Big Al McMordie

At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers over Montreal.  The Oilers are on a 4-game losing streak, but will happy to see the Canadiens this evening.  Last season, the Oilers won both match-ups in blowout fashion, as they tallied 10 goals combined in the two games (vs. just three goals for Montreal).  Montreal does come into this game off a 5-4 upset win vs. Vegas, but is a poor 11-18, minus 10 games on the money line, after scoring 5+ goals.  Edmonton, meanwhile, is 7-3 after not scoring 2+ goals in either of its two previous games.  Take the Oilers.  NHL Game of the Week. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:30 pm, our selection is on the Illinois Illini minus the points over Georgetown.  Brad Underwood's Illini crushed Evansville on Thursday, 99-60, as a 16-point favorite.  They'll now take on Patrick Ewing's Hoyas tonight, in this contest, which is part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.  The Hoyas opened their season with two uninspiring wins at home.  Last Tuesday, they were favored by 30.5 points vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, but won by just 15, 68-53.  Then, on Saturday, they eked out an 85-78 win vs. Central Connecticut St.  Now, they have to go on the road for the first time this season.  Unfortunately, undefeated teams, off back to back home wins to start their season, have cashed just 37.2% in Game 3 as road underdogs of more than 2 points.  Even worse:  that number collapses to 16% their offense averages 21 points (or more) less than their opponent's.  In nine contests since 1990, Georgetown has won just one game outright as an underdog of 3+ points vs. Big 10 opposition.  Illinois, meanwhile, is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS as favorites of more than 6 points vs. Big East opponents.  And, over the last 6 seasons, the Illini are 41-1 SU and 28-12 ATS as favorites of more than 6 points, including 10-0 ATS their last 10 when playing with at least 3 days of rest.  Take the Illini.

At 6 pm, our selection is on the Ball State Cardinals + the points over Western Michigan.  Last year the Cardinals lost 55-3 to the Broncos.  Ball State had last week off to prepare for this revenge game.  And, since 1980, rested teams playing with revenge from a 42-point (or worse) defeat are 54-28 ATS, including 8-2 ATS if it was their final home game of the season.  Take Ball State + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.