Scott Rickenbach

Contrarian Crusher - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach CBB Rotation #716 Thursday 10* Top Play Pacific Tigers @ 5 ET - I fully understand the line move here. Pacific hasn't played in a very long time and has only played one game in about 6 weeks. So I get it. But this is a Tigers team that went 11-5 in conference action last season and Santa Clara went just 6-10 in conference games last season. Not only that, the Broncos have only played 1 conference game this season. The point is that Pacific isn't that far behind everyone else in terms of conference games played and they are raring to go for their conference opener and they are at home and it is a day game. This is a very competitive team with a lot of heart and passion for the game. Having them at a home dog in this spot is something I won't pass up on. The Broncos are a decent program but I still expect more from Pacific than Santa Clara by the time this season goes into the books. As for this match-up in particular, even if the Tigers start a little slow they will eventually get back into a good rhythm within this game and on their home floor. The Tigers catch the Broncos off an upset win at St Mary's and that make this a great spot to fade them. Santa Clara was off back to back losses by double digit margins prior to that win over the Gaels. 10* PACIFIC

Total of the Week - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Rotation #569 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Toronto Raptors vs Charlotte Hornets @ 7:35 ET - Charlotte's game died in the 4th quarter last night in terms of scoring and that cost us our play on the over. However, that 38 point 4th quarter is now serving us to give us some value here as this total has plummeted by a couple buckets from its opener and I am happy to jump in on the lower number. Toronto is back "home" in Tampa for this one and certainly happy to be back on the East Coast after a West Coast trip. Look for the Raptors, averaging 117.5 points their last 6 games, to put up plenty here as they catch the Hornets in a back to back. As for Charlotte, they had averaged 113.3 points per game their last 3 games before that horrible effort against the Mavericks last night. The Raptors have allowed 118.3 points per game their last 6 games. Look for a high-scoring affair as both teams look to respond off losses. The Raptors have lost two straight by just a single point each defeat while the Hornets are off the 93 point effort last night. Both teams get back on track offensively here. 10* OVER the total in Toronto

Earliest Cash - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Rotation #53 Thursday 10* Top Play Washington Capitals Money Line (-) @ Buffalo Sabres @ 7:05 ET - This line has been steadily dropping this morning and I understand the move because Buffalo had a solid home record last season. However, all those home games were played in front of fans. Now the Sabres are playing for the first time since March as they did not play in the bubble games. For the Capitals, they played plenty of hockey right up until the latter half of August. That said, Washington is likely much more "game ready" and I also feel the Caps are very hungry entering this season. Alex Ovechkin certainly not getting any younger and they added Zdeno Chara from the Bruins who is turning 44 years old in March. These guys, among others, want to make one last push for a Stanley Cup. The Sabres, of course, don't have the normal fan support in the building so home ice will feel different plus lets not forget that the Capitals had one of the best road records in the NHL last season. Also, coming into this season the Caps (along with the Pens and Flyers) are expected to challenge the Bruins for the top spot in the East Division. As for the Sabres, they are projected to battle with the Devils to try and stay out of the basement. The point is that, particularly after the downward line move, we have excellent line value with the small road favorite in this one. 10* WASHINGTON

Daytime TV Blowout - Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach EPL Rotation #200145 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Arsenal vs Crystal Palace @ 3 ET - I am aware of the missing players here for Crystal Palace but everyone will be stepping up and doing their best here though that is unlikely to be enough to slow down red hot Arsenal. That is why the play here is the over. Keep in mind, Crystal Palace matches have averaged 3 goals this season. This total is only a 2.5 partially due to the situation but also because there has been an overall scoring drought going on in the Premier League overall. We just aren't seeing as many goals as we were seeing earlier in the campaign. Of course these things don't go on forever and this looks like a game that blows the recent trend out of the water. This match has the makings of a 3-1 win for Arsenal. They are a pricey favorite with good reason. Arsenal has won 4 straight matches across all competitions and scored an average of 2.5 goals per game in doing so. In Premier League matches, Arsenal has seen 3 of their last 4 total at least 4 goals. As for Crystal Palace, they have not been scoring well but, prior to a 1-1 draw in the last meeting between these clubs, each of their last 4 meetings had totaled 4 or more goals. Also, Crystal Palace has given up an average of 5 goals in their last two Premier League defeats. This one could get ugly the way the home team has been firing on all cylinders and, at the same time, I don't see the road team being kept off the scoresheet as they have averaged scoring 2 goals per game in their last 4 meetings with Arsenal. 10* OVER 2.5 goals in Arsenal

ARSENAL goal line -1 goal +110 - Arsenal has won 4 straight matches. 4 of their past 5 matches across all competitions have been decided by 2 or more goals. Look for this one to be as well. Crystal Palace is 1-3-1 last 5 matches across all competitions and their last two defeats in premier league action have been decided by a combined 10 goals. The money line is steep on the home team for a reason. We'll therefore pass on the money line but grab the goal line and look to take advantage of the plus money return. ARSENAL goal line -1 goal +110