Jim Feist

The New Orleans Pelicans holding onto the 9th playoff spot, but a bunch of teams surround them. In fact, the games separating 4th place LA Clippers and 11th place Utah are just 3.5-games. The Pelicans can get back to the .500 mark with a win here tonight. They have won three straight games including last time out vs Charlotte, 115-96, as a 9-point favorite. However, the Pelicans are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games and 7-22 ATS their last 29 road games vs a team with a winning home record. The Clippers will be without Paul George, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury. They were without him last game in their win over the Thunder, 127-105, as a 4-point favorite. That made them 5-2 S/U and ATS in their last seven games. Time will tell the long term effects of the loss of George. For tonight though, I'll be on the Clippers.

Gonzaga coming off that emotional last second win over UCLA to propel them into the Elite 8. The Zags beat UCLA, 79-76, as a 1-point favorite. That makes 12 straight wins for Gonzaga but only two covers in their last five games. In fact, the Zags are just 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 neutral site games and 1-7 ATS in their last eight NCAA games. Moreover, they are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a ATS win. Connecticut has had little trouble in the NCAA tourney, beating Iona by 24, then St Mary's by 15 and last game over Arkansas by 23, 88-65. Now they look to take care of their second West Coast team in this tournament. The Huskies are 7-1-1 ATS their last nine games. They are also 19-7 ATS their last 26 NCAA tournament games. Connecticut might be the favorite now to win it all with all the No 1 seeds gone. I'll take U Conn here today to down another West Coast Conference team. Play Connecticut on the Money Line here today. 

Florida Atlantic's fairy tale story continues as they enter the Elite 8 of the NCAA tourney. The Owls beat Tennessee in the Sweet 16, 62-55, as a 4.5-point dog. That makes the Owls 10-0 in their last 10 games and 7-3 ATS. They are also 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games vs a team with a win percentage of 60% or better. Kansas State making up for their early exit in the Big 12 tourney when they lost to TCU, 67-80. Now they have won three straight including their OT win over Michigan State in the Sweet 16, 98-93, as a 1-point favorite. Kansas State is 7-2 ATS in their last nine games. With all the players that transfer each year, we are seeing more parity in the big schools and smaller ones. Thus, Florida Atlantic making such a big splash this year. I'm taking the points with the Owls here on Saturday.