Here is a sample of the type of research you get from Bill Tanner at OffshoreInsiders.com
Duke Blue Devils @ Florida State Seminoles
Out of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Duke Blue Devils will take on the Florida State Seminoles. This game features two of the top teams in the conference. Duke comes in with a 23-4 overall record; and 10-2 in conference play. The Seminoles are 19-7 overall, and also 10-2 in ACC play. Florida State won the first matchup at Duke.
The Seminoles have been a pleasant surprise, with their lone conference losses coming to Clemson and Boston College on the road. The Seminoles are led in scoring by Michael Snaer with 13.5 points per game. As a team, Florida State ranks 42nd in rebounds with just shy of 38 per game.
The Duke Blue Devils have won four in a row since their loss at home to Miami. In that stretch, the Blue Devils beat North Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina State and Boston College. Duke is led in scoring by Austin Rivers, with his 15 points per game. The Blue Devils are 11th in the nation with 79.5 points per game.
The Duke Blue Devils come into the action with a 12-15 record when playing against the spread this season. Duke has won six of eight true road games on the season. Florida State comes in with a 14-1 home record, while they have won 13 of 24 games against the spread. Duke is just a single point favorite in this game.
Platinum Play: Duke Blue Devils -1 #1 ACC Bet of the Year
Brigham Young Cougars @ Gonzaga Bulldogs
Out of the West Coast Conference; two of the top teams will get together at Gonzaga. The Brigham Young Cougars will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Brigham Young is 23-6 overall and 11-3 in conference play. The Bulldogs are 23-5 overall, and lead the WCC with a 12-2 mark.
Mark Few and his Bulldogs look to win another conference title. They are a game behind St. Mary’s currently. The Bulldogs helped themselves with a February 9th win over St. Mary’s. The Bulldogs were recently beat by San Francisco by a point on the road. Gonzaga is led by Kevin Pangos with 13.4 points per game.
The Brigham Young Cougars have had a solid season despite losing their top scorer from a season ago; Jimmer Fredette. The Cougars are 23-6, and have won five straight games. The Cougars are led in scoring by Noah Hartsock, who is scoring 17.3 points per game. The Cougars beat Gonzaga at home in their last match-up.
The Cougars are 8-2 on the road, while Gonzaga has lost just one time at home in 14 games. Brigham Young has a record of 14-11 against the spread, while the Gonzaga Bulldogs have a 11-14-1 record ATS. In this big game, we feel like Gonzaga will win handily at home.
Platinum Play: Gonzaga Bulldogs -6.5
New York Knicks @ Miami Heat
Within the National Basketball Association; two Eastern Conference teams will get together in South Beach. The New York Knicks have been hot of late; winning 8 of their last 10 coming into Wednesday’s game. The Knicks are 16-17 overall. Miami is leading their division with a 26-7 record; 5 games over Orlando.
The Miami Heat have the best record in the Eastern Conference, and have won seven in a row and nine of their last ten. The Heat are led in scoring by LeBron James with nearly 30 per game. The Heat are the second best scoring team in the NBA, as they are scoring just shy of 104 points per game.
For New York, the media circus around Jeremy Lin has been off the charts. Lin has led the Knicks back towards .500, and now with Carmelo Anthony coming back, the Knicks appear to be heading the right way. New York is four games behind the 76ers for the Atlantic Divisional lead.
The New York Knicks come into Wednesday with a 15-18-0 record against the spread thus far. The Heat are 17-16 against the spread. New York has a 7-8 record when playing on the road, while the Heat are 14-2 at home. The Heat are a double digit favorite in this game.
Tanners Tip: New York Knicks +10
Los Angeles Lakers @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder will get together on Thursday night. Coming into Thursday’s action, the Lakers were 19-13; one game behind the Clippers. Oklahoma City came into their battle with Boston on Wednesday with a 25-7 record; best in the Western Conference.
The Thunder have seen their duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant score over 150 points in the last two games combined. Oklahoma City has won three in a row and seven of ten, including a win Monday over New Orleans. The Thunder are scoring 102.3 points per game; third in the league.
For the Lakers, after their players only meeting this week, much of the media attention has been on them. The Lakers are the top rebounding team with over 45 per game. Los Angeles is seeing Kobe Bryant pour in 29 points per game, and Andrew Bynum with 12 rebounds per game.
Despite having a great season thus far, the Thunder are just 17-15 when playing against the spread in 2012. The Lakers are 15-17 against the spread. Oklahoma City has won 13 of 14 at home, while the Lakers have won just 5 of 16 on the road. The Thunder are a 6.5 point favorite in this game.
Tanners Tip: Oklahoma City Thunder -6.5