COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

** UCLA  +2   at    OREGON

After a couple of blunders in a couple of days, it's now time to get back on track.  I think the Bruins are the better team, and will go into Oregon and win.  That's it.  I see a winner here.

NBA PLAY

* MIAMI  ML(-165)   vs   OKLAHOMA CITY

The Thunder have been red hot, winning 8 straight, and it has been very impressive.  They have been without star PG, Russel Westbrook and missed one game without Durant, either, and looked like they didn't miss a beat.  However, they have lost 6 in a row to the Heat, and I think tonight they will wish they had Westbrook in the line up.  The Heat have now won 3 in a row and are starting to put their foot on the pedal a little, here.  They always tend to get up for games like this, because this is like a play-off game to them.  It also does help a little bit that they are playing at home.  Once again, I am taking the Moneyline, just as insurance, because it could possibly come down to a basket.  I am pretty sure the Heat will win this one, though.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* FLORIDA ST  ML(-145)   at    NC STATE

I like the Seminoles to bounce back from their 22 point loss at Duke this past Saturday.  The line is -2.5, so I'm taking the Moneyline, just to be safe.  When the point spread is that low, and it's on the road, why wouldn't you?  I'm not going to have them win by a basket and me get edged, much like I did last night with K State.

SUPERBOWL XLVIII PREDICTION

                      SEATTLE  +2    vs     DENVER

This year's Superbowl is going to be a nice treat, considering I don't think we could have got a better possible match up.  This is strength vs strength, best defense vs best offense and the best passing offense of all time vs one of the best passing defenses ever.  If you ask me, I think Seattle's defense is maybe more impressive, due to the era.  Even with all the new rules and how you can't touch the QB, I still think what Peyton Manning and his receiving core have done this year is amazing.  It's kind of scary when you think of all the weapons that Peyton has at his disposal.  I won't be betting the game, mostly because I invested a little on Seattle to win it all three weeks ago, at a nice +220 price.  I would recommend that people don't bet on the Broncos.  Think about it, folks.  Peyton doesn't usually bring his A game in games of large magnitude, and this happens to be the biggest game of his unfinished career.  He also has tended to struggle against great pass defenses, with great safeties and play making corners, much like the Seahawks.  Seattle's D is built to stop Peyton Manning, because they can rush with four lineman and cover man to man.  I really do think that their defensive lineman can get good pressure and take Manning out of his comfort zone.  That's how you have to beat him.  I have been anticipating this match up for a while now.  I expected Seattle to be here, because they would have home filed advantage and they have a formula for a championship.  Denver has an incredible offense and the AFC is weak this year.  That brings me to my point that Denver's road here was a lot easier and a lot less impressive.  The Chargers defense was not that good and neither was the Pats', considering they were missing three key players on that side and lost their best remaining player in the first quarter vs Denver.  Both defenses gave up over 21 PPG this season.  Denver still never managed to put up 30 points in the play-offs.  That's a little surprising, considering they averaged 37 PPG during the season.  I know, their defense looked a lot better and they kept it modest by running the ball, but Seattle's defense is a different monster.  They also got to play teams that have QB's that stay in the pocket, which can be a lot easier than defending Russel Wilson.  I still don't think too much of this Bronco defense, and I think Wilson can carve them a little.  Marshawn Lynch is someone that really can't be stopped right now, and it will open things up in the passing game.  Just ask the 49ers, who hadn't allowed a 100 yard rusher in 22 straight games, before letting Lynch go for over 100 in the NFC Championship Game. That defense was just  much better than what Denver is going to bring.  In fact, the NFC was strong this year, and both of the teams Seattle beat on their journey here were really good.  I also think that Percy Harvin may be able to make one or two plays that makes an impact on this game.  Maybe a big return or one big catch and run.  He may not be up to game speed yet, but this is a Superbowl, and the biggest game of his life.  A chance of a lifetime.  Enjoy!

PREDICTION : SEAHAWKS 27   BRONCOS 24

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYS

Well, folks, just because there's a winter storm alert in the area and you can't get to work doesn't mean there isn't some money to be made sitting around the house.  I think I have three pretty dang good investments to consider in college hoops tonight.  Have fun!

* VIRGINIA  -3.5   at   NOTRE DAME

Although the Irish haven't been as good as years in the past, they are still pretty decent at home and they average 76 PPG offensively. The Cavaliers have just been stellar on defense, though.  I really like the way Virginia has been playing and I think they take care of ND on the road tonight.

** KANSAS ST  -8.5   vs   TEXAS TECH

The Wildcats just got over two very tough road losses to two tough opponents.  Now, they get to come home and get sort of a break, in my opinion.  I think they will have themselves a nice treat and handle up on the Red Raiders.

** KENTUCKY  -4    at   LSU

It looks as if this Wildcat team has gelled very nicely and is starting to heat up.  The Tigers should continue to get better as a young team, but I don't think they have the talent or the coaching that Kentucky brings.  Plus, nobody really cares about basketball in Baton Rouge, or that LSU has a decent team this year.  Not yet, at least.

PREDICTED SCORE : WILDCATS  74  TIGERS 65

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

** UCONN   -6.5    at    RUTGERS

I have one more play.  That's right.  I know it is kind of a lot, but I think there is some real good value here with the Huskies.  I think they are about to catch some fire.  I think they just might lay a beat down on this Rutgers team tonight.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYS

** IOWA  -10   at   NORTHWESTERN

I think the Hawkeyes will bounce back from their loss to Michigan and get back on track on the road today.  This is a team that they completely dominated earlier this month, and I believe they will take care of them again today.

PREDICTED SCORE : HAWKEYES 76  WILDCATS  63

** KANSAS ST  +9   at   IOWA ST

The Cylclones have now lost 3 in a row, and the Wildcats lost a heart breaker on a buzzer beater vs Texas, in their last game.  Other than that, they have been really sharp, lately.  Maybe Iowa St will get back on track with a win today, but it will not be easy against a really good defensive team like K St.

** TENNESSEE  +9   at    FLORIDA

The Gators really haven't looked all that impressive lately, and I think they may just be due for a loss.  They now host a team that is familiar with beating them, because they've won 3 out of the last 4 meetings.  I think the Vols are a very solid squad, as well, and I like their chances of pulling the upset today.

ANOTHER FRIDAY NIGHT NBA PLAY

* BOSTON +3.5    vs    OKLAHOMA CITY

The Thunder have been red hot lately winning 5 straight, but it has been mainly due to Kevin Durant being red hot with his scoring.  That may be due to Russel Westbrook being out for the past month.  Now the Thunder just might be due to get cooled off, because Durant will be sitting out tonight as well.  This Boston team has been playing some tough ball and some pretty good defense.  I think they will take advantage of this unarmed Thunder team and get a win at home tonight.

NBA FRIDAY NIGHT PLAY

* CHICAGO  +2.5   vs    L.A. CLIPPERS

The last time these two played, in late November of last year at the Staples Center, the Clips laid a 39 point beat down on the Bulls.  That was earlier in the year, when Chicago was basically playing like crap, and Chris Paul was in the line up for L.A.  Now, I will grant that the Clippers have played pretty decent basketball without Paul, but they are not as good without him.  The Bulls have been hot, lately, winning 9 of their last 11, and come home well rested, after a quick trip to Cleveland.  The Clips are on their fifth straight road game tonight.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* MICHIGAN  ML(-160)   vs    IOWA

The line, as of right now, is Michigan -3.5 tonight, and I think this will be a barn burner of a game. So, I'll take them straight up.  These two teams are both playing some good ball, and this match up is about as even as it gets.  The Wolverines, however, are one of the hottest teams in college basketball, winning 7 in a row.  Their most recent victory, on Saturday, was the most impressive, beating Wisconsin on their court.  This is probably because the Badgers looked as if they weren't going to lose at home this year, and Michigan beat them comfortably, in my opinion.  So now they come home with a ton of confidence to face a team that hasn't won in Crisler Arena since '08.

PREDICTED SCORE : WOLVERINES 77  HAWKEYES 75

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

** KANSAS ST   +6    at    TEXAS

Here we have two 14-4 teams from the Big 12 squaring off at the Frank Erwin Center in Texas tonight.  I think both teams have looked good, but Kansas St has been really impressive, lately, winning 9 out of their last 10.  The only loss I am referring to came at Kansas, an extremely difficult place to win.  Although K State hasn't been as impressive as Texas on the offensive side, their defense has played very well, and I really like their chances on the road tonight.  I'll take the 6 points, though.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* UCLA  +1.5    at    COLORADO

I think this Bruins team is really good this year, especially offensively.  Colorado will be playing without Guards, Tre'Shaun Fletcher and Spencer Dinwiddle, tonight, due to left knee surgeries for both guys.  That's kind of strange and at the same time, unfortunate for the Buffaloes.  I think UCLA gets this one tonight.

PREDICTED SCORE : BRUINS 76  BUFFALOES 74

NFL CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

                                       NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

                                    SEATTLE   vs   SAN FRANCISCO

So the Seahawks and the 49ers will face off for the third time this year on Sunday at CentryLink Field in Seattle, where the 49ers were outscored 71-16 in the last two meetings there.  One of those was last season, and the 49ers did not have WR Anquon Boldin, who's been big for the Niners this year, and their best weapon, TE Vernon Davis, was knocked out early.  In a more recent game played there, which was earlier this year, San Fran was without WR Michael Crabtree.  The Seahawks didn't just beat them, though, they dominated them.  Those two match ups were really different, and it looked a lot different when they played in San Francisco about a month ago, and the Niners won.  Seattle was coming off of a short week and an emotionally draining win on prime time vs the Saints, and the Niners barely won, 19-17.  If there was any team that could go into this building in January and beat this Hawks team, it would have to be a team that knows them from playing them twice every year, and a team built like San Francisco.  With that being said, I still think it's hard to go against Seattle.  They have the formula for a championship team.  A smart QB that doesn't make many mistakes, and can make big plays, a stout running game and great defense.  Russel Wilson only had 103 passing yards in the Divisional round game vs N.O., and was only asked to throw 18 times, because that was all they needed to win.  N.O. also had the second best pass defense in the league, while Frisco brings in the 7th ranked pass D in the league.  I think Russel Wilson was made for big games like this and will be ready to make some big time plays, and I see him having like a 17 for 25 passing with 250 yards type of day.  It won't help the Niners much that this will be their fourth straight road game in 4 weeks, and after they reach Seattle they would have traveled over 13,000 miles in just 4 weeks.  It's going to be real hard to have more gas than the other team.  I'm not saying they definitely can't, but it won't be easy.  If you are looking for a tough, physical and hard hitting game, there's probably not too many I've seen that will live up to this one.

PREDICTED SCORE : SEAHAWKS  17   49ERS  16

                                    AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

                               ** NEW ENGLAND  +4.5   at   DENVER

Here we go again, with these two future Hall of Fame QB's going head to head in a championship game.  I think this is going to be a very close and down to the wire football game.  What Bill Belichek and Brady have done with this team this year, with all the injuries they've had, is just remarkable.  Many will say that Brady has been off this year, and maybe he hasn't looked that great at times, but he was also playing with basically nothing at WR when his top 2 were out with injuries.  He still managed to throw 25 TDs and only 11 picks.  That's only one more INT than Manning, and yea it's less than half the amount of TDs, but he also doesn't have the receiving core that Peyton has.  I really do think that this may be the best WR tandem that I've ever seen.  If not the best, then definitely one of the best of all time, plus they've got a good running game too.  Speaking of running games, it's also going to help Brady's chances in this game with the 240 lb bulldozer, in Blount, that he has to hand off to.  I think the Pats have a great chance, as always, to beat Manning and the Broncos, but being that it's on the road, and Denver has a game on them, I'm going to pick the Broncos.  I do think it's going to be very close, and I don't see Denver winning by more than 3 or 4 points.  So for you guys who want to make some profit, I think I have a great valued play for you.  Play a two team 7.5 point teaser, which will be like -140 juice, on N.E. and Seattle.  It will be: Hawks +4, Pats +12.  I love it!  And Brady probably has the flu, because he missed practice today, and may miss it tomorrow, but it won't be the first time.  He is a vet and I expect him to be 100% when he steps onto the field on Sunday.

PREDICTED SCORE : BRONCOS 34   PATS 31

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* XAVIER  -6    vs    GEORGETOWN

The Georgetown Hoyas have a nice 11-4 record on the year, but they really haven't beaten anyone even worth mentioning.  Xavier was on a hot 8 game winning streak before losing a close match at Creighton on Sunday.  The Hoyas will be without freshman C Joshua Smith and F Jabril Trawick, and I'm not sure if that will hurt them all that much, but I think Xavier will bounce back and beat this team by at least 10 tonight.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* WISCONSIN -4   at   INDIANA

The Badgers have been flawless on the year, being dominant at home, as usual, but basically just as dominant on the road as well.  Indiana plays tough at home, posing a 9-1 record at Assembly Hall this year.  I think that Wisconsin will come in very focused after their five day lay-off, and I just don't think the Hoosiers are very good this year, due to all the key players they lost.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* DUKE   -7   vs    VIRGINIA

The Duke Blue Devils have been just a different basketball team this year, when playing in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  They are also 9-1 after a loss and they are trying to bounce back from a 72-59 road loss to Clemson on Saturday.  Virginia has won 3 straight and may be due for some cooling off.  The Cavaliers can play good defense, but I think it will be hard to stop Duke from going on the type of runs they do while playing at home.

PREDICTED SCORE : BLUE DEVILS 73  CAVALIERS 61

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAY

* LSU  -3   at   SOUTH CAROLINA

NFL PLAY-OFFS DIVISIONAL ROUND PLAY

* SAN FRANCISCO  Pick em   at    CAROLINA

I am just not sold on this Panthers team, and it's due to their weak offense, and the fact that Cam Newton is just not that good of a pure quarterback.  The last time these two faced off in week 10 of the regular season, 49ers TE, and biggest weapon, Vernon Davis , was knocked out of the game.  The 49ers were also playing without WR Michael Crabtree, which gives Colin Kaepernick options.  I think this time around will be a different story.  It's going to be difficult to beat Jim Harbaugh's team twice in a season, especially with Steve Smith playing at about 60%, if he even makes it on the field.  The Panthers barely got by them 10-9, in what could have been a different game had their QB had more weapons at his disposal.  This time he does.

PREDICTED SCORE : 49ERS  20   PANTHERS  16

COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER PLAY

            BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME  ROSE BOWL   PASADENA, CA

                           *** AUBURN +9   vs    FLORIDA ST

The last two BCS Championship games were really just God awful, and I think just by coincidence it will definitely make up for those this year.  I just don't see how this couldn't be a really close game that comes down to the wire, and phenomenal to watch.  I love the match up here, which seems to me as one of the best in a while.  You got Florida St's high powered, but balanced offense going against an unfamiliar animal of a rushing attack that Auburn brings.  No one is forgetting the defense of the Seminoles, which is very athletic, but don't forget the defensive front four of the Tigers, and the fact that new defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has been around for a while and become one of the top 10 defensive minds in college football.  I believe Jimbo Fisher is a good, solid coach, but an even better recruiter.  He now has a powerhouse of talent, including red shirt freshman standout Jameis Winston, who I think is a sensational player.  I think Fisher has done an excellent job at Florida St, but there is a reason why Gus Malzahn was this year's Coach of the Year.  This guy really was the brains behind the championship Auburn won in '10 when he was the offensive coordinator there, and they won with offense, not defense.  Most are questioning the defense of the Tigers, because of all the points they have given up this year.  The team in 2010 was much like this on defense, but was able to make key stops.  This Tiger team also had 6 come from behind victories this season, just like in 2010, and looked like they got lucky a lot, which made a lot of people go against them several times, just like 2010, once again.  They also had one great player on offense in '10, Cam Newton, which I believe they have this year in Tre Mason.  Now, granted Tre is not as good as Cam was, but if you don't think he's that great, you will after this game, because he's very hard to tackle.  He shares carries with a few different people that run the ball for Auburn, and don't forget the Tigers had 545 yards rushing, which Mason had 304 of, against one of the nation's top rushing defenses.  It may help the Noles having a month to prepare for it, and an athletic defense, but I don't see anybody shutting this attack down.  You can only hope to get some key stops, which will probably be the key to this game, and I think Auburn is capable of doing so as well.  I definitely see Winston and the Seminoles being able to score some points, but Auburn can rush the passer a decent bit, so they have a chance.  Florida St has looked dominant all year, but I'm not sure they have been challenged all that much in the conference they played in.  When they beat Clemson on the road, Clemson had some key injuries, and you're never as good as your best game, and that was theirs this year.  The only stout running game they faced all year was Boston College, and they gave up 200 yards rushing and 34 points in that meeting.  Now, just think what Auburn could possibly do to them on the ground.  The SEC is still one of the best conferences, if not the best, and I think the way Auburn has found ways to win, they just might be a team of destiny.  Malzahn is really an offensive wizard, and can prove he is really great by winning this championship.  I think this is going to be one for the ages, and I find it very difficult to go against either team here, although I lean towards Auburn, because I find they're the most difficult to pick against.

PREDICTED SCORE : 33-30   EITHER WAY

KEN WISENHUNT: THE NEXT GREAT HIRE

Does anyone remember this guy?  If you follow the NFL, I would think you can't forget how this guy took the Arizona Cardinals to a Superbowl.  That right there is downright impressive.  We are talking about a team that went to the play-offs a total of 2 times in like over 20 years.  He was also the offensive coordinator for the Steelers from '04-'06, under Bill Cowher, and helped win one Superbowl there.  This guy is a really good offensive mind, and is proven in the league, due to the tough job he had with Arizona, and him being able to accomplish what he did there. Yeah, he had losing seasons in 3 of his last seasons there, but so did Andy Reid when he was in Philly.  This is because there was a bad QB situation with Philly, just like in Arizona in Wisenhunt's last 3 years. Good coaches get fired all the time because of things like this, that are not in their total control.  If you don't get to the play-offs once every two or three years in this league, you get fired, and that's just the way it is.  Some teams know you can't be good every year, and hold on to guys for longer, but the average tenure for coaches isn't that long.  Now, I'm not saying I could be an NFL GM or anything, but these teams getting new coaches are really sleeping on this guy.  Tampa Bay just hired Lovie Smith, who also made a Superbowl with the Bears, and is solid, but I think Wisenhunt took on the bigger challenge, and can probably do more in a situation.  Houston hired Bill O'Brien, who has no NFL head coaching experience.  I just don't get how these teams continue to hire  people that don't have any prior experience in the position that they are getting. Wouldn't you want someone that had a proven track record of some sort?  It's stupid if you ask me.  So that leaves Minnesota and Detroit as the last two teams on the coaching search.  If you are Detroit, and you pass on this guy, you will probably regret it more than anything. The Lions would be perfect, with all the talent they already have on offense for Wisenhunt to play with.  I think he would step in and immediately have that team turned around.  I don't understand why they have't hired him already, because I'd get this guy in a heartbeat.  Pick him up.  You will be more than glad that you did.

NFL WILD CARD PLAY-OFF GAME PLAY

** NEW ORLEANS   +2.5   at    PHILADELPHIA

The Saints have never won a road play-off game in their history of a franchise and Drew Brees has never won one in his career as an NFL Quarterback.  Well, there is a first time for everything, and it's not like this team and QB are not capable of doing so. The last road play-off game, at the 49ers two years ago, the Saints started off slow and had one of their top RB's, Pierre Thomas, knocked out of the game early.  Drew Brees and the Saints got it going in the second half, and were up very late in the fourth quarter, but just couldn't make a key stop in the end.  Three years ago they went to Seattle, one of the toughest places to play, hobbling and playing with their sixth RB, and playing their third game in 11 days.  They were in that game till the very end as well, and we all know what happened late to end that one.  The earliest one was Payon's first year, in the NFC Championship game in '06, when they got blown out by the Bears, but they had no business even being in that game.  I think they really are due to win just one.  This year they are playing a team that probably shouldn't even be in the play-offs, because if they didn't play in their terrible division, they would probably be 8-8, or maybe even worse.  They only beat one good team this year, and that was the Cardinals at home, who missed the play-offs.  So, they have beaten no play-off teams, and were just average at home, finishing with a 4-4 record.  Let's not forget that the Saints have struggled on the road against teams that had stout D lines, such as the Jets, Rams, Seahawks, and Panthers, because their offensive line couldn't hold up.  They allowed 6 sacks at Carolina and could have and should have still won.  The Eagles do not have a stout defensive line and I do see the Saints being able to get pressure on Nick Foles, as well.  Plus, Philly has holes in their defense, especially the secondary, and I think Sean Payton will have no trouble at all finding ways to exploit them.

PREDICTED SCORE : SAINTS 31  EAGLES  23