SPORTS ADVISORS
MIDWEST REGION
(at Minneapolis)
(11) Dayton (27-7, 14-15 ATS) vs. (3) Kansas (26-7, 19-7-1 ATS)
Kansas opened the NCAA Tournament with Friday’s hard-fought 84-74 win over North Dakota State, narrowly cashing as a 9½-point chalk. The defending national champs got 32 points and eight assists from Sherron Collins, and Cole Aldrich added 23 points and 11 rebounds in the win as the Jayhawks improved to 7-3 SU in their last 10 (7-2-1 ATS) and 6-1 ATS in their last seven Big Dance outings.
Dayton, a nine-point underdog, pulled off a 68-60 upset of West Virginia on Friday for its first Tournament win since 1990, as Chris Wright led the way with 27 points an 10 boards. The Flyers, who scored two wins in the NIT a season ago, are in the Tournament for the first time since 2004. They’re 5-2 ATS in their last seven overall.
Kansas is on ATS streaks of 25-8-1 overall, 20-6-1 as a favorite, 20-8-1 after a straight-up win, 14-6 in non-conference action and 37-15-1 against teams with winning records. Dayton is on ATS runs of 8-3 against teams with winning records, 5-1 as a ‘dog, 5-2 in non-conference action and 4-1 as a neutral-site pup, but the Flyers are just 1-5 ATS in their last six on Sundays and 6-14 ATS in their last 20 after a spread-cover.
Kansas is on “under” streaks of 9-5 overall, 8-1 in NCAA Tournament action, 7-2 in neutral-site games, 9-2 after a straight-up win and 5-2 as a neutral-site favorite. However, the Flyers are on “over” streaks of 6-1 overall, 4-0 at neutral venues, 6-2 as a neutral-site ‘dog and 35-16-1 after a straight-up win.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS
(10) USC (22-12, 18-14 ATS) vs. (2) Michigan State (27-6, 17-13 ATS)
Michigan State put together a workmanlike performance in a 77-62 win over Robert Morris on Friday, but came up just short as a 16-point chalk. The Spartans got 16 points from Raymar Morgan in just 20 minutes of action and got 11 points and 17 rebounds from Goran Suton. Michigan State has now won seven of its last eight (5-4 ATS) with the only loss being an upset by Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament semifinals.
USC continued its late-season surge in Friday’s opening round, rallying from a four-point halftime deficit for a 72-55 victory over seventh-seeded Boston College, cashing easily as a two-point favorite. Taj Gibson led the way with 24 points on a perfect 10-of-10 shooting as the Trojans won and cashed for the sixth straight game, a streak that comes after a three-game losing skid (1-2 ATS) in late-February.
Michigan State is making its 12th consecutive Big Dance appearance, the fourth-longest active streak. Last year, the Spartans went 2-0 SU and ATS in wins over Temple and Pitt to get to the Sweet 16, where they got steamrolled by Memphis 92-74 as 5½-point ‘dogs. Under coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State is 27-10 SU in the Tournament, reaching four Final Fours, seven Sweet 16s and one national championship (2000).
USC advanced to the Sweet 16 of the Big Dance in 2007, but was knocked out in the opening round a year ago, falling 80-67 to Kansas State as three-point favorites.
Izzo’s Spartans are on ATS runs of 17-9-1 in NCAA Tournament games, 7-4 as a chalk, 19-7-2 as a favorite of less than seven points, 13-4-1 when laying points in the Big Dance and 5-1 on Sundays. USC is on ATS streaks of 6-0 overall, 4-0 in neutral-site games, 5-0 as a neutral-site ‘dog and 7-3 in the Big Dance.
Michigan State is on “under” streaks of 9-3 overall, 8-2 as a favorite, 9-0 against Pac-10 opposition, 7-2 after a straight-up win and 6-1 after a spread-cover. The Trojans are riding “under” trends of 30-14 in non-conference action, 11-4 in neutral-site games, 6-1 on Sundays and 5-1 as a neutral-site pup.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
MIDWEST REGION
(at Miami, Fla.)
(13) Cleveland State (26-10, 19-12 ATS) vs. (12) Arizona (20-13, 19-13 ATS)
Arizona led virtually wire-to-wire in its 84-71 victory over fifth-seeded Utah on Friday, prevailing as a 1½-point ‘dog. The Wildcats got 29 points from point guard Nic Wise and shot 30-of-55 from the field while holding the Utes to 27-of-64 shooting. Arizona went just 1-5 SU (3-3 ATS) down the stretch to create some doubt as to whether it belonged in the Big Dance.
Cleveland State is the lowest-seed left in the NCAA Tournament after it pulled off the 84-69 upset of No. 4-seeded Wake Forest as a 7½-point underdog Friday. The Vikings, who scored their first Tournament win in 23 years, got balanced scoring from its big three of Norris Cole (22 points), J’Nathan Bullock (21 points) and Cedric Jackson (19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds). Cleveland State upset Butler to win the Horizon League tournament and get the automatic bid to the dance and has won five straight (3-2 ATS) overall.
Arizona is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the 25th consecutive season, the longest such streak in the nation. However, the Wildcats didn’t get out of the opening round the last two years and hasn’t advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2005. This is Cleveland State’s first Big Dance appearance since its Cinderella run in 1986 when it lost to David Robinson and Navy in the Sweet 16.
The ‘Cats are riding several positive ATS trends, including 10-4 overall, 7-2 as a chalk, 12-4 as a neutral-site favorite, 7-2 in non-conference games and 7-2 in NCAA Tournament games. The Vikings are on positive ATS runs of 21-7 after a spread-cover, 25-10 after a straight-up win, 6-1 in non-conference action and 5-0 as an underdog.
Arizona has topped the total in eight of 10 overall, six of seven Tournament games, five straight non-conference contests and six of seven neutral-site affairs. Cleveland State has gone over the total in nine of 13 overall, seven of nine on a neutral court and 12 of 16 after a straight-up win.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
MIDWEST REGION
(at Dayton, Ohio)
(9) Siena (27-7, 15-15-1 ATS) vs. (1) Louisville (29-5, 21-13 ATS)
Louisville, the Tournament’s top overall seed, survived a shaky first half and went on to blow out Morehead State 74-54 in the opening round on Friday, coming up short as a 21½-point favorite. The Cardinals got 15 points and seven rebounds from Samardo Samuels and held the Eagles to 38.5 percent shooting for their 11th straight victory (8-3 ATS).
Siena won a dramatic 74-72 double-overtime game against No. 8 seed Ohio State on Friday, getting it done as a 2½-point underdog for its ninth win in 10 outings (6-4 ATS). The Saints, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season and tourney champs, had all five starters score in double figures, led by Ryan Rossiter’s 16-point, 15-rebound performance.
Rick Pitino’s Cardinals reached the regional final last season, falling to North Carolina in their bid for the Final Four. Pitino owns a 36-12 SU Tournament record while coaching Providence, Kentucky and Louisville. Siena is making its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Saints upset Vanderbilt 83-62 as a 6½-point underdog in the opening round before falling to Villanova 84-72 as a 5½-point pup in the second round.
Despite not cashing against Morehead State, the Cardinals are on positive ATS streaks of 38-18-1 overall, 14-6 as a chalk, 6-1-1 as a NCAA Tournament favorite and 11-3 on Sundays. Siena is just 7-13 ATS in its last 20 neutral-site games, but it is otherwise on pointspread tears of 4-0 overall, 5-1 in non-conference games, 7-2 against Big East foes and 17-7 as a pup.
Louisville is riding “under” streaks of 13-5-1 in non-conference action, 5-1 on neutral courts, 4-1 after a straight-up win and 7-1-1 as a neutral-site favorite. For the Saints, the over is on runs of 10-4 overall, 5-0 as a ‘dog, 5-1 in non-conference games, 4-0 against Big East teams and 9-3 after a straight-up win.
ATS ADVANTAGE: LOUISVILLE
SOUTH REGION
(at Miami, Fla.)
(6) Arizona State (25-9, 19-11 ATS) vs. (3) Syracuse (27-9, 18-14 ATS)
Syracuse made life tough on Stephen F. Austin during Friday’s 59-44 win, holding the Lumberjacks to 24.7 percent shooting and 2-of-21 from the three-point line. Guard Jonny Flynn led the way for the Orange, scoring 16 points and handing out seven assists as they covered the 11-point spread. Syracuse is on an 8-1 SU and ATS surge, with the only loss coming in the finals of the Big East tournament to Louisville.
Like the Orange, Arizona State also did the job with defense in its 66-57 opening-round win over Temple, holding the Owls to 19-of-51 shooting as it covered the 6 ½-point spread. The Sundevils got 22 points each from Derek Glasser and Jeff Pendergraph and survived with Pac-10 Player of the Year James Harden finishing 1-for-8 from the field with just nine points.
The Sun Devils haven’t been to the Big Dance since 2003 when they lost to Kansas in the second round. Syracuse is back in the tourney for the first time since 2006, when it followed up a run to the Big East tournament title by getting bounced in the first round by Texas A&M. The Orange, who are 40-24 in 25 previous Tournament appearances under coach Jim Boeheim, last made it to the Sweet 16 in 2004.
The Orange are on ATS runs of 8-1 overall, 6-2 in neutral-site games, 5-0 as a favorite, 6-1 against teams with winning records and 10-4-1 as a neutral-site chalk. Arizona State is on pointspread roll of 4-1 overall, 8-3 in neutral-site outings, 5-0 as a ‘dog and 4-1 against teams with a winning record.
Syracuse is riding “over” streaks of 5-1 overall, 7-3 as a favorite, 4-1 in Tournament games, 7-1 in neutral-site contests and 5-3 as a neutral-site favorite. The Sun Devils are also riding “over” streaks of 5-2 in non-league contests, 6-2 in neutral-site games, 7-3 as a neutral-site ‘dog and 4-1 after a straight-up win. However, both teams stayed under the total in their respective first-round games Friday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
EAST REGION
(at Dayton, Ohio)
(8) Oklahoma St. (23-11, 15-12-1 ATS) vs. (1) Pittsburgh (29-4, 16-10-1 ATS)
Pitt advanced to the second round thanks to a shaky 72-62 win over East Tennessee State on Friday, coming nowhere near covering the 21-point number. The Panthers got 27 points and 16 rebounds from big man DeJuan Blair, and their defense limited the Buccaneers to 23-of-76 shooting (30.3 percent), but they had 18 turnovers. Pitt has won 11 of 13 (9-4 ATS) overall, but failed to cover in its last two.
Oklahoma State scored an last-possession 77-75 upset win over Tennessee in the opening round, cashing as a three-point ‘dog. The Cowboys got 16 points and 11 rebounds from Marshall Moses on 8-of-10 shooting as they won and covered for the ninth time in their last 11 games.
The Panthers won the Big East tournament championship last season, but then fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 65-54 to Michigan State as 2½-point favorites. Pitt has made six consecutive trips to the Big Dance under sixth-year coach Jaime Dixon, but has yet to make it past the Sweet 16. The Cowboys haven’t been “dancing” since 2005 when they lost to Arizona in the Sweet 16.
These teams have met in three of the last five seasons, including 2007 when Pitt got an 85-68 home win as a 13½-point favorite.
The Cowboys are on pointspread upticks of 10-1 overall, 17-7-2 in neutral-site contests, 8-1 after a spread-cover and 7-1 after a straight-up win, but they are still just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 as a ‘dog. Pitt is riding several ATS streaks, including 8-3 after a non-cover, 7-3 after a straight-up win, 4-0 on Sundays and 7-1 as a favorite of seven to 12½-points, but the Panthers are just 1-4 ATS in their last five Tournament games and 1-4-1 ATS in their last six against the Big 12.
Oklahoma State is on “under” runs of 7-2 overall, 5-1 in non-conference games, 6-1 in neutral-site games as a ‘dog, 8-2 in the Tournament and 5-0 in the Big Dance as a pup. Pittsburgh is on “under” runs of 5-0 in neutral-site games, 5-1 in non-conference action and 6-2 after a non-cover.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
EAST REGION
(at Boise, Idaho)
(10) Wisconsin (20-12, 13-16-1 ATS) vs. (4) Xavier (26-7, 17-12-2 ATS)
Xavier advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years, crushing 13th-seeded Portland State 77-59 as a 10-point favorite Friday. The Musketeers shot a blistering 53.7 percent from the field, dominated in the rebounding department (30-20) and limited the Vikings to just 24 second-half points. Despite Friday’s rout, Xavier is still just 6-5 SU in its last 11 contests after starting the season 20-2.
Wisconsin won an opening-round game for the third straight year and the seventh time in the last eight years with a last-second 61-59 overtime victory over No. 5-seed Florida State as a three-point underdog. The Badgers, who trailed 31-19 at the half, won it on Trevon Hughes’ bank shot with two seconds left. Bo Ryan’s club is on an 8-2 roll going back to the regular season (6-4 ATS).
After giving up an average 68.3 ppg during a midseason 0-6 slide, the Badgers have tightened things up on the defensive end, holding 11 consecutive opponents to 61 points or fewer and surrendering only 54.1 ppg during this stretch. Meanwhile, Xavier has now held six of its last seven opponents under 60 points.
Xavier knocked off Georgia, Purdue and West Virginia (3-0 ATS) to advance to the regional final in last year’s Big Dance, but its Final Four dreams ended in a 76-57 loss to UCLA as a six-point underdog. The Musketeers are in the Tournament for the fourth straight time, going 1-1 (2-0 ATS) in second-round games.
This is Wisconsin’s 14th appearance in the Big Dance and the seventh under Ryan. Last year, the Badgers opened up with double-digit blowout wins over Cal-State Fullerton and Kansas State (2-0 ATS), but fell in the Sweet 16 to Davidson 73-56 as a five-point favorite. Going back to 2002, they’re 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS in second-round tourney action.
The schools played a home-and-home series back in 2000 and 2001, with the host winning each contest and Wisconsin cashing both times.
Xavier is on positive pointspread runs of 13-6-2 overall, 10-2 in the Tournament, 36-17-1 at neutral venues, 18-7 as a favorite at neutral sites, 4-0-1 on Sunday, 6-0 against the Big Ten and 10-4-1 against squads with a winning record. The lone negative for Musketeers is a 1-5 ATS mark in its last six when laying less than seven points.
Wisconsin is on ATS runs of 5-2 in non-conference games, 7-1 against the Atlantic 10 and 4-1 as an underdog in the Tournament, but it is just 1-5 ATS in its last six against teams with a winning record.
Both teams barely stayed under the total in their first-round victories. Additionally, Wisconsin is on “under” streaks of 7-1 overall, 4-0 as an underdog, 6-2-1 at neutral sites, 5-1 on Sunday and 5-0 after a SU win. Xavier’s “under” trends include 8-2-1 overall (all as a favorite), 6-0 at neutral sites and 4-1 on Sunday. However, the Musketeers have still topped the total in 10 of their last 12 NCAA Tournament contests and six of seven non-conference games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
WEST REGION
(at Boise, Idaho)
(6) Marquette (25-9, 14-14-1 ATS) vs. (3) Missouri (29-6, 18-10 ATS)
Missouri overcame a lackluster first-half against Cornell on Friday, but turned it on over the final 20 minutes en route to a 78-59 victory, cashing easily as a 12-point chalk for its first Tournament victory since 2003. Going back to the start of the Big 12 tournament, the Tigers have won and covered in four straight games, the fifth time this season they’ve won at least four in a row SU. In addition, they’re on a 12-2 SU run (11-3 ATS), and the winner has cashed in each of the team’s 10 outings.
Marquette gutted out a 58-57 victory over Utah State on Friday, but failed to cover as a six-point favorite. The Golden Eagles, who advanced to the second round for the second straight year, blew an eight-point halftime lead and trailed by as many as six with less than four minutes to go before rallying for the win despite shooting just 36.2 percent from the field. Marquette is just 2-5 SU in its last seven games and 4-8 ATS in its last 12.
The Tigers’ last Tournament appearance came in 2003, when they lost a second-round game to Marquette 101-92 in overtime, failing to cover as a three-point underdog. That was the most recent meeting between the two schools.
Marquette is making its 26th Tournament appearance and its fourth in a row. Last year, the Eagles knocked out Kentucky 74-66 as a six-point favorite in the first round before losing to Stanford 82-81 in overtime as a 2½-point underdog.
Despite ATS slumps of 4-8 overall and 1-5-1 in non-conference games, the Golden Eagles are still 9-3 ATS in their last 12 neutral-site contests and 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine as an underdog. Meanwhile, Missouri carries a bunch of positive ATS streaks, including 4-0 overall, 6-1 at neutral sites (4-0 last four), 8-1 as a chalk, 7-2 in the Tournament and 9-3 versus winning teams, but the Tigers have failed to cash in 10 of their last 14 as a favorite of less than six points.
Marquette is on “over” tears of 24-12 at neutral sites, 9-2 in the Big Dance, 6-0-1 against the Big 12 and 5-1 as an underdog. The over is also 13-7 in the Tigers’ last 20 non-conference games and 7-1 in their last seven Tournament contests. However, both teams stayed under the total in their first-round games, and the under is 5-1 in Mizzou’s last six overall and 5-0 in its last five at neutral sites.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MISSOURI
NBA
Houston (46-25, 34-36-1 ATS) at San Antonio (45-23, 34-32-2 ATS)
The Spurs will try to make it two wins over the Rockets in eight days when they welcome their in-state rivals into the AT&T Center in San Antonio.
Since falling 88-85 to the Spurs at home eight days ago, Houston is a perfect 3-0 (2-1 ATS), including a 107-88 home win over Minnesota on Friday night, cashing as an 11-point favorite. The Rockets have rattled off three consecutive SU and ATS road wins, most recently upsetting New Orleans 95-84 as a six-point road pup Monday.
San Antonio has alternated wins and losses in its last six (2-4 ATS) and fell to the Celtics at home on Friday, 80-77 as a 3½-point favorite. The Spurs are 24-10 at home this season, but just 15-18-1 ATS, including SU and ATS losses in two of their last three in front of the home fans.
San Antonio’s upset victory in Houston last week ended a six-game (5-1 ATS) winning streak by the host in this rivalry, including the Spurs 77-75 road win on Nov. 14 as a six-point home pup. The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last seven trips to San Antonio.
Houston is riding ATS streaks of 6-2 as a road ‘dog, 5-0 on the road overall and 4-0 on the highway against teams with a winning home record. The Spurs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 after a straight-up loss, but otherwise they are on ATS slides of 1-4 overall, 0-4 as a favorite and 1-4 as a home chalk of less than five points.
It’s been all “unders” lately for the Rockets, including 6-2 overall, 5-0 on the road, 5-1 as a ‘dog, 4-0 against Southwest Division rivals and 21-6 against teams with a winning record. San Antonio is on “under” stretches of 4-0 overall, 18-5 against teams with winning marks, 6-2 as a favorite and 5-0 following a non-cover. In this rivalry, the under is 22-6 in the last 28 clashes and 13-3 in the last 16 battles in San Antonio.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Cajun Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Jersey Nets
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -6.5
Eastern Conference foes square-off on Sunday evening when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the host New Jersey Nets with tipoff set for 6:05PM Eastern Time. Even though the Cavs lead their division (Central) by 21.5 games they are still playing for the all-important home-court advantage. Their opponent tonight is also involved with a 21.5 game margin but the Nets are the ones behind in their division to Boston. Cleveland is coming off a game yesterday winning at home over Atlanta 102 to 96 but failing to cover as an 8 point favorite. The Cavs have been solid when playing the backend of a back-to-back going 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS their last nine. The Cavs are riding a seven-game winning streak but have struggled against the number of late going 5-9 ATS their last 14 overall. The Nets last played on Friday when they hosted the Miami Heat and won 96 to 88 as a 1.5 point home favorite. They are also on a winning streak albeit two games with the first a road win at the Knicks 115 to 89 as a 7.5 point road underdog. The win over the Heat will get the Cavs attention for this contest; they will not take this Nets team lightly. These two last met back on November 18th with the Cavs winning 106 to 82 over the Nets as a 5.5 point road favorite. The loss by the Nets is no real surprise as they are 5-15 ATS when playing against a top-level team with a win percentage > 70 percent and 15-30 ATS versus teams outscoring their opponents by 3+ points per game the last 2 seasons. New Jersey is 27-44 ATS after playing a home game and 12-23 ATS off a home win the last 2 seasons. The Cavs are 41-27 ATS in all games this season and 36-22 ATS as a favorite this season. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index signals a Cavs win by 9 points in today’s contest and our Math Model projects Cleveland will cover the spread by 4 points which with a current line of 6.5 means the Cavs will win by 10.5 points. Lay the chalk with the visitor as the Cavs continue their run at home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Graded Selection: 2* Cleveland Cavaliers 101 New Jersey Nets 90
Rocketman Sports
USC vs. Michigan State
Play: Michigan State -4
Southern Cal vs Michigan State 5:00 PM EST Play On: Michigan State -4 Southern Cal is 22-12 this year while Michigan State is 27-6 on the season. Southern Cal is 4-8 SU as an underdog this year while Michigan State is 22-4 SU as a favorite. Michigan State is 8-2 ATS since 1997 as a neutral court favorite of 3 1/2 to 6 points. The difference in this game is going to be how each team plays on the road. Southern Cal is only 6-10 SU on the road this year while Michigan State is an amazing 15-3 SU on the road this season. I feel like the Michigan State defense is better than Southern Cal's as they allow only 62.9 points per game. Spartans are 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. We'll recommend a small play on Michigan State today!
Craig Trapp
Siena vs. Louisville
Play: Siena +11.5
This game will be won and loss by Sienna's ability to handle the pressure of the Cardinals. Most teams do a fairly good job of not turning the ball over for most of the game but get worn down late and buckle with several key turnovers. Ask Morehead State how relentless the pressure can be in the 2nd half. Louisville has 4 guards that all play about equal time and each can cause havoc on defense. Lets look at the trends and records of these two teams:
Team records:
Siena: 27-7 SU, 16-16 ATS
Louisville: 29-5 SU, 21-13 ATS
Trends:
Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Cardinals are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games as a favorite.
Cardinals are 38-18-1 ATS in their last 57 games overall.
Cardinals are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
Looks like the trends and ATS records point to the Sienna Saints but going to take Sienna +11.5. Love the guards from Sienna and they do have experience in last years NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals will most likely pull away late and win by a few but Sienna has huge heart and will stick around late. Earl Clark and Terrance Williams will be too much late but making money in this match up you have to take the points. Don't be fooled by the television people all over Louisville's jock. Score LOU 78 - SIEN 72
James Patrick Sports
Cavaliers vs. Nets
Cleveland seems to have put it on cruise control after clinching their division and their past visits to the Meadowland have been uneventful with an ATS mark of 7-18. New Jersey is 4-0 ATS as a home underdog and 5-0-1 ATS at home of late.Our selection in Sunday NBA action is New Jersey Nets.
Marc Lawrence
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs play host to division rival Houston this afternoon at the Alamo Dome looking to rebound off an immediate home loss suffered against the Celtics on this floor Friday night. That sets up this play as we note San Antonio is 6-1 ATS at home in game off an immediate home loss. They are also 10-1-1 ATS in this series when the Rockets check in off a double digit victory in their last game. Look for the Spurs to get back on the win track here today.
Jimmy The Moose
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins
Prediction: New Jersey Devils
Two team's headed in different directions meet-up in Boston today. The Devils are 8-2 in their last 10 while the Bruins are 3-7. New Jersey is 17-5 in their last 22 games vs. a team with a winning record. In their lats 19 games vs. a team from the Eastern Conference they are 14-5. In their last 11 vs. a team from the Northeast Division the Devils are 10-1. Bruins are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team from the Atlantis Division. In theor last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % abover .600 the Bruins are 0-4. The Devils are 6-2 in their last 8 trips to Boston and in the last 8 meetings overall. Play on the New Jersey Devils +.
Mike Anthony
Wisconsin vs. Xavier
Play: Xavier -4
Wisconsin was lucky to come back by double digits against FSU on Friday. Now they face a Xavier team with a lot of “length” and simple athleticism at pretty much every spot on the floor. Xavier has MANY more options on the attack end than the one dimensional Seminoles. True, the Musketeers don’t have any single offensive threat the caliber of Douglas, who torched the Badgers for 26 of FSU’s 59 points. Xavier does, however, possess a well-balanced, multi-faceted attack that figures to be much tougher for Wisconsin to defend than the one-man Douglas show it just faced.Xavier also has the ability to dominate the glass (+8.4 rpg), and their plethora of tournament experience (they advanced to the Elite Eight last year), and we’ll gladly lay a few points as they get a DD WIN.
Bobby Maxwell
Houston at SAN ANTONIO -3'
The Spurs went to Houston and beat the Rockets eight days ago and they'll do the same thing today at home. Go ahead and lay the chalk with San Antonio as they win this one by 10.
The Spurs have won three of the last four meetings with Houston, including the 88-85 road win back on March 14, cashing as a 2 1/2-point underdog. They won at home back on Nov. 14, winning 77-75 as a six-point underdog and last March they destroyed the Rockets in San Antonio, 109-88 as a 6 1/2-point favorite.
You know the Spurs are still reeling a bit after Friday's 80-77 home loss to the celtics as 3 1/2-point favorites. They just didn't shoot the ball well. The defense was there but the offense let them down. Today, they'll get the shots falling and win this one.
The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in this series and we're loooking for the Spurs to get a big game from PG Tony Parker. Play San Antonio today.
3♦ SAN ANTONIO
Cleveland State +3 vs. Arizona, at Miami
We told you all about Oklahoma in this spot yesterday and delivered that FREE winner in the Big Dance and today we are giving you another with Cleveland State taking on Arizona.
The Cinderella of this tournament is clearly Cleveland State and they are going to the Sweet 16. Now, of course we're going to grab the points with them in this one, but you won't be surprised when the Vikings win this one outright.
Cleveland State crushed Wake Forest on Friday night 84-69 as a 7 1/2-point underdog and made it look easy. They got big points from Norris Cole (22), J'Nathan Bullock (21) and Cedric Jackson (19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds). This team is good, has experience and is going to give Arizona all kinds of fits today.
Arizona was given an invitation to this party when it really didn't deserve one, but the Wildcats went out on Friday and handled Utah with ease in their 84-71 win as 1 1/2-point underdogs. They got 29 points from PG Nic Wise and shot 30-of-55 from the field. But this team isn't that far removed from their 1-5 stretch to end the season. And the problem for them today is going to be the lack of time to prepare for the Vikings.
Cleveland State is on ATS streaks of 21-7 after a spread-cover, 25-10 after a straight-up win, 6-1 against non-conference teams and 5-0 as an underdog. We like the way this Vikings' team handles itself. Let's go ahead and play them in this one. Grab the points to play it safe, but don't be surprised when they win.
4♦ CLEVELAND STATE
Karl Garrett
Siena +11' vs. LOUISVILLE - at Dayton, OH
The Saints came up with a nice overtime upset win over Ohio State in round one, and while they are stepping up in class in this battle with number one seed Louisville, the G-Man is taking the points with Siena.
Siena's pre-conference schedule included Big Dance participants Cornell, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, and Kansas, with the Saints covering as the double-digit dog against Pitt, and KU.
Louisville is toting in an 11-game winning streak, but the Cards missed the cover against Morehead State in their tourny opener, and they have failed 2 of their last 3 as the double-digit chalk.
G-Man grabbing the points with the Saints on Sunday.
2♦ SIENA
Jeff Benton
For Sunday’s free play in Big Dance action, we’ll take Cleveland State plus the points over Arizona in the Midwest Regional.
This one comes down the simple fact that I was much more impressed with what Cleveland State did in its opening-round win over No. 4-seed Wake Forest than I was with what Arizona did in its blowout win over No. 5-seed Utah. For starters, the Demon Deacons were once ranked No. 1 in the nation this season and were a Top 25 team all year. Utah won the Mountain West (which has been a colossal Big Dance disaster in recent years) and wasn’t even ranked until the end of the season (when it barely got in at No. 25).
Also, while Arizona limped to the finish line (1-5 SU in its last six games before beating Utah) and had no business getting invited to this Tournament, Cleveland State has now won five straight games, with a Horizon League tournament championship victory over nationally ranked Butler preceding Friday’s 84-69 rout of Wake Forest.
What was particularly impressive about Cleveland State’s win on Friday was that, unlike Utah – which saw a double-digit lead dwindle to two points with less than four minutes to play – the Vikings kept Wake Forest at bay all night long and were never threatened. In fact, after outscoring the Deacons 39-30 in the first half, they outscored them 45-39 in the second half). They also did a number on Wake’s most talented play, Jeff Teague, holding him to just 10 points.
Cleveland State, which has cashed in five straight games as an underdog (including going 3-0 ATS against Butler) and six of seven in non-conference play, is the real deal. Yep, we can call off the search party for this year’s Cinderella, because we’ve found it in the Vikings, who are headed for the Sweet 16.
5♦ CLEVELAND STATE
Matt Rivers
For Sunday lay the small number with Michigan State.
I am the last one to back this Spartan team because I really do no think they are a great team as some people believe but this number is still way too cheap to not make a small play on them.
USC has been playing very well of late as they ran through the Pac-10 tournament upsetting UCLA and then coming back in great fashion to down Arizona State in the final. They then rallied for a second straight game in the second half to dispose of Boston College on Friday to get to this point. But let's be honest here Tim Floyd's squad probably was not even good enough to make the tournament if not for the Pac-10 tournament championship and after losing OJ Mayo after last season to the NBA the Trojans are not exactly a great team that can be considered a total juggernaut. Sure USC has talent and is playing at a high level but this is still a total value on the second seeded Spartans because today's dog is well overvalued.
Tom Izzo is a great coach and always has his guys rebound and defend. The boys from East Lansing are never really an offensive powerhouse but they have very quality pieces in Raymar Morgan, Kailan Lucas and Goran Suron among others. I am fine with going against Sparty when laying numbers that are too steep but to only lay a handful when you know they will play lockdown defense and many many more times than not advance to the Sweet 16 in this spot is a deal, if not a steal. MSU is the best team from the Big Ten which is saying something and to go up against what is still a middle of the road Pac-10 group and not lay more than this is just flat out wrong.
I congratulate USC for a great last few weeks but they are what they are and did not just all of a sudden find themselves. They are a good team at best that is about to get stifled by a very very good team. The second half spirited comeback will not happen today, no how no way!
68-56 Michigan State!
Jake Timlin
Today's Selection
Pittsburgh Panthers
It might be due to their sluggish opening round game, but Pittsburgh is better than today’s line suggest and it is going to show big time. I mean given that Oklahoma will have no answers for Blair in the paint and with Fields able to hold his own the Panther clearly will enjoy an edge in overall talent. Pittsburgh will also enjoy their rebounding prowless edge where they outright bound team by an average 10 boards per game. Mix that in with the slower style of play that Pittsburgh likes to play compared to the up tempo Cowboys and I really start to see a lop side game here today. Bottom line, I expect for Pittsburgh to be a bit more focused here today and with that I expect for the Panthers prove them self’s with a double digit win. All Pittsburgh minus the points!
EZWINNERS'S FREE SELECTION
Game: Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Missouri Tigers
(728) Missouri Tigers (-4)
Since losing Dominic James to a season ending foot injury Marquette is just 2-5 and barely pulled out a win in their opening round game against Utah State. Without James the Golden Eagles will not have an answer for Missouri's forty minutes of full court pressure with their eleven man rotation. Lay the points as the Tigers advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
2009 Free Selections Record 43-37 (53.8%)
================================================================
Free Selection from Totals4U
Sunday's free selection: Cleveland/New Jersey under 189
JIM FEIST
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS / TORONTO RAPTORS
Take OVER
The Clippers have gone 4 straight games over the total. The offense is getting healthy. In a loss at Detroit, rookie Eric Gordon scored 22 points and Baron Davis added 19 and eight assists for the Clippers. Chris Kaman had 13 points and Marcus Camby added 12 for the Clippers. Of course, they haven't played defense all season, which explains the high scoring games of late. Toronto doesn't play any defense, either, on a 9-2 run over the total. They just gave up 112 and 102 points in back to back games to the defensive-oriented Bobcats. Likely plenty of offense here. Play the Clippers/Raptors over the total.