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Michigan State-Connecticut Odds: 2009 Final Four Spreads

The odds are out for the 2009 Final 4 battle between Michigan State and Connecticut. The UConn Huskies are -4 at BetUs Sportsbook with a total of 135. In fact, all sportsbooks have the line currently at -4.

Connecticut-Michigan State game tickets, fan gear and more are at Guy Store. Track the latest odds in the college basketball odds of ScoresOddsPicks.com , which also will have the official betting breakdown if that and the Villanova-North Carolina game.

Louisville-Michigan State, Oklahoma-Connecticut Highlight Sunday Viewing

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The NCAA Tournament determines its last two Final Four teams, and the Sprint Cup Series takes to the track at Martinsville.

Final 4 odds…

As soon as it’s available, the college basketball odds for the 2009 Final 4 matchups will be posted.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

San Antonio will be in New Orleans on Sunday night in just one of the notable matchups on the NBA schedule. The Spurs and Hornets last met on January 31, with San Antonio rolling to a 106-93 home win as a 7.5-point favorite. Tony Parker had 25 points for the Spurs in that contest, while Manu Ginobili picked up 22 points. Chris Paul had a big game for the Hornets with a game-high 38 points.

The other two marquee contests on the Sunday NBA slate are Dallas at Cleveland and the Lakers at Atlanta, while the Celtics will be gunning for an easy victory when they play host to Oklahoma City. Rounding out the schedule: New Jersey at Minnesota, Philadelphia at Detroit, Phoenix at Sacramento, and Washington at Indiana. The Wizards edged the Pacers 119-117 on February 8.

Today’s best picks against the spread…

It’s a run of historical nature. A service out of Las Vegas is easily the No. 1 in the world in March. Their “Absolute Picks” are now 27-6 overall and 21-3 in NCAAB excluding pushes since Feb. 25. Sunday it was Siena and Oklahoma State. Monday, Oakland cashes in. Thursday it was Xavier and Connecticut. Friday, the Knicks won and Saturday they had none. Michigan State/Louisville side. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick from power of 620 sports services behind every selection.

On the road to the Final Four . . .

It’ll be No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 1 Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the first of two Elite Eight matchups at the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans came back to defeat No. 3 Kansas 67-62 in their Sweet 16 game on Friday night, with Goran Suton picking up 20 points. Top-seeded Louisville had an easier time with No. 12 Arizona, winning 103-64.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Oklahoma will take on No.1 North Carolina at FedExForum in Memphis later on Sunday to complete the Elite Eight. Blake Griffin poured in 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Sooners to an 84-71 win over No. 3 Syracuse. The Tar Heels had no trouble with No. 4 Gonzaga, getting 24 points from Tyler Hansbrough as they rolled to a 98-77 victory Friday.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Two of the Eastern Conference’s top clubs will hit the ice in Philadelphia on Sunday night when the Flyers host the Bruins. Those two teams met in Boston on March 3, with Philly pulling out a 4-2 road win. Simon Gagne scored twice for the Flyers in that victory, while Mike Knuble had a goal and two assists. Patrice Bergeron and Stephane Yelle had the markers for the Bruins in that losing cause.

Nashville will be in Detroit for one of the six other games on the NHL’s schedule for Sunday, with St. Louis at Columbus, Ottawa at Tampa Bay, Vancouver at Chicago, Colorado at Anaheim, and Minnesota at Edmonton. The division rival Wild and Oilers both need to get some points on Sunday to stay in the thick of the Western playoff hunt. Minnesota blanked Edmonton 3-0 back on March 22.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch are the 5/1 co-favorites to win Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series event, the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Johnson has won four of the past five races at Martinsville, including the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 in 2007. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion at the annual spring race at Martinsville, and he’s next at 7/1 odds to win this weekend.

Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon are both sitting at 8/1 odds to visit victory lane at Martinsville. Gordon holds a 76-point lead on Kurt Busch in the current driver standings, and he’s 79 points up on third-place Clint Bowyer. Kurt Busch is back at 15/1 odds to win on Sunday, where he’s tied with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, and Tony Stewart. Bowyer is farther behind at 30/1 odds to get the win.

 

March Madness: Texas El Paso-Oregon State Odds Preview

The Texas El Paso Miners and the Oregon State Beavers will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Gill Coliseum in the first game of the championship series of the CBI tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Stefon Jackson scored 34 points in leading Texas El Paso to a 81-69 victory over Richmond in the tournament semifinals last week. That game's 150 points made it OVER the posted total of 143.5.
Randy Culpepper added 19 points for Texas El Paso in that win.
Oregon State advanced to the championship with a 65-62 upset over Stanford in OT last week. That game's 127 points went UNDER the night's posted total of 128.
Lathen Wallace tossed in 16 points from 5-for-8 shooting, and Roeland Schaftenaar added 14 points in that win.
Team records:
Texas El Paso: 22-12 SU, 19-11-1 ATS
Oregon State: 16-17 SU, 13-14-1 ATS
Texas El Paso most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Oregon State most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
After playing Stanford are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Texas El Paso is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Texas El Paso is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oregon State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Texas El Paso home to Oregon State, Wednesday, April 1
Oregon State at Texas El Paso, Wednesday, April 1

Elite Eight: Oklahoma-North Carolina Lines Preview

The Oklahoma Sooners and the North Carolina Tar Heels will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at FedExForum in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Tar Heels listed as 7-point favorites versus the Sooners, while the game's total is sitting at 164.
Blake Griffin tossed in a game-high 30 points to lead Oklahoma to a convincing 84-71 victory over Syracuse in the Sweet 16 last time out. Oklahoma won the game as a pick'em, and the 155 points made it OVER the posted total of 150.5.
Griffin grabbed 12 rebounds to complete a double-double performance for the Sooners, and Tony Crocker added 28 in this contest.
North Carolina reached the Elite Eight with a 98-77 victory over Gonzaga on Friday. North Carolina covered the 7.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 163.
Tyler Hansbrough had 24 points, and Ty Lawson added 17 in that win for the Tar Heels.
Team records:
Oklahoma: 30-5 SU, 17-13 ATS
North Carolina: 31-4 SU, 15-19 ATS
Oklahoma most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

North Carolina most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
After playing Gonzaga are 1-0
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Oklahoma is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
North Carolina is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games

Elite Eight: Michigan State-Louisville Odds Preview

The Michigan State Spartans and the Louisville Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Lucas Oil Stadium in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 7-point favorites versus the Spartans, while the game's total is sitting at 139.
Michigan State defeated reigning champion Kansas 67-62 in the Sweet 16 on Friday. Michigan State covered the 1-point spread, while the 129 points fell UNDER the posted total of 138.
Goran Suton led Michigan State with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Kalin Lucas added 18 in the win.
Louisville jumped out to a 19 point lead at the half, as they cruised past Arizona 103-64 in the Sweet 16 last time out. Louisville easily covered the 9.5-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 139.
Earl Clark led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jerry Smith added 16 in the victory for the Cardinals.
Team records:
Michigan State: 29-6 SU, 19-13 ATS
Louisville: 31-5 SU, 22-14 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
After playing Kansas are 2-1
After a win are 8-2

Louisville most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
After playing Arizona are 1-0
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
Michigan State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Michigan State-Louisville Official Betting Picks Preview

Here is the official betting preview of Michigan State-Louisville. Much like the Oklahoma-North Carolina game, the sportsbooks don’t seem to anticipate this Elite 8 game will be all that competitive.

BetUs Sportsbook, ranked first in customer satisfaction by OffshoreInsiders.com and ScoresOddsPicks.com, has the Cardinals a 6.5 point favorite. SportsBook has the total at 138.

Michigan State is 29-6 straight up and 18-13 to the number. Louisville is 31-5 outright and 22-14 in the back pocket.

The Spartans make 2.9 percent more of their shots than their opponent normally allow and they hold teams to 4.5 percent from the field below their normal average. The Cardinals shoot 3.5 percent better than their opponent normally allows, while holding teams to 5.1 percent less, an impressive number indeed.

As far as spread betting trends (all records against the spread): the Spartans are 22-8 opponent winning percentage of .600 or greater. They are also a super impressive 20-8 in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals are 2-8 their last 10 nonconference and they are 0-5 to the Big 10. Yet, Rick Pitino’s boys are on a 39-19 overall run.

MSU has gone under 22-6 as an underdog of 6.5 or less, while the Ville has gone under 6-1 after scoring 100 or more points last game.

For winning picks, check out OffshoreInsiders.com   

Clippers-Rockets Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Toyota Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Clippers were dumped 111-98 by the Spurs last time out, as 12-point road underdogs. The 209 points sailed OVER the posted total of 193.
Mike Taylor had 23 points, and Eric Gordon added 18 in the loss.
Aaron Brooks scored 20 points to lead Houston in its 99-86 loss to Utah on Tuesday night.
Utah covered as 5-point home favorites as the game played under the 195-point total set by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 18-55 SU, 29-44 ATS
Houston: 47-26 SU, 35-37-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing New Orleans are 4-6
After playing San Antonio are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7

Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Phoenix are 6-4
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
LA Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 7 games when playing Houston
LA Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games when playing Houston
Houston is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
Houston is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Houston is 9-2 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Next up:
LA Clippers home to New Orleans, Wednesday, April 1
Houston at Phoenix, Wednesday, April 1

Bucks-Heat Lines Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 9-point favorites versus the Bucks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Bucks were defeated 110-94 by the Magic last time out, as 12-point underdogs. That game's 204 points made it OVER the posted total of 198.
Ramon Sessions and Charlie Bell each had 19 points in the loss.
The Heat lost 106-87 to the Bulls last time out, as 5.5-point underdogs. That game's 193 points went UNDER the posted total of 202.
Dwyane Wade tossed in a game-high 31 points to go with five rebounds.
Current streak:
Milwaukee has lost 4 straight games.
Miami has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Milwaukee: 31-42 SU, 36-35-2 ATS
Miami: 38-34 SU, 34-37-1 ATS
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing New Jersey are 7-3
After playing Orlando are 1-9
After a loss are 3-7

Miami most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 4-6
After playing Chicago are 2-8
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 19 of Milwaukee's last 25 games when playing Miami
Milwaukee is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Miami
Milwaukee is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Miami
Milwaukee is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games when playing Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 8 games at home
Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
Next up:
Milwaukee at New Jersey, Monday, March 30
Miami home to Orlando, Monday, March 30

Missouri-Connecticut, Pitt-Villanova Headline Saturday Best Bets

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Pittsburgh, Villanova, UConn, and Missouri compete in the Elite Eight, and the Suns try to score a road victory against Utah.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Suns will be in Utah to take on the Jazz on Saturday night in the top NBA  matchup on the day’s schedule. Phoenix’s late playoff push was hit with a setback on Thursday with a 129-109 loss to Portland; Shaquille O’Neal picked up 20 points for the Suns in that loss. Phoenix, though, got past Utah 118-114 at home on Wednesday night, with Grant Hill leading the way with a 26-point game.

Chicago will host Indiana in the only matinee on the league’s Saturday slate, while the evening will also feature Detroit at Washington, New York at Charlotte, Milwaukee at Miami, the Clippers at Houston, Golden State at Denver, and Memphis at Portland. The Trail Blazers got 29 points and 12 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge in their win over the Suns, and 26 points from Brandon Roy.

Best sports picks…

The power of 620 sports services behind every selection has Bill Tanner is the No. 1 college and NBA handicapper combined since 1995. He’s from the basketball crazed state of Indiana and his Platinum Plays in hoops hit around 62 percent. He also hits above 60 percent in college football with “Plats”.   About a dozen years ago, he lapped dinosaur “Doc” as the top Big 10 handicapper in the land. In all sports combined, he has had just 37 Double Platinum Game of the Year plays (excludes pushes) and is 26-11. Double Platinum Game of the Year on Missouri/Connecticut. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick

On the road to the Final Four . . .

It’ll be Missouri vs. Connecticut and Villanova vs. Pittsburgh in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. The No. 1 Huskies have been pegged as 5.5-point favorites in their matchup with the No. 3 Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium, with that game’s total set at 150 points. Connecticut cruised through the Sweet 16 round on Thursday night with a 72-60 win over Purdue. Missouri was an upset winner on Thursday, getting past No. 2 Memphis 102-91.

Over at TD Banknorth Garden on Saturday night the No. 2 Panthers will enter as 2-point favorites against the No. 3 Wildcats (with the total at 142.5). Pittsburgh outlasted No. 4 Xavier in a 60-55 win on Thursday night, getting 19 points from Sam Young in a game that they trailed 37-29 at halftime. Villanova impressed in a convincing 77-54 dismantling of No. 2 Duke on Thursday, as Scottie Reynolds had a team-high 16 points. Dante Cunningham had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

An afternoon matchup between the Rangers and Penguins in Pittsburgh launches an 11-game slate in the National Hockey League on Saturday.  Both New York and Pittsburgh are still in the hunt for fourth place in the Eastern Conference (and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs) thanks to solid play of late. The Penguins are 7-1-2 in their past 10;  the Rangers are 6-3-1.

The rest of the NHL’s Saturday schedule will take place at night, and include Los Angeles at Nashville, Boston at Toronto, Ottawa at Atlanta, Philadelphia at the Islanders, Carolina at New Jersey, Buffalo at Montreal, Florida at Dallas, Columbus at St. Louis, Minnesota at Calgary, and Phoenix at San Jose. The Sharks are still neck-and-neck with the Wings for top spot in the West standings.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, the 2009 Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend with Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit (with North American race fans catching the event in the wee hours on Sunday morning). Lewis Hamilton won this race last season, beating Nick Heidfeld across the finish line by 5.4 seconds. Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen, Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastien Bourdais, and Kimi Raikkonen made up the rest of the race’s top eight in ’08, while Rubens Barrichello was disqualified from sixth due to a pit infraction.

Pistons-Wizards Odds Preview

The Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Verizon Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Pistons lost 92-77 to the Lakers last time out, as 8.5-point underdogs. That game's 169 points went UNDER the night's posted total of 194.
Will Bynum had 25 points and dished out 11 assists in a losing effort.
The Wizards held the Bobcats to just 14 points in the third quarter and managed to pull out a 95-93 victory as 6.5-point underdogs on Wednesday. The Wizards won the game as a 6.5-point underdog, while the 188 points fell UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Antawn Jamison had 27 points and eight rebounds to lead the way, and Nick Young added 23 points in the win.
Current streak:
Detroit has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 34-37 SU, 30-41 ATS
Washington: 17-56 SU, 27-44-2 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Indiana are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 4-6
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games
Detroit is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games at home
Washington is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Next up:
Detroit home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 29
Washington at Indiana, Sunday, March 29