The San Diego State Aztecs will make the short trip to Thomas and Mack tonight for a matchup with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. The Rebels are hot, winners of their last 4, and are 10-4 as the home team but the Aztecs have had their number. San Diego State has won the last 6 meetings including a 72-61 thumping of UNLV back on January 6th. This game will come down to defense and the Aztecs, like every year, have a formidable D with the edge in points allowed, rebounds, and steals. Currently San Diego is laying 1.5 with a money line of only -125. It makes no sense to lay the points.
TONIGHT’S PICK: SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS M/L
Monday NHL Pick
It appears the Calgary Flames made the right move when they sent D-man Chris Tanev and others packing because they are clicking on every cylinder. The Flames have won 5 straight, and the 5 wins were against some stiff competition: the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins. Tonight they will host the Seattle Kraken before heading off on a 3-game road trip, so this game is one they really want. Calgary has won 2 of the 3 meetings with Seattle this year and is 8-2 lifetime against the Kraken. The Flames are hot, ride them ’til they are not.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CALGARY FLAMES
Sunday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
After losing their last two, the Niagara Purple Eagles will try to right the ship when they host the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers in a matinée today in Lewiston. Niagara and Mount St Mary’s match up well but the edge goes to Niagara. The Purple Eagles cruised to an easy victory over the Mountaineers, 82-71, in Emmitsburg on January 21st and have won 4 of the last 5 meetings. They also have the edge in points scored, 3-pointers and free throws. The line is currently Niagara -2.5 with a money line of only -145. Don’t sweat the hook.
TODAY’S PICK: NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES M/L
Saturday NHL Pick
If the 32-24-6 Tampa Bay Lightning are going to snap their 4-game home losing streak it should be tonight when they host the struggling 23-28-9 Montréal Canadiens, who have just 1 win in their last 7 tries. The Lightning, who still have an impressive 18-8-4 home record, have owned the Canadiens. They have won the last two meetings with the Habs, 8 of the last 10, and 5 of the last 6 meetings at Amalie Arena. The Bolts won’t come cheap but are still worth consideration.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Friday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Cornell Big Red will take it on the arches tonight to Philadelphia for a matchup with the Pennsylvania Quakers. The Big Red lost their last outing in a close one to Brown and they don’t lose two in a row. Cornell is #2 in the Ivy League with a record of 20-5 and Penn sits is the #7 spot with a record of 10-16. Penn has lost 9 of their last 10 and Cornell should have no problem taking care of business tonight. The Big Red are averaging 82.4 points per game as opposed to the Quakers’ 73.5 and put a beating on them in their last matchup on January 15th, 77-60. The line is currently Cornell -4.5 which is a little fishy. It should be higher so money line it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: CORNELL BIG RED M/L
Thursday NHL Pick
After a successful road trip where they won two of three, the Tampa Bay Lightning will return home tonight to face the Buffalo Sabres. Usually returning to Amalie Arena is a good thing for the Bolts but they have lost three straight in Tampa. The Sabres have been playing well and have a road record of 14-12-3. However, Tampa is still 18-8-3 at Amalie Arena and won the last meeting with the Sabres in Buffalo, 3-1 back on January 20th. Do the Bolts lose their fourth straight at home? I doubt it.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Wednesday Men’s NCAA Basketball Pick
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will be a home dog when they host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs tonight in Bowling Green. These are two of the elite in the C-USA with the Bulldogs owning the top spot and the Hilltoppers coming in at third. Western Kentucky has no issue with scoring, averaging 80 points per game, and as the home team they are 12-1. They already beat the Bulldogs this year in Ruston LA, 81-76, and they were a huge underdog at +9.5. The Hilltoppers are not getting the respect they deserve once again but that’s okay. Keep in mind they are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
TONIGHT’S PICK: WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS +2½