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