Jim Feist

 The Orlando Magic are just 1-game out of a playoff spot in the NBA East as they sit 9th behind Miami. That makes games like today very important against an opponent that won't make the playoffs in Atlanta. The Magic Have won nine of their last 15 games. They are coming off a blowout win at home over Cleveland, 120-91 as a 8.5-point favorite. Atlanta won't be in the postseason, but they can put a speed bump in the Magic chances here today. The Hawks are coming off a loss at Boston, 120-129 as a 10.5-point dog. The Hawks have been covering of late, going 4-0 their last four games and 6-0 their last six road games. However, the Magic have covered six of their last eight at home. Motivation is a big factor here today and that all sides on the Orlando bench. Play Orlando.

American Athletic Championship here from Memphis, TN as Cincinnati takes on Houston. Both of these teams will be going to the NCAA tourney, but a higher seed is at stake here today. The Cincinnati Bearcats are 27-6 on the season after beating Southern Miss and Wichita State in the tourney. Unfortunately the Bearcats are not a good covering team, evidenced by their 1-8-1 ATS mark their last 10 games. Meanwhile, Houston is 31-2 on the season and 20-11 ATS. The Cougars crushed a decent U Conn team to start the AAC tourney, 84-45 and then narrowly got by the host team Memphis, 61-58 yesterday. unlike Cincy, the Cougars are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 neutral site games and 10-4 ATS their last 14 against a team with a winning percentage above 60%. Houston has covered the last four in this series and I expect that again here on Sunday. Play Houston.

Big 10 Championship today and it should be a good one as No 10  Michigan takes on No 6 Michigan State. No doubt both these teams are heading to the NCAA tourament, but the liekly winner of this game should garner a No 1 seed in the NCAA tourney. Michigan had little trouble with Minnesota on Saturday, trouncing the Gophers from the opening tip and easily winning 76-49 as a 9-point favorite. The Wolverines have covered both of their Big 10 tourney games and four of the last five games. They are also 8-4 ATS their last 12 games. The Wolverines have been a great neutral site team, going 40-18-4 ATS their last 62 times. They are also 24-9-1 ATS their last 34 games vs a team with a winning percentage above 60%. The Michigan State Spartans also had an easy time on Saturday, cruising to a 67-55 win over Wisconsin as a 5.5-point favorite. Unlike their intrastate rivals, the Spartans are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games. The Spartans are only a 1-point favorite here and I am going to take the Wolverines in this one. Take Michigan.