Saturday Service Plays

WINNING POINTS

SATURDAY

***BEST BET
*Charlotte over Miami by 15
We don’t make the Bobcats a Best Bet too many times, especially when they are chalk. But the Bobcats have surprised with hidden spunk covering seven of their last eight games through the middle of the month. This is their first game since Wednesday when they returned from a six-game road swing. Gerald Wallace is back healthy. The decimated Heat are playing in their fourth game in five days. CHARLOTTE 107-92.

***BEST BET
*Phoenix over Houston by 15
The Suns have picked up their defense and their blocked shots are up since acquiring
Shaquille O’Neal. The Rockets are going to have problems driving the lane against
both O’Neal and Amare Stoudamire. Remember, they don’t have Yao Ming anymore
to clear out the traffic. The Rockets invested a lot of physical and mental energy in
building up their huge winning streak. A letdown is inevitable. The Suns will be well
rested, having last played on Wednesday. The Rockets, by contrast, are playing in their fourth game in five days and second in two nights after playing the Warriors in
Oakland on Friday. PHOENIX 110-95.

THE SPORTS REPORTER

BEST BET
BOSTON over *NEW ORLEANS by 11
We at Sports Reporter believe David West is the most underrated power forward in the Association – the results bear us out, as the Hornets are a completely different team without West in the line-up. His ability to score in the paint is a perfect complement to Tyson Chandler’s low-post defense and plays a major role in New Orleans’ balanced attack. Without West, the Hornets are often forced to rely on Chris Paul to both create plays and take shots – a responsibility that can prove too much for the youngster at times. The Celtics have no such imbalance, with multiple ball-handlers and playmakers, and a veteran squad that has a better innate feel for the offensive flow of the game. It’s too bad both these teams aren’t at full strength, because this could have been a marquee match-up. BOSTON 104-93

Brandon Lang

50 Dime - Pittsburgh
5 Dime - Wisconsin
5 Dime - West Virginia
5 Dime - Purdue

Free Pick - Marquette

Cappers Access

W.Virg
Wash.St
Texas A&M

Scott Delaney

100* UCLA - It’s plain and clear what team had the most impressive first-round win the past two days, and guys, I have to say after watching UCLA’s annihilation of Mississippi Valley State, (and not because of the score) I firmly believe the Bruins have the best balance – from a stifling defense that is deep enough to withstand foul trouble and shooting slumps to an explosive offense that averages 73 points per game, but can easily put a 90-spot on any team in the nation.

And while the claim is the Bruins don't shoot the ball that well as a team, I tend to believe they have so many opportunities, their missed shots increase as their chances increase. That’s why you’re going to see floor general Darren Collison penetrate on the Aggies, while finishing with success. He can kick the ball out, find teammates for easy opportunities inside the 18-foot range, or simply kick it out to long-range during a time frame UCLA is shooting well.

Then there’s Kevin Love, arguably the most dominating big man in this tournament – yes even more than Roy Hibbert – and this kid is an exceptional passer who ignites the fast break by dominating the boards and firing pinpoint outlet passes. We have speedy wingmen Russell Westbrook and Josh Shipp who are stellar on the break and off the dribble in the halfcourt, and again, this is that balance that will make it hard for A&M to defend tonight.

Our biggest intangible in this game is the fact we’re playing the de facto home team, as this game is about an hour away from Westwood – in Anaheim – and when the crowd gets loud in that arena, it’s a rowdy environment. And the Aggies have been known to struggle on the highway. Lay the chalk in this one, as UCLA rolls to an easy win and cover.

2-0 Sweep EARLY...

20* NOTRE DAME - Will you quite thinking about the Cougars as a defensive team … the myth is simply a half-truth, as they can play offense as well. And that’s why we’re going against them. Notre Dame is going to force a fast-paced game tonight, and that will get the Cougars away from their defensive ways, where they may thrive against some teams, but most certainly find themselves out of their element. The Cougars play at a speed faster than only seven out of 341 Division-I teams, and because of that, their scores look considerably lower.

And to put this in a better point of view for you, Notre Dame has played 18 games where the pace was 70 or higher; Washington State hasn't played a game with a pace higher than 68. That being said, we take the points and look for the Irish to run and run and run … and run some more, aiming to maintain that 80-point average. And quite frankly, Notre Dame’s first-round foe was a much bigger test than Wazzou’s. Take the live dog.

20* STANFORD - Trent Johnson’s troops have some pure value with this low number. While the Pac 10 is known to be finesse and flash, the Big East is rugged. However, the Cardinal is a gritty, grind-it-out, effective-but-not-pretty-to-watch program that easily resembles a Big East team. That’s important, as Marquette won’t be able to gain a mental edge. And if the Eagles do try to get nasty, the Cardinal will have no problem bumping and grinding right along with them.

But here’s an even bigger deal: Marquette plays with three guards who are capable of putting up 20 or 25 points in any given game. But with the staunch Cardinal defense, we have a unit that has plenty of experience against some of the top wings/combo guards in the country, such as O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless and James Harden. We also have an advantage in size and we have Robin Lopez. Lay the low chalk in this one boys, as Stanford is going to advance to the Sweet 16 over an outmatched Marquette team.

Marc Lawrence

Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

We're right back on the Rockets here again tonight as they look to improve on their 12-4 ATS dog log this evening. Granted, the Suns appear to be finding their groove since the addition of Shaquille O'Neal but the fact of the matter is they have been money burners at home this season. With Houston owning the leagues 2nd best defense against field goal percentage, look for the Rockets to improve to 12-3 ATS as a dog on this court here tonight.

Play on: Houston

VEGAS EXPERTS

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Washington State Cougars

Notre Dame faced a better first-round foe in George Mason and played a solid game throughout. It has held two of its last three opponents (including G.M.) to less than 40% shooting and is an impressive offensive team scoring 80-plus pts/game. Irish feel they have something to prove after first-round Big East tournament loss. WSU was tied with #13 seed Winthrop at the half them blew that team away in the final 20 minutes. For the game the Cougars held Winthrop to 30.8% shooting but their previous four opponents all shot 43.5% or better and the last three times they held a team in the 30's their next foe shot 44.4% or better.

Play on: Notre Dame

Ted Sevransky

UNLV +13.5

UNLV has three advantages in their effort to hang tough against Kansas as double digit underdogs on Saturday. First, the Rebels handle the basketball extremely well. UNLV won’t succumb to the Jayhawks pressure, committing only nine turnovers per game in their last five contests; less than eleven per game (with an impressive 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio) for the entire season. Don’t expect many easy fast break opportunities for Kansas off bad turnovers.

Secondly, UNLV head coach Lon Kruger prepares his team as well as any coach in the country, an outstanding ATS performer as an underdog. Even when the Rebels are outclassed in the size department, like they are here, their defensive intensity keeps them in games against superior opposition. Quite simply, this team doesn’t give up many easy looks.

Lastly, UNLV does all the little things right. They are the better free throw shooting team in this matchup. They drain their open looks from three point land, swinging the ball extremely well from side to side of the court. The Rebels don’t beat themselves. In a game where all the pressure is on Kansas, a consistent underachiever during tournament time in the Bill Self era, expect the Rebels to play as if they have nothing to lose. We don’t need an outright upset or anything close to cash our ticket – a relatively competitive loss does the trick just fine. Take UNLV.

James Patrick Sports

Xavier vs. Purdue

This game features a veteran Xavier Musketeer’s team with five returning starters getting their first shot in the Big Dance against the Big Ten and the up and coming Baby Boiler bunch. Purdue gave last season’s eventual champion Florida Gators a run in second round action last season in the NCAA and Purdue’s Matt Painter is one of the hottest young coaches in the country. XU had last season’s runner-up Ohio State beaten until a late collapse led to an overtime loss. The Boilermakers were the last team to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers back in December and they allow just 61 ppg. We think this is one of Saturday’s most exciting games and our selection is on Purdue Boilermakers.

Greg Daraban

Portland (36-33) vs LA Clippers (21-47)

Quick turn around for as these two played in LA last night with Portland winning 107-102. These are hard days for both teams as they are both out of the playoff mix.It will be very hard to rise up for the Night time event.Low scoring game at Staples Center

Take Por/LAC Under

Dave Cokin

Rockets @ 520 Suns 10:05PM ET
Play: Suns -6.5

Miserable spot for the Rockets. Houston has cooled off following the amazing win streak, and they're off a Friday night game in Oakland. The Suns are going to be rested and they sure look ready to go right now, as they've gotten really hot recently. Phoenix minus the number looks to be a good choice Saturday night.

Jimmy The Moose

Game: Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings

Reason: Detroit's back to their winning ways having won 7 of their last 9 games. In their last 8 vs. Western Conference opponents the Wings are 6-2. Detroit is 11-5 in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Blue Jackets are 3-8 in their last 11 home games. In their last 18 vs. Western Conference opponents they are 5-13. Detroit is 13-5-1 in their last 19 trips to Columbus. The Blue Jackets are 11-31-1 in the last 43 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Detroit Red Wings -.

Jimmy Boyd

NCAAB Texas A&M vs. California
Take Under

1 Unit on Texas A&M/UCLA UNDER 124 Oddsmakers are begging us to take the over here, but we won’t bite. Both of these teams pride themselves on defense and we’ll see plenty of solid “D” in this one, keeping the score down. Texas A&M is 19-11 UNDER in all games this season, 9-1 UNDER in road games after 4 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last 3 seasons, and 9-2 UNDER in road games after one or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons. UCLA is 11-2 UNDER after game - where they allowed a shooting pct. of 33% or less over the last 3 seasons, 13-3 UNDER when seeded 4 or higher in the NCAA tournament since 1997, and 14-5 UNDER in road games when playing their 2nd game in 3 days over the last 3 seasons. Texas A&M knows its only chance is to keep this a half court game so we expect the Aggies to be very patient on offense. Take the UNDER.

Jeff Alexander

NCAAB Nevada - Las Vegas vs. Kansas
Take Kansas Jayhawks

1 Unit on Kansas -13.5 I expect UNLV’s inexperience to really show in this matchup against a very experienced Jayhawks squad. Kansas made a trip to the Elite 8 last season and the Jayhawks will not be satisfied with anything less than a National Championship this time around. I expect Kansas to come out running and gunning to get the tempo going in its favor. While UNLV has been good defensively this season, it has not had to play a team which is better than them at every position. UNLV will have to work so hard defensively against Kansas that it will not have enough energy on the offensive end. Kansas scores 81.6ppg and holds its opponents to just 61.6. No team in the country, with the exception of UCLA perhaps, is as good on both ends of the floor. I like the Jayhawks to move on with ease.

Lawrence ‘The Prez’ Prezman

UNLV @ Kansas
PICK: Kansas

By no stretch of the imagination, bare none and as definitively as I can express this: The Jayhawks are the best team in the tournament, and the Running Rebels have no chance to win today. The Mountain West’s best, BYU, couldn’t beat a middle-of-the-pack squad from the Big 12 on their home court, yet alone a neutral one. The one way UNLV can keep the game within ten points at halftime and twenty-plus at game’s end -- is by controlling tempo -- and the one team in the country that allows no team to control the pace because of their balance and versatility is Kansas.

Only Kansas can beat Kansas on Saturday.

The strength of the UNLV squad is their coach, a junior guard, and the play on their home court. This is why UNLV is where they are in the Big Dance.

Lon Kruger has an uncanny ability to dictate game plan, but he won’t against Bill Self and the ‘Hawks.

UNLV junior guard Wink Adams collected first-team all-conference honors this season. During Mountain West play, he ranked second in free-throw shooting, third in scoring, ninth in assists and 10th in field-goal percentage. The sharp-shooter had eleven 20-point games, including a 33-point effort against Wyoming. In the MWC championship game, the MVP made 4-of-5 threes and scored a game-high 23 points. But Wink hasn’t faced the pressure of arguably the two best defensive guards in the country, Robinson and Chalmers.

And UNLV is coming off of a Mountain West Tournament title on its home floor. Today they enter Jayhawk-country, a Big 12 neighborhood, with a second round matchup in Omaha against KU.

The Prez

Seattle SuperSonics @ Utah Jazz 221.0

A standout System Play offers opportunity tonight in the Salt Palace. Seattle is playing it’s third game in four nights and they're running on empty.

Utah wants desperately to avenge a home loss on Thursday to the Lakers.

The OVER is 4-0 in the Sonics last 4 games vs. NBA Northwest; 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference; and the OVER is 4-1 in Seattle’s last 5 games as a road underdog. In head-to-head matchups between the two teams, the OVER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings -- when at Utah.

Saturday Night Total Blowout – Utah and Seattle OVER the 221