3-23-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

2Halves2Win:

1* GAME: Hawks-Raptors o203.5 (-110: Risking 1.10 units to win 1.00 units) - TBD (TBDu)

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Spartan

Dime - Southern Mississippi

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Hawks won five of their last six games.
-- Suns won four of their last five games. Minnesota won three of its last four home games.
-- Nuggets won their last four home games.
-- Brooklyn won six of its last seven games. Dallas won six of last eight.
-- New York won its last eight games (6-2 vs spread).

Cold Teams
-- Raptors lost three of their last four games.
-- Wizards covered twice in their last eight games.
-- Sacramento lost six of its last eight games. Bucks lost last six games, but covered six of their last eight.
-- Cavaliers lost last four games, but covered five of last six.
-- Magic lost its last eight games (3-5 vs spread). Lakers lost seven of their last eight games.

Series records
-- Hawks won 15 of their last 19 games with Toronto.
-- Suns lost three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Nuggets won five of last seven games with Washington.
-- Bucks won four of last five visits to Sacramento.
-- Nets won three of last four games with Dallas; underdogs covered last five series games.
-- Knicks won seven of last nine games with Cleveland.
-- Lakers lost five of last seven games with Orlando.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Hawk-Raptor games went over total.
-- Four of last five Phoenix games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Washington games went over total.
-- Seven of last eight Sacramento games went over.
-- Over is 3-1 in Nets' last four visits to Dallas.
-- Over is 21-15 in New York home games this year.
-- Six of last eight Laker games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Blue Jackets won four of their last five road games.
-- Penguins won three of their last four home games.
-- Chicago won three of its last four games.
-- Red Wings won four of their last five games.


Cold teams
-- Islanders lost six of their last nine games.
-- Blues lost their last two games, 4-0/4-1.
-- Maple Leafs lost their last four games, scoring 10 goals. Devils lost four of their last five.
-- Predators lost three of their last four games.
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games.
-- Vancouver is 0-6 in game following its last six wins. Sabres lost seven of last eight games.
-- Panthers, Ducks both lost six of their last eight games.

Totals
-- Six of last seven Columbus games stayed under total.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six St Louis games; last four Penguin games went over.
-- Seven of last ten New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Last seven Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in Detroit's last seven games.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten Buffalo games.
-- Five of last seven Anaheim games stayed under.

Series records
-- Islanders lost last two games with Columbus, 7-3/5-2.
-- Penguins won three of last four games with St Louis.
-- Maple Leafs won their last six games with New Jersey.
-- Blackhawks won seven of last nine games with Nashville.
-- Red Wings won ten of last fourteen games with Minnesota.
-- Sabres won two of last three games with Vancouver.
-- Ducks won three of last four games with Florida.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

Kansas -6
Mercer +8
Wichita St -4

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Sunday

NYY -140

Angels -140

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Hockey Crusher
St Louis Blues + Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER 5.5
(System Record: 77-3, lost last 4 games)
Overall Record: 77-65-1

Rest of the Plays
Detroit Red Wings -120 over Minnesota Wild
Chicago Blackhawks -1.5 over Nashville Predators
Pittsburgh Penguins -115 over St. Louis


Basketball Crusher
Mercer +7.5 over Tennessee
(System Record: 64-7, lost last game)
Overall Record: 64-75-5

Rest of the Plays
Stanford +6 over Kansas
Kentucky +4.5 over Wichita
Iowa State -125 over North Carolina


Soccer Crusher
Gimnasia LP + San Lorenzo UNDER 2
This match is happening in Argentina
(System Record: 540-20, won last 3 games)
Overall Record: 540-465-79

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Sunday, March 23

NCAA games

Mercer beat Tennessee 75-67 LY in Knoxville in a first round NIT game, shooting 56% inside arc while turning ball over only eight times. Bears were 23-28 from line vs Duke Friday, shot 56% inside arc- they're 78-31 over last three years, so this isn't a fluke. Mercer won at Ole Miss back in December, lost by 3 at Texas. Tennessee won seven of last eight, with 56-49 loss to Florida in SEC tourney; they beat SC-Upstate 74-65 back in November, its only game vs an A-Sun opponent. Vols are playing for third time in five days, beating Iowa in OT Wednesday, beating UMass by 19 Friday. Favorites covered only three previous second round games with an 11-seed meeting a 14-seed

Over last 5+ years, #1 seeds are 13-7-1 vs spread in this round. Virginia was down 5 at half Friday, only 9th #1 seed to trail a 16-seed at the half, but they won confortably. Cavaliers won 17 of last 18 games since tough loss at Duke in early January; they're #7 in country, allowing opponents to make only 41.7% of its 2-point shots. Memphis is just 3-3 in its last six games; they turn ball over too much, don't make enough foul shots for team with their talent- they're 5-8 vs top 30 teams this year- they've played #49 schedule nationally, are #62 in experience. Virginia won by 3 over SMU in its only game vs an AAC opponent.

Since 1999, #10 seeds who beat 7-seed in first round are 18-7 vs spread in second round. Stanford is #21 in country in experience, #13 in height; they played #20 schedule in country. Both Cardinal guards played 40:00 Friday, third starter played 36 in brickfest win over New Mexico- thery held Williams/Kirk to combined 1-12 from floor. Kansas was 32-all at half with EKU Friday, Over last 5+ years, #2 seeds are 11-7 vs spread in this round. Jayhawks split last six games; their defense isn't as good without Embiid; they lost at Colorado in only games vs Pac-12 squad.

Wichita State is 35-0, they were in Final Four LY, while Kentucky was losing NIT game at Robert Morris. Shockers beat Tennessee by 9, beat Alabama by 5 in its two games vs SEC opponents. Over last 5+ years, #1 seeds are 13-7-1 vs spread in this round. Kentucky is last in country in experience; they're 4-8 this season vs top 50 teams- they turned ball over over 15 times on 61 possessions in Friday's ugly win vs K-State. Last time Wichita won game by less than 10 points was at No Iowa on Feb 8- this is their Super Bowl, the game Dick Vitale says they're going to lose. Game opened at Wichita -2.5, is now -4.5 or -5. .

Baylor won 11 of last 13 games; they dismantled Nebraska Friday 74-60 going 38-48 on foul line, with Nebraska coach getting tossed for carping to refs. Bears are athletic but do not defend 3's well, allowing opponents to hit 36.1% of them, bad news vs Creighton squad that leads country, making 42.1% behind arc. Favorites covered nine of last 11 second round games pitting 3-seed vs 6-seed. Bluejays scored 72+ wins in their last seven wins; they scored 69 or less points in their last six losses. Baylor held five of its last eight opponents under 70 points. Guys on ESPNU during week seemed pessimistic about Creighton's chances in this game.

Iowa State's Niang (foot) is done for year, huge blow for Cyclone squad whose bench is in bottom 25 in country in minutes played. State won its last five games, scoring 85+ points in four of five games. North Carolina snuck by gutty Providence by hoop Friday, its first win in three games; Tar Heels were torched by PG Cotton (36 points, 8 assists). Tar Heels lost by 3 at home to Texas in their only game vs Big X opponent this season. Favorites covered nine of last 11 second round games pitting a #3-seed vs 6-seed, but like we said, Niang's injury just makes Cyclones unplayable in this spot.

Arizona won eight of last ten games but after being up 12 on Weber St. at half Friday, Wildcats struggled to put away a 14-6 Big Sky team, with final score 68-59. Gonzaga was sharp in fairly easy win over Oklahoma State, running out to 9-0 lead and coasting home; they won last six in a row, beat Pac-12 doormat Wazzu by 16 in only game vs Pac-12 squad. Zags won last meeting with Arizona by 11 two years ago; they lost last four second round games and seven of last nine- their last Sweet 16 was in 2009. Since '01, Arizona is 7-1 in this round. Over last 5+ seasons, #1 seeds are 13-7-1 vs spread in this round.

Stephen F Austin pulled rabbit out of hat with amazing comeback in last minute vs VCU, beating Rams in OT; #12 seeds covered six of last seven tries as an underdog in this round. Lumberjacks haven't lost since 66-58 loss at East Tennessee, which is coached by Murray Bartow, whose dad replaced John Wooden at UCLA. Bruins won last four games, three by 17+ points; they're #25 in country, mkaing 38.9% from arc. Over last 12 years, #4 seeds are 11-21 vs spread as favorite in this round. SFA is #4 in country, forcing turnovers 24.1% of time- they lost at Texas by 10, best team they had played until beating VCU Friday.

Other games
St Mary's started season 9-0, but went 0-3 on Diamond Head just before Christmas and is 23-11 now, though they won three of last four on road. Minnesota is 12-2 outside Big Dozen, winning four of last five at home.

Clemson is 10-3 outside the ACC this year; they're #1 in country, with opponents making just 28.4% from arc. If mcDaniels comes back for his senior season, Clemson will have whole team back and be very good. Illinois won six of its last eight games, with both losses to Michigan.

Louisiana Tech's win at Georgia Satrurday should give Southern Miss a boost here in Columbia, where Tigers won last six home games. Mizzou split its last eight games overall. USM won last three road games, with last loss on road Feb 15 at Middle Tennessee.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Sunday, March 23

Trend Report

11:00 AM
ILLINOIS vs. CLEMSON
Illinois is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Illinois's last 10 games on the road
Clemson is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Clemson's last 5 games at home

12:15 PM
STANFORD vs. KANSAS
No trends available
Kansas is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Kansas is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games

2:45 PM
KENTUCKY vs. WICHITA STATE
No trends available
Wichita State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

3:00 PM
ST. MARY'S vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Mary's last 5 games on the road
St. Mary's is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games

5:00 PM
SOUTHERN MISS vs. MISSOURI
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Missouri's last 9 games at home
Missouri is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games

5:15 PM
NORTH CAROLINA vs. IOWA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iowa State's last 5 games
Iowa State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

6:10 PM
MERCER vs. TENNESSEE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tennessee's last 7 games
Tennessee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games

7:10 PM
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN vs. UCLA
No trends available
UCLA is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UCLA's last 5 games

7:40 PM
BAYLOR vs. CREIGHTON
No trends available
Creighton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Creighton's last 6 games

8:40 PM
MEMPHIS vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 16-5-1 ATS in its last 22 games
Virginia is 17-1 SU in its last 18 games

9:40 PM
GONZAGA vs. ARIZONA
No trends available
Arizona is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chase Diamond

10* Kansas -6

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Spartan

3* Iowa State

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Maddux Sports

Kansas -6

Creighton -3

UCLA -8.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

Columbus at NY Islanders

The Blue Jackets come into today's contest against the Islanders with a 4-0 record in the last 4 meetings between the two teams. Columbus is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jackets favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Columbus (-140). Here are all of today's picks.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 51-52: Columbus at NY Islanders (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.623; NY Islanders 9.885 Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Columbus (-140); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Columbus (-140); Over

Game 53-54: St. Louis at Pittsburgh (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 12.507; Pittsburgh 11.102 Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+105); Under

Game 55-56: Nashville at Chicago (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.276; Chicago 12.729 Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-230); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-230); Under

Game 57-58: Toronto at New Jersey (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.666; New Jersey 11.526 Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-140); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-140); Over

Game 59-60: Minnesota at Detroit (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.123; Detroit 12.107 Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-125); 5 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-125); Over

Game 61-62: Florida at Anaheim (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.216; Anaheim 10.784 Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-300); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Florida (+250); Under

Game 63-64: Buffalo at Vancouver (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.104; Vancouver 10.211 Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1; 5 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-220); 5 Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+180); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS CBB

Kentucky +5 -110 over Wichita State

Midwest Region - Scottrade Center - St. Louis, MO

2:45 PM EST. Look, it’s hard to argue against a 35-0 team, regardless of its schedule. After all, the Shockers can beat only the teams they play. It’s also difficult to argue that they aren’t cut out for tourney play when the likes of Cleanthony Early, Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet all played key roles on a Final Four squad. However, this is a Shockers’ team that had the 135th toughest schedule in the land and that didn’t play a top-25 team the entire year. Wichita State’s best win this season came against BYU, a team that was destroyed in the previous round by the now departed Ducks. Battle tested the Shockers are not. Furthermore, Wichita State does not have a dominant low-post defender or a frontcourt shot-blocker. That’s a huge problem against the Kentucky’s bigs. Additionally, the Shockers only force turnovers on 18% of the opponents possession’s and that’s another danger sign for a high seed.

Yes, Kentucky is very young (every key contributor on the roster is either a freshman or a sophomore) and that youth has cost them this season, as they ended up with a 25-10 overall record. Looking deeper, the Wildcats could have easily gone 34-1 this season. Remarkably, nine of the Wildcats 10 losses this season came by five points or less with half of those being against ranked squads. In the SEC Championship game, the Wildcats lost to tourney favorite Florida by a single point, 61-60. Kentucky’s tough schedule and slew of close games has them well-prepped to knock off the Shockers. The Wildcats' frontcourt of Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson and Willie Cauley-Stein is intimidating defensively and productive offensively. Kentucky is one of the nation's top offensive rebounding teams that have racked up second-chance points all season. They also got to the line more times (935) by a wide margin than any other SEC team. This is an aggressive team and extremely talented team that was ranked #1 in the country before the season began. Kentucky absolutely has the chops to win outright here and these five points being offered is about the sweetest insurance there is today.


Gonzaga +6½ -102 over Arizona

West Region - Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl - San Diego

9:40 PM EST. Arizona basically goes with a 6-man rotation, bringing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson off the bench and subbing him into multiple positions depending on who’s in foul trouble. If you can get into their bench, they instantly become more vulnerable. Indeed the Wildcats play a tremendous brand of defense but one thing we know for sure in that when you wager on a #1 seed, you are almost always going to pay a premium to do so and that applies here. Teams' without a deep bench often struggle after the first round, even a team as good as the Wildcats. Arizona did not have an easy time against Weber State, falling behind 7-0 and being outscored in the second half by three points. What that suggests is that WSU made some key second half adjustments, something Gonzaga’s Coach, Mark Few is a master at.

Of all the mid-major underdogs in the round of 64, Gonzaga might have been the most impressive of them all. They defeated a very good Cowboys team and dominated play in all the key areas. The Zags built a 10-point lead early and never once let the Cowboys back in it. Unlike Bulldogs teams of the past, that were ranked high and projected to make deep runs, this edition came in under the radar as a #8 seed and proved on Friday that the role of the underdog is one they can thrive in. What we like so much about the Zags is they came in under-seeded, which results in them receiving inflated points. Gonzaga plays outstanding defense, they are solid at the PG position and these are two key traits that should allow them to stay well within this margin and perhaps even win it outright.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SPORTS WAGERS NHL

Columbus -½ +130 over N.Y. ISLANDERS

Regulation only. The Islanders are 17-18 on the road but at home they are a dismal 10-26. Nassau County has no atmosphere whatsoever and now that the Islanders are out of

the playoffs, expect a small crowd and even less atmosphere in this one. To make matters worse, the Islanders are without their two best players in John Tavaras and Kyle Okposo. Combined, that pair has recorded 135 points this season. Also out for the Isles is Michael Grabner and Lubomir Vishnovsky. Oh and let’s not forget they traded Matt Moulson for Thomas Vanek earlier in the year and subsequently traded Vanek at the trade deadline. In their last home game, five days ago, the Islanders lost to the offensively challenged Wild, 6-0. In net, Evgeni Nabokov is among the worst in the game. Nabokov’s last seven games has seen him post save percentages of .846, .833, .897, .737, .818, .875 and .857. This guy should be a back-up in the minors. In other words, the Islanders are a complete mess.

How big is this game for the Jackets? If the season ended today, Columbus would be out of the playoffs. A win here and they leapfrog over Washington and they could also jump over the Red Wings and Maple Leafs depending on the outcome of their respective games. Two points separate four teams vying for the final two playoff spots and the Jackets are one of them. This game is absolutely crucial. The Jackets are just 4-4 over their past eight games but don’t put a lot of emphasis on those results. They outshot the Hurricanes 47-20 in a recent 3-1 loss and even outshot the Sharks 38-27 in another recent loss. Columbus is playing hard, they’re the vastly superior team here and those efforts will be rewarded today against the NHL’s most beatable home team.


DETROIT -½ +140 over Minnesota

Regulation only. Minnesota has one win in their past five games and that lone victory occurred against the Islanders. They have just two wins over their past nine games. On zero days rest with the second game being on the road, Minnesota is 1-4 this year. The Wild lost at home last night to this same Detroit team and there’s a big discrepancy in their home and road records. They are under .500 on the road and now they’re going bad. Offensively challenged and struggling at the worst possible time (heading into the playoffs), Minnesota has very little appeal here against these hungry Red Wings.

Detroit has put itself into a position to make the playoffs. With a win here and a Maple Leafs lost in New Jersey today, the Red Wings can leapfrog over the Leafs into seventh place and put Toronto on the brink of missing the dance. The Red Wings also have two games in hand on both Toronto and Washington. Playing without Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Jurco, Justin Abdelkader, Dan Cleary and others, Detroit has won four of five with only loss over that span occurring against Chicago. Given little chance of making the playoffs and ending the NHL’s longest playoff run when all those players were injured, Detroit, much like last year’s Ottawa Senators are playing with a huge chip on their shoulders. And it’s not like they lack talent. Young players like Riley Sheahan, Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Darren Helm and Luke Glendening among others are thriving in key roles. Combine that with the leadership and experience of Daniel Alfredsson, Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen and what you have is a focused, determined and very dangerous team. The best news of all, however, is that Jimmy Howard has regained the form that made him one of the NHL’s best goaltenders over the past couple of years. The Red Wings can smell the playoffs and they can also smell some wounded prey here.