Armvin Sports
CBB
Illinois +5
Xavier -6.5
Over 127.5 San Diego State/BYU
NHL
Columbus -120
St. Louis +210
Chris James Sports
4* Wisconsin
3* Purdue
3* Arkansas Over
2* Miami Florida
1* Colorado
Doc’s Sports
4 Unit Play. #532 Take Michigan State -4 ½ over Ohio State
The Spartans suffered a setback to OSU on Sunday and now it’s the rematch and Izzo and company will likely knock the Buckeyes out of the tournament with a double-digit victory to open the Big 10 Tournament on Friday. This is a rubber match, as the Spartans did beat the Buckeyes earlier this year in East Lansing. Tournament time is when Coach Izzo turns it on and expect them to play like they did against Indiana on March 2nd, as we pick up 4 big units in the process.
4 Unit Play. #538 Take Over 131 in Oklahoma State vs. Texas
The Horns still have a lot to play for in this tournament, as a successful showing here could allow them to go to the Little Rock and Houston in the tournament. The Cowboys scored 76 points on Thursday and will allow Texas to reach 80 points on Friday, giving a clear edge to the over.
4 Unit Play. #540 Take Oklahoma -8 ½ over Colorado
The Sooners have quietly been the most surprising team in the Big 12 Conference this season and are guaranteed a bid regardless of the outcome in Kansas City. That being said, they should have no problem winning this game against a tired Buffalo squad, who is coming off a double overtime victory against Baylor. One stat is all you need to know in this game, OU has won 43 of the last 49 meetings in this series, enough said!
6 Unit Play. #542 Take Kansas -14 over Nebraska
Conference Tournament Game of the Year. It is all in the match-up; and Nebraska does not match up well with the more athletic Jayhawks. Since 1999, KU has won ten straight in this series and 19 of the last 20. In the two encounters this season, the Jayhawks won by an average of 28 points per game. Alekis Maric is best players for the Huskers and he is a slow foreigner that had been eaten alive in his career by the bigs from Kansas. The Hawks score 82 points per game and shoot over 50% from the field and will wipe out this defensive first philosophy of Nebraska. Doc Sadler won his game, saved his job and red shirted a bunch of players this season, so next year looks alright, but this season will end tonight. KU is playing for a No. 1 seed and will have a huge home crowd edge in Kansas City.
4 Unit Play. #530 Take Mississippi State -5 over Alabama
Bama beat a bad Florida team on Thursday and much like Arizona last night, odds makers are not giving the better team enough credit. The Tide was an impressive 1-9 on the road this season and the Bulldogs were the best squad in the SEC West beating Alabama twice. One of the hardest things to do in sports in beat a good team three straight times in a season, but lucky for us Alabama is not a good team. The Dogs have won four of their last five and have two of the best players in the conference in Gordon and Rhodes and will advance on into the semi-finals.
4 Unit Play. #562 Take Georgetown -3 over West Virginia
All Georgetown does is win and it may come ugly, but the won the Big East outright and should win the Big East Tournament as well. Everyone has been jumping off them because of their very few dominating wins this season, but they are still 26-4 on the season. West Virginia has been playing with house money and they have already done enough to earn a bid into the Big Dance. They are led by Joe Alexander, but the Hoyas will swarm on him this evening, giving us a cash with a low number.
Tony K
ARKANSAS
COLORADO
PITT
MINN
Billy Coleman
3* Kent
2* Akron
2* Oklahoma
Rob Veno
Blue Chip: Duke Under 156
Purdue Over 119 -110
Indiana -5.5
Tennessee -12.5
Kent State -3.5
20* Blue Chip: Cal-Santa Barbara -3.5
UNLV -4.5
Scott Landau
3*Tenn over
2*Ark over
2*Miss st. over
Malinsky
4* UNC
Bob Akmens
UNDER 121.5 Georgetown
James Patrick
3*NC Char
2*Wisky under
2*Miss st
Mid-Atlantic
3*Ohio st
2*Ark
2*Xav
Kruger
Oklahoma St/Texas UNDER 132.5
Savannah Sports
3 Units on Georgetown Under 121.5
Vegas High Rollers
100* Texas
FERRINGO
3.5-Unit Play. Take #565 Akron (-2) over Western Michigan
Akron looked nasty yesterday against CMU and I expect them to carry over their focused play to tonight’s affair. The Zips lost a heartbreaker last season in the conference tournament finals and they look like they’re on a mission to return and finish the job. Western Michigan has been a sour road team this season and I think that the Akron-heavy crowd will carry the Zips to the win.
3.5-Unit Play. Take #552 Kentucky (-3.5) over Georgia
I don’t know if there’s any possible way that UGA can play better than they did last night. They shot 60 percent for over ¾ of the Ole Miss game and somehow hung on to win in overtime. I just don’t see it. Mississippi was a shaky team that is allergic to defense. Kentucky is a system squad that is peaking at the right time. If UGA shoots below 50 percent they’re toast.
2-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 134.5 Miami vs. Virginia Tech
2-Unit Play. Take #523 Miami (Pk) over Virginia Tech
The Hurricanes have been one of my teams all season long and Virginia Tech has had the fade sign on them for a majority of the year. Tech is playing very well, covering five straight and 8 of 12, but they have zero marquee wins this season and have not beaten anyone in the Top 50. Miami should be able to knock the Hokies around on the interior and I look for this game to be a grinder. But the Cane's have performed well in games decided by 5 points or less
3-Unit Play. Take #550 Mississippi State (-5) over Alabama
I really, really like this Bulldogs squad and I think they lay the wood to ‘Bama just as the Tide did to Florida yesterday. MSU won both meetings with Alabama this year, and while I know it’s hard to beat a good team three times I wonder how good of a team Alabama is. I don’t trust their guard play and I think their big guys will be a step slower in their second game in two nights.
3-Unit Play. Take #534 Purdue (-4.5) over Illinois
The top tier has dominated the Big 10 all season long. The Boilers are in the top tier. The Illini are not. The Boilers owned Illinois this season and they have been the clear-cut class of the league. Illinois struggled with lowly Penn State yesterday and it's time for their seniors to bid farewell to their college careers in favor of the younger, stronger, more talented Purdue youngsters.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #560 Temple (-2) over Charlotte
Don’t know if I need to really explain this one. Charlotte has been beaten twice. They have lucked out – and yes, it was just dumb luck – two wins over shaky teams. Temple is in the same spot as both Rhode Island and UMass now - they'll likely hold a double-digit lead sometime in the second half, and it will be contingent on them closing the game out in the final minute.
2-Unit Play. Take #561 West Virginia (+3) over Georgetown
The Mountaineers are hot and they are looking for revenge for what should have been a win over the Hoyas in Morgantown this year. I think WVU can continue its hot shooting - but I don't think G-Town will. The Mountaineers have won 10 of 13 games at MSG and we have to embrace that they just play very well there.
3-Unit Play. Take #542 Kansas (-14) over Nebraska
I think Kansas can beat this team by 50. They absolutely dominated the Huskers this year because they have the size to matchup with Jaric and Kansas’ guards are infinitely better than Nebraska’s. I’m a little confused by this line, and think it should be about five points higher. I just don’t envision a scenario where Nebraska hangs around with the Jayhawks today as KU takes another step towards locking up a No. 1 seed.
2-Unit Play. First Half: Take #540 Oklahoma (-4.5) over Colorado
1.5-Unit Play. Take #540 Oklahoma (-8.5) over Colorado
Nice win for Colorado yesterday. But they are in trouble today against a Sooners team that really should be able to beat them up on the interior. We've seen a host of teams that played tough first-round games come out flat in the first half of their next contest. I look for the trend to continue and hope that OU can put the clamps down in the final 20 to hold on for both covers.
STRIKE POINT
Friday's College Basketball Plays
7-Unit Play (Conference Tournament Game of the Year).Take Miami +1 over Virginia Tech
Our success in these big plays has been mainly because we have found a good trend or factor that dictates the winner. For this one, its the fact that the Hurricanes are the clearcut better team with some momentum and face a Virginia Tech team that has been talked about over the last week like they are a tourney team. But I am here to dispel those rumors. Think about all the bubbles teams that have lost in their first conference tournament game this week: Syracuse, Florida, Maryland, UMass, UAB, Arizona State, Oregon, Mississippi and you can add the Hokies to this list. Also, VT hasn't beaten a single team that's bound for the Big Dance. Every win this season has been against lackluster teams, and well, Miami is an NCAA Tournament team. They got by N.C. State with a below-average shooting night, so expect the 'Canes to be on their game this afternoon. It will be Miami that advances to the ACC semis.
4-Unit Play. #565 Take Akron -2 over Western Michigan
I've never really been a fan of the Broncos this season, and have really liked what Akron has done with a healthy sqaud. Jeremiah Wood is back and this Zips team is dangerous with a fully capable team. The Zips came from the tougher MAC division, so they are more prepared for the big game, not to mention they'll have a pro Akron crowd in Clevelend rooting them on. The Zips take care of business and move on to the league title game, keeping their tourney hopes alive.
2-Unit Play. #562 Take Georgetown -3 over West Virginia
Big win by the Mountaineers, but they have been a little too reliable on Joe Alexander. G-town put together an impressive performance over 'Nova without a single point from Roy Hibbert. He'll be back on his game, while the Hoya defense will catapult them to the Big East Championship. I like Georgetown in this match-up, having more inside presence, adding another level beyond its outside wing shooters and slashers. G-town gets it done in MSG.
2-Unit Play. #556 Take UTEP +2 over Tulsa
The Miners have played well over the last week, turning in three straight wins, including two over a good Houston team, and one of them coming yesterday in the C-USA tourney. UTEP split with Tulsa in the regular season, but I think they are clicking enough to find a spot against likely Memphis in the title game. And remember, UTEP arguably played the Tigers the best of anyone who lost to them, so that's reason enough to find enough to get the win and get another shot at Memphis. UTEP wins.
4-Unit Play. #560 Take Temple -2 over Charlotte
No way Charlotte makes its three straight. In the first round they should have been sent home ovee Rhode Island, but the zebras bailed them out twice on garbage calls. In the second round Umass had them down 17 at halftime and nine with just five minutes left. That's twice the 49ers were done, but it will not happen here to a red hot Temple team. The Owls have won four in a row coming into this game, including a 14-point win over Charlotte in the regular season. Behind Dionte Christmas, Temple comes through to finally knockoff the 49ers.
DOC'S
4 Unit Play. #532 Take Michigan State -4 ½ over Ohio State
4 Unit Play. #538 Take Over 131 in Oklahoma State vs. Texas
4 Unit Play. #540 Take Oklahoma -8 ½ over Colorado
6 Unit Play. #542 Take Kansas -14 over Nebraska
4 Unit Play. #530 Take Mississippi State -5 over Alabama
4 Unit Play. #562 Take Georgetown -3 over West Virginia
Bob Balfe
NBA Basketball
Bobcats +11.5 over Rockets
College Basketball
Illinois +5 over Purdue
South Carolinda +12 over Tennessee
GAMBLERS WORLD
Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Current Line: -7.5 Over/Under: 204.5
Reason: The Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at TD Banknorth Garden. Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game's total is sitting at 204½. The Jazz were in tough Wednesday, but managed to pull out a 114-110 victory over the Bucks. The Jazz failed to cover the 8-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 211.5. Deron Williams led the way with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Ronnie Brewer added 21 points in the win. The Celtics spread the ball around in dominating the SuperSonics 111-82 on Wednesday. The Celtics covered the 18-point spread but the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 203. Paul Pierce had 14 points, five rebounds and 11 assists for the Celtics, while Kevin Garnett had 18 points and six rebounds. Current streak: Boston has won 10 straight games. Team records: Utah: 43-23 SU, 35-31 ATS Boston: 51-12 SU, 38-23-2 ATS Utah most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing New Jersey are 3-7 After playing Milwaukee are 5-5 After a win are 6-4 Boston most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3 After playing Seattle are 6-4 After a win are 9-1 A few trends to consider: Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games when playing Boston The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston Utah is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing Utah