2009 NCAA Tournament Odds and March Madness Predictions

The latest March Madness betting odds has North Carolina still the favorites to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. As overwhelming of a preseason favorite as seen in years, the Tar Heels are currently 5-2 to win the Big Dance.

Connecticut is next at 7-2. Two Big 12 teams have essentially switched spots from the preseason rankings. Texas, considered in the preseason as the third most likely team to capture the Final Four championship is now 50-1, while Oklahoma has skyrocketed to 12-1.

As far as expert March Madness predictions are concerned, most handicapping experts seem to agree the race is wide open.

“The Sooners have the best player in the country Blake Griffin and the top freshman in Willie Warren,” says Joe Bartelle of BetOnSports360.com, in predicting Oklahoma will emerge as champions.  

Few teams have plummeted as far as Georgetown, now at 100-1. Despite previous postseason early exits, Pittsburgh is the choice of Brian Gould of ScoresOddsPicks.com. “Sam Young, Levance Fields, and DeJuan Blair make the Panthers the team with the most true star go-to players,” insists Gould.

Other strong contenders including Louisville at 10-1, Duke at 15-1, and once top-ranked Wake Forest at 15-1. Gonzaga at 40-1 and Butler at 60-1 is the mid-major most likely to wear the glass slipper.

Mike Godsey of GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com projects the four top sees to be North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut.

Godsey says the best dark horses are the teams that will be the final Big East and ACC entrants. Villanova at 50-1 or even Florida State at 150-1 could certainly bust some March Madness bracket picks.

Get the updated live odds rundown for March Madness 2009.

March Madness Odds: How Bettors Can Assure Themselves of a Winning NCAA Tournament

The 2008-09 football season produced the widest gap ever between the sharp player and square player in sports betting history. All key indicators are that the Information Age will likely produce the same disparity in 2009 March Madness betting. However, it’s never been easier to choose to be on the elite side.

As previously discussed, the schism between those who win in sports betting and those who lose has never been wider. The quality of accurate information is widely available to the sportsbooks and gambler alike.

Most point spread players do not have the time or resources to exploit such Intel. The always improving and innovating OffshoreInsiders Network has streamlined and modernized everything a sharp gambler needs.

ScoresOddsPicks.com has the up-to-the minute scores and odds including game spread in college basketball and the betting line to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Also the same databases that the pro bettors use in their pregame picks are available directly off the home page.

Lines-Maker.com will have the exclusive news and notes that the world’s top handicappers use directly from their clipboards.

The best free picks for both the conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament, not to mention the NIT, continue to thrive at OffshoreInsiders.com

The sports betting blog JoeDuffy.net has the betting advice articles from the world’s premier experts, many on NCAA basketball Big Dance betting.

The newest entrant to the powerful nexus is BetOnSports360.com. This has the best “ezine” articles and many more will be added focusing on March Madness and Big Dance against the spread betting strategy. 

Stevie Vincent, GM of the OffshoreInsiders Network says, “Gamblers can opt to be winners or they can opt to keep the sportsbooks open for those of us who are. It’s simply a matter of making the right choice.”

March Madness 2009 Betting Prediction: Best Ever Year For Sharps, Worst For Squares

The 2008-09 football season
produced the widest gap ever between the sharp player and square player in
sports betting history. All key indicators are that the Information Age will
likely produce the same disparity in 2009 March Madness betting. However, it’s
never been easier to choose to be on the elite side.

As previously discussed, the schism between those who win
in sports betting and those who lose has never
been wider
. The quality of accurate information is widely available to the sportsbooks and gambler alike.

Most point spread players do not have the time or
resources to exploit such Intel. The always improving and innovating
OffshoreInsiders Network has streamlined and modernized everything a sharp
gambler needs.

ScoresOddsPicks.com
has the up-to-the minute scores and odds including game spread in college
basketball and the betting line to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball
Tournament.

Also the same databases that the pro bettors use in their
pregame picks are available directly off the home page.

Lines-Maker.com will
have the exclusive news and notes that the world’s top handicappers use
directly from their clipboards.

The best free picks for both the conference tournaments
and the NCAA Tournament, not to mention the NIT, continue to thrive at OffshoreInsiders.com

The sports betting blog JoeDuffy.net
has the betting advice articles from the world’s premier experts, many on NCAA
basketball Big Dance betting.

The newest entrant to the powerful nexus is BetOnSports360.com. This has the best “ezine” articles and many more will be added focusing on
March Madness and Big Dance against the spread betting strategy.

Stevie Vincent, GM of the OffshoreInsiders Network says,
“Gamblers can opt to be winners or they can opt to keep the sportsbooks open for those of us who
are. It’s simply a matter of making the right choice.”

Saturday Betting

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Tar Heels try to bounce back against the Yellow Jackets, the Rockets meet the Bulls, and the Devils host the Panthers.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Yao Ming and company will be looking to grab a road win in Chicago on Saturday when the Rockets face the Bulls. Houston is coming off an impressive home victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday night, holding LeBron James’ crew below 80 points in a 93-74 win. Ming was good for 28 points and eight boards that day, and Houston is now 37-21 straight-up and 27-30-1 against-the-spread this year.

Orlando will be in Philadelphia to meet the Sixers on Saturday, while Miami hosts New York, and Oklahoma City visits Memphis. As well, it’ll be Washington at Milwaukee, Sacramento at Utah, and Charlotte at the Clippers. The Bobcats took on Los Angeles at home on February 9, and came up with an easy 94-73 victory.

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The march toward Madness . . .

No. 4 North Carolina will be looking to avoid a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they play host to Georgia Tech. The Tar Heels were bounced 88-85 in overtime at Maryland last time out, with Tyler Hansbrough held to just 11 points (but pulling in 11 boards) in the loss. North Carolina is now at 24-3 SU and 11-15 ATS on the year. The Yellow Jackets are back at 10-16 SU and 7-15 ATS.

No. 1 Pittsburgh will be at the Prudential Center to play Seton Hall on Saturday, with No. 2 Connecticut hosting Notre Dame, No. 3 Oklahoma at Texas Tech, and No. 5 Memphis getting a visit from Southern Miss. As well, No. 7 Duke will be looking to grab a win at Virginia Tech, while No. 13 Clemson will be on the road in a battle of ranked teams against No. 23 Florida State. Also, No. 10 Villanova will be looking to secure their Top-10 ranking with a victory against Georgetown.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Martin Brodeur returned to the Devils’ crease in a big way on Thursday night, making 24 saves in a 4-0 shutout of the Avalanche. New Jersey will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at home against the Panthers, who are hoping to have Tomas Vokoun back between the pipes; he’s been out with an ear infection.

There are two other matinees on the NHL’s Saturday schedule, with Washington at Boston and Anaheim at Dallas. The Maple Leafs and Senators then renew hostilities in the Battle of Ontario to lead off the evening slate in Ottawa, and the Rangers and new coach John Tortorella play host to the Avs. As well, it’ll be Buffalo at the Islanders, San Jose at Montreal, Carolina at Atlanta, Detroit at Nashville, and St. Louis at Phoenix, with Minnesota at Edmonton to finish the day.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The Nationwide Series offers up the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon, with Kyle Busch listed as the 7/5 favorite on the Vegas odds list. Busch won last week’s Nationwide event, the Stater Brothers 300 at Auto Club Speedway. Carl Edwards trails Busch at 3/1 odds to get the win on Saturday, with Denny Hamlin listed third at 7/2 odds to come out in top spot.

As well, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship will stage its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups on Saturday. Ernie Els will take on Stewart Cink on Saturday morning in the marquee pairing to decide the Ben Hogan bracket, while Rory McIlroy will take on Geoff Ogilvy in third-round action in the Bobby Jones bracket. In the Sam Snead bracket it’ll be Ross Fisher vs. Justin Leonard in the quarterfinals, while Paul Casey will meet Sean O’Hair in the Gary Player bracket.

Rockets-Bulls Odds Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at United Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Yao Ming dropped 28 points and hauled down eight rebounds to lead the Rockets to a 93-74 victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday. The Rockets covered the 4-point spread, and the 167 points fell UNDER the posted total of 185.5.
Von Wafer added 19 points for the Rockets, and Ron Artest tossed in 15 points in that win.
The Bulls were upset 113-90 by the Wizards on Friday, as 5-point favorites on the road. That game’s 203 points went UNDER the posted total of 207.5.
John Salmons had 25 points and three rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Houston has won 6 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 37-21 SU, 27-30-1 ATS
Chicago: 26-33 SU, 28-30-1 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Charlotte are 4-6
After playing Washington are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago’s last 9 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Chicago is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Next up:
Houston at Minnesota, Sunday, March 1
Chicago at Charlotte, Tuesday, March 3

 

Magic-76ers Lines Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Wachovia Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 2½-point favorites versus the 76ers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

The Magic fell 93-85 to the Pistons last time out, as 9.5-point favorites on the road. That game’s combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 187.

Dwight Howard netted 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.

The 76ers controlled the tempo late in the game and managed to come away with a 108-103 victory over the Knicks. The 76ers won the game as a 2-point underdog, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 213.5.

Andre Miller led the 76ers with 25 points, and Thaddeus Young added 23 in the win.

Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Orlando: 42-16 SU, 36-21-1 ATS
Philadelphia: 29-28 SU, 27-28-2 ATS

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 9-1

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing New Orleans are 1-9
After playing New York are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Orlando is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

Next up:
Orlando home to Phoenix, Tuesday, March 3
Philadelphia home to New Orleans, Monday, March 2

UCLA-California Lines Preview

The fans at Haas Pavilion will be treated to a game between the UCLA Bruins and the California Golden Bears when they take their seats on Saturday.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Josh Shipp netted 24 points with nine rebounds to lift UCLA to a 76-71 victory over Stanford on Thursday. UCLA failed to cover the 5-point spread, but the 147 points went as a PUSH against the posted total of 147.
Alfred Aboya had 16 points and three rebounds.
Patrick Christopher poured in a game-high 29 points to lead California to an 81-78 victory over USC on Thursday. California failed to cover the 4.5-point spread, while the 159 points sailed OVER the posted total of 137.
Team records:
UCLA: 21-7 SU, 12-13-2 ATS
California: 21-7 SU, 15-10 ATS
UCLA most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Oregon State are 9-1
After playing Stanford are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

California most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Arizona are 6-4
After playing USC are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of UCLA’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of UCLA’s last 5 games on the road
UCLA is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing California
The total has gone OVER in 5 of UCLA’s last 6 games when playing California
California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of California’s last 7 games at home
California is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of California’s last 6 games when playing UCLA
Next up:
UCLA home to Oregon State, Thursday, March 5
California at Arizona, Thursday, March 5

 

Gonzaga-San Diego Lines Preview

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the San Diego Toreros will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Gonzaga tore it up with 45 points in the second half en route to an 81-73 victory over Santa Clara on Thursday. Gonzaga failed to cover the 9.5-point spread, but the 154 points sailed OVER the posted total of 134.5.
Josh Heytvelt collected 29 points, and Matt Bouldin added 23.
Current streak:
Gonzaga has won 5 straight games.
San Diego has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Gonzaga: 22-5 SU, 13-12 ATS
San Diego: 15-14 SU, 12-13-1 ATS
Gonzaga most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
After playing Santa Clara are 5-5
After a win are 9-1

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
After playing Portland are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Gonzaga’s last 5 games
Gonzaga is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Gonzaga is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Gonzaga’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Diego’s last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Diego’s last 6 games at home
San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Gonzaga
San Diego is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Gonzaga home to USC Upstate, Tuesday, March 3

 

Texas-Oklahoma State Odds Preview

The Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Texas came back from a five point deficit and defeated Texas Tech 87-81 on Wednesday. Texas failed to cover the 14.5-point spread, while the 168 points sailed OVER the posted total of 149.
Damion James led Texas with 20 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, and A.J. Abrams added 24 points.
Oklahoma State got up by 12 points at halftime and went on to defeat Colorado 76-55 on Wednesday. Oklahoma State covered the 5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 142.
James Anderson shot 9-for-15 from the field with a game-high 30 points.
Current streak:
Texas has won 2 straight games.
Oklahoma State has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Texas: 19-8 SU, 10-14
ATS
Oklahoma State
: 18-9 SU, 10-10-1 ATS
Texas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Baylor are 8-2
After playing Texas Tech are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Oklahoma State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas State are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas’s last 6 games when playing Oklahoma State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games
Texas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oklahoma State is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma State’s last 6 games when playing Texas
Oklahoma State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Texas home to Baylor, Monday, March 2
Oklahoma State home to Kansas State, Tuesday, March 3

 

Ohio State-Purdue Lines Preview

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Purdue Boilermakers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Mackey Arena.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jeremie Simmons dropped 14 points, as Ohio State defeated Penn State 73-59 on Tuesday night.
Ohio State covered as 6-point home favorites as the game played over the 127-point total set by oddsmakers.
Purdue was upset 87-78 by Michigan last time out, as 2.5-point favorites on the road. That game’s combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 127.
Robbie Hummel finished with 24 points and six rebounds in the loss.
Team records:
Ohio State: 18-8 SU, 13-9 ATS
Purdue: 21-7 SU, 12-13 ATS
Ohio State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Iowa are 5-5
After playing Penn State are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Purdue most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Northwestern are 4-6
After playing Michigan are 1-9
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Ohio State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Purdue
Ohio State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Purdue
Ohio State is 11-2-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Purdue
Ohio State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Purdue is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Purdue is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Purdue is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Purdue’s last 6 games
Next up:
Ohio State at Iowa, Tuesday, March 3
Purdue home to Northwestern, Wednesday, March 4