Sunday 3-24-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:53 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunland Park

Sunland Park - Race 6

$1 Daily Double/$1 Exacta /Trifecta /$1 Superfecta/.50 Pick 3(Races 6-7-8)

Stakes • 1 1/16 Miles • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 74 • Purse: $100,000 • Post: 2:58P
NEW MEXICO BREEDERS' DERBY - FOR THREE YEAR OLDS REGISTERED NEW MEXICO BRED. ($35,000 FROM THE NMHBA PURSE ENHANCEMENT FUND; BALANCE FROM SUNLAND PARK PURSE FUND). WEIGHT; 122 LBS. FILLIES; 117LBS. TOTAL LIFETIME EARNINGS WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THE ORDER OF PREFERENCE OF HORSES. CLOSED FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2019 WITH 17 NOMINATIONS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Lone Front-runner. DAUX is the Lone Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * DAUX: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. STORM BAYOU: Horse has run a Good Race within the la st 30 days. Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. SUNSCREEN: Horse ranks in the top three in TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. DOM RIGHT: Horse has run a Goo d Race within the last 30 days. Jockey/Trainer combination return on investment is at least +20.
2
DAUX
10/1

3/1
6
STORM BAYOU
9/2

7/1
9
SUNSCREEN
5/2

8/1
4
DOM RIGHT
9/2

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
2
DAUX
2

10/1
Front-runner
69

76

72.6

72.6

64.6
5
QUITE PEACE
5

3/1
Stalker
64

56

80.7

52.9

46.4
4
DOM RIGHT
4

9/2
Stalker
70

73

65.4

17.1

5.6
9
SUNSCREEN
9

5/2
Stalker
77

65

56.7

56.7

53.2
3
SANDIA'S BEAT
3

15/1
Stalker
50

60

43.2

43.2

26.2
6
STORM BAYOU
6

9/2
Trailer
72

73

68.9

68.9

60.4
8
TRUST N PRAYER
8

5/1
Trailer
65

53

38.8

44.9

31.4
7
CATCH TEN
7

12/1
Trailer
67

52

31.8

49.7

42.7
1
BASHFUL BOB
1

20/1
Alternator/Trailer
61

56

53.6

47.0

34.5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:53 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Remington Park

Remington Park - Race 6

Exacta / Trifecta (.50 Cent Minimum) / Superfecta (.10 Cent Minimum) Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) (.50 Cent Minimum)

Maiden • 250 Yards • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 70 • Purse: $24,100 • Post: 3:40P
QUARTER HORSE 250Y, FOR ACCREDITED OKLAHOMA-BRED MAIDEN, TWO YEAR OLDS. WEIGHT, 124 LBS.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds

Race Type: Not Applicable (Quarter Horse). * KEY ANGLES * BUGS SIGN: Horse is a first time starter and its mare's win percentage with first timers is at least 50. DE KID: Horse has a TrackMaster "B" designation. Quarter horse has the highest la st race Equibase Speed Rating.
6
BUGS SIGN
8/1

7/1
1
DE KID
4/1

8/1
2
RELENTLESS DOLL
2/1

10/1

P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
1
DE KID
1

4/1
Average
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Unknown Running Style: RELENTLESS DOLL (2/1) [Jockey: Silva Agustin - Trainer: Robinson RL Rick], STYLIN CHIKALETTA (10/1) [Jockey: Meraz Jr Roberto - Trainer: Chavira Luz], QUICK ROYAL CHICK (12/1) [Jockey: Lujan Edwuin - Trainer: Villafranco Jose C

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:54 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Golden Gate Fields - Race #8 - Post: 4:25pm - Allowance - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $31,000 Class Rating: 95

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 ZIARAH (IRE) (ML=8/1)
#8 LUCKY ANTARES (ML=7/2)
#7 KELLY (ML=8/1)
#1 I LOVE ROMANCE (ML=6/1)
#5 C C THE BARTENDER (ML=8/1)

ZIARAH (IRE) - Jock hops right back on after getting to know the fine animal by riding last time out. That's always a great angle. This horse gets shipped over here after showing signs of class at a major foreign track. A good sign in my opinion. LUCKY ANTARES - Don't often see a lucrative ROI like +38. This rider/handler pair has done well together over the last year. Have to like this filly today. If you take a look at her PP lines you see a definite trend, getting closer with each race. This filly's last speed rating registered on March 3rd is in the top spot in last race speed figures. KELLY - Have to make this mare a contender; she comes off a sharp outing on Mar 3rd. I LOVE ROMANCE - The jockey and trainer combination have a beneficial return on investment when they team up. This filly should be at the peak of fitness, this far into her form cycle. I just may give this one a chance. Should improve off last race where she did run out of the top three, but was within five lengths at the finish line. C C THE BARTENDER - This mare has higher odds on the morning line than the other entrant from the stable of Wong. Better be wary of this angle. This mare is in good form. Ended up first on February 24th. Running over a familiar track, where she has won multiple times before, I have to put this horse at the top of my list of probable winners in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 DULCE RIDE (ML=2/1), #3 ANGELS N DEVILDOGS (ML=8/1),

DULCE RIDE - Didn't meet expectations as the public's choice in back to back races. ANGELS N DEVILDOGS - 8/1 is not enough of a price to take on this participant.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#4 ZIARAH (IRE) is going to be the play if we are getting 5/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [4,7] Box [1,4] Box [4,5]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
[4,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] Total Cost: $36

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[4,8] with [4,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] Total Cost: $24

SUPER HIGH FIVE WAGERS:
[4,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] with [1,4,5,7,8] Total Cost: $72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:55 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Aqueduct

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 7 - Allowance - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $64000 Class Rating: 90

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE AND APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE-BRED REGISTRY WHICH HAVE NEVER WON $13,000 OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING OR STARTER SINCE AUGUST 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 5 SHAMROCK KID 9/2

# 1 BIG GEMMY 3/1

# 4 VICAR'S LEGEND 15/1

SHAMROCK KID is my choice. This gelding with Cancel in the saddle makes him a contender. Should definitely be given a shot for this event if only for the strong Equibase Speed Figure recorded in the last race. BIG GEMMY - With a sound jock who has won at a very good 25 percent rate over the last month. This has to be one of the top picks. Ran a very solid last race.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:55 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Fonner Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 5 - Claiming - 4.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $4200 Class Rating: 56

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 FOXY TWIST 5/2

# 9 MONEY ZONE 4/1

# 3 REFEREE 3/1

FOXY TWIST is my choice. Last time out, this filly faced a stronger field. Martinez has been sizzling the last month, winning at a nifty 21 percent rate. Should be carefully examined based on the very strong speed figure garnered in the last contest. MONEY ZONE - Recent figures for the jockey - 19 win percent - make this filly stand out in this group. Will almost certainly come out solid - I have liked the way this filly has moved swiftly to the lead recently. REFEREE - Posted a very good speed rating last time out.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:56 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

03/24/19, GP, Race 4, 2.40 ET
5F [Turf] 00.53.03 CLAIMING. Purse $28,000.
Claiming Price $20,000. FOR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLDAND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE ON THE TURF SINCE SEPTEMBER 30
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta / $1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 4-5-6) / $2 HRR - (RED 1,6: 1/1. BLK 3,5,7,8: 1/1. GRN 2,4: 10/1.)
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 568, Win Percent 27.99, $1 ROI 0.95, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 5 Take a Stroll 6-1 Ortiz J L Ritvo Katherine TW 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
099.9367 6 Storm Temple Pilot 3-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Abreu Jorge R. JL 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
097.7511 3 A Dixie Twister 7/2 Saez L Procino Gerald SEC 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
097.3727 1 My Masterpiece 5-1 Sanchez J Wilensky Herman 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
094.9971 8 Giovanna Ponti 8-1 Gonzales J J Palacios Molina Jacob F 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
093.2995 7 Cactus Copy 4-1 Panici L Walsh Ryan D. 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
092.8313 2 Touch of Quality 8-1 Alvarado. Jr. R Pita Daniel 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
090.9019 4 Lady Greatness 20-1 Medina A Rakoff David 38.50 1.05 29.18 110 377
P# 5 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 6 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 3 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 1 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 8 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 7 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 2 Race Purse Not GT $50K
P# 4 Race Purse Not GT $50K
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 645, Win Percent 31.78, $1 ROI 0.83, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to GP.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 6 Storm Temple Pilot 3-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Abreu Jorge R. JFL 22.60 1.15 48.68 37 76
098.7775 5 Take a Stroll 6-1 Ortiz J L Ritvo Katherine T
097.3338 3 A Dixie Twister 7/2 Saez L Procino Gerald SEC
097.0318 1 My Masterpiece 5-1 Sanchez J Wilensky Herman W
095.5082 8 Giovanna Ponti 8-1 Gonzales J J Palacios Molina Jacob
094.2736 4 Lady Greatness 20-1 Medina A Rakoff David
093.7556 7 Cactus Copy 4-1 Panici L Walsh Ryan D.
091.7693 2 Touch of Quality 8-1 Alvarado. Jr. R Pita Daniel
P# 6 Horse Best Jockey and Finish

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:57 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Laurel - Race #3 - Post: 2:12pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $18,000 Class Rating: 61

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 WHENALLELSEFAILS (ML=15/1)
#2 HEY MABEL (ML=3/1)
#7 WE HAP NOW (ML=20/1)

WHENALLELSEFAILS - Paz and Brooks perform well when they combine forces. It's hard to beat a +173 ROI for a rider and handler. HEY MABEL - Strong return on investment for this rider and handler twosome. This mare is in excellent physical condition right now. Finished second last race out and comes back soon. WE HAP NOW - Entered a $10,000 Maiden Claiming race at Laurel last out and raced on a muddy track finishing eighth. Have to do better in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1 BASH (ML=6/5), #9 SIMMARD SHENANIGAN (ML=6/1),

BASH - Hasn't raced or had any workouts since March 1st. Not much value on this probable favorite. Tough to put your cash on this oft beaten favorite. Not much value. SIMMARD SHENANIGAN - Ran well to finish second on Mar 1st, but hasn't had nary a single blow out since then. When checking today's Equibase class figure, she will have to register a much better speed figure than in the last race to be competitive in this dirt route.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #3 WHENALLELSEFAILS on the win end if we get at least 2/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
3 with [2,7]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [2,3,7] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPER HIGH 5 WAGERS:
None

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 08:58 AM

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

03/24/19, TAM, Race 7, 3.29 ET
6F [Dirt] 1.08.03 MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $14,200.
Claiming Price $25,000, if for $20,000, allowed 2 lbs. FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLDAND UPWARD
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 7-8-9) / Pick 4 ($.50 minimum) (Races 7-8-9-10) - Super High 5
Top Horse(100.0000) - Races 353, Win Percent 29.75, $1 ROI 0.76, For Race Category MSW_MCLM Dirt
Best in race Flags - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
After scratches, a horse with stats MUST be the top rated horse for the profitable condition to be valid.
Profits are for $2 Win bets. ROI is based on $1. Stats are exclusive to TAM.
Rating P# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer Flags Profit ROI WPC W# Occ
100.0000 4 Mas Chikilin(b+) 7/2 Morales P Connelly Teresa JTSFL 7.10 1.11 38.71 12 31
098.6900 7 Rattlesnake Ridge 5/2 Centeno D Roberson Don W
096.9068 5 Dig In 4-1 Camacho S Bennett Gerald S. EC 15.60 1.09 37.78 34 90
096.1769 10 High Irish Ibis 15-1 Spieth S Gonzalez Aldana 15.60 1.09 37.78 34 90
095.6303 1 Big Island 5-1 Martinez W Londono Genevieve
095.2623 6 Imperial Brew 6-1 Garcia J A Pimental John I.
094.5551 3 Get Along 15-1 Cotto. Jr. P L Pickerrell Joseph A.
093.7724 8 Warhavoc 20-1 Ulloa A P Palacios Molina Jacob 28.00 1.20 41.43 29 70
092.6575 9 Lagartijo Velos 15-1 Mena R Parra Hernan
092.4225 2 Awesome Halo 30-1 Jimenez M Palacios Molina Jacob 28.00 1.20 41.43 29 70
P# 4 Horse Blinkers On From Off
P# 5 Last Race Weight LT Today
P# 10 Last Race Weight LT Today
P# 8 Last Race Distance EQ To Today
P# 2 Last Race Distance EQ To Today

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:01 AM

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:01 AM

NCAA National Invitation Tournament Betting Trends:

Favorites are 13-6 S/U but just 8-11 ATS.
O/U is 10-9 so far in the tournament.

College Insider Postseason Tournament Betting Trends

Favorites are 8-3 S/U and 5-6 ATS so far in the tournament.
Meanwhile O/U is 8-3.

College Basketball Invitational Betting Trends

Favorites are 8-0 S/U but are just 4-4 ATS so far in the tournament.
Meanwhile O/U is 5-3.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:02 AM

Sunday - Session 1
March 23, 2019
By David Schwab

South Region (Columbus, OH)
No. 10 Iowa vs. No. 2 Tennessee (CBS, 12:10 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Tennessee -8, 156

Betting Matchup

Iowa drew the No. 10 seed in the South Region after dropping its last four regular season games both straight-up and against the spread. The Hawkeyes lost to Michigan 74-53 as eight-point underdogs in their second game of the recent Big Ten Tournament. In a tough opening round matchup against a hot Cincinnati team, Iowa pulled off a stunning 79-72 upset as a 4 ½-point underdog. This was just the second time in the Hawkeyes’ last 11 games that they were able to cover the closing number. The total has gone OVER in five of their last eight games.

Facing an 18-5 deficit early in Friday’s game, credit veteran head coach Fran McCaffery for keeping his team focused on the task at hand. You can also credit forward Luka Garza and guard Joe Wieskamp for the upset after combining for 39 points.

The second seed in the South had its hands full in Friday’s opener against the Patriot League’s Colgate Red Raiders in a 77-70 victory as heavy 17 ½-point favorites. After losing to Auburn 84-64 in the SEC Tournament’s title game as a five-point favorite, Tennessee is 4-8 ATS over its last 12 games. The total went OVER 146 ½ points in Friday’s win and it has gone OVER in its last five contests. The Volunteers are 1-3 ATS in their last four games closing as favorites.

Forward Grant Williams has been Tennessee’s leading scorer all season long with 18.7 points per game, but guard Admiral Schofield led the way against Colgate with 19 points. Williams ended that game with just nine points and Schofield is the team’s second-leading scorer with 16.3 PPG.

Betting Trends

-- The Hawkeyes are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 neutral-site games and the total has stayed UNDER in their last five games against a SEC team.

-- The Volunteers have gone 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games against the Big Ten with the total going OVER in their last four games played at a neutral site.

-- The last time these two teams met was in the 2014 NCAA Tournament with Tennessee winning 78-65 as a two-point underdog. The total stayed UNDER 143 ½ points.

Midwest Region (Columbus, OH)
No. 9 Washington vs. No. 1 North Carolina (CBS, 2:40 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: North Carolina -11 ½, 146

Betting Matchup

Washington had been the class of the Pac-12 during the regular season at 15-3 SU in the standings, but a run to the tournament title was cut short in a 68-48 loss to Oregon as a two-point underdog in the conference championship game. Heading into this tournament, the Huskies had failed to cover in six of their previous seven games, but they beat up on Utah State 78-61 on Friday closing as 3 ½-point underdogs. Washington improved to 4-2 ATS in its last six games as an underdog.

The Huskies have a trio of players that averaged at least 12 points a game during the regular season led by guard Jaylen Nowell with 16.3 points. He put up 19 points on Friday while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Noah Dickerson (12.4 PPG) led the way with 20 points.

Following a sluggish start, the Tar Heels looked sharp in the second half of their tournament opener as the top seed in the Midwest Region. They beat Iona 88-73, but came nowhere close to covering the hefty 24 ½-point closing spread. This was the first time North Carolina failed to cover in its last five games and it has now won nine of its last 10 games SU. The only loss was against the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament. The total has stayed UNDER in four of its last five contests.

North Carolina did outscore Iona by 20 points in the second half after falling behind 38-33 in the first 20 minutes of play. Cameron Johnson scored 23 points in that recent loss to Duke and he added 21 more points on Friday while shooting 53.8 percent from the field. The senior guard led the Tar Heels in scoring all year long with an average of 17.1 PPG.

Betting Trends

-- The Huskies have an 8-3 record ATS in their last 11 NCAA Tournament games and the total has gone OVER in five of their last six games against the ACC.

-- The Tar Heels are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games in the NCAA Tournament with the total staying UNDER in 13 of their last 16 games played on Sunday.

-- In one previous meeting back in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, North Carolina beat Washington 86-83 as a four-point favorite with the total going OVER 159 points.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:02 AM

Sunday - Session 2
March 24, 2019
By Kevin Rogers

East Region (Columbia, SC)
No. 9 UCF vs. No. 1 Duke (CBS, 5:15 PM EST)

Opening Odds: Duke -13, 143 ½

Three top seeds take the court on Sunday, highlighted by the Blue Devils (30-5 SU, 18-16-1 ATS), who have won all four games since freshman star Zion Williamson returned to the lineup. Duke lost three games down the stretch without Williamson, including two defeats to rival North Carolina, but the Blue Devils have won three times by double-digits, capped off by Friday’s 85-62 blowout of 16th-seed North Dakota State.

Duke failed to cash as 27-point favorites, as the Blue Devils led the Bison at halftime, 31-27. The Blue Devils blew it open in the second half by outscoring the Summit League champions, 54-35, while Williamson paced Duke with 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting from the floor. R.J. Barrett led the Blue Devils with 26 points as Duke won by at least 20 points in the opening round of the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in five seasons.

UCF (24-8 SU, 19-12-1 ATS) put together a poor showing in the AAC tournament by losing 77-59 to Memphis, but the Knights bounced back nicely in Friday’s 73-58 blowout of VCU. Not only did the Knights to pick up their first ever NCAA tournament win, but they built a 10-point halftime lead over the Atlantic 10 regular season champions, while limiting VCU to 31% shooting from the floor.

Duke reached the Elite Eight last season, but was bounced by South Carolina in the second round two seasons ago. The Blue Devils are currently on a 14-4 UNDER run, but have covered only three times in the 12 games. UCF is riding a 9-2 ATS hot stretch, which includes victories over Cincinnati and Houston. The Knights have covered in three of their last four opportunities in the underdog role, as UCF hooks up with Duke for the first time ever.

West Region (Tulsa, OK)
No. 6 Buffalo vs. No. 3 Texas Tech (TNT, 6:10 PM EST)

Opening Odds: Texas Tech -4, 146

One of the more intriguing matchups in the round of 32 involves a pair of teams that combined for 59 wins this season. Buffalo (32-3 SU, 19-14-1 ATS) made quick work of Arizona State in Friday’s first round blowout, 91-74 as five-point favorites, marking the second straight season that the Bulls have eliminated a Pac-12 team in the Big Dance. The Bulls extended their winning streak to 13 games, while grabbing their third cover in four contests since an 0-4 ATS skid to end the regular season.

Texas Tech (27-6 SU, 16-16-1 ATS) was one-and-done in the Big 12 tournament after getting stunned by last-place West Virginia as 13-point favorites, 79-74 last week. The Red Raiders rebounded with a 72-57 triumph over Horizon League champion Northern Kentucky to barely cash as 13-point favorites on Friday. Jarrett Culver led the Red Raiders with 29 points, while Tech shot 52% from the field to pick up their ninth cover in the past 12 games.

The Red Raiders reached the Sweet 16 last season before getting knocked out by eventual champion Villanova, while Buffalo was drubbed by Kentucky, 95-75 in the second round in 2018. The Bulls weren’t listed as an underdog during Mid-American Conference play, while beating Syracuse and West Virginia as a ‘dog in non-conference play.

Texas Tech has covered eight consecutive games as a single-digit favorite dating back to January 28, while compiling a 9-2 ATS mark the last 11 contests since getting blown out at Kansas in early February. The last MAC team to reach the Sweet 16 was Ohio in 2012, who beat Michigan and USF before losing to North Carolina in overtime.

East Region (San Jose, CA)
No. 12 Liberty vs. No. 4 Virginia Tech (TBS, 7:10 PM EST)

Opening Odds: Virginia Tech -8 ½, 124 ½

With all the focus on Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia, the one ACC team that refuses to be overlooked is Virginia Tech. The Hokies (25-8 SU, 17-14-1 ATS) held off Saint Louis in Friday’s first round, 66-52 as 10-point favorites. Virginia Tech jumped out to a commanding 40-18 halftime lead before the Billikens made it interesting in the second half. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hokies with 20 points as Virginia Tech snapped an 0-3 ATS skid as a double-digit favorite.

Liberty (29-6 SU, 18-14 ATS) erased a 10-point second half deficit to stun Mississippi State on Friday, 80-76 as seven-point underdogs. It was the second consecutive game that the Flames needed to win to keep their season alive after downing Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun championship as a six-point underdog. Caleb Homesley led the Flames with 30 points against the Bulldogs, while Liberty drained 12 three-pointers to record their sixth victory this season in the underdog role.

The Hokies have taken care of their business as a substantial favorite of late by cashing in four of the last six opportunities as seven-point chalk or higher. Virginia Tech advanced past the first round under Buzz Williams for the first time since he became head coach after losing to Wisconsin in 2017 and Alabama in 2018.

Liberty finally broke through for an NCAA tournament win for the first time in school history after losing in their first three appearances. The Flames last faced the Hokies in 2014 as Virginia Tech escaped with a 73-63 victory in Blacksburg.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:02 AM

Sunday - Session 3
March 24, 2019
By Tony Mejia

South Region - Columbia, SC - Colonial Life Arena
#9 Oklahoma vs. #1 Virginia - 7:45 PM EST - CBS

Opening Odds: Virginia -11, 127

-- Virginia (30-3 SU, 18-15 ATS) gave its fan base a horrible case of deja vu before getting it together to pull off a 71-56 victory over Gardner-Webb. The Cavaliers, in their first NCAA Tournament sice gaining national notoriety by becoming the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a 16, put themselves in danger of a repeat performance with an awful start that saw them behind 26-14 at one point and down 36-30 at halftime.

-- Virginia didn't cover, but considering the burden it had to overcome after being haunted all offseason by the disaster vs. UMBC, it is likely to feel more comfortable looking to get to a Sweet 16 against a fellow high-major. ACC Defensive Player of the Year De'Andre Hunter, who was out for the 2018 NCAA Tournament and is the team's top pro prospect, delivered 23 points and six rebounds. X-factor Mamadi Diakite came off the bench and finished with 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting, adding a team-high nine rebounds.

-- Oklahoma (20-13 SU, 20-10-3 ATS) overcame losing Trae Young to the pros with a collective approach and started fast, opening 11-1 with victories over a number of fellow big boys, Florida, USC and Creighton chief among them. The Sooners struggled in Big 12 play and were 2-6 between Jan. 28 and the beginning of March before closing with a big win over Kansas that secured their at-large bid in a year where there was a soft bubble.

-- Oklahoma destroyed Ole Miss 95-71 in the Round of 32, putting together the highest-scoring game of the tournament thus far. The Sooners shot over 57 percent from the field and had four players score at least 18 points. Rashard Odomes led the way, scoring 20 points in 21 minutes.

-- Christian James is averaging 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds to lead the way for the Sooners and also scored 20 against Ole Miss. Kristian Doolittle averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds and came up with 19 points and team-highs of 15 rebounds and five assists.

-- Oklahoma is 0-9 when scoring fewer than 63 points and 20-4 when scoring at least 63, but Virginia leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 55.1 points per game. Opponents shoot just 27.5 percent from 3-point range against the Cavaliers, the second-best defensive clip in the country. The Cavaliers are 28-0 when holding opponents to 44 percent or worse from the field, and 2-3 when opponents shoot better than that. The Sooners are 13-0 when they score at least 75 points and are 7-13 when falling short of that number, but Virginia has only allowed 70 or more points on three occasions.

-- The Virginia offense has recorded a turnover on only 15.1 percent of its possessions, the 14th-lowest rate in the country. They employ the slowest pace in all of college basketball but shoot over 40 percent from 3-point range, ranking fourth nationally.

-- Oklahoma has won 20 games under Lon Kruger's watch for the fifth time in his eight seasons but just the first time since reaching the Final Four in 2016. He also reached a Final Four with Florida and has led three other teams into the NCAAs (K-State, Illinois, UNLV). Tony Bennett is in his seventh NCAA Tournament with Virginia but has reached the Sweet 16 just three times. He got there once with Washington State.

-- The Sooners and Cavaliers were on opposite sides of the bracket in the Battle 4 Atlantis down in the Bahamas around Thanksgiving but didn't play one another. Bennett remembers being impressed with Oklahoma's collective size. The Sooners have gone 2-3 against No. 1 seeds in their history and are 1-2 against Virginia, last playing in Hawai'i back in 2010. While Bennett was in place, Jeff Capel coached the Sooners.

-- The 'over' is on a 4-1 run in Virginia games and only fell short last time out against Gardner-Webb by a single point.

-- Virginia entered the NCAA Tournament with 6/1 odds to win it all, per the Westgate Superbook. The Cavaliers' odds were even with UNC for third-best behind Duke (9/4) and Gonzaga (9/2). Oklahoma was slotted at 500-to-1.

Midwest Region - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
#12 Ohio State vs. #4 Houston - 8:40 PM EST - TNT

Opening Odds: Houston -5.5, 132.5

-- While Houston (32-3 SU, 21-12-2 ATS) fell in the AAC Championship game against Cincinnati, it never game Georgia State an inkling of hope on Friday night, posting a dominant 84-55 win over the 14th-seeded Sun Belt champs.

-- Ohio State (20-14 SU, 15-19 ATS) pulled off an upset over Iowa State, escaping 62-59 when the Cyclones missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The game was there to be had for both teams down the stretch but ultimately swung as Kaleb Wesson made big plays as the driving force with a 21-point, 12-rebound night. Wake Forest grad transfer Keyshawn Woods scored 19 and played all 40 minutes. This is the lowest they've ever been seeded at the NCAAs.

-- The Buckeyes got Wesson back from suspension for the Big Ten Tournament and immediately sealed their at-large bid by holding off Indiana 79-75 after nearly blowing a huge lead over the final minutes. They lost to Michigan State again, but had slid into the field as one of the last few teams deemed worthy of an at-large bid. Ohio State went 0-3 without Wesson, getting outscored by a combined margin of 59 points in losing to Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin.

-- The Cougars have never defeated Ohio State but would reach their first Sweet 16 since 1984 with a victory here. The Hakeem Olajuwon-led version is getting some company an can re-write the school-record for wins with their 33rd if they survive the Buckeyes.

-- Houston's calling card is a defense that ranks seventh nationally in points per game allowed (61.1) in addition to the lowest field-goal percentage defense (.365) and top 3-point percentage defense in the country (.275).

-- Offensively, the Cougars are led by point guard Galen Robinson, who will set a school-record with his 135th career game. He's scoring just 7.8 points and isn't a great shooter but leads the team in assists (4.9) and is one of those old-school point guards who controls pace at both ends. Corey Davis, Jr. is the top scorer (16.9 ppg), but junior Armani Brooks (13.3 ppg) isn't far behind and can similarly light teams up from the perimeter.

-- Forward Fabian White and center Breaon Brady, who each averaged 6.3 points per game, combined to shoot 11-for-15 and delivered 27 points and 19 rebounds in the rout of Georgia State. They'll be tasked with stopping the Wesson boys in a game where what happens in the post will dicate an awful lot.

-- Ohio State is 11-0 when it holds an opponent to 61 points or fewer, but ended a stretch of a seven straight games allowing 68 or more with its 62-59 upset of Iowa State.

-- Houston was 40/1 to win the NCAA Tournament per Westgate when the tournament began, while Ohio State came in at 1,000/1.

-- The 'under' is on a 4-0 run in Houston games, part of a 9-3 stretch over the last 12. The 'over' is 6-2 through the Buckeyes' last eight contests.

South Region - San Jose, CA - SAP Center
#13 UC Irvine vs. #12 Oregon - 9:40 PM EST - TBS

Opening Odds: Oregon -4.5, 124.5

-- Facing must-win situations has become the norm for Oregon (24-12 SU, 21-15 ATS) for weeks since they went into February's final day 15-12, on a three-game losing streak and destined for the NIT. The Ducks haven't lost since, bringing a nine-game winning streak into the only Round of 32 matchup featuring two double-digit seeds as the favorite in the matchup.

-- UC-Irvine (20-13 SU, 21-14 ATS) has won 17 consecutive games, the nation's longest winning streak, last dropping a game on Jan. 16. The Anteaters defeated Kansas State in the Round of 64, hitting nine 3-pointers and getting 19 points apiece from guards Evan Leonard and Max Hazzard. Leonard added team-highs of six boards, four assists and four steals while draining five 3-pointers. The junior has repeated as the team's leading scorer this season and is shooting a team-high 41 percent from 3-point range.

-- Both teams are on fantastic cover streaks and cashed as underdogs on Friday. The Ducks have covered in all nine of their wins on their current winning streak. The Anteaters have delivered in 12 of 15 games and have won their last 12 by six or more points.

UC-Irvine's 70-64 win over K-State featured a strong second-half effort where it held up down the stretch, while Oregon steamrolled Wisconsin 72-54. The Badgers shot 6-for-30 from 3-point range. While the Ducks' defense was good, it wasn't 20 percent from beyond the arc good. The Badgers had open looks but couldn't find the range.

-- Since losing top freshman Bol Bol (21.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg) to a foot injury, the Ducks are now 18-9, but were exactly .500 before this win streak began and really struggled with their identity as guys were asked to take on new roles. Payton Pritchard has stepped up as the leader and floor general, scoring in double-digits in nine of 10 and averaging 16.3 points and 5.5 assists during that span.

-- Freshman Louis King, who like Bol was a five-star recruit, has really blossomed since the calendar hit 2019, emerging as a versatile go-to threat in averaging 15 points and six rebounds while shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc. At 6-foot-9, he can really pose issues with his ability to face up and hit all three of his 3-point attempts against Wisconsin, scoring 17 points. He's shot 7-for-12 on 3s over the last three games.

-- The Ducks really clamped down defensively to salvage their season and have allowed 54 or fewer points in seven of the nine games on their current run. They own the sixth-best 3-point percentage in the country, surrendering 29.1 percent shooting, so we'll see whether Leonard and Hazzard can find the range against the toughest defensive group they've seen this season for the second straight contest after having conquered K-State.

-- Dana Altman reached the Final Four with the Ducks in 2017 and is making his 14 NCAA Tournament appearance, making it in with Kansas State and Creighton in previous stops. He's only lost one of nine NCAA games where his team is the favorite in terms of seeding. Russ Turner will be coaching his third NCAA Tournament game, coming in 1-1 (2-0 ATS) after barely falling to Louisville in 2015. Altman is 3-0 against Turner-led UC-Irvine, with all three meetings coming at Oregon.

-- Oregon came in at 200/1 to win the NCAA Tournament per Westgate when the tournament began, while UC-Irvine was 1,000-to-1.

-- Oregon is giving up 62.7 points per game, good for 16th in the country, while UC-Irvine allowed only 63.3 points, which is 19th-best. The 'under' is on a 12-3 run in Oregon games but the 'over' has actually prevailed in five of six involving the Anteaters.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 03-24-2019, 09:03 AM

Looking for Cinderella? Check Anteaters
March 23, 2019
By The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Can anyone carry the Loyola-Chicago mantle deep into this NCAA Tournament? Is there a double-digit seed left that's capable of grabbing the nation's imagination? Maybe one with an unusual nickname?

Check out the South Region.

There sits a big underdog with a distinctive mascot - the only anteater in the bracket, let alone the entire country - and more double-digit seeds still standing than in any other region. And at least one of them is guaranteed to make the Sweet 16.

Start with UC Irvine.

The No. 13 Anteaters have the highest seed left in the tournament. They're coming off a 70-64 win over Kansas State, and they face No. 12 Oregon on Sunday in San Jose, so one of them is headed for the Sweet 16.

The other double-digit seed in the South - No. 10 Iowa - knocked off Cincinnati in its opener and will face Tennessee on Sunday in Columbus.

Which of them has the ingredients to go viral in March? The Anteaters - OK, make that the `Eaters, as they call themselves - have some things in common with those Ramblers of last year.

Loyola-Chicago was a No. 11 seed in the same region. The Ramblers also beat Kansas State - another connection - to reach the Final Four. With the beloved nun Sister Jean rooting from courtside, the Ramblers became the nation's basketball darlings and only the fourth No. 11 to reach a Final Four.

The Ramblers weren't even second fiddle in the Windy City. The `Eaters? Way down the pecking order in the Golden State. So there's that parallel, too.

''UC Irvine folks, I don't know, live in the shadow, live like little brothers to UCLA and SC and maybe some others, Cal, Stanford, San Diego State,'' ninth-year Anteaters coach Russell Turner said. ''Well, little brother has been in the weight room getting better, getting ready for a chance like this.''

The South bracket feels more open than the others.

The winner of UC Irvine-Oregon will head to Louisville to face either No. 1 Virginia or Oklahoma in the Sweet 16. Virginia has shown itself capable of being on the wrong end of a big upset, becoming the first No. 1 to lose to a 16th seed last year against UMBC. Virginia struggled to get past Gardner-Webb in an opening game on Friday.

One more notable thread in the South: Virginia was in Loyola-Chicago's bracket last year.

An upset by the Anteaters would give basketball fans time to get acquainted with their unique name. Students voted in 1965 to become the first school represented by an anteater.

''It's very unique,'' guard Evan Leonard said. ''It's very different. But you know we usually like to take off the `ant' and just say `Eaters.' So I feel like `Eater Nation,' stuff like that, is pretty cool.''

What about folks who also want to give them that Cinderella label?

''We don't see ourselves that way,'' guard Robert Cartwright said. ''But we understand that might come with our seeding.''

Some other things to watch Sunday as the East Region wraps up the weekend:

`EATERS' FOE: Oregon has much more of an NCAA pedigree than UC Irvine, but the Ducks also were a long shot to make the tournament. They upset No. 5 Wisconsin - the only Big Ten team to lose in the opening round out of eight entrants from the conference - and are looking to extend their surge that includes the Pac-12 Tournament title as part of a nine-game winning streak.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Iowa felt like it was playing a road game during the Hawkeyes' 79-72 win over Cincinnati with thousands of Bearcats fans packing Nationwide Arena. Tennessee also will have a lot of fans on Sunday, turning it into something other than a neutral court. Iowa is trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in 20 years.

''It would be tremendous,'' coach Fran McCaffrey said. ''We've come close.''

NO, VIRGINIA, NOT AGAIN: The Cavaliers will have that historic upset hanging over their heads until they make it deep into the tournament. Next up: No. 9 seed Oklahoma, which ran up a season-high in points for a 95-72 win over Mississippi State.

Oklahoma doesn't want any of those longshot comparisons.

''I don't want to say this is a Cinderella story,'' senior guard Christian James said.

Sunday 3-24-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Sunday 3-24-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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