Sports Picks and Analysis-ESPN Streak for the Cash January 28

In my most confident ESPN Streak for the Cash pick of the day the Kansas Jayhawks and guard Elijah Johnson (15) head to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. I think they’ll win by at least 10 and cover the prop to get us the green.  Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With just a few days in the month, it’s time to zero in on your Streak for the Cash goals and try to achieve them in the next four days. There’s plenty of options today with another board full of picking goodness from across the sports world. Things get started at noon Eastern time with a pair of Africa Cup soccer games. The afternoon features a La Liga game from Portugal and a couple of props from the PGA Tour’s Monday finish at Torrey Pines. Later tonight, it’s the NBA, NHL, and College Basketball that take center stage with a number of intriguing picks. Here’s the ones I like the most headed into this busy Monday.

Streak Picks 1/28

12:00- Democratic Republic of the Congo win or Draw: The oddsmakers make DRC the favorite getting the draw as they face Mali who has a win and a loss so far in Group A. A draw is good enough for Mali to advance and DRC can only move on with a win after 0-0 and 2-2 draws. This is a fairly even game so I’ll take the draw and the Leopards for the green in this one. Confidence Meter: 3  (out of 10) 

January 27, 2013; La Jolla, CA, USA; Tiger Woods tees off on the third hole during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

2:10- Any other Result: Tiger starts the day with a six-stroke lead but struggled driving the ball in his fourth round Sunday. He doesn’t need to win by six or more, so I think he’ll play conservatively while Nick Watney and Bradt Snedeker will cut into his lead, but ultimately Wo0ds will win even though I don’t think he’ll cover this prop. Confidence Meter: 5 

3:00- Any Other Result: FC Porto hosts Gil Vecente in this La Liga rematch from the opening game of the year. Vicente was able to hold Porto for a draw at home in their game back on August 19, but Porto has been piling up home wins ever since rising to second in the table. I think FC Porto win this game 2 or 1 to zero, but I’m not confidnet that they’ll get a three goal win over a Vicente team that has only lost one of their first 15 games by three goals or more. Confidence Meter: 4 

4:45- Any Other Score: So far this week, Tiger has a par and a bogey on this hole (the eagle in round two coming on the North Course). While Par is statistically the most likely score, I don’t think that’s what will happen. Tiger can easily bogey or birdie this hole, so I’ll take AOR in this coin-flip pick. Confidence Meter: 1 (which means stay away unless you’re in the red)

7:03- No Neither team scored 35+ points in the first half: These teams both average 34 points in the first half while their good defenses give up less than 30 on average. Louisville has the ability to get there, but I think it’s more likely the don’t contrary to the way the early picks are trending. Confidence Meter: 4

Jan 25, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) scores a goal on New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro (39) during the third period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

7:05- Boston Bruins: The Bruins go south to take on the ‘Canes. Carolina’s won their last two games both against the Buffalo Sabres, while Boston has yet to lose in regulation at 3-0-1. Boston won all four meetings last year and Tuukka Rask has been great in net all year. Confidence Meter: 6

7:05- Dallas Stars: Dallas takes on the Blue Jackets in another good NHL matchup tonight. The Stars should have Jamie Benn back after getting a contract issue with their star resolved. Benn could be joined on the front line by Joromir Jagr and Derek Roy who both missed Dallas’s last game with injuries. Columbus has dropped four straight since winning their opener and Dallas will be pumped up to get Benn back on the ice. Confidence Meter: 5

7:05- Philadelphia 76ers: Philadelphia is three-point underdogs at home as they host Memphis on the second night of the Grizz’s back-t0-back games. The Sixers are playing better and knocked off New York on Saturday night behind big nights from Jrue Holiday and Nick Young. The Grizzlies could be without Mike Conley who rolled his ankle yesterday and is a gametime decision. Whether he plays or not, Holiday should be able to continue his hot streak and lead Phily to a win at home. The Sixers went to Memphis and won in the team’s earlier meeting this year the day after Christmas. Confidence Meter: 4

9:05- Kansas wins by Double Digits: Kansas is 9 1/2 point favorites as they go on the road to West Virginia to take on the struggling Mountaineers. Kansas is coming of a 13 point win over Oklahoma on Saturday but have only one one of their four true road games by double-digits. On the other side of the court, West Virginia is 2-4 in the Big 12 and 9-10 overall. They’ve lost to Oklahoma State, Purdue, and Oklahoma by double digits in their last seven games while going just 2-5. Since KU the Jayhawks are significantly better than all three of those teams, I think they’ll be able to cruise past the Mountaineers and go to 7-0 in the Big 12. Confidence Meter: 7

Jan 26, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) talks with shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) as Hayward reacts to being injured during the overtime period against the Indiana Pacers at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 114-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

9:07- Utah Jazz: In a matchup of 24 win teams, the Jazz host the Rockets. Utah has won six in a row at home and are 15-4 on the year in Salt Lake City. The Rockets are just 9-14 on the road and are still turning things around after a tough stretch in which they dropped seven in a row. Not surprisingly, the two teams have split their first two meetings with each winning at home. Both these teams are good at home and struggle on the road, so I’ll go with the home team and take the Jazz who are favored by 4. Confidence Meter: 6

9:35- Edmonton Oilers: Both the Oilers and the visiting Colorado Avalanche atre 2-2-0 to start the season, but Colorado has struggled on the road. They’ve been outscored 8-2 in their two road games and are struggling to kill penalties while leading the league in penalty minutes. Edmonton has proven they can come from behind, but I think they’ll play from ahead and get the win at home in this matchup. Confidence Meter: 4

January Scoreboard

Yesterday’s picks: 8-4

Overall Record: 149-139

Confident Picks (5+): 49-36 

Current Personal Streak: W1 (Chicago)