Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:17 PM

Let me get this out now....Since tip off is near.

Sunday, March 14Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 1:00 PM ET Indiana +9.5 400
Milwaukee - Under 203 400

Boston - 3:30 PM ET Boston +7 500 ( NBA DOG )
Cleveland - Under 194.5 500

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

Sunday, March 14

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 12:30 PM ET Chicago -125 500
Chicago - Under 6.5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:18 PM

Dukies favored to repeat in ACC title tilt

Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s has been lobbying in recent weeks saying the ACC isn’t weak, just more balanced top to bottom than in years. While he is having a hard time convincing many people that his comments are actually true, his Duke team is making him look prophetic, winning twice in Greensboro this weekend, but never coming close to covering the spread.

West Virginia’s uprising in the Big East has somewhat clouded Duke’s apparent position as being the top seed in some folk’s eyes and only a victory today against Georgia Tech would be the elixir to have the Blue Devils earn their first No. 1 seed in four years.

Duke is 19-8 ATS off two non-covers where the team won straight up as a favorite and is pursuing its ninth ACC crown in a dozen years. “We are playing for a championship tomorrow,” forward Lance Thomas said. “That is all we are thinking about.” The senior class is seeking the trifecta of regular season champions (co-champs with Maryland), the ACC postseason title winner and No. 1 seed. However, Georgia Tech will have something to say about this.

The Yellow Jackets are a nine-point underdog at Sportsbook.com and have gone presumably from a bubble team to “in” status for today’s selection announcement with three straight wins in this tournament. There has been a lot of talk about the “eye-ball” test and Georgia Tech can make you cock-eyed watching them play.

Georgia Tech can look extremely efficient when the offense runs thru Gani Lawal or freshman Derrick Favors, their two leading scorers, yet other times they resemble a rambling wreck with players acting like it’s the NBA, needing to fill a shot quota and disrupting continuity.

The Yellow Jackets have split two games with Duke, winning at home 71-67 as 7.5-point underdogs and being gouged by 19 points in most recent meeting last month. Georgia Tech is 10-2 ATS away from Atlanta revenging a loss vs. opponent over the last two seasons and the players like their chances.

“Duke is a great team, a very talented team but we feel like going into this game we are worried about what we do,” Lawal said. “Not to be cocky or arrogant, we feel like if we establish ourselves inside out like we did at Tech, we will have some good results.”

The total for the ACC championship is 137 and each team has reacted differently to this figure. Duke is 11-1 OVER in a neutral court game where the total is 130 to 139.5 and the Jackets are 7-0 UNDER in the same exact setting with matching numbers.

ESPN will provide the coverage starting at 1:00 Eastern, with Georgia Tech having stung opponents with 8-1 ATS record versus offensive teams scoring 77 or more points game this campaign.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:19 PM

Big Ten Championship Game Betting Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers know how to add simple numbers. If they can count 3, 2 and 1, Minnesota will be the Big Ten postseason champions for 2010. The Golden Gophers dropped third-seeded Michigan State 72-67 in overtime on Friday night and humiliated second seeded Purdue 69-42 yesterday and have their sights set on No. 1 Ohio State in the final game before the NCAA Tournament begins.

This is the first time the Golden Gophers have playing for the Big Ten championship and they believe in themselves. “I feel we can compete with any team in the country and I feel we can compete with any team in the Big Ten,” said forward Ralph Sampson III, who had a team-high 13 points Saturday. “We’ve proven it in this tournament right now.”

Minnesota is coached expertly by Tubby Smith and has won seven of nine and is adding up spread wins faster than the 10,000 lakes are melting with 8-1 ATS run. The Gophers were actually presumed to be better most of the season but again struggled away from home (4-9 and 3-10 ATS before hitting Indianapolis this weekend) until now.

Minnesota has place a guillotine on opposing offenses in this tournament, holding them to 35.6 percent shooting and is 9-2 ATS after a win by 15 points or more this season.

Ohio State is definitely living by the March basketball motto of “survive and advance”. The Buckeyes have won on a combination of luck, skill and opponents breakdowns to reach the championship, seeking a third title.

Evan Turner sank a 37-footer at the buzzer to shock Michigan in the quarter-finals and needed 50 minutes to eliminate Illinois yesterday afternoon. The Wolverines used poor judgment in allowing Turner to have such a good look at the basket for winning shot (though he deserves credit for making it) and the Fighting Illini had two chances at the end of regulation and the first overtime to oust Ohio State and never managed a shot.

The Buckeyes are 14-5 ATS after scoring 80 points or more (though it took awhile) over the last three seasons and are surviving on guile as much as skill. “Sometimes you just have to will your way and make things happen and that’s it,” said Turner.

Ohio State is favored by four-points, with total of 129.5 at Sportsbook.com and is 7-3 ATS vs. teams with a winning record, but only 1-4 ATS against foes on neutral floors. Minnesota is 5-0 ATS the last five times they’ve been made an underdog (4-1 SU) and is 6-0 OVER after allowing 55 points or less this season.

This is the last conference championship, which will begin at 3:30 Eastern on CBS and the favorite in the matchup is perfect 8-0 SU and ATS.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:20 PM

SEC and A-10 Title Game Previews

It’s hard to argue with the two earlier matchups on Sunday in the Southeastern Conference and the Atlantic 10. Kentucky and Mississippi State won their respective divisions in the SEC and Temple and Richmond were battling for the league crown in the A-10 right from the moment league play commenced. Three of the four teams are a lock to hear their name Sunday, while one will have to play with great urgency to make sure their name is called.

Bulldogs still on the bubble

Mississippi State is in the SEC title tilt for a second consecutive year and according to those that follow how the brackets are made, are still situated atop the bubble. Coach Rick Stansbury understands his team better than anyone and knows what it has been through in putting together 23-10 campaign. The Bulldogs lost star recruit Renardo Sidney to ineligibility, suffered a series of injuries and gotten far less than expected out of point guard position.

Stansbury also knows a little better play at point probably turns around a few of the six losses into wins, losing those contests by five or fewer points. He can’t change the past, but his Bulldogs can assure their future with the upset of Kentucky. Off their win over Vanderbilt, Mississippi State is 14-3 ATS versus good offensive teams scoring 77 or more points a game and has to find a way to slow down the Big Blue machine.

Kentucky might have put in the best performance of any top level team in the tournament in blasting 15th ranked Tennessee 74-45. Freshman DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall paced the Wildcats as Kentucky shot 52.1 percent while holding the Volunteers to 19 first half points and 30.9 percent shooting for the game. John Calipari’s crew is 6-3 ATS in last nine outings.

Mississippi State feels they are up to the challenge, having lost to Kentucky in overtime 81-75 and Sportsbook.com has them as 7.5-point underdogs with total of 138.

“They’re one of the best teams in the country, and when they came to our place, we had them, but it slipped out of our hands,” said Bulldogs forward Jarvis Varnado. “We want this rematch, and we’ll be up for it.” The gang from Starkville is 10-4 ATS as an underdog.

This SEC showdown begins at 1:00 Eastern on ABC and Kentucky is 0-7 ATS after allowing 50 or less points.

Owls and Spiders collide

Not exactly two common nicknames, however Temple and Richmond have played uncommon basketball all season long. The Owls are a real hoot with what they accomplished this season. Temple’s 28 wins are the most since the 2001 campaign, they knocked off a Top 5 team this season (city rival Villanova) and broke into the Top 25 for the first time in nine years.

Top seeded Temple is seeking its third straight A-10 postseason title and features three features double-figure scorers in Ryan Brooks, Juan Fernandez and Lavoy Allen. The Owls have been the bettor’s best friend with 22-11 ATS record this season and they are now 9-1 ATS in March since last year.

Richmond finished with the third seed and played a highly entertaining contest with Xavier on Saturday, coming out on top in overtime 89-85 as three-point underdogs. The Spiders are led by the sensational Kevin Anderson, who despite being 5’11 can get any shot on the floor he wants, similar to Tony Parker of San Antonio.

Anderson isn’t the only quality Richmond player, with David Gonzalvez and others able to wisely find shots and openings in coach Chris Mooney offense. The Spiders are 15-5 ATS away from home against A-10 competitors the last two years.

Richmond is a four-point underdog, with total listed at 115.5 and has tremendous respect for their opponent.

“They look great,” coach Chris Mooney said of Temple. “They are one of the best teams in the country. I think coach (Fran) Dunphy is one of the best coaches in the country. Their defense is suffocating. Their offense is very, very good and efficient. It’s going to be an enormous challenge.” The Spiders were up to the challenge once handing Temple their last loss 71-54 at home, nine games ago.

Temple is stellar 8-1 since that time and is unbelievable 8-0 ATS in conference tournament games over the last three seasons. Both teams get the national spotlight with a 1:00 Eastern start on CBS.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:41 PM

Championship Day:

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP

888 - DUKE - 9.5........500 ( ACC POD )

888 - UNDER 136...........500 ( TOTAL OF THE DAY )

A-10 CHAMPIONSHIP

889 - RICHMOND + 4........300

889 - RICHMOND UNDER 116.....300

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

892 - KENTUCKY - 7 .............500 ( SEC POD )

892 - OVER 135.5.................500

BIG 10 CHAMPIONSHIP

893 - MINNESOTA + 4...............500 ( BIG 10 DOG )

893 - UNDER 129......................500

GOOD LUCK ALL !

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 12:47 PM

Championship Tip Sheet

Selection Sunday has arrived and the field of 65 for the NCAA Tournament will be announced at 6:00 p.m. EDT this evening. Before the brackets are announced, there are still four conference tournaments to be played and the winner in each will receive automatic bids. Before you delve into the matchups, be sure to stay abreast with the complete gaming results for Championship Week.
ACC Championship

The ACC Tournament has watched the underdogs go 9-0-1 against the spread through the first 10 games, with the favorites going 4-6 straight up over this span. Despite those strong trends, oddsmakers have still made Duke (28-5 SU, 18-12 ATS) a solid 9 ½-point favorite over Georgia Tech (22-11 SU, 14-12 ATS) in the championship for Sunday.

Duke was tested again Saturday but it eventually rallied past Miami and held on for a 77-74 victory. The Blue Devils had a couple chances to pull away in the second but the Hurricanes managed to cover as 11 ½-point underdogs. The combined 151 points easily eclipsed the closing number of 132. Even though this game went ‘over’ the total, Duke has seen seven of its previous nine go ‘under.’

Georgia Tech entered Saturday’s battle against N.C. State off an impressive 69-64 win over Maryland on Friday. Sure enough, the Yellow Jackets had a letdown and barely beat N.C. State 57-54 in the semifinals. G-Tech failed to cover as a four-point favorite and the 111 combined points never threatened the closing total of 128.

The Blue Devils and Yellow Jackets split the regular season series, with the home team winning and covering each contest. The ‘over’ hit in the encounter from Durham, but the previous nine between the two schools all went ‘under’ the number.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils have won eight of the last 11 ACC Tournaments, including last year’s victory in the final against Florida State, 79-69. Of those eight wins, five have come by double digits. Georgia Tech hasn’t played in the championship game since 2005, when the school lost to Duke (64-69).

ESPN offers coverage of this game at 1:00 p.m. EST.

A10 Championship

Will Temple (28-5 SU, 22-11 ATS) win its eighth overall and third straight A-10 Championship on Sunday? The Owls came into Atlantic City with a seven-game winning streak (6-1 ATS) and the club hasn’t let up at all. Temple stifled St. Bonaventure (69-51) in the quarterfinals before coasting past Rhode Island (57-44) yesterday in the semis.

Temple came into Saturday’s match with the league's best defense (56.8 points) and it has outperformed itself in South Jersey. The effort has turned out a lot of low-scoring affairs, which has put together a 5-1 ‘under’ run.

The Owls only have five losses on the year but one of them came against today’s opponent, Richmond (26-7 SU, 18-10 ATS). The Spiders stopped Xavier 89-85 in Saturday’s other conference semifinals. Richmond trailed for the majority of the game but forced overtime and eventually toppled the Musketeers in the extra session.

Richmond beat Temple 71-54 at home on Feb. 6 as a 1 ½-point home favorite. The game came down to shooting, as the Owls connected on 31 percent of their attempts while the Spiders hit 58 percent, including a 9-of-16 spot from 3-point land.

Most books have Temple listed as a three-point favorite, while the total is sitting at 115. Gamblers expecting an outright win by Richmond can take the money-line price of plus-140 (Bet $100 to win $140).

Tip-off for this contest starts at 1:00 p.m. EST and CBS will provide coverage.

SEC Championship

Kentucky (32-2 SU, 18-14 ATS) and its hoops faithful have been waiting five years to win the SEC Tournament and head coach John Calipari is one win away from snapping that drought in his first season at Lexington. The second-ranked Wildcats looked every bit the part in the semifinals when it blasted Tennessee 74-45 as 4 ½-point favorites. The 29-point win helped Kentucky avenge its second loss of the season on Feb. 27, when it suffered a 74-65 setback in Knoxville to the Vols.

On Sunday, the Wildcats will need to beat a Mississippi State (23-10 SU, 15-12 ATS) team that has been tough to gauge all season. The Bulldogs entered the conference dance as a bubble team according to the latest Bracketolgoy reports but two quality wins this weekend from Nashville have certainly helped.

Miss State knocked off another bubble team, Florida (75-69), on Friday before stifling Vanderbilt 62-52 yesterday. The offense was the catalyst against the Gators, but it was the defense that stepped up against the Commodores, who shot just 34.6 percent from the field. Big man Jarvis Varnado cleaned up the paint with six blocks and held Vandy’s A.J. Ogilvy to two points.

The Bulldogs will need Varnado to do his part again Sunday, which is something the center couldn’t do in his first encounter (10 points, five fouls) with Kentucky this year. The Wildcats earned an 81-75 decision over Miss State on Feb. 16 in Starkville in a game that many believed the refs favored Kentucky with key calls late in the game. The Wildcats (42%) and Bulldogs (38.6%) both had poor shooting nights, but the extra session helped the combined 156 points jump ‘over’ the closing number of 143. Prior to this loss, Miss State has won three in a row against Kentucky. All of the victories were decided by nine points or less.

The Bulldogs were in a similar situation last season, facing bubble talk and speculation of missing the NCAA Tournament. Sure enough, the school won four games in four days and captured the SEC Tournament. Once again, the key was defense as all four opponents were held to 61, 57, 68 and 60 points.

Kentucky has been listed as a 7 ½-point favorite for this contest, while the total is hovering between 138 and 139 points. Including the two SEC Tournament wins, Kentucky is 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS on neutral courts this season.

This battle starts at 1:00 p.m. EST and ABC will offer televised coverage.

Big 10 Championship

Does Ohio State (26-7 SU, 16-17 ATS) deserve a top seed in the NCAA Tournament? The Buckeyes will find out later this evening but they must take care of business first. The school is one win victory away from winning the Big 10 Tournament but the road up to this point has been anything but easy. After nipping Michigan 69-68 on a half-court heave from Evan Turner on Friday, the Buckeyes needed double-overtime to dispatch Illinois (87-81) in the semifinals on Saturday.

Standing in the Buckeyes’ way will be a feisty Minnesota (21-12 SU, 17-15 ATS) squad that is peaking at the right time. After ripping Penn State (76-55) in the first round on Thursday, the Golden Gophers stopped No. 11 Michigan State (72-67) in overtime on Friday. And then yesterday, Minnesota answered the bell again with an eye opening defensive performance in its 69-42 thrashing of No. 6 Purdue.

The Boilermakers shot 18 percent (5-of-27) in the first half and trailed 37-11 after 20 minutes of action. The game never got close and head coach Tubby Smith was very impressed with his team’s effort. He said, ““I thought it was a very impressive and dominating performance. It’s as good a half as I think I’ve been a part of as a coach.”

Minnesota has now won and covered four in a row and seven of its last nine games. The Gophers are 8-1 ATS during this run and they’re catching four points against the Buckeyes in the finale. The key to stopping Ohio State is stopping Turner, who leads the team in points (19.5), rebounds (9.5) and assists (5.9).

Even if the Gophers come up short to OSU, an at-large berth would seem deserving as long as they don’t get run out of the gym. Keep in mind that fatigue could play a factor for Minnesota, since it will try to become the first Big 10 team to win four games in four days. It is possible though, with Iowa accomplishing the feat in 2001.

Ohio State and Minnesota have split the last six encounters, including the two meetings this season. The home team has won every on the six and four have come by double digits. The ‘under’ has cashed in four of the six.

The Buckeyes lost to Purdue 65-61 in last year’s Big 10 championship as 5 ½-point underdogs. Including this contest, the ‘under’ has cashed in four of the last five Big 10 title games.

CBS will provide national coverage of this game at 3:30 p.m. EST.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 01:06 PM

Just a side note:

Geo Tech has turned the ball over 55 times the last few games....the Dukeys will take advantage of this big time......

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 01:38 PM

The rest of the NBA Schedule:

Philadelphia - 6:00 PM ET Miami -6.5 300
Miami - Under 192.5 300

Charlotte - 6:00 PM ET Orlando -9 400
Orlando - Under 188.5 400

Utah - 7:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -3.5 300
Oklahoma City - Under 204.5 300

New Orleans - 9:00 PM ET Phoenix -9.5 500 ( NBA POD )
Phoenix - Over 213.5 500 ( NBA TOTAL )

Toronto - 9:00 PM ET Portland -8.5 400
Portland - Under 203 400

Minnesota - 9:00 PM ET Minnesota +8.5 300
Sacramento - Over 210.5 400

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 01:45 PM

And the rest of the NHL Schedule:

Philadelphia - 3:00 PM ET Philadelphia +110 500 ( NHL DOG )
NY Rangers - Over 5.5 500

Colorado - 3:00 PM ET Colorado +110 500
Dallas - Over 5.5 500

Nashville - 3:00 PM ET Los Angeles -156 500
Los Angeles - Under 5.5 500

Toronto - 5:00 PM ET Toronto +100 500
NY Islanders - Under 5.5 500

Phoenix - 5:00 PM ET Phoenix -107 500
Atlanta - Over 5.5 500

Pittsburgh - 5:00 PM ET Tampa Bay +150 500
Tampa Bay - Over 6 500

St. Louis - 6:00 PM ET St. Louis +111 500 ( NHL DOG )
Minnesota - Over 5.5 500

San Jose - 8:00 PM ET San Jose -128 500
Anaheim - Over 5.5 500

Calgary - 10:00 PM ET Calgary +144 500 ( NHL UPSET )
Vancouver - Over 5.5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 02:43 PM

Trend Report - Sunday

Pacers at Bucks – The Pacers are 9-0 ATS (10.9 ppg) since November 21, 2007 after a double digit loss in which their DPA was at least plus 15 points. The Pacers are 0-7 ATS (-7.9 ppg) since December 13, 2008 after a road loss in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was less than four. The Bucks are 9-0 ATS (6.1 ppg) since April 01, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.

Celtics at Cavaliers – The Celtics are 10-0 ATS (6.5 ppg) since December 16, 2007 with at most one day of rest after a double digit win in which they had at least 12 steals. The Celtics are 8-0 ATS (7.4 ppg) since January 30, 2009 on the road when they allowed one-hundred-plus points for two straight games. The Celtics are 6-0 ATS (21.5 ppg) since March 03, 2007 on the road when they scored at least 25 more points in their previous game than in the game before.

76ers at Heat – The 76ers are 0-8 ATS (-8.0 ppg) since February 17, 2009 on the road after a game in which they committed fewer than ten turnovers. The 76ers are 0-7 ATS (-10.6 ppg) since December 26, 2009 when seeking revenge for a loss in which they allowed at least 50% shooting from the field.

Timberwolves at Kings – The Timberwolves are 5-0 ATS (8.2 ppg) since November 23, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a double digit loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field. The Kings are 7-0 ATS (8.9 ppg) since January 14, 2008 after a game at home in which they committed at least twenty turnovers.

Bobcats at Magic – The Bobcats are 0-8 ATS (-11.2 ppg) since January 07, 2009 when seeking revenge for a loss as a dog in which they shot less than 40% from the field.

Hornets at Suns – The Hornets are 0-7 ATS (-13.6 ppg) since March 09, 2009 on the road when facing a team they lost to as a home favorite in their previous same-season match-up.The Suns are 8-0 ATS (10.2 ppg) since March 13, 1997 with at least one day of rest after a home loss in which their opponent shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.

Jazz at Thunder – The Jazz are 9-0-1 ATS (9.2 ppg) since December 02, 2008 when they scored at least 25 fewer points in their previous game than in the game before.

Raptors at Trailblazers – The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-6.5 ppg) since December 23, 2006 when they are playing in at least their fourth straight road game and they have no rest. The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-6.0 ppg) since March 12, 2008 when facing a non-conference team they lost to at home in their first match-up of the season. The Trailblazers are 8-0 ATS (9.8 ppg) since January 24, 2000 at home with at least one day of rest after a road win in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 02:44 PM

Early Sunday Tips

The Sunday NBA slate gives basketball bettors a nice alternative to Selection Sunday over in college hoops. There are eight games to wager on, with the action split through the afternoon to the late evening. We'll start early in the day with the Bucks going for their 12th win in 13 tries, while the Celtics and Cavs renew acquaintances in Cleveland.

Pacers (21-44 SU, 29-36 ATS) at Bucks (35-29 SU, 42-21-1 ATS)

Milwaukee goes for the season sweep of the Indiana, while trying to maintain its spot as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference (1:00 PM EST tipoff). The Bucks have been the best ATS team over the last month, compiling an 11-0-1 ATS mark since February 19. The Pacers, meanwhile, are just 1-5 SU in the month of March.

The hot streak by the Bucks has coincided with the acquisition of John Salmons from Chicago on February 18. Salmons is averaging 19.3 ppg in 12 games with Milwaukee, as the Bucks have finished 'under' the total nine times in this span. Milwaukee's last five opponents have scored 87 points or less during the Bucks' five-game winning streak.

The Pacers are 3-1 ATS the previous four games, but are coming off a blowout loss at Boston on Friday, 122-103 as nine-point underdogs. Indiana has dropped 10 of 11 away from Conseco Fieldhouse since January 31, including a 93-81 setback at the Bradley Center as 6 ½-point underdogs.

Scott Skiles' club is a scorching 14-2 ATS the last 16 as a favorite, but the two losses came at home by double-digits to the Pistons and Rockets. The Bucks own a 4-1 SU/ATS mark the last five home meetings against the Pacers, while going for the first sweep in this series since Indiana took all four matchups in the 2006-07 season.

Celtics (41-23 SU, 25-37-2 ATS) at Cavs (51-15 SU, 32-33-1 ATS)

The road team has claimed the first two meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals, as the two foes hook up at Quicken Loans Arena for a 3:30 PM EST tipoff. The Cavs have won seven of eight as LeBron James returned to the lineup for Friday's victory at Philadelphia. The Celtics snapped a two-game skid with a 19-point thrashing of the Pacers on Friday, covering for the first time in four games.

Cleveland put together a massive rally the last time these teams met up in Boston on February 25. The Cavs overcame an early 13-point deficit to knock off the Celtics, 108-88, as Mike Brown's squad ran off a 31-10 run to end the game. Cleveland did lose the services of center Shaquille O'Neal for the remainder of the regular season with a sprained thumb in the first half of that win, but the Cavs are 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS since that injury.

It's tough to know which Boston team you'll get on a daily basis, but the Celtics are a mind-boggling 3-11 SU against the Cavs, Magic, Hawks, Lakers, Nuggets, and Mavs this season. Doc Rivers' team is 4-1-1 ATS the last six on the road, which includes victories over the Lakers (without Kobe Bryant) and the Blazers.

The results of this season's series have been in contrast of past years with the home team going 0-2. The win last month by Cleveland snapped a nine-game losing skid at TD Banknorth Garden, while the Opening Night victory by Boston ended an 11-game slide in Cleveland, dating back to December 2004.

Antawn Jamison is listed as 'questionable' for the Cavs with stiffness in his knee, an injury that caused him to miss Friday's win over the Sixers. Cleveland owns a 2-5 ATS mark the last seven when laying points at the "Q."

What else to watch for:

-- The Heat and Sixers do battle for a 6:00 PM EST tip at the AAA with Miami looking for its sixth win in seven games. The Heat has won four straight games at home, including the last two as double-digit favorites over the Clippers and Bulls. You can nearly stick a fork into the Sixers, as Eddie Jordan's squad is 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS the last nine games. Miami dominated Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center in the first game after the All-Star Break, 105-78, the Heat's first road win in this series since December 2005.

-- We travel from south to central Florida, as the Magic returns home to host the streaking Bobcats. Charlotte is riding a five-game winning streak, even though three of the victories have come against the Warriors, Clippers, and Sixers. The Bobcats are 2-5 ATS and 3-4 SU the last seven on the road, but are looking to beat the Magic for the first time in four chances this season. Gerald Wallace is listed as 'questionable' for the Bobcats with a sprained ankle, but the swingman did make the trip with the team.

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 02:50 PM

Buckeyes, Gophers battle for Big Ten

Ohio State's star shined once again and the Buckeyes are back in the Big Ten Championship for a second consecutive year. The surprising Minnesota Golden Gophers, meanwhile, will be making their first appearance in the finals.

Evan Turner continued to show off his Player of the Year skills in Saturday's 88-81, double-overtime win over Illinois. A day after sinking the winning shot at the buzzer to end Michigan's upset bid, Turner scored 31 points to help the Buckeyes past the Illini. A dozen of his points came in the two overtime periods.

OSU just missed the 7 ½-point spread in the win. Illinois had chances to win at the end of regulation and the first OT, but failed to get shots off in time. The 'over' 131 cashed easily.

Seeing the Buckeyes in the championship as the No. 1 seed is no big surprise. Minnesota, on the other hand, is a huge shock as the No. 6 seed. The Golden Gophers beat Penn State in the opening round before knocking off the two teams that tied Ohio State atop the regular season standings.

Minnesota went to overtime on Friday to evict Michigan State from the tourney, 72-67. Tubby Smith's lads were a 3 ½-point underdogs to the Spartans. The win gave the Gophers new hope of making it into the NCAA Tournament.

That hope became a reality on Saturday when Minnesota humiliated Purdue who was looking for a Big Ten title to give it possibly a No. 1 seed next week.

Minnesota scored the game's first seven points to set the tone. The Gophers then set the hook with a 17-0 run during an 11:20 stretch to hold a 26-4 lead with about 4:30 left in the first half. When the two teams broke for the intermission, Minnesota was well on its way to the upset with a 37-11 advantage.

The Gophers held a 21-8 rebounding edge in first half, with Purdue shooting just 18.5 percent (5-of-27) from the field. E'Twaun Moore was 1-for-12 in the opening 20 minutes for the Boilers.

The Gophers eventually built a 34-point lead in the second half before walking away with the 69-42 win as 2 ½-point pups. 'Under' 125 ½ backers were rewarded at the window.

Ralph Sampson III led the team effort with 13 points for Minnesota. Colton Iverson and Paul Carter combined off the bench for 19 points and 16 rebounds in 40 minutes.

Minnesota and Ohio State met twice in the regular season, with each pulling off the straight up and against the spread wins on their home court. Blake Hoffarber scored a career-best 27 and sank a half-dozen three-pointers in the Gophers' (minus four) 73-62 win in Minneapolis on Jan. 9. William Buford put up a personal-high 26 in the sequel at Columbus on Jan. 31 to lead the Buckeyes in their 85-63 win as 7 ½-point favorites.

The Jan. 31 meeting marked the first 'over' between the two schools in five meetings. The 'under' has a 7-3 advantage in the last 10. The ATS split this season gave Minnesota the slight 3-2 edge in recent encounters.

Minnesota brings a 17-15 ATS mark into Sunday's matchup, with four consecutive payoffs. The Gophers are 16-15 'over/under.' Thad Matta's Buckeyes are 16-16 ATS with a 13-16 'over/under' mark.

Ohio State (26-7, 14-4 Big Ten) is making its fourth trip to the conference finals in five seasons, and sixth since the tournament was christened in 1998. A top-three seed has won the last eight and 10 of the 12. The lowest seed to win was Iowa in 2001 as a No. 6, topping Indiana 63-61. Minnesota (21-12, 9-9 Big Ten) hopes to duplicate the Hawkeyes' feat.

CBS will broadcast Sunday's conference finale from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis beginning at noon (PT).

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 03:37 PM

I really thought the turnovers commited by Ga.Tech in the past would have killed them today.....I don't know how they have survived this far......tons of turnovers and not a good free throwing team....Duke just didn't take advantage.......their top 3 scores just didn't have it going today.....should have been a blow out......owell....sorry about that pick......

**StarDust Bum** · 03-14-2010, 05:39 PM

Gophers get blown out....tired legs just couldn't hold out......

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