Ross Benjamin

Montreal @ Winnipeg 10:05 PM ET

Game# 53-54

Play On: Montreal -132 (10*)

Winnipeg has gone 7-3 against the money line in their last 10 and that includes a current 3-game win streak. Conversely Montreal has lost 4 straight and 7 of its last 8 versus the money line. Yet, it’s Montreal who is a decent sized favorite tonight. It’s more time than not as easy as it appears when it comes to sports betting. This is one of those spots to think like an oddsmaker while also doing away with conventional thinking.

The Canadiens will go with backup Jake Allen in goal tonight. Allen has been terrific in 7 starts this season while compiling a brilliant .932 save percentage. The way #1 goaltender Carey Price has recently played, Allen gives Montreal their best chance to win.

The Jets are coming off Thursday night’s 6-3 home win over Montreal. However, since the start of last season, Winnipeg is an abysmal 0-7 against the money line following a game in which a combined 9 or more goals were scored. Bet on Montreal for a 10* Top Play wager.

Minnesota @ Washington 7:05 PM ET

Game# 555-556

Play On: Washington -4.0 (10*)

These 2 teams are clearly headed in opposite directions. Minnesota has gone 0-6 SU&ATS in their last 6 games and lost by 9.5 points per contest. Conversely, Washington is an extremely profitable 6-1 SU&ATS during their previous 7 and that includes 3-0 SU&ATS at home with an average victory margin of 9.0 points per game.  Washington has been red-hot offensively over their previous 5 outings while averaging 120.6 points scored per game, shooting 50.3% from the field, and converted on 37.7% of its 3-point attempts. That’s not good news for a Minnesota team which has allowed 119.0 points per game and opponents shot 48.2% from the floor in addition to making 40.4% of its 3-point attempts. Bet on Washington minus the points for a 10* Top Play wager.

Florida @ Kentucky 4:00 PM ET

Game# 669-670

Play On: Kentucky -1.5 (5*)

Florida is an uninspiring 2-3 in conference road games this season. They have also failed to cover 3 of their last 4 games. Conversely, Kentucky is riding a current 3-game win streak with the last 2 coming on the road. The Wildcats confidence level should be even higher considering they blew out the Gators on their own home floor 76-58 earlier this season. That win was the 5th straight for Kentucky when playing Florida. By the way, Florida is a dismal 1-7 straight up during the past 3 seasons when playing with same season revenge from a loss by 10 points or more. Lastly, we have an 8-13 Kentucky team as a small favorite in this contest against an opponent who is 12-6. The sportsbooks are attempting to entice you into taking the road underdog that possesses a much better season record than the team they’re facing. I’m not taking the bait. Bet on Kentucky for a 5* wager.

Florida State @ North Carolina 4:00 PM ET

Game# 661-662

Play On: Florida State -1.5 (5*)

Florida State is on a 4-game win streak and has also been victorious in 9 of their previous 10 contests. North Carolina relies heavily on their big men to dominate the offensive glass. However, Florida State has the size to neutralize the Tar Heels offensive rebounding prowess. The Tar Heels aren’t a proficient 3-point shooting team, so things won’t come easily for them against a Seminoles team that has limited their opponents in conference play to just 40.4% shooting. Conversely, North Carolina is come off a disappointing 83-70 home loss to Marquette in a game in which they closed as a 9.5-point favorite. Bet on Florida State minus the small number for a 5* wager.

Rhode Island @ Duquesne 7:00 PM ET

Game# 729-730

Play On: Duquesne (-115 on Money Line)

This is a game between Atlantic 10 Conference teams that both having a losing record. Nevertheless, Rhode Island as lost 5 of their last 6 contests in a addition to coming up short in 5 of its previous 6 conference away games. On the other side of the coin is a Duquesne team which is 4-1 during their previous 5 conference home games. The Dukes enter today on a 2-game losing streak and haven’t dropped 3 in a row all season long. Bet on Duquesne for a 5* money line wager.

Baylor @ Kansas 8:00 PM ET

Game# 749-750

Play On: Kansas +3.5 (10*)

Baylor (18-0) is a terrific team so let’s get that out of the way. However, it’s going to be extremely difficult for them to remain unbeaten going into the NCAA Tournament while playing in an extremely strong conference like the Big 12. The #2 ranked Bears are coming off a flat performance in a 5-point home win over a 2-17 Iowa State team. They closed as  a massive 24.0-point favorite in that contest.

For starters, Kansas has gone a terrific 47-2 in their last 50 home games. That includes 11-1 this season with their lone defeat coming against #14 Texas. Since that Texas loss, Kansas has won 6 straight at home and covered on each of their last 4. The Jayhawks have improved dramatically on the defensive end as the season has progressed. As a matter of fact, over their previous 6 contests Kansas allowed 59.8 points per game and held opponents to a combined 35.4% shooting. The Jayhawks won 5 of those contests and their only defeat came in overtime at Texas.  Furthermore, Kansas is 15-1 in their last 16 at home versus Baylor. Their only home loss to the Bears came last season. That should provide extra motivation and emotion for a program which prides itself on defending their home court. Bet on Kansas plus the points for a 10* Top Play wager.

Texas @ Texas Tech 12:00 PM ET

Game# 605-606

Play On: Texas Tech -3.0 (5*)

Texas Tech (14-8) has lost their last 3 and failed to cover its previous 5 contests. Despite those recent failures they are a favorite against #14 Texas (14-6) who is coming off a thrilling 75-72 overtime win at home against #17 Kansas. The degree of urgency in this matchup clearly favors Texas Tech and that will be a huge factor in determining the outcome of this contest. Texas Tech has lost 4 games in a row just once since the start of the 2015-2016 college basketball season and that came late in the 2017-2018 campaign. Additionally, the Red Raiders are 6-1 in their last 7 games against Texas and that includes a 79-77 win in Austin earlier this season.

Here’s an extremely profitable college basketball betting angle which is applicable to this matchup and dates back to the start of the 2016-2017 season. Any conference home favorite of 4.0 or less (Texas Tech) who has lost 3 straight games and they possess a win percentage of .650 or less, versus an opponent (Texas) coming off a win and is playing with revenge, and that opponent has a win percentage of .300 or better, resulted in those conference favorites of 4.0 or less going 17-4 ATS (80.9%). Bet on Texas Tech minus the points for a 5* wager.