Wednesday 2-20-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-19-2019, 11:06 PM

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NHL Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Offense has not been a problem for the Chicago Blackhawks during their drive to climb into postseason contention, but the inability to slow down the opposition could hinder their late-season surge. Coming off a wild 8-7 win over Ottawa on Monday, the Blackhawks will go for their 10th victory in 12 games when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.

Chicago has piled up 54 goals during its 9-2-0 run but also has surrendered 20 tallies over the past four games, including Tuesday's slugfest in which both teams combined to score nine times in the first period alone. "We know we're not going to play a perfect game and we know we're going to make mistakes and give up some goals, but they should be a lot less," coach Jeremy Colliton said. The Red Wings lost both ends of a home-and-home against Philadelphia over the weekend and have dropped five of their last seven (2-4-1), including a 5-2 setback at Chicago on Feb. 10. "I think our team has done a real good job of having a short memory, learning from the last game but moving on, moving to the next challenge and that's the game against Chicago," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (25-26-9): Goaltender Corey Crawford, sidelined for more than two months due to a concussion, has been practicing for a week and seems like an obvious solution to help the defensive woes but Colliton on Monday said that hasn't been discussed. Chicago again will be without stalwart defenseman Brent Seabrook, who will not travel with the team after sitting out the game against Ottawa due to an abdominal strain. Star forward Patrick Kane notched a goal and an assist in the win over Detroit earlier this month and has scored 14 times and collected 26 assists during his 18-game point streak.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (23-29-8): Forward Anthony Mantha was a bright spot over the weekend for Detroit, ending a nine-game drought by scoring twice in Saturday's 6-5 overtime loss before registering a team-high seven shots on goal in Sunday's 3-1 setback. "I thought he was the best player on the ice for most of the game," Blashill said. "When he skates, he's really good. When he kind of drifts, he's still able to make a lot of stick-on-puck plays, but it's hard for his teammates to know what he's doing." Gustav Nyquist, who scored in the last meeting versus Chicago, is expected back after missing Sunday's game.

OVERTIME

1. Blackhawks F Alex DeBrincat has seven goals and 17 points in nine games this month, including three assists versus Detroit.

2. Red Wings G Jimmy Howard saw action in both weekend games when backup Jonathan Bernier left Sunday's contest with a neck injury.

3. Kane has assists in 17 straight games, tied for the third-longest run in league history.

PREDICTION: Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-19-2019, 11:06 PM

Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NHL Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

The Winnipeg Jets relished a bit of time off after losing five of their last seven, including back-to-back decisions to a pair of struggling teams -- one of which was the Colorado Avalanche. The Jets look to regain the previous form that catapulted them to the top of the Central Division on Wednesday when they open a three-game road trip against the Avalanche.

"You get enough experience over time, there's times when they need a wake-up call and there's times where they are grinding for it," Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said of the time off his team received following a frenzied 11-game, 20-day stretch. Brandon Tanev scored in Thursday's 4-1 setback to Colorado before collecting a goal and an assist two nights later in a 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa. While the Jets are clinging to a three-point lead over second-place Nashville, the Avalanche have answered a disastrous eight-game skid by winning two of their last three to reside on the fringe of a wild-card berth. "Like I said a couple days ago, this team never gives up. We're going to battle to the end. We just need to get on a winning streak and kind of help ourselves," Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov said after turning aside all 40 shots he faced in Monday's 3-0 victory versus Vegas.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Sportnet (Winnipeg), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE JETS (36-19-4): Maurice told reporters that a new lower-body injury will prevent burly defenseman Dustin Byfuglien from traveling with the team on its road trip. "He's got to get more tests done so that we know exactly what we're looking at," said Maurice, who stressed that the ailment is unrelated to the 15-game absence that the 33-year-old endured from Dec. 31-Feb. 5. "Listen, so ... I'm hopeful it's not (long-term). I'm feeling pretty confident that it's not, but the tests are going to tell us." The Jets reached out to Manitoba of the American Hockey League and recalled blue-liner Tucker Poolman, who has 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 30 games with the Moose this season and one assist in 24 NHL games.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (24-24-11): Two milestones were achieved on one play Monday as captain Gabriel Landeskog recorded his 400th point by setting up Andrew Agozzino's first NHL goal to give Colorado a 2-0 lead in the second period. "I've been waiting a long time for that moment, and it was just special," said the 28-year-old Agozzino, who was playing in his first league game since the Avalanche's season finale on April 9, 2016. "It's tough to put into words. A lot of emotion when I saw it go in. Just pure excitement." Landeskog (team-leading 30 goals) has provided plenty of excitement since joining Colorado, becoming the fourth Colorado draft pick (since 1995-96) to record 400 points with the franchise -- joining Alex Tanguay (488), Paul Stastny (458) and Matt Duchene (428).

OVERTIME

1. Colorado is mired in an 0-for-26 rut on the power play in its last nine games, although it is a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill in its last three.

2. Jets captain Blake Wheeler, who leads the team with 56 assists, has scored two goals and set up seven others in three meetings with the Avalanche this season.

3. Colorado RW Mikko Rantanen, who is tied with C Nathan MacKinnon with a club-best 76 points, has just two in his last nine games.

PREDICTION: Jets 5, Avalanche 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-19-2019, 11:06 PM

New York Islanders vs. Calgary Flames Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NHL Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

The New York Islanders may have matched last season's win total (35) and are four shy of their final point tally (80), but that doesn't mean the team plans to rest on its laurels. Winners of five of their last six and owners of a 21-5-2 mark in their last 28, the Islanders bid to continue their good fortune on Wednesday when they open a three-game trek through Western Canada against the Calgary Flames.

"It's a complete opposite. If you look at our defensive game from last year to this year and just the way we find a way to win tight games compared to last year," New York defenseman Ryan Pulock said. "When you're comfortable in those positions, it makes it a lot easier." The proof is in the pudding for the Metropolitan Division-leading Islanders, who boast an 8-2-2 mark in one-goal games since Dec. 15. While stingy New York opts to play it close to the vest, Pacific-best Calgary likes to keep the scoreboard operator busy and has done so to the tune of netting 10 goals while winning its last two games. Elias Lindholm set up a pair of third-period goals in Monday's 5-2 victory against Arizona to extend his point streak to five games (two goals, six assists) and boost his point total to 27 (eight goals, 19 assists) in his past 20.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus (New York), Sportsnet1 (Calgary)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (35-17-6): New York captain Anders Lee scored his team-leading 19th goal and first in 12 games in Saturday's 5-2 win over Edmonton. The Islanders may have been idle since that contest, but they were busy on Tuesday by recalling left wing Andrew Ladd and defenseman Thomas Hickey from their two-game conditioning stints with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Ladd, who has been sidelined since Nov. 13 with a lower-body ailment, recorded five points (one goal, four assists) for the Sound Tigers while Hickey had two goals and as many assists after missing 26 games with a head injury.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (36-16-7): Captain Mark Giordano scored and set up a goal against the Coyotes to set a career high in points (57) at the tender age of 35. "You don't get too many of those," Giordano said of his tally that featured a nifty deke on goaltender Calvin Pickard midway into the second period. "That's why the (celebration) was the way it was. The boys were giving it to me a little bit, but if you're going to get one like that, I'm going to make the (celebration) count." Giordano's point total puts him just three behind Dion Phaneuf's mark of 60 for second place by a Flames defenseman in the last 25 years, well behind Al MacInnis (82, 1993-94).

OVERTIME

1. New York G Robin Lehner owns a stellar 14-3-1 mark in his last 18 decisions overall and is 3-1-1 in six career appearances against Calgary.

2. The Flames (18-5-5) are tied for the fewest regulation losses on home ice with Tampa Bay and San Jose.

3. New York swept Calgary in consecutive season series before splitting the two contests in each of the last two campaigns.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Islanders 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-19-2019, 11:07 PM

Boston Bruins vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NHL Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

The Boston Bruins are enhancing their position in the Eastern Conference by beating up on teams from the West. The Bruins are riding a season-high six-game winning streak -- all against Western Conference opponents -- and have earned points in nine consecutive contests as they resume their five-game road trip with a visit to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

Boston squandered a three-goal lead before rallying for a late goal in regulation in Monday's 6-5 overtime victory at San Jose to keep the streak intact. "I mean, you never want to let up a big lead like we did, but those things happen in hockey," said defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who delivered the game-winning tally. "We never say die." The Golden Knights, who will kick off a four-game homestand against the Bruins, lost for the eighth time in 11 games in Monday's 3-0 loss at Colorado. "Just a reality check I guess," defenseman Jon Merrill said after the latest loss. "Now we go back home and get back to the drawing board and hope to get another win on Wednesday."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS

ABOUT THE BRUINS (35-17-8): Boston has managed to survive and thrive in the absence of 31-goal scorer David Pastrnak, netting 19 tallies in the four games since he was injured. The uptick in production has been boosted by scoring from the defensemen, who supplied three goals in Monday's win and have combined for four tallies and 11 points since Pastrnak was hurt. "You obviously don't replace a guy like Pasta with his scoring ability," McAvoy said. "I think you just fill it by committee and I think everyone is doing that. Just trying to be opportunistic with our chances and fortunate to see some of these go in."

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (32-25-4): Vegas sits comfortably in third place in the Pacific Division despite the recent slump, which included a franchise-record five-game home losing streak that was snapped in a 5-1 win over Nashville on Saturday. "I think that we're in a spot right now that we're in a little bit of limbo between the teams behind us and the teams in front of us," defenseman Nate Schmidt said. "I think it's got to come from in our room to make a push here and do something and not just limp in." Leading scorer Alex Tuch has been limited to two assists in nine games since the All-Star break.

OVERTIME

1. Bruins F Jake DeBrusk has nine points during a four-game goal streak.

2. Vegas G Marc-Andre Fleury is 12-7-4 with a 2.43 goals-against average versus the Bruins.

3. Boston backup G Jaroslav Halak, who earned the win in a 4-1 decision over Vegas in November, will get the start Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Golden Knights 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:20 AM

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Michigan St Spartans Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
Michigan State looks to avoid a letdown before a big weekend showdown when it hosts Rutgers in a Big Ten Conference contest Wednesday. The No. 11 Spartans, who have won three straight, are tied with No. 7 Michigan atop the conference standings but visit the Wolverines on Sunday, while the Scarlet Knights are hoping to rebound from a heartbreaking 71-69 loss to No. 19 Iowa on Saturday.

Tom Izzo is dealing with losing another starter to injury after forward Nick Ward (15.1 points, 6.7 rebounds) suffered a fracture in his shooting hand Sunday against Ohio State and is out indefinitely. That will put more pressure on guard Cassius Winston (18.5 points, 7.4 assists) to produce as a scorer and playmaker to get others involved such as guard Matt McQuaid (8.7 points) and forward Kenny Goins (7.3, 8.9 rebounds). Rutgers has lost four of five contests but has been more competitive thanks to the play of Geo Baker (13.0 points, 51 3-pointers), whose 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds to play would have beaten Iowa if not for a last-second 3 by Joe Wieskamp. Junior forward Eugene Omoruyi (13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds) is solid in the paint, while freshmen Montez Mathis (8.8 points), Ron Harper Jr. (6.9) and Myles Johnson (4.6) are all playing significant time for coach Steve Pikiell.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT RUTGERS (12-13, 5-10 Big Ten): Mathis has emerged as the Scarlet Knights' third-leading scorer in his first collegiate season, but it will be his play at the defensive end against Winston that will determine how competitive Rutgers is against the Spartans. Mathis will likely try to apply pressure on Winston, who struggled against Illinois' pressing defense, and force him into turnovers, which has been a problem for Winston in Michigan State's losses this season. Baker is second in the conference in steals with 1.6 per game, but it will be the freshman - he played 20 minutes off the bench in the first meeting with Michigan State this season - who sets the defensive tone from the get-go in this contest.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (21-5, 12-3): The Spartans were without McQuaid for their first meeting with Rutgers, but he'll likely make his presence felt in the rematch. McQuaid has started to be more aggressive offensively in recent contests, including a team-high 14 points in the win over Ohio State, his first time leading Michigan State in scoring this season. McQuaid will also likely draw the defensive assignment against Baker, who can take over a game offensively if he gets on a roll but will have to work hard against McQuaid's lock-down defense.

TIP-INS

1. Rutgers is last in the Big Ten in free-throw shooting (62.8 percent), with Caleb McConnell leading the team at 75.8 percent.

2. Michigan State leads the Big Ten Conference in assists per game (19.7) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5).

3. Spartans F Xavier Tillman leads the team and ranks third in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage, hitting 61.8 percent from the field.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 82, Rutgers 68

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:21 AM

Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
Georgetown has had 2 1/2 weeks to come up with a solution for Collin Gillespie. On Wednesday, the Hoyas will prove whether they can stop the Villanova sophomore when they host the 16th-ranked Wildcats in Big East action.

The first matchup between the teams took place on Feb. 3, when Gillespie made six 3-pointers en route to a career-high 30 points. "We just gave him too much airspace and he was able to knock down all those 3s," Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing said after his team held the rest of the Wildcats to 3-for-20 from 3-point range in contrast to Gillespie's 6-of-11 effort. Villanova enters this one having lost two of its last three, while Georgetown has dropped three of its last four. Hoyas star Jessie Govan had a day to forget against Villanova earlier this month, shooting 0-of-9 before fouling out in 13 scoreless minutes.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT VILLANOVA (20-6, 11-2 Big East): The Wildcats shot only 33.3 percent from the field against St. John's with the team's three top scorers on the season - Phil Booth, Eric Paschall and Gillespie - shooting a combined 5-of-30 from the field (2-of-20 from outside the arc). Booth is just 4-of-25 from 3-point land over the last four outings, while Paschall is seeking back-to-back double-doubles for the first time this season. Gillespie followed up the strong performance against the Hoyas with a 4-of-9 effort from long range versus Creighton, but in his last three games, he is 2-of-19 from beyond the arc.

ABOUT GEORGETOWN (15-10, 5-7): Govan led the team in scoring (20) and rebounding (six) in a 90-75 loss to Seton Hall the last time out and committed two turnovers or fewer for the 13th time in 14 games. Jamorko Pickett was 3-of-6 from long distance against Seton Hall and, in the last four outings, he is 12-of-18 from 3-point land. James Akinjo comes into this one shooting 2-of-23 over the prior three contests.

TIP-INS

1. The Hoyas haven't won a game in which they've scored fewer than 75 points since the season opener.

2. Villanova F Saddiq Bey has made multiple 3-pointers in four straight games.

3. Wildcats G Joe Cremo had as many 3-pointers against St. John's (four) as in his previous four games combined.

PREDICTION: Villanova 69, Georgetown 62

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:21 AM

Tulane Green Wave vs. Memphis Tigers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
Memphis should have little trouble bouncing back from a loss that virtually ended its hopes of receiving a first-round bye in the American Athletic Conference tournament when it hosts struggling Tulane on Wednesday. The Tigers lost 79-72 at Central Florida on Saturday and are tied for fifth in the American standings, two games behind Temple for the fourth and final bye position and 2 1/2 back of UCF.

"We made some mistakes at the end, but we're getting better at the right time with the (American) Tournament right around the corner," Memphis coach Penny Hardaway, whose club led 41-40 with 14:22 remaining, told reporters. The Green Wave have lost 14 straight - their longest slide since dropping 22 in a row in 1963-64 - after Sunday's 85-50 loss to No. 8 Houston, and have been outscored by an average of 24.3 points in their last three games. "We're disappointed in this year, there's no question about it," Tulane coach Mike Dunleavy Sr., who received a vote of confidence from athletic director Troy Dannen, told reporters. "Going forward (from) this year we feel good about what we have. We think our young guys are going to be good. We got some recruits coming in. We feel like we're going to be in place." Memphis has won six straight meetings, including 83-79 in New Orleans on Jan. 13 behind 27 points from senior guard Jeremiah Martin.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT TULANE (4-20, 0-12 American): Sophomore guard Caleb Daniels averages a team-high 15.4 points - 15.0 in American games - after scoring 13 versus Houston and 12 against Memphis last month. Freshman guard Kevin Zhang (7.1 points) scored a career-high 25 versus Memphis but has totalled only 10 points in the last four games while senior forward Blake Paul (4.8 points, 4.2 rebounds) recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds - both career bests - in his first game against Memphis. Senior guard Jordan Cornish (10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, team-high 3.8 assists), who needs 56 points for 1,000 in his career, scored three versus Houston after averaging 12 in his previous five games.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (15-11, 7-6): Martin (team highs of 17.4 points and 4.3 assists) scored 25 points Saturday and is averaging 27 over his last five games. Senior forward Kyvon Davenport (14.2 points, team-high 6.8 rebounds), who fouled out of three straight games before being whistled for 11 infractions in the last three contests, left Saturday's game after landing hard following a botched alley-oop but returned a few minutes later. Freshman guard Tyler Harris (11.5 points) is averaging 5.2 over his last five games after averaging 9.1 in his first eight American contests.

TIP-INS

1. Memphis leads the American in scoring at 81.3 per game but is last in points allowed at 76.5.

2. Tulane junior F Samir Sehic (11.2 points) grabs a club-most 7.6 rebounds - good for third in the American.

3. Hardaway was 14-6 as a NBA player against Dunleavy-coached teams, averaging 16.3 points - slightly above his career number of 15.2.

PREDICTION: Memphis 81, Tulane 65

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:21 AM

Xavier Musketeers vs. Seton Hall Pirates Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Seton Hall is climbing its way back up the Big East standings and is currently in a tie for third place as it vies for a season sweep of visiting Xavier on Wednesday night. The Pirates had lost four in a row and five of six before bouncing back to rip off a three-game winning streak, sandwiching a pair of victories over Creighton around a rout of Georgetown.

The Pirates had lost five of six overall and five straight away from home before outlasting Creighton 81-75 on Sunday behind a combined 39 points from Myles Cale and Myles Powell. "We needed a road win, we really did," Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. "Proud of this team. Proud of their effort." The Musketeers also ended a four-game slide on the road with a dominant 75-61 win at Providence, the second straight game that they have allowed 61 points. Xavier will be looking to avenge an 80-70 home loss to the Pirates on Jan. 2 in which it held a 10-point second-half lead.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network

ABOUT XAVIER (13-13, 5-8 Big East): Forward Tyrique Jones was a non-factor in the first meeting with Seton Hall, managing only two points and one rebound in a season-low nine minutes, but he registered his fourth double-double in 10 games with 19 points and 12 boards at Providence. The 6-foot-9 Jones has worked well in tandem with 6-10 Zach Hankins, who scored 20 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the earlier matchup. Guard Paul Scruggs paced the Musketeers with 22 points against Seton Hall in early January, but he has more combined turnovers (10) than points (9) in the past two games.

ABOUT SETON HALL (16-9, 7-6): Powell came up one point shy of reaching 20 for the fifth straight game at Creighton and sparked the comeback against Xavier with a team-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. Guard Quincy McKnight, a transfer from Sacred Heart, came up big at both ends of the court as Seton Hall erased a six-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes. McKnight not only scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half, but he became the ninth player in school history to make six steals in a game, including four down the stretch.

TIP-INS

1. Powell, averaging 21.6 points, also scored 30 at Xavier last season.

2. Xavier F Naji Marshall is averaging 19.7 points over the past three games.

3. Cale scored 37 points in last week's two victories.

PREDICTION: Seton Hall 78, Xavier 74

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:21 AM

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Georgia Bulldogs Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
Mississippi State looks like it has steadied itself after a bumpy stretch of its schedule, even without one of its key contributors entering Wednesday's visit to slumping Georgia. Mississippi State won its second game in a row Saturday, getting 22 points from senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon in a 77-67 victory at Arkansas, the same day Weatherspoon's brother - Nick Weatherspoon - was suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

The Bulldogs had dropped three of four before beating Alabama and Arkansas last week, and they saw junior guard Tyson Carter score 14 of his season-high 18 points in the second half Saturday. "I thought Tyson Carter really stepped up tonight without Nick out there," Mississippi State coach Ben Howland told the media afterward. "His minutes really helped." Georgia saw its SEC losing streak extended to 10 games with an 83-79 home loss Saturday to No. 15 LSU, the Bulldogs' closest loss during their skid. "They've been good, but we haven't always brought that effort to games," Georgia coach Tom Crean told reporters postgame. "Today they did, but we fell a little short. If we can build on that, we're going to win games."

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network LINE: Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (18-7, 6-6 SEC): Quinndary Weatherspoon began the week third in the SEC in scoring at 18.1 points per game, and his field-goal percentage (50.5) ranks fourth in the conference. Freshman forward Robert Perry recorded his fourth double-double in the past five games with 12 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging 14 points and 9.4 rebounds in that span. The Bulldogs are third in the SEC and 20th nationally in steals per game (8.5).

ABOUT GEORGIA (10-15, 1-11): The Bulldogs committed only 11 turnovers Saturday, but remain last in the SEC and rank 335th nationally at 16.2 per game. Sophomore forward Nicolas Claxton led Georgia with 17 points against LSU and leads the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game, while pulling down an SEC-best nine rebounds per contest. Junior guard Jordan Harris scored 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting Saturday, and is averaging 9.8 points per game with six double-figure outputs in his past seven contests.

TIP-INS

1. Weatherspoon scored 20-plus points for the fourth time in his past five outings, and the Bulldogs improved to 16-1 across the past two seasons when he scores at least 20 points.

2. Georgia has been outscored in 19 of 24 halves in SEC play this season.

3. Mississippi State plays three of its final five SEC games at home after Wednesday, traveling only for road trips to Auburn and No. 5 Tennessee.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 78, Georgia 70

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:21 AM

Florida Gators vs. Louisiana State Tigers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Thanks to its upset victory at Kentucky followed by a win at Georgia, LSU made a huge leap in the rankings this week, moving up six spots to No. 15 and joining Tennessee atop the SEC standings at 11-1. Now the Tigers open a three-game homestand on Wednesday evening with a visit from Florida, one of two meetings with the Gators in the last three weeks of the regular season.

"It probably does more for Tennessee and us to be recognized with Kentucky," Tigers head coach Will Wade told reporters when asked about having teams besides Kentucky atop the SEC. "It's what we're striving to be is what they've been for a long, long time. We've got a lot of work to do. We're not going to get the benefit of the doubt on anything and we haven't earned the benefit of the doubt on anything. We've just got to keep plugging along and keep trying to work as hard as we can to try to break that stuff down. ... I don't think people are shaking in their boots when they see the Purple and Gold coming, but hopefully we can get there at some point." The Tigers are on their way, off to their best SEC start since 2009 and their best start in league road games (7-0) since 1981, with perhaps their biggest challenge ahead on Saturday against Tennessee. LSU, however, can't overlook the Gators, who are on a two-game roll and enter the matchup with the conference's top scoring defense (63.1 ppg), one that held Alabama to its lowest total in conference play this season in a 71-53 rout Saturday. Point guard Andrew Nembhard spurred Florida on to victory and was named Freshman of the Week for the second time this season after hitting all nine of his shots from the floor -- only the fourth Gator since 1996-97 with a perfect effort from the field with nine-plus shots -- and posting a career-high 21 points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT FLORIDA (14-11, 6-6 SEC): Nembhard wasn't the only freshman with a huge performance against Alabama as Keyontae Johnson produced his first career double-double with 14 points and a personal-best 13 rebounds, the fourth time in the last five games that he tallied at least nine boards. However, fellow freshman and the team's second-leading scorer Noah Locke fell far short with the first scoreless effort of his career (0-for-4) on the heels of his 1-for-9 showing last week against Vanderbilt as he struggles with hip/groin pain. In giving up just 53 points to the Crimson Tide, Florida held Alabama 22.3 points below its season average and the Gators have now held 10 major conference opponents at least 19 points below their season scoring average entering the matchup.

ABOUT LSU (21-4, 11-1): The Tigers hit 55.4 percent of their shots against Georgia after shooting a red-hot 60.7 percent (17-of-28) in the first half, with sophomore guard Tremont Waters (15.9 ppg and 6.0 apg) leading the team with 20 points and freshman guard Javonte Smart (10.4 ppg) right behind with a season-high 19. LSU will look to challenge Florida's press defense and the Tigers (82.9 ppg) rank second in the conference to Tennessee (84.8) in scoring. The Tigers lead the SEC in steals (9.6), with at least 10 in 13 games, and they are protecting the ball well with just eight turnovers in each of the last two games, including none in the second half of the Georgia win.

TIP-INS

1. LSU leads the series 63-46, but Florida won the last meeting, 73-64, a year ago.

2. All four victories in the Tigers' current winning streak have come by five points or less.

3. The Gators set a school record with 19 3-pointers in their last trip to Baton Rouge (Jan. 25, 2017).

PREDICTION: LSU 69, Florida 60

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:22 AM

Louisville Cardinals vs. Syracuse Orange Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Its last time out, No. 22 Louisville avoided a third straight loss - albeit barely. The Cardinals would love to post a comfortable victory Wednesday when they visit Syracuse in an ACC clash.

The Cardinals lost at Florida State and at home versus Duke before sneaking past Clemson 56-55 in their most recent contest. Louisville led the Tigers by seven with 17 seconds to go before a series of errors created quite a bit of drama, not unlike the team's second-half meltdown against Duke. "Down the stretch again, we have to figure out ways to close games better," Louisville coach Chris Mack said. "I told our team mental errors and physical errors cannot be tolerated in winning time." As for Syracuse, the team has lost two of its last three and is hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time since mid-December.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (18-8, 9-4 ACC): The Cardinals got a strong performance against Clemson from Christen Cunningham (18 points, five assists), and it was a good thing because the other four starters shot a combined 8-of-29 from the field. The reserves shot a combined 4-of-7 from 3-point range, which could mean good news for Louisville against Syracuse's 2-3 zone, as the Cardinals' top seven scorers are all legitimate threats from outside the arc. Jordan Nwora, who leads Louisville in scoring (17.5 points per game), was 4-of-13 for 11 points with six turnovers in 31 minutes against Clemson.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (17-8, 8-4): The Orange have not been lighting it up over the previous six games, scoring 56, 77, 65, 62, 67 and 58 points. The team struggled with its shooting from the field (35 percent), the arc (5-of-25) and the foul line (11-of-22) in a 15-point defeat against North Carolina State its last time out. Leading scorer Tyus Battle, coming off a pair of strong outings, was limited to seven points in 32 minutes against the Wolfpack, and he failed to make a 3-pointer for the third time in the last four games.

TIP-INS

1. In his last six games, Orange F Elijah Hughes is shooting only 27.9 percent from the floor.

2. Syracuse G Frank Howard registered a team-high 21 points versus NC State after going 1-of-12 from the floor over the prior two contests.

3. Battle had 25 points in the lone matchup last season, a 78-73 road win for the Orange.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 64, Louisville 63

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:22 AM

Boston College Eagles vs. NC State Wolfpack Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

North Carolina State has been unable to secure wins against the elites of the ACC, but it has a relatively favorable stretch to close out the regular season as it seeks to boost its NCAA Tournament resume. The Wolfpack begin that stretch when they host Boston College on Wednesday night.

A 94-78 setback at top-ranked Duke on Saturday was N.C. State's fourth loss to a ranked league foe in a little over two weeks and one of its last opportunities for a quality win with the Eagles (twice), Wake Forest and Georgia Tech among the final five games. "We played this league and I think we played toe to toe with everybody in the league it's just when you're playing on the road in a hostile environment, you've got to cut down your mistakes and you've got to be able to rebound the basketball," coach Kevin Keatts told the media Saturday. "But I like my team. We've fought and competed against every team in this league now, and hopefully we'll clean up some of the things we need to do when we face a team similar to Duke again." Boston College is in search of its first three-game conference winning streak in nearly four years after back-to-back triumphs over Pittsburgh and Miami (Fla.) at home. Senior guard Jordan Chatman scored 17 points and junior forward Nik Popovic added 15 and a career high-tying 14 rebounds in the 64-57 win against the Hurricanes on Sunday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, RSN, ACC Network

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (13-11, 4-8 ACC): Star junior Ky Bowman was dealing with an illness Sunday that helped to limit him to six points - his lowest total since Dec. 30, 2017 - on 3-of-11 shooting. "It's just a team effort," Chatman told reporters after boosting his scoring average to 13.8, third on the team behind Bowman (19.5) and injured freshman Wynston Tabbs (13.9). "You shoot the shots that you get and just practice, and they go in when they go in." Bowman did grab eight rebounds for the third straight game and dished out a season-high eight assists against Miami.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (18-8, 6-7): Senior guard Torin Dorn had a team-high 17 points at Duke and leads the Wolfpack in scoring (13.8) along with rebounds (6.7). Junior guard Markell Johnson recorded his first double-double of the season Saturday with 16 points and 10 assists and he ranks sixth in ACC action with 4.3 assists per game. C.J. Bryce, also a junior guard, hit his only two 3-point tries against the Blue Devils to improve to 7-for-12 from long range over a four-game span.

TIP-INS

1. Bowman finished with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists to help the Eagles to a 91-87 win over the Wolfpack in the most recent meeting in the second round of the 2018 ACC tournament.

2. N.C. State sophomore G Braxton Beverly is 14-for-26 from 3-point range in four games since he went 0-for-9 in a loss to Virginia Tech on Feb. 2.

3. Boston College hosts a rematch next month in the regular-season finale for both teams.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 75, Boston College 68

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:22 AM

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Auburn Tigers Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Auburn looks to build off one of its best defensive performances in league play when it returns home to meet fading Arkansas on Wednesday night in a critical SEC contest. The Tigers rebounded from losses to LSU and Ole Miss to take care of business at last-place Vanderbilt on Saturday, limiting the Commodores to 33.3 percent shooting and forcing 19 turnovers in a 64-53 victory.

"It was just our effort, our energy, our defense," Auburn senior guard Malik Dunbar told reporters after posting 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks Saturday. "We really stayed with it. I feel like we came together through our losses. We fought through it, and we picked up a good win. We needed this win." Coach Bruce Pearl, whose team is 4-5 since a 13-3 start, said the Tigers "showed progress" Saturday and they will need to raise their level of play against a hungry Arkansas squad that has dropped three straight. The Razorbacks coughed up a six-point halftime lead by shooting 28.6 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes en route to a 77-67 setback versus Mississippi State at home on Saturday after losing by a point at Missouri earlier in the week. "This locker room is definitely going to be able to recover," Arkansas sophomore guard Mason Jones told the Democrat-Gazette after scoring a career-high 30 points Saturday. ". ... To be on a losing streak this late in the year, it's kind of hard, but our guys are fighters. ... We know we're chasing for something, so as long as we keep a positive attitude we're going to be good."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT ARKANSAS (14-11, 5-7 SEC): Jones drained 5-of-11 from 3-point range Saturday and raised his scoring average to 14.4, second on the team behind 6-11 sophomore forward Daniel Gafford (16.6). Gafford managed just eight points in two of the last three games, but has been the go-to player all season while leading the Razorbacks in rebounding (8.8), blocks (2.0) and connecting on a SEC-best 66.1 percent from the field. Freshman guard Isaiah Joe ranks third on the team in scoring (13.8) and is the top long range threat, shooting 43.3 percent from behind the arc with an SEC-most 87 made 3-pointers.

ABOUT AUBURN (17-8, 6-6): Senior guard Bryce Brown is second in the league in made 3-pointers (85) and tops the team in scoring (16.2), but is just 10-of-33 from the field with zero assists in the last three games. Junior guard Jared Harper scores 15.4 per game and ranks second in the league in assists (6.2) after handing out eight in the victory at Vanderbilt while sophomore Chuma Okeke averages 11.2 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds - 9.8 in the last four. Dunbar's 13 points and five rebounds Saturday were his highest totals since scoring 10 and pulling down seven boards against Kentucky on Jan. 9.

TIP-INS

1. Arkansas junior G Jalen Harris is fourth in the league in assists (5.6) after dishing out 12 in the last two contests.

2. Auburn senior F Horace Spencer has 154 career blocks, one behind the late Korvotney Barber (2005-2009) for third in school history.

3. The Razorbacks are last in the league in free-throw percentage (66.3) despite connecting on 63-of-84 the last four games.

PREDICTION: Auburn 78, Arkansas 70

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-20-2019, 11:23 AM

St. John's Red Storm vs. Providence Friars Preview and Predictions 2019-02-20

NCAAB Predictions 19th February 2019 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 02/19/2019

Mustapha Heron provided quite the verbal statement on the heels of St. John's making a fairly large one on the floor. Fueled by their biggest comeback in nine seasons, the resilient Red Storm look to ride the momentum of their stirring win versus Villanova when they visit Providence on Wednesday at Dunkin' Donuts Center.

"We're not complacent. It's good that we beat the defending national champions, but we still have the rest of Big East play. ... We're worried about Providence and then every game after that," Heron told Newsday after Sunday's 71-65 win over the Wildcats. The junior guard, who scored 19 points to help the Red Storm overcome a 17-point deficit versus Villanova, will get his first look at the Friars after sitting out a 70-56 loss on Feb. 9 with a bruised knee. Providence's seventh win in eight outings against St. John's accounts for just its lone victory in its last six overall, as the club was outscored by 20 in the second half of a 75-61 setback to Xavier on Saturday. "We didn't do anything well, especially in the second half," Friars coach Ed Cooley told the Providence Journal. "We tried a lot of different defenses, a lot of different guys. Some days this happens and it (stinks) when it's on your watch."

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS1

ABOUT ST. JOHN'S (19-7, 7-6 Big East): LJ Figueroa highlighted his 22-point performance versus Villanova with a trio of 3-pointers in the second half, with one igniting an 8-0 run to give the Red Storm a 58-57 advantage with 3:12 remaining. Although the sophomore guard finished with 14 points against Providence, St. John's finished with season lows in points (56) and 3-pointers (two) en route to sustaining just its third loss in 15 home contests. Junior guard Shamorie Ponds, who leads the team in average points (20.1) and assists (5.2) per game, followed up his 20-point performance versus the Friars by shooting 6-for-26 from the field -- including 2-for-8 from 3-point range.

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (14-12, 4-9): Nate Watson, who had a team-high 18 points in the first encounter with St. John's, rolled up 16 more on 7-of-12 shooting from the field versus the Musketeers. The sophomore center didn't have much help on Saturday, however, as the rest of the starters combined to shoot a dismal 7-for-26 from the floor. Junior guard Alpha Diallo, who leads the team in points (16.4) and rebounds (8.0), was limited to just seven points while matching a season low with two boards.

TIP-INS

1. Diallo recorded a career-high 15 rebounds in the first meeting with St. John's.

2. Red Storm F Marvin Clark II is 7-for-15 from the field in his last two contests after going just 2-for-8 versus the Friars.

3. Providence G Isaiah Jackson had 12 points and seven rebounds against St. John's, his most in both categories over the last seven games.

PREDICTION: St. John's 68, Providence 60

Wednesday 2-20-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 2-20-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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