William Burns Handicapper Reviews & Picks

Edmonton Oilers (ML) ..

This simply is a massive game for the Oilers. They had broken their losing streak with consecutive wins on Thursday & Saturday, but lost to the Sabres on Tuesday in a disappointing performance. Today, however, I expect Edmonton to respond in a big way. The Oilers average the most SOG per game this season out of any team, and NJ has allowed 14 goals over their past four games this season.

Talking about the Devils, they are without Jack Hughes for the remainder of the season. I know that they've still got talent to play without him and possibly keep their spot in the playoffs. However, it's going to be tough. Hughes is massive for this team and I don't see them winning too many big games down the stretch. I've got Edmonton here this evening .

Score Prediction: 5-2 Oilers.

Florida Panthers @ Toronto Maple Leafs (Over) ..

Yes, I know that the Panthers have been playing in quite low scoring games recently. However, I believe that the time is come for another thrilling matchup against the Leafs. All three times that Florida played against Toronto in 2024 (once this season,) the two sides combined for 6+ goals and went "over" in all of those games. Florida is very good at scoring goals and that should be something that it thrives at again today.

Toronto, on the other hand, is coming off a much needed win against Utah in OT on Tuesday. The Leafs are back to their winning ways and that's always a good thing when you look at teams that are confident in the attacking third. Like the Panthers, the Leafs are a top-10 scoring team in the league, going by Goals Per Game (GPG.)

These teams don't necessarily like each other as they both currently stand at the top of the Atlantic Division. I expect a hard fought game with plenty of goals and this game to go "over" the number here this evening.

Score Prediction: 5-3 Leafs.

Ohio Bobcats (ML) ..

Despite losing to the Toledo Rockets in both games this season, I expect Ohio to come out and win this game on Thursday afternoon. They say it's hard to beat a team twice, yet alone three times in the same year, especially teams that are at the "same" talent level. Well, I believe that to be true in a spot like this. Ohio is a complete team with five double digit scoring options. I like that a lot in big games where any guy can step up and make a shot when it matters. On the other hand, the Rockets do have the "more efficient" offense, according to KenPom's efficiency rankings. However, they are significantly lower in the overall rankings, giving them a real disadvantage on the defensive side of the basketball. This should be a higher scoring game and I like Ohio in games like that. I do not expect the Bobcats to lose to a team three times that had eight losses in the regular season of MAC play (just like itself.) The odds suggest that they don't either. Hammer Ohio.

Score Prediction: 83-74 Ohio.

Nevada Wolfpack @ Colorado State Rams (Under) ..

Yesterday, the Wolfpack were able to win an easy first round matchup against Fresno State. Today, it's got a much tougher task. Nevada is a team that doesn't play very fast. It relies on high percentage looks from inside the arc more than out. The Wolfpack can hang around at times with some of the best in the conference. However, it plays best when it slows the game down and plays at their pace.

Somewhat luckily for them, Colorado State isn't the fastest playing team at all either. The Rams do score quite a bit more. However, they aren't going to push the pace. The Rams are scorching hot defensively though, over this seven game winning streak. They've allowed an average of 61 PPG over those games.

Both teams normally make field goals at high rates which is a bit scary in a spot like this. However, I believe that the strong defense of CSU will limit Nevada points and that will ultimately lead to a lower scoring game here in the second round of the MWC Tournament.

Score Prediction: 70-63 CSU.

Bethune Cookman Wildcats (ML) ..

Despite not scoring much this season, Bethune Cookman really turned it up a notch at the end of the regular season in the SWAC conference. The Wildcats enter this tournament on a five game winning streak and should be considered one of the "favorites" to win this conference in my opinion. They've got two of the best players in the conferences in Trey Thomas & Brayon Freeman. Both of them average 16+ PPG.

Looking at Alcorn State, its had a hard time winning games this season. Yes, its conference record is actually quite solid. But, the Braves didn't win a single non-conference game this season and that's what has brought their record so low. Having said all of that, the stats don't see Alcorn as very much of a threat here in this game. It's got one of the worst offenses in the country and its defense isn't entirely great either.

All in all, I expect Bethune Cookman to roll here. No, its offense isn't top tier either. But, it's significantly better defensively than Alcorn. Expect the Wildcats to win this one by close to, if not double digits here.

Score Prediction: 71-62 Bethune Cookman.

Mississippi State Bulldogs (ATS) ..

Coming off of a brilliant performance against LSU in the first round of the tournament, Mississippi State should be considered as a dangerous opponent to anyone in the SEC right now (even the rest of the country come NCAA Tournament time.) The Bulldogs are led by a fantastic young player in Josh Hubbard who scored 26pts last night in just 26 minutes. The Bulldogs had nine other guys who scored multiple points as they went on to score 91 in the win. This is a complete roster that most definitely should not be taken lightly.

On the other hand, Missouri are struggling dearly as it heads into its first conference tourney game. The Tigers finished the season with consecutive road loses against Vandy & Oklahoma. Then, they came back home and lost by double digits against Kentucky. Now, Missouri relies on making buckets at high rates. It's not going to out rebound very many teams in the SEC, especially a great rebounding team like MSST. Missouri did look good when these two sides matched up in February. However, there's been a lot of season that's passed since then and MSST is a completely different team. The Bulldogs are hungry and I expect them to win this game outright on Thursday evening.

Score Prediction: 82-76 Mississippi State.

Iowa State Cyclones (ATS) ..

After playing similar level basketball to Cincinnati for a lot of the game yesterday, Iowa State finally managed to pull away in the second half, winning the game by 20. Now, I don't believe that the Cyclones are going to blow BYU out, because the Cougars are a really good basketball team. However, I do really like the overall game of the Cyclones a lot more in this spot. ISU is very, very deep with five double digit scorers. That will help them go far into the dance this season. Looking at BYU, it's one of the hottest teams in College Hoops right now. No, that isn't the thing that ISU fans want to hear. However, it must be said. There are some flaws to the Cougars' game though. They are also a deep roster, but have very weak defending for a team that's supposed to be a top team in the Big 12. That lack of defending is going to hurt them and could see them in a lot more high scoring battles when in matters. ISU should have the guys to thrive in a close game here and I expect them to pull away in the closing stages of the game. Give me the Cyclones.

Score Prediction: 79-71 ISU.