Sports Picks and Analysis-ESPN Streak for the Cash, January 29

In one of today’s intriguing Streak for the Cash props, the Wisconsin Badgers and forward Mike Bruesewitz (31) take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. I’ll take the Badgers three-pointers to be more than OSU’s winning Margin as one of the better picks of tongiht’s schedule. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

There’s only three days left in January making every window crucial as the clock runs down on this month’s Streak for the Cash. There’s a solid slate of picks up for today with soccer this afternoon and hoops and hockey tonight. For variety there’s even a USA soccer match as they host Canada in an International Friendly on ESPN2 at 9:00.

Streak Picks 1/29

12:00- Burkina Faso win or Draw: Burkina Faso are in the driver’s seat in Group C as they take on defending Cup champions Zambia in their final game in the group stage. Burkina Faso got a resounding 4-0 win over Ethiopia their last time out after Ethiopia was able to get a draw against Zambia. While I don’t think that Burkina Faso will beat Zambia like that, getting the draw makes be feel pretty good about this pick behind a team that’s looked like one of the best in the cup so far. Confidence Meter: 6 (out of 10)

12:00-Ethiopia win, Draw, or Lose by 1: Ethiopia takes on Nigeria in one of the two remaining Group C matchups in the African Nations Cup. Ethiopia got a draw against Zambia to open play but then went down hard 4-0 to Burkina Faso. One of the main issues in that 4-0 loss was the absence of their starting goalkeeper Jemal Tessew who got a red card in the opening match. Tessew should be able to return for Ethipia in this one who has had chances to win their first two matches. Nigeria has a chance to move on if they get the win here and Zambia goes down to Burkina Faso who lead the group. Ethiopia isn’t eliminated either, so this one should be a good one. I’ll take the draw and the extra goal and take Ethiopia. Confidence Meter: 3

2:45- Man City Wins by 2+: City visits QPR looking for their fifth straight EPL win. Their last three have all been by multiple goals as they travel to Loftus Road Stadium to take on the Rangers.  QPR has been playing solid so far this caledar year with a nice road win over Chelsea and a draw at home against the visiting Spurs. The did lose to Liverpool 3-0 and West Brom 2-1 in their two home games before that though and with City regaining their form I think this game will be either 2-0 or 3-0. Confidence Meter: 4

7:02- Wisconsin 3 Pointers made: The Badgers head to Columbus to take on Ohio State where they enter as 6 1/2 point underdogs. Wisconsin hits 7.7 3’s per game. That alone is enough reason to go with Wisconsin, but they way they’ve played on the road in-conference only bolsters that side of the argument having already knocked off then-#5 Indiana on the road by five. The two losses the Badgers have picked up in the Big 10 were by four to Iowa and by two against then-#13 Michigan State. Ohio State has an identical 5-2 record but have played close games (within 5 points) in two of their last four games. I think this will be another very close game and the Badgers could easily get the upset. I think they’ll cover this spread with relative ease since I don’t see the Buckeyes running away with it. Confidence Meter: 7

December 5, 2012; Charlottesville, VA USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Jontel Evans (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

7:03- Virginia Cavaliers: NC State is the underdog as they go on the road to Virginia getting three points. Don’t just pick them based on ranking, since Virginia has won their last three games in impressive fashion. The Cavaliers have won by 20 over Florida State, 16 on the road at Virginia Tech, and 14 over BC. They also handled UNC at John Paul Jones arena 61-52 three weeks ago. The Wolfpack have been a tale of two teams this year. At home, they’ve dispatched UNC, Clemson, and even then-#1 Duke, but on the road they’ve lost at Maryland and Wake. Virginia is playing very well right now and will prove a tough road test for the ‘pack. I’d stay away from this game with other good options in this time-slot, but I’d take Virginia at home if I had to pick. Confidence Meter: 3

7:04- Tennessee wins by Double Digits: The Vols are 8 1/2 point favorites at home as they host Vanderbilt in an in-state rivalry. I’ll take Tennessee because there’s no way I’d back Vandy right now. They went on the road to Mizzou in their last game and last by 22 and dropped another SEC road game by 23 at Arkansas earlier this season. In their last five games they’ve lost three all by double digits and have only beaten South Carolina and Auburn who are both 2-4 in conference. Tennessee is improving coming off a nice home win over Alabama and a close loss on the road at Ole Miss. They beat Mississippi State by 15 which is a team that I’d put in the same tier as Vandy. I think the Vols get the win here by 10-12. Confidence Meter: 4

7:35- Detroit Pistons: The Pistons are one-point favorites at home as they host Milwaukee. Detroit has won the first two games in the series one at home and the most recent in Milwuakee 103-87 on January 11. Detroit won their last game in Orlando and their last two at home. Meanwhile, the Bucks have lost two of their last four on the road including a loss at Cleveland their last time away from the Bradley Center on Friday. Confidence Meter: 5

7:35- Ottawa Senators: The Sens are off to a good start with a 3-1-1 record which is just the opposite of their guests the Capital who enter 1-3-1 coming off their first win of the season. The Senators have dropped their last two but did earn a point against Pittsburgh their last time out. Craig Anderson is expected to start in goal for Ottawa looking to continue his hot start in which he’s allowed just 0.74 goals per game and is 3-0-1. Confidence Meter: 6

May 30, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; The US men

9:02-  US Wins by 2+ Goals: With history and homefield on their side, expect the US to win this one easily over a not-so-deep or impressive Canada squad. Confidence Meter: 7

9:05- UNC Winning Margin or Tie: UNC is 5 point favorites on the road at Boston College tonight and they need to string some wins together to get off the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. The Heels lost by eight at NC State in their last game but had started to get a big of a run going before that with double-digit wins over Maryland and Georgia Tech and a road win at Florida State. As they face BC, they’ll look to outpace the Eagles with their 9th ranked scoring offense (compared to BC’s 173rd). BC has cropped four in a row and doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Heels if UNC plays their best game. The Tar Heels have been inconsistent though, so it’s hard to be too overly confident in these January streak serial killers. Confidence Meter: 3

Jan. 26, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Garden. The Blazers won the game 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

10:05- Portland Trail Blazers: Portland is -2.5 as they host Dallas tonight in the late matchup. Dirk and the Mavs have started to get things going in the right direction but overall Dallas is still just 7-16 away from home. Home is where Portland has excelled with a 15-8 record and big wins over the LA Clippers and the Pacers in their last two home games. Don’t feel too confident though, since the Blazers are only 3-7 in their last 10 games overall. Confidence Meter: 4

January Scoreboard

Yesterday’s picks: 5-6

Overall Record: 154-145

Confident Picks (5+): 50-38

Current Streak: L1 (Kansas)