Drew Gordon
1. 300,000* Creighton
2. 50,000* Pistons
3. 50,000* Oklahoma State
1. Creighton- Love this match up for the Blue Jays, as when motivated, they've been downright nasty at home - Crushing Missouri State by 21, routing Southern Illinois by 19, and blowing out Northern Iowa by 24 - You get the idea! Their last home game was a crazy 111-110 OT win over a very motivated Bradley team, but let's make one thing clear, Rhode Island is no Bradley. But let's dig a little deeper...
Rhode Island was terrible down the stretch, losing 6 of their last 7 games SU & 8 of their last 9 ATS! They not only saw their offense take a dip (from 80 ppg to 75 ppg), but their defense completely collapsed time and again, allowing nearly 82 ppg on 47% shooting (incl. 47% from 3-point which is ridiculous) over their last 5 games!
Herein lies the problem for the Rams, because Creighton can not only light up the scoreboard at home (78 ppg on 47% shooting, 40% from 3-point), but their defense can shut you down, allowing 65 ppg on 41% shooting in Omaha this season. Rams have benefited from playing some pretty average defensive teams of late (Charlotte ranked 143rd, La Salle ranked 317th), but tonight they get a highly motivated Blue Jays squad looking to make some noise in the NIT. The fact Creighton went 15-2 SU & 8-5 ATS at home this season also helps!
Biggest edge for Creighton lies with their outstanding depth, featuring a rotation that runs 10-deep, including guards Woodfox (14 ppg L9 games) and Witter (42 against Bradley March 1st). The Rams can only dream of that kind of depth, as F Daniels and G Bitee are pretty consistent, but G Baron and F Seawright are maddeningly inconsistent. Look for the Rams to stick around early, but eventually the Blue Jays superior depth wins out.
Bottom line, coming off a tough loss to Drake, this is the perfect spot to jump all over what will be a highly-motivated Blue Jays team in this one. We've seen what Creighton can do at home when they're properly motivated, and we've also seen that the sputtering Rams play little to no defense... That's a recipe for a solid home win and cover if I've ever seen one! Creighton rolls!
Take Creighton over Rhode Island as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Pistons- You know damn well the Nuggets got the Pistons attention with their 168-point effort against Seattle Sunday, and if there's any team in the Eastern Conference that can throw a wet blanket over this red-hot Denver offense, its Detroit at the Palace, plain and simple.
To say the Pistons are solid at home is an understatment, going 26-6 SU & 19-13 ATS at the Palace this season. Their defense is one of the most suffocating in the NBA, allowing just 87 ppg on 42% shooting at home on the year! Just ask San Antonio or New Orleans how good this Pistons defense is ? Both Western Conference powers fell to Detroit over their last two games, with neither getting more than 84 points!
Granted, we expect the Nuggets to score more than that, but if history is any judge, Denver is in big trouble, having gone just 4-11 ATS over their last 11 meeting with the Pistons! Nuggets simply do not match up well with Detroit, as Iverson and Anothony will get theirs, but the rest of the roster will struggle against this defense. Martin and Camby have been rendered useless in the past by the defense of Wallace, Prince and McDyess.
Bottom line, had the Nuggets not blown away the Sonics the other night, this might have been a closer contest, but you damn well there's no way Billups and company are going to allow themselves to get embarassed like the Sonics did, especially at the Palace.
Take the Pistons over the Nuggets in this NBA match up.
3. Oklahoma State- Momentum is such a huge factor in college basketball, that there's only one way to go in this contest, and that's with Okie State. Granted, I know 3 losses in their last 4 games looks bad, but in reality, this team has grown leaps and bounds since winning at Texas A&M Febaruary 16th, and getting that road monkey off their collective backs.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Cowboys won 6 of their last 9 games SU, going 7-1-1 ATS over that span. Not only that, but they ended their 19-game road losing streak in the process. Even more so, they started to gel as a team, as young guns like freshman F James Anderson learned to play with veterans like PG Byron Eaton and F Marcus Dove. Overall this is a much better basketball team than we saw early on, and they get very favorable match up in this one.
Of course, winning at Carbondale isn't easy, but in this particular match up, the Salukis may be in trouble. First off, this Southern Illinois offense is average at best, scoring just 62 ppg on the season. But what really causes problems are the match ups, with the Cowboys frontline of Anderson and Dove tailor-made to guard Salukis forwards Falker and Shaw. Not only that, but the Cowboys have superior depth in the frontline, ensuring plenty of fresh bodies to wear on the Salukis two best scoring threats.
Finally, while I'm not saying the Cowboys win outright, I am saying they keep this game close enough to cover. Salukis defense is great, but their offense doesn't have the firepower necessary to pull away in this contest. Falker and Shaw will have trouble in this match up with the Cowboys forwards, and that in and of itself is the key to beating the Salukis. In the end, Cowboys are playing great ball right now, and it pays off tonight!
Take Oklahoma State plus the points over Southern Illinois in this NIT match up.
Frank Rosenthal
NBA Hoops
Bucks-9
Over 201
Bulls-5
Under 201
Celtics+5
Lakers Under 210.5
Kings Under 230.5
Blazers+4
Under 211
College Hoops
Umass-8.5
Ohio St-13.5
Akron+7.5
Ok St+5.5
Maryland+2.5
Arizona St-17
North Coast
4* PHX
4* FSU
Wunderdog CBB Plays
Game: Rider at Old Dominion
Pick: 2 units on Rider +225 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 4.5)
This game kicks off the College Basketball Invitational - a new single elimination tournament to be held on the home courts of the higher seeds. This is Rider's first tournament game since the NIT in 1998. They lost to Siena in the MAAC Tournament but they are no slouches. They had a excellent season, tying for the best record in the MAAC. They bring a 23-10 record into this one (12-8 on the road) and have the MAAC Player of the Year in Jason Thompson. ODU is just 17-15 overall in contrast. They have just one double-digit scorer on the team and no one that can compaer to Thompson. We think this is anyone's game and as such we'll take the dog for the nice moneyline payout.
Game: N C Asheville at Ohio State
Pick: 3 units on N C Asheville +14 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
At 7'7" Kenny George gets all the attention on this Asheville team, but this team has some players. He is however a difference maker. NC Ashville lost only to Eastern Tennessee State, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Winthrop with him playing. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against NC, and 7-13 and four against Tenn., as well as 16-13 and three vs. SC, a game they won. They played at two of the top teams in the country in Tennessee and North Carolina and held their own, dropping both by less than this pointspread. Ohio State got off quickly at 12-3, but really slid and finished just 7-10. Disappointed on being a bubble team that was left out in the cold means getting up for UNC Ashville might be quite a chore, so we will ride the dog here.
Game: Coppin State vs. Mount St. Mary's
Pick: 4 units on Coppin State +7 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)
Mount St. Mary's surprised everyone with three easy wins to earn the right to open the NCAA Tournament against Coppin State. They were 1-4 against these teams in the regular season. All three teams they beat shot as poorly as they have all season, and much worse than the Mountaineer's allowed all season. Good defense? Bad offense? Probably a combination of the two. Coppin State opened the season 2-19 against D-1A teams and was arguably was the worst team in the country. The only blemish since then was to regular-season conference champion Morgan State by four points on the road. They finished the season superb at 12-1, and it was the biggest turnaround in NCAA history! They still have a losing record, but consider the fact that Oakland and Michigan entered the play-in game at 12-18 in 2005 and won. Florida A&M at 14-16 won the play-in game in 2004. NC Ashville at 14-16 won the play-in game in 2003. Siena at 16-18 won the play-in game in 2002. The record may say 20 losses, but this is a confident, completely different team that has lost just once, and by less points than this in their last 13. We would not be shocked if they win here, so we will grab the points.
Game: Houston at Nevada
Pick: 2 units on Houston +180 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 3.6)
Houston has beaten Nevada six of the seven times they have met. We like their chances at the upset win here to make it seven of eight. Houston has the offense to keep with the Wolfpack and should be in this game till the end. The Cougars are 12-3 the past three seasons vs. teams like Nevada that don't pressure much (those that force under 15 turnovers per game). Over the past two seasons they are 17-6 following an ATS loss. Under Tom Penders, this team is 15-5 off a loss to a conference rival. They are also 8-1 after allowing 75+ points in two straight games under Penders. Finally, Penders is 11-1 SU in games coached followinga loss by 3 or fewer points. We'll back Houston for the upset win.
Game: Akron at Florida State
Pick: 3 units on Akron +7.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Zips had NCAA Tourney aspirations, but fell to Kent State in the Conference Final. Kent State was simply the better team, besting the Zips three straight times on the season. The Zips can score and hit FTs. When playing on other teams' courts this season they were a strong 7-4 ATS. Florida State lost four of their last eight on their home floor which is more losses than they sustained at home since '04-'05 when they went home early. Truth be told, this is a lousy State team. They lost both Swann and Breeden, which took away some scoring and depth that helped lead to a 7-10 finish on the season. The Zips are plenty capable of winning here and should hang close inside the number.
Game: Rhode Island at Creighton
Pick: 2 units on Rhode Island +250 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 5)
Rhode Island is a 21-win team that cracked the Top 25 this season. They finished poorly but well enough to land a bid to the NIT. They get a Creighton team that have a 1-4 mark in home NIT games. The Rams can score with the best of them, averaging 80.8 ppg on 47% shooting. If they are on, there is no reason they can't win this game. They are 9-1 this season in non-conference games and 6-2 in tournament games the past two seasons. Rhode Island for the upset win.
Sports Monitor
MATCHUP: L.A. Lakers Lakers (45-21) at Dallas Mavericks (44-23)
THE LINE:
The Mavericks are -5.5 and the total is 205.5 points
TRENDS: The Lakers have covered 12 of their last 16 road games.Dallas has covered their last five games.
GAME SUMMARY: The Mavericks will look to end a six-game slide againstteams in the West playoff picture on Tuesday when theyhost the Los Angeles Lakers, who've lost two straight and will likely be without injured center Pau Gasol.
SPORTS MONITOR PREDICTION: Dallas 108 Lakers 98
Special K
Stephen Austin
NC Ashville
Rocco Vincintore Guaranteed Selections
1000* CBI FIRST ROUND GAME OF THE YEAR
Nevada -4
JEFFERSONSPORTS
NCAA HOOPS
S. ILL-5
MINNESOTA-2.5
NHL
LA+160
NBA
HOUSTON-4.5
Any Indiancowboy? Thanks.
SCOTT SPRIETZER
direct line...................nc ash
direct line......................uri over 50
direct line................brown
ko......................steph austin
tko...................nevada
3*........................okla st
ko.........................pistons
tko........................mavs
tko.........................rockets
5*.......................nets
DAVE COKIN
fat man play...............old dom
window.................mt st mary
under the hat.............brown
3*........................okla st
3*...................nets
JIM FIEST
steam.......................nc ash
steam.....................rmorris
steam..............................fla st
steam....................................richmnd
personal best............................richmnd(realeasing it twice)
platinum....................uri
inner circle...................okla st
5*..........................akron
5*.........................mt st marys
4*..........................brown
personal elite.....................pistons
total................................heat over 97.5
total...............................suns over 09
personal best......................nets
inner circle........................bucks
5*........................gold st
4*........................suns
Any Indiancowboy? Thanks.
NOPE SORRY
Iceman NHL GOW
Nashville
Any Indiancowboy? Thanks.
NOPE SORRY
No problem, thanks anyways.
INDIAN COWBOY
Stephen Austin +9.5 (POD)
Magic POD winner yesterday.
Stephen Austin is the highest ranked team out of the 3 dogs that I have chosen today and they are getting a relatively nice cushion at +9.5 so that is why I have chosen them as my POD today as compared to the Siders of Richmond who I think hang tough at Virginia and Rider who might have a shot at winning that game outright and simply because I got the +6 line, I went ahead and rolled with them. As per this game, Stephen Austin is a tpo 80 school, they lost essentially 5 ballgames in total this year, and that was to Texas Arlington and Northwestern State - the 2 teams that made it to their conference championship. This team lost to Sam Houston by a bucket on the road who is a top 125 team, lost to Nichols State by a bucket as well and Texas Tech earlier in the year by 14. However, they did win over 20 games, ran through the conferece except for those 2 late losses and beat Oklahoma and San Diego on the road which says a lot. Umass is a good team, but I want to highlight 3 ballgames that they faced against 3 top 80 teams, Rhode Island, Charlotte and Houston where they won by 7, 2 and 6. If I am not mistaken all 3 of those games went over. Look for Stephen Austin to play inspired ball today and fall within inside the spread as this is a very good squad similar to those 3 teams that Umass barely beat under double-digits. No one is giving Stephen Austin a chance today but remember, Umass is 0-7 ATS against teams that have a winning % of greater than 60% or more similar to today.
Richmond +11.5
My time is limited as I have to begin the research for tomorrow, such is the case during March Madness as I spend more time doing the research then doing the detailed write-ups for all the games, although I do it for most of the game. Long story short here, Richomnd is a sound team and they did lose 2 ballgames in the Atlantic 10 badly and that was to St. Josephs - a team they just do not matchup well. This team went on the road to beat the likes of Charlotte and other competent A-10 teams and they can be very competitive at home and although Virginia comes off a tough loss to Georgia Tech in neutral footing, Richmond does have some bite as they beat a top 40 Virginia Tech team at home in a defensive battle. Don't sell the Atlantic 10 short here as the Spiders are 7-1 ATS following a straight up loss and 8-2 ATS when facing a team with a winning % of greater than 60% meaning they show up to play the better teams in the nation.
Rider +6
I can give you a detailed write-up on this game, but long story short, I think RIder wins this game. possibly outright. I like the +6 here as anything below that I probably would not have taken this team, but this team does play an ODU team that is very fickle. You notice that the majority of the public is on ODU today - yet you see an odd line of +6? That is because, similar to the Hawks line yesterday which I believe was around 6, as most lines of +5.5 and +6 for road rodgs, signifies that the road dog has a chance to win outright or at least vegas expects them too - similar to this game. Rider is a top 120 team and they were drilled by Siena on the road, but don't forget, this team too won over 20 ballgames this year, they beat CS Northridge, Marist and Rutgers on the road. I know many people think ODU is wonderful, but I have them ranked in the top 140, about 30 spots lower than Rider from the Metro Atlantic league in my power rankings. ODU lost to William and Mary and NC Wilmington - 2 teams outside the top 150 power rankings. This team also beat top 240 Drexel at home by just 4 points and I think Rider gives them a headache throughout this game if not wins outright as this is a play based purely on the power rankings. ODU is 1-7 ATS in non-conference games.
Teddy June’s College Basketball NIT Game of the Day
My 10* College Basketball NIT Game of the Day is the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks plus the points over the UMASS Minutemen. Lumberjacks are 26-5 SU and the Minutemen are 21-10 SU on the season. Interesting opening round matchup we have two teams that bring completely contrasting styles of play with the Lumberjacks strong on the defensive side and the Minutemen strong on the offensive side. Lumberjacks are really going to frustrate UMASS here in my opinion by slowing the tempo down and playing lock down defense particularly around the perimeter. UMASS has not played a lick of defense all season long so I do like the value we are getting in this line. Lumberjacks come out of the Southland conference and rank 2nd in the nation in points allowed at 55.6ppg, 15th in FG% at 39.2 and 26th in 3PT% at 31.4. They also have the Southland Conference player of the year with Josh Alexander who is averaging 16.5ppg and 5.8rpg. After him they have a strong forward in Matt Kingsley who was simply on fire down the stretch of the year and finished the season scoring 15.3ppg and 5.6rpg. Lumberjacks have shown they can win on the road and certainly compete with big conference schools with wins over Oklahoma and San Diego. Meanwhile UMASS made a nice late season run only to lose a heartbreaker against Charlotte in the Conference Tournament and I expect this team to not be entirely motivated for this game. Minutemen have played in the offense happy A10 and I think this contrasting style gives them fits tonight. I currently have this line at +9.5 and have this rated at 10* down to +8. My 10* College Basketball NIT Game of the Day is the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks plus the points. As always, Good Luck, Let’s make some money.
Teddy June’s Private Players Club
My 10* Private Players Club Selection is the Akron Zips plus the points over the Florida State Seminoles. I currently have this line at +8 and have this rated at 10* down to +7. As always, Good Luck, Let’s make some money.