Sunday Trends and Indexes 03/30

[Udog]

NBA
Long Sheet


Sunday, March 30


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

HOUSTON (49 - 23) at SAN ANTONIO (50 - 23) - 3/30/2008, 1:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 8-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
10 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

UTAH (48 - 25) at MINNESOTA (18 - 53) - 3/30/2008, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
UTAH is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 65-84 ATS (-27.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 30-46 ATS (-20.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-38 ATS (-20.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-5 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NEW YORK (20 - 52) at ATLANTA (32 - 40) - 3/30/2008, 4:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

MIAMI (13 - 59) at BOSTON (57 - 15) - 3/30/2008, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 28-42 ATS (-18.2 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 37-50 ATS (-18.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 45-26 ATS (+16.4 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
BOSTON is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
BOSTON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
BOSTON is 40-72 ATS (-39.2 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-5 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

NEW ORLEANS (49 - 22) at TORONTO (37 - 35) - 3/30/2008, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 44-26 ATS (+15.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 31-18 ATS (+11.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 43-29 ATS (+11.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 39-14 ATS (+23.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 37-18 ATS (+17.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.

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

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

PHILADELPHIA (37 - 36) at CLEVELAND (40 - 33) - 3/30/2008, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 97-135 ATS (-51.5 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

SACRAMENTO (32 - 40) at SEATTLE (17 - 56) - 3/30/2008, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 23-38 ATS (-18.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 81-120 ATS (-51.0 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-5 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 7-3 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

DALLAS (45 - 27) at GOLDEN STATE (44 - 28) - 3/30/2008, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 32-46 ATS (-18.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 199-154 ATS (+29.6 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-40 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 18-27 ATS (-11.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-23 ATS (-12.3 Units) in home games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 11-20 ATS (-11.0 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 12-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 10-5 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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

WASHINGTON (38 - 34) at LA LAKERS (49 - 24) - 3/30/2008, 9:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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

[Udog]

MLB
Dunkel


Atlanta at Washington
The Nats open their new ballpark tonight, but face an Atlanta team that went 22-12 last year with starter Tim Hudson on the mound. The Braves are the pick (-160) according to Dunkel, which has Atlanta favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-160). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Game 997-998: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.623; Washington (Perez) 14.678
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-160); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-160); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


Philadelphia at Cleveland
The Cavs look to bounce back from back-to-back losses against a Philadelphia team that is just 2-4 in it last six ATS. Cleveland is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavs favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Game 501-502: Houston at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 120.944; San Antonio 128.857
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 8; 178 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 174
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6 1/2); Over

Game 503-504: Utah at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 122.355; Minnesota 116.450
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 6; 215 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 7; 209
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+7); Over

Game 505-506: New York at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: New York 107.879; Atlanta 119.549
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 11 1/2; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 13 1/2; 206 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (+13 1/2); Under

Game 507-508: Miami at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 106.020; Boston 130.639
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 24 1/2; 177
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 22 1/2; 183
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-22 1/2); Under

Game 509-510: New Orleans at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 126.382; Toronto 119.814
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 6 1/2; 197 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 2 1/2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-2 1/2); Over

Game 511-512: Philadelphia at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 119.942; Cleveland 124.181
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 4 1/2; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 3 1/2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-3 1/2); Over

Game 513-514: Sacramento at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 115.310; Seattle 108.936
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 6 1/2; 213 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 5; 216
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-5); Under

Game 515-516: Dallas at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 120.802; Golden State 125.440
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 4 1/2; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 5 1/2; 216
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+5 1/2); Under

Game 517-518: Washington at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 117.842; LA Lakers 125.351
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7 1/2; 205 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 209 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-7); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Calgary at Vancouver
The Flames look to bounce back from yesterday's loss to Edmonton against a Vancouver team that has lost four straight. Calgary is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Flames favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+120). Here are all of today's games.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Game 1-2: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.538; Pittsburgh 11.370
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+125); Under

Game 3-4: Nashville at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.384; Detroit 11.873
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-190); Under

Game 5-6: Colorado at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.424; Minnesota 11.627
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-140); Under

Game 7-8: Boston at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 12.009; Buffalo 11.091
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+135); Over

Game 9-10: Columbus at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.068; Chicago 11.284
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-150); Under

Game 11-12: Dallas at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.264; Anaheim 11.975
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1; 4
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 13-14: Phoenix at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.453; San Jose 12.294
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-220); 5
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-220); Under

Game 15-16: Calgary at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.242; Vancouver 10.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+120); Over

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Sunday, March 30th

Houston at San Antonio, 1:00 ET ABC
Houston: 12-4 ATS as road underdog
San Antonio: 20-8 Under off home win

Utah at Minnesota, 3:35 ET
Utah: 13-3 ATS Away off BB wins by 15+ points
Minnesota: 4-12 ATS at home revenging DD loss

New York at Atlanta, 4:05 ET
New York: 2-12 ATS in March
Atlanta: 5-1 ATS on Sunday

Miami at Boston, 6:05 ET
Miami: 0-9 ATS after playing BB games as road underdog
Boston: 17-4 ATS off DD home win

New Orleans at Toronto, 6:05 ET
New Orleans: 6-0 ATS off DD road loss
Toronto: 7-1 ATS off division win

Philadelphia at Cleveland, 6:05 ET
Philadelphia: 18-9 ATS 2nd half of season
Cleveland: 4-14 ATS at home off DD road loss

Sacramento at Seattle, 9:05 ET
Sacramento: 23-9 Over off home loss
Seattle: 0-10 ATS at home off BB non-conf games

Dallas at Golden State, 9:05 ET NBATV
Dallas: 1-7 ATS at Golden State
Golden State: 9-21 ATS as home favorite

Washington at LA Lakers, 9:35 ET
Washington: 19-7 ATS as road underdog
LA Lakers: 10-3 Over off SU loss as favorite

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Sunday, March 30th

NY Rangers at Pittsburgh, 12:35 ET
NY Rangers: 31-15 Under Away off home win
Pittsburgh: 11-4 SU playing with 2 days rest

Nashville at Detroit, 3:05 ET
Nashville: 4-11 SU revenging loss by 3+ goals
Detroit: 31-10 SU off an Over

Colorado at Minnesota, 6:05 ET
Colorado: 1-10 SU Away off a home win
Minnesota: 13-5 Under off BB wins

Boston at Buffalo, 6:05
Boston: 16-9 SU off division win
Buffalo: 7-13 SU off home loss

Columbus at Chicago, 7:05 ET
Columbus: 12-55 SU Away off division game
Chicago: 8-3 SU off BB division games

Dallas at Anaheim, 8:05 ET
Dallas: n/a
Anaheim: n/a

Phoenix at San Jose, 8:05 ET
Phoenix: 4-0 SU Away off shutout loss
San Jose: 4-10 SU at home vs. division

Calgary at Vancouver, 10:05 ET
Calgary: 1-11 SU Away off division loss
Vancouver: 10-0 SU at home off division loss by 2+ goals

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Dennis14072]

Thanks Guys, good luck today!

[Udog]

NCAAB
Write-Up


Sunday's NCAA Games

Davidson is riding unreal shooting of Curry (averaging 25 ppg in tourney, just in second half of gzmes); they are seventh #10 seed to make regional final since 1985- other six lost final (4-2 vs spread) losing by 1-3-3-4-5-12 points. Kansas won its three tournament games by 24-19-15 points, with foes making 17-64 from arc (26.6%). #1 seeds won, covered both games Saturday Kansas plays its old coach in Final Four if they win here.

Memphis has road game in Houston, where Texas has a huge following; Tigers lost in this round to Ohio State LY; Calipari is 21-9 in this tournament- they beat Oklahoma 63-53 in their only game vs Big 12 team. Texas won seven of its last eight games, with wins in this event by 20-3-20 points. Memphis has gotten to foul line 102 times in three games, an awful lot. Underdog is 4-1 vs spread in last five regional finals involving #1-2 seeds.

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


NBA Games

Rockets are 3-3 since the 22-game win streak ended; home side is 3-0 in their games against Spurs this season. Over is 3-1 last four Rocket games. Spurs won last six games, holding five of the six opponents under 90 points- their last three went over.

Utah won three in row, 11 of last 14 games; they won 105-76 in last game with Minnesota (March 5, -14). Timberwolves are 1-3 in last four games, but won last three home games, vs terrible teams- their last four losses are all by 11+ points.

Knicks lost 13 of last 15 games; five of their last seven games went over total- they're 2-6-1 vs spread in last nine road games. Atlanta is holding on to last playoff spot in east; they're 6-2 in last eight games- three of last four home games went over.

Celtics are 16-3 in last 19 games, beating Suns, Jazz in last two, both by 20 points; three of their last four games went over the total. Boston is 8-2 vs spread in last 10 games as favorite. Heat lost 13 of last 15 games (5-10 vs spread).

Hornets won seven of last nine games, they lost 97-92 in first meeting with Toronto (Dec 31, -6)- over is 5-1-1 in Hornets' last seven games, but under is 6-1 in last seven Toronto contests. Raptors won last two games, but covered two of last nine.

Cavaliers lost in Detroit last night, their third loss in row, sixth in last nine games; five of their last seven stayed under total. 76ers won seven of last nine games, winning six of last seven away from home. Sixers won by six in Cleveland Dec 15 (+7.5)

Seattle lost 17 of last 19 games, covering three of last four; the last four games stayed under total. Sonics lost two of three vs Sacramento this year, with road team winning last two. Kings lost four of their last five games, allowing 111.3 ppg.

Golden State lost to Denver last night, falling out of 8th place in west; now they face Dallas team that lost four of its last five games, and is also in danger of missing playoffs. Warriors are 9-4 vs spread in game after their last 13 losses (13-0 SU).

Wizards won eight of last ten games, now that Butler is back in lineup, playing well; under is 5-1-1 in last seven games. Lakers lost three of last four games, dropping three in row at home to Warriors, Bobcats, Grizzlies. Wiz won five of last six on road.

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Sunday, March 30

Hot Teams
-- Penguins won nine of last twelve games.
-- Predators won last three games, allowing one goal. Detroit is 4-1 in its last five games.
-- Avalanche won last three games, scoring 13 goals. Wild won last four home games, allowing total of two goals.
-- Bruins won last three games, allowing total of four goals.
-- Sharks are 16-2 in last 18 games. Ducks won five of their last seven games.

Cold Teams
-- Rangers lost three of last four road games.
-- Sabres lost three of their last four games.
-- Chicago is 0-4 in game after its last four wins. Columbus lost four of last five games, scoring 0 or 1 goal in all four losses.
-- Dallas snapped five-game skid in LA yesterday.
-- Coyotes lost six of their last seven games.
-- Canucks lost last four games, outscored 15-6. Flames lost last three games, 2-0/3-1/2-1.

Series Records
-- Rangers won four of last five against Pittsburgh.
-- Red Wings are 8-3 in last eleven games vs Nashville.
-- Minnesota won eight of last ten against Colorado.
-- Bruins are 4-2 vs Buffalo this year, with visitor winning last three games between these rivals.
-- Columbus is 4-3 against the Blackhawks this season.
-- Dallas won eight of last eleven against Anaheim.
-- Sharks lost last three games against Phoenix.
-- Canucks won five of last six against Calgary.

Totals
-- Nine of last 13 Ranger-Penguin games stayed under total.
-- Six of last eight Nashville games stayed under total.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in last eight Colorado-Minnesota games.
-- Over is 7-1 in last eight Buffalo games.
-- Over is 8-3 in last eleven Chicago-Columbus games.
-- Last five Anaheim games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five San Jose-Phoenix games.
-- Five of last six Calgary games stayed under the total.

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Sunday, March 30

Hudson was 4-0, 0.60 against Washington LY, allowing couple runs in 30 innings; Braves lost five of his last seven starts last season, but one of wins was complete game win vs Nationals. New park opens here in DC; Royals were 11-15 in Perez starts last season. Seven of his last nine starts went over the total.

[Udog]

Sunday's Six-Pack

-- They put 115,300 people in the LA Coliseum Saturday nite for preseason game between Red Sox, Dodgers

-- Left field was so close, the Dodgers didn't have left fielder for much of game, putting Andruw Jones behind 2nd base. There was a 2-8 putout on a caught stealing at second base.

-- If Kansas wins today, it creates Roy Williams Bowl at the Final Four next Saturday, Jayhawks vs Tar Heels.

-- Jayhawks have to beat Davidson first and Stephen Curry, who scored 30-40-30-33 points in his four NCAA games.

-- Ben Howland is first college hoop coach to make the Final Four three straight years since John Wooden in mid-70's.

-- Jamie Dixon already turned down Cal for its coaching job; who exactly do they think they're going to hire there?

[Udog]

Sunday's List of 13: My 13 most memorable NCAA tournament games (not necessarily the best games)


13) Lamar wins by point at Weber State, first round 1980— The first NCAA tournament game I saw on ESPN; Billy Tubbs was coaching Lamar- they had 16 or 18-point lead with 5:00 left, but damn near lost. I didn’t know much about ESPN at the time, but it seemed like a good idea. 24-hour sports? Not bad.

12) Vermont over Syracuse, 1st round, 2005—ESPN’s cameras followed the Vermont team around all winter for a reality show; their players seemed to have fun, their coach didn’t seem to coach, and all they did was win. When they upset Syracuse, they had lot of fun. Tom Brennan parlayed that win into a promising broadcasting career.

11) BYU over Notre Dame, 1980—Danny Ainge drives length of court for game-winner over Orlando Woolridge; somehow, Richard Phelps parlayed that loss into a hideous broadcasting career, while Ainge might be Executive of Year this season in the NBA. Ainge also played little bit in the major leagues.

10) Pepperdine over Indiana, 1st round, 2000—Waves had uniforms just like Carver High on the White Shadow; they ran Hoosiers out of gym 77-57, in last game Bob Knight coached for Indiana. Suddenly, the world was a more cheerful place.

9) Georgia State over Wisconsin, 1st round, 2001—Down big early against Wisconsin, Lefty Driesell’s Panthers rally for 50-49 upset win, sending Mr Driesell into second round against his former employer Maryland, which sent JMU packing, 79-60.

8) Austin Peay over Illinois, 1st round, 1987—In ESPN studio, Dick Vitale tells Bob Ley he’ll stand on his head if the Illini lose to Fly Williams’ alma mater. Two hours later, Peay pulls the upset, and Vitale is doing a headstand. A classic night of TV.

7) Valparaiso over Ole Miss, 1st round, 1998—The best end-of-game play ever? Long baseball pass to opposite foul line, quick toss to Bryce Drew sprinting down right side, and he drains off-balance trey, sending 11-point dog Valpo to upset win over Ole Miss.

6) Northwestern State over Iowa, 1st round, 2006— Demons rally from 17-point deficit to upset Iowa on long jumper from left wing; if he wins that game, Steve Alford is still coaching the Hawkeyes, or at least would have better chance at landing the Indiana job.

5) Syracuse over Texas, national semifinals, 2003—Only time I’ve ever seen someone I know playing in Final Four; Longhorns’ James Thomas had 1,000+ rebounds in his Texas career, but they didn’t win this game, as Carmelo Anthony’s cameo in Syracuse resulted in a national title for the Orange.

4) UAB over Kentucky, 2nd round, 2004—Mike Anderson’s Blazers were more fun to watch than the Arkansas teams he was an assistant with; I’m hoping his Missouri teams get to that point the next couple of years. Anytime you have a point guard named Squeaky, like UAB did, good things happen.

3) UNLV pounds Duke, 1990 national finals—Tark the Shark wins his national title, gets trophy handed to him by very grim NCAA person; what a great team that was (Johnson-Augmon-Anthony). Rebels barely survived Ball State in regional finals, or the Bo Kimble/LMU squad might have made Final Four.

2) LMU over New Mexico State/Michigan in first two rounds, 1990—Lions’ star Hank Gathers collapsed, died during WCC tournament; NCAA gave LMU the last first round game, in gym 20 miles from their campus. Tied at half, LMU beat Aggies by 24, then crushed defending champ Michigan by 34 on Sunday. Kimble shot his first foul shot each day lefthanded, in honor of Gathers. Chilling stuff. .

1) NC State’s win over UCLA, 1974 national semifinals, in two overtimes— as a 14-year old, State was my team; in pre-ESPN days, listened to many games on radio (on WBT in Charlotte). Down seven in OT, Wolfpack rallies behind the great David Thompson to win in nearby Greensboro, denying Bill Walton his third straight title. Oddly, this is the last Final Four Billy Packer wasn’t at; he was broadcasting for Carolina Cougars in ABA. If that seems like a long time ago, well, it was.

[Udog]

MLB
Tips and Trends


Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals [ESPN | 8:05 PM ET]

Braves (-160, O/U 8.5): The Braves made it through spring training without catastrophic injury and without major disappointment in the performance of most of their players. Atlanta still has first baseman Mark Teixeira in the clean-up position and according to team insiders third baseman Chipper Jones is salivating at the pitches that he’ll see hitting in front of Teixeira. Braves opening day pitcher is right-hander Tim Hudson, who was 4-0 last season against the Nationals – while allowing just 2 runs in 30 innings.

Braves are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 5

Nationals: The Nationals enter 2008 feeling as if they are ready to take the next step and surpass the .500 mark as they open up in a brand new ballpark. However, Washington wrapped up spring training with several injury concerns, especially in their rotation with injuries to starters Shawn Hill and John Patterson. Greater organizational depth, combined with an improved roster, has kept the clubhouse positive. Veteran Odalis Perez will start on Opening Night after a solid spring, and the Nationals lineup, with the addition of catcher Paul Lo Duca, looks much improved on paper.

The OVER is 8-3 in the Nationals last 11 home games.

Key Injuries - 1B Nick Johnson will start over Dmitri Young.

PROJECTED SCORE: 4

[Udog]

NBA
Tips and Trends


Sunday, March 30


Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers [6 PM ET] | Full Matchup

76ers: Philly has won 19 of its last 25 games, including victories over Dallas, Orlando, San Antonio and Denver. With those victories it?s getting tougher for the Sixers to sneak up on teams. Forward Andre Iguodala said,? Teams know what we are capable of now.? The 76ers defeated this Cavs team by 6-points last time in the Quicken Loans Arena with Andre Miller and Iguodala both scoring 20-points.

76ers are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 94


Cavs (-3.5, O/U 192.5): The playoffs are less than a month away, but the Cavs are once again playing inconsistent. On the bright side, Cleveland returns home, after a trip to Detroit, where it has won 9 out of 10, and LeBron James is averaging 35 ppg in March. James is averaging just around 20 ppg against these 76ers on the season, but his team is just .500 against Philadelphia.

Cavs are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games.

Key Injuries - G Delonte West (8 ppg; ankle) is questionable.
C Ben Wallace (5 ppg; back) is questionable

PROJECTED SCORE: 98




Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors [NBA | 9 PM ET | Full Matchup

Mavs: Dallas is and has begun to feel the playoff heat, as it is losers of 4 out of its last 5. The Mavs have been notorious for blowing big leads and not closing their opponents out, including squandered a 15-point advantage Thursday night against the Nuggets. Dallas is still without Dirk Nowitzki and coach Avery Johnson has likened the team?s current state to a single-elimination tournament, much like the NCAA Tournament.

Mavs are 5-21-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings.

Key Injuries - F Dirk Nowitzki (24 ppg; ankle) is OUT

PROJECTED SCORE: 107

Warriors (-5, O/U 216): Golden State is also feeling the playoff pressure as they are hanging on to the 8th spot in the West. The Warriors have alternated wins and losses in their last nine games, but have not lost back-to-back games since Jan 2-4. Golden State has scored 100 or more points in 35 consecutive games, and Stephen Jackson has been drilling three-pointers to the tone of 23 just in his last 5 games.

Warriors are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 home games.

Key Injuries - F Mickael Pietrus (7 ppg; groin) is OUT

PROJECTED SCORE: 112 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)