
Back in those days, no cell phones, no texting and no online betting, just call your man at the prescribed time and ask for the numbers about the games you were interested in. If he had a hint you liked or disliked a certain team from previous conversations, add or subtract two to three points to what side you wanted and if you complained, he would say, “Hey everybody is betting your side, I got to move the number to balance the action.”
That was a long time ago, now Kentucky and Notre Dame are not basketball powers, they are playing in the quarterfinals of the NIT, with the winner advancing to New York next week for semi-finals. With these schools, the chant “We’re No. 66” doesn’t hold the same value as making the NCAA Tournament.
Though coaches Mike Brey and Billy Gillespie are finding the seats they place their posterior a little warmer these days, the reality is this is where their teams are, so might as well win what’s available as opposed to nothing at all.
Betjamica.com has Notre Dame as shaky 2.5-point favorites, with a rising total of 144.5. The Irish are 14-3 and 5-7 ATS at the Joyce Center. Though they have recognizable faces like Luke Harangody and Kyle McAlarney, this Notre Dame team has been on everyone’s short list of fade teams. While it is true the Blue and Gold have beaten three Top 10 teams, they are 8-15 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record this season. Notre Dame has won two tight games in the NIT and should expect another against Kentucky, who is 9-7 and 9-6 ATS on the road.
Coach Gillespie stated this week he doesn’t have time to worry about people calling for his ouster in Lexington; however that is like saying the people who received bonuses from AIG don’t feel like they are under scrutiny. Gillespie happens to be the coach that watched a streak of 17 consecutive seasons of playing in the NCAA Tournament snapped at Kentucky.
The Wildcats has two future NBA players in Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson, with the rest of players more resembling the guys from the Alltel commercials. Most of Kentucky’s betting success comes from prior years like 47-28 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 since 1997. (2-3 ATS this season) At least they have covered their last four non-conference games and have owned the Irish with 4-0 SU and ATS record over the last dozen seasons.
ESPN2 has the coverage starting at 7 Eastern, with the winner facing Penn State next week at Madison Square Garden.
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