Scott Rickenbach
Top Play - UCLA
Reg Play - LSU, MS St, Mary
ASA
5* Wash
3* Memph U
3* BYU
The Rainman
DOUBLE PLAY ON
Washington -6 over Mississippi St.
REGULAR PLAY ON
Texas A&M +3 over BYU
Butler +2 over LSU
Drew Gordon
200,000♦ UCLA
50,000♦ Minnesota
50,000♦ Illinois
IndianCowboy
4 Unit Play. Take the Atlanta Hawks -6 over the Dallas Mavericks
I just wrote a detailed blog article about the Hawks and how they have been playing even better without him in the lineup as Maurice Evans has stepped up nicely. The Hawks have covered 6 contests in a row:
defeated Sacramento 119-97 – covering the -12 spread (W)
defeated Portland 98-80 – covering the -4 spread (W)
defeated Indiana 101-87 – covering the -6 spread (W)
defeated Utah 100-93 – covering the -1.5 spread (W)
defeated New Orleans 89-79 – covering the +1.5 spread (W)
defeated Detroit 87-83 – covering the -2.5 spread.
The Hawks have also done well of late in fourth quarters:
4th Quarter against the Kings: 27-11, 4th Quarter against the Blazers: 26-19, 4th Quarter against the Pacers: 26-23, 4th Quarter against the Jazz: 27-18, 4th Quarter against the Hornets: 22-19, and 4th Quarter against the Pistons: 24-23.
In short, the Hawks are playing very well at home, they look to win their 7th straight, they lost to the Mavs earlier this year by a bucket, the Mavs are still a bit dinged up and have been shaky on the road of late losing the Lakers understandable), GS, New Orleans and OKC. I can see the Hawks getting their revenge and playing well today as they will look forward to this game. Again, no Josh Howard as he is out indefinitely and I like how the Mavs come off a win against Detroit although they nearly coughed it up in a big way. Look for the Hawks bench to step up today as this team has become deeper with the absence of Williams. The Hawks are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 home games and 7-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning SU record meaning they show up well against the better teams in the league.
4 Unit Play. Take Minnesota +4.5 over Texas
If you wait, you might be able to get a better line closer to tip-off as the public is all over the jockstrap of Texas in this contest. I'm glad we cashed with Oregon State last night outright over Houston. That comes off the heels of Oakland over Kent the other night for a 2-0 start to the week in college ball. For today, let's kick off the NCAA Round 1 with a winner on the hardwood with another potential outright winner in Minnesota. The line sits at +4 and has not budged. This is despite the fact that in a public consensus this morning that over 71% are riding Texas here. I have written extensively that I am not the greatest fan of Texas this year. I really enjoy watching Barnes's coach and I think this year he has done wonders. He has done a lot with a crop of players that are not his most talented bunch. In fact, I think A.J. Abrahms is a bit overrated. I believe people are really forgetting all that Minnesota has accomplished this year. Remember, Minnesota went toe to toe with Michigan State in the conference championship. Minnesota is extremely well coached and Tubby knows how to spot weaknesses in his opponents. And Texas has a ton of weaknesses. Remember, Texas was very vulnerable all year long on the road. This team lost to Nebraska, A&M, Kansas State at home, Oklahoma State on the road and Arkansas on the road. This Texas team I think underestimated Baylor who defeated them. Now, Texas did beat Villanova, but the Villanova early in the year to the Villanova now is different imo. Tubby Smith is a solid big game coach. I personally think this game is a tossup. I like the team shooting the 71% in free throws and who plays sound defense. In a total of 126.5, the 4.5 points is nice (it might be 5 for you). Plus, this is a nice public fade here and I think Minnesota will take out A.J. quickly and will require another player to step up. Plus, when Minnesota gets a lead, they sit on it like a beast and will slow this game down to a snail's pace which should make Texas feel uncomfortable and frustrated. Congrats Tubby, you have done it once again proving that you can coach anywhere and even recruit in a non-basketball state like Minnesota. I hope the Kentucky Athletic Department feel like fools - because they are. Minnesota is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games while the Longhorns are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 NCAA Tourney games as a small chalk favorite under 6.5 points.
CHARLIE
500* Butler vs LUS over 127' & Texas A & M vs BYU over 139 2 Team Parlay
30* Cal St Northridge +20
20* North Carolina va Radford over 162'
20* North Carolina -25
10* UConn -20'
Texas A&M +2 free play
NSA
20* BYU -2.5
20* California -1.5
20* No Iowa +8.5
10* LSU -1.5
10* Washington -6
Opinions
North Carolina -25
Connecticut -20.5
Memphis -19.5
Jim Hurley
Inner Circle
2* Northern iowa +8.5
2* LSU -2
2* BYU -2.5
Helmut
BYU Under 139.5
These teams both met last season in the opening round of the NCAA tournament and it was a hard fought game played down to the wire. The game played to a total of 118 total possessions and only went over the total by one point where both teams shot the ball well from the field. We saw the Aggies play slower pace games early in the season against up-tempo opponents in LSU, Arizona and Alabama which all ended up being lower scoring games. I think it is in the best interest for the Aggies to keep the pace slower as they did last season because they are not the most fluid offensive team and is sometimes are plagued by turnovers and shooting funks. The Cougars were the top defensive team in the Mountain West Conference and rank #22 in the nation in defensive efficiency.
Jason Johnson
VCU vs. UCLA
Pick: VCU +7.5
There are an awful lot of people calling an outright VCU upset here and while its difficult for me to go that far, I do believe the Rams will give UCLA all they can handle. Guard Eric Maynor is a veteran who provides the leadership both on and off the court. He's averaging 22.4 ppg. along with 6.2 apg.Because the Bruins shoot well enough to offset the strength of VCU's defense, this should be a close game down to the wire. Regardless of who wins, take the points for our purpose and cover the number.
Executive
250% Lsu -1.5
250% California -1.5
KBHoops
3* Memphis UNDER 131.5
3* Butler +1.5
3* California -1.5
3* Washington -6
3* BYU/Tex A@M UNDER 139.5
2* Texas -4.5
Rocketman
VILLANOVA
Opposite Action Plays
WASHINGTON
Lenny Del Genio
GONZAGA