Saturday 3/27/21 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for NBA, MLB & NCAAB games.
Mike McClure
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
OREGON ST. +6.5
ANALYSIS: Loyola is a legitimate top 25 team in college basketball this season, but they shouldn't be -6.5 favorites over any remaining team not named Oral Roberts. The Ramblers have been successful in the first two rounds thanks to their strong defensive efforts, contrasting style of play, and a massive game from Cameron Krutwig. The issue here is Oregon State has a meaningful amount of time to prepare for Krutwig, and most importantly they have the personnel to slow him down. I love the size of the Beavers with Roman Silva (7-1, 265), and the combo of Maurice Calloo (6-10, 220) and Dearon Tucker (6-10, 240) off the bench behind him. My simulations make Oregon State just +3.9 point underdogs. Take the points.
ORAL ROBERTS @ ARKANSAS | 03/27 | 7:25 PM EDT
ARKANSAS -11
ANALYSIS: Oral Roberts has been great in the tournament, but I think the run comes to a close against Arkansas. Both of these teams enjoy playing with a quicker than average pace, but that's where the similarities end. Playing with pace is fine if you have the defensive efficiency to back it up. Oral Roberts rates 172nd in defensive efficiency, leaving them with a very difficult task. This game might be close for 35 minutes, but my simulations suggest Arkansas (-14.8) should pull away and cover this number.
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Thom Cunningham (Vegasinsider)
CBB
Baylor -6.5 (Best Bet)
Oregon State +6.5
Oregon State/Loyola-Chicago Over 125
Houston/Syracuse Under 140.5
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Spartan
3* March Madness GOY - Baylor -6.5
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Jeff Hochman
SYRACUSE @ HOUSTON | 03/27 | 9:55 PM EDT
SYRACUSE +6
ANALYSIS: Houston has played one of the easiest schedules in all of college hoops. The Cougars haven't looked great in big games, and needed a huge rally midway thru the second half against Rutgers. Syracuse is on a 6-0 ATS run, winning fives games outright. The Orange are 13-2 ATS as a neutral court underdog of 3.5 to 6.5 points since 1997. On the flip side, Houston is 2-10 ATS as a neutral-court favorite of 3.5 to 6.5 points since 1997. My only concern is that the public is betting the Orange in a big way, but they do appear to be the value side.
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Micah Roberts
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
LOYOLA-CHI. -7
ANALYSIS: The Beavers have won and covered their last five games and covered 12 of their last 13. They’ve covered 20 games this season as their true rating never caught up. Their rating still may not be proper, but I’m still willing to lay the points with the efficient Loyola squad which has covered the number in its last five games while riding an eight-game win streak. Everything Loyola does is textbook on both sides of the ball. Loyola to cover.
VILLANOVA @ BAYLOR | 03/27 | 2:03 PM EDT
VILLANOVA +7.5
ANALYSIS: Baylor leads the nation in 3-point shooting at 42.9 percent and defending that will be a hard task for Villanova. However, I’m impressed with what Villanova coach Jay Wright has done after experiencing two immediate losses after leader Collin Gillespie suffered a season-ending injury. Wright has changed their offensive attack, putting more responsibility on his best players and they’ve responded well. Take the better coach and the points with Villanova.
SYRACUSE @ HOUSTON | 03/27 | 9:55 PM EDT
SYRACUSE +6
ANALYSIS: Syracuse comes in on a six-game cover streak with a 2-3 zone defense that is disrupting all opponents. Houston’s offense will have trouble with it. Houston’s defense is what has been leading the way all season, not the offense, which Rutgers shut down last week. Syracuse is rolling with momentum, and the offense is executing. Syracuse to cover is the play.
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Larry Hartstein
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
OREGON ST. +7
ANALYSIS: It's scary to fade Loyola and the nation's No. 1 defense. But this spread has gotten too big, especially with such a low total. Roman Silva and Oregon State's other big men will do a better job on Cameron Krutwig than Kofi Cockburn did. The Beavers are comfortable in this underdog role and will keep this competitive.
VILLANOVA @ BAYLOR | 03/27 | 5:15 PM EDT
BAYLOR -7.5
ANALYSIS: Wish I'd jumped on this sooner, but I'll still back Baylor now that the Bears are back to their pre-COVID form. Villanova isn't likely to shoot 16 of 26 from deep like the Wildcats did versus North Texas. Baylor is getting contributions up and down the lineup, including from 6-9 reserve Matthew Mayer (17 points versus Wisconsin). The Bears were more dominant against the Badgers than the final score indicated. Lay the points.
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Matt Severance
SYRACUSE @ HOUSTON | 03/27 | 9:55 PM EDT
SYRACUSE +6.5
ANALYSIS: No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 2 Houston in Midwest Region. The Cougars were very lucky to come back and beat Rutgers in the Round of 32, and UH has a DeJon Jarreau problem. Called the team's MVP by Coach Kelvin Sampson, the point guard is far less than 100 percent with a hip injury. Jarreau is the Cougars’ third-leading scorer in averaging 10.9 points per game and leads the team in assists with 4.1 per game. He'll play again Saturday but may not practice all week: "It's just a matter of how close to being adequate he is going to be," Sampson said. Jarreau's status and SU's 2-3 trademark zone are enough for me to jump on this number now that it's back to 6.5.
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Pickswise Sports
CBB 3* Best Bet - Baylor -7
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Joe Williams - Vegasinsider
CBB
Oregon State +7
Baylor -7
Oral Roberts +11.5
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Tim Wilkinson - Vegasinsider
CBB
Syracuse +7
Syracuse/Houston Under 141
Arkansas/Oral Roberts Over 158
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Vegasinsider College Basketball Totals Club
CBB
Loyola-Chicago/Oregon State Over 125 (Best Bet - Total of the Day)
Villanova/Baylor Over 141.5
Oral Roberts/Arkansas Over 158
Houston/Syracuse Under 141
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Ben Burns
10* houston-5.5
10 arkansas-11
9* "BREAKFAST CLUB!" TOURNEY MONEYLINE memphis-170
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Larry Ness
9* daytime dominator
memphis-3.5
10* situational stunner
baylor-7.5
9* ultimate underdog
oral roberts+11.5
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Nba-Martingale
4 units
Washington Wizards - Detroit Pistons
Washington Wizards -5 @ 2.00
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Larry Hartstein
FEATURED PICK
ORAL ROBERTS @ ARKANSAS | 03/27 | 7:25 PM EDT
ORAL ROBERTS +11.5
ANALYSIS: The Golden Eagles led Arkansas at the half 40-30 on Dec. 20 in Fayetteville. They ultimately lost by 11 as Max Abmas, the nation's leading scorer, scored 11 on 4-of-11 shooting. Abmas only played 33 minutes that night. Now he never comes off the floor, and the same goes for Kevin Obanor. The Golden Eagles didn't go back to campus -- all the teams stayed in Indiana -- so they're not getting caught up in their Cinderella story like previous double-digit seeds that made the Sweet 16. They're also playing better defense now than they did in the regular season. Grab the points.
SYRACUSE @ HOUSTON | 03/27 | 9:55 PM EDT
SYRACUSE +6.5
ANALYSIS: The Cougars played three formidable opponents in the second half of the season. They lost to Wichita State, won two nailbiters over Memphis and needed a furious rally to edge Rutgers. Although I don't expect Buddy Boeheim to maintain his current shooting pace, this is too many points to give the well-coached Orange.
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Matt Severance
FEATURED PICK
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
OREGON ST. +7
ANALYSIS: No. 12 Oregon State vs. No. 8 Loyola (Chicago) in Midwest Region. First game of the Sweet 16 on Saturday afternoon. Could the Ramblers actually take a Power 5 conference champion lightly? There might be a slight letdown after the shocking upset of Big Ten champion and Big Brother Illinois in the Round of 32. The Beavers have been underdogs in eight straight games and have won seven of those outright. Overall, they’re 12-1 ATS in their past 13. Thus, I have to take the touchdown (and PAT) here. OSU 7-foot-1 center Roman Silva could create some defensive problems if he stays out of foul trouble for Ramblers star center Cameron Krutwig, who is maybe 6-foot-8.
ORAL ROBERTS @ ARKANSAS | 03/27 | 7:25 PM EDT
ORAL ROBERTS +11.5
ANALYSIS: No. 15 Oral Roberts vs. No. 3 Arkansas in South Region. I think Larry Hartstein and I were both waiting for this spread to get back over 11 points to make our pick. As he noted, the Golden Eagles were up 10 at the half in Fayetteville on Dec. 20 before being blitzed in the second half and losing by 11. ORU will thus feel confident it can hang with the Hogs, and having the entire week to prepare for that Arkansas pressure defense helps as opposed to just 24 hours if this matchup was in the Elite Eight. While I don't give national scoring leader Max Abmas, fellow star Kevin Obanor and Oral Roberts much chance to win, it leads the nation in free-throw percentage and is 12th in three-point percentage. That's enough for a cover.
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Stephen Oh
COLORADO ST. @ MEMPHIS | 03/27 | 12:00 PM EDT
COLORADO ST. +4
ANALYSIS: Memphis may be an elite defensive team, but the Tigers are just an average offensive team. They average just 103.3 points per 100 possessions according to Kenpom, which ranks 154th in the country. Their lack of offense will keep this game close. My model says Colorado State covers more than 60 percent of the time and wins by one, so you're getting good value at this number.
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Kenny White
VILLANOVA @ BAYLOR | 03/27 | 5:15 PM EDT
OVER 142
ANALYSIS: Villanova's main strength throughout the year has been its offense. The Wildcats do play a slower pace, however, they are an underdog and my feeling is that Villanova will be trailing in much of this game. The Wildcats will have to play with a great sense of urgency. Villanova has not been an underdog all year long. The Bears push the pace and play pressure defense. Baylor is third best in the nation in offensive efficiency and the Bears are the No. 1 three-point shooting team in the country. Baylor is 6-1 to the over in its last seven games.
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
UNDER 125
ANALYSIS: Both teams play at an extremely slow pace on offense. Oregon State ranks 314th in the nation in possession time, and Loyola (Chicago) is 306th. The Ramblers' defense is second best in the nation and allows just 55.8 points per game. Away from home as a favorite, Loyola (Chicago) is 7-3 to the under.
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Mike McClure
OREGON ST. @ LOYOLA-CHI. | 03/27 | 2:40 PM EDT
OREGON ST. +6.5
ANALYSIS: Loyola is a legitimate top 25 team in college basketball this season, but they shouldn't be -6.5 favorites over any remaining team not named Oral Roberts. The Ramblers have been successful in the first two rounds thanks to their strong defensive efforts, contrasting style of play, and a massive game from Cameron Krutwig. The issue here is Oregon State has a meaningful amount of time to prepare for Krutwig, and most importantly they have the personnel to slow him down. I love the size of the Beavers with Roman Silva (7-1, 265), and the combo of Maurice Calloo (6-10, 220) and Dearon Tucker (6-10, 240) off the bench behind him. My simulations make Oregon State just +3.9 point underdogs. Take the points.
ORAL ROBERTS @ ARKANSAS | 03/27 | 7:25 PM EDT
ARKANSAS -11
ANALYSIS: Oral Roberts has been great in the tournament, but I think the run comes to a close against Arkansas. Both of these teams enjoy playing with a quicker than average pace, but that's where the similarities end. Playing with pace is fine if you have the defensive efficiency to back it up. Oral Roberts rates 172nd in defensive efficiency, leaving them with a very difficult task. This game might be close for 35 minutes, but my simulations suggest Arkansas (-14.8) should pull away and cover this number.
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Zack Cimini
VILLANOVA @ BAYLOR | 03/27 | 5:15 PM EDT
BAYLOR -7.5
ANALYSIS: In the past eight seasons, Villanova has been an underdog by today’s margin only one other time. That speaks to the incredible run of Jay Wright and his staff. Baylor’s elite level of play began in November 2019, when they defeated Villanova 87-78. In the contest Baylor shot 57.9 percent from 3-point range, got several Villanova players in foul trouble and committed just five turnovers. The in-game adjustments of Jay Wright won’t be there to keep Baylor at bay. Take Baylor.
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John Morrison Tony Chau ChampNBA System
Now, let's go onward to the today's official Champ NBA system bet(s):
Chicago Bulls {A** bet -
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Ben Burns
8* PUCK-LINE BREAKFAST CLUB! flyers+1.5-225
10* over-5.5 calgary-winnipeg
9* calgary-110
9* rockets+5.5-125
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Marty’s plays
NIT
30* Rams +146
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Gus Augustine
100 Dime
+ MAX WAGER +
Houston cougars -6.5
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Larry Ness
10* nba weekend wipeout
clippers-4
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XS Sports Picks
$5000 Boston Under 5.5 -125 (1pm)
$5000 Colorado Under 5.5 -101 (3pm)
$3000 Detroit +141 (3pm)
$3000 Edmonton +138 (7pm)
$5000 Florida +100 (8pm)
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XS Sports Picks
Houston +5 (8pm)
Houston Under 228.5 (8pm)
Chicago +3.5 (8:30pm)
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ASA Inc
10* CBB *TOTALS TITAN*
Miss St Under
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WUnderdog
Saturday Sweet Sixteen
Oral Roberts +11 vs arkansas
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Big Al
CBB
NIT TOURNEY GAME OF YEAR! Miss ST
Arkansas
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bettingmartingale
EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification
Croatia – Cyprus
Croatia -2.5 @ 2.40 / 2 units
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Dwayne Bryant
2% NHL
Buffalo/Boston Under 5.5
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Oskeim Sports
5* Villanova +7.5
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Elite Sports Picks
Louisiana Tech +1 over Mississippi St. (NCAAB)
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Insider Sports Report
4* Syracuse/Houston UNDER 140.5 (NCAAB)
Range: 142 to 138
3* Villanova +7.5 over Baylor (NCAAB)
Range: +9 to +5
3* Memphis/Utah UNDER 228 (NBA)
Range: 230 to 226
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National Sports Service
5* Oregon St./Loyola-Chicago OVER 125 (NCAAB)
3* Arkansas -11.5 over Oral Roberts (NCAAB)
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Bob Balfe
Baylor -7.5
Ark -11.5
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Jesse Schule
Oral roberts
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Ricky Tran
Syracuse
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Aaa
S16 surprise
Syracuse
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Lee sterling
Oregon st
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Root
MASSIVE POWERHOUSE MISMATCH OF MARCH
Reserve- Oregon st
TRENDS, ANGLES & SITUATIONALS GAME OF MONTH
gold Standard- Villanova
MAXX BET SWEET 16 Pinnacle PLAY WINNER
Pinnacle- Syracuse
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Bondi
All spread
7 Arkansas
4 Houston
3 Oregon State
3 Villanova
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Jim Feist
Oral roberts
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Big Al McMordie
NIT Game of the Year - Mississippi State
Sweet 16 Game of the Year - Arkansas
NCAAB
4 Mississippi St. -2.5
1 Memphis -4
1 Arkansas/Oral Roberts 'under' 159
NBA
1 Rockets +5
1 Rockets/Timberwolves 'under' 227.5
1 Jazz -10
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TOTAL SPORTS SOLUTIONS Wagner site
10 Syracuse/Houston under
10 La Tech
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Kirby Maxwell
60 Dime
Oregon st
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Mitchell Newman
TOP-RATED
100 DIME
Syracuse
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krackomberger
over baylor 140
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Trace Adams
Double Your Wager
2000♦
Baylor
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Chris Jordan
600♦
Loyola chi
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Bob Valentino
75 Dime
Loyola chi
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Tommy Brunson
Top-Rated
100 DIME
Best Bet
Oral Roberts
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Sean Michaels
100 DIME
Colorado st
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Steve Budin
BROOKLYN COLLEGE BOYS
50 DIME
Oral Roberts
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Eric Schroeder
50 Dime
Total of the Year
Syracuse game under
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Karl Garrett
40 DIME
Central Showdown
Blackhawks
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Dave Essler
3* GOM
1st half Syracuse +3
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Scott Spreitzer
Golden Knights +160 (3U)
Portugal BOTH TO SCORE (4U)
Mississippi State PK (6U)
Arkansas -11.5 (3U)
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Kyle Akins
CLEVELAND @ SACRAMENTO | 03/27 | 10:00 PM EDT
CLEVELAND +8
ANALYSIS: Sacramento had a monster game against the Warriors on Thursday, but that was not against a NBA-caliber lineup. Cleveland was done in by one extremely poor quarter last night but should do enough to stay competitive in this game. Sacramento shot an extremely strong 60.2 percent from the field in a 141-119 win over Golden State. The Kings' season-to-date shooting percentage is just 48.3 percent. The Kings are 0-11-1 ATS as a favorite after they shot at least 10 percent better than their season-to-date average in their last game.
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Godfatherlocks
top rated 2000 unit picks
#1 - loyola chicago ramblers -7
#2 - villanova wildcats +7.5
#3 - houston cougars -6.5
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Mike McClure
UFC 260 top picks
Sean O'Malley
Alonzo Menifield
Michał Oleksiejczuk
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Master Sports
NBA
3.5* #537/538 New York Knicks/Milwaukee Bucks under 234
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Marco
5* Houston -6.5
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Pointwise phone service
1 Syracuse
3 Oral Roberts
4 Oregon State
5 Baylor
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H&H Sports
CBB (NIT)
Triple Dime - Colorado State +4.5
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Thom Cunningham - Vegasinsider (Adds)
CBB
Houston -6.5
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Kevin Rogers - Vegasinsider
CBB
Loyola-Chicago -6.5
Arkansas -11.5
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Mid-American Sports (Raiderman)
CBB - Loyola-Chicago -6.5
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Stats Analytics Sports
NBA - 1* San Antonio Spurs -128 (Moneyline)
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DOC WESTWOOD
10* Top Side Play
[626] LOYOLA-CHICAGO RAMBLERS
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World Worst Picker
Baylor
Oral Roberts
Houston
We take:
Nova
Arkansas
Syracuse
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Vince Akins Spotsbook Breakers
Big Plays 14-2 ATS year to date
NBA
Chicago Bulls +2.5
Minnesota Timberwolves -4
Minnesota Timberwolves/Houston Rockets Over 228.5 (BIG PLAY)
Sacramento Kings/Cleveland Cavaliers Under 223
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Executive
300 Baylor , Hous
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Stats Analytics Sports
NHL
3* Detroit/Columbus over 5.5
2* Chicago -1.5 goals (+220)
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Matt Severance
MISS. STATE @ LOUISIANA TECH | 03/27 | 3:00 PM EDT
LOUISIANA TECH -1
ANALYSIS: Yes, for some reason there is NIT action on Saturday, too. But you can take advantage of the oddsmakers focusing their attention on the NCAA Tournament as I believe the wrong team is favored here. I am posting this before official knowledge, but it sounds as if MSU's Tolu Smith (12.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg) will miss another game due to contact tracing. I picked the Bulldogs over Richmond in Thursday's NIT quarterfinal, but they didn't cover. Watched it all and Mississippi State simply can't shoot. This will matter more to Tech -- we won on the Bulldogs vs. Western Kentucky on Thursday.
VILLANOVA @ BAYLOR | 03/27 | 5:15 PM EDT
VILLANOVA +7.5
ANALYSIS: No. 5 Villanova vs. No. 1 Baylor in South Region. I'll admit that I am completely on the fence about this one -- and thought Villanova would be upset by No. 12 Winthrop on Round 1. However, it's such a well-coached team and the Cats, while at a major disadvantage in the backcourt without the injured Collin Gillespie, will have a major frontcourt advantage. That will be enough to cover. Baylor is 0-4 ATS in its past four after a cover.
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H&H Sports
NCAA Tournament 24-11 ATS Overall
NIT Tournament 9-4 ATS Overall
CBB
Triple Dime - Baylor -7 (-120)
Triple Dime - Arkansas -11 (-111)
Triple Dime - Syracuse +7 (-114)
Double Dime - Loyola-Chicago -6.5
Dime - Mississippi State +2
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