Locks
NCAA Football (0.5 Unit) Western Michigan/Eastern Michigan Over 66 (-110): 6:30 PM CT on ESPN2
A solid rule to live by is don’t doubt a high total in a MACtion game. This one tonight is deservedly high with two teams that should score at will.
The key matchup I’m looking at here is a strong Western Michigan run game that should run all over the 107th rush defense from Eastern Michigan. But it’s actually the Eastern offense that’s the higher-scoring unit here, thanks to a couple of 50-plus point outbursts the last few weeks. Senior quarterback Ben Bryant has been lighting teams up as the Eagles keep finding themselves in shootouts. He should be able to produce at a high level again with Western’s defense allowing 38.4 PPG the past 5 games.
These teams combined are 6-2 over this total the past 4 weeks, with an average of 76.3 points in those games. With clear weather for this one, I don’t see MACtion disappointing over bettors tonight.
NCAA Basketball (0.5 Unit) Seton Hall +8.5 @ Michigan (-110): 8:00 PM CT on FS1
Seton Hall has been wrecking teams to start the season, notching 44- and 36-point wins on their home floor. Taking that act on the road to Michigan is a tough ask, but I think the Pirates can keep this one reasonably close.
Hall has the experience edge in this game, with their main contributors being mostly upperclassmen. While Michigan has an excellent team, they’re replacing three starters from last year and that could show here against the best team they’ve faced yet. Michigan also relies heavily on center Hunter Dickinson to overpower teams down low, but the Pirates have 7’2” Ike Obiagu – an excellent interior defender – to counter Dickinson’s presence.
If that turns this into a more perimeter-oriented game, I like the deep and talented Pirates guards to keep this close. Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard is excellent in the road underdog role, so give me the points in what should be an exciting and close game.
NCAA Basketball (1 Unit) BYU @ Oregon -4 (-110): 9:00 PM CT on ESPN
This BYU team is underrated and probably in the driver’s seat for 2nd place in the WCC to Gonzaga. But making the trip to Eugene is a tough task against an Oregon squad that’s been extremely impressive so far.
I wanted to wait and see how all the transfers for Oregon came together, and the early results have been excellent. Star guard Will Richardson is anchoring this team and has been red-hot to start the year, leading them to lopsided wins over two quality opponents. He should be able to keep it going against a BYU team that is not great with perimeter defense. The Cougars will rely on star Alex Barcello tonight, but the Ducks brought in one of the country’s best perimeter defenders in transfer Jacob Young who can at least slow down the BYU sharpshooter.
I just don’t see BYU being able to keep up with an excellent Oregon offense here, as the Cougars are 256th in shooting percentage while Oregon is 15th in offensive efficiency to start this season. There’s just too big of a talent gap between these teams, and Oregon should cruise to a comfortable home win.
Degenerates
NCAA Basketball Gardner-Webb +21 @ Duke (-110): 6:00 PM CT on ACC Network
Big distraction for the Duke program to deal with as freshman phenom Paolo Banchero and junior Michael Savarino (Coach K’s grandson) were arrested in a DWI incident on Sunday morning. It’s unclear whether that will impact their availability for this game, but it has to take a toll on the team overall no matter what.
That makes covering this many points a tall task, especially against a Gardner-Webb squad that only fell by 17 to a talented Arkansas team in their last game. This number may change with the news so grab it quickly.
NBA Philadelphia 76ers @ Utah Jazz -5.5 First Half (-110): 9:00 PM CT on TNT
The Utah Jazz have not been playing good basketball lately, losing 4 of their last 5 games including two uncharacteristic home losses. But the Philadelphia 76ers are simply too thin right now and it’s caught up to them with 4 straight losses.
Included in those 4 losses for Philly is an average halftime deficit of 5.5 points. With the Jazz having a few days to figure out their issues plus the motivation of hosting a national TV game, I think there’s just enough edge to lay this 1st half number.
Tiny Nick is 442-342 ATS (+86.2 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.
