Sunday 2-10-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

A pair of eight-game losing streaks and a five-game slide appeared to bury the Chicago Blackhawks this season, but they have renewed life due to an improbable turnaround. The hottest team in hockey, the Blackhawks look to continue their drive for a postseason berth when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon in a matchup of Original Six rivals.

Chicago followed its five-game skid by ripping off six consecutive victories, including a 4-3 overtime triumph over visiting Vancouver on Thursday. "I mean, now's the time, right?" the red-hot Patrick Kane told reporters. "I think everyone's feeling confident. At the same time, we can't just think because (we're) playing better that it's just going to happen for us." While the Blackhawks have amassed 31 goals during their six-game run, the Red Wings have dropped two in a row after falling to Buffalo 3-1 in the opener of a three-game road trip. "It was a tough one, but at the end of the day, we've got to put more pucks in the net," Detroit's Frans Nielsen told reporters.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (21-27-7): Dylan Larkin, who has developed into one of the league's top two-way centers, scored for the third time in four games as he provided the only goal on Saturday to push his season total to 23. That matched his career high he set during his rookie campaign in 2015-16 and gave Larkin 11 points in his last eight games. "I don't think there's any question that Dylan is taking huge steps towards being that good, all-around centerman that you have to be to be a successful hockey team," coach Jeff Blashill told reporters. "I think he's a huge building block for this team because of it."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (22-24-9): Second-year forward Alex DeBrincat scored twice on Thursday to give him eight goals in his last 10 games and 28 on the season, matching the total from his rookie campaign. DeBrincat has found chemistry with former juniors teammate Dylan Strome, who has posted 27 points in 31 games since being acquired from Arizona in late November. "I think, over time, you just build a connection," Strome, who has notched 13 points in his last eight contests, told reporters. "I usually know where he's going to be. And he's pretty good at putting it in the back of the net, so it works out pretty well."

OVERTIME

1. Kane has recorded 10 goals and 19 assists during his 13-game point streak.

2. Detroit G Jonathan Bernier is 3-2-0 with a 2.37 goals-against average versus Chicago in his career.

3. Chicago G Corey Crawford, who has been out since Dec. 16 due to a concussion, practiced for about 20 minutes on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota Wild vs. New York Islanders Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The Minnesota Wild are feeling a bit better about themselves as they visit the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota, which owns the top wild card spot in the Western Conference, snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory at New Jersey on Saturday as it continues to learn what life is like without captain Mikko Koivu.

Koivu suffered a season-ending knee injury Tuesday but players such as Joel Eriksson Ek, who was recalled from Iowa of the AHL to replace Koivu, stepped up by scoring Saturday for the second straight game. "We were looking to snap out of the funk, it's good to get back in the win column for us with the standings and with losing Mikko we have to find something positive, and today will be the start of playing some better hockey," the Wild's Zach Parise told the media after scoring Saturday. New York and its air-tight defense continue to lead the Metropolitan Division after Saturday's 4-3 overtime victory over Colorado gave it three wins in its last four games and an 18-4-2 mark in its past 24. The Islanders, who allow an league-least 2.35 goals per game after yielding a league-most 3.57 last season, haven't allowed more than three in the last 13 games.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Minnesota), MSG Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE WILD (27-23-5): Parise leads the club with 22 goals and 47 points with Mikael Granlund (44) in close pursuit. The team received a huge lift Saturday from its third line consisting of Marcus Foligno, Luke Kunin and Ek, who all scored and have a total of 11 goals this season. Defenseman Greg Pateryn had an assist against New Jersey, giving him two in the last three games and three in 54 contests this season.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (32-16-6): Defenseman Ryan Pulock has five goals this season after scoring twice Saturday - including the winner - for the second time in his career and first in 2018-19. Thomas Greiss (15-8-2, 2.33 goals-against average, .926 save percentage), who has won three of his last four starts, is expected to play after Robin Lehner made 25 saves Saturday. Jordan Eberle recorded a goal and an assist versus Colorado, giving him two of his 13 goals this season in the last three games.

OVERTIME

1. New York RW Cal Clutterbuck did not play Saturday after leaving Thursday's 2-1 shootout victory at New Jersey with what appeared to be a knee injury.

2. The Islanders haven't allowed a power-play goal in 11 of their last 12 games, going 27-for-29 during that span and 11-for-11 in their past five.

3. Minnesota has won the last three meetings, recording 17 goals in the process with Jason Zucker scoring three in two games last season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Wild 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

After crashing a party and ending a lengthy hex in New York, the Carolina Hurricanes will not have to travel far as they visit the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon. After ruining the Stanley Cup anniversary celebration of the New York Rangers on Friday, Carolina will look to remain perfect on the fourth stop of its five-game road trip.

The Hurricanes have won two of the first three games on the trek via shutout after blanking the Rangers 3-0 to improve to 13-4-1 in their last 18 contests and keep their playoff drive going. "I think we're rolling, but we've got to keep the foot on the pedal. No steps back," Carolina's Warren Foegele told reporters. "We need each win, and I think everyone in this room knows that." New Jersey, which is in last place in the Metropolitan Division, will try to avoid finishing winless on its four-game homestand (0-2-1) as it meets Carolina for the third time this season. The Devils dropped a 4-2 decision to Minnesota on Saturday for its 10 loss in 14 games (4-9-1).

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FS Carolinas, MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (28-21-6): Sitting just outside the playoff picture, Carolina is feeling good about its chances to make the postseason due to the goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney as each has posted a shutout on the road trip. "(Goaltending) is the difference in our season. These guys have both been great," coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters. "It just gives us a lot of confidence that when we're not playing our best, we still have a chance to win. That's special, really." McElhinney has split of pair of decisions against the Devils this season despite yielding only two goals.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (20-26-8): New Jersey has been outscored 11-4 during its three-game skid and showed little offensively against Minnesota, mustering just 18 shots - the second time this season the team has failed to register 20. Right wing Kurtis Gabriel, who has received a regular spot in the lineup, has appeared in all four games this month and is showing a physical presence with 25 hits despite not playing more than eight minutes in any of the contests. Jesper Bratt pulled the Devils within a goal on Saturday with a third-period tally that extended his point streak to a season high-tying three games.

OVERTIME

1. Hurricanes C Sebastian Aho has collected 13 points in his last nine games but three goals and zero assists in 10 career meetings with the Devils.

2. New Jersey G Keith Kinkaid is 7-2-0 with a 1.87 goals-against average versus Carolina during his career.

3. Carolina captain Justin Williams has registered 17 of his 32 points away from home.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 3, Devils 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Winnipeg Jets vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The Buffalo Sabres continue to live just outside playoff position in the Eastern Conference as they host the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Buffalo is 2-1-1 on its season-high seven-game homestand after Saturday's 3-1 victory over Detroit while Winnipeg, which leads the Central Division by one point over Nashville, has lost three straight for the first time this season after Saturday's 5-2 setback at Ottawa.

The Sabres' Sam Reinhart told the media after Thursday's 6-5 shootout loss to Carolina that "we need more from our goalies" and after apologizing personally and publicly Friday, Buffalo responded with a solid defensive effort. "I think they refocused, but that's the thing for me is that's a tight group in there," Sabres coach Phil Housley told the media. "I think it just brought us tighter together, the things that went on." The Jets are 5-5-1 versus the Atlantic - their worst record against any division - as they wrap up a three-game road trip versus such teams. Buffalo prevailed in the first of two meetings this season, 2-1 in a shootout Nov. 16 behind 25 saves by Carter Hutton, who is expected to play Sunday after Linus Ullmark stopped 28 shots Saturday.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, TSN3 (Winnipeg), MSG Buffalo

ABOUT THE JETS (34-18-3): Blake Wheeler (team-high 65 points) has been kept off the scoresheet in consecutive games for the second time this season and first since Nov. 16 and 19. Patrik Laine (25 goals) hasn't scored in 10 games and has two goals in his last 23 contests while recording four of his 10 assists this season during that span. Mark Scheifele (club-best 27 goals, 63 points) hasn't recorded a point in three of his last four games and five of his past eight.

ABOUT THE SABRES (27-20-7): Jack Eichel (club-most 58 points) has 10 points (three goals) in his last nine games after recording an assist versus Detroit. Jeff Skinner has four of his team-best 33 goals in the last six games but was kept off the scoresheet Saturday for the third time in the last five contests. Casey Mittelstadt scored against Detroit to extend his career-high point streak to four games, giving him eight goals and 19 points this season.

OVERTIME

1. Buffalo is 5-for-10 on the power play in its last four games after going 2-for-3 on Saturday

2. Hutton is 5-4-1 with a 2.02 goals-against average and .936 save percentage versus the Jets.

3. Winnipeg is 0-for-10 with the man advantage over its last three games while allowing a power-play goal in each of those contests.

PREDICTION: Sabres 3, Jets 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The Boston Bruins managed to battle back from adversity to snag a victory on Saturday, while the reeling Colorado Avalanche were unable to take advantage of good fortune and tumbled to another defeat. The Bruins have earned points in six consecutive games while Colorado is winless in its last six heading into Sunday afternoon's matchup in Boston.

On the day he was honored for being the fifth player in franchise history to appear in 1,000 games with the Bruins, Patrice Bergeron scored in overtime on Saturday for a 5-4 victory over Los Angeles. "Obviously, we don't want to give up a lead, but it didn't completely cripple us, so to speak," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters. "We kept playing and eventually got the two points." The Avalanche could not protect a two-goal lead against the New York Islanders and lost their second straight 4-3 overtime decision. However, Colorado has had its way with the Bruins, winning four straight overall meetings and 10 consecutive matchups in Boston.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA, Altitude (Colorado), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (22-22-10): Former Bruin Carl Soderberg scored one goal and set up two others in Saturday's loss, giving him eight tallies in his last 15 games and a career-high 17 on the season. Colorado has recorded only three wins in its last 19 overall contests (3-12-4) and has suffered four overtime losses in that span to fall to 1-9 in the extra session and 1-10 beyond regulation this season. "At least we're not coming out of them empty-handed, but we're still not winning games," captain Gabriel Landeskog, who scored in a 6-3 win over Boston on Nov. 14, told reporters. "It's hard to see any moral victories out of these."

ABOUT THE BRUINS (30-17-8): Bergeron, who skated in his 1,000 game on Tuesday, recorded a pair of assists four days later - including one on linemate Brad Marchand's short-handed goal. "The legend continues," Marchand told reporters. "It's great to see him have the game that he had. It was a great ceremony at the start. He deserves all the recognition that he's been getting and he's gotten over the last few years." Marchand, who has registered multiple points in three straight games and four goals and 12 assists over his last 10 contests, has collected four tallies and as many assists in 12 career meetings with the Avalanche.

OVERTIME

1. Bruins G Jaroslav Halak is 5-4-2 lifetime against Colorado after giving up six goals in mid-November.

2. Colorado has allowed at least four tallies in each game during its season high-tying losing streak.

3. Marchand moved into a tie with Derek Sanderson for second place on the franchise list with his 24th short-handed tally - one behind Rick Middleton.

PREDICTION: Bruins 4, Avalanche 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 10th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/10/2019

The league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning have begun the month with a five-game point streak and attempt to extend it Sunday, when they visit the Florida Panthers. Tampa Bay improved to 3-0-2 during its run as it avenged its most recent loss by posting a 5-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The Lightning squandered a two-goal lead in the second period before Tyler Johnson and J.T. Miller scored in the third to help give the team league highs of 40 wins and 84 points. Anthony Cirelli recorded a goal and an assist for his third two-point performance of the season and first since back-to-back efforts on Dec. 10 and 13. Florida also let a two-goal lead slip away on Saturday, doing so in the third period at Washington before Mike Hoffman converted a power-play opportunity 1:31 into overtime for a 5-4 victory. The Panthers, who went 3-2-0 on a homestand prior to the win over the Capitals, begin a seven-game stretch at BB&T Center having won six of their last eight overall contests.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), FS Florida

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (40-11-4): Alex Killorn notched a pair of assists on Saturday but saw his goal-scoring drought reach six games. The 29-year-old left wing has tallied just once in his last 17 contests and remains two shy of 100 for his career. Cirelli, who leads the team with four short-handed goals, became the eighth member of the Lightning to hit double digits in tallies while Miller got within one of joining the group.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (23-22-8): Roberto Luongo made his 1,000th career start on Saturday while appearing in his 1,029th NHL game, tying Patrick Roy for second place on the all-time list for goaltenders. The 39-year-old Luongo also climbed within one win of pulling even with Ed Belfour (484) for third in league history. Captain Aleksander Barkov, who leads the team with 53 points, has collected two goals and four assists during his four-game streak and is one tally away from his fourth consecutive 20-goal season.

OVERTIME

1. Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov, who leads the NHL with 81 points, was one of five members of the team that failed to record one on Saturday.

2. Three of Hoffman's team-leading five game-winning goals this season have come in overtime.

3. Tampa Bay has posted six straight 40-win seasons and 10 overall in franchise history.

PREDICTION: Lightning 5, Panthers 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NHL Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The Toronto Maple Leafs have used a six-game point streak to gain a slim edge in the battle for second place in the Atlantic Division. They hope to extend their 5-0-1 run with a fifth straight victory when they visit the New York Rangers on Sunday.

Toronto rallied for a 4-3 overtime triumph in Montreal on Saturday to move two points ahead of the Canadiens and three in front of Boston for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. John Tavares recorded a goal and an assist for a third consecutive game, netting his team-high sixth game-winning tally 2:17 into the extra session as the Maple Leafs kicked off their six-game road trip. New York is wrapping up a five-game homestand during which it has gone 1-2-1 following Friday's 3-0 loss to Carolina. The Rangers, who have been shut out twice over their last five contests at Madison Square Garden, are attempting to remain in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference as they trail Pittsburgh by nine points for the second wild-card spot.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (34-17-3): Mitch Marner notched an assist on Saturday to increase his team-leading point total to 66, leaving him three shy of the career high he set last campaign. The 21-year-old right wing, who is in his third season, needs four points to reach 200 in the NHL. Defenseman Morgan Rielly has been kept off the scoresheet just once in his last six games, collecting a goal and six assists in that span.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (23-23-8): Mika Zibanejad collected 11 goals and eight assists while landing on the scoresheet in 10 of his 12 games prior to Friday's shutout. The 25-year-old Swede, who leads the team with a career-high 53 points, is five tallies away from matching the personal best of 27 he recorded last season. Linemate Mats Zuccarello also had been hot, registering five goals and 10 assists during a nine-game point streak before Friday's loss.

OVERTIME

1. Rangers LW Chris Kreider leads the team with 24 goals and is four shy of tying the career high he set in 2016-17.

2. Toronto LW Andreas Johnsson is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak during which he has tallied four times and added two assists.

3. New York LW Jimmy Vesey needs four points to eclipse the career high of 28 he recorded last season.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Rangers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ohio St Buckeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Ohio State and Indiana find themselves in a similar predicament heading into Sunday's game in Bloomington, with both teams needing wins to bolster their hopes of making the NCAA Tournament field in March. The Buckeyes look to continue a recent surge that has carried them to three wins in their last four games and the Hoosiers take aim at snapping a three-game home losing streak, their longest drought since the 2014-15 season.

Indiana halted a seven-game overall skid last weekend with an upset at No. 11 Michigan State but slipped again Thursday night with a loss at home to No. 20 Iowa. The Hoosiers' dismal January leaves them desperately searching for wins, especially at home with five Big Ten games remaining in Assembly Hall. One of those opponents is Ohio State, which also struggled last month but is coming off a win at home over Penn State on Wednesday night that the Buckeyes pulled out despite their top player, Kaleb Wesson, once again fouling out (6.6 fouls per 40 minutes in Big Ten games) and finishing with only six points. That forces Ohio State to rely on its perimeter shooting and so the Buckeyes want Wesson to be more of a factor as a scorer and rebounder inside against the Hoosiers.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT OHIO STATE (15-7, 5-6 Big Ten): Wesson's foul trouble has limited his court time to less than 30 minutes in all but one Big Ten game this season, but when he's out on the floor he's averaging a team-best 14.9 points and shooting 52.5 percent from the field. Freshman Luther Muhammad, who scored a team-high 20 points against Penn State and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line, has become one of Ohio State's more consistent contributors while averaging 10.2 points and shooting 45.2 percent on 3-pointers. Wesson's older brother, Andre, picked up the slack when his sibling was on the bench against Penn State and delivered 15 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds.

ABOUT INDIANA (13-10, 4-8): The Hoosiers need senior Juwan Morgan to make a bigger impact Sunday after he was limited by an injury last weekend against Michigan State and by foul trouble against Iowa. Morgan is Indiana's leading rebounder (7.8 per game) and second-leading scorer behind freshman Romeo Langford (17.6 points), who had 15 of his team-high 22 points in the second half against Iowa. Indiana outrebounded Iowa (33-30) and shot the ball well (49.1 percent from the field) but couldn't overcome an early hole that it will need to avoid digging against Ohio State.

TIP-INS

1. Indiana F De'Ron Davis has returned from an ankle injury and contributed 11 assists in the past two games off the bench, including a career-high seven against Iowa.

2. Indiana's bench players finished with only seven points against Iowa with key reserve Devonte Green recording three points, no assists and four turnovers.

3. C.J. Jackson is Ohio State's second-leading scorer at 13.0 points per game and leads the Buckeyes in assists (79) and steals (26), but also has a team-high 54 turnovers.

PREDICTION: Indiana 77, Ohio State 75

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Connecticut Huskies vs. Memphis Tigers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Connecticut has had its share of ups-and-downs in the first year under coach Dan Hurley, but it is about to face perhaps its biggest challenge playing without senior star guard Jalen Adams for the next four to six weeks - which could mean the season. Looking for a new leader, the Huskies will take to the road Sunday to play a Memphis team that is 11-2 at home with both defeats coming against ranked opponents.

UConn began the season 6-1, including a win against Syracuse, and fans seemed attracted to Hurley's intense attitude and aggressive play on the court, but the club has dropped all five of its road games in American Athletic Conference play and seven of its last 11 games overall. Adams, who played just six minutes in the 81-63 defeat to Temple on Wednesday before suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee, was leading the team in scoring (17.0 points) while contributing 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Memphis has its own star guard in Jeremiah Martin, who made a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored a game-high 26 points against No. 23 Cincinnati, but it wasn't enough as the Bearcats rallied from an 11-point deficit early in the second half for a 69-64 victory on Thursday. "We didn't rebound the ball (well) in the second half and they got a couple of easy baskets," said Martin, who was coming off a career-high 41-point effort at South Florida. "That's what allowed them to push away."

TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (13-10, 4-6 American): Sophomore forward Josh Carlton (8.6 points, 5.9 rebounds) didn't post a double-double in his first 54 games at UConn, but the 6-9 forward had 18 points and 13 boards against Temple for his second straight, following a 20-point, 16-rebound performance against East Carolina. Junior guard Christian Vital (14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) had 18 points and 13 rebounds against the Owls, while Eric Cobb added 13 points and five boards as guard Alterique Gilbert (13.0 points, 3.8 assists) missed his third straight game with a shoulder injury. UConn won the battle of the boards, 41-30, but shot just 40.3 percent, including 4-of-18 from 3-point range, and allowed the Owls to shoot 52.7 percent, including 11-of-23 beyond the arc.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (13-10, 5-5): Senior forward Kyvon Davenport (14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds) had 12 points and 10 boards as the Tigers lost for the first time this season when holding an opponent to less than 40 percent from the field (39.7 percent). In his past two games, Martin (16.7 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds) has scored 67 points and connected on 22-of-39 field goals and 15-of-23 shots beyond the arc to reach 1,301 career points - 20th most in school history. Freshman guard Tyler Harris, a Top-100 recruit, is averaging 12.1 points but is shooting just 37.2 percent from the floor, including just 31.8 percent on 7.7 attempts beyond the arc per game.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis swept the season series last season.

2. Martin is four points behind David Vaughn (1992-95) and 18 points behind his coach, Penny Hardaway (1992-93) and Alvin Wright (1975-78) on the school's all-time list.

3. Richard Hamilton, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1999 Final Four after leading UConn to its first NCAA National Championship, is scheduled to return to Connecticut to join his former teammates for a celebration on Sunday, Feb. 24.

PREDICTION: Memphis 84, Connecticut 67

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Central Florida Knights vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Central Florida likely needs a strong stretch run to remain in the conversation for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, and it can ill afford a slip-up Sunday afternoon at slumping SMU. The Knights opened play in the American Athletic Conference with a 5-1 mark, but they've dropped two of their last three after falling 77-68 to No. 12 Houston on Thursday.

Senior guard B.J. Taylor finished with 21 points and a season-high seven assists for UCF, which was unable to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit. "The first half, we dug a hole for ourselves (and) the second half we responded and played the way we're capable of," coach Johnny Dawkins told reporters. "When we're playing against a team that's that good, it's a tough hill to climb." The Mustangs were 3-1 in conference play before losing five of six, including their last three. They gave up a 3-pointer in the closing seconds in a damaging 67-66 home loss to South Florida on Thursday.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPNews

ABOUT UCF (16-5, 6-3 American): Taylor leads the Knights in scoring at 17.1 points per game and junior guard Aubrey Dawkins ranks second (15.0), although he has just 24 points on 8-of-31 shooting over his last three games. Senior center Tacko Fall produced 13 points and six rebounds in the loss to Houston and the 7-6 standout continues to lead the nation in field-goal percentage (76.1). Sophomore forward Collin Smith scored in double figures in five of the first eight conference games before being held scoreless in 11 minutes versus the Cougars.

ABOUT SMU (12-10, 4-6): Each of the Mustangs' three straight losses have come by five points or fewer and it's beginning to wear on the players. "I've been coaching for 30-some years, and I can't remember three more heartbreaking games back-to-back to-back," coach Tim Jankovich told the media after the loss to USF. "It's hard to swallow. It's very painful. I really hurt for our guys. We're one possession away from having our greatest three-game stretch in a long, long time." Sophomore forward Isiah Mike has been a bright spot during the tough times and is averaging 20 points on 61.4 percent shooting over his last four games.

TIP-INS

1. Mustangs senior G Jahmal McMurray entered Saturday tied for third in the AAC in scoring (18.3).

2. Knights junior G Terrell Allen was 18-for-34 from 3-point range over his first 18 games but is 1-for-7 over the last three.

3. SMU won eight straight meetings before falling 52-37 at UCF in the second of two meetings last season.

PREDICTION: UCF 70, SMU 67

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Houston Cougars Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

The top teams in the American Athletic Conference square off with first place on the line when No. 23 Cincinnati visits 12th-ranked Houston on Sunday afternoon in the first of two meetings this season. Houston has won seven straight games since its lone loss against Temple while the Bearcats have strung together eight victories in a row after rallying for a key 69-64 win at Memphis on Thursday.

The Cougars, who were sixth in the nation in scoring defense (60.8) entering Saturday, took a 15-point halftime lead at Central Florida before holding on for a 77-68 victory on Thursday as senior Corey Davis Jr. poured in 26 points. "If you just take a while picket fence and put it around the paint, that's how our defense is," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson told reporters after the win. "(UCF) made some difficult shots tonight, but we didn't give up any easy shots." The Cougars will need more of the same to contain league player of the year candidate Jarron Cumberland (18.6 points, 3.6 assists), who leads an experienced and otherwise balanced team that has grinded out the last three wins by a total of 14 points and sits just outside the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense (61.7). "It helps to have a great player to put the ball in the basket late in games," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told reporters after the win at Memphis. "Jarron Cumberland is a great player."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT CINCINNATI (20-3, 9-1 American): Cumberland, a junior guard, is averaging 23.3 points over the last seven games and is the only Bearcat scoring at least 11 per contest with sophomore guard Keith Williams contributing 10.9. Junior forward Tre Scott (9.5 points, 6.4 rebounds) scored 13 and pulled down nine boards versus Memphis while junior center Nysier Brooks (8.1, 5.7) shoots 57.1 percent from the field. The Bearcats turn the ball over only 10.7 times per game - best in the American - and senior guard Justin Jenifer (9.0 points) leads the way with 73 assists against 15 turnovers.

ABOUT HOUSTON (22-1, 9-1): Davis has poured in 50 points combined the last two games on 13-of-24 shooting to push his team-high scoring average to 15.5 - just ahead of junior guard Armoni Brooks (14.3), who tops the Cougars in rebounds (6.2). Senior guard Galen Robinson Jr. runs the show and is second in the American in assists (5.4) after dishing out seven against UCF to go along with 12 points an five rebounds. Sophomore guard DeJon Jarreau (7.8 points) scored 14 and hauled in 12 rebounds as the Cougars avenged the loss to Temple on Jan. 31 before being held to four points against UCF.

TIP-INS

1. Houston senior F Breaon Brady (7.0 points, 4.9 rebounds) was limited to a season-low three minutes by foul trouble Thursday.

2. Cincinnati sophomore G Trevor Moore has connected on 4-of-8 from 3-point range the last two games.

3. The Bearcats took two of three from the Cougars last season, including a 56-55 triumph in the conference tournament final.

PREDICTION: Houston 76, Cincinnati 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

East Carolina Pirates vs. South Florida Bulls Preview and Predictions 02-10-2019

NCAAB Predictions 10th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/10/2019

For the first time in 27 years, South Florida is 10 games above .500 after pulling out a last-second 67-66 triumph over SMU on Thursday. The Bulls set their sights on their first five-game conference winning streak since the 1991-92 season (Metro Conference) as they host East Carolina on Sunday, with the Pirates looking to even the score against their American Athletic Conference rivals after falling to USF 77-57 two weeks ago.

The Bulls barely pulled off their most recent victory, needing David Collins' clutch 3-pointer with six seconds remaining to lift them past the Mustangs, and they did it without the conference's top rebounder, Alexis Yetna (9.8), who sat out with a hamstring injury and is listed as day-to-day. "They really hurt us on the glass in the second half," USF coach Brian Gregory told ESPN afterward. "Without Alexis out there, we're just not the same rebounding team. We got just enough and made just enough quality offensive plays down the stretch to get a big win for us and our program." East Carolina would catch a break if Yetna is unavailable as he had 28 points and 13 rebounds in the earlier meeting between these teams, and the Pirates need a big win of their own following a dismal shooting (34.6 percent) and rebounding (minus-19 margin) performance in Wednesday's 65-49 loss to Wichita State. "Coach is disappointed in us, we're disappointed in ourselves," freshman Jayden Gardner told the media. "We let everyone down. We just can't play like that. We need to come out with effort and energy from the start."

TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3

ABOUT ECU (9-13, 2-8 American): The Pirates have lost two straight and seven of their last eight, with the offense limited to 57 points or fewer in their last four of those setbacks. Gardner (15 points in the first meeting), who tops the team in points (18.0) and rebounds (9.0), combined with sophomores Shawn Williams (12) and Dimitrije Spasojevic (10) to score 37 of the team's 57 points on Jan. 26 versus the Bulls. The Pirates couldn't get much going in the loss to Wichita State either, limited to season lows of 18 field goals overall and 20 points in a half - recording the latter dubious mark after reaching that total before intermission Wednesday.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (16-6, 6-4): With Yetna out against SMU, Collins (team-high 15 points per game) spearheaded the Bulls' charge - just as he's done for much of this season - finishing with a game-high 23 points and three of the team's season-high 11 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Justin Brown had two of those treys - and four in the first meeting with East Carolina - and he's 11-for-18 from long distance as well as 14-for-23 overall from the field over the last three games. Guard Laquincy Rideau chipped in with 14 points, six rebounds and nine assists against SMU in addition to one steal that pushed his season total to a new school single-season record 69.

TIP-INS

1. The Bulls' earlier win over the Pirates gave them a 9-8 edge in the season series.

2. USF has won four in a row for the first time since the 2011-12 season and the Bulls already have six more wins than last season.

3. The Pirates are 0-8 on the road and they have lost 10 in a row on the road dating back to last season.

PREDICTION: South Florida 78, East Carolina 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Two teams struggling near the bottom of the ACC standings meet Sunday when Georgia Tech travels to Notre Dame, and both teams hope it marks a jumping-off point for a late-season surge. Wins have been difficult to come by for both squads, as the Fighting Irish have dropped six of their past seven games while the Yellow Jackets have lost four straight games since knocking off Notre Dame in Atlanta on Jan. 22, 63-61.

That victory is the last time the Yellow Jackets truly were at full strength, as sophomore guard Jose Alvarado continues to battle nagging injuries while going 1-for-20 from the field in the past two games, losses to Florida State and Clemson. "I (stink) right now," Alvarado, Georgia Tech's leading scorer, told reporters after scoring three points in Wednesday's 65-42 home defeat to Clemson. "I don't know what's in my head, but I've got to start playing like the Jose that came to Georgia Tech." Things aren't much better for the Fighting Irish, who shot a season-worst 32 percent from the field while going 4-for-28 from 3-point range in a 62-47 loss Wednesday at Miami. "Miami's defense really bothered us," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey told the media after the Fighting Irish finished with a season-low point output. "We just couldn't score."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (11-12, 3-7 ACC): Alvarado averages 12 points per game but is shooting just 38.5 percent from the field. Junior forward James Banks III led the Yellow Jackets with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots (one off the school record) against Clemson, and in conference play averages team highs in points (12.3 per game) and rebounds (5.8 per contest). The Yellow Jackets are third in the conference and 13th in the country in field-goal percentage defense (39.2 percent).

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (12-11, 2-8): The Fighting Irish's offensive struggles have been a season-long challenge, as they rank 14th in the ACC and 327th nationally in field-goal percentage (40.5 percent). Junior forward John Mooney leads the conference in rebounds and is the only ACC player to average a double-double (14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds per game), a big jump from his 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game averages from a season ago. Freshman Prentiss Hubb is 11th in the league in assists at 3.6 per contest.

TIP-INS

1. The Yellow Jackets play three of their next six games after Sunday against ranked teams: at No. 10 Virginia Tech on Tuesday, vs. No. 24 Florida State on Feb. 16 and at No. 3 Virginia on Feb. 27.

2. Notre Dame's schedule is even tougher, with four of their next five foes ranked in the top 25: at Virginia on Feb. 16, vs. Virginia Tech on Feb. 23, at Florida State on Feb. 25 and at No. 17 Louisville on March 3.

3. The last 11 matchups in the series have been decided by an average of 4.6 points, and all 11 games have been decided by nine points or fewer.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 59, Georgia Tech 56

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Tyler Cook and Luka Garza tend to grab most of the attention when Iowa is rolling, but the contributions of guards Joe Wieskamp and Jordan Bohannon have been invaluable in recent road games. The 20th-ranked Hawkeyes target their eighth win in the last 10 outings Sunday when they hit the road in search of a regular-season sweep of Northwestern.

Cook (16.4 points, 8.0 rebounds) is one of two players in the Big Ten averaging at least 16 points and eight boards while Garza (14.5 points) recently wrapped a seven-game stretch in which he averaged 19.7 points. However, both were overshadowed in Thursday's 77-72 victory at Indiana by Bohannon, who tied a season high with 25 points, including the team's final 11 points over the last 1 1/2 minutes to seal the win. "We really wanted to get it to him, we wanted to get him open. ... We were trying to milk the clock with the lead and he just stepped up and made some," Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery said. Wieskamp was nearly as good nearly one month earlier at Northwestern, leading Iowa to its first true road victory of the season with 19 points while Cook sat out with a sore knee. The Wildcats are 12th in the conference and in the midst of a three-game skid in which they have been unable to top 52 points, including Monday's home loss to Penn State that gave the Nittany Lions their first league victory.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (12-10, 3-8 Big Ten): Vic Law (15.0 points, 6.8 rebounds) ranks 18th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,307 points, but the senior forward is averaging only 8.6 points over his last nine outings. "We need Vic to be aggressive. Guys are struggling. We're scoring in the low 50s. ... Early in the year, before he got a little banged up with his knee, he was close to a 20 (point-per-game) scorer. ... We need him to stay aggressive and keep his confidence up," coach Chris Collins said. Dererk Pardon (14.0 points), who ranks fifth in the conference in field-goal percentage (59.1) and eighth in rebounds (7.8), has scored at least 17 points in four of six games since posting a season-low six against Iowa.

ABOUT IOWA (18-5, 7-5): Garza's scoring spree came to an abrupt halt versus the Hoosiers when the 6-11 sophomore managed only four points - tying a season low - before fouling out in only 13 minutes of action. Wieskamp (11.5 points, 4.9 rebounds) has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week in two of the last three weeks and is off to a good start in making it three of four after going 4-of-6 beyond the arc Thursday, lifting his 3-point percentage to 44.4 (tied for fourth in the conference with two others, including teammate Isaiah Moss). Bohannon has also been hot from 3-point range lately, connecting at a 45.7-percent rate over his last 13 outings after shooting 29 percent beyond the arc over his first nine games.

TIP-INS

1. Iowa has won five straight at home against the Wildcats and is 28-4 all-time against them at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

2. Law is shooting 23 percent from the field during his nine-game slump, failing to reach his season scoring average every time.

3. Thursday's victory gave McCaffery his 169th victory with the Hawkeyes, moving him past Lute Olson for sole possession of second place on the school's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Iowa 77, Northwestern 60

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Stanford Cardinal vs. Oregon Ducks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-10

NCAAB Predictions 9th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/09/2019

Two teams clinging to hopes for a top-four seed and a first-round bye in next month's Pac-12 Tournament meet Sunday when Stanford visits Oregon. The Cardinal have won four of their last five and sit tied for sixth place in the conference with the Ducks, who bounced back from an ugly loss to Colorado by defeating last-place California 73-62 on Wednesday.

With just one senior on the roster, Stanford has relied heavily on young players such as sophomore forward Oscar da Silva, who recorded a career-high 23 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven assists in Thursday's 83-60 win at Oregon State. The Cardinal look to build on one of their most complete efforts of the season after shooting 54 percent from the field and outrebounding the Beavers 41-26. "We're growing up. Slowly but surely," coach Jerod Haase told reporters. "Overall, we're trending the right way. The guys are playing hard, they're playing together, and they believe in what we're doing." Oregon is 10-4 at home this season and boasts a strong backcourt led by freshman guard Louis King, who is averaging 15.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in conference play.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT STANFORD (12-10, 5-5 Pac-12): Sophomore forward KZ Okpala ranks third in the league in scoring (17.7) while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range but was held to 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting against Oregon State. Stanford played much of the game without starting point guard Daejon Davis, who averages 12.6 points but suffered an apparent head injury early in the second half and is listed as day-to-day. Center Josh Sharma leads the Pac-12 in field-goal percentage at 67.5 percent and had 20 points along with eight rebounds in Thursday's victory.

ABOUT OREGON (14-9, 5-5): Junior guard Payton Pritchard snapped out of a shooting slump by recording his second career double-double with 20 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Cal. Pritchard has handed over point guard duties to freshman Will Richardson, who had a season-high nine assists in Wednesday's victory but also committed five of the team's 15 turnovers. The Ducks' athletic frontcourt is led by senior forward Paul White, who has scored in double figures in nine of the last 11 games.

TIP-INS

1. Stanford posted a 96-61 victory over Oregon last season and owns a 93-52 lead in the all-time series.

2. Oregon is 11-2 in games with a margin of 11 or more points but 3-7 in games decided by 10 or fewer points.

3. Okpala had 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting with five rebounds and four assists in last season's win over the Ducks.

PREDICTION: Oregon 79, Stanford 74