Marc Franco
Uconn-7 over Purdue
***GAME OF THE YEAR***
The Betting Number opened at -6.5 and has moved to -7 in most places here in Las Vegas.
Connecticut had two dominant performances to open the NCAA Tournament as the Huskies steamrolled UT-Chattanooga in the first round and followed that up with another blowout against Texas A&M in the second round.
The offense has been unstoppable, scoring 103 and 92 points while the defense allowed the two opponents to shoot a combined 33.3 percent from the floor (43-129). Connecticut is now 15-2 away from home on the season and of those 15 wins, seven victories came against teams that are in the 64-team field.
Purdue has gotten here in much less spectacular form, as they beat Northern Iowa by 5 and Washington by just 2. Purdue plays tough defense, but they haven't had to defend a team like the Huskies all season.
Purdue doesn't have the answers UConn has offensively, or off the glass, which is where the difference lies in this game. The Boilermakers reached 80 points just once in their last 27 games, and that was against a very bad Indiana team.
The Huskies look like a team that is serious about cutting down the nets for the 3rd time in 10 years, and have too many answers for Purdue in this one. I like UConn to win this one going away by at least 14 or more points.
Uconn-7 over Purdue
***GAME OF THE YEAR***
The Betting Number opened at -6.5 and has moved to -7 in most places here in Las Vegas.
Connecticut had two dominant performances to open the NCAA Tournament as the Huskies steamrolled UT-Chattanooga in the first round and followed that up with another blowout against Texas A&M in the second round.
The offense has been unstoppable, scoring 103 and 92 points while the defense allowed the two opponents to shoot a combined 33.3 percent from the floor (43-129). Connecticut is now 15-2 away from home on the season and of those 15 wins, seven victories came against teams that are in the 64-team field.
Purdue has gotten here in much less spectacular form, as they beat Northern Iowa by 5 and Washington by just 2. Purdue plays tough defense, but they haven't had to defend a team like the Huskies all season.
Purdue doesn't have the answers UConn has offensively, or off the glass, which is where the difference lies in this game. The Boilermakers reached 80 points just once in their last 27 games, and that was against a very bad Indiana team.
The Huskies look like a team that is serious about cutting down the nets for the 3rd time in 10 years, and have too many answers for Purdue in this one. I like UConn to win this one going away by at least 14 or more points.
3 Big Plays
BeatYourBookie.com
Daily Premium Hoops & Hockey Winners for Thursday
NCAA Basketball
100* Play Connecticut (-6.5) over Purdue (NCAA)
Connecticut is 17-1 SU coming off a win by 10 points or more this season
Connecticut is 7-0 SU after covering the spread in two of the last three
Connecticut is 21-3 SU when playing as a favorite this season
100* Play Memphis (-4.5) over Missouri (NCAA)
Memphis is 27-0 SU over the last 27 games
Memphis is 42-2 SU when the total posted is between 140 and 149.5 points
Memphis is 20-2 SU after covering the spread in the last game
Memphis is 7-1 SU in all tournament games this season
100* Play Villanova (+2) over Duke (NCAA)
Villanova is 9-1 SU when the total posted is between 140 and 149.5 points
Villanova is 13-1 SU coming off a win by 20 points or more
Villanova is 5-1 SU in all tournament games this season
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Other Hoops & Hockey Plays
30* Play LA Lakers (-7.5) over Detroit (NBA)
30* Play Philadelphia (-210) over Florida (NHL)
Paid & Confirmed.
BeatYourBookie.com
Daily Premium Hoops & Hockey Winners for Thursday
NCAA Basketball
100* Play Connecticut (-6.5) over Purdue (NCAA)
Connecticut is 17-1 SU coming off a win by 10 points or more this season
Connecticut is 7-0 SU after covering the spread in two of the last three
Connecticut is 21-3 SU when playing as a favorite this season
100* Play Memphis (-4.5) over Missouri (NCAA)
Memphis is 27-0 SU over the last 27 games
Memphis is 42-2 SU when the total posted is between 140 and 149.5 points
Memphis is 20-2 SU after covering the spread in the last game
Memphis is 7-1 SU in all tournament games this season
100* Play Villanova (+2) over Duke (NCAA)
Villanova is 9-1 SU when the total posted is between 140 and 149.5 points
Villanova is 13-1 SU coming off a win by 20 points or more
Villanova is 5-1 SU in all tournament games this season
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Other Hoops & Hockey Plays
30* Play LA Lakers (-7.5) over Detroit (NBA)
30* Play Philadelphia (-210) over Florida (NHL)
Paid & Confirmed.
DCI
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals
at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
Duke 76, Villanova 73
Pittsburgh 71, Xavier 67
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Connecticut 68, Purdue 65
Memphis 73, Missouri 69
CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
Semifinals
at Norfolk, VA
OLD DOMINION 68, James Madison 61
<!-- / message -->
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals
at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
Duke 76, Villanova 73
Pittsburgh 71, Xavier 67
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Connecticut 68, Purdue 65
Memphis 73, Missouri 69
CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
Semifinals
at Norfolk, VA
OLD DOMINION 68, James Madison 61
<!-- / message -->
DCI
PHILADELPHIA 4, Florida 2
N.Y. Rangers vs. ATLANTA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Calgary vs. COLUMBUS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
MONTREAL 4, Tampa Bay 3
San Jose vs. NASHVILLE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Vancouver vs. ST. LOUIS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Los Angeles vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Edmonton vs. PHOENIX: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
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PHILADELPHIA 4, Florida 2
N.Y. Rangers vs. ATLANTA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Calgary vs. COLUMBUS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
MONTREAL 4, Tampa Bay 3
San Jose vs. NASHVILLE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Vancouver vs. ST. LOUIS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Los Angeles vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Edmonton vs. PHOENIX: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
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Jeff Scott
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->4 UNIT PLAY (NCAA Tourney Total Of The Year)
Missouri/ Memphis Over 141.5: The Over is 8-1 in Missouri's last 9 NCAA Tournament games and 24-8-1 in their last 33 games as an underdog, while the Over is 7-1 in Memphis' last 8 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. Missouri is a team that like s to push the ball as they come in averaging 81.5 ppg (5th in Nation) on 47.3% shooting (33rd). Missouris has also averaged 75.8 ppg in their neutral site games and 78 ppg in their last 6 overall. Memphis is also a solid scoring team, as they average 74.7 ppg (60th), including averaging 73.8 in their neutral site games and 71.8 ppg in their last 5 overall. Missouri allows 66.9 ppg on the year, but they did allow Marquette 79 points in their last game and they have allowed 8 of their last 18 opponents to hit 72+ points. Memphis has one of the best defenses in the nation as they allow just 57.6 ppg overall and just 53.8 ppg in their last 5 games, but they have allowed 70 points in each of their 1st 2 tourney games and neither of those teams possessed the offense that Missouri has. Both teams are more than capable of hitting 70 in this one, and that will make it an easy over here. Easily in the 150's.
3 UNIT PLAYS
UConn -6.5 over Purdue: The Boilermakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win, while the Huskies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. Purdue has been on a nice run as they are coming off a Big 10 tourney title and then 2 wins in the first 2 rounds. The Purdue offense has has not been great this year as they have averaged just 69.3 ppg overall and just 65 ppg when they play away from home this year. During thei rcurrent 5 game win streak they have scored 69.4 ppg, but on just 41.2% shooting. They will need better shootimg vs this UConn team if they hope to keep it close, but it won't be easy. The Huskies are one of the better defensive squads in the nation, as they allow just 63.5 ppg (71st) on just 37.4% shooting (3rd). The Huskies are also one of the better scoring teams in the nation as they have averaged 78.5 ppg (16th) on 47.5% shooting (26th). The Huskies habe also scored 91.6 ppg on 48.7% shooting in their neutral games this year. UConn is also 1st in the nation in rebounding at 40.5 rpg and they have outrebounded their opponents ny 11 rpg (also 1st in nation). Despite the good defense the Boilers play, they will not be able to slow down this high powered UConn attack. At the other end of the floor Purdue just doesn't score enough to be able to keep this close, especially vs a very good UConn defense. UConn won their 1st 2 games by a combined 84 points, while Purdue took their 1st 2 by just 7 total points. UConn should have another easy time of it here as they win this one by double digits.
(Power Angle Play)
UConn/ Purdue Over 134: The Over is 5-1-1 in Boilermakers last 7 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog, while the Over is 11-2-1 in Huskies last 14 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. Uconn has played 7 neutral site games this year and those games have averaged 166.5 ppg. Now i know that one of those games was a 6 OT game and put up 244 points, but if you take that game out then their neutral site games have still averaged 153.5 ppg. Purdue has played in 7 neutral site games also and those games have averaged 137.5 ppg. Purdue hasn't been involved in many high scoring games this year, but when playing some teams (recently) that like to push it, like Washington (150) & Indiana (148), they have been high scoring. As you can see from some of the numbers in the above writeup, the Huskies are a team that likes to push it. I can easily see them hitting 75+ in this one while the Boilers should hit 60+ on their own. Don't be surprised if this one is in the 150's.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- The Huskies are 14-3 in Huskies last 17 neutral site games as a favorite.
2 UNIT PLAYS
Villanova +2 over Duke: The Wildcats are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, while the Blue Devils are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite and 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big East. Villanova is playing with a huge amount of confidence right now as a they have crushed teams like, Notre Dame, Providence, American and UCLLA in their last 6 games. The Cats have averaged 77 ppg overal, including 81.6 ppg in their last 14 games and 84.5 ppg in the 1st 2 games of the tourney. Duke is playing good ball right now, but they have been inconsistent this year and I feel that Cats will take advantage of that and move on to the Elite Eight.
Pittsburgh/ Xavier Under 138.5: The Under is 7-0 in Musketeers last 7 neutral site games, while the Under is 5-1 in Panthers last 6 neutral site games. Xavier's neutral site games have averaged just 125.4 ppg on the year, including just 116.5 ppg in their last 4 on a neutral floor. Pitt's neutral games have avaerged 135 ppg. Xavier has allowed just 61.9 ppg on the year, including just 52 ppg in their last 4 game. Pitt comes in allowing just 64.5 ppg overall on just 41.1% shooting. Neither team like to push the ball and with 2 good defenses on the floor I don't see how this one hits 139 points. I say it's in the high 120's.
1 UNIT PLAY
Memphis -4.5 over Missouri
<!-- / message -->
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->4 UNIT PLAY (NCAA Tourney Total Of The Year)
Missouri/ Memphis Over 141.5: The Over is 8-1 in Missouri's last 9 NCAA Tournament games and 24-8-1 in their last 33 games as an underdog, while the Over is 7-1 in Memphis' last 8 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. Missouri is a team that like s to push the ball as they come in averaging 81.5 ppg (5th in Nation) on 47.3% shooting (33rd). Missouris has also averaged 75.8 ppg in their neutral site games and 78 ppg in their last 6 overall. Memphis is also a solid scoring team, as they average 74.7 ppg (60th), including averaging 73.8 in their neutral site games and 71.8 ppg in their last 5 overall. Missouri allows 66.9 ppg on the year, but they did allow Marquette 79 points in their last game and they have allowed 8 of their last 18 opponents to hit 72+ points. Memphis has one of the best defenses in the nation as they allow just 57.6 ppg overall and just 53.8 ppg in their last 5 games, but they have allowed 70 points in each of their 1st 2 tourney games and neither of those teams possessed the offense that Missouri has. Both teams are more than capable of hitting 70 in this one, and that will make it an easy over here. Easily in the 150's.
3 UNIT PLAYS
UConn -6.5 over Purdue: The Boilermakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win, while the Huskies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. Purdue has been on a nice run as they are coming off a Big 10 tourney title and then 2 wins in the first 2 rounds. The Purdue offense has has not been great this year as they have averaged just 69.3 ppg overall and just 65 ppg when they play away from home this year. During thei rcurrent 5 game win streak they have scored 69.4 ppg, but on just 41.2% shooting. They will need better shootimg vs this UConn team if they hope to keep it close, but it won't be easy. The Huskies are one of the better defensive squads in the nation, as they allow just 63.5 ppg (71st) on just 37.4% shooting (3rd). The Huskies are also one of the better scoring teams in the nation as they have averaged 78.5 ppg (16th) on 47.5% shooting (26th). The Huskies habe also scored 91.6 ppg on 48.7% shooting in their neutral games this year. UConn is also 1st in the nation in rebounding at 40.5 rpg and they have outrebounded their opponents ny 11 rpg (also 1st in nation). Despite the good defense the Boilers play, they will not be able to slow down this high powered UConn attack. At the other end of the floor Purdue just doesn't score enough to be able to keep this close, especially vs a very good UConn defense. UConn won their 1st 2 games by a combined 84 points, while Purdue took their 1st 2 by just 7 total points. UConn should have another easy time of it here as they win this one by double digits.
(Power Angle Play)
UConn/ Purdue Over 134: The Over is 5-1-1 in Boilermakers last 7 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog, while the Over is 11-2-1 in Huskies last 14 games following a SU win of more than 20 points. Uconn has played 7 neutral site games this year and those games have averaged 166.5 ppg. Now i know that one of those games was a 6 OT game and put up 244 points, but if you take that game out then their neutral site games have still averaged 153.5 ppg. Purdue has played in 7 neutral site games also and those games have averaged 137.5 ppg. Purdue hasn't been involved in many high scoring games this year, but when playing some teams (recently) that like to push it, like Washington (150) & Indiana (148), they have been high scoring. As you can see from some of the numbers in the above writeup, the Huskies are a team that likes to push it. I can easily see them hitting 75+ in this one while the Boilers should hit 60+ on their own. Don't be surprised if this one is in the 150's.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- The Huskies are 14-3 in Huskies last 17 neutral site games as a favorite.
2 UNIT PLAYS
Villanova +2 over Duke: The Wildcats are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, while the Blue Devils are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite and 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big East. Villanova is playing with a huge amount of confidence right now as a they have crushed teams like, Notre Dame, Providence, American and UCLLA in their last 6 games. The Cats have averaged 77 ppg overal, including 81.6 ppg in their last 14 games and 84.5 ppg in the 1st 2 games of the tourney. Duke is playing good ball right now, but they have been inconsistent this year and I feel that Cats will take advantage of that and move on to the Elite Eight.
Pittsburgh/ Xavier Under 138.5: The Under is 7-0 in Musketeers last 7 neutral site games, while the Under is 5-1 in Panthers last 6 neutral site games. Xavier's neutral site games have averaged just 125.4 ppg on the year, including just 116.5 ppg in their last 4 on a neutral floor. Pitt's neutral games have avaerged 135 ppg. Xavier has allowed just 61.9 ppg on the year, including just 52 ppg in their last 4 game. Pitt comes in allowing just 64.5 ppg overall on just 41.1% shooting. Neither team like to push the ball and with 2 good defenses on the floor I don't see how this one hits 139 points. I say it's in the high 120's.
1 UNIT PLAY
Memphis -4.5 over Missouri
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GamblersWorld
Tip of the Day - March 26, 2009
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: NCAA Basketball
Game: 7:00PM CIT: James Madison Dukes vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
Prediction: Old Dominion Monarchs
Current Line: -6
Over/Under: 128
Reason: The James Madison Dukes and the Old Dominion Monarchs will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Ted Constant Center in the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Monarchs listed as 6-point favorites versus the Dukes, while the game's total is sitting at 128.
Kyle Swanston poured in 27 points, as James Madison slammed Liberty 88-65 in the quarterfinals on Monday night.
James Madison cashed as 3.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 141.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Gerald Lee went for 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Old Dominion over Belmont 70-62 in the quarterfinals on Monday night.
Old Dominion covered as 5.5-point home favorites as the game played under the 139.5-point total posted by oddsmakers
Tip of the Day - March 26, 2009
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: NCAA Basketball
Game: 7:00PM CIT: James Madison Dukes vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
Prediction: Old Dominion Monarchs
Current Line: -6
Over/Under: 128
Reason: The James Madison Dukes and the Old Dominion Monarchs will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Ted Constant Center in the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Monarchs listed as 6-point favorites versus the Dukes, while the game's total is sitting at 128.
Kyle Swanston poured in 27 points, as James Madison slammed Liberty 88-65 in the quarterfinals on Monday night.
James Madison cashed as 3.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 141.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Gerald Lee went for 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Old Dominion over Belmont 70-62 in the quarterfinals on Monday night.
Old Dominion covered as 5.5-point home favorites as the game played under the 139.5-point total posted by oddsmakers
