Basketball Betting Odds and Preview Capsules: March 10
Atssportsline.com
We're now a week away from selection Sunday and these are the final college basketball games in the regular season. But there's also a ton of pro basketball betting opportunities with a big slate today. The high-major tournaments start next week so get ready and prepare for your brackets. If you need some assistance for March Madness, check out a proven winner in ATS Sportsline.
Get ready for some spectacular hoops!
Illinois Fighting Illini (21-10 SU, 12-16 ATS) at Ohio State Buckeyes (22-7 SU, 15-11-1 ATS)
Intangibles:
Illinois is looking to go .500 in the Big 10 and keep their chance alive of making the Big Dance.
Ohio State could tie Indiana for first in the Big 10 with a win and an Indiana loss.
Illinois' dominated the backboards the first time, outrebounding the Buckeyes by 11.
Keys to Success:
Illinois needs another big game from Brandon Paul, who scored 19 points in the first game in this matchup. Ohio State must crash the boards and avoid a letdown.
Last game: (1/5/13) Illinois (+3) over Ohio State, 74-55. Illinois is coming off a 63-55 road loss at Iowa by eight, getting 4.5 on Tuesday. Ohio State has won four straight including an impressive, 67-58 win at Indiana on Tuesday, getting 7.5 points. Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft is one of the top defensive guards in the nation and put up 15 points against Indiana. Georgetown is 9-3 ATS last 12 overall. College Basketball Odds: Ohio State is a 9.5 point favorite. Total: 132.5
Maryland Terrapins (20-10 SU, 10-12-1 ATS) at Virginia Cavaliers (20-10 SU, 17-9-1 ATS)
Intangibles:
Virginia needs this game even though they have a 10-7 record in the ACC since their RPI is low.
Maryland just needs to win to stay alive and finish .500 in the ACC.
Virginia has won 16 straight games at home.
Keys to Success:
Maryland needs to limit the turnovers and pound the boards against a smaller but more experienced Virginia team. The Cavs need to get Joe Harris going and not get into a track meet against a deeper Maryland team.
Last game: (2/10/13) Virginia (+2.5) over MARYLAND, 80-69. Maryland is one of the most up-and-down teams in the country. They fell to North Carolina, 79-68 at home on Wednesday, giving 1. Virginia lost the last two on the road to Florida State and Boston College. The Terps need to feed 7-foot-1 center Alex Len early and often. Maryland visits John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville to take on Virginia at 6pmET on Sunday. Maryland is 4-10-1 ATS last 15 road games. College Basketball Line: Virginia is a 8-point favorite. Total: 125.
Indiana Pacers (39-23 SU, 35-27 ATS, 26-35-1 O/U) at Miami Heat (46-14 SU, 31-29 ATS, 30-29-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
David West gives the Heat problems since he's a physical power forward. He had 30 points in the first game.
Indiana has no fear as they've beaten Miami twice this year and allowed a combined 166 points.
Miami has won 17 straight games and is 28-3 SU at home.
Keys to Success:
The Pacers need to make this a halfcourt game and feed the big man, Roy Hibbert (7-2, 270) against Chris Bosh (6-11, 230) and Udonis Haslemn (6-8, 240). Miami wants to make this more of a track meet.
Last game: (2/1/13) INDIANA (+2) over Miami, 102-89. Indiana has won three of the last four games including an easy 115-86 win over Orlando on Friday, laying 9 on the road. Miami has won 17 straight games and the last time they lost was on February 1 against the Pacers. Indiana has won all two meetings this season with the Heat. They are a difficult team to play for the Heat because they have a lot of size led by 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert and 6-foot-9 David West, who had 30 points in their last meeting. Miami is 0-5 ATS last 5 home games. Pro Hoops Odds: Miami is a 7.5-point favorite. Total: 195.0