Scintillating Saturday Information (I hope)

We were this close (1 point) from a perfect day as the Pistons won by seven instead of eight, against a 7.5-point spread. The Washington Nationals are well on their way to where they belong at 0-4; check out today’s Top Trend to see if it might continue. Have a Totals System ready to go that is awesome 89.7 percent. Good Luck.

Very touching tribute to Nick Adenhart.

Anybody know why the Lakers can’t win in Portland?

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY UNDER on all teams when the total is greater than or equal to 200, and this team is colder than a Lake Michigan spring wind (Milwaukee in this case), failing to cover the spread in 12 or more of the last 15, yet have played six or less games over two week period. This system is hugely successful at 26-3, 89.7 percent, having pick up four wins this season with out a loss.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Washington Nationals are 3-21 against the money line with a tired bullpen, having thrown 13+ innings over the last three games since last season. (This angle may not be right all the time; however this situation will come up a lot)

Free Baseball Selection -3) Eight members of the Left Coast Connection see Big Z and the Cubs taking down Milwaukee today.

MLB Series Wagering- Red Sox at Angels

Under normal circumstances the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would be really fired up, having been eliminated from the playoffs three times by this weekend’s opponent in the last five years, including the last two. However, the tragic event that occurred Thursday morning changes everything.

Nick Adenhart was the Angels best minor league pitching prospect and due to injuries to other starting pitchers, was forced into action to start 2009 season. Adenhart gave a very good opening performance against Oakland, with six shutout innings and at 22-years old, the world was all ahead of him. A senseless tragedy took the life of Adenhart and how the Angels will react is anyone’s guess.

The Angels will turn to Jered Weaver to stem the tide of consecutive losses suffered against Oakland. This is an important season for the 26-year right-hander. Believed at one time to have No.1 starter ability, the last two years have not shown such progression and his stuff is now considered just above average. This spring after shoulder stiffness, his velocity returned according to scouts, throwing in frequently in the mid-90’s. When he’s on, he throws sinking off-speed pitches. At 6’7, his mechanics are prone to be unreliable and can walk two batters at the drop of a hat. Manager Mike Scioscia needs a stellar effort, as the early returns of bullpen have been disastrous, with 9.72 ERA.

Boston will understand the somber tone of the opener at the Big A, and starts Tim Wakefield, now in his 15th year. The knuckle-baller will try to end the Red Sox own two-game losing streak as Boston plays first road game. Wakefield is second in the major leagues in continuous service with one team (Mariano Rivera first) and lifetime is 9-12 against the Halos.

Betjamaica.com has the Angels -108 money line favorites with the total at nine. Weaver and L.A. won five of his last six home starts in 2008; however he has not been a great opening starter with team just 4-9 in Game One’s. Including the season opener, Boston is 14-3 in series openers, but just 3-9 in Wakefield’s road starts. Going to lean with Los Angeles, having 18-4 record after two or more consecutive losses. Watch the total as well, with Weaver and L.A. 21-8 UNDER after a loss over the last two-plus seasons.

Game 1 Edge: Angels

Saturday’s contest will be afternoon affair, with Brad Penny making his Boston debut. Penny hopes to find the form that made him an All-Star in 2006-07 and not the injury-plagued year that left him at 6-9, with an ERA over six. Penny would appreciate if Kevin Youkilis brought his hot bat to La-La Land, with eight base-knocks in first dozen at bats. Because of turmoil with starting staff, Shane Loux will start in Game 2. Loux was one-time prospect in Detroit organization, who throws strikes and depend on ground-ball outs. After being out of baseball in 2007, the 29-year old was the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year with Salt Lake last season. The BoSox will be the favorite and best choice, even though the Angels have won seven of last eight as underdog.

Game 2 Edge: Boston

The series finale should be a fine pitching matchup with Josh Beckett (1-0, 1.29 ERA) facing Joe Saunders (1-0, 0.00). Beckett was in top form on Opening Day, chucking seven strong innings, with 10 strike-outs and one run and two hits allowed. Last season, Beckett was very solid on the road with 7-5 and 2.85 ERA, though he is being watched closely after velocity dip late in the season. If Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is known as Mr. October, than Saunders is emerging as Mr. April, based on his early season efforts the last few years. He limited Oakland to just three hits this past Monday, raising his record to 8-0 in April starts. He’s kept the Boston batting order in check with 4-0 record in six starts, with 2.89 ERA. The Halos are 25-8 against the money line when the lefty starts since the beginning of last season.

Game 3 Edge: Angels

A lot of this series depends on the mental state of the Angels. Skipper Scioscia not only has to be manager, but father figure as well, since each player will react differently about what happened. Because of the unknown, have to stick strictly with facts. Seeing the Angels do have revenge motive and have won nine of last 10 regular season meetings, and five of last six at Angel Stadium, have to play the underdog for this series wager.

Series odds: Boston -145, L.A. Angels +115

3Daily Winners Pick: L.A. Angels

Check out Friday Wagering Action

Very nice to see three winners, though only one was official with my hockey parlay coming in. While talking about Free Plays, Paul Buck is having a heck of a week and likes a team in the NBA. The Best System takes into consideration several elements and is 82.1 percent since 2004. In baseball, the team from the Twin Cities is perfect for a Totals Trend. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY ON teams like the Knicks after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half against opponent after a combined score of 160 points or less. This dandy little system is 23-5 ATS, 82.1 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Minnesota Twins are 10-0 OVER in road games after scoring one run or less since last season.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Paul Buck is 9-1 in all his wagers this week and like Detroit Pistons at -7.5.

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Trying to Wager in Traffic

We have all seen it or done it, tried to multi-task while driving. While it seems like a good idea at the time, the truth is we really know it is a poor choice and unsafe to ourselves and others. Friday night in the NBA, five teams in the Western Conference will hit the hardwood bunched up like vehicles on the I-405 in southern California and sports bettors are left to make sense of this near gridlock situation. At the end of the season, every win and loss is crucial; here is a look-in on the five teams posturing for playoff positions out West.

Utah at San Antonio

For the Jazz and Spurs, so much for making a statement about their readiness to finish the season strong. Utah went into Dallas having lost three of four and was blistered for 130 points by the Mavericks, in defenseless showing, losing by 29 points. It is really simple to determine why the Jazz haven’t been as sturdy as in the past. In their last eight contests, they have managed to keep just two opponents under 50 percent shooting. In that time, Utah has one spread cover.

At least San Antonio (50-28, 38-38-2 ATS) has a letter from the doctor as to why they were defeated at home to Portland 95-83. The Spurs have lost one of the Big Three, Manu Ginobili for the season and Tim Duncan’s knees have been a concern since the All-Star break.

“People don’t realize Timmy’s been playing on one leg for like a month and a half,” Tony Parker said. “We can’t pay attention to that. We just have to take a challenge and play harder.”

San Antonio is neck and neck with Houston for Southwest Division title and many more missteps by the Spurs could see them falling as far as fifth or potentially worse in the West. Bookmaker.com has them three-point favorites with a total of 193. With Parker the clear leader, San Antonio is only 1-7 ATS in recent home games.

Utah (47-31, 38-40 ATS) is tied with Dallas for the final two playoff positions and is 3-11 ATS since Mar. 11. The Jazz are 15-24 (17-22 ATS) on the road, but might have one last trick up their warmup sleeve, being 27-10 and 23-14 ATS with one day off. The unfortunate aspect is they are 1-10 ATS in San Antonio and these two teams have played OVER 10 of 11 times in southwest Texas.

New Orleans at Dallas

Dallas (47-31, 38-40 ATS) could hardly have set up a better scenario than what they have. The Mavericks have clinched a postseason berth and has there sights set on moving out of the No. 8 seed to skirt playing the Lakers. They took the first step in lambasting Utah Wednesday night and go next right after New Orleans (48-30, 34-43-1 ATS), whom they trail by one game.

The Dallas offense has been Mav-olous, averaging 135 points per outing the last two contests and they are 13-5 ATS as home favorite. “If we continue to win, we have a real opportunity to move up,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “So that is the challenge.”

New Orleans has been battling injuries and is .500 (5-9 ATS) since March 14. This is meaningful also for the Hornets, as they only play the Texas teams the rest of the way, suggesting a 4-0 finish could land them as high as a four seed. This matchup begins a home and home with the Mavs.

“It’s like a playoff series with Dallas,” forward David West said. “We have two games with them, with huge implications. We need to try to go down to Dallas and steal one. We just need to try to pick up wins.”

New Orleans has won and covered both meetings this season and dumped Dallas in the playoffs in five games last year. The Hornets are seven-point underdog and are 8-20 ATS in that role. The home team is 8-3 ATS in the Southwest Division series with the UNDER 9-2 in Big D.

L.A. Lakers at Portland

The Portland Trailblazers (50-28, 41-36-1 ATS) probably won’t catch Denver in the Northwest Division; however their hopes are very much alive to nab the fourth seed in the West. The Blazers are setup well to finish with a flourish after upsetting San Antonio. Portland has three home games remaining, where they are 31-7 and 23-14-1 ATS and have one trip to L.A. to face the crestfallen Clippers.

Portland will have the benefit of day off before facing the Lakers tonight, who had to take on Denver last evening and are 29-16 and 24-21-1 ATS with a day of rest. Brandon Roy and Portland are cruising with 9-3 SU and ATS run and are a real irritant to the Lakers, having won seven in a row and 12 of the last 14 against the Lakers at the Rose Garden. Overall, the Blazers are on 14-3 ATS against the Lake-show in the Great Northwest and are a one-point home favorite.

Betting MLB Home Openers – Part Two

The first wave of teams playing in there home ball parks has passed and the next group is ready to kickoff their celebration, having a couple of wins or losses, unlike their predecessors. In all, seven different teams will be conducting Opening Day ceremonies, with a festive mood surrounding each one.

Texas at Detroit 1:05 E

The Detroit Tigers are looking for support after a 1-3 start north of the border and return to Comerica Park to begin the home part of the schedule. The Detroit pitching once again has not been good except for the game Zach Miner pitched. The Tigers turn to Armando Galarraga in their home opener, who won 13 games as a rookie. Last season Detroit won five of his six home starts against teams that had winning records. The Tigers will tussle with Texas, who is off to their best start since 1996. The Rangers obliterated Cleveland pitching in scoring 9.7 runs per game and raised their record to 8-1 against AL Central teams. Texas brings back Kris Benson, who has not pitched since September of 2006, after undergoing surgery. The Tigers are -135 money line favorites with a total of 10 at Betjamaica.com. The Rangers are 12-3 OVER after scoring eight runs or more two straight games.

Toronto at Cleveland 4:05 E

The Toronto Blue Jays should take a picture of the AL East standings, being in first place, since the quality of the competition is likely to catch up and surpass them as the season wears on. For now anyways, the Blue Jays bats are hot and will go up against a pitching staff that looks like it’s a mess already. This is Cleveland’s home opener and they need starter Scott Lewis to pick up right where he left off from last season. The left-hander was a September call-up and won all four starts with a sparkling 2.63 ERA. This afternoon, he will try to become the first Tribe pitcher to win first five games in 88 years. The Indians are 20-6 against the money line after a game with a combined score of 17 runs or more and are a -145 favorite with total of nine. Cleveland has caged the Blue Jays with 15-2 record at home.

Chicago at Milwaukee 4:05 E

Opening Day in Milwaukee is always one of the more festive occasions in baseball, with a light grey cloud of smoke emitting from the grills packed with hamburgers and every sausage known to man. Besides the always welcome back reunion, Brewers fans have a team returning from the postseason in over two decades and the hated Cubs are in start the home campaign. Milwaukee is a +140 money line underdog, having to face the Cubs Rich Harden. The Chicago right-hander is 61-23 as a favorite of -110 or higher in his career (Team's Record) and the Cubs are 21-8 as road favorites. The Brewers revamped pitching staff includes Brandon Looper, who is 3-12 when facing a club with a winning record (Team’s result). Nonetheless, the Brew Crew has been very good at Miller Park and is 55-26 in home games in the first half of the year over the last two campaigns. Of the home losses suffered, five came last season to Chicago.

Philadelphia at Colorado 4:10 E

Normally a player chosen as MVP of the World Series and NL championship series would be on the field from opening day, unless of course something is amiss. Pitcher Cole Hamels experienced elbow tightness during the spring, raising concerns about the 262+ innings he logged last season in leading Philadelphia to World Series championship. A team physician found no damage in his sore left elbow and the left-hander is ready to go. The Phillies played like they thought it was still spring-training and were almost swept at home by Atlanta. They had eight-run inning Wednesday to help salvage one game and are 19-7 off a win.

This is Colorado’s home opener after taking two of three against Arizona, totaling 20 runs. The Rockies are 9-1 against the money line off two straight upset wins over division rivals as a road underdog and will hand the ball to Jason Marquis. Colorado is a +123 money line underdog with total at 9.5 and Marquis is 11-0 OVER against NL East opponents. (Team's Record)

New York at Kansas City 4:10 E

This season, Kansas City fans have a little extra to cheer about other than the fact baseball is back. Kauffman Stadium has undergone a $250 million renovation project to bring the grand ballpark up to current major league standards and the on the field product offers more hope than in years. The Royals got three well-pitched games in winning series in Chicago; this might not be the case with Sidney Ponson being the starter against New York. Ponson typically shows enough to warrant a look, but there is a reason why Kansas City is a +155 home underdog. Oddly, Ponson isn’t a bad wager as a +125 to +175 money line underdog with 37-34 (+18.8 Units) record. The Yankees will start Andy Pettitte, who is 7-0 in 11 starts against Kansas City and 49-20 when the veteran lefty is favored in -151 to -200 range. The Royals will try to turn things around having three wins in 10 tries versus New York at home.

Washington at Atlanta 7:35 E

Derek Lowe signed a $60 million deal to become the Atlanta Braves ace and the home fans figure to be excited off what they saw in first game. Lowe’s trademark sinker induced 13 Phillies batters to ground out over eight shutout innings. Atlanta nearly took all three games versus division rival Philadelphia except for bullpen meltdown and is 29-13 when playing with a day off. Washington started about as expected, losing all three in Florida and is 14-41 after three or more consecutive road games. The Nationals will trot out recent 22-year old Shairon Martis who sported 2.76 ERA this spring. Atlanta is a -200 money line choice in home opener with total Un8.5 and the Nats are 8-30 on the road when the total is 7 to 8.5.

Seattle at Oakland 10:05 E

After a successful start to the season, the Oakland A’s return to the Bay Area to take on another AL West representative. The Athletics won last two games in Anaheim, pounding out 31 base hits to upend the Angels. Oakland won seven of last eight home games in 2008 and will unveil left-hander Brett Anderson to the home fans. Anderson was a key component in the Dan Haren trade to Arizona and the 21-year has an excellent feel for his craft. He will face a converted reliever in Ryan Rowland-Smith for Seattle. What made the Mariners want to try Rowland-Smith as starter was he has four pitches (none overpowering) that he can throw for strikes and is willing to alter assortment as he goes through the line-up a couple of times. Seattle is +140 money line underdog, with total hovering at O8. They are 8-20 in that role and 10-28 when total is 7-8.5. The M’s have performed well in Oakland, winning 11 of 18 the last two years.

A sad day in baseball

Great winner on the best system yesterday, which ended up being our only one. I had meeting this morning thus wasn’t able to get everything together at 3Daily Winners today. I had the Top Trend picked out last night and as I put this in I have no idea on any scores. This will not count since the game had already begun. The Best System just missed our 80 percent standard, nonetheless has been sweet this season in the NBA. Every now and again I get the urge to make a silly parlay wager (though my intention clearly is to win) and I list it below. Good Luck.

My condolences to the Nick Adenhart family. The Angels are my favorite American League team and though I always bet with my head and not my heart, this young man had bright future with the Halos. What a terrible waste. The others that perished in the crash are not sports figures, yet the grief of loved ones in their families should also be mentioned. Whatever happens to the person that committed this crime, may he be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and forever have nightmares about what they did.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY OVER on road teams like Philadelphia, where the total is greater than or equal to 200, after a close loss by three points or less against opponent, after scoring 100 points or more four straight games. This will not be official play, however might be worth looking into with a 42-12 record, 77.7 percent and has been sharp 7-1 this season.

Free Baseball Trend -2) The Cincinnati Reds are 14-3 against the money line after a game with a combined score of 15 runs or more since last season.

Free Hockey Selection -3) Going to play around tonight for grins and take three very large NHL favorites, Vancouver, Washington and Pittsburgh and make them a three-teamer. If I’m correct a $25 wager will pay out about $38.50.

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Los Angeles Lakers Getting Big Man Back

By all accounts, the Los Angeles Lakers are about ready to add center Andrew Bynum back into the mix, making them even more lethal. After missing 32 games with a torn MCL in his right knee, rumors are circulating like an episode from Entertainment Tonight, that Bynum might see action against the hottest team in the NBA, Denver.

The Nuggets are trying to secure the No.2 seed in the Western Conference and could do so with an upset victory tonight. Denver (53-26, 44-34-1 ATS) has picked the perfect time to play their best basketball of the season, having won eight in a row and 13th of 14 games (9-5 ATS). This will be the first of three tries for the Nuggets to match the franchise record of 54 wins and could exceed it with two wins in final three contests.

Off last night’s 122-112 triumph and non-cover over Oklahoma City, Denver is 13-3 ATS after a home game where both teams score 100 or more points this season. Though tonight’s contest won’t have any impact should these teams meet in the West Finals in May, it could be a big confidence boost for the Nuggets.

“(A win) would be huge, man, especially at this time of the year and for what we’re trying to accomplish,” Carmelo Anthony said. “That would be a big win for us.”

The Lakers (62-16, 39-38-1 ATS) have dominated Denver on there home court over the years. Los Angeles has won 23 of 25 (includes last year’s playoffs) since “Independence Day” was a top-grossing box office movie (1996) and has 17-6-2 spread record. Phil Jackson’s squad has played a pretty good brand of basketball themselves, with four consecutive wins and posting W’s in last nine of 11 (6-5 ATS).

The Lakers are 15-5 ATS versus good teams outscoring their opponents by three or more points a game this season and are fighting to catch Cleveland for the best record in the NBA. L.A. trails in the loss column by a game to the Cavaliers, but only has to catch them, since they own the tie-breaker to have home court advantage throughout the postseason.

Bettors seem oblivious to how well Denver is playing and have taken them from eight-point underdogs at Bookmaker.com to nine, with totaling falling 209.5. What is interesting about side action, this is the most points the Lakers have been favored by over the Nuggets in 10 home games, dating back to December of 2004.

Denver is 8-0 ATS off a home non-cover where won straight up as a favorite and is 15-6 UNDER as an underdog this season. Kobe and company is 18-9 ATS off a road win and is 12-4 OVER in home games after three or more consecutive wins this season.

This battle of the two best teams in the Western Conference will sally forth at 7:35 Pacific on TNT.

Looking for a Wonderful Wednesday

Had a 2-1 Tuesday and would like nothing more than to string a number of winning days together. Marty is off to strong start in MLB and gives us another Free Play. Today’s Best System is from Statfox.com and is 84 percent winner on NBA Totals. The Top Trend looks to get back on winning ways seeing how the Nets play as large underdogs. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) Play Over on road teams when the total is greater than or equal to 200, revenging a road loss against opponent, who is off a win by 10 points or more over a division rival. This totals system is 21-4 the last five years with 2-0 mark this season. This is Oklahoma City and Denver contest.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The New Jersey Nets are 2-12 ATS as an underdog of 10 or more points over the last two seasons.

Free Baseball Selection -3) Marty of the Left Coast Connection had a baseball winner yesterday here and is playing St. Louis today.

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The 2009 Masters Preview

The premier golf event on the calendar arrives this week, with its emerald green fairways, blooming azaleas and its other colorful array of flowers and shrubs. The golf course that is The Masters at Augusta National is like no place on earth. On windier days, you can hear the whistling of the dogwoods and pines trees and if you watched any college basketball the last three weeks, the promos read on ESPN or CBS had announcers going from excitable voices from the games to hushed monotone deliveries in promoting this year’s event.

The Masters this year has a different feel and anticipation from the last several for reasons outside of the tournament. The defending champion Trevor Immelman is trying to become just the fourth back-to-back champion. Rest assured he will draw little if any wagering action at Bookmaker.com and other wagering locations at +10000, since he all but disappeared after winning at Augusta. He tied for second in Memphis, but didn't have another top-10 finish until the Tour Championship, where he was 10th in a 30-man field. His best showing was 19th at the Transitions Championship this season, not exactly the description of a hot golfer.

One story almost nobody is talking about is Padraig Harrington. He has won three of the last six majors, including two in a row and is halfway to the Paddy-Slam. Why Harrington isn’t receiving his just due is because a certain Mr. Woods was recuperating from knee surgery having won the previous major, the U.S. Open, before being forced to shut it down. In some circles, though it is ludicrous, Harrington being the reigning British Open and PGA champion, is viewed like the Houston Rockets winning back to back championships when Hall of Famer to be Michael Jordan was finding out he couldn’t hit the curveball during a two year hiatus. Harrington is +1500 wager to snare a third consecutive major.

A couple of oldies but goodies will be playing at The Masters, with one such golfer making first appearance in some time. Fred Couples is almost eligible for the senior tour, (fine, Champions Tour) and was in the hunt at the Houston Open last week until he played the last three holes, three over. Maybe its wedded bliss, tired of being successful at everything he touches or just has a bit of the golf bug back, but Greg Norman returns to Augusta for the first time in seven years. Neither player is expected to be in contention; nevertheless, seeing them even at advanced ages is like watching your favorite rock band from 12-20 years ago. Older yes, but still fun.

While nostalgia has its place, eventually everybody is replaced by a younger more skilled competitor. Two that fit this mold are Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy. Kim (+3000) was the best player last fall and has been globe-trotting a little too much to likely be a factor. McIlroy (+2500) is 19 and has serious game, as he proved at WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Everybody wants to find that long-shot which could come in, yet still is considered a very good player that offers value. Sergio Garcia (+2500), Camilo Villegas (+4000) and Ernie Els (+3000) are ranked in the top 20 of the World Golf Rankings and would be the type of players that would make sensible wager. One problem, this trio has failed to make the cut each of the last two years in Georgia.

There are a number of other players with golf skills that have to be considered like Retief Gossen and Paul Casey at +2500. Jim Furyk (+3000) always gets a look as a grinder and Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are renowned players and are part of a group at +5000.

The second choice is Phil Mickelson at +800 and he expects to be in the hunt for third green jacket since 2004. Mickelson appreciates the history and has learned to build himself towards this invitational. Lefty has been hitting irons brilliantly all year, including adding a draw from distance since the off-season. His driving has been more erratic (even for Phil), but that has to do with mindset. Like the Nike commercial from a few years ago, “Chicks dig the long ball”, Mickelson has always been obsessed with distance and it costs him often. With the length of Augusta National today, you have to get off the tee, nonetheless a playable second shot is as important. If the driver is working, definite threat.

Lastly is Tiger Woods at +220 to win a fifth green jacket. Woods added to his ever growing legend at Bay Hill with long birdie putt to win, which pronounced him as back. Tiger is a rare athlete, always able to find the slightest motivation to create burning desire and though some way work as hard today, nobody works harder in golf to be their best.

After Woods won in 2005, those in charge of the course made more adjustments to “Tiger-proof” the course. They effectively changed the best theatre in golf to the U.S. Open. The Masters has never been about surviving, it was been grabbing history by the throat and claiming it. Sometimes this has led to colossal failure, like Greg Norman and Curtis Strange felt. But to legislate players from making stirring comebacks by posting a 32 or 33 on the backside on Sunday, because few were given too much power thinking this tournament could turn into the Bob Hope, well that is preposterous.

Trevor Immelman deserved to win last year’s Masters, but his final round 75 marked the first time in 26 years the champion shot over par in the final round and it was the highest final round by a winner since Arnold Palmer had the same score way back in 1962, which he later won in playoff.

It’s no fun to pick Tiger Woods or even Phil Mickelson, but on golf’s grandest stage, it is the safest bet.

Handicapping for 2009-10 College Basketball

With North Carolina cutting down the nets in Detroit, the 2008-09 college hoops season is history and what can happen next season keeps alumni contributing to their school’s athletic fund and dreaming of sitting behind the team bench in next year’s Final Four. The cry comes out “if we only would have had better facilities” we would have landed that five-star recruit from Montrose Oak Prep Academy.

For the sports bettor, it is never too early to start looking at next year in college hoops. With so many teams and players and coaches moving to a new program, college hoops requires the most preseason handicapping preparation of all sports. Actually, this is the best time to start taking notes while this current season is still fresh on your mind. Hours invested today in study and research are reminiscent of what retirement accounts and mutual funds used to be like: things that grow in value as time goes by.

It is time to start checking schools recruiting classes and incoming, as well as outgoing, transfers. When you actually check the number of transfers that even actually play for their new school, it is alarmingly less than you would expect. Or they fail to live up to lofty expectations, such as the case of originally highly touted 6-10 Eric Boateng who went to Arizona State from Duke. Boateng averaged less than 8 minutes and two points a game this past season.

We’ve already had some major coaching changes, the most notable being the hiring of Memphis’s John Calipari to fill the departure of Billy Gillespie at Kentucky. Mark Gottfried at Alabama finally used up his nine lives while Tony Bennett departs Washington State bringing his Princeton-style offense to Virginia. Mark Fox travels from the University of Nevada to replace Dennis Felton at Georgia. If any other larger schools have job openings, expect to see Creighton’s Dana Altman or New Mexico’s Steve Alford names tossed around.

The pressure for getting the top recruits increased the day the NBA said they required draftees to be one year removed from high school and must have their 19th birthday, or later, in the year of the draft. This rule, in theory, was going to help prevent any more Korleone Youngs, the 1998 poster child of the ill fate that can happen to a high-schooler who shouldn’t go pro early.

However, except for Brandon Jennings who opted for playing overseas in his first year out of high school, we still are seeing a number of “one-and-done” college freshmen. With the continued improvement in early development of players, these one-year players can be program-changers. They can also have a negative effect on a program that can’t reload quickly with capable replacements.

Underclassmen have until April 26 to declare themselves eligible for the draft. Provided they don't sign with an agent, they then have until June 15 to withdraw their names. Some on this year’s list who have already declared are no surprise. Naturally, there will be some “Korleone Youngs” who jump ship too early.

Wake Forest could be the hardest hit school for early professional departures with So. 6-8 James Johnson and Fr. Al-Farouq Aminu most likely leaving and So. PG Jeff Teague also a candidate. Georgetown’s disappointing season could continue into the off-season with 6-8 DaJuan Summers already signing with an agent and 6-10 Fr. Greg Monroe likely to leave.

Both Arizona schools will take a step backwards next year with the Wildcats watching Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger go pro early and possibly even point guard Nic Wise. The Sun Devils will say goodbye to So. James Harden.

Rebuilding next year will be Utah and UAB who both lose four seniors. Both teams had very little depth so the cupboard is fairly bare for returning players. Utah has a very good recruiting class lined up but UAB recently lost a top 5 recruit to Memphis, DeMarcus Cousins. Teams rebuilding with young players should be watched for potential play-on status once conference action gets started and the newbies are learning to play as a team. Early failures can give value later in the season.

With Calipari packing up the U-Haul, recruit Cousins might venture back to the Mike Davis UAB fold or very well could follow Calipari to UK. Currently, this is one of college hoops biggest unsolved mysteries. Who can Calipari bring to UK and who will go elsewhere. Outgoing Kentucky coach Gillespie had signed a fine Wildcat recruiting class including top-flight center Daniel Orton. As of the writing of this article, most everything was up in the air on what would happen.

As judged by one recruiting service, the #1 prospect John Wall, was tempted with Memphis but looks like he is headed to Duke. Lance Stephenson, a top ten recruit, appeared to be signing with Kansas on March 31 but with the Calipari news, he has delayed his announcement. While Stephenson liked Memphis originally, he appeared to be going elsewhere because another top ten shooting guard recruit, Xavier Henry, had already inked with Calipari at MU. With Calipari leaving Elvis’ hometown, it appears so is Henry as he is possibly signing with Kansas, the alma mater of his father, former Jayhawk standout Carl Henry. Another part of the story is he would like to bring his older brother with him, C.J., who was a walk-on at Memphis last year.
This is becoming better than a soap opera. It appears some recruit’s decisions will be predicated upon who is named the new coach at Memphis. Former NBA coaches Reggie Theus and Avery Johnson are at the top of the list.

Currently, Kansas has the #7 rated incoming class and would get a huge boost if either top 10 recruit, Henry or Stephenson, commits to Kansas. If Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins don’t leave early for the NBA, Kansas should be ranked in the top 3 in preseason polls.

Definitely battling for Big 12 supremacy next year will be Texas. The Longhorns lose undersized shooting guard A.J. Abrams but he will be quickly forgotten when 6-3 Avery Bradley arrives in Austin. Bradley was the MVP for the USA Today’s #1 ranked Findlay Prep team of Henderson, NV, who won the inaugural National High School Invitational Sunday. The Horns have the #3 rated recruiting class and will be a top ten team next season. They could move closer to #1 if big man Dexter Pittman continues his improvement in skills and conditioning and Damion James progresses as much next year as he did this year.

Marquette loses three senior starters but has a strong five-man recruiting class. North Carolina has snagged four McDonald’s All-Americans for their upcoming season, Villanova, Oklahoma, and Duke have two each. Nova also has inked 6-9 Mouphtaou Yarou, a surprise non-participant in the Mickey D Classic. The Wildcats’ two McDonald’s participants, both guards, were very impressive and will keep the flame burning in Philly. Duke’s players will bring some needed size to the Blue Devils.

The MVP of the McDonald’s Classic, 6-9 Derrick Favors, will remind Georgia Tech fans of Amare Stoudemire. The Yellow Jackets have a top five class with 5 quality recruits signed that should breath life into what was a stagnant offense this past season.

Tom Crean will have Indiana pointed in the right direction next year with a top ten class. UConn might be facing some stiff NCAA penalties as well as losing 3 seniors and in all probability, 7-3 Hasheem Thabeet. With the comments that Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun is making, you won’t see him on the sidelines next year but in the ESPN studio giving commentary. (after all, he doesn’t live far from their studios)

Cross-town rivals UCLA and USC both have top ten incoming classes. The Bruins lose much more through graduation, though. Pitt loses three senior starters including Sam Young and Levance Fields and probably will see DeJuan Blair opt for the NBA. Not inking an overly strong recruiting class does not bode well for the Panthers next year.

How about a team on the rise that is totally unexpected: Oregon State. Coach Craig Robinson, the President’s brother-in-law, landed two four-star guards and has two Australian frontcourt studs coming in. The surprise of post-season play is also the surprise of the recruiting season.
Do your research now and start uncovering the surprises for the 2009-10 season.

Jim Kruger of Vegas Sports Authority knows everything basketball and much more.

Tuesday Betting Action

About as dull as they come for championship games last night but Dickie V and the Prez were right with the Tar Heels.

In the NBA, found a perfect Trend involving Memphis who has been playing pretty good basketball for them. The Best System is from the NBA and is 84.8 percent and involves two hideous teams. Our first MLB play of the year comes up courtesy of Marty, who spent 10 days each in Arizona and Florida scouting teams for upcoming season. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY ON road teams after trailing in their last two games by 10 or points at the half, against opponent after a combined score of 175 points or less. This NBA system has already picked up three more winners this season on the way to 28-5 ATS record. The team to back is (gulp) Minnesota.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Memphis Grizzlies are 0-12 ATS in home games versus good teams outscoring their opponents by three points a game in the second half of the season over the last two years.

Free Baseball Selection -3) Marty of the Left Coast Connection couldn’t wait for baseball and was 3-0 yesterday and likes Florida best among his plays today.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right. You will also receive all my personal plays for Free and your name will NEVER be given to anyone.

NBA Wild West set for Wild Finish

After taking a complete day off, the NBA regular season resumes with nine days left. With Dallas all but finishing off Phoenix on Sunday, the eight teams that will be in the playoffs are set. However, the order of how the competition will match up is as up for grabs as next year’s Clippers roster. Four teams are legitimately still vying for second position in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Western teams presently in slots four-thru-eight could be potentially reversed by the end of April 15. If the Kentucky Derby ends up having this sort of a finish in about a month, it should be quite a race.

The Mavericks (46-31, 37-40 ATS) will have a legitimate chance to avoid the Lakers in the first round. Dallas is 28-9 at home (16-21 ATS) and will host Utah and New Orleans in next two contests. The Jazz have been off-key most of the season on the road and the Hornets have injury issues that just won’t go away. The very next contest is return engagement at New Orleans, which is the Mavs last road encounter of the season. With aforementioned teams directly in front of them in the standings, a 3-0 start moves Dallas up with Minnesota and Houston due to come to American Airlines Arena.

Utah (47-30, 38-39 ATS) may have gained some confidence on the road with its win 108-94 win at New Orleans. That was just their second win in last eight road games, who have covered a mere three of last 13. Utah is not out of the woods by any stretch having road encounters with Dallas, San Antonio and the Lakers to close the season. They will have a couple of very winnable home games with Golden State and the Clippers, but how they perform on the road will determine their fate.

New Orleans (47-29, 33-42-1 ATS) has been a bad wager all year and it’s not about to get easier. Center Tyson Chandler hopes his left ankle will allow him to play next week and forward James Posey will be evaluated later for his bad elbow. Peja Stojakovic has been coming off the bench the last couple of games and could return to starting lineup after missing 15 games with bad back. That means Chris Paul and David West are playing 40+ minutes a game, being able to rest by not practicing. The Hornets still have six games left on the regular season docket and trail the division-leading Spurs by just two. They will need wins in next two tilts, at Miami and home to Phoenix. If that works out, they will have home and home with Dallas and road games against Houston and San Antonio. Not a very good situation for a team that is 14-22-1 ATS in the visitor’s uniforms.

The Portland Trailblazers (48-28, 40-35-1 ATS) have clinched their first playoff berth in six years and still could move up, however time is not on there side. Portland is pursuing Denver, trailing them by two games in the loss column. The Blazers have won seven of last 10, covering the spread eight times. Unfortunately, they are chasing Denver, who has won nine of 10. Portland has six games left on the schedule, compared to the Nuggets who have just four. The Blazers can’t make-up those games. Their best hope is to look to surpass Houston and gain the fourth seed, thus assuring home court for the first round. Portland stands at 31-7 and 23-14-1 ATS at the Rose Garden and has three home games and three road games remaining.

This year’s Denver (52-26, 44-33-1 ATS) squad is hardly recognizable. The Nuggets have never merited many points on the toughness scale. Always strong at home and weak to fair on the road, Denver was good enough to make the playoffs and not move forward. After losing five of first six in March, a familiar tone was being set, but quicker than a snow covered Rocky Mountain avalanche, coach George Karl’s club got white hot. The Nuggets have been punishing teams in being victorious 12 of 13 (9-4 ATS) times, winning nine times by 10 or more points. They will have two winnable home games to lock up the second seed, with difficult matches against the Lakers and Portland on the road.

San Antonio (49-27, 37-37-2 ATS) has done remarkably well to stay atop the Southwest Division. Tim Duncan battling achy knees and Manu Ginobili fighting the injury bug all season. Yet somehow coach Greg Popovich and Tony Parker have kept them afloat all season. The Spurs will be playing a great deal of basketball trying to lock up the division and finish no worse than a third seed. They have six games remaining and should either be favored in all six or the slightest of underdogs on the road.

Houston’s quest to find a way to win division continues, with the Rockets (49-28, 37-39-1 ATS) having five contests remaining. They should take down Sacramento and Golden State on the road, but it will be how they play at home against Orlando and New Orleans that will help determined what spot they have in the playoffs.

NBA bettors are going to have to make some very interesting decisions to finish the regular season, in choosing the teams out west.

Big Game, not much action elsewhere

As you can imagine, no great systems, angles or trends going today with so few games and baseball getting started. I expect we will be back to normal on Tuesday.

I think tonight’s title game is really on the nose. About 55 percent of the members of the Left Coast Connection are playing Michigan State. Personally, I’m passing on the side and total. I think the numbers are correct so why throw away good money on a guess. I’m in a different pool and need Michigan State and Under so that will be good enough for me.

I’m always amazed by the number of handicappers who charge out of the gate with baseball, having three to five plays. I understand they want to look knowledgeable and may have insights that I don’t. However, I usually have two-four plays the first eight or nine games, because in truth, nobody really knows how things will begin. It’s is similar to betting 10 NFL games in week one, lots of things can happen. Granted, it is their job to sell picks and if they don’t their is no cash coming in.

It has served me wisely to be extremely selective until you have a feel about baseball. Read boxscores, see how teams are playing, this has helped me be 346-271, +41.66 units of profit over the last two years.

This year I’m more prepared than ever to do well, but that does not guarantee me or anyone else anything. If you would like my MLB plays, signup to the right and my NBA plays have been rock solid all year.

Enjoy the game and Good Luck.

College Basketball Championship Preview

This year’s NCAA title game has something for everybody. For those that believe in fate, you have to be pleased that powers greater than our understanding has Michigan State playing for championship, based on circumstances. Tom Izzo’s team was fortunate to have a situation where they could take a bus to title tilt and if they won, they could start partying immediately, with probably 45,000 or more green-clad fans.

If your personality has a more orderly process and prefers continuity, where how one thing starts should have ending that follows in same fashion, then North Carolina is a custom made club. The Tar Heels started the season No.1 and are one game away from finishing in the very same spot.

Michigan State (31-6, 20-13-1 ATS) will have revenge in their hearts having been pulverized by North Carolina in the very same building (this will be on NCAA approved floor) 98-63 as 10-point underdogs on Dec. 3. By now everyone knows Goran Suton did not play in that game and this is a much better Spartans squad which is 22-9 ATS revenging a same season loss. A Michigan State win would also mean they were as tough as the city of Detroit, beating three top seeds in a row.

North Carolina (33-4, 17-19) has had the backing of the media all season and the talent to back it up. They too have battled thru injuries, never having the services of Marcus Ginyard, their best defender, and Ty Lawson being in and out of the lineup enough to matter. When the scent of a championship was finally in the air, the Tar Heels rammed through five opponents by over 20 points per game, covering the spread each time. North Carolina is 9-1 SU and ATS in the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons and 7-1 ATS in road games after leading their last three games by five or more points at the half this season.

The folks at Bookmaker.com have North Carolina favored by 7.5-points with the total drifting downward to 152.5. That sets up for the final score to be approximately 80-72 in favor of the Tar Heels.

The number of points Michigan State allows is terribly important. This season, when Izzo’s crew surrenders 70 or more points they are 3-6 and 2-7 ATS. Granted, they defeated Connecticut in that manner, but as coach Izzo knows, North Carolina is different. “If we play good and they play good, we’re losing. That’s the way I look at it,” Izzo said. “I mean, I don’t look at that in the negative. They are the best team in the country and have earned that ranking probably over the last year and a half.”

Michigan State has to continue to receive contributions from everyone who plays, be it freshman Korie Lucious hitting three’s or Draymond Green being physical and chipping in a point a minute. The Spartans have to keeping earning second chance points by storming the boards and playing superlative perimeter defense. Raymar Morgan is the wild card, because if he scores 18-20 points, he gives the partisan crowd something to stand up and cheer about. The Spartans are tough-minded 15-4 ATS in all neutral court games over the last two seasons.

Bobby Knight said one of the hardest things to do is carry the weight all year of being expected to be champions and finish it to the end. North Carolina has worn that collar of burden all season, with its four losses by a grand total of 16 points. Michigan State can be a very effective transition team; however nobody goes 94 feet faster with the ball than the Tar Heels.

Ty Lawson has blinding speed and Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are forever is just the right locations to receive feeds for open shots. As mentioned previously, this Roy Williams team is not known for its defensive prowess, but you can ask Oklahoma and Villanova if they thought UNC can pull up the shorts and guard. There ability to create 6-0 and 8-0 runs test the will of opposing teams. Michigan State won’t back down, but neither will Tyler Hansbrough and when you think about, what player embodies the toughness principles of coach Izzo basketball more than Psycho-T. The Heels build momentum with offensive pressure and are 14-5 ATS after successfully covering the spread in four or more consecutive games.

On Monday night, it will truly be one shining moment; will it be destiny ringing the bell for Michigan State or North Carolina finishing what they started?

Wagering and Watching on Opening Day

For baseball fans, it doesn’t get any better than this, the official beginning of the season. All the teams playing at home have festive occasions and optimism is running high from coast to coast. For baseball bettors, the numbers crunching begins having 15 games to choose almost every five out of seven days for the six months. Here is a look at the five televised games on the worldwide leader to kick off Opening Day.

1:00 E - N.Y. Mets at Cincinnati – ESPN

Who are the kings of Opening Day, none other than the New York Mets. Dating back 41 years, New York is 30-11 for a jaw-dropping 73.2 percent winning percentage. Their chances today will be enhanced starting Johan Santana, who has been the best pitcher in baseball the last four years. How good, he leads the majors in ERA, win percentage, strikeouts, opponents batting average and is tied for most wins at 88 with Roy Oswalt. The Mets are -155 favorite at Betjamaica.com with a total Un7.5 and Santana is 95-30 (+35.2 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -150 or more. (Team's Record) The Reds Aaron Harang is coming off 17-loss season and his team is 19-8 as an underdog when he pitches the last two years.

2:00 E – Tampa Bay at Boston – ESPN2

It’s a rematch of last season’s American League championship. Tampa Bay will look to defend its title starting at a place they where they used to be soundly beaten. The Rays are 25-68 against Boston at Fenway Park; however they won four of six in September and October to help propel them to first ever playoffs and World Series. James Shields believes he’s a 20-game winner if he pitches better on the road and this will be excellent opportunity to test his belief. The Red Sox are -145 home favorites and with Ov8.5 total, with Josh Becket taking the mound. Boston was 32-12 (+14.3 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 last season and would like to reestablish dominance at home from the start.

4:00 E - N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore – ESPN

The New York Yankees will trot out one of their high-priced jewels when C.C. Sabathia takes the mound in Baltimore. The big left-hander will average 23 million over the next seven years wearing the pinstripes and the keynote target will look to help Yankees to return of playoffs. Sabathia comes back to the American League and is a -190 road favorite in the opener. The lefty is 5-0 in nine starts against the Orioles and will face Jeremy Guthrie. The rebuilding O’s were 12-34 in day games a season ago and try to change their luck in that area. Surprisingly, Baltimore has split last 18 meetings with New York at Camden Yards.

7:00 E – Chicago Cubs at Houston – ESPN2

Chicago Cubs fans are weary of “maybe next year” and want to see their team not just win another division. They will open up on the road against division foe Houston, with a great pitching matchup. Carlos Zambrano wasn’t his usual dominating self in the second half and the Cubs need him to return to being one of the best pitchers in the National League. Roy Oswalt had an unusual year for him. His ERA was running over five in June and had people wondering if the wear and tear of years was finally taking its toll. Instead, Oswalt found his groove and was 10-2 with 2.24 ERA in the second half. The money line has been back and forth with each team being a slight favorite. The Astros have taken eight of last 14 at home with the Under the play at 11-2-1.

9:00 E - Oakland at L.A. Angels – ESPN

With injuries to other starters, Joe Saunders drew the Opening Day assignment and he actually has earned it. Off an All-Star appearance and 17-win season, the left-hander has been one of the safest bets in baseball. In has career, Saunders is 32-15 and last season the Angels won 24 of 32 his starts (75 percent). The Halos are -150 money line home favorite with total of 8.5 and they are 19-5 when Saunders takes the ball and oddsmakes make total 8.5 to 10. Oakland made off-season moves to bolster anemic offense coming off their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1993-98, when they had six straight. Dallas Braden earns the start for the A’s, who were 40-20 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 or higher in 2008. These bitter rivals have split last 20 contests at the Big A in Anaheim.

MLB Betting Previews

For the opening of the Major League baseball season I wrote previews on all 30 teams by division. The amount of space needed to show each division who be very lengthy, thus in the interest of saving space, I'll list each division and you can read them if you so choose by clicking on them.

AL West

AL Central

AL East

NL West

NL Central

NL East

You are of course welcome to comment on any of my predictions.

Sunday Betting Action

Gladly take a 2-0 Saturday and let’s see if we can take it one step further on Sunday. The Minnesota Timberwolves host Denver who is smokin’ hot, see how they perform off a win with today’s Top Trend. Also in the NBA, have rare money line play that is magnificent 45-2. Like usual, our pucks guy is having another great NHL season and has Free Play with limited exposure. Good Luck.

Proud to announce to we have taken over No.1 in the NBA at Free Sports Monitor. (At least for a day)

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY ON home favorites of -165 to -500 vs. the money line, after having lost two of their last three games, with a win percentage of 75 percent or higher, facing a team with a winning record. This ML system is fabulous 45-2, 95.7 percent and suggests backing Cleveland at about -240.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Minnesota T-Wolves are 1-12 ATS in home games after one or more wins this season.

Free Hockey Selection -3) Eddie from the LCC is the hockey expert and up +28.5 units in the NHL is taking Vancouver on the puck line (-1.5) over Colorado.