Morehead State vs. LOUISVILLE (-21) - at Dayton, OH
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
G-Man on a 7-3 comp play run entering Friday's action.
After watching both number one seeds destroy the competition yesterday, I have a feeling Louisville will follow suit tonight with a destruction of Morehead State.
The Eagles won the play-in game on Tuesday, but only netted 58-points in doing so. In fact, Morehead has been in the 60's or less in 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6.
I have a feeling State is going to have a very hard time keeping pace with this Louisville team.
Don't be surprised if Louisville ends this game in triple-digits the way # 1's Connecticut, and North Carolina did yesterday.
The Redbirds have won 10 straight, and they have covered their last 4, and 8 of their last 10.
Pitino's team is playing with an energy level that will see them in Detroit before long.
Go right ahead and lay this big number, as the 'Ville makes their statement on Friday night.
4? LOUISVILLE
E Tennessee St. (+19') vs. Pittsburgh, at Dayton, OH
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
I'll break this winner down for you by 1 p.m. eastern.
Don't forget to check my daily video for my other comp winner for today, a game that tips off at 12:30 p.m. eastern
1? UTAH STATE
USC (-2) vs. Boston College, at Minneapolis, MN
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
How ‘bout that outright free-play winner with Michigan over Clemson on Thursday? Let’s go for two in a row Friday by backing USC against Boston College in a No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed showdown.
This play essentially comes down to one key fact: USC enters the Tournament on a five-game SU and ATS winning streak, including three impressive wins in the Pac-10 tournament, while Boston College was maddeningly inconsistent all season long, and that was especially true down the stetch when the Eagles lost five of their final nine games both SU and ATS.
Start with the Trojans. Knowing they needed to win the Pac-10 tournament to advance to their third straight Big Dance, USC scored three upsets in as many days over Cal (79-75), UCLA (65-55) and Arizona State (66-63), with the tournament-clinching win over the Sun Devils being particularly impressive, as they rallied from a 15-point halftime hole. USC’s late-season run really wasn’t all that surprising, as this team was much better than it played in the middle of the Pac-10 season (when it lost six of seven games). You may not remember, but back on Dec. 4, the Trojans went to Oklahoma and took Blake Griffin and the Sooners to the limit, losing 73-72 as an 8½-point underdog.
As for Boston College and its inconsistency, here’s all you need to know: The Eagles opened ACC play with a stunning seven-point road win at No. 1 North Carolina, then lost four straight (including an embarrassing eight-point home loss to Harvard!), then won four in a row before closing on that 4-5 slump.
Lastly, when you get these Tournament matchups against seemingly equal teams, coaching becomes increasingly important. And I trust USC’s Tim Floyd a lot more than I trust Al Skinner – just as I trusted Michigan’s John Beilein a lot more than I did Clemson’s Oliver Purnell (and the 10th-seeded Wolverines beat the 7th-seeded Tigers outright). Simply put, there’s a reason the 10 seed in this one is favored over the 7 seed. Lay the small price.
5? USC (based on a 1? to 10? scale)
Usc (-2') vs. Boston College, at Minneapolis, MN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
I started off March Mayhem with the 4-0 sweep yesterday for my paying clients, and also delivered the 2-0 sweep with my Bonus Plays including an outright winner on Western Kentucky! I'm now on a 9-2 run with my last 11 overall Bonus Plays.
Take Usc as the small chalk over Boston College in the Midwest Regional.
The Trojans come into this game riding a five-game SUATS winning streak and captured the Pac-10 crown by knocking off Arizona State on Saturday.
I like the job coach Tim Floyd has done with this group, and he should be able to get some mismatches with 6-6 power forward Demar DeRozan, who averaged 21 ppg in the conference tournament.
Boston College is just 4-5 SUATS in its last nine overall and I don’t see them getting things done over the red-hot Trojans.
Usc is on ATS streaks of 5-0 overall, 5-0 on Fridays, 4-1 in neutral-site games and 5-1 as a favorite.
Take Usc minus the small number as they grab the win and cover over Boston College.
3? USC
North Dakota State vs. Kansas (-10), at Minneapolis
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Here's your comp winner for Friday's first round of the Big Dance as we go with Kansas to lay the wood to North Dakota State.
North Dakota State has reason to celebrate. The Bison had a great season and reached the Big Dance the first year they were eligible. But that's where the celebrating is stopping. There are not wearing Cinderella's slipper today. Kansas is going to win this one by 20 at least.
Kansas is the defending national champion. They won this thing last year, and while there aren't a lot of returners from that championship squad, there are some and they know the drill. They know what it takes to win and advance. They won't get caught off-guard by the Bison.
The Jayhawks lost in the Big 12 quarterfinals to Baylor but closing out the regular season they won six of their last seven and went 5-1-1 ATS down the stretch. They are in their 20th straight Big Dance and they are on ATS runs of 22-8-1 overall, 13-6 in non-conference action, 36-15-1 against teams with winning records and last year they went 5-1 ATS en route to the national crown.
North Dakota State just doesn't play many lined contests, and while the Bison might have been good for their conference, this is a step up in class they aren't ready for. They won the Summit League title with a 66-64 win over Oakland. They played two other tourney teams this season in Minnesota, losing 90-76 and losing at USC 61-57. Kansas is much better than either of those two.
Play Kansas to end the hopes of the Bison tonight. The big bully wins this fight.
4? KANSAS
Dayton vs. West Virginia (-9), at Minneapolis, MN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
I started off March Mayhem with the 4-0 sweep yesterday for my paying clients, and also delivered the 2-0 sweep with my Bonus Plays including an outright winner on Western Kentucky! I'm now on a 9-2 run with my last 11 overall Bonus Plays.
Take West Virginia minus the points over Dayton in the Midwest Regional.
Tough matchup for Dayton, who has only two players averaging double-digits in scoring. The Flyers play good defense, but West Virginia plays it even better, surrendering only 41.9 percent shooting from the field playing in the rugged Big East conference.
The Mountaineers are a well-balanced offensive team that gets good production from Devin Ebanks and Darryl Bryant. Da’Sean Butler and Alex Ruoff are the scoring leaders and it’s going to be tough for Dayton to hold West Virginia in check.
Dayton went just 2-3 SU in its final five games and 4-4 ATS in its last eight overall.
West Virginia is on ATS runs of 8-1-1 in The Big Dance, 6-1 after a non-cover, 5-2 on Fridays and 4-0 after a SU loss.
Take West Virginia minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
4? WEST VIRGINIA
Utah State (+4') vs Marquette at Boise, ID
By Drew Gordon, Featured Handicapper
I've warned my clients about overreacting to an injury, but in certain cases, one player is so critical to a team's success, that they simply cannot cope with the loss. Case in point - Marquette and the injury to senior stud Dominic James - who was one of their top scorers, but more importantly, their best distributor and on the ball defender. Since losing James early in the Connecticut game, the Eagles have lost 5 of 6 SU (3-3 ATS), and today's game won't get any easier!
Utah State is no pushover, the reigning WAC champion happens to be one hell of an efficient offensive team. The Aggies shoot near 50% from the floor on the season, and that's bad news for a Marquette team allowing almost 50% from the floor over their last 5 games! In fact, Marquette's road defense has been highly questionable all year long, allowing 73 ppg on 49% shooting! Utah State meanwhile, DOES bring it's defense along when it travels, allowing 61 ppg on 41% shooting!
From a match up standpoint, the smallish Eagles frontline is going to have their hands full with Utah State's leading scorer 6'9 F Gary Wilkinson, who averages 17 ppg on an outstanding 58% shooting! Lazar Haywood is the only real threat coming out of the Marquette frontline, but his 9 blocks on the year should tell you just how little of a defensive presence he is. Eagles get the edge out of the backcourt, but only a slight lean without James in the lineup.
Finally, looking over the trends, Aggies-backers know they've been a cash-cow as a underdog, going 6-1 ATS over their last 7 in that spot! On the flip side, the Golden Eagles have been burned their backers in this position, going just 1-4 ATS over their last 5 as a favorite! In the end, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Aggies won outright here, as Marquette continues to struggle badly without their floor leader in this one.
Take Utah State plus the points over Marquette in this college hoops match up.
2? UTAH STATE
Utah State (+4') vs. Marquette, at Boise, Idaho
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
We got you a FREE winner in Thursday's half of the first round with Maryland over Cal and today we've got another one for you as we grab the points with Utah State against Marquette.
Marquette played most of the season in the Top-25 but the loss of guard Dominic James with a broken foot has really changed this team. That's why we think this could be a prime upset today with Aggies. Play Utah State.
The Eagles lost five of their last six with the only win being a victory over lowly St. John's in the first round of the Big East tournament. They finished the 2-7 ATS in their last nine regular season games but did get two covers in the conference tourney.
Utah State won the WAC and won the tournament title with a 72-62 win in the championship game, beating Nevada on its home court in Reno, cashing as a 1 1/2-point road chalk. The Aggies opened the season 24-1 and had a stint in the Top-25. They can score points and shoot close to 50 percent from the field, near the top of the country for field-goal accuracy.
The Aggies are on ATS runs of 10-4 in non-conference action, 9-3 on neutral courts, 6-1 as an underdog and 6-1 as a neutral-site 'dog. On the other side, the Eagles are just 4-7 ATS in their last 11 overall, 1-4 in their last five as a favorite and 1-4-1 in non-conference contests.
Grab the points and play Utah State as they shoot it well in this one and take this one right down to the buzzer.
3? UTAH STATE
Portland State (+10') vs. XAVIER - at Boise, ID
By Sports Gambling Hotline, Featured Handicapper
It is a 25-18-2 comp play run the last 45 days.
Take the points tonight in Boise, as Portland State should get a little boost from the "home" crowd in their game versus Xavier.
The Vikings have won their last 6, and 8 of their last 10 games, and do catch the "X"-Men in a bit of a road funk.
Including the Atlantic 10 tournament, Xavier went just 2-5 straight up their last 7 away from the friendly Cintas Center. Over their last last dozen games, the Musketeers went just 4-6-2 against the spread, so you can see why we are reluctant to lay the double-digits with Xavier in this spot.
Xavier is an eastern time zone school playing far, far, away from their home, and the Vikings figure to have a few fans in the seats in this game.
The longer Portland State can hang around the tougher it is going to be for Xavier to get on top, and stay on top of this number.
Play on Portland State do stay inside of this roomy impost.
3? PORTLAND STATE
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
G-Man on a 7-3 comp play run entering Friday's action.
After watching both number one seeds destroy the competition yesterday, I have a feeling Louisville will follow suit tonight with a destruction of Morehead State.
The Eagles won the play-in game on Tuesday, but only netted 58-points in doing so. In fact, Morehead has been in the 60's or less in 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6.
I have a feeling State is going to have a very hard time keeping pace with this Louisville team.
Don't be surprised if Louisville ends this game in triple-digits the way # 1's Connecticut, and North Carolina did yesterday.
The Redbirds have won 10 straight, and they have covered their last 4, and 8 of their last 10.
Pitino's team is playing with an energy level that will see them in Detroit before long.
Go right ahead and lay this big number, as the 'Ville makes their statement on Friday night.
4? LOUISVILLE
E Tennessee St. (+19') vs. Pittsburgh, at Dayton, OH
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
I'll break this winner down for you by 1 p.m. eastern.
Don't forget to check my daily video for my other comp winner for today, a game that tips off at 12:30 p.m. eastern
1? UTAH STATE
USC (-2) vs. Boston College, at Minneapolis, MN
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
How ‘bout that outright free-play winner with Michigan over Clemson on Thursday? Let’s go for two in a row Friday by backing USC against Boston College in a No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed showdown.
This play essentially comes down to one key fact: USC enters the Tournament on a five-game SU and ATS winning streak, including three impressive wins in the Pac-10 tournament, while Boston College was maddeningly inconsistent all season long, and that was especially true down the stetch when the Eagles lost five of their final nine games both SU and ATS.
Start with the Trojans. Knowing they needed to win the Pac-10 tournament to advance to their third straight Big Dance, USC scored three upsets in as many days over Cal (79-75), UCLA (65-55) and Arizona State (66-63), with the tournament-clinching win over the Sun Devils being particularly impressive, as they rallied from a 15-point halftime hole. USC’s late-season run really wasn’t all that surprising, as this team was much better than it played in the middle of the Pac-10 season (when it lost six of seven games). You may not remember, but back on Dec. 4, the Trojans went to Oklahoma and took Blake Griffin and the Sooners to the limit, losing 73-72 as an 8½-point underdog.
As for Boston College and its inconsistency, here’s all you need to know: The Eagles opened ACC play with a stunning seven-point road win at No. 1 North Carolina, then lost four straight (including an embarrassing eight-point home loss to Harvard!), then won four in a row before closing on that 4-5 slump.
Lastly, when you get these Tournament matchups against seemingly equal teams, coaching becomes increasingly important. And I trust USC’s Tim Floyd a lot more than I trust Al Skinner – just as I trusted Michigan’s John Beilein a lot more than I did Clemson’s Oliver Purnell (and the 10th-seeded Wolverines beat the 7th-seeded Tigers outright). Simply put, there’s a reason the 10 seed in this one is favored over the 7 seed. Lay the small price.
5? USC (based on a 1? to 10? scale)
Usc (-2') vs. Boston College, at Minneapolis, MN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
I started off March Mayhem with the 4-0 sweep yesterday for my paying clients, and also delivered the 2-0 sweep with my Bonus Plays including an outright winner on Western Kentucky! I'm now on a 9-2 run with my last 11 overall Bonus Plays.
Take Usc as the small chalk over Boston College in the Midwest Regional.
The Trojans come into this game riding a five-game SUATS winning streak and captured the Pac-10 crown by knocking off Arizona State on Saturday.
I like the job coach Tim Floyd has done with this group, and he should be able to get some mismatches with 6-6 power forward Demar DeRozan, who averaged 21 ppg in the conference tournament.
Boston College is just 4-5 SUATS in its last nine overall and I don’t see them getting things done over the red-hot Trojans.
Usc is on ATS streaks of 5-0 overall, 5-0 on Fridays, 4-1 in neutral-site games and 5-1 as a favorite.
Take Usc minus the small number as they grab the win and cover over Boston College.
3? USC
North Dakota State vs. Kansas (-10), at Minneapolis
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Here's your comp winner for Friday's first round of the Big Dance as we go with Kansas to lay the wood to North Dakota State.
North Dakota State has reason to celebrate. The Bison had a great season and reached the Big Dance the first year they were eligible. But that's where the celebrating is stopping. There are not wearing Cinderella's slipper today. Kansas is going to win this one by 20 at least.
Kansas is the defending national champion. They won this thing last year, and while there aren't a lot of returners from that championship squad, there are some and they know the drill. They know what it takes to win and advance. They won't get caught off-guard by the Bison.
The Jayhawks lost in the Big 12 quarterfinals to Baylor but closing out the regular season they won six of their last seven and went 5-1-1 ATS down the stretch. They are in their 20th straight Big Dance and they are on ATS runs of 22-8-1 overall, 13-6 in non-conference action, 36-15-1 against teams with winning records and last year they went 5-1 ATS en route to the national crown.
North Dakota State just doesn't play many lined contests, and while the Bison might have been good for their conference, this is a step up in class they aren't ready for. They won the Summit League title with a 66-64 win over Oakland. They played two other tourney teams this season in Minnesota, losing 90-76 and losing at USC 61-57. Kansas is much better than either of those two.
Play Kansas to end the hopes of the Bison tonight. The big bully wins this fight.
4? KANSAS
Dayton vs. West Virginia (-9), at Minneapolis, MN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
I started off March Mayhem with the 4-0 sweep yesterday for my paying clients, and also delivered the 2-0 sweep with my Bonus Plays including an outright winner on Western Kentucky! I'm now on a 9-2 run with my last 11 overall Bonus Plays.
Take West Virginia minus the points over Dayton in the Midwest Regional.
Tough matchup for Dayton, who has only two players averaging double-digits in scoring. The Flyers play good defense, but West Virginia plays it even better, surrendering only 41.9 percent shooting from the field playing in the rugged Big East conference.
The Mountaineers are a well-balanced offensive team that gets good production from Devin Ebanks and Darryl Bryant. Da’Sean Butler and Alex Ruoff are the scoring leaders and it’s going to be tough for Dayton to hold West Virginia in check.
Dayton went just 2-3 SU in its final five games and 4-4 ATS in its last eight overall.
West Virginia is on ATS runs of 8-1-1 in The Big Dance, 6-1 after a non-cover, 5-2 on Fridays and 4-0 after a SU loss.
Take West Virginia minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
4? WEST VIRGINIA
Utah State (+4') vs Marquette at Boise, ID
By Drew Gordon, Featured Handicapper
I've warned my clients about overreacting to an injury, but in certain cases, one player is so critical to a team's success, that they simply cannot cope with the loss. Case in point - Marquette and the injury to senior stud Dominic James - who was one of their top scorers, but more importantly, their best distributor and on the ball defender. Since losing James early in the Connecticut game, the Eagles have lost 5 of 6 SU (3-3 ATS), and today's game won't get any easier!
Utah State is no pushover, the reigning WAC champion happens to be one hell of an efficient offensive team. The Aggies shoot near 50% from the floor on the season, and that's bad news for a Marquette team allowing almost 50% from the floor over their last 5 games! In fact, Marquette's road defense has been highly questionable all year long, allowing 73 ppg on 49% shooting! Utah State meanwhile, DOES bring it's defense along when it travels, allowing 61 ppg on 41% shooting!
From a match up standpoint, the smallish Eagles frontline is going to have their hands full with Utah State's leading scorer 6'9 F Gary Wilkinson, who averages 17 ppg on an outstanding 58% shooting! Lazar Haywood is the only real threat coming out of the Marquette frontline, but his 9 blocks on the year should tell you just how little of a defensive presence he is. Eagles get the edge out of the backcourt, but only a slight lean without James in the lineup.
Finally, looking over the trends, Aggies-backers know they've been a cash-cow as a underdog, going 6-1 ATS over their last 7 in that spot! On the flip side, the Golden Eagles have been burned their backers in this position, going just 1-4 ATS over their last 5 as a favorite! In the end, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Aggies won outright here, as Marquette continues to struggle badly without their floor leader in this one.
Take Utah State plus the points over Marquette in this college hoops match up.
2? UTAH STATE
Utah State (+4') vs. Marquette, at Boise, Idaho
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
We got you a FREE winner in Thursday's half of the first round with Maryland over Cal and today we've got another one for you as we grab the points with Utah State against Marquette.
Marquette played most of the season in the Top-25 but the loss of guard Dominic James with a broken foot has really changed this team. That's why we think this could be a prime upset today with Aggies. Play Utah State.
The Eagles lost five of their last six with the only win being a victory over lowly St. John's in the first round of the Big East tournament. They finished the 2-7 ATS in their last nine regular season games but did get two covers in the conference tourney.
Utah State won the WAC and won the tournament title with a 72-62 win in the championship game, beating Nevada on its home court in Reno, cashing as a 1 1/2-point road chalk. The Aggies opened the season 24-1 and had a stint in the Top-25. They can score points and shoot close to 50 percent from the field, near the top of the country for field-goal accuracy.
The Aggies are on ATS runs of 10-4 in non-conference action, 9-3 on neutral courts, 6-1 as an underdog and 6-1 as a neutral-site 'dog. On the other side, the Eagles are just 4-7 ATS in their last 11 overall, 1-4 in their last five as a favorite and 1-4-1 in non-conference contests.
Grab the points and play Utah State as they shoot it well in this one and take this one right down to the buzzer.
3? UTAH STATE
Portland State (+10') vs. XAVIER - at Boise, ID
By Sports Gambling Hotline, Featured Handicapper
It is a 25-18-2 comp play run the last 45 days.
Take the points tonight in Boise, as Portland State should get a little boost from the "home" crowd in their game versus Xavier.
The Vikings have won their last 6, and 8 of their last 10 games, and do catch the "X"-Men in a bit of a road funk.
Including the Atlantic 10 tournament, Xavier went just 2-5 straight up their last 7 away from the friendly Cintas Center. Over their last last dozen games, the Musketeers went just 4-6-2 against the spread, so you can see why we are reluctant to lay the double-digits with Xavier in this spot.
Xavier is an eastern time zone school playing far, far, away from their home, and the Vikings figure to have a few fans in the seats in this game.
The longer Portland State can hang around the tougher it is going to be for Xavier to get on top, and stay on top of this number.
Play on Portland State do stay inside of this roomy impost.
3? PORTLAND STATE
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