NCAAB
Friday, March 7
Horizon League offers good betting opportunity
All the big conference tournaments take place next week, but the mid-major schools offer some good betting opportunities, too. The Horizon League Tournament is a good example.
No. 2 seed Cleveland State (21-10 SU) is ranked second nationally at the betting window with a stout 20-7-1 ATS record, trailing only Wichita State (21-6-1 ATS). No. 1 seed Green Bay (24-5 SU) was among the national leaders in mid-January with a 10-5 ATS mark, before going on a five-game ATS plunge. But the Phoenix (15-10 ATS) are right back on track now, entering the league tourney on a 5-0 SU and ATS hot streak.
As the top two seeds, Green Bay and Cleveland State get a bye into Saturday’s semifinals, awaiting the winners of tonight’s quarterfinal games.
Colonial Conference boasts excellent ATS teams
The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament opens in Baltimore Friday, and the nine-team league offers an array of betting options, with several teams doing well against the number this season.
Third-seeded William & Mary (18-11 SU) is 13th in the nation with a 15-7-1 ATS mark. Top-seeded Delaware (22-9 SU) is 25th nationally at 14-8-1 ATS, and No. 2 seed Towson (22-9 SU) is 42nd at 14-9 ATS. Even lowly Hofstra (9-22 SU) – seeded eighth and competing in tonight’s play-in game against North Carolina-Wilmington – is 14-9-3 ATS, 33rd in the nation.
Shockers' Marshall piling up incentive money
No. 2 Wichita State has cleaned up on the court and at the betting window, going 31-0 SU and a nation-leading 21-6-1 ATS in the regular season. And it’s not just bettors who have benefited.
As USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz tweeted Thursday, Shockers coach Gregg Marshall is piling up the incentive money, and it’s not even NCAA Tournament time yet. This week, Marshall was named Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year, grabbing a $25,000, which gives him $134,000 in bonuses so far this season.
The top-seeded Shockers got a first-round bye in the MVC Tournament at St. Louis, and they will open play with a 1:05 p.m. EST tipoff today against No. 9 seed Evansville.
Friday, March 7
Horizon League offers good betting opportunity
All the big conference tournaments take place next week, but the mid-major schools offer some good betting opportunities, too. The Horizon League Tournament is a good example.
No. 2 seed Cleveland State (21-10 SU) is ranked second nationally at the betting window with a stout 20-7-1 ATS record, trailing only Wichita State (21-6-1 ATS). No. 1 seed Green Bay (24-5 SU) was among the national leaders in mid-January with a 10-5 ATS mark, before going on a five-game ATS plunge. But the Phoenix (15-10 ATS) are right back on track now, entering the league tourney on a 5-0 SU and ATS hot streak.
As the top two seeds, Green Bay and Cleveland State get a bye into Saturday’s semifinals, awaiting the winners of tonight’s quarterfinal games.
Colonial Conference boasts excellent ATS teams
The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament opens in Baltimore Friday, and the nine-team league offers an array of betting options, with several teams doing well against the number this season.
Third-seeded William & Mary (18-11 SU) is 13th in the nation with a 15-7-1 ATS mark. Top-seeded Delaware (22-9 SU) is 25th nationally at 14-8-1 ATS, and No. 2 seed Towson (22-9 SU) is 42nd at 14-9 ATS. Even lowly Hofstra (9-22 SU) – seeded eighth and competing in tonight’s play-in game against North Carolina-Wilmington – is 14-9-3 ATS, 33rd in the nation.
Shockers' Marshall piling up incentive money
No. 2 Wichita State has cleaned up on the court and at the betting window, going 31-0 SU and a nation-leading 21-6-1 ATS in the regular season. And it’s not just bettors who have benefited.
As USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz tweeted Thursday, Shockers coach Gregg Marshall is piling up the incentive money, and it’s not even NCAA Tournament time yet. This week, Marshall was named Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year, grabbing a $25,000, which gives him $134,000 in bonuses so far this season.
The top-seeded Shockers got a first-round bye in the MVC Tournament at St. Louis, and they will open play with a 1:05 p.m. EST tipoff today against No. 9 seed Evansville.
NHL
Friday, March 7
Sabres win again, hot since Olympic break
With the Buffalo Sabres' 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday evening, they've now improved to a 4-1 record since the league resumed action after the Sochi Olympics.
The Sabres went into the break on a four-game losing skid but have put together wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and the Lightning heading into Friday.
The Sabres finish a three game road trip Friday at the Florida Panthers Friday. Buffalo is currently a +144 road dog.
Devils' Kovalchuk penalty reduced
The NHL reduced the penalties that the New Jersey Devils were dealt when they signed forward Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010 to what was deemed a cap-circumventing contract, the league announced Thursday.
The Devils will be able to keep their first-round draft pick this year.
Originally New Jersey was fined $3 million, lost a third-round draft pick in 2011 and would also lose a first-round pick.
Calgary on fire for Under bettors
There hasn't been much reason to bet the Calgary Flames this season, but the Under has been solid in recent games.
The Flames are 0-4-1 O/U in their last five games and are 0-3-1 O/U since action resumed after the Winter Olympics.
The club parted ways with goaltender Reto Berra on trade deadline day, but have gotten a pair of excellent start from goalie Joni Ortio. The Finn is 1-1 with a 1.50 GAA and .945 save percentage in two starts with Calgary this season.
The New York Islanders visit the Flames Friday with a total of 5.5 on the board.
Friday, March 7
Sabres win again, hot since Olympic break
With the Buffalo Sabres' 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday evening, they've now improved to a 4-1 record since the league resumed action after the Sochi Olympics.
The Sabres went into the break on a four-game losing skid but have put together wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks and the Lightning heading into Friday.
The Sabres finish a three game road trip Friday at the Florida Panthers Friday. Buffalo is currently a +144 road dog.
Devils' Kovalchuk penalty reduced
The NHL reduced the penalties that the New Jersey Devils were dealt when they signed forward Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010 to what was deemed a cap-circumventing contract, the league announced Thursday.
The Devils will be able to keep their first-round draft pick this year.
Originally New Jersey was fined $3 million, lost a third-round draft pick in 2011 and would also lose a first-round pick.
Calgary on fire for Under bettors
There hasn't been much reason to bet the Calgary Flames this season, but the Under has been solid in recent games.
The Flames are 0-4-1 O/U in their last five games and are 0-3-1 O/U since action resumed after the Winter Olympics.
The club parted ways with goaltender Reto Berra on trade deadline day, but have gotten a pair of excellent start from goalie Joni Ortio. The Finn is 1-1 with a 1.50 GAA and .945 save percentage in two starts with Calgary this season.
The New York Islanders visit the Flames Friday with a total of 5.5 on the board.
NBA
Friday, March 7
Clippers hand Lakers their worst loss ever
As much as the Los Angeles Clippers enjoyed hammering the Los Angeles Lakers again, Darren Collison said his team has bigger goals.
"No disrespect to the Lakers, that's a very good team, but right now we want to accomplish something big," the Clippers guard said.
For the second time in as many meetings, the Clippers dealt the Lakers a massive beating.
The Clippers had eight players score in double figures en route to a 142-94 blowout of the Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center. The 48-point margin was the worst defeat in Lakers history and the largest win in Clippers history. The 142 points were a season high for the Clippers.
NOTES: The Clippers outscored the Lakers 26-7 in fast-break points in the first half, including a 19-0 run in the second quarter. ... Clippers G Jamal Crawford missed his third consecutive game with a strained left calf. Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Crawford could return for Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. ... Clippers F Jared Dudley sat out due to back spasms. ... Lakers F Jordan Hill did not play because of a sore right knee. Hill is listed as day-to-day. ... The Clippers are 29-4 when leading after the second quarter. ... The Lakers fell to 22-8 all-time as the home team at Staples Center against the Clippers. ... The Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors - Prob Fri
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sat out the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against Celtics with leg soreness but is expected to play Friday against the Hawks.
Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets - Prob Fri
Denver Nuggets PG Ty Lawson suffered a minor heel injury against the Mavericks on Wednesday but expects to play in Friday's game against the Lakers.
Jazz have been terrible ATS play in New York
History is not on the side of the Utah Jazz when they visit New York Thursday. Normally an average team against the spread, the Jazz are atrocious against the Knicks.
The Jazz are a miserable 4-18 ATS in the last 22 versus the Knicks, including an even worse 0-8 in the past eight in New York.
The Jazz are 6.5-point road dogs when they face the Knicks Friday.
Friday, March 7
Clippers hand Lakers their worst loss ever
As much as the Los Angeles Clippers enjoyed hammering the Los Angeles Lakers again, Darren Collison said his team has bigger goals.
"No disrespect to the Lakers, that's a very good team, but right now we want to accomplish something big," the Clippers guard said.
For the second time in as many meetings, the Clippers dealt the Lakers a massive beating.
The Clippers had eight players score in double figures en route to a 142-94 blowout of the Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center. The 48-point margin was the worst defeat in Lakers history and the largest win in Clippers history. The 142 points were a season high for the Clippers.
NOTES: The Clippers outscored the Lakers 26-7 in fast-break points in the first half, including a 19-0 run in the second quarter. ... Clippers G Jamal Crawford missed his third consecutive game with a strained left calf. Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Crawford could return for Saturday's contest against the Atlanta Hawks. ... Clippers F Jared Dudley sat out due to back spasms. ... Lakers F Jordan Hill did not play because of a sore right knee. Hill is listed as day-to-day. ... The Clippers are 29-4 when leading after the second quarter. ... The Lakers fell to 22-8 all-time as the home team at Staples Center against the Clippers. ... The Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets on Friday before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors - Prob Fri
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sat out the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game against Celtics with leg soreness but is expected to play Friday against the Hawks.
Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets - Prob Fri
Denver Nuggets PG Ty Lawson suffered a minor heel injury against the Mavericks on Wednesday but expects to play in Friday's game against the Lakers.
Jazz have been terrible ATS play in New York
History is not on the side of the Utah Jazz when they visit New York Thursday. Normally an average team against the spread, the Jazz are atrocious against the Knicks.
The Jazz are a miserable 4-18 ATS in the last 22 versus the Knicks, including an even worse 0-8 in the past eight in New York.
The Jazz are 6.5-point road dogs when they face the Knicks Friday.
River City Sharps
Wright State (18-13) meets up with Oakland(13-19) in the second round of the Horizon Conference tourney. Wright St comes in having won 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6. They won a squeaker against Oakland last time they played, winning by 1 point and the Raiders finished 3rd in the regular season, while Oakland was 6th. The main thing here is that Oakland is absolutely terrible away from home, going 3-14 and they score 6 less points on the road than they do at home. Wright St doesn't score many at 67.4 ppg but they also don’t give up many, allowing just 62.3 ppg. This time of year, defense wins games and we like the Raiders only having to cover less than 2 buckets. The Sharps say…
3 UNITS - WRIGHT STATE (-3.5)
Wright State (18-13) meets up with Oakland(13-19) in the second round of the Horizon Conference tourney. Wright St comes in having won 4 in a row and 5 of their last 6. They won a squeaker against Oakland last time they played, winning by 1 point and the Raiders finished 3rd in the regular season, while Oakland was 6th. The main thing here is that Oakland is absolutely terrible away from home, going 3-14 and they score 6 less points on the road than they do at home. Wright St doesn't score many at 67.4 ppg but they also don’t give up many, allowing just 62.3 ppg. This time of year, defense wins games and we like the Raiders only having to cover less than 2 buckets. The Sharps say…
3 UNITS - WRIGHT STATE (-3.5)
