Will Rogers Handicapping Review & Free Picks Page

The set-up: Vancouver enters off a 2-1 road loss to the Rangers, while the Islanders return home off a 4-2 loss at Florida. Vancouver is averaging 3.16 GPG and it’s allowing 3.26. The Isles are averaging 3.00 GPG and they’re allowing just 2.56. 

The pick: I think this one highly favors the home side, so much so in fact that it makes this a price that i have no issues at all in laying. Note as well that the Canucks are just 19-43 in their last 62 after scoring one goal or less in their previous outing. Consider the Isles Tuesday.

The set-up: Xavier is 2-0 to open the year and I think the Musketeers carry that momentum over here. The Badgers have veteran Ethan Happ in the line-up, but I think the No. 22 team is going to have its hands full. Xavier is ranked No. 64, but it also features plenty of talent and depth. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Xavier is 24-9 ATS in its last 33 after scoring more than 90 points, while Wisconsin is just 1-4 ATS in its last five following a SU victory of more than 20 points. 

The set-up: Both teams come in off wins. Georgetown cruised to an 85-78 victory over Central Connecticut, while Illinois smashed Evansville 99-60. Georgetown is 2-0and it’s getting solid play across the board. So far the Hoyas are averaging 76.5 PPG and allowing 65.5. The Illini have won three straight in this series, but high turnover in the offseason swings this one in favor of the Hoyas in my opinion.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Illinois is just 2-6 ATS in its last eight following an ATS victory, while Georgetown is 8-2 ATS in its last ten on the road. I like Patrick Ewing’s deeper team to keep this one competitive down the stretch. Grab the points.

The set-up: Toronto lost its very first road game of the year in a 5-1 setback in Boston most recently. It’ll look to get back on track here and continue its road success against a Kings team which is just 5-11 overall and which enters off back-to-back losses. Clearly the Kings can’t be happy with where they sit and with the home side desperate to get back into the winners circle and also forced to match the pace of the high-tempo visitors, I believe this one has “shootout” written all over it.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Toronto has seen the total go “over” the number in 23 of its last 38 when playing with two days of rest, while LA has seen the total go “over” in 21 of its last 34 in the same position. This number is low, play the “over.”

The set-up: Charlotte enters off a strong 113-103 road win over Detroit and I’m expecting a similar type defensive performance here as well. Cleveland comes in off a listless 99-98 road loss to Chicago. The Hornets are averaging 116.5 PPG and they’re allowing 109.2. The Cavs are averaging only 103.3 PPG and they’re allowing 113.1. 

The pick: Take it for what you will, but Charlotte has seen the total go “under” the number in five of six already this year against teams with losing records. The Cavs have difficulty scoring on the best of days, but with the visitors looking to control the pace of this one, I expect this total to fall “under” once it’s all said and done.

The set-up: WMU is already bowl eligible, but since losing QB Jon Wassink to injury, the Broncos have struggled on both sides of the ball. It appears the team has packed it in with just a few games remaining. The Cardinals will need to run the board to become eligible and while that’s likely not going to happen with an injury to their starting QB as well, the home side certainly won’t going down without a fight tonight.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but WMU is already 2-4 ATS this year against teams with losing records, while Ball State is 4-2 ATS in its last six as an underdog in the 3.5 to ten points range. Grab the points and expect a competitive battle.