Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on Rhode Island -1.5
Rhode Island has hit a wall to end the season, but they know they still have one last shot at making the NCAA Tournament by running the table in the A-10 conference tournament starting tonight. This is a very talented team that knows they are capable of winning the whole thing. Rhode Island just lost to Charlotte to end their regular season. Now it’s revenge time where Rhode Island is 34-15 ATS in road games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread since 1997. Charlotte is 5-13 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog over the last 2 seasons. Charlotte is 6-16 ATS in road games in all tournament games since 1997. Look for a revived Rhode Island team on the court tonight. Cash in with Rhode Island as the favorite.
Moneylockoftheday
Junior's Pick
West Virginia -7.5
Digger's Pick
Wyoming -6.5
Hawker's Pick
Ball St / E Michigan Under 120
Cleveland/ New Jersey Over 188
Drew Gordon
1. 400,000* Charlotte
2. 50,000* Duquesne
3. 50,000* Pittsburgh
4. 50,000* 76ers
1. Charlotte- Talk about two teams headed in opposite directions, as the Rams face-off with the 49ers for the second time in less than a week tonight in the First Round of the A-10 Tourney tonight.
We learned several things from their most recent meeting, a 74-64 Charlotte outright win at Rhode Island as a 6-point dog Saturday. First and foremost, the Rams have decided that playing defense isn't important, getting torched by Leemire Goldwire for 34 points in that contest. But what else is new? Rhode Island's defense has been terrible of late, allowing a mind-boggling 86 ppg on 46% shooting over their last 5 games (no surprise they're 1-4 SUATS over that span).
Herein lies the problem for Rhode Island, as the 49ers have shored up their offense, averaging 80 ppg over their last 3 games - all wins and covers! They're led by Goldwire, but Lamont Mack has been hot from outside, while forwards Coley and Wilderness have been solid defensively and on the boards. Point guard Dijuan Harris has a great assist:turnover ratio (95 to 36), and was critcal in the 49ers win over the Rams 4 days ago (9 points, 4 assists, 6 boards, ZERO turnovers).
Finally, while some critics are calling for a Rhode Island "revenge effort" tonight, I'm not convinced. Fact of the matter is the Rams are playing piss-poor ball right now, going 2-7 SUATS over their last 9 games. They had their chance at home against this Charlotte team and failed miserably... Now you want them to do it on a neutral court? Sorry Rhode Island-backers, you're 14-1 start was nice, but the Rams have gotten exposed over their last 9 games, and you best believe the 49ers put the finishing touches on the Rams collapse tonight!
Take Charlotte plus the points over Rhode Island as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Duquesne- From mid-to-late February this Explorers team was rolling, with impressive outright wins at St. Joseph's, against Dayton, at Duquesne, and at Fordham... Since then they've fallen apart, losing 3 in a row SUATS, including blowout losses at Massachusetts and against Temple. This is the classic example of a team that peaked too early, and now they pay the price.
Duquesne meanwhile, went through almost the opposite, struggling mightily from mid-February to early March, before getting their heads on straight in their season finale, crushing Saint Louis 85-58. What was most impressive about that game, was they did it with Shawn James being on the floor only 6 minutes, as he comes back from a shoulder injury. F Keiron Achara stepped up HUGE in his absence, dropping in 24 points (12-12 free throws) and 4 blocks... Look for more of the same tonight, against a good, but not great Explorers frontline.
Unlike the Explorers, the Dukes seem to have found their rhythm once again, dropping 85 points on a solid Saint Louis defense. They shot 56% from the floor and committed only 11 turnovers in that game, and remember James only played 6 minutes. The fact La Salle's defense has been non-existent over their last 5 games cannot be ignored, as they're allowing 85 ppg on 49% shooting over that span... And you saw what happened to the Billikens when they allowed similar numbers to the Dukes sin their season finale!
Finally, you remember the last time these two teams played, a 75-72 La Salle outright road win as an 11-point underdog. Well boys, payback is a bitch, and you'll see just how differently these two teams are playing this time around. The last time out, La Salle was on fire and Duquesne was on ice... This time around, the tables have turned, as the Dukes get their redemption and grab the cash in the process, overwhelming a struggling Explorers defense in this one.
Take Duquesne comfortably over La Salle in A-10 Tourney First Round action.
3. Pittsburgh- I can understand why bettors would side with Cincinnati in this contest, mainly because they've played the Panthers close in their last two meetings, but that would be a mistake tonight and here's why:
First and foremost, it took him some time for him to get back into "game shape," but Pitt PG Levance Fields is playing great basketball right now. His last 3 games have been rock-solid, averaging 13 ppg, 6 assists/game, and commiting only 6 turnovers over that span! He is the engine that keeps this Pitt offense on track, and it shows, as the Panthers are dropping in 80 ppg over their last 3 games alone!
Second, did you watch any Bearcats basketball over the last 3 weeks or so? If you did, then you saw this Cincy team collpase down the stretch, losing 5 in a row (1-4 ATS). They've struggled mightily just to score points, averaging 60 ppg on just 37% shooting over their last 5 games! Granted, it came against some solid competition, but the way Pitt's offense is playing right now, the Bearcats will be hard-pressed to keep this game even moderately competitive.
The last piece of the puzzle is the venue, Madison Square Garden, where the Panthers have had two of their better wins this season! They beat Duke 65-54 in OT as a 6-point dog, and also annihilated St. John's 81-57 as a 6-point favorite there less than a month later. In other words, while this is suppost to be a neutral court, make no mistake, the Panthers like playing on the big stage, and it'll show tonight.
Bottom line, look for Pittsburgh to take advantage of a struggling Cincinnati team in this one. They'll run their offense to perfection, with Fields distributing and Young and Blair owning their match ups. In the end, the Panthers create enough separation to both win and cover this contest at Madison Square Garden tonight, where they're already 2-0 SUATS this season... Make it 3-0 after this one!
Take Pittsburgh BIG over Cincinnati in this Big East First Round match up.
4. 76ers- Granted, the 76ers lost a tough one at home to the Celtics in their last match up, but let's not lose sight of the big picture, which is that Philly has been playing great basketball of late, winning 12 of their last 16 games. Look for them to keep this game within the number, as they regroup from a poor effort against Boston.
Look guys, there's no doubt the Pistons have owned this series, but in this case, they just might get caught napping in this one. Why? Because Detroit just clinched a playoff spot, and if they decide to exhale a bit, you know damn well this 76ers team will make them pay. Note, Philly is fighting to get into the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season, and that in and of itself is strong motivating factor.
Another critical factor to consider is that while the Pistons have been winning games, they haven't been covering, going 1-5 ATS over their last 6 games. That includes two home games against sub-par competition, against Seattle (100-97 as 15-point favorite) and against Chicago in their last one (116-109 as 9-point favorite).
Needless to say, the 76ers are playing MUCH better basketball than either one of the those teams, and is more than capable of covering in this spot.
Finally, let's talk about the 76ers road play, which has been a boon to bettors, going 4-1 ATS over their last 5 away. The only team they had trouble with was Golden State, but against more classical halfcourt teams (similar to Detroit), they've been money. That's thanks in large part to a red-hot Philly offense, averaging 109 ppg on 52% shooting over their last 5 games. Likely won't get that many against a great Pistons defense, but their balanced attack will keep it close.
Bottom line, this is a perfect example of the Pistons being overvalued at home, especially considering their last two at the Palace (Seattle, Chicago). 76ers should be extremely disappointed at their home effort against Boston in their last one, so expect them to come out firing tonight. In the end, Pistons may win, but the 76ers grab the cash!
Take the 76ers plus the points over the Pistons in this NBA match up.
Rocketman Sports
NCAAB
3* California -1 1/2
NBA
3* Utah -7 1/2
3* Golden State -9
Atslocks.com
10 Units Toledo -1 Vs Bowling Green
5 Units Miami -9 Over Buffalo
Kelso
Chairmans 10 units Houston -6 @ Atlanta
Best Bets
5 units Hornets -1.5 v. Spurs
4 units Denver -15.5 v. Memphis
3 units Cavs -4.5 @ Nets
Late Tourney
10 units Cal -2 v. Wash
4 units Port St -4.5 v. N Ariz
3 units Mt St. Marys +2 @ Sacred Heart
DeLaney
10* West Virginia
10* Wyoming
60* Pitt
10* Nuggets
Dennis Hill
CBB UTEP -10.5
Brandon Lovell
20* NCAAB Rhode Island -2
Sports Monitor
MATCHUP: New York Knicks (18-46) at Miami Heat (11-51)
THE LINE:The Knicks are -1.5 and the total is 194 points
TRENDS: The Heat have covered 22 of their 62 games this season. Miamihas covered just nine of their last 38 home games. New Yorkhas covered eight of thge last 10 versus Miami.
GAME SUMMARY: Losing star guard Dwyane Wade doesn't bode well for a MiamiHeat team that already has the league's worst record. Thereturn of the New York Knicks' top two scorers, meanwhile, didn't help them avoid a seventh straight loss.
PREDICTION: New York 104 Miami 98
Mike Jacobs
100* Pittsburgh
Michael Alexander
2 unit Cleveland -5
2 unit Houston -5
LAS VEGAS TECH REPORT (LVTR)
SEATTLE vs BOSTON OVER 202.5
GOLD SHEET LATE TELEPHONE SERVICE
NBA WEDNESDAY NIGHT
PHILADELPHIA (+ 7 ½) over Detroit– home 4:35
SAN ANTONIO (+1) over New Orleans –home 5:05
COLLEGE WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
MARQUETTE (-10 ½) over Seton Hall (Big East tourney at Madison Square Garden) 6:20
CHARLOTTE (+1 ½) over Rhode Island (A-10 tourney in Atlantic City) 5:50
SOUTHERN MISS (-14 ½) over Rice (C-USA tourney in Memphis, Tenn) 6:30
CALIFORNIA (-2) over Washington (Pac 10 tourney in Anaheim, Ca) 6:00
THURSDAY MORNING:
VILLANOVA (+7) over Georgetown (Big East quarterfinals at MSG) 9:00 AM
XAVIER (- 9 ½) over Dayton (A-10 quarterfinals in Atlantic City) 9:00 AM
LSU (pick) over South Carolina (SEC tourney in Atlanta, Ga.) 10:00 AM
MIAMI-FLORIDA (- 5 ½) over North Carolina State (ACC tourney) 11:20 AM
WILL SYKES
SEATTLE vs BOSTON
SYKE-O-ANALYSIS: Lets make this short and sweet. A team that scores less that 100 ppg is expected to go over a total, when their opposing team only allows 90 ppg on 41% shooting? The Sonics aren't even a good shooting team, only shooting 44%. Seattle does allow alot of points, but there's now way the Celtics will allow 90 points or more than 95 points on the own floor. Boston is 5-1 UNDER in the last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. And the Sonics are 19-7 UNDER in last 26 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. As you can see the Celts pretty much clamp it down after their opponent scores 100 or more points their previous game, as the Sonics just slump it after scoring 100 or more their previous game. Tonight just stick with Sykes as the lines makers are psyching you out into taking the OVER. Stick with Sykes and you won't be psyched.
SEATTLE/BOSTON UNDER 202
Chan
5* Rhode Island/Charlotte o149.5
SportsKingz
CLEVELAND -4 (10 UNITS)
Gordon Webb Sports
CAL Irvine -10
FERRINGO LATE PLAYS
5-Unit Play.Take Rhode Island (-1.5) over Charlotte
I just think Rhode Island is better than they have played. They have been awful recently – both SU and ATS – but I am banking on a tournaround. They played too well for the first half of the season to just roll over and die in the first round of the A-10 Tournament. Charlotte is tough, but they are young. We’ll back senior Will Daniels and look for a strong performance out of Jimmy Baron today as Rhode Island is able to hold off the young 49ers.
3-Unit Play. Take Cal Poly SLO (-3.5) over Cal-Riverside
These two teams split the season series, but Riverside’s win came at home against a Poly team that lost its two top scorers that morning. Poly has won seven of eight in this series (although most of the time they’ve played a s a dog) and is 13-3-1 ATS as a favorite. They are also 8-0-1 ATS after a blowout loss of 20 or more points. So while this game should be about as ugly as they come I like Poly to win the season series and cover in the process.
3-Unit Play. Take Sacred Heart (-2) over Mount St. Mary’s
Home court advantage. We’ve already seen it play out several times over the past few days that the team playing on its home floor has a tremendous advantage when it comes to closing out a conference tournament. Well, Sacred Heart should prepare for a court-storming. This team has all kinds of size, including three players at 6-7 or above, and they have experience in the backcourt. SHS swept the season series and had the talent to play Providence and Boston College to a five-point game. They get the nod and take the NEC.
3.5-Unit Play. Take California (-2) over Washington
Washington’s Jon Brockman suffered a severely sprained ankle against Washington State over the weekend and is doubtful to play in this one. I know he’s a horse and he may suit up anyway, but if Brockman is limited that puts a gaping hole in the heart of the Huskies. Cal is a shaky club. You would think they would have a lot of confidence after two tough losses to their main rivals. But they could just as easily come out flat against an inferior opponent. I’m betting the former. And if UW is playing without its rock in the center then Cal can win this one big – as long as the Bears defend the perimeter.
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take Seton Hall (+15.5) over Marquette and Take UTEP (-5.5) over SMU
Seton Hall (along with Providence) are my two potential upset picks for today in the Big East Tournament. Seton Hall matches up with Marquette well - neither has much post presence and they are both guard-oriented - and the Pirates played the Golden Eagles tough at Marquette earlier in the season. UTEP should smash SMU today. They have a much more talented backcourt and don't have to worry about beating the Stangs for a third time thanks to a fluky loss at SMU. The Mustangs have been non-competitive on the road this season in conference play and I think UTEP (along with Southern Miss) is set up for a blowout win today to cement their place as tournament sleeper.