Matt Fargo
Marquette vs. Syracuse
Play:Syracuse
Don’t count Syracuse out of the tournament picture just yet. After the Pittsburgh loss, arguably the most devastating and worthless loss in recent Syracuse memory, this team could have folded and started spring break early. Instead, the Orange buckled down, learned from their mistakes and came out of the gates firing at Seton Hall, the first of two must have wins. Syracuse can leap in the RPI by beating Marquette and then making a run in the Big East tournament.
The Golden Eagles played Florida Gulf Coast this week in a rare non-conference game this late in the season and it was probably good for them following that devastating loss at home to Georgetown last Saturday. That defeat cost Marquette any chance of grabbing fourth place in the Big East and the first-round bye that goes with it. Marquette is now assured of either the 5th or 6th seed in the upcoming tournament and there is no real advantage or disadvantage either way.
Even with the loss to the Panthers, Syracuse showed what a team it can be at home. It was unstoppable for 36 minutes and this was a rare breakdown in the final minutes. One cause for concern for the Orange is their record against the top 25 which is 1-6. That lone win came at home against Georgetown while four of those losses came on the road. Besides Pittsburgh, the other home loss was a two-point defeat against Connecticut. Marquette is just 3-7 against the top 50 which is far from impressive as well.
Syracuse shot 59 percent from the floor including 47 percent from long range against the Panthers. A team that shoots the ball that good should never lose a game, especially at home, but the Orange were hurt by 18 turnovers in that contest. It was definitely an aberration however as Syracuse came into that game averaging only 13.5 tpg in its previous four games. Marquette forces only 15.8 tpg on the road so do not expect a repeat performance of that Pittsburgh game.
Syracuse also falls into the very profitable angle of playing an unranked home favorite against a ranked road team. The public sees a ranked underdog and they can’t run to the window quick enough to put down money on that team. Despite the fact that this is a must win for Syracuse, Marquette will get the love here and that is the way we like it. The Golden Eagles have not been very good this time of year, going 8-20 ATS in their last 28 games played in March. Play Syracuse Orange 1 Unit
Dave Cokin
NC State @ Wake Forest
Play: Wake Forest -6.5
NC State and Wake Forest are both laboring badly down the stretch, but the Demon Deacons look like the side here. This figures to be an emotional home finale for a team that has had to endure a difficult campaign following the stunning death of Skip Prosser. On the flip side, the Wolfpack are off a totally demoralizing collapse in their own home finale against Duke. I'd be surprised if they're sharp here, so I'll go ahead and give the points with Wake Forest.
James Patrick
Utah vs. UNLV
The Utes are of a revenge win of 20 points, while the Runnin Rebels are off a 14 point loss and they are a solid 15-2 at home this season. Our Saturday complimentary selection is on UNLV Rebels.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: New Jersey Devils
Reason: The team's met up in Toronto on Monday with the Devils winning 4-1. The Devils are 4-1 in their last 5 games after having played the night before. In their last 15 games vs. Northeast opponents the Devils are 11-4. Toronto is 0-8 in their last 8 games vs. Atlantic Division opponents. Toronto will have trouble playing the Devils style of hockey. The Devile have won 5 of the last 7 meetings between the clubs and tonight they do it again. Play on the New Jersey Devils EVEN
Vegas Sports Pics
Louisville Cardinals + 4.5 over (at) Georgetown Hoyas
No.11 Georgetown (24-4, 14-3) vs. No.12 Louisville (24-6, 14-3) in Big East games leads the league with a plus 10.6 scoring margin. Teams met on 02/09, Cards at home beat the Hoyas 59-51 despite making just seven first half field goals. Winner claims Big East title.
Texas Tech Red Raiders - 1.5 over Baylor Bears
Baylor (20-9, 8-7) is 3-5 last eight games. Texas Tech (16-13, 7-8) enters this senior day game 12-2 at home including 3-0 vs. ranked opponents. The Red Raiders have won the last four home meetings by an average of 16.2 points per game.
Marquette Golden Eagles + 1.5 over (at) Syracuse Orange
Syracuse (18-12, 8-9) is 1-5 vs. ranked opponents. No.21 Marquette (22-7, 11-6) is 6-1 last seven games, the loss coming at home to No.11 Georgetown 70-68 on 03/01. Eagles with a win today would claim fifth seed in the Big East tournament.
Providence Friars - 1.5 over Villanova Wildcats
Villanova (18-11, 8-9) at Providence (15-14, 6-11) enters off a solid 85-76 home win over No.13 Connecticut on 03/06. The Friars, who are 26-7 last 33 home games, must win tonight to claim the final spot in the Big East tournament.
Duke Blue Devils - 1 over North Carolina Tar Heels
No.1 North Carolina (28-2, 13-2) vs. No.6 Duke (26-3, 13-2) is 15-0 at home by an average of 24.2 points. Blue Devils in ACC games ranks second in the league with a plus 10.5 scoring margin. Teams met on 02/06, Duke won at North Carolina 89-78. Winner claims ACC title.
Jim Feist
GST Warriors and ORL Magic.
Take ORL Magic
Orlando is a strong offensive team because they like the uptempo style, averaging 104 ppg at home. They are rested and will surely run right at this tired Golden State team. The Warriors are a long way from and play their 4th straight road game. It.5?s a terrible spot playing their 4th game in 5 nights while Orlando is rested. A difficult situational handicapping spot for the visitors, Play the Orlando Magic!
JEFFERSONSPORTS
NCAA EARLY RELEASE
TEXAS TECH-1.5
There may not be a bigger Jekyll and hide than the Texas tech red raiders. This team is a juggernaut at home and has taken care of everyone in big twelve play except OU at home. They are 9-2 ats at home and they are 6-2 ats when avenging a road loss. I have been on and off of this team. I had them at home when they played k st and Texas a&m and then went against them when they went to Tex a&m, Texas , and Kansas. Well, time to take them again. Not only do we have all of the trends on our side we have senior day and the final reg season game for Texas tech. Plus we have revenge as they were beat by 6 at Baylor. They were embarrassed at Kansas but that was a given due to the fact that they had just beat Texas 2 days before the trip to Lawrence. That was an easy win for us. Pat Knight called out his team and the only thing coming out of Lubbock is how pumped these guys are to put away that memory. These guys really love Pat Knight and want to win this game very badly. Baylor can play and if Jerrels, Rogers, and the 2 D's play lights out we will lose this game. But, tech at home has been awesome. I expect them to have a great game and put Baylor away. TEXAS TECH-1.5
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Iowa State
Note: To some teams that are headed nowhere at season’s end, Last Home Games can prove to be a wonderful thing. They can either mail it in or close the season on with a bang. For Iowa State it’s been a fireworks show as the Cyclones are 13-4 SU and 11-4-2 ATS in home finales, including 10-2-2 when seeking revenge and 5-1-1 when taking points. The M.O. of each team fits here, too, as KSU is 2-6 ATS away this season while ISU is 6-3-1 ATS at home, including 5-1-1 when hosting a conference foe. Simply too many good numbers to pass by here. Look for Iowa State to light it up here this afternoon. KEY STAT: The home team is 10-1 ATS in Kansas State’s last eleven games.
BRAD DIAMOND
The definition of a letdown can be defined by a teams lack of focus in practice late in the week. In most cases that's not a very good sign, unless of course team "A" is facing team "B" who is their most hated arch rival. We have noted the Rams of Fordham have been talking more about A-10 tourney time, than the pathetic Bonnies from up in Olean.
Play on: St. Bonnies +12 over Fordham
Alex Smart
Boston College -2.0
It has been a very tough rebuilding year for this young Boston College team , but today in their last home game of the season, against a Georgia Tech team that will be in a let down situation, after a hard fought upset win against, Clemson last time out , the Eagles have the upper hand. Final notes & Key Trends: Boston College is 15-6 ATS L21 when the line is +3 to -3 ! Georgia Tech is 6-15 ATS in road games versus good shooting teams making 45% + of their shots. Play on Boston College
Tom Freese
New Mexico at Colorado St
New Mexico is 10-0 ATS after allowing 55 or less points in their last game and they are 9-1 ATS vs. losing teams. The Lobos are 10-1 ATS as double digit favorites this year and they are 15-3 ATS when playing their second game in a week. Colorado St is 1-8 ATS their last 9 games in March and they are 3-11 ATS with revenge from a loss where they scored 60 or less points. The Rams are 6-15 ATS when playing their second game in a week. PLAY ON NEW MEXICO -
Great Lakes
Miami at Atlanta
Play on: Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are 6-3 ATS vs division opponents this year, and are 14-9 ATS as a favorite this year. The Miami Heat is a terrible 20-38 ATS this year, and a dismal 1-8 vs division opponents this year. We look for the Atlanta Hawks to roll over the Miami Heat for the home ATS Win & cover tonight.
Nelly
Dayton - over St. Joseph's
St. Joseph's earned the win it needed knocking off Xavier but it could be for naught as this will be a very tricky letdown spot. Dayton has not enjoyed a great season but the Flyers are 13-3 in home games and still have to be respected as one of the better teams in a competitive A-10 conference. St. Joseph's did get the great win over Xavier but the Hawks had lost three of the previous four games and really have had some problems on both sides of the ball. Dayton appears to be back on track with back-to-back road wins and the Flyers are capable of a strong late-season run to justify the early season success.
Jimmy Boyd
NBA Golden State vs. Orlando
Take Orlando Magic
1 Unit on Orlando Magic -7.5 Orlando has just about everything going in its favor here. It is red hot, well rested, on its home floor, and facing a team which will not be fresh after playing last night. The Magic have won 8 of their last 10 games SU and ATS. They are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games against Golden State. Orlando is 20-10 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season, 18-7 ATS in Saturday games over the last 2 seasons, 11-2 ATS in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons, and 24-7 ATS after one or more consecutive overs this season. The Warriors do not have the beef to contend with Dwight Howard down low. We'll lay the points.
Sports Gambling Hotline
Louisville +4 at GEORGETOWN
Big battle for the #1 spot in the Big East this Saturday, and we see no reason to buck the surging Cardinals plus a few points at Georgetown today.
Louisville enters riding a 9-game winning streak, going 8-1 against the spread over their current tear.
Georgetown has won their last 4, and have been idle since last weekend's upset win at Marquette, but the Hoyas are just 4-8 against the spread at home this season.
The Cardinals have been "road warriors", sporting a 9-3-1 mark this season, and an overall road mark of 15-3-1 their last 19 on the highway.
Rick Pitino's team is quite dangerous right now, and they do own a 59-51 win over Georgetown the last time they played back on February 9th. That game was not really as close as the final margin. We feel the 'Ville is quite capable of duplicating that effort today on the road.
Play on the Redbirds plus the points
5* LOUISVILLE
Bobby Maxwell
Marquette at SYRACUSE (-1)
Today it's a FREE play on Syracuse as the Orangemen host Marquette in a Big East matchup inside the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse is in crisis mode and expect the Orangemen to come out and play like it tonight. They need to win almost every time they take the court now to have a chance at the Big Dance.
Syracuse snapped a three-game losing streak with an 85-73 win at Seton Hall on Wednesday, getting the cash as 2 1/2-point favorites. The win helped erase that horrible collapse the Orange had in their last home game, an 82-77 loss to Pitt when they seemingly had the game in hand.
A win over Marquette today will also help the home fans forget that one. The Golden Eagles lost to Georgetown 70-68 in a great game a week ago, then had an easy non-lined win over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday. Now they step back in to Big East action against a desperate squad.
At 18-12 overall and 8-9 in conference action, you'll see these kids play their hearts out for Syracuse today. They failed to make the Big Dance at 22-10 last season and they know they need this one and a couple more in the Big East tourney for a decent shot this year.
Like to play a team that is desperate. They make things happen and get to the ball quicker. Play the Orangemen in this one.
3* SYRACUSE
Arizona (+1') at OREGON
Complimentary selection coming in the Pac 10 today as we go with Arizona as the Wildcats travel to Oregon to take on the Ducks.
Interesting matchup for this one as these two teams should have played better all season so they wouldn't be in this situation of having to score late wins to bolster their resume for the Big Dance.
Both teams have talent but Arizona is the more complete team with good guard play in Jerryd Bayless, a very good big man in Jordan Hill and a point forward in Chase Budinger that is a year away from being a legitimate superstar.
The Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games and have fared better on the road in the Pac-10 than at home. Last time Arizona went to Oregon was Feb. 10 last season and they got a 77-74 win as 2 1/2-point underdogs. They've won three of their last four trips to Oregon and will get the job done in this one.
The Ducks were barely able to beat Arizona State on Thursday 67-61 as six-point favorites. Meanwhile at the same time the Wildcats were crushing Oregon State 81-45 as 11-point road favorites.
Arizona has been tough on the road all season, so let's go with the Wildcats in this one.
4* ARIZONA
Karl Garrett
Kansas at TEXAS A&M (+6)
Texas A&M can earn some serious points if they are able to come up with a big effort today at home against Kansas. The G-Man feels they will do just that.
The Aggies have had a few shocking losses over the last couple of weeks, but remember how strong this team started this season, and also remember they did beat Kansas in Lawrence last season as the 5-point underdog. Now A&M gets a crack at them on their home court where they are currently 16-3 straight up.
Kansas is just 4-7 against the spread away from home this season, and after their 109-51 bludgeoning of Texas Tech their last time out, this line is a little inflated.
Texas A&M is coming off a quality road win at Baylor, as the Aggies won it convincingly 71-57. That win should do loads for their confidence in this spot today.
Senior Day is going to be special indeed for Mark Turgeon's team. Take Texas A&M plus the points!
3* TEXAS A&M
Dr. Vegas
Marquette at Syracuse
A classic Big East matchup pits Syracuse against Marquette. Marquette is ranked #21 nationally and #5 in the Big East, which shows you how tough the Big East is this year. They have covered seven of the last nine board games and have won six of the last seven straight up, including a should-have-won 2-point loss to Big East powerhouse Georgetown on March 1. Their power rating is +39.2 with an opponent power rating of +19.5, which shows how tough their schedule has been this year. They’ve won their home games by an average of +19.6 points, and have outscored their opponents 2214-1833 (+381 points).
Marquette lost a squeaker to Georgetown in a game that Lazar Hayward, the team’s #2 scorer, went scoreless and 0-8 from the floor. No doubt this anomaly will be corrected for this game. That alone wins the game for Marquette, and the fact that Georgetown is the top ranked Big East team and #10 in the nation. Marquette should have won.
Syracuse is unranked nationally and sits in 11th place in the Big East. They have lost five of the last six ATS and straight up, including a stunning 82-77 loss to Pittsburgh on March 1. Their power rating is +34.3 with an opponent power rating of +13.9, which is a tough schedule, but still not as tough as Marquette’s. They have lost their road games by an average of 5.2 points per game. Syracuse has outscored their opponents 2278-2140 (+138).
Marquette is on top of their game, and in an angry mood after that heartbreaking loss, which should have been an upset. They’re also rested, having been back at home since February 25.
Marquette over Syracuse.
#1 Sports
Kansas at Texas A&M
Kansas (27-3, 12-3 Big 12, #5 AP) crushed Texas Tech Monday night by the score of 109-51, out-rebounding the Red Raiders 54-24 and finishing with six players in double digits, to post their 24th consecutive victory at Allen Field House, as well as their 24th consecutive Senior Night win. Because of the event, senior backups 6'4" G Rodrick Stewart (3.1p, 2.5r, 1.6a) and 6'11" 250 C Sasha Kaun (7.5p, 3.9r, 42 blocks) did get more shooting opportunities than they usually do, as did senior starter 6'1" G Russell Robinson (7.7, 2.9r, 4.2a, 61 steals, 29 of 85 from 3-point), but the truth is Head Coach Bill Self (133-22 in 5th season at Lawrence) regularly prefers to go deep most nights to keep opponents guessing with their flexibility.
Already this season, seven Jayhawks have led a game in scoring, seven in rebounding, five in assists, eight in steals, and seven in blocks, while no less than six different Kansas players have posted 20+ point games in 2007-2008. With no single player to load up on, opponents have been topped in field goal percentage in 29 of 30 contests, while the Hawks have finished above the 50% mark from the field twenty times, and have outscored their foes 785-498 from the bench.
Starting forwards 6'9" 225 sophomore Darrell Arthur (13.3p, 6.0r, 43 blocks) and 6'8" 250 senior Darnell Jackson (12.2p, 6.9r, 1.1a) have great court awareness and maintain disciplined spacing, key to Kansas' 39.4-31.2 per game edge on the glass, while guards 6'1" junior Mario Chalmers (12.0p, 2.9r, 4.7a, 68 steals), 6'6" junior Big 12 Player of the Week Brandon Rush (12.4p, 5.1r, 2.2a, 56 of 135 from 3-point), and Robinson dominate the perimeter with a per game assist edge of 18.8 to 11.3 and an incredible team assist to turnover ratio of 1.4 to 1, compared with 0.7 to 1 for their opponents. Rush especially has been playing extremely well as of late, and the torn ACL that caused him to pull out of the 2007 NBA Draft seems to be back to nearly 100%.
Key off the bench for the 3-time defending conference champs are the energy of 5'11" sophomore G Sherron Collins (9.2p, 1.9r, 2.6a, 29 of 81 from 3-point) and the size of 6'11" 240 Cole Aldrich (3.0p, 3.4r, 28 blocks), who looks very promising for seasons to come.
Thought you caught a glimpse of a legend on the bench? You did! 1988 NCAA Player of the Year and all-time Kansas leading scorer (2951 points) and rebounder (1187 boards) Danny Manning has been an assistant at Lawrence since Coach Self signed on, beginning as team manager, ordering and distributing equipment, moving up to travel coordinator, where he booked transportation and lodgings, before finally becoming a top assistant on the bench in addition to being a member of the US Olympic Team Selection Committee.
Texas A&M (21-8, 7-7 Big 12, NR) is coming off their worst game of the season, a 37-64 loss in Norman to the Sooners, in which they shot 13 of 51 from the field, 2 of 16 from behind the arc, were out-rebounded 28-42, had no answer for Oklahoma's 6'11" 234 Longar Longar, who came off the bench to rack up 14 points and 8 boards, and were held scoreless for a post shot clock (added in 1986) NCAA record 16 minutes and 12 seconds. As shocking as these numbers are, they are more shocking considering that they came at the expense of this team in particular.
The Aggies have averaged a very respectable 72.8 points per game this season on strong shooting numbers of .473 from the field and .356 from downtown, led by 6'7" junior G/F Josh Carter (12.6p, 4.2r, 1.5a, 63 of 168 from 3-point). The Aggies have also dominated the paint with a 39.7 to 32.0 rebounding advantage per game, led by 6'9" 255 senior F Joseph Jones (10.7p, 5.2r, 1.4a, 124 consecutive starts), 7'0" 260 freshman C DeAndre Jordan (9.0p, 6.4r, 37 blocks), and 6'9" 250 sophomore F Bryan Davis (8.6p, 5.0r, 1.3a, 31 steals, 33 blocks). The Aggies are more than capable at handling the ball (13.8 assists per game versus just 12.8 turnovers per game), led by 6'4" senior G Dominique Kirk (7.9p, 3.5r, 3.5a, 34 of 79 from 3-point, 125 consecutive starts) plus Seagoville High School teammates in Dallas 6'3" sophomore G Donald Sloan (9.4p, 3.9r, 3.2a) and 6'4" sophomore G Derrick Roland (6.1p, 2.2r, 1.2a). So just how the hell does a team - who was leading 10-9 at the time their scoring drought began - with all this talent and size fail to score a single point in better than 16 minutes of game time, much less get beaten on the glass by Oklahoma?
You could blame it on youth; nine of A&M's thirteen scholarship players are underclassmen, and just two players on Head Coach Mark Turgeon's (21-8 in 1st season at College Station) roster are seniors. Frankly, we write it off to the one million monkeys pounding away on one million typewriters theory of the world. In other words, watch enough basketball and you'll see some pretty strange stuff. Not only are the Aggies a pretty darn fine ball club, they have bagged a legitimate blue-chip player in Jordan.
At Christian Life High School in Houston, Jordan averaged 26.1 points, 15.2 boards, and 8.1 blocks per game as a senior, earning Parade All-American Honors, and entered the collegiate level ranked as the #8 recruit in the nation overall and the #2 recruit in the nation among centers by Rivals.com. With sixteen of the squad's eighteen players born and raised in the great state of Texas, there is plenty for the faithful at Reed Arena to root for this season and for campaigns to come.
Free winner from #1 Sports: This is a dangerous game for the Jayhawks. It's tough to remain sharp following such an easy game. A first of the season meeting with a crew the caliber of the Aggies, who are 16-3 on their home court, is no skate, and the record-setting nature of Coach Turgeon's squad's last game will certainly get you a generous number. Take Texas A&M on Saturday.