Sports Handicapper Bob Balfe previews the College & Pro Football Card each and every week. Get late breaking injury reports, line movement explanation, weather reports, free picks and much more!
College Basketball6:00 PM ESTRotation #818Cal State Northridge -2.5 over Long Beach StateThe Cal State Northridge Matadors are very good when they can get over 70 points per game. Long Beach is the perfect opponent because they operate at a quick pace. This should be a great offensive game and I am almost tempted to take the over here, but we will stick with the Matadors in this one. Both teams have bad defenses and are bad at defending the three point line. Long Beach turns the ball over a lot and they don’t share the ball well. CS Northridge does share the ball well and they protect the ball as well. This is a bigger and stronger team that should cash in over a team that doesn’t know how to win. I can’t see the 5 win 49ers advancing as it will be Cal State Northridge that takes advantage of their extra possessions tonight. Take Cal State Northridge.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #465Browns +4.5 over TitansBrowns backers have been frustrated this year because on 3 occasions they have blown the cover in the craziest of ways, but you can’t hold grudges when it comes to sports gambling. Both teams have excellent running games. The Titans Derrick Henry is the man. The Browns Nick Chubb is the man. The Titans are a little banged up on the offensive line and the Browns get Myles Garrett back today. Garrett makes all the difference in the world and is the key to pressuring the QB and forcing turnovers. I don’t want to say Tennessee is overrated, but their defense is average and can be taken advantage of. Cleveland should have a balanced attack running the ball with the Chubb/Hunt combo and then Baker Mayfield should be able to find his downfield targets. I like the value with the underdog in this spot. Take Cleveland.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #258Browns -7 over JaguarsThe Browns are itching to play in a game that the weather doesn’t limit their offense. The weather will be nice and Cleveland could not have drawn a more perfect opponent on defense. The Jags are brutal and to make matters worse they will be starting Mike Glennon today at QB. Glennon has not thrown a ball in a game since 2017. Cleveland should put up a ton of points today on offense and on defense create turnovers. The Browns Defensive Line is missing a few key pass rushers today, but Glennon and his timing will be so off that this unit should force him into silly mistakes. Cleveland should have a balanced rushing attack of their own, but you know they are going to try to pass it more today just to get Baker Mayfield some positive stats. Take Cleveland.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #458Texans +2 over PatriotsTexans/Patriots Over 48.5The Texans have the worst defense in the NFL. There is no doubt Bill Belichick will find ways to put points on the board. This New England team is flawed. I know the general public thinks they are back after beating Baltimore last Sunday Night, but the conditions in that game were brutal. This game today is indoors and I believe the Texans Offense is going to have a field day. New England just doesn’t have a healthy front seven on defense. The Texans have so many talented skill players that should be able to get open. New England has a great secondary, but it’s only as good as the protection they get up front. The entire Patriots defensive line is out or on the injury report today and the linebackers are banged up as well. Deshaun Watson is going to be a nightmare to slow down today with his duel threat ability. Take the Texans and the Over.
College Football7:30 PM ESTRotation #360NC State -5.5 over LibertyHugh Freeze is the man. What a coach! The Flames are 8-0 this year, but their schedule has been easy. This team did beat Syracuse which has their own injury issues, but the win at VTech proves this is a really good team. I just don't think they can continue to keep it up against better athletes. This is a really light offensive line that I believe the Wolfpack front seven can handle. NC State has so many great offensive weapons and their offensive line should hold up against this defense and any pressure it brings. This is a game in which NC State is the bigger and more physical team and they should have no problem putting up 40 plus points. Liberty will be undefeated no more. Take NC State.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #261Bucs -5.5 over PanthersBucs/Panthers Over 51Tampa got beat up bad last week and are looking for a punching bag. The Panthers have a first year staff that has been excellent, but I just don’t see them stopping all of the Bucs weapons. This defense does not have the same talent as the Saints. This is a big divisional game and I believe Tampa will get back on track with all of their receivers finally being healthy again. Carolina will be without Christian McCaffrey which always hurts their chances, as he means more to his team than just about anybody in the NFL. This a good Panthers offense that will put up points. The wind is bad all over the NFL this afternoon, but this game will be not too bad. I think this will turn into a pretty entertaining shootout, but it will be the Bucs that pull away late. Take Tampa and the Over.
NCAA Football3:30 PM ESTRotation #222Western Kentucky -8 over Southern MissSouthern Miss is a mess. This team is on their 3rd coach of the year and now on their third quarterback. Jack Abraham opted out of the season, Tate Whaley won’t play with a concussion and they now will depend on Trey Lowe in his first start. This is a team that just won’t click on offense. Western Kentucky has struggled themselves on offense, but today will get a weak defense that can’t stop the run. Tyrell Pigrome will run all over this team and his style of play won’t throw interceptions so Southern Miss just won’t have multiple chances to put up easy points. This spread seems high for a WKU offense that struggles, but Southern Miss is so dysfunctional right now that I can’t see any scenario that has them in this game in the 4th quarter. Take WKU.
NFL Football1:00 PM ESTRotation #457-458Lions +3.5 over VikingsLions/Vikings Over 51The Lions will be without their top receiver Kenny Golladay today, but they will be facing a Vikings Secondary that is missing their top corners and the backups are banged up and very young. The Packers couldn’t expose them last week because of the wind in Green Bay. In perfect conditions Matt Stafford will light them up as this team can run a balanced offense. This young Vikings Secondary will be exposed. Last week in Green Bay was a gift from the weather gods. Detroit is not a great defense so the Vikings will get their points as well. Dalvin Cook was incredible last week so that confidence should carry over to this afternoon. Both teams will be able to run and throw the ball making them balanced and efficient. Take the Lions and the Over.
NCAA Football7:30 PM ESTRotation #403Tennessee -1 over ArkansasThe Vols had a week off to try to get focused. This was a team that won a lot of games to end last year and then the wheels fell off after a 2-0 start this year. The good news is they are playing a team that didn’t win a conference game in 2018 or 2019. The two wins the Razorbacks have this year are against two bad football teams. This Arkansas team is still in a transition year under their first year staff. Feleipe Franks is a big upgrade for them and they do have talent, but the Vols are a better team on both sides of the ball and have the talent and experience edge across the board. Jarrett Guarantano just needs to hand the ball off and not try to do too much. This Arkansas Defense isn’t the likes of Georgia, Kentucky or Alabama. Tennessee will look frustrating and will do silly things, but has the talent to beat a less talented football team and will be focused and hungry after a three game skid. Take the Vols
NFL Football 1:00 PM ESTRotation # 253Vikings +6 over Packers Vikings/Packers Over 49.5 In the first meeting this year the Packers picked this Vikings team apart. Minnesota couldn’t get their offense going until it was too late, but today the weather favors the Vikings. Minnesota is fresh off the bye week and are healthy. The winds are going to be high in this game which plays to Minnesota’s strengths. Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison should have big days running the ball. Aaron Jones is out for Green Bay so the running game does take a hit. Aaron Rodgers isn’t as mobile as he once was so I do think Minnesota can win this game. The problem for the Vikings is Aaron Rodgers is always the best player on the field and Minnesota is missing their top three cornerbacks in this game with the other one being just a rookie. The wind might be blowing around, but it will be hard for these guys to stop the Green Bay receivers and hard to come up and make cold weather tackles as well. This should be a great game. I think the Vikings have a great shot at winning if they stick to the game plan. Take the Vikings and the Over. NFL Football 1:00 PM ESTRotation # 256Bills - 4 over Patriots The Bills are built for this type of weather. Josh Allen has a cannon of an arm, he can run and he has the big hands to hold onto the ball when the winter conditions start rolling in. Cam Newton is a diva. This Patriots offense has been brutal all year and without a couple key receivers I just don’t see them all of a sudden moving the ball today. This is simply not the Patriots year. The New England Defense is seriously undermanned and the Bills should win both sides of the ball. Take Buffalo. NFL Football 1:00 PM ESTRotation # 257Titans -6.5 over Bengals Cincinnati is going up against a great defense today and will be without their top running back Joe Mixon. That’s only half of the bad news. The Bengals Offensive Line will be without their center, their left tackle and right tackle. Good luck. Joe Burrow is just a rookie and we have yet to see him play in conditions with high winds and colder weather. The Titans are built for this type of game and we should see Derrick Henry have a get right game this afternoon and the Titans should move the ball at will against this defense. Take Tennessee.
College Football12:00 PM ESTRotation # 138Cincinnati -7 over MemphisCincinnati showed how great their defense was in their road win last week against SMU. This team plays like an NFL team and I just don’t think Memphis has the identity they once had in the past. This is a young head coach that was left some talent, but a few of the guys opted out this year and I don’t think the skilled players are good enough to beat this Bearcat Defense. Brady White is not the most mobile guy so I expect the front seven to do a good job at frustrating and sacking him. This game is all about defense. The Bearcats successful defense puts their offense in position to score. Take Cincinnati.College Football2:00 PM ESTRotation # 178Houston +3 over UCFUCF is a track meet offense, but with that comes costly penalties and on the road that is always a cardinal sin. This Houston Defense has the talent in all three levels to compete with the Knights and on the offensive side Clayton Tune is looking like he may have a future at the next level. This is a tough team at home and they have plenty of skilled players of their own to match the talent UCF has. The Cougars have the edge on special teams as well. Take Houston. College Football6:00 PM ESTRotation # 151Boise State -14 over Air ForceBoise State/Air Force Over 49Covid hit some teams harder than others. Because Air Force is a military school the players all went on to deployments or studies and simply can’t opt back in. The entire defense is literally gone. This team has not been exposed yet, but it’s coming today with a great QB in Hank Bachmeier. Boise has a ton offensive weapons and are balanced at both throwing and running. They should put up 50 tonight as this Falcons Defense does not have the bodies to match up. Take Boise and the Over.College Football10:30 PM ESTRotation # 153Nevada -13.5 over UNLVNevada/UNLV Over 60Last year UNLV stunned Nevada on the road. The Wolfpack have payback in mind as they head to Las Vegas. This is a new coaching staff for UNLV and a few of their players had covid and are questionable once again this week. Nevada is an offensive minded team and in their Air Raid Offense should put up a ton of points against a very young defense. The Rebels only bring back one every game starter from last year and just have so many new faces on that side of the ball that I don’t think they will keep up. The UNLV offense will be good for a few scores as they have talent and proved they could score against this team last year, but the new system and their weak defense will eventually be too much to keep pace with the Wolfpack on and this game will get out of hand. Take Nevada and the Over.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #461Saints -6.5 over PanthersThis Saints team isn’t going to light up the scoreboard without Michael Thomas in the lineup, but today Drew Brees should be able to find all of his targets against a poor Panthers Defense and against a new defensive coaching staff. The Panthers are not a great team and their offensive line is dealing with a few injuries today. Teddy Bridgewater returns back to play his former team so they know his tendencies. The Panthers will be getting Christian McCaffery back next week, but without him I don’t like their chances in an important divisional game. The Saints should have a field day today running the ball against a bad run defense . The bottom line in this game is you have decades of coaching experience with the Saints going against a rookie staff. The Saints should win by double digits. Take New Orleans.
College Football4:00 PM ESTRotation #312Boston College -3.5 over Georgia TechIt’s hard for a team to get blown out like Georgia Tech did last week and then refocus on the road. Sometimes great teams like Clemson can beat you even the week after they beat you. Boston College has a very good defense that’s filled with veteran talent. The Yellow Jackets offense and their true freshman QB must be questioning their confidence after last weeks performance. Boston College isn’t going to run up the score like Clemson, but they will run the ball and try to control the clock and then rely on their defense to hold on. Georgia Tech is thin on the defensive line and lacks the talent to control the line of scrimmage. This is just the kind of game the Eagles like to play in. Take Boston College.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #251Bears +1 over PanthersNever would I think this Panthers team would have 3 wins and be over .500 at this point in the season. This is a team that I thought was capable of losing every game with Christian McCaffrey out of the lineup. This new coaching staff has done a great job, but some of it has to do with the easy teams on their schedule. The Bears Defense will take full advantage of any mistakes you make. I think Vegas has totally overvalued this Panthers football team. Teddy Bridgewater has looked decent, but I think he will make mistakes against this pass rush. Nick Foles is going to get better in this Chicago Offense as the weeks pass. This is a perfect opportunity to take him off the leash and throw the ball down field. Chicago is better on both sides of the ball. Take the Bears.
College Football4:00 PM ESTRotation #143Texas A&M -5 over Mississippi StateIt’s amazing how Mississippi State and this new coaching staff went from the highest to highs to the lowest of lows. After a week 1 win at LSU everyone thought this team was legit. It turns out LSU just can’t stop a high school offense. KJ Costello went from setting passing records to being benched. This looks like a new team. Jimbo Fisher has taken care of business so far with the only loss being against Alabama. This team has a much better defense and it’s a huge advantage having all the position coaches in their second year opposed to their first like in the case with the Bulldogs. Kellen Mond should have a great day passing and the A&M run game behind Isaiah Spiller should pound this defense. Take Texas A&M.
NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #466Steelers -7 over EaglesThe public is all over Pittsburgh and this number has stayed at 7 points all week, but the public is right sometimes. The Eagles don't have any of their top receivers playing. This is an offensive line that is banged up that will be going against a Steelers front seven that is lethal. Carson Wentz has looked slow and unsure of himself most of the year and I just don't see this team taking to the road and staying competitive against an elite football team. The Steelers Secondary has so many talented players. I don't see the Eagles moving the ball much. On offense, the Steelers are loaded. This team can pick on this banged up Eagles Secondary and they can run the football in a balanced attack. This is a playoff team. The Eagles are not. Take the Steelers.
NCAA Football7:30 PM ESTRotation #317Miami +15 over ClemsonThe one cool thing about College Football this year is the gap narrows with less fans and home field advantage. I just don’t think there are many spots that you should play big favorites. Miami has been red hot with D’Eriq King at QB. There is nothing worse than a duel threat QB that can pick up a first down with his arm or feet. Clemson is still a powerhouse, but this year none of them are elite. There was a lot of turnover last year in talent. Miami has all the offensive pieces and the offensive line able to match Clemson on the scoreboard. I think this spread is very generous. Take Miami.
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NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #258Bengals -2.5 over JaguarsGardner Minshew is not a quality NFL player. The only thing that keeps him a household name are his fun and game college frat like antics and it’s going to get real old fast for the Jags fan base. This team was awful against the Dolphins last week and this week they have to go on the road with a first year offensive coordinator and a rookie running back and try to win on the road to the hungry Bengals and the #1 pick Joe Burrow. Cincinnati is getting close to that first win and with the way the Jags played defense last week you have to think it’s coming. This Bengals team is stacked on the offensive side of the ball and today I believe they get their breakout game. Take the Bengals.
NCAA Football3:30 PM ESTRotation #135Texas Tech +1.5 over Kansas StateOn paper I just can’t believe Kansas State beat Oklahoma. This is a team with no offensive line. On the two deep chart they have just one guy who started a college football game coming into this season and he only had two. The other 9 players never started a game. Oklahoma got lazy in that game and didn’t know how to put a team away. Texas Tech had the same problem with Texas, but this is more of a quick strike offense and I think they will overwhelm the Wildcats today. Texas Tech will win this game if they don’t allow any big plays on special teams. This is a team that has great receivers and QB Alan Bowman can get them the ball. Take Texas Tech.
NFL8:20 PM ESTRotation #488Saints -3.5 over PackersThe Saints are coming off a bad loss Monday Night in Vegas, but call it a good win for the Raiders. This team still have Drew Brees under center and even without Michael Thomas in the lineup has plenty of weapons. The Saints return 4 of 5 on the offensive line this year and at home are always good for points. Aaron Rodgers has looked great this year, but his offensive line is banged up with Lane Taylor or IR and with Jenkins and Turner nursing injuries. The Saints have a little bit more on offense and defense and I like them as the small home favorite. Take New Orleans.
College Football7:30 PM ESTRotation #405Tennessee -3.5 over South CarolinaThe Vols know the feeling of their season being shot on the first day of the year as last year Georgia State upset them. This is a team that struggled early on and could have thrown in the towel, but over the 2nd half of the season showed tremendous promise. The Vols bring back a lot of talent from last year and this coaching staff is another year wiser. South Carolina brings in a new offensive coordinator and with him a new QB from the Colorado State system. Collin Hill is not much of a mobile threat so it’s his arm that will have to carry this team that lost a lot of receivers. This is a rebuilding year for this offense. Jarrett Guarantano and the Vols are looking to pick up where they left off late last year. The Vols also return more starting talent on defense. Take Tennessee.
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NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #274Colts -3 over VikingsBoth teams coming this game 0-1 to start the season. Minnesota doesn’t look right offensively with the departure of Stefon Diggs, but the real story is the once great defense this team had is a thing of the past. This team just doesn’t have much talent anymore nor do they have a lot of quality depth. It’s actually the Colts Defense that could be the next dynasty as they have experience and talent in all levels of their defense. Marlon Mack will be a tough loss for the Colts, but I believe Phillip Rivers will throw the ball more and duplicate the game plan Aaron Rodgers and the Packers had last week. The Vikings simply can’t cover and will have a hard time keeping up on the scoreboard. Keep in mind this is a brand new offensive and defensive system for Minnesota as they brought in two new coordinators this year. Head Coach Mike Zimmer is on the clock. Take the Colts.
College Football7:30 PM ESTRotation #125/126Louisiana Tech/Southern Miss Over 58.5Southern Miss has already fired their coach and now will be led by their 30 year old co-offensive coordinator Scotty Walden. In most cases I would say this is bad, but this team had a lot of energy this week and get the perfect opponent on defense. The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech have a new defensive coordinator and only return really 1 starter on that side of the ball that started every game this year. Southern Miss is going to go up tempo and put points on the board. Southern Miss also has turnover on defense. This defensive line is pretty young. Louisiana Tech has a ton of offensive weapons. The question is will their QB’s be able to find these weapons? The secondary for Southern Miss is very young so I do imagine these experienced receiving targets will get open. Both teams should put up a lot of points. Take the Over.
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NFL1:00 PM ESTRotation #459Raiders -3 over PanthersRon Rivera is gone at head coach and the Panthers will start the Matt Rhule era today. Rhule was a coach at Baylor last year and this is his first NFL game as head coach. The Panthers will also start Teddy Bridgewater at QB. Bridgewater will learn a new system with first year OC Joe Brady who is just 30 years old. This team is going to once again depend on Christian McCaffery at running back and depend on his ability to catch the ball as well. The Panthers will have new guards on the offensive line as the welcome John Miller for Cincinnati and Dennis Daley is out with an ankle injury. This offensive line also welcomes Russell Okung from the Chargers. Simply put I think this offense struggles today. The Raiders have a new home in the city of Las Vegas, but it’s still the same team with their coaching staff in place from the last few years. This offense returns their entire offensive line and defensively really have made great improvements. This is a complete football team and should win on the road today. Take the Raiders.
College Football 3:30 PM ESTRotation #399/400Georgia Tech/Florida State Under 52 Florida State is again loaded with talent, but they have a brand new coaching staff. How they do week one against a gritty team will be their first true test. The Noles bring back QB Justin Blackmon. This team has a couple of good targets returning but will be without DJ Matthews today which will also hurt them in the return game. This team will also try to find a replacement for the departed Cam Akers. That won’t be an easy task. Georgia Tech has a very good defense that should be able to hold their own today. When the Yellow Jackets have the ball it will not be the triple option team we remember with Paul Johnson as head coach. They transitioned very well last year and it Geoff Collins 2nd year at coach this team should be a lot better. Collins still needs times to go out and recruit his own players for his own system. Many of these players are still carry overs from the Johnson era. Florida State is stacked on defense at every level. This Noles team has more talent and speed and should be able to hold Tech to a low offensive production. Both teams are breaking in new FG kickers as well. Nothing helps and under more than an 8 minute drive and a missed FG. Take the Under. MLB7:05 PM ESTRotation #962Royals -125 over PiratesHernandez/Williams Pittsburgh is simply put just a bad baseball team right now and can’t hit right handed pitching for the life of them. Kansas City is just as bad record wise as both teams sit in the basement of their divisions, but the Royals have a 4 game win streak going and I just don’t see this struggling Pirates offense slowing them down tonight. Take Kansas City.
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Episode 198 : We now are 27-12 in our last 39 hoops picks good for 69%. We have one Member VIP Member Pick on the Thursday Card. Can we hit the big 70% number to end the month?! My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball6:30 PM ESTRotation #601-602Xavier +4 over St. JohnsThis is a big game for both teams. Xavier has looked really good the past few games. St Johns is a fun team to watch with their fast pace guard play. This is a matchup between two different styles. St. Johns has not had success against big teams. Xavier is a big team. The size mismatch will be very obvious in this game. Xavier has dominated this series as of late, but if there ever was a time for the Red Storm to get a win it would be now. Mustapha Heron will miss the game tonight for St. Johns. This means the Red Storm are going to have to shoot around 50% to win this game because there is little doubt they will lose the battle on the boards tonight. This should be another great game that goes to the wire, but it might be hard for St. Johns to not only win this game but win by more than 2 possessions. Xavier is short-handed tonight, but I don’t believe St. Johns will be able to get them into foul trouble. Take Xavier.
Episode 199 : We did it! 70% winners in February as we finished 28-12. Bob's March Madness Package is just $70 at BobBalfe.com
Episode 197 : We now are 26-12 in our last 38 hoops picks good for 68%. We have one Member VIP Member Pick on the Wednesday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball7:00 PM ESTRotation #783-784UCF -2.5 over South FloridaThe first matchup this year was hard to watch as there was a foul on almost every single play. Central Florida were the much better team at home as Tacko Fall has a huge night and got to the foul line at will. Fall is a bad foul shooter, but he puts the opponents bigger players on the bench with foul trouble. USF did a great job of rebuilding their program, but it's all been smoke and mirrors. This team had a weak non conference schedule and beat the bottom of the barrel in the American Conference this year. You could say the same for UCF, but this Knights team is a lot further along in their development. I don't believe USF will be able to handle shooters like Dawkins and Taylor and they will be frustrated trying to guard Fall at well over 7ft tall. UCF is trying to keep pace in the AAC Conference for a first round tournament bye. South Florida still has a long way to go before they can become a major player in this conference. Take UCF.
Episode 196 : We now are 25-12 in our last 37 hoops picks good for 68%. We have one Member VIP Member Pick on the Tuesday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball9:00 PM ESTRotation #633-634Indiana +2.5 over WisconsinThe margin for error is so small in the Big 10 Conference that’s why it’s no secret that the best teams in the nation with losing records are Penn State, Indiana and Illinois. On any given night a home team in this conference can beat anybody from top to bottom. Indiana has been one of the most unlucky teams in the nation this year. The way the ball has bounced against them in closing seconds of games has been unbelievable. This team just has not won close games in the Big 10, but have the talent to do so. Wisconsin is the perfect opponent because they are not going to blow teams out. I believe this game comes down to the wire again and just laws of averages are going to make this go in the favor of the Hoosiers tonight. This could be the win they need to pull them out of a funk and finish their season off with some purpose. Take Indiana.
Episode 195 : We now are 24-12 in our last 36 hoops picks good for 67%. We have one Member VIP Member Pick on the Monday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball9:00 PM ESTRotation #865-866Kansas State/Kansas Under 134It’s amazing the injuries that Kansas has suffered, but KState is dealing with their own injuries. Dean Wade and Kamau Stokes are dealing with nagging foot injuries. Cartier Diarra is done for the year. This is a game in which I don’t think there are enough pure passers creating offense to make this high scoring. I also don’t think the three point shooting will be as successful as it has in the past between these two teams. Vegas knows these teams score a lot of points when they get together yet they made this total super low. The boys in the Vegas are not in this business to lose money. I don’t think this game lives up to the hype. Take the Under.
Episode 194 : We now are 24-11 in our last 35 hoops picks good for 69%. We have two VIP Member Pick on the Sunday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.com NCAA Basketball3:45 PM ESTRotation #833-834Michigan -4 over Michigan StateMichigan State is a great three point shooting team, they have the best player on the court in Cassius Winston and are a great second half team. This team obviously has the coaching as well to get a big win on the road, but sometimes it is easy to out think yourself. Michigan State is missing two of their best players and might be without another key senior reserve player today. Michigan is so good at home and plays rock solid defense. Every single player on Michigan produces each night. This team does not rely on one or two players to lead them to victory. Michigan State in my opinion won’t be able to play 40 solid minutes of basketball with this current rotation. Teams like Rutgers didn’t make them play. The Wolverines will. If Michigan State can go on the road in this atmosphere being as short handed as they are then good for them. I like our chances with the healthier home team that has won 22 straight in this building. Take Michigan.
Episode 193 : We now are 24-9 in our last 33 hoops picks good for 73%. We have two VIP Member Pick on the Saturday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball12:00 PM ESTRotation #611-612Tulsa +7 over TempleTulsa has three solid seniors who won't be intimidated on the road. This team beat Temple this year and also Temple does not really have a big presence in the middle of their defense with their center being out. I believe this line is just too inflated for this Temple team. Temple is not a great shot blocking team so look for Tulsa to get easy buckets. This should be a solid offensive game. Take Tulsa.NCAA Basketball6:00 PM ESTRotation #711-712Syracuse +5 over DukeDuke is the best team in the country, but they are young and coming off a bad loss in which not only did they lose to their rivals, but they lost their best player. Zion Williamson is a threat under the basket, can rebound, can block shots and he can hit three pointers. The guy can do it all and not having him hurts this young basketball team that doesn't know how to play any other way than they have been playing. The Carrier Dome is a tough place to play and tough for 3 point shooting as well. Duke is not good from behind the three point line and might have trouble with this 2-3 zone on the road. This should be a lower scoring battle. Take Syracuse.
Episode 192 : We now are 23-9 in our last 32 hoops picks good for 72%. We have one VIP Member Pick on the Friday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball9:00 PM ESTRotation #863-864Davidson -1 over Rhode IslandThe point spread doesn’t matter in this game so to me this game comes down to Bob McKillop vs David Cox at the coaching position. Cox is in his first year as a coach and McKillop has almost 600 wins at Davidson. The Rams of URI have struggled big time this year and go in too many scoring droughts for my liking. This is a rebuilding year as they lost too many great players from last year. Davidson is coming off a tough home loss in which a frantic comeback came up a bucket too short. The Wildcats will be focused tonight and I don’t believe Rhode Island has the talent to make this home court significant. Take Davidson.
Episode 191 : We now are 21-9 in our last 30 hoops picks good for 70%. We have one VIP Member Pick on the Wednesday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball7:00 PM ESTRotation #795-796Syracuse -2 over LouisvilleThis is the game before the “GAME” tonight on ESPN. Syracuse had a week off to get right physically and I believe they can use their zone defense to make Louisville play sloppy and turn the ball over. I don’t think this is going to be a shootout by any stretch. Syracuse has a little bit of a size advantage tonight which should make it a little harder for Louisville to get clean wide open looks. Defense should be the name of the game and at the Carrier Dome this favors the Orange. Take Syracuse.
Episode 190 : We now are 20-9 in our last 29 hoops picks. We have one VIP Member Pick on the Tuesday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball6:00 PM ESTRotation #601-602Dayton/Davidson Over 133Both teams share the basketball well and won’t beat themselves with turnovers. Davidson is a perfect 12-0 at home this year and over the last few decades wins just about every game at home. I am shocked this line is this low. Dayton might be the most dangerous team in this conference on a neutral court. This team has great finishers right around the basket and are one of the best teams in the nation at 2 point shooting percentage. Dunks and layups are always great at pumping up shooting percentages. Davidson shoots a lot of 3’s and at home typically get in the zone. I think both teams are going to put on a show tonight in one of the better A-10 matchups this year. Take the Over.
Episode 189 : We now are 20-8 in our last 28 hoops picks. We have one VIP Member Pick on the Monday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball8:00 PM ESTRotation #853-854Wisconsin -9.5 over IllinoisIllinois might be the best 15 loss team in America. This is a team that is surging. Wisconsin has looked off the last two games so backing Illinois getting 9.5 points seems like the sexy pick, but whenever the public is on a big dog you have to be careful. Illinois makes their living at forcing turnovers. This defense is really bad so the extra times they get to not have the other team shoot is huge. The Illini force 17 Badgers turnovers at home in the first meeting at still lost by double digits. Wisconsin will more than likely not turn it over close to that number and with their slow pace will take Illinois out of their game. Superior coaching and smart decision making should get the Badgers back in the win column. Take Wisconsin.
Episode 188 : We now are 20-7 in our last 27 hoops picks as we cashed a 2-0 ticket Saturday in College Hoops. We have one VIP Member Pick on the Sunday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball2:00 PM ESTRotation #817-818George Mason +3 over St. BonaventureGeorge Mason is one of only a few teams that return their entire roster from last year. This team even have injuries to two key guys right now, but still in my opinion are the superior team. St. Bonnies goes as Courtney Stockard goes. This team relies just too much on one player. In the prior meeting this year the Patriots of George Mason dominated this team on the glass and at the foul line. I just don’t think St. Bonnies can handle physical teams. The Bonnies are not a great three point shooting team so I expect similar results as the game we just saw a few weeks ago. Take George Mason.
Episode 187 : We now are 18-7 in our last 25 hoops picks. We have two VIP Member Picks on the Saturday Card. My February VIP Package is FREE at BobBalfe.comNCAA Basketball4:00 PM ESTRotation #669-670VCU +1.5 over DaytonThis should be a great defensive game. Dayton is really starting to look good and have great players who can score from point blank range. VCU plays excellent defense. Dayton does not do well in low scoring games. When this team scores under 67 points they are 0-6. The Flyers will be without Trey Landers tonight which will hurt them on the glass especially on offensive put backs. VCU should be able to force enough turnovers and capitalize on a thin Dayton team to get a big road victory. Take VCU.NCAA Basketball6:00 PM ESTRotation #697-698Temple +1 over South FloridaWe picked on South Florida the other night and won. This is a team that had an easy schedule early on, but now they will be exposed down the stretch. This team lost about 80% of production in every major category. Temple owns this series and I just can’t see the Bulls getting their first win today in ages with a new team. Shizz Alston has been incredible for Temple this year and is starting to become unstoppable in league play. USF turns the ball over too much and again after making the public so much money this year I believe it’s time for them to start giving it back. Take Temple.