loading...
League Logo
CBB
League Logo
CBB
League Logo
NBA
League Logo
NHL
League Logo
MLB
All
    loading...
    Avatar
    Avatar

    Mike Tierney

    Top Dog

    A veteran sportswriter whose work appears periodically in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Mike Tierney has covered the NFL for decades and reported from seven Super Bowls. Mike does not consider himself a pet lover. But he likes 'dogs, preferring to evaluate each game from the underdog's point of view. Mike is 154-124-9 in the NFL the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to $100 players (every bet 1 unit). For Mike Tierney media inquiries, contact SportsLine@CBSInteractive.com.

    @MTierneySports
    LAST 28 CBB PICKS
    +381
    RECORD: 16-11-1
    +381
    16-11-1 IN LAST 28 CBB PICKS

    Get Access To
    ALL PICKS FROM Mike & THE REST OF OUR EXPERTS

    Get Today's Winners Here
    All

    Mike's Past Picks

    Mar 27 2024, 11:00 pm UTC
    League
    PFW
    67
    @ Norfolk St.
    75
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    Norfolk State carries a perfect straight-up home record into the CIT finals yet is on the receiving end of points. Here is why: Purdue Fort-Wayne has notched a pair of narrow away tourney victories while the Spartans have won just once -- over Alabama A&M, perhaps the weakest entrant in the postseason. The Mastodons are road-tested with a 10-7 outright mark. Their more challenging regular season schedule included tests with Purdue and Iowa, plus three games against beloved NCAA Tournament participant Oakland. (One was a win.) They are 17-13-1 against the spread, in contrast to Norfolk's 12-17 mark. Finally, their offense is a cut or two above Norfolk's.

    Pick Made: Wed 3:28 pm UTC
    Mar 27 2024, 9:00 pm UTC
    League
    Seattle
    77
    @ High Point
    67
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    +300
    3-0 in Last 3 SEATTLE ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    Top-seeded High Point is an underdog for good reason. No. 3 Seattle has swept through its CBI schedule by 13, 14 and 17 points. High Point eked out a one-point win in the semifinals Tuesday during which its starters were forced to log heavy minutes. The favored Redhawks bring in the weaker record but are honed by a tougher schedule. They fell in double overtime to Washington and split against NCAA Tournament darling Grand Canyon, with the defeat in OT. Seattle's superior defense should deliver a win and a title.

    Pick Made: Wed 2:46 pm UTC
    Mar 27 2024, 1:34 am UTC
    League
    Fairfield
    58
    @ Seattle
    75
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    Fairfield's CBI scores have hurdled the 150-mark, landing on 151 and 157 points. Seattle plays at a lively pace, which should assure another healthy points output. The Redhawks have rung up 79 and 71 in the tournament and tallied 72 and 81 in their league event. The combined season average for the teams is a fraction over 150. The Stags engage in their third game in as many days, which could lead to tired legs on defense.

    Pick Made: Tue 3:46 pm UTC
    Mar 26 2024, 11:00 pm UTC
    League
    Georgia
    79
    @ Ohio St.
    77
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    +431
    12-7 in Last 19 OHIOST ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    For a team that has covered a half-dozen times in a row and most recently knocked off top seed Wake Forest on the road, Georgia is receiving a bushelful of points. Ohio State, blessed with two home gigs leading into the quarterfinals, scrounged out single-digit wins over Cornell and Virginia Tech in less impressive fashion. Buckeyes Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle were injured in their previous game. Both are expected to play but could be limited.

    Pick Made: Tue 4:06 pm UTC
    Mar 25 2024, 10:30 pm UTC
    League
    Evansville
    57
    @ Seattle
    71
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    +300
    3-0 in Last 3 SEATTLE ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    Evansville somehow won its CBI opener minus top players Ben Humrichous and Yacine Toumi. Humrichous did not make the trip while Toumi remained on the bench. Assuming both are out, the Purple Aces will be stretched thin on back-to-back playing days. Seattle cruised to a 13-point win in its opener, its fourth in the past five by double digits. The teams are separated by 89 spots in the KenPom ratings, which are based on Evansville being at full strength. The Aces are far from it.

    Pick Made: Mon 4:52 pm UTC
    Mar 25 2024, 4:00 pm UTC
    League
    Clev. St.
    74
    @ High Point
    93
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    High Point is the lone team to have received a bye in the CBI, which could put the Panthers at a disadvantage. They last suited up on March 9 and will be rusty. Cleveland State won a low-paced game Sunday in which not much energy was expended and got accustomed to the unfamiliar arena. Minutes were evenly distributed through their main rotation of seven players. The Vikings' last loss was impressive in hindsight -- a three-pointer to Oakland, which shined in the NCAA Tournament.

    Pick Made: Mon 2:16 pm UTC
    Mar 25 2024, 1:30 am UTC
    League
    Boston College
    70
    @ UNLV
    79
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    +380
    6-2 in Last 8 UNLV ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    The Runnin' Rebels were uber-impressive in their NIT opener, burying Princeton with two regulars out. UNLV is confident that one -- rebounder/shot-blocker Kalib Boone -- will return here. That would motivate Keylan Boone, his twin brother as they close out their college careers. UNLV's points differential as a Mountain West member is an impressive plus-5.5, much better than +2.5 for B.C. from a comparable league. The travel-weary Eagles have not played at home since March 2.

    Pick Made: Sun 4:48 pm UTC
    Mar 23 2024, 9:30 pm UTC
    League
    Delaware St.
    66
    @ Seattle
    79
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    Both teams play faster than the norm. Delaware State ranks 92nd for possessions per game, Seattle 140th. The Redhawks rang up 81 and 80 in their previous two outings. Over their last 10 games, each side averages north of 70 points scored. If the rims in Daytona Beach are shooter-friendly, the 136.5 is a low bar to clear.

    Pick Made: Mar 23, 5:22 pm UTC
    Mar 23 2024, 7:30 pm UTC
    League
    Chicago St.
    77
    @ UC San Diego
    75
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    This is essentially a season opener for Chicago State. The Cougars have not played since Feb. 19. Their previous "season" was weak. The record was 12-18 and it ended with three defeats followed by a win against a non-NCAA opponent. The Tritons have been off awhile, though not nearly as long, as they transition from D-II to D-I. Ineligible for the NIT, they were accomplished enough to qualify otherwise. They should be itching to shine in the lesser CBI.

    Pick Made: Mar 23, 5:04 pm UTC
    Mar 23 2024, 3:30 pm UTC
    League
    North Texas
    58
    @ Seton Hall
    72
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    North Texas, which traditionally subscribes to a cautious, patient offense, has turned into Alabama. The Mean Green have tallied at least 71 points in their past seven outings. The defense has tagged along, allowing that number and more in four of the past five. Seton Hall's elimination game in the Big East Tournament resulted in 163. Its NIT opener wound up with 147, albeit in overtime. Mostly, the Mean Green have gone all run 'n' gun compared to the version a year ago in their quest for a second straight NIT crown.

    Pick Made: Mar 23, 2:28 pm UTC
    Mar 21 2024, 1:00 am UTC
    League
    VCU
    70
    @ Villanova
    61
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    +90
    2-1 in Last 3 VCU O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    Two patient offenses have led to a low total -- too low for the loosey-goosey nature of the NIT. Villanova had a recent stretch when it hit 70 or more points in five of six games. VCU rang up 95, 73, 88 and 76 in a five-game span.The Wildcats figure to lead in the late minutes and, with their national best 81.4 percent foul shooting rate, should tack on enough free throws to take this one Over.

    Pick Made: Mar 20, 5:06 pm UTC
    Mar 21 2024, 12:00 am UTC
    League
    Alabama A&M
    81
    @ Austin Peay
    71
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    While Austin Peay plays at a moderate pace, its last outing did produce 186 points. The Governors are often gold on three-point shots. Visiting A&M ranks 243rd in scoring defense. It is likely the weakest team in any late March tournament, and Peay is itching for a blowout that could send scoring through the roof. Odd that the total is near the median for postseason games today.

    Pick Made: Mar 20, 4:59 pm UTC
    Mar 20 2024, 11:00 pm UTC
    League
    Abilene Chr.
    59
    @ Tarleton St.
    86
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    The CIT schedule-maker did Abilene Christian no favors. The Wildcats got stuck with back-to-back games on the road. Tarleton also goes on consecutive nights but both at home. The Texans swept the regular season series, prevailing by eight points in friendly confines. They are 12-3 there straight-up. Even more impressive is the season ATS record of 19-10.

    Pick Made: Mar 20, 8:16 pm UTC
    Mar 20 2024, 11:00 pm UTC
    League
    PFW
    77
    @ Bowling Green
    75
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +320
    12-8 in Last 20 CBB ATS Picks
    Analysis:

    Purdue-Fort Wayne's electric offense could be short on kilowatts for awhile given that the Mastodons last played on March 7 and might show rusty Bowling Green logged three games after the date and played twice last week. The spread is curiously minuscule with the Falcons being the home team and hailing from a superior conference. Its defense is decent enough to impede the 27th ranked scoring offense.

    Pick Made: Mar 20, 4:54 pm UTC
    Mar 19 2024, 11:00 pm UTC
    League
    North Texas
    84
    @ LSU
    77
    +381
    16-11-1 in Last 28 CBB Picks
    +141
    7-5-1 in Last 13 CBB O/U Picks
    +89
    2-1 in Last 3 LSU O/U Picks
    Analysis:

    Few teams play at a more dawdling pace than than North Texas. However, this is a roadie against giddy-up LSU, whose games average 151 points. The Tigers' first two SEC Tournament outings generated 177 and 164 points. The Mean Green closed out their AAC Tournament with a 148-point game, having allowed 77. The visitors have gone Over in eight of the last 10.

    Pick Made: Mar 19, 8:14 pm UTC