Sports Handicapper William Burns's Picks & Predictions

(#715) Kennesaw State Owls @ (#716) Sam Houston State Bearkats | OVER | . 

This line has come down since opening and I believe that it's gone down too much. Kennesaw State ranks in the top 10 in adjusted tempo via. KenPom and loves to push the ball. Not only that, but the Owls average 88.5 PPG which is among the top 20 in the country. They've scored 80+ points in four consecutive contests and was even able to put up 87 against USF as well as 81 on the road against Alabama this season. They are more than capable of producing 90+ games and even 100+ when the timing is right. SHSU also loves to play fast, with the #34 ranking in adjusted tempo. With neither defense being ranked inside the top 100 in efficiency , I expect points to come rather easily on Wednesday evening. Hammer the "over." 

Burns' Prediction: 89-84 SHSU.

(#714) Oakland Golden Grizzlies | ATS | . 

Even though IU Indy has been able to hang around in quite a few games this season, it's hard not to acknowledge its record. The 5-16 Jaguars are 1-10 on the road in 11 contests and I believe that it's about time for an ultimate beatdown. They are quite miserable on the defensive side of the basketball and that's why the total is so high this evening. Oakland's going to feed off of that. 

Talking about the Golden Grizzlies, they actually have one of the best offensive among mid-major programs in the country. This is a team that shoots the ball at a very high percentage and also shorts the free throw rather well. IUPUI plays very fast and we all know that. But, Oakland also does and will be able to match. It just plays at a much higher level. Give me the Golden Grizzlies in a blowout. 

Burns' Prediction: 95-72 Oakland.

(#306556) Presbyterian Blue Hose | ATS | . 

Charleston Southern doesn't have much going for it at the moment. Obviously the oddsmakers believe that the Buccaneers are the slightly stronger team given that they are the favorites on the road in this match. But, I simply don't think so. CHSO has lost three consecutive games now including an OT loss at home in its most recent games last week. That definitely took some steam out of this side. 

On the other hand, Presbyterian remains confidence despite the sub par start. With a 7-1 home record, the Blue Hose and feeling very good about where they are at right now. Having beaten UNCA last week and Gardner-Webb on the road by 37 over the weekend, they should be ready for this home game on Wednesday. It's never easy for a smaller school to travel during the week. Give me the Blue Hose as a dog at home. 

Burns' Prediction: 82-73 Presbyterian.

(#731) UTSA Roadrunners @ (#732) North Texas Mean Green | UNDER | . 

UTSA isn't a very good team this year and even though it's a conference game, I believe that it's not going to be able to score many points on Wednesday evening. The Roadrunners have been held to less than 60 points in six of their 18 games already this year. Going up against one of the best defenses in the country, they shouldn't have much success. 

North Texas just went into Tulane and allowed 63 points. The Mean Green have the 37th best defensive efficiency via. KenPom and play extremely slow. I don't believe that UNT is going to be able to run up the score too much while averaging less than 70 PPG themselves. Play the "under" in this AAC contest. 

Burns' Prediction: 76-55 UNT.

(#707) Western Carolina Catamounts @ (#708) Mercer Bears | OVER | . 

Although Western Carolina hasn't been great so far this season, I believe that it's going to be able to score on Mercer this evening. The Catamounts have been very poor on the defensive side of the ball this year. As a matter of fact, they are allowing 80+ PPG this season which has them in the bottom 30 of the country. 

Mercer loves to play fast. Good thing for the Bears, KenPom ranks their offensive efficiency in the top 100 of the country while being 70th in adjusted tempo. I believe that this is an excellent matchup for Mercer, at home against a poor defensive side. The Bears have already put up 100+ points in six games this year including three of its past four contests. Hammer the "over." 

Burns' Prediction: 91-80 Mercer.

(#744) New Mexico Lobos | ATS | . 

Fresno State has done a great job in being able to win consecutive games against opponents inside the MWC. That should be an accomplishment in its own right. That being said, I expect the Bulldogs to get a bit of a reality check on Wednesday. They simply aren't a great basketball team and are 1-3 on the road this season. In their most recent road contest, San Diego State won by 20+. 

New Mexico returns home after a single road game against that same Aztecs team. Although the Lobos lost, they still played quite well. At home, they are a perfect 10-0 and have dominated teams. As a matter of fact, they pummelled GCU by a score of 87-64 last time on this court. I expect a big time beatdown on Wednesday evening. 

Burns' Prediction: 84-61 UNM.

(#224242) Galatasaray | GOAL SPREAD | . 

Atletico Madrid might be the favorite on Wednesday for this encounter. But, this is a very difficult matchup for the Spanish club who has not been particularly great on the road this season. ATM has gathered three points only three times in 10 road matches in La Liga. It's also been outscored nine goals to five on the road in the UCL (three matches.) 

Galatasaray hasn't been amazing, but it's won two out of three home games in the Champions League while continuing to lead the Super Lig in Turkey. I expect the Turkish side to keep its back line fully secured and sneak one past Atletico early on in this match. Expect at least a draw here. 

Burns'  Prediction: 2-1 Galatasaray.

(#521) Detroit Pistons | ATS | . 

I know that Detroit hasn't been at its best recently, failing to cover ATS in a few games that it should be. But, the Pistons are bound to respond with a big time performance on Wednesday against one of the worst sides in the NBA this season. This will mark the first meeting of this season out of two and Detroit took both games last year. The game in New Orleans was an absolute destruction with the Pistons winning that contest 127-81. 

While New Orleans did cover ATS in the meeting back in Detroit, I don't believe that it'll have much success this season. Considering the record again this year, the Pelicans will be forced to play out the rest of the season and try and give themselves the best shot at a top pick in the upcoming draft. I do believe that the Pels have great young talent. But, it's not been able to show itself throughout this year with the absentees and lack of chemistry between players. 

That being said, Detroit leads the Eastern Conference and is showing no signs of slowing down given the recent struggles of other teams. This line is quite generous if you'd ask me, even on the road. In an expected higher scoring game, I'm hammering Detroit minus the points on Wednesday evening. This is my #1 NBA GAME OF THE MONTH. 

Burns' Prediction: 125-103 Pistons.