Quick Navigation Links:
|
Jimmy Boyd |
|
|---|---|---|
| FREE PICKS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
| NCAA-B | Feb 19, 2026 Idaho vs. Portland State |
Portland State -175 at ACE |
in 10h |
|
1* Free Pick on Portland State -175 Portland State is a completely different beast when they play at the Viking Pavilion. They already proved they are the superior squad by taking down Idaho on the road back on January 24. Now they get the Vandals on their own floor where they play with significantly more defensive intensity. Idaho is walking into a trap after a massive 99-69 blowout win over Idaho State last Saturday. That performance was a total outlier for a team that usually struggles with consistency. Expect a major offensive regression tonight as they face a much tougher Portland State unit. The Vikings are 17-7 on the season and have dominated this head-to-head series lately. They have won eight of the last ten meetings against Idaho. Portland State knows exactly how to pressure the Vandal guards and disrupt their offensive flow. Idaho has been poor on the road recently with tough losses at Montana and Montana State. Their shooting efficiency drops off a cliff when they leave Moscow. Portland State will use their physical frontcourt to control the glass and limit second-chance points. Keyon Kensie Jr. is coming off a monster 16-rebound game and provides a massive edge in the paint. Terri Miller Jr. is also in a groove after dropping 22 points in his last outing. The Vikings have too many scoring options for an Idaho defense that allows nearly 74 points per game. The Vikings are the more disciplined team and rarely beat themselves with unforced turnovers. Take the more reliable team playing at home in a clear revenge spot for the Vandals that won't materialize. Trust the history and the current form of the home favorite. Bet Portland State ML (-175).
I have eight premium releases available today featuring top-rated action in the NBA, NCAA-B, and PGA. These selections are backed by my most thorough research and represent my strongest positions on the board. My full card of premium picks is available now on my profile page.
|
||
| YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
|
NCAA-B | Feb 18, 2026 Ole Miss vs Texas A&M |
Ole Miss +9½ -105 at Bovada |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
|
4* VEGAS INSIDER on Ole Miss +9 Texas A&M is being asked to cover nearly double digits while they are in the middle of a four-game losing streak. One of these teams has to win tonight, but there is no reason to believe the Aggies have the offensive efficiency right now to pull away from a conference rival. The Rebels have lost seven straight games themselves, which has inflated this line well past where it should be for an SEC matchup. Chris Beard is a high-level tactical coach whose teams typically stay competitive even when the results aren't going their way. Texas A&Ms style under Bucky McMillan relies on extreme pressure and forcing turnovers to generate easy points. Ole Miss has the veteran backcourt depth to handle that heat and keep their turnover rate under control for 40 minutes. The Rebels feature elite individual scorers like AJ Storr and Malik Dia who can create their own shots when the offense breaks down late in the shot clock. When the pace speeds up in a "Bucky Ball" game, the variance increases, and that almost always favors the team getting 9.5 points. The Aggies have been a poor investment for bettors lately, going just 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall. They have struggled to put teams away because of inconsistent perimeter shooting and a defensive rating that has cratered during this skid. Ole Miss has shown they can grit out tough road environments, including several close losses to top-tier SEC competition earlier this February. Expect a scrappy, high-possession game where the Rebels do enough at the free-throw line to keep this within a few buckets. I like the Ole Miss +9.5. |
||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
|
NCAA-B | Feb 18, 2026 Southern Illinois vs Drake |
Drake +115 at Ace |
Lost $100.0 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
|
4* VEGAS INSIDER on Drake +115 Drake has owned this rivalry for years and shows no signs of letting go. They have won nine of the last 10 against Southern Illinois and seven straight in the series overall. Even in a down year, the Bulldogs clearly have the Salukis' number. They already went into Carbondale and stole a three-point overtime win in mid-January. The market is currently overreacting to Drakes recent six-game losing streak. That creates massive value on a home underdog that matches up perfectly with this specific opponent. Jalen Quinn is the primary factor in this matchup. He leads the entire Missouri Valley Conference in scoring at nearly 20 points per game. Quinn dropped 21 on the Salukis in the first meeting this season. Southern Illinois does not have a perimeter defender who can keep him out of the paint consistently. The Bulldogs return to the Knapp Center for their penultimate home game of the season. They shoot significantly better on their home floor than they have during this recent road stretch. Southern Illinois is not a reliable road team. They carry a 4-8 record away from home and struggled to find any offensive rhythm in their double-digit loss to Bradley on Sunday. The Salukis allow too many clean looks from the perimeter. Drakes offense ranks fourth in the conference and thrives when they get open looks in transition. Drake is playing without Wilguens Exacte Jr., who remains out with a foot injury. However, they have enough depth in the backcourt to exploit an SIU defense that gives up 75 points per game. Motivation is the final edge here. Drake is desperate to snap their skid before the conference tournament and this is a classic "get-right" spot against a team they dominate. Bet Drake ML (+115). |
||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
|
NCAA-B | Feb 18, 2026 Arkansas vs Alabama |
Alabama -170 at Bovada |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
|
3* HEAVY HITTER on Alabama -170 Alabama is a different beast when they play at Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide currently rank in the top 10 nationally in effective field goal percentage at home. Arkansas has struggled to close out on shooters during road games all season long. Alabamas pace is going to wear down the Arkansas transition defense by the second half. Arkansas is coming off a grueling physical battle from last Saturday. Alabama has won and covered in five of their last six home games against SEC rivals. The Razorbacks lack the defensive discipline to chase shooters through screens for a full game. The crowd will be loud and the Tide usually jump out to an early double-digit lead at home. The moneyline price is fair for a team that is nearly unbeatable on their own floor in February. I like the Alabama ML (-170). |
||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
|
NCAA-B | Feb 18, 2026 Maryland vs Northwestern |
UNDER 141½ -105 |
Lost $105.0 |
| Play Type: Free | ||
|
1* Free Pick on Maryland/Northwestern: under 141 Northwestern plays one of the slowest tempos in the country when they are at home. They currently rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in adjusted pace and love to bleed the shot clock on every possession. Maryland has struggled to find any offensive rhythm on the road this season. Their effective field goal percentage drops significantly when they travel, and they often struggle with long scoring droughts. The Terps rely on a high-pressure defense to stay competitive in the conference. They are elite at defending the three-point line and forcing teams into contested, late-clock jumpers. Northwestern is just as stingy in their own building. They prioritize transition defense and rarely allow easy baskets or run-out opportunities. Both coaching staffs prefer a half-court grind over a track meet. Expect both teams to use at least 20 seconds of the shot clock on nearly every trip down the floor. The officiating in the Big Ten usually gets more physical as the season reaches mid-February. This typically leads to fewer whistles and fewer points scored at the free-throw line. Maryland has stayed under the total in four of their last five games away from home. Northwestern has seen the under hit in six of their last eight matchups overall. The current line of 141.5 is way too high for two teams that rank in the top 50 nationally in defensive efficiency. This is a classic Big Ten rock fight where neither side is likely to crack the 70-point mark. The value is clearly on the under in a game where possessions will be limited. This matchup will be won in the trenches rather than on the fast break. I like the Under 141.5 (-105).
My full card for today features eight premium releases across college basketball and the PGA. These selections represent my strongest convictions for the current slate and are available now. You can view all of today's premium plays on my handicapper page.
|
||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
|
NCAA-B | Feb 18, 2026 Colorado State vs UNLV |
UNLV -120 at Draft Kings |
Lost $120.0 |
| Play Type: Top Premium | ||
|
5* NO BRAINER on UNLV -120 UNLV is a completely different team when they play at the Thomas & Mack Center. They have won four of their last five at home and the energy in that building is real. Colorado State is struggling to find their rhythm on the road lately. They have dropped three straight away from home and their shooting percentages take a massive dip outside of Fort Collins. The Rams rely heavily on efficient ball movement and high-percentage looks. UNLVs defense is built to disrupt exactly that. The Rebels are currently top three in the conference in defensive turnover percentage. They force opponents into quick, contested shots and thrive in transition. Colorado State has had issues protecting the ball in loud environments. If they turn it over 12 or more times tonight, they won't keep up with the Rebels' pace. Looking at the rest factor, UNLV has been sitting at home since their win this past Saturday. Colorado State had to travel late after a physical battle on Monday night. That short rest is going to show up in the second half. The Rams' legs will get heavy while UNLV keeps pushing the tempo and attacking the rim. UNLV also has a massive edge on the offensive glass. They are vacuuming up second-chance points and creating extra possessions. The Rams do not have the size or the depth to keep the Rebels off the boards for forty minutes. This price is too cheap for a home team that matches up this well. The Rebels have covered the spread in six of their last eight home games against the Rams. Expect UNLV to control the paint and pull away late in front of the home crowd. Bet UNLV ML (-120). |
||
|
PREMIUM PICK STREAKS |
|---|
|
SERVICE BIO |
|---|
|
Boyd is a former collegiate golfer and University of Iowa Law grad that ensures you success in every sport he covers. Jimmy's quality sports selections with game-breaking analysis make him a major force in the handicapping industry for years to come. No Brainer: This is one of Jimmys highest rated plays. After reading his write-up on the game you will see why this plays title is so fitting. These picks are reserved for major mismatch advantages and strong value plays. Heavy Hitter: Jimmys Heavy Hitter plays are backed by a wealth of statistical analysis and fit into one or more of his many winning systems. This is the well-rounded gem of Jimmys top plays, and it covers games from every angle. Vegas Insider: Nobody spots a winning system like Jimmy Boyd. His Vegas Insider label is reserved for plays backed by the strongest systems and trends on the board. Bailout Blowout: There is no better way to end the day than picking up a big win on the final game of the evening. Jimmys Bailout Blowouts come on late games and they have built a strong reputation as being a consistent winner. All of Jimmys picks get monitored around the web. Jimmy is one of the very few handicappers that have actually earned the stripes to be regarded as a top Industry player. There are not many handicappers in the industry that can match his long term success rates. |
