I'm playing on MINNESOTA. This game was already going to be a tough one for the Kings. However, its made a lot tougher by the fact that they're short-handed, as they'll be without a few fairly important players, due to Covid-protocol. The Wild have a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced in the first round last year. Still, that allowed them to play more recently than the Kings, who haven't played a game in more than 10 months. As LA coach Todd McLellan noted. " ... we haven't played for 10 1/2 months, it's not going to be easy ... " The Wild will be facing the Kings a lot to start the season. I say they take advantage of the Covid-situation and draw first blood tonight. 

I'm playing on TENNESSEE STATE. If looking at the pointspread, or the W/L records, one would assume that there was a fairly significant talent gap between these teams. I don't believe that to be the case though. The Tigers got off to a slow start but they're better than their record indicates, in my opinion. They're off a double-digit victory last time out, the type they'll be able to build positive momentum from. On the other hand, the Gamecocks are off b2b deflating losses. After a 3-point OT loss on 1/7, they lost by a single point on 1/9. Those type of losses can be deflating. The Tigers won the two 2020 meetings by score of 75-65 and 62-52. Take the points but don't be surprised if they score the outright upset here. 

I'm playing on UCF/Temple UNDER the total. The last two meetings between these teams both had O/U lines in the high 130s. Yet, those games both stayed below the number with 120 and 129 points. I believe that this afternoon's game will also prove lower-scoring than some will be expecting. The Knights are off b2b low-scoring games, each of which fell below the total. Last time out, they lost 68-61. Their previous game was even lower-scoring, a 63-54 setback against Houston. Temple just played a pair of fairly high-scorng games, both against SMU. However, before facing the Mustangs, the Owls had seen five consecutive games fall below the number. Points won't come easily in this one. 

I'm playing BUFFALO on the puck-line (+1.5 goals) These teams will face each other again tomorrow night. Both are going to be hungry and I expect a close one, the Sabres having an excellent shot at the outright win. Off a disappointing season, the Capitals have a new coach and a lot of new faces.  The value of getting an extra +1.5 goals can't be understated. The only 2020 meeting saw the Sabres win 3-2 and that made it three of the last five meetings, between these teams, which were decided by a single goal. Looking just at Buffalo home games, since 2017, the Sabres are 3-1 against the Caps, the lone loss coming by a single goal. Expect AT LEAST another "puck-line cover" this evening. 

I'm playing on DENVER. I believe that the Warriors are in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Denver lost at Brooklyn on Tuesday. However, that loss notwithstanding, the Nuggets have been playing well of late. Jokic is the "straw that stirs the drink" for this team and he's found his groove. He was two rebounds and three steals short of achieving a "quadruple double" last time out. He entered that game as just the second player in NBA history to average 20/10/10 in his team's first 10 games. He's going be an unstoppable force again, tonight. Denver has still won four if its past six games and responded to each of its last two losses with a double-digit win next time out. While both teams had yesterday off, note that the Nuggets also have tomorrow off while the Warriors play at Phoenix. In fact, the Nuggets have the next two nights off. In other words, there's no holding back in this one. The Nuggets are 66-22 when listed as the home team the past 2+ seasons. Expect them to improve on those stats, covering the small number along the way. 

I'm playing on ARIZONA. The Wildcats already know that they won't face Oregon, as originally scheduled, on Saturday. That's because of Covid issues with Oregon. They will still get a chance to face Oregon State though and I expect them to make the most of it. The Beavers have been dealing with their own Covid issues and have been out of action since Jan. 4th. That won't help them here. Not against a superior opponent which almost always gives them trouble. Arizona has won eight of the last nine meetings. The most recent meeting saw the Cats crush the Beavers by 26 points. With the Beavers rusty from their layoff, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cats jump all over them and never look back. Even if OSU does survive the initial onslaught, Arizona's superior talent will ultimately lead to another double-digit win. 

I'm playing on EDMONTON. I lost with the Oilers last night but I'm coming right back with them again tonight. Edmonton has underachieved in recent seasons and is absolutely determined to get off to a strong start. Getting swept, at home, in two games by the Canucks is NOT what they had in mind. We may only be one game in but they're going to be a highly motivated team tonight. While the visiting team won last night, the home team has still had the advantage in this series in recent season. Even without fans, its going to be important to win at home. The Canucks did some good things last night and fans in Vancouver are already loading up the bandwagon. Its only one game though. Yes, the Canucks have some talented young players. They've also still got some issues though. Expect the revenge-minded Oilers to remind everyone of that tonight. 

Arsenal is finally rolling and should take care of business against an overmatched Crystal Palace squad. The Gunners have a chance to win four in a row for the first time since Oct. 2018. With Palace short-handed, I fully expect them to make the most of the opportunity. Palace may be without as many as eight players, including Sahko and Kelly. While they've had a bit of recent success, Palace still has just five wins in 47 alltime matches in this series. That's a 5-14-28 record. Consider Arsenal 

I'm playing on ODU. While Rice has the slightly better record, ODU is favored for good reason. Remember, that ODU has faced the likes of Maryland and VCU, more than Rice can say. Indeed, the Owls' strength of schedule is just 330th in the nation. The Monarchs have found their groove. They've won three straight and five of their past six. The Monarchs have beaten the Owls six straight times. I expect them to make it seven in a row, on Friday afternoon. Note that the road team is 8-2 ATS the past 10 meetings in this series. While ODU won by only three here last season, I believe that the gap between the teams is even wider now, than it was then. Look for the tougher schedule to pay dividends for the Monarchs and expect another win and cover for the road team.