Billy Coleman
4* Port/NO Under 193
3* Dal -4.5
4* Kentucky -4
Will Cover
4* Kentucky -4
Rocketman
4* Golden State +4.5
Lenny Del Genio
15* Nets/Bulls Under 194.5
10* Lakers/Rockets Over
Vegas Icon West Virginia
Dr. Bob
NCAA Opinions
West Virginia (+4) over Kentucky
The line on this game opened at Kentucky by 2 1/2 points and has since gone up to 4 points. My ratings favor Kentucky by 2 points, so there is certainly some value in backing the Mountaineers, and I'll lean with West Virginia at +4 points or more.
Kansas State (-4) vs Butler
My ratings favor Kansas State by 4 1/2 points in this game, which isn't enough line value to overcome the juice and make this even worth a lean. Butler is 21-7 ATS as a dog the last 5 seasons (just 3-3 this year), but Kansas State is 17-5-1 ATS this season when not laying more than 9 points. I'll pass on this game at the current number, but I'd lean with Kansas State at -3 or less.
Mike Lineback
4* (POD) Los Angeles Lakers First Quarter -1.5 -115
Lakers will come out "angry focused" tonight, after getting their butts kicked last night vs. Oklahoma City. Houston are seriously banged up. Battier is out. Kevin Martin hurt his shoulder and missed Thursday's game, and this is on top of Anderson, Hill & Jeffries injuries, All may miss this game as well. Regardless. Houston can't matchup with Los Angeles. In particular, Kobe, Gasol & Odom, and LA's overall size advantage. In addition, Houston are not a good defensive team, and don't have anybody to slow Kobe. Kobe & team assert their offensive & defensive will early.
Al DeMarco
15 Dime Release - Kansas State
Butler has won 23 straight since a road loss to UAB on December 19, but since the streak started, who have the Bulldogs beaten other than Syracuse the other night? Running the table in the Horizon League, beating the likes of Detroit, Wright State and Wisconsin-Green Bay doesn't exactly compare to Kansas State's weekly Big 12 wars against teams like Baylor, KU, Texas and Texas A&M, right?
Okay, Butler destroyed Big Dance invite Siena in its bracket-buster game in mid-February, but would the Saints finish ahead of even Colorado or Iowa State in the Big 12?
The Bulldogs downed UTEP and Murray State in the first two rounds of the Tournament, respeetively, but foes from Conference USA and the Ohio Valley Conference weren't intimidating.
That brings us to Syracuse. The Orange, other than their two opening Big Dance wins, had not been playing well of late and they were minus their starting center. Game, set, match Butler.
Kansas State's double-OT win against Xavier was certainly draining, but I pegged this team for the Final Four at the outset of the Tournament and I'm now backing off now.
The Wildcats, unlike Syracuse, attack the boards with aggression and that keys a devasetating fast break led by guards Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente, who average a combined 36 ppg.
Yes, Butler held Syracuse to just 48 shots and 59 total points, but they will not be forcing 18 turnovers against the Wildcats as they did versus the Orange.
Almost overlooked in Bulldogs' Sweet 16 upset is the fact they shot just 40% from the field and missed 18 of 24 three-point tries. This is a team that lives and dies beyond the arc, and don't expect their percenteges to go up dramatically against a Kansas State backcourt that is more agressive and athletic than anything Syracuse could offer as a chalenge.
Kansas State is 22-9 ATS this season, including 14-2 when laying single digits. And the price of this game is being discounted by the oddsmakers because of the grueling Xavier victory. Fatigue can wait another day; the Wildcats return to the Final Four for the first time since 1964 with a nine-point win.
ATS Financial
4 Units Mavs -4
3 Units Jazz -8.5
KELSO
5 Units Nets +9.5
5 Units Nets/Bulls Over 105
5 Unit Parlay
25 Units Butler +4
25 Units Kentucky -4
BEN BURNS
10* Main Event - Bulls -9
EXECUTIVE
600% Kansas
250% Dallas
BOBBY MAXWELL
700-Unit - KENTUCKY
100-Unit - KANSAS ST
Sean Higgs
20* West Virginia
20* Butler
50* Chicago Bulls
ALATEX
15* Butler
NHL Pro Picks
Montreal +102
Colorado +125
Dallas +153