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**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 12:21 PM

Butler draws 25,000 for Final Four practice

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Butler didn't bring any tape measures to Friday's shootaround.

They sure could have.

Nearly 30,000 fans - about four times their average home attendance - showed up to see this year's NCAA tourney surprise team, giving the Bulldogs a real-life sense of the movie ``Hoosiers.''

``Yesterday, I didn't think it was a big deal to shoot in a dome because we're still shooting at 10-foot goals, and the lines are all the same,'' coach Brad Stevens said. ``But I'm glad we got to shoot with a lot of people in here.''

Butler, the hometown team, drew the most fans as the Bulldogs draw support from all corners of the state.

Mark Beard, who teaches government classes at Connersville High School, handed out blue-and-white pencils in honor of former student Matt Howard. The Bulldogs center was honored with his own day this week at Connersville, and Beard, who had Friday off because of a religious holiday, made the 66-mile drive to Indy and got a seat in the third row.

``We're all basketball fans in Connersville; it's such a big basketball town, so to get someone so far is exciting,'' Beard said. ``The Howard family is so big in town. They have 10 kids, the dad delivers mail, the mom helps out at the school, everyone knows them and everyone wants to see him.''

The fans gave the Bulldogs a prolonged standing ovation when they walked on and off the court.

During the 50-minute shootaround, Butler did what it could to entertain. Near the end of practice, the team gathered in a circle and started laughing. The reason?

``We were having a big debate about whether we going to wave or go over to the crowd, and coach was teasing us that we were afraid to go into the crowd,'' senior Willie Veasley said.

They took the safe road - waving.

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SLAPPED: Joe Mazzulla insists it was nothing more than a simple slap of the floor. For Duke's players, it could have been a slap in the face.

Two years ago in West Virginia's second-round tournament victory over the Blue Devils, the Mountaineers' point guard was seen giving the court a palms-down slap.

The gesture could have been considered a jab at one of Duke's signature moves on defense, which always fired up the crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium when it was performed by point guards from Steve Wojciechowski to Greg Paulus.

Mazzulla says he didn't mean anything by it.

``You don't think you get a chance to play Duke that many times in your career, and they're such a great team with such a great history,'' he said. ``You get caught up in the emotions. It was a spur of the moment-type thing.''

The Duke players downplayed the floor-slap, saying there's no use getting worked up about something that happened two years ago.

``We're really not using that as a payback-type thing,'' guard Jon Scheyer said. ``But for us, of course we want to beat a team that knocked us out. Who wouldn't?''

The big question: Does Mazzulla plan on slapping the floor during the rematch Saturday night?

``Depends on how the game goes,'' he said with a laugh.

---

OUR HOUSE? CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz was trying to compliment Michigan State coach Tom Izzo when he told him the Spartans are the second-winningest team in Lucas Oil Stadium's short history - behind only the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

Technically, Michigan State is even better than that.

The Spartans have the best winning percentage of any team inside the hulking venue.

The Colts lost their first two regular-season games at the stadium but haven't lost since.

Meanwhile, the Spartans have a winning percentage of 1.000 in the building, going 2-0 in the 2009 Midwest Regional.

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CURRY-ING FAVOR: There's another Curry in the NCAA tournament, but he won't show up on any highlight videos this year.

Seth Curry, the younger brother of former Davidson tournament darling Stephen Curry, is on Duke's roster but is sitting out this season after transferring from Liberty.

Once he's eligible in the fall, he'll be among the leading candidates to replace graduating guard Jon Scheyer in the lineup.

So far, his influence has been limited to mirroring opposing teams' shooters and testing the Blue Devils' defense during practice.

``It's good, having a role model to watch,'' Seth Curry said of his big brother. ``Going through the college experience, and all the problems he's gone through, I am learning from that. He's giving me advice on everything I'm doing right. I just look up to him.''

---

TOP TERP: Maryland senior Greivis Vasquez was selected as the winner of the Bob Cousy Award, presented annually to college basketball's top point guard.

Vasquez, a native of Venezuela, averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds for the Terrapins, who finished 24-9 and shared the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title with Duke. Vasquez was selected the ACC's player of the year.

He ranks second on Maryland's all-time lists in points (2,171) and assists (772) and is the only player in ACC history to record at least 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds in his career.

The award, presented by The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and named in honor of the former Boston Celtics great, started with an initial list of 73 candidates from Division I, II and III and was trimmed during the season to 20, 11 and a final six.

Vasquez is the third ACC player to win the award in its six years, joining North Carolina's Raymond Felton in 2005 and Ty Lawson last season.

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BULLY FOR VARNARDO: Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado has won the inaugural Lefty Driesell Award as the nation's top Division I defender.

The 6-foot-9 Brownsville, Tenn., native finished his career as the NCAA's blocks leader with 564 and is the only player to have 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 blocks.

Varnado called the award ``humbling.''

This season he led the Bulldogs to 24 wins and the Southeastern Conference Western Division title, and finished with 170 blocks to tie his own SEC record.

---

SURPRISE CALLER: Butler forward Gordon Hayward hasn't had many of those wow moments this week.

But he got one Tuesday night after a voice mail from tennis star Andy Roddick.

``He's just such a superstar, so for him to call, that was really cool,'' the sophomore said. ``For me to be able to hear that, was just really... you know, I didn't really think about it at first and then I had to listen to it again. He said 'Hey, Gordon this is Andy Roddick' and I was just like 'Wow!'

In fact, Hayward, who was nearly as good at tennis as he was in basketball in high school, had to listen to it twice to make sure.

``He just said 'Congratulations, I've been watching you guys, good luck on Saturday and we're rooting for you,''' Hayward said.

---

TEAM WOODEN: Two players at the Final Four - Duke's Jon Scheyer and West Virginia's Da'Sean Butler - made the 10-man John R. Wooden Award All-American team.

Other members were Sherron Collins of Kansas, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall of Kentucky, Wesley Johnson of Syracuse, Villanova's Scottie Reynolds, Ohio State's Evan Turner, Greivis Vasquez of Maryland and Oklahoma State's James Anderson.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 12:25 PM

Sixers host Raptors in matinee affair

(Sports Network) - Toronto has eight games remaining to state its case for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors kick off that key stretch this afternoon in the City of Brotherly Love against a moribund Philadelphia 76ers team.

Toronto is currently 1 1/2 games ahead of Chicago for the final spot in the East and is coming off its second straight win, a 114-92 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers north of the border on Wednesday.

Chris Bosh racked up a double-double with 34 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Raptors in that one. The All-Star netted 15 in the third quarter to give Toronto a nice cushion en route to the victory.

"We knew coming out in the second half what we needed to do to make adjustments," said Bosh. "We just took away what the coaches said at halftime and did what they wanted us to. We have to remember to come out from the start and play hard."

Andrea Bargnani finished with 21 points and eight rebounds and Sonny Weems added 17 points on 8-of-8 from the floor.

The Sixers, meanwhile, continue to limp toward the finish line and a spot in the NBA Draft Lottery.

Philadelphia suffered its second straight blowout loss in Charlotte on Wednesday when Gerald Wallace finished with game-highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds, as the Bobcats had little trouble disposing of the 76ers, 103-84.

Andre Iguodala netted 14 points, while Jason Kapono and Marreese Speights both had 13 for the Sixers, who were outscored at the free throw line, 27-5, in their 16th loss in 20 games.

"I thought we played with a lot of emotion," Philadelphia head coach Eddie Jordan. "We just didn't make plays or enough shots."

The Sixers were without guard Lou Williams and forwards Thaddeus Young and Rodney Carney in Charlotte and dressed only nine players. Williams and Carney are questionable for today, while Young will miss the game. Athletic center Sammy Dalembert is probable for Saturday with a sore hip.

The team is monitoring the minutes of Iguodala, who is suffering from a painful case of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Iguodala is expected to play versus the Raptors.

Philadelphia snapped a three-game skid in the series with a 114-101 win in Toronto on March 7.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 12:30 PM

Saturday, April 3Game Score Status Pick Amount

Atlanta - 1:00 PM ET Pittsburgh -220 500
Pittsburgh - Over 6 500

Ottawa - 2:00 PM ET NY Islanders +111 500
NY Islanders - Over 5.5 500

Nashville - 2:00 PM ET Nashville +174 500 ( NHL DOG )
Detroit - Over 5.5 500

Boston - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +118 500
Toronto - Over 5.5 500

Buffalo - 7:00 PM ET Buffalo +103 500
Montreal - Under 5 500

New Jersey - 7:00 PM ET New Jersey +116 500 ( NHL DOG )
Carolina - Under 5.5 500

NY Rangers - 7:00 PM ET NY Rangers -130 500
Florida - Under 5 500

Washington - 7:00 PM ET Columbus +147 500 ( NHL DOG )
Columbus - Over 6.5 500

Dallas - 8:00 PM ET Dallas +143 500 ( NHL DOG )
St. Louis - Over 5.5 500

Edmonton - 10:00 PM ET Edmonton +258 500
Phoenix - Over 5.5 500

Anaheim - 10:30 PM ET Los Angeles -195 500
Los Angeles - Over 5.5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 12:57 PM

Date WLT Pct Net Units Record
04/02/10 7-5-1 58.33% +900 Detail
04/01/10 3-1-0 75.00% +950 Detail
Totals 10-6-1 62.50% +1850

Saturday, April 3Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 1:00 PM ET Toronto -4.5 300
Philadelphia - Under 204 300

Detroit - 7:00 PM ET Detroit +14 400
Atlanta - Under 196.5 200

New Orleans - 7:30 PM ET New Jersey +2.5 300
New Jersey - Under 201 300

Charlotte - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -3 500 ( NBA POD )
Chicago -

Miami - 8:00 PM ET Miami -5.5 500
Minnesota -

Oklahoma City - 8:30 PM ET Dallas -3.5 300
Dallas - Over 195 500

Phoenix - 8:30 PM ET Phoenix +2 500 ( NBA DOG )
Milwaukee - Over 208.5 500

L.A. Clippers - 9:00 PM ET L.A. Clippers +14 300
Denver - Over 207.5 300

Portland - 10:00 PM ET Portland -7 500 ( NBA BLOWOUT )
Sacramento - Under 194.5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 01:00 PM

Thunder looks for third-straight win in Dallas

The Oklahoma City Thunder began its three-game road trip with a pair of wins in Philadelphia and Boston. Scott Brooks’ squad looks to run the table in Saturday’s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, who are 3-1 against the spread in their last four.

Kevin Durant was a perfect 15-of-15 from the foul line in Wednesday’s 109-104 victory for the Thunder as three-point underdogs against the Celtics. The superstar forward finished with a team-high 37 points.

Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook logged 21 points and 10 assists for his second straight double-double.

The combined 213 points breezed ‘over’ the ‘total’ of 192 ½. Oklahoma City shot 50.7 percent from the field, and allowed 59.5 percent from Boston.

The Thunder (46-28) currently occupies the West’s sixth-place spot. San Antonio (45-29) and Portland (46-30) are each one game back.

Oklahoma City is 24-13 ATS in its 37 road games. The ‘over’ is 20-16-1.

The Mavericks suffered a 97-82 defeat as 2 ½-point home dogs in Thursday’s meeting with the Orlando Magic. Dallas was playing the second game of a back-to-back spot, and was outscored 29-20 in the third quarter.

Dirk Nowitzki put up a team-high 24 points for the Mavs. The nine-time All-Star had no assists for the first time since a Jan. 28 visit to Phoenix.

Dallas was held to 38.3 percent shooting en route to the combined 179 points ducking below the 197 ½-point ‘total.’ The ‘under’ is 5-1 in the Mavericks’ last six.

Nowitzki’s troops are 9-28-1 ATS in their 38 home dates. The ‘over’ is 21-17.

The Mavs are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games that followed a double-digit home loss.

Dallas (50-26) is tied with Utah for second place in the West standings. The Mavericks are within one game of fourth-place Phoenix (49-26) and fifth-place Denver (49-27).

Oklahoma City is 2-1 in meetings against Dallas. The ‘under’ is also 2-1.

The Thunder defeated the Mavericks, 99-86, in a Feb. 16 duel. Oklahoma City covered ATS as a 4 ½-point home favorite, and led by as much as 17. James Harden scored 17 points off the Thunder’s bench. The rookie guard played 32 minutes, and drained 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

The combined 185 points plunged ‘under’ the ‘total’ of 195 ½. Dallas out-rebounded the Thunder, 53-51, but was held to 32.3 percent shooting.

The Mavericks are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five home games against the Thunder. The ‘over’ is 3-2.

This battle begins at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and is available for viewing on NBA League Pass.

Oklahoma City returns home Sunday to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dallas is idle until an April 7 visit from the Memphis Grizzlies.

**Chado1** · 04-03-2010, 03:59 PM

GL today BUM!!!

**Jimmy The Greek** · 04-03-2010, 04:05 PM

Good Luck Bum............ You Tearing It Up In BaseBall So Far.........

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 04:47 PM

Thanks Greek...April 1st....was really a April Fools day on me....1 - 8...........

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 04:48 PM

Ok....here we go......FINAL 4 and using this in a 4 team Parlay.

Saturday, April 3Game Score Status Pick Amount

Michigan St - 6:05 PM ET Butler -1 500
Butler - Under 126 500

West Virginia - 8:45 PM ET Duke -2.5 500
Duke - Over 130.5 500

Good Luck ......lets sweep 4 - 0.........

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 04:56 PM

Suns at Bucks – The Suns are 9-0 ATS (11.6 ppg) since March 28, 2003 after a road win when their opponent is off an overtime game. The Suns are 0-7 ATS (-10.9 ppg) since February 05, 1998 when they are on the road after at least four home wins. The Bucks are 7-0 ATS (8.5 ppg) since December 16, 2009 off an overtime game.

Bobcats at Bulls – The League is 7-0-1 ATS (5.6 ppg) since December 06, 2008 on the road with at most one day of rest after a home win in which they had at least 10 shots blocked. The Bobcats are 6-0 ATS (7.2 ppg) since December 16, 2008 with no rest after a game in which they shot less than 40% from the field. The Bulls are 10-0 ATS (10.7 ppg) since December 31, 2007 with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.

Pistons at Hawks – The Pistons are 0-8-1 ATS (-4.9 ppg) since November 06, 1999 on the road after a double digit home loss in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line. The Hawks are 8-0 ATS (8.6 ppg) since December 10, 2008 with at most one day of rest after a road loss in which they committed fewer than ten turnovers.

Trailblazers at Kings – The Trailblazers are 0-8 ATS (-7.9 ppg) since February 06, 2009 with at most one day of rest off a loss that broke at least a three-game winning streak. The Trailblazers are 7-0-1 ATS (10.4 ppg) since April 11, 2009 and when facing a team they beat in their previous two match-ups of the season. The Kings are 7-0 ATS (9.4 ppg) since December 26, 1995 as a dog with two or more days of rest after a loss in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points higher than their season-to-date average.

Thunder at Mavericks – The Mavericks are 9-0 ATS (10.1 ppg) since December 09, 2006 with at most one day of rest after a double digit loss in which they had fewer than fifteen assists. The Thunder are 6-0 ATS (14.6 ppg) since March 31, 2009 as a dog when they are playing in at least their third straight road game.

Hornets at Nets – The Hornets are 9-0 ATS (4.2 ppg) since December 22, 2004 with no rest after a road loss in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight. The League is 0-7 ATS (-11.6 ppg) since March 17, 2008 as a road favorite with no rest after a game on the road after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent. The Nets are 0-9 ATS (-7.8 ppg) since April 04, 2009 as a dog after a game at home in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.

Clippers at Nuggets – The Clippers are 0-8 ATS (-6.9 ppg) since April 12, 2002 with two or more days of rest after a road loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. The League is 9-0 ATS (8.2 ppg) since May 02, 2005 at home with at most one day of rest after a double digit home win in which they shot at least twenty three-pointers and made less than a 25% of them.

Raptors at 76ers – The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-5.0 ppg) since March 21, 2008 after a game at home in which they had five or fewer offensive rebounds. The Sixers are 7-0 ATS (5.0 ppg) since January 05, 2007 with at least one day of rest after a game on the road in which they committed at least twenty turnovers. The 76ers are 7-0 ATS (10.6 ppg) since November 05, 1996 as a home dog with at least one day of rest after a game in which they shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.

Heat at Timberwolves – The Heat are 8-0 ATS (9.8 ppg) since February 15, 2003 on the road with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which less than 45% of their baskets were assisted. The Heat are 0-6 ATS (-8.3 ppg) since March 08, 2006 as a favorite off an overtime game on the road. The Timberwolves are 0-10 ATS (-8.0 ppg) since February 24, 2008 at home after a game at home in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points higher than their season-to-date average.

**Jimmy The Greek** · 04-03-2010, 04:59 PM

Messed Up Part Is I've Followed R Picks Twice Both Times I Was Minus LoL......... Sure Shit Enough Next Day You Smashed Ummmmmmm LoL I Rode Today Tho ........Ty

**StarDust Bum** · 04-03-2010, 09:17 PM

Well com on Butler ...hang on.....shit

**StarDust Bum** · 04-04-2010, 12:19 AM

Ok....here we go......FINAL 4 and using this in a 4 team Parlay.

Saturday, April 3Game Score Status Pick Amount

Michigan St - 6:05 PM ET Butler -1 500
Butler - Under 126 500

West Virginia - 8:45 PM ET Duke -2.5 500
Duke - Over 130.5 500

Good Luck ......lets sweep 4 - 0.........

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