Sunday 2-17-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Buffalo Sabres vs. New Jersey Devils Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NHL Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

The Buffalo Sabres are beginning to see their playoff hopes fade a bit as they embark on a critical three-game road trip that starts with a matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night. The Sabres had gained points in four of five games (3-1-1) before suffering a demoralizing 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers at home Friday, an effort that caused coach Phil Housley to call his team "soft."

"It's very disappointing because I feel we were taking a step in the right direction," Housley told reporters after his team allowed three third-period goals. ". ... You have to understand desperation at this time of the season and every shift counts, every play counts. The details of the game count." Buffalo sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and is trying to stay within striking distance of the second wild-card spot as they prepare to take on New Jersey, which is coming off an inspiring comeback victory on the road. The Devils trailed 4-1 at Minnesota late in the second period Friday before rallying for a 5-4 overtime victory as center Nico Hischier scored with winner 3:19 into the extra session. "We've talked a lot about when things aren't going well and adversity strikes it's up to the way we care about each other and tonight showed that," New Jersey right wing Kyle Palmieri told reporters after the win. "It was our culture coming out and believing in each other."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, MSG Buffalo, MSG Plus (New Jersey)

ABOUT THE SABRES (28-22-7): Left wing Jeff Skinner scored twice Friday to push his team-leading total to 36 goals - one shy of his career high with Carolina in 2016-17 - and gave him five in the past five games. Captain Jack Eichel was kept off the scoresheet Friday after recording eight of his team-best 61 points in the previous six contests while fellow forward Sam Reinhart had an assist to match his career high of 50 points that he set last season. Carter Hutton (15-16-3) has given up 20 goals in his last six games and Linus Ullmark (13-6-4) surrendered five on 28 shots in Friday's setback.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (22-28-8): All of Hischier's three game-winning goals this season have come in overtime and the 20-year-old center has posted six of his 42 points in the past four contests. Palmieri scored his team-leading 24th goal before setting up Hischier's game-winner Friday and tops New Jersey with 44 points - matching his total last season. Cory Schneider stopped all 15 shots he faced in relief of starter Keith Kinkaid on Friday to earn the first victory of his injury-plagued season and told reporters, "Sometimes things happen in a strange way, but I was more excited for our team."

OVERTIME

1. Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin recorded his 26th assist Friday, the second-most by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history behind Housley (40).

2. New Jersey F Kenny Agostino has posted a pair of assists in three games since being claimed on waivers from Montreal.

3. Sabres RW Kyle Okposo, who had an assist in his team's 5-1 win over the Devils on Jan. 8, left Friday's game with an undisclosed injury.

PREDICTION: Sabres 4, Devils 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NHL Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

The Detroit Red Wings have gone more than 22 years without winning a regular-season game in Philadelphia, and the latest defeat typified their frustrations of that lengthy drought. The Red Wings wasted a stunning comeback with an overtime loss in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday but get a chance to avenge that defeat when they host the Flyers on Sunday in the back end of a home-and-home series.

The streaking Flyers improved to 11-1-1 in their last 13 overall games and 15-0-1 at home versus Detroit in the regular season dating to Jan. 25, 1997 despite giving up four unanswered goals in the third period of Saturday's 6-5 win. "It feels good to get that one, especially when you have the thought of maybe losing a game that you shouldn't have," Philadelphia's Travis Konecny, who scored in regulation before delivering the game-winner in the extra session, told reporters. While Philadelphia continued its improbable push for a playoff berth, the Red Wings were denied a third straight victory and fell to 7-3 in overtime this season. "We decided to play 18 minutes and we got four goals," Detroit's Anthony Mantha, who scored twice in defeat, told reporters. "We've got good talent in here. I think if we played the right way, we could win games."

TV: 6 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE FLYERS (27-24-7): Although rookie goaltender Carter Hart has provided a huge spark, Philadelphia fortified the position late Friday night by acquiring veteran Cam Talbot from Edmonton for fellow netminder Anthony Stolarz. Although Talbot was only 10-15-3 with a 3.36 goals-against average with the Oilers, he posted a league-leading 42 wins in 2016-17 and has spent the past two summers working out with Hart. "That didn't have much to do with it for me," general manager Chuck Fletcher told reporters of the relationship between Talbot and Hart. "It had more to do with Cam being a good goaltender."

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (23-28-8): Returning to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to a concussion sustained in Detroit's last contest entering the All-Star break, Tyler Bertuzzi made an immediate impact by setting up Gustav Nyquist's goal before igniting the third-period comeback with his 14th tally. Mantha, who halted his nine-game drought, matched Bertuzzi's season total with his tying tally with just seven seconds remaining to give him multiple goals in a game for the first time since Nov. 26. Jimmy Howard was pulled in favor of Jonathan Bernier early in the third after giving up all five goals.

OVERTIME

1. Red Wings C Dylan Larkin has collected 14 points in his last 12 games.

2. Flyers RW Jakub Voracek scored his 15th goal on Saturday to extend his point streak to nine contests.

3. Detroit rookie D Filip Hronek was recalled from Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League and is expected to play on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Flyers 4, Red Wings 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NHL Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

The Montreal Canadiens have been unable to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference playoff race of late as they've dropped three straight contests (0-2-1). Two of those losses have come during their three-game road trip, which concludes Sunday against the Florida Panthers.

Montreal remained two points ahead of Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot after being blanked 3-0 in Tampa Bay on Saturday. The Canadiens were playing well prior to the trek, going 4-1-2 during a seven-game homestand and earning points in 10 of their previous 11 overall contests (8-1-2). Florida has failed to take advantage of a home-heavy portion of its schedule thus far, going 4-4-0 at BB&T Center during a stretch in which it plays 12 of 13 games in its own building. The Panthers are 1-2-0 on their current seven-game homestand after posting a 3-2 shootout victory over Calgary on Thursday, but with their mediocre results during this stretch, they are likely to miss the playoffs for the 18th time in 21 seasons as they have a double-digit deficit for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, RDS (Montreal), FS Florida

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (31-20-7): Max Domi leads the team with 49 points but has been kept off the scoresheet in four of his last five games. The 23-year-old center is close to setting career highs in a number of offensive categories, as he needs two goals and four points to eclipse the personal bests of 18 and 52 he recorded as a rookie with Arizona in 2015-16 and is five assists away from surpassing the 36 he registered with the Coyotes last season. Phillip Danault is one point shy of topping the career high of 40 he collected in 2016-17, but has gone three games without landing on the scoresheet.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (24-24-8): Vincent Trocheck, who netted the decisive tally in the shootout win over the Flames, is four goals shy of 100 for his career. The 25-year-old center set a career high with 31 tallies last season but has recorded only five in 29 contests this campaign and enters Sunday with an eight-game drought. Mike Hoffman scored his team-leading 26th goal on Thursday and is three away from matching the career high he set in 2015-16 with Ottawa.

OVERTIME

1. Panthers C Aleksander Barkov leads the team with 53 points and needs one tally to hit the 20-goal mark for the fourth consecutive season.

2. Montreal LW Jonathan Drouin's next appearance will be his 300th in the NHL.

3. Florida rookie F Jayce Hawryluk (ankle) returned to the lineup Thursday after missing four games and recorded two hits along with a blocked shot in 6 minutes, 17 seconds of ice time.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 4, Panthers 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Washington Capitals vs. Anaheim Ducks Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NHL Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

The Washington Capitals look to match one of their better efforts of the season last time out when they continue a six-game road trip Sunday night against the struggling Anaheim Ducks. The Capitals gave up the first goal of the game Thursday before rolling to a 5-1 victory over the red-hot San Jose Sharks as one player reached a milestone and another inched closer to one.

Right wing T.J. Oshie recorded a pair of goals and set up another to reach 500 points in his career while Washington captain Alex Ovechkin moved within one of joining Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne and Mario Lemieux as the only players in NHL history to post 40 goals in 10 seasons. "It just seemed like from the drop of the puck, guys were excited to play," Oshie told reporters after Thursday's win. "Guys were just happy and having fun, and if anyone knows anything about this team, we play our best when we're having fun." Anaheim could not build off a 1-0 victory in Bob Murray's debut as coach, dropping a 3-0 decision against Boston on Friday for an eighth loss in nine games, and remained at nine goals scored in the last nine outings. "We had a lot of chances at the net," Ducks defenseman Josh Manson told reporters. "But nothing went in. I don't know if it's puck luck or finishing our chances, I don't know what it is. But we're headed in the right direction."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, Prime Ticket (Anaheim)

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (32-19-7): Ovechkin's 39 goals lead the league and the 33-year-old has recorded nine of his team-leading 66 points in the last six games while Oshie posted five in the past three contests. Nicklas Backstrom (55 points) is cooling off this month with four assists in eight games and fellow center Evgeny Kuznetsov (54) has been heating up with 16 points in his past 10 contests. Forward Jakub Vrana registered two of his career-best 18 goals in the last three games and goalie Braden Holtby boasts a .926 save percentage in February despite going just 3-2-1.

ABOUT THE DUCKS (22-27-9): Right wing Corey Perry has struggled to gain his footing since returning from knee surgery, managing one point in seven games with a minus-7 rating and 16 shots on net. Captain Ryan Getzlaf tops the team in points (36) and fellow forward Jakob Silfverberg leads Anaheim with 13 goals, but the Ducks are easily last in the league in scoring (2.16 per contest) and 29th on the power play (14.3 percent) entering Saturday. Rickard Rakell, last season's leading scorer, has just two of his 26 points in the last 10 games and fellow forward Adam Henrique owns just one goal in that span.

OVERTIME

1. With Anaheim's No. 1 G John Gibson (upper body) out, Kevin Boyle boasts a .955 save percentage in his first three NHL contests.

2. Washington's John Carlson, who is fourth in the league among defensemen with 50 points, is two away from 300 for his career.

3. Anaheim earned a 6-5 victory at Washington on Dec. 2 and is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings with the Capitals.

PREDICTION: Capitals 5, Ducks 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ohio St Buckeyes vs. Michigan St Spartans Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

No. 12 Michigan State looks to move back into a first-place tie in the Big Ten standings when it hosts Ohio State on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans are one-half game behind rival Michigan for the top spot in the conference after posting back-to-back wins, including Tuesday's triumph at No. 23 Wisconsin, while the Buckeyes are coming off a home loss to Illinois on Thursday that snapped their three-game winning streak.

Kaleb Wesson, who leads the Buckeyes with 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, scored 25 in a loss to Michigan State earlier this season but must avoid foul trouble against the Spartans' physical front line - especially after fouling out in the previous meeting. C.J. Jackson is the other double-digit scorer for coach Chris Holtmann, averaging 13 points and a team-best 3.5 assists, and will need to be on his game at both ends of the floor against Michigan State's Cassius Winston. The junior guard is the leader for the Spartans, pacing the team in scoring (18.8 points) and assists (7.4) while shooting 45.1 percent from 3-point range and hitting clutch shots when the team needs them most. Nick Ward (15.4 points, 60.9 percent shooting) will look to power to the hoop against Wesson like he did in the first meeting, when he got to the free-throw line 14 times en route to 21 points.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT OHIO STATE (16-8, 6-7 Big Ten): The Buckeyes' offense has gone cold recently, failing to score 60 points in three of the last five contests, and taking on three of the top seven Big Ten defenses in the next three games won't make breaking out of the slump very easy. Against Michigan State, which certainly will be focused on stopping Wesson inside, players like Luther Muhammad (9.8 points), Andre Wesson (nine) and Duane Washington Jr. (6.9) need to step up and take advantage of their open opportunities. Those three players combined for 32 points in the first meeting, keeping the Buckeyes in the game until Michigan State closed with a 15-5 run to earn the victory.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (20-5, 11-3): Winston and Ward are the players who get the most headlines for coach Tom Izzo this season, but senior forward Kenny Goins certainly is in the running to be the team's most valuable player. Goins played just seven minutes against Minnesota after suffering an elbow injury that made him questionable to face Wisconsin but saw 35 minutes of action versus the Badgers and finished with 12 points, including a game-clinching 3-pointer with 31 seconds left. The former walk-on continues to expand his game in all areas, becoming a key to the Spartans' success at both ends of the floor, so the team is hoping the elbow isn't a problem for the remainder of the season.

TIP-INS

1. Ohio State ranks fourth in the Big Ten in free-throw percentage (73.2 percent), with its top four scorers hitting at least 73 percent from the line.

2. Michigan State led the nation in total assists (496) through Feb. 15 and ranked second in assists per game (19.8).

3. Winston is the only player in the country this season averaging at least 18 points and seven assists while shooting at least 45 percent from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 83, Ohio State 71

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wichita St. Shockers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 17th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/17/2019

Cincinnati will look to bounce back after seeing its eight-game winning streak come to an end when it hosts Wichita State on Sunday. The Bearcats shot 27 percent from the floor in the second half and missed their last 11 field goals as they fell 65-58 to ninth-ranked Houston last Sunday.

"We came out on the short end of the stick," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told reporters. "We didn't finish getting the ball in the basket around the rim. Give (Houston's) defense credit, we didn't handle it the way we needed to handle it." Outside of junior guard Jarron Cumberland, who finished with a team-high 27 points in the loss, the Bearcats struggled to find scoring against the Cougars as the rest of the team combined for 31 points on 13-for-41 shooting. The Shockers enter Sunday's contest having won a season-high four games in a row after a 77-62 victory over Tulane last Saturday. The Bearcats are the first repeat opponent of the season for the Shockers as they begin a stretch of seven-straight rematches where they'll look to become the first American Athletic Conference team to finish league play at-or-above .500 after starting 1-6.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT WICHITA STATE (12-11, 5-6 American): Forward Markis McDuffie's team-high 25 points in last Saturday's victory included a 4-for-7 effort from 3-point range that gave the senior the most career 3s by a non-guard in the program's history (123). The Shockers matched a season high with eight steals against the Green Wave - turning 17 turnovers into 17 points - while dominating in the paint outscoring the visitors 30-12. Jamarius Burton and Jaime Echenique contributed nine points apiece with the latter chipping in seven rebounds and extending his streak of consecutive games with a block to seven.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (20-4, 9-2): Cane Broome was the only Bearcats player outside Cumberland to reach double figures against Houston as the senior finished with 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench. The Bearcats scored nine points off 13 Houston turnovers while committing a season-low four themselves. After last Sunday's defeat, Cincinnati ranked 12th in the country in scoring defense (61.8) and 23rd in scoring margin (plus-12.3) - both marks good for second in the AAC behind Houston (60.8 and plus-14.2 respectively).

TIP-INS

1. The Bearcats are 30-1 in conference home games since the beginning of 2016 with their only loss coming against the Shockers last season.

2. Cincinnati G Justin Jenifer ranks in the top five nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.63-to-1).

3. Cumberland (18.96) sits just ahead of McDuffie (18.91) for the most points per game in the conference.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 70, Wichita State 61

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Houston Cougars vs. Tulane Green Wave Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

Ranked this week in the Top-10 for the first time since 1983-84, Houston seeks a 10th straight win when it travels to play a struggling Tulane squad on Sunday. The Green Wave are winless in American Athletic Conference play, have dropped 13 straight overall and 41 consecutive games to teams ranked in the AP Top 25 since beating North Carolina State 73-62 in 1999.

Houston, which opened the season with 15 straight wins, opened the second half on Thursday with a 17-4 run to beat Connecticut 71-63 for its fifth straight road win. Sophomore guard DeJon Jarreau had 18 points and seven assists, while junior guard Armoni Brooks added 12 points as the Cougars drained 11-of-21 shots from the arc and resembled the Phi Slama Jama crew of the mid-1980s with eight dunks. Tulane shot 27.6 percent from the floor on Thursday against Tulsa en route to an 80-57 defeat - its 14th straight loss against conference foes. The Green Wave have dropped 10 straight AAC home games with their last win an 81-72 win over Houston on Jan. 17, 2018.

TV: 2 p.m. CBS Sports Network

ABOUT HOUSTON (24-1, 11-1 American): The Cougars' bench, led by Jarreau (8.8 points), who had his previous season high of 16 points against Cincinnati in his previous game, outscored UConn's 42-9. Corey Davis Jr., a 6-1 senior and arguably the leading candidate for AAC Player of the Year, averages a team-high 15.3 points to go with 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 63 3-pointers and shoots 89 percent on a team-high 82 free-throw attempts. Brooks is the other double-digit scorer - averaging 13.7 points - and the 6-3 guard leads the team in rebounds (6.4), 3-pointers (AAC-leading 84) and 3-point percentage (38.5).

ABOUT TULANE (4-19, 0-11): Sophomore Caleb Daniels, senior Jordan Cornish and freshman Connor Crabtree each finished in double figures against Tulsa with 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively. "We had some really good looks that we just did not make," coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. said. "We can't get beat on 50-50 balls and that really hurt us in the early going." Daniels leads the team in scoring (15.5 points) while adding five rebounds and three assists per game, 6-9 junior Samir Sehic chips in 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds and Cornish adds 11 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

TIP-INS

1. The teams split last season with each winning on its home court, but the Cougars have won six of the last eight overall and four of the last five at Tulane.

2. Houston ranks second nationally in field-goal percentage defense (36.5), tied for fourth in 3-point percentage defense (27.2) and sixth in scoring defense (60.8 points).

3. The Cougars are within eight wins of their all-time high of 32 set during the 1983-84 season, a team led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Young that lost to Georgetown in the national finals.

PREDICTION: Houston 75, Tulane 63

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. East Carolina Pirates Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 17th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/17/2019

After losing its first five road games in American Athletic Conference play, Tulsa aims for its second consecutive win away from home when it visits East Carolina on Sunday. The Golden Hurricane are looking for their third straight overall victory, while the Pirates hope to snap their four-game skid.


Tulsa is coming off an 80-57 blowout win at Tulane on Thursday in which Jeriah Horne posted his first career double-double with 20 points and a personal-best 12 rebounds. The Golden Hurricane occupy eighth place in the AAC standings, but they're just 1 1/2 games out of fifth. The Pirates are near the bottom of the standings after having lost nine of their last 10 games, including Wednesday's 79-69 home setback against Memphis. Tulsa has won nine of the last 10 meetings and leads the all-time series 18-3.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3


ABOUT TULSA (15-10, 5-7 American): The Golden Hurricane don't have much size inside, but they have a tough time matching up in the paint. Swingman DaQuan Jeffries (14 points, 5.6 rebounds) is the team's top scorer and rebounder, with Martins Igbanu (11.8, 5.4) and Sterling Taplin (10.1, 4.3 assists) also averaging double digits in points. Horne (9.8 points) has been a major contributor off the bench, especially recently as he is averaging 11.3 points during conference play and 14.8 over his last five games.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (9-15, 2-10): The Pirates are one of the nation's least efficient teams at the offensive end, which has a lot to do with their shooting 26.6 percent from 3-point range. Freshman Jayden Gardner (17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but reserve Seth LeDay (10.8 points) posted his fourth double-double of the season in Wednesday's loss to Memphis. Shawn Williams (11.2 points) has been a bit of a disappointment during his sophomore season, shooting just 32.1 percent from beyond the arc - down from 36.7 percent last campaign.


TIP-INS

1. Taplin (382) needs six assists to tie current Tulsa assistant coach Shea Seals for fifth place on the school's all-time list.

2. Tulsa has held its last two opponents to season-low shooting percentages, limiting Temple to 30.6 percent and holding Tulane to 27.6 percent.

3. ECU has committed fewer turnovers than the opposition in five straight games and six of its last seven.

PREDICTION: Tulsa 73, East Carolina 69

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Villanova Wildcats vs. St. John's Red Storm Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 17th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/17/2019

No. 13 Villanova has won 11 of its first 12 Big East games, but few opponents have created the type of problems St. John's gave the defending national champion last month. The rematch takes place Sunday, when the Wildcats visit the Red Storm.

St. John's led by double digits in the second half and held a slim advantage with less than three minutes remaining on Jan. 8 before Villanova rallied for a 76-71 win. Phil Booth knocked down a clutch 3-pointer in the final minutes as part of a 23-point performance and is coming off another strong outing in Wednesday's victory over Providence. Villanova and Marquette are way ahead of the pack in the Big East, but St. John's is in a third-place tie after beating Butler its last time out. Mustapha Heron scored a season-high 28 points in the overtime win - just the fourth victory in 10 games for the Red Storm.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT VILLANOVA (20-5, 11-1 Big East): The Wildcats rely on Booth and Eric Paschall for more than 36 points per game, while Collin Gillespie chips in 11.6 as the third option. Booth (18.5 points) has not been held below nine points all season and has scored at least 14 in 15 straight contests, including a 22-point effort against Providence that was his 10th 20-point performance of the campaign. Paschall (17.6 points) was 10-for-13 for 25 points versus the Friars and did not commit a turnover in 34 minutes.

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S (18-7, 6-6): Heron (15.6 points) is one of five double-digit scorers on the season for St. John's, which is led by Shamorie Ponds (20.5) - a talented junior guard who is shooting just 39 percent over his last four games. Marvin Clark II had a nice bounce-back game against Butler, contributing 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting after totaling six while going 2-for-10 from the field in his previous two contests. Interior defense isn't a strength for the Red Storm, who possess no players with more than 14 blocks and have only 75 as a team -- three Division I players have more than that individually.

TIP-INS

1. St. John's only grabbed five offensive rebounds on 35 missed shots in the first matchup with Villanova.

2. After eight straight games with multiple 3-pointers, Gillespie is 1-for-12 from beyond the arc in his last two games.

3. St. John's G LJ Figueroa averages 14 points but has scored more than 16 only once in his last 15 contests.

PREDICTION: St. John's 83, Villanova 80

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Miami-Florida Hurricanes vs. Boston College Eagles Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

It might be too late to make much of an impact on this season, but Miami is starting to realize its potential as it visits Boston College on Sunday in an ACC game. The Hurricanes have won two of their last three games after dropping eight of nine to start the conference season with a buzzer-beating 65-64 victory over Clemson on Wednesday coming on the heels of an 88-85 overtime loss at No. 8 North Carolina on Feb. 9 - their sixth straight loss on the road.

"If we can take the No. 8 team to the wire, we can definitely take other teams in the conference," junior guard Dejan Vasiljevic told reporters Wednesday after scoring a career-high 22 points. "That gave us energy and confidence." The Eagles snapped a four-game slide with a 66-57 victory over Pittsburgh on Tuesday behind 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals from junior guard Ky Bowman. "I've never been down on this basketball team," BC coach Jim Christian told reporters. "We've done a lot of a good things during these games. I give these guys a lot of credit. They've weathered all of these storms." Miami has won 13 of the last 14 meetings, including 79-78 last season when they rallied from a 14-point deficit to take a 25-24 lead in the series.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT MIAMI (11-13, 3-9 ACC): Sophomore guard Chris Lykes (team-high 17.1 points per game) is averaging 18.8 in his last five games since scoring a season-low one versus Florida State. Senior guard Zach Johnson (12.8 points) provided the heroics against Clemson with four-tenths of a second left for two of his six points - matching his lowest outing in a conference game - and senior guard Anthony Lawrence II (11.7 points, 5.9 rebounds) was held to seven after scoring 17 versus North Carolina. Vasiljevic (11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds) has averaged 16 points in his last three games while senior center Ebuka Izundu (10.7 points, club-best 8.8 rebounds - fourth in the ACC) has scored nine or fewer points in six of his last seven contests.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (12-11, 3-8): The Eagles were at less than full strength with two starters out and another leaving against Pittsburgh. Freshman guard Wynston Tabbs (13.9 points) missed his sixth straight game with a knee injury, junior forward Nik Popovic (13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds) remained in concussion protocol and senior guard Jordan Chatman (13.6 points) did not play the second half after suffering a laceration on his finger. Bowman, who averages team bests of 20.0 points (third in the conference), 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists, has scored in double figures in an ACC-best 32 straight games.

TIP-INS

1. Boston College was ninth in the ACC in rebounding (36.7 per game) entering Saturday despite being the only team in the conference with three players averaging at least seven with sophomore forward Steffon Mitchell (7.7) joining Bowman and Popovic.

2. Miami, No. 1 Tennessee and No. 14 Kansas were the only teams in the nation entering Saturday with five players averaging 10.5 or more points.

3. The Eagles are 6-0 when holding their opponent to 66 points or fewer.

PREDICTION: Miami 67, Boston College 66

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arizona Wildcats vs. Colorado Buffaloes Preview and Predictions 2019-02-17

NCAAB Predictions 16th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/16/2019

Two Pac-12 teams headed in opposite directions intersect Sunday night in Boulder as Colorado hosts Arizona. The surging Buffaloes have won a conference-most four straight games while the struggling Wildcats have dropped six straight - their longest losing streak in 35 years.


It feels like years ago, but Arizona did get off to a 4-0 Pac-12 start, including a 64-56 win over Colorado on Jan. 3. Since that 4-0 start, though, injuries and the lingering presence of the FBI recruiting investigation have helped contribute to a 1-7 skid for the Wildcats, who currently find themselves in 10th place in the Pac-12. "We don't want to lose our seventh in a row, but it is a possibility," Arizona coach Sean Miller said following Thursday night's 83-76 loss at Utah. "For us, it's controlling the things we can control." For Colorado, fortunes have swung the other way as Tad Boyle's Buffaloes have rebounded nicely from a 1-4 Pac-12 start to win five of their next seven, with the latest being Wednesday's 77-73 victory over visiting Arizona State.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU


ABOUT ARIZONA (14-11, 5-7 Pac-12): Freshman guard Brandon Williams, the team's second-leading scorer (12 points per game) and assists leader (3.7), has missed the last four contests with a knee injury and is not expected back Sunday even though he made the two-game trip north. Guard Brandon Randolph (13.6 points) and center Chase Jeter (11.6) are the other Wildcats averaging double figures, but they struggled Thursday in Salt Lake City, combining for 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting. As a team, Arizona is averaging 70.9 points and is shooting a Pac-12 worst 39.9 percent from the field in conference play.

ABOUT COLORADO (15-9, 6-6): The 1-2 punch of sophomores McKinley Wright and Tyler Bey knocked out the Sun Devils on Wednesday as they combined for 46 points on 18-of-25 shooting while adding 23 rebounds and eight assists. For Wright, who averages a team-leading 13.5 points, his 24 points marked a season high while Bey's 17 rebounds were a career high and contributed to his ninth double-double on the season. Big man Evan Battey was limited to only 10 minutes Wednesday night due to back soreness and his status is questionable for Sunday.

TIP-INS

1. Arizona has won six of the last seven meetings and 14 of 19 since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, but is 2-4 in Boulder during that span.

2. The Buffaloes' four-game win streak is their longest in conference play since 2005-06 when they were members of the Big 12.

3. Led by Bey's 9.3 boards per game, Colorado ranks third in the Pac-12 with a 5.3 average rebound margin while Arizona is seventh at 0.1 and is led by Jeter's 7.0 average.

PREDICTION: Colorado 71, Arizona 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Camarero
Camarero - Race 2

Pick 6 / Exacta / Daily Double 2-3


Claiming $4,000 • 6 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 4 and up • CR: 88 • Purse: $6,000 • Post: 3:10P
FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE FEBRUARY 17, 2018 AND WHICH HAVE STARTED FOR A CLAIMING PRICE OF $8,000 OR LESS. WEIGHT, 121 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE FEBRUARY 3, 2019 ALLOWED 1 LBS. A RACE SINCE JANUARY 17, 2019 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE DECEMBER 17, 2018 ALLOWED 5 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Lone Front-runner. CEMENT JOB is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * GALLOWS BAY: Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layo ff. CEMENT JOB: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. JACKISM: Today is a sprint and this is the horse's third or fourth start after a layof f. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. PAIR PAIR TIE: Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surfac e.
7
GALLOWS BAY
9/5

7/2
1
CEMENT JOB
2/1

6/1
9
JACKISM
4/1

7/1
2
PAIR PAIR TIE
7/2

8/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
CEMENT JOB
1

2/1
Alternator/Front-runner
79

78

40.0

71.4

65.9
9
JACKISM
9

4/1
Alternator/Stalker
89

76

67.8

69.6

65.1
7
GALLOWS BAY
7

9/5
Alternator/Stalker
89

88

61.6

81.2

76.7
2
PAIR PAIR TIE
2

7/2
Alternator/Stalker
89

78

47.0

67.8

59.3
3
MEUSER
3

10/1
Trailer
76

71

22.8

61.8

45.3
4
WARRIOR QUALITY
4

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
83

75

72.4

67.6

56.1
8
BODHI DOG
8

3/1
Alternator/Non-contender
77

72

67.4

57.2

47.7
6
FENERBAHCE
6

10/1
Alternator/Non-contender
77

78

65.1

62.5

51.5
5
FRANK B B
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

32.6

47.6

31.1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #8 - Post: 4:24pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $39,000 Class Rating: 88

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 CRAZY DANE (ML=8/1)
#9 DOUBLE TIGER (ML=3/1)
#2 BADGER (ML=12/1)
#10 CYCLOPS (ML=12/1)


CRAZY DANE - This gelding is in good form. Finished fourth on January 27th. Have to like the way Winick has raced this gelding back into shape off the layoff. Horse is well spotted in this sprint and I think he'll run well today. Speed is always important in horse racing, but the lone speed horse is always dangerous. DOUBLE TIGER - The jock/trainer duo of Cedillo and Thomas has a strong return on investment together. Is ranked totally at the top in earnings per start (EPS). A solid try in this race can add to the lifetime total. BADGER - Jock jumped on this colt's back for the first time on Jan 27th. Should 'know' the horse even better this race. Based on drills, I look for this colt to run a big race. Just missed hitting the board on Jan 27th at Golden Gate Fields. With decent odds right here in this race, he has my interest. CYCLOPS - Hernandez was aboard this gelding in the last race and was impressed enough to take the horse right back. This gelding has been posting some excellent workout times.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 PAPA DO RUN (ML=4/1), #7 NIZAMDCARCHY (ML=5/1), #6 EL BORRACHO (ML=6/1),

PAPA DO RUN - Trying to beat this participant this time out at the price of 4/1. NIZAMDCARCHY - Trying to beat this participant this time around at the reward of 5/1. EL BORRACHO - Pace makes the race and the shortage of speed means this sustainer will have to rally without any help. When checking today's class figure, he will have to notch a better speed figure than last out to vie in this dirt sprint.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Hal - CRAZY DANE - Steady improvement in his speed ratings, 89 last race and 74 two races back. This noble animal is going to be tough against these thoroughbreds.





STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 CRAZY DANE is going to be the play if we are getting 3/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
1 with [2,9,10]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [2,9,10] with [2,9,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
1 with [2,9,10] with [2,9,10] with [2,9,10] Total Cost: $6

SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
[1,9] with [1,2,9,10] with [1,2,9,10] with [1,2,6,9,10,11] with [1,2,6,9,10,11] Total Cost: $72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

02/17/19, GP, Race 8, 3.39 ET
1 1/16M [Turf] 1.38.01 CLAIMING. Purse $31,000.
Claiming Price $30,000, if for $25,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE ON THE TURF SINCE AUGUST 31
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 8-9-10) / $.50 Pick 5 (Races 8-12) / $2 HRR - (RED 3,10,12: 1/1. BLK 1,2,4,6,9: 6/5. GRN 5,7,8,11: 10/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 478, Win Percent 27.82, $1 ROI 0.97, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 9 Black Sea (FR) 4-1 Jimenez A Reynolds Patrick L. W 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
098.6286 2 Performance Bonus 10-1 Hernandez R M Servis Jason T 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
098.3602 10 Tweet Kitten(b+) 5-1 Landeros C Breen Kelly J. FL 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
097.9943 3 Slim Shadey (GB) 3-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Maker Michael J. SE 60.30 1.11 32.27 91 282 Race Entries Are Not GT 9
097.5650 4 Wake Me Up At Noon 8-1 Bravo J Gallegos Jose A. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
097.2758 1 Zambian 6-1 Castellano J Miller Darrin 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
096.8171 12 Just Kidding 4-1 Leparoux J R Hess. Jr. Robert B. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
095.7632 5 American Ninja 12-1 Jaramillo E Gallegos Jose A. JC 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
095.1085 7 Year of the Kitten 10-1 Gaffalione T Maker Michael J. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
093.4016 6 Biloxi Bay 12-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Tomlinson Michael A. 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
091.5079 8 Golden Decision 20-1 Reyes L Mills Howard 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
090.3955 11 Beneficiary 30-1 Gomez D F Mastronardi. Jr. Nick 66.40 1.13 24.33 64 263 Horse Is Not Morning Line Favorite (not entry)
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 539, Win Percent 30.80, $1 ROI 0.82, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ Condition
100.0000 9 Black Sea (FR) 4-1 Jimenez A Reynolds Patrick L. W
099.9803 2 Performance Bonus 10-1 Hernandez R M Servis Jason T 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
099.8666 3 Slim Shadey (GB) 3-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Maker Michael J. JSE 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
098.2537 12 Just Kidding 4-1 Leparoux J R Hess. Jr. Robert B.
097.8890 1 Zambian 6-1 Castellano J Miller Darrin 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
097.1445 10 Tweet Kitten(b+) 5-1 Landeros C Breen Kelly J. L
096.8434 4 Wake Me Up At Noon 8-1 Bravo J Gallegos Jose A. F 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
095.1825 6 Biloxi Bay 12-1 Hernandez. Jr. B J Tomlinson Michael A.
095.0762 7 Year of the Kitten 10-1 Gaffalione T Maker Michael J.
093.9234 5 American Ninja 12-1 Jaramillo E Gallegos Jose A. C 8.80 1.11 45.00 18 40 Race Entries Are Not GT 5
092.4876 8 Golden Decision 20-1 Reyes L Mills Howard
090.7878 11 Beneficiary 30-1 Gomez D F Mastronardi. Jr. Nick

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse)
Los Alamitos (Quarter Horse) - Race 3

$1 Exacta / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (.10 cent minimum wager $2 Pick Six / $1 Pick Three


Claiming $2,500 • 4 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 79 • Purse: $9,000 • Post: 6:26P
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES SINCE DECEMBER 17, 2018 ALLOWED 3 LBS. A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 5 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $2,500 (MAIDEN RACES AND RACES FOR $2,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Fast-paced Race. There are many horses that could vie for the early lead. Check on scratches of any of the Front-runners. * KEY ANGLES * TAKE CITY BY STORM: Horse is dropping into a race which has an Class Rating at least five points l ower than the Class Rating of its last race. SHADOW OP: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. FANCY TERRACE: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. SEATOSHININGSEA: Today is a sp rint and the horse's last start was within the last ten days. MASTERS CIRCLE: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position.
6
TAKE CITY BY STORM
5/1

5/1
4
SHADOW OP
5/2

5/1
2
FANCY TERRACE
4/1

7/1
3
SEATOSHININGSEA
6/1

9/1
1
MASTERS CIRCLE
3/1

10/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
4
SHADOW OP
4

5/2
Front-runner
85

69

99.0

69.0

63.5
6
TAKE CITY BY STORM
6

5/1
Front-runner
83

77

88.3

71.4

68.4
5
GRASS RUNNER
5

7/2
Front-runner
80

64

85.3

62.6

53.6
1
MASTERS CIRCLE
1

3/1
Front-runner
73

71

79.0

67.6

58.6
2
FANCY TERRACE
2

4/1
Alternator/Front-runner
81

73

80.0

69.4

63.9
3
SEATOSHININGSEA
3

6/1
Alternator/Stalker
75

74

68.0

67.2

60.2