Friday 3/13/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

ACC tournament semifinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Virginia Cavaliers vs. UNC Tar Heels (-2.5)

No. 19 North Carolina looks to turn the page after an inconsistent regular season with a berth in the ACC tournament championship game. The fifth-seeded Tar Heels take on top seed Virginia in the semifinals on Friday night at Greensboro, N.C. after solid performances against Boston College and Louisville the last two days. North Carolina has posted 151 points in a pair of games in the tournament and faces a fourth-ranked Virginia team that ranks first in the nation in scoring defense.

Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson is averaging 19.5 points and eight rebounds in the tournament while point guard Marcus Paige scored 17.7 per game in his last three contests. The Cavaliers took a 17-point halftime lead before holding off a rally by Florida State for a 58-44 victory on Thursday and got second-leading scorer Justin Anderson back in the lineup. Anderson missed the previous eight games with a fractured finger, followed by an appendectomy.

TRENDS:

*Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
*Under is 5-1 in Tar Heels last 6 overall.
*Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
*Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Duke Blue Devils (-6.5)

Guards Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones have combined to fuel Duke’s 12-game winning streak and a berth in Friday’s ACC semifinals. The second-seeded and No. 2 ranked Blue Devils meet third-seeded and No. 9 ranked Notre Dame for a trip to the conference title game, sparked by Cook’s 18.6 points per game and Jones’ 12.9 points and 7.2 assists during the winning streak. Duke smashed North Carolina State 77-53 in Thursday’s quarterfinals, shooting 58.6 percent from the field.

The Fighting Irish are one victory away from playing for the ACC championship in their second season in the conference, and Notre Dame is one of three teams to beat Duke this season. Jerian Grant, one of the top players in the ACC, scored 23 points with 12 assists in Notre Dame’s 77-73 home victory over Duke on Jan. 28, but the Blue Devils smashed the Fighting Irish 11 days later, 90-60. Notre Dame blew a 20-point lead Thursday before downing Miami (Fla.), 70-63.

TRENDS:

*Blue Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
*Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 4-0 in Blue Devils last 4 neutral site games.
*Over is 5-1 in Fighting Irish last 6 Friday games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

AAC tournament quarterfinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Temple Owls vs. Memphis Tigers (+3)

Temple coach Fran Dunphy isn’t worried about bubbles or milestones when his Owls take on Memphis in Friday’s quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. “We’re just thinking about winning one in a row,” Dunphy, the AAC’s Coach of the Year, told Philadelphia’s CBS. “If we can get that done, we’ll feel good and we’ll move on to the next assignment.” The fourth-ranked Owls beat the fifth-ranked Tigers 61-60 in their only meeting on Josh Brown’s bank shot with 2.4 left.

The teams each averaged a league-best 7.1 steals and the Owls are third in scoring defense at 59.9 points. They are the top two teams – Memphis at 29.9 percent and Temple at 30.8 percent – at defending the 3-pointer. Memphis is still without leading scorer Austin Nichols (ankle) but Shaq Goodwin has been on a hot streak in his place.

TRENDS:

*Under is 24-8 in Tigers last 32 games following a S.U. loss.
*Owls are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
*Over is 5-2 in Owls last 7 overall.
*Underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

East Carolina Pirates vs. Southern Methodist Mustangs (-14.5)

SMU didn’t want to take any chances after narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last season. “(The snub has) been in the back of our minds every day,” guard Nic Moore said after the Mustangs won the regular-season title Sunday. “We knew what we needed to do this year to make it in. We had to take it this year instead of letting people decide where we go.” The No. 21 Mustangs have won six of seven heading into Friday’s American Athletic Conference quarterfinals against eighth-seeded East Carolina in Hartford, Conn.

Moore leads the league’s top offensive team in scoring and was named the AAC Player of the Year after helping SMU win its first conference title since 1993 – also the last time the Mustangs went to the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates, who survived overtime against UCF in the opening round, lost their only meeting with SMU by 23 points in January. Freshman B.J. Tyson leads East Carolina with 12.7 points off the bench.

TRENDS:

*Pirates are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. American Athletic Conference.
*Mustangs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
*Over is 7-1 in Mustangs last 8 overall.
*Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Tulsa Golden Hurricanes vs. Houston Cougars (+10)

Tulsa knows it needs a big week in the American Athletic Conference tournament at Hartford, Conn. – starting with Friday’s quarterfinals against 10th-seeded Houston – to make the NCAA Tournament. The second-seeded Golden Hurricane lost their last two regular-season games – both of which could have earned a regular-season title and strengthen their resume – after starting league play with 10 straight wins. “Those two losses kind of set us back, but I feel like we can learn from them and still make our way forward as a team,” point guard Shaquille Harrison told the Tulsa World. “I don’t think our confidence is down.”

Harrison and James Woodard – who hit a league-record 10 3-pointers in Sunday’s loss to AAC champ SMU – make up one of the best guard tandems in the conference. Houston has won four in a row and got big games from Jherrod Stiggers and Cavon Baker to edge Tulane 66-60 on Thursday. Tulsa swept the Cougars during the regular season, winning by a combined 31 points.

TRENDS:

*Cougars are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
*Golden Hurricane are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
*Over is 13-3-1 in Cougars last 17 games following a ATS win.
*Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. UConn Huskies (+2.5)

Cincinnati played the last few weeks of the regular season like they were all must-win games and the third-seeded Bearcats will continue to do that when they face Connecticut on Friday in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. “Every game we’ve played recently is like a tournament game,” forward Octavius Ellis told the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Bearcats have won five straight and seem a lock for the NCAA Tournament, but more victories would improve their seeding.

The sixth-seeded Huskies tied a season-high with 11 3-pointers in Thursday’s 69-43 victory over USF in the first round. The Huskies feature the AAC’s leading scorer in Ryan Boatright, Rookie of the Year in Daniel Hamilton and top defender in Amida Brimah. The teams split their regular season meetings, both coming in January.

TRENDS:

*Bearcats are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. American Athletic Conference.
*Over is 7-1 in Huskies last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
*Under is 4-0 in Bearcats last 4 neutral site games.
*Huskies are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big East tournament semifinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars (+9)

Providence got off to an impressive start in its Big East tournament title defense but is about to run into some stiff competition. The fourth-seeded Friars will have to get through No. 1 seed Villanova in the semifinals in New York on Friday to earn a second straight trip to the final. The Wildcats won their second straight regular season title by closing with 12 straight victories and opened their Big East tournament run in dominating fashion.

Villanova matched school and Big East tournament records with 17 3-pointers in an 84-49 thrashing of Marquette in Thursday’s quarterfinal as Josh Hart buried 5-of-7 from beyond the arc off the bench. Providence will challenge those perimeter shooters with co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year Kris Dunn, who rolled an ankle late in Thursday’s 74-57 win over St. John’s but is expected to be ready for the Wildcats. Dunn shared the overall Big East Player of the Year award with Villanova guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

TRENDS:

*Friars are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
*Wildcats are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
*Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 overall.
*Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

Georgetown Hoyas vs. Xavier Musketeers (+2)

When D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera plays at a high level, Georgetown can be as dangerous as any team in the Big East. The Hoyas hope to ride their junior star to a second straight victory in the conference tournament when they face Xavier on Friday at Madison Square Garden. This semifinal matchup features two teams coming off close victories Thursday with the sixth-seeded Musketeers surviving No. 3 seed Butler 67-61 in overtime. Earlier in the night, Smith-Rivera scored 12 of his 25 points in the final five minutes to help the second-seeded Hoyas overcome No. 10 seed Creighton 60-55.

“We got to the point where we needed someone to step up,” Hoyas coach John Thompson III said to the media. “You’ve heard me say all year that when we need baskets, everyone knows who we’re going to. … He answered today.” Smith-Rivera, a Big East first-team selection, has made 16-of-31 3-pointers over his last four games and has scored at least 20 points in five of his last nine outings. The Musketeers received balanced scoring Thursday and will be looking to defeat the Hoyas for the third time this season.

TRENDS:

*Musketeers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
*Hoyas are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big East.
*Under is 6-2 in Musketeers last 8 overall.
*Under is 7-3 in Hoyas last 10 Friday games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big Ten tournament quarterfinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Michigan Wolverines vs. Wisconsin Badgers (-14)

Wisconsin capped its historic regular season with its first league crown since 2008, when it also claimed its last conference tournament title. The fifth-ranked and top-seeded Badgers begin the process of turning the trick again Friday in Chicago as they face ninth-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. Wisconsin won 16 of its 18 conference outings, finishing two games ahead of Maryland while also matching the best record it has posted in 98 years in the Big Ten.

Despite clinching at least a share of the league title a week earlier at home against Michigan State, the Badgers closed out the regular season emphatically, routing Ohio State on the road 72-48 and sending the Buckeyes to their most lopsided loss of the season. The Wolverines, who lost in overtime at home to Wisconsin on Jan. 24, suffered through a 1-7 stretch as they adjusted to new personnel after losing two of their top three scorers in Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr. Michigan ended its losing ways with a win over Rutgers in the regular-season finale before ousting No. 8 seed Illinois 73-55 in the second round on Thursday.

TRENDS:

*Wolverines are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 7-1 in Badgers last 8 games following a S.U. win.
*Over is 7-3 in Wolverines last 10 overall.
*Underdog is 11-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

Penn St. Nittany Lions vs. Purdue Boilermakers (-5.5)

Despite finishing in a three-way tie for third in the ultra-competitive Big Ten and snagging a No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, Purdue cannot take an invite to the Big Dance for granted quite yet. The Boilermakers can help their cause in Chicago, however, beginning with a win over No. 13 seed Penn State in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. Purdue got off to an uneven 11-8 start – including home losses to Gardner-Webb and North Florida – before going 9-3 the rest of the way.

The Boilermakers, who have lost three straight conference tournament games, started generating momentum for their strong close to the season two games earlier, surviving a career-high 37 points from Big Ten leading scorer D.J. Newbill en route to an 84-77 overtime road win against the Nittany Lions in mid-January. Penn State endured two six-game losing streaks during league play after going 12-1 in non-conference action, but appears to be finding its early-season groove at the right time. The Nittany Lions dispatched fifth-seeded Iowa 67-58 on Thursday, moving into the Big Ten quarterfinals for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2011.

TRENDS:

*Nittany Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
*Boilermakers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
*Under is 7-1 in Nittany Lions last 8 games following a ATS win.
*Over is 4-0 in Boilermakers last 4 neutral site games.

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Maryland Terrapins (-2)

Maryland made a habit of winning tight games in its inaugural season as a member of the Big Ten. One of the its many victims in those contests was Indiana, which will try to put a stop to the eighth-ranked Terrapins’ seven-game winning streak Friday at the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals in Chicago. Second-seeded Maryland went 12-4 to finish two games behind conference champion Wisconsin, claiming victories in all eight league games decided by six or fewer points.

The Terrapins walked a fine line yet again in Sunday’s 64-61 road victory over Nebraska, dodging a potential game-tying 3-point attempt in the final seconds en route to a school-record 26th regular-season triumph. The seventh-seeded Hoosiers split a pair of regular-season matchups with Maryland, sending the Terrapins to their second-most lopsided loss of the season (89-70) in Bloomington on Jan. 22 before falling 68-66 in College Park on Feb. 11. Indiana stumbled at the end of the regular season with three straight losses, but had little problem defeating No. 10 seed Northwestern 71-56 on Thursday in the second round.

TRENDS:

*Hoosiers are 11-23-2 ATS in their last 36 neutral site games.
*Terrapins are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
*Over is 20-8 in Hoosiers last 28 overall.
*Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Ohio St. Buckeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans (+1.5)

Michigan State has seemingly found itself following an up-and-down beginning to the season, culminating in the school’s third No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tournament in as many years. The Spartans begin their quest for a third conference championship title in four years Friday in Chicago when they meet No. 6 seed Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Michigan State was unable to gain a marquee win in non-conference action and suffered surprising losses to Texas Southern and Nebraska during a 13-7 start, but finished the regular season by winning eight of 11.

“I think we have gotten more consistent in the last eight games, I really do … and I think we’ve got a little better rotation down and that will help some. What better time to come together than now, and we’ll see what we can do,” coach Tom Izzo told the Detroit Free Press. In what can only be considered a bit of irony, the Buckeyes had their hearts broken on Valentine’s Day against the Spartans as Denzel Valentine hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds left to send Michigan State to a 59-56 victory. Ohio State has won four of its last five, however, and made Thad Matta the winningest coach in school history Thursday with a 79-73 victory over Minnesota.

TRENDS:

*Buckeyes are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games.
*Spartans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 6-0 in Buckeyes last 6 games following a ATS win.
*Over is 4-0 in Spartans last 4 vs. Big Ten.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big 12 tournament semifinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks (-1)

Freshman Kelly Oubre Jr. experienced the top game of his young career in the Big 12 quarterfinals and looks to have another stellar outing when top-seeded Kansas faces fourth-seeded Baylor in Friday’s semifinals of the conference tournament in Kansas City. With leading scorer Perry Ellis (knee) sidelined, it was Oubre who stepped up for the No. 10 Jayhawks with a career-best 25 points in Thursday’s 64-59 victory over TCU. No. 16 Baylor advanced with an 80-70 victory over West Virginia.

The Bears lost both regular-season meetings to Kansas and look to exact some revenge while winning for the seventh time in the last eight games. Baylor is one of four teams nationwide to hold all its opponents to less than 75 points and Oubre is aware the Bears will be tough to beat a third time. “They have great players on the offensive and defensive end,” Oubre said at the postgame press conference. “We have to bring our game, play with heart and come ready to play because we can be beat on any given night if we’re not ready to play.”

TRENDS:

*Jayhawks are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
*Over is 12-3-1 in Bears last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
*Bears are 0-3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
*Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Oklahoma Sooners (PICK)

Iowa State nearly was headed home and the second-seeded Cyclones aim to avoid a double-digit deficit to overcome when they square off with third-seeded Oklahoma on Friday in the Big 12 tournament semifinals in Kansas City. No. 15 Iowa State never led in Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup against Texas until guard Monte Morris swished a jumper with no time remaining to cap a career-best 24-point outing as the Cyclones posted a 69-67 victory. No. 14 Oklahoma advanced by posting a 64-49 victory over Oklahoma State.

The Sooners also had some early game troubles – their 21 first-half points were a season low – before dominating the final 10 minutes against Oklahoma State. It sure didn’t look like Iowa State was going to beat Texas and reach the semifinals and only a game-ending 12-0 run saved the day. “I’m proud of these guys for finding a way and sticking together and gutting out an impressive win against a very good Texas team,” Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg said in the postgame press conference.

TRENDS:

*Sooners are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
*Cyclones are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big 12.
*Over is 37-17-1 in Cyclones last 55 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 5-0 in Sooners last 5 neutral site games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pac-12 tournament semifinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins (+11)

The two most-decorated teams in the Pac-12 conference will meet up Friday night when top-seeded Arizona takes on No. 4 UCLA in the semifinals of the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Both teams have won this tournament four times since 1987, though the Wildcats haven’t captured a title since 2002, losing in the championship game four times since then, including last year to UCLA. Arizona went on to advance to the Elite 8 at the NCAA Tournament and is poised for another deep postseason run.

The teams met for the only time this season Feb. 21 in Arizona and the Wildcats came out on top 57-47 in a sloppily played game. Arizona starters Stanley Johnson, Brandon Ashley and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were a combined 4-for-25 from the field, but the Wildcats made up for it by allowing one offensive rebound and outscoring the Bruins 16-0 in second-chance points. UCLA shooting guard Isaac Hamilton is coming off a career-high 36 points in Thursday’s quarterfinal victory against USC, but the Bruins could be without starting forward Kevon Looney, who was hospitalized after suffering a facial injury against the Trojans.

TRENDS:

*Wildcats are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
*Under is 15-6 in Bruins last 21 overall.
*Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
*Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

Oregon Ducks vs. Utah Utes (OFF)

Oregon guard Joseph Young looks to send another message to his detractors Friday when he leads the second-seeded Ducks against No. 3 seed Utah in the Pac-12 tournament semifinal at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Young’s selection as Pac-12 Player of the Year surprised some experts, but Young answered his critics with 30 points in Thursday’s 93-85 quarterfinal victory over Colorado. Oregon has won three straight against the Utes, including a 69-58 defeat in Eugene on Feb. 22.

Utah lost three of its final five regular-season games and struggled early in Thursday’s matchup against Stanford before outscoring the Cardinal 47-16 in the second half and cruising to an 80-56 victory. Utes guard Delon Wright showed why he belonged in the player of the year discussion with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Wright scored 20 points against Oregon in last month’s loss, when the Utes were outrebounded 35-31 and shot 8-of-29 from 3-point range.

TRENDS:

*Utes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games.
*Ducks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 vs. Pacific-12.
*Over is 13-3 in Utes last 16 Friday games.
*Under is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SEC tournament quarterfinals: NCAAB Betting Cheat Sheet

Florida Gator vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-13.5)

So far, so good for top-ranked Kentucky, but the undefeated Wildcats are entering their most demanding stretch of the season beginning with Friday’s SEC tournament quarterfinal against eighth-seeded Florida in Nashville. A championship run through the SEC tourney could mean a stretch of five games in nine days for Kentucky, which hasn’t lost since last season’s national championship contest. “It’s just tough when you have three games in three days,” Kentucky assistant coach John Robic said at a team news conference earlier this week. “And then (we’d) turn right back around and most likely play Thursday.”

Florida, meanwhile, knows what the Wildcats are going through after capping an undefeated SEC regular-season run with a conference tourney championship only a season ago. This year, though, the Gators are sitting at .500 after ousting Alabama 69-61 Thursday in the second round and will get their third shot at Kentucky following a pair of regular-season setbacks – the last one coming this past Saturday in Lexington. “I think we’re the only team so far that will have played them three times this year, so at least there’s some familiarity on a quick turnaround,” Florida coach Billy Donovan said in his postgame news conference Thursday. “… We’ll try to do some different things – not so much differently, but try to do things better.”

TRENDS:

*Gators are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
*Wildcats are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games.
*Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 vs. Southeastern.
*Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.

Auburn Tigers vs. LSU Tigers (-9.5)

For the third time in 30 years – and the first time since 2000 – Auburn has won consecutive SEC tournament games after the 13th-seeded Tigers upended 12th-seeded Mississippi State and fifth-seeded Texas A&M. Up next is a Friday afternoon quarterfinal date against fourth seed LSU in Nashville. “This becomes the third team in 30 years of Auburn basketball history to win a couple games and advance in the tournament,” first-year Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said at his news conference Thursday following the 66-59 win over the Aggies. “Now maybe that’s not something that you want to brag about, but those are the facts. And those facts matter to these guys right here.”

LSU, meanwhile, won three of its final four regular-season contests to earn a double-bye. Still, coach Johnny Jones’ squad needs the win as it still sits too close for comfort to the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble. “Our job is to try to go out and hopefully win this tournament,” Jones said at a Thursday news conference. “That means trying to cut down nets on Sunday, so whether it is Auburn or the No. 1-ranked team in Kentucky, that’s the mission we are on.”

TRENDS:

*Auburn is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
*Under is 18-5 in LSU’s last 23 neutral site games.
*Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
*Over is 4-1 in Auburn’s last 5 games following a S.U. win.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (-6.5)

After its most successful regular season since the program’s heyday in the 1990s, Arkansas begins its postseason push Friday with a quarterfinal matchup against Tennessee in the SEC tournament in Nashville. Despite a loss to LSU on a buzzer-beater to end the regular season, the Razorbacks have posted their most wins in a season in 17 years and finished with their highest SEC victory total (13) since the 1994 national championship squad. Their No. 2 seed marks the program’s best since 1995.

SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis averaged 17 points on 63.6 percent shooting and 9.5 rebounds as Arkansas split a pair of meetings with Tennessee this season. The second encounter – a 69-64 win for the Razorbacks on Jan. 27 – was early in a 2-9 swoon for the No. 10 seed Volunteers, who recovered to win two of their final three games in the regular season before upending No. 7 seed Vanderbilt 67-61 in the second round Thursday. Josh Richardson scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half as Tennessee ended the game on a 20-2 run.

TRENDS:

*Razorbacks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
*Volunteers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
*Over is 4-0 in Razorbacks last 4 overall.
*Over is 6-2 in Volunteers last 8 neutral site games.

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Georgia Bulldogs (-2.5)

Georgia may have already done enough to secure its first NCAA Tournament berth in four years, but the Bulldogs are taking nothing for granted. That is that mentality or Mark Fox’s team as it begins postseason play Friday against South Carolina in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament in Nashville. “That’s something we’re not sure of,” senior forward Nemanja Djurisic told reporters Tuesday. “We’d rather take care of our destiny and control what we can, and that’s winning the next game.”

Georgia certainly cannot take South Carolina lightly, as the Gamecocks won both meetings during the regular season and are riding a high after a dramatic victory over Ole Miss in the second round Thursday. After watching the Rebels take a lead on a dramatic four-point play with 3.3 seconds left, South Carolina stole a 60-58 win on Tyrone Johnson’s three free throws with 0.7 seconds to go. The Gamecocks survived a 30.4 percent effort from the floor to win its first two games in the tournament for the second straight season.

TRENDS:

*Gamecocks are 6-20 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
*Bulldogs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. win.
*Under is 9-1 in Gamecocks last 10 neutral site games.
*Under is 7-2-2 in the last 11 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Friday

(881) COLORADO STATE vs. (882) SAN DIEGO STATE

Take: COLORADO STATE +

There’s no line on the battle between Colorado State and San Diego State as I’m writing this piece. That’s because of the currently uncertain status of Rams big man JJ Avila. He rolled his ankle in the first half of Thursday’s CSU win against Fresno State and right now he’s listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

Avila said after the game that the ankle feel pretty good and that he hopes to play tonight. He said there will be x-rays taken in the morning but my sense based on his comments is that he thinks he’s playing tonight. Obviously, that is not a sure thing, so I would strongly advise following Colorado State media on Twitter to get a better assessment during the day.

If Aviula is able to go, I think the Rams will have a great chance to win this game. As of right now, the two teams playing the best basketball in the MWC are Boise State and Colorado State. No doubt about the best defensive team, that’s San Diego State. But the Aztecs have an offense that continues to malfunction. SDSU was very fortunate to get wins at the Thomas & Mack against UNLV both in the regular season and last night in the tournament. The Rebels were done in by their lack of depth and yet still just missed in each of this games.

Colorado State has probably done enough to cinch an NCAA at-large bid, but that’s still not a sure thing. There’s no chance the Mountain West gets four bids to The Dance. If Wyoming happens to upset Boise State and then win on Saturday, somebody in the MWC is getting knocked out. Thus, it would still very much behoove the Rams to get this win tonight.

The game falls into a combo setup that has been money in the bank for me so far this post-season. I won’t get into the specific parameters, but it’s a pairing of my math and the situation and it’s been working like a charm thus far. Colorado State will fit the criteria as they will be an underdog tonight and this angle, if you want to call it that, is underdog specific. Colorado State is the Bonus Play for tonight, and it will also be on my personal final card as long as Avila is playing for the Rams.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BILL BILES

Kentucky -13

Kentucky is so close to another title and undefeated season they can see it. Florida has struggled all year and with Kentucky closing in on another SEC title I dont see how Florida can keep up.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Friday.... CS Bakersfield +13 over New Mexico St