PPG, almost two 'TDs' more than Oregon, which allows 63.5. Make Oregon a 10* play.

complete analysis soon

complete analysis soon

The pick: Pitino hardly owns an edge over Iowa's Fran McCaffrey, who led Siena to three straight NCAA appearances before taking over in Iowa for the 2010-11 season. He got off to a rough start but has led the Hawkeyes to four straight 20-win seasons and into the "Big Dance" in each of the last  three seasons. Iowa is starting to 'smell' an at-large berth again this year and slumping Minnesota won't derail them down in this one. I like teh Hawkeyes SU in this one so with all therse points, make Iowa a 10* play.

The pick: The Clippers are struggling but it's hard to make the case the Knicks even care.The Clippers have won their last eight meetings with the Knicks, including four straight here in MSG. What changes tonight? Nothing. Make LA a 10* play.

The set-up: After losing three in a row, Michigan State has posted back to back wins. One of them was at Michigan's expense. The in-state rivals now have their rematch tonight in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have dropped two in a row. Saturday saw them lose as home favorites to their other rival, Ohio State.

Michigan State: The Spartans were off this weekend, which I feel gives them a slight edge heading into this rematch. After beating Michigan two Sundays ago, Tom Izzo's troops stormed into Nebraska and won 72-61. Izzo is now 11-3 ATS his last 14 games in February.

Michigan: The Wolverines have not shot well the last two games, making only 33% and 37% of their shots against Michigan State and Ohio State, respectively. Though they sport the same 14-9 SU record as MSU, Michigan's NCAA Tournament resume is not as strong. Also not strong is the team's rebounding. They rank a woeful 346th nationally in that category.

The pick: I'm surprised Michigan State isn't getting more respect here, given they are the more rested side, not to mention were victorious in the first meeting as well. Look for Michigan's rebounding to be a big problem here and Sparty comes in and "steals" one in Ann Arbor. Make Michigan State an 8* play

The set-up: The 22-30 Portland Trail Blazers will be in Dallas tonight to take on the 20-31 Dallas Mavericks. Both teams are chasing Denver, which at 23-28, currently owns the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Dallas: The Mavs lost 110-87 last night in Denver but had won four straight and six of seven, prior to that. Recently, the insertion of PG Yogi Ferrell, an undrafted FA signed to a 10-day contract, into the starting lineup has sparked Dallas. Monday's game was Ferrell's fifth consecutive start (team is 4-1), as starting PG Deron Williams is out with a toe sprain. He had 15 points and five assists against the Nuggets and is averaging 17.2 PPG and 5.0 APG since joining Dallas. Ferrell had 32 points and nine three-pointers in Dallas' 108-104 victory in Portland on Friday. The owrd is that the Mavericks plan to sign him to a two-year contract.

The pick: The Mavs are playing better ball than the Blazers recently (have won nine of 13) but are playing on back-to-back nights while the Blazers are looking for a some "instant revenge" from their Friday home loss to this team. I'm taking the points and making Portland a 10* play.

Rogers' complete analysis by 12 pm et

The set-up: Maryland comes in ranked at #21/#22 (AP/USA Today) in the latest polls. They are off just their third loss of the season, which came Saturday by a single point, at home to Purdue. They'll look to bounce back tonight in Happy Valley. Penn State has dropped five of its last six and is not considered a factor in the Big 10 race.

Maryland: Those into "advanced stats" aren't big fans of the Terrapins, but this team doesn't seen too bothered by that. They'd not only won seven straight times before the loss to Purdue, they were a perfect 7-0 ATS in those games as well! Two of their three losses have come by a total of three points. The Terps are 2-0 ATS off a loss this year. Can they make it 3 for 3 here?

Penn State: The Nittany Lions are also off a close loss on Saturday, although theirs came at home to Rutgers, which is hardly an inspirational sign. It was not a good week in State College as last Wednesday saw PSU lose a triple overtime game at Indiana. While there have been signs of competitiveness, we should also probably take note of recent losses to Purdue (by 25) and Wisconsin (by 27).

The pick: Maryland has gone a perfect 6-0 ATS on the road this year and I see no reason to buck that trend against an inferior opponent. They are also 9-0-1 ATS as an underdog. While not getting points in this situation, the line is low enough where it shouldn't be a factor. Make Maryland an 8* play.

The pick: The bad news for Indiana is that the Pacers are just 3-7 in the second night of back-to-back games but the good news is that they have won their last two such games and OKC comes in 3-7 in the second half of back-to-back sets. I had taking OKC over Portland on Sunday and note that the are now 14-2 SU at home vs. Western Conference foes but they are just 11-9 in all venues against East teams so far this season. As for the Pacers, they are 19-6 SU at home and the price is right here to make Indiana a 10* play.

The pick: Bucknell is the far superior team but here's the catch. Bucknell is 1-4 ATS its last five home games and 2-6 ATS at home against a team with a losing road record. Meanwhile, Holy Cross has covered its last six Patriot League games. Make Holy Cross a 10* play.

The pick: I realize that Louisville  is just 1-4 against Virginia since joining the ACC and that the Cards have yet to break the 60-point mark in any game against the Cavaliers. However, while Virginia enters this game off a loss at the buzzer against Villanova and then blew a 12-point halftime lead in a four-point Saturday loss at Syracuse (sandwiched in between was a win over Va. Tech), Louisville has won its last three by margins of 55 (at Pittsburgh), 25 (vs. North Carolina State) and 23 (at Boston College), while averaging a whopping 93.7 PPG! Make Louisville an 8* play as the Cards 'stop the bleeding' with a win at UVA.

The set-up: Colorado (13-10 . 3-7 Pac 12) opened Pac 12 play 0-7 but has won three in a row, as it visits Berkeley on Sunday afternoon to take on the 16-6 Cal Bears (7-3 in Pac 12 play).

California: Cuonzo Martin has a talented but somewhat inconsistent team in Cal, led by the 6-11 Rabb, who averages 15.5 & 10.9. Swingman Bird has battled injuries for much of his career and before this season, has not come anywhere near reaching the potential he arrived with as a freshman. Bird (now a senior) has averaged 19.0 PPG over his last four (the last three have been Cal wins) and on the season, he's scoring at a clip of 14.8 PPG, while adding 4.7 RPG. Freshman PG Charlie Moore (14.0 & 3.6 APG)  gives the team three double digit scorers but Martin would love more regular contributions from guard Mullins (9.2) and the 7-0 Okoroh (5.6 & 6.4).

The pick: Maybe we should have seen Colorado's turnaround coming, as the Buffs lost four of their first seven Pac-12 games by just three points or fewer. Still, winning here at Cal is a tough assignment, as the Bears rank 19th in both points allowed (63.0 PPG) and opponents' FG percentage (39.5%). The Bears are 13-2 SU at home where they allowing just 59.9 PPG and a check of the Cal record book reveals that the Bears are 11-0 against the Buffaloes in Berkeley. Cal is a 10* play.

The pick: Defense has not been an OKC strength this season but they held to Grizzlies to just one basket in the final 3 1/2 minutes of Friday's game, turning a three-point deficit into a 12-point win by closing on a 15-0 run! Friday's win ended a three-game slide for OKC and the Thunder get a Portland team here playing its first road contest since Jan. 21.  Portland is just 7-15 against winning opponents and will likely want to get this game out of the way quickly, to watch the Super Bowl. Make OKC a 10* play.

The set-up: The 23-27 Charlotte Hornets wrap up a three-game road trip tonight in Salt Lake City, taking on the 31-19 Utah Jazz. The Hornets have dropped the first two games of their trip (at Portland and Golden State) and hope to snap a six-game overall slide. For the Jazz, they are looking to wrap up a four-game homestand at 3-1, after beating the Bucks 104-88 on Wednesday.

The pick: The Jazz have made a real name for themselves this season but along with that comes 'heavier' prices. The Hornets own an outstanding backcourt duo in Walker (22.9 & 5.5 APG) and Batum (14.9-7.3-6.0 plus own a host of credible role players. The Hornets are still "right in" the battle for that final playoff spot in the East. Take the points and make Charlotte a 10* play.

The pick: Montana has not only lost its last four but it's failed to cover its last five. However, Montana State is just 2-7 SU on the road and there is a reason the home-standing Grizzlies are the small favorite. Lay the points and make Montana a 10* play.

The set-up: No. 8 Kentucky heads to Gainesville 18-4, including 8-1 in SEC play to take on the the 17-5 Florida Gators (ranked 24th), who can tie the Wildcats for first-place in the SEC with a win (Gators are 7-2).

Kentucky: The Wildcats were beaten 79-73 last Saturday at home by Kansas, after having lost earlier in the week at Tennessee. Kentucky then needed OT to get past a mediocre Georgia team 90-81 on Tuesday. The victory allowed the Wildcats to avoid the first three-game losing streak of the coach John Calipari era. However, Coach Cal has to be at least a little worried about his team's recent play. Freshman point guard De'Aaron Fox (15.9-4.4-5.7) sat out the Georgia game with the flu but is expected back here. He joins fellow freshman Monk (22.4) in the backcourt and that dynamic duo is joined on the perimeter by sophomore guard Briscoe (14.4 & 5.2), who is considered a veteran in the Calipari era. The team's best frontcourt player is another freshman (surprise!), the 6-10 Adebayo (13.2 & 6.8). Kentucky averages 91.3 PPG (3rd) on 49.1% shooting (15th).

Florida: The Gators just routed Missouri 93-54 on Thursday, giving them three straight wins in which they've averaged 94.3 PPG and won by a combined 106 points! That comes after Florida had lost back-to-back games, 57-53 at South Carolina and 68-66 at home to Vandy (?). Junior guard Chris Chiozza (5.3-2.8-3.8 assists) came out of nowhere to recording the fourth triple-double in school history with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the Missouri game. On the season, it's been PG Hill (9.4 & 4.9 APG) surrounded by sophomore Allen (13.6) and senior transfer Barry (12.8) on the perimeter plus the 6-8 Robinson (11.8 & 5.7) and the 6-11 Egbunu (7.6 & 6.6) up front. Even with its recent scoring surge (see above), the Gators can't match Kentucky's firepower, as the Gators average 79.3 PPG on the season, a dozen points less than the Wildcats. However, the Gators are a very good defensive team, holding opponents to 65.6 PPG.

The pick: Here's the rub. No opponent has reached its scoring average in regulation against the Gators this season, with only Georgia doing so in Florida's 80-76 overtime victory back on Jan. 14. However, Kentucky has won the last five meetings (by an average of 13.4 points PPG) and off three so-so efforts in a row, won't miss this opportunity to open a two-game lead over teh Gatiors in the SEC race. At this price, make Kentucky a 10* play.

The set-up: The 14-7 Miami Hurricanes are on Tobacco Road this afternoon for a game in Raleigh against the 14-9 NC State Wolfpack. The 'Canes are 4-5 in ACC play and the Wolfpack a very disappointing 3-7. Miami-Fla: The Hurricanes won 27 games last year and reached the Sweet 16. However, the core of that team is gone in SG McClellan (16.3), PG Rodrigues (12.6 & 4.5 APG) and center Jekiri (7.6 & 8.6). This year's team has a so-so frontcourt but a solid trio of guards in Reed (15.3), Newton (15.3) and Brown (12.3), who is also an excellent rebounder (6.7). The 6-8 Murphy  leads the team in rebounding (8.0) but outside of the above-mentioned guards, no player averages as much as 7.0 PPG. Miami had beaten then-No. 9 North Carolina in its previous game (Saturday) but fell to No. 15 Florida State 75-57 on Wednesday. Miami prides itself on its defense but after taking a 34-31 halftime lead against the Seminoles, allowed FSU to shoot 60 percent over the final 20 minutes to pull away for the 18-point win.
NC State: Since winning 84-82 at Duke on Jan. 23, the Wolfpack got blown out 85-60 at Louisville (Sunday) and then squandered an 18-point lead in the final 8:44 against Syracuse on Wednesday, before losing 100-93 in overtime. NC State is off a 16-17 season but the Blue Ribbon Yearbook had them No. 23 in the preseason, led by incoming freshman PG Dennis Smith. Smith (18.7-4.7-6.9) has lived up to the hype (he's a likely NBA lottery pick) but the Wolfpack have been a disappointment, especially in league play at 3-7! Head coach Mark Gottfried has to be shaking his head, as Smith is surrounded by Henderson (14.3), Rowan (12.6) and Dorn (10.9 & 5.1) on the perimeter and the 6-8 Abu (12.1 & 7.3) up front.

The pick: NC State averages 81.3 PPG (31st) and hereat  PNC Arena, ups that to 86.7 PPG but the Wolfpack are a poor defensive team. Miami holds oppponents to just 63.3 PPG (22nd) on 40.2% shootig (31st) and that defense will be the key to victory here. Make Miami an 8* play.

The pick: Seton Hall comes in struggling but has most of its key players back from last year's NCAA team. The Pirates went right down to the wire in its 72-70 loss at Xavier (despite leading scorer Carrington shooting 3 of 13, including 0-8 from three) and comes in 13-6 ATS in their last 19 road games. Meanwhile, the Hoyas are just 5-12 ATS in their last 17 home games and only 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Big East opponents.Take the points and make Seton Hall an 8* play.

The pick: While LaVine has struggled lately for Minnesota, the other two members of the team's "Big 3" have have had no such problems. Center Towns (23.0 & 11.9) and SF Wiggins (22.1 & 4.2) are the envy of most teams. However, Towns has not beaten the Pistons in his short NBA career in large part because Pistons center Andre Drummond has won the matchup of the talented young big men. The Pistons have defeated Minnesota in their last three meetings with Drummond averaging 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Towns has posted averages of 18 points and 9.3 rebounds in those games. I expect that to change here and will make Minnesota an 8* play.

The pick: Prior to last season's sub-.500 year, Tommy Amaker had led the Crimson to six straight 20-win seasons, five straight straight Ivy regular season titles and four straight NCAA berths. This year's team could (should?) win the Ivy this season and will have little trouble here with underachieving Penn. Make Harvard a 10* play.

The pick: Here's the bottom line. The Clippers haven't defeated the Warriors since recording a 100-86 decision back on Christmas Day in 2014. Since then, it's been nothing but misery for them, as the Warriors own eight straight wins over the Clippers, including the past four meetings at Staples. Golden State has an average margin of victory of more than 13 points in the past eight contests against the Clippers, averaging 117.5 PPG and shooting 49.9 percent during that stretch. Golden State rolled to a 144-98 romp at Oracle Arena in the teams' most recent meeting, this past Saturday. The Warriors shot 62 percent from the floor and made 17 three-pointers, with Curry scoring 43 points (in three quarters!). It was the most points allowed by the Clippers this season. The Warriors have won 11 of their last 12 contests overall and they are 8-1 against division opponents this season. Make Golden State an 8* play.

California: Playing for the first time in eight days, Ivan Rabb overcame a slow start to finish with 25 points and 13 rebounds (his 10th double-double this season) plus the Bears received 17 points from senior wing Jabari Bird and shot 64.7 percent in the second half of last Sunday’s win over Stanford. Freshman PG Charlie Moore (14.0 & 3.4 APG) recorded a career-high eight assists for the Bears, who are 15th in the nation in scoring defense at 62.4 PPG but have battled with inconsistent play for much of the season. The 6-11 Rabb (15.6 & 10.7) and Bird (14.1 & 4.5) combined for 42 of the team’s 66 points in the win over Stanford but the Bears need more scoring from players such as guard Grant Mullins (9.2), who was held to six points in 37 minutes against the Cardinal.

The pick: Utah has won five of the last six meetings between the two schools, including an 82-78 overtime victory in last season’s Pac-12 tournament. However, the Bears are 12-2 SU at home, where opponents are averaging only 58.9 PPG. Make Cal an 8* play.

The set-up: It's CAA action Thursday night from Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, as the William and Mary Tribe play host to the Northeastern Huskies. Both teams are 6-4 in league play, making this an important contest for each team.

The pick: Those three straight home wins makes William and Mary 10-0 SU at home this season and why go against them here? William & Mary is a 10* play.

The pick: Bottom line is, all the numbers favor Kansas, which has won 53 straight games at home, including 50 at Allen Fieldhouse, and is 14-0 all-time at home against Baylor. Meanwhile, the Bears are 0-17 all-time against teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in either the AP or coaches poll. As for Kansas under head coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks are 7-0 when facing an AP top-five team at home. What else? Make Kansas a 10* play.

The set-up: It's a Tuesday night MWC matchup as the13-7 Boise State Broncos take on the 14-8 Colorado State Rams in hoops. Both are 6-3 in league play, leaving them one game back of MWC-leader Nevada (7-2). Yes, it's an important game but the MWC is a weak league this year and it's likely only the MWC tourney winner will be 'dancing' come mid-March (only Nevada has slim at-large hopes).

Boise State: The Broncos are searching for some consistency after going 3-3 over their last six games. Forward Webb (15.8 & 9.1) left school early plus starting guards Drmic (13.4) and Thompson (11.9 & 3.4 APG) graduated. The 6-7 Hutchinson (17.7 & 8.6) is listed as a guard and the team's only other double digit scorer is fellow guard Austin (11.2).

The pick: The Rams are flying high off that win at SD State but Boise State is 4-1-1 ATS its last six road games. I'm Make the Broncos an 8* play.

The pick: The Spurs and Thunder will meet for the first time this season, with the last "get together" being when the teams faced off in the 2016 playoffs, where the Thunder beat the Spurs twice in San Antonio to capture that Western Conference semifinal series (of course, KD was on OKC then!). However, it's hard to ignore that after matching the league record with a 40-1 SU home mark last season,  the Spurs are "just" 16-6 SU at home this season, going 12-10 ATS. Take the points and make OKC a 10* play.

The pick: Yes, the Bobcats have won both road games since Campbell was lost for the season but I'm backing the home dog here to 'bark' loudly. Make Western Michigan a 10* play.

The set-up: The 28-21 Memphis Grizzlies will make the third stop on their current six-game road trip Monday night in Phoenix, to face the 15-32 Suns. Memphis will try to make it back-to-back triumphs in tonight's game, something it has done just once this month. the Grizzlies haven't won as many as three in a row since a six-game winning streak to open December. The Suns come the losers of three in a row, as defensed continue sto be an issue. The Suns rank 29th in points allowed (112.0 PPG) and have not held an opponent under 100 points in any of their last 10 contests.

Memphis: The Grizzlies could not stop Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter of a 112-109 loss at Portland (Friday) to begin the trip but were able to win 102-95 in Utah on Saturday, aaginst the up-and-coming Jazz. PF Zach Randolph (14.1 & 8.4) has a season-high 28 points and added nine rebounds. "He was really disappointed with the loss the night before," Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale told reporters of Randolph. "He really wanted that game in Portland. I saw it on his face after the game and the things he said after the game. He was really upset. I expected him to come out and play really well (Saturday)." Randolph, center Marc Gasol (20.8 & 6.1) and PG Mike Conley (18.7-3.8-6.2) combined to score 69 points on 28-of-46 shooting in the win at Utah. "We really did a good job of moving the basketball tonight," Conley told reporters. "Really playing off one another, especially when one guy has it going. We didn’t go away from that. (Randolph) had so many opportunities down low early and just kept trying to exploit that as long as we could, and when they took that away we went to Marc and when they took that away we went to me. We were just trying to go down the line and find different areas to try and attack them."

Phoenix: PG Bledsoe (21.4-5.0-6.3) scored a career-high 41 points on Saturday against Denver (besting his previous best of 40 set six days earlier) and is averaging 31.8 points in the last four contests. His backcourt mate, second-year Devin Booker (20.8) of Kentucky, is thriving on the offensive end as well and added points. He has now scored at least 20 points in each of his last 12 contests, averaging 26.7 PPG in that span. Let's also not forget center Tyson Chandler, who earlier this month broke the Phoenix franchise record with seven consecutive games with 15 or more rebounds. His current average (12.2) is his highest in 10 years and is well above the full-season record for a 16th-year NBA player. That mark is held by Moses Malone at 10.0 per game.

The pick: One has to love the guard combo of Bledsoe and Booker plus Chandler's numbers speak for themselves but "oh those defensive woes." Phoenix surrendered an average of 125.0 PPG in back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets in the team's last two games, Thursday in Denver and back at home on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies rank 3rd in the NBA in points allowed ((99.6), opponents' FG percentage (43.7) and opponents' three-point shooting (34.1). Make Memphis an 8* play.

William and Mary: In contrast to Drexel, the Tribe come in having won five of their last seven games. Guard Daniel Dixon is averaging 16.9 PPG to lead the way and is paired with PG Cohn (6.4 & 4.9 APG) in the backcourt. While Drexel owns a deeper perimeter group, William and Mary should dominate inside, with the 6-7 Prewitt (14.3 & 5.8), the 6-9 Whitman (7.4 & 3.6), the 6-6 Malinowski (7.4 & 3.6) and the 6-9 Knight (7.0 & 4.4).

The pick: Drexel hardly enters this game in good form and has allowed 80.8 PPG in lined road games. That does not bode well vs. a William and Mary team playing its best ball of the season and comes in a perfect 9-0 SU at home on the season. Make William and Mary a 10* play.

Philadelphia: The 76ers won 10 of 13 games from Dec. 30 through Jan. 25 but lost 123-118 at home to teh Rockets and Sunday lost 121-108 in Chicago, the team's 12th straight defeat against the Bulls. Joel Embiid (knee) has missed four of the last five games, including not even making the trip to Chicago. However, the 76ers hope to have their star center back in the lineup when then they host the Kings. Embiid leads the team in scoring (20.2), rebounding (7.8) and blocked shots (2.45). Sixers backup center Jahlil Okafor (11.2 & 4.8) dressed but did not play Sunday against Chicago. He has been held out of 10 of the last 14 games, most recently because of a sore right knee. However, all five starters for Philadelphia scored at least 12 points in Sunday's loss, led by Ersan Ilyasova's 31. He's averaging 15.5 & 6.1 on the season. PG McConnell (5.6 & 6.0 APG) continued his impressive play with12 assists, giving him an average of 10.8 over the past five games.

The pick: The insertion of McConnell into the starting lineup at PG back on Dec. 30 is what has sparked Philly's recent run. Yes, the 7ers have lost back-to-back games but this is the Kings' seventh game in 11 nights. Make Philly a 10* play.