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Maryland-North Carolina State Lines Preview

The Maryland Terrapins and the North Carolina State Wolfpack will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at RBC Center.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Landon Milbourne netted 19 points for Maryland in its 78-67 loss to Duke on Wednesday night.
Duke covered as 5-point road favorites as the game played over the 146-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Tracy Smith tossed in 18 points in NC State’s 85-78 loss to Wake Forest last time out. The game’s 163 points made it OVER the posted total of 152.
Tracy Smith tossed in 18 points, and Ben McCauley had 12 points to go with eight rebounds.
Team records:
Maryland: 17-10 SU, 11-8-2
ATS
North Carolina State
: 15-11 SU, 13-7-1 ATS
Maryland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-3
Before playing Wake Forest are 5-5
After playing Duke are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

North Carolina State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-3
Before playing Boston College are 2-5
After playing Wake Forest are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Maryland is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against North Carolina St
Maryland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina State
Maryland is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against North Carolina St
Maryland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing North Carolina State
North Carolina State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Carolina State’s last 6 games
North Carolina State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina State’s last 7 games when playing at home against Maryland
Next up:
Maryland home to Wake Forest, Tuesday, March 3
North Carolina State home to Boston College, Wednesday, March 4

 

Michigan State-Illinois Lines Preview

The fans at University of Illinois Assembly Hall will be treated to a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini when they take their seats on Sunday.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Delvon Roe dropped 16 points to lead Michigan State over Iowa 62-54 on Wednesday night.
Michigan State couldn’t cover as 16-point home favorites as the game played under the 119.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Mike Davis tossed in 14 points and hauled down 10 rebounds for a double-double on Thursday, leading Illinois to a 52-41 victory over Minnesota. Illinois covered the 8-point spread, but the 93 points went UNDER the posted total of 121.
Trent Meacham added 13 points, and Demetri McCamey chipped in with 10.
Current streak:
Michigan State has won 2 straight games.
Illinois has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Michigan State: 22-5 SU, 13-11 ATS
Illinois: 23-6 SU, 15-10-1 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Indiana are 5-5
After playing Iowa are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

Illinois most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-0
Before playing Penn State are 8-2
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 5 games when playing Illinois
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Illinois
Michigan State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois’s last 5 games when playing Michigan State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois’s last 5 games when playing at home against Michigan State
Illinois is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Illinois’s last 9 games at home
Next up:
Michigan State at Indiana, Tuesday, March 3
Illinois at Penn State, Tuesday, March 3

 

Tennessee-Florida Odds Preview

The Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Stephen O’Connell Center.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Scotty Hopson had 21 points and six rebounds to lead Tennessee past Mississippi State 81-76 on Wednesday night.
Tennessee failed to cash as 8.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 149.5-point total set by oddsmakers.
Walter Hodge scored 16 points for Florida in its 81-75 loss to LSU on Tuesday night.
Louisiana State covered as 4-point home favorites as the teams played over the 151-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Tennessee: 17-10 SU, 12-13 ATS
Florida: 21-7 SU, 9-12 ATS
Tennessee most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing South Carolina are 7-3
After playing Mississippi State are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

Florida most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Mississippi State are 7-3
After playing LSU are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Tennessee is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Florida
Tennessee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tennessee’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tennessee’s last 5 games
Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida’s last 6 games when playing at home against Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games at home
Next up:
Tennessee at South Carolina, Thursday, March 5
Florida at Mississippi State, Wednesday, March 4

 

Missouri-Kansas Lines Preview

The Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Allen Fieldhouse.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
DeMarre Carroll dropped 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, as Missouri rolled past Kansas State 94-74 on Wednesday night.
Missouri covered as 9.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 149-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor netted 26 points apiece to lead Kansas past Oklahoma 87-78 on Monday night.
Kansas cashed as 3-point road underdogs as the teams played over the 146-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Missouri has won 7 straight games.
Kansas has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Missouri: 24-4 SU, 13-7-1 ATS
Kansas: 23-5 SU, 16-6-1 ATS
Missouri most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma are 7-3
After playing Kansas State are 2-8
After a win are 9-1

Kansas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Texas Tech are 9-1
After playing Oklahoma are 10-0
After a win are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Missouri is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Missouri is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Missouri is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas’s last 5 games at home
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Missouri
Kansas is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
Next up:
Missouri home to Oklahoma, Wednesday, March 4
Kansas at Texas Tech, Wednesday, March 4

 

Marquette-Louisville Lines Preview

The Marquette Golden Eagles and the Louisville Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Freedom Hall.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jerel McNeal dropped 26 points for Marquette in its 92-83 loss to Connecticut on Wednesday night.
UConn won as a road pick ’em, as the game played over the 143-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Earl Clark scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, as Louisville cruised past Georgetown 76-58 on Monday night.
Louisville covered as 1-point road favorites as the game played over the 134-point total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Louisville has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Marquette: 23-5 SU, 11-11-1 ATS
Louisville: 22-5 SU, 17-10 ATS
Marquette most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Pittsburgh are 7-1
After playing Connecticut are 2-1
After a loss are 8-2

Louisville most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Seton Hall are 4-0
After playing Georgetown are 3-2
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Marquette is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Marquette’s last 6 games when playing Louisville
Marquette is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Marquette’s last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Louisville’s last 5 games
Louisville is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Louisville is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
Louisville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Marquette
Next up:
Marquette at Pittsburgh, Wednesday, March 4
Louisville home to Seton Hall, Wednesday, March 4

 

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.”

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