Ricky Tran

My 10* MID-MAJOR MAULING is on Bucknell.

I like the Bucknell Bison to comfortably sneak in through the back door down the stretch with the large spread they've been afforded in this matchup. Last time out the Bison beat Lehigh 72-56, led by 15 points from Avi Toomer. The Bison are now 4-2 in confernec play. 

The Colgate Raiders beat Boston 79-70 in their latest action, led by 21 points from Will Rayman. Overall Colgate is 5-1 in league play. 

Key Trends:

- Bucknell is 7-3 ATS in its last ten road conference games after holding its previous opponent to 58 points or less.

- Colgate is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven home games after allowing 70 points or more in a SU victory in its previous outing.

The verdict: I like the hungry Bison to step up here and push the home side to the brink; grab the points!

My 10* TOTAL CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the UNDER Raptors/Hawks.

Toronto is 28-14 and it most recently got the better of Minnesota 122-112. The Hawks are only 10-33 and they're coming off a 136-103 loss to the Pistons. The night previous to that ATL had won big in OT on the road over the Spurs. 

The Hawks though have had difficulties producing vs. Toronto, as the "under" is 6-2 the last eight in this series. 

Key Trends:

- TO has seen the total go under the number in three of its last four after playing to three or more consecutive overs.

- ATL has seen the total dip under the number in three of four already this season after a huge blowout loss by 30 or more points.

The verdict: The writing is on the wall and a tough-nosed defensive battle is finally in the cards here in my opinion; play the under!

My 10* ATS BLOOD-BATH is on the Washington Wizards.

Both teams are terrible. The Pistons are 16-27 and the Wizards are 13-28. However I think that Detroit takes a step back here in the Nation's capital after its rare 136-103 blowout win over the Hawks on the road in their last action (Atlanta had played and won in OT at San Antonio the night previous). 

The Wizards are the "hungrier" team no doubt, as they enter off a humbling 140-111 loss at the Raptors. 

Key Trends:

- Detroit is just 4-8 ATS this year as a road dog.

- The Pistons are a poor 2-5 ATS this season already off a road victory.

- The Wizards are already a near-perfect 5-1 ATS this season after three or more SU losses. 

The verdict: I love the home side to double down defensively and to gut out the victory here; lay the short points!