Bettin' is a Habit - Friday 12/2

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you really want to test your luck against our college hoops knowledge, head on over to FanDuel.com, and register to compete in their daily fantasy college basketball leagues. We have been running daily games, and the intensity is starting to pick up. Our league name will always be "Ballinisahabit". We have leagues set up for the next three days, so head on over to www.fanduel.com and join

I've taken two weeks off from picking game, but I think today is the perfect time to get back in the mix. Why? I have no clue, but I needed something to lead off the paragraph and that worked.

Anyways, after the jump, some picks for the weekend's slate of games

Bettin' is a Habit - Friday 12/2

7:00PM - Iona (4-1) at Canisius (1-3)

Scott Machado is the best point guard in the country that we don;t talk about. Michael "Optimus Prime" Glover is a scoring-machine, and the Iona Gaels are legitimately good. No, not like "mid-major" good. I'm talking legit top-25 good for the entire season. I'm so high on this team, I should probably have a doctor's note or something. I know very little about the Golden Griffins squad this season. But that doesn't matter, because Iona is going to win big.

Pick: Iona -14


9:00PM - Vanderbilt (5-2) at Louisville (6-0)

If Vanderbilt is playing, you know you're in for a close game with an exciting finish. I have to imagine that Vanderbilt will lose yet another close game, probably due to late-game execution. But as always, I think it's going to be close, with-in two possessions.

Pick: Vanderbilt +8


12:00PM - North Carolina (6-1) at Kentucky (7-0)

This is college basketball's version of "Game of the Century". Both teams feature some of the longest front-courts in the country. Kentucky logged a program-record 18-blocks in their win over St. John's on Thursday. Kentucky has been playing great defense as of late, and if Carolina can't run the floor with success, it could be a long day for the Tar Heels.

Pick: Under 151


1:00PM - UMass (6-2) at Miami (4-2)

UMass has been a pleasant surprise this season. They rank in the top-50 in rebounding and assists, and the top-6o in points. At 6-2, they look like one of the better teams in the Atlantic-10, and that is not something I would have said two months ago. Miami on the other hand, has lost two in a row and is struggling to put the ball in the basket. The team is shooting just 39% from the field and struggled to put away low-major squads like Florida-Gulf Coast and North Florida.

Pick: UMass +7.5


3:15PM - Gonzaga (5-0) at Illinois (7-0)

Don't let Illinois' undefeated record fool you. This team is not as good as Gonzaga. I'm rather puzzled as to why they are even considered slight favorites. Sure, Assembly Hall is a tough place to play, but I really don't think they have to talent to run with the Zags, even at home.

Pick: Gonzaga +2



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Bettin' is a Habit - Monday 11/21

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you followed this column at all last year, you know that I did a pretty terrible job at picking games. I certainly hope none of you actually put money on the picks I made. But if you want to see if you are better than B.I.A.H, head on over to FanDuel.com, we will be there all year.

I did terrible last week. I made five picks and was wrong about four of them. I currently sit an even 10-10 on the season. But it's a brand new week, and there are a couple of juicy plays to make tonight.

Bettin' is a Habit - Monday 11/21

8:30PM - Norfolk State Rams(3-1) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (3-0)
Check out Marquette's scoring totals in four games this year: 91, 99, 95, 96. Clearly they haven't played a lot of stellar competition, but this team can get buckets in a hurry. Norfolk State is a low-major school with a mid-to-high major player in big-man Kyle O'Quinn. The Rams look to be one of the better MEAC teams this year, and should provide Marquette with some competition. not much, but some. Marquette will win big in a high-scoring game.

Pick: Over 149.5


9:30PM - Chaminade Silver Swords (3-0) vs. UCLA Bruins (0-2)
I don't thin I've ever seen a high-major team implode this quickly in a season. UCLA is beyond dire straits. Do you really want me to list all the problems plaguing the Bruins? That's what I thought, me either. Plus, this is the Silver Swords we are talking about,the most recognizable D-II team in the country. I'm absolutely taking Chaminade.

Pick: Chaminade +13.5


11:59PM - Georgetown Hoyas (2-0) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (1-1)
Kansas hung around with Kentucky for the first 20 minutes of play in their Champions Classic game, but just could not handle the athleticism of the 'Cats. Athleticism seems to be one of Georgetown's stronger areas. There is a reason Kansas is a 5.5-point favorite in this match, but I'm thinking that the Hoyas could pull the upset here (If Georgetown beating Kansas is actually considered an upset)

Pick: Georgetown +5.5



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Bettin' is a Habit - Friday 11/18

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you followed this column at all last year, you know that I did a pretty terrible job at picking games. I certainly hope none of you actually put money on the picks I made. But if you want to see if you are better than B.I.A.H, head on over to FanDuel.com, we will be there all year.

Through four days of picking games, I'm 9-5, having gone 1-2 on Wednesday. But still, I've above .500, which means if I actually bet money, or if you actually took my advice, you'd have more money than you did at the beginning of the season.

After the jump, I provide my sight for Friday's slate of plays

Bettin' is a Habit - Friday 11/18

6:00PM - Texas Christian (2-0) at Virginia (2-0)
Virginia has the potential to be the third-best team in the ACC this season. Mike Scott is the real deal down low, and the team has bought in to Tony Bennett's style of play. Sure, the Horned Frogs are 2-0, but this will be their first test of the season, and I just don't see them doing well at all.

Pick: Virginia -8


7:00PM - St. Bonaventure's (1-0) at Cleveland State (2-0)
The Bonnies have one of the most underrated big-men in the country in Andrew Nicholson, but an injury to forward Marquise Simmons will leave the team short-staffed up front. Cleveland State has proved that they can still win even without Norris Cole on the roster. I like the Vikings to win this one by double-digits

Pick: Cleveland State -6.5


9:00PM - Wichita State (2-0) vs. Alabama (3-0)
This is going to be a great game. Alabama has a terrific front court and has gotten some decent production from their guards. Wichita State is going to be the second-best team in the always-competitive Missouri Valley Conference. I wouldn't be surprised if Wichita State pulls off the upset, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Alabama wins by 10+. But I will be surprised if there isn't a lot of scoring.

Pick: Over 124.5




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Bettin' is a Habit - Wednesday 11/16

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you followed this column at all last year, you know that I did a pretty terrible job at picking games. I certainly hope none of you actually put money on the picks I made. But if you want to see if you are better than B.I.A.H, head on over to FanDuel.com, we will be there all year. The next game is set up for Thursday, November 17th.


Through three days of picking games, I'm an astonishing 8-3, and have built up the credibility to be trusted...I hope. So, after the jump, I'll continue to provide my expertise for Wednesday's slate of games


Bettin' is a Habit - Wednesday 11/16


8:00PM - Indiana (2-0) at Evansville (1-0)
The Purple Aces are fresh-off their upset win over Butler, but won't have the same luck when they face the Hoosiers tonight. Evansville back court is solid, but they just don't have the size to match-up with Indiana's big-men. We are all aware that Indiana isn't that great yet, but they should be more than capable of beating Evansville by a handful of baskets.

Pick: Indiana -3.5


8:00PM - Utah (1-0) at Boise State (1-0)
At one point in time, these two teams played in the same conference, I think. By season's end they could be slated to play in conferences on opposite sides of the country. Regardless, both of these teams are not very good. I can't tell you who is going to win, but I can tell you that not very many points will be scored.

Pick: Under 134.5


10:30PM - Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1) vs. Oral Roberts (0-2)
This should be a much better game than people will give credit for. Oral Roberts will be the top team in the Summit League and APB will be in SWAC contention. On Tuesday, APB hung tough with Oklahoma State for the first half before folding up. Oral Roberts started out with a tough loss to a weak West Virginia squad, and a one-point loss to UT-San Antonio. Oral Roberts should win this game, but I think it will be close.

Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff +16.5








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Bettin' is a Habit - Tuesday 11/15

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you followed this column at all last year, you know that I did a pretty terrible job at picking games. I certainly hope none of you actually put money on the picks I made. But if you want to see if you are better than B.I.A.H, head on over to FanDuel.com, we will be there all year. We have a game set up for Tuesday 11/15. The league name is "ballinisahabit"

Since it's a special Marathon Madness day of college hoops, we will provide you with some knowledge you will need in order to make your Tuesday even better. (This column will revert back to a M/W/F feature starting next week).

Through two days of "picking" games, I'm 4-2. So at this point, you have to imagine I am trustworthy. After the jump, have a gander at the picks that are sure to make (and lose) you some money

Bettin' is a Habit - Tuesday 11/15

6:05PM - Florida International (1-0) at Virginia Tech (2-0)
We've warned you to watch out for Virginia Tech this season. Well, take it in stride. This won't be a tournament team, but they will be on the bubble, which is something that a lot of people don't even think is possible for a team that is ALWAYS on the bubble. But Florida International just beat a decent George Mason team in overtime. This pick might be a stretch because FIU had to play some extra minutes, but don't expect Virginia Tech to win in a blow out.

Pick: Florida International +19


7:00PM - South Carolina (1-0) at Elon (0-1)
This is a game that you will want to avoid watching at all costs. Both these teams are remarkably bad. But from a betting standpoint, you might want to make on play on it. Neither team is particularly adept at scoring, so taking the under would be a good play. Plus, South Carolina is only favored by five points, which is way low considering how bad Elon is. This is a game you should make a play on.

Pick: Under 145.5


8:05PM - Saint Louis (1-0) at Southern Illinois (0-1)
Saint Louis is going to be a top-4 team in the Atlantic-10 this season. Plus they are coming off a season-opening seal-clubbing of Tennessee State 71-37. On the flip side, Southern Illinois is not good at all. They started their season off in the worst way possible, a loss to a non-DI program (Ohio Dominican). This game is not going to be close at all.

Pick: Saint Louis -6.5


9:00PM - Utah State (1-0) at Weber State (1-0)
This could end up being the game of the day. If this was being played at The Spectrum, I'd pick the Aggies in a heartbeat, and even though USU has to go on the road, I was really impressed with the way they played against BYU. Again, that game was at The Spectrum, which is the best home-court advantage in the country, and I know Weber State has Damian Lillard, but I like Utah State to come away with the win. If you are feeling risky, or just delirious from 24-straight hours of hoops, you might want to make a play on this game.  But regardless of the pick, you should all find a a way to watch this one. the match up between Damian Lillard and Brockeith Pane is going to be fabulous.

Pick: Utah State +1.5


10:00PM - Austin Peay (0-1) at California (2-0)
Cal is good. Like, really good. They are, and will be the best team in the Pac-12. Austin Peay just lost to Middle Tennessee. Even if Cal was favored by 25, I'd probably still take them. Since they are only favored by 12.5, you have to lay down all of your life-savings on this one. This is an absolute stone-cold lead-pipe lock.

Pick: California -12.5
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Bettin' is a Habit - Monday 11/14

The college hoops season is in full effect. We here at Ballin' is a Habit pride ourselves as hoops experts, so what better way to prove ourselves then by providing you with some knowledge to help you earn some cash.

If you followed this column at all last year, you know that I did a pretty terrible job at picking games. I certainly hope none of you actually put money on the picks I made. But if you want to see if you are better than B.I.A.H, head on over to FanDuel.com, we will be there all year. We have a game set up for Tuesday 11/15. The league name is "ballinisahabit"


Bettin' is a Habit picks for Monday 11/14

9:05PM - Detroit (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-0)
Detroit has been touted as a "Sleeper team" in 2011-2012, but I'm just not sold. Ray McCallum is really good, but the loss of Eli Holman is huge. Notre Dame will be without their star Tim Abromaitis, but I don't think it's going to matter. Notre Dame will win by double-digits.

Pick: Notre Dame -7


10:00PM - Portland (2-0) at Washington (2-0)
Both teams are 2-0 and both teams have played the same teams (Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern). Washington is know for it's high-octane offense, and they definitely have the players to make buckets, but I think that even the slight step up in competition will slow the Dawgs down. Washington will definitely win, but I don't think it's going to be enough of a high-scoring affair to cover.

Pick: Under 147


10:05PM - Nevada (0-1) at UNLV (1-0)
Nevada was supposed to be the favorite to win the WAC this season. But the Wolf Pack got smacked by Missouri State in their home opener by 22-points. Missouri State isn't even supposed to be that good this year. UNLV on the other hand is going to be good. I think Nevada will continue to struggle and that UNLV will lay the smack down.

Pick: UNLV -12.5


10:30PM - Nebraska (1-0) at Southern California (1-0)
Nebraska graduated their best player, Lance Jeter, but I still believe Nebraska will be an OK team. USC was poised to do big things this season but was ravaged by injury to two of their best players. USC is favored to win, but I'm not sure they will get it done.

Pick: Nebraska +1.5




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Bettin' is a Habit - 3/2

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

There are only a couple days left in the regular season. Once March Madness starts, it's more-than-likely that most of your money is going towards bracket pools and bar tabs, so take these picks to the bank.

George Washington (15-12, 8-6) at Rhode Island (18-10, 9-5)

Both of these teams have progressed nicely throughout the season. The difference is, Rhode Island has been able to knock-off teams above them in the standings, while George Washington has handled the teams they were supposed to, but lost to any team with a better record. Although the Colonials have won three of their last four, I don't think they stand a chance at Rhode Island on Senior Night.

Pick: Rhode Island -7


North Carolina (22-6, 12-2) at Florida State (20-8, 10-4)

The last time UNC lost was early in February at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and have tallied five wins since then. Florida State has gone 4-1 since their last meeting with the Tar Heels, but they haven't played top-caliber competition since January. UNC is 2.5 point favorites and I would not even blink at that bet. Take this one straight to the bank.

Pick: North Carolina -2.5


Cincinnati (22-7, 9-7) at Marquette (18-11, 9-7)

This is your bubble-game of the night. Both these teams are on the cusp of an at-large bid. Cincinnati had a chance to cement their status against UConn over the weekend, but couldn't finish the job, and lost by nine. Marquette on the other hand, beat UConn on the road, and has won three-in-a-row. This game is essentially a toss-up. but I know it's going to be close, a lot closer than a 6.5 margin of victory.

Pick: Cincinnati +6.5





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Bettin' is a Habit - 3/1

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

Gardner-Webb (11-20, 6-12) at Coastal Carolina (26-4, 16-2)

These two teams split games during the regular season, and now face off in the conference tournament. The Bulldogs won the last meeting at Coastal Carolina 59-57, and considering the state of the Chanticleers program right now, I wouldn't be surprised if they do it again. But this is a "Win-or-go-home" game, and Coastal Carolina does not want to see their 26-win season end like this. The two meetings during the regular season were decided by a total of five-points, so I like to think this one will be close as well.

Pick: Gardner-Webb +11


Alabama (19-9, 11-3) at Florida (22-6, 11-3)

This is an absolute must-win for the Crimson Tide. They lost to Ole Miss over the weekend, meaning they must win their final two games and do some work in the SEC tournament to even have a shot at grabbing an at-large bid. I think Florida will win this one, but not by much. They haven't beaten a team by more than ten points since back in mid-January.

Pick: Alabama +6


Ohio State (27-2, 14-2) at Penn State (15-12, 8-8)
All the bubble teams will be rooting for the Buckeyes in this one, because a win for Penn State would certainly put them on the right side of the bubble going into championship week. Plus, the Buckeyes have lost their last two games on the road, while Penn State has won their last two home games. Nonetheless I think tOSU continues to put up big numbers (averaging 75-ppg in their last five) tonight.

Pick: Over 129



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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/28

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

It's the last day of the month, so your rent is due soon (unless you are one of the many keyboard assassins who still live in your parent's basement). Use these picks to earn some quick rent money.

Villanova (21-8, 9-7) at Notre Dame (23-5, 12-4)
This will be Villanova's third game in-a-row against a ranked opponent, and the Wildcats lost their last two games. 'Nova needs to pick up a win here, because their next game is at Pittsburgh, and that may be a tougher place to win than South Bend. It is very possible that the Wildcats end the season with a four-game losing streak. I'm not sure who is going to win this one, but I'm fairly certain it will be low scoring.

Pick: Under 140


Kansas State (20-9, 8-6) at Texas (24-5, 12-2)
Kansas State finally seems like they are turning their season around. Texas meanwhile looks like they may be fading down the stretch in the same fashion they did last season. I like Kansas State as 8.5-point underdogs, but I think I like the over/under more.

Pick: Over 135.5


Northern Colorado (17-10, 11-3) at Idaho State (9-18, 4-10)
The Bears are closing in on a Big Sky regular season title and a win against the Bengals could seal the deal. Last time they met, Northern Colorado won by 20, and the Bengals have lost two of their last three. I don't see Idaho State getting close in this one, even at home.

Pick: Northern Colorado -7





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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/24

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

OK, so I was 2-3 yesterday. But I feel like Thursday is going to be much better.


UW-Milwaukee (16-12, 11-5) at Cleveland State (23-6, 12-4)

This game may end up determining the Horizon league tournament seeds. The way things have played out thus far, the seeds will be determined by second and third tie-breakers. These two teams last played in mid-December, with CSU winning by 23. But UW-Milwaukee is a much different team now, having won seven of their last eight. I think Cleveland State should win this game, but I would not be surprised if it came down to the last shot.

Pick: UW-Milwaukee +8.5


Georgia (18-8, 7-5) at Florida (21-5, 10-2)

The gators having been played great as of late, winning five in-a-row and eight of their last ten. With Chandler Parsons possibly back in the lineup tonight, I think Florida can really cement themselves as the best team in the SEC by beating an enigmatic Georgia squad. The last time these teams played, they went into double-OT before the Gators pulled away with the victory. But I still really like Florida to get it done at home in this one.

Pick: Florida -6


Old Dominion (22-6, 12-4) at James Madison (20-9, 9-7)
The one thing James Madison hasn't been able to do this year is beat the top-tier CAA schools. They have only one loss to a team lower than them in the standings, but just don't have the talent to compete with George Mason, VCU and ODU. Even on the road, I like ODU to pick up the win.

Pick: Old Dominion -2.5

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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/23

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

After my horrendous 0-5 weekend, I had to take a hiatus from predicting the losers winners. But enough is enough, and it's time for a change.

Wisconsin (20-6, 10-4) at Michigan (17-11, 7-8)

After losing their first four conference games, Michigan has gone 5-2 and now finds themselves comfortably on the bubble. A win against Wisconsin would do wonders for their tournament hopes, but I just don't see it happening. But luckily for Michigan, all four of Wisconsin's conference losses have come on the road. Therefore I'm taking the over, because Wisconsin is averaging 72-ppg in their last five while 62-ppg. I'm pretty sure 72 plus 62 is higher than 121.

Pick: Over 121


DePaul (7-19, 1-13) at St. John's (17-9, 9-5)

St. John's finds themselves back in the top-25 for the first time since 2000 after beating Pittsburgh in epic fashion over the weekend. DePaul is starting to get better, and they have played in a number of close games against the top teams in the Big East. This game will be played at Carnasecca Arena and not Madison Square Garden, so I have to figure that DePaul might actually have a chance. I think The Johnnies win, but it's closer than people think.

Pick: DePaul +13.5


Towson (4-213, 0-16) at Delaware (12-15, 7-9)

The last time these two teams played, Delaware won by only three. But that game was played back in early January at Towson, when the Tigers still had a view of their last win. Since then, Towson hasn't even sniffed a win, but Delaware hasn't exactly won a bunch of games either. Regardless, I think Delaware beats Towson by a little bit more than a handful.

Pick: Delaware -7.5


Colorado (16-7, 5-7) at Texas Tech (12-15, 4-8)

Colorado's tournament hopes are all but busted, and a loss here would render them N.I.T-bound. But the Buffs haven't won on the road since early January, when they beat a tail-spinning K-State team. Texas Tech is coming off of their biggest win of the year, beating Baylor on the road by nine. While a win here wouldn't save Pat Knight's job security in Lubbock, it would certainly help cool his seat. I think the Red Raiders pick up the home win.

Pick: Texas Tech +1


Kansas State (18-9, 6-6) at Nebraska (18-8, 6-6)

This is a must-win for both teams. Nebraksa is coming off of their biggest win of the season, defeating Texas on Saturday to keep their tournament hops somewhat alive. A win against an improving K-State team would help out the 'Huskers a lot. But I really like the way the Wildcats have been playing recently. Jacob Pullen is playing like the All-American we predicted him to be, and well, desperation can motivate people, and the 'Cats are a desperate team. I think K-State provides Nebraska with a brutal dose of reality, and picks up a much-needed road win.

Pick: Kansas State +1.5


So there you have it, my five picks of the night. I can understand if you don't trust me because my track record isn't perfect, but I got a feelin' about these picks.
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Bettin' is a Habit 2/19

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

It's BracketBusters weekend, so I'll provide some picks for these mid-major must-watches along with some of the other contests on this fully-loaded Saturday of hoops.

Overall Weekend Record: 4-11

Miami (OH) (14-12, 9-3) at James Madison (19-9, 9-7)
This game isn't getting a lot of BracketBusters press, but that's probably because JMU is right outside the top-3 in the CAA and nobody pays attention to the MAC. The Redhawks have won five-in-a-row and the Dukes have only won two of their last five. That being said, there is nobody on Miami who can stop or even hope to contain Denzel Bowles, who is averaging roughly a double-double per contest.

Pick: James Madison -9.5


Pittsburgh (24-2, 12-1) at St. John's (16-9, 8-5)
When playing at home, the Johnnies are nearly unstoppable. But Pitt is the best team in the best conference in the country. Plus they will probably have Ashton Gibbs back in the lineup. A lot of people might jump all over St. Johns +4 at home, but not me. I'm doing the exact opposite.

Pick: Pitt -4


Manhattan (5-22, 3-13) at Stony Brook (11-15, 6-8)
One of the more forgettable BracketBusters games features dismal Jaspers and the enigmatic Seawolves. There is not much you need to know about this game other than that Manhattan loves to get blown out. Take Stony Brook all day every day.

Pick: Stony Brook -7


VMI (15-11, 8-8) at Morgan State (12-10, 8-3)
VMI does love to score points. They lead the nation averaging 89.8-ppg. Unfortunately the people in Vegas are wise and don't have a line for over/under. Morgan State will be looking to for their first three-game-winning-streak today. They are at home and are four-point favorites, but I just don't think they will be able to stop VMI.

Pick: VMI +4


Boston College (16-9, 6-5) at North Carolina (19-6, 9-2)
Last time these two teams met, UNC traveled to Boston and dropped triple-digits on the Eagles (106-74). I know BC may be a tournament team, but they pose little-to-no threats to the much-improved Tar Heels. You could take UNC at 11.5 favorites or take the over/under as I would do. But are good bets.

Pick: Over 152.5

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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/16

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

I know I am late getting this post up, so you might not be able to get your picks in on time. But then again, I have not the slightest clue about how the gambling industry works or even how to place a bet for that matter, so who knows.

South Florida (8-18, 2-11) at Pittsburgh (23-2, 11-1)
There is not a chance in the world that South Florida wins this game. But then again, that's not really what I am asked to predict here. Will Pitt win by more than 17? Yes. Why? Because they a big win, even against a bad team like USF will help make even a stronger case for being the new No. 1 team in the country come next Monday. I'm not sure if that actually motivates the players, but well Pitt is a lot better than USF, so I like to think they will win big.

Pick: Pitt -17


Vanderbilt (18-6, 6-4) at Georgia (17-7, 6-4)
This should be an entertaining game for fans. But for the Bulldogs, it's must-win. I think Vanderbilt should win this game, but because I'm not that sure, I'll stay away from the line. Instead I'm going with the over/under. Vanderbilt has been scoring a good amount of points as of late, but the last time these two teams met, the score was 73-66. Georgia plays at a slow pace and their recent games have been anything but high-scoring. So take the under. That's what I would do.

Pick: Under 140


Colorado State (17-7, 7-3) at TCU (10-16, 1-10)
I consider this "easy money". CSU has only three conference losses and they were against #6-ranked SDSU, #9-ranked BYU and at New Mexico. TCU on the other hand, has just one win, and it was at home against a team that just fired their head coach (Wyoming). I don't think the Horned Frogs have any idea what they will be getting themselves into when they join the Big East. The Rams will win this game and will win big.

Pick: Colorado State -4


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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/15

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

We are starting to get the hang of this, so we urge you to listen to our advice and throw away your life-savings on our picks.

Mississippi State (13-11, 5-5) at Kentucky (17-7, 5-5)

This is a huge game for Kentucky. The Wildcats have lost three of their last four and continue to show signs of their youth. Now, they haven't lost at home all season and I don't believe they will start tonight, But I certainly don't think they will blow out Mississippi State. Plus, it has been reported that Darius Miller will not be playing tonight for the 'Cats. I'm not sure he'd be a game-changer, but his absence will definitely result in a loss of production.

Pick: Mississippi State +17.5


Villanova (19-6, 7-5) at Seton Hall (11-14, 5-8)

Villanova is another team that needs a win to boost their confidence. They've dropped their last two games, (at Rutgers, vs. Pitt) and need to get their groove back as we approach Big East Tournament time. Seton Hall just dismissed two seniors from their team, and while I am aware that Jeremy Hazell can drop 40-points any day of the week, I still like to believe that Villanova will get a big road-win.

Pick: Villanova -3.5


Michigan State (14-10, 6-6) at Ohio State (24-1, 11-1)

The Spartans are coming off their first big-win in two months, beating Penn State by 18. Ohio State just suffered their first defeat of the season at Wisconsin. That being said, I think Ohio State will blow out Michigan State and we will all spend the night tweeting away about how bizarre it is to see Tom Izzo's bunch struggle so much.

Pick: Ohio State -12.5



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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/14

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

It's Valentines Day, which means you probably shelled out a good-bit of cash on some meaningless crap just to avoid getting thrown in doghouse. Well, we will do our best to drop you some knowledge so you can make some of that money back.

West Virginia (16-8, 7-5) at Syracuse (20-6, 7-6)
I'm not in-love with this match-up that's for sure. Which 'Cuse team shows up? Which WVU team shows up? Can West Virginia find success against the 2-3 zone of Syracuse that hasn't been effective of late? Will Syracuse struggle on offense again? The line is at 5, which is way too many for Syracuse even at home. But I can't take WVU because they haven't beaten a ranked team on the road since the first week of 2011 when they beat Georgetown and we all know they aren't the same team. Instead I'll taker the over/under bet because both these teams are struggling to score.

Pick: Under 133


Tennessee State (11-14, 8-7) at Tennessee Tech (14-11, 10-6)
I'm going with Tennessee in this one...Tech that is. The Golden Eagles are just 2.5 games out of first place in the top-heavy Ohio Valley Conference and only have one bad conference loss (at Tennessee State). Tech will win this game because A) it's being played at home, B) they need this win, and C) they are a better team that Tennessee State.

Pick: Tennessee Tech -4

Kansas (24-1, 9-1) at Kansas State (16-9, 4-6)
I can guarantee you "The Octagon of Doom" will be at full-capacity tonight as the new No. 1-team in the country and in-state rivals come to town. This game has clearly lost some luster because of K-State's recent struggles, but nonetheless, this is much-watch stuff. The line is at 5.5, which is pretty generous for Kansas. I kinda want to take Kansas, but I know that anything can happen in "The Octagon" so I'll go with the over/under because Kansas loves to score and is really good at it too.

Pick: Over 145



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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/12

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

So what if our record is 3-7 picking the last two Saturdays-worth of hoops. It's not like you guys are counting on us or anything...


Notre Dame (20-4, 9-3) at South Florida (8-17, 2-10)
Notre Dame has won only three Big East games by less than six points (UConn, Marquette, and Pitt). Yes it's true, their last two games have been rather close despite the final score, but I like them to put a beating on a USF team that has only come within six points of a ranked team once (UConn).

Pick: Notre Dame -6


Ohio State (24-0, 11-0) at Wisconsin (18-5, 8-3)
It's very possible that Ohio State suffers their first loss of the season on the road at the Kohl Center. But considering the undefeated, unanimous No.1 team in the country is a one-point underdog, I'll go with it.

Pick: Ohio State +1


New Mexico State (13-12, 7-4) at Louisiana Tech (11-14, 2-9)
Louisiana Tech has dropped seven of their last nine, but both of those wins came at home. However, this game is the back-end of a home-and-home series, New Mexico State just beat the Bulldogs by 15 on Monday. I think La. Tech is dangerous at home, and I really like Olu Ashaolu, but I think NMSU will pull away with this one.

Pick: New Mexico State -1.5


Davidson (13-12, 7-7) at Furman (18-7, 10-4)
This isn't your slightly-older brother's Davidson squad, but as of this week, they are rolling, having won five-in-a-row. Furman is a good team, but I just don't see the Paladins (Yup, that's Furman's mascot) beating a smoking-hot Davidson team by more than four.

Pick: Davidson +4


Louisiana-Lafayette (9-14, 6-5) at Florida Atlantic (18-8, 10-2)
I'm completely going against what I just said about taking a hot team like Davidson. The Ragin' Cajuns have won six-in-a-row but none against conference contenders. Plus I've been on the FAU-bandwagon all year. I think they have something good going, and I think they take care of business at home.

Pick: Florida Atlantic -9.5

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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/11

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

need some quick cash for the weekend? Go with our picks and you'll be able to buy more than one round of drinks this weekend. College basketball's resident gaggle of nerds, the Ivy League, provide two interesting plays tonight, and I think, just like in high school, you can bank on their knowledge.

Penn (9-10, 3-2) at Cornell (5-15, 1-5)
The Quakers are coming off a week in which they lost to the two teams in front of them in the standings, both in overtime. This will be the second of five games they play in a row on the road, and need to score a victory to bounce back. This Cornell team just won their first league game this past week, but have yet to put together back-to-back wins this season. I don't think it happens against Penn, even at home.

Pick: Penn +2.5


Princeton (17-4, 5-0) at Columbia (12-8, 3-3)
Princeton scored victories over Penn and Harvard in the past ten days and sit alone atop the Ivy League leader board. They boast a well-balanced scoring attack and play stout defense. Columbia is led by standout sophomore Noruwa Agho. He will need to score at least 20 if the Lions want to win this game.

Pick: Princeton -3


Siena (10-13, 7-6) at Iona (14-10, 8-5)
One of the MAAC's signature rivalry games takes place tonight and both teams will be trying to assert themselves near the top of the conference. Siena won 73-67 the last time they played, and Iona has lost four of their last five. I think this game ends up being decided by seven points or less. So I'll take Siena and the 11.

Pick: Siena +11

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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/9

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

It's the biggest night of rivalry week, with the Tobacco Road showdown taking center stage.I'm not sure you will want to wager your hard-earned cash on a game with that much emotion involved, so look at some of these non-rivalry games to make your plays.

No. 15 Louisville (18-5, 7-3) at No. 7 Notre Dame (19-4, 8-3)
The Fighting Irish have won five-in-a-row and are a tough-out at the Joyce Center. Ben Hansbrough is making a case for Big East Player of the Year and Mike Brey continues to prove that he's one of the best coaches in the country. On the flip side, Louisville nearly lost to DePaul over the weekend and their best shooter, Preston Knowles, has been banged up. Notre Dame hasn't been blowing teams away at home, and Louisville tends to make games interesting down the stretch, but nonetheless, I think Notre Dame will win by more than a handful.

Pick: Notre Dame -4


Memphis (17-6, 5-3) at Central Florida (14-7, 1-7)
UCF hasn't won a league game since the first week in January. They've already lost to Memphis once, and have lost three-in-a-row at home. This game will probably be close, but even after dropping their last two league games, I still think Memphis will pick up the win.

Pick: Memphis +2.5


Marquette (14-9, 5-5) at South Florida (8-16, 2-9)
Marquette is in the top-10 in the country in field-goal percentage and plays hard on the road. South Florida doesn't score too terribly much but I'm banking on Marquette to win big and help the over/under line.

Pick: Over 135.5



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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/7

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash our knee-caps in.

The Packers won the Super Bowl, which means that you are probably up big from the Super Bowl. If last night's prop bets didn't satiate your gambling fix, here are a couple of lines that caught our eye.

7:00 pm: Austin Peay @ Tennessee Tech:

Austin Peay jumped out to a 6-0 start in OVC play, but they have lost four of their last seven games. One of those losses came to Tennessee Tech at home. The Golden Eagle's aren't exactly playing their best basketball of the season -- they are coming off of a loss to Morehead State at home -- but they are getting four points at home against a team that has been struggling that they have already beaten this season. Sounds like a good bet to me.

The Pick: Tennessee Tech +4


7:00 pm: No. 4 Pitt @ West Virginia:

Yes, I know that Pitt will be playing without Ashton Gibbs tonight. I also know that this is a rivalry game, and as with any rivalry game, records coming in don't matter. But it still boggles my mind that the Mountaineers are favored tonight, even if it is by just one point. Personally, I wouldn't play this game simply because I want to see what the Panthers look like without Gibbs in the lineup. But West Virginia is coming off of a 16 point loss to Villanova which happened to coincide with Casey Mitchell's return from suspension. The Mountaineers, who are the 292nd best defensive rebounding team in the country, will be forced to handle the nation's best offensive rebounding team. If you are going to bet this game, take the Panthers.

The Pick: Pitt +1


9:00 pm: No. 20 Missouri @ No. 2 Kansas:

Like the Pitt-WVU games, I don't love the line in this one (Kansas -10.5) or the over-under (155). Missouri struggles on the road, having gone 0-4 in conference play, mainly because they have been getting off to slow starts. I don't see that being a problem in the Border Showdown. I think Kansas wins this game, but the spread of 10.5 points seems high, especially when dealing with a Missouri team that is capable of putting up points in a hurry. The over-under is pretty high as well, as 155 means that both teams are going to have to score in the high 70's.

The Picks: Missouri +10.5; Under 155

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Bettin' is a Habit - 2/5

We here at B.I.A.H don't fancy ourselves gamblers, but we do know a lot of people with crippling addictions to gambling. So why not help enable them, right? Semi-regularly, we will provide you a couple of picks and one lead-pipe-lock that you can take to the bank. But if you take our advice and don't win any money, you aren't allowed to come bash are knee-caps in.

You are probably going to be spending your gambling funds on the "Big Game" tomorrow, but if you want some side-change, you might want to take a look at some of these plays.

Butler (14-9, 6-5) at Cleveland State (21-3, 10-2)
The last time these teams met, roughly a month ago, Butler handed the Vikings their worst loss of the season. I think CSU returns the favor in a big way. They have won six-in-a-row and just defeated second-place Valaparaiso by 11. On the flip-side, Butler has lost four of their last five, the most recent being to 2-10 Youngstown State.

Pick: Cleveland State -3.5


Auburn (8-14, 1-7) at Georgia (15-6, 4-4)

Georgia has been way too inconsistent during SEC play, evidence by the fact that they have yet to win back-to-back conference games. The Bulldogs need to win this game, and I think they will. But it's going to be closer than we expect.

Pick: Auburn +16.5


Memphis (16-6, 5-3) at Gonzaga (15-8, 5-3)
Memphis is better than most of the teams in the West Coast Conference, and Gonzaga has struggled to beat those WCC teams. Despite having to travel cross-country for a 1:00PM tip, I think Memphis can make this game close and possibly get the win. Also, I just don't think Gonzaga is going to beat a team of this caliber by more than nine points

Pick: Memphis +9


Ole Miss (14-8, 2-5) at Arkansas (14-7, 4-4)
Arkansas only has three home losses this year. Two of them were overtime losses, and the other was a one-point loss to Georgia in their most rcent game. Ole Miss is coming off their biggest win of the season against Kentucky, 71-69. Regardless, i just don't see Ole Miss coming into "The Trough" and snatching away a victory.

Pick: Arkansas -3


Washington (15-6, 7-3) at Oregon (11-11, 4-6)
The Huskies find themselves out of first place int he Pac-10 after losing two-in-a-row. This is a game they need to win. I'm not sure how this team would ahndle losing three-in-a-row, including being swept by the Oregon schools. Oregon is coming off a big win against Washington State and would love to get a win over a ranked opponent. I think Washington will win, but I can't be too sure based on their last two performances. What I am sure of is that there will be a lot of points scored in this game.

Pick: Over 150

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