March Madness: Utah State-Marquette Lines Preview

The fans at Taco Bell Arena will be treated to a game between the Utah State Aggies and the Marquette Golden Eagles when they take their seats on Friday for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Eagles listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Aggies, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Marquette lost a close 76-75 quarterfinal game against Villanova in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference Tournament last Thursday, as 2.5-point underdogs. That game's 151 points made it OVER the posted total of 150.
Jimmy Butler netted a team-high 19 points, while Lazar Hayward added a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards in the loss.
Team records:
Utah State: 30-4 SU, 16-12 ATS
Marquette: 24-9 SU, 14-13-1 ATS
Utah State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
After playing Nevada are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

Marquette most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing Villanova are 3-3
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Utah State is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah State's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Marquette's last 7 games
Marquette is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games
Marquette is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

March Madness: North Dakota State-Kansas Lines Preview

The fans at Hubert Humphrey Metrodome will be treated to a game between the North Dakota State Bison and the Kansas Jayhawks when they take their seats on Friday for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jayhawks listed as 10-point favorites versus the Bison, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Kansas was upset 71-64 by Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament last Thursday, as 8.5-point favorites. That game's 135 points fell UNDER the posted total of 144.
Sherron Collins collected 16 points with four rebounds and six assists in a losing cause.
Team records:
North Dakota State: 26-6 SU, 1-1 ATS
Kansas: 25-7 SU, 18-8-1 ATS

Kansas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
After playing Baylor are 6-4
After a loss are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
Kansas is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
Kansas is 13-3-1 ATS in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Kansas's last 13 games

NCAA Tournament Free Picks: Maryland-California, LSU-Butler

Here are free premium picks from the two best college basketball handicappers ever: Joe Duffy’s GodsTips the winningest in history based on units won and forensic sports handicapping founder Stevie Vincent tops in winning percentage.

The first of from the Center of the Handicapping Universe GodsTips.  They say go with California over Maryland. Bodog Life has the Bears laying 1.5 and BetUs Sportsbook at -2.

It comes down to matchups. Maryland is outstanding a pressure defense and forcing turnovers but they go against the tremendous guard play of Cali.

Patrick Christopher and Theo Robertson, Jerome Randle heads up the most accurate three-point shooting team in the country. California has connected on 43.4 percent of its three-point attempts.

California plays their best against the best. The Golden Bears lost twice to middling Oregon State (13-17), but also winning twice over conference champion Washington (25-8).

The Golden Bears are just what Maryland does not need, a guard oriented team that can handle the ball and beat the pressure by hitting from long range.

For the complete list of the top sports picks for March Madness, check out this rundown.

Now from Stevie Vincent, the future of sports betting: go with Butler over LSU. Sports Betting Sportsbook has LSU -2.

Here is why: Butler 13-1 as underdog, 17-5 nonconference, LSU 19-39 as a favorite, 1-8 neutral as a favorite. All records are against the spread.

Again, it’s OffshoreInsiders.com with every winning spread pick.  

 

Free Pick March Madness: Portland State-Xavier

You know the March Madness betting craze is in full swing when we’re already talking about Friday games, but that’s the case. On paper, the Xavier vs Portland State odds look like a pretty intriguingmatchup ; because of Xavier’s size, opponents have to shoot well to beat them, and Portland State can shoot. But online betting fans shouldn’t get carried away in this one.

Finishing 25-7, Xavier is one of those teams that isn’t mentioned in the same breath as the top contenders but still has multiple sportsbook followers who see them as undervalued. It’s hard to argue against that assertion; the Musketeers are one of the biggest teams in March Madness betting, with all of their starters over 6’5″. That createsmatchup nightmares on both sides of the court for their competition, particularly on the boards; Xavier ranked near the top of the country in rebounding margin. The Musketeers also have size—big size—on the bench with two seven-footers, so their rebounding prowess runs deep. Their main weakness is a lack of true ball-moving ability.

There’s no doubt that Portland State can score. The Vikings had three players average double figures this season and six players shoot 35 per cent or better from three-point range, meaning pretty much everyone on the team is at least a moderate threat from downtown. To have a chance in March Madness betting , they’ll have to catch fire from the perimeter.

While a Portland State upset would be fun to see, online betting fans can’t help but see them as a “happy to be there” team. Their rebounding isn’t anywhere near what it needs to be for the Vikings to contend in March Madness betting. Expect them to hold their own against Xavier—if their shooting doesn’t go cold—and still lose in the end. Bet on Xavier to advance.

For all the top sports handicapper spread picks, OffshoreInsiders.com is a no-brainer.

Thursday NCAA Tournament Odds, Picks, and Predictions

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: First-round matchups at the Big Dance shoe dazzle dominate the sports scene, with UConn, Memphis, UNC, and Duke all in action. The must read links for March Madness betting are here.  Most importantly, get the objective rundown of which professional sports handicappers are hot and who has the big plays for NCAA picks and predictions.

The search for Cinderella . . .

All sources claim that North Carolina will be without point guard Ty Lawson, but Lines-Maker.com will update any late breaking information.

North Carolina is one of two top seeds in action at the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, as they’ll see how badly they’re able to beat No. 16 Radford in an afternoon contest. The Tar Heels are 26-point favorites in that South Region matchup. Other South games on tap for Thursday: No. 9 Butler vs. No. 8 LSU (-2.5), No. 10 Michigan vs. No. 7 Clemson (-5.5), No. 13 Akron vs. No. 4 Gonzaga (-12.5), No. 15 Morgan State vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (-16.5), and No. 12 Western Kentucky vs. No. 5 Illinois (-4.5). The Hilltoppers won their opening game in ’08.

The other No. 1 in action on Thursday is Connecticut, which will take on Chattanooga as a 20.5-point favorite in West Region action. Also in that quarter of the bracket on Thursday: No. 15 CSU Northridge vs. No. 2 Memphis (-19.5), No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 BYU (-2), No. 12 Northern Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue (-8), No. 10 Maryland vs. No. 7 California (-1), and No. 13 Mississippi State vs. No. 4 Washington (-5.5). Mississippi State won the SEC Tournament last weekend.

Four East Region games round out the Thursday Madness schedule, with that slate highlighted by No. 2 Duke taking on No. 15 Binghamton. The Blue Devils have been pegged as big 21.5-point favorites. As well, it’ll be No. 10 Minnesota vs. No. 7 Texas (-4), No. 14 American vs. No. 3 Villanova (-16.5), and No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 UCLA (-7). The Bruins were upset last week in the Pac-10 tourney.

Major sports service winning March Madness picks…

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NCAA Tournament betting is the time of the year that so many new clients get their first exposure to forensic sports handicapping. For newbies, welcome to the world of winners, but we want to explain the basis. Stevie releases fewer plays but has more winners.

To sell picks, more picks means more sales. Stevie wants to win picks and let everything else fall into place. He releases only picks he bets.

That’s why he has “only” four NCAAB plays including three of his highest rated Level 5. He has since added a PERFECT PLAY from the NIT and two pro basketball. He goes 7-0 Click now to purchase  Stevies entire card for $40.

Let Jeff Buckley enter the ring of fire, you need the professional bettors who will tell you “I told you so” when the NCAA Tournament scores come in.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The NBA has just three matchups on its schedule for Thursday night as the basketball world focuses on the college game. Starting things off is Dallas at Atlanta at 7:00pm ET, with the Mavericks coming off a 103-101 win over the Pistons on Tuesday night. LeBron James and the Cavaliers then play host to the Trail Blazers in an 8:00pm ET matchup, while Kobe Bryant and the Lakers get a visit from the Warriors at 10:30pm ET. Los Angeles was beaten 94-93 by the Sixers in their last outing Tuesday night, with Bryant being held to just 11 points.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from a loss to the lowly Coyotes on Thursday night when they take on the Predators in one of eight games on the NHL schedule. Also on the slate: Los Angeles at Boston, Montreal at Ottawa, Washington at Tampa Bay, Toronto at Florida, Edmonton at Colorado, and St. Louis at Vancouver, while Phoenix returns to the ice at home against the Ducks.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, the second round of the World Baseball Classic concludes on Thursday night with Korea taking on the winner of Wednesday night’s late matchup between Japan and Cuba at San Diego‘s PETCO Park. Whoever comes out on top in that contest on Thursday will claim top spot in Pool 1. The semifinals of the tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the World Baseball Classic champion will be decided on March 23.

March Madness: Tennessee-Oklahoma State Odds Preview

The fans at Dayton Arena will be treated to a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys when they take their seats on Friday for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Volunteers listed as 2-point favorites versus the Cowboys, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Tennessee lost to Mississippi State 64-61 as a 5.5-point favorite in the SEC Tournament final on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (147.5).
Wayne Chism led the Volunteers with 15 points and J.P. Prince had 14 points.
Oklahoma State was dumped 67-59 by Missouri in the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament on Friday, as 4.5-point underdogs. The 126 points fell well UNDER the posted total of 158.
James Anderson netted 20 points, and Marhsall Moses had 16 points with 12 rebounds in the loss.
Team records:
Tennessee: 21-12 SU, 16-15 ATS
Oklahoma State: 22-11 SU, 15-11-1 ATS
Tennessee most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
After playing Mississippi State are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

Oklahoma State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After playing Missouri are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Tennessee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Oklahoma State is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Oklahoma State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma State's last 8 games

March Madness: Stephen F. Austin-Syracuse Lines Preview

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and the Syracuse Orange will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at American Airlines Arena in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Orange listed as 12-point favorites versus the Lumberjacks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Syracuse fell 76-66 to Louisville in the championship game of the Big East tournament on Saturday, as 7.5-point underdogs. That game's 142 points made it OVER the posted total of 135.
Eric Devedorf netted a game-high 20 points, and Jonny Flynn added 11 in the loss.
Team records:
Stephen F. Austin: 24-7 SU, 1-0 ATS
Syracuse: 26-9 SU, 16-15 ATS

Syracuse most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
After playing Louisville are 2-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Syracuse's last 5 games
Syracuse is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Syracuse is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games

Warriors-Lakers Odds Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers meet at STAPLES Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 13-point favorites versus the Warriors, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Monta Ellis had 29 points and six assists, as the Warriors slammed the Clippers 127-100 on Tuesday night.
Golden State won as 1.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 225-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Pau Gasol went for 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for Los Angeles in its 94-93 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Philadelphia won as 10.5-point road underdogs as the game played under the 203.5-point total set by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Golden State: 24-43 SU, 32-34-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 53-14 SU, 33-33-1 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After a win are 3-7

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Golden State's last 9 games on the road
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against Golden State
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
LA Lakers are 13-2 SU in their last 15 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home
Next up:
Golden State home to Philadelphia, Friday, March 20
LA Lakers at Chicago, Saturday, March 21

Trail Blazers-Cavaliers Lines Preview

The fans at Quicken Loans Arena will be treated to a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Cleveland Cavaliers when they take their seats on Thursday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 9½-point favorites versus the Trail Blazers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Trail Blazers got out to a comfortable lead early on Wednesday, as they rode to a 95-85 win over the Pacers. That game's 180 points went UNDER the game's posted total of 203.
Brandon Roy led the way with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. Steve Blake dished out eight assists in the victory.
LeBron James had 43 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals to lift the Cavaliers past the Magic 97-93 on Tuesday night.
Cleveland couldn't cover as 6-point home favorites as the game played under the 190-point total posted by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Portland has won 2 straight games.
Cleveland has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Portland: 43-25 SU, 35-33 ATS
Cleveland: 54-13 SU, 41-26 ATS
Portland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Milwaukee are 3-7
After playing Indiana are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Portland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Portland is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Portland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
Next up:
Portland at Milwaukee, Saturday, March 21
Cleveland home to Atlanta, Saturday, March 21

Mavericks-Hawks Lines Preview

The fans at Philips Arena will be treated to a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks when they take their seats on Thursday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 6-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Dirk Nowitzki drained 30 points to lift the Mavericks past the Pistons 103-101 on Tuesday night.
Dallas couldn't cover as 6-point home favorites as the teams played over the 188.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Al Horford went for 23 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, as the Hawks overpowered the Kings 119-97 on Tuesday night.
Atlanta cashed as 12-point home favorites as the game played over the 202.5-point total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 41-27 SU, 33-35 ATS
Atlanta: 40-28 SU, 38-30 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Indiana are 9-1
After playing Detroit are 7-3
After a win are 4-6

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing Sacramento are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Dallas's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Dallas at Indiana, Friday, March 20
Atlanta at Cleveland, Saturday, March 21

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