I woke up this morning not sure what to do with myself. I’ve had a solid routine for the past five or six months, when the college football season was approaching. I had my daily duties as a college football writer for CBSSports.com, which included the weekly features I write, as well as making several episodes of Podcast Cover 3, as well as random and scheduled HQ hits from CBSSports. In addition to all this, I have written this newsletter for you every day of the week.
So, from the moment I woke up until bedtime, my day was planned. Whether it was writing, researching what I was going to write, talking, researching what I was going to talk about, or simply watching the games I would have to write or talk about, my days were quite busy.
But then I woke up this morning and the college football season is over. I didn’t have a column to write, just this newsletter. When you haven’t had a lot of free time in a long time, suddenly having a little can put you in a loop! Of course, I know it won’t last long, so I’m enjoying it while I can, and do you know what I love to do almost more than anything when I have free time?
I love read. Stories like these in particular.
And now, the choices!
All Eastern time and all odds via William Hill Sportsbook
🔥 The Hot Ticket
No. 9 Wisconsin at No. 7 Michigan, 19h | TV: ESPN
The Pick: Wisconsin +3.5 (-110): Michigan enters this game with a perfect 10-0 record and qualified above Wisconsin on the AP Poll, so it is clear that he is the favorite. But should it be favored by so much? Don’t get me wrong, Michigan is not a casual team that was lucky at this point. But Wisconsin is the best team the Wolverines have faced this season by a good margin. In addition, the court advantage does not have nearly the same impact in an empty arena.
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Meanwhile, Wisconsin is currently ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. He has a size advantage over Wolverines and has a deeper player rotation. In addition, the only area that I think Wisconsin can really explore Michigan is the three-point line. Opponents are beating three against Michigan at 34.8, which ranks Michigan’s defense at 229th nationally. Wisconsin is shooting 41.4% in three this year, which ranks fourth. It looks like a bad showdown for the Wolverines. I’m taking the points, but if you can find Wisconsin at +150 or better on the money line, I’m fine with that too.
Key trend: The underdog is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Here’s what SportsLine is saying about the game: The SportsLine projection model simulated the top 10 battle between badgers and carcasses 10,000 times and released its results.
💰 Choices
Marquette Athletics
🏀 College Basketball
Providence in Marquette, 9 pm | TV: FS1
The choice: Marquette -3.5 (-110) – Sometimes I wonder if I like Marquette more than anyone, because the Golden Eagles always seem to be underestimated in the market. Yes, I know this is a Marquette team that is only 6-6 in the season, but their worst loss of the year came on the road by three points for a Xavier team currently ranked 52nd by KenPom. This team has been playing one of the most difficult times in the country, and tonight is hosting a Providence team that just lost on the road to Xavier on Sunday night.
So it’s two street games in a few days against a Marquette team that had a week off. I won’t be surprised if Providence makes a game like this so early and even takes the lead at halftime, but Marquette should step away in the second half against a Providence team that is not very good.
Key trend: The favorite is 16-6 ATS in the last 22 meetings.
🏀 NBA
Nuggets at Nets, 7:30 pm | TV: League Pass
The choice: Nets -1.5 (-110) – While Kyrie Irving’s drama continues off the court – who could have predicted that? – the rest of the Nets will play tonight and Kevin Durant will be back. Even without Kyrie, I think there is value in the Nets with the line here. Denver remains one of the league’s worst defensive teams, and tonight the Nuggets will play their third street game in four nights. Meanwhile, Brooklyn has only played once in the past four days and has only played one street game since late December. I am confident that the Nets will be the youngest team with Durant back and will look after a tired Nuggets team.
Key trend: Denver is only 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven games on a rest day.
🔒 Choice of the day on SportsLine: The Advanced Computer Model has a steep slope in tonight’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
DF The DFS summary
Star games
PG: Stephen Curry, Warriors
SG: James Harden, Rockets
SF: Kevin Durant, Nets
Federal Police: Damontas Sabonis, Pacers
Ç: Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Value plays
PG: George Hill, Thunder
SG: Lu Dort, Thunder
SF: Justin Holiday, Pacers
Federal Police: Trey Lyles, Spurs
Ç: Marc Gasol, Lakers
Full Escalation Advice
Get winning NBA DFS picks from SportsLine professionals Mike McClure and Jacob Gibbs. McClure won almost $ 2 million in Fantasy daily, while Gibbs smashed the NBA last season, earning about 65% of the time in cash games and almost 45% of the time in tournaments. See the DraftKings advice and FanDuel lineups here.
🏀 NBA Player Accessories
- Jarrett Allen Double Double (+105)
- Jarrett Allen Over 1.5 assists (-140)
- Kevin Durant Over 5.5 assists (-110)
- Malcolm Brogdon Over 4,5 rebounds (-130)