Marquette vs. VILLANOVA (-2') - at NYC
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
The G-Man is on a 65-53 Bonus Play run following winners on St. John's on Tuesday and St. Joseph's on Wednesday.
For Thursday, going to play Villanova minus the small number over Marquette.
While Marquette's romp over St. John's was impressive, let's remember it was St. John's. The fact remains, Marquette is still minus a big gun in James, and the last time the Golden Eagles played the Wildcats they were mauled, 84-102 back on February 10th.
Can't see much changing today, as Villanova plays the style of game Marquette plays, and right now the Wildcats are playing it much better, as they enter sporting wins in 11 of their last 13 straight up, while going 11-4 against the spread their last 15 games.
The Golden Eagles are just 2-7 against the spread their last 9 games, and like I said at the top, a blowout win over St. John's is nothing to puff your chest out over.
Villanova is a dangerous team right now, and today they will show you why.
Take the 'Cats.
5? VILLANOVA
Iowa (+5) vs. Michigan, at Indianapolis, IN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Take the points with Iowa this afternoon in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
The Hawkeyes are a much improved team and should be able to give the Wolverines a scare today. Iowa is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 overall, including an overtime win over Michigan at Iowa City on Feb. 22.
Iowa also plays tough defense, ranking 12th in the nation in scoring at 58.9 ppg.
Michigan relies so heavily on its perimeter game, but they are going to have a hard time finding open looks against the aggressive Iowa defense.
Jake Kelly has done a good job running the point in the absence of Jeff Peterson, who is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.
Take the points with Iowa as they stay within the number.
3? IOWA
Ohio vs. Bowling Green (2'), at Cleveland
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Get this favorite early, as the line could move on you. I will break down your comp winner by 4 p.m. eastern
1? BOWLING GREEN
Georgia vs. Mississippi State (-9'), at Tampa, FL
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Take Mississippi State minus the points over Georgia in the first round of the SEC tournament.
Mississippi State has revenge motive for last year’s upset loss to the Bulldogs in the SEC tourney, and they should have an easy time winning and covering this line today.
That’s because Georgia ranked at the bottom of the conference in both scoring and field goal percentage, and they will be going against a Mississippi State team that’s allowing only 39 percent from the field on the year.
Mississippi State ended the regular season with back-to-back wins over Florida and Ole Miss and that momentum should carry over into today.
Georgia’s last seven losses have been by double-digits and I see no reason why that trend should change against the deeper, more talented Msu team.
Take Mississippi State minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
4? MISSISSIPPI STATE
Arizona (+3) vs. Arizona St. (at Los Angeles)
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
For Thursday’s Bonus Play in conference tournament action in College Hoops, we’ll back Arizona plus the points against Arizona State in an early-afternoon Pac-10 affair from Los Angeles.
You know the old adage that it’s difficult to beat the same team in football or basketball three straight times in the same season? Some say it’s hogwash, but I definitely believe it to be true in one respect: when you’re dealing with archrivals. That’s the situation surrounding this showdown between Arizona and Arizona State, as the Sun Devils swept the regular-season series. In fact, ASU has won the last four meetings against Arizona, ending a lengthy stretch of dominance by the Wildcats.
Today, I say the pendulum swings back in Arizona’s direction, for a few reasons. First off, it’s not like the Sun Devils manhandled U of A in the first two meetings, winning a 53-47 snoozer in Tucson on Jan. 21, then holding off a furious Wildcats rally for a 70-68 home victory a month later. Going back to Arizona’s last victory in this rivalry – a 61-58 road win in February 2007 – the last five meetings have been decided by a total of 21 points.
Also, while both teams didn’t play very well in the final couple of weeks of the season, I’m particularly disturbed by Arizona State’s struggles, which included a 74-64 home loss to Stanford as a 10-point favorite one week ago tonight. The Sun Devils, who are built on defense, have surrendered 66 points or more in four of their last five games.
Finally, here’s a trend that’s tough to ignore: While Arizona has won at least one Pac-10 tournament game in four of the last five years, Arizona State is winless in its last six in this tournament (2-4 ATS). Bottom line: The oddsmakers have set a short number because they know that not much separates these two rivals, and after coming up short twice in the regular season, Arizona – which desperately needs a win to bolster its Big Dance hopes – will make the third time the charm.
2? ARIZONA (based on a 1? to 10? scale)
California (-1') vs. Southern Cal, at Los Angeles
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Swept our two Bonus Plays on Wednesday with easy calls on Stanford and the Knicks. Today I've got another winner for you as we play Cal in the Pac-10 quarterfinals against USC.
The Trojans have not looked very good down the stretch and we always like to play teams that showed some heart late in the season. This game is going to come down to the final minute, but the Golden Bears have more offensive weapons and will deliver this winner.
The favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last eight series clashes between these two and Cal has been able to get past this first-round game each of the last three years (SU and ATS).
Cal has a few offensive weapons and if the Golden Bears get off to a good start from the 3-point line, watch out as this one could turn into a blowout. USC really struggles to put points on the board. They've got to rely on defense to win games.
The Trojans are on ATS slides that include 3-13 after a spread-cover and 1-4 as an underdog. Cal is 4-1 ATS in its last five neutral site games.
We like Cal in this one as they have more offensive abilities. Play the Golden Bears.
2? CAL
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
The G-Man is on a 65-53 Bonus Play run following winners on St. John's on Tuesday and St. Joseph's on Wednesday.
For Thursday, going to play Villanova minus the small number over Marquette.
While Marquette's romp over St. John's was impressive, let's remember it was St. John's. The fact remains, Marquette is still minus a big gun in James, and the last time the Golden Eagles played the Wildcats they were mauled, 84-102 back on February 10th.
Can't see much changing today, as Villanova plays the style of game Marquette plays, and right now the Wildcats are playing it much better, as they enter sporting wins in 11 of their last 13 straight up, while going 11-4 against the spread their last 15 games.
The Golden Eagles are just 2-7 against the spread their last 9 games, and like I said at the top, a blowout win over St. John's is nothing to puff your chest out over.
Villanova is a dangerous team right now, and today they will show you why.
Take the 'Cats.
5? VILLANOVA
Iowa (+5) vs. Michigan, at Indianapolis, IN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Take the points with Iowa this afternoon in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
The Hawkeyes are a much improved team and should be able to give the Wolverines a scare today. Iowa is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 overall, including an overtime win over Michigan at Iowa City on Feb. 22.
Iowa also plays tough defense, ranking 12th in the nation in scoring at 58.9 ppg.
Michigan relies so heavily on its perimeter game, but they are going to have a hard time finding open looks against the aggressive Iowa defense.
Jake Kelly has done a good job running the point in the absence of Jeff Peterson, who is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.
Take the points with Iowa as they stay within the number.
3? IOWA
Ohio vs. Bowling Green (2'), at Cleveland
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Get this favorite early, as the line could move on you. I will break down your comp winner by 4 p.m. eastern
1? BOWLING GREEN
Georgia vs. Mississippi State (-9'), at Tampa, FL
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Take Mississippi State minus the points over Georgia in the first round of the SEC tournament.
Mississippi State has revenge motive for last year’s upset loss to the Bulldogs in the SEC tourney, and they should have an easy time winning and covering this line today.
That’s because Georgia ranked at the bottom of the conference in both scoring and field goal percentage, and they will be going against a Mississippi State team that’s allowing only 39 percent from the field on the year.
Mississippi State ended the regular season with back-to-back wins over Florida and Ole Miss and that momentum should carry over into today.
Georgia’s last seven losses have been by double-digits and I see no reason why that trend should change against the deeper, more talented Msu team.
Take Mississippi State minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
4? MISSISSIPPI STATE
Arizona (+3) vs. Arizona St. (at Los Angeles)
By Jeff Benton, Featured Handicapper
For Thursday’s Bonus Play in conference tournament action in College Hoops, we’ll back Arizona plus the points against Arizona State in an early-afternoon Pac-10 affair from Los Angeles.
You know the old adage that it’s difficult to beat the same team in football or basketball three straight times in the same season? Some say it’s hogwash, but I definitely believe it to be true in one respect: when you’re dealing with archrivals. That’s the situation surrounding this showdown between Arizona and Arizona State, as the Sun Devils swept the regular-season series. In fact, ASU has won the last four meetings against Arizona, ending a lengthy stretch of dominance by the Wildcats.
Today, I say the pendulum swings back in Arizona’s direction, for a few reasons. First off, it’s not like the Sun Devils manhandled U of A in the first two meetings, winning a 53-47 snoozer in Tucson on Jan. 21, then holding off a furious Wildcats rally for a 70-68 home victory a month later. Going back to Arizona’s last victory in this rivalry – a 61-58 road win in February 2007 – the last five meetings have been decided by a total of 21 points.
Also, while both teams didn’t play very well in the final couple of weeks of the season, I’m particularly disturbed by Arizona State’s struggles, which included a 74-64 home loss to Stanford as a 10-point favorite one week ago tonight. The Sun Devils, who are built on defense, have surrendered 66 points or more in four of their last five games.
Finally, here’s a trend that’s tough to ignore: While Arizona has won at least one Pac-10 tournament game in four of the last five years, Arizona State is winless in its last six in this tournament (2-4 ATS). Bottom line: The oddsmakers have set a short number because they know that not much separates these two rivals, and after coming up short twice in the regular season, Arizona – which desperately needs a win to bolster its Big Dance hopes – will make the third time the charm.
2? ARIZONA (based on a 1? to 10? scale)
California (-1') vs. Southern Cal, at Los Angeles
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
Swept our two Bonus Plays on Wednesday with easy calls on Stanford and the Knicks. Today I've got another winner for you as we play Cal in the Pac-10 quarterfinals against USC.
The Trojans have not looked very good down the stretch and we always like to play teams that showed some heart late in the season. This game is going to come down to the final minute, but the Golden Bears have more offensive weapons and will deliver this winner.
The favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last eight series clashes between these two and Cal has been able to get past this first-round game each of the last three years (SU and ATS).
Cal has a few offensive weapons and if the Golden Bears get off to a good start from the 3-point line, watch out as this one could turn into a blowout. USC really struggles to put points on the board. They've got to rely on defense to win games.
The Trojans are on ATS slides that include 3-13 after a spread-cover and 1-4 as an underdog. Cal is 4-1 ATS in its last five neutral site games.
We like Cal in this one as they have more offensive abilities. Play the Golden Bears.
2? CAL
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