Players MARCH MADNESS *8* Saturday on Drexel on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MARCH MADNESS Saturday 8* (Regular Play) on Drexel vs. Northeastern @ 2:30 p.m. ET
The Drexel Dragons play the Northeastern Huskies in the CAA tournament Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Drexel with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Drexel is out to avenge a two-point loss to the Huskies in the regular season finale. The Dragons had covered in five of six games prior to that loss. 2. Drexel struggled with key players going down all season but the team is finally starting to find its form. The Dragons went 6-4 in their final 10 games but each of those loss came by no more than two points. 3. The Dragons have a veteran backcourt that has get the team together this season. Senior PG Frantz Massenat and sixth-year senior Chris Fouch bring a ton of CAA experience to the table and combine for over 35 points a game.
Play on Drexel as an 8* Regular Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NCAAB *8* Saturday on Kansas on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NCAAB Saturday 8* (Regular Play) on Kansas at West Virginia @ 12:00 p.m. ET
The West Virginia Mountaineers host the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Kansas with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Bill Self won’t let his team back into the Big 12 tournament, so don’t expect KU to ease up on WV even with the Big 12 season title in hand. 2. The Mountaineers haven’t been able to get over the hump in the Big 12, failing to keep up with the conference elite. West Virginia is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last five games. 3. Kansas already crushed WVU earlier this season, winning 83-69 and covering as 13-point home favorites. The Jayhawks are a much different team now, with players sinking into roles. Kansas has been able to overcome the ailing back of big man Joel Embiid thanks to the play of Tarik Black.
Play on Kansas as an 8* Regular Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NCAAB *10* Saturday on Indiana on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NCAAB Saturday 10* (Top Play) on Indiana at Michigan @ 6:00 p.m. ET
The Michigan Wolverines host the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on the Hoosiers with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. The Hoosiers are finding their form late in the season after struggling most the year. Indiana scored big wins over Iowa and Ohio State before stumbling versus Nebraska this week. The Wolverines have already locked up the Big Ten title and will be looking to get some rest before the postseason begins. 2. Indiana has Michigan’s number already, knocking off the Wolverines 63-52 as a home underdog back in early February. The Hoosiers shot 53 percent from the field and buried eight 3-pointers to edge Michigan. The Hoosiers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 trips to Ann Arbor. 3. The Hoosiers are hoping to return freshman standout Noah Vonleh Saturday. Vonleh has missed time with a foot injury and would give IU a big boost in the finale. He scored 10 points and had 12 rebounds in the last game versus Michigan.
Play on Indiana as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NBA *10* Saturday on Philadelphia on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* (Top Play) on Philadelphia vs. Utah @ 7:30 p.m. ET
The Philadelphia 76ers host the Utah Jazz Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Philadelphia with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Perhaps the only team in a worse place than the 76ers right now are the Jazz. Utah has limped along this road trip, losing the first five stops along the way. The Jazz are just hoping the pain stops soon. 2. Philadelphia is at least showing some fight on offense, cracking the century mark on the scoreboard during this extended skid. Utah has been plagued with cold shooting since it left Salt Lake City, averaging only 86 points through the first five games of this trip. 3. The Sixers come into Saturday well rested, having been off since losing to Oklahoma City Tuesday. The Jazz are playing back-to-back nights, off an one-sided loss to New York.
Play on Philadelphia as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NHL*10* Saturday on OVER in Winnipeg on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* (Top Play) on OVER in Winnipeg vs. Ottawa @ 3:00 p.m. ET
The Winnipeg Jets host the Ottawa Senators Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on OVER in Winnipeg with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. The Senators defense has stumbled to start this Western road trip, giving up nine goals through the first three games. Going back over the last five games, Ottawa has leaked 22 total goals. 2. Winnipeg has also had a tough time keeping the puck out of the net, allowing three goals in each of its last two losses. 3. The Jets and Sens have played Over in six of their previous eight clashes in Winnipeg. The last time they faced on January, Ottawa took a 4-3 victory on home ice that blew the total away.
Play on OVER in Winnipeg as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach MARCH MADNESS Saturday 8* (Regular Play) on Drexel vs. Northeastern @ 2:30 p.m. ET
The Drexel Dragons play the Northeastern Huskies in the CAA tournament Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Drexel with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Drexel is out to avenge a two-point loss to the Huskies in the regular season finale. The Dragons had covered in five of six games prior to that loss. 2. Drexel struggled with key players going down all season but the team is finally starting to find its form. The Dragons went 6-4 in their final 10 games but each of those loss came by no more than two points. 3. The Dragons have a veteran backcourt that has get the team together this season. Senior PG Frantz Massenat and sixth-year senior Chris Fouch bring a ton of CAA experience to the table and combine for over 35 points a game.
Play on Drexel as an 8* Regular Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NCAAB *8* Saturday on Kansas on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NCAAB Saturday 8* (Regular Play) on Kansas at West Virginia @ 12:00 p.m. ET
The West Virginia Mountaineers host the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Kansas with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Bill Self won’t let his team back into the Big 12 tournament, so don’t expect KU to ease up on WV even with the Big 12 season title in hand. 2. The Mountaineers haven’t been able to get over the hump in the Big 12, failing to keep up with the conference elite. West Virginia is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last five games. 3. Kansas already crushed WVU earlier this season, winning 83-69 and covering as 13-point home favorites. The Jayhawks are a much different team now, with players sinking into roles. Kansas has been able to overcome the ailing back of big man Joel Embiid thanks to the play of Tarik Black.
Play on Kansas as an 8* Regular Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NCAAB *10* Saturday on Indiana on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NCAAB Saturday 10* (Top Play) on Indiana at Michigan @ 6:00 p.m. ET
The Michigan Wolverines host the Indiana Hoosiers Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on the Hoosiers with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. The Hoosiers are finding their form late in the season after struggling most the year. Indiana scored big wins over Iowa and Ohio State before stumbling versus Nebraska this week. The Wolverines have already locked up the Big Ten title and will be looking to get some rest before the postseason begins. 2. Indiana has Michigan’s number already, knocking off the Wolverines 63-52 as a home underdog back in early February. The Hoosiers shot 53 percent from the field and buried eight 3-pointers to edge Michigan. The Hoosiers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 trips to Ann Arbor. 3. The Hoosiers are hoping to return freshman standout Noah Vonleh Saturday. Vonleh has missed time with a foot injury and would give IU a big boost in the finale. He scored 10 points and had 12 rebounds in the last game versus Michigan.
Play on Indiana as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NBA *10* Saturday on Philadelphia on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* (Top Play) on Philadelphia vs. Utah @ 7:30 p.m. ET
The Philadelphia 76ers host the Utah Jazz Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on Philadelphia with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. Perhaps the only team in a worse place than the 76ers right now are the Jazz. Utah has limped along this road trip, losing the first five stops along the way. The Jazz are just hoping the pain stops soon. 2. Philadelphia is at least showing some fight on offense, cracking the century mark on the scoreboard during this extended skid. Utah has been plagued with cold shooting since it left Salt Lake City, averaging only 86 points through the first five games of this trip. 3. The Sixers come into Saturday well rested, having been off since losing to Oklahoma City Tuesday. The Jazz are playing back-to-back nights, off an one-sided loss to New York.
Play on Philadelphia as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
Players NHL*10* Saturday on OVER in Winnipeg on 8 March
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* (Top Play) on OVER in Winnipeg vs. Ottawa @ 3:00 p.m. ET
The Winnipeg Jets host the Ottawa Senators Saturday. “The Bulldog” breaks down his selection on OVER in Winnipeg with his Three-Factor Analysis: 1. The Senators defense has stumbled to start this Western road trip, giving up nine goals through the first three games. Going back over the last five games, Ottawa has leaked 22 total goals. 2. Winnipeg has also had a tough time keeping the puck out of the net, allowing three goals in each of its last two losses. 3. The Jets and Sens have played Over in six of their previous eight clashes in Winnipeg. The last time they faced on January, Ottawa took a 4-3 victory on home ice that blew the total away.
Play on OVER in Winnipeg as an 10* Top Selection Saturday.
Good luck, Scott.
NHL
Saturday, March 8
Anderson to start for struggling Senators
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, Craig Anderson will get the start in net for the Ottawa Senators as they continue their road trip at the Winnipeg Jets Saturday.
This will be Anderson's fourth consecutive start and the veteran goaltender has given up nine goals on 89 shots en route to a 1-2 record in those three games.
The struggling Sens - who are on life support in the playoff picture - are currently +107 road dogs at Winnipeg.
Blues have not liked playing a mile high
The St. Louis Blues have been one of the best teams in the NHL on the road this season, but trips to Colorado have not agreed with them in the past.
The Blues has a dismal 7-24-4 record against the Avalanche in Colorado. Adding to that, in the past 30 contests between these two teams, the home team is a stellar 22-8.
St. Louis will be -115 road favs when they take on Colorado (+106) Saturday.
Saturday, March 8
Anderson to start for struggling Senators
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, Craig Anderson will get the start in net for the Ottawa Senators as they continue their road trip at the Winnipeg Jets Saturday.
This will be Anderson's fourth consecutive start and the veteran goaltender has given up nine goals on 89 shots en route to a 1-2 record in those three games.
The struggling Sens - who are on life support in the playoff picture - are currently +107 road dogs at Winnipeg.
Blues have not liked playing a mile high
The St. Louis Blues have been one of the best teams in the NHL on the road this season, but trips to Colorado have not agreed with them in the past.
The Blues has a dismal 7-24-4 record against the Avalanche in Colorado. Adding to that, in the past 30 contests between these two teams, the home team is a stellar 22-8.
St. Louis will be -115 road favs when they take on Colorado (+106) Saturday.
NBA
Saturday, March 8
Struggling Cavs 2.5-point faves hosting Knicks
It's feast or famine for Cleveland Cavaliers backers and right now, it's all famine.
The Cavs are 0-3 straight up and against the spread in their last three games having failed against the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Bobcats.
Despite faltering in recent games, the Cavs are 2.5-point favorites with the New York Knicks visiting Saturday.
Clippers looking strong when double-digit favs
The Los Angeles Clippers have been lights out as huge favorites. The Clippers have covered the past six games when they were favored by double-digit points. The most recent victim of this trend was the Lakers, the Clippers cross-city rival, who got demolished by 48 points Thursday.
As added motivation to bettors, the home team has covered the last five games between the Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks, who LA will host Saturday..
The Clippers opened +13.5 when they host the slumping Hawks.
Bottom-dwellers Jazz/76ers solid Over play
When the Utah Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers play, they've managed to muster some rare offense. In the past 21 match-ups between the Jazz and 76ers, the Over is 16-5.
The games also trend towards to Over when they are played in Philly. Out of the past 10 played in the Wells Fargo Center the Jazz and 76ers have gone Over seven times.
The Jazz and 76ers open with a total of 206.5.
Saturday, March 8
Struggling Cavs 2.5-point faves hosting Knicks
It's feast or famine for Cleveland Cavaliers backers and right now, it's all famine.
The Cavs are 0-3 straight up and against the spread in their last three games having failed against the Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Bobcats.
Despite faltering in recent games, the Cavs are 2.5-point favorites with the New York Knicks visiting Saturday.
Clippers looking strong when double-digit favs
The Los Angeles Clippers have been lights out as huge favorites. The Clippers have covered the past six games when they were favored by double-digit points. The most recent victim of this trend was the Lakers, the Clippers cross-city rival, who got demolished by 48 points Thursday.
As added motivation to bettors, the home team has covered the last five games between the Clippers and the Atlanta Hawks, who LA will host Saturday..
The Clippers opened +13.5 when they host the slumping Hawks.
Bottom-dwellers Jazz/76ers solid Over play
When the Utah Jazz and the Philadelphia 76ers play, they've managed to muster some rare offense. In the past 21 match-ups between the Jazz and 76ers, the Over is 16-5.
The games also trend towards to Over when they are played in Philly. Out of the past 10 played in the Wells Fargo Center the Jazz and 76ers have gone Over seven times.
The Jazz and 76ers open with a total of 206.5.
MLB
Saturday, March 8
Royals righty Hochevar to have season-ending surgery
It is a good thing the Kansas City Royals have bullpen depth with right-hander Luke Hochevar out for the season.
Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery in the next two weeks.
Hochevar felt discomfort in his elbow on his next to last pitch in a two-inning scoreless outing Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
When it was still sore Tuesday, he had a MRI that detected the tear.
He sought a second opinion Thursday in Los Angles from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who verified the gravity of the injury.
"What I didn't want to hear," Hochevar said Friday.
His options were to rest and rehab for a couple of months to see if the ulnar collateral ligament would hold up or surgery.
Hochevar chose to undergo surgery.
NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Brad Penny, a two-time National League All-Star with the Dodgers, was attempting to come back after sitting out last year. Penny, however, was roughed up for four runs on eight hits, four of them for extra-bases, in a two-inning outing Thursday against the White Sox. Penny, 35, who was signed to a minor league contract, was released Friday. He also hurt his left hand, but denied it occurred while punching a dugout wall after he came out Thursday. "It was a freak accident," Penny said.
--3B Mike Moustakas entered the weekend leading the Cactus League with three home runs, 10 RBIs, 18 total bases, a 1.125 slugging percentage and .550 on-base percentage. Moustakas hit just .233 with a .364 slugging percentage last year.
--2B Omar Infante has not played the field since the first game (he did DH in another) because of a sore right shoulder. He has yet to play a game with SS Alcides Escobar. Manager Ned Yost said there is plenty of time left for the two to "find a rhythm" in the field.
--SS Alcides Escobar made his spring training debut Friday, going 0-for-2 against the San Francisco Giants. He missed the first seven games while on a paternity leave.
--RHP Louis Coleman is scheduled to make his spring training debut Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. A bruised finger kept him out of the earlier games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The toughest part about it is we're primed this year to win. You want to be part of that dog-pile in September. The way the team's shaping up, we're going to win. That's not a doubt. I want to be a part of it. It is just not going to happen," -- RHP Luke Hochevar, who is out for the year with elbow surgery scheduled in the next two weeks.
Saturday, March 8
Royals righty Hochevar to have season-ending surgery
It is a good thing the Kansas City Royals have bullpen depth with right-hander Luke Hochevar out for the season.
Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery in the next two weeks.
Hochevar felt discomfort in his elbow on his next to last pitch in a two-inning scoreless outing Monday against the Chicago White Sox.
When it was still sore Tuesday, he had a MRI that detected the tear.
He sought a second opinion Thursday in Los Angles from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who verified the gravity of the injury.
"What I didn't want to hear," Hochevar said Friday.
His options were to rest and rehab for a couple of months to see if the ulnar collateral ligament would hold up or surgery.
Hochevar chose to undergo surgery.
NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Brad Penny, a two-time National League All-Star with the Dodgers, was attempting to come back after sitting out last year. Penny, however, was roughed up for four runs on eight hits, four of them for extra-bases, in a two-inning outing Thursday against the White Sox. Penny, 35, who was signed to a minor league contract, was released Friday. He also hurt his left hand, but denied it occurred while punching a dugout wall after he came out Thursday. "It was a freak accident," Penny said.
--3B Mike Moustakas entered the weekend leading the Cactus League with three home runs, 10 RBIs, 18 total bases, a 1.125 slugging percentage and .550 on-base percentage. Moustakas hit just .233 with a .364 slugging percentage last year.
--2B Omar Infante has not played the field since the first game (he did DH in another) because of a sore right shoulder. He has yet to play a game with SS Alcides Escobar. Manager Ned Yost said there is plenty of time left for the two to "find a rhythm" in the field.
--SS Alcides Escobar made his spring training debut Friday, going 0-for-2 against the San Francisco Giants. He missed the first seven games while on a paternity leave.
--RHP Louis Coleman is scheduled to make his spring training debut Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. A bruised finger kept him out of the earlier games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The toughest part about it is we're primed this year to win. You want to be part of that dog-pile in September. The way the team's shaping up, we're going to win. That's not a doubt. I want to be a part of it. It is just not going to happen," -- RHP Luke Hochevar, who is out for the year with elbow surgery scheduled in the next two weeks.
Blues at Avalanche: What bettors need to know
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche (+105, 5.5)
Two of the hottest teams in the Central Division square off on Saturday when the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche are opening a four-game homestand with a chance for their fifth consecutive victory, while St. Louis has looked air-tight in its first three contests with Ryan Miller in net. Only three points separate Colorado from the division-leading Blues, who are a dominant 16-0-1 against divisional opponents.
St. Louis claimed the first two contests of a four-game season series against the Avalanche, winning 7-3 at home on Nov. 14 and snapping an eight-game losing skid at Colorado with a 4-1 victory on Nov. 27. The Avalanche are surrendering an average of over 37 shots on their winning streak, meaning netminders Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will need to remain in top form for it to continue. By contrast, the Blues have surrendered just 63 shots over their first three contests in March.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest, Altitude
ABOUT THE BLUES (42-14-6): Miller has stopped 58 of those 63 shots in the winning streak.. Steve Ott, who arrived with Miller from Buffalo in a trade, is averaging 13:49 of ice time in his first three games with St. Louis - down significantly from his time with the Sabres. Ott is playing on the third line with fellow veterans Derek Roy and Brenden Morrow, who will be counted on to provide leadership and stability during the playoffs.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (41-17-5): Nathan MacKinnon continued his incredible rookie season by recording a point in his 13th straight game, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for the longest point streak by an 18-year-old. MacKinnon leads all rookies in goals (22) and points (51). Matt Duchene has 10 points on a six-game streak, while Ryan O’Reilly has nine points in his last five.
TRENDS:
* Home team is 22-8 in the last 30 meetings.
* Blues are 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Avalanche are 6-0 in their last six vs. Central.
* Over is 14-2 in Blues last 16 Saturday games.
OVERTIME:
1. Blues LW Alexander Steen has 14 goals in 14 games against Central Division foes.
2. G Reto Berra was traded to Colorado from Calgary at the trade deadline, but he has been unable to join his new team due to immigration issues.
3. The Blues and the Avalanche will meet once more to cap their season series: April 5 at St. Louis.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche (+105, 5.5)
Two of the hottest teams in the Central Division square off on Saturday when the Colorado Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche are opening a four-game homestand with a chance for their fifth consecutive victory, while St. Louis has looked air-tight in its first three contests with Ryan Miller in net. Only three points separate Colorado from the division-leading Blues, who are a dominant 16-0-1 against divisional opponents.
St. Louis claimed the first two contests of a four-game season series against the Avalanche, winning 7-3 at home on Nov. 14 and snapping an eight-game losing skid at Colorado with a 4-1 victory on Nov. 27. The Avalanche are surrendering an average of over 37 shots on their winning streak, meaning netminders Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will need to remain in top form for it to continue. By contrast, the Blues have surrendered just 63 shots over their first three contests in March.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest, Altitude
ABOUT THE BLUES (42-14-6): Miller has stopped 58 of those 63 shots in the winning streak.. Steve Ott, who arrived with Miller from Buffalo in a trade, is averaging 13:49 of ice time in his first three games with St. Louis - down significantly from his time with the Sabres. Ott is playing on the third line with fellow veterans Derek Roy and Brenden Morrow, who will be counted on to provide leadership and stability during the playoffs.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (41-17-5): Nathan MacKinnon continued his incredible rookie season by recording a point in his 13th straight game, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for the longest point streak by an 18-year-old. MacKinnon leads all rookies in goals (22) and points (51). Matt Duchene has 10 points on a six-game streak, while Ryan O’Reilly has nine points in his last five.
TRENDS:
* Home team is 22-8 in the last 30 meetings.
* Blues are 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Avalanche are 6-0 in their last six vs. Central.
* Over is 14-2 in Blues last 16 Saturday games.
OVERTIME:
1. Blues LW Alexander Steen has 14 goals in 14 games against Central Division foes.
2. G Reto Berra was traded to Colorado from Calgary at the trade deadline, but he has been unable to join his new team due to immigration issues.
3. The Blues and the Avalanche will meet once more to cap their season series: April 5 at St. Louis.
