ACC:

Virginia starting center Assane Sene will miss as many as six weeks of action because of a broken ankle that required surgery. Sene is a 7'0" senior averaging 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. He started every game for the Cavaliers and they went 15-2 SU over their first 17 games. Since Sene’s injury, Virginia has gone 2-1 SU but just 1-2 ATS with their ...  read more

ACC:

North Carolina has lost starting guard Dexter Strickland for the season after he tore his ACL in his right knee in the Tar Heels last game at Virginia Tech. Strickland was only averaging 8 points per game, but he was the catalyst for North Carolina’s transition game and he actually led the team while shooting 57% from the floor. Strickland’s biggest impact came on the defe ...  read more

ACC

Virginia Tech got some good news this week as their leading scorer, point guard Erick Green, is expected to return to the lineup. Green is averaging 16.1 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season. But he has missed game time because of a sprained left knee he suffered in practice. The Hokies have really missed Green’s presence on the court as they turned the ...  read more

ACC

Miami (Fla) is finally starting to resemble the team that had high expectations coming into this season. The Hurricanes had to play their first nine games of this season without their best player, Reggie Johnson, who was recovering from knee surgery. Miami was also without DeQuan Jones for their first eleven games as he was suspended indefinitely on accusations of receiving i ...  read more

ACC

Wake Forest is missing their best player as guard C.J. Harris is out with a groin injury. Harris ranks second in the ACC in scoring at 18.7 points per game. “We are sideways offensively,” said Demon Deacons head coach Jeff Bzdelik. Even opposing head coaches are sympathizing over the absence of Harris. After Wake Forest lost at home 56-52 to Wofford, their head coach Mike ...  read more

NFL Oddities

Drew Brees broke Dan Marino’s 27-year-old NFL passing record of 5,084 yards. Brees has thrown for 5,087 yards in 15 games. Tom Brady can also do it this week; he has 4,897 yards and needs just 187 yards to eclipse Marino’s mark. The Steelers have lost 8 regular season games since 2010. In their next game, their defense has allowed an average of just 8.9 points pe ...  read more

ACC

Virginia has lost two players to transfer. KT Harrell and James Johnson have decided to leave the Cavaliers after they were both relegated to the bench. Head coach Tony Bennett plays a very slow, half-court game and that style didn’t fit the player’s strengths. “I think we’re getting a better handle on what will work here and what we’re trying to get and filling holes,” Be ...  read more

College Oddities

Norm Chow has been an assistant coach for 39 years. Currently the offensive coordinator at Utah, Chow has been named the head coach of Hawaii. Perfect place for Chow to get his first head coaching job as he was born in Honolulu and started his career at Waialua High School on the North Shore of Oahu way back in 1970. Former Patriots and Steelers linebacker Mik ...  read more

ACC

Miami (Fla) finally got one of their best players back on the court as center Reggie Johnson returned to game action after having knee surgery over the summer. Johnson is a key cog in the paint for the Hurricanes, and his return will be a major boost. “You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to choke my doctor to get him to let me play,” said Johnson. “My knee didn’t bot ...  read more

NFL Oddities

The Colts are the sixth team to start 0-12 since 1978. Only one of the previous five teams went winless. The Packers have won 18 consecutive games. The Dolphins have out-scored their last five opponents 139-54. Kansas City ran just 2 plays on the Chicago side of the field in the first half, yet they led 7-3 at the half thanks to a Hail Mary touchdown pass caught ...  read more

NFL Oddities

Tim Tebow has won 83% (5-1) of his starts this season; the second highest of any QB with multiple starts this year – Aaron Rodgers 100% (11-0). Arizona rookie Patrick Peterson has 4 punt returns for touchdowns. Raiders’ kicker Sebastian Janikowski accounted for 19 of Oakland’s 25 points (6 FG’s and 1 extra point) versus Chicago. Arizona’s RB Beanie Wells ran for 2 ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Friday night:

DIAMONDBACKS at BREWERS (Under 7 ½, -120) – 5:00 pm ET #987-988

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

We head back to Milwaukee for Game 5 of the NLDS series between the Diamondbacks and Brewers. It's a rematch of Game 1 when the Brewers won 4-1. Yovani Gall ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Wednesday night:

Tigers/Royals OVER 9 +111 (Scherzer/Paulino) – 8:10 pm ET #977-978

Not an official play, but I would rate the Over as a light lean tonight.

Two of the hotter teams in baseball take the field in Kansas City when the Royals host the Tigers. Kansas City has won eight of their last nine games, d ...  read more

Below is a free NFL play, with analysis, for Saturday night:

SAINTS at TEXANS (Over 40) – 8:00 pm ET #419-420

Not an official play, but I would rate the Over as a light lean tonight.

New Orleans and Houston both won their opening preseason games last week but neither team was satisfied, especially with their offensive production. The Saints first-team ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Tuesday night:

ASTROS at CARDINALS (Over 8.5, -105) – 8:15 pm ET #911-912

Not an official play, but I would rate the Over as a light lean tonight.

The Cardinals continued their hot offensive run on Monday by putting up 10 hits or more for the fourth straight game and for the fifth time in their last six gam ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Friday night:

INDIANS at ORIOLES (Under 8.5, +105) – 7:05 pm ET #967-968

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

Baltimore's losing streak continued on Thursday night. Now they'll hope Jake Arrieta can stop the bleeding. He'll be glad to be home after making four straight ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Friday night:

RAYS at ASTROS (+1.5 runline, -140) – 8:05 pm ET #966

Not an official play, but I would rate the Astros run line as a light lean tonight.

Houston returns home on a high note after taking a late inning victory against the Rangers in Arlington. Now they'll host a Tampa Bay team that just took a s ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Wednesday night:

BLUE JAYS at RAYS (Under 8, -115) – 6:40 pm ET #919-920

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

Toronto is looking to snap a 3-game losing streak as they continue their series in Tampa Bay against the Rays. Jeff Niemann makes the start. He's 1-3 with a 5. ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Tuesday night:

GIANTS at PIRATES (+1.5 runline, -130) – 7:05 pm ET #904

Not an official play, but I would rate Pittsburgh as a light lean tonight.

The Giants, losers of four straight games, head to Pittsburgh to begin a 3-game set with the Pirates. San Francisco was swept at home by Atlanta in a series whe ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Monday night:

A’s at ANGELS (Under 6 ½, +110) – 10:05 pm ET #965-966

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

Two hot A.L. West starters take the mound in Anaheim when the Angels host the Athletics. Jered Weaver is 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA in five starts this season. The righty ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Thursday night:

TWINS at ORIOLES (Under 8, +110) – 7:05 pm ET #965-966

Not an official play, but I would rate the Under as a light lean tonight.

Two struggling offenses take the field on Thursday night in Baltimore. The Twins have scored just 54 runs in their first 18 games which is an average of just 3 ru ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play, with analysis, for Tuesday night:

ANGELS at RANGERS (-1.5 runline, +110) – 8:05 pm ET #974

Not an official play, but I would rate Texas as a light lean tonight.

Texas took Game 1 of their important early series with the Angels and they’ll hope to do it again on Tuesday night in a pitching match-up that they have a clear advan ...  read more

Below is a free MLB play from Steve Merril, with analysis, for Sunday afternoon:

PADRES at ASTROS (-115) – 2:05 pm ET #960

Not an official play, but I would rate Houston as a light lean today.

Houston picked up their fifth win of the season on Saturday after beating San Diego and Mat Latos. Brett Myers has a chance to end their homestand with another ...  read more

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. Arizona: For the conspiracy theorists out there, this game is for you. Arizona will face Memphis, and if you think like fo ...  read more

Merril’s FULL-COURT REPORT (Thursday, March 17, 2011)

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. San Diego St: Head coach Steve Fisher’s best team wa ...  read more

Merril’s FULL-COURT REPORT (Thursday, February 17, 2011)

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. The Spurs? Have you ever heard of them? Not many ...  read more

Merril’s FULL-COURT REPORT (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. Hibbert to be Square: Indiana fired head coach J ...  read more

Merril’s FULL-COURT REPORT (Tuesday, February 15, 2011)

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. To Infinity and Beyond: Buzz Lightyear? No, let’s ...  read more

Merril’s FULL-COURT REPORT (Monday, February 14, 2011)

Steve Merril’s Starting Five, a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of NBA and college basketball. Steve uncovers the juicy quotes that relate to the pointspread wars – who cares who wins the game? We only care about who covers!

1. West Virginia: ‘We can't shoot,’ Mountaineers head ...  read more

MNF Preview – Saints/Falcons (ESPN) – 8:35 pm ET by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Falcons opened as a 2-point home favorite and the line has since risen to -2½ in most locations as 53% of the public is supporting Atlanta according to the consensus sites.

The Over/Under line opened at 47½ total points and has since risen to 49 points as 75% of ...  read more

MNF Preview – Bears vs. Vikings – 8:35 pm ET (ESPN) by Steve Merril

Current Odds

This game was off the board all week until Saturday because of the uncertainty of both the Minnesota starting quarterback and where this game would be played. Once Joe Webb was named the starter and the location was set at the University of Minnesota, the oddsmakers fina ...  read more

MNF Preview – Ravens at Texans – 8:30 pm ET (ESPN) by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Ravens opened as a 3-point road favorite and the line has held steady at most books, while a few books do have Baltimore at -2½ -120. The line might rise a bit on Monday night as 76% of the public is backing the Ravens according to the consensus sites.

The Ove ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night – Jets/Patriots (ESPN) – 8:30 pm ET by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Patriots briefly opened as a -3 -120 favorite last week, but the majority of sportsbooks around the world opened the line at -3½ where it currently stands. A few of the more “public” sportsbooks have risen to -4 as 62% of the public is favoring the Patriots accor ...  read more

MNF Report – 49ers at Cardinals by Steve Merril

Current Odds

There has been very little movement on the pointspread as the 49ers opened as a 1-point road favorite in most locations, which is still the current number, while a few sportsbook have raised the line to -1½. The public is leaning slightly towards the road team with 54% of the consensus sites ...  read more

MNF Preview – Broncos at Chargers by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Chargers opened as a 10-point home favorite and the line has since dropped down to 9½ and 9 in most locations. This is not a surprise as 56% of the public is supporting the Broncos according to the consensus sites.

The Over/Under line opened at 48 and has risen sharply to 50 t ...  read more

MNF Preview – Eagles at Redskins by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The oddsmakers opened Philadelphia as a 3-point road favorite last week and the money has come in Philadelphia, pushing the spread to 3½ in many locations, while others have adjusted the juice only and made the Eagle -3 -125. Oddsmakers are often reluctant to move off the key number of ‘3’ a ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night - Steelers at Bengals by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Steelers opened as a 3½-point road favorite last week and the money has since pushed the line higher as Pittsburgh is currently a 6 to 6½-point favorite. This is not a surprise as 63% of the public is backing the favorite according to consensus reports.

The public is ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night – Texans/Colts by Steve Merril

Current Odds

The Colts have fluctuated between a 5 to 6-point home favorite during the past week and currently stand -5½ in most locations. The Over/Under on this game opened at 49 and has since risen to the key number of 51. The public is looking for a high-scoring game as 65% of the Covers.com con ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night – Giants at Cowboys by Steve Merril

NFL Game of the Night - Titans at Jaguars by Steve Merril

Current Odds

Oddsmakers are reluctant to move on or off the key number “3” in the NFL as favorites win by exactly a field goal nearly 10-percent of the time. Oddsmakers are especially careful on primetime games due to the heavy volume of action and prefer to adjust the moneyline, instead of the actu ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night – Vikings at Jets

Current Odds

New York opened as a -4½ point favorite last week and the early money came in on the underdog Vikings, especially once Minnesota acquired WR Randy Moss. New York dropped to a -3½ point favorite in some locations, but has since risen back up to a -4½ point favorite after CB Darrelle R ...  read more

By: Steve Merril

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Sunday afternoon:

RAYS at RANGERS (-125) – 1:00 pm ET #978

Not an official play, but I would rate the Rangers as a light lean this afternoon.

The Rangers failed in their first attempt to closeout the Tampa Bay Rays. Now they'll hope to do so on Sunday behind Tommy Hunter who has no ...  read more

NFL Game of the Night – Patriots (-1, 47 ½) at Dolphins – 8:35 pm ET (ESPN)

Current Odds

A few sportsbooks opened the line at Pick’em last week, but the line quickly rose to make the Patriots a -1 point favorite by the time most other sportsbooks posted a number. New England has a 52% chance of winning the game straight-up as they are a slight ...  read more

By: Steve Merril

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Sunday afternoon:

BREWERS at REDS (Over 8, -105) – 1:15 pm ET #901-902

Not an official play, but I would rate the Over as a light lean this afternoon.

Cincinnati's decision to make Edinson Volquez their first game starter of the NLDS puts Aaron Harang in at starter for today’s game ...  read more

By: Steve Merril

Below is a free MLB play with analysis for Friday night:

INDIANS at WHITE SOX (-110) – 8:10 pm ET #924

Not an official play, but I would rate the White Sox as a light lean tonight.

Two hot A.L. Central teams meet in Chicago on Friday night as the White Sox host the Indians. Chicago has won three straight games and seven of ...  read more