Cappers Sports Picks

(#702) Alabama Crimson Tide | ATS | . 

Basketball's version of the Iron Bowl takes place this weekend to conclude the regular season. Although Auburn was able to keep the first meeting quite closer earlier this year, I just don't believe that the Tigers are going to be able to stick with this top level offense for 40 minutes on the road this time around. Auburn has been rather poor throughout this season and although it's on the bubble right now, I think that it has a much better chance at winning a game or two in the SEC tournament if the matchup is correct. The Crimson Tide have won eight of their most recent nine games. Although they lost last time out, they own KenPom's 3rd most efficient offense in the nation. Alabama uses the whole bench while Auburn doesn't have any depth at all. I've got the Tide in a beatdown. 

Burns' Prediction: 98-79 Bama.

(#27) Utah Mammoth | ML | . 

Utah made a huge splash at the deadline acquiring MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. Although he's unlikely to play on Saturday, I do expect this Utah team to be ecstatic about the signing and play well here this evening. They are currently sitting in the top Wild-Card spot in the West and definitely could pull off some upsets over the final months of the season. 

Columbus, who's also battling to get into the playoffs, just doesn't have the firepower that some of these other teams possess. I know that the Blue Jackets are playing great hockey at the moment. But, with how they played in the 3rd period against Florida last time out, I believe that Utah's going to have a field day, applying loads of pressure. Give me the Mammoth on Saturday. 

Burns' Prediction: 4-1 Mammoth.

(#689) UT Arlington Mavericks @ (#690) Abilene Christian Wildcats | UNDER | . 

Playing at the #310 tempo in the country, UT Arlington is one of the slowest teams out there. Not only that, but the Mavericks combine their slow pace with the #53 ranked defensive efficiency. They have the best 3pt % against in the country at just 27.5% this season. UTA also struggles offensively, with an effective FG% of 47.8% which is #318. 

Abilene Christian doesn't play quite as slow. But, the Wildcats offense is very poor as well. As a matter of fact, they are #332 in effective FG% and it's not going to get any better against a fantastic UTA defense. The first meeting saw these teams combine for 130. I expect even less on Saturday in an important final game of the regular season. 

Burns' Prediction: 63-56 UTA.

(#737) Western Carolina Catamounts / (#738) Mercer Bears | OVER | . 

Entering the tournament, Western Carolina might just be the hottest team in the SOCON. The Catamounts have won six consecutive contests and are averaging 84.0 PPG over those games. I know that this is going to be a difficult matchup for them, given that Mercer was fantastic during the regular season. But, there's no question in my mind that WCU will be able to score. 

Mercer plays at the #89 fastest tempo in the country, while owning a very poor defense. Opponents are shooting nearly 37% from the 3pt line against the Bears this season and that's something WCU will be able to capitalize on. Mercer also has a very solid offense. I expect a ton of points in this basketball game. 

Burns' Prediction: 87-80 Mercer.

(#601) Arkansas Razorbacks | ATS | . 

After opening as a favorite, the Razorbacks are now slight underdogs. I understand that this is a road game and the final home game of the season for the Tigers. But, I simply believe that Arkansas is a much better basketball team and will have much more success in the month of March. The Razorbacks have the best offensive turnover % in the country, and shoot the ball extremely well (#16 in effective FG%.) 

Although Missouri shoots the ball quite well too, it really struggles at holding onto the ball, giving away 11.6 turnovers per game this season. I am not a big fan of the Tigers' defense either. They've been too lackadaisical at times including their most recent game against Oklahoma. In that game, the Sooners shot 70% from the field and 55% from deep! That's very poor from Missou. 

In the end, if this game goes down to the wire, I expect Darius Acuff Jr. to once again be the best player on the court. He's proven time and time again that he's one of the best players in the whole country. Give me the Razorbacks on Saturday. 

Burns' Prediction: 84-77 Arkansas.

(#719) Arizona Wildcats | ATS | . 

Even on the road here on Saturday, I'm expecting the Arizona Wildcats to cruise to another blowout win this evening. Even with a loss here, Arizona would still probably end up on the #1 line. However, a win here would most definitely secure it no matter what happens inside the Big 12 Tournament. Having said that, this should be a game that Tommy Lloyd's team takes very seriously. A game like this is a spot to show the world what the Wildcats are capable of and I expect them to do just that. 

Colorado began Big 12 play with a pair of wins. It then followed that up with six consecutive losses. Since then, the Buffaloes have been fairly inconsistent. Against the best teams in the conference, they have not done too well. Losing to Houston by 40. Losing to Texas Tech by 34. Losing to Iowa State by 30. I know that all of those games were on the road. But, with one of the worst 3pt defenses in the whole country, I don't expect Colorado to have much of a chance here on Saturday evening. Hammer the Wildcats and expect a 20+ point win. 

Burns' Prediction: 93-72 Arizona.

(#200270) Sheffield United | 3-WAY ML | . 

West Bromwich is currently fighting to stay up in the Championship. Sitting in 21st heading into the match-week, there's definitely some question whether it's going to be able to avoid relegation. This matchup isn't going to help the Baggies' cause one bit either. 

Sheffield United began the season quite poorly, near the bottom for many weeks. But, the Blades have sure woken up over the past month or so. Now in 13th, Sheffield will be looking to keep rolling and get into the top 10. Who knows, a spot in the top six is less than 10 points away as well. Considering the current form from both sides, give me Sheffield in this one. 

Burns' Prediction: 3-0 Sheffield.

(#24530) Alberto Montes | ML | . 

Montes is quite expensive in this fight. But, I think it's for good reason. The Venezuelan is a submission artist and Ricky Turcios has already been submitted in the UFC so far. In fact, the American has just two wins in five fights inside the UFC octagon and both of his wins come by split decision. That's not too impressive if you'd ask me. Montes is one year younger and is a rising contender inside the Featherweight Division. I expect a finish, but either way, give me Montes to get his hand raised at UFC 326 in Vegas. 

Burns' Prediction: Montes via. 2nd Round Submission.

(#209909) Inter Miami | 3-WAY ML | . 

After losing in the opening match week, Messi and Miami knew that losing was not an option last weekend against Orlando. The goat led Miami to a 4-2 comeback victory and I'm expecting more attacking brilliance from the defending champs on Saturday. DC United has scored only one goal over the two match weeks so far. Having said that, I believe that Miami will be on the front foot for the majority of this game. I know that DC has only conceded a single goal as well. But, let's not forget that Miami scored 81 goals in 34 regular season games last year. Give me Miami in a comfortable win on the road. 

Burns' Prediction: 3-1 Miami.