Jimmy Boyd Sports Picks

4* VEGAS INSIDER on Wisc-Milwaukee +3

Milwaukee is catching three points in a spot where they should likely be the favorite.
The Panthers have the offensive firepower to blow this game open if Detroit doesn't show up early.

Detroit has been one of the most inconsistent defensive teams in the Horizon League all season.
They rank near the bottom of the conference in effective field goal percentage defense and points allowed per possession.

The Titans struggle to defend the perimeter and give up way too many open looks from downtown.
Milwaukee’s guards are high-volume shooters who will look to exploit those gaps every time down the floor.

The Panthers play with a fast tempo and rank in the top tier of the league for offensive rebounding.
They create constant second-chance opportunities that eventually break an opponent's spirit.

Detroit doesn’t have the bench depth to keep up with Milwaukee's rotation for a full forty minutes.
The Titans have a tendency to fade late in the second half when their starters run out of gas.

Milwaukee has been a great investment on the road lately, covering the spread in four of their last five away games.
They match up perfectly against Detroit’s defensive schemes and know how to manufacture points in the paint.

The Panthers are also much more reliable at the free-throw line in crunch time.
In a game projected to be this close, you want the team that doesn't leave points at the stripe.

Detroit’s home-court advantage has been minimal this year with low attendance and a poor ATS record at home.
This feels like a game where the road dog has the better talent and much better coaching.

Grab the points with the superior offensive team in this conference clash.
The value is clearly on the Panthers to keep this within a possession or win it outright.

I like the Wisc-Milwaukee +3 (-105)

3* HEAVY HITTER on Marquette/Providence: over 162

The first time these Big East rivals met in January, they turned the gym into a track meet. That game ended in a 105-104 shootout that saw both teams clear 90 points before the game even hit overtime.

Providence is one of the most explosive offenses in the country this year. They are averaging nearly 89 points per game and love to hunt for early shots in transition.

Marquette has struggled to stop anyone lately, allowing over 76 points per contest. Their defense is specifically vulnerable to fast-paced teams that attack the rim and kick for open threes.

Freshman guard Nigel James Jr. is the engine for the Golden Eagles right now. He dropped a career-high 38 points against the Friars in the first meeting and should find plenty of room to work again tonight.

Marquette is still playing without senior guard Sean Jones, which significantly weakens their point-of-attack defense. Without his perimeter pressure, opposing guards have been getting into the paint at will.

Providence is dealing with their own depth issues, missing both Daquan Davis and Jaylen Harrell for the remainder of the season. A thin rotation often leads to tired legs on defense and more frequent fouls in the final ten minutes.

The Friars have a history of lighting it up at home, going over the total in five of their last seven games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The pace of this matchup should be relentless from the opening tip.

This 162 line is far too low for two teams that combined for over 200 points just six weeks ago. Neither side has shown the defensive improvement necessary to suggest this game will turn into a grind.

Bet Over 162.

1* Free Pick on Georgia Southern +105

Georgia Southern is catching a plus-money price in a spot where they match up perfectly against Old Dominion.

The biggest edge in this matchup is the turnover battle.

Georgia Southern thrives on defensive pressure and ranks among the best in the conference at forcing mistakes.

Old Dominion has been sloppy with the ball lately and struggles against aggressive perimeter defending.

When the Monarchs cannot set up their half-court offense, they are forced into quick, contested shots that kill their efficiency.

Georgia Southern holds a clear advantage in effective field goal percentage over the last month of play.

They are finding much better looks from deep and capitalizing on points off turnovers.

Old Dominion’s road struggles have been a major theme throughout this season.

They have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games away from home.

Meanwhile, Georgia Southern is playing their most consistent basketball of the year right now.

The Eagles are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games and have covered three straight when catching points.

This team is gritty and has shown the ability to close out tight games in the final four minutes.

Old Dominion lacks the backcourt depth to keep up if this game turns into a high-possession track meet.

Georgia Southern’s bench has been a massive factor, outscoring opponents' reserves by double digits over the last three outings.

The wrong team is favored here based on recent form and defensive metrics.

Expect the Eagles to dictate the tempo and force the Monarchs into costly mistakes down the stretch.

Take the value with the hungrier team that is currently peaking at the right time.

Bet Georgia Southern ML (+105).

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5* NO BRAINER on James Madison -4½

Louisiana is in a brutal situational spot tonight. They just played a high-energy game yesterday and now have to turn around and face a rested James Madison squad on zero days of rest.

The Ragin' Cajuns are severely shorthanded with key contributors Jamyron Keller and Sean Elkinton both out for the season with foot injuries. Sophomore Jaxon Olvera had to play out of his mind to carry them past Georgia State yesterday.

Asking a young guard to repeat a career-high 29-point performance on 24 hours of rest against this JMU defense is a massive ask. The Dukes have been waiting for this matchup since losing a three-point heartbreaker to the Cajuns back in February.

James Madison has the fresh legs and much better depth to pull away in the second half of this tournament clash. They have a significant edge on the glass with Eddie Ricks III and Justin McBride controlling the interior.

Louisiana ranks near the bottom of the conference in defensive efficiency and won't have the energy to close out on shooters late in this game. JMU is the superior shooting team and will capitalize on the open looks that come from a tired defense.

The Dukes are also much better at taking care of the ball and should win the turnover battle comfortably. This is a classic "fade the tired team" spot in a tournament setting where the deeper rotation almost always prevails.

The Ragin' Cajuns had their moment yesterday, but their thin bench and heavy minutes will catch up to them here. Expect the Dukes to push the pace and eventually break this game open in transition.

Bet James Madison -4.5.