read the line system...spot a possible trap

Will go wih the biggest game of the day...DUK/STJ

The public is in love with Duke and Over. Nothing new here. This total seems to be too low for Duke games played away from home. The closest two totals in Duke @/N games were against Butler (144) and at FSU (139) and Duke lost both times ATS. In last 8 Duke road games with total higher than 132 and lower than 147 Duke went 0-7-1 ATS.

Handicapping:

Duke is rolling again, but this is a non conference game just days before facing Maryland, who played Duke very tight on the road this season and who beat Duke at home last season. St.Johnies are 6-2 ATS in last 8 vs Duke and only 3 Duke players have experience in playing games at Madison Square Garden. It's also a very early game for Duke players who are not playing many of those on the road. Duke won last 4 games but their opponents in those games have a combined 9-18 record in ACC. St.Johns has been tested and their strength of scedule is easily top 5 in the nation this season. After losing last three games and five of last 6 they will give it all today against the defending champs.

I'm taking St.John's +8.5 in what I believe to be a very dangerous out of conference 'sandwich' game for Duke in the middle of their conference schedule.

CLUTCHSHOT, you are just money every pick.

Keep up the good work!!!

Anything else today clutch? Appreciate all your posts!

Very solid work clutch

Stay hot man

Probably the obvious choice of game and just as obvious choice of team today...

Texas/TxAM total is set at 129 and this low total is telling me a lot. Texas is cruising, they are beating some very good teams, and I'm not surprised to see them favored on the road. But their totals are rarely this low, especially on the road, and that's a starting point for this pick. The only relatively low total they had on the road all year long was 135 @ USC and that was the last time they lost a game as a favorite. Today's total is even lower and it is more common for TxAM. TxAM is 5-1 ats with totals 128.5 or lower (2-0 home) and 2-3 ats with totals higher than 128.5. The total looks to be too low, the -1.5 line seems to be too short, this could be the trap line of the day.

Handicapping:

Texas is playing really good basketball against good teams and I'm not taking anything away from them. However, there is a trend with this team that can hurt them on short rest and especially on the road, against good teams. The Longhorns are just not getting the help from their bench. In their last game the starters scored 61 of their 71 points and in their game at Oklahoma State they scored 54 of 61 points. In their game against Kansas, 6 players scored all of their 74 pts. They are just not very deep and it might be a problem today in a hostile environment. In last 2 games they only made 29 of 53 free throws (54.7%) and had more turnovers than assists. Texas A&M won 30 of last 31 home games and the only loss was a dog ATS winner. The home team in this 15-5-1 ATS in last 21 meetings and won last 14 games.

I'm taking Texas A&M +1.5 here as I expect them to be more enrgized here after a loss than Texas who is overdue for a letdown.