The Blues might carry this number themselves. St. Louis is averaging 4.8 goals in its last five games. The 27th-defensively ranked Predators are projected to start backup goalie Justus Annunen. He's been terrible all season.

The Predators broke out of their scoring slump with five goals against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. 

The Penguins have gone Over in each of their last four games. They are averaging 4.3 goals during their last six games.

Pittsburgh, though, ranks 32nd defensively. The Penguins have allowed at least three goals in 13 of their last 16 games.

The Panthers have a top-10 offense and should come out firing after a 6-3 road loss to the Capitals yesterday. 

Congrats to the Spurs for winning consecutive home games against the Knicks this past Wednesday and against the depleted 76ers two days ago. I don't see the Spurs having their full intensity as they take to the road for only the second time in two weeks to face Toronto. 

The Raptors have lost three more games than San Antonio, but have a far better point spread record. Toronto, in fact, is tied with the Cavaliers behind Oklahoma City for the second-best ATS mark at 42-27-1. 

The Spurs have failed to cover in eight of their last nine away contests. This marks San Antonio's sixth game in 10 days. Remember, too, the Spurs are minus their two best players - Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox.

Toronto concluded a 1-3, four-game West Coast trip with a narrow, 117-114, loss to the hot Warriors. That was this past Thursday. So the Raptors have been idle the past two full days. They are well-coached, healthier than San Antonio and have good, young chemistry. They should be up for this very winnable home game. The Raptors also have covered five of their last six home games. 

I'm going to lay short juice and play the Raptors on the money line asking them to merely beat the Spurs at home.

This is a question of trust. The Mountain West Conference has had a dismal point spread record in the NCAA Tournament, while the Big Ten Conference is proving how strong it really is going 10-2 SU and ATS so far in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State with Tom Izzo is one of those Big Ten teams I trust the most. I believe the Spartans match up well to New Mexico. The Spartans have tournament experience having reached at least the second round in 17 of the last 20 NCAA Tournament. 

The Spartans have the superior depth and defense, ranking No. 2 in the country in 3-point defense, and hold a backcourt edge with the necessary defenders to bother Donovan Dent, who the Aggies heavily rely upon.

Michigan State got its kinks out rolling past Bryant, 87-62, two days ago. I'm looking for a better performance from the Spartans. 

New Mexico defeated a disappointing and unimpressive Marquette in the first round. The Lobos don't have the signature victories Michigan State has. I don't believe they can stay within single digits of the Spartans.

Only two teams in the nation surrendered fewer points per game than North Texas. The Mean Green haven't given up more than 66 points in a game during their last 15 games.

North Texas, however, ranks 312th in scoring at 68.5 points a game. Arkansas State can handle the Mean Green defensively. The Red Wolves rank among the top 17 teams in the country in both defensive field goal percentage and 3-point defense.

However, facing North Texas' strong defense is going to be cultural shock for the Red Wolves, who are used to a much different tempo playing in the Sun Belt Conference.

Of the many great teams in the SEC this season, Mississippi is one of the least flashy. The Rebels don't get talked about much. Certainly not like Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. 

But this doesn't mean the Rebels aren't dangerous. They have the right mix and coaching to pull the upset against Iowa State. 

Mississippi is a semi-rarity these days for an NCAA Tournament team - a veteran starting lineup consisting of four seniors and a junior. They have leadership, poise and an elite coach in Chris Beard. 

I also believe Iowa State's coach, T.J. Otzelberger, is elite. The Cyclones, though, are the ones laying mid-range points and missing a key injured player in guard Keshon Gibert. He is Iowa State's second-leading scorer at 13.4 points a game and is the team leader in assists. 

The Cyclones were able to easily triumph against Lipscomb in their first-round NCAA Tournament game. Mississippi has better athletes than Lipscomb and can exploit Gilbert's absence with a more swarming defensive style. 

Mississippi's strength is forcing turnovers while ranking in the top-15 in committing the fewest turnovers. That's a winning combination against this opponent.