We are back for another MONSTER card; if you want to get these lines before they move subscribe to my Substack!
It is free till June 1st, and if you sign-up now never pay a dime!
coochievsbookie.substack.com
Now onto the good stuff;
In a clash of Europe’s less acclaimed footballing nations Whales, on the back of 5 games without a defeat, will take on Austria in hopes of continuing their qualification campaign for the World Cup in Qatar being held later this year. When exactly the winner will play their next match is anyone’s guess, with the ongoing strife happening in Ukraine.
Regardless of the geopolitics, both sides find themselves a pair of positive results away from the World Cup; which should see both teams fielding their nation’s best in an effort to secure a position in the world’s most prestigious footballing event. For Wales fans this means the return of Gareth Bale, the savior son will likely return to the fold in some manner and provide this Wales team — who haven’t lost in their last 5, with a much-needed offensive edge.
Buoyed by Bale’s return, and riding high on a good run of form, back the Dragons to win and advance against their counterparts in Austria.
Over 2 Goals (+104)
From one side of the pond to the other, and on the route we’ll ditch football in favor of soccer. What a world it is to be a Canadian soccer fan, who after years of failure, many times of the most embarrassing variety, now sits atop of CONCACAF world cup qualifying. Such is what happens when you go a year plus without tasting defeat as this Canuck side has; and under the stewardship of manager John Herdman, I see no reason for the spectacular run of form to end now.
Canada has five consecutive victories in these qualifiers and is by far the best-performing team, while Costa Rica did secure three consecutive clean sheets over the last 4, including a crucial 1-0 victory in Jamaica last window, they only scored two goals. Which up against the Canadian side who has scored more than 2 goals 6/8 games simply won’t be enough.
Canada’s going to Qatar ladies and gentlemen, and if Alphonso Davies can get to good health, they’ll be an incredibly tough game for just about any nation.
Despite a significant talent edge, Duke will find offense hard to come by against an elite Texas Tech defense that now ranks first in Adjusted Efficiency, per KenPom. The Red Raiders just aren’t going to give the opposition easy lay-ups or looks at the rim with their no-middle defense that forces teams to win from the outside.
Which the Blue Devils can certainly do; ranking inside the top 30 in 3PT%, but the reason I’m backing the Red Raiders team to handle the Blue Devils is their transition defense.
The Raiders are excellent in transition defensively, ranking in the 97%, which is crucial against Coach K’s bunch of 1 and done’s — who struggle dearly in games in which they’re forced to execute in the half-court. Duke is 30-6 on the season, but of those 6 losses 4 of them saw Duke score less than 10 points in transition.
Mark Adams’ RED RAIIIIIIDERS continue to put the clamps on their dancing partners, forcing the Blue Devils into tough shots all night, and ultimately frustrating this young Duke team into submission; sending Coach K PACKING in his last hoorah.
Musselman has done it again; throwing together a team as the season has gone on, starting 9 different players, with a bevy of transfers and international players, all the dancing while the SEC’s big dogs (Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee) are all watching.
This is a top 50 scoring offense in the nation at 76.2 points per game despite Arkansas struggling to shoot the ball at 50.3% from two and 30.5% from three because of the pace at which this team plays — which can only be described as breakneck.
Which will not discomfort Gonzaga; who themselves can score in bunches and will look to do so quickly —- and lead by Drew Timme and Chet Holgrem expect the Zags offense to eventually find their groove offensively. But as has been the case oftentimes for the Bulldogs this season; look for Gonzaga to start slow — especially defensively. Over the last 10 games; the opposition’s first half TT has been over 7 times, and the Zags are 3-6 ATS at half in those 10 games as well.
Simply put playing in an inferior conference has meant the experienced and talented Gonzaga team has created a switch, and they seem shy to turn it on right from the tip — so bad the Razorbacks to cover the 5 points in the first half.
In a matchup of teams who are very much accustomed to the bright lights, the 11th seeded Wolverines face off against Jay Wright’s Wildcats. Wright is in search of his 3rd Championship at the helm of Villanova and hopes that the familiar foe of Michigan Wolverines will manifest the same result.
And while Michigan succeed last weekend, it was not on the back of their outside shotmaking, as Hunter Dickinson feasted in both matchups against Tennessee/Co. State interior defense that lacked the size to handle the skilled big man. Today will be no different, as Dickinson will feast on the undersized Wildcats frontcourt —- who are unlikely to send the double team. Wright is more than content to let one post scorer outpace his wildly efficient offense.
Ranked 8th in KenPom, scoring 73.5 points per game, and shooting a blistering 44% from the floor, the depth and skill of Villanova’s side may not match the NBA talent of the past year, but still does provide incredible efficiency and consistency.
With both teams struggling to get stops I’m going heavy on the over.
The Cougar’s #1 defense (KenPom) takes on the Wildcats of Arizona in a matchup that has a trip to the Elite Eight hanging in the balance; and while many are backing the Cougars to get it done against the #1 seeded Wildcats, I’m partial to taking the under.
Because while Houston might be otherworldly on the defensive end, citing defense as a massive advantage for the Cougars in this game is disrespectful to an Arizona team that is 18th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency this season (all efficiency stats from KenPom.com). Tommy Lloyd’s team is capable of digging in and getting big stops, but can Houston hang with Arizona on offense?
My hunch is both teams’ offenses will struggle when facing the opposition’s defense; both of whom do a great job limiting transition buckets and taking away easy looks. Furthermore, it’s important to remember the pressure these are just kids still; and I’m expecting some nerves offensively to start the game.
It is free till June 1st, and if you sign-up now never pay a dime!
Coochie vs The Bookie | DaCoochieCoo | Substack
Daily Plays and Betting Tips from the Danny Ocean of Sports Handicapping. Click to read Coochie vs The Bookie, by DaCoochieCoo, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
coochievsbookie.substack.com
Now onto the good stuff;
Wales vs Austria
Kick-Off: 3:45 PM EST
Play — Wales ML160In a clash of Europe’s less acclaimed footballing nations Whales, on the back of 5 games without a defeat, will take on Austria in hopes of continuing their qualification campaign for the World Cup in Qatar being held later this year. When exactly the winner will play their next match is anyone’s guess, with the ongoing strife happening in Ukraine.
Regardless of the geopolitics, both sides find themselves a pair of positive results away from the World Cup; which should see both teams fielding their nation’s best in an effort to secure a position in the world’s most prestigious footballing event. For Wales fans this means the return of Gareth Bale, the savior son will likely return to the fold in some manner and provide this Wales team — who haven’t lost in their last 5, with a much-needed offensive edge.
Buoyed by Bale’s return, and riding high on a good run of form, back the Dragons to win and advance against their counterparts in Austria.
Canada vs Costa Rica
Kick-Off: 10:05 PM EST
Play —- Canada ML (+120) (HAMMER TIME)Over 2 Goals (+104)
From one side of the pond to the other, and on the route we’ll ditch football in favor of soccer. What a world it is to be a Canadian soccer fan, who after years of failure, many times of the most embarrassing variety, now sits atop of CONCACAF world cup qualifying. Such is what happens when you go a year plus without tasting defeat as this Canuck side has; and under the stewardship of manager John Herdman, I see no reason for the spectacular run of form to end now.
Canada has five consecutive victories in these qualifiers and is by far the best-performing team, while Costa Rica did secure three consecutive clean sheets over the last 4, including a crucial 1-0 victory in Jamaica last window, they only scored two goals. Which up against the Canadian side who has scored more than 2 goals 6/8 games simply won’t be enough.
Canada’s going to Qatar ladies and gentlemen, and if Alphonso Davies can get to good health, they’ll be an incredibly tough game for just about any nation.
Duke vs Texas Tech
Tip Time: 9:40 PM EST
Play - Texas Tech Money Line (-109)Despite a significant talent edge, Duke will find offense hard to come by against an elite Texas Tech defense that now ranks first in Adjusted Efficiency, per KenPom. The Red Raiders just aren’t going to give the opposition easy lay-ups or looks at the rim with their no-middle defense that forces teams to win from the outside.
Which the Blue Devils can certainly do; ranking inside the top 30 in 3PT%, but the reason I’m backing the Red Raiders team to handle the Blue Devils is their transition defense.
The Raiders are excellent in transition defensively, ranking in the 97%, which is crucial against Coach K’s bunch of 1 and done’s — who struggle dearly in games in which they’re forced to execute in the half-court. Duke is 30-6 on the season, but of those 6 losses 4 of them saw Duke score less than 10 points in transition.
Mark Adams’ RED RAIIIIIIDERS continue to put the clamps on their dancing partners, forcing the Blue Devils into tough shots all night, and ultimately frustrating this young Duke team into submission; sending Coach K PACKING in his last hoorah.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
Tip Time:
Play —- Arkansas 1st Half +5Musselman has done it again; throwing together a team as the season has gone on, starting 9 different players, with a bevy of transfers and international players, all the dancing while the SEC’s big dogs (Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee) are all watching.
This is a top 50 scoring offense in the nation at 76.2 points per game despite Arkansas struggling to shoot the ball at 50.3% from two and 30.5% from three because of the pace at which this team plays — which can only be described as breakneck.
Which will not discomfort Gonzaga; who themselves can score in bunches and will look to do so quickly —- and lead by Drew Timme and Chet Holgrem expect the Zags offense to eventually find their groove offensively. But as has been the case oftentimes for the Bulldogs this season; look for Gonzaga to start slow — especially defensively. Over the last 10 games; the opposition’s first half TT has been over 7 times, and the Zags are 3-6 ATS at half in those 10 games as well.
Simply put playing in an inferior conference has meant the experienced and talented Gonzaga team has created a switch, and they seem shy to turn it on right from the tip — so bad the Razorbacks to cover the 5 points in the first half.
Villanova Wildcats vs Michigan Wolverines
Tip Time:
Play —- Under 135In a matchup of teams who are very much accustomed to the bright lights, the 11th seeded Wolverines face off against Jay Wright’s Wildcats. Wright is in search of his 3rd Championship at the helm of Villanova and hopes that the familiar foe of Michigan Wolverines will manifest the same result.
And while Michigan succeed last weekend, it was not on the back of their outside shotmaking, as Hunter Dickinson feasted in both matchups against Tennessee/Co. State interior defense that lacked the size to handle the skilled big man. Today will be no different, as Dickinson will feast on the undersized Wildcats frontcourt —- who are unlikely to send the double team. Wright is more than content to let one post scorer outpace his wildly efficient offense.
Ranked 8th in KenPom, scoring 73.5 points per game, and shooting a blistering 44% from the floor, the depth and skill of Villanova’s side may not match the NBA talent of the past year, but still does provide incredible efficiency and consistency.
With both teams struggling to get stops I’m going heavy on the over.
Houston Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats
Tip Time:
Play —- Under 145The Cougar’s #1 defense (KenPom) takes on the Wildcats of Arizona in a matchup that has a trip to the Elite Eight hanging in the balance; and while many are backing the Cougars to get it done against the #1 seeded Wildcats, I’m partial to taking the under.
Because while Houston might be otherworldly on the defensive end, citing defense as a massive advantage for the Cougars in this game is disrespectful to an Arizona team that is 18th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency this season (all efficiency stats from KenPom.com). Tommy Lloyd’s team is capable of digging in and getting big stops, but can Houston hang with Arizona on offense?
My hunch is both teams’ offenses will struggle when facing the opposition’s defense; both of whom do a great job limiting transition buckets and taking away easy looks. Furthermore, it’s important to remember the pressure these are just kids still; and I’m expecting some nerves offensively to start the game.
