Lenny Del Genio
Gonzaga
With yesterday's upset of #1 overall seed Kansas by Northern Iowa, it has become quite clear that "anything is possible" in this year's NCAA Tournament. Already there are three teams seeded ninth or higher in the Sweet 16 and we haven't even gotten to Round 2, day 2. We start with the Syracuse-Gonzaga matchup, one that is not ideal for the top seed in this bracket considering the Zags' 6-1 ATS mark as an underdog this season and the same pointspread record in their last seven games taking on Big East opposition. This tournament has certainly been "one to forget" for the supposed top conference in the land as already five of the record eight qualifiers are out. Gonzaga looked very impressive in its opening round win over Florida State, a wire to wire cover, that was only in doubt for a short period of time late in the second half. Don't discount a pretty quick turnaround for the Orange as they did not finish their game vs. Vermont until midnight local time on Friday and will again be playing without C Arinze Onuaku. This was not a deep team to begin with. Considering the way this Tournament has gone, why not take the points? Gonzaga is our **EARLY** EASY Winner.
WAYNE ROOT
Millionaire - Purdue
Perfect Play - Ohio St
Vegas Legend - Michigan St
igz1 sports
3* Atlanta +170
3* Phoenix -110
3* Calgary -110
3* Boston Under 5
King Creole
2 - TEAM Late Afternoon PARLAY in College Hoops from
3* TEXAS A&M AGGIES & 3* DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Conference-affiliated stuff
Both teams had big-rime 1ST ROUND wins of 15 or more points... which puts us squarely on a couple of pertinent Systems. And the SECOND round of the NCAA Tourney is ALL about the favorites... particularly for teams out of the ACC and BIG 12 Conferences respectively.
8-1 ATS since 2002: All ACC second-round favorites who are a #1 SEED in the Tourney (DUKE). In the last 5 years, these teams are a PERFECT 5-0 ATS!
6-1 ATS since 2001: In ALL Tourney games, ACC favorites of 10 < points (DUKE) facing a PAC 10 opponent (Cal).
26-11-1 ATS: All BIG 12 second-round teams (TEXAS A&M).... Favorites of 10 < points have gone an amazing 17-4 ATS (A&M).... and 9-1 ATS playing off an ATS win (A&M).
In the last 8 seasons in ALL NCAA Tournament games, BIG 12 favorites (A&M) are a PERFECT 5-0 ATS when facing a BIG 10 opponent (Purdue).
Applicable Systems:
12-1 ATS since 2001: All SECOND-ROUND favorites of 7 < points... as a #3 or better SEED... when they won their Conference Tournament (DUKE).
4-0 ATS since 2006: All SECOND-ROUND favorites of points (DUKE).
12-3 ATS since 1998: All SECOND-ROUND teams playing off a SU win of 15 > points in a game in which they were a favorite of -4 < points (A&M). In the last 5 years, these teams have gone 6-1 ATS.
8-1 ATS last 3 years: All SECOND-ROUND 'short' favorites of only -3 or less points (A&M).
SEED Tendencies:
#5 SEED teams (TEXAS A&M) are 12-3 ATS since 2003 when playing a #4 SEED (Purdue) in the 2nd Round... and a PERFECT 3-0 ATS when installed as FAVORITES.
#8 SEED teams (California) are 1-7 ATS since 2002 when playing off a SU win in a game in which they were an UNDERDOG or 'pick em'....
MR EAST
NCAAB SUNDAY GOODIE BAG
CORNELL vs WISCONSIN
3 UNITS: UNDER 121.5
Post-season tournaments leave a trail as to tendencies, and how they change from the regular season, and even post-season conference tournaments. Taking a snapshot of the trail they leave behind offers value in given areas, and a place and time to exploit these situations as they arise. I have years of data and have found many places where these situations can be taken advantage of and will post them as they arise. This game fits into that area. UNDER gets the call.
Evan Altemus
3 Units: Cornell +4.5 vs Wisconsin
Wisconsin was able to escape with a win against Wofford in the 1st round, but I don't think they'll have similar luck in this game. Cornell has probably the most cohesive team of any left in the tournament, since seven players are seniors with tournament experience. This team plays together better than any other team in college basketball because of their experience with each other. They also have some size down low which means Wisconsin won't have an overwhelming edge with their big guys. Wisconsin also has to prepare to for the Big Red in only a few days, a very tough task for the system that they run. With the size of this point spread, Cornell only has to keep the game close in order to cover the point spread. There is no reason to believe that they will get blown out by Wisconsin after dismantling and dominating a very good Temple team. Look for the Big Red to challenge for the outright win.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
8* Duke -6
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on Duke.
Cal beat Louisville in the opening round; 77-62.
Duke understands that this isn't going to be a cake walk, and I believe it will ultimately be up to the task of slowing the likes of Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher.
Very important to point out that this is in fact a position that Cal has really struggled in all year; just 1-5 ATS when playing the roll of underdog; 5-7 ATS vs. good defensive teams that allow 64-points or less per contest; 3-5 ATS vs. good offensive teams that score 77-plus points per contest.
On the other side of the court: The Devils have held opponents to 27.9 % shooting from 3-point range and have allowed more than five 3-pointers in just three of the past 24 games.
Duke posses an overall dominating perimeter defines, and can also collapse and shut down the lanes.
Duke excels in this spot; 19-14 ATS as a favorite; 5-3 ATS in neutral court games; 16-12 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record.
Bottom line: No need to over analyze this one; I believe that Dukes experience and its head coach Mike Krzyzewski will win today's chess match as the Blue Devils once again effectively shut down their opponents top scorers; look for DUKE to move to 10-1 ATS vs. good offensive teams that score 77-plus points per contest and for Cal to drop to 3-4 ATS this year on neutral courts!
Tony George
Texas A&M -1.5
Texas AM is sneaky good, have one of the best guards in Slaon in the USA, and play hellasious defense. This is a good team capable of an Elite 8 appearance and one who is the only team who really gave Kansas a run for their money in the Big 12 twice this year. They are deep, play GREAt swarming defense, are every well coached and never hit the panic button. the Big 12 is FAR superior to the Big 10 in talent, and Purdue without Hummel is not the same team and struggled with Siena before winning late. Texas AM too good up top and in the paint. Play 3 Units on Texas AM.
Dwayne Bryant
Wisconsin -4.5
Cornell sure is getting a lot of love and attention from the media outlets. The darlings of the Ivy League have had a great season at 28-4, but I think their run comes to an end today. For personal reasons, I need to be brief here, so I'm going to summarize what I see (long-term clients: you know how I look at these games). Wisconsin simply has all the edges I look for (defensive efficiency, turnovers, defensive rebound percentage, and 2-point shooting percentage allowed). Cornell likes to shoot 3's, but the Badgers are capable of defending it.
76% of over 30,000 reported bets are on Cornell. I think the public is over-reacting to Cornell's beatdown of Temple and Wisconsin's struggle against Wofford. Cornell has shot over 50% from the field in four straight games. That will obviously not go on forever and Wisconsin has the D to end that streak. The Badgers have shot just 32.5% from the field in their last two games, but those were against teams that rank in the top 50 in defensive efficiency; Cornell ranks 138th. I see an 8 to 10-point win for the Badgers, so I'll lay it with Wisconsin.
Mike Lineback
Blazers/Suns Over 208.5
Marc Lawrence
Ohio State -6.5
When the Buckeyes battle the Yellow Jackets in 2nd round NCAA action on Sunday they will do so knowing that Georgia Tech is the only lined team in this year's event to arrive to the 2nd round with a losing record last season. That does not bode well for the Techsters as teams off a SU underdog win in this round that won 14 or fewer games last season are 0-16 SU and ATS if entered the tournament off a win or loss of less than 10 points since 1991. In addition, Ohio State head coach Thad Matta is 7-0 SU and ATS in his career in NCAA and NIT games when taking on an opponent off a SU underdogs win. With that, look for the Buckeyes to send the Yellow Jackets packing today. We recommend a 4-unit play on Ohio State.
Bob Balfe
Duke -6.5
California played a tough game against Louisville, which actually may have worn them out a bit for this game. Cal did not play well away from home this year and will be overwhelmed by a good shooting and well-coached Duke team. Duke has been playing great defense and are really good at defending the 3-pointer. Duke will have more of a home crowd advantage and should advance to the Sweet 16. Take Duke.
EXECUTIVE
400% Purdue +2
300% Ohio St -6.5
250% Maryland -1
250% Oklahoma City -5
Tom Stryker
NCAA Tournament Round 2 Game of the Year
OHIO ST (-) over Georgia Tech
This is going to be a tough encore for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are a bit young and inexperienced and they're taking on a Buckeyes bunch that can flat out play.
Technically speaking, this is a tremendous spot for the Big 10's best. Since the 1990-91 season, NCAA Tournament round two favorites or underdogs priced at +1' or less are a respectable 87-49 ATS provided they're matched up an opponent that checks in off a straight up underdog win. Provided our "play on" side is NOT matched up against a No. 12 seed, this post season situation tightens up to a spectacular 80-36-1 ATS! Ohio State fits this situation perfectly.
OSU has played extremely well against teams from the ACC too. In fact, as a favorite against an Atlantic Coast Conference foe, the Buckeyes are a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS in their last six tries. Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, No. 10 through No. 16 seeds priced as an underdog of +6 or more in Round 2 of the Big Dance are a soft 23-37-1 ATS. That doesn't bode well for the Yellow Jackets.
Quietly, State has won 14 of its last 15 basketball games and they seem to be peaking at the right time. The Buckeyes may not be as tall at Tech on the inside. However, OSU's four-guard offense will be too much for the Bees to handle in the end. Take Ohio State.
WAYNE ROOT
Millionaire - Purdue
Perfect Play - Ohio St
Vegas Legend - Michigan St
Billionaire - California
No Limit - Wisconsin