The set-up: The St. Francis Terriers had a 17-15 record overall, but they’d go 9-7 in league play and a share of the Northeast Championship (they average 71 points, led by 15.1 per game from Jalen Jordan.) Hampton was 9-7 in the Big South, but just 15-16 overall. Hampton is 10-3 at home this year and it averages 81.7 PPG.

The pick: The Pirates though aren’t nearly as good on the defensive side of things and I believe that leaves the door wide open for this under rated Terriers team. Take it for what you will as well, but St. Francis is 6-2 ATS in its last eight after playing a game as road dog, while Hampton is only 3-9 ATS in its last 12 tournament games. No outright, but closer than expected. Grab the points.

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The set-up: I’m expecting a defensive battle here. Northeastern won’t be going down without a fight today after finishing 23-10 this season. The Huskies have a starting five of upperclassmen, led by Vas Pusica and Jordan Roland. The Jayhawks have a lot to prove as well after their string of regular season conference champion finished this year after 15 seasons. Kansas had to deal with significant injuries (center Udoka Azubuike lost mid-season), but it still finished 25-9. The Jayhawks are stingy defensively and I think they’ll be able to make the adjustments to counter the Huskies three-point oriented offensive attack.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Northeastern has seen the total go “under” the number in eight of its last 12 neutral court games, while Kansas has seen the total dip “under” in six of its last nine neutral site games. I’m expecting a slower-paced defensive battle. Play the “under.”

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The set-up: Outright victory? Almost assuredly not. I’m not calling for one at all anyways. But I do believe the Bradley Braves come in under the radar here and I believe they can keep this one competitive late. MSU came from behind to knock off Michigan in the Big Ten title game and could easily be still caught up on that big come from behind victory. The Braves won’b be going down without a fight, as they return to The Big Dance for the first time since 2006. Bradley limits its opposition to 41.1 percent shooting and 32.8 percent from range. The Braves had a signature win over Penn State, 59-56 in the Cancun Challenge.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Bradley is 11-6 ATS as an underdog this season and 5-0 ATS in all neutral court games, while MSU is just 1-3 ATS in its last four off an upset win over a conference rival as an underdog. I’m grabbing the points and expecting a battle until the final horn.

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The set-up: Seattle won 9-7 in the 2019 season opener in Japan early yesterday morning. Domingo Santa delivered a grand slam in the victory. The Seattle bats looked great, including Khris Davis, who led MLB with 48 home runs last year, Matt Chapman and Stephen Piscotty also going yard.

The pitchers: Mariners go with LHP Yusei Kikuchi, as the 27 year old makes his MLB debut in his home country.

The A’s hand the ball to Marco Estrada, who steadily declined with the Blue Jays over the last three years before posting a career worst 7-14, 5.64 ERA record. The 35 year old isn’t getting any younger, as he had difficulties with his hip and back all year in 2018.

The pick: I think these starters get chased early and I look for these hard-hitting offense to put a plethora of points on the board once it’s all said and done. Play the “over.”

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The set-up: Clearly the oddsmakers agree that this is going to be a tight battle. Despite backing its way down the stretch, ASU has now made back-to-back NCAA Tourney appearances for the first time since the early 80’s. If recent history is any precedence, then the Sun Devils have to be loving their chances today as well as they’d meet the Red Storm in LA last year and beat them 82-70. This is St. John’s first winning season for Chris Mullin since he took over four years ago. St. John’s got out to a quick start in non-conference play and despite a shot in The Big Dance, the team has failed to live up to expectations as far as many are concerned.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but St. John’s is just 5-11 ATS in its last 16 neutral sit games, while ASU is 3-1-1 ATS in its last five neutral site affairs. Lay the short points, play on Arizona State.

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The set-up: Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be difficult to write a convincing argument for this total to “over” or “under” the number. Both teams possess some of the most dangerous offensive talent on the planet. But each side also sports some of the best goaltending in the league as well. These are two of the top teams in the East and Tampa just beat the Capitals 6-3 at home last week in a “barn burner.” Suffice it to say, with the shift in venue, I’m expecting a much more defensive affair this time around.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Washington has seen the total go “under” the number in 11 of its last 14 in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent in which it gave up six or more goals in and in which it lost by two or more goals in. This number is high, play the “under.”

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The set-up: The Clippers come in off a last second win over the Nets on Sunday, while the Pacers come in off a listless 106-98 setback in Portland just last night. Indiana looked decent defensively in last night’s loss, but the continued absence of offensive star Victor Oladipo is clearly starting to take its toll on the offensive side of things.

The pick: Take it for what you will, but Indiana has seen the total go “under” the number in seven of its last nine after scoring 100 points or less in a loss in the first game of a back-to-back scenario, while LA has seen the total go “under” in four of its last five vs. teams with winning SU records. This number is a little high, play the “under.”

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The set-up: Temple lost 80-74 in the quarterfinals of the ACC to Wichita State on Friday, while Belmont lost 77-65 to Murray State in the title game of the OVC Tournament back on March 9th. These teams have never played against each other. The Owls average 74.8 PPG and they allow 71.2. The Bruins average a whopping 87.4 PPG, while allowing just 73.9.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Belmont is 4-0 ATS in its last four following an ATS loss and 4-1 ATS in its last five vs. a team with a winning SU record, while the Owls are only 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games. I think Belmont’s high-octane offense turns out to be the difference in this one. Lay the points.

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The set-up: Florida comes to Dallas off a 3-2 road loss to the Ducks, while the Stars lost 3-2 in a shootout to Vancouver at home on Sunday. This is the second time these teams have played and Dallas won the first matchup 3-0 on the road back on February 12th. I believe we’ll see a similar final outcome here as well. Florida looks poised for a letdown after its four game win streak was snapped last time out. The Stars won’t be taking anything for granted after two straight losses though (after winning six of their previous seven. Florida averages 3.21 GPG and it allows 3.28, while Dallas averages 2.51 goals and it allows 2.46.

The pick: Take it for what you will though, but Florida is just 2-7 in its last nine in the third game of a “3-in-4” situation, while Dallas is 5-1 in its last six after scoring two goals or less in its previous outing. I think home ice plays a big part here as well. Lay the price.

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The set-up: The winner of this will move on to meet No. 1 Gonzaga. I’m expecting a defensive affair. Prairie Vie A&M comes in off a win over Texas Southern in the SWAC Tournament title game on Saturday, while Farleigh Dickinson won 85-76 over Saint Francis in the NEC Tournament title game. The Panthers average 75 PPG and they allow 72.5. The Knights average 75.4 PPG and they allow only 71.3.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Farleigh Dickinson has seen the total go “under” the number in seven of its last ten off a win vs. a conference rival, while Prairie View has seen the total go “under” in three of four this season after allowing 85 points or more. This number is high, play the “under.”

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