Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 03-09-2018, 11:55 AM

Pac-12 Conference Tournament semifinals betting preview and odds

The Pac-12 conference tournament semifinals are set and while the Arizona Wildcats are the defending champs and the favorite to win it again this year, that's not stopping them from taking an "Us Against the World" mentality into their matchup with UCLA. Meanwhile USC prepares to do battle with Oregon in the other semi.

Games to be played at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats (-4.5, 156.5)

The stars will be out Friday as No. 17 Arizona and Deandre Ayton face UCLA and Aaron Holiday in the semifinals of the Pac-12 Tournament. Holiday is averaging 28.2 points over his last five games to lead No. 4 seed UCLA, which beat top-seeded Arizona 82-74 in the only regular-season meeting in Tucson on Feb. 8.

Ayton was named Pac-12 player of the year after averaging 19.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks during the regular season, but the 7-1 freshman was held to 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting in Thursday’s 83-67 quarterfinal win over Colorado. With Ayton struggling offensively, junior guard and Pac-12 tourney MVP from last year, Allonzo Trier, stepped up with 22 points while shooting 10-of-10 from the foul line. All five starters scored in double figures for the Wildcats, including senior center Dusan Ristic, who averaged 11.9 points on 57 percent shooting during the regular season.

Among Ayton’s top competitors for player of the year was Holiday, a junior point guard who registered 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while playing 40 minutes in UCLA’s 88-77 quarterfinal win over Stanford. The Bruins are likely bound for the Big Dance with the win, but can remove any doubt with a win over Arizona. Guard Kris Wilkes, named to the All-Pac-12 All-Freshman team, scored 14 points in last month’s contest and closed the regular season by scoring 22 points in the win over USC.

BETTING STATS:

BETTING ACTION AND MOVES:

Arizona opened as 4.5-point favorites and that number has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 156.5 and like the spread has yet to move off the opening number.

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Bruins are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-0 in Bruins last 4 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 Friday games.
* Underdog is 14-2 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans (-3, 143.5)

USC advanced to the semifinals of Pac-12 Tournament for the first time since 2011, and the second-seeded Trojans will face sixth-seeded Oregon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday night. The Trojans moved on with a 61-48 victory against 10th-seeded Oregon State, a couple hours before Oregon held to to beat No. 3 seed Utah 68-66.

USC was led on both ends of the floor by 6-11 junior center Chimezie Metu, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He scored 18 points in both meetings against Oregon this season, a 75-70 victory in Eugene on Jan. 18, and a 72-70 win in Los Angeles on Feb. 15. The Ducks have gotten used to playing the close games as their last eight have been decided by single digits, including three that went to overtime and a total of four settled by two points.

Another good sign from the quarterfinal win was the play of USC sophomore shooting guard Jonah Mathews, who reached double figures in scoring for the second time in the past nine games. Matthews scored 13 points against Oregon State and was 3-for-5 from 3-point range, giving USC a third option from beyond the arc to go with point guard Jordan McLaughlin and shooting guard Elijah Stewart. The Ducks have done a terrific job making up for losses at the conference tournament. They beat Washington State in the first round after the Cougars defeated Oregon in the second-to-last regular-season game March 1, then knocked off the Utes, who had won in Eugene in the conference opener on Dec. 29.

BETTING STATS:

BETTING ACTION AND MOVES: The Trojans opened at 3 and has yet to move off the opening number as of Friday morning. The total hit the betting board at 142.5 and has been bet up a full point to 143.5.

MATCHUP CHART:

TRENDS:

* Ducks are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Trojans are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 neutral site games.
* Under is 13-2-1 in Trojans last 16 overall.
* Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-09-2018, 12:22 PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 9
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

VCU at URI 12:00 PM
URI -9.0
U 148.0

SMU at CIN 12:00 PM
CIN -16.5

TXST at ULL 12:30 PM
TXST +12.0

ALA at AUB 01:00 PM
ALA +6.5
O 151.5

USM at MRSH 01:30 PM
O 154.0

*****************

MEM at TLSA 02:00 PM
TLSA -4.5

GMU at JOES 02:30 PM
JOES -6.5

APP at UTA 03:00 PM
UTA -6.0
O 154.5

UGA at UK 03:25 PM
UK -5.0

SOU at ARPB 03:30 PM
ARPB -1.0

**************

WKU at ODU 04:00 PM
ODU -1.0
O 140.5

TROY at GSU 06:00 PM
TROY +4.0
O 145.5

NCAT at HAMP 06:00 PM
NCAT +5.0
O 148.0

SHSU at SELA 06:00 PM
SHSU -1.0
O 131.0

RICH at SBON 06:00 PM
SBON -8.0
O 148.5

KENT at BUFF 06:30 PM
BUFF -11.0
O 159.5

PROV at XAV 06:30 PM
XAV -7.5
O 149.5

GOOD LUCK !

**StarDust Bum** · 03-09-2018, 07:33 PM

Evening Best Bets:

KENT at BUFF 07:30 PM
BUFF -11.0
O 159.5

KSU at KU 08:00 PM
KSU +7.5

TEM at WICH 08:00 PM
WICH -11.0
O 146.0

CLEM at UVA 08:00 PM
UVA -8.0
O 116.5

MSST at TENN 08:00 PM
TENN -6.0

***************

MORG at NCCU 09:00 PM
NCCU -1.0

SLU at DAV 09:30 PM
SLU +7.0
U 125.5

ULM at GASO 09:30 PM
GASO -3.5

UNCO at MONT 09:30 PM
UNCO +4.0
O 147.0

SFA at NICH 09:30 PM
SFA -6.5

**********************

WVU at TTU 10:00 PM
WVU -2.5

EMU at TOL 10:00 PM
EMU +2.0
O 142.5

BUT at VILL 10:00 PM
BUT +8.0

UCLA at ARIZ 10:00 PM
ARIZ -6.0
O 156.0

UNC at DUKE 10:00 PM
DUKE -4.5

SDSU at NEV 10:00 PM
SDSU +3.0

GRC at UVU 10:00 PM
GRC +2.0

CSF at UCD 10:30 PM
UCD -1.5

ARK at FLA 10:30 PM
ARK +4.0

TXSO at PV 10:30 PM
PV +3.0

UCF at HOU 10:30 PM
UCF +9.0

SATURDAY, MARCH 10
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

SUU at EWU 12:05 AM
EWU -7.5
U 145.5

ORE at USC 12:30 AM
USC -2.5

USU at UNM 12:30 AM
UNM -4.0
U 153.5

SEA at NMSU 12:30 AM
NMSU -11.0

UCI at UCSB 12:59 AM
UCSB -2.5

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 03:22 AM

March CBB Record:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/10/2018 4-3-0 57.14% +3.50...........( 5 games that started after midnight eastern time )
03/09/2018 24-28-1 46.15% -34.00
03/08/2018 39-37-3 51.32% -8.50
03/07/2018 20-21-1 48.78% -15.50
03/06/2018 13-16-0 44.44% -23.00
03/05/2018 13-8-0 61.90% +16.00
03/04/2018 5-3-0 62.50% +8.50
03/03/2018 52-56-1 48.15% -48.00
03/02/2018 13-16-0 44.83% -23.00
03/01/2018 20-24-1 45.45% -32.00

Totals..........203 - 212 -2....48.91%.....-147.00

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:06 AM

Saturday’s 6-pack

— A’s signed free agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy; the cynic in me wonders which contender they’ll trade him to in July.

— Knicks are 24-42; this will be their 5th consecutive losing season.

— The NFL has gotten an incredibly good at staying in the news 365 days a year.

— Joe Tessitore is the new play-by-play guy on Monday Night Football.

— Buccaneers signed WR Mike Evans to a five-year, $82.5M contract extension.

— Cleveland Browns traded for WR Jarvis Landry, QB Tyrod Taylor and a CB in three separate trades Friday.

Quote of the Day
“If you’ve got somebody that wants the (Memphis) job and they’re controlling most of the talent in the city, I’m not casting aspersions. I’ll let you draw conclusions. It would only be speculation on my part on what’s going on there, but it’s the worst kept secret in America that (Hardaway) wanted the job and there may come a time when coach has exited that he’ll get the job.”
Ricky Leftt, who is Tubby Smith’a lawyer

Saturday’s quiz
Who was the Knicks’ head coach last time they had a winning record?

Friday’s quiz
Last time the Mountain West basketball tournament wasn’t held in Las Vegas, it was held in Denver.

Thursday’s quiz
Jimmy Carter is the US President who was once the governor of Georgia.

*******************

Saturday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a Friday of basketball

13) ACC— North Carolina 74, Duke 69— Carolina was the #6-seed in ACC tournament; must be a hell of a league. Tar Heels won nine of last 11 games overall; they’re 4-6 in last 10 games with Virginia, who they play for ACC title tonight.

Virginia 64, Clemson 58— Tigers have been in the ACC since the beginning; they’re 19-65 in the ACC tournament, with no titles, losing their only two finals appearances. In 65 years.

12) Big East— Providence 75, Xavier 72 OT— Musketeers led by 17 points but lost here and now every bubble team in America will be rooting against Providence in the Big East final Saturday, since a Friar win steals a bid from someone. Providence has won consecutive days in overtime; they used three players 41:00+ in this game.

11) San Diego State 90, Nevada 73— Wolf Pack has lot of injury issues, looked like a dead team here. Aztecs led this game 55-25 at halftime; they’ve won eight games in a row. Mountain West is going to get two teams in the NCAA’s, so another bubble team bites the dust.

10) Pac-12— Does anyone get the Pac-12 Network? I have DirecTV and they don’t carry it. What is the point of having all but two games of your conference tournament on a station that not so many people can watch?

Arizona 78, UCLA 67 OT— UCLA tied game in last 0:30; would’ve been nice to have been able to watch it. Bruins (+4.5) were a tough beat- they didn’t score in overtime.

9) AAC— Memphis 67, Tulsa 64— Memphis is 21-12, they’ve won seven of last eight games, amidst rumors that the school wants to fire Tubby Smith and hire Penny Hardaway.

Smith’s lawyer came out Friday and said Hardaway was keeping some of the city’s best recruits away from Memphis because he wants Smith’s job. Fightin’ words.

8) A-14— St Bonaventure 83, Richmond 77— Bonnies led by 17 with 6:25 left, hung on for dear life and move on to a Friday rematch with Davidson. On Feb 27, Bonnies beat Davidson 117-113 in triple OT, maybe the best college hoop game all season.

Davidson has walk-on guard named Cal Freundlich, who is the son of actress Julianne Moore.

7) Big Sky— Montana 91, Northern Colorado 89 OT— Top-seeded Griz survive and advance; not to assess blame, but a guy on Northern Colorado missed two FT’s with 0:01 left in regulation, when score was 80-80. The kid was 1-7 on the line for the night; he was a 62.1% shooter on the line coming into the game.

Eastern Washington has a player named Bogdan Bliznyuk who shoots 40.4% on the arc, 91.1% on the foul line. He is a 6-6 senior; will he make an NBA squad?

6) Big West— Cal-Fullerton 55, Cal-Davis 52— Davis missed three of four FT’s in last 0:05.7. Fullerton rallied back from down 12 with 13:00 left; they committed an incredibly stupid foul with 0:01.2 left when they led by 2, but got away with it.

Wee Willie Weber should’ve reffed this game, it was like the WWE: teams don’t like each other. Ton of chirping, refs had their hands full. Physical, chippy game.

5) C-USA— Marshall 85, Southern Miss 75— Mike D’Antoni’s brother coaches Marshall, so you know they play real fast. Thundering Herd was 12-28 on arc in this game.

4) MAC— Buffalo 78, Kent State 61— Bulls are looking for 3rd MAC title in last four years; lower seeded team won last two MAC finals.

Toledo 64, Eastern Michigan 63— Top two seeds will meet in MAC final. Toledo’s best player hurt his knee 30 seconds into this game, didn’t return.

3) Big X— I’ve got nothing interesting to add on this league, so I’ll point out that the Rockets lost 108-105 in Toronto Friday night, ending Houston’s 17-game winning streak.

2) SEC— Alabama 81, Auburn 63— PG Collin Sexton is making himself a lot of money this week; he went for 31 in this game. It would be a big upset if he isn’t in the NBA next season.

1— Sun Belt— Tex-Arlington 84, Appalachian State 68— Mavericks start five seniors; three of their six subs are seniors- they’re the most experienced team in America, but they’ll be an underdog to UL-Lafayette in the Sun Belt semi-finals. Ragin’ Cajuns beat Arlington twice in the regular season, by 12-21 points, but this is the one that matters most.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:08 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Saturday, March 10

I'll update this reply after Dunkel runs the missing matchups....

TX-Arlington @ LA-Lafayette

Game 511-512
March 10, 2018 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
TX-Arlington
54.895
LA-Lafayette
58.463
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA-Lafayette
by 3 1/2
164
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA-Lafayette
by 6
159 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
TX-Arlington
(+6); Over

Georgia Southern @ Georgia State

Game 513-514
March 10, 2018 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Georgia Southern
00.000
Georgia State
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Georgia Southern

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Georgia Southern

Dunkel Pick:
Georgia Southern
( );

Memphis @ Cincinnati

Game 515-516
March 10, 2018 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Memphis
54.327
Cincinnati
73.856
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 19 1/2
125
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
by 16
131
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-16); Under

Houston @ Wichita State

Game 517-518
March 10, 2018 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
00.000
Wichita State
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston

Dunkel Pick:
Houston
( );

St Joseph's @ Rhode Island

Game 519-520
March 10, 2018 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St Joseph's
61.435
Rhode Island
65.523
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Rhode Island
by 4
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Rhode Island
by 7 1/2
142
Dunkel Pick:
St Joseph's
(+7 1/2); Over

Davidson @ St Bonaventure

Game 521-522
March 10, 2018 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Davidson
00.000
St Bonaventure
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Davidson

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Davidson

Dunkel Pick:
Davidson
( );

Alabama @ Kentucky

Game 523-524
March 10, 2018 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Alabama
66.298
Kentucky
72.311
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kentucky
by 6
137
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kentucky
by 3 1/2
144 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kentucky
(-3 1/2); Under

Arkansas @ Tennessee

Game 525-526
March 10, 2018 @ 3:31 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arkansas
00.000
Tennessee
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arkansas

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arkansas

Dunkel Pick:
Arkansas
( );

Cornell @ Harvard

Game 527-528
March 10, 2018 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cornell
49.762
Harvard
53.228
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Harvard
by 3 1/2
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Harvard
by 6
141
Dunkel Pick:
Cornell
(+6); Over

Yale @ Pennsylvania

Game 529-530
March 10, 2018 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Yale
53.464
Pennsylvania
56.895
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pennsylvania
by 3 1/2
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pennsylvania
by 7
142 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Yale
(+7); Over

West Virginia @ Kansas

Game 531-532
March 10, 2018 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
West Virginia
00.000
Kansas
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
West Virginia

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
West Virginia

Dunkel Pick:
West Virginia
( );

San Diego St @ New Mexico

Game 533-534
March 10, 2018 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego St
00.000
New Mexico
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego St

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego St

Dunkel Pick:
San Diego St
( );

Providence @ Villanova

Game 535-536
March 10, 2018 @ 6:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Providence
00.000
Villanova
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Providence

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Providence

Dunkel Pick:
Providence
( );

Toledo @ Buffalo

Game 537-538
March 10, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toledo
00.000
Buffalo
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toledo

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toledo

Dunkel Pick:
Toledo
( );

North Carolina @ Virginia

Game 539-540
March 10, 2018 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
North Carolina
00.000
Virginia
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
North Carolina

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
North Carolina

Dunkel Pick:
North Carolina
( );

Marshall @ Western Kentucky

Game 541-542
March 10, 2018 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Marshall
00.000
Western Kentucky
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Marshall

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Marshall

Dunkel Pick:
Marshall
( );

Marshall @ Western Kentucky

Game 541-542
March 10, 2018 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Marshall
00.000
Western Kentucky
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Marshall

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Marshall

Dunkel Pick:
Marshall
( );

USC @ Arizona

Game 543-544
March 10, 2018 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
USC
00.000
Arizona
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
USC

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
USC

Dunkel Pick:
USC
( );

CS-Fullerton @ UC-Irvine

Game 545-546
March 10, 2018 @ 12:00 am

Dunkel Rating:
CS-Fullerton
00.000
UC-Irvine
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
CS-Fullerton

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
CS-Fullerton

Dunkel Pick:
CS-Fullerton
( );

East Washington @ Montana

Game 547-548
March 10, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
East Washington
00.000
Montana
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
East Washington

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
East Washington

Dunkel Pick:
East Washington
( );

MD-Baltimore Co @ Vermont

Game 549-550
March 10, 2018 @ 11:00 am

Dunkel Rating:
MD-Baltimore Co
51.029
Vermont
64.125
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vermont
by 13
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vermont
by 11
135
Dunkel Pick:
Vermont
(-11); Over

NC Central @ Hampton

Game 551-552
March 10, 2018 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC Central
00.000
Hampton
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NC Central

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NC Central

Dunkel Pick:
NC Central
( );

Texas Southern @ AR-Pine Bluff

Game 553-554
March 10, 2018 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas Southern
00.000
AR-Pine Bluff
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas Southern

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas Southern

Dunkel Pick:
Texas Southern
( );

Stephen F Austin @ SE Louisiana

Game 555-556
March 10, 2018 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stephen F Austin
00.000
SE Louisiana
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Stephen F Austin

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Stephen F Austin

Dunkel Pick:
Stephen F Austin
( );

Grand Canyon @ New Mexico St

Game 557-558
March 10, 2018 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Grand Canyon
00.000
New Mexico St
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Grand Canyon

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Grand Canyon

Dunkel Pick:
Grand Canyon
( );

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:09 AM

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Saturday, March 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TX-ARLINGTON (20 - 12) vs. LA-LAFAYETTE (27 - 5) - 3/10/2018, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TX-ARLINGTON is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in road games against conference opponents this season.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) as a favorite this season.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) against conference opponents this season.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) in road games in March games since 1997.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) on Saturday games this season.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 30-12 ATS (+16.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
TX-ARLINGTON is 50-25 ATS (+22.5 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
TX-ARLINGTON is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA-LAFAYETTE is 4-1 against the spread versus TX-ARLINGTON over the last 3 seasons
LA-LAFAYETTE is 4-2 straight up against TX-ARLINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GA SOUTHERN (21 - 11) vs. GEORGIA ST (22 - 10) - 3/10/2018, 3:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
GA SOUTHERN is 5-1 against the spread versus GEORGIA ST over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA ST is 3-3 straight up against GA SOUTHERN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMPHIS (21 - 12) vs. CINCINNATI (28 - 4) - 3/10/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 160-112 ATS (+36.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 119-159 ATS (-55.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 3-2 against the spread versus CINCINNATI over the last 3 seasons
CINCINNATI is 4-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON (25 - 6) vs. WICHITA ST (25 - 6) - 3/10/2018, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
WICHITA ST is 1-1 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
WICHITA ST is 1-1 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST JOSEPHS (16 - 15) vs. RHODE ISLAND (24 - 6) - 3/10/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
RHODE ISLAND is 31-20 ATS (+9.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
RHODE ISLAND is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
ST JOSEPHS is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ST JOSEPHS is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST JOSEPHS is 3-2 against the spread versus RHODE ISLAND over the last 3 seasons
ST JOSEPHS is 3-2 straight up against RHODE ISLAND over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAVIDSON (19 - 11) vs. ST BONAVENTURE (25 - 6) - 3/10/2018, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DAVIDSON is 3-2 against the spread versus ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
DAVIDSON is 3-2 straight up against ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALABAMA (19 - 14) vs. KENTUCKY (22 - 10) - 3/10/2018, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 87-60 ATS (+21.0 Units) in March games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
KENTUCKY is 5-1 against the spread versus ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
KENTUCKY is 6-0 straight up against ALABAMA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARKANSAS (23 - 10) vs. TENNESSEE (24 - 7) - 3/10/2018, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARKANSAS is 3-1 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
ARKANSAS is 4-0 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CORNELL (12 - 15) vs. HARVARD (17 - 12) - 3/10/2018, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HARVARD is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) against conference opponents this season.
HARVARD is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) after a conference game this season.
HARVARD is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CORNELL is 3-2 against the spread versus HARVARD over the last 3 seasons
HARVARD is 5-1 straight up against CORNELL over the last 3 seasons
6 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YALE (16 - 14) at PENNSYLVANIA (22 - 8) - 3/10/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
YALE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.
YALE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.
YALE is 136-98 ATS (+28.2 Units) in road games since 1997.
YALE is 136-98 ATS (+28.2 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
YALE is 88-63 ATS (+18.7 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
YALE is 92-61 ATS (+24.9 Units) when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
YALE is 86-61 ATS (+18.9 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
YALE is 32-17 ATS (+13.3 Units) after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
YALE is 47-26 ATS (+18.4 Units) after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 97-136 ATS (-52.6 Units) in all home games since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 97-136 ATS (-52.6 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 37-60 ATS (-29.0 Units) in home games on Saturday games since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 56-80 ATS (-32.0 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
YALE is 4-2 against the spread versus PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
YALE is 4-2 straight up against PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

W VIRGINIA (24 - 9) vs. KANSAS (26 - 7) - 3/10/2018, 6:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS is 4-3 against the spread versus W VIRGINIA over the last 3 seasons
KANSAS is 5-2 straight up against W VIRGINIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO ST (21 - 10) vs. NEW MEXICO (19 - 14) - 3/10/2018, 6:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW MEXICO is 3-2 against the spread versus SAN DIEGO ST over the last 3 seasons
NEW MEXICO is 3-2 straight up against SAN DIEGO ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROVIDENCE (21 - 12) vs. VILLANOVA (29 - 4) - 3/10/2018, 6:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PROVIDENCE is 5-2 against the spread versus VILLANOVA over the last 3 seasons
VILLANOVA is 5-2 straight up against PROVIDENCE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOLEDO (23 - 10) vs. BUFFALO (25 - 8) - 3/10/2018, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 2-2 against the spread versus TOLEDO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 2-2 straight up against TOLEDO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

N CAROLINA (25 - 9) vs. VIRGINIA (30 - 2) - 3/10/2018, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
VIRGINIA is 3-2 against the spread versus N CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
VIRGINIA is 3-2 straight up against N CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARSHALL (23 - 10) vs. W KENTUCKY (24 - 9) - 3/10/2018, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MARSHALL is 4-2 against the spread versus W KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
MARSHALL is 4-2 straight up against W KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USC (23 - 10) vs. ARIZONA (26 - 7) - 3/10/2018, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA is 3-2 against the spread versus USC over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA is 4-1 straight up against USC over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CS-FULLERTON (19 - 11) vs. UC-IRVINE (18 - 16) - 3/10/2018, 12:00 AM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
UC-IRVINE is 3-3 against the spread versus CS-FULLERTON over the last 3 seasons
UC-IRVINE is 4-2 straight up against CS-FULLERTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E WASHINGTON (20 - 13) vs. MONTANA (25 - 7) - 3/10/2018, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
E WASHINGTON is 3-1 against the spread versus MONTANA over the last 3 seasons
MONTANA is 2-2 straight up against E WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MD-BALT COUNTY (23 - 10) at VERMONT (27 - 6) - 3/10/2018, 11:00 AM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
VERMONT is 6-0 straight up against MD-BALT COUNTY over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NC CENTRAL (18 - 15) vs. HAMPTON (19 - 14) - 3/10/2018, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMPTON is 2-1 against the spread versus NC CENTRAL over the last 3 seasons
HAMPTON is 2-1 straight up against NC CENTRAL over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS SOUTHERN (14 - 19) vs. ARK-PINE BLUFF (14 - 20) - 3/10/2018, 5:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 4-2 straight up against ARK-PINE BLUFF over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SF AUSTIN ST (27 - 6) vs. SE LOUISIANA (22 - 10) - 3/10/2018, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SF AUSTIN ST is 2-1 straight up against SE LOUISIANA over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GRAND CANYON (22 - 10) vs. NEW MEXICO ST (27 - 5) - 3/10/2018, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW MEXICO ST is 4-2 straight up against GRAND CANYON over the last 3 seasons

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:10 AM

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, March 10

Atlantic 14 tourney, Washington DC
St Joe’s ruined Rhode Island’s Senior Day with a 78-48 thrashing of the Rams Feb 27; URI was 3-29 on arc in game that was 35-16 at the half. Teams split last six meetings overall. St Joe’s won seven of its last eight games after starting season 9-14; Hawks outscored George Mason 42-24 in second half of 68-49 win yesterday- St Joe’s only played seven guys, three of them 32:00+. URI split its last six games overall; they beat VCU by 9 yesterday, outscoring VCU 18-8 over last 6:21 of game. Rams played two starters 38:00+- no one else played more than 30:00.

St Bonaventure outlasted Davidson 117-113 in triple OT in Olean Feb 27; they lost 83-73 in first meeting in Charlotte. Bonnies are 3-2 in this series- they lost 90-86 in OT to Davidson in this event two years ago. Bonnies won their last 13 games; they beat Richmond by 6 yesterday, after nearly squandering a 17-point lead with 6:25 left. Mobley/Adams played whole 40:00 yesterday; no other Bonnie played more than 30:00. Davidson won six of its last seven games, with only loss the 3OT game in Olean; they crushed St Louis Friday- four Wildcats played 33:00+.

AAC tournament, Orlando
Home side won both Wichita-Houston games this season; Shockers won first meeting 81-63 at home, then lost rematch 73-59 in Houston Jan 20. Wichita won eight of its last nine games, with only loss by point at Cincinnati; Shockers beat Temple 89-81 last nite- Shamet was only Shocker to play more than 30:00. Houston won nine of last ten games, with only loss at Memphis; Cougars shot 71% inside arc in rout of UCF last night- they last won their conference tourney in 2010, are 4-7 in this event since then. Wichita is 11-3 in last 14 conference tourney games.

Sun Belt tournament, New Orleans
UL-Lafayette beat Tex-Arlington twice this season, 77-65 in Arlington, then 100-79 at home in last meeting Feb 17. Ragin’ Cajuns are 8-3 vs UTA in Sun Belt meetings. ULL won 17 of its last 19 games; they made 14-25 on arc in easy win over Texas St yesterday- they led 37-15 at half. Ragin’ Cajuns are #51 experience team in country. Arlington starts five seniors, is most experienced team in country; Mavericks won four in row and seven of last nine games- they played two guys more than 30:00 in easy win over Appalachian State Friday.

ACC tournament, Brooklyn
Duke-North Carolina games are emotional; hard to play a real good team the next day. This is 4th game in four days for UNC. Virginia is 6-4 in its last ten games with Carolina- they lost to Tar Heels in two of last three ACC tourneys, both by 4 points. Carolina won seven of its last nine games overall; they beat Duke by 5 Friday, playing three guys 33:00+. UNC got smothered 61-49 at Virginia Jan 6- UNC was held to 21 2nd half points. Virginia won its last seven games overall; they won their last seven games. Three Cavaliers played 34:00+ in Friday’s win over Clemson.

Big X tournament, Kansas City
Kansas beat West Virginia twice this season, by 5-8 points; Jayhawks are 8-4 vs Mountaineers in Big X meetings. Kansas won six of its last seven games; they won last two days by 14-16 points. Jayhawks are 27-5 in last 32 Big X tourney games. Kansas played three guys 35:00+ last night vs K-State. West Virginia is 6-3 in its last nine games; they’re 13-6 vs top 50 teams this season, went WWL in last two Big X tourneys. Mountaineers had tough 66-63 win over Texas Tech last night- they made 10-20 on arc, played three guys 32:00+.

Big East tournament, NYC
Providence won four of its last five games, winning last two days in OT; they rallied back from down 17 to upset Xavier Friday- three Friars played 40:00+ Friday, after four played 40:00+ in Thursday’s OT win. Villanova won its last four games, winning last two days by 19-24 points. Providence/Villanova split pair of games this year; Wildcats won first meeting 89-69 at home, but lost rematch 76-71 on Feb 14. Villanova won 10 of last 12 series games; they beat Friars in two of last three Big East tourneys, by 2-8 points.

Big Sky tournament, Reno
Montana won its last five games; they needed OT to hold off Northern Colorado 91-89 last nite, after trailing by 6 with 1:06 left. Four Grizzlies played 31:00+; two played 40:00+. Eastern Washington won its last eight games, first of which was 74-65 home win over Montana Feb 15; Eagles shot 62.5% inside arc that night. Teams split last ten series games; EWU beat Montana 69-65 in this event three years ago. EWU shot 64% inside arc in win over Southern Utah Friday- only two Eagles played 32:00+. Montana is 10-4 in last 14 Big Sky tourney games.

Mountain West tournament, Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
New Mexico made 13-29 on arc, rallied back from down 10 at half to beat San Diego State 79-75 in only meeting this season. Lobos won last three series games- since ’04, they’re 4-1 vs Aztecs in MW tourney. San Diego State won its last eight games; they were up 30 at half yesterday against Nevada. Only one Aztec played 30:00+ last nite. New Mexico won won its last seven games; they played eight guys 21:00+ last nite, no one more than 29:00 in workmanlike win over Utah State. San Diego State held five of its last seven opponents under 65 points.

Conference USA tournament, Frisco, TX
Western Kentucky beat Marshall twice this season, 112-87 in Huntington, then 85-74 in rematch Jan 27; Hilltoppers are 4-5 overall vs Marshall in C-USA games. WKU played four guys 32:00+ in 57-49 win over Old Dominion Friday- Hilltoppers won 17 of its last 21 games; they’re 9-7 vs teams ranked in top 125 this season. Marshall plays fast tempo; five of their last six games had 75+ possessions. Thundering Herd won nine of last 11 games; they played only seven guys last nite in fairly easy win over Southern Miss, with three of them playing 34:00+.

MAC tournament, Cleveland
Toledo star Fletcher got hurt last nite, is likely out here. Buffalo opened MAC play with a 104-94 home win over Toledo, just their 2nd win in last six series games. Toledo won its first two MAC tourney games by total of three points; they’re 4-3 in last seven games overall. Rockets played four starters 36:00+ last night in 64-63 win over EMU, making 12-22 on arc. Buffalo won its last five games, winning first two MAC tourney games by 15-17 points; Bulls have only one senior in their rotation- they played two guys 32:00+ in 78-61 win over Kent State last night.

Big West tournament, Anaheim
Road team won both Fullerton-Irvine games this season; Titans won first meeting 67-64, then lost rematch 63-58 at home Feb 3. Irvine won 11 of last 13 series games, but lost two of last three. Irvine won 10 of their last 12 games overall; they’re 11-4 in last 15 Big West tourney games; Anteaters won their first two tourney games by total of 4 points- they played only one guy more than 28:00 in ragged 61-58 win over UCSB. Fullerton won seven of its last nine games, winning first tourney games by 2-3 points. Three Titans played 32:00+ last night.

Pac-12 tournament, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Arizona was +18 (40-22) on boards in 81-67 home win over USC in only meeting Feb 10; Wildcats won last four series games, and 10 of last 12. Arizona outscored UCLA 11-0 in OT win last nite; Wildcats played three starters 40:00+, a 4th starter 38:00. Wildcats won seven of their last eight games overall- three of their last six games went OT. USC won six of its last seven games; they won last two nights by 13-20 points, allowing 51 ppg. Trojans aren’t deep; they don’t have a backup PG right now- they used four starters 36:00+ last night, even in an easy win.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:13 AM

NCAAB

Saturday, March 10

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UMBC @ VERMONT
UMBC

No trends to report
VERMONT

No trends to report
CORNELL @ HARVARD
CORNELL

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cornell's last 5 games when playing Harvard
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cornell's last 6 games
HARVARD

Harvard is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cornell
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Harvard's last 5 games when playing Cornell
TEXAS-ARLINGTON @ LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
TEXAS-ARLINGTON

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas-Arlington's last 6 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette
Texas-Arlington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

Louisiana-Lafayette is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Texas-Arlington
SAINT JOSEPH'S @ RHODE ISLAND
SAINT JOSEPH'S

Saint Joseph's is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Saint Joseph's is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rhode Island's last 5 games when playing Saint Joseph's
MEMPHIS @ CINCINNATI
MEMPHIS

Memphis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Memphis is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
CINCINNATI

Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
ALABAMA @ KENTUCKY
ALABAMA

The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Alabama's last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama's last 7 games when playing Kentucky
KENTUCKY

Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Alabama
Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL @ HAMPTON
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

No trends to report
HAMPTON

No trends to report
YALE @ PENNSYLVANIA
YALE

Yale is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Yale is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Pennsylvania is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
GEORGIA SOUTHERN @ GEORGIA STATE
GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Georgia Southern is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Georgia State
Georgia Southern is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
GEORGIA STATE

The total has gone OVER in 8 of Georgia State's last 10 games
Georgia State is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
ARKANSAS @ TENNESSEE
ARKANSAS

Arkansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tennessee
Arkansas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tennessee
TENNESSEE

Tennessee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tennessee's last 5 games
DAVIDSON @ ST. BONAVENTURE
DAVIDSON

Davidson is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Davidson's last 5 games when playing St. Bonaventure
ST. BONAVENTURE

St. Bonaventure is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Bonaventure's last 5 games when playing Davidson
HOUSTON @ WICHITA STATE
HOUSTON

Houston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
WICHITA STATE

The total has gone OVER in 11 of Wichita State's last 12 games
Wichita State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
TEXAS SOUTHERN @ ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
TEXAS SOUTHERN

No trends to report
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF

No trends to report
WEST VIRGINIA @ KANSAS
WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of West Virginia's last 5 games
KANSAS

Kansas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Kansas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing West Virginia
SAN DIEGO STATE @ NEW MEXICO
SAN DIEGO STATE

San Diego State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
San Diego State is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
NEW MEXICO

New Mexico is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
New Mexico is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
PROVIDENCE @ VILLANOVA
PROVIDENCE

Providence is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Villanova
Providence is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
VILLANOVA

Villanova is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Villanova's last 7 games
TOLEDO @ BUFFALO
TOLEDO

Toledo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toledo's last 8 games when playing Buffalo
BUFFALO

Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
EASTERN WASHINGTON @ MONTANA
EASTERN WASHINGTON

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Eastern Washington's last 5 games when playing Montana
Eastern Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
MONTANA

Montana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Montana's last 5 games when playing Eastern Washington
MARSHALL @ WESTERN KENTUCKY
MARSHALL

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Marshall's last 6 games
Marshall is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
WESTERN KENTUCKY

Western Kentucky is 17-4 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Western Kentucky's last 5 games
NORTH CAROLINA @ VIRGINIA
NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of North Carolina's last 5 games
VIRGINIA

Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia's last 5 games when playing North Carolina
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN @ SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

No trends to report
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

No trends to report
USC @ ARIZONA
USC

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of USC's last 5 games
USC is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
ARIZONA

Arizona is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Arizona is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing USC
GRAND CANYON @ NEW MEXICO STATE
GRAND CANYON

Grand Canyon is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Grand Canyon is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Mexico State
NEW MEXICO STATE

New Mexico State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
New Mexico State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Grand Canyon

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:15 AM

Get to know your mid majors: Betting profiles for small conference teams in the NCAA Tournament
Ashton Grewal

The Spartans won outright as 8.5-point underdogs at NC State back in December.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs punched their ticket into the NCAA Tournament for a 20th consecutive season by winning the West Coast Conference in convincing fashion over BYU. From Dan Dickau to Adam Morrison to Kelly Olynyk – sports bettors are familiar with the Zags’ knack for making noise in March.

The program has grown too much under head coach Mark Few to be lumped in with the rest of the small conference teams filling out the field. The Bulldogs earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament a year ago and made it all the way to national championship game before bowing out to the Tar Heels.

Gonzaga is the exception not the rule when it comes to mid major teams. Most squads from the lesser conferences are unknown entities when they appear on the bracket.

Murray State Racers

Record: 26-5 SU, 17-11 ATS, 14-14 O/U
Conference: Ohio Valley champs

Best win: 17-point win against Belmont in the conference tournament championship game.

Worst loss: 14-point loss to the Saint Louis as a 3.5-point favorite.

What they do best: Murray State owns the 21st most efficient offense in the country and nets 1.119 points per offensive possession. The Racers aren’t a dominate 3-point shooting team but they are highly-effective when they do shoot from beyond the arc.

Weakness: They don’t devote many minutes to their big men and are better off when they’re playing small ball. A matchup against an opponent with a stacked frontcourt – like say Duke – in the first round would be less than ideal for Murray State supporters.

Radford Highlanders

Record: 22-12 SU, 5-4 ATS, 3-6 O/U
Conference: Big South champs

Best win: The Highlanders beat regular season Big South champs N.C. Asheville by 20 points at the start of conference play.

Worst loss: They lost by 12 points to Vanderbilt back in November. The Commodores finished with just 12 regular season wins and were the second worst team in the SEC.

What they do best: In a word – defend. The Highlanders allowed fewer than 54 points in each of their conference tournament games and only 17 other teams in college hoops surrendered fewer points per game during the regular season.

Weakness: They won’t be able to win in a shootout against an up-tempo team. Virginia Tech, for example, crushed Radford 95-68 in the first week of December.

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

Record: 28-5 SU, 19-9-1 ATS, 12-17-1 O/U
Conference: Missouri Valley champs

Best win: They won 65-59 against Florida – a top contender to win the SEC tournament – in Gainesville.

Worst loss: Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a middle-of-the-pack MVC side, beat the Ramblers by 17 points in December.

What they do best: They don’t take bad shots and they run a balanced offense. Loyola-Chicago finished third in the country in field goal percentage (50.6) and it has five players averaging 10 or more points per game.

Weakness: The pace the Ramblers play will remind bettors of Virginia. They average just 66.9 possessions per game and aren’t comfortable playing a fast-break tempo. An effective pressing team like West Virginia wouldn’t suit Loyola-Chicago well.

Lipscomb Bison

Record: 23-9 SU, 4-2 ATS, 3-3 O/U
Conference: Atlantic Sun champs

Best win: They played preseason Atlantic Sun favorites three times with the last coming in the conference tournament final where they beat Florida Gulf Coast 108-96.

Worst loss: The Bison lost at home to New Jersey Tech at the beginning of February. That was the last game they lost.

What they do best: They find a way to get to the charity stripe. Made free throws account for 22.3 percent of the Bison’s points (28th highest in the country) and they draw the sixth most fouls per game at 21.6.

Weakness: This is Lipscomb’s first appearance in the Big Dance in the school history. Will nerves be a factor? They played well in their conference but Texas and Alabama destroyed them during non-conference play.

Iona Gaels

Record: 20-13 SU, 15-14 ATS, 16-12 O/U
Conference: MAAC champs

Best win: They beat conference regular season champion Rider by 27 points back in January.

Worst loss: The Gaels lost by 22 points at home to a Monmouth-NJ team that finished the season with just 11 wins.

What they do best: Shoot from deep. Iona averages 9.7 made threes per game and three of its main rotation players shoot 38.5 percent or better from beyond the arc.

Weakness: Don’t expect the Gaels to get many second chance points. They rank 303rd in the nation in offensive rebounding rate. They don’t want to play a team that defends the perimeter well and closes out hard on 3-point shooters. Kentucky and Virginia are two teams that could cause big problems for Iona.

NC-Greensboro Spartans

Record: 27-7 SU, 17-9-1 ATS, 11-16-1 O/U
Conference: Southern champs

Best win: The Spartans won outright as 8.5-point underdogs at NC State back in December.

Worst loss: They lost to East Tennessee State despite being listed as 8.5-point road chalk.

What they do best: Control the paint. The UNCG is tops in the Southern conference in offensive rebounding, rebounding margin and blocks per game.

Weakness: Their offense was middle in the pack in the conference and the Spartans don’t draw many fouls. They rank 331st in the nation in free throw attempts per game (15.5).

Wright State Raiders

Record: 25-9 SU, 18-13-1 ATS, 12-20-1 O/U
Conference: Horizon champs

Best win: The Raiders took down Georgia Tech on the road as 8.5-point underdogs.

Worst loss: They lost by 19 points at home against eventual Ohio Valley champion Murray State back in November.

What they do best: This is another team that hangs its hat on defense. The Raiders led the Horizon league in most key defensive statistics but the thing they do best is cause turnovers. Their opponents turned the ball over 20.7 percent per offensive possession which is the 32nd highest rate in all of college hoops.

Weakness: There’s not much flash to the Raiders’ offense and those turnovers they create gives them needed extra offensive possessions. They don’t want to face a team with multiple, strong ball handlers.

Charleston Cougars

Record: 26-7 SU, 15-14-1 ATS, 17-13-1 O/U
Conference: Colonial Athletic champs

Best win: The Cougars won outright as 3.5-point road underdogs against Northeastern at the beginning of February.

Worst loss: Cal Poly, the third worst team from the Big West, won just nine games this season. One of those came courtesy of Charleston.

What they do best: Execute down the stretch. The Cougars own the 18th best, second-half scoring margin at +5.2.

Weakness: They don’t own the boards as well as you’d hope particularly against weak competition in the CAA conference. They grabbed just 72.3 percent of their defensive rebounds and averaged only 8.4 offensive boards per game.

LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds

Record: 18-16 SU, 3-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U
Conference: Northeast champs

Best win: They beat conference regular season champ Wagner in the tournament final 71-61 as 9.5-point road underdogs.

Worst loss: Take your pick. The Blackbirds won their conference despite losing 16 of their 34 games.

What they do best: Defend the 3-point line. Their opponents shot a conference-low 32.5 percent from deep.

Weakness: LIU Brooklyn will likely be one of the smallest teams in the field. Two of its main contributors stand less than six feet tall and the lone big man in the rotation (Zach Coleman) only plays 22 minutes per game.

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

Conference: Summit League champs
Record: 28-6 SU, 19-9 ATS, 15-13 O/U

Best win: The Jackrabbits hopped past Iowa as 7.5-point underdogs on a neutral court.

Worst loss: They lost to Missouri State, a middle of the road team in the Missouri Valley conference, by 20 points.

What they do best: Shoot from deep. South Dakota State is ninth in the country in made 3’s per game (10.4), and hit 40.3 percent of its shots from beyond the arc during conference play.

Weakness: No team averaged more fouls per game (19.3 in conference games) in the Summit League than South Dakota State. A team that draws a lot of fouls and shoots a high percentage at the line – like Xavier – would be a tough draw for the Jackrabbits.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:16 AM

Don't let bad NCAA tournament betting trends drive you mad this March
Jason Logan

Trends are as much a part of March Madness as a stack of blank brackets and that CBS college basketball theme song. You know the one: Da-da, Da-da, Da, Da-dum, Da-da, Dum!

Wrangling NCAA tournament trends is more difficult than any other major sport, mainly because player turnover in college hoops is pretty significant, especially in power conferences. The year-to-year makeup and talent level of programs fluctuate more than stock prices following a Trump tweet, and sports bettors should really watch it when it comes to putting any weight into these long-running stats.

Oh, you’ll hear some real doozies as it pertains to particular conferences and their ATS success in the national tournament over the last 20 years or betting trends tied to specific seedings (especially useless since they’ve changed the way they seed teams and added play-in games). And we are among the guilty purveyors of such hollow facts, as a lot of these trends – while completely f-ing worthless - are fun topics to discuss and weigh against matchups that qualify for debate.

I’ve always viewed historical trends as a slight nudge in direction (not saying it’s the right direction), like a trail of bread crumbs or moss growing on the north side of a tree. They’re a first step in the process and some are worthy of deeper exploration. But trends are very much just a single cog in the handicapping machine.

Things like recent form and current trends based on this season’s output should hold importance over the fact that No. 11 seeds set between +6 and +9.5 are covering at a 61 percent clip since 1998 (they’re not by the way. I just made up a ridiculous trend as an example. For God’s sake, don’t place a bet based on that).

How books treat trends

Perhaps the best way to measure the validity of historic NCAA tournament betting trends is to ask the guys who set the odds on each and every game: the bookmakers. And what you’ll get back from the bookies when it comes to their use of historic trends when setting their spreads and totals is an echoing “Nahhhhhhhhh”.

“Trends are generally ignored by oddsmakers. Historical trends with large samplings may carry some weight, but still it would be very minimal,” says Scott Cooley, an odds consultant for online book BetDSI. “In all, trends are something the public loves to point to, but they have almost no bearing on how oddsmakers proceed with their side of the business.”

In fact, some sportsbooks pointed to historical trends as their biggest weapon against the betting public. And it makes sense.

College basketball is a sharp market all the way through non-conference, conference, and Championship Week play, with the action about a 70/30 split in terms of wiseguys to public bets. Then Selection Sunday happens and suddenly everyone and their dog is a damn NCAA expert and talking about Loyola Chicago as a sleeper team they’ve been watching all season. I’m calling bullshit.

That same guy clucking away about RPI is advancing a team in his bracket or placing a wager solely based on some whack-ass trend he saw on Twitter about SEC schools struggling when giving double digits in the Round of 32 (again, just a made-up trend). And it’s not just game-by-game betting, it also lures unsuspecting bettors into the NCAA futures waters as well.

“One of the most beneficial trends to the books is that myth that any team can win March Madness,” says Matthew Holt, COO at CG Analytics which provides odds to multiple books in Las Vegas. “This myth normally creates a massive hold for the books in the futures market for college hoops. In fact, the college basketball futures market is the most lucrative to the books.”

A long-time oddsmaking contact always reminds me that lines are set to the public’s perception, and if the bettors are factoring in historic trends into their capping, the books will as well. As one bookmaker pointed out, a trend like a No. 1 seed never losing to a No. 16 may prompt a few extra cents on the moneyline for the top-seeded team knowing plenty of public players will tie those lofty moneylines to other wagers just to get a bit more bang for their buck.

Not all trends are bad

OK, we’ve said some terrible things about historic NCAA trends, many of which we can’t take back. That doesn’t mean ALL HISTORIC TRENDS should be thrown in the trash and/or sorted for recycling.

Leave it to long-time handicapper and gatekeeper of one of the biggest betting databases in the business, Marc Lawrence, to school me on the value of historic trends using this famous Winston Churchill quote, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Who am I to argue with the Prime Minister? But I’m pretty sure he didn’t have a bunch of dudes yelling “What the hell kind of shot was that?!” at a TV in mind when he said that.

Lawrence says by relying on past patterns we can better anticipate expectancy and by applying them to current form, we become better, well-rounded handicappers. He specifically points to trends as they pertain to head coaches, stating “Their personalities and traits are reflective on a team’s measure of success on the court.”

And it makes sense. Players come and go in the college ranks, but head coaches remain the same, as do their game plans, offensive playbook, and defensive philosophies. They recruit players that will fit their system, so those results are more stable and reliable than other historic NCAA trends.

“The coaches have a little more time to get their team ready for this first game than most games in the season, and the ones who have proven successful at this stage should be trusted,” says Covers Experts’ Brandon Shively. “New coaches are a wild card and I try to pass on them.”

Another trend used by not only handicappers but also showing up on the radar of bookmakers is a team’s defensive efficiency ranking. OK, OK. That’s not so much of a trend as it is a stat, but when you apply it to past Final Four teams, there’s an absolute trend bleeding through the bracket.

Looking back at the past six NCAA tournaments (2012 to 2017), no Final Four team has ranked outside of the Top 40 in defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions). Twelve of those 24 national semifinal programs have placed inside the Top 10 in that stat column (including seven in the Top 3) and the average defensive efficiency rating for Final Four teams is 13.6 since 2012 - a year in which the four semifinalists ranked No. 1, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 7 in that category.

“Few saw South Carolina's Final Four run coming last year. However, the Gamecocks ranked No. 3 in the country in defensive efficiency going into the tourney,” says Covers Experts Brian Power. “Gonzaga was No. 1 and, of course, made it all the way to the final. For the record, this year's top teams in defensive efficiency are Virginia, Cincinnati, Texas Tech and Tennessee. Make note of this.”

That means whether you’re filling out your bracket, taking a flyer on the futures, or betting game-to-game, you should really take a hard look at teams ranked Nos. 1-14 in defensive efficiency. It’s something oddsmakers admittedly look at when setting their outright odds for the Big Dance.

“Historic offensive and defensive efficiency data of past champions and Final Four teams are used to set the futures odds on the NCAA tournament,” says Greg R., a lines manager for online book GTBets. “It also helps if they play at a fast tempo.”

Mixing offensive pace into the NCAA sauce, along with defensive efficiency, you have a select number of qualifying teams this year: Duke, Michigan State and Gonzaga. Those power programs sit around +500, +600 and +2,500 respectively on the NCAA futures board.

Infamous 12 over 5

We couldn’t end this bad boy without mentioning the most notorious NCAA tournament trend of them all: No. 12 seed over a No. 5 seed.

Yes, this is a trend that shows up most times in March but is far from a given. Going back to 2012, all four No. 5 seeds have advanced past the Round of 64 just once in that span – in 2015 – and before that 2007 was the last time we saw this trend come up short. In that six-season span, No. 5 seeds are just 11-13 SU versus No. 12 seeds in the opening round.

When you throw a pointspread into this matchup, the No. 5 seeds have been a money pit, going just 8-16 ATS since 2012. They failed to cover in three of four matchups last March and were also 1-3 ATS in 2016. That said, the No. 5 seed is also 5-3 SU in those last two tournaments.

“I’m not a trends guy but from an observation stand point I’d say the No. 12 versus No. 5 matchup has been drawn out,” says Covers Experts Zack Cimini. “There was a time that the No. 12 seed teams warranted upset potential. Nowadays, the No. 5 seed has become more dangerous. These teams usually had their moments in-season and are rounding back into form.”

As a historical trend, I’m so weary of seed-based betting, but there’s no denying that the No. 12 over No. 5 trend has teeth - big nasty sand shark-looking ones – when you level the playing field with a spread.

Of course, as Mr. Lawrence proclaimed, trends like these allow bettors to “anticipate expectancy” and when measured against current form, you can pinpoint the value – or in this case the No. 5 least likely to cover the spread against the No. 12 seed.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:17 AM

Big 12 Conference Championship betting preview and odds: West Virginia vs. Kansas

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Kansas Jayhawks (-1, 153.5)

Game to be played at Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri

Malik Newman was a top-10 recruit for Mississippi State back in spring of 2015, but it is Kansas who is reaping the rewards of his talent nearly three years later. The 6-3 sophomore attempts to put the finishing touches on his brilliant offensive display at the Big 12 Tournament on Saturday when the ninth-ranked and top-seeded Jayhawks face No. 18 West Virginia in the championship game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

After averaging 12 points per game while playing a complementary role behind Devonte' Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk for most of the season, Newman has stepped up in a featured role this weekend. The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year burned Oklahoma State for a career-high 30 points in Thursday's quarterfinal victory and followed it up with a team-high 22-point performance in Friday's 83-67 victory over Kansas State in the semifinals. The third-seeded Mountaineers advanced to the conference tournament title game for the third straight season Friday, riding a 10-for-20 effort from 3-point range to defeat No. 13 Texas Tech 66-63 in the other semifinal matchup. West Virginia has dropped three straight meetings to Kansas despite holding a double-digit lead at some point in each contest.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

BETTING STATS:

BETTING ACTION AND LINE MOVES: The Jayhawks opened as 1-point favorites and that number has held firm. The total hit the board at 153.5 and yet to move off the opening number.

MATCHUP CHART:

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA: Daxter Miles Jr. connected on 24 of his first 97 3-point attempts in 21 games prior to missing his only game of the season due to an illness on Jan. 31, but he is 25-for-51 in 11 outings since his return, including 10-for-15 over the first two contests of this event. Backcourt mate and fellow senior Jevon Carter overcame some early foul trouble to reach double figures for the seventh straight game Friday, but the program's all-time steals leader was shut out in that department for only the third time this season. Sophomore forward Sagaba Konate was a thorn in the side of the Jayhawks in their two regular-season meetings, averaging 12.5 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

ABOUT KANSAS: Freshman center Silvio De Sousa, who wasn't cleared to play by the NCAA until Jan. 13, continued to take advantage of his increased playing time this weekend with Udoka Azubuike (knee) sidelined and is averaging 9.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game in Kansas City. Graham (17.3 points) has failed to reach his season scoring average in four straight outings and is 13-for-42 from the field over that time, but the Big 12 Player of the Year has made up for his struggles by averaging nine assists per game. Mykhailiuk shot 4-of-8 beyond the arc against the Wildcats to complement Newman's 5-for-8 showing from long-range and has drained on at least 40 percent of his 3-point attempts in seven straight contests.

TRENDS:

* Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
* Jayhawks are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-1 in Mountaineers last 5 overall.
* Over is 5-0 in Jayhawks last 5 games following a ATS win.

TIP-INS:

* Kansas has won the conference tournament seven times in 15 years under coach Bill Self and is 10-2 all-time in the Big 12 championship game.
* The Mountaineers are eyeing their first conference tournament title victory since winning the Big East in 2010.
* Newman needs 16 points Saturday to break Paul Pierce's school record (67) for the most in a single conference tournament.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:27 AM

ACC Trends and Angles
March 10, 2018

Venue: Barclays Center - Brooklyn, New York

Overall Betting Results
Favorites/Underdogs: 10-3 SU, 8-5 ATS
Over/Under: 8-5

Saturday, March 10

FINALS
Matchup Records Skinny Projection

No. 6 North Carolina
Overall: 25-9 SU, 19-13-1 ATS
Totals: 18-15 O/U

No. 1 Virginia
Overall: 30-2 SU, 19-9-1 ATS
Totals: 9-20 O/U

No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 1 Virginia (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)

The Tar Heels might be playing their best stretch of basketball this season, winning and covering each of their first three games in the ACC Tournament. Their revenge tour continues against Virginia, a team they fell against in Charlottesville by a a 61-49 count back on Jan. 6. UNC lost two in a row to Miami and Duke to close out their season, only to beat them in the tournament. Can they complete the trifecta against the Hoos?

The Cavaliers are in the running for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and they likely will secure that spot with an ACC championship. These teams met in the 2016 championship, with the Tar Heels winning 61-57 in Washington D.C. These teams also met for all the marbles in 1994, with Jerry Stackhouse leading the Heels to a 73-66 win to cut down the nets. They also met in the title game in 1982, and it was the same result. Virginia has snap years of misery against the Tar Heels with a victory in their fourth try against them in the ACC final. Virginia has appeared in the title game in three of the past five seasons, winning behind Joe 'Buckets' Harris in 2014 in Greensboro.

North Carolina 59
Virginia 63

***************************

Big 12 Trends and Angles
March 10, 2018

Venue: Sprint Center - Kansas City, Missouri

Overall Betting Results
Favorites/Underdogs: 6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS
Over/Under: 3-4-1

Saturday, March 10

FINALS
Matchup Records Skinny Projection

No. 3 West Virginia
Overall: 24-9 SU,15-14 ATS
Totals: 14-15 O/U

No. 1 Kansas
Overall: 26-7 SU, 17-14-1 ATS
Totals: 15-16 O/U

No. 3 West Virginia vs. No. 1 Kansas (ESPN, 6:00 p.m. ET)

The Mountaineers make their third consecutive appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game, and they hope it goes better than last season's 80-74 setback against Iowa State in the title game, or the previous matchup in 2016 against these Jayhawks. West Virginia has won and covered both of their first two tournament games, and the 'over' has cashed in four of the past five. They're hoping three is a charm, as the Mountaineers suffered a 71-66 setback in Morgantown on Jan. 15 in a nice comeback by Rock Chalk, and the Jayhawks won at home on Feb. 17 by a 77-69 score to sweep the season series.

Kansas has covered in each of their two tournament games so far, which is a contrast to how they wrapped up the regular season. They were just 6-9-1 ATS in their final 16 games to finish the conference schedule. However, they were able to pick up covers in both games against West Virginia during the span. The Jayhawks have won three in a row against the Mountaineers dating back to Jan. 24, 2017, and they dumped the Mountaineers in the 2016 title game by 10 points, 81-71.

Kansas 83
West Virginia 75

**************************

Big East Trends and Angles
March 10, 2018

Venue: Madison Square Garden - New York City

Overall Betting Results
Favorites/Underdogs: 6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS
Over/Under: 4-3-1

Saturday, March 10

FINALS
Matchup Records Skinny Projection

No. 5 Providence
Overall: 21-12 SU, 13-18 ATS
Totals: 15-16-1 O/U

No. 2 Villanova
Overall: 29-4 SU, 22-11 ATS
Totals: 19-14 O/U

No. 5 Providence vs. No. 2 Villanova (FOX, 6:30 p.m. ET)

Cinderella's slipper has fit Providence nicely, and their run to the Big East final might have punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. However, the Friars would breathe easier earning the automatic bid with a win over 'Nova. While the Wildcats have just four losses overall, one of them was against the Friars. Providence lost in Philly 89-69 in the first meeting on Jan. 23, but they exacted revenge in the Valentine's Day rematch, 76-71. The Friars are in their first final since 2014, when they rubbed out Creighton 65-58. They also won in their second and only other final appearance, topping Georgetown 74-64 in 1994.

The Wildcats are in the Big East final for the fourth consecutive season. They topped Xavier 69-52 in the 2015 game, and they knocked out Creighton 74-60 last season behind Josh Hart, sandwiching a disappointing loss to Seton Hall in 2016. The Wildcats are 2-5 in seven Big East finals all-time. The Wildcats streak into this game with four wins in a row, and they're 8-0 SU/7-1 ATS in eight neutral-site games so far this season. All of that past and recent history doesn't matter, however. The Wildcats will roll the Friars on Saturday.

Providence 70
Villanova 84

***************************

Pac-12 Trends and Angles
March 10, 2018

Venue: T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas

Overall Betting Results
Favorites/Underdogs: 9-1 SU, 7-2-1 ATS
Over/Under: 4-6

Saturday, March 10

CHAMPIONSHIP
Matchup Records Skinny Projection

No. 2 USC
Overall: 23-10 SU, 21-12 ATS
Totals: 10-21-2 O/U

No. 1 Arizona
Overall: 22-10 SU, 15-14-3 ATS
Totals: 18-14 O/U

No. 2 USC vs. No. 1 Arizona (FS1, 10:00 p.m. ET)

The Trojans are back in a Pac-12 title for the first time since winning it all in 2009 behind Tournament MVP DeMar DeRozan. Whatever happened to that guy? Andy Enfield hadn't even reached a semifinal in his previous tries, but has gotten his team to defend with intensity over the past few weeks to make up for the loss of talented forward Bennie Boatwright, the team's most talented player. The under is on a 12-1-1 mark in the Trojans' last 14 games, including an 81-67 loss in Tucson that fell five points shy of reaching the posted total. USC is giving up an average of just 51 points thus far and has likely secured its inclusion in the NCAAs. Last night's win over Oregon was a dominant one despite point guard Jordan McLaughlin and big man Chimezie Metu each having quiet starts. McLaughlin, typically steady, had six first-half turnovers and ended up with 10. Jonah Mathews and Elijah Stewart combined to go 10-for-15 from 3-point range, with Mathews putting himself on the short list for MVP honors with a 27-point night on 8-for-10 shooting. According to the Los Angeles Times, USC has now won 70 games in a three-year span for the first time in school history.

The Wildcats used an 11-0 overtime session to eliminate UCLA in advancing to their fourth appearance in a championship game in five years. If head coach Sean Miller is indeed coaching the final games of his college career, he's going out in style. He's tied Arizona legend Lute Olson with 16 Pac-12 Tourney victories and has an identical 16-6 record in this event. DeAndre Ayton, the player who Miller reportedly arranged payment to secure, went 13-for-16 against the Bruins, finishing up with a career-high 32 points and 14 rebounds. He scored the first seven points of the OT to help the 'Cats overcome the sting of losing a two-point lead when UCLA guard Jaylen Hands tied the game on a layup with nine seconds left. Ayton and USC's Metu each scored 18 points in their only meeting, which was highlighted by the Wildcats shooting 56 percent from the field and 9-for-20 from 3-point range. Rawle Alkins led all scorers with 20 points as 'Zona registered its seventh straight win in this series. Miller has never lost to Andy Enfield. The Wildcats haven't played USC in the Pac-12 Tournament since a semifinal win in 2011. The under is 7-2 in the last nine games involving the 'Cats.

Arizona 74
USC 68

*************************

SEC Trends and Angles
March 10, 2018

Venue: Scottrade Center - St. Louis, Missouri

Overall Betting Results
Favorites/Underdogs: 6-4 SU, 2-6-2 ATS
Over/Under: 5-5

Saturday, March 10

FINALS
Matchup Records Skinny Projection

No. 9 Alabama
Overall: 19-14 SU, 17-14-1 ATS
Totals: 11-21 O/U

No. 4 Kentucky
Overall: 22-10 SU, 15-17 ATS
Totals: 15-15 O/U

No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 4 Kentucky (ESPN, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Alabama's Cinderella run continues, as they took care of the top seed and rival Auburn on Friday to survive and advance. They met Kentucky just once during the regular season, suffering an 81-71 setback in Lexington. Of course, the last time they faced Auburn they were drummed by 19, and the last time they faced Texas A&M they also lost. They also had five losses in a row to close out the regular season, so previous results should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Wildcats won their tournament opener against Georgia, 62-49, and they have wn and covered five of their past six outings. Kentucky is looking like a team that is peaking at the right time, and they're catching a break not having to face the No. 1 seed Auburn. Total bettors might like the 'over' in this one, as it is 5-1 across the past six, including their meeting Feb. 17 against Bama.

Alabama 71
Kentucky 84

************

No. 2 Tennessee
Overall: 24-7 SU, 17-12 ATS
Totals: 11-18 O/U

No. 6 Arkansas
Overall: 23-10 SU, 17-15-1 ATS
Totals: 17-15 O/U

No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Arkansas (ESPN, 3:00 p.m. ET)

The Volunteers are the top seed remaining in the SEC after Auburn was shown the door by Alabama on Friday. They have a tough road to hoe, however, as Arkansas has reached the Final in two of the past three seasons, so they have experience surviving and advancing. And if their earlier meeting with the Hogs is any indication, this one could be fun. Arkansas outlasted Tennessee in Fayetteville on Dec. 30 by a 95-93 count in overtime.

The Razorbacks bounced Florida on Friday, winning for the eighth time in their past 10 contests. The Razorbacks cover on Friday helped them improve to 7-2-1 ATS over the past 10. They're also 5-1 SU in six neutral-site battles while posting a 4-1-1 ATS mark. These teams last met in the 2015 SEC Quarterfinals, with the Hogs coming away with an 80-72 victory in Nashville.

Tennessee 76
Arkansas 79

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 11:32 AM

BUBBLE WATCH: Alabama takes another step toward the NCAAs
March 10, 2018

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Alabama's Collin Sexton had one thing to say after another amazing performance: ''Don't count us out.''

Those were the first words out of the star freshman's mouth on Friday after the Crimson Tide's second straight triumph in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, an 81-63 victory in the quarterfinals over 16th-ranked Auburn, the top seed.

Trailing by 10 at halftime, Sexton helped make sure the Tide would roll for at least another day, most likely longer. He hit a trio of 3-pointers to jumpstart the offense as Alabama stormed back with a 28-3 spurt to start the second half and outscored its archrival 50-22 after the break.

''Coach told us just not to give up, keep playing, fight through adversity,'' said Sexton, who finished with 31 points a day after his court-long dash and scoop at the buzzer had given the Tide a scintillating one-point win over Texas A&M. ''We knew when we came in this tournament we had to win games, and we wanted to because we have a lot to prove. I feel like everybody counted us out.''

The SEC Tournament has been a boon for Alabama (19-14), which entered riding a five-game losing streak and teetering on the brink of the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Tide entered the day ranked No. 46 in RPI, sixth in strength of schedule, and had six Quadrant 1 victories.

''We've been trying to build a resume all season long,'' Alabama coach Avery Johnson said. ''For us to be involved in a five-game losing streak and weather all of that adversity and be where we are right now speaks to the character and the core of our team. If you're looking for a team that has an impressive resume, we feel we're one of those teams. All you can do is allow what you do on the floor to speak for itself.

''Talk is cheap. I say that all the time,'' Johnson said. ''But we are an NCAA Tournament team, if you want to know my opinion. There shouldn't be any doubt about that.''

ON THE RISE

Providence: The fifth-seeded Friars (21-12, RPI 35) rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half and stunned top-seeded and third-ranked Xavier 75-72 in overtime to advance to the Big East championship game against Villanova. Providence, seeking its fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, has beaten Xavier twice and Villanova once this season and chalked up its fifth Quadrant 1 triumph.

''I don't think we're on that bubble, baby! I don't think we're on that bubble, baby!'' Providence coach Ed Cooley shouted afterward.

St. Bonaventure: The Bonnies (25-6, 22 RPI) continue to roll after their 13th straight win, 83-77 over Richmond in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals. Matt Mobley hit an Atlantic 10 Tournament-record nine 3-pointers and scored 21 of his 29 points in the second half for the Bonnies, who haven't lost since Jan. 19. They'll play No. 3 seed Davidson, the last team to beat them, in the semifinals Saturday.

''I think the only way we can secure our spot is winning the whole thing, honestly,'' Mobley said. ''You know, the snub in 2016, everybody remembers that, and we don't want to go through that again, so the only way to avoid that is to try to win this whole thing.''

San Diego State: The Aztecs (21-10, RPI 85, Strength of Schedule 125) did what they had to do to keep in contention for a bid to the Big Dance for the first time in three years by blowing out No. 22 Nevada 90-73 in the Mountain West Conference semifinals. Devin Watson scored 20 points to lead San Diego State, which has won eight in a row.

FADING HOPES

Butler: The Bulldogs (20-13) pulled off a big victory over Seton Hall in the Big East quarterfinals but fell behind 19-0 at the outset against Villanova in the semifinals, couldn't recover, and lost 87-68 . The Bulldogs had an RPI of 36 and four Quadrant 1 wins entering the game, one of them over Villanova at home.

Oregon: The Ducks (22-11, RPI 63), seeded sixth in the Pac-12 Tournament, beat Washington State and Utah to remain in the hunt but lost to USC 74-54 on Friday night in the semifinals.

Syracuse: The Orange (20-13) likely were the last team eliminated a year ago from the NCAA Tournament - they were tabbed the top seed in the NIT. If there's one game they'd probably like to have back this time around, it's a 51-49 loss at home in January to Notre Dame . The Irish played without their top two scorers (Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell) and still found a way to win on a last-second putback by Rex Pflueger. Buffalo's win Friday in the Mid-American Conference semifinals likely will give the Orange (43 RPI, No. 17 strength of schedule) their fourth Quadrant 1 win, but is that enough?

**StarDust Bum** · 03-10-2018, 12:32 PM

SATURDAY'S DAY GAMES BEST BETS:

NCCU at HAMP 01:00 PM
HAMP -4.0

COR at HARV 01:30 PM
HARV -5.5

UTA at ULL 01:30 PM
ULL -6.0
O 158.5

JOES at URI 02:00 PM
JOES +8.0

MEM at CIN 02:00 PM
MEM +16.0

ALA at UK 02:00 PM
ALA +4.5
O 141.0

HOU at WICH 03:30 PM
HOU +2.5
O 148.0

GASO at GSU 04:00 PM
GASO +4.5

YALE at PENN 04:00 PM
PENN -4.5

DAV at SBON 04:30 PM
DAV -2.5
O 145.5

ARK at TENN 04:30 PM
ARK +3.0
O 143.0

TXSO at ARPB 05:00 PM
ARPB +6.5
O 143.0

SDSU at UNM 07:00 PM
SDSU -4.0
O 150.5

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The Bum's College Basketball Best Bets/Trends/ News Thru The Madness !

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