Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Loyola-Chicago is probably the more talented team and is a program that’s used to tournament success, so the Ramblers are going to get the love from oddsmakers. However, the value is with Chattanooga and the free bucket, as the Mocs have lost just once since January 25. Chattanooga is one of the better offensive teams in the country, as it’s a top-60 scoring offense and top-40 offensive field goal percentage. Chattanooga has been an underdog three times in this tournament and is still here. That includes scoring 109 points against Middle Tennessee. Chattanooga is 7-0 ATS and SU in its last seven games as an underdog !!!! Chattanooga is 22-12 ATS on the season overall. I’m grabbing the bucket with Chattanooga.

Rating: 2 Units

Both of these teams were able to escape with close victories in their last game and will look to advance to the NIT Championship with a win here. North Texas continues to win with great defense and they have allowed 66 points or fewer in 17 straight games. UC Irvine played very solid defense against a great UAB offense in their last game, but I don’t see them having a ton of luck in this game. This North Texas defense is going to be the best that UC Irvine has faced this season and I think the Mean Green will really slow things down here, which will throw UC Irvine off. Take North Texas to win. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Red Wings need to start stacking wins, and that can start with a win here. On Saturday, the Red Wings faced off against the Boston Bruins, and they were able to secure a 2-1 victory. Cam Talbot was in goal, and he saved 20 of the 21 shots that he faced. Marco Kasper and Lucas Raymond scored a goal to help pace the offense to a win. In this game, they really need to find a way to get the offense going earlier, so they don’t have to lean so much on solid goaltending to find success. 

Rating: 2 Units

The underdogs have won four of the Islanders' last five games at UBS Arena. The Lightning have lost five of their last eight games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bucks have lost four of their last five games as home favorites after losing as favorites and have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites. While the Suns have won each of their last five night games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record. Additionally, the road team has covered the spread in seven of the Bucks' last eight games.

Rating: 2 Units

The Trail Blazers have ruled out Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant, with Anfernee Simons listed as questionable, while the Hawks are still playing without Larry Nance Jr and Clint Capela. The Trail Blazers are coming into this one riding a four-game losing streak, while the Hawks have won eight of their last 12 games, including wins over the Warriors and the Bucks. It's hard to split these two squads at the moment, as I wouldn't be shocked if the Trail Blazers win in a close one like they did back on Nov. 17, where they beat the Hawks by 114-110. However, the Hawks looked great in their last game, and I think they can get their revenge at home in this spot.

Rating: 2 Units

The road team has won five of the last six games between the 76ers and Knicks. While the Knicks have lost three of their last six games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win and have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win. While the 76ers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games at Madison Square Garden following a home loss.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit's Mize (2-6, 4.49 ERA last season) has thus far failed to live up to the hype he garnered as the No. 1 overall pick. The right-hander, who earned the fifth and final spot in the Tigers' starting rotation this spring, is just 9-19 with a 4.36 ERA through his first four seasons. He missed half of the 2022 season and all of the 2023 campaign following elbow and back surgeries. Gilbert, who was taken by the Mariners with the 14th overall pick, has emerged into the ace of one of the best staffs in baseball -- he was an All-Star last season when he pitched a majors-leading 208 2/3 innings and allowed just 0.887 walks and hits per inning -- and earned his first Opening Day start this spring. Gilbert is 41-30 with a 3.58 ERA in his career. Gilbert (0-0, 1.29 ERA) didn't get a decision in Seattle's season-opening 4-2 victory against the visiting Athletics despite giving up just one run on two hits over seven innings, with no walks and eight strikeouts.