Ricky's 8* play on the Islanders.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Scheduling. Forget that Edmonton is possibly the worst team in the league right now and that the Islanders could arguably be the hottest. This play is based almost entirely around the fact that the Oilers played (and lost) just last night in Carolina. 

Key Trends:

- The Oilers are just 8-15 (-7.3 units) this year after a loss by two goals or more in their previous game.

- The Islanders are 17-9 (+8 units) this season when playing against a team with a losing record.

The verdict: This line could/should easily be much larger. As Bob Barker used to say, the price is right!

Ricky's 10* play on Georgia. 

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Motivation levels. If you’ve followed me for any length of time, then you know that this often becomes my “key angle” for a contest. But in this case, I do absolutely feel that LSU, who enters off a 73-71 road win over Kentucky to move to 10-1 in conference play, will come in complacent and get caught classically “looking past” the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-10 in SEC action after losing to Texas A&M most recently (also note that the home side plays with the added incentive of “revenge” after falling 92-82 in the first matchup on the road.) 

Key Trends:

- LSU is just 3-7 ATS in its last ten as a road favorite in the 6.5 to 12 points range.

- Georgia is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 revenging a loss vs. an opponent of ten points or more.

The verdict: I’m not calling for the outright, but this one has “nail biter” written all over it. Grab the points!

Ricky's 9* play on Arkansas Little Rock.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

Revenge. The Bobcats come in complacent here after their 84-74 win on the road over Arkansas State State. The Arkansas Little Rock Trojans look to build off their 56-52 home win over UT Arlington in their previous action and they’re also playing with revenge here after they fell 8-62 at Texas State last month. 

Key Trends:

- Texas State is just 1-2 ATS in its last three off a road win by ten points or more.

- Texas State is just 5-15 ATS in its last 20 after successfully covering the spread in two or more consecutive outings.

- Arkansas Little Rock is 5-2 ATS in its last seven revenging a road loss vs. an opponent.

The verdict: Revenge is a dish best served cold! Grab the points!

Ricky's 8* play on Purdue.

Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant. 

- Motivation levels. This often becomes my “key angle” for a game. Penn State comes in complacent in my opinion after its big 75-69 home upset win over Michigan on Tuesday. The Boilermakers on the other hand come in completely focused on the task at hand after a 70-56 road loss to Maryland. The home side won’t be taking anything for granted here either, as it would need OT to post the 99-90 victory over the Nittany Lions on the road on January 31st. 

Key Trends:

- Penn State is just 3-6 ATS this year trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent.

- Purdue is 8-2 ATS in its last ten as a home favorite in the 12.5 to 18 points range.

- The Boilermakers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine off an upset loss as a favorite.

The verdict: This one has blowout written all over it. Lay the points!