bimmercandoDOC’S COMP PICKS
College Basketball Prediction From Strike Point Sports:
Take #884 Kent State over Toledo (6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16)
Kent State has won nine straight at home and is putting up 98.5 points per game in those ten contests. The offensive firepower they display has led to some top 50 numbers nationally, a threshold that Toledo cannot keep up with. The only drawback to the Flashes fast pace is their propensity to turn the ball over, giving it up 14, 15, 24, and 14 times in their losses. The slower the game, the less likely they are to toss it around. The faster the play, the more they score. Either way, it doesn’t bode well for a Rockets team that goes on the road after the big matchup with Ohio Tuesday.
NBA Prediction From Arun Shiva:
Take ‘Over’ Washington vs. Sacramento (10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16)
Whatever the underdog tag here is of the Wizards on Friday, we will ride them. Washington scored just 93 points against Phoenix, they have failed to cover 3 contests in a row, Sacramento comes off back-to-back big wins over the Rockets and Rockets and they are lined up to face the Knicks on Wednesday as we write this. What you will see is a Washington team that is going to look bounce-back with the advent of Trae Young inserted in at some point into the lineup or the bench and they will score more than 93 points last game, including a horrendous 16 points in the 4th quarter against the Suns the last game and shooting 7/30 (23%) from three-point land. Look for Washington to be a fantastic active dog, push the tempo, score at ease and the Kings to bounce-back from a tough contest against the Knicks who play great defense.
Soccer Prediction From Doc’s Sports:
Take Real Madrid (-2.5, -105) over Levante (8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17)
We gave you a great +270 free pick winner last week from our specialty league, Liga MX, with the Tijuana/America DRAW, and we are back with another high value free pick for our readers this week. Levante has taken points in three straight matches (two draws) and they have been competitive, albeit against a favorable schedule. But now they take a huge step up in class and play one of their most difficult road matches of the season. These sides are on the complete opposite ends of the table, with Real Madrid sitting in second and Levante in 19th. Madrid has a goal differential of +24, while Levante is -9. Real Madrid sits more than 30 points above the visitors heading into this match. The home side is four points behind Barcelona for the league lead, so they won’t let this chance at an easy three points slip through their fingers. Real Madrid has scored 21 goals at home through nine matches while allowing only 6. That is some home pitch domination right there. The last time Levante visited, they left with their tails between their legs after a 6-0 loss. Real Madrid has a +9 goal differential in the last two meetings, as their visit to Levante produced a 4-1 win in the most recent meeting in September. We need Madrid to win by three or more here, and we expect a blowout in the early match on Saturday LaLiga.
College Basketball Prediction From Robert Ferringo:
Take Indiana (-1) over Iowa (2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17)
We have racked up 85 of 139 wins in this space (61%) and I am 130-83 (61%) with my newsletter plays over the last 213 weeks. I don’t think that either one of these teams is all that good. However, they both have one thing in common: they are excellent in their home gyms. Indiana has only one loss in Freedom Hall this year. And it was a game they should’ve won, blowing a double-digit lead last week to Nebraska. They followed that up with a pitiful effort at Michigan State and I think that IU will be ready to rebound. Iowa has only played three road games this year – and they have lost them all. The Hoosiers are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and I think that has watered down the line a bit. They have also lost five of six to the Hawkeyes, including an embarrassing 25-point loss at Iowa last season, and I think the Hoosiers are going to get one back.
NFL Prediction From Raphael Esparza:
Take ‘Under’ 45.5 San Francisco at Seattle (8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17)
This will be the third meeting between these two division teams and defense is always key when these two step on the field. In both meetings not one team came close to scoring 20 points and I see that trend continuing again on Saturday. The 49ers went on the road on Wild Card weekend and beat the Philadelphia Eagles but that victory cost them some keys guys out for this game in Seattle. In San Francisco’s last 6 games, they allowed only one team to score over 20 points and I see their well-rested defense flying all over the field. In the 49ers last 5 games when playing as the ‘Underdog’ 4 of them have stayed ‘Under’ the total.
College Football Prediction From Nick Menken:
Take ‘Under’ 47.5 Miami at Indiana (7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19)
Here we are with the National Championship matchup between Miami and Indiana, a pairing that few people saw coming. If you had said before the season that these two teams would be playing for the championship, most people would have laughed. Yet here they are, with everything on the line Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Yes, Miami gets the built-in home-field edge, but what has really stood out during this playoff run is how dominant the Hurricanes have been at the line of scrimmage, especially on the defensive front. When the lights are brightest and a championship is at stake, teams tend to come out more conservative early, protecting the football, leaning on defense, and feeling each other out. That’s exactly what I expect from Miami in this spot. Indiana brings a different look offensively and just put up 56 points against Oregon in the semifinals. However, the game quickly escalated, enabling Indiana to play with a more relaxed and aggressive approach. This matchup is different. Championship games slow down. Possessions matter more.. Field position matters more. And defensive adjustments come faster. Both teams have talented quarterbacks, but points will be at a premium here. I don’t expect a wide-open shootout. Instead, this feels like a physical, defensive battle where both sides tighten up especially in the first half keeping the game within reach deep into the fourth quarter. Defense wins championships, and I expect it to show on Monday night. Take the UNDER 47.5 total points in the National Championship game between Miami and Indiana.