Monday 1-15-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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Ducks vs. Avalanche Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

The Colorado Avalanche attempt to extend their winning streak to seven games when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Monday afternoon. Colorado is in the midst of a stretch during which it plays nine of 10 at home, which began with a loss to Arizona but has followed with six straight victories - including Saturday's 4-1 triumph at Dallas.

Rookie Alexander Kerfoot recorded a goal and an assist in the win, giving him four points in his last two contests as the Avalanche already have surpassed their victory and point totals from last season. The Ducks will be wrapping up their month-opening five-game road trip during which they are 2-1-1 after Saturday's 4-2 triumph at Los Angeles. Anaheim will be without iron man Andrew Cogliano against Colorado, however, as the veteran left wing received a two-game suspension for an interference infraction against the Kings' Adrian Kempe. The 30-year-old Cogliano, who has not missed a contest since making his NHL debut with Edmonton on Oct. 4, 2007, will have his streak of 830 consecutive games played - the fourth-longest run in league history - come to a halt.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Anaheim), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE DUCKS (20-15-9): With Cogliano out, newcomer J.T. Brown could make his debut for Anaheim on Monday. The 27-year-old right wing was claimed off waivers on Sunday from Tampa Bay, with which he registered one goal and three assists in 24 games this season. Ondrej Kase recorded his second career two-goal performance on Saturday to tie Jakob Silfverberg (11) for second on the team in tallies and added an assist for his first three-point effort in the NHL.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (23-16-3): All-Star Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the team with 53 points, had his five-game assist streak halted Saturday but scored a goal to give him points in six consecutive contests. The 22-year-old center has collected four tallies and nine assists during the run. Left wing Matt Nieto, who is five points shy of 100 for his career, is slated to play in his 300th NHL game on Monday.

OVERTIME

1. Avalanche G Jonathan Bernier has won a career high-tying five straight decisions while filling in for the injured Semyon Varlamov (lower body).

2. Anaheim captain C Ryan Getzlaf has collected 18 points over his last 13 contests and is one assist shy of 600 for his career.

3. Colorado's winning streak is its longest since a six-game run from March 25-April 5, 2014.

PREDICTION: Ducks 3, Avalanche 1

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sharks vs. Kings Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

After making a brief pitstop at home, the San Jose Sharks return to the road as they begin a three-game trek on Monday afternoon against the slumping Los Angeles Kings. San Jose completed a 1-2-2 trip before outlasting Arizona 6-5 in overtime at SAP Center on Saturday.

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the winner 2:42 into the extra session while Joonas Donskoi recorded two goals - including the game-tying tally with 16 seconds remaining in the third period - and an assist to lead four players with three-point performances for the Sharks, who halted their three-game slide (0-1-2). The Kings enter with a three-game overall losing streak after Saturday's 4-2 setback against Anaheim, which dropped them to 0-2-0 on their four-game homestand. Jonathan Quick has allowed 11 goals during the skid, which would match the longest of the season for Los Angeles with a defeat on Monday. Captain Anze Kopitar ended his eight-game goal-scoring drought - and extended his point streak to four contests - in the loss to the Ducks.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Sportsnet, NBCS California (San Jose), FS West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (22-13-6): Joe Thornton recorded a goal and two assists Saturday, moving him one point ahead of Adam Oates (1,420) for 17th place on the all-time list. The 38-year-old Thornton, who will pass Wayne Gretzky for 21st in NHL history when he skates in his 1,488th career game on Monday, is five assists away from tying Mario Lemieux (1,033) for 11th place. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns, who leads the team with 33 points, has landed on the scoresheet in 13 of his last 15 contests - recording seven multi-point performances in that span - and carries a five-game point streak (one goal, seven assists) into Monday's matchup.

ABOUT THE KINGS (24-14-5): Defenseman Jake Muzzin, who has missed two games with an upper-body injury, practiced on Sunday and hopes to be medically cleared to play against San Jose. Drew Doughty is tied for third on the team with 30 points but has registered just one in his last four contests. The 28-year-old former Norris winner's next goal will be his 100th in the NHL.

OVERTIME

1. The Sharks activated D Dylan DeMelo (flu) from injured reserve and loaned F Marcus Sorensen, who notched three goals in 15 games with the team this campaign, to the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League.

2. Los Angeles recalled C Jonny Brodzinski, who recorded two tallies in 22 contests with the club earlier this season, from Ontario of the AHL.

3. San Jose G Martin Jones, who was pulled Saturday after allowing three goals on six shots, is expected to be in net against the Kings.

PREDICTION: Kings 4, Sharks 3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Islanders vs. Canadiens Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

The injury-ravaged New York Islanders showed no rust after a six-day break last time out and look to match that performance when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. The Islanders, who expect to be without six regulars against Montreal, received a second five-point effort this season from rookie Mathew Barzal en route to Saturday's 7-2 victory over the crosstown-rival Rangers.

"It was a great 20-man win, a great road win," New York coach Doug Weight told reporters after his team's second straight triumph following a five-game slide. "You can talk about structure and identity, this and that, but for you to accomplish it, you have to work and work, and we did as a unit." The Islanders lost Casey Cizikas (upper body) on Saturday and second-leading scorer Josh Bailey (lower body) is among four forwards likely to be sidelined Monday against the Canadiens, who also saw an important player get injured in their last game. Phillip Danault (23 points) suffered a head injury Saturday, when he was struck by a slap shot from Boston's Zdeno Chara in the second period of a 4-3 shootout loss, but he was released from the hospital on Sunday. The Canadiens have earned at least one point in three straight games (2-0-1), including a win against NHL-best Tampa Bay and the strong effort versus the red-hot Bruins.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TSN2, RDS (Montreal)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (22-18-4): With Bailey, Cizikas, Andrew Ladd (undisclosed) and Nikolay Kulemin (shoulder) out, New York recalled fellow forward Tanner Fritz on Sunday after former first-round pick Michael Dal Colle made his NHL debut the previous night. Anthony Beauvillier has excelled after taking Ladd's spot on a line with Jordan Eberle (five assists on Saturday) and Barzal, posting three goals in his last two contests, and will play in his 100th NHL game on Monday. "I just feel more comfortable," Beauvillier, who had a three-game stint in the minors before returning recently, told reporters. "I want the puck more. I know I can make plays and have success."

ABOUT THE CANADIENS (18-20-5): Captain Max Pacioretty shares the team lead in points with Alex Galchenyuk (24) and has scored a goal in three consecutive games after recording just one in his previous 22 contests. Galchenyuk has tallied in two straight games to tie Pacioretty for second on the club with 11 while Jonathan Drouin notched his 15th assist Saturday to pull within one of Danault for the team lead. Carey Price (13-14-3, .911 save percentage), Montreal's representative in the All-Star Game later this month, has turned aside 107 of the 113 shots he has faced in the last three games.

OVERTIME

1. Montreal D Victor Mete recorded an assist Saturday in his first game back since winning the gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championships.

2. New York captain John Tavares has registered three points in his last four contests and leads the team with 52.

3. The Islanders has allowed a total of one goal in winning their last two meetings with the Canadiens after dropping the previous seven.

PREDICTION: Canadiens 3, Islanders 2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Butler vs. Providence Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Butler posted a much needed victory its last time out, but things don't get much easier Monday. The Bulldogs visit Providence, a team seeking its third straight victory, in an intriguing Big East contest.

Since upsetting No. 1 Villanova, Butler lost three straight games - all against ranked foes - before topping Marquette 94-83. "We responded really well tonight after dropping three in a row," Butler head coach LaVall Jordan said after defeating the Golden Eagles. "Tonight, we showed how we are going to continue to fight. They made a run midway through the second half, and we fought back. We were so connected tonight, and defensively we had some key stops at key times." Kelan Martin scored a career-high 37 points for the Bulldogs, who now play three of their next four on the road, beginning Monday. Providence upset Xavier last week before slipping past DePaul on Friday evening.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT BUTLER (13-6, 3-3 Big East): The Bulldogs shot nearly 60 percent against Marquette with Kamar Baldwin (19 points) and Tyler Wideman (16) complementing Martin's personal-best effort. Martin, who had been 4-of-18 from 3-point range over the previous three games, went 4-of-6 from long distance and added seven rebounds and three assists without committing a turnover. Fellow senior Wideman has shot at least 60 percent from the floor in seven straight games and has shot below 50 percent only twice all season.

ABOUT PROVIDENCE (12-6, 3-2): Jalen Lindsey led the way with 18 points and Alpha Diallo scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to fuel the victory against DePaul on Friday. The other three starters, including leading scorer Rodney Bullock, combined to shoot 8-of-23, although reserve Isaiah Jackson (15 points) continued to produce with his third straight quality outing. Jackson is 4-of-4 from 3-point range over the last two games and is 22-of-24 from the foul line over the last three contests, during which he is averaging 17.3 points per game.

TIP-INS

1. In his last eight games, Martin has scored at least 20 points seven times.

2. The teams split two meetings last season with each winning on its home court.

3. Bullock, with 16 blocks in 18 games, is the leading shot blocker for Providence.

PREDICTION: Butler 69, Providence 66

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Maryland vs. Michigan Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Michigan looks to build on its biggest win of the season when it hosts Maryland on Monday. The Wolverines upset fourth-ranked Michigan State 82-72 on Saturday to notch their first road win over a Top 5 opponent since Jan. 25, 2014 and hope to take another step toward moving into the national rankings by posting their ninth win in 10 games.

Michigan is 9-1 at home this season with its lone setback coming in the final seconds to No. 7 Purdue, and the Wolverines aim to stay on the winning track by avenging a 77-70 defeat to the Terrapins in Ann Arbor last season. Maryland is left to lick its wounds following a 91-69 blowout loss to Ohio State on Thursday. The undermanned Terrapins, who were down to eight scholarship players due to injury and illness, surrendered over 90 points for the second time in three games and hope to turn their fortunes around by downing Michigan for the third straight time. "We've got to get our energy level up," Maryland coach Mark Turgeon told reporters."We're feeling sorry for ourselves instead of competing the way we need to compete, especially on the defensive end of the floor."

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT MARYLAND (14-5, 3-3 Big Ten): Senior center Michal Cekovsky set a new career high with 18 points to go along with five rebounds and two blocked shots despite battling flu-like symptoms in the loss to Ohio State. Anthony Cowan Jr. and Kevin Huerter each added 12 points, but shot a combined 7-for-23 from the floor against the Buckeyes. Bruno Fernando was limited to two points as he played through an illness which required antibiotics while Dion Wiley, who is averaging 5.8 points this season, missed Thursday's clash with a concussion and will be a game-time decision against Michigan.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (15-4, 4-2): Junior forward Mo Wagner led the way with a career-high 27 points in the win against Michigan State while Zavier Simpson continued his stellar play recently by adding 16 points and five assists. "I feel like we can beat anybody if we execute offensively," Wagner told reporters. "It's incredible how much we worked and how much we believe in ourselves." Senior guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 14 points to move within seven points of reaching 1,000 for his career and Charles Matthews tallied 10 points as the Wolverines scored 25 points off 18 turnovers.

TIP-INS

1. Maryland has won five of the last six meetings with Michigan.

2. The Wolverines are 6-0 when scoring more than 80 points.

3. Simpson has dished out five or more assists in five consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Michigan 75, Maryland 68

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Minnesota vs. Penn State Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Despite struggling through an abysmal regulation Friday against Nebraska, Tony Carr came through for Penn State when it needed it most, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the extra session, including the game-winning jumper with 2.7 seconds remaining. Now the Nittany Lions will hope to avoid a mental letdown and look to continue their momentum when struggling Minnesota visits on Monday.


Carr, who ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.8 points), shot 2-of-17 during regulation but drained three of his four attempts in overtime. "(Hitting the game-winner) felt great. My last game-winner didn't go. This one did," Carr told reporters referring to his potential game-winning shot in a one-point loss to Wisconsin on Dec. 4. "There's going to be nights like (tonight) when your shot isn't falling and defense is keying on you. You just have to keep attacking and keep taking those shots. I've been working so hard, and I'm going to keep taking them as the season goes on." While the Nittany Lions experienced the highest of highs, the Gophers experienced the lowest of lows Saturday, getting drubbed 81-47 at home by Purdue - the second-largest margin of defeat at home in program history. Minnesota has lost all three games since center Reggie Lynch was suspended and small forward Amir Coffey was sidelined by a shoulder injury.

TV: 7 p.m ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT MINNESOTA (13-6, 2-4 Big Ten): Isaiah Washington scored 11 points and Jordan Murphy added 10 on Saturday for the Gophers, who shot a season-low 28.8 percent and were outrebounded 46-29. "It's difficult. We got a lot of pieces out there playing that weren't playing a lot, but more than anything we got to practice and get better," Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said. "What's hard is we're right back at it on Monday. We just got to get back to work." Murphy leads the team in scoring (17.9 points) and rebounding (11.7) while Nate Mason adds 15.2 points and 4.4 assists, but Lynch and Coffey are big pieces, combining for 25.0 points and 12.1 rebounds with Lynch averaging 4.1 blocks per game - third in the nation.

ABOUT PENN STATE (13-6, 3-3): Friday wasn't Carr's only poor shooting night of late in conference play, as the 6-4 sophomore is shooting just 29 percent from the floor in six games. Lamar Stevens (15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds) had 26 points and seven rebounds against Nebraska for his third consecutive 20-plus scoring outing and Michael Watkins (13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 blocks) collected his fourth consecutive double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman guard Jamari Wheeler had no points, five rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes starting in place of Josh Reaves (10.8 points, 2.4 steals), who missed his second consecutive contest while dealing with academic concerns.

TIP-INS

1. The squads split last season with Watkins scoring 15 points and grabbing 15 rebounds off the bench in the Lions' 52-50 home win and Mason and Murphy scoring 16 apiece in the Gophers' 81-71 home win.

2. After starting the season with 17 consecutive double-doubles, Murphy has 18 points and six rebounds combined in the last two games.

3. Watkins is the first Nittany Lion since Geary Claxton in 2007-08 to record four consecutive double-doubles.


PREDICTION: Penn State 74, Minnesota 62

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Duke vs. Miami Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/15/2018

Offense meets defense in a clash of ranked ACC foes when No. 19 Miami hosts sixth-ranked Duke on Monday. The Blue Devils have one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation, but they'll take on one of the stingiest defensive clubs in the country in the Hurricanes.


The Blue Devils have won two straight and four of five overall but have lost their first two ACC road games, falling at Boston College (89-84) on Dec. 9 and North Carolina State (96-85) on Jan. 6. Duke picked up its first road win in conference play with a rout of Pittsburgh on Wednesday before beating Wake Forest 89-71 three days later. The Hurricanes are coming off a 72-63 loss at Clemson on Saturday, but they're 6-0 at home and have won 33 of their last 35 at Watsco Center. Miami is 7-18 against Duke, but five of the seven victories have been recorded since 2011-12.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN


ABOUT DUKE (15-2, 3-2 ACC): The Blue Devils are the only team ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring (93.2 points), rebounds (44.1) and assists (19.9), as they are second in all three categories. Freshman Marvin Bagley III leads the ACC in scoring (22.5 points) and rebounding (11.7), and he has turned up his production even more in conference play - averaging 24.8 points and 13.8 boards. All five starters average at least 12.2 points, and they rarely come off the floor as only three reserves average double digits in minutes and just one has done so in ACC play.

ABOUT MIAMI (13-3, 2-2): The Hurricanes rank in the top five in the nation in scoring defense (60.6 points), field-goal defense (37.3 percent) and 3-point defense (28.5 percent). Dewan Huell (13.6) and Bruce Brown Jr. (11.3) are the team's only double-digit scorers, and the latter also leads the Hurricanes in rebounds (7.1) and assists (3.9). Five others average at least 7.8 points - including reserve guard Chris Lykes (7.8 points), who was named the ACC Rookie of the Week after averaging 13 points and 3.5 assists in a loss at Georgia Tech and a win over Florida State last week.


TIP-INS

1. Bagley has recorded 14 double-doubles, tying him for second in the nation as well as the Duke freshman record.

2. Brown has averaged 20.4 points in five home games against ranked opponents, including 25 in a 55-50 win over the Blue Devils last season.

3. Duke G Gary Trent Jr. (13.4 points) has scored in double figures in six straight games, making six 3-pointers twice during that stretch.


PREDICTION: Duke 78, Miami 73

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Florida State vs. Boston College Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/15/2018

With the gauntlet that is the ACC already showing its teeth, there aren't many games teams can mark as ones they definitely should win. Both Florida State and host Boston College could make that case when they go head-to-head on Monday.


It's a quick turnaround for both teams but could be especially tough on the Seminoles, who had to make the long trip north after posting a 101-90 double-overtime win over visiting Syracuse on Saturday. Florida State has been tested by a brutal league schedule thus far, losing to Duke and Miami on the road and at home to Louisville while defeating North Carolina and Syracuse on its own court. The Eagles have been tough at home, going 10-1 with wins over then-No. 1 Duke and Wake Forest - with the lone setback a 74-70 loss to No. 17 Clemson. The Seminoles hammered the Eagles 104-72 at home last season and have won six straight meetings.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU


ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (13-4, 2-3 ACC): The Seminoles rank 18th in the nation in field-goal defense (38.9 percent) but still allow a whopping 70.6 points per game because they play at such a fast pace. A talented group of veteran guards affords them that luxury, with Terance Mann (15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds) and Braian Angola (14.2 points) leading the way. After missing 11 games with a foot injury, 7-4 center Christ Koumadje (8.7 points, 6.3 rebounds) has been easing his way back into the rotation and recorded a career-high 23 points to go with eight rebounds against Syracuse.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (12-6, 2-3): The Eagles have an awfully thin bench since losing Deontae Hawkins to a season-ending knee injury in late November. The starting lineup has plenty of firepower, though, with the trio of Jerome Robinson (18.1 points), Ky Bowman (16.3, 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists), and Jordan Chatman (13.4 points) all capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. Robinson has heated up in ACC play, scoring 24 or more points in four of the five games.


TIP-INS

1. Florida State leads the ACC with 9.3 3-pointers per game and has made 69 over its last six contests.

2. Bowman's 6.8 rebounds per game are the most in the nation by a player 6-1 or shorter.

3. Boston College has hit 10 or more 3-pointers seven times this season after doing so on nine occasions last campaign.


PREDICTION: Boston College 77, Florida State 75

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kansas vs. West Virginia Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

The Big 12 is atop the national conference RPI rankings, and four ranked teams currently share the lead with 4-1 records. Two of those four clash in an ESPN Big Monday matchup as No. 2 West Virginia hosts No. 12 Kansas.


The Mountaineers entered last weekend with the nation's longest win streak with 15 straight victories, but saw an 11-point lead slip away in the final 13 minutes of Saturday's 72-71 road loss to No. 8 Texas Tech. Guard Javon Carter scored a game-high 28 points and junior forward Esa Ahmad, playing his first game of the season since returning from an academic suspension, added 18 points and six rebounds off the bench, but it wasn't enough to keep Bob Huggins' team alone atop the conference standings. "We just had guys (who) were really out of character," Huggins said in his post-game news conference. "We've got our center shooting whatever that was, a 3-pointer from the top of the key. We just did a lot of things out of character from what we normally do." Kansas, meanwhile, has taken an a slightly different route to its share of the Big 12 lead, losing its second conference contest (85-73 to Texas Tech) and then reeling off three straight wins, with the latest being Saturday's 73-72 victory over visiting Kansas State.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN


ABOUT KANSAS (14-3, 4-1 Big 12): Each of the Jayhawks' last three wins have been hard-fought, nip-and-tuck affairs and have been decided by a combined total of 10 points. Senior guard Devonte' Graham scored a game-high 23 points vs. the Wildcats - his ninth straight in double figures - and continues to pace the team and rank second in the conference with his average of 18.4 per contest. Guards Saviatoslav Mykhailiuk (16.5) and Lagerald Vick (14.9), center Udoka Azubuike (14.8) and guard Malik Newman (10.7) also are averaging double figures for Kansas, which is leading the Big 12 in field-goal (51.0) and 3-point (41.5) percentage.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (15-2, 4-1): Carter's 28 points Saturday were just one off his career high and was a strong bounce-back outing for the senior who scored only eight in last Tuesday's 57-54 win over Baylor. Overall, Carter is averaging 16.8 points and a team-high 6.5 assists and is joined in double figures by guard Daxter Miles Jr. (13.2) and forward Lamont West (12.3) and, of course, Ahmad after his 18-point season debut. The Mountaineers pace the conference in steals (9.9) and turnovers forced (19.9) but had only five and 13, respectively, against Texas Tech.


TIP-INS

1. Kansas has won seven of the 11 meetings since West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012, but the Mountaineers are 4-1 in Morgantown, including an 85-69 win last season.

2. Jayhawks freshman F Silvio De Sousa made his collegiate debut Saturday after being cleared academically by the NCAA, and he had a foul and a turnover in four minutes off the bench.

3. When Texas Tech fans rushed the court following Saturday's win, video clips posted online appear to show an unidentified West Virginia player throwing a punch at a fan near the Mountaineers' bench so disciplinary measures likely are forthcoming.


PREDICTION: West Virginia 78, Kansas 72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DePaul vs. Marquette Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Marquette can shoot the basketball with any team in Division I - but its hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament will rest on its ability to prevent opposing teams from doing the same. The Golden Eagles look to bounce back from a humbling loss to Butler when it hosts DePaul on Monday.

Marquette's tournament chances took a decent hit - at least according to the BPI - with Friday's 94-83 loss to the Bulldogs; the Golden Eagles would have been an 88 percent favorite to participate in March Madness with a win, but fell to 74 percent with the defeat. Of greater concern, it represented the fourth time in six Big East Conference games that Marquette surrendered 90 or more points. Ending its run of poor defense in conference play is of utmost importance to head coach Steve Wojciechowski's team heading into Monday's encounter with DePaul, which has reached the 80-point plateau three times in its first five conference games but has just one victory to show for it. The Blue Demons are coming off their worst offensive showing in Big East competition, shooting a dismal 38.8 percent from the field while converting just 5-of-21 3-point attempts in a 71-64 loss to Providence.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT DePAUL (8-9, 1-4 Big East): A quartet of Blue Demons players - Max Strus, Marin Maric, Tre-Darius McCallum and Eli Cain - combine for 54.7 of DePaul's 75.4 points per game; Strus leads the way at 18.2 points per contest, but was held to just eight on 3-of-13 shooting in the loss to the Friars. Maric (13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds) poured in 15 points and hauled in seven boards in defeat, and is averaging 19.3 points while connecting on 4-of-5 3-pointers over his last three games. DePaul comes into this one as one of the top teams in the nation in offensive rebounding, ranking second in the Big East and tied for 37th among Division I teams at 12.6 offensive boards per game.

ABOUT MARQUETTE (12-6, 3-3): Tightening up on defense might be all that stands between the Golden Eagles and a legitimate shot at the NCAA Tournament; Marquette has things well taken care of on the offensive end, entering Monday ranked third in the country in free-throw success rate (79.2 percent) and 16th in 3-point field goal percentage (41.0). Second-year guard Markus Howard has been the team's offensive catalyst; he leads the conference in scoring at 22.3 points per game - thanks in large part to an 89-point eruption in consecutive games against Providence and Villanova earlier this month - and is a perfect 55-for-55 from the foul line. Andrew Rowsey is second in the Big East at 21.3 points per game, and had 31 in Marquette's 84-64 upset win over Seton Hall last Tuesday.

TIP-INS

1. Howard knocked down 18 3-pointers in the two-game stretch against the Friars and Wildcats.

2. Marquette makes an average of 11.8 3-pointers per game, good for fifth nationally.

3. DePaul ranks ninth out of 10 Big East teams in field-goal percentage (43.3).

PREDICTION: Marquette 86, DePaul 76

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Illinois vs. Nebraska Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Nebraska will look to bounce back from a tough overtime loss on Friday when it hosts Illinois in a Big Ten Conference contest Monday. The Cornhuskers fell by two at Penn State to drop to .500 in league play, while the Illini are looking for their first conference victory after five losses.

Illinois is coming off its own excruciating loss, blowing a 20-point lead against Iowa before falling in overtime at home on Thursday. Freshman guard Trent Frazier (10.6 points) is the second-leading scorer on the Illini for the season but he's coming off a career-high 27-point effort against Iowa and has averaged 16.5 points over the last eight games. Junior guard James Palmer Jr. leads Nebraska in scoring at 15.2 points a game, though he's coming off a season-worst five-point effort in the loss to Penn State, going 1-of-9 from the field. The Cornhuskers also have junior forward Isaac Copeland (12.8 points, team-high 6.5 rebounds) and junior guard Glynn Watson Jr. (12.1 points, team-high 3.3 assists) to rely on if Palmer's slump continues.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT ILLINOIS (10-8, 0-5 Big Ten): Illinois coach Brad Underwood has been getting some good contributions from his freshman class, and he's hoping for more as forward Matic Vesel has been improving in practice and may find some more time in games in the future. The 6-foot-10 Slovenian has played in just six games this season, failing to get off the bench in 10 of the last 12 contests, but his height would certainly help against some of the deeper front lines in the Big Ten. Still, Underwood may not be inclined to use Vesel until the team's postseason fate is clearer simply because fellow forwards Greg Eboigbodin and Kipper Nichols are in front of Vesel in terms of needing minutes off the pine.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (12-7, 3-3): As Nebraska coach Tim Miles tries to get his team more consistent in its play to move up the Big Ten standings, he has to deal with a fluctuating lineup thanks to the absence of starting center Jordy Tshimanga. Tshimanga, who started the first 18 games of the season, has reportedly asked Miles for a scholarship release so he can transfer and didn't make the trip to Penn State or attend the team's practice on Saturday. The 6-foot-11 sophomore is averaging 3.5 points and 5.1 rebounds and was replaced in the starting lineup by senior Duby Okeke, who played just 12 minutes and had no points or rebounds against the Nittany Lions.

TIP-INS

1. Illinois made a season-high 14 3-pointers on 46.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc against Iowa, compared to the 24.7 shooting it had in its first four Big Ten contests.

2. Nebraska sophomore F Isaiah Roby had a career-high 12 points off the bench in the loss to Penn State.

3. The Cornhuskers have held their last six opponents to a combined .390 field-goal percentage and 65.7 points per game.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 80, Illinois 72

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Oklahoma State vs. Baylor Preview and Predictions

By Gracenote for Scores and Stats
by Gracenote on 01/14/2018

Oklahoma State's roller-coaster week began with head coach Mike Boynton calling his team "gutless" in a loss at Kansas State. The Cowboys responded by rallying for a unlikely home win over Texas to move into a three-way tie for fifth place in the Big 12 Conference and they now move on to Monday night's road game at slumping Baylor.

Oklahoma State is 0-2 in true road games this season and Wednesday night's 86-82 loss at Kansas State could very well prove to be a turning point for the Cowboys after Boynton called out his team's mettle. The Cowboys' season appeared to be on verge of collapse on Saturday against visiting Texas which led virtually the entire game, including 62-50 with just six minutes to go. But Oklahoma State closed the game out with a 15-2 run and pulled it out on a tip-in by junior swingman Tavarius Shine -- the third shot and of the possession -- with six seconds remaining. "I'm really proud of our fight," Boynton said. "That's what I was talking about the last couple of days. I think my word choice kind of went a different route than what it should be, and that's on me. I have to be smarter than that, but at the same time, my kids got the message and I knew they would because they're good kids. They know I love them, care about them and I'm proud of the way they fought today."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (12-5, 2-3 Big 12): Senior swingman Jeffrey Carroll, a member of the preseason All-Big 12 squad, fueled the late comeback against the Longhorns with five of his team-high 17 points and leads the team in scoring (16.3 points per game) and is second in rebounds (6.3). Shine, a 6-6 junior guard, scored the final four points for the Cowboys and is second in scoring (11.4) to go along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Guard Kendall Smith, a grad transfer from Cal State Northridge who began his career at UNLV, also is averaging in double figures (10.7) while 7-foot senior forward Mitchell Solomon leads the team in rebounds (6.6) and to go along with 8.9 points and 1.2 blocks per game.

ABOUT BAYLOR (11-6, 1-4): After a 10-2 start that saw them climb as high as 17th in the national rankings, the Bears have dropped four of their last five including back-to-back losses at No. 2 West Virginia (57-54) and Saturday at Iowa State (75-65). Baylor, perhaps experiencing a little bit of a hangover after almost pulling the upset over the Mountaineers four days earlier, shot just 34.3 percent in the loss to the Cyclones and are a shooting a conference-worst 39.7 percent from the floor in league play, including just 19-of-75 (25.3 percent) from 3-point range. Senior point guard Manu Lecomte leads the team in scoring (16.1) with 7-foot senior Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (15.6) and junior guard King McClure (10.2) also averaging in double figures and Lual-Acuil also pulling down a team-best 9.6 rebounds per game.

TIP-INS

1. Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth nationally in free throw shooting percentage (78.3).

2. Baylor 6-9 freshman F Tristan Clark had 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in the Iowa State loss, his second double-double of the season.

3. Baylor leads the Big 12 in rebound margin at plus-7.7.

PREDICTION: Baylor 66, Oklahoma State 63

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Dunkel

Monday, January 15

Dallas @ Boston

Game 51-52
January 15, 2018 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Dallas
11.245
Boston
13.712
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 2 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-150
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-150); Under

Anaheim @ Colorado

Game 53-54
January 15, 2018 @ 3:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim
12.209
Colorado
10.313
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Anaheim
by 2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Anaheim
(-115); Under

San Jose @ Los Angeles

Game 55-56
January 15, 2018 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Jose
10.429
Los Angeles
12.036
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Los Angeles
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Los Angeles
-135
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Los Angeles
(-135); Over

NY Islanders @ Montreal

Game 57-58
January 15, 2018 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Islanders
10.214
Montreal
11.743
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Montreal
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-125
6
Dunkel Pick:
Montreal
(-125); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, January 15

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DALLAS (24-17-0-3, 51 pts.) at BOSTON (24-10-0-7, 55 pts.) - 1/15/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 10-30 ATS (+41.0 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 10-18 ATS (-12.9 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 4-15 ATS (-11.3 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 42-21 ATS (+16.3 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 210-142 ATS (+35.3 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
DALLAS is 205-221 ATS (+470.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
BOSTON is 23-25 ATS (-18.8 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 16-23 ATS (-25.4 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 99-102 ATS (-58.6 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
BOSTON is 25-34 ATS (-22.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 (+1.7 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-1-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.9 Units)

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ANAHEIM (20-15-0-9, 49 pts.) at COLORADO (23-16-0-3, 49 pts.) - 1/15/2018, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 23-19 ATS (+42.0 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 7-1 ATS (+6.0 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
ANAHEIM is 533-427 ATS (+38.5 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 39-26 ATS (+8.2 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 131-127 ATS (+275.7 Units) in road games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 428-432 ATS (+887.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 35-21 ATS (+12.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-4 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 4-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.2 Units)

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SAN JOSE (22-13-0-6, 50 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (24-14-0-5, 53 pts.) - 1/15/2018, 4:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 13-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 211-219 ATS (+469.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 65-77 ATS (-47.3 Units) in home games in January games since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 22-27 ATS (-17.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 17-26 ATS (-22.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 2-7 ATS (-8.2 Units) in home games after a division game this season.
LOS ANGELES is 4-13 ATS (-14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 12-6 (+6.9 Units) against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 12-6-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.4 Units)

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NY ISLANDERS (22-18-0-4, 48 pts.) at MONTREAL (18-20-0-5, 41 pts.) - 1/15/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY ISLANDERS are 10-3 ATS (+6.5 Units) after a division game this season.
MONTREAL is 18-25 ATS (+18.0 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 19-25 ATS (-8.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 4-2 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 4-2-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.4 Units)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Monday, January 15

Boston won five of last seven games with Dallas; road team won seven of last eight series games. Stars won three of last four games in Beantown. Dallas Stars won six of their last nine games; they lost their last three road games. Six of last eight Dallas games went over total. Bruins won eight of their last ten games; they won last four home games, outscoring foes 17-4. Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Boston games.

Ducks won four of last five games with Colorado; they’re 3-2 in last five visits to Denver. Under is 6-3-1 in last ten series games. Anaheim won six of last nine games overall, four of last six on road; six of Ducks’ last eight games stayed under the total. Avalanche won their last six games, outscoring foes 26-9; Colorado won its last five home games. Three of their last four games stayed under the total.

Sharks won seven of their last ten games with Los Angeles; they won four of last five games in Staples Center. Under is 3-0-2 in last five series games. Sharks lost three of last four games overall, five of last six road games. Under is 5-3 in their last eight games. Kings lost five of their last seven games overall, three in row at home. Four of last five Lo Angeles games went over the total.

Islanders won last two games with Montreal, after losing previous seven series games; under is 4-2-1 in last seven series games. New York lost three of last four games in this building. Islanders won their last two games 5-4/7-2, after losing previous five games; they lost three of last four road tilts. Canadiens lost six of last eight games overall; they split last four home tilts. Under is 7-2 in last nine Montreal games.