Brandon Lang
VA Commonwealth
Totals 4 U
TOP PLAY
OKC/Minn OVER 208.5
Regular Plays
Sac/Ind UNDER 211
Wash/Denv UNDER 214
Tor/GS OVER 217
LAC/LAL UNDER 195
Marq/UNC UNDER 150
Kent/Ohio St OVER 140
Rich/Kan OVER 135.5
VCU/Fl St OVER 130.5
Platinum Plays
Top Plays
Marq
Richmond
Regular Plays
Kentucky
VCU
Kansas/Rich UNDER
Bob Balfe
Marquette +4.5
Kansas -10.5
Ohio St Over 140
Florida St. -4
Don Wallace
Raptors +7
KELSO
50 Units New York -6
50 Units Kentucky +6
10 Units Indiana -6.5
5 Units Florida St -4
5 Units North Carolina -4
3 Units LA Clippers +9.5
Mike Lineback
4* 1st Half Phoenix -2.5
4* Portland -4
Steve Duemig
20 Dime Kentucky
10 Dime VA Commonwealth
Marc Lawrence
3 Units Florida State
Like Butler, it's hard to envision the Rams moving on since teams in this round are just 3-23 SU off back-to-back SU dog wins, including 1-5 ATS when not taking five or more points. However, with wins over the Pac-10, Big East and Big Ten, the Rams have proven tourney tough and would love nothing more than to add the ACC to its Dance card. But despite its vast 16.3 PPG scoring margin differential in this tourney - and with a 5-1 ATS mark in its last six showdowns with the ACC - we just don't feel that VCU can out-tough the No. 1 Defensive Field Goal Percentage team in the land (36.0). And, thanks to the return of Chris Singleton, one that has allowed a total of 107 points in its first two games (including 57 to high-scoring Notre Dame). How much does Singleton, the Seminoles' leading scorer and rebounder, mean to his team, you ask? Considering that Florida State was just 2-6 SU and 2-5-1 ATS this season against fellow tourney teams and now are 2-0 SU and ATS in this event with Singleton back in the lineup, we'll let you fill in the 'blanks' (along with VCU). And although the ACC's 0-4 ATS log as favorites of less than eight points in this round is a concern, the Rams' huge disadvantage on the glass (-8.9 rebounding differential between the two) is a much bigger one. The clincher, though, is the fact that dogs of less than 12 points in this tournament off three straight-up underdog wins in a row are 1-14 SU and 2-13 ATS, including 0-9 SU and ATS since 1991 if they own a win percentage of less than .666 on the season. Expect VCU to play more to the level of the team that owned an average win margin of only 4.1 PPG prior to the start of this event here tonight. With this game tipping off at 9:55 PM, the clock literally strikes midnight for the Cinderella Rams when this one is said and done. We recommend a 3-unit play on Florida State.
Joseph D'Amico
Memphis vs. Chicago
Play: Chicago-9
Chicago has the best record in the East at 51-19. With only a dozen games remaining, they want to keep it that way. The Bulls are doing it with defense. They have held 13 of their L15 opponents below the century mark. The team returned Carlos Boozer on Tuesday (6 points in 22:50 minutes played). But they played just fine in his absence. They are 10-1 SU their L11, going 9-2 ATS. They have won and covered their L4 at home. Derrick Rose continues to shine with 24.9 PPG. Boozer, Deng, and Noah are crashing the boards for 26.3 RPG. Memphis is trying to hold on to a playoff spot. But an injury to Rudy Gay, a question mark on Jason Williams, and contract distractions for Zach Randolph spell disaster for the Grizzlies. In their first meeting, Chicago was a 5-point ‘dog and won outright, 96-84. The home team is 15-5 ATS their L20 meetings. The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS their L6 games played at the Bulls while the Bulls are 20-6-1 ATS their L27 games played at home. Take Chicago.
Gary Olshan
Richmond vs Kansas
Pick: Richmond +11
Richmond has historically built a reputation for being a giant killer in postseason tourneys, so I am very comfortable taking a big number with fearless, veteran, good-shooting Spiders, who have 5 shooters with 3-point range. Richmond's marvelous PG Kevin Anderson and F Harper are sure-fire NBA prospects and old-school 6-9 C Geriot able to bang on the boards with Kansas bigs. Jayhawks lack a truly dominating forecourt, and Spiders are a profitable 6-2 as a dog this year,
The Duke's Sports
Kentucky (+6) for 1.5 Units
It's not often we see the Wildcats in a dog role of this magnitude in the Calipari era; occasionally, when they are they deliver: 4-0 ATS in this spread range. The Wildcats are also 4-1 ATS vs the Big Ten. Kentucky is rich in athleticism with three potential first round NBA draft picks. And this time of year, Calipari has usually coached his athletic "one and done" prodigies up well especially on the defensive end. What makes this Wildcats bunch dangerous is that they can shoot better than last year's bunch. We have OSU in our bracket reaching the NCAA Finals; however, laying nearly a TD wasn't expected. OSU is just 1-7 ATS as an NCAA Tournament favorite in this spread range. We'll look for KY to hang around.
Great Lakes Sports
North Carolina
Virginia Commonwealth
Chicago
Golden State
SPORTS BANK
400 Florida St
Triple Threat Sports
GOY - Florida St / VCU Under
We had this line at 120, as both of these teams are EXCELLENT defensive outfits, especially now that Singleton is back for Florida State. Also, both of these teams figure to be nervous in making their Sweet 16 debuts, and nerves tend to lead to missed shots. There are technicals galore pointing to the Under in this as well, as VCU is 1-4 to the Under in their last five NCAA Tournament games, and 6-11 to the Under vs defensive teams of this class this season while FSU is 0-4 to the Under in Big Dance contests and 3-11 to the Under this season when playing a team with a winning record. As mentioned, we thought this total would be in the 120's, and call for one of these teams to win a 62-60 type decision. The UNDER is the play.
Dr Bob
Ohio St
Warriors
NBA Opinion
PHOENIX (-5) over New Orleans
New Orleans tends to have trouble against bad defensive teams since the ability of point guard Chris Paul to break down a good defense doesn’t need to be utilized against bad defensive teams (so the Hornets are relatively better against good defense teams where Paul’s skills make a difference). The Hornets are just 18-52-1 ATS the last 3 seasons when facing a team that allows 100 points or more per game and 46.5% shooting or higher for the season (after at least 8 games), including 11-15 straight up and 5-20-1 ATS this season against bad defensive teams. My ratings favor Phoenix by 4½ points, so the line is a bit higher than it should be, but I’ll lean with Phoenix at -5 or less points.