CBI: St. John’s-Richmond Lines Preview

The St. John's Red Storm and the Richmond Spiders will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Robins Center in the first round of the CBI Tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
St. John's was defeated 74-45 by Marquette last Wednesday, as 8-point underdogs. That game's 119 points went UNDER the day's posted total of 139.
Paris Horne hit 6-of-15 from the field with 15 points in the loss.
Team records:
St. John's: 16-17 SU, 13-14-1 ATS
Richmond: 18-15 SU, 16-10 ATS
St. John's most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
After playing Marquette are 0-4
After a loss are 5-5

Richmond most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
After playing Dayton are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. John's last 7 games
St. John's is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
St. John's is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games
St. John's is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Richmond's last 5 games at home
Richmond is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Richmond is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Richmond is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

Michigan Returns to NCAA Tournament

Michigan was a March Madness betting darling in the mid-90s, before NCAA sanctions imposed penalties for a booster scandal. The Wolverines are back in the “Big Dance” for the first time since 1998, and they’ll take on No.7 Clemson on Thursday as a No.10 seed. The Tigers are the college basketball betting favorites in this contest, but those who bet sports know the importance of momentum heading into the Tournament.

Clemson vs Michigan odds – Thursday, March 19, 7:10 PM ET

The Wolverines were one of the bubble teams on Selection Sunday, but they still earned an invite despite a loss to Illinois in the Big Ten quarterfinals. If Michigan is going to make any March Madness betting noise, it’ll have to do it on defense, as they were 59th in points allowed. The Wolverines are good with the ball, coming in 10th in assist/turnover ratio and 11th in turnovers, and they are 13th in free-throw percentage, which will come in handy in late-game situations.

The Tigers lost to Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC tournament, which wasn’t a good look when you see that the Yellow Jackets were the ACC’s worst team. Clemson is an offensively gifted squad, as senior swingman K.C. Rivers and junior forward Trevor Brooker lead an attack that was 12th in points scored. The Tigers turn the ball over far too much, ranking 213th in the nation in that category, and they also allow opponents to shoot almost 36 per cent from long range, which is 257th in the country.

Clemson vs Michigan odds have the Wolverines as a 5.5-point sportsbook underdog, and Michigan has won its lone meeting with Clemson, beating the Tigers 59-56 on the road back in 1998. The Tigers have lost four of their last five, and losing to a team like Georgia Tech has to hurt their confidence. Meanwhile, the Wolverines are coming off big wins over eventual Big Ten champions Purdue as well as a road win at Minnesota that probably sealed their ticket to the Tournament. Momentum means everything at this time of year, and the Wolverines have it in spades. Bet on Michigan to go against the March Madness odds in the first round.

Tuesday Card, NIT Betting and NCAA Tournament Play In Odds Headline

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: LeBron James takes on Dwight Howard, Martin Brodeur goes for a record, and the Play-In Game starts up the Big Dance.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Two of the Eastern Conference’s best teams meet on the hardwood on Tuesday night as LeBron James and his Cavaliers get a visit from Dwight Howard and the Magic. The Magic and Cavs met in Orlando back on January 29, with the home side rolling to a 99-88 win as 5-point favorites. Howard had 22 points and 18 boards on the night, while James had 23 points, eight boards, and eight assists.

The Celtics will be in Chicago for a St. Patrick’s Day battle with the Bulls on Tuesday, while Atlanta will play host to Sacramento. As well, it’ll be Detroit at Dallas, Minnesota at San Antonio, Washington at Utah, the Clippers at Golden State, and Philadelphia at the Lakers. Kobe Bryant and company got past the Sixers 114-102 when they met in Philly in December; L.A. was a 9-point favorite.

The march toward Madness . . .

The Field of 64 for March Madness will find out its final participant on Tuesday night after the buzzer sounds at the end of the annual Play-In Game. This year’s Play-In Game will feature Alabama State from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Morehead State from the Ohio Valley Conference. The Hornets beat Jackson State 65-58 in the SWAC title game on Saturday, with Andrew Hayles tossing in a team-high 17 points in the victory. The Eagles got past Austin Peay 67-65 in double overtime back on March 7 to claim the Ohio Valley title. Kenneth Faried picked up 15 points and grabbed 10 boards in that contest. The winner of Tuesday night’s Play-In Game will go on to face Louisville this week.

March Madness betting tools…

NIT Tuesday previews are up. Also to beat the college basketball odds the Tailgate Party for Thursday and Friday’s NCAA Tournament. Without any debate the biggest sports service selection on the play-in game is from Kal Elner on the MasterLockLine. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick   

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The National Hockey League is busy on Tuesday night with 11 games on the schedule. Highlighting that action is Chicago at New Jersey, with Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur gunning for his NHL-record 552nd win in the regular season. Brodeur tied Patrick Roy’s regular-season record of 551 victories on Saturday, as he made 23 saves in a 3-1 triumph over the Canadiens in Montreal.

Also on the slate for Tuesday: Philadelphia at Detroit, Washington at Florida, Toronto at Tampa Bay, Atlanta at Pittsburgh, Buffalo at Ottawa, the Rangers at Montreal, Colorado at Minnesota, St. Louis at Edmonton, San Jose at Phoenix, and Dallas at Vancouver. The Stars kept themselves right in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt with a 3-2 win over the Wild on Saturday night.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

After taking a one-week break the Sprint Cup Series will get back on the track this weekend in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon holds down top spot in the driver standings heading into that event, but he hasn’t visited victory lane yet this year – Kurt Busch (Atlanta), Kyle Busch (Las Vegas), and Matt Kenseth (Fontana and Daytona) have grabbed the four checkered flags.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Formula 1 season will get underway at the end of the month, with the Australian Grand Prix on March 29. Lewis Hamilton won the drivers championship in 2008, and he also picked up the victory in last year’s edition of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Nick Heidfeld, Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, and Heikki Kovalainen rounded out the top five in that event.

NIT Brackets 2009: First Round Betting Previews

The NIT brackets are out and OffshoreInsiders.com
presents betting previews for the NIT Tournament. The college basketball odds
are updated live. All records are against the spread unless spread records are
specified.

Davidson-South Carolina

The Wildcats are 54-20-3 off ATS loss and a very
impressive 42-18 on the road versus teams with home winning percentage of .600
or better. They enter though on a 1-6-1
overall skid.

The Gamecocks are 8-20 at home versus an opponent with a
winning road record. They are 6-0 off a double digit home loss.

Rhode
Island-Niagara

The Rams are 13-4 in nonconference
games, while the Purple Eagles are 38-17 under the same circumstances.

Morehead State-Alabama State

This is of course the NCAA Tournament play-in game. The
Eagles of Morehead are 16-5 against teams with a winning record but yet 5-25-4 in nonconference
action. Alabama State
enters on a 6-1 streak.

George Mason-Penn State

The Patriots are 1-6 overall their last seven. The Nittany
Lions are 9-3 off an straight up loss.

Northeastern-Wyoming

The Cowboys have covered 8-of-10 at home.

UAB-Notre Dame

Notre Dame is 3-11 against teams with a winning record.

UNLV-Kentucky

UNLV 8-1 off double digit home loss but are on an 0-6 skid entering the NIT.

Weber State-San Diego State

Weber State
is 8-0 road versus teams with a winning home record and they are 7-0 off a ATS loss.

Nebraska-New Mexico

The Cornhuskers are 12-26 on the road.

UTEP-Nevada

UTEP is 9-2 in the WAC. Nevada
is 8-20 opponent winning percentage of .600 or greater. The Wolf Pack are 3-13 at home versus opponent with a losing road record.

Washington
State-St. Mary’s

The Gaels are 7-2 off an ATS loss. All the winning March
Madness picks and predictions against the spread for the 2009 NIT Tournament,
CBI, and College Insider Tournament will be at OffshoreInsiders.com

2009 NCAA Tournament Betting Previews For Thursday

The world’s top March Madness picks and predictions site OffshoreInsiders.com presents
a look at the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament from the standpoint of
beating the bookmakers.

All quoted records are against the spread unless
over/under records are specified. For the latest Big Dance Vegas odds and
betting line check out the college
basketball odds
.

Radford-North Carolina

North Carolina
is 26-6 off an straight up loss and 40-18 in nonconference games. They are 0-7 against teams with a
winning record.

USC-Boston
College

USC is 5-0 overall. Boston
College
is 22-8 on neutral courts
and they’ve covered five straight NCAA Tournament games.

Butler-LSU

Butler is
37-15 in nonconference games. The Tigers are 5-0 off
a double digit home loss, but 1-7 on neutral courts.

Michigan-Clemson

Michigan is
3-7 their last 10 on neutral courts.

Morgan
State-Oklahoma

Morgan State
is 3-9 nonconference games. Oklahoma
is 0-5 against teams with a winning record.

Akron-Gonzaga

Gonzaga is 2-6 in the NCAA Tournament.

Western
Kentucky-Illinois

The Hilltoppers are 16-5 on
neutral courts and 40-17 their last 57 nonconference
games according to the sportsbooks. Illinois

Binghamton-Duke

The Blue Devils have dropped four straight Big Dance
games.

Minnesota-Texas

The Golden Gophers come in on a 4-11
slump
. Texas is 3-7
against teams with a winning record.

Cal State Northridge-Memphis

Memphis is
11-2 their last 13 against teams with a winning record. The Matadors are 7-2
off straight up win.

Maryland-California

California 1-5 overall run.

Mississippi
State-Washington

Mississippi State
is 6-0 overall. Washington is 7-0
off a loss.

Northern
Iowa-Purdue

Northern Iowa is 7-2 to the Big 10
yet 2-10 their last 12 nonconference overall. Purdue
is 0-6 to the Missouri Valley.

Texas A&M-BYU

Texas A&M is 10-1 off a ATS
loss and 46-22 opponent winning percentage of .600 or greater. BYU 1-6 off ATS
loss.

Chattanooga-Connecticut

Connecticut
has dropped seven straight NCAA Tournament games.

Robert Morris-Michigan State

The Spartans are 9-0 off straight up loss.

For March Madness 2009 picks, predictions and spread
winners, it’s always OffshoreInsiders.com

76ers-Lakers Lines Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 10-point favorites versus the 76ers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The 76ers defeated Miami 85-77 as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (196).
Andre Iguodala scored 21 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists for Philadelphia, while Andre Miller added 10 points and 11 assists in the win.
The Lakers defeated Dallas 107-100 as an 8.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (209.5).
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points for the Lakers and Trevor Ariza added 26 points in the win.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 33-31 SU, 29-33-2 ATS
Los Angeles: 53-13 SU, 33-32-1 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Phoenix are 8-2
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Golden State are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
LA Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
Next up:
Philadelphia at Phoenix, Wednesday, March 18
LA Lakers home to Golden State, Thursday, March 19

Clippers-Warriors Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Oracle Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Clippers defeated New Jersey 107-105 as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (201).
Steve Novak scored 21 points off the bench for the Clippers, while Baron Davis added 20 points and 10 assists in the win.
The Warriors lost to Phoenix 154-130 as a 1.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (244.5).
Monta Ellis led Golden State with 26 points and Corey Maggette deposited 21 points.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 16-50 SU, 26-40 ATS
Golden State: 23-43 SU, 31-34-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 4-6
After playing New Jersey are 3-7
After a win are 3-7

Golden State most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 14 of the LA Clippers last 20 games on the road
LA Clippers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing Golden State
LA Clippers are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games at home
Golden State is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Golden State is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Next up:
LA Clippers home to Washington, Wednesday, March 18
Golden State at LA Lakers, Thursday, March 19

Wizards-Jazz Odds Preview

The fans at EnergySolutions Arena will be treated to a game between the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz when they take their seats on Tuesday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Wizards defeated Sacramento 106-104 as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (212).
Antawn Jamison scored 30 points and added nine rebounds for Washington, while Andray Blatche netted 16 points in the win.
The Jazz lost to Orlando 105-87 as a 5.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (203).
Carlos Boozer led Utah with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Deron Williams had 11 points and nine assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Utah has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 16-51 SU, 23-42-2 ATS
Utah: 41-26 SU, 35-32 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After playing Sacramento are 2-8
After a win are 1-9

Utah most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After playing Orlando are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games on the road
Washington is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games at home
Utah is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
Utah is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Washington at LA Clippers, Wednesday, March 18
Utah at Oklahoma City, Friday, March 20

Timberwolves-Spurs Lines Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at AT&T Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Timberwolves got a 22-point effort from rookie Kevin Love in a 108-100 win over the Bobcats at the Target Center Saturday.
Minnesota covered as a 5-point home underdog while the final score played over the 190.5-point total.
Tony Parker led the way for San Antonio with 28 points and seven assists in its 78-76 loss to Oklahoma City on Monday night.
Oklahoma City cashed as 5-point home underdogs as the game played under the 190-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Minnesota: 20-46 SU, 29-36-1 ATS
San Antonio: 44-22 SU, 34-30-2 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing New Orleans are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 2-7
After a win are 4-6

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Minnesota is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
San Antonio is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at New Orleans, Wednesday, March 18
San Antonio home to Boston, Friday, March 20

Pistons-Mavericks Odds Preview

The Detroit Pistons and the Dallas Mavericks will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at American Airlines Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Pistons lost to Memphis 89-84 as an 8-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (183).
Antonio McDyess led Detroit with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Tayshaun Prince deposited 15 points.
The Mavericks lost to the Lakers 107-100 as an 8.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (209.5).
Jason Terry led Dallas with 29 points and Dirk Nowitzki netted 20 points.
Current streak:
Dallas has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 33-32 SU, 27-38 ATS
Dallas: 40-27 SU, 33-34 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 8-2
After playing Memphis are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Dallas
Detroit is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Detroit is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games at home
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Dallas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Detroit at Houston, Wednesday, March 18
Dallas at Atlanta, Thursday, March 19

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