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Stephen Nover |
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I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
| FREE PICKS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
| NCAA-B | Jan 26, 2023 Western Kentucky vs. Florida International |
Florida International +2 -110 at CIRCA |
in 1h |
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Just 12 days ago, Western Kentucky defeated Florida International, 70-59, at home. The Hilltoppers, though, have gone 0-3 SU and ATS since then. They just lost to Charlotte, 75-71, as a 3-point home favorite in their last game five days ago. Florida International halted a four-game losing skid in its last game beating Texas San Antonio, 77-72, as a 4 1/2-point road favorite. Western Kentucky and Florida International are each lower-tier Conference USA teams. Both are 3-6 in conference. The Hilltoppers are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games. The Panthers have covered in their last four home games. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the series. The combination of Florida International being a home 'dog in a revenge spot against a skidding Western Kentucky puts me on the Panthers. |
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| YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 25, 2023 South Florida vs Temple |
South Florida +6 -110 at circa |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Free | ||
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South Florida is an underrated point spread team covering 69 percent of its last 16 games. But my main handicapping factor is fading Temple off its shocking and great victory over then top-ranked Houston this past Sunday. The Owls were 20-point road underdogs to the Cougars. Temple averages 68.6 points, which ranks 258th. The Owls are among the 40-worst Division I teams in field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage. So it's asking a lot for them to cover a mid-size number in an obvious letdown spot and given their offensive shortcomings. South Florida has proven profitable on the road going 36-17-1 (68 percent) ATS during its last 54 away games. This has been an underdog series lately with the 'dog covering four of the last five times. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 25, 2023 South Carolina vs Florida |
South Carolina +16½ -115 at Mirage |
Lost $115.0 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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South Carolina has proven to be tough on the road. Just ask Kentucky. The Gamecocks upset the Wildcats, 71-68, at Rupp Arena on Jan. 10. South Carolina hasn't won since losing three in a row - all at home. So going back on the road may be a good thing for the Gamecocks. They've covered their past four road games. Florida has been playing well. However, the Gators aren't likely to have starting 6-foot-9 forward Alex Fudge, their second-leading rebounder. That would hurt their size advantage forcing them to employ four guards. The Gators are off a narrow victory against Mississippi State. They are 5-14 ATS following a victory. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NBA | Jan 25, 2023 Wolves vs Pelicans |
UNDER 231½ -110 |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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Center Rudy Gobert may be the best defensive front-court player in the NBA. His presence makes a difference. And he's back for Minnesota. Given that plus the situation and the Pelicans ranking No. 1 in 3-point defensive field goal percentage, I'm going Under this total. The Timberwolves are off an embarrassing 119-114 loss to the Rockets, who had lost 13 straight losses entering the matchup. Gobert returned after missing the previous three games due to a groin injury. He had 16 rebounds and four blocks. But the Timberwolves ran into a sizzling Jalen Green, who scored 42 points on 15-of-25 shooting from the floor. Minnesota coach Chris Finch ripped his team following the loss for their lack of focus. The Pelicans showed a lot of defensive heart holding the Nuggets to a season-low 36 points in the second half last night. The Pelicans lost, 99-98, though, despite holding the Nuggets to 18 points under their season average. The Pelicans should be up for another strong defensive effort being home while not looking to push tempo playing without rest. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 25, 2023 Samford vs Furman |
Samford +7 -110 at circa |
Tie |
| Play Type: Top Premium | ||
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Samford is the top team in the Southern Conference at 8-0. Furman is 6-2 in the league. Samford has won eight in a row. This should be a very close game so I find this point spread to be out of whack in this mid-range. Samford is the superior defensive team. The Bulldogs also have back guard Ques Glover, their leading scorer. He returned to action this past Saturday after being out since Nov. 30. Glover really bolsters Samford's rotation. I don't believe the oddsmaker took that into enough consideration in making this line. Furman has failed to cover six of the last eight times it has met an above .500 opponent. This has been a road team series, too, with the visitor covering eight of the last 11 times. |
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SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |
