Locks
No Locks today.
Degenerates
Steelers -10 vs. Ravens (-110):
The only reason I didn’t put this in the lock category that is it’s a total mess of a situation that I truly don’t know enough about. The Baltimore Ravens are clearly going to have a hard time without Lamar Jackson, but you have to wonder if the defense will rally and keep this one close or even in backdoor cover range.
I expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to handle the Ravens today and stay undefeated, but this Wednesday daytime game will go down as one of the weirdest and most embarrassing NFL games of all time. If NBC didn’t want to flex this game to primetime, why should I expect it to be worth anyone’s time? At least the Ravens have RG3 and not some guy that threw it more to the defense to the offense, literally. Sorry Kendall Hilton.
NCAA Basketball – West Virginia vs. Gonzaga -8.5 (-110):
When I watch Gonzaga play right now, I see the future national champion, and it doesn’t feel close. Corey Kispert makes everything, Jalen Suggs looks like a senior not a freshman, and Drew Timme is dominant down low. But this week is a tough test for the Zags, and it starts with this game against a West Virginia team that looks a lot like it did last season: strong defense, excellent rebounding, and the twin towers of Derek Culver and Oscar Tshiebwe.
But I still don’t see enough offensive efficiency or production from the Mountaineers, and that will really hurt against this Gonzaga team that has proven it can beat the best defenses by putting 102 on Kansas. This line was much better when it opened at -7 but I still like it in single digits. I just have to keep backing a Zags squad that looks like it has all the pieces and can score at will against anyone.
NCAA Basketball – Missouri vs. Oregon -4 (-110):
It would have been nice to see this Oregon team in action, since they’re very heavy on transfers this season, but their first scheduled game was canceled. I still like the composition of the team though, and I’m expecting big impacts from Amauri Hardy, Will Richardson, and N’Faly Dante as Oregon should take home another Pac12 title.
Missouri has some experience, especially senior guard Dru Smith, but I don’t think they’re athletic enough on the perimeter to handle all the skilled wings and small forwards the Ducks can throw at you. I think Oregon forces too many turnovers here, which Missouri struggled with against a bad Oral Roberts team, and uses their athleticism to create run-outs. In a season of craziness and uncertainty, I want Dana Altman’s experience on the sideline, so I’m willing to lay this short number on a talent-rich team.
Tiny Nick is 34-18 (+14.1 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.
Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games he’s confident in. Degenerates are entertaining, but riskier picks.
