Stephen Nover

A large part of the NIT is what teams are happy to participate and what teams are disappointed because they didn't make the NCAA Tournament. Illinois-Chicago falls into the former while California is in the latter.

Illinois-Chicago will take part in postseason play for the first time in 22 years. This is very exciting for the Flames. UIC earned this distinction by winning 14 of 19 games to close the season. The Flames are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games.  

The Golden Bears did not close well, losing three of their last four games, including a 95-89 setback to Florida State in the ACC Tournament. They have a losing ATS mark in their last 10 games.

Illinois-Chicago is more accurate from the field than California and also gives up fewer points per game than the Golden Bears. 

Credit to the Blues who have gone 7-3 since the Olympic break to keep their playoff hopes alive. But St. Louis is in must-win territory here after a 3-2 loss to the Jets this past Sunday.

Look for that to happen. Not only are the Blues the better team right now, but they have a major scheduling advantage.

Calgary has not been home in 11 days. The Flames just got through finishing a five-game road trip that concluded with a 5-2 loss at Detroit this past Monday. This will be the Flames' sixth game in 10 days.

The Flames can't afford this kind of shoddy defense as they are the lowest scoring team in the NHL. Calgary also is second-to-last in power play goals. They haven't scored a goal with a man advantage in their last five games and nine of their last 11. 

The Flames have permitted an average of 4.6 goals game during their last eight games. They are 2-8 in their last 10 games. 

 Free Wednesday Play Stars at Avalanche Over 6 minus $1.20  It is rare for both the Stars and Avalanche to each come off a bad loss. But that is the case as the two square off today with each following an embarrassing defeat.

Dallas lost to Utah, 6-3, at home this past Monday. Colorado was humiliated at home by the Penguins, 7-2, also this past Monday.

I expect both teams to be fired up here. The Stars have produced three or more goals in 15 of their last 16 games. They are sixth in scoring and have the league's second-best power play. The Over is 6-2 in Dallas' last eight games.

Colorado leads the NHL in scoring at 3.7 goals a game and also is first on shots on goal. The Avalanche have surrendered a combined 10 goals in their last two games, losses to the Penguins and Jets. Neither Colorado goalie, Scott Wedgewood nor  Mackenzie Blackwood, has been sharp lately. 

It is rare for both the Stars and Avalanche to each come off a bad loss. But that is the case as the two square off today with each following an embarrassing defeat.

Dallas lost to Utah, 6-3, at home this past Monday. Colorado was humiliated at home by the Penguins, 7-2, also this past Monday.

I expect both teams to be fired up here. The Stars have produced three or more goals in 15 of their last 16 games. They are sixth in scoring and have the league's second-best power play. The Over is 6-2 in Dallas' last eight games.

Colorado leads the NHL in scoring at 3.7 goals a game and also is first on shots on goal. The Avalanche have surrendered a combined 10 goals in their last two games, losses to the Penguins and Jets. Neither Colorado goalie, Scott Wedgewood nor  Mackenzie Blackwood, has been sharp lately. 

Utah is home. Think Over. The Jazz have gone Over an astounding 71 percent of the time when playing at home going 24-10 to the high side.

It makes sense. Utah has the worst defense in the NBA giving up 125.2 points a game and are second to last in 3-point defense. But the Jazz also are the ninth highest scoring team in the league at 117.2 points per game.

No Giannis Antetokounmpo, no playoff hope for Milwaukee. The Bucks are in free fall just 2-9 in their last 11 games. That puts them 6 1/2 games behind 10th place Charlotte in the NBA Eastern Conference.

Neither team is in good defensive form. The Bucks are allowing 123.1 points a game in their last six games. The Jazz are permitting an average of 130.2 points in their last four games.

The pride of winning is gone for both of these teams. So look for a loosely played game with nothing on the line except putting up stats. 

Texas A&M is going to have a lot of trouble with Saint Mary's grind out, slow down style. I rate the Gaels' Randy Bennett as one of the better coaches in the country. Bennett has had ample time to prepare his team for the Aggies' frenzied style.

The Aggies give up nearly 14 more points per game than Saint Mary's and are a very bad defensive rebounding team. The Aggies are not in great form either, just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. They are 3-9 versus NCAA Tourney teams this season.

Saint Mary's ranks 21nd defensively giving up 66.3 points a game. They are 10th in 3-point shooting. Since Feb. 1, the Gaels have had the best 3-point shooting percentage of any team in the field. Oh yes, the Gaels also are the most accurate free throw shooting team in the country. 

It would have been better for Arkansas to have played on Friday. The Razorbacks could have used the rest after winning the SEC tournament by playing this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday taking out Vanderbilt, Mississippi in overtime and Oklahoma by three points. That took a lot of energy and emotion for the Razorbacks.

I don't trust John Calipari to have Arkansas up for this game after winning the SEC Conference Tournament. The Razorbacks are making the long trip to Portland, Oregon and this is an early start time. Hawaii has been in Las Vegas. The Rainbow Warriors have a much shorter journey.

Calipari teams are 2-8 ATS as 15-point favorites or more in the NCAA Tourney.

Arkansas is not a great defensive team ranking 312th. Hawaii ranks 18th in 3-point defense and is well-coached.  

Siena should be a monster underdog to Duke. But not by this many points considering the circumstances and how the teams match up.

The Saints give up 66.5 points a game, which ranks 22th in the nation. They play at an extremely slow tempo. That means this will be a low possessions game.

Duke is in a very tough region. The Blue Devils will be missing a couple of starters. Their goal isn't to cover a huge number. It's to use this game as a rest stop. That means the Blue Devils will be sitting their starters once they build up a big enough lead.

The Saints rely heavily on their five starters. So the backdoor will be open if necessary because Siena won't be substituting.