Sports Handicapper Doug Upstone's Picks & Predictions

Free Play – Take #636 UC San Diego -5.5 over UC Irvine (9:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 15)

In the Big West championship, we have two highly qualified teams in #1 UC San Diego and #2 UC Irvine. They are a combined 57-9 on the season. Each team won on the other's home court Irvine by 8 and San Diego by 17. This battle is worth taking in and neutral court teams as favorites like the Tritons who permit 63 or fewer PPG, against a good defensive team allowing 63-67 PPG, after surrendering 65 points or less in three straight games are 50-17 ATS.

Off a 5-1 Friday, Doug’s a blazing 42-19 (68.8%) in March, up over $6,300 profit! He’s also on 24-11 and 36-19 runs in college hoops, 6-0 in pro hoops, and 7-3 in hockey!

>Grab Doug's CBB MWC Tourney Best Bet! 24-11 Run

>CBB Saturday Night Triple Play! Includes Best Bet 

>NHL 100% Perfect Situation Pick! 80-43 Run

>NBA 89% Spot Play! Super 6-0 Surge! 

Doug is a highly decorated betting expert in his 22-year career.

3 Unit Play. Take #542 Golden State -7 over New York (8:40 p.m. ET, Saturday, Mar. 15)

Golden State is 13-2 SU since making the trade for Jimmy Butler and they have covered 10 of those victories. New York has done its best to attempt to get by without Jalen Brunson and largely hung in around .500 without. What the Knicks have not done well is in the role of underdog recently, at 1-8 SU and ATS. This becomes the difference in the contest as favorites like the Warriors of 3.5 to 9.5 points having won 15 or more of their last 20 games, a marginal winning team (51% to 60%), playing a winning team are 45-17 ATS. 

The Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals have not often searched for a rebound performance this season. However, the Capitals will be on the hunt for a much-improved effort when they visit San Jose on Saturday in the last outing in a three-game California road trip. The Capitals saw their five-game winning streak snapped with a disappointing 3-0 loss to Los Angeles on Thursday. The final score only told part of the tale. "I didn't think we were very good at all, starting from the first period," Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. Expect a better effort from the Caps who are 17-5 after one or more consecutive losses. Washington also lost at home to the Sharks 2-1 in early December and this season are 9-0 revenging a same-season loss. The best way to bet on this contest is the Capitals on the 60-minute line at -150. 

3 Unit Play. Take #631 Louisville +6.5 over Duke (8:30 p.m., ET Saturday, Mar. 15)

Louisville has shown toughness in a hard-fought win over Stanford and upsetting Clemson, who made a late rally to keep it closer than how the game was played. With that, with no Cooper Flagg, Duke has looked more vulnerable and I don’t necessarily like the Cardinals to win, they are on SU runs of 11-0 and 21-1. 

3 Unit Play. Take #628 Iona -4 over Mt. St. Mary’s (7:00 p.m., ET Saturday, Mar. 15)

Both teams look on top of their game playing for the Metro Atlantic title and NCAA bid despite their relatively low seed numbers. Each has played strong defense but the difference for me is the Iona offense, which is shooting over 51% in last five outings compared to Mt. St. Mary’s at 43.8%, which is below their season average. With Iona 13-2 ATS after scoring 75 points or more in two straight games, they cover and advance. 

4 Unit Play. Take #624 Colorado State +1 over Boise St. (6:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Mar. 15)

Though this MWC contest is a virtual Push, Colorado State’s offense is sizzling at over 50 on average over nine games. That speaks to how well the Rams are clicking, while Boise State is below 40% in their past five tries. CSU is 17-5 ATS vs conference foes, and 13-1 ATS facing teams forcing 14 or fewer turnovers a game after 15+ contests. 

2 Unit Play. Take #604 Cornell -5.5 over Dartmouth (2:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, Mar. 15)

These teams split the season series with Dartmouth winning at home by 39 points. Forget about it. That was an outlier game and the Big Green shoots less than 41% away from home while Cornell makes almost 50% wherever they play. Cornell is 14-3 ATS after two straight games where they made 10 or more 3-point shots, covers, and plays for the Ivy League title. 

Free Play – Take #872 Colorado State +1 over Utah State (11:59 p.m. ET, Friday, March 14)

This MWC clash features the #2 and #3 seeds in the conference. These clubs split pair this season at home, with Colorado State winning by 27 and Utah State by 8. What has my attention is the Rams playing the better basketball on an 8-0 SU and ATS run, shooting the ball expertly, and playing stingier defense. It’s not like the Aggies are playing poorly, but at 4-3 SU the offense and defense are less consistent. I’ll hop on the Rams who are 14-3 ATS against teams committing 14 turnovers since the middle of the season.

Doug’s a scintillating 37-18 (67.2%) in March, 20-10 and 32-18 runs in college hoops and 6-0 in pro hoops!

>Grab Doug's CBB Tourney Total of the Year! 20-10 Run

>CBB Friday Tripleheader! Includes GOTY

>NHL PL Game of the Week! 79-43 Run

Doug is a highly decorated betting expert in his 22-year career.