Exclusive Official Baylor-Penn State Betting Preview of NIT Final

Here is the official betting preview of Baylor-Penn State in the 2009 NIT Championship game. The Bet Online odds have the Baylor Bears laying four points to the Nittany Lions, though BetUs Sportsbook has the spread at 3.5. The total is 138 according to Sports Betting Sportsbook.

Baylor enters with a 24-14 straight up record, but just 13-17 against the spread. Penn State is 26-11 outright and 18-12 to the basketball Vegas odds.

The Bears have proven to be an exceptional shooting team, making 46.8 percent of their shots against teams normally allowing 42.9. That translates to 76.4 points per game to teams that surrender a cumulative 69. Their defensive numbers are slightly above average.

Penn State‘s ratios are slightly above the median on both sides of the ball, most notably allowing just 62.6 points per game to teams normally getting 66.3.

The top college basketball handicapper ever, Joe Duffy of GodsTips restates a Golden Rule of betting that must be applied here and certainly in the Final 4. “A blunder that square gamblers make is considering neutral courts to be road games. A neutral game is exactly that—neither a home contest nor one on their opponents court.”

Hence, Baylor has gone very well on neutral courts at 6-2 straight up with wins over Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Arizona State, San Diego State and Providence. “That’s an impressive resume,” says Brian Gould of ScoresOddsPicks.com.

Penn State is 3-1 straight up on neutral courts though Towson State and Indiana are not nearly as imposing.

Some spread numbers, all against the spread: The Bears are 14-3 their last 17 on neutral courts. However, they are 1-7 their last eight as a favorite of 6.5 or less.

Penn State has covered 9-of-12 nonconference games but are 6-17 as underdogs of 6.5 or less. Baylor has gone under 10-2 versus an opponent winning percentage of .600 or greater.

Which side to bet on as far as both the side and totals go—the power of 620 sports services behind every selection has just that.

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NIT Finals Headlines Beginning of Final 4 Weekend Betting

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The East-leading Cavs take on the Wizards, the Blues take on the Red Wings, and the NIT stages its championship matchup.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

LeBron James and the Cavaliers will be looking to get past the Wizards on Thursday night when they meet in Washington in just one of three games on the NBA schedule. The Wizards and Cavs last met on January 4, when Washington pulled out an 80-77 upset win as a 9-point home ‘dog. James scored 30 points for Cleveland in that loss, while Antawn Jamison had 26 points for the Wizards.

It’s Milwaukee at Philadelphia and Utah at Denver in the other two games on the NBA hardwood on Thursday. The Sixers beat the Bucks 110-105 on January 7, with Milwaukee a 7.5-point home favorite in that contest. The Jazz and Nuggets met in Utah on March 6, with the Jazz winning 97-91 as a 9.5-point home favorite.  Deron Williams picked up 25 points and 11 assists for Utah in that win.

Betting picks….

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Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Eight games make up the National Hockey League’s schedule for Thursday night, including St. Louis at Detroit. The Red Wings will be looking to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to the Predators on Sunday, with Chris Osgood giving up four goals on 30 shots. The Wings and Blues last met up on March 14, with Detroit grabbing a 5-2 win; St. Louis last managed to beat Detroit in March 2008.

The other Western Conference power will also take to the ice on Thursday night, as San Jose will be in Edmonton to face the Oilers. Rounding out the schedule: Ottawa at Boston, the Rangers at Carolina, Montreal at the Islanders, Anaheim at Vancouver, Los Angeles at Phoenix, and Calgary at Dallas. The Flames fell 2-1 to the Sharks in their last game on Monday, with Jarome Iginla scoring their goal.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The NIT championship game will be played at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, with Baylor taking on Penn State. The Bears won their semifinal matchup with San Diego State by a score of 76-62 on Tuesday night, with Curtis Jerrells scoring 25 points and LaceDarius Dunn adding 23 points. Penn State got past Notre Dame 67-59 on Tuesday , with Talor Battle pouring in a team-high 17 points and Andrew Jones contributing 16 points and 15 rebounds in the victory.

Finally, the PGA Tour tunes up for The Masters this week with the Shell Houston Open at Redstone GC in Humble, Texas. Phil Mickelson is pegged as the 5/1 Vegas favorite to get the win this week, with each of Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas, and Geoff Ogilvy listed at 15/1 odds. Ogilvy and Chad Campbell both finished at 14-under in this tournament last year, two strokes back of winner Johnson Wagner. Mickelson finished 23rd at 6-under.

Jazz-Nuggets Odds Preview

The Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Carlos Boozer scored 20 points to lead Utah in its 124-105 loss to Portland on Tuesday night.
Portland cashed as 5.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 194-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Carmelo Anthony poured in 29 points to lead the Nuggets over the Knicks 111-104 on Tuesday night.
Denver couldn't cover as 11.5-point favorites as the teams played under the 221-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Denver has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Utah: 46-28 SU, 37-37 ATS
Denver: 49-26 SU, 41-33-1 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

Denver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After playing New York are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing Denver
Utah is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Utah home to Minnesota, Friday, April 3
Denver home to LA Clippers, Saturday, April 4

Cavaliers-Wizards Odds Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Verizon Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
LeBron James had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers past the Pistons 79-73 on Tuesday night.
Cleveland couldn't cover as 10-point home favorites as the game played under the 178.5-point total set by oddsmakers.
The Wizards fell 112-107 to the Grizzlies last time out, as 3-point underdogs. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 201.5.
Caron Butler dropped a game-high 31 points for the Wizards, and Antawn Jamison had 28 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Cleveland has won 13 straight games.
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 61-13 SU, 44-30 ATS
Washington: 17-59 SU, 28-45-3 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Orlando are 6-4
After playing Detroit are 8-2
After a win are 10-0

Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Miami are 3-7
After playing Memphis are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Cleveland is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games when playing Washington
Washington is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Next up:
Cleveland at Orlando, Friday, April 3
Washington home to Miami, Saturday, April 4

Bucks-76ers Lines Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Wachovia Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Ramon Sessions had a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Bucks 104-98 loss to the Lakers last time out, as 7-point underdogs. That game's 204 points made it OVER the posted total of 203.
Andre Iguodala had 19 points and eight assists, as the 76ers ran past the Hawks 98-85 on Tuesday night.
Philadelphia covered as 3-point home favorites as the teams played under the 193-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Milwaukee: 32-44 SU, 38-36-2 ATS
Philadelphia: 38-35 SU, 33-38-2 ATS
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 2-8
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 12 games on the road
Milwaukee is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Milwaukee is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Next up:
Milwaukee home to Memphis, Saturday, April 4
Philadelphia home to Detroit, Saturday, April 4

March Madness: Oregon State-Texas El Paso Lines Preview

The Oregon State Beavers and the Texas El Paso Miners will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Haskins Center in the final game of the CBI tournament's championship series.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
UTEP dominated the second half and rallied to defeat Oregon State 70-63 on Wednesday night, forcing a final game in the CBI championship series. That game's 133 points fell UNDER the posted total of 134.
Team records:
Oregon State: 17-18 SU, 15-14-1 ATS
Texas El Paso: 23-13 SU, 19-13-1 ATS
Oregon State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
After playing Texas El Paso are 0-1
After a loss are 3-7

Texas El Paso most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
After playing Oregon State are 1-0
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Oregon State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Oregon State is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oregon State's last 7 games
Oregon State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas El Paso's last 7 games
Texas El Paso is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Texas El Paso is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas El Paso's last 8 games at home

March Madness: Baylor-Penn State Odds Preview

The Baylor Bears and the Penn State Nittany Lions will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Madison Square Garden in the championship game of the National Invitational Tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Curtis Jerrells went for 25 points and eight assists, as Baylor ran past San Diego State 76-62 in the semifinals on Tuesday night.
Baylor cashed as 1-point favorites as the game played over the 136-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Talor Battle scored 17 points to lead Penn State over Notre Dame 67-59 in the semifinals on Tuesday night.
Penn State cashed as 3.5-point underdogs as the teams played under the 138-point total set by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Baylor: 24-14 SU, 13-16-1 ATS
Penn State: 26-11 SU, 18-12 ATS
Baylor most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Penn State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
After playing Notre Dame are 1-0
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Baylor is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Penn State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

Michigan State-Connecticut Battle of the Boards

Final Four betting players have seen Connecticut roll over their competition, as they’ve really once been challenged once so far in the NCAA Tournament. However, their opponent in one of Saturday’s Final Four matchup, Michigan State, has already eliminated Big East champion Louisville, and the Spartans will be eager to claim another team from the nation’s toughest conference.

Michigan State vs Connecticut odds – Saturday, April 1, 6:07 PM ET

The Spartans, seeded second in the Midwest, began their quest to the Final Four with a 77-62 win over Robert Morris, as the country’s top rebounding team held a 43-25 edge on the glass over the Colonials. Next, the Spartans held USC to 40.4% from the floor in a 74-69 win, outrebounding the Trojans 33-24, while Travis Walton hit 18 points. In the Sweet 16, Michigan State eliminated the defending champions with a 67-62 victory over Kansas, as the Spartans hit 16 of their 17 free-throw attempts. Finally, the Spartans put together their best defensive performance in a 64-52 win over Louisville, holding the Cardinals to 38.3% from the floor. Michigan State‘s opponents have shot only 41.2% against the Spartans, and that sort of defense makes them very capable of a Final Four betting upset.

The Huskies opened their Tournament with a 103-47 romp over Chattanooga, as three players scored at least 20 points, and UConn had a massive 57-33 edge on the glass. Against Texas A&M, the Huskies outrebounded the Aggies 36-22 and got 27 points from A.J. Price in a 92-66 blowout despite foul trouble for Hasheem Thabeet. Next was Purdue, and while the Boilermakers put up a good fight, they still lost 72-60 to the Huskies, who outrebounded Purdue 42-31. UConn then reached the Final Four with an 82-75 win over a pesky Missouri team, outrebounding the smaller Tigers 45-26.

The Huskies are a 4-point favorite in this contest according to Final Four odds , and Michigan State‘s biggest task will be to keep the Huskies from dominating the boards as they have. With both teams ranking in the national top three in rebounding, the battle on the boards will be a bruising affair, but one that probably decides the outcome of this game. UConn will have the size advantage, but that hasn’t stopped Michigan State from outrebounding bigger teams in the past. Based on the roads to this stage of the Tournament for both teams, Final Four betting players should keep an eye on the glass.

Heat-Mavericks Odds Preview

The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks when they take their seats on Wednesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Dwight Howard went for 22 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Magic past the Heat 101-95 on Monday night.
Orlando covered as 3-point road favorites as the game played over the 193-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and 12 rebounds, as the Mavericks drilled the Timberwolves 108-88 on Tuesday night.
Dallas cashed as 8-point road favorites as the game played under the 200-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Miami: 39-35 SU, 35-38-1 ATS
Dallas: 44-30 SU, 36-38 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Memphis are 9-1
After playing Minnesota are 8-2
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Dallas is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Dallas is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games at home
Next up:
Miami at Charlotte, Friday, April 3
Dallas at Memphis, Friday, April 3

Wizards-Grizzlies Lines Preview

The Washington Wizards and the Memphis Grizzlies will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at FedExForum.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Wizards lost to Indiana 124-115 as a 9-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (207.5).
Caron Butler led Washington with 31 points and 13 rebounds, while Antawn Jamison deposited 29 points.
O.J. Mayo went for 24 points and 10 assists to lead the Grizzlies past the Warriors 114-109 on Monday night.
Memphis cashed as 5-point road underdogs as the teams played over the 218.5-point total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 17-58 SU, 28-44-3 ATS
Memphis: 19-54 SU, 32-40-1 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Cleveland are 3-7
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Memphis most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 3-7
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
Washington is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Memphis
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games at home
Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Memphis is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to Cleveland, Thursday, April 2
Memphis home to Dallas, Friday, April 3

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