Matt Fargo’s NBA Handicapping Picks & ATS Predictions

This is a play on the MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD for our CBB Platinum Pickem. We played against Miami Ohio in its last game and while it did win at Buffalo, it failed to cover the number but improved to 23-0 overall including 11-0 in the MAC. This is the letdown spot going out of conference late in the season but we cannot fade a team based on that considering the RedHawks want to keep the unblemished record alive. We are basing it upon strength of opponent, their weak strength of schedule and a bulls-eye on their back. Marshall remains home following two straight wins and it has just one home loss since the start of December, going 8-1 with the defeat by two points against Coastal Carolina. 10* (720) Marshall Thundering Herd

This is a play on the GEORGE MASON PATRIOTS for our CBB Supreme Annihilator. After starting the season 0-2 in the Atlantic Ten Conference, St. Joseph’s has gone 7-1 in its last eight games while covering all eight of those. We have been fading the Hawks and gotten burned but this is the spot that favors this run to come to an end as the line is adjusted because of the run and also the other side as we sell high in this situation. George Mason is coming off an awful loss at home against Duquesne on Wednesday to fall to 8-2 in the conference. That was the Patriots first home loss of the season after opening 14-0 which puts them in a great bounce back spot as they are 19-1 in Quad 3 and Quad 4 games. 10* (716) George Mason Patriots

This is a play on the NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH for our ACC Game of the Month. Notre Dame opened ACC action with a win at Stanford which led to a five-game losing streak with three of those on the road and the two home games against Clemson and Miami. The Irish nabbed a home win over Boston College prior to its current 0-3 run, two road losses and the home loss against Virginia. They are now in another Boston College type spot, heading home during a skid and playing a mediocre team. Florida St. has been better since a 0-5 start as it has gone 3-1 with two straight wins, both at home, and a one point road win at rival Miami and that is the only road win of the season and now catching nothing for a number. 10* (708) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

This is a play on the WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS for our CBB Bounceback Baller. Western Kentucky got off to a 4-2 start in Conference USA and it has been a disaster since then as the Hilltoppers have lost five of their last six games including a home loss against Jacksonville St. which was their third straight home loss following an 8-1 start. Two of those three recent losses were against two of the top three teams and now it is bounce back time. Florida International is coming off an overtime win at Middle Tennessee St. which made it two straight road wins after a 0-7 start on the road with the two wins coming by only seven points combined and it is now letdown time for the Panthers. 10* (682) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

This is a play on the UTAH UTES for our CBB Contrarian Crusher. Utah is off to a miserable start as after an 8-4 nonconference record, the Utes are 1-8 in the Big 12 Conference and while they are 0-4 on the road, they have not been a disaster as their biggest losses are 14 points at Texas Tech and 13 points at BYU. The number is inflated because of the record and of course the opponent. Kansas is on a roll as it has won six straight games including a pair of big wins in its last two against BYU and Texas Tech, the latter by three points thanks to a 17-4 closing run. The Jayhawks are in a sleepy spot here off those wins and have a game at home against Arizona Monday and then Iowa St. after that. 10* (677) Utah Utes

This is a play on the GEORGE WASHINGTON REVOLUTIONARIES for our CBB Afternoon Enforcer. George Washington opened 2-0 and 3-1 in the Atlantic Ten Conference but has since lost five of its last six games and that includes road losses against St. Louis and VCU, the top two NET Ranked teams, by a combined eight points and the most recent road loss was at St. Joseph’s by three points which was the Hawks fourth straight win. Now they go from road favorite to road underdog. Duquesne is coming off a huge upset at then 8-1 George Mason as an 8.5-point underdog and the Dukes are now at 5-5 in the conference. This is a big letdown spot as they return home where they are just 1-4 in the conference. 10* (657) George Washington Revolutionaries

This is a play on the NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS for our CBB Early Letdown Fadeaway. Denver is coming off arguably the biggest upset of the season in the Summit League as it won at North Dakota St. on Thursday as a 12.5-point underdog, handing the Bison their first conference loss, and the Pioneers are likely still celebrating. This is a prime fade spot as their other conference road win came at No. 353 Kansas City. If North Dakota was taking them lightly, they will not be any more. The Fighting Hawks are coming off a win over Omaha so there is no letdown and they have won five straight games to improve to 8-2. They are 4-1 at home in the conference with the loss coming against 8-2 St. Thomas. 10* (636) North Dakota Fighting Hawks

This is a play on the VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES for our CBB Early Ultimate Dog. NC State is coming off a win at SMU to make it five straight wins and the Wolfpack are back home where they are 8-3, two quality losses but also a loss against Georgia Tech. They are 8-2 in the ACC with the other loss against Virginia and they are overinflated in this spot, basically laying the same number in their last home game against Syracuse. Virginia Tech is now 5-5 in the conference following a loss against Duke and of the three ACC road losses, two were by four points combined, The Hokies are a perfect 5-0 ATS on the road and this will not qualify as an auto fade since it is obviously not consecutive spread wins. 10* (629) Virginia Tech Hokies

This is a play on the TEMPLE OWLS for our CBB Afternoon Dominator. We have two teams in letdown situations as both won outright as underdogs and this is the spot to take the better team at a low price. Temple is coming off a win over South Florida as a 9.5-point underdog to move to 6-3 in the American Athletic Conference and it could be better. The three losses were against Memphis, Charlotte and Florida Atlantic, all with winning conference records and by a combined 12 points, one in overtime. East Carolina defeated Florida Atlantic on the road no less as a 10.5-point underdog which was just its second conference win. The Pirates are just 5-7 at home with the best win over No. 182 Buffalo. 10* (615) Temple Owls