2.17.2007

NCAA Basketball - Saturday, February 17




If you are just joining us for our NCAA Basketball Picks, you have missed one hell of a ride thus far. After a horrible start to the season, I am on one of the greatest runs of my life (9-1 last 10 games). Hopefully you cashed in on my NCAA Game of the Month last Thursday with the California Golden Bears over the Oregon Ducks. If not, you had better start paying attention.

Drum roll please...


3* Play on Arizona -1 over UCLA

Sweet revenge is here again! Although Arizona doesn't have the "real" Wildcats in my eyes (Villanova), I see some value in Olsen's fraud squad here today. Arizona knows how to get down and dirty when revenge is on the line, and today they look to avenge a 4 point loss against the Bruins from earlier in the year. The Bruins are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games and the Wildcats are an impressive 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss. We see too much value to pass on this one today, especially when it's a CBS televised matchup. Wildcats roll!


3* Play on Vanderbilt +6 over Florida

Revenge again? This late in the season, revenge is on always on our side! The last time these two teams met, Florida was victorious by 10, but Vandy fought until the end. Being at home today should help Vandy avenge last month's loss to the #1 Gators. I won't guarantee the upset, but I'll take the 6 points with revenge any day of the week. Vanderbilt also possesses an impressive 12-3 home mark, and they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog. Commodores in a close one.


3* Play on South Carolina +4.5
over Tennessee

Betting the house on a .500 team isn't smart. However, we aren't betting the house and South Carolina isn't your normal 12-12 squad. The Gamecocks are full of value considering they are on a 5-game losing streak. The Vols are off one of the biggest games of the year as they pulled the upset earlier this week over #18 Kentucky. Did you know that the Vols are only 1-7 on the road this year? They are also 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a road fav. Throw in their 0-4 ATS mark in their last 4 road games overall and their 0-4 ATS mark in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and we have a combined 0-12 ATS mark! Add to that the Gamecocks 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and we have a combined 16-0 ATS record! Game, Set, and Cock!


3* Play on Oklahoma +3.5
over Texas A&M

Can anyone tell me why the #6 team in the country is only favored by 3 pts over an unranked foe? If your response is that Texas A&M just lost, it's wrong! Sure, that may have moved some of the public to Oklahoma, but the majority of the public is still all over the Aggies. Texas A&M might be a solid team, but with #20 Ok State on deck, the Aggies won't be thinking of this Oklahoma team. A key win by the Sooners and they may be rolling to the Big Dance. Throw in the Sooners 12-1 home mark and an undefeated 5-0-1 ATS mark in their last 6 games vs. a winning team above .600 and it's a Sooner Saturday!


3* Play on Seton Hall +11.5
over West Virginia

Another horrible team, another value play. The Mountaineers are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 versus the Big East. Sure it's rough taking a 12-12 team on the road, but the public is all over the Mountaineers here today. Seton Hall's size should be a factor here today. Look for a close one in Morgantown.


3* Play on Nebraska +16
over Kansas

Kansas has been destroying teams as of late, but a 16 point favorite is too much. I don't care if they are at home, the public has inflated Kansas to a level they shouldn't have reached. Nebraska may not be the greatest team in the world, but they should easily stay within the number today. Knowing that the Cornhuskers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 13 or more sits well with us today. The Jayhawks are just 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs a team with a losing record and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Saturday matchups. It looks like the Cornhuskers will be shucking Jayhawks.


3* Play on Gonzaga +5 over Memphis

If I didn't give out my 4* Game of the week earlier this week, this would be it. The Zags are 13-3 this year on their home hardwood and know how to win the big one. Sure the Zags have had their problems off the court, but they will be extremely focused when the Tigers come to play this afternoon. Saturdays have been great for the Bulldogs as of late as they are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games. They are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. Experience is the key today considering Memphis hasn't played a formidable foe since Arizona back on 12/20/06. Meanwhile, the Zags have played several tough teams throughout the year including Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, Butler, and Nevada. Experience wins in this one. It's Zagtastic!


3* Play on Utah +2 over UNLV

The 9-16 Utes? Yes Sir. Utah is horrible this year, whether they are home or on the road. However, the Runnin' Rebels have had their problems covering against horrible foes this year. Utah took the Rebels to overtime earlier this year, and considering the 21-6 Rebels are only 2 point favorites, we think Vegas knows something that we don't. With revenge being a factor and UNLV's 0-4 ATS mark in their last 4 games vs the Mountain West, we are all over the Utes today. Utah's 13-3 ATS record in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning record cements it. Utah pulls the upset!

Make sure you check in throughout the day for my additional plays!

Please remember to stick with the SixTalkingHeads star system! Stay the course and you will be rewarded.

Best of Luck,

Pikes

Documented NCAA Basketball Record 20-18: (+$340, +6 stars)
This week: 6-0 (+$2,100, +21 stars)
Last 10: 9-1 (+$2,770, +28 stars)

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