Sports Betting
Monday’s Best BetMGM Bets: Big East B-Ball, Bears-Vikings on Monday Night Football, Knights-Flames
What looked like a great day yesterday turned into a 1-2 after the Bills squandered a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter, losing in OT to the Eagles. Points were scarce in the Ravens/Chargers game as the Ravens scored a late touchdown to cover the spread, but we were on the Over. The Steelers were able to win and cover against the Bengals, upping their overall and ATS record to 7-4. We sit at 17-16 on our picks.
After the craziness of Feast Week, we dip back into more normalcy for sports, mainly in college basketball. No more weekday college hoops in regularity until the conference tournaments start. Speaking of college basketball, I’d like to share some bets I’ve made so far for March Madness.
Right now, I have bet on the following teams to win it all this year: Creighton, Texas A&M, Houston Miami & FAU. To be fully transparent, none of these were big bets. The most I bet on was Houston at 20/1 and that was under $15. Most of these odds are at high numbers, so you can find value with teams you think have a shot come March.
For me as it stands right now, I like Houston a lot given the value. Though they will definitely be tested by the likes of Kansas, Texas and Baylor in Big12 play, I really believe that the Cougars will play well and be better tested for the NCAA tournament this year as in years past when they were in the AAC.
Now onto the picks for today!
Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Xavier Musketeers (-15.5) O/U 150 – 6:30 pm on FSI
First college basketball game today, first pick of the day. The Xavier Musketeers had a strong showing the Continental Tire Main Event before Thanksgiving, losing by 3 vs Washington before routing a good St. Mary’s team by 17 in the third place game. They blew out Bryant by 25 on Friday, who had previously upset Top 10 ranked FAU.
Oakland plays their first game in 6 days after going 2-1 in the Cayman Islands Classic, losing to Drake but beating LMU and Marshall. But there is one thing the Golden Grizzlies were able to do in every game, and that was cover.
Oakland is currently 6-0 ATS this year despite a 3-3 on the season. They led for much of their game at Illinois before falling by 11. Xavier is 4-2 ATS and overall, but I feel the Golden Grizzlies pull another cover out to remain perfect ATS.
Oakland Covers +15.5, Oakland 67 – Xavier 79
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-3) O/U 43.5 – 8:15 pm on ESPN/ABC
In less than a season, Josh Dobbs has gone from an afterthought backup to potentially one of the emerging quarterbacks in the NFL. Watching him in the preseason with the Steelers, we all knew he had talent but he could never elevate himself above Mason Rudolph.
Now on his third team just this year, Dobbs may have found a home in Minnesota. He has found a home running the ball into the end zone as well. Through 11 games this year, Dobbs has rushed for 6 touchdowns including 1 in each of the three games he has played for the Vikings. Despite all of the touchdowns, Dobbs’ any time touchdown bet is still almost 2/1 odds. Value like this can’t be passed up, so take Dobbs to score.
Also, I feel Justin Fields also finds his way into the end zone tonight on the ground as well. This game will be a tight divisional matchup, but I see the Vikings covering and keeping at the heels of the Detroit Lions.
Minnesota Vikings Cover -3, Chicago Bears 20 – Minnesota Vikings 24
Vegas Golden Knights (-120) at Calgary Flames O/U 5.5 – 9:30 pm on ESPN+
The defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights head to Calgary for the first time this season as they start a 3 games in 4 nights trek in Western Canada. As things currently stand, Vegas is still the top team in the Western conference, leading divisional foe Los Angeles by 1 point.
One of the main reasons for their continued success this year has been starting goalie Adin Hill. After spending several mediocre years with Arizona, Hill blossomed in the playoffs last year helping Vegas to their first ever Stanley Cup. Hill has rolled that success into this year as well as he has a 9-2-1 record and leads the NHL in goals against and save percentage.
Right now, Hill is 12/1 to win the Vezina, which I have already taken and will bet again. I bet Linus Ullmark in a similar spot last year at 14/1 with similar numbers to Hill. Ullmark ended up taking home the Vezina. As for tonight’s game, with Hill in net I am backing Vegas to pick up the win to open their roadtrip.
Vegas Money Line -120, Vegas Golden Knights 3 – Calgary Flames 1
