Sunday Service Plays

Gator NBA 70% Super Situations

NBA Sunday: Play Against NBA underdogs a team that averages 98-102 points per game against a team that allows 98-102 points per game after 42+ games, after a win by 6 points or less 25-5 ATS last 5 seasons (83.3%) PLAY: Los Angeles Lakers

WINNING POINTS

***BEST BET
Utah over *Minnesota by 15
The Jazz will be well-rested having not been on the road for more than two weeks. This is their only road matchup during a nine game span and they are off games against three straight weak opponents – Clippers, Bobcats and Sonics. The Timberwolves are in that rotten class, too, although they have some promising talent. There’s zero chance of Jerry Sloan letting his team overlook Minnesota. Not after the Timberwolves upset the Jazz as a seven-point home ‘dog late last month. UTAH 111-96.

***BEST BET
Philadelphia over *Cleveland by 6
The 76ers won at Cleveland in mid-December, 92-86, and they are better now. Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert are putting quiet, but strong seasons. Andre Iguodala is a tremendous all-around talent. They’ve helped the 76ers go 18-7-1 ATS (update Sat) in their last 26 games through March 23 and cover 57 percent of their first 34 road contests. Philly has won and covered in five of their last six away matchups through March 23. The Cavaliers were off a fierce road battle last night against the revenge-minded Pistons. PHILADELPHIA 104-98.

Texas over Memphis by 2
A 13.0 to 9.5 Assist-to-Turnover Ratio for Texas is very nice. Their 68.5% free-throw
shooting is ordinary, but it’s still better than Memphis’ 59.5%! If the Texas guards continue to not give it away, then Memphis’ necessary transition points will be lacking.TEXAS, 74-72.

Kansas over Davidson by 4
Take the points. Davidson scrimmaged with Texas in the pre-season. Bob McKillopp
and Rick Barnes are buds, and Davidson will know some things about Kansas that
other teams will not. KANSAS, 84-80.

THE SPORTS MEMO

MARTY OTTO

Philadelphia at Cleveland
Recommendation: Sixers
The Sixers enter the new week as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, continuing their torrid pace over the last three weeks plus to cement their playoff standings in the watered down Eastern Conference. Though the market has begun to adjust to their current 17-5 SU run (as evident with a couple of ATS losses at home) Philly should hold some value here on Sunday when they catch the Cavs in a back-to-back scenario one night after facing arch rival Detroit. Cleveland has for the most part brought an A+ effort after facing the Pistons but this is a rare instance when they enter the next game without any rest. And one thing we have found in the NBA is the brutality of facing playoff caliber teams with no rest. The Cavs, for their part, have been a bet against team in the second of back-to-back games over the past couple of years and in fact have lost straight up in their last five opportunities in the situation. Though they have gotten Big Z and Sasha Pavlovic back, Ben Wallace has been limited with back spasms, Daniel Gibson continues to deal with injuries and Eric Snow has departed with a knee problem leaving their depth at the guard position a bit spotty. After facing two marquee opponents in New Orleans and Detroit the Sixers may just slide beneath the radar and come away with the outright upset.

JARED KLEIN
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh
Recommendation: Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins begin a home-and-home series with the New York Rangers this Sunday. Despite being without their captain Sidney Crosby for the better part of two months, everyone on the roster has picked up their game especially Evgeni
Malkin who leads the team in goals with 44, assists with 58 and points with 102. Malkin has lead the Penguins to within one point of the Eastern Conference lead with one game in hand over the Montreal Canadiens. Pittsburgh has won five out of their last six heading into this week which included last weekends 7-1 win over a very good New Jersey Devils team.Evgeni Malkin had two goals and an assist and the blowout even surprised the Penguins a bit. “We didn’t expect (seven goals), but we’ll take it,” forward Ryan Malone was quoted as saying. “They played last night, so we wanted to kind of jump on them early.” This week they will take on a New York Rangers team that has struggled on the road this season with a record of 16-22. New York has also dropped three out of their last four road games and come into Pittsburgh this weekend to take on a team that looks like they can not be stopped. The Penguins are sporting a 23-15 home record which is the best home mark in the Eastern Conference. Look for Pittsburgh to take the first part of this home-and-home series with a big win this weekend.

EZWINNERS

5 STAR: TEXAS (+3.5) over Memphis
(Risking $550 to win $500)

3 STAR: TEXAS (+$145) over Memphis
(Riskng $300 to win $435)

Scott Spreitzer

Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

I'm playing Golden State, minus points over Dallas. The Mavs have struggled all season against winning teams, on a 4-11 spread slide. They're also just 9-19 ATS against high-scoring up-tempo squads that score 99 or more PPG! The struggles won't get any better with Nowitzki in street clothes.

Play on: Golden State

Dave Cokin

Knicks @ Hawks
Play: Hawks

The Hawks are battling to make the playoffs and they're in position to take another step toward that goal as they host the miserable Knicks. NY is beat up beyond belief at this point, and they basically just want the season to end. Atlanta has to guard against taking this game for granted, but they've done a good job of not overlooking games against bottom dwellers, so I'm not overly concerned about that here. I'll look for the blowout and spot the points with the Hawks.

James Patrick

Wizards vs. Lakers

One of the best Head Coaches in the NBA is Wizards Eddie Jordan. The job he has done this season with a ton of injuries is very commendable. Now hist eam is healthy and they have been one of the best road teams in the NBA with a 18-8 ATS mark and they have also won seven of their past eight. The Lakers are going in the other direction as they are just 4-6 ATS of late. Our selection in the NBA for Sunday is Washington Wizards.

Rocketman Sports

Atlanta @ Washington
Play On: 1* Atlanta -160

Washington is 18-41 last 3 years at home when the total is 8 to 8 1/2. Atlanta scored 5.3 runs per game on the road last year. Atlanta bullpen had a 3.55 ERA overall last year and a 3.39 ERA on the road last season. Washington scored only 4.2 runs per game overall, 4 runs per game at home and 4 runs per game against Right Handed starters last season. Tim Hudson was 16-10 with a 3.33 ERA overall last year, 8-4 with a 3.09 ERA on the road last season and had a 1.99 ERA his last 3 starts. Perez was 3-7 with a 6.08 ERA at home last season. Hudson is 5-1 with a 1.09 ERA against Washington since 1997. We'll recommend a small play on Atlanta tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky

Marc Lawrence

Play On: San Antonio

Note: Spurs host the Rockets in a key Western Conference clash at the Alamo Dome with revenge on their minds here today. We especially like the fact that San Antonio is 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in this series off a win of 8 or more points when playing with same season loss revenge. Stay at home in the Dome with the Spurs here today.

Big Al Mcmordie

Game: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

Reason: At 9:05 pm, our member selection is on the Dallas Mavericks plus the points over Golden State. A lot has been made of the Jason Kidd trade, and how the Mavericks have not beaten a team with a winning record since acquiring the All-Star point guard at the trade deadline. The Mavericks are 0-8 straight-up vs. winning teams (and 2-6 ATS), but it's also worth stating that Dallas is a perfect 10-0 straight-up (and 7-2-1 ATS) vs. losing teams. So, the glass is half-full or half-empty depending on your perspective. The other issue, of course, is the absence of Dirk Nowitzki, who suffered a leg injury a week ago vs. the Spurs. Now, Dallas has to face its nemesis from last year's playoffs, the Golden State Warriors. The loser of tonight's game will be the odds-on favorite to end up in 9th place at season's end, and out of the playoff picture in the competitive Western Conference. So the stakes couldn't be higher. Although Dallas will be without Nowitzki, it still has several offensive weapons in Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse. And the Mavs also play better defense than Golden State. Take the points here in what should be a very close game.

Power Plays

NHL Columbus vs. Chicago
Take Chicago Blackhawks

Both of these teams have nothing to lose and nothing to play for as far as playoffs go. Next year the Blackhawks will be a force to contend with but it has been a year of rebuilding and a lot of promise is coming to light. Young rookies who like to crash the net and put big numbers up. Columbus continues to struggle even with players like Rick Nash on their roster. Take the moneyline on Chicago and the total to go over.

Karl Garrett

The G-Man gets the feeling this South Regional final is going to feature some big numbers up on the scoreboard, and an OVER when the 40 minutes are said and done.

Texas has played OVER the total in their last pair of tournament games, and 3 of their last 4 dating back to the Big 12 conference tourney.

Memphis has played OVER in all 3 of their Big Dance games, and have played 20 of their 37 games this season OVER the posted price.

Plenty of offense featured in this game, and you can expect the shots to come fast and furious in a game that features a pair of teams that like to spread the floor, and push the pace.

The OVER has come through in 7 of the last 10 games that has seen Texas installed as the underdog, and the G-Man sees no reason to go against that stat right now, as this total could be shattered with about 3 full minutes to go.

Play the OVER in the South Regional Final in Houston today.

4* OVER (on a 1* to 5* basis)

VEGAS SPORTS PICS

Texas Longhorns + 3.5 over Memphis Tigers

Texas which defeated two number one ranked teams this season enters at the top of its game off handily beating No.10 Stanford 82-62 last round. Game is in Houston. An edge for Horns.

Davidson Wildcats + 9.5 over Kansas Jayhawks

Davidson enters on a nation's longest 25 game win streak off upsetting No.8 Georgetown 74-70 and No.5 Wisconsin 73-56 last two rounds. Wildcat's Curry leads nation in three-pointers made.

Ross Benjamin

Game: Utah @ Minnesota
Pick: Minnesota +6.5

In spite of their poor record on the season Minnesota has not thrown in the towel coming down the stretch. Minnesota has won their last 3 home games, so being in the underdog role here even in light of the disparities in the records of these two teams we do have value. Utah is just 7-16 this season as an away favorite and their road record of 16-21 SU hardly makes them a strong selection in this role. Minnesota may be playing their best basketball on the offensive end all season over the last 5 games shooting 47% from the field and 40% from beyond the three-point line. They have also held 5 of their last 6 opponents to less than 100 points. The Jazz have been soft on the defensive end over the last 5 allowing opponents to shoot 48% from the floor and 42% from beyond the three-point stripe.

Any away favorite off BB SU and ATS home wins both as a favorite of 10.0 or more, has a win percentage of .655 or better, versus an opponent off a SU loss, and playing on 1 or more days of rest is 4-17 ATS since 1990. The underdog has won 11 of these 21 games outright. Play on Minnesota plus the points as my free selection of the day.

Sports Advisors

(2) Texas (31-6, 17-13-1 ATS) vs. (1) Memphis (36-1, 16-19-2 ATS)

Memphis rolled into the Elite Eight for the third straight year courtesy of Friday’s 92-74 rout of fifth-seeded Michigan State, easily cashing as a 5½-point favorite. The top-seeded Tigers closed the first half on a 15-0 run to take a 50-20 lead into halftime and never looked back in winning their 10th straight game. Memphis also covered the spread for the first time in the Tournament.

Prior to Memphis’ demolition of Michigan State, Texas handled Stanford wire-to-wire, cruising to an 82-62 victory as a one-point favorite. The second-seeded Longhorns, who have reached the Elite Eight for just the second time this decade, used a 20-3 second-half run to separate from the Cardinal and improve to 15-2 in their last 17 games (11-5-1 ATS).

Memphis’ season has ended in this round the last two years, as the Tigers got crushed by Ohio State in last year’s Elite Eight 92-76 as a two-point underdog after suffering a 50-45 defeat to UCLA as a 2½-point favorite in 2006. The Tigers haven’t reached the Final Four since 1985.

The last time the Longhorns got this far in the Tournament was in 2006, when they lost to LSU 70-60 in overtime as a three-point favorite. Texas hasn’t advanced to the Final Four since 2003.

These teams played a home-and-home series in 2005 and 2006, with Texas winning both games by scores of 74-67 at home (failing to cash as a 13½-point favorite) and 69-58 on the road (covering as a 5½-point ‘dog).

The Tigers are just 3-7 ATS during their 10-game winning streak, and they’ve cashed in only five of their last 18 games, all as a favorite. Additionally, they’re on negative ATS runs of 3-5 in Tournament play, 2-4 after a SU win, 1-4 outside Conference USA and 0-6 after a spread-cover, as they haven’t cashed in consecutive games since late January. On the bright side, Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last five against the Big 12 and 4-1 ATS in its last five Tournament games when favored by less than seven points.

Texas is on pointspread runs of 8-3-1 at neutral venues, 8-3 as an underdog, 21-10-1 after a SU win and 4-1 against Conference USA. The only blemish is its 1-4 ATS slump when playing on Sundays.

Memphis is averaging 85.3 points per game on 49.4 percent shooting in the Tournament, while giving up 70.3 ppg and allowing foes to shoot 45.4 percent from the field. The Tigers have outrebounded all three opponents in the tourney and are plus-28 on the boards through three games.

Texas is putting up 77 ppg on 47.5 percent shooting in this event, but the Longhorns have really shined on defense, allowing just 62.7 ppg while limiting opponents to 34 percent shooting. Texas is plus-17 in rebounding, though Stanford had a slight 40-37 edge on the boards Friday.

The over is 4-0 in Memphis’ last four Tournament games (3-0 this year) and 4-1 in its last five non-conference games. Also, for Texas, the over is on streaks of 7-3 as an underdog, 7-0-1 as a neutral-site pup and 5-2 on Sundays. However, the under is 7-0 in the Tigers’ last seven against the Big 12 and 5-1 in the Tigers’ last six on Sundays. Finally, the two meetings between these schools in 2005 and 2006 stayed under the total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS

MIDWEST REGION

(10) Davidson (29-6, 22-11 ATS) vs. (1) Kansas (34-3, 21-14 ATS)

Kansas had no trouble at all with 12th-seeded Villanova on Friday, jumping out to a 41-22 halftime lead and coasting to a 72-57 victory as a 12-point favorite. The Jayhawks, who are back in the Elite Eight for the second straight year, have won 10 in a row, going 7-3 ATS (4-0 ATS in the last four).

Davidson’s magical Tournament run continued with Friday’s 73-56 rout of No. 3 seed Wisconsin as a five-point underdog. The Wildcats, who own the nation’s longest winning streak at 25 in a row, once again got a huge game from shooting guard Stephen Curry, who had 33 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds. Curry combined for 70 points in Davidson’s first two tourney wins over Gonzaga and Georgetown.

The Jayhawks, who lost 68-55 to UCLA as a two-point favorite in last year’s Elite Eight, are searching for their 13th trip to the Final Four. They last got there in 2003 when they lost to Syracuse in the national championship game. Also, Kansas coach Bill Self has reached the Elite Eight five times with three different teams, but has yet to get to the Final Four.

Prior to last week, Davidson hadn’t won a Tournament game in 39 years. And the odds are stacked heavily against the Wildcats in this contest, as No. 10 seeds are 0-8 all time in this round of the Tournament, having never advanced to the Final Four.

All four of Kansas’ spread-covers during its 4-0 ATS run have come at neutral sites. The Jayhawks are on additional ATS streaks of 6-1 outside the Big 12, 5-1 after a spread-cover, 5-2 in the Tournament (all as a favorite), 7-2 against winning teams and 7-2 as a chalk. On the negative side, they are 2-4 ATS in their last five as a favorite of seven to 12½ points.

During its 25-game winning streak, the Wildcats are 17-8 ATS, including 3-0 ATS in the Tournament. Additionally, Davidson is on ATS tears of 43-19-1 overall, 6-0 in non-conference action, 6-0 as an underdog this year, 8-1 at neutral venues, 4-0 on Sundays, 26-9-1 against winning teams and 41-16-1 after a SU win.

Kansas has systematically dismantled each of its three Tournament opponents. The Jayhawks are averaging 77.3 ppg and holding the opposition to just 58 ppg, with Portland State, UNLV and Villanova scoring 61, 56 and 57 points, respectively. Also, Kansas is shooting a blistering 55.1 percent from the field and allowing just 34 percent, while holding a commanding plus-26 edge on the boards.

With Curry leading the way, Davidson is averaging 76.3 ppg in the tourney and giving up 67.3 ppg. However, the Wildcats have really defied the odds to get this far, as they’ve been outshot 50 percent to 45.5 percent and outrebounded 85-75. In fact, all three of Davidson’s opponents have held the edge on the boards.

The over is 5-2 in Davidson’s last seven non-conference games and 5-2-1 in its last eight on Sundays. After that, the totals trends lean to the under, with the Wildcats going 9-4-1 “under” in their last 14 as an underdog and Kansas sporting under streaks of 5-0 in the Tournament (3-0 this year), 7-2 at neutral sites, 5-2 overall and 20-8 in non-conference play.

ATS ADVANTAGE: DAVIDSON and UNDER

NBA

Houston (49-23, 41-29-2 ATS) at San Antonio (50-23, 33-38-2 ATS)

The Spurs look to extend a six-game winning streak when they host the Rockets in a pivotal Southwest Division showdown at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio blasted the Timberwolves 99-84 as a 12-point home favorite on Friday, improving to 5-1 ATS during their six-game winning streak. The spread-covering run comes on the heels of an 0-8 ATS slump. The Spurs are in a virtual tie for first place with New Orleans in the Southwest Division, with Houston one-half game back.

Houston’s most recent contest also came against Minnesota at home, and like the Spurs, the Rockets rolled by double digits, posting a 97-86 victory but pushing as an 11-point chalk. Although Houston has won consecutive games, it is just 3-3 since its incredible 23-game winning streak. Also, the Rockets have followed up a 12-0 ATS run by going 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight.

The first three meetings in this season series have gone to the home team, with the Rockets going 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS. The contests were decided by a total of 16 points. Houston is 5-1 ATS in the last six overall against the Spurs and 5-0 ATS in its last five visits to San Antonio. Finally, the underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight head-to-head clashes and the visitor is 8-3 ATS in the last 11.

Houston is 1-2 SU and ATS in its last three road games after going 6-0 SU and ATS in its previous six on the highway. On the positive end of the spectrum, Rick Adelman’s club is on ATS tears of 20-7-1 overall, 10-4-1 against the Western Conference, 5-1 in the division, 4-1 when playing on three or more days’ rest and 9-2 as an underdog of less than six points.

The Spurs are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Sunday affairs, but otherwise, they’re on negative pointspread trends of 5-12-1 against division rivals, 2-5-1 at home and 8-17 against the West.

Each of the last seven meetings between these rivals has stayed under the total, and the under is 22-5 in the last 27 series meetings overall and 10-1 in the last 11 clashes in San Antonio. Additionally, the Spurs are on under streaks of 19-7 against division rivals, 4-1 on Sundays, 8-3 when playing on one day of rest and 17-4 against winning teams. Meanwhile, the Rockets sport under runs of 7-3 in the division, 16-5 when coming off three or more days’ rest and 22-5 against winning teams.

ATS ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON and UNDER

Dallas (45-27, 30-38-4 ATS) at Golden State (44-28, 32-40 ATS)

Two of the three teams in a dogfight for the final two Western Conference playoff berths clash at Oracle Arena, as the Warriors host the shorthanded and slumping Mavericks.

Only one game separates Dallas and Golden State in the playoff standings entering the final 2½ weeks of the regular season, with the Mavs sitting in seventh place, a half-game clear of eighth-place Denver, which overtook Golden State for the coveted eighth spot in the standings with last night’s 119-112 win over the Warriors. Golden State now is on the outside looking in, a half-game back of the Nuggets.

The Warriors have struggled with consistency over the past two weeks, alternating SU and ATS wins and losses in their last 10 games, Golden State is just 4-5 ATS in its last nine, though it did barely cash as an eight-point dog at Denver last night for it second straight spread-cover.

Like the Golden State, the Mavericks’ most recent game came in Denver, and the results weren’t pretty, as they fell 118-105 as an 8½-point underdog on Thursday. Dallas, which lost All-Star Dirk Nowitzki to a serious leg injury last Sunday, are just 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS in their last five games. The slump follows a 5-0 SU and ATS roll.

The Warriors pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in NBA playoff history last year in knocking out top-seeded Dallas in six games, and they’re 21-5-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings. However, the Mavericks have won the first two clashes this year, prevailing 120-115 as a seven-point road chalk in early November and rolling 121-99 as a 5½-point home favorite on Jan. 2. The ‘dog has cashed at a 20-6-1 ATS clip over the past 27 battles.

Despite Thursday’s loss in Denver, Dallas has cashed in five of its last seven on the highway. Otherwise, the Mavs are on ATS nosedives of 1-5-2 against the Pacific Division, 1-4 when playing on two days’ rest and 0-6 against the Western Conference.

The Warriors are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 against the Southwest Division, but 5-14 ATS in their last 19 at home and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 versus the West.

Dallas has followed up a 4-0 “under” streak by topping the total in its last two, both without Nowitzki. Also, the Mavs are 8-1 “over” in their last nine against the Pacific Division and 4-1 “over” in their last five on the road, though the under is 18-6-1 in their last 25 on Sundays. Meanwhile, the Warriors have followed an 18-3-1 “over” tear by staying under the number in eight of its last 11.

Finally, the over is 19-8 in the last 27 series meetings between these rivals, but four of the last five battles in Golden State going back to last year’s playoff series have stayed low.

ATS ADVANTAGE: GOLDEN STATE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Atlanta (0-0) at Washington (0-0)

Washington christens the new Nationals Park in the nation’s capital when it hosts the division rival Braves as the 2008 season begins in earnest. The Nationals will hand the ball to newcomer Odalis Perez (8-11, 5.57 ERA in 2007), while the Braves will counter with ace Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.33 in 2007).

The Nationals went 73-89 in 2007, finishing in fourth place in the N.L. East, two games ahead of the Marlins. They were a very respectable 40-41 in their former home park (RFK Stadium). Meanwhile, the Braves are coming off an 84-78 third-place finish in the East, missing the playoffs for the second straight year. Atlanta went 40-41 on the highway.

The Braves won the season series last year 11-7, going 7-2 over the final nine meetings. The home team was 12-6.

Hudson is coming off his best season in terms of victories and ERA since 2003 when he was with the A’s, and his 224 1/3 innings pitched were the third highest total in the National League. And the 32-year-old righthander owned the Nats last season, going 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in four starts, giving up just two runs in 30 innings. In two starts in Washington, he was 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA. For his career, Hudson is 5-1 with a 1.09 ERA against the Nationals.

Perez pitched for Kansas City last year and was decent down the stretch, going 5-4 with a 4.87 ERA in his last 12 starts. The veteran southpaw, who began his career in Atlanta, won his first start against his former squad in 2002 but has since gone 0-3 with a 6.30 ERA in six subsequent appearances against the Braves.

In the spring, Hudson went 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in five starts. Meanwhile, Perez, who is making the first opening-day start of his career, recorded a 4.96 ERA in the exhibition season, walking three and striking out 12 in 16 1/3 innings of work.

The Braves lost four of their last five road games last year, but closed 5-2 against the N.L. East. Meanwhile, Washington also went 5-2 in its last seven divisional games in 2007.

The over was 4-1 in the final five meetings between these squads last year and 5-2 in Perez’s final seven starts. However, the under was 4-0 in Hudson’s last four starts in 2007 and 3-0-1 in his four starts against the Nats.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ATLANTA

ATS Consultants

Newsletter Plays

Sunday, March 30

Hoops

Washington covers over LA Lakers 103-106 Preferred Play
Sacramento over Seattle 109-95 Preferred Play

Hockey

Pittsburgh over NY Rangers Preferred Play
Over in the Phoenix/San Jose game Preferred Play

Arena

Under in the New York/Dallas game

Al DeMarco - comp

My logic (is) based on the Tigers' inability to consistently hit free throws. They entered the Dance hitting at a 59% clip and they nearly blew their Round Two game versus Mississippi State by converting only 46%.

The other factor in the Longhorns' favor is the location of today's game in Houston where there will be a sea of burnt orange attire supporting Texas.

Here's something else to consider: Look at these two teams non-conference schedules this year. Texas beat Tennessee. The Longhorns won at Tennessee. Yes, they lost against Michigan State and Wisconsin, but at least they took on those Big 10 schools - and eventual Sweet 16 teams. On the other hand, who did Memphis play? Oklahoma, Georgetown, Connecticut, USC and Arizona. Not nearly as impressive. And when it comes to in-conference, I think we're all in agreement that the Big 12 is a little more challenging than Conference USA, correct?

Memphis is not a big, physical team, but even if it was, Texas just showed its mettle by crushing Stanford and the Lopez's on Friday. Rather, the Tigers are deep, athletic and want to play up-tempo, a style that the Longhorns prefer.

Sooner on later these teams are going to go to the line, and with the home crowd clearly in the the Longhorns' corner, I'll back Texas.

1♦ TEXAS (on a 1♦ to 5♦ basis)