Yea he says all the time he disagrees with Lang's marketing philosophies so he is still friends with him but just disagrees with him on his marketing and tactics and stuff. So he went out and did his own thing.
People don't get banned from his site for asking records dude, I've done it before and others have too and they have always been answered. Ask Britton man as he writes to IC all the time on that site.
I bet you he's on a ton of dogs today because he made some money with dogs yesterday. :cripwalk:
I read his blog. He has been writing about NC State for a while. I'm surprised he didn't go with Bama today. Here is the guy's Research he posts on a lot of games....
NBA
Spurs vs. Lakers
The Spurs have revenge from an earlier season loss to the Lakers by 14 on the road - the Spurs had beaten the Lakers by 1 at home prior to that. So, this is a rubber game in some ways. The Lakers come off a fortunate win against the Rockets and the Spurs weren't all that impressive against the Bobcats. The Spurs will likely showcase Drew Gooden today of whom they got from the Bulls recently. A small lean on the Spurs, but more importantly, a stronger lean on the Under.
Conference Tournament Thoughts
Big 10 (Canseco Fieldhouse, IN)
Northwestern vs. Minnesota
These games are held in Indiana. Thus, neither of these two teams get a huge advantage in home court. NW and Minnesota split earleir this year and NW got beat up pretty bad in the last game to Minny on the road. I actually think NW will be very game b/c of that ugly loss. MInny is the public fav by at least 2:1 though. A small lean on NW, but how do you go against Tubby - and how do you ride the big public fav? no thanks.
Iowa vs. Michigan
These 2 teams split during the regular season. Michigan won a big game on the road to close the year out at Minny and has shown vast improvement beating Purdue and Minnesota despite minny having revenge. But, the public is on Michigan heavily it seems. Call me crazy, but I just have not one of those feelings, in a tight ballgame that Iowa gets inside the number somehow.
Big 12 (Ford Center - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Texas vs. Kansas State
Does this line seem eerily low? Well, keep in mind that Texas is "in". But, Kansas State in the eyes of many are not in and with the loss of A&M this opens the door for them if they can get it done here. Texas lost to K-State at home in OT earlier this year and with 66% of the pubilc backing Texas, I can see KState winning. Texas simply has not impressed me all year and frankly, I think this game is a toss-up. If this game is high scoring, it will favor K-State.
Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma
Wow, these two already meet and the place will be rocking tonight in Oklahoma for this contest. The 4.5 is significant considering that the last time these two teams met lost by just 4 and prior to that lost by 8 to this team at home earlier this year. The public likes Oklahoma to the tune of 68% here in basically a home game but State has been no pushover winning 7 of 8 conference games to play themselves into the tourney. No play for me, but I actually like the 4.5 as I can't imagine State getting blown out here as they will everything they have.
Texas Tech vs. Missouri
Do not count TT out of this game. Missouri has a way of not stepping up in certain games and TT plays with a lot of heart. But, I will tell you that Missouri is a better coached team than A&M and they will stop Singletary this game. I bet you this is all that Missouri worked on - just stopping Singletary in practice. TT is a team that plays hard and they play with a lot of heart. Missouri only beat this team by 11 at home earlier this year, I nearly went with Tech as a dog play today, but chose another dog instead for other reasons.
SEC (Tampa, Florida)
Georgia vs. Mississippi State
Does Georgia have some magic left in the tank? Give Ga some credit for beating Vandy at home, Florida at home and Kentucky on the road. This team lost to Miss. State by 6 at home, comes off an ugly loss to SC at home and Miss State comes off an emotional win over Ole Miss on the road - a lean on Ga to hang tough here.
Vanderbilt vs. Alabama
I love my Tide. This team is really showing some improvement behind Hermann and yes, Vandy is a decent team, but these 3 points is a going to be significant as the Tide lost by 4 to Vandy on the road this year and they have only gotten better since that game as they went into Tennessee and beat a Vols team that needed that game for an Outright hold on the SEC Title. I like the Tide here to get it done.
Arkansas vs. Florida
I personally think Arkansas has packed it in after their 17 point loss to Vandy on the road, 19 point loss to Bama on the road, the fact they are 2-14 in conference play, but Florida is a very shaky young team that has lost 6 of 7 on the road and Arkansas will play as if it has nothing to lose - which they do not - dangerous game for Donovan as his fellas' have really no big game or tournament experience which could be a factor here.
Big East (Madison Square Garden)
Marquette vs. Villanova
Remember, these two teams split the regular season series. Yes, 66% of the public likes Villanova, but Marquette looked very strong against St. Johns - it could be that St. Johns just stinks that bad and didn't show up - but having said that - I like Marquette plus the points here as they have revenge from their latest game and I prefer teams that has one round underneath their belt already.
West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh
Uh oh, 79% favor Pittsburgh here. That's usually not a very good sign for a team laying -4 points as you never want to be such a public fav. It's a curse more than anything. This team lost by 11 on the road and 12 at home to Pitt. Note, that in their last game, WVU was in the baby up until the mid portion of the second half when the wheels fell off. But, this is on neutral footing so Pitt might not have that advantage. Tough call either way, no thanks, there are other games to pick as you have Pitt that is backed by 79% of the public and a WVU team that has a way of showing up in tourney time - but again, how do you go against Pitt?
Syracuse vs. UConn
This is a dangerous spot for Uconn. Syracuse is playing lights out right now and you can see it coming from the fact they won their last 5 of 6 coming into this game. This is on neutral footing so the 14 point road loss they suffered can be used as revenge and I can actually see Syracuse hanging tough for the cover and I have them at a 35% chance of winning this baby Outright.
Atlantic 10 (Atlantic City, NJ)
St. Joseph's vs. Temple
Temple just beat this team by 9 at home and beat this team by 2 on the road. St. Josephs comes off a nice win over Charlotte but I actually lean on the favorite here as Temple is a well coached and disciplined team and I can see them getting the cover here at five.
Duquesne vs. Rhode Island
How about the Dukes just rolling over Umass by 10 despite being the public favorite. I lean on the Dukes here as they lost to this team by 2 at home, have revenge, they will make their adjustments, played great yesterday and Rhode Island frankly has not impressed me all year as more often than not, they are involved in tight ballgames - especially at home - and they don't have that luxury on neutral footing today, I have the Dukes at winning outright at 46% chance on my spreadhseet and then the 3 points giving it an additional 8% chance of a cover so I have the Dukes at a 54% shot at covering if you wanted the nuts and bolts of the numbers on the spreadsheet that I use.
Richmond vs. Dayton
Give Richmond some credit as they roll over St. Bonny by 16. They played Dayton earlier this year and lost by 6 on the road, this is the same team that beat Xavier at home, Charlotte and La Salle both on the road so this team can play and Dayton has been struggling away from home lately losing to St. Louis by 8, losing to Rhode Island on the road in OT, losing to Xavier by 17 on the road and to Charlotte by 13 on the road and if this team does not bring their A game today, it very well could be one and done for Dayton as Richmond can flat out play.
NBA
Spurs vs. Lakers
The Spurs have revenge from an earlier season loss to the Lakers by 14 on the road - the Spurs had beaten the Lakers by 1 at home prior to that. So, this is a rubber game in some ways. The Lakers come off a fortunate win against the Rockets and the Spurs weren't all that impressive against the Bobcats. The Spurs will likely showcase Drew Gooden today of whom they got from the Bulls recently. A small lean on the Spurs, but more importantly, a stronger lean on the Under.
Conference Tournament Thoughts
Big 10 (Canseco Fieldhouse, IN)
Northwestern vs. Minnesota
These games are held in Indiana. Thus, neither of these two teams get a huge advantage in home court. NW and Minnesota split earleir this year and NW got beat up pretty bad in the last game to Minny on the road. I actually think NW will be very game b/c of that ugly loss. MInny is the public fav by at least 2:1 though. A small lean on NW, but how do you go against Tubby - and how do you ride the big public fav? no thanks.
Iowa vs. Michigan
These 2 teams split during the regular season. Michigan won a big game on the road to close the year out at Minny and has shown vast improvement beating Purdue and Minnesota despite minny having revenge. But, the public is on Michigan heavily it seems. Call me crazy, but I just have not one of those feelings, in a tight ballgame that Iowa gets inside the number somehow.
Big 12 (Ford Center - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Texas vs. Kansas State
Does this line seem eerily low? Well, keep in mind that Texas is "in". But, Kansas State in the eyes of many are not in and with the loss of A&M this opens the door for them if they can get it done here. Texas lost to K-State at home in OT earlier this year and with 66% of the pubilc backing Texas, I can see KState winning. Texas simply has not impressed me all year and frankly, I think this game is a toss-up. If this game is high scoring, it will favor K-State.
Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma
Wow, these two already meet and the place will be rocking tonight in Oklahoma for this contest. The 4.5 is significant considering that the last time these two teams met lost by just 4 and prior to that lost by 8 to this team at home earlier this year. The public likes Oklahoma to the tune of 68% here in basically a home game but State has been no pushover winning 7 of 8 conference games to play themselves into the tourney. No play for me, but I actually like the 4.5 as I can't imagine State getting blown out here as they will everything they have.
Texas Tech vs. Missouri
Do not count TT out of this game. Missouri has a way of not stepping up in certain games and TT plays with a lot of heart. But, I will tell you that Missouri is a better coached team than A&M and they will stop Singletary this game. I bet you this is all that Missouri worked on - just stopping Singletary in practice. TT is a team that plays hard and they play with a lot of heart. Missouri only beat this team by 11 at home earlier this year, I nearly went with Tech as a dog play today, but chose another dog instead for other reasons.
SEC (Tampa, Florida)
Georgia vs. Mississippi State
Does Georgia have some magic left in the tank? Give Ga some credit for beating Vandy at home, Florida at home and Kentucky on the road. This team lost to Miss. State by 6 at home, comes off an ugly loss to SC at home and Miss State comes off an emotional win over Ole Miss on the road - a lean on Ga to hang tough here.
Vanderbilt vs. Alabama
I love my Tide. This team is really showing some improvement behind Hermann and yes, Vandy is a decent team, but these 3 points is a going to be significant as the Tide lost by 4 to Vandy on the road this year and they have only gotten better since that game as they went into Tennessee and beat a Vols team that needed that game for an Outright hold on the SEC Title. I like the Tide here to get it done.
Arkansas vs. Florida
I personally think Arkansas has packed it in after their 17 point loss to Vandy on the road, 19 point loss to Bama on the road, the fact they are 2-14 in conference play, but Florida is a very shaky young team that has lost 6 of 7 on the road and Arkansas will play as if it has nothing to lose - which they do not - dangerous game for Donovan as his fellas' have really no big game or tournament experience which could be a factor here.
Big East (Madison Square Garden)
Marquette vs. Villanova
Remember, these two teams split the regular season series. Yes, 66% of the public likes Villanova, but Marquette looked very strong against St. Johns - it could be that St. Johns just stinks that bad and didn't show up - but having said that - I like Marquette plus the points here as they have revenge from their latest game and I prefer teams that has one round underneath their belt already.
West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh
Uh oh, 79% favor Pittsburgh here. That's usually not a very good sign for a team laying -4 points as you never want to be such a public fav. It's a curse more than anything. This team lost by 11 on the road and 12 at home to Pitt. Note, that in their last game, WVU was in the baby up until the mid portion of the second half when the wheels fell off. But, this is on neutral footing so Pitt might not have that advantage. Tough call either way, no thanks, there are other games to pick as you have Pitt that is backed by 79% of the public and a WVU team that has a way of showing up in tourney time - but again, how do you go against Pitt?
Syracuse vs. UConn
This is a dangerous spot for Uconn. Syracuse is playing lights out right now and you can see it coming from the fact they won their last 5 of 6 coming into this game. This is on neutral footing so the 14 point road loss they suffered can be used as revenge and I can actually see Syracuse hanging tough for the cover and I have them at a 35% chance of winning this baby Outright.
Atlantic 10 (Atlantic City, NJ)
St. Joseph's vs. Temple
Temple just beat this team by 9 at home and beat this team by 2 on the road. St. Josephs comes off a nice win over Charlotte but I actually lean on the favorite here as Temple is a well coached and disciplined team and I can see them getting the cover here at five.
Duquesne vs. Rhode Island
How about the Dukes just rolling over Umass by 10 despite being the public favorite. I lean on the Dukes here as they lost to this team by 2 at home, have revenge, they will make their adjustments, played great yesterday and Rhode Island frankly has not impressed me all year as more often than not, they are involved in tight ballgames - especially at home - and they don't have that luxury on neutral footing today, I have the Dukes at winning outright at 46% chance on my spreadhseet and then the 3 points giving it an additional 8% chance of a cover so I have the Dukes at a 54% shot at covering if you wanted the nuts and bolts of the numbers on the spreadsheet that I use.
Richmond vs. Dayton
Give Richmond some credit as they roll over St. Bonny by 16. They played Dayton earlier this year and lost by 6 on the road, this is the same team that beat Xavier at home, Charlotte and La Salle both on the road so this team can play and Dayton has been struggling away from home lately losing to St. Louis by 8, losing to Rhode Island on the road in OT, losing to Xavier by 17 on the road and to Charlotte by 13 on the road and if this team does not bring their A game today, it very well could be one and done for Dayton as Richmond can flat out play.
INDIAN COWBOY
4 Unit Play. #717. Take Indiana +9 over Penn State (Thursday @ 5pm est). I know, hold your nose. But, we took two ugly dogs yesterday in Depaul +9.5 and Southern Methodist +11 and they both cashed for us, so let's take a dog that we are getting almost that many points in Indiana. Yes, Indiana is horrible, pathetic, blah, blah, blah. But, do you think the regular season every matters worth of diddly in this conference tournament? Heck, Depaul went 0-16 in conference tourney games - 0-16! And, yet this team defeated Georgetown and was giving all Providence can handle from start to finish. Indiana actually defeated Iowa at home and covered countless games at home. This game is played in Indianapolis for starters, Indiana lost to Penn State by just 3 points on the road and 10 points at home. Believe it or not, Indiana matches up well with Penn State even if is their scrubs and essentially non-scholarship players. If you are Penn State, how do you get your boys up for this first round game against the Hoosiers? Indiana comes into this game getting trounced by 24 to Wisconsin on the road, they face a team that they lost to at home by 10, then went on the road to just lose by 3, they are catching 9 points in a total of 123, and this is the same Penn State team that lost in double-overtime to Iowa and 6 conference games on the road. Penn State is used to playing the role of the spoiler, but now, they are favored and this is a new role for them that they will get used to. Let's take the points as Indiana should be game from start to finish and they will get some home cooking calls in our favor as well.
4 Unit Play. #723. Take NC State +1.5 over Maryland (Thursday @ 7pm est). This is a gutsy call. I can dig it. But, I like it here as the ACC Tourney is held in Atlanta and places this game on a neutral footing. I am also no fan of Maryland as I think they are over-rated frankly. I don't believe the ACC is overrated - I just think Maryland is overrated. The terps are similar to when the Cavs sit around and watch Lebron go to work at times when they sit around and Vasquez does all the work. NC State is a team that plays the great concept of "team basketball". Remember, this team beat NC State by 11 on the road earlier this year so this is a revenge game for NC State. I can easily see Maryland looking over the shoulder of NC State to their next opponent and they just might get their head caught in some headlights. Folks, I think Maryland is going to be in some serious trouble today along with Boston College for that matter. Remember 70% of the public loves Maryland here and why? This is not a home game for them. NC State has had luck on this floor defeating Georgia Tech 21, this team beat Wake at home, beat Virginia and Boston College at home as well. Heck, they even beat Miami of Florida at home as well. No, this team is not at home, but I am stating this to say, that this team has potential and when they play together, they can certainly accomplish a lot. I believe the line is revealing here and that Maryland is in for a big awakening and exit in the first round when all is said and done. The thing with Maryland is that when they stink, they stink bad such as their 41 point loss to Duke and 29 point loss to Clemson. NC State comes in with a more spirited attitude and takes the cake here today in Hotlanta.
4 Unit Play. #725. Take Virginia +4.5 over Boston College (Thursday @ 9:20pm est). Another upset in the making today. Let me ask you something - what has Boston College done on the road this year? BC lost to NC State by 5, lost to Miami of Florida by 11 and although this team is a 21 win team, they are in for trouble here today. The last time these two teams played, I don't believe Virginia was playing its best basketball when they lost to BC at home by 10. This Cavalier team remembers that loss when these two lock horns again today. Virginia shoots 74.5% from the free throw line and if they can attack the basket, they will win this game as they have some solid spot up 3-point shooters. I understand that this team was 4-12 this year in conference play - but I also understand that this team went 3-4 to close out the year, and they can certainly call on the barons of an upset here as if Virginia gets going early, BC can get rattled easily. I just don't feel BC is playing their best basketball heading into the tournament as this team barely defeated Tech at home by 1 point and I think they are going to be deer caught in headlights as well as I don't see BC getting "up" for this game as well. Don't be surprised to see both Virginia and NC State make the upset today against their respective opponents. I have a feelingg the public simply gets burned today with BC as they did with Texas A&M yesterday. The Cavaliers are 5-0-2 ATS as underdogs in their last 7 neutral site games and BC is just 1-7 ATS against teams with a SU (straight up) losing record as this team just simply does not "get-up" for weaker teams.
4 Unit Play. Take the Phoenix Suns +4.5 over the Cleveland Cavaliers (Friday @ 10:30pm est). We are 2-1 on the week as roll into Sunday. Let's cash the Thursday ticket with the Phoenix Suns at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The public for the most part should love the Cavs here, and we will gladly go the other way. Remember, we took the Clippers just on Tuesday against the Cavs and the fact they won that game by coming back makes me like this pick even more. After all, you never want to go against a Cavs team that comes off a loss - but it is ok to go against a Cavs team that comes off a win in which they were fortunate. This reduces the "edge" that this team has from coming off a loss. Speaking of edge, the Phoenix Suns will have some tonight against the Cavs. From the fact that this team has lost five straight, returned home from a four game road swing in which they lost all four SU, including a home loss against Dallas, this team will be more than fired up to go against Lebron and company. There are certain situations when the Phoenix Suns will make sense and there are certain situations when they step up. This is one such situation. This game is on TNT, which is renowned for Underdogs covering and the Suns will use this game as a stepping stone to attempt to make a run out West. The Suns are the same team that beat the Lakers at home with no Amare winning 118-111 and there are just times when they step up. This will be one of those games as with the likes of Nash, O'Neal, Richardson, Hill, Barnes and Barbosa, the Suns can get this done. Remember, this was the exact same line when the Suns hosted the Lakers and won Outright as a small home dog as well and they desperately need a win once again and will step up on TNT to do so as a likely Outright Winner.
Good luck,
4 Unit Play. #717. Take Indiana +9 over Penn State (Thursday @ 5pm est). I know, hold your nose. But, we took two ugly dogs yesterday in Depaul +9.5 and Southern Methodist +11 and they both cashed for us, so let's take a dog that we are getting almost that many points in Indiana. Yes, Indiana is horrible, pathetic, blah, blah, blah. But, do you think the regular season every matters worth of diddly in this conference tournament? Heck, Depaul went 0-16 in conference tourney games - 0-16! And, yet this team defeated Georgetown and was giving all Providence can handle from start to finish. Indiana actually defeated Iowa at home and covered countless games at home. This game is played in Indianapolis for starters, Indiana lost to Penn State by just 3 points on the road and 10 points at home. Believe it or not, Indiana matches up well with Penn State even if is their scrubs and essentially non-scholarship players. If you are Penn State, how do you get your boys up for this first round game against the Hoosiers? Indiana comes into this game getting trounced by 24 to Wisconsin on the road, they face a team that they lost to at home by 10, then went on the road to just lose by 3, they are catching 9 points in a total of 123, and this is the same Penn State team that lost in double-overtime to Iowa and 6 conference games on the road. Penn State is used to playing the role of the spoiler, but now, they are favored and this is a new role for them that they will get used to. Let's take the points as Indiana should be game from start to finish and they will get some home cooking calls in our favor as well.
4 Unit Play. #723. Take NC State +1.5 over Maryland (Thursday @ 7pm est). This is a gutsy call. I can dig it. But, I like it here as the ACC Tourney is held in Atlanta and places this game on a neutral footing. I am also no fan of Maryland as I think they are over-rated frankly. I don't believe the ACC is overrated - I just think Maryland is overrated. The terps are similar to when the Cavs sit around and watch Lebron go to work at times when they sit around and Vasquez does all the work. NC State is a team that plays the great concept of "team basketball". Remember, this team beat NC State by 11 on the road earlier this year so this is a revenge game for NC State. I can easily see Maryland looking over the shoulder of NC State to their next opponent and they just might get their head caught in some headlights. Folks, I think Maryland is going to be in some serious trouble today along with Boston College for that matter. Remember 70% of the public loves Maryland here and why? This is not a home game for them. NC State has had luck on this floor defeating Georgia Tech 21, this team beat Wake at home, beat Virginia and Boston College at home as well. Heck, they even beat Miami of Florida at home as well. No, this team is not at home, but I am stating this to say, that this team has potential and when they play together, they can certainly accomplish a lot. I believe the line is revealing here and that Maryland is in for a big awakening and exit in the first round when all is said and done. The thing with Maryland is that when they stink, they stink bad such as their 41 point loss to Duke and 29 point loss to Clemson. NC State comes in with a more spirited attitude and takes the cake here today in Hotlanta.
4 Unit Play. #725. Take Virginia +4.5 over Boston College (Thursday @ 9:20pm est). Another upset in the making today. Let me ask you something - what has Boston College done on the road this year? BC lost to NC State by 5, lost to Miami of Florida by 11 and although this team is a 21 win team, they are in for trouble here today. The last time these two teams played, I don't believe Virginia was playing its best basketball when they lost to BC at home by 10. This Cavalier team remembers that loss when these two lock horns again today. Virginia shoots 74.5% from the free throw line and if they can attack the basket, they will win this game as they have some solid spot up 3-point shooters. I understand that this team was 4-12 this year in conference play - but I also understand that this team went 3-4 to close out the year, and they can certainly call on the barons of an upset here as if Virginia gets going early, BC can get rattled easily. I just don't feel BC is playing their best basketball heading into the tournament as this team barely defeated Tech at home by 1 point and I think they are going to be deer caught in headlights as well as I don't see BC getting "up" for this game as well. Don't be surprised to see both Virginia and NC State make the upset today against their respective opponents. I have a feelingg the public simply gets burned today with BC as they did with Texas A&M yesterday. The Cavaliers are 5-0-2 ATS as underdogs in their last 7 neutral site games and BC is just 1-7 ATS against teams with a SU (straight up) losing record as this team just simply does not "get-up" for weaker teams.
4 Unit Play. Take the Phoenix Suns +4.5 over the Cleveland Cavaliers (Friday @ 10:30pm est). We are 2-1 on the week as roll into Sunday. Let's cash the Thursday ticket with the Phoenix Suns at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The public for the most part should love the Cavs here, and we will gladly go the other way. Remember, we took the Clippers just on Tuesday against the Cavs and the fact they won that game by coming back makes me like this pick even more. After all, you never want to go against a Cavs team that comes off a loss - but it is ok to go against a Cavs team that comes off a win in which they were fortunate. This reduces the "edge" that this team has from coming off a loss. Speaking of edge, the Phoenix Suns will have some tonight against the Cavs. From the fact that this team has lost five straight, returned home from a four game road swing in which they lost all four SU, including a home loss against Dallas, this team will be more than fired up to go against Lebron and company. There are certain situations when the Phoenix Suns will make sense and there are certain situations when they step up. This is one such situation. This game is on TNT, which is renowned for Underdogs covering and the Suns will use this game as a stepping stone to attempt to make a run out West. The Suns are the same team that beat the Lakers at home with no Amare winning 118-111 and there are just times when they step up. This will be one of those games as with the likes of Nash, O'Neal, Richardson, Hill, Barnes and Barbosa, the Suns can get this done. Remember, this was the exact same line when the Suns hosted the Lakers and won Outright as a small home dog as well and they desperately need a win once again and will step up on TNT to do so as a likely Outright Winner.
Good luck,
Yea, it puts IC in a better light for me. He got out and joined forces with Wunderdog to create capperslounge. And, he is with a reputable company in doc sports. IC is the man for being honest and straight up regardless of his picks. The fact that he did not join Land and/or stay with him speaks volumes. IC saw the writing on the wall.
