We rate each pick 1 to 5 units with 5 being the strongest play (read about units).
Risk 1% of your bankroll per unit (never risk more than 5% of total bankroll on any pick).

Game: Boston College at Kansas (2:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Boston College +10

This is a veteran BC team coming to Kansas. They have been a good road team over the years. Kansas is a young athletic team, that is capable of putting it together to play with and beat anyone. But when they don't, they can lose at home to a team like Oral Roberts. We believe this BC team with Williams in the middle to alter shots, Dudley on the perimeter and driving to the hole, is quick enough and athletic enough to play this game with the winner in doubt down the stretch. They are 22-9 ATS the past two seasons vs. winning teams and 8-1 on the road vs. top-level teams (80%+) the past three years. They are 11-2 ATS the past two season vs. teams that score 77+ points per gaem. So we will gladly take the generous points with BC.

The Cyclones started out 6-0 and have since lost five of six games. They really have struggled agThey are glad to be seeing another weak opponent here, similar to the first six they faced (outside of course of Minnesota who they beat outright as a seven point dog). Against tougher competition in Northern Iowa, Drake, Iowa, Bradley and Ohio State, they got hammered. But against the likes of UC-Riverside, LA-Monroe, E Illinois, Norfolk State, Lake Superior and Savannah State, they won by an average score of 68 to 54. SE Missouri State falls into this latter category. They are 3-9 on the year and 4-7 ATS. ON the road they are 1-6 and 2-5 respectively, averaging 59 ppg and allowing 79! Here at home, Iowa State is 6-1, allowing 57.7 ppg. This defense should stifle SE Missou. You could argue that Iowa State will take this game lightly but after two straight losses and five of six, we think they will relish this type of game and take out some frustrations on an overmatched opponent.

This is an interesting match-up that caught our attention. These teams have been mirror images of each other this season save one important item. These teams are both lacking a big go-to scorer but they both have great balance, as each will bring 4 double-digit scorers into this contest. There isn't much to pick and choose about these teams but we isolate a very significant difference. Illinois St. has been unbeatable at home sporting a 6-0 record, but have failed miserably on the road at just 1-4. Illinois-Chicago has been equally horrible on the road, posting a 1-7 mark, but at home have also been unbeatable at 5-0. Illinois St. has not only lost recently on the road, but they are 0-7 ATS as a road dog of 6.5 or less. Meanwhile Ill-Chicago has been 23-11 ATS vs teams with a losing record at home. We will go with the stark contrast here and back the 5-0 home team, vs the 1-4 road team with short points.

We are not usually ones to lay a lot of points in a game, but this one stands out and it is with good reason, we jump in here. UC Fullerton has been a scoring machine all season, and they are hitting at over 50% of their FG'S and 41% of their 3's at home. San Jose State is not the type of team that does very well against a big offense, as they shoot just 35% away from home, and an anemic 28% from beyond the arc. Their leading scorer shoots just 33% from the floor and their 3rd leading scorer just 30%. It is also difficult for them as they turn the ball over almost 18 times a game, while UC Fullerton is forcing 23 a game. The offense, when they can hold onto the ball is not very organized, as they turn the ball over almost twice as many times as they generate an assist. UC Fullerton has also managed a +10 rebounding margin at home, and we would not be surprised if they completely run away with this one.

These teams will bring identical records into this game both standing at 7-3. They have both played a few of the same teams with similar results. Columbia has beaten New Jersey Tech by 13, while St. John's has beaten them by 18. Columbia has blown out Long Island by 28, and St. John's beat them by 18. The one thing we like about this Columbia team is that they usually hold the score down. They can shoot it as they connect on 37.5% of their 3's, and if they can hit a high percentage of them, they will be right in this game to the end. We like them in this spot, especially with the Holiday's around the corner, and an opponent that may not spark St. John's interest.

Toledo was pounded by 18 points last game by Drake in a game that was a pick 'em. UTEP also underperformed losing a 3-point heartbreaker in a game they were supposed to win by 15 points. How will the two teams react? We think UTEP will roll over Toledo. This is a home game for UTEP and they are putting up 84 ppg here. Toledo gets just 65 per game on the road. Both have similar defenses. Toledo has never done good against offensive powerhouses. They are 14-29 ATS in their last 43 vs. teams that average 77+ per game. UTEP is a perfect 11-0 ATS following a loss the past two seasons. Back them laying the small number at home here.

S. Miss will enter this game with just a lone loss by 13 to Alabama on a neutral court. Bradley lost a lot from last season, but has had some great surprises, as their 2 leading scorers were not expected to be major contributors, so a season of modest expectations have taken on a new excitement. S. Miss has played the weakest schedule of anyone, as 4 of their 8 wins have come at home to teams not even in D-1A. The other 4 have been to Ala St., Savannah St., Sam Houston St., and Tenn. Martin. This will be a huge test, in a building that is extremely difficult to play in as a visitor. S. Miss has now lost every road game they have played going back to Dec. 20th 2004, over 2 years ago, so don't be fooled by this 8-1 team coming in here, because we are not.