Free Picks Basketball - January 17, 2009

We expect another great day down on campus as we roll with a stacked card of five college hoops picks including two 5-unit selections including a 5-unit play on an early game. Our college hoops picks are hitting at a 71% rate over the last week and a half, good for +34.9 units.

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
CBB	22-9 last 31 picks	71%	+$3490
NBA	124-86 last 210 picks	59%	+$9010
NFL	71-42 last 113 picks	63%	+$7790
NHL	61-57 last 118 picks	52%	+$2510
TOTAL			+$22800

Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:

Game: South Florida at West Virginia (12:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on South Florida +18 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)

The South Florida Bulls went a longtime in the Big East without winning a road game, and they certainly haven't won very many since they became a member of the Big East. That reputation has caused some very inflated lines against this team and another one presents itself today. The Bulls have not lost to a double-digit line on the road in two years and are already 2-0 ATS this season. What was a 21-point line at No. 1 Pitt is now a 17-point line at West Virginia? I think the Panthers are a bit more than four points better than the Mountaineers. This one is simply a product of reputation and not reality, so I'll back the Bulls with an inflated line.

The Baylor Bears’ program was in complete chaos a few years ago. They have surged forward, and living life in the fast lane as they are off to a 13-3 start. The one problem though is as the cupcakes disappeared from the schedule, the losses have begun to appear as they have dropped two of their last three, including one at home. The Cowboys had a rebuilding year after many years of success in the Big-12 last year, and are poised to make the jump this season as they are off to a brilliant 12-3 start and have now won seven straight games. The difference between these two teams is hard to measure, and getting the Cowboys as a mid-level dog in a game they conceivably could win straight-up shows a lot of value. They are a live dog here and get the call.

The Volunteers are displaying signs of a young team. A team that one night looks like world beaters then horrible the next. They have been up-and-down all season, winning big against Marquette and Georgetown, but getting beaten soundly twice by Gonzaga and thrashed by Temple, and another poor showing against Kansas. The Gamecocks have been solid all year. They dropped one to Clemson (undefeated), LSU, and an OT loss. The Gamecocks fall under a huge trend that shows them at 29-8 ATS when they play on the road vs. a team with a winning record, while the Vols stand just 1-4 ATS against teams with a winning percentage above .600 in their last five. I'll back Sputh Carolina in this one.

It might be unusual to see the Catamounts come into Chattanooga as such a small dog, but the fact is that have become the better team. Last year, hey came here as an 11-point dog, and the odds-makers haven't caught up to the fact they are the better team in this one. The Catamounts already won at Kent State and dropped a one-point decision to San Diego State. The Mocs got the obligatory wins over Furman and Citadel, but have not shown much on the season. This is a team that has turned the ball over 300 times in 17 games. The Mocs continue to be vastly overrated as they have a 6-17 ATS mark in their last 23 games. The Catamounts have a chance to catch one here, and I'll take the points.

The Golden Hurricane is coming off a devastating home loss to Memphis where they dropped the game by one point. It would be likely they come out for this one flat as a pancake, and that will be just the opening the Thundering Herd need as they are getting double-digits here. The Marshall road resume shows but one win, but they have played tough in tough venues, losing by just four at Ole Miss, 11 at West Virginia and by 12 points at Dayton - all better teams than Tulsa. The fact that Tulsa put everything on the floor mentally, emotionally, and physically against Memphis makes this one a good wager on the dog that has shown it can stick around on the road against solid teams. Marshall gets the call.

Results: 3-2

NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:

• Don't forget to read our 2008 season NCAA basketball handicapping preview here.
• View our updated college basketball sportsbook reviews.
• View 2008 college basketball picks here.
• Here we show our college basketball sports handicapping philosophy.
• Hop over to our NCAA basketball Game-of-Day Analysis here.
• Check out our updated blog college basketball.
• Hop over to our NCAA basketball handicapping here.
• Hop over to our college basketball odds lines and spreads here.
• Read our march madness bracket here.
• Read our NCAA basketball ATS standings here.
• View our ncaa march madness pick here.
• Check out NCAA basketball picks here.

Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-15-2009
Xavier is an A-10 team that has probably most resembled a Big East team over the last several years. They play gritty defense, and work the ball well on the offensive end. Rhode Island has had trouble...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-14-2009
Karl Hobbs had this George Washington team making some noise, but his recruitting efforts have not been up to the same standard and consequently this team has fallen off sharply. The six wins are agai...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-13-2009
The Ball State Cardinals, once NCAAB Cinderellas, are having a difficult time getting the program back to that level. They have only managed home wins over Presbyterian, Eastern Illinois, and a Div-2 ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-12-2009
The Louisville Cardinals struggled a bit in a couple of early games, but once the Big East season has gotten rolling, so have they. The Cards are always a tough team to beat at home where they are now...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-11-2009
Two excellent defenses clash in this one and as a result, we see a low total. But the Wolverines can score and they will in this one. Michigan averages 76.2 points per game at home. They give up nearl...