Sunday's Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Duke at North Carolina**
-There is no overnight line or total on this contest due to the ‘questionable’ status of North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson due to a toe injury. CBS Sports will provide coverage of this ACC contest beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET.
-Duke (25-5 straight up, 15-14 against the spread) enters this matchup riding a five-game SU winning streak after upending Florida State Tuesday as a 12 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 84-81. The Blue Devils had covered three games in a row before facing the Seminoles.
-Duke trailed Florida State at halftime, 40-34, before outscoring the Seminoles in the second half, 50-41. The Blue Devils were outrebounded, 39-35, while shooting 40 percent (26-of-65) from the field and 33 percent (10-of-30) from behind the arc. Gerald Henderson paced the offense with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyle Singler added 20 and seven.
-Duke is 8-4 SU and 6-6 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 71-66.
-North Carolina (26-3 SU, 11-15 ATS) has won back-to-back outings SU after dumping Virginia Tech Wednesday as a 9 ½-point road favorite, 86-78. The Tar Heels are just 1-4 ATS their last five outings.
-North Carolina won the rebounding battle, 40-36, while shooting 41 percent (27-of-66) from the field. Center Tyler Hansbrough accounted for 22 points and 15 rebounds in the victory, while Lawson added 22 and five assists.
-The Tar Heels sport a solid 13-1 SU home ledger, while struggling to a 4-8 ATS record. North Carolina has been winning its home games by an average score of 93-72.
-The Tar Heels are 4-1 SU and ATS the previous five meetings with Duke after prevailing February 11 as a two-point road favorite, 101-87.
-Duke forward Lance Thomas (ankle) and center Brian Zoubeck (nose) are ‘probable’ versus the Tar Heels.
**Northwestern at Ohio State**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Ohio State as a seven-point home ‘chalk’ over Northwestern, with the total set at 125. This Big 10 affair is slated to tipoff at 5:00 p.m. ET.
-Northwestern (17-11 SU, 11-11 ATS) has strung together three consecutive victories SU after Wednesday’s upset over Purdue as a 12 ½-point road underdog, 64-61. The Wildcats have alternated ATS wins and losses their last 10 games dating back to late January.
-Northwestern overcame a seven-point halftime deficit, finishing the contest by shooting 49 percent (27-of-55) from the field. Forward Kevin Coble stepped up with 16 points and eight rebounds in the victory, while Craig Moore added 12 and six assists.
-The Wildcats are 4-7 SU and 4-6 ATS on the road, dropping those matchups by an average score of 63-59.
-Ohio State (19-9 SU, 14-10 ATS) has alternated wins and losses SU and ATS the previous four games after slipping past Iowa Tuesday as a 1 ½-point road ‘chalk,’ 60-58.
-The Buckeyes outrebounded the Hawkeyes, 26-18, while shooting a blistering 56 percent (25-of-45) from the field and 50 percent (7-of-14) from 3-point land. Forward Evan Turner stepped up with 22 points and nine assists in the victory, while guard Jon Diebler contributed 12 and five rebounds.
-Ohio State is 14-3 SU and 7-6 ATS on its home court, winning those affairs by an average score of 70-59.
-Northwestern had gone 0-4 SU and 2-2 ATS the last four matchups with Ohio State before prevailing February 18 as a 1 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 72-69.
**Clemson at Wake Forest**
-LVSC opened Wake Forest as a six-point home favorite over Clemson, with the total listed at 154. FOX Sports Net will provide coverage of this ACC affair beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET.
-Clemson (23-6 SU, 13-11 ATS) snapped a two-game SU and ATS losing streak by routing Virginia Tuesday as a 15-point home ‘chalk,’ 75-57.
-The Tigers controlled the boards, 34-25, while connecting at a 50-percent clip (26-of-52) from the field. Guard Terrence Oglesby accounted for 18 points off the bench, while center Raymond Sykes added 14 and five rebounds.
-Clemson sports a solid 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS road record, winning those games by an average score of 81-77.
-Wake Forest (23-5 SU, 13-10 ATS) has strung together three wins in a row SU after holding off Maryland Tuesday as a two-point road ‘chalk,’ 65-63.
-The Demon Deacons overcame a seven-point halftime deficit, 32-25, by outscoring the Terrapins in the second half, 40-31. Wake Forest dominated Maryland on the boards, 46-27, while shooting 40 percent (25-of-63) from the field. Jeff Teague netted 17 points in the victory, while Al-Faroug Aminu added 16 and 14 rebounds.
-The Demon Deacons sport a stellar 13-1 SU and 7-3 ATS home record, winning those matchups by an average score of 84-65.
-Wake Forest is 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS the previous three meetings with Clemson after winning Jan. 17 as a 2 ½-point road underdog, 78-68.
vegasinsider.com.
College basketball bettors' weekend TV guide
By MATT SEVERANCE
It's the final weekend of regular-season play and there is plenty on the line heading into the major conference tournaments. Here is a handful of many intriguing matchups this weekend.
Purdue at Michigan State (Sunday, noon, CBS)
Michigan State already clinched the outright Big Ten title, while Purdue is fighting to keep the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. The Spartans could get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament if they can finish the season without another loss.
MSU coach Tom Izzo says he won't be raising a Big Ten title banner before this game as he doesn't want to fire up the Boilermakers. That has bitten him a few times in the past against opponents.
Purdue beat the Spartans by 18 earlier this season in West Lafayette with the Spartans tying their season low in points with 54, although MSU's second-leading scorer, Raymar Morgan, was just working back from an illness.
Virginia Tech at Florida State (Sunday, 2 p.m., Raycom/ESPN360)
The Hokies have lost five of six and must win this one to have any tourney hopes, barring an unlikely run in the ACC Tournament. Tech lost to FSU by two on Feb. 21 when a potential game-winning 3-pointer missed at the buzzer.
If the Seminoles defeat Virginia Tech Sunday afternoon, then they are guaranteed of a No. 4 finish in the ACC standings and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. Even if FSU loses, it can still be the No. 4 seed if Wake Forest beats Clemson.
"It's going to be a war," FSU's Toney Douglas told reporters. "Because we're both playing for something.”
Duke at North Carolina (Sunday, 4 p.m., CBS)
What more is there to say? Duke-Carolina for the ACC title for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Last year it was a winner-take-all won by UNC, which already has clinched a share of the ACC this season. It should be an emotional Senior Day at the Smith Center as it's Tyler Hansbrough's final home game.
Duke is banged up, as backup point guard Nolan Smith, a key defender, remains day-to-day with the mild concussion he sustained at Maryland. Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek are also listed as day-to-day after injuring themselves in the Blue Devils' 84-81 win over Florida State Tuesday.
What bettors need to know: Duke at North Carolina
By DAVE CAREY
GAME: Duke Blue Devils at North Carolina Tar Heels
LINE: (UNC -8, 164)
No sharing
North Carolina (26-3 SU, 11-16 ATS) has essentially clinched a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. But if the Tar Heels want to be the best team in their own conference, they better sweep the regular season series from Duke (25-5 SU, 14-14-1 ATS), after rallying for a 101-87 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium in early February.
The Blue Devils are 11-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, just a game behind North Carolina (12-3) and looking to grab a share of the regular season title. And that’s a huge deal for the postseason: Six of the past 10 regular season ACC winners have made the Final Four. If Duke can extend its winning streak to six games with a victory in Chapel Hill, it will be poised to make a run through the ACC Tournament and earn a possible No. 1 seed.
And while Duke has more to gain than North Carolina, it also has more to lose.
A big loss at the Dean Smith Center on Senior Day would kill a lot of momentum the Blue Devils have built the past three weeks and if that translates into a poor showing in Atlanta, Duke could tumble as low as a No. 4 seed.
“I've got two nieces (one will be three in May, the other is two), and from that age on, nobody likes to share,'' North Carolina guard Bobby Frasor told reporters. “The same thing goes for this. You don't want to be able to say, ‘Oh, we were co- champions,' or something of that nature. You want to be able to have bragging rights over everybody else in the league.”
Fresh perspective
So what has been the secret to Duke’s recent string of success? The insertion of 6-foot-4, 180-pound freshman Elliot Williams into the starting lineup.
The guard has helped stabilize the team’s backcourt and add another dynamic element to the team’s offense and defense. The Memphis native didn’t play in three games and topped the 20-minute mark just three times this season before starting his first game on Feb. 19 against St. John’s. The results have been huge for Duke with Williams is averaging 11.6 points and 31.4 minutes per game the past five games – all starts and all wins.
But North Carolina also has been bolstered by a freshman.
Tyler Zeller, a 7-foot, 220-pounder was thought to be lost for the season with a broken wrist the second game of the season, but he has slowly received more and more playing time as he returned from the injury on Feb. 18. In his four games back, he is averaging just under eight minutes, three points and two rebounds per game, but having a player of his size off the bench is huge for the Tar Heels.
“He has wonderful hands, and he can really run,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams told reporters. “If you’ve got a big guy who can run and has hands, you’ve got something you can really work with. If he also has good touch, that adds more to it. If he also doesn’t mind trying to do things – he shot 70 percent in his high school senior year – there are a lot of things there that are pretty doggone good.”
Defense wins championships
If the Blue Devils are to upset the Tar Heels, they will need to do it on defense. In a 14-point win against its Tobacco Road rivals earlier this year, North Carolina scored a staggering 57 second-half points.
Duke forced 15 turnovers in the earlier loss to North Carolina, but allowed the Tar Heels to shoot 54.8 percent from the floor. North Carolina also was 27-of-31 from the foul line compared to a pathetic 11-of-18 for the Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are 289-9 under coach Mike Krzyzewski when opponents shoot 40 percent or worse from the field and has held the opposition to 35 percent or worse eight times this season. But the team also knows how to pressure the ball. Duke has forced 15 or more turnovers in a game 21 times this season and forced 20 or more turnovers six times.
The key for Duke, which enters the game allowing 65.2 points per game and has led the league in scoring defense three of the past five seasons, is to keep the game under 80. North Carolina is 125-15 under Williams when scoring 80 or more and a staggering 70-1 when breaking the 90-point barrier.
Someone must not have given the memo to Carolina's two guard.
“When we're getting into games where teams are just as gifted offensively and can score right with us, we're not going to win those games,” North Carolina junior guard Wayne Ellington told reporters. “We've got to get teams' shooting percentages down."
The Tar Heels (17-10 O/U record) also have been a much stronger player than Duke (11-17 O/U record) against the number this season.
Tobacco Road history lesson
North Carolina is a place many teams would kill to get a victory, but it has become almost standard practice for the Blue Devils, who posted an 89-78 win in Chapel Hill last February.
But don’t discount Duke’s recent history at the Dean Dome. The Blue Devils are 10-13 all-time there, but have won seven of their past 10 in front of the powder blue faithful. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series 129-97, with Duke winning 17 of the past 25 meetings.
The North Carolina seniors, however, are swinging the momentum back in the favor of the lighter shade of blue. The Tar Heel seniors are trying to improve to 6-2 against Duke after finishing their careers 4-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium earlier this season.
But when a conference title is on the line, Duke has risen to the occasion. The rivals have entered their annual regular season finale 13 times with both teams having a chance to clinch at least a share of the regular season championship. And Duke has won four of the past five such meetings.
“It’s big,” Krzyzewski told reporters.” I don't want to get to where you go nuts, because I know that we've won championships, and then people don't even pay attention to them. But it's still important.”
Lawson, Thomas injuries linger over Duke-UNC
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -Injuries are lingering over Sunday's game between No. 2 North Carolina and No. 7 Duke.
North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson didn't practice Saturday after injuring his left big toe during Friday's practice. Lawson left practice Friday with the aid of a crutch and had precautionary X-rays, which showed no fracture. The school says the team is hopeful Lawson will play.
Meanwhile, Duke said forward Lance Thomas is probable after practicing Saturday despite a sprained left ankle against Florida State. Point guard Nolan Smith will miss a third straight game as he recovers from a concussion.
The Tar Heels can win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title outright with a victory, while the Blue Devils can earn a share of it with a win.
ALABAMA (16 - 13) at TENNESSEE (19 - 10) - 3/8/2009, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.
TENNESSEE is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
TENNESSEE is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in home games off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
TENNESSEE is 1-1 against the spread versus ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
TENNESSEE is 2-0 straight up against ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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AKRON (19 - 11) at KENT ST (17 - 13) - 3/8/2009, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENT ST is 98-72 ATS (+18.8 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
KENT ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
KENT ST is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
KENT ST is 68-45 ATS (+18.5 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
KENT ST is 42-23 ATS (+16.7 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
AKRON is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
AKRON is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
AKRON is 4-3 against the spread versus KENT ST over the last 3 seasons
AKRON is 4-3 straight up against KENT ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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C MICHIGAN (10 - 18) at W MICHIGAN (10 - 19) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
C MICHIGAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
W MICHIGAN is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in all games this season.
W MICHIGAN is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in all lined games this season.
W MICHIGAN is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) after a conference game this season.
W MICHIGAN is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
W MICHIGAN is 3-2 against the spread versus C MICHIGAN over the last 3 seasons
W MICHIGAN is 3-2 straight up against C MICHIGAN over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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E MICHIGAN (7 - 23) at BALL ST (13 - 15) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BALL ST is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) against conference opponents this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
E MICHIGAN is 5-2 against the spread versus BALL ST over the last 3 seasons
E MICHIGAN is 5-2 straight up against BALL ST over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OHIO U (14 - 15) at BOWLING GREEN (17 - 12) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO U is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO U is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO U is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO U is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=64 points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO U is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
OHIO U is 124-94 ATS (+20.6 Units) after a conference game since 1997.
OHIO U is 58-38 ATS (+16.2 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
BOWLING GREEN is 9-27 ATS (-20.7 Units) in March games since 1997.
BOWLING GREEN is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games after scoring 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OHIO U is 4-2 against the spread versus BOWLING GREEN over the last 3 seasons
OHIO U is 4-2 straight up against BOWLING GREEN over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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N ILLINOIS (10 - 18) at TOLEDO (6 - 24) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N ILLINOIS is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games against conference opponents this season.
N ILLINOIS is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
TOLEDO is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
TOLEDO is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all games this season.
TOLEDO is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
TOLEDO is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
N ILLINOIS is 3-1 against the spread versus TOLEDO over the last 3 seasons
TOLEDO is 2-2 straight up against N ILLINOIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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VIRGINIA TECH (17 - 12) at FLORIDA ST (22 - 8) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA ST is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games this season.
FLORIDA ST is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
FLORIDA ST is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA ST is 2-1 against the spread versus VIRGINIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA ST is 2-1 straight up against VIRGINIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ARKANSAS (14 - 14) at VANDERBILT (18 - 11) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARKANSAS is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARKANSAS is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
ARKANSAS is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ARKANSAS is 45-73 ATS (-35.3 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
ARKANSAS is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
ARKANSAS is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in road games after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
ARKANSAS is 55-84 ATS (-37.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
ARKANSAS is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
VANDERBILT is 30-56 ATS (-31.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANDERBILT is 2-2 against the spread versus ARKANSAS over the last 3 seasons
ARKANSAS is 4-0 straight up against VANDERBILT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI OHIO (17 - 11) at BUFFALO (18 - 10) - 3/8/2009, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 4-2 against the spread versus MIAMI OHIO over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI OHIO is 4-2 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DUKE (25 - 5) at N CAROLINA (26 - 3) - 3/8/2009, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DUKE is 31-51 ATS (-25.1 Units) in March games since 1997.
N CAROLINA is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 135-93 ATS (+32.7 Units) after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
N CAROLINA is 4-1 against the spread versus DUKE over the last 3 seasons
N CAROLINA is 4-1 straight up against DUKE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NORTHWESTERN (17 - 11) at OHIO ST (19 - 9) - 3/8/2009, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO ST is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO ST is 90-65 ATS (+18.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
NORTHWESTERN is 3-2 against the spread versus OHIO ST over the last 3 seasons
OHIO ST is 4-1 straight up against NORTHWESTERN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEMSON (23 - 6) at WAKE FOREST (23 - 5) - 3/8/2009, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WAKE FOREST is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 70-97 ATS (-36.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
WAKE FOREST is 3-0 against the spread versus CLEMSON over the last 3 seasons
WAKE FOREST is 2-1 straight up against CLEMSON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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FLA INTERNATIONAL (13 - 19) vs. W KENTUCKY (21 - 8) - 3/8/2009, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLA INTERNATIONAL is 112-148 ATS (-50.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
FLA INTERNATIONAL is 112-148 ATS (-50.8 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
W KENTUCKY is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
W KENTUCKY is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
W KENTUCKY is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
W KENTUCKY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
W KENTUCKY is 3-3 against the spread versus FLA INTERNATIONAL over the last 3 seasons
W KENTUCKY is 5-1 straight up against FLA INTERNATIONAL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIDDLE TENN ST (18 - 13) vs. N TEXAS (19 - 11) - 3/8/2009, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) after a conference game this season.
N TEXAS is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games against conference opponents this season.
N TEXAS is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in March games since 1997.
N TEXAS is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
N TEXAS is 3-2 against the spread versus MIDDLE TENN ST over the last 3 seasons
N TEXAS is 3-2 straight up against MIDDLE TENN ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (15 - 15) vs. ARK-LITTLE ROCK (22 - 7) - 3/8/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games against conference opponents this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
DENVER is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
DENVER is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) as an underdog this season.
DENVER is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) against conference opponents this season.
DENVER is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
DENVER is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) after allowing 60 points or less this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 4-1 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 4-1 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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S ALABAMA (18 - 12) vs. TROY (19 - 11) - 3/8/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S ALABAMA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all games this season.
S ALABAMA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
S ALABAMA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) against conference opponents this season.
S ALABAMA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after a conference game this season.
S ALABAMA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TROY is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after a conference game this season.
TROY is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TROY is 4-2 against the spread versus S ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
TROY is 3-3 straight up against S ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OLD DOMINION (20 - 9) vs. VA COMMONWEALTH (21 - 9) - 3/8/2009, 3:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
OLD DOMINION is 4-2 against the spread versus VA COMMONWEALTH over the last 3 seasons
VA COMMONWEALTH is 3-3 straight up against OLD DOMINION over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PURDUE (22 - 8) at MICHIGAN ST (24 - 5) - 3/8/2009, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PURDUE is 49-77 ATS (-35.7 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
PURDUE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
PURDUE is 59-86 ATS (-35.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PURDUE is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PURDUE is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
PURDUE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PURDUE is 4-0 against the spread versus MICHIGAN ST over the last 3 seasons
PURDUE is 3-1 straight up against MICHIGAN ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (6 - 23) at WISCONSIN (18 - 11) - 3/8/2009, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
WISCONSIN is 3-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
12:00 PM
ALABAMA vs. TENNESSEE
Alabama is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama's last 5 games
Tennessee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Alabama
Tennessee is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Alabama
12:00 PM
PURDUE vs. MICHIGAN STATE
Purdue is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Michigan State
Purdue is 5-11-1 SU in its last 17 games when playing Michigan State
Michigan State is 20-3-1 SU in its last 24 games
Michigan State is 4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
1:30 PM
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY
Florida International is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida International's last 5 games
Western Kentucky is 20-2 SU in its last 22 games when playing Florida International
Western Kentucky is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
2:00 PM
ARKANSAS vs. VANDERBILT
Arkansas is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arkansas's last 6 games
Vanderbilt is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arkansas
Vanderbilt is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Arkansas
2:00 PM
CENTRAL MICHIGAN vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN
Central Michigan is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Central Michigan's last 5 games
Western Michigan is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Central Michigan
Western Michigan is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Central Michigan
2:00 PM
EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. BALL STATE
Eastern Michigan is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Ball State
Eastern Michigan is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Ball State
Ball State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Ball State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
2:00 PM
MIAMI (OHIO) vs. BUFFALO
Miami (Ohio) is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Miami (Ohio) is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Buffalo is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Buffalo is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
2:00 PM
NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. TOLEDO
Northern Illinois is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Northern Illinois is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Toledo is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Northern Illinois
Toledo is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Northern Illinois
2:00 PM
OHIO vs. BOWLING GREEN
Ohio is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Bowling Green
Ohio is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Bowling Green
Bowling Green is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Bowling Green is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
2:00 PM
VIRGINIA TECH vs. FLORIDA STATE
Virginia Tech is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Florida State
Virginia Tech is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Florida State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Florida State is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
4:00 PM
DUKE vs. NORTH CAROLINA
Duke is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
North Carolina is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Duke
North Carolina is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Duke
4:00 PM
MIDDLE TENNESSEE vs. NORTH TEXAS
Middle Tennessee is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Middle Tennessee's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Texas's last 6 games when playing Middle Tennessee
North Texas is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
5:00 PM
NORTHWESTERN vs. OHIO STATE
Northwestern is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Northwestern's last 6 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Northwestern
Ohio State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Northwestern
6:00 PM
CLEMSON vs. WAKE FOREST
Clemson is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Clemson's last 7 games
Wake Forest is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Clemson
Wake Forest is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Clemson
7:00 PM
INDIANA vs. WISCONSIN
Indiana is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Indiana is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Wisconsin is 7-1-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Indiana
Wisconsin is 9-3-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Indiana
7:30 PM
DENVER vs. ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK
Denver is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Arkansas-Little Rock is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Arkansas-Little Rock is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
10:00 PM
SOUTH ALABAMA vs. TROY
South Alabama is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Troy
South Alabama is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Troy
Troy is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Troy is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
AKRON vs. KENT ST
KENT ST is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent since 1997. The average score was KENT ST 71.3, OPPONENT 59.9 - (Rating = 1*)
ARKANSAS vs. VANDERBILT
ARKANSAS is 15-2 OVER (+12.8 Units) in road games vs. good teams outscoring opponents by 4+ PPG over L2 seasons. The average score was ARKANSAS 75.1, OPPONENT 80.9 - (Rating = 4*)
MIAMI OHIO vs. BUFFALO
MIAMI OHIO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent of 10 points or more since '97. The average score was MIAMI OHIO 54.5, OPPONENT 63.3 - (Rating = 1*)
NORTHWESTERN vs. OHIO ST
NORTHWESTERN is 1-6 ATS (-5.5 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 PPG this season. The average score was NORTHWESTERN 51.7, OPPONENT 64.7 - (Rating = 2*)
Tips and Trends
#20 Purdue at #8 Michigan State
Purdue: The Boilermakers may have been caught looking ahead to this meeting with Michigan State on Wednesday in a 64-61 loss to Northwestern following a 25-point rout of Ohio State last Saturday. “I think you would have to ask each individual player that,” Purdue head coach coach Matt Painter said after losing to the Wildcats. “They embarrassed us. We respect them. I thought we came out ready to play. They just outplayed us.”They have lost in their last eight trips to East Lansing.
Purdue is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The UNDER is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 59 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Michigan State (-5.5, O/U 128.5): The Spartans will be out for revenge after suffering their worst loss of the season at Purdue back on February 17th. They shot a season-low 32.7 percent from the field in the 72-54 loss, which turned out to be their only setback away from home in league play this season. “This was a big-time atmosphere, and you’ve got to bring it,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. “Does Purdue deserve credit? Probably. Are we to blame? Probably. I don’t feel good about a performance like this in a big-time game.”
Favorite is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Michigan State's last 8 games overall.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 65
#7 Duke at #2 North Carolina
Duke: The Blue Devils have played better since Elliot Williams was placed in the starting lineup following a 101-87 loss to North Carolina back on February 11th. Even though they also lost their very next game at Boston College, they bring a five-game winning streak into the rematch. “I think we just have more of a sense of urgency now,” Duke's Gerald Henderson said. “We only have three guaranteed games left. We’ve come together in those times where there’s real adversity or the game’s on the line.”
Underdog is 12-4 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
The OVER is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Key Injuries - G Nolan Smith (concussion) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 80 (Side Play of the Day)
North Carolina (-8, O/U 164): This will be the last home game for Tyler Hansbrough, who is already the school's all-time leading scorer. Hansbrough still has a shot at becoming the ACC's all-time leading scorer, and his dream of winning a national championship in his final season is still alive. His numbers may be slightly down from a year ago, but he still hopes to go out with a bang. “I’m not worried about what people think,” he said. “People are going to write and say whatever they want. It doesn’t really affect me. I don’t regret anything.”
North Carolina is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games overall.
The OVER is 9-2 in North Carolina's last 11 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Ty Lawson (toe) is questionable.
G Marcus Ginyard (foot) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 84