Denver University Pioneers vs Stanford Cardinal Point Spread Picks

The Stanford Cardinal is off to a rough start to the 2017 season. They take on Denver at home with just a 4-6 record to date. While they have lost to some very good teams, they have not been able to put away soft teams, as their biggest margin of victory on the season has been 16 points. That has led to a woeful 2-8 ATS mark through their 10 games, including 0-3 ATS as a favorite of more than -8.5. Denver is just 5-6 on the season, but the Pioneers have been good enough defensively to stay in touch, as they have limited five of their opponents to 38% shooting or less. Stanford has Kansas, UCLA, and USC just ahead on the schedule, and like we have seen all season, the "A" game is not likely to see the court in this one. Grab the points on Denver.

The Denver Pioneers are a tale of two teams, and it has been going on for awhile. Denver, utilizing the high altitude at their home court have been a point spread cash cow at home. The Pioneers are 97-36 SU at home, and 66-49-1 ATS. The road has been completely the opposite where they are a woeful 29-91 SU and 43-67-1 ATS. They have also covered just 33% of their games as a double-digit road dog, and 0-24 SU. The Pioneers also own a dismal 1-10-1 ATS mark in 12 tries vs. the PAC-12, and appear to be very over-matched here and in a bad spot. Stanford is 3-0 at home to start the season, and has been 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 outside the conference. Denver has had five meetings with Stanford, and has yet to break through as they are 0-5 ATS. Lay the points on Stanford.

Stanford is a big favorite, but how good is this team? They've been average at home straight up and the Cardinal is just 1-4-1 ATS in their last six home games. Stanford is 2-3 the last five games, losing twice as a favorite. The last game they were 19-point chalk over Seattle but won 68-57 shooting 34% and trailing 30-27 at the half! And that's the major weakness, they can't shoot, shooting just .388% as a team. The Cardinal returns just 12 letterwinners, including two starters, from last season's squad. Denver is about defense and slowing the pace down, allowing 60 and 61 points the last two games. All-Sun Belt Conference First Team member Chris Udofia leads the way and was voted 2011-12 SBC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SBC First Team last season. Look for a slow, defensive game and grab the dog. Play Denver.