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.

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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.

Final Four Saturday

I personally was 1-1 as those who receive my free picks who testify to it, but I missed on the Bobcats to cause a 1-2 day. Today we have the consensus results from the LCC on today’s Final Four and a perfect hockey trend that goes this afternoon. While many see Orlando in a letdown, today’s Best System views it the other way and is 83.3 percent accurate. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY ON road teams where the line is +3 to -3, who are a quality offensive team averaging 102 or more points against an average defensive team (92-98 PPG), after a blowout win by 20 points or more. The Orlando Magic is such a team that supports a system that is 25-5 ATS, 83.3 percent.

Free Hockey Trend -2) The New York Rangers are 0-8 against the money line in road games against explosive offensive teams scoring three or more goals a game in the second half of the season.

Free Basketball Selections -3) For today’s Final Four, the Left Coast Connection has 64 percent on North Carolina and 70 percent on Connecticut.

Michigan State vs Connecticut Wagering Preview

No, it is not true that the city of Detroit has been invaded by an army of Gumby’s or space aliens (though Michigan fans might believe so), it’s just the green-clad Michigan State fans have over-ridden the Motor City with the hopes their team can become national champions for the second time this decade. As coach Tom Izzo continues to morph into his mentor and predecessor Judd Heathcote, he keeps churning out Final Four teams, nearly at the same pace as the octumom.

There has been much discussion about what impact the huge crowd will have on the outcome of the Michigan State and Connecticut contest. In truth, the affect should be far less than anticipated and here is why. Because of the NCAA looking to expand revenue sources, they have set up new business model to play in stadiums that can hold 60,000 or more by centering the court itself. With your standard basketball court just under one-third the size of a regulation football field, the crowd itself is further removed from the action. Because the sound is less contained due to the size and a large portion of the crowd doesn’t have a rooting interest per se, this negates what would seem to be a big edge for Michigan State.

If you asked Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun if he rather play at Ford Field or at gym that holds 4,000 screaming fans tightly packed and rooting against his club, he would take the former.

Connecticut (31-4, 17-14 ATS) arrives in the Motor City 8-1 ATS in road games after playing three consecutive games as favorite this season. The Huskies main attributes are their ability to control the paint on defense and score easy baskets in transition. Hasheem Thabeet is the ruler in the lane, swatting away and altering shots whenever he is on the floor. Stanley Robinson is another player that plays help defense near the rim and generally cleans up what Thabeet can’t reach. Robinson became the missing piece when Jerome Dyson was sidelined, becoming more of a scorer along with his talents to rebound and play defense.

UConn scores 78.5 points per game on the season and is averaging 87.2 PPG in the tournament, including the 82 against Missouri in the Elite Eight encounter. Connecticut is 8-2 ATS in road games after scoring 80 points or more and follows the lead of guard A.J. Price.

The senior guard has a lot of responsibility. When the offense is running smoothly, Jeff Adrien, Craig Austrie and others are positioned properly to score and Price finds his spots. When the halfcourt offense becomes choppy or stifled, which will happen frequently against Michigan State, Price is expected to bail them out. If Kemba Walker can maintain the same confidence he displayed again Missouri, he could be wild card for coach Calhoun, however that seems unlikely since game should not be as free-flowing.

It took a couple of years, but coach Izzo knew and understood the changes in college basketball. His 2000 title team and many others he had were power teams, much like a football team that runs the ball and stuffs the run. Izzo later saw in non-conference play and in the tournament, this style wasn’t going to work and changed his recruiting to more athletic players, teaching them his principles. For a few seasons, he has players not willing to work as hard as he wanted and the results showed.

Things started to change with last year’s recruiting class led by Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. These two were quick and contrarian to typical Big Ten guards and could run out on the break. Seniors Goran Suton and Travis Walton saw that this type of basketball could work in East Lansing and with Raymar Morgan, the Spartans had the ability to easier adapt to more than one style of play, which is why they are 14-4 ATS in all neutral court games over the last two seasons.

Michigan State (30-6, 19-13-1 ATS) doesn’t play the sticky defense of years ago, holding teams to under 40 percent; instead they just don’t allow many points. Throw out the non-caring performance against Ohio State in the Big Ten tourney and the Spartans have surrendered just 58 points per game in last 10 tries.

Betjamaica.com has Connecticut as four-point favorites with a total of 133.5.

The Huskies win and cover if Thabeet and Price in particular stay out of foul trouble. Connecticut can take away a Spartans strength being the second-best rebounding team in the nation (regular season). They are 8-2 ATS in road games versus teams outscoring their opponents by eight or points a game and are 11-2 OVER in all neutral court games. If Adrien and Robinson score, the Huskies should be expected to advance to Monday night.

Michigan State pulls the upset if they hit their outside shots. Connecticut has shown they won’t foul much and the lane will be clogged. If Suton can step out like he did against Louisville, that has to pull Thabeet away from the basket, opening up lanes for others to exploit. The Spartans are 16-6 ATS as a neutral court underdog of six points or less and do a terrific job defending the perimeter, but since UConn is nothing special beyond the arc, the defense has to stop Connecticut’s mid-range game and limit dunks by their big folks to win. Sparty is 18-6 UNDER as an underdog.

In Final Four games the top seeds are 7-4 and 8-3 ATS, with the straight winner 19-3 against the spread.

Villanova vs North Carolina Wagering Preview

Villanova is the lowest seed to make the Final Four this season and has to fight the “just happy to be here” syndrome. If you noticed, head coach Jay Wright had the biggest smile of any of the sideline generals that appeared on television over the weekend. It is generally accepted that the coach has a chance at least for a day to relish the moment of taking a team to the elite of college basketball and it is personally satisfying to do so.

Villanova (30-7, 19-14 ATS) was close three years ago, with another bunch of scintillating guards. In 2006, it was seniors Randy Foye and Allen Ray, along with Kyle Lowery. They were the number one seed and lost to eventual champion Florida. In fact, the Wildcats have been a terrific tournament team under Wright with 11-4 SU record, but three of their four losses have been to eventual champion.

What made this team better is stronger inside presence, led by Dante Cunningham. The senior gives them a hard-working rebounder with nose for the ball and Shane Clark is ravenous defender, who also crashes the glass. While Villanova has somewhat of a reputation for slow-down basketball, they can play all 94 feet expertly and are 11-2 ATS versus good offensive teams scoring 77 or more points a game this season.

A lot of the attention is focused on the guards and it should be. Scottie Reynolds is the main man, but hardly the whole show. The Corey Fisher-Corey Stokes guard combo give the ‘Cats two scorers and defenders and Reggie Redding can lock an opponents best scorer, while adding points himself. Villanova comes is 10-3 ATS following a ATS win, which they had over Pittsburgh and you better not neglect Dwayne Anderson who also does many of the little things that have helped this team win games.

If you noticed, North Carolina (32-4, 16-19 ATS) had the most joy-less celebration of the four combatants that have made their way to the Motor City. The reason is simple; last year’s loss in the Final Four to Kansas left an empty void and the goal this year was to win six games in the tournament, not four.

Like every team in Detroit, the Tar Heels are peaking. North Carolina is 11-4 ATS away from Chapel Hill versus teams outscoring their opponents by four or more points an outing. Danny Green and Wayne Ellington have been finding the bottom of the net with exceptional regularity and Tyler Hansbrough is more dependable than a Swiss Army knife. As has been witnessed, Ty Lawson is playing not only like the ACC player of the year, but also like a first team All-American guard.

North Carolina’s offense is almost impossible to contain, scoring 90 points a game, converting on 48.3 percent of attempts and burying the three-ball 38.3 percent of the time. Though this team is more focused on offense than defense, that doesn’t mean they do not defend, ask Oklahoma who needed several baskets late just to reach 60 points. When the Heels hold opponents to 60 or less points they are 13-4 ATS in next contest.

For the second game of the day, Bookmaker.com has North Carolina as seven point favorite with a total of 158.5.

If North Carolina is hitting on all cylinders (a little Detroit talk), Villanova is only going to get run over with the Tar Heels taking record to 9-1 ATS in the NCAA tournament the last two years. UNC can match the play of the Wildcats guards and has more fire power and options to put them away. If they have a six point lead late, North Carolina can salt it away and cover, since they make 76 percent from the free throw line.

Villanova can shock the world in part because they are free of pressure. The so-called experts give Michigan State a shot to pull the upset, with nobody talking about coach Wright’s ‘Cats. Nova has to hit shots and avoid dead spots, where North Carolina can run off 10 straight in less than two minutes. They must always stay within contact. The defense has to play up on their man, especially Lawson, getting a hand in the face on every attempt and not have Cunningham get in foul trouble. Villanova has covered five of last six as tournament underdogs.

Teams like Villanova off back to back upsets are just 2-7 ATS when they make the Final Four, yet teams like the Tar Heels that are favored by seven or more points two days before the championship are 1-8 against the oddsmakers number.

Friday April 3 plays at 3Daily Winners

Thought it was ironic Jay Cutler gets traded when his name comes up here. Overall, I think Denver helped themselves more, now having a ton of draft choices to play with and rebuild defense. I don’t think the Broncos are done on the quarterback front either, I could see them doing something with Cleveland or Arizona on or just before the draft to have another quarterback.

The trade makes sense for Chicago, since they haven’t had a potential Top 5 quarterback since god knows when, what makes this interesting is Bears football has never been about the quarterback. Granted, a bad one has held them back, but they have had numerous playoff trips with ones that were just above average.

No above average system today in the NBA, coming in at 82.9 percent over a lengthy period of time. The Cavs and Magic matchup which is detailed below has Top Trend that has yet to lose. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY AGAINST home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points like Indiana in non-conference games, off a close home win by three points or less. This system is 29-6 ATS, 82.9 percent since Independence Day was the top-grossing movie of that year.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Cleveland Cavaliers are 12-0 ATS off a road loss this season.

Free Basketball Selection -3) I'm as hot as anybody in the NBA having hit 16 of last 22 and one of my plays is Charlotte -4.

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Eastern Conference Powers Summit

For bettors and handicappers that are having a good year in the NBA, last night’s Cleveland at Washington matchup might have been the easiest layup of the entire season. Cleveland was on a 13-game winning streak, yet had only covered the spread five times. The Wizards have been among the worst teams in the NBA all season and the Cavaliers had this little tussle with, what’s the name again, oh yea Orlando, who is tied with Boston for the second fewest losses in the Eastern Conference at 19.

While it would have almost impossible to predict Washington would win outright on their home floor 109-101 as 9.5-point underdogs, a vast number of people took the oddsmakers opening number of -10.5 and hit the Wizards with authority.

While no coach player or team will admit to looking ahead, because “we play them one at a time” (insert fingers into throat), all the Orlando players must have had the same virus as Cleveland on Wednesday night, when they lost at home for just the eighth time this season to Toronto (the mighty purple dinosaurs) as 10-point home favorites 99-95.

This sets up tonight’s encounter for the Cavs and Magic, with both having been pointing towards this game and each having a heighten sense of urgency trying to avoid consecutive losses.

“We’ve been taking a lot of things for granted,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said talking about his team’s recent efforts. “We’ve got a real tough stretch coming up here, and if we continue to play like this, it could get real ugly. … Hopefully, it will serve as a wake-up call.”

Orlando (55-19, 47-27 ATS) hasn’t taken much for granted this year and are 13-5 ATS after one or more losses and 18-8 against the spread if they failed to cover. Prior to being upset by Toronto, the Magic had won nine of 10 (7-3 ATS) and its only real failure being not meeting the coach’s high expectations.

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to come down on Cleveland (61-14, 44-31 ATS). Throw the loss to Washington in the garbage disposal. It is true they have not been covering as many spreads of late as oddsmakers have assigned larger figures and some of the opponents don’t exactly light the emotional fire. With the Cavaliers 13-4 ATS when playing on back-to-back days this season, all of the peripheral stuff goes away.

Betjamaica.com has established Orlando as 3.5-point favorites with a total of 187. The teams have traded home court wins this season, with the Magic owning both covers and overall, Orlando is 8-1 and 6-3 ATS since 2006-07 season.

Orlando lost the last meeting just over two weeks ago and is 16-6 ATS revenging a loss vs opponent and is 17-6 ATS if they lost their last game by six or fewer points. Dwight Howard and teammates are 14-4 UNDER versus teams scoring 99 or more points a game in the second half of the season.

Part of the reason Cleveland struggles with Orlando is all the deep shooting they do. The Cavaliers are 6-15 ATS against teams who attempt 18 or more 3-point shots a game in the latter part of the season. Part of the failure is LeBron James and his mates have built up big leads and teams just fire away trying to close the gap, however in the Magic’s case it is by design and they haven’t handled the situation well. The Cavs are 22-11 UNDER after four straight games committing 14 or less turnovers this season.

This engaging contest will be viewable on ESPN starting at 8 Eastern and know this; Cleveland is 12-0 ATS off a road loss this season.

April 2 Plays and your opinion requested

Back on Tuesday, we finished with 2-1 day and want to start putting together a streak. I found a different money line system for tonight NIT championship, which is 83.1 percent over 124 games. Utah travel to Denver, how will they do in the Mile High City, the Top Trend might have the answer. Good Luck.

While mentioning Denver, what about this Jay Cutler fiasco? Though none of us know the -he said-he said -parts between the quarterback and the team, Cutler is clearly doing a 180 trying to escape being the bad guy. What a wuss in the first place for having his feelings hurt because the new coach wanted to inquire about somebody he was more comfortable with.

Though Cutler has strong arm, his decision making hasn’t always been the best, which he gets a pass on for the most part being a young quarterback. Let’s not kid ourselves, if any signal caller is a fit for first-year head coach Josh McDaniels offense, it would be Cutler. Both Tom Brady and Matt Cassel got the quick read and throw down pat and Cutler has much stronger arm, so that leads me to believe McDaniels saw something or believed something was POTENTIALLY wrong to make inquiry.

Cutler is acting like a big baby, because something hurt his feelings, tough. I know a number of teams will try and secure his services (hello Buffalo, hello Tampa Bay), however I’m not sure I’d want this goof as my quarterback if I really wanted to get to the Super Bowl. Tell me what you think.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY AGAINST any underdog vs. the money line, who is a good ball handling team like Penn State, committing 14 or fewer turnovers a game, after two straight contests forcing opponent to commit eight or less turnovers. In the last 12 years, this money line system is 103-21, 83.1 percent.

Free Basketball Trend -2) Utah is 0-8 ATS in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season, losing by 13 points per game.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Sal is passing today, but eight players from the LCC are on the Sixers at -7.5.

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Be cautious when betting on NBA streaks

I can’t cook, I’m terrible. If I was the head cook at Leavenworth Federal Prison, inmates on death row would turn down their last meal. Every time I go near the stove, our dog howls. Since I work out of my house (never late for work!), I do a fair amount of cooking dinner for my wife and I.

Before I went off to college (40 miles from home), my mom (probably the worst cook there is) tried to teach me everything I needed to know to survive on my own. Unfortunately, along with sewing buttons on a shirt, I never got the grasp of how to prepare a meal very well. However, last week was different.

On Monday I looked up a recipe for cooking salmon. I had never heard of putting mayonnaise on a fish before, but Rachael Ray swears by it, so who am I to argue. I mean, she has a TV show, I don’t. With some seasonings, it was surprisingly good.

Tuesday, I decided to finally pull the crock pot out of storage that my Aunt June (also, a terrible cook) had gotten us as a wedding gift. I cooked a rump roast that was so tender and tasty my wife thought I should open a restaurant. Three consecutive great meals, I’m on a roll!

That streak of fine food ended abruptly the next night cooking steaks on the grill. First, I accidentally seasoned them with taco spice instead of pepper. I went inside, got distracted by an intriguing episode of “Cops”, and forgot about the food. The asparagus and mushrooms had literally turned to ashes and the filet mignons were now part of the grill itself. I was on a streak, everything was looking great. But then I failed miserably, the streak was over.

There probably isn’t a sports handicapper out there that doesn’t look at streaks. Everybody loves to bet the team on the winning streak or against the team on the losing streak. And why not? That seems logical.

I had a friend call me Sunday saying he didn’t understand why the Lakers were only favored by 3.5 points at Atlanta. He stated the Lakers had won their last 5 games covering their last 4 while Atlanta had lost 2 games in a row. He wanted to back the truck up and put it all on LA. I tried talking him out of the wager saying that just because a team is on a streak cannot be the only criteria to use to handicap an NBA game.

I quickly did a database query and found that teams on a three-game or longer winning streak when playing a team on a two-game losing streak only cover the spread 42.9% of the time. I also looked at a team winning more than 60% of the time was on a 5 game winning streak and were away faves, just like LA. They only beat the number 14 out of 36 times, 38.9%. I know my friend didn’t like to hear what I was saying, but hopefully he listened as underdog Atlanta beat the Lakers outright by ten points.

To further understand how teams do when on a streak, I looked at teams who had lost three straight games. To get any worthwhile results, you have to know whether the team is at home or on the road. I did find a spot where betting against the losing team is correct, assuming they are playing at home. Betting against the 3 straight game losers at home is winning at a 57.0% rate, 151-114. Even more profitable is to take the Over in this situation, a 153-112 mark, 57.7%. Just the opposite results occur if our 3-game losers are on the road, they cover at a 54.0% clip.

I expanded the streak to include teams losing straight-up 3 to 5 consecutive games. Again, it depended upon whether the team was home or on the road. Betting against the home team streaking downward provided 57.6% winners with 54.9% of those games going Over the total.

Again, the other end of the spectrum prevailed if our bad streaking team was on the road, 56.2%, 318-248.To determine whether good teams perform differently than bad teams in streaks, I added a team’s winning percentage range to my query. Unless otherwise stated, all records start with the 2005 season and do not include playoffs.

Starting with the smallest of streaks, one game, I looked at how bad teams, ones with a below 40% season record, perform. Remember, a streak starts when you have the opposite result of the previous game. A one-game winning streak means the team lost their game before that. Bad teams that just started a winning streak cover their next game only 48.2% of the time. Bad teams beginning a losing streak of one do better and cover their next game 53.9% of the time.

Good teams, higher than a 60% record, have an unusual pattern after a one-game streak. There is nothing of note on the ATS side, but there is an interesting O/U trend. If our good team has a one-game losing streak and their game is at home, the Under has a 151-118 mark, 56.1%. Even better is if the streak is a winning one—gamer and the game is away: the Under cashes 57.8% of the time.

A good situation to go against the streak is when you have a good team, over 60% winning percentage, which has a losing streak of 2, 3, or 4 games and is an away favorite. Their ATS mark in their next game is 32-12, 72.7%. Since the 2005 season began, a four game losing streak is as long as there has been with a team still favored on the road. If our good team had been a road dog in that exact same scenario, their ATS record has been 22-25.

To emphasize the dichotomy of wagering results home and away, let’s look at how a bad team, below 40%, does on a 5-game losing streak. If their game is on the road, betting on our losers to cover cashes your tickets at a 67.1% frequency, 47-23. Not too far behind is also betting the Over, 43-28, 60.6%. However, if our team is at home, just the opposite happens, they only cover 36.8% of the games.

I believe it is going to be worthy looking for a team that’s dropped 5 straight. Some cappers put more validity in an ATS streak: beating the point spread in consecutive games. They aren’t worried if a team is not winning straight-up, just beating the number. There is virtually no advantage on blindly betting against a team on a streak not covering the number or betting on one that is. I stopped at 5 game streaks, both winning and losing, with the only streak with at least a 5% edge being when teams have covered 5 straight games, 65-53 ATS, 55.1%.

Sometimes you should do the opposite of what seems like the correct wager. Instead of betting against bad teams, less than 40% W/L record, that are on an ATS losing streak of 1 to 5 games and are away, bet on them and you cash that ticket 57.4% of the time, 364-270. It’s kind of like when George Costanza on Seinfeld started doing the opposite of what he thought was right and everything worked out great.

Taking it a step deeper, how about teams that have won and covered in equal streaks: 3 straight wins and 3 straight covers for example. I did the losing side of these streaks also. The results? Goose egg, zilch, nada, nothing! To illustrate, a team that has a streak of 4 in SU and ATS wins has a 50-55 ATS record in their next game. A streak of 3 losses and non-covers has a 122-115 ATS mark in their following contest.

Using teams with correlating and equal streaks gives you no advantage if that is your only handicapping tool. Sure, it’s easy to believe that a team that has won and covered three straight is a good bet. The 3-year results of 131-131 says no.

A statement I hear frequently is to ride out the hot streaks and bet against the cold streaks. Only using a SU or ATS streak as your sole reason for betting on an NBA game is an extremely lazy method to handicap a game and will cost you lots of money.

Jim Kruger of Vegas Sports Authority created this article.

April Fool’s Day NBA Betting System

It’s the first of April and this is no joke, the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns are nearly finished when it comes to playoff talk. Each is four games behind the current eighth place team in their respective conference and each winning their remaining eight games would probably not be enough.

New Jersey’s idea of playoff push has ended being like reputed mobster Jim Hoffa, dead and buried. The Nets (30-44, 37-36-1 ATS) have lost five in a row and nine of last 11 (3-8 ATS). The last loss on Monday was the most mortifying, being slammed by Milwaukee at home 107-78, a team they have owned, who had lost 10 of last 12. Leave it to the wise one to explain New Jersey’s problems.

“We have too many guys on this team who believe in what we have,” Vince Carter said. “I don’t think this team has given up. We just have to change our approach.” Ah Vince, it might be a little late for that, seeing your team is 4-14 ATS in home games when playing their third game in four days since last season.

Even as bad as Detroit is playing having lost seven out of 10, the oddsmakers at Bookmaker.com have them as only one-point underdogs in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

The Phoenix Suns (40-34, 31-42-1 ATS) had set their sights on being a game or two behind Dallas when they meet Sunday, instead the setting Suns might be playing official elimination encounter after losing three straight on the road.

Phoenix likely had its tipping point, losing at Sacramento 126-118 as six-point road favorites, allowing the Kings to shoot 51.6 percent on Monday. Of course there is always a reason.

“There’s some emotional hangover (from an overtime loss in Utah) and we’re tired, but we’ve still got to dig down and find a way to get it done,” Suns point guard Steve Nash said. “No disrespect for that young team, but we weren’t playing the Lakers or the Celtics. We laid an egg, it was very frustrating.” That’s a great explanation, if you would have played a better team, you might have tried harder even though your season is and was in the balance.

Phoenix returns home to face Houston, who has caught San Antonio for first place in the Southwest Division and has won five of six. The Rockets are 1.5-point underdog for this contest.

This leads to a very profitable system with the turn of the calendar that reads this way.

Play Against home teams where the line is +3 to -3, after three or more consecutive losses, in April games.

This NBA April system has been around since 2005 and is 26-6 ATS, 81.2 percent. The point spread has not been a large component with straight up winner 25-7, winning by an average 6.3 points per game.

If you are looking to play a joke, do it on the oddsmakers playing against two bumbling home teams.

NOTE- Because of personal business, the 3Daily Winners Plays will not be available today and will return tomorrow.

Looking for a terrific Tuesday

Go figure the Milwaukee Bucks to play well and New Jersey Nets to stink up the joint at home to give us 1-2 day. We venture back into the world of college basketball for a Top Trend. Sal from the LCC is having a splendid season in college hoops and is riding a hot team in the NIT. In the NBA, found an 80.6 percent system based on a number of factors that is tantalizing. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY AGAINST favorites of 10 or more points like San Antonio, an average offensive team averaging 94-98 points per game, against a sloppy defensive team like Oklahoma City who allows over 102 PPG, after a game where both teams scored 90 points or less. We’ve used this system before this season and it is 25-6 ATS, 80.6 percent.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Bradley Braves are 10-1 ATS after playing two consecutive home games over the last two seasons.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Sal is at 59.6 percent for the year in college basketball, making himself a bushel full of money and he likes Baylor to win there tournament tonight.

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Final Four Betting Information

We are down to the nitty-gritty having to wait until Saturday afternoon to see who might be playing for the national championship. Though two of the teams that made the Final Four were expected, two others were mild surprises. Here is a breakdown of various elements to consider about all four participants that will be making their way to Detroit. Odds courtesy of Bookmaker.com.

North Carolina -180 to win title

Take a quick trip back to Jan. 11 when North Carolina stood at 0-2 in the ACC and make your determination how far this talented team has come. Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson are the two most important players on the Tar Heels roster; however the contributions of Danny Green and Wayne Ellington should not be understated. Their has been and will be more talk about the North Carolina players like Hansbrough, Green and Ellington to a lesser degree wanting to comeback to win a national championship. Once they found out they were unlikely to be taken in the first round of last year’s draft, they made the decision to return to Chapel Hill with sights on winning title, not before that.

There are a number of reasons why North Carolina is better than even money to give Roy Williams his second title in four years. Though Villanova has a wonderfully diverse backcourt, nobody has a player like Lawson. Ellington and Green are better players when he’s on the court. The Tar Heels have three players that shoot over 40 percent beyond the arc and they have a vast assortment of frontcourt players that can score and rebound. North Carolina is not a possession by possession defensive team like Michigan State; nevertheless, they can make four stops in a row and score on the other end each time to make short runs that open up games. This group of players was expected to be here and now their mission is to finish the deal, they are 8-1 ATS in last nine NCAA contests.

Connecticut +275 to win title

Though the path to the Final Four has been come thru the West Region before for Connecticut, their next game will be played in front of what should be at least 30,000 Michigan State fans. With the Huskies, you know Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price are going to be solid performers. What secured Connecticut’s ability to get to Motown was the continued emergence of Stanley Robison and the growing before our eyes play of freshman Kemba Walker.
Thabeet is the biggest game-changing big man in the Final Four since Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon and Georgetown's Patrick Ewing played in the 1984 event. While his presence has a dramatic impact on how opponents go into the lane, his ability to stay out of foul trouble is of equal importance. UConn is a smart team and doesn’t give away points at the free throw line, committing very few fouls in spite of excellent on-ball defense. Higher seeds like Connecticut with a differential of at least two spots in the Final Four are 8-3 SU and ATS.

Michigan State +655 to win title

This is the most unlikely team to be in Detroit, even though they are just 75 miles away. If Tom Izzo’s name wasn’t in the conversation about best coaches in college basketball, that stops today. His Michigan State team was better prepared and outplayed a better Louisville team. Though not many will mention this, Izzo DID out-coached Rick Pitino.

Statistically, the Spartans aren’t going to overwhelm any of the four teams at Ford Field, not being an impressive team offensively or defensively. What they do is stay in front of their man on defense, offer enough help on dribble penetration and get a hand in your face. It’s often talked about most teams don’t like to play defense for 35 seconds, the same often holds true for teams running offenses. With how Michigan State guards, players become trigger-happy after 25-30 seconds, especially after a few empty trips.

Point guard Kalin Lucas makes the offense go, but when Goran Suton and Durrell Summers are dropping shots, this team adds a completely different dimension. Michigan State will have a football-like advantage as far as crowd noise and must keep there composure from being to “geeked” to play. Though teams off upsets cover just 40 percent of the time in the Final Four, nobody has had a few of the edges the Spartans will.

Villanova +700 to win title

Jay Wright is the only coach among the four, who has not won a national championship. With a couple more upsets, he and Villanova could change all that. After a walk-thru first half against American, the Wildcats were as impressive as any team in the tournament in almost literally taking apart UCLA and Duke. After Pittsburgh had wallowed thru three games, they returned to being Pittsburgh and for the final 30 minutes of that Elite Eight contest, all both teams did was make one big play after another.

What’s memorable about Villanova is the strength and diversification they have at guard. Be it Scottie Reynolds, Reggie Redding or the Corey’s, Stokes and Fisher, each brings something and invariably two or more plays well. Every coach would love to have a Dante Cunningham, who worked hard each year to be what he is today and fellow seniors Dwayne Anderson and Shane Clark are making plays on both sides of the court.

Just like in 1985 when Villanova last made the Final Four, this squad is not given a chance and has the advantage of zero expectations, other than fulfilling their own. Though underdogs off two straight tournament upsets are 2-7 ATS in this round, these ‘Cats are a dangerous defensive dog.

A very sleepy Monday

A much needed comeback for a 2-1 day keeps everything moving in the right direction. A slow sports day again, however baseball is on the horizon. The Milwaukee Bucks have disappeared faster than an Oklahoma Sooners three point shot. Check out today’s Top Trend to see chances tonight. The Best System involves tonight’s only college hoops game and is 82.3 percent. Good Luck.

Free Basketball System-1) In college basketball, PLAY AGAINST road teams where the line is +3 to -3, off an upset win as an underdog against opponent off two or more consecutive home wins. This system is 14-3 ATS since the beginning of 2006 season and would mean to go against UTEP tonight.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The Milwaukee Bucks are 1-11 ATS this month.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Kendall goes for two in a row and takes New Jersey.

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Orlando Tries to Continue Brilliance over Miami Heat

They call Florida the “Sunshine State” for its weather and being a prime vacation spot. The state has also become known for its sports teams this decade, with the University of Florida have won two football and basketball championships, the Florida Marlins won a World Series in 2003 and the Miami Heat being the champs of the NBA three years ago. The Orlando Magic is working this season towards being among the very best and wants to add their name to the list of champions from the state.

The next step in the journey is traveling down I-95 to take on fellow Floridian and Southeast Division opponent Miami. Orlando (54-18, 46-26 ATS) has the second best record in the East, just ahead of Boston and is a sparkling 25-11 SU and ATS on the road. Orlando has had plenty of magic in winning five in a row and 12 of 14 (9-5 ATS) and wants to keep building momentum towards the playoffs.

“We’re just trying to find that rhythm that you can stay in,” Magic point guard Rafer Alston said. “It’s all about finding that groove going into the playoffs.”

Orlando just completed sweep of Boston and Milwaukee at home and is 8-1 ATS off two or more home wins this season. The Magic have played like they have had a spell over Miami, winning 11 of last 12, with 9-2-1 ATS mark. With Dwight Howard leading the way, Orlando has horrified the Heat, winning by an average of just over 16 points a game. Their margin of victory would be even greater if they had a clue how to guard Dwayne Wade.

The former Marquette star just lights up Orlando guards like nearby Ocean Boulevard. Wade has scored at least 32 points in seven of his last nine games versus the Magic and in his last six meetings is averaging 37.2 points per game.

“My concern is when Dwyane goes into the Hall of Fame and they start putting off his top career games, it’s going to be like 50 versus Orlando,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy joked after last month’s meeting.

Miami (39-34, 34-39 ATS) is in neck and neck race with Philadelphia for the fifth spot in the East and has been unreliable against teams the jack-up the three ball like Orlando, with is 7-18 ATS record versus clubs who attempt 18 or more 3-point shots a game on the season.
The oddsmakers at Bookmaker.com have established Orlando as three-point favorites, with a total of 194. The Magic is 10-2 ATS on the road when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points and is 18-7 UNDER off two or more consecutive home wins. Miami has played some weaker teams recently and their scoring defense has been improved. The Heat is 16-4 ATS after three or more straight Unders and is 34-19 UNDER as a home underdog.

The Miami players would naturally want to stop the Magic’s dominance and are adding a little extra to the festivities, retiring Alonzo Mourning jersey, making him the first former player so honored by the franchise. The action starts on the Sun Network at 7:30 Eastern.

Last Sunday of College Basketball

It was a crummy day on Saturday and the Left Coast Connection consensus plays have been nothing to brag about, thus are getting bumped. Today’s Free Play is courtesy of Kendall who has a nice run going in the NBA. Found a perfect trend in hockey today from the Windy City that is worth looking into. The Best System around is similar to yesterday, though 81.2 percent, asking a bad team to play well.

Free Basketball System-1) PLAY ON underdogs revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 30 points or more, who are well rested team, playing only their second game in five days. This NBA system is 26-6 ATS, 81.2 percent and concerns me since Sacramento is the team that fits. Granted, this is the Suns fourth game and five days, but the Kings like any team going nowhere late in the season don’t need much of a reason not to play hard.

Free Hockey Trend -2) The Chicago Blackhawks are 11-0 against the money line in home games revenging a loss where opponent scored five or more goals over the last two seasons.

Free Basketball Selection -3) Kendall has nailed his last six NBA plays and likes Cleveland to continue winning.

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Classic 1vs2 Confrontation in South Regional

If North Carolina and Oklahoma were any more impressive in Sweet 16 games, the NCAA in order to cut costs just would hand out a co-championship to both teams and move on. Fortunately for us, it doesn’t work that way and this matchup is as good as any you would find in the Final Four.

The Tar Heels (31-4, 15-19 ATS) showed their A-Game against Gonzaga, once again proving the value of a mostly healthy Ty Lawson. He’s the horsepower in the North Carolina engine, being able to accelerate past opponents with ease, scoring and finding open shooters. Wayne Ellington continues to play his best basketball of the year, taking full advantage of more wide open areas with Lawson buzzing around.

Another benefactor is Tyler Hansbrough, who is like a plow-horse, giving coach Roy Williams everything he has each time he takes the floor. The senior almost always finds a way to make a major contribution and is massive part of why the Tar Heels are 11-3 ATS after two consecutive covers as a favorite since last season.

Standing in their way is beast, not the vicious kind, at least outwardly. Soon to be player of the year Blake Griffin is averaging an overpowering 30.3 points and 14.7 boards while shooting a head-snapping 78.7 percent from the field in the tournament. (He’s missed 10 of 47 shots)
The guard tandem of Tony Crocker and Willie Warren has melded, though Crocker won’t have as many open looks against North Carolina’s defense, as he did against Syracuse 2-3 zone, in which he was 6 for 11. Warren will be expected to stay aggressive and attack the basket since UNC lacks shot-blockers and he gets good extension on jump shots. Oklahoma comes in 17-1 and 8-5 ATS in non-conference games this season.

Bookmaker.com has North Carolina a seven-point favorite with a total of 164. The total theoretically favors both teams, since the Tar Heels are 32-17 ATS when they score 81 or more points and Oklahoma is 50-22 ATS when they cross the same barrier. The Sooners are 6-0 ATS in road games after two or more Overs, with Roy’s boys 6-13 ATS after three or more straight wins this season.

Each team can be had and be beaten. If Griffin has a decided edge over Hansbrough and Crocker can shoot like he did against the Orangemen, Oklahoma could deprive UNC of 18th trip to Final Four. If Hansbrough can secure a draw in the paint and Sooners point guard Austin Johnson becomes mistake prone against Tar Heel guards, North Carolina ends what has been a magical season in Norman.

The final dance card will be punched late Sunday with its fourth member, after a true heavyweight bout.

Michigan State almost Home in Midwest Regional

I’m not sure Tom Izzo would want it any other way, as his Spartans are an underdog against the number one team in college basketball. Michigan State has won two terrific basketball games against USC and Kansas, in which they were able to make plays at the end of each game and the opposing team was not. This Elite Eight game has a secondary meaning to coach Izzo and seniors Goran Suton and Travis Walton, since with a victory it, would continue the tradition of every senior class making at least one visit to Final Four under Izzo.

Michigan State (29-6, 18-13-1 ATS) would also having something waiting for them once they made it to Detroit, a throng of Spartans fans at Ford Field, making it a virtual home game for the team from East Lansing.

In order for Michigan State to upset Louisville, they will have to do a better job handling the ball than they did in the first 20 minutes against Kansas where they has 10 turnovers. In the second half, they regained control and committed just three miscues. The Spartans can’t play at frenetic pace and have to control the tempo. That means attacking press when openings appear, while being choosy enough to run offense when necessary.

Michigan State raised their record to 13-4 ATS in all neutral court games over the last two seasons and will need Suton and the guards to do what they did in last 20 minutes to limit Louisville. The backcourt attacked the Kansas guards and didn’t allow them to make entry passes into the post. After surrendering 20 points to the Jayhawks in the paint in the first half, they choked them off to just one basket in the final stanza, with Suton offering other support.

This type of defense could affect the Cards long-range shooting also, with the Spartans 8-1 ATS in road games versus teams who make eight or more 3-point shots a game on the season.
Michigan State would have to believe Louisville (31-5, 22-14 ATS) couldn’t possibly play any better than they did against Arizona. Watching the energy and the confidence the Cardinals exuded from the tap, you didn’t need the sound on to see what Arizona was in for. What’s scary about Louisville is how they are playing.

Rick Pitino’s team is the hottest in the country with 13 consecutive wins (9-4 ATS), playing devastating defense. What makes them almost impossible to defeat is when they shoot the ball proficiently. During this winning streak, they have made 48 percent or more of attempts 10 times, including last four games. They have more quality depth coming off the bench than the Chinese Red Army and even Earl Clark seems to understand the moment. "We came out with more intensity, and that's what you've got to do when you're up big because it's hard to play with a lead," Clark said.

Louisville is 9-2 ATS versus good defensive teams allowing 64 or fewer points a game after 15 or more contests and has been established as a seven-point favorite with a total of 138.5 at Betjamaica.com. The Cardinals have to stay aggressive on offense and defense. They are 22-12 ATS when they force 14 to 18 turnovers in a game and perfect 9-0 ATS when they attempt 14 to 18 free throws in a game.

The Spartans are 12-4 ATS versus excellent teams who shoot better than 45 percent with a defense holding opponents to less than 42 percent shots made. Like always, Michigan State must control the glass and Louisville is 2-9 ATS vs. dominant rebounding teams, outrebounding opponents by seven or more per game.

Something will have to give since Sparty is 8-0 SU as a No.2 seed and the ‘Ville is 17-1 SU as a one or two seed. Next stop, the Motor City.