Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy's Picks & Predictions

My selection is on Chicago plus the points over Miami at 6:10 pm et on Sunday.

Bettors are going to line up to back the Heat in this quick 'revenge' spot after the Bulls staged an 'upset' win in Miami last night. In an odd scheduling quirk, this will be the third straight matchup between these two teams. There's been little separating the two teams with each team notching a victory and only a 10-point differential through the first two games. With that in mind, we'll gladly grab the pointspread cushion with the Bulls as I don't see them simply rolling over and handing this game to the Heat. Take Chicago (8*).

Sunday CBB Free play. My selection is on Wichita State plus the points over Tulsa at 2 pm et on Sunday.

While their overall records may indicate otherwise, I don't think there's a lot separating these two teams this season. Wichita State has faced the more difficult schedule so you would expect it would own the inferior record, as is the case. The Shockers enter this game on the heels of three straight wins both SU and ATS. I think they have the confidence to hang with Tulsa, noting that the Shockers have knocked down a consistent 25 or more field goals in 11 of their last 13 games. We've seen the wheels start turning for them defensively as well as they've limited their last two opponents to 22 and 24 successful field goal attempts including a masterclass against a good Memphis team last time out. Wichita State wants to get out and run and Tulsa should afford it the opportunity to do so. The Golden Hurricane have allowed four straight opponents to hoist up 60+ field goal attempts. They've allowed five of their last seven foes to knock down 25+ field goals. Take Wichita State.

Big Ten Game of the Year. My selection is on Oregon plus the points over Iowa at 8 pm et on Sunday.

Bettors figure to be done with Oregon as it has lost seven games in a row going 1-6 ATS over that stretch. I think it's precisely the right time to step in and back the Ducks as they're catching a generous helping of points against an Iowa team that is probably patting itself on the back after notching its third straight victory on Wednesday. Unlike Oregon's most recent opponents, Iowa doesn't figure to run and away and hide in this contest. The Hawkeyes have been held to 27 or fewer made field goals in seven straight games and 24 or less in each of their last three contests. They've done a great job of limiting their opponents' tempo but in this particular case, playing slow might work against them (speaking from a pointspread perspective) as they effectively shorten proceedings and give the Ducks a better chance of staying within arm's reach. Oregon, while struggling overall, has held 10 of its last 13 opponents to 27 or fewer made field goals. While the Ducks do own the vastly inferior overall record in this matchup this season, they have faced the more difficult schedule. Take Oregon (10*).

My selection is on Merrimack minus the points over Sacred Heart at 1 pm et on Sunday.

We'll lay the points with Merrimack as it not only owns the better overall record in this matchup this season but has also faced the more difficult schedule. The Warriors avoided a second straight loss with a 67-59 victory over St. Peter's on Friday. They play at a slow pace but should reach peak efficiency offensively against a Sacred Heart team that plays matador-like defense having allowed 30, 27, 32, 33, 25, 31 and 32 made field goals over its last seven contests. The Pioneers staged an 'upset' win at Quinnipiac on Friday thanks to a blistering shooting performance. Here, they'll encounter a tough Merrimack defense that has held three straight opponents to 20 or fewer made field goals. Only one of the Warriors last 12 opponents has eclipsed 25 successful field goal attempts and that was Manhattan in a game Merrimack still won by seven points. Take Merrimack (8*).

My selection is on Green Bay plus the points over Wright State at 2 pm et on Sunday.

Wright State has been rolling offensively and checks in off consecutive wins over Northern Kentucky and Milwaukee. The Raiders rolled to a blowout win over Green Bay at home in the previous matchup between these two teams this season. I expect a different story to unfold on Sunday, however. The Phoenix figure to offer some resistance defensively in this rematch. Note that Green Bay has held 10 of its last 12 opponents to 27 or fewer made field goals. While Wright State has been on fire offensively, Green Bay has been playing well at that end of the floor as well, knocking down 30, 29, 23, 29, 27 and 26 field goals over its last six contests. The Phoenix enter this game off an 'upset' loss at home against Cleveland State on Friday. While they own the inferior overall record in this matchup this season, they have faced the tougher schedule by most metrics. Take Green Bay (8*).

MAAC Game of the Month. My selection is on Quinnipiac minus the points over Fairfield at 2 pm et on Sunday.

We missed with Quinnipiac on Friday as it dropped a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair at home against Sacred Heart, marking its second straight defeat. The Bobcats are still 14-9 on the season - an identical record to that of Sunday's opponent, Fairfield. Note that Quinnipiac has faced the more difficult schedule by most metrics. Fairfield has reeled off three straight wins, including an 'upset' victory on the road against Iona on Friday. The Stags have done a great job defensively of late but I'm not convinced it's sustainable. On the flip side, the Bobcats have sagged at the defensive end of the floor but have still held 13 of 23 opponents to 25 or fewer made field goals this season. Save for a no-show against Marist last week, Quinnipiac has been locked-in offensively, making good on 33, 28, 23 and 32 field goals over its last four games. Fairfield has broken 30 successful field goal attempts just once since December 29th. Take Quinnipiac (10*).