VEGAS EXPERTS
Villanova at Pittsburgh
Villanova sure looks like the better team right now, so why not grab the points? They won the regular season meeting by 10 points, have outscore the opposition by over 60 in their last five halves of play and Pitt is 0-3 ATS in the NCAA Tournament. We've already seen that the Panthers don't like to guard around the perimeter, so good look guarding all those Villanova scorers around the perimeter.
Play on: Villanova
LT Profits
Pittsburgh -2
The Villanova Wildcats have certainly looked impressive while running teams off the floor in this tournament, but never forget that defense wins championships, so we will side with the gritty Pittsburgh Panthers in this all Big East Elite Eight battle.
After all, the Panthers are now 31-4 this year, thanks to a defense that has limited opponents to 64.2 points per game overall on just 40.8 percent shooting from the floor. This is not to say that the offense has not done its part, as according to the Pomeroy Ratings, Pittsburgh is now second in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. It also helps that they lead the nation in offensive rebounding percentage, thanks to DeJuan Blair.
Now we have a lot of respect for Villanova, and they really are a Final Four caliber club. However, they just drew a terrible matchup here, as they would probably have a better chance of advancing vs. any other of the Elite Eight clubs this year except North Carolina. Yes, the Wildcats did beat Pittsburgh 67-57 during the regular season, but that was in Philadelphia.
Here on a neutral court, we simply feel that Pittsburgh is the better, more balanced team, and we do not expect Villanova to have as easy a time running the floor as they have the first three games of the tournament.
As long as Blair avoids foul trouble, the Panthers should prevail.
Pick: Pittsburgh -2
Tom Freese
Memphis at Portland
Portland is 10-3-1 UNDER their last 14 games vs. losing teams and they are 40-17-1 UNDER after scoring 100 or more points in their last game. The Trailblazers are 6-1 UNDER vs. a team with a win percentage of less than 40% and they are 10-1-1 UNDER their last 12 games with the Grizzlies. Memphis is 8-1 UNDER their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning home record and they are 6-1 UNDER as a dog of 11 or more points. The Grizzlies are 6-1 UNDER vs. a team that scored 100 or more points in their last game and they are 4-1 UNDER off an ATS Win. PLAY ON 'UNDER'
John Fisher
Villanova vs. Pittsburgh
Play: Pittsburgh -2
DUKE lost to Villanova because they were not as tough. Pitt is TOUGH. With BLAIR,YOUNG, and FIELDS these guys wont let the pestering NOVA defense bother them. However, the last time these teams playes PITT got in foul trouble and turned the ball over numerous times.It was their worse offensive performance of the year. PITT is destined to get to FINAL FOUR and have the players and experience to make this happen. This game will be back and forth till the 15 minute mark of second half. The KEY to this game is for PITT to play within themselves. Look for Young to have a BIG SHOW this game and put PITT in the FINAL FOUR! PITT 65 NOVA 59
DUNKEL
Villanova vs. Pittsburgh
The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 NCAA tournament games as an underdog, while the Panthers are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 NCAA tournament games as a favorite between 1 and 6 1/2 points. Villanova is the underdog pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Villanova (+2).
Game 517-518: Villanova vs. Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 75.513; Pittsburgh 73.560
Dunkel Line: Villanova by 2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 2
Dunkel Pick: Villanova (+2)
Game 519-520: Missouri vs. Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri 73.007; Connecticut 79.201
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 6
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-5 1/2)
SportsBob
Mizzou vs Uconn
UCONN -5.5 5 Units
Missouri has exceeded everyone's expectations by a ton...even theirs according to coach Mike Anderson. This unexpected Cinderella story should most definately come to end tonight against the incredible strength of UCONN. The Huskies played poorly against Purdue and still won by 12 points as a 7 point favorite.Mizzou does not have the defense to slow down Uconn's Hasheem Thabeet. Missouri was very impressive against Memphis, but this battle took all they had and I'm confident their tanks were sucked dry on that one. I've said this many times this week and admit that I have been wrong, but Uconn's experience in a superior conference to the Big 12 should make the difference here.
Villanova vs Pittsburgh
Villanova +2 5 Units
The wrong team is favored in this game, as Pittsburgh should definitely have been sent packing by Xavier in the last round, but somehow wiggled off the upset hook. That won't be the case tonight, as a case can be made that the Wildcats are playing the hottest basketball of the teams remaining in the Big Dance, and after watching them hammer both UCLA, and Duke, you can see that Jay Wright has a very strong, very deep squad that is peaking at the right time. Obviously these teams are no strangers to one another, playing in the Big East Conference, and the lone meeting this season produced a 'Nova 67-57 home win as the 3 1/2-point home dog. Overall, the Wildcats have caprtured 4 of the last 7 series meetings.Tough, tough game, but with Pittsburgh having to go to the well now in ALL 3 of their tourney games, I have to side with the surging Wildcats to take this one.
Greg Shaker
New York Knicks at Charlotte Bobcats
Play: Knicks +7
The Bobcats are playing some of the best basketball of the their season right now and once again get the cover and outright win at Philly last night. That followed two snafus from this team and had to have given them much pleasure with the road win. New York is in town tonight and both are playing back to back. that usually means fatigue factors and that is not a good scenerio for these Bobcats. The Knicks not only love to play away from the Garden at 21-12-1 ATS this year, they thrive on ZERO DAYS REST, at 10-4 ATS. The reason is a simple one. They do throw a lot of people at you and they do have a much better bench than what Charlotte will bring to the table. In addition, these Knicks can hang tight with anyone because of their scoring spurts that we all know about. They have covered their last 3 of 4 and they have not lost by more than 7 in their last 7 tries on the road. That does include games with Orlando, Cleveland, and Detroit. Considering the dynamics of this one, an outright win is very possible, and certainly these points look very spiffy indeed. I am still waiting for the status on Nate Robinson with a possible suspension but I do not think that is going to be a big factor one way or another. It certainly was not last night in the Knicks win verses the Hornets, playing just 19 minutes of that contest. Let's get these points.
Doug Williams
Missouri Tigers at Connecticut Huskies
Missouri ruined my March Madness bracket and probably a lot more people's too. They upset Memphis on Thursday, but they’ll have face one of the nation’s best teams on Saturday in the Elite Eight, when they take on top seeds Connecticut as big underdogs. Hasheem Thabeet was huge for the Huskies with 15 points, 15 boards and four blocks as they covered the spread for the third game in a row beating Purdue 72-60.
Connecticut are 5.5 point favorites in this game, but they’ll have to be aware of the Tigers, who upset Memphis. Missouri better hit all their shots because the Huskies will have a huge rebounding advantage. I really don't see this game going any other way than with Connecticut.
Pick: Take Connecticut to cover the spread.
Villanova Wildcats at Pittsburgh Panthers
Bye bye Duke! I hope you took my advice and took the Wildcats to upset Duke, I had a feeling their inexperience would show. Villanova won the rebounding battle against Duke but Pittsburgh will be another story. Villanova beat Pittsburgh in their only matchup earlier in the season but that didn't really count.
Pitts didn't cover on Thursday for me but with the line at -2 I'm confident they can in this game. I'm sure Sam Young will keep his scoring average (21.6 per game) - he leads Pitts in scoring in the tournament with 65 points. I can see DeJuan Blair picking up his game too when it really matters like he did on opening game. I'm hoping Jermaine Dixon can get his act together too. Levance Fields will be great as usual. With guys like these on the team I don't see Nova having what it takes to get by the Panthers.
Pick: Take Pittsburgh to cover the spread and take the OVER - I can see this being a high scoring game...
DUNKEL
Phoenix at Utah
The Suns are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points, while Utah is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games as a favorite by the same margin. The Jazz are the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Utah favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Utah (-7 1/2).
Game 501-502: Indiana at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 114.738; Chicago 124.275
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 9 1/2; 214
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 8; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-8); Over
Game 503-504: Detroit at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 115.923; Washington 111.667
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 4 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 5 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5 1/2); Under
Game 505-506: New York at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: New York 110.639; Charlotte 120.662
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 10; 200 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 6 1/2; 207
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-6 1/2); Under
Game 507-508: Milwaukee at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 111.164; Miami 122.045
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 11; 202
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 8; 197
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-8); Over
Game 509-510: LA Clippers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 108.103; Houston 125.978
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 18; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 15; 190 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-15); Over
Game 511-512: Golden State at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 114.367; Denver 124.920
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 10 1/2; 231 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 12; 228
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+12); Over
Game 513-514: Phoenix at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 119.327; Utah 129.378
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 10; 233
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 7 1/2; 229
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-7 1/2); Over
Game 515-516: Memphis at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 110.356; Portland 123.952
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 13 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 13; 193
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-13); Over
NHL
Florida at Dallas
The Panthers look to take advantage of a Dallas team that is just 2-8 in its last 10 home games. Florida is the underdog pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Florida (+110).
Game 51-52: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.649; Pittsburgh 12.552
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-155); Under
Game 53-54: Carolina at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.532; New Jersey 11.456
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+150); Under
Game 55-56: Philadelphia at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.626; NY Islanders 11.723
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 6
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+190); Over
Game 57-58: Ottawa at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 12.139; Atlanta 11.199
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-110); 6
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-110); Over
Game 59-60: Buffalo at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.539; Montreal 10.871
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+145); Under
Game 61-62: Boston at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.515; Toronto 11.677
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-210); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+180); Under
Game 63-64: Los Angeles at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 10.511; Nashville 11.633
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-170); Over
Game 65-66: Florida at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.488; Dallas 10.431
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+110); Under
Game 67-68: Columbus at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.661; St. Louis 12.017
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-120); Under
Game 69-70: Minnesota at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.104; Calgary 11.545
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-230); 5
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-230); Under
Game 71-72: Phoenix at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.976; San Jose 11.340
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-330); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-330); Under
Tony Karpinski
Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls
Play: Chicago Bulls -8
Chicago has made a fortress out of the United Center since the All-Star break, covering 9 of last 10 as host, with the only loss coming at the hands of the West-leading Lakers. F John Salmons, who was acquired in midseason, has been particularly effective at home, leading the team with 22.4 ppg and 55% shooting in front of his new fans.
The home team won and covered first two in this series this season, and the Bulls have been led by G Ben Gordon’s 24 ppg vs. the Pacers. Chicago regained services of rookie PG Derrick Rose on Thursday, and he’s an important cog in the machine as they knocked off the Miami Heat.
The Bulls currently lie in 7th place in the East, 3½ games out of 5th or 6th, but not quite safe yet from falling to lottery position. The Chicago Bulls roll again on Saturday Night!
Rocketman Sports
Villanova vs. Pittsburgh
Play: Pittsburgh -2
Villanova comes in at 29-7 on the season while Pittsburgh is a super 31-4 this year. Villanova comes in as the 3rd seed while Pittsburgh is the #1 seed in the East Regional. In their one meeting this year, Villanova handed Pittsburgh one of their four losses with a 67-57 win at home back in January. Revenge will be sweet here tonight for Pittsburgh. Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big East. Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Pittsburgh tonight!
Larry Ness
Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat
PICK: Miami Heat
The Heat have played SIX of their last eight games away from home (1-5 in those road games) and should be happy about getting the struggling Bucks in a home game tonight. Miami is 38-34 and just a half-game up on Philly for the 5th spot in the East's playoff picture. Staying out of the sixth spot is important, because a 6th-place finish means a first round matchup with either the Celtics or Magic, while a fith-place finish means a series with the Hawks. The Bucks have fallen to 31-42 and are no longer have really any serious hopes of sneaking into the playoff race. Redd (21.2) and Bogut (11.7-10.2) have been out of action for quite some time now and Milwaukee's 110-94 loss at Orlando on Friday was its fourth straight and 13th in 17 games. Miami was just 9-32 at home last season but takes a five-game home winning streak into tonight's game (has won EIGHT of its last nine at home), while averaging 121.2 PPG during its current home winning run. Only LeBron or Kobe will keep Wade (29.8-5.1-7.5) from winning this year's MVP award, while the additions of O'Neal (14.1-5.1 in 19 game) and Moon (7.9-5.0 in 20 games) have been good ones (Marion is NOT missed). Lay it with the Heat.
Big Al Mcmordie
Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Golden State Warriors
At 9:05 pm, our member selection is on the Golden State Warriors plus the points over Denver, as the Warriors fall into a terrific 158-105 ATS system of mine. What we want to do is play on any double digit underdog off three or more losses that's playing with at least two days' of rest. The Warriors lost their 3rd straight game, 128-106, to Dallas on Wednesday, and have been installed as a 13-point underdog tonight. And, if our team is matched up against an opponent off a straight-up win, then our 158-105 stat zooms to 105-64 ATS since 1991 (62%). Take the Warriors.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Bucks/Heat UNDER 197
Right off, you have to like the Under on Miami in this total range as Miami is 41-25 UNDER when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points over the last 2 seasons, with its average score totaling 188.4 points in these games. Milwaukee has really struggled to score the rock, totaling 86 or fewer points in 4 of its last 6 games. The Heat have gone under the number in 3 straight and with a big division game against Orlando next, I don't see them having the incentive to bury the Bucks here. We'll bet the Under
Dave Price
1 Unit on Detroit Pistons -5
Detroit is long overdue for a win and it takes its frustration out on the lowly Wizards tonight. Plays against home teams (WASHINGTON) - terrible team - outscored by their opponents by 6+ points/game, after a close win by 3 points or less are 54-19 ATS since 1996. We'll make a small play on this 74% system.