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Raptors and Cavaliers open with lowest line Tuesday
Justin Hartling
The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers open with the lowest line on the NBA schedule Tuesday. In the last four meetings between these teams they have gone Under all four times and averaged 194.25 ppg.
The Raptors and Cavs open with an O/U of 192.5. -
SEC becoming most 'unbettable' conference in college basketball
By JASON LOGAN
When someone says college football, the first thing that comes to mind is the SEC.
Now, do the same with college basketball. Not the same reaction, is it?
While programs like Kentucky and Florida continue to find themselves among the country’s basketball elite, the rest of the SEC has suffered a major downgrade in quality this season. A quick look at the SEC standings reveals that beyond the Wildcats and Gators, the remaining programs have barely kept their heads above water.
Georgia is third in the conference, putting together a 9-5 SU SEC record but is anything but a shoo-in to hear its name called on Selection Sunday. Below the Bulldogs is a variable Purgatory of ho-hum basketball teams, with seven programs locked at 7-7 SU in SEC play heading into Monday night. Outside of Florida's 19-game winning streak, the longest string of victories in the SEC currently is Arkansas' three-game run (1-2 ATS).
Things are even bleaker in the SEC when your factor in the pointspread. The breadwinner of the conference just so happens to be its worst team. South Carolina sits in the basement of the SEC with a 10-17 record and a 3-11 mark in conference play but is 13-9-2 ATS. And that’s about as good as it gets betting inside the SEC, which is quickly becoming an unbettable conference.
Top teams like Florida, Kentucky and Missouri are all sitting around .500 ATS and the only other programs covering more often than not are Tennessee (14-11 ATS) and Vanderbilt (13-10-2 ATS) – not exactly bursting with betting value. Trying to get a tight grasp on the SEC odds from night to night is like pulling a mid-tantrum child who has gone limp off the floor - a lot harder than it looks and extremely frustrating.
The SEC currently ranks sixth out of the seven major conferences in college basketball – ACC, AAC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Pac-12 – in RPI, ahead of the mutant American Athletic Conference. The Atlantic 10, which is still considered a mid-major league, sits higher than the SEC in RPI at 0.5618. CBSSports.com’s Jerry Palm predicts just three bids from the SEC in his latest mock NCAA tournament bracket.
One take on the downfall of SEC hoops is that the conference’s members are focusing all their time and resources on the football teams – college sports’ true cash cow.
Jacob Kornhauser, a writer for Rant Sports, believes football-focused programs like Alabama and Texas A&M could really care less about their basketball records, pointing to the Aggies’ new 111,000-seat renovations to their football stadium. Those two football powers are a combined 12-16 SU in SEC play with a collective 22-24-3 ATS record on the year.
Jon Solomon, a writer with AL.com, has done a series of articles exploring the downfall of SEC basketball, looking at the overall lack of top-tier talent in the league as well as dwindling interest from fans. His most recent piece debates that SEC basketball coaches aren’t on the same level as their football counterparts, comparing winning percentage and salaries. His two exceptions - Florida's Billy Donovan and UK's John Calipari - have a combined NCAA record of 69-24. The rest of the coaches in the SEC boast a unimpressive 35-34 mark.
When comparing the SEC football teams’ ATS success to that of its basketball teams, the pigskin profits piled up thanks to programs like Auburn (12-2 ATS) and Missouri (11-2-1 ATS) which ranked among the best bets in college football.
Perhaps SEC bettors should hibernate for the remaining weeks of the college hoops season, and set the alarm for Week 1 of college football. Or just accept that your conference is in the crapper. You can always bet the Over/Under...Comment
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ACC's Slow-Motion pace paying out for 'Under' bettors
by Chase Ruttig
The ACC is moving in slow motion compared to the rest of the country which is making Under bettors rich quick.
According to NCAAB stats expert Ken Pomeroy, the ACC is currently the slowest-paced conference in college hoops, ranking 32nd out of the 32 conferences in terms of pace. ACC teams are currently chewing up the shot clock and getting fewer possessions per game which is leading to lower scoring.
That methodical pace has helped Under bettors score during ACC action, with the conference boasting a 92-116 Over/Under record (56 percent Under) heading into Monday’s schedule.
“I think (the 35-second shot clock) gives people flexibility to play the way they want to play,” Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton told NoleSports.com. “I think that’s what makes college basketball so interesting.”
Only North Carolina and Maryland rank in the Top 100 of Pomeroy's tempo stats, but even the Terps have a 5-8 Over/Under record in conference play showing that it’s been hard for teams to escape the slow pace in the ACC.
Sean Murphy predicts that despite the Pomeroy numbers, consistent Unders from ACC teams may be a trend that’s on the way out with the postseason around the corner.
"To be honest, I think we'll see value going the other way as the ACC tournament, and NCAA Tournament approach," says Murphy. "The conference may be a little top-heavy, but it boasts plenty of offensive talent, even if the pace has lacked at times.
“It's not as if this is a conference that's loaded with defensive powerhouses. We should see those Over/Under records start to move back toward the mean in the next month or so."
For now, bettors should look at specific schools when riding the wave of low-scoring ACC games as schools like;
Syracuse (12-2 Under)
Virginia (9-6 Under)
Miami (9-4 Under)
Virginia Tech (11-2 Under)
All been paying out on the Under for months now.Comment
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Duke faces its biggest spread since the New Year
Justin Hartling
The Duke Blue Devils will face a spread larger than 20 points for the first time since Dec. 16. The Blue Devils are 2-3 against the spread when it is 20 or more points this season.
Duke will welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies as a 21.5 point home favorite.
Minnesota opening as a small home-dog against Iowa
The Minnesota Golden Gophers, who have been stellar at home, are only getting 2.5 points against the No.19 Iowa Hawkeyes. In the past three meetings between the Gophers and the Hawkeyes, Minnesota averaged 59.6 points per game while Iowa averaged 76 ppg.
When these teams met earlier this year, Minnesota lost 94-73.Comment
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The Magic can't do it on the road
Justin Hartling
The Orlando Magic have been pretty awful this year, but they have been even worse when you just look at their road record against the spread. The Magic are 9-20 ATS on the road this season, but they have not covered a road game since Dec. 16.
The Magic will get 9.5 points when the face the Wizard Tuesday.
Raptors and Cavaliers open with lowest line Tuesday
The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers open with the lowest line on the NBA schedule Tuesday. In the last four meetings between these teams they have gone Under all four times and averaged 194.25 ppg.
The Raptors and Cavs open with an O/U of 192.5.
The Lakers have been getting blown out when expected
The LA Lakers have been a mediocre team this season against the spread, but there is a horrifying secret hidden within. When the Lakers are dogs by 12 point or more this season, they are 1-3, and that one win was on Nov. 7.
The Lakers opened at +13 for there game against the Indiana Pacers Tuesday.Comment
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NHL
Hot teams
-- Carolina won six of its last nine games.
Cold teams
-- Sabres lost six of their last seven games.
Totals
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Carolina games.
Series records
-- Hurricanes won their last five games with Buffalo.Comment
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NBA
Hot teams
-- Raptors won five of their last six games.
-- Pacers won seven of last ten games, are 1-5-1 vs spread in last seven.
-- Washington won last three games, by 17-1-13 points.
-- Bulls won five of their last six games.
-- Portland won last two games, is 17-11 vs spread on road.
-- Minnesota/Phoenix both won three of their last four games.
-- Rockets won nine of their last ten games.
Cold Teams
-- Cavaliers lost last two games, after winning previous six.
-- Lakers lost five of their last six games.
-- Magic lost four of their last five games.
-- Hawks lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Nuggets lost seven of their last eight games.
Series records
-- Raptors won four of last five visits to Cleveland.
-- Lakers lost three of last four games with Indiana.
-- Wizards won four of last six games with Orlando.
-- Bulls won six of their last seven games with Atlanta.
-- Blazers are 2-0 vs Denver this season, winning by 15-5 points.
-- Suns won 12 of last 16 games with Minnesota.
-- Kings lost ten of last fourteen games with Houston.
Totals
-- Seven of last eight Cleveland-Toronto games stayed under.
-- Seven of last ten Laker-Pacer games went over the total.
-- 21 of 29 Orlando road games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Chicago-Atlanta games stayed under total; Atlanta's last four games went over.
-- Seven of last ten Denver-Portland games went over total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Minnesota games.
-- Under is 17-12 in Sacramento home games this season.Comment
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Anthony Michael (YouWinNow) - TV Play of the Day - Vanderbilt
#532 Vanderbilt +8.5 (7:00 est) ESPN
Florida now is on the top of the head with the #1 ranking and along with that comes everyone trying to knock you off. Look for Vandy to be very fired up here for a national TV game and big time revenge for a 26 point beat down from Florida last season. Motivated home underdogs are a good thing in college basketball. Get on this one with AnthonyComment
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Game of the Day: Bulls at Hawks
Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks (-1, 188)
The Chicago Bulls have persevered through numerous injuries to key players more adeptly than the Atlanta Hawks, which is why the teams have passed one another while heading in opposite directions in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks will try to narrow the gap by one game when they host the Bulls on Tuesday. Chicago, which is in fourth place in the East, has won four straight in the series including the first two meetings this season.
The Hawks are expected to be without forward Paul Millsap (knee), further depleting a frontcourt that is already missing its top three centers in Al Horford, Pero Antic and Gustavo Ayon, but they won without Millsap on Saturday, beating New York 107-98 to snap an eight-game skid. "It was very important," forward Mike Scott told reporters. "We were down Paul, down so many bodies. It was just great for everyone to come out and play hard and finally get a win." The Bulls also have endured their share of injuries, most notably losing point guard Derrick Rose for another full season, and Jimmy Butler missed Sunday's 93-79 loss at Miami with a rib injury and is considered questionable to return against the Hawks.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SportSouth (Atlanta)
LINE HISTORY: Early lines in Las Vegas had this game listed pick'em but adjusted their suggested spread to Bulls -2 with Paul Millsap out. The total was sent out at 187. Online shops opened Atlanta as high as -2 but that was bet down to -1. The total opened at 188 points.
POWER RANKINGS: Bulls (-7.0) - Hawks (-6.0) + Home Court (-3.0) = Hawks -2.0
INJURY WATCH: Bulls - Jimmy Butler (Ques. - Ribs), HAWKS - Paul Millsap (Out, Knee)
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The Bulls are down but certainly not out following Sunday's beatdown at the hands of the King James-less Heat. Keep in mind, this is a team that had won five games in a row both SU and ATS heading into that contest. They're still playing some of their best basketball of the season - evidenced by the fact that they've allowed 93 points or less in six consecutive games. The Hawks just snapped an eight-game skid, but could have one eye on a tough six-game road trip that begins on Wednesday night in Boston. It's Bulls or nothing for me in this one." - Sean Murphy.
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "Expect us to need the Hawks, as Bulls have covered both games versus Atlanta this season. Also, Atlanta is just 1-7-1 ATS past nine games, while Chicago has covered five of six." -- Mike Perry, Sportsbook.
ABOUT THE BULLS (29-26 SU, 27-28 ATS, 22-33 O/U): Chicago has been a streaky team and strung together its third five-game winning streak of the season before falling to Miami. The Bulls were less than thrilled with their effort against the Heat, who were without LeBron James (broken nose) but still held Chicago to 35 percent shooting. Center Joakim Noah and forward Taj Gibson combined for 40 points and 35 rebounds against Miami and will look to duplicate their performance in the last meeting with Atlanta, in which they combined for 43 points and 28 boards.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (26-29 SU, 27-27-1 ATS, 34-21 O/U): Atlanta, which has steadily slid down the Eastern Conference standings since the brunt of the injuries hit, is tied for seventh with Charlotte but still has a 3.5-game cushion over ninth-place Detroit. It's remarkable the Hawks are still in the mix considering they've used 16 different starting lineups — including a different one in each of the last six games. Scott has been the latest player to emerge, as the second-year forward has scored 20 and 30 points in the past two games.
TRENDS:
* Bulls are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Under is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings.
* Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.Comment
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Paul Leiner
100* Raptors / Cavaliers Over 193
100* Air Force +8.5
50* Clemson -2Comment
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Wunderdog Sports Free Pick (parlay club)
Parlay: Indiana (NBA) ML + Florida (CBB) ML
Time: Tuesday 02/25 7:00 PM Eastern
Pick: 2-team Parlay (-267) at SportsBetting
Combine the Pacers (-1225) and the Gators (-370) into a 2-team parlay at -267 odds.Comment
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Jordan Sharp
Lakers Under 202
Kings Over 212Comment
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Jeff Grant
Wisconsin Badgers -10
Vanderbilt Commodores +8.5
Duke Blue Devils -21.5Comment
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Sports Wagers NHL
Carolina @ BUFFALO
Carolina -½ +125 over BUFFALO
Regulation only. The Hurricanes are definitely in this thing, as they sit just two points behind Columbus for fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand. They’re also just five points behind Philly with two games in hand. Quietly, the Hurricanes have snuck up on a lot of teams and were one of the hottest teams in the NHL before the break. In fact, the ‘Canes have won 12 of their past 18 games. They have not lost two in a row in 13 games and they’re coming off a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens. Carolina boasts one of the best top-sixes in the league, sprinkled with the right amount of grit and flash. The Staals are absolute beasts to play against, both owning a rare mix of size and skill. Jeff Skinner already has 40 points in 46 games and is well on his way to another 30-goal season. Their D is solid and reliable with guys like Andrej Sekera, and even sports a bright young star in Justin Faulk (with Ryan Murphy not too far away either). There are players on this team (like the Staals and Skinner) that could have easily been chosen to play for Team Canada. However, the rest and relaxation figures to be rejuvenating and Carolina could certainly keep their hot streak rolling in the final 25 games. Entering the stretch run, Carolina is definitely underpriced.
Both of Buffalo’s goaltenders, Ryan Miller and Jonas Enroth, went to the Olympics and both didn’t see a minute of ice time. That “time off” is not the same as the time off those players who stayed home received. Buffalo comes into the stretch run with no chance of accomplishing anything. Indeed the spoiler role is fun and challenging but that role really hasn’t kicked in yet and after two weeks off, it doesn’t figure to impact this one in the least. Buffalo dropped four in a row and six of seven prior to the break. The Sabres were outscored 18-6 in their last four games and in their current state we trust it’s going to be a lot more difficult for them to regain their focus and intensity than it will be for the ‘Canes
Our Pick
Carolina -½ +125 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.50)
Last 30 Days 14 27 0.00 -18.10 Season to Date 115 148 0.00 -9.59 Comment
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