3-14-10

[GoBlue]

SPORTS ADVISORS

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

ACC TOURNAMENT

(at Greensboro, N.C.)

Georgia Tech (21-11, 28-5 ATS) vs. (4) Duke (28-5, 18-12-2 ATS)

The Blue Devils shoot for a conference-record 18th ACC Tournament championship when they battle upstart Georgia Tech at Greensboro Coliseum.
The Yelllow Jackets, who entered the tournament as the No. 7 seed, have forged their way to their first title-game appearance since losing to Duke in 2005 by scoring a trio of narrow victories. The beat North Carolina (62-58 as four-point favorite on Thursday), 19th-ranked Maryland (69-64 as a four-point underdog on Saturday) and North Carolina State (57-54 as a four-point chalk on Sunday). In yesterday’s victory over the Wolfpack, Georgia Tech squandered all of a 10-point halftime lead and had to rally from a late three-point deficit to get the win.
The run to the title game has been a bit of a surprise for the Yellow Jackets, who finished the regular season on a 3-6 SU and 2-6-1 ATS slide in ACC play. That slump began with an ugly 86-67 loss at Duke as a 13-point underdog on Feb. 4.
As the top seed in this event, Duke earned a first-round bye, then took a tougher-than-expected route to the title game. On Friday, the Blue Devils couldn’t put away lowly Virginia until the final five minutes, eventually prevailing 57-46 but never coming close to covering as a 17-point favorite. That was followed by Saturday’s 77-74 come-from-behind victory over Miami, Fla., this time falling short as an 11½-point chalk. It marked the first time since ACC play tipped off – and just the second time all season – that the Blue Devils failed to cover in back-to-back games.
Since falling 71-67 at Georgia Tech as a seven-point road favorite on Jan. 9, Duke has gone 15-2 versus conference rivals (9-7-2 ATS). Although the teams split their season series this year, the Blue Devils are still 17-5 SU and 16-6 ATS in the last 22 meetings, and they’ve cashed in three of the last four dating back to an 82-70 romp as an 11-point favorite in a 2008 ACC tournament semifinal game.
The Blue Devils have won eight of the last 11 tournament championships. They’re also 16-1 SU all-time as a No. 1 seed in this event.
Georgia Tech has failed to cover in seven of its last nine Sunday affairs, but is otherwise on ATS upticks of 4-0 at neutral sites, 4-1 as an underdog at neutral sites, 9-4 as a ‘dog regardless of venue and 4-0 when catching 7 to 12½ points. Meanwhile, Duke is on a 6-0-1 ATS run on Sunday.
The underdog is 9-0-1 ATS in this tournament, with six outright upsets.
The Yellow Jackets carry “under� trends of 4-1 at neutral sites (3-0 in this tournament), 16-7-1 on Sunday and 10-1 versus winning teams. The Blue Devils also are on “under� sprees of 8-3 overall (all as a favorite), 29-12 in ACC games, 7-1 versus winning teams, 15-7 on Sunday and 15-6 at neutral sites (all as a favorite). Lastly, these teams have stayed under the total in 10 of their last 11 meetings, and the under is 7-3 in this year’s ACC tournament.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER


ATLANTIC 10 TOURNAMENT

(at Atlantic City, N.J.)

Richmond (25-7, 17-10-1 ATS) vs. (17) Temple (28-5, 22-11 ATS)

The two hottest teams in the Atlantic 10 hook up in the tournament championship game at Boardwalk Hall, where the Spiders will try to punch their first Big Dance ticket since 2004 and keep top-seeded Temple from winning its third straight A-10 title.
Richmond continued its late-season trend of playing close games Saturday, needing overtime to get past No. 2 seed Xavier 89-85 as a three-point underdog and qualify for the title game for just the second time (first time since 2002). The Spiders have won four in a row and 12 of their last 13 games (10-2-1 ATS), but three of their last five contests have gone into overtime (Richmond went 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS), and its last six games have been decided by a total of 24 points.
The Owls, who gave up a league-low 56.8 ppg during regular-season conference action, have been even more suffocating in this tournament. On Friday, they limited St. Bonaventure to 35.8 percent shooting in a 69-51 rout as a 10-point favorite, then they blitzed Rhode Island 57-44 as a 3½-point chalk yesterday, holding the Rams to 27.1 percent from the floor. Temple has won nine in a row (8-1 ATS) since suffering a 71-54 loss at Richmond on Feb. 6.
While this is just the Spiders’ second appearance in the league title game, Temple is gunning for a record eighth championship. The Owls, who are the first No. 1 seed to make it to the A-10 finals since 2005, are trying to become the first team to rip off three straight championships since UMass won five in a row in the mid-1990s.
The Owls have dropped just two A-10 contests all year, including the ugly 17-point road loss to Richmond as a 1½-point road underdog on Feb. 6. In that game, the Spiders outshot Temple 57.8 percent to 32.1 percent and forced 13 turnovers. The teams have split the last 10 meetings, but Richmond has taken the cash in the last three following a 3-0 ATS run by the Owls. Finally, the favorite has covered in five of the last seven series tussles.
It’s been nothing but positive results at the betting window for the Spiders, who are on ATS hot streaks of 9-2 overall, 9-2-1 in conference play, 6-1-1 against winning teams, 37-13-1 as an underdog and 22-7 as a pup of less than seven points. Likewise, Temple is on ATS surges of 57-28-1 overall (8-1 last nine), 40-17 as a favorite, 8-0 when laying points at neutral sites, 21-7 as a chalk of less than seven points, 40-14-1 versus Atlantic 10 rivals, 10-1 on Sunday and 39-17-1 when facing opponents that have a winning record.
Richmond is on “over� runs of 5-1 overall (all in conference) and 4-1 on Sunday. From there, though, the Spiders sport “under� trends of 9-4 at neutral sites, 7-2 as an underdog, 6-1 when catching less than seven points and 4-1 as a neutral-site pup. It’s been all “unders� for Temple, too, including 5-1 overall (all in conference, all as a favorite), 5-0 at neutral sites, 5-1 as a favorite at neutral sites and 4-1 on Sunday.
Conversely, the “over� has cashed in each of the last two meetings and three of the last four in this rivalry.

ATS ADVANTAGE: TEMPLE and UNDER


SEC TOURNAMENT

(at Nashville)

Mississippi State (23-10, 15-12-1 ATS) vs. (2) Kentucky (31-2, 17-14 ATS)

The top two seeds clash for the SEC tournament title and automatic Big Dance bid at Bridgestone Arena, with Mississippi State looking to repeat as champions and the Wildcats seeking a record 26th league crown – and first since 2005.
The Bulldogs flexed their defensive muscle in Saturday’s 62-52 upset victory over Vanderbilt as a 1½-point road underdog, limiting the high-scoring Commodores 34.6 percent shooting. Forward Jarvis Varnado was a one-man wrecking crew with 11 points, a team-high nine rebounds and a game-high six blocked shots. Mississippi State, which opened the SEC tournament with a 75-69 quarterfinal win over Florida as a 1½-point favorite, has won five of seven and seven of 10, all in conference.
Kentucky needed a big second half to rally past Alabama 73-67 in Friday’s quarterfinal matchup – falling just short as a 9½-point chalk – but it had no such trouble with No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday, rolling 74-45 and easily covering as a 4½-point favorite. The second-ranked Wildcats outshot Tennessee 52.1 percent to 30.9 percent and had a commanding 40-26 rebounding edge. It was the second time this year that John Calipari’s squad avenged a loss with a double-digit rout.
Mississippi State was one of only a few teams to give the Wildcats a tough time this year, taking them to overtime on Feb. 16 but eventually falling 81-75 as a 2½-point home underdog. That snapped the Bulldogs’ three-game winning streak in this rivalry, which included an 84-82 overtime victory as a 2½-point underdog in the 2007 conference tournament. The ‘dog is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings.
The Bulldogs sport positive pointspread streaks of 5-0 at neutral sites, 10-4 as an underdog, 12-3-1 as a ‘dog of 7 to 10½ points, 5-1 as a neutral-site pup, 4-1 on Sunday, 4-1 against winning teams and 13-5-1 after a spread-cover. Kentucky has cashed in four of five on Sunday, but is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 after a spread-cover and 1-4 ATS in its last five following a victory of more than 20 points.
Mississippi State has topped the total in five of six on Sunday, but is otherwise on “under� runs of 8-1-1 at neutral venues, 7-3-1 as a ‘dog and 6-0-1 as a neutral-site pup. Meanwhile, it’s been all “unders� for the Wildcats, including 5-2 overall (all in conference), 7-1 at neutral sites, 5-1 after a SU win, 4-0 after a spread-cover and 4-1 when laying points at neutral sites.

ATS ADVANTAGE: MISSISSIPPI STATE and UNDER


BIG TEN TOURNAMENT

(at Indianapolis)

Minnesota (21-12, 17-15 ATS) vs. (5) Ohio State (26-7, 16-17 ATS)

Having already knocked off two of the three Big Ten teams that shared the regular-season title, the Golden Gophers now go for the trifecta when they meet Evan Turner and Ohio State in the championship game at Conseco Fieldhouse.
One day after dispatching No. 11 Michigan State 72-67 as a four-point underdog in the quarterfinals, Minnesota completely tore apart sixth-ranked Purdue on Saturday, rolling 69-42 as a 2½-point pup to reach the Big Ten title game for the first time in history. The Gophers raced out to a 26-4 lead and never looked back in winning their fourth in a row SU and ATS. Going back to Feb. 18, Tubby Smith’s squad has won seven of nine (8-1 ATS) to likely assure itself of a Big Dance berth. In those nine games, Minnesota has been a beast defensively, giving up 60 points or fewer seven times.
For the second time in as many days, the Buckeyes needed late-game heroics from Turner to survive and advance to their first tournament championship game since winning it all in 2007. In a quarterfinal matchup against rival Michigan on Friday, Turner hit a buzzer-beating 35-footer to turn a two-point deficit into a 69-68 win. Then on Saturday against Illinois, Turner made field goals to force a first and second overtime session, with Ohio State eventually winning 88-81 in double-OT.
On the downside, Thad Matta’s team failed to cover in both victories (as a nine-point chalk against Michigan and a 7½-point favorite versus Illinois). Still, the Buckeyes have won 15 of 17 overall (9-8 ATS) – including the last six in a row (3-3 ATS) – going 15-1 SU in Big Ten contests during this stretch.
The home team held serve in this rivalry in the regular season, with Minnesota prevailing 73-62 as a four-point favorite on Jan. 9 and the Buckeyes rolling 85-63 as a seven-point chalk 22 days later. However, Turner (injury) didn’t play in the first meeting, but he had 19 points and eight assists in the rematch in Columbus. The teams have split their last six meetings SU and ATS (the host won and covered all six), and the favorite is 8-0 SU and ATS in the last eight.
Aside from an 8-23 ATS slump on Sunday, the Gophers are on positive pointspread surges of 4-0 overall (all in conference), 5-0 versus winning teams, 5-1 after a victory, 8-1 after a win of more than 20 points, 5-1 as an underdog and 5-1 as a pup of less than six points. Ohio State has cashed in seven of 10 against winning teams, but is now just 1-4 ATS in its last five at neutral venues.
The under is 4-1 in the last five in this series; Minnesota is on “under� runs of 4-1 against winning teams, 19-8 as a ‘dog and 14-5 as a neutral-site pup; and the Buckeyes have stayed low in 19 of 27 on Sunday, 12 of 17 after a non-cover and four straight when laying less than seven points. However, the over is 4-1 in the Gophers’ last five overall, 4-0 in their last four on Sunday and 9-1 in Ohio State’s last 10 when laying points on a neutral court.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE


NBA

Boston (41-23, 25-37-2 ATS) at Cleveland (51-15, 32-33-1 ATS)

The Cavaliers, sporting the league’s best record, take on the Celtics in a meeting of two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams at Quicken Loans Arena.
Cleveland has won eight of its last nine SU, despite LeBron James sitting out two contests (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS) to rest his body and a sore ankle. James returned Friday night with 23 points and 10 assists in a 100-95 victory at Philadelphia, but the Cavs failed to cover as a 7½-point road chalk, taking their fourth straight ATS setback. Cleveland is 28-4 at home where it is averaging 103.7 ppg on solid 50.5 percent shooting at home, while allowing 94.2 ppg on 43.6 percent shooting. However, the Cavs are a dismal 13-19 ATS at Quicken Loans Arena.
Boston ended a two-game hiccup (1-0-1 ATS) by hammering Indiana 122-103 Thursday night as a nine-point home favorite. The Celtics are 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS in their last seven outings, and they’ve actually played much better on the road (22-11 SU, 17-15-1 ATS) than at home (19-12 SU, 8-22-1 ATS). For the season, the Celtics are averaging 97.6 ppg on the highway (47.6 percent shooting) and surrendering 93 ppg (43.9 percent).
These teams opened the season against each other in Ohio, and the Celtics stole a 95-89 victory as a five-point road underdog, ending a 9-0 SU run by the home team in this rivalry. However, the Cavaliers returned the favor two weeks ago in Boston, rolling 108-88 as a 2½-point pup. The Cavs are 19-7-2 ATS in the last 28 clashes, and despite coming up short at home in the season-opener, they’re 5-1 ATS in the last six Cleveland meetings. Also, the favorite is on a 4-1 ATS run.
Along with their current 0-4 ATS skid, the Cavaliers are in pointspread ruts of 1-4 at home and 2-5 against winning teams, but the still carry positive ATS streaks of 4-1 against the Atlantic Division, 10-4 on Sunday and 17-7 at home against teams with a winning road record.
The Celts, meanwhile, are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six roadies and 4-1-1 in their last six in the Eastern Conference, but are otherwise on ATS purges of 8-17-2 overall, 0-3-1 on Sunday, 0-3-1 against winning teams, 3-12-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 3-10-2 after a day off and 4-11 after a spread-cover.
Cleveland is on “under� runs of 4-0 overall, 5-1 after a non-cover and 42-15-2 on Sunday, though the over is 7-1 in its last eight against Atlantic Division foes. Boston is on a bundle of “under� rolls, including 7-2 on the road, 4-0 after a SU win, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 4-1 in the East, 12-5 on Sunday and 29-14 against teams with a win percentage above .600. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in four of the last five in Cleveland, the lone exception coming back in the Oct. 27 season debut.

ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and UNDER


Utah (42-23, 40-22-3 ATS) at Oklahoma City (40-24, 38-26 ATS)

Two of the league’s best spread-covering units collide when the Jazz head to the Ford Center to take on the Thunder.
Utah was on a 5-1 SU and ATS roll before losing to Milwaukee 95-87 Friday night as a one-point road pup. Over the past five games, including three on the road, the Jazz have averaged 111.4 ppg, well above their season average of 103.1 ppg, while allowing an even 100 ppg, just a bucket more than their season average of 97.8 ppg. Going back to Jan. 6, Jerry Sloan’s squad is 23-7 SU and 21-6-3 ATS, including 11-5 on the road (12-3-1 ATS).
Oklahoma City has won four in a row and seven of its last eight games (5-3 ATS), including a 5-0 SU run (3-2 ATS) on its home floor. On Tuesday, the Thunder beat New Orleans 98-93 laying 7½ points at home, and they followed that by squeaking past lowly New Jersey 104-102 Friday as a hefty 11-point chalk. Oklahoma City is outscoring foes by about six ppg on average at the Ford Center (101.0-95.4), where the team is 21-11 SU but just 17-15 ATS.
Utah has cashed in three of the last four meetings in this rivalry (2-2 SU), most recently losing on the road 87-86 on New Year’s Eve, but covering as a three-point underdog. The ‘dog is 13-5 ATS in the last 18 matchups, and the road team is on a 6-2 ATS run.
The Jazz, with the league’s second-best ATS record, are on nothing but positive pointspread streaks, including 34-14-3 overall, 16-4-2 in the West, 15-5-1 on the highway (12-3-1 last 16), 20-7-3 against winning teams, 11-4 after a day off, 21-6 after a SU loss and 19-7 after a non-cover. The Thunder are 3-9 ATS in their last dozen Sunday tilts, but are otherwise on ATS upswings of 6-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 11-3 against winning teams and 37-16 after an ATS defeat.
Utah is on multiple “over� runs, including 8-2 overall, 6-1 coming off a SU loss, 5-1 on the road, 13-3 against the Northwest Division and 4-1 in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City is on “over� stretches of 5-2 overall, 4-0-1 on Sunday, 8-1 after a SU win and 4-1 after a day off, but the under for the Thunder is on surges of 6-2 in division play and 7-3 against winning teams.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in seven of the last 10 meetings overall and four of the last five in Oklahoma City.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

[GoBlue]

ICE PICKS

Sunday's Best NHL Bets

Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings (-160, 5.5)

Nashville’s man behind the plastic mask got paid in late February, signing a two-year $2.8 million extension with the team, and he’s performed like his worth every penny since.

In four games after the ink dried on the contract, Predators goalie Pekka Rinne is 3-1-0 with a 2.01 goals-against average. He is coming off a 31-save, shutout performance on Friday over the Ducks.

"He's been a great goalie ever since he's been here," said Shea Weber. "Obviously, the organization wants him for the long run. They showed that by signing him, and he's been rewarding them with his good play.�

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick has been just as lights out as Rinne recently, but is 0-3 in his career against Nashville, posting a paltry 3.31 goals-against average.

If Preds’ coach Barry Trotz elects to rest Rinne on Sunday, his second option under the net isn’t bad either. Dan Ellis is undefeated in three starts at the Staples Center and 5-1-0 against the Kings in his career.

The Predators have won six straight and 8-of-9 games versus the Kings. L.A. has lost four in a row at home to Nashville, getting outscored 17-5 in those games.

Pick: Predators

Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning (+140, 6)

The Lightning get a new owner and look what happens. In less than a week, Tampa Bay defeats the best team in the NHL on its home ice.

"It was probably the best road game we played all year," said goalie Antero Niittymaki. "Not just because we beat Washington. The overall game."

Niittymaki held the Caps to fewer than three goals for only the second time in their last 27 games and slapped Washington with its first home loss since December.

The Penguins come into this game having lost two straight and four of their last five on the road. Goalie Marc Andre-Fleury has been atrocious in those four losses with a 4.77 goals-against average and got yanked from the game in two of those outings.

These two teams have split the season series but Tampa Bay came away the victor in the latest meeting on Jan. 2. The Lightning are battling for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference and need this one more than Pittsburgh does.

Pick: Lightning

[GoBlue]

PICK 'N' ROLL

Today's best NBA bets

Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks (-9, 203)

Two weeks ago Bucks’ rookie point guard Brandon Jennings was defeated.

And why wouldn’t he be? Jennings was the frontrunner for the NBA Rookie of the Year title a month into the season and then went face first into the rookie wall. Jennings was even quoted as saying he didn’t even “want to shoot the ball.�

"We're not fond of that kind of statement,� coach Scott Skiles said of his 20-year-old’s lack of confidence in an effort to get his head right. “He's too important to our team and our franchise to have any that mindset right now.�

Jennings has responded by averaging 20.3 ppg over his last three games after posting 12 total points in the previous three.

Jennings also said recently that he didn’t care about the ROY award; all that mattered was that his team was going to be in the playoffs (while also pointing out the other candidate’s teams “suck�).

Some bettors predicted the Bucks ATS streak (11-0-1 ATS L12) would end when Boston rolled into Brew City last week but the home team turned the former world champs away. The piping hot Jazz suffered the same fate in Milwaukee as 1-point dogs on Friday night.

There is no question about it; the blazing Bucks are the hottest squad in the Association right now and have covered in five straight against the porous Pacers.

Pick: Bucks


New Orleans Hornets at Phoenix Suns (-8.5, 211.5)

Steve Nash’s list of injuries this season has been as extensive as the ailments of Kobe Bryant.

Much like Bryant, Nash has played through the pain while missing only one game this season, but he is beginning to show signs of breaking down.

"I just have no thrust," Nash said. "Every movement my back tightens, it tries to stop me from going somewhere. Our training staff does a great job to even get me out there at all."

Over the last three games Nash has averaged 10.0 points and just over eight assists while turning the ball over an astounding 16 times. He logged more than 34 minutes of action in each game, but a lot of that had to do with backup point Goran Dragic missing two of those contests.

As the NBA playoffs draw closer, expect Alvin Gentry to chisel down Nash’s playing time, especially with Leandro Barbosa and Dragic back in the lineup.

Pick: Hornets

[GoBlue]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC TOURNAMENT: CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW AND PICK

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-7.5, 138.5), 1 p.m.

The Wildcats (31-2) flexed their muscles in Saturday's 74-45 blowout victory over Tennessee. And we're not just talking about the "John Wall Dance".

The freshman scored in double digits again with 14 points and added nine assists, finally getting classmate DeMarcus Cousins involved after a couple of letdowns. Cousins was a force, scoring 19 points and pulling down 15 rebounds, which could be bad news for the Bulldogs (23-9).

Mississippi State is the defending tournament champion and the Bulldogs were solid in defeating Vanderbilt 62-52 in Saturday's other semifinal. But they catch a red-hot Kentucky team at a bad time. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they probably played their way into the NCAA Tournament by winning three games this week.

Mississippi State got a strong team effort. Barry Stewart scored 14 and Dee Bost, Jarvis Varnado and Phil Turner added 11 points apiece, but they don't have the horses to run with Kentucky. The Wildcats won the lone meeting between these two teams 81-75 in overtime and outrebounded the host Bulldogs 49-29 in that contest.

Bettors should take a look at the under in light of players' complaints about "tight rims" at Bridgestone Arena, and it's not just sour grapes from poor shooters. The under is 5-4-1 in the tourney so far and entering Saturday's games teams had converted just 30 percent from 3-point range after shooting 34 percent during the regular season.

Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe was one of the chief complaintants after going 0-for-4 from 3-point range Friday but he rebounded by going 5-for-8 Saturday. All the other shooters in the semifinals were a combined 17-for-63 (26.9 percent) from the arc Saturday.

"The rims, they're so tight," Bledsoe told the Tennessean Friday. "Every time I shot the ball, they would like rim in and out. I was terrible in shootaround today because every time I shot it, it would circle around and pop right back out."

The goals at Bridgestone are in their 13th year of use, although arena officials say the rims have been replaced since that time. The SEC requested they be replaced before the tournament to no avail.

Prediction: Kentucky 72, Mississippi State 60

[GoBlue]

DCI CBB

Season
Straight Up: 3818-1248 (.754)
ATS: 1688-1669 (.503)
ATS Vary Units: 4572-4626 (.497)
Over/Under: 1503-1534 (.495)
Over/Under Vary Units: 2337-2334 (.500)

Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament
Championship at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Temple 63, Richmond 60
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament
Championship at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Duke 75, Georgia Tech 65
Big Ten Conference Tournament
Championship at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Ohio State 66, Minnesota 65
Southeastern Conference Tournament
Championship at Sommet Center, Nashville, TN
Kentucky 76, Mississippi State 67

[GoBlue]

Punish The Book Sports

CBB March 28-17 62%
Duke
Temple
Ohio St

Scott Delaney

Sunday winner ... 80-Dime TEMPLE OWLS

Insider Sports Report

4* Mississippi St./Kentucky UNDER 138 (Range: 136.5 to 140)
3* Ohio St. -4 (Range: -2 to -6)
3* New Orleans/Phoenix UNDER 211 (Range: 209 to 213)

Mike Wynn Sports

Duke
Ohio State

Sean Higgs

50* Duke
50* Ohio State
10* Bucks/Pacers Over

CAPPERS ACCESS

Kentucky
Minnesota U

[GoBlue]

DCI NHL

Season: 345-230 (.600)

Philadelphia vs. N.Y. RANGERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Colorado vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
LOS ANGELES 3, Nashville 2
Toronto vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Phoenix 3, ATLANTA 2
Pittsburgh 4, TAMPA BAY 3
St. Louis vs. MINNESOTA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Washington vs. CHICAGO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
San Jose vs. ANAHEIM: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
VANCOUVER 3, Calgary 2

[GoBlue]

DCI NBA

Straight Up: 653-277 (.702)
ATS: 503-459 (.523)
ATS Vary Units: 1187-1094 (.520)
Over/Under: 476-494 (.491)
Over/Under Vary Units: 637-657 (.492)

MILWAUKEE 107, Indiana 95
CLEVELAND 100, Boston 91
MIAMI 99, Philadelphia 90
ORLANDO 99, Charlotte 88
OKLAHOMA CITY 101, Utah 100
PHOENIX 113, New Orleans 103
PORTLAND 107, Toronto 96
SACRAMENTO 109, Minnesota 101

[GoBlue]

CHAMPIONSHIP TIP SHEET WRITE-UP

BIG XII CHAMPIONSHIP

Rivalries are just one of many things that make college sports so entertaining. Put one of those rivalries in a championship game and you have something pretty special. We’re getting something special as the Wildcats and Jayhawks do battle at 6:00 p.m. EST on ESPN for the Big XII championship.

Kansas (31-2 straight up, 13-16-1 against the spread) comes into this contest with the expectations of being this far. After all, the Jayhawks have been the top-ranked team in the nation for almost two-thirds of the season.

Bill Self’s starting crew is the perfect mesh of youth and experience. Senior guard Sherron Collins anchors a unit that features freshman Xavier Henry, plus sophomores Tyshawn Taylor, Marcus Morris and junior Cole Aldrich.

The result of that lineup for Kansas is an offense that is fifth in the nation in scoring (82.2 points per game), 56th in scoring defense (63.7 PPG) and second nationally in defensive field goal percentage (37.7).

As the Jayhawks found themselves clicking to close out the regular season, gamblers have been cashing in for a nice profit. That’s because KU has posted a 3-1 ATS mark in its final four contests with the ‘under’ going 2-1-1.

Any team will be able to help the better degenerates out there when you have guys like Collins lead with 26 points against Texas A&M as the Jayhawks won 79-66 as 9 ½-point favorites on Friday evening. Henry did his part with 15 points against the Aggies, while Aldrich cleaned the glass like a top-shelf hotel maid for nine rebounds.

I don’t want to say a game won’t mean anything towards its tourney chances, but this game means nothing for KU. The Jayhawks are already penciled in as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament and most likely the top seed for the whole thing.

While the Jayhawks are the national darlings, Kansas State’s (26-6 SU, 18-8-1 ATS) inferiority complex grows. Frank Martin’s Wildcats are currently ranked ninth on the Associated Press poll and finished just behind KU in the Big XII regular season standings.

The Wildcats have found themselves in the hunt for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament because of having one of the more veteran starting lineups in the country. Jacob Pullen anchors this unit with 19.1 PPG and a beard that would make Merlin Olsen send him some flowers from the next ethereal plane. Denis Clemente has been a strong producer for K-State with 16.2 PPG for the season.

K-State has been a solid wager for the gambling public by going 5-2 SU and ATS in its last seven contests. Bettors have been able to cash in on the ‘over’ with the ‘Cats as it is on a 3-0 run.

The Wildcats don’t have any problems about getting into the Big Dance. What is on the line for them is a potential No. 1 seed should they win. Of course, they’re fighting with the likes of Kentucky and Ohio State for that coveted station in the brackets.

Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Jayhawks as five-point favorites with a total of 146.

This year Kansas won both matchups, but covered in just one of those tilts. In fact, the head-to-head has been slanted squarely to the Jayhawks. KU is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last ten contests between these intrastate rivals.

The Jayhawks have been favored in every game they’ve had on the board this season, going 28-2 SU and 13-16-1 ATS. The ‘under’ has gone 14-12-1 in that stretch as well.

Being an underdog is relatively foreign territory for K-State since they’ve only been in this position five times this season. The Wildcats went 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS in that spot, with the ‘over’ going 3-2.

As far as the tournament history goes, this is a favorite’s championship game. In the 13 matchups, the faves are 11-2 SU and 8-5 ATS. The ‘under’ has gone 9-4 in those contests.

This is Kansas State’s first trip to the big game, but the Jayhawks’ eighth time on this stage. Kansas won six of its first seven trips to the title game, covering in five of those battles.

[GoBlue]

ACC TOURNAMENT: CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW AND PICK

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Duke Blue Devils, 1 p.m.

Another year, another ACC title game for the Blue Devils.

Duke continued to chase its 19th tourney title by handling upstart Miami, 77-74 Saturday afternoon. The boys from Durham have had a pretty smooth ride into the championship game, downing Virginia by 11 in their opening game before pulling away late from the Hurricanes.

As the top seed in the ACC tournament, Duke has won 15 of its past 16 games and is 36-8 all-time.

The key for Duke has been the fantastic play of Kyle Singler, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds against the Cavaliers before throwing up 27 points and eight rebounds against Miami. The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder has been the catalyst for the team this year, averaging 17.2 points and 6.7 boards per game.

"That boy is a baller," Duke forward Lance Thomas told the media. “Kyle is one of the top players I have ever played with. When he plays like that we have a great chance to beat anybody."

But Singler will have to play his best game of the year against the one-man wrecking crew of Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors.

The future NBA lottery pick had 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in an opening win over UNC, followed by 11 points and 11 rebounds and three blocks against Maryland and carried over this momentum by posting 17 points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks in a 57-54 win over a scrappy N.C. State squad Saturday.

The presence of Favors in the middle also forced the Wolfpack to settle for numerous jump shots as the team shot a meager 30.6 percent from the floor.

"I was impressed with him as a physical talent,� Clemson coach Oliver Purnell told reporters. “He has a world of potential. I saw him in high school in AAU basketball. There is no denying his talent and how valuable he is to their team."

And he is going to have to be equally as good if the Yellow Jackets are going to become the first team to win the ACC tournament by winning four games in four days. Against the Blue Devils this season, however, he is averaging just 7.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.

The two squads split their meetings this year, with the first tilt in Atlanta going to Georgia Tech, 71-67, but their most recent game in Durham was in favor of the Blue Devils, 86-67.

The key to the games has been rebounding. In the Yellow Jacket’s win, they were plus-8 on the glass, but in the loss, they were minus-6.

Georgia Tech should be a lock to hear its name on Selection Sunday, but a victory over Duke would end all the drama. And behind a dominant Favors, the Yellow Jackets should do just that.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 72, Duke 68

[GoBlue]

DUNKEL INDEX (A FREE SERVICE)

NCAA Basketball Picks
Minnesota vs. Ohio State
The Buckeyes look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is coming off a 69-42 win over Purdue and is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games after allowing less than 50 points in the previous game. Ohio State is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Buckeyes favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14
Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST
Game 887-888: Georgia Tech vs. Duke
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Tech 68.693; Duke 75.778
Dunkel Line: Duke by 7
Vegas Line: Duke by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Tech (+9 1/2)

Game 889-890: Richmond vs. Temple
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 65.777; Temple 65.827
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Temple by 4
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (+4)

Game 891-892: Mississippi State vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 66.246; Kentucky 72.679
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 8
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (+8)

Game 893-894: Minnesota vs. Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 67.741; Ohio State 75.213
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-3 1/2)

[GoBlue]

DUNKEL INDEX (A FREE SERVICE)

Today's NBA Picks
Toronto at Golden State
The Raptors look to build on their 12-4 ATS record in their last 16 games as a favorite between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Toronto is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Raptors favored by 3. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-1 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13
Time Posted: 10:30 a.m. EST
Game 501-502: Orlando at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 124.857; Washington 116.013
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 12; 195
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+12); Under

Game 503-504: Detroit at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 113.149; Atlanta 122.928
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 10; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 12; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+12); Under

Game 505-506: Denver at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 123.591; Memphis 120.567
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3; 218
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 2 1/2; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-2 1/2); Over

Game 507-508: LA Clippers at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 109.142; San Antonio 124.686
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 15 1/2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 13; 196
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-13); Under

Game 509-510: New Jersey at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.421; Houston 119.687
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 10; 200
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+10); Under

Game 511-512: New York at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.319; Dallas 125.108
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 14; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 11; 210
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-11); Over

Game 513-514: Toronto at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 116.201; Golden State 113.404
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 230
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 227 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-1 1/2); Over

[Mr. IWS]

trushel
under cavs/20*

[Mr. IWS]

Anthony Redd

60 Dime - Georgia Tech
15 Dime - Mississippi State
15 Dime - Ohio State

[Mr. IWS]

Rocketman NBA

4* Mil -9
3* Port -8

[Mr. IWS]

KELSO

3 units Suns-8.5
3 units Temple -4
3 units Georgia Tech +9.5
3 units Mississippi St + 9.5
5 units Cavs -6.5
15 units Bucks -9.5
25 units Ohio State -4

[Mr. IWS]

Sac Lawson | CBB Sides Sun, 03/14/10 - 3:30 PM

dime bet 894 Ohio St. -4.0 (-110) BetUS vs 893 Minnesota

[Mr. IWS]

Bobby Maxwell

300 Unit - MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
100-Unit - OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

[Mr. IWS]

Chris Jordan
300? TEMPLE OWLS

[Mr. IWS]

Chuck O'Brien

30 DIME: TEMPLE

[Mr. IWS]

Derek Mancini

15 Dime - Minnesota
5 Dime - Raptors

[Mr. IWS]

Karl Garrett

20 DIMER - TEMPLE OWLS
10 DIMER - GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS

[Mr. IWS]

Michael Cannon

40 Dime – TEMPLE

[Mr. IWS]

Stephen Nover

15-Dime RAPTORS
10-Dime MINNESOTA

[Mr. IWS]

Billy Coleman

4* Bos +7.5 (2:30)
3* Utah +1.5 (6:00)

Free play: Phx -8.5 (8:00)

3* Ohio St -4 (2:30)

[Mr. IWS]

Rocketman

4* Mil -9 (1:05)
3* Port -8 (9:05)

[Mr. IWS]

Triple Threat Sports

1* Duke (-) over Georgia Tech

Duke in its home state, playing just third game in a row as opposed to four in a row for GT, and our research show that the higher seed in the ACC Final is 7-1 SU and 4-2-2 ATS in the last eight years.

[Mr. IWS]

King Creole | CBB Sides Sun, 03/14/10 - 1:00 PM Æ’Å*

triple-dime bet 890 Temple -3.5 (-110) BetUS vs 889 Richmond
Analysis:

Sunday. March 14th / 1:00pm ET / Atlantoc 10 Tourney Championship
Richmond Spiders vs. Temple Owls
3*** BEST BET on: TEMPLE OWLS minus the points (#890

[Mr. IWS]

Teddy June

10* Minnesota

[Mr. IWS]

stan lowsalski
5*temple
4*mn
3*ms st un
3 portland

[Mr. IWS]

Seabass

50 Duke
50 Temple
100 under Duke
Steam Minn co

[Mr. IWS]

NSA

20* Kentucky -7
20* Richmond +4.5
20* Minnesota +4.5
10* Georgia Tech +9.5
10* Cleveland -7.5
10* Milwaukee -9.5

[Mr. IWS]

Wizard of Odds Guaranteed Selections
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
$25.00 Guaranteed: Are you looking for a "Sure Thing" today in the NBA? Well today is your LUCKY Day as the Wizard of Odds has just what you are looking for and it is the TOP RATED NBA WIZARD PLATINUM PLAY and you can get it right now for just $25! You are GUARANTEED to win this game or you will not be charged! I almost forgot we are currently on a 106-61 run with all selections! 3/14/2010

TOP RATED NBA WIZARD PLATINUM PLAY
886 Portland -7.5 9:05 EST

[Mr. IWS]

Will Cover

4* Minn +4

[Mr. IWS]

WIZARD OF ODDS
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
$35.00 Guaranteed: Let's cut the CRAP we are in the WINNING ZONE as we are 110-54 with all of our guaranteed selections and we are 23-9 in the NBA! Today I am releasing our XXX-LARGE LATE STEAM NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH! You can get it for just $35 and you will pay only if you win! This baby will WIN and WIN BIG! 3/14/2010
XXX-LARGE LATE STEAM NBA TOTALS PLAY OF THE MONTH
OVER 203 Indiana and Milwaukee 1:05 EST

[Mr. IWS]

KILLER SPORTS LIVE

10--Dime Killer #889 (NCB) Richmond Over 115
10--Dime Killer #887 (NCB) Georgia Tech +9' (+10 in most books)
10--Dime Killer #871 (NBA) Indiana +10

[Mr. IWS]

TEDDY COVERS

Minnesota Gophers

Celtics

[Mr. IWS]

fantasy sports gametime


100*Richmond +4
100* Mississippi St +7- over Kentuky
100* Georgia Tech +8- over Duke
100* Minnesota +4 over Ohio State

[Mr. IWS]

Keith Glantz

25* GT +9.5 over Duke
25* Temple -4 over Richmond
25* Ohio State -4 over Minnesota
25* Miss St +7.5 over Kentucky

[Mr. IWS]

Ferringo

0.5-Unit Play. Take #893 Minnesota (+4) over Ohio State (1 p.m., Sunday, March 14)

[Mr. IWS]

charlie

cbb. minnesota+4 & Kentucky vs Miss State over 135'. NBA. toronto @ portland over 202 & new orleans @ phoenix over 211 ( 500* 3 of 4 must win or next day is free.)

cbb.ga tech+9 (30*)
cbb. kentucky-7' (20*)
nba. cleveland-7 (20*)
nba. portland-8 (10*)
nba. milwaukee-9 (10* free play)

[Mr. IWS]

The Hoops Guru Guaranteed Selections
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
$35.00 Guaranteed: Last year we are 45-25 with our DOUBLE PLAYS, 68-51 with our TRIPLE PLAYS and 64-32 with our QUADRUPLE PLAYS. The previous four years my DOUBLE PLAYS are 210-114, TRIPLE PLAYS are 201-112 and QUADRUPLE PLAYS are 91-40! Today we are featuring a NBA QUADRUPLE PLAY WINNER that you can get for just $35 and you will pay only after you win! 3/14/2010

NBA QUADRUPLE PLAY WINNER
886 Portland -8.5 9:05 EST

[Mr. IWS]

Doc's NHL

2 units Flyers

[Mr. IWS]

Youngstown Connection
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
$25.00 Guaranteed Selection:

NCAA Play #4

#894 Ohio State -4 3:30PM Eastern

[Mr. IWS]

alatex

15* Minn +4.5
Miss st +7.5

[Mr. IWS]

Indian Cowboy, Confirmed:
We are simply rolling right now:


Comp: Richmond +4.5 over Temple

We are 6-0 in CBB This week.
We are 6-0 in the Conference Tournament
We have won 7 days in a row in CBB.
We are 5-1 this week in the NBA.
On a 11-1 overall this week.
Let's continue to rock and roll.

6-0 This Week in CBB:
5* Sat: NC State +4 over Georgia Tech (W)
4* Fri: Alabama +8 over Kentucky (W)
4* Thur: Northwestern -8.5 over Indiana (W)
4* Wed: Iowa State +8 over Texas (W)
4* Tue: UMass +8 over Charlotte: Outright! 59-56 (W)
4* Mon: Fairfield +8 over Siena (W)
4* Sun: Minnesota -13.5 over Iowa (W) (88-53 final score)

5-1 in the NBA This Week!
Sat: New Jersey Nets +9.5 over Rockets (W)
Fri: New Jersey Nets +11.5 over Thunder (W)
Thur: Hawks/Wizards Under (L)
Wed: New Jersey Nets +11.5 over Mavs (W)
Tue: Bucks -1.5 over Celtics (W)
Mon: New Jersey Nets +9.5 over Grizzlies (W)

4 Unit Play. #884. Take the Sacramento Kings -8.5 over the Minnesota Timberwolves (Sunday @ 9pm est). The Kings come off a tough loss to the Blazers at home by 16. In fact, they were pretty much manhandled at home. This comes off as a bit of a surprise considering they were doing so well at home winning against the likes of Denver, Utah, the Clippers and the Raptors. But, it could have just been a let down from the big win against the Raptors in the game before. I can see the Kings stepping back up here at home against the Timberwolves who have been dismal of late who are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games. Bear in mind that the Twolves have lost their last eight straight and last nine of ten overall and also note that the Kings have revenge against the Twolves from an earlier season loss this year losing 96-112. I look for Sacrament to play well at home here and pick up the win as well as the cover as they are 4-1 ATS in their last five games coming off a straight up loss, the Kings are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games and the Twolves are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games overall as such big underdogs.

4 Unit Play. #893. Take Minnesota +4 over Ohio State (Sunday @ 3:30pm est). I think Minnesota has been more consistent and impressive in the tournament than Ohio State frankly. People will show a great deal of love for Ohio State in this game. And, they are. You have about 66% riding Ohio State here. But, it is Minnesota that I think is the better team right now and they will indeed come with a solid chip on their shoulder. Minnesota has actually rolled fairly well here in the Conference Tourney compared to Ohio State who has been fortunate honestly with Evan Turner doing his late game heroics. But, I think as a team, Minnesota has played better and honestly, I would take Minnesota in this game even if they were at a pick-em, but, the four points are nice as well. Heck, we took NC State yesterday as a four point dog, and they managed to stay inside the number for us as well. These two teams have split the regular season and note that Minnesota has covered its last four games and their last 8 of 10 games as well as they are "gelling" at the right time here. This team dominated Purdue, beat a solid Michigan State team in overtime, and easily took care of Penn State. With a little bit of revenge against Ohio State from their last loss and the fact I think Ohio State's luck might be running out with late heroics, I like Tubby and the boys today to win outright or stay inside the number.

GL,
IC

[Mr. IWS]

JB

3 star sac kings

[Mr. IWS]

calf sports
3* minn nba 3* under cleveland 3* under ohio st

[Mr. IWS]

EXECUTIVE

300 gophers

[Mr. IWS]

vegas-runner | NBA Total Sun, 03/14/10 - 6:05 PM £›
double-dime bet 877 CHL / 878 ORL Under 189.0 Sportbet
Analysis: ** NBA 2* LATE STEAM **
vegas-runner | NBA Sides Sun, 03/14/10 - 9:05 PM £›
double-dime bet 885 TOR 8.5 (-110) Bodog vs 886 POR
Analysis: ˜** NBA 2* LATE STEAM **
vegas-runner | NBA Sides Sun, 03/14/10 - 9:05 PM £›
triple-dime bet 884 SAC -8.0 (-110) Sportbet vs 883 MIN
Analysis: — *** NBA 3* BEST BET OF THE DAY ***

[Mr. IWS]

Doc's NBA 3-14-10

2-Unit Play #676 Take Miami -6 ½ Over Philadelphia (6 p.m. EST, Sunday)
3-Unit Play #883 Take Minnesota/Sacramento OVER 210 ½ (9 p.m. EST, Sunday)
3-Unit Play #885 Take Toronto/Portland OVER 203 (9 p.m. EST, Sunday)

[Mr. IWS]

Spartan

Triple star release

Minnesota +4 vs. OSU.