UCLA vs. VILLANOVA (-2) - at Philadelphia, PA
By Sports Gambling Hotline, Featured Handicapper
On a 25-19-2 Bonus Play run.
For Saturday in the college ranks, we will back Villanova as the small favorite over UCLA.
Both teams survived Thursday night scares, as 'Nova trailed by as many as 14 against American before rallying, and nearly covering their 15-point impost. Meanwhile, UCLA allowed VCU to come from 12 down to nearly nip them outright at the buzzer.
Our feeling is Villanova has received its wake up call, and will come out strong in this one. The fact the Wildcats play a handful of their regular season home games on this court also should help matters at this near pick price.
It looks to us like the linesmakers have pegged the price on this game about right, but we feel the "home court" advantage Villanova enjoys will be enough to send them on to the Sweet 16.
Play on the 'Cats minus the small impost.
3? VILLANOVA
UCLA (+2') vs Villanova, at Philadelphia, PA
By Drew Gordon, Featured Handicapper
With both teams nearly getting eliminated in their opening round contests, it's safe to say they'll both be focused in this one (can you say wake-up call!). I'll admit there's a distinct advantage to playing in Philadelphia for the Wildcats, but that's where their "edges" begin and end, as a focused Bruins team is the superior squad in this match, and it'll show.
First things first, let's be clear: As far as their opening round games, I would be worried a lot more about Villanova than UCLA. You see, VCU is no pushover, they were playing great down the stretch and also happened to match up well with Maynor and Sanders. The same cannot be said for American, who comes to us out of the sorry-ass Patriot League, and we can all agree is a step below VCU. In other words, which team appeared more vulnerable Thursday? Clearly it was Villanova.
The biggest advantage the Bruins have is their outstanding defense, which we saw in full force in the 1st half of Thursday's win over VCU. Look for them to keep their focus for the entire game this afternoon, bringing their lockdown D (60 ppg on 40% shooting L5 games) to Philly this afternoon. Nova also thrives on its defense, but the fact they're allowing 10 more ppg over the same 5-game span has to have their backers worried!
Finally, one match up I expect to make all the difference is Alfred Aboya vs Dante Cunningham. Aboya is an outstanding defender, and his ability to slow down the Wildcats leading scorer will be key, especially after watching Scottie Reynolds struggle mightily over his last 2 games (averaging just 5 ppg over that span)! In the end, I believe UCLA can exploit the same flaws American did Thursday, namely an inconsistent defense that's vulnerable from the perimeter (note: UCLA shoots 40% from 3-point on season), as the Bruins take care of business Saturday afternoon!
Take UCLA plus the points over Villanova in this college hoops match up.
2? UCLA
Maryland (+9) vs. Memphis, at Kansas City, Mo.
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
For Saturday’s freebie in the Big Dance, we’ll take Maryland plus the points against Memphis.
I couldn’t have been less impressed with the second-seeded Tigers in the opening round when they struggled all day against No. 15 seed Cal-State Northridge. At the same time, I couldn’t have been more impressed with Maryland’s 84-71 trouncing of California. Granted, the Golden Bears out of the Pac-10 definitely struggled over the final month of the season. However, Cal has a lot of talent and it had the added bonus of playing close to home in its own time zone, while Maryland had to travel west.
Yet the Terps were absolutely the fresher team in the second half, as they broke open a three-point game by outscoring Cal 50-40 over the final 20 minutes, and Gary Williams’ team got it done on both ends of the floor. With that victory, Maryland has now won three of four, going 4-0 ATS, with the only loss being a six-point setback to Duke in the ACC tournament semifinals.
Speaking of the ACC, there’s no denying the fact that the Terps are much more battle-tested than Memphis. Maryland played in one of the two best leagues in the nation, while the Tigers once again, cruised through weak Conference USA. In fact, while Maryland has faced the likes of Duke (three times), North Carolina (twice) and Wake Forest (twice) over the last 2½ months, Memphis hasn’t faced a team from a power conference since barely beating Tennessee 54-52 back on Jan. 24 (and Tennessee went one-and-done in the Big Dance). What’s more, Memphis’ three losses this year came against Syracuse (Big East), Georgetown (Big East) and Xavier (a top-25 team all year from the Atlantic 10).
You throw in the fact that Memphis reverted to its god-awful foul-shooting ways against Northridge on Thursday – the Tigers went 12-for-21 from the charity stripe – and I can’t pass up taking this many points with a quality ACC team and a rock-solid coach who owns a national championship ring.
5? MARYLAND
Michigan vs. Oklahoma (-6'), at Kansas City, Mo.
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Gave you a college tourney FREEBIE on Friday when Utah State scored the cover against Marquette. Today we've got you another one as we go with Oklahoma to get the win and cover against Michigan.
The Sooners are one of the top 5 teams in the country and Blake Griffin is by far the most talented player in college basketball. Today, they'll get the job done against Michigan and advance to the Sweet 16.
Oklahoma scored an 82-54 win over Morgan State on Thursday and covered as a 15-point favorite, ending their three-game ATS rut. Griffin had 28 points and 13 rebounds and led the Sooners to 60.4 percent shooting and they held the Bears to 28.6 percent from the floor.
Michigan upset Clemson in the opener 62-59 as a 4 1/2-point underdog. The Wolverines got outrebounded by 12 and allowed 20 offensive rebounds. If they do the same tonight, Oklahoma is going to end up blowoing out the Wolverines.
Neither of these teams has been much ATS but what you've got to look at is the competition level and we like what the Sooners did in the Big 12.
Oklahoma has the best player in the country and he'll will them to this win and cover. Play the Sooners.
4? OKLAHOMA
Western Kentucky vs. GONZAGA (-10')
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
Well, the G-Man gave you Gonzaga as a Bonus Play loser on Thursday, but I will come right back with them tonight, as the Bulldogs did enjoy a 19-point lead on Akron around the 2-minute mark on Thursday, only to leave the back-door open for the Zips.
That won't be the case tonight, as I expect Mark Few's team to be focused from the get-go in this one, and I expect the 'Zags to make this one look easy.
Western Kentucky's near collapse against Illinois tells me all I need to know about this game, as the Hilltoppers had more late game turnovers than the Pillsbury Doughboy, and I suspect if Goinzaga applies a little early defensive pressure, this is the 'Zags game to lose.
Of course playing in Portland also helps matters for the Bulldogs who have now won 10 straight, and 19 of their last 20 overall.
The Bulldogs are also on a 5-2 spread run their last 7 lined games.
Going to play Gonzaga to once again put up a double-digit win, only this time they get the cover!
4? GONZAGA
Western Kentucky vs. Gonzaga (-10'), at Portland
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Love this game to stay under the posted number.
I'll break it down for you by 1 p.m. eastern.
1? UNDER
By Sports Gambling Hotline, Featured Handicapper
On a 25-19-2 Bonus Play run.
For Saturday in the college ranks, we will back Villanova as the small favorite over UCLA.
Both teams survived Thursday night scares, as 'Nova trailed by as many as 14 against American before rallying, and nearly covering their 15-point impost. Meanwhile, UCLA allowed VCU to come from 12 down to nearly nip them outright at the buzzer.
Our feeling is Villanova has received its wake up call, and will come out strong in this one. The fact the Wildcats play a handful of their regular season home games on this court also should help matters at this near pick price.
It looks to us like the linesmakers have pegged the price on this game about right, but we feel the "home court" advantage Villanova enjoys will be enough to send them on to the Sweet 16.
Play on the 'Cats minus the small impost.
3? VILLANOVA
UCLA (+2') vs Villanova, at Philadelphia, PA
By Drew Gordon, Featured Handicapper
With both teams nearly getting eliminated in their opening round contests, it's safe to say they'll both be focused in this one (can you say wake-up call!). I'll admit there's a distinct advantage to playing in Philadelphia for the Wildcats, but that's where their "edges" begin and end, as a focused Bruins team is the superior squad in this match, and it'll show.
First things first, let's be clear: As far as their opening round games, I would be worried a lot more about Villanova than UCLA. You see, VCU is no pushover, they were playing great down the stretch and also happened to match up well with Maynor and Sanders. The same cannot be said for American, who comes to us out of the sorry-ass Patriot League, and we can all agree is a step below VCU. In other words, which team appeared more vulnerable Thursday? Clearly it was Villanova.
The biggest advantage the Bruins have is their outstanding defense, which we saw in full force in the 1st half of Thursday's win over VCU. Look for them to keep their focus for the entire game this afternoon, bringing their lockdown D (60 ppg on 40% shooting L5 games) to Philly this afternoon. Nova also thrives on its defense, but the fact they're allowing 10 more ppg over the same 5-game span has to have their backers worried!
Finally, one match up I expect to make all the difference is Alfred Aboya vs Dante Cunningham. Aboya is an outstanding defender, and his ability to slow down the Wildcats leading scorer will be key, especially after watching Scottie Reynolds struggle mightily over his last 2 games (averaging just 5 ppg over that span)! In the end, I believe UCLA can exploit the same flaws American did Thursday, namely an inconsistent defense that's vulnerable from the perimeter (note: UCLA shoots 40% from 3-point on season), as the Bruins take care of business Saturday afternoon!
Take UCLA plus the points over Villanova in this college hoops match up.
2? UCLA
Maryland (+9) vs. Memphis, at Kansas City, Mo.
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
For Saturday’s freebie in the Big Dance, we’ll take Maryland plus the points against Memphis.
I couldn’t have been less impressed with the second-seeded Tigers in the opening round when they struggled all day against No. 15 seed Cal-State Northridge. At the same time, I couldn’t have been more impressed with Maryland’s 84-71 trouncing of California. Granted, the Golden Bears out of the Pac-10 definitely struggled over the final month of the season. However, Cal has a lot of talent and it had the added bonus of playing close to home in its own time zone, while Maryland had to travel west.
Yet the Terps were absolutely the fresher team in the second half, as they broke open a three-point game by outscoring Cal 50-40 over the final 20 minutes, and Gary Williams’ team got it done on both ends of the floor. With that victory, Maryland has now won three of four, going 4-0 ATS, with the only loss being a six-point setback to Duke in the ACC tournament semifinals.
Speaking of the ACC, there’s no denying the fact that the Terps are much more battle-tested than Memphis. Maryland played in one of the two best leagues in the nation, while the Tigers once again, cruised through weak Conference USA. In fact, while Maryland has faced the likes of Duke (three times), North Carolina (twice) and Wake Forest (twice) over the last 2½ months, Memphis hasn’t faced a team from a power conference since barely beating Tennessee 54-52 back on Jan. 24 (and Tennessee went one-and-done in the Big Dance). What’s more, Memphis’ three losses this year came against Syracuse (Big East), Georgetown (Big East) and Xavier (a top-25 team all year from the Atlantic 10).
You throw in the fact that Memphis reverted to its god-awful foul-shooting ways against Northridge on Thursday – the Tigers went 12-for-21 from the charity stripe – and I can’t pass up taking this many points with a quality ACC team and a rock-solid coach who owns a national championship ring.
5? MARYLAND
Michigan vs. Oklahoma (-6'), at Kansas City, Mo.
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Gave you a college tourney FREEBIE on Friday when Utah State scored the cover against Marquette. Today we've got you another one as we go with Oklahoma to get the win and cover against Michigan.
The Sooners are one of the top 5 teams in the country and Blake Griffin is by far the most talented player in college basketball. Today, they'll get the job done against Michigan and advance to the Sweet 16.
Oklahoma scored an 82-54 win over Morgan State on Thursday and covered as a 15-point favorite, ending their three-game ATS rut. Griffin had 28 points and 13 rebounds and led the Sooners to 60.4 percent shooting and they held the Bears to 28.6 percent from the floor.
Michigan upset Clemson in the opener 62-59 as a 4 1/2-point underdog. The Wolverines got outrebounded by 12 and allowed 20 offensive rebounds. If they do the same tonight, Oklahoma is going to end up blowoing out the Wolverines.
Neither of these teams has been much ATS but what you've got to look at is the competition level and we like what the Sooners did in the Big 12.
Oklahoma has the best player in the country and he'll will them to this win and cover. Play the Sooners.
4? OKLAHOMA
Western Kentucky vs. GONZAGA (-10')
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
Well, the G-Man gave you Gonzaga as a Bonus Play loser on Thursday, but I will come right back with them tonight, as the Bulldogs did enjoy a 19-point lead on Akron around the 2-minute mark on Thursday, only to leave the back-door open for the Zips.
That won't be the case tonight, as I expect Mark Few's team to be focused from the get-go in this one, and I expect the 'Zags to make this one look easy.
Western Kentucky's near collapse against Illinois tells me all I need to know about this game, as the Hilltoppers had more late game turnovers than the Pillsbury Doughboy, and I suspect if Goinzaga applies a little early defensive pressure, this is the 'Zags game to lose.
Of course playing in Portland also helps matters for the Bulldogs who have now won 10 straight, and 19 of their last 20 overall.
The Bulldogs are also on a 5-2 spread run their last 7 lined games.
Going to play Gonzaga to once again put up a double-digit win, only this time they get the cover!
4? GONZAGA
Western Kentucky vs. Gonzaga (-10'), at Portland
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Love this game to stay under the posted number.
I'll break it down for you by 1 p.m. eastern.
1? UNDER
hno:^<<^Everyone's on nova
Jorge Gonzalez
25* NIT High Roller Release
Baylor vs. Virginia Tech
Play: Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies will be playing host in their second game in the NIT tournament. They will be taking on a Baylor Bear team that does not travel well with a record of of 2-8 away from home losing by an average margin of 7.8 points per game. The Bears are coming of a close victory 74-72 victory over Georgetown. The Hokies had several big wins and come into this game having covered four of their last five games. The Hokies are coming off a dramatic 116-108 overtime victory over Old Dominion. The Hokies are 4-0 ATS after scoring 90 points in the previous game. Baylor has covered just once in their last eight games played on Saturday and covered the spread just twice in their last 12 games after failing to cover the spread in their previous game. Take the Hokies.
25* NIT High Roller Release
Baylor vs. Virginia Tech
Play: Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies will be playing host in their second game in the NIT tournament. They will be taking on a Baylor Bear team that does not travel well with a record of of 2-8 away from home losing by an average margin of 7.8 points per game. The Bears are coming of a close victory 74-72 victory over Georgetown. The Hokies had several big wins and come into this game having covered four of their last five games. The Hokies are coming off a dramatic 116-108 overtime victory over Old Dominion. The Hokies are 4-0 ATS after scoring 90 points in the previous game. Baylor has covered just once in their last eight games played on Saturday and covered the spread just twice in their last 12 games after failing to cover the spread in their previous game. Take the Hokies.
round robin craig davis plays are
60 - memphis
Oklahoma
he screwed up and posted it in is complementary plays section
I like UCLA for one main reason... EVERYONE is playing Villanova here in Vegas. As I was standing in line waiting to place my early wagers on Memphis and Oklahoma, I heard just about everyone in front of me playing Villanova. That spells doom in my opinion. The general public is wrong more often than right. Want proof? I can't tell you the amount of bets on Wake Forest, Ohio State and especially Florida State Friday night. All three of those plays were not only losers ATS, they were losers SU. That's one of the main reasons I want you to play UCLA in this one. Nova has the home court advantage, they have the better offense and they seem to be playing better basketball later in the season. But UCLA plays better defense and I'm inclined to release them as one of my two Bonus Plays this afternoon.
60 - memphis
Oklahoma
he screwed up and posted it in is complementary plays section
I like UCLA for one main reason... EVERYONE is playing Villanova here in Vegas. As I was standing in line waiting to place my early wagers on Memphis and Oklahoma, I heard just about everyone in front of me playing Villanova. That spells doom in my opinion. The general public is wrong more often than right. Want proof? I can't tell you the amount of bets on Wake Forest, Ohio State and especially Florida State Friday night. All three of those plays were not only losers ATS, they were losers SU. That's one of the main reasons I want you to play UCLA in this one. Nova has the home court advantage, they have the better offense and they seem to be playing better basketball later in the season. But UCLA plays better defense and I'm inclined to release them as one of my two Bonus Plays this afternoon.
