Matthew Lowrimore
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We have put together a 4-pick cross-sport parlay that will take you right through Thursday, including picks from the NFL, NHL, college football and college basketball. One pick is taken from each sport and a winning ticket would give us a very nice payout with odds of +1234 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
College Basketball pick today: Leigh Mountain Hawks vs Virginia Tech Hokies – Over 142.5 points (-115), 6:00 pm ET
From a tempo perspective, we know Lehigh is going to try to push the pace. Since the start of head coach Brett Reed’s tenure at Lehigh (2008), the Mountain Hawks have ranked outside the top half of Division I in KenPom’s adjusted tempo just 3 times. They also typically rank very high in assist rate, so they should be able to generate enough good looks from three — even against a stingy Virginia Tech defense.
On the other end of the court, Virginia Tech should be able to score at will against a Lehigh defense that has ranked outside the top 250 in adjusted defensive efficiency in each of the last 4 seasons. The Hokies don’t typically play at as fast of a pace as Lehigh, but they are efficient enough with their fewer possessions to still light up the scoreboard. Look for a high volume of 3-point attempts in this one, making the over the best option tonight.
Be sure to check out our full Leigh Mountain Hawks vs Virginia Tech Hokies predictions
NHL pick today: New Jersey Devils 3-Way ML over Ottawa Senators (-115), 7:05 pm ET
The Ottawa Senators start a quick 2-game road trip on Thursday when they play the New Jersey Devils. Offensively there isn’t much of a gap between these teams. They both rank in the top half of the league in goals per game and do a great job of generating scoring chances, as they both rank in the top 6 in expected goals.
The advantage comes on the back end, and it belongs to the Devils. They play amazing defense and keep the pressure away from their net with the best of them as they rank 1st in expected goals against. Compare that to the Senators, who rank 24th in the same category. As for keeping the puck out of their net, the Devils have the edge on the Senators there, as well. New Jersey ranks 6th in goals against per game, whereas Ottawa comes in at 27th. Look for the defense be the deciding factor.
Be sure to check out our full Ottawa Senators vs New Jersey Devils predictions
College Football pick today: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns -3.5 over Georgia Southern Eagles (-110), 7:30 pm ET
The Cajuns have struggled with offensive consistency, but they played the top 3 defenses in the Sun Belt through 6 conference games. Georgia Southern has the 2nd-worst scoring defense in the conference and the Eagles rank 108th nationally in opposing touchdown rate — so the Cajuns should be able to operate more efficiently on offense in this game. Unlike Louisiana, pass-happy Georgia Southern has been fortunate with its conference schedule.
The Eagles have avoided the 3 best pass defenses in the conference thus far, so this matchup against Louisiana’s pass defense on short rest will be difficult for them. For that reason, backing the Ragin’ Cajuns to cover will be the play.
Be sure to check out our full Georgia Southern Eagles vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns predictions
NFL pick today: Carolina Panthers +2.5 over Atlanta Falcons (+100), 8:15 pm ET
The Panthers closed +4 2 weeks ago in Atlanta, covered that game, and should have won without the DJ Moore helmet gate, and now the Panthers are +2.5 at home? That just doesn’t make much sense.
For what it’s worth, the Falcons are 1-3 straight up on the road and have trailed by at least 18 points in the 4th quarter in all but 1 of those 4 road games. Granted it was against much better competition than what the Panthers will field tonight, but — regardless — backing the Panthers to cover still looks to be the best option.
Be sure to check out our full Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers predictions
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