Being the nation’s true authority on horseracing takes more than just a group of professionals reading between the lines of the Daily Racing Form or simply relying on speed figures and other so-called ratings. It also takes more than just getting the best speed figures in the business. At ATS Consultants, our horse consultants and horse experts don’t need to read the form - only public bettors do that. We win consistently because we have an unbeatable advantage of INFORMATION! Information that 99% of the betting public from the mutual pool doesn’t get.

And right now, you have the golden opportunity to take full advantage of this valuable information! Jump aboard a four month ride of all 75 Kentucky Derby Prep Races by purchasing the ATS 2010 Road to the Derby Package for only $299. You will receive 3-5 races each weekend along with our exclusive money management system to help you maximize profits. And if you sign up before the races start, we’ll give you our 2010 Super Bowl selection FREE as an added bonus!

So what are you waiting for? Call us now at 1-800-772-1287 to speak live with a customer representative or visit us on the web at ATS Sports Line. You can also call our special horse line at 1-900-287-TURF (287-8873) and get our top four races daily (winners, exactas, and trifectas) for only $10 a call.

Let ATS Consultants take you straight to the Winner’s Circle this year with our Road to the Derby Package for 2010!

2010 Kentucky Derby Prep Races - Below is a list of the 2010 prep races leading up to this year’s “Run for the Roses”. If you are an avid horse bettor be sure to order ATS Consultant’s “Road to the Derby” package and get winning horse picks for each of this year’s derby prep races.

January 2nd
Turfway Prevue - Turfway Park
Count Fleet Stakes - Aqueduct
Santa Ysabel - Santa Anita

January 3rd
San Miguel - Santa Anita

January 9th
San Rafael - Santa Anita
The Old Hat - Gulfstream
The Spectacular Bid - Gulfstream

January 10th
Jimmy Winfield - Aqueduct

January 16th
Pasco Stakes - Tampa Bay
La Sevora - Sunland
Smarty Jones Stakes - Oaklawn Park

January 23rd
The Holy Bull - Gulfstream
Lecomte Stakes - Fairgrounds

January 24th
California Derby - Golden Gate

January 30th
WEBN - Turfway Park
Sham - Santa Anita
Miracle Wood - Laurel Park

January 31st
The Forward Gal - Gulfstream

February 6th
Turf Paradise Derby - Turf Paradise
Whirlaway - Aqueduct
Last Virg - Santa Anita

Feburary 7th
The Hallandale Beach - Gulfstream
Sam Vicente - Santa Anita
Golden Gate Derby - Golden Gate

February 13th
Sam F. Davis - Tampa Bay
Freddy Caposella - Aqueduct
El Camino Real Derby - Golden Gate

February 15th
The Southwest - Oaklawn Park

February 20th
Fountain of Youth - Gulfstream
The Hutcheson - Gulfstream
Silverbulletday Stakes - Fairgrounds
Risen Star - Fairgrounds
Best Turn - Aqueduct
Mountain Valley - Oaklawn Park

February 27th
The Davona Dale - Gulfstream
John Battaglia Memorial - Turfway Park
Borderland Derby - Sunland
Robert Lewis - Santa Anita

March 6th
The Palm Beach - Gulfstream
Baldwin - Santa Anita

March 7th
Santa Anita Oaks - Santa Anita

March 13th
The Rebel - Oaklawn Park
Florida Oaks - Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Derby - Tampa Bay
Gotham - Aqueduct
San Felipe - Santa Anita

March 14th
Sunland Derby - Sunland

March 20th
The Florida Derby - Gulfstream
The Swale - Gulfstream
The Bonnie Miss - Gulfstream
Lanes End - Turfway Park
Boubonette Oaks - Turfway Park
Rushaway - Turfway Park
Hansel - Turfway park
Palm Beach Stakes - Gulfstream

March 27th
Louisiana Derby - Fairgrounds
Private Terms - Laurel Park

March 28th
UAE Derby - Nad Al Sheba

April 3rd
Santa Anita Derby - Santa Anita
Ashland - Keeneland
Bayshore - Aqueduct
Wood Memorial - Aqueduct
Illinois Derby - Hawthorne

April 4th
Lafayette - Keeneland
San Pedro - Santa Anita

April 10th
The Northern Spur - Oaklawn Park
The Instant Racing - Oaklawn Park
Arkansas Derby - Oaklawn Park
Blue Grass - Keeneland

April 17th
Lexington - Keeneland
Freddie Tesio - Pimlico

April 18th
NY Stallion Stakes - Aqueduct

April 24th
Withers - Aqueduct
Derby Trial - Churchill Downs
Unbridled Stakes - Calder

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping service featured on Touthouse.com. Visit our site each day for expert horse betting picks as well as all of your kentucky derby betting predictions this year.

The Tigers sort of sputtered a bit down the stretch, but considering how brutal their schedule was, it’s hard to blame them. Games against Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida at home and Washington, Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss on the road are no laughing matter. HC Les Miles should be thrilled that his squad can still successfully muster a ten-win season. The offense has just been brutal at times in 2009, ranking 107th in the land at just 309.8 yards per game. QB Jordon Jefferson has been the subject of a lot of criticism in Baton Rouge, as he only threw for 1,958 yards and 16 TDs this year in the rough and tumble SEC. Even though the defense only allowed 16.0 points per game, it’s hard to argue that its numbers just aren’t as good as they usually are. LSU’s ‘D’ only ranked 26th in the land at 326.2 yards per game; for a Miles-coached team, better was expected even if the schedule was brutal.

Penn State’s problem this year was playing in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions were crippled by both Iowa and Ohio State on their home turf and ultimately went just 2-6 ATS there. It was a relatively disappointing year for both RB Evan Royster and QB Daryll Clark, both of which were on the preseason Heisman watch list. Royster averaged 5.8 yards per carry and amassed 1,110 yards to go with six rushing scores. Clark threw for 2,787 yards and 23 TDs, but his ten INTs really drew the ire of Nittany Lion nation at times this year.

LSU looks like a team on a mission right now. The Tigers played a significantly tougher schedule than Penn State, and they’re ready for the challenge from one of the elite teams in the Big Ten. Don’t look for a ton of offense in this one, but that’s how the Bayou Bengals like it. Take the points all the way to the bank in this college football betting affair.

Play On: LSU

Ole Miss came into the season with a Top 5 national ranking and SEC championship dreams. Instead, Houston Nutt’s Rebels suffered a pair of early season losses when their offense was unable to move the football at all against South Carolina and Alabama. The Rebels suffered two more losses later in the year against Auburn and Mississippi State. In those two defeats, the Rebels biggest weakness was on the defensive side of the football; unable to stop the power rushing game in both instances, with their best defensive lineman, Greg Hardy, out for the year. QB Jevan Snead is no gamebreaker, the SEC’s leader in interceptions this season, struggling with his accuracy, his decision making and his confidence. Shay Hodge and Dexter McCluster were both legitimate playmakers, but this offense lacks many complementary pieces. Oklahoma State has those complementary pieces, as evidenced by their nine win season despite losing star receiver Dez Bryant to ineligibility and star running back Kendall Hunter to injury. The Cowboys came up very short against the two best defenses they faced – Texas and Oklahoma. But Okie State moved the football up and down the field against nearly every other defense they faced, scoring 30+ on eight different occasions. Ole Miss won this bowl last year; we’ll call for a lesser performance this time around against an Oklahoma State team that came up short in the Holiday Bowl last December. 2* Take Oklahoma State.

Free College Basketball Pick: Oregon +7 (John Ryan)
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Oregon as they take on Washington State set to start at 6:30 EST. AiS shows a 72% probability that Oregon will lose this game by 7 or fewer points and has a 42% probability of winning the game. WSU is just 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons; 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons; 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games versus very good teams that are outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game over the last 3 seasons; 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games after playing a game as favorite over the last 3 seasons. I like the matchups that Oregon has in this game and this is an opportunity to add a 1.5* amount to the money line.

Visit Touthouse.com for more college basketball picks from our expert sports handicappers

Free NBA Pick: Philadelphia +1.5 (Jeff Alexander)
Philly has it going with back-to-back quality wins and I’ll ride the 76ers here while they’re hot. In fact, Philly is a perfect 8-0 ATS in road games after scoring 100 points or more 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons, winning in these spots by an average score of 103.6 to 100. Both of these teams just played last night, but the edge has to go to the 76ers when you consider that they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest while the Clippers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 0 days rest. The 76ers are also 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as a road underdog while the Clippers are 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 games as a home favorite of 4.5 or fewer points. Take Philly.

Free NBA Pick: Detroit Pistons -4 (Johnny Banks)
The Bulls have been dominated on the road this season and it will continue in Detroit Thursday afternoon. The Bulls opponents have out-scored them by an average of 12.7 points per game over their 13 road games this season. The Pistons will be very strong defensively today after giving up triple digits in back to back games which has not happened since November 22nd. Piston win and cover by 10 point or more at home Thursday so take them as your free winner. Johnny destroyed the books again with his Bowl play last night on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and all of his Bowl plays are now posted! You know what to do!

Free NBA Pick: Heat vs. Spurs Under 195 (Jim Feist)
Two of the top 11 teams in points allowed meet here. Miami is on a 4-1 run under the total, with an impressive .442% shooting by opponents, 5th best in the NBA. San Antonio plays has a losing road record, but in the Alamodome this team plays its best basketball, and that starts with defense. They just held Minnesota to 39% shooting the last game, at home. Look for a defensive battle, play the Heat/Spurs Under the total.

For a number of different reasons I believe we’re getting excellent value on the home side:

Sunday’s season finale lacks the buzz last year’s final game packed, for this season the Patriots have already clinched a playoff spot.

The fact this year’s team has already punched its ticket to the playoffs speaks volumes about being good enough to control your own destiny. While this season was far from perfect, the Patriots did finish 8-0 at home, which somewhat gets overshadowed by the fact they’re only 2-5 on the road heading into Sunday’s finale at Houston.

New England is a poor 1-3-1 ATS its last 5 overall and just 2-4-1 ATS its last seven on the road.

The only thing up for grabs is seeding; the Patriots will either be No. 3 or 4 in the AFC. The Cincinnati Bengals will claim whichever seed New England doesn’t get, therefore those two teams won’t play one another in the opening round.

On the other side of the field: This is a must-win game for the the Texanas because they still have playoff hopes. Every available player will be called on to try to defeat the Patriots. It’s no secret that Matt Schaub will look for Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, David Anderson and TE Joel Dreessen on routes all over the field. He’ll also throw screens to RBs Arian Foster and Ryan Moats.

Dating back to last season the Texans are a powerful 13-6 SU their last 19 at Reliant Stadium.

Bottom line: When taking the above into account, having a second look at the Texans in this situation could be the prudent move; look for HOUSTON to improve to 2-0 ATS this season as a home favorite of 7 1/2 to 10 points and for New England to fall to 1-2 ATS its last three when playing the roll of underdog.

Minnesota really looked awful down the stretch to be quite honest, and it is mainly due to the fact they are missing All Big Ten receiver Eric Decker and he won’t play tomorrow either. Really makes Weber that much worse! While Iowa State is not exactly lighting up the score bored I give them a good chance at winning here on Saturday. Iowa State is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. the Big-12 Conference. While Minnesota is 3-7 in their last 10 non-conference games, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Bowl games as a favorite. This would not surprise me at all if they lost here. Neither team has an offense or defense worth talking about although Iowa State does have a decent running game ranked #36 in the nation while they have faced an opponent ranked #46 in run defense. They also have a win over Nebraska who looked awfully impressive last night. Minnesota has faced four top running teams comparable to Iowa State which is not getting as much credit as it deserves in my opinion. They went 1-3 against those teams that could run the ball in the Top 20. While Iowa State is not in the top 20 they are and can run the ball here tomorrow.

Five games on the New Year’s Eve menu today and tonight as the next few days really gets the bowl season rolling. Today opens with what should be an offensive explosion as Air Force takes on Houston. Navy and Missouri will do battle in what should be a tight game. Stanfrod, and Heisman runner up Toby Gerhart will take on Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl. Tonight’s games are Iowa State vs. Minnesota in the Insight.com bowl, and Virginia Tech and Tennessee in the Chick Fil A Peach Bowl, traditionally the last game played before the New Year. Good luck and enjoy.

2009 New Years Eve Bowl Game Odds - December 31st 2009
Click Here for current college football odds

Date # Team Money Spread Total
12/31/09 229 Navy(TexasBowl) +200 +6.5 Over 52
15:35 ET 230 Missouri -240 -6.5 Under 52

12/31/09 233 AirForce(ArmedForcesBowl) +180 +5.5 Over 64
12:05 ET 234 HoustonU -220 -5.5 Under 64

12/31/09 235 Stanford(SunBowl) +300 +10 Over 54.5
14:05 ET 236 Oklahoma -360 -10 Under 54.5

12/31/09 237 IowaSt(InsightBowl) +110 +2 Over 48.5
18:05 ET 238 MinnesotaU -130 -2 Under 48.5

12/31/09 239 TennesseeU(ChickFil-aBowl) +180 +5 Over 49
19:35 ET 240 VirginiaTech -220 -5 Under 49

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free football picks or updated college football betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis

History repeated itself again this season as QB Bret Farve is in the middle of his season ending slump after losing on to Chicago, 36-30. That Monday Night Football lost dropped the Vikings (11-4) to 1-3 SU & ATS in their last four games. That slump has put Minnesota in a situation where they are now looking for a victory in order to earn a first round bye in the NFC playoff race. They’ll host a Giants (8-7) squad that hasn’t played well on the road this season, having lost three of their last 4 games away from home by 20 points or more! New York heads to Minnesota on Sunday just 1 game above the .500% mark mainly due to the fact that they’re 1-7 ATS this season against teams owning a winning record. Even with their late season problems, the Vikings are still an unbeaten 7-0 SU (4-2-1 ATS) at home this season. With the Giants needing a miracle to earn a Playoff birth, must lay the points with hosting Minnesota knowing that the Giants defense has been burned for at least 24 points in 5 of their last 6 games.

7* Play On Minnesota

1* Take the Cleveland Browns ATS, This pick falls into one of my NFL systems and the Browns are playing a lot better football lately. I look for the Browns to end their season with a dominating performance at home against a dismal Jaguars team. The Browns are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after covering the spread in their previous game and they are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games when playing a team with a losing record. The Jaguars are just 6-22 ATS in their last 28 games played on a grass surface and they are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games when playing a team with a losing record. The Browns are finally playing a lot better defensively with opponents averaging just 16.3 ppg against them over their last 3 games. The Browns offense is also starting to click averaging 25.7 ppg over their last 3 games and this Jaguars defense just gave up 35 points in back to back games although that was against the Colts and Patriots. Take the Cleveland Browns as my NFL Free Play for Sunday afternoon.

Vernon Croy was 100% perfect last Sunday and his domination on the grid-iron continues in Week 17 with his Legendary NFL Bookie Buster between the Eagles and Cowboys! Go get it!

Free College Basketball Pick: UAB +3 (Rocky Atkinson)
UAB has started off a super 11-1 overall this year. UAB Is 5-1 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record. Virginia is 3-11 ATS last 3 years against good defensive teams allowing 64 points per game or less. UAB is allowing only 57.5 points per game overall and 59.2 points per game on the road this year. Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win. Blazers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win. Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games. Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Cavaliers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 non-conference games. Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite. Cavaliers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games. Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win. We’ll recommend a small play on UAB tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky

Free College Basketball Pick: Georgia -14 (Jack Jones)
I look for Georgia to put on a rout of Pepperdine here tonight. Pepperdine is giving up 74.2 ppg this year against teams averaging 70.1 ppg and they are scoring 70.6 ppg against teams allowing 71.3. Not terrible numbers but they have played poor opponents and yet they are still 4-10 on the season. Georgia is 5-1 on their home floor and they are scoring 68.5 ppg there against opponents allowing 65.5. Defensively this is a strong team that allows 59.5 ppg and 38.5% shooting at home against teams averaging 70 ppg and 43.2% shooting. The Bulldogs have pulled off two straight wins over Illinois and Florida Atlantic, covering the spread in both. Pepperdine is coming off a win against Utah, but had lost seven straight before that. The value here is with the home team to win and win big tonight.

Free NBA Pick: New Orleans Hornets -2 (Jeff Alexander)
Bottom Line: Off back-to-back defeats, expect the Hornets to bounce back at home tonight where they are 11-3 on the season. Plus, this is a revenge spot for New Orleans after falling to Miami by 1 point on the road last month. New Orleans has had Miami’s number as it is on a 19-5 SU & ATS run at home versus the Heat. It is 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in all meetings over the last 3 seasons. The Hornets are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning record period. Take New Orleans for 1 unit tonight.

Free NBA Pick: Celtics vs. Suns Over 209 (Jim Feist)
The Phoenix offense is smoking, tops in the NBA in scoring and three point shooting, riding a 4-0 Over the total run. The Suns reserves outscored their counterparts 52-31 to help Phoenix rout the reigning NBA champions 118-103 on Monday. Boston is playing their 4th straight road game, a long way from home. Look for the home team to control the tempo against the road weary visitors. Play the Celtics/Suns over the total.

The scoreboard operator should be kept busy tonight when the San Jose Sharks host the Washington Capitals in what should turn out to be one of the more entertaining games of the season, not to mention a potential Stanly Cup Finals preview.

The Sharks have played phenomenally well at home as usual, going 11-2-5 at HP Pavillion. They are averaging a hefty 3.22 goals per game at The Tank, and although they do not face Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals very often, they did light the lamp all night in a 7-2 triumph the only time Washington visited here last season.

Furthermore, this Sharks team is scoring more goals than recent years, as Patrick Marleau (25) and Danny Heatley (23) are both in the 20s already in goals scored and Joe Thornton leads the entire NHL in both points (54) and assists (44).

Meanwhile, the Capitals lead the league in goals at 3.60 goals per game overall, and they do not lose much potency on the road, where they average 3.38 goals. They will also be motivated by this chance to strut their stuff vs. one of the Western elite teams. While the Sharks usually play good defense, we do not think there is a team in the league that can contain a motivated Caps team, an Washibgton has scored at least three goals in seven of their last eight games.

Do not be surprised if both teams score at least three goals here, ensuring a safe Over.

NHL Free Pick: Capitals, Sharks Over 6 (-105)

Two games on the bowl menu today, and it all starts on the Blue field in Boise as Bowling Green takes on Idaho in the Humanitarian Bowl. Idaho hasn’t been in a bowl game in ages, and they’re playing in thier home state, which could be an advantage. Bowling Green had a very nice bounce back year in the MAC and this is a nice reward for a good season.

The Holiday Bowl in San Diego is always a classic, and this year could be no different, although it could be a defensive battle instead of usual offensive display. Arizona and Nebraska are two of the better defensive teams in the country, and the Huskers were one snap away from winning the Big 12 title. Good luck and enjoy.

2009 Humanitaritan Bowl and Holiday Bowl Odds - December 30th 2009
Click Here for current college football odds

Date # Team Money Spread Total
12/30/09 227 Bowling Green ( Humanitarian Bowl) OFF +1 Over 68
16:35 ET 228 Idaho OFF -1 Under 68

12/30/09 231 Nebraska (Holiday Bowl) -155 -3 Over 41
20:05 ET 232 Arizona U +135 +3 Under 41

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free football picks or updated college football betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis

Here is a rundown of today’s college basketball betting odds and lines from ATS Consultants for December 30th 2009. If you are looking for free NCAA basketball betting picks on a daily basis be sure to sign-up for the ATS newsletter, featuring unmatched sports wagering information, free picks and expert analysis.

College Basketball Betting Odds: December 30th 2009
Click here for current college basketball lines

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free ncaa basketball picks or updated college basketball betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis

Free Play from Doc’s Sports. #2 Take Georgia Tech -4 over Iowa (Orange Bowl Tuesday 8 pm Fox) The Yellow Jackets head south to play an Iowa team that was picked apart toward the end of the season. Iowa will likely get QB Ricky Stanzi back for this game but it will not matter, as he played late in the season throwing six interceptions in the last two games that he played. Iowa was never as good as their 9-0 record indicated and they finished poorly down the stretch losing two of their last three games. Iowa will have trouble scoring points and that is something Georgia Tech does well, averaging 35 points per game. Iowa scored just 277 points this season and Georgia Tech scored 459 points in one more game. Expect the Yellow Jackets to run up and down the field and we will collect big in the process as well. Doc’s Sports has you covered with top play winner you do not want to miss in football, basketball, and NHL Hockey.

Seattle played one of the worst games of the season this past Sunday at Green Bay and I don’t just mean one of their worst games. It was one of the worst by any team in the NFL this season. The Seahawks were outgained by only 126 total yards but that numbers was shrink due to the Packers clearing the bench and Seattle putting together a garbage time drive. Watching the game saw players not trying, missing easy tackles and basically tossing it in before they got onto the field. Heading home for the season finale could bring back some more energy but I don’t see this team all of a sudden slipping a switch and playing well. The Seahawks packed it in three games back at Houston and they have been outscored 106-24 in those games. Tennessee was playing for its playoff lives last week at home against the Chargers but it ran into the hottest team in the league and early turnovers put the Titans down from the start and they just could not recover. The ending to the season has been a good one and just because the playoffs are now gone, I don’t see Tennessee tossing it in like Seattle has already done. The Titans are 7-2 in their last nine games and they are playing for next year and want to end the season on a high note. After last season, an upset loss in the playoffs, that negative momentum carried into this year and they want to avoid that for next season. There are two players for the Titans who are not going to lie down. Quarterback Vince Young has been solid since taking over the starting position and he wants to finish strong to be able to bring that positive into next season. Running back Chris Johnson has 1,872 yards and while he is guaranteed the NFL rushing title, he will be after 2,000 yards and he needs just 234 yards to surpass Eric Dickerson’s NFL-record 2,105 yards rushing in 1984. He also needs just 75 yards from scrimmage to top Marshall Faulk’s NFL record 2,429 yards in 1999. This is big on both sides of the ball as the defense will be playing hard to get the offense the ball to allow Johnson to get the needed touches. Cornerback Cortland Finnegan said his motivation is beating Seattle and “get Chris Johnson 2,000 rushing yards.” The Seahawks do not want to be the team that gives up those final yards but they may not have a choice. Seattle’s defense allowed 153 rushing yards and five touchdowns against the Packers last Sunday. Tennessee also falls into a solid situation based on last week’s results. Play on road teams that are coming off a loss by 10 points or more as a favorite going up against an opponent that is coming off a road loss. This situation is 48-19 ATS (71.6 percent) over the last 10 seasons. 3* Tennessee Titans

Free NBA Pick: New Orleans Hornets +5 (Jim Feist)
New Orleans is healthy and off a tough loss at Chicago as Hornets point guard Chris Paul never got into any type of shooting rhythm. He missed five of his first six shots before finishing with 15 points and seven assists. “That was tough, I don’t know what to say, ” said Paul. “It’s my responsibility, and I can’t let us come out that sluggish. That third quarter was bad. What was the score 23-9? That’s unacceptable.” They take on a road weary Houston team that just finished a 3-game road trip (0-3 ATS) and has played 11 of their last 15 away. They squeezed out a win at New Jersey, but got blown out at Orlando and Cleveland. They are just 5-4 SU the alst 9 games. Trevor Ariza banged his shin the last game and there is the distratcing Tracy McGrady saga. “Watching some of our guys, we ran out of gas,” Rick Adelman said after the last game. “We didn’t have anything left to respond. A good spot for the talented road dog. Play the Hornets!

Free NBA Pick: Detroit Pistons -5 (Jimmy Boyd)
Detroit is really struggling, having lost 7 in a row SU & ATS, but it is 8-6 SU & ATS at home, and I expect it to bounce back strong tonight against a Knicks team that is just 4-9 on the road this season and only 6-18 in its last 24 games in Detroit. Here’s the key: Plays against any team, New York in this case, that has a +3 to -3 ppg differential, against a team with a -3 to -7 ppg differential, after 3 straight games where both teams scored 95 points or less points are 25-3 ATS the last 5 seasons (89.3%). The Pistons are due, and a visit from a Knicks team allowing 105 ppg on the road should be just what the doctor ordered to get a much needed win and cover. Lay the points.

The Siena Saints have only gone Over once this season despite playing some potent offensive teams, and we look for them to keep the St. Josephs Hawks in check here, keying yet another Under.

Siena has won a game in the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons, and to further gain the appreciation of the nation, this MAAC team had a brutal non-conference schedule this season, yet they lived to tell about it. The Saints are 7-4, losing to Georgia Tech, Temple, Northern Iowa and St. Johns.

Despite not being shy to face some heavyweights, the Under is still 5-1 in all Siena games that have had a posted total, and according to the Pomeroy Ratings, the Saints rank number 50 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency. They have allowed just 60.8 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting here at home, and they will appreciate facing a lower echelon Atlantic 10 team tonight.

The Hawks are just 4-7 straight up and 3-5 against the spread, and they are 0-3 in their only true road games this season while shooting just 40.9 percent from the field. One of those road losses came vs. another MAAC foe at Rider, where they lost 81-73. The Saints are the kings of the MAAC, and they rate much higher defensively than Rider does so we do not see the Hawks getting out of the 60s here.

Even if we go on the high end and give them 69 points, that would mean that Siena would need to score more than 84 points for this game not to stay Under, and that is no easy feat.

CBB Free Pick: St. Joseph’s, Siena Under 153 (-110)

Two bowl games on the menu today with Temple returning to a Bowl game for the first time in ages. UCLA takes on the Owls in the Eagle Bank Bowl in DC. UCLA hasn’t played on the East Coast since the late 90s, which is a bit of a surprise. The Champs Sports Bowl is also tonight in Orlando, between Miami, Fla and Wisconsin. This one should be a good one as both teams had very strong seasons and are each teams to look out for in 2010. Good luck and enjoy.

2009 Eagle Bank Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl Odds - December 29th 2009
Click Here for current college football odds

Date # Team Money Spread Total
12/29/09 223 UCLA(EagleBankBowl) -190 -4.5 Over 45
16:35 ET 224 Temple +165 +4.5 Under 45

12/29/09 225 Wisconsin(ChampsSportsBowl) +140 +3.5 Over 58
20:05 ET 226 MiamiFla -160 -3.5 Under 58

ATS Consultants is a featured sports handicapping firm on Touthouse.com. If you are looking for free football picks or updated college football betting lines be sure to visit Touthouse.com on a daily basis