Jeff Scott Sports
4 UNIT PLAY
Pittsbaurgh/ Villanova Under 140.5
The Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games following a SU win of more than 20 points, while the Under is 6-1 in Panthers last 7 neutral site games as a favorite. Both teams have been playing excellent defense this year as the Cats have allowed 66.7 ppg on the year (145th) and they are 37th in FG% defense (40.1%), while the Panthers have allowed just 64.1 ppg overall (81st) and they are 44th in defensive FG% ((40.4%). In their last 5 games the Panthers have allowed just 65.4 ppg on 37.8%, while Villanova has allowed just 66.7 ppg on 37.8% shooting in their last 5 games. Villanova's neutral games have averaged 141.8 ppg, but Pitts neutral games have averaged 131.8 ppg. We also note that the last 6 in this series has gone Under the total , with an average of 124.7 ppg being scored, while not one of those games put up more than 127 points. Both teams can score, but this is still a Big East game and that means a tough, physical battle with not much running up an down the floor. I see this one at 130 or less.
3 UNIT PLAY
UConn -5.5 over Missouri
The Tigers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game, while teh Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games. The Tigers are off an impressive win vs Memphis, but today the Task gets a whole lot tougher. The Huskies have been extremely impressive in the Tourney as they have won their games by an average of 30 ppg. Their defense has been tough of last as they have allowed 57.6 ppg in the 3 games, and two of those teams (A&M and Chatt) are pretty good offensive squads. For the year the Huskies have allowed just 63.4 ppg (67th) and they are 2nd in the nation in defensive FG% (37.4%). Today's task will not be easy as the Tigers have averaged 81.6 ppg on the year (4th) and they shoot 47.4% from the field (27th). A weakness for this team is their reboundiing, as the Huskies have a sizeable edge (pun intened) in that department. Another edge the Huskies do have is on defense. I already went through their defensive stats above, so now let's take a look at the Tigers for a moment. Missouri comes in allowing 67.3 ppg overall (157th), plus they have allowed 72.4 ppg when they have played away from home this year. Now even though they held Cornell to just 59 points in the opening round of the Tourney, they have comeback to allow 85 ppg on 45% shooting in their next 2 games. The Tigers have been playing at a high intensity so far, but it runs out today as Thabeet and company take them out behind the woodshed for a nice 10+ poiunt win.
2 UNIT PLAY
UConn/ Missouri Over 150
The Over is 20-6 in Tigers last 26 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5 and 9-1 in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games, while the Over is 14-3 in Huskies last 17 neutral site games as a favorite and 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Both teams like to push the ball as the Huskies average 78.4 ppg overall, while the Tigers have put up 80.9 ppg this year. UConn has averaged 89 ppg in the tourney so far, while the Tigers have put up 87.7 ppg in their 3 games. I see this one at about 160, with the Huskies taking it 87-73.
1 UNIT PLAY
Pittsburgh -2 over Villanova
The Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win of more than 20 points, while the Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big East. The Panthers will just have too much defense in this one to keep the hot Cats from moving on. Pittsburgh by 5+ in a low scoring game.
Ron Raymond
I like the UNDER 6.O -120 in the FLYERS - ISLANDERS game this evening. When NY ISLANDERS team played as a home team - Last 2 years - 3 games in 4 nights; the UNDER is 14-5-1 for the NYI in this spot L2Y.
Wunderdog
Villanova vs. Pittsburgh
Pick: UNDER 141
The Villanova Wildcats and the Pittsburgh Panthers square-off in a regional final ensuring at least one Big East team will be in the Final Four. These teams have a history of playing very ugly games, which is another word used interchangeably with defense. On the seniors' watches (last four years), these teams have not sniffed anything close to this total as they have played to 130 or less in every matchup, and that goes back even further as just one of the last 10 meetings has managed to top even 130. Villanova has been an under machine when posted as a dog, as they have played UNDER to the tune of 24-8-1 in their last 33 as a dog. The Panthers have notched six-straight UNDERs against teams with a straight-up winning record. This one is set too high, so UNDER gets the call.
JACK JONES
Utah Jazz -9 over Phoenix Suns
Utah is looking to avenge a four point loss earlier in the week when they host the Suns today. The Jazz are on a 13 game home winning streak in which they are giving up under 91 ppg and opponents have reached the century mark just once, and that was the LA Lakers. The Suns had been playing pretty well, winning six in a row, before getting blown out by Portland the other night. Utah has been off since their loss against Phoenix, but you can bet they have a game plan that doesn't call for them to get beat so badly on the break like they did down in Phoenix. Jazz get their revenge and a double digit win tonight.
Yankee Capper
NHL
NY Rangers/Pittsburgh Under 5.5
Buffalo/Montreal Over 5.5
NBA
Indiana/Chicago Over 213
Phoenix/Utah Over 230.5
NCAA HOOPS
Missouri/UConn Over 150
Villanova +2
Johnny Guild
Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets
Houston has played great at home, winning won 14 of their last 16 games at the Toyota Center and is 29-8 on their home court this year. Nevertheless, they have not been profitable for their backers at home. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against the sorry Clippers in Houston. The Rockets should have no problem grabbing a win against the pitiable Clippers, but laying 15 with Houston is unwise. Take the Points!
Los Angeles Clippers +15
NCAAB
Connecticut Huskies -5.5
Pittsburgh Panthers -2
Mr A
Milwaukee Bucks +9
Los Angeles Clippers +15
Drew Gordon
Milwaukee +9 at MIAMI
Yes, Milwaukee's lost 4 in a row. Yes, they played last night (and got crushed by Orlando). Regardless, laying this many with Miami is absolutely ridiculous. I can understand laying the points with the Magic last night, as they're one of the East's elite, but laying close to double-digits with a Heat team that's been maddeningly inconsistent is losing propostion. Let's dig a little deeper...
From a match up standpoint, of course Dwayne Wade will get his points, but that hasn't been the issue for the Heat. Its his surrounding cast that comes into question, as only Haslem can be counted on game in and game out, and even then, he's nothing more than role player. Bucks have far more balance with Jefferson and Villanueva playing well, and the backcourt of Sessions and Bell picking it up over their last 2 games. Again, underestimate Milwaukee at your own loss here.
While its true Miami has some nice home wins of late (namely vs Boston), they've lost 5 of their last 7, and worst of all, are averaging just 91 ppg over their last 5 games! Sorry Miami-backers, but you're not going to cover this number with that kind of meager offensive output, plain and simple. Bucks offense hasn't been much better, but you have to take into consideration their opponents (Boston, Orlando twice, and Portland plus a gimme vs Raptors).
Bottom line, while we expect the Heat to win this contest, covering the bloated number is an entirely different story! Big game with Orlando looming on deck for Wade and company, and with the Bucks desperate to snap their losing streak, look for this one to be a lot closer than Vegas wants you to believe.
Take Milwaukee plus the points over Miami in this NBA match up.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
Tony Weston
U.Conn -6 vs. Missouri at Glendale
We come through once again as Michigan State battles back to deliver another Comp Play winner for us to complete a Sweet 16 Sweep on the heels of Villanova's rout of Duke on Thursday. With that win we’re now 12-4 our last 16 Comp Plays!
Let's keep the winning streak going in the Tournament with the Over in the Missouri-UConn matchup.
Both teams come into tonight’s game having put up some strong offensive numbers throughout The Tournament and will blow past that 150-point total. Though that number is subject to change, it won’t matter as these teams will put up more than 160 points in this matchup.
Consider that over their last two games the Tigers and their opponents have totaled, on average 177.5 points per outing. And in their Sweet 16 game against Memphis, the Tigers scored 102 points on their own as the two combined for 193 points.
On the other side, the Huskies have been putting up the numbers as well as the Over has come through in each of their last three lined games as they’ve totaled, on average, 171 points over their last four outings.
Also keep in mind that playing at neutral sites this season UConn has totaled, on average, 162.1 points per game.
Lastly, the Over is on a 6-0 run for UConn its last 6 games when favored in The Tournament while the Over has come in 7 straight games for Missouri when it’s been installed as an underdog in The Tournament. And the Over has come in 15 of the last 16 Tournament games between these two combined.
It’ll come in on the high side one more time tonight as these two blow past the number. Take the Over in this one big tonight.
3♦ MISSOURI-U.CONN OVER
Michael Cannon
Villanova vs. Pitt -2 at Boston
For Saturday, take the under in the East Regional final between Villanova and Pitt.
Obviously the familiarity is there with both teams playing in the Big East conference and I feel like this is going to be a low-scoring, defensive struggle.
Villanova has soared to big wins over Ucla and Duke, but neither of those two plays as good defensively as Pitt does. On the other side, the Wildcats have the talent to keep Pitt from getting many open looks.
In the first and only meeting this season, the Wildcats defeated the Panthers in Philadelphia, 67-57. Pitt was frustrated by the full-court pressure Villanova employed and it resulted in 17 turnovers.
While tonight’s game won’t be that lopsided, I do expect it to be another low-scoring affair.
The under for Villanova is on stretches of 6-0 against winning teams, 24-8-1 as an underdog, 19-7-1 as a dog of less than seven points and 4-0 as a neutral site pup. The under for Pitt is on likewise runs of 4-1 overall, 6-0 against winning teams and 6-1 on neutral courts.
The last six meetings in this rivalry have stayed under the total as well.
Take the under as this one stays well below the posted price.
4♦ UNDER
Chris Jordan
Villanova vs Pittsburgh -2 at Boston
A pair of old friends get together, and this will be nothing short of a bump-and-grind, defensive affair that will find itself somewhere in the 130s.
Since they're well acquainted with one another, they'll both likely look to win this one on the defensive end, especially after combining for 124 points the last time they met. In fact, an average of 125.7 points have been scored the last three times these two have met.
Halfcourt, offensive sets will keep this one at a turtle's pace, and quite frankly, Pittsburgh appears to be tired every time it's stepped on the court in this tournament.
The under is on a 6-0 run the last six times these two have met, so nothing changes here.
1♦ UNDER
BEN BURNS
Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils
PICK: New Jersey Devils
The Devils come in playing with "double-revenge," having lost both earlier meetings in this series. Those games were both at Carolina though and a closer look shows that New Jersey held a 42-32 shots on goal advantage in the most recent meeting. Additionally, the Devils had an excuse for that loss, as they gave longtime superstar goalie Marty Brodeur the night off, due to having broken Patrick Roy's all-time wins record the previous night.
In fact, Brodeur missed both this season's losses. He'll surely be back between the pipes tonight, which is noteworthy as he's 8-1-1 his last 10 against Carolina with an outstanding 1.67 goals-against average, during that stretch. Additionally, Brodeur has won eight straight home games, giving up a mere eight goals. Overall, while they did just lose three straight road games, the Devils have won 11 straight here at New Jersey. The Devils have also won four of their last five home meetings with Carolina. They should be able to cool off the 'Canes this evening. Consider New Jersey
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EZWINNERS'S FREE SELECTION
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Game: Missouri Tigers vs. Connecticut Huskies
Sport: NCAA Basketball
Time: 3:40PM CST
(520) Connecticut Huskies (-6)
Missouri has made a nice run in the tournament, but I look for it to end today.
UCONN has been rolling through the tournament and I expect another big
win by the Huskies here. The Tigers full court pressure will not bother the
Huskies and the inside game of UCONN will be too much for Missouri to
handle. Lay the points in this one.
2009 Free Selections Record 47-39 (54.7%)
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
234 - 155 run 60 % 6 in a row on free plays,
12-0 all releases since Monday, 18-3 since last
Saturday all releases no one more consistent !!
Saturday UCONN
FRIDAY Michigan State TY Thur Xavier TY
WED NJ Nets ty Tues Penn St TY
Mon Atl Hawks ty Sun Michigan St. TY
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Free Selection from Totals4U
Saturday's free selection: Ottawa Senators pick 'em
8)
Undefeated's system tools pick:
Detroit/Washington under 193
Buy a couple of points for insurance.
I did and got it at under 195
8)