RON RAYMOND
5* Oklahoma +7
DOUBLE NHL POWER PLAYS
Bruins / Flyers Under 5.5
Vancouver Canucks +120
Eddie Mush
4* Bulls +2
5* UNC -7
6* Wiz +8.5
10* MSU +7
Raging Bull
NBA:
New Jersey Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves under 200
Oklahoma City Thunder +11
NCAA:
Louisville -6.5
SMTM Sports Picks
3* Spurs -1
2* Michigan State +7
2* Unc -6.5
Anthony Redd
20* Louisville
5* Oklahoma
C-Stars Sports
5000 Units Michigan St(2) vs Louisville over the total
1000 Units Oklahoma(2) vs North Carolina under the total
50 units Michigan State plus the points over Louisville
EXECUTIVE
300% Chicago +2
250% Detroit -2
250% N.Carolina -7
Indiancowboy
4 Unit Play. Take Over 138 between Michigan State @ Louisville
I am a huge Rick Pitino fan as I love his fire and coaching style. Louisville beat Morehead State by 20, had a close contest against Siena but rolled on and just crushed Arizona by over 40. This team has put up 74, 79 and 103 points while giving up 54 to Morehead State, 72 to Siena and 64 to Arizona. Michigan State beat Robert Morris 77-62, 74-69 to USC and Kansas 67-62. You have a classic Big East vs. Big 10 battle here and I know the public likes Louisville here but why shouldn't they? Louisville continues to have depth from their starting rotation. What has caught my eye in this game is that we know Louisville can csore points putting up 103 against Texas A&M and 79 against a Siena team that can play sound defense. But, what might be a bit surprising is that Michigan State is able to score some points as well. This team dropped 74 points against a defensive team in USC and that game totaled 143 and even the Kansas game totaled 129. So, there is a high level of scoring in games that we expect to have a defensive intensity too. Why can't a game that features a team like Louisville and Michigan State also reach that 140 mark and go over as well? I think what Louisville will try to do is run and gun a bit more here to get Michigan State out of sync. If you are looking for another play here, I was also looking at the over in UNC vs. Oklahoma, but decided to take the shorter number with the over here as Loiusville and Michigan State square off. Expect this game to go under in the first half likely but with late fouls and double-bonus time both teams should get to the cusp of 70 as the victor should get over 70. I believe the Cardinals will dictate the pace of this game as the over is 9-4 for Louisville as a favorite and the over is 4-1-1 for Louisville as a favorite of 7 to 12 points
Best Sorts Picks
Lakers -3.5
Bulls +2
L'Ville -6.5
UNC -7
All Sports Picks
Blues
Blackhawks
SCOTT RICKENBACH
1* (regular play) Michigan State Spartans (+) vs Louisville
The Cardinals, as you would expect, are getting a lot of hype right now because of how they thrashed Arizona on Friday. Additionally, the Spartans are not getting nearly the same respect because they have “only” squeaked out wins against Kansas and Southern Cal in their last two games plus they failed to cover against Robert Morris in their Big Dance opener. What does this mean for our purposes? A lot of line value is being given to a Spartans team that has gone 13-2 in it’s last 15 opportunities on the second day of an NCAA Tourney weekend. Coach Tom Izzo has built this team well for success in these tough, back to back spot. Their half-court offense, a deep rotation, and a strong rebounding unit all combine to make the Spartans dangerous in a spot like this. Playing in the Big Ten, Michigan State certainly knows plenty about physical play and their style is conducive to being able to slow down Louisville. The Cardinals have been harassed into some poor games offensively where their shots don’t fall. We believe Tom Izzo’s crew is capable of that type of defensive effort here.
One of the keys for the Spartans is how well they rebound and the fact that this should eliminate a lot of second chance opportunities for Louisville. Also, Michigan State does an amazing job on the offensive glass! Believe it or not, the Spartans rebound over 40% of their own shots and their rebounding margin (nearly a +10) is the best in the nation. The Cardinals are a very strong team and they do have depth but will they start to wear themselves out here. Their recent eliminations from the tournament have often come on the second day of a tourney weekend. Here, with Izzo and his Spartans capable of forcing a half-court game, we could see the Cardinals offense bogging down. Their explosion against Arizona was a game that just got blown wide open and ‘ran wild’ all the way. Now, forced to play in half-court sets – where Louisville struggles – the Spartans should successfully get the tempo they want here. The Cardinals have enjoyed a favorable draw so far with Morehead State, Siena, and 12th-seeded Arizona team. All of the sudden, the Cardinals now face a battle-tested Spartans team that has survived back to back tight games against top competition (USC and Kansas). This will make a big difference in how this one plays out as the Spartans keep this tight all the way and the Cardinals struggle to respond as they are suddenly faced with a tight game. This means big value with the big points here. Play Michigan State plus the points as a regular selection.
2* (Top Play) San Antonio Spurs (-) @ New Orleans
Briefly, this play has a lot to do with the Spurs getting healthier, being rested here, and having big momentum edges due to Manu Ginobili being back and due to their massive blowout of the Clippers in their last game. The final score did not do justice to the domination. Additionally, the other key here is the Hornets being without Tyson Chandler and having other nagging injuries that have limited their depth – like Hilton Armstrong. This has led to some major inconsistency for this Hornets team and, even when point guard Chris Paul has a huge game – like he did against San Antonio earlier this season – the Hornets can still lose as they did in that game. With the way Tony Parker is playing right now for the Spurs, he can “hold his own” against Paul and Tim Duncan and the Spurs frontcourt will have a big edge with Chandler being out for New Orleans right now. Please check back after 12:30 PM Central time for the full details but the above is a quick snapshot synopsis as to why the Spurs should take this one on the road! Play San Antonio as a Top Play selection on Sunday night!
Vernon Croy
Sunday Night NBA B-L-O-W-O-U-T OF THE MONTH
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Hornets
San Antonio Spurs -1
20 Units, Take San Antonio ATS, This pick falls into one of my top NBA systems and the Spurs are the overall superior team here tonight now that Ginobili, Duncan and Parker are all back in the line-up. Tyson Chandler is out for the Hornets and Posey and Stojakovic are listed as questionable so that only benefits on the best defensive team in the NBA tonight on the road. The Hornets are just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games after a SU loss and they are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a dog of +0.5 to +4.5 points. Take the Spurs as they win this game by double digits on the road tonight and make sure you get on my other plays as my overall run continues.
DOC
4-Unit Play Take Atlanta +3½ Over LA Lakers
We know the Lakers aren’t going to sweep this road trip and we think this is the best chance for a slipup as the Hawks are a very solid home team with only nine losses here this year. This is the Lakers fourth road game in six nights and fatigue has to be a factor here. With upcoming winnable games on this trip for LA against Milwaukee and Charlotte, the Lakers won’t be taking this game as seriously as the Hawks, who have dropped two straight to two of the best teams in the NBA (Boston and San Antonio) and desperately need a win. The Lakers are 14-23 ATS on one day of rest and this is the perfect spot for an upset, but with the points we have a little extra cushion in case of a close game.
3-Unit Play Take New Jersey/Minnesota UNDER 199½
These teams have been really struggling offensively lately and the last three meetings have all gone under 200 points. The T-Wolves have averaged under 90 PPG in their last five contests. They have scored in the 80s in four of their last seven games. The Nets have failed to reach 100 in five of their last six games and have averaged just 96 PPG during that span. We feel that for this one to go over that one team will have to surpass 100 points and we just don’t see that happening tonight the way these offenses have been playing. New Jersey has actually been playing some pretty solid defense lately and the Lakers are the only team to reach the century mark on them the last five games. They have allowed only 95 PPG during that span.
3-Unit Play Take Philidelphia +2 Over Detroit
The road team has dominated this series against the number, cashing in 11 of the last 16 meetings and we believe the wrong team is favored tonight. The Pistons are in a freefall and have won only two of their last eight, and those wins came against the lowly Wizards and Clippers, two of the worst teams in the league and they best Washington by only two points. Philly has won seven of their last 10 and has some very impressive wins lately against Portland and the Lakers on the road as well as Miami at home. Detroit has been one of the most overvalued home teams in the NBA this season as they have covered in only eight of their last 30 games here.
Bob Valentino
50 DIME - MICHIGAN STATE
STU FEINER
Michigan State (138') vs Louisville (-7) @ Indianapolis
Last year in the Elite Eight, Rick Pitino's Cards were turned back by North Carolina in a game that was played in the Tar Heels' back yard. Well, Louisville gets theirs today as before a huge throng of Cardinal faithful in Indy, Louisville will stamp its ticket to the Final Four with this thorough double-digit win and cover. Michigan State has had a nice season, but it's now evident that winning the regular season Big Ten title pales in comparison to what the Cards have accomplished this year in the mighty Big East. Disappointed a year ago at this stage, The Cards will not be denied this afternoon. Michigan State, 2-5 ATS last seven versus Big East foes, tends to struggle against long athletic frontcourts (see last year's Sweet 16 blowout loss to Memphis) and that's what Louisville has in Earl Clark and Terrence Williams. Tom Izzo is reluctant to play zone and the Spartans will have matchup problems with the Cards. MSU was outrebounded by Kansas Friday night while shooting under 40% and allowing the Jayhawks to make better than 45% of their shots. A repeat performance today and they'll lose by 25 to this Louisville team that shot 57% in blasting Arizona Friday. The Cards have won 13 straight games, shooting 51% from the floor, 42% from behind the arc while outrebounding their opponents by two per contest and forcing three more turnovers per game than they commit. They're on a 15-7 ATS run when laying points and they just have too much quickness and athleticsm for Kalain Lucas and the overmatched Spartans. Tom Izzo's club will play hard, they always do, but they'll be outclassed in the second half as Louisville wins this one going away.
LOUISVILLE (-7) 5000 Dime High Roller
5000 Dime Elite Eight High Roller Early Game Total
Michigan State (138') vs Louisville (-7) @ Indianapolis
Plenty of trends to support the under in this game, but that's only giving us great value as this one from Indy is sailing over the posted price. Both Elite Eight games Saturday topped the final tally and this one will, as well. In winning 13 straight games, Louisville is averaging better than 79 ppg on 51% shooting. They shot better than 57% in Friday's blasting of Arizona in going over for the third time in the last four games. Michigan State has also sailed over in three of four as this is a solid free throw shooting team picks up plenty of easy points at the charity stripe. There will be plenty of points in this one and Louisville, which has gone over in seven of its last eight as a neutral court fav of 6 1/2 to 9 points, often has moments of defenisve lapses. Big first half of points today, and then free throws down the stretch helps get this game over.
OVER (138') 5000 Dime High Roller
5000 Dime Elite Eight High Roller Late Game Side
Oklahoma (+7) vs North Carolina (165) @ Memphis
Love the points in this Elite Eight matchup as I will not be surprised in the least if Oklahoma wins this game outright. Yes, the Sooners have the Player of the Year in Blake Griffin (30.3 ppg in three tournament games), but OU is much more than Griffin as this team has comprable talent, size, depth and quickness to North Carolina. I'm saying the Sooners are uber quick with guards Tony Crocker (28 points against Syracuse Friday) and fast frosh Willie Warren. Then there's Austin Johnson, the lanky, long-armed guard who is defensively stout enough to give the Heels' Ty Lawson problems. Carolina, which is on ATS funks of 10-17 as a favorite and 3-7 versus teams with winning records, hasn't faced a team this quick in a long, long time. Yet once again, UNC is being asked to cover an inflated price that they will not be able to do. Flat out, North Carolina will be forturnate to survive and move on against an OU team that is 3-0 SU/ATS in the tournament and has covered five of its last seven neutral court games. They do an excellent job defenisvely of switching back-and-forth to zone and man defenses. Tyler Hansbrough has faced some talented big men in his career, but none that combines the strength and quickness that Griffin has. The Sooners have shot 54.4% in their three tournament wins, and while they won't shoot as well in this one, they will drain enough shots both inside and outside to stay inaside this beefy price.
OKLAHOMA (+7) 5000 Dime High Roller
5000 Dime Elite Eight High Roller Late Game Total
Oklahoma (165) vs North Carolina (-7) @ Memphis
These two clubs have piled up some big offenisve numbers here in the Big Dance, but they both know a little about defense, too, and in this battle to see who is going to the Final Four, every possession will be hotly contested and this game will stay low. Bottom line is this is just too many points. The Tar Heels have stayed under in three of their last four overall, five of eight on neutral courts and five of six when playing on one or no days rest. The Sooners have stayed under in three of four as a dog this year and 18 of 27 when getting points the laast three years. When their backs are against the wall, the Sooners and Blake Griffin turn to defense. This one will be a big time physical contest and it will stay below the final posted price.
UNDER (165) 5000 Dime High Roller
Discount Sports Picks
10* Oklahoma/N. Carolina OVER 164
Elite Sports Picks
L.A. Lakers -4
SPORTS UNLIMITED
5* Detroit Pistons
MIKE NERI
3* North Carolina
Ben Burns
Game Of Month
Sacramento Kings
Top
Atlanta
Nets Over