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**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2011, 10:52 PM

Heat visit Bulls in NBA betting showdown

Two teams with legitimate NBA title aspirations, the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, meet Thursday night as part of nationally televised doubleheader. The Bulls will have Joakim Noah back in the lineup.

The Heat (42-15 straight-up, 29-27-1 against the spread) are the title favorite coming out of the All-State break.

Bodog.com has them at 11/5, followed by Boston (7/2), L.A. Lakers (4/1), San Antonio (4/1), Dallas, Orlando and Chicago (all 14/1).

Coach Erik Spoelstra’s team is currently percentage points behind Boston (41-14 SU) for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Heat desperately want to avoid a potential Game 7 in Beantown in the conference finals.

Miami’s ‘Big 3’ of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have all basically lived up to expectations, although it’s been a challenge to learn how to play together. Only Wade has a championship under his belt (2006) and this will be their first ‘playoff war’ together.

President Pat Riley knows his team still has flaws, despite what the title odds say, and he’s looking to upgrade the center or point guard position. Small forward Mike Miller is the main trade bait, but he doesn’t have much value due to injuries and four years left on his contract.

Miller (head) sat out Miami’s first game after the break, a 117-97 win over Sacramento on Tuesday as 13-point home favorites. The ‘Big 3’ combined for 76 of the 117 points, while point guard Mario Chalmers added 14 in a rare good night for him.

The 214 combined points scored went ‘over’ the 205 ½-point total. The ‘over’ is 8-3 in Miami’s last 11 games.

Erick Dampier got his first start at center this year and had zero points (no shots attempted) in 24 minutes. Joel Anthony is the current backup with Zydrunas Ilgauskas apparently out of the rotation for now.

The Bulls (38-16 SU, 32-20-2 ATS) are flying under the radar in the East Conference, but have the third-best record and have done most of it without their big man Noah.

Noah missed the last 30 games after suffering a thumb injury. He’s a very active player and an excellent rebounder (11.7 RPG). It was thought the Bulls may suffer without him, but veteran Kurt Thomas held down the fort and they did fine at 22-8 SU (17-12-1 ATS).

Noah was scheduled to return for Wednesday night’s road game at Toronto (result still pending). That makes Thursday the second half of a ‘back-to-back’ and Chicago is 7-6-1 ATS in that situation this year.

The Bulls have three main scorers with point guard Derrick Rose (24.9 PPG), power forward Carlos Boozer (19.3 PPG) and small forward Luol Deng (17.6 PPG). Noah averaged 14 PPG before getting hurt (10.7 PPG last year), but his offensive role is mainly to pick up garbage points.

Chicago (25-4 SU) is the best home team in the Eastern Conference. The 18-9-2 home ATS mark is the NBA’s best. Miami is 21-10 SU and 18-12-1 ATS away.

Chicago went 4-0 SU and ATS before the All-Star break. The ‘over’ is 3-0 in the last three and 7-2 in the last nine.

The Bulls and Heat have met once this year, a 99-96 Bulls home win as three-point favorites back on Jan. 15. James was out with an ankle injury and Chris Bosh left in the third quarter with an ankle injury as well.

Wade did his best to get the shorthanded win, pouring in 33 points in his hometown. Rose had 34 points for the victors, but Thursday should be much harder with Miami at full strength.

TNT will have the 5 p.m. (PT) tip-off from the United Center, right before Boston at the new-look Denver Nuggets (minus Carmelo Anthony).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2011, 10:54 PM

NCAA Odds: Pittsburgh hosts West Virginia

West Virginia made the Final Four last season and probably is one of the 35 best college basketball teams this season.

Unfortunately for the Mountaineers they are tied for eighth place in the brutal Big East Conference with an 8-6 mark, 17-9 overall. Only three of the Mountaineers’ nine defeats have been to teams outside of the Big East.

Now the Mountaineers face Big East leader Pittsburgh in another renewal of a rivalry nicknamed “The Backyard Brawl.” The fourth-ranked Panthers host West Virginia at Petersen Events Center Thursday at 6 p.m. PT. The game will be televised by ESPN.

The Mountaineers usually fare well on ESPN having won 20 of the 25 games televised by the network, going 8-1 the past nine times they’ve been on.

Pittsburgh has lost only once in 16 home games this season. The Panthers are 24-3 and lead the Big East with a 12-2 mark.

The Panthers sure have the look of being a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons.

Pittsburgh entered the beginning of this week two games ahead of Notre Dame in the Big East. The Panthers rated 28th in the nation defensively holding foes to 61.3 points per game, including 57.7 points during the last eight games.

The Panthers rank 36th in scoring, averaging 75.6 points a contest. In Big East competition the Panthers ise in the top four in scoring, scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, 3-point percentage, rebounding, assists and assist-turnover margin.

St. John’s edged Pittsburgh, 60-59, this past Saturday in the Panthers’ last game. Pittsburgh failed to cover as 4 ½-point road favorites at Madison Square Garden. The combined 119 points went ‘under’ the 134 ½-point total.

There was good news, though, for the Panthers as star guard Ashton Gibbs played for the first time in four games. He scored a career-high 26 points against St. John’s.

Gibbs leads the Panthers in scoring at 16.7 points a game. He is shooting 47.3 percent from beyond the arc. The rest of Pittsburgh’s players are shooting a combined 32.4 percent from three-point range.

Gibbs had missed the previous three games with an MCL injury. The Panthers still beat West Virginia, Villanova and South Florida while Gibbs was out but made only six-of-29 (20 percent) 3-pointers during this span while averaging 65 points per contest down 11.2 points from their season average.

The Panthers lead the Big East in three-point percentage at 38.3 percent.

Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia, 71-66, four games ago on Feb. 7 as a ‘pick.’ The combined 137 points went ‘over’ the 128 ½-point total.

West Virginia center Deniz Kilicili made nine of 13 shots from the field scoring a career-high 19 points in the loss. The Panthers, minus Gibbs in that game, limited the Mountaineers’ leading scorer, Casey Mitchell, to seven points. Pittsburgh had a 37-22 rebounding edge.

The Mountaineers nearly swept Pittsburgh last season winning 70-51 at home as 10-point favorites and losing 98-95 in overtime as 2 ½-point road favorites.

West Virginia defeated Notre Dame, 72-58, this past Saturday as four-point home favorites halting the Irish’s seven-game winning streak. The combined 130 points just dipped ‘under’ the 131-point total.

Darryl Bryant scored 24 points to lead the Mountaineers. Bryant had averaged just six points during his last five games. Joe Mazzulla, Bryant’s backcourt mate, scored 17 points with seven assists and five rebounds.

The ‘over’ has cashed in eight of Pittsburgh’s last 11 home games. The ‘under’ has cashed in seven of West Virginia’s past nine road contests.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2011, 10:55 PM

NCAA Betting: Gonzaga at St Mary's Gaels

It could be the last chance for the Gonzaga Bulldogs to earn a place in the NCAA Tournament. A loss, even on the road against a tough team like the St. Mary's Gaels, could spell doom for Mark Few's team and its 12-year dance streak.

There's still the West Coast Conference Tournament at Las Vegas' Orleans Arena to come if the 'Zags don't win this one, but any thought of continuing the tournament run as an at-large bid goes out the window if the Bulldogs come up short. Even a win doesn't guarantee Gonzaga (19-9 straight up, 13-11 against the spread) will get in without winning the WCC tourney.

The Bulldogs have played a decent schedule, though the results aren't much to write home about. Another win here or there, especially during a 2-5 stretch in November-December, would have Gonzaga in much better shape. Neutral site defeats to Kansas State and Illinois plus a home loss to San Diego State are going to draw the attention of the selection committee, as will an 0-3 stretch in late-January, all as favorites in the 4-10 point range.

Included in that January skid was a 73-72 loss to these Gaels. Chalked four points on their home court Jan. 27, the 'Zags let one slip through their hands as St. Mary's rallied from a nine-point deficit to a 73-71 triumph.

Mickey McConnell starred for St. Mary's in that one, the last two of his game-high 27 points coming with just one tick left on the clock for the win. It was the Gaels' first win in Spokane since 1995 and second straight in the series with Gonzaga after taking down the Bulldogs 81-62 at the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas last March.

The Gaels were five-point underdogs in that 2010 WCC tourney upset. Their win a little less than a month ago marked the third consecutive 'under' in the series.

St. Mary's (22-6 SU, 11-12 ATS) might be in the same shape as Gonzaga right now, only without the long stretch of March Madness appearances, last year's trip the sixth overall and third in a six-season span. Two straight losses have bruised the Gaels badly, especially the 74-66 loss at San Diego about two weeks ago as whopping 16½-point favorites. The loss last Saturday to Utah State left a mark as well. Favored by five at home, St. Mary's upchucked to the tune of a 10-point loss to a good Aggies team.

Gaels backers saw red for the sixth time in seven games with the setback to Utah State. Some may have got most of that back by betting the 'over' in that stretch, going the opposite 6-1 to the spread wagers.

Last season's meeting at St. Mary's saw Gonzaga control the glass in an 89-82 win as four-point underdogs, the game sailing well past the 152½-point odds. The Gaels will be looking for their first home win versus the Bulldogs since Feb. 2008, an 89-85 overtime win, once again with St. Mary's four-point chalk but the total 10 points below at 142½.

Thursday night's contest is ESPN2's late-night telecast tipping a little after 8 p.m. (PT) in the eastern 'burbs of Oakland.

St. Mary's has just one game left on its regular season slate, Saturday's home game with Portland. Gonzaga will head to San Diego after this one for Saturday's matchup against the Toreros. The Bulldogs will then return home for Monday's non-conference finale versus Cal State-Bakersfield.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2011, 10:57 PM

NHL Betting Preview: Chicago at Nashville

Home teams are 4-0 in most recent Blackhawks, Predators matchups.

Defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago (31-23-2-4) concludes a brief two-game road trip searching for its third straight victory. The Blackhawks are one of four teams currently with 68 points, but they would miss the playoffs if the regular season ended today.

Chicago ranks second in the league in power-play percentage (24.4) and fourth in goals per game (3.1), but the Blackhawks are just 15th in goals against (2.7) and 27th in penalty-kill percentage (78.2).

Nashville (31-21-5-3) presently finds itself in second place in the Central Division standings, and the team now resides in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Predators rank second in the league in goals against average (2.3), and third in penalty-kill percentage (85.9).

Chicago improved to 3-1 its last four outings after skating past St. Louis Monday as a 107 road underdog, 5-3. The combined eight goals toppled the 5 ½-goal closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 2-1 the past three performances.

The Blackhawks exploded for four goals in the second period, led by captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane who each recorded a goal and an assist. Rookie goaltender Corey Crawford stonewalled 31 shots in the victory, helping the team overcome a two-goal deficit after the first period.

Nashville enters this contest mired in a two-game losing skid after Tuesday’s setback to Columbus as a 104 road favorite, 4-0. The four goals failed to eclipse the five-goal closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 7-1-1 the previous nine games.

The game was scoreless until the third and final period when the Blue Jackets exploded for four goals. Goaltender Pekka Rinne stopped 26 shots, but the Predators were on the short end of shots on goal (30-20) and faceoffs won (35-24). Nashville was outshot, 13-3, in the final period.

The home team has won the last four games in this series, with both of the Predators victories occurring in shootouts. Chicago prevailed Dec. 22 as 140 home ‘chalk,’ 4-1, and Jan. 16 as a 180 home favorite, 6-3. Nashville triumphed Nov. 13 as a 115 home underdog, 4-3, and Jan. 15 as a 113 home ‘dog, 3-2. The ‘under’ is 2-1 the past three meetings, and 16-7-2 the previous 25 encounters.

Chicago right wing Fernando Pisani is ‘out’ indefinitely due to a concussion. The Blackhawks host Phoenix Sunday before traveling to Minnesota. Chicago has seen the ‘under’ go 8-3 the last 11 Thursday games.

Nashville left wing Sergei Kostitsyn (undisclosed) is ‘questionable’ versus the Blackhawks, while defenseman Ryan Suter (upper body injury) and center Marcel Goc (upper body) are ‘out’ indefinitely. The Predators follow this contest with Saturday’s road effort against Dallas. Nashville has seen the ‘under’ go 5-1-2 its last eight home endeavors, and the ‘under’ is 20-8-7 the previous 35 outings overall.

Thursday’s contest is slated to start at 5:00 p.m. PT from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-23-2011, 11:05 PM

Thursday Hoops Action

February 23, 2011

Thursday’s betting card is loaded up with plenty of college hoops for us to sweat out. The biggest issue on the table for teams is making a final push for good games on their resume. That will come into effect in two matchups that will take us through the Big East and West Coast Conference.

We’ll start off at the XL Center in Hartford for the battle between the Golden Eagles and Connecticut (20-6 straight up, 12-9 against the spread) on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. EST.

The Huskies got a spot of bad news earlier in the week when the NCAA penalized them for violations in recruiting. The Charmin-soft punishment for Jim “Not a Dime” Calhoun and his team is no postseason ban, scholarship reductions and recruiting restrictions. Meanwhile, Calhoun will be sitting out the first three Big East games of the 2011-2012 season. What a wonderful slap on the wrist.

Aside from the punishments being doled out, UConn is not hurting for getting into the NCAA tournament. However, Connecticut are coming off of a 71-58 setback against the Cardinals as a 3 ½-point road underdog last Friday night. Kemba Walker had his usually good effort with 16 points and six boards. The only problem is that the Huskies shot 37 percent from the field. Bettors don’t love Calhoun’s club right now anyway as they’re on a 2-5 ATS run.

Marquette (16-11 SU, 12-9 ATS) doesn’t have a great record this season, yet they’re positioned for a 11th-seed in the NCAA tournament according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. So how does a team that has wins against South Florida and Seton Hall in its last four games get in the big dance? Why you do it with quality losses.

The Golden Eagles are nothing but quality losses when you look at them. Buzz Williams and Company have played against 11 teams that were in the AP Top 25 at the time of the game. Marquette’s record in those games is 2-9 SU against ranked programs. At least they’ve covered the spread in seven of those 11 tests to make gamblers happy. But those games are mostly coming in conference play, which it can be argued that the Big East is overrated because of its size.

While the record isn’t great for Marquette, they have the players to make some noise. Darius Johnson-Odom (16.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG) and Jimmy Butler (15.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG) pace the offense. Meanwhile, Jae Crowder leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game, 4.5 coming off of the defensive glass.

The Golden Eagles have seen the ‘under’ go 11-10 this season. However, that number is seriously augmented by a 6-1 ‘under’ run that they’re on at the moment. Connecticut have watched the ‘under’ go 11-9 this year, but that includes a 7-3 streak.

Connecticut already has one win over the Golden Eagles this season, dropping them 76-68 as a five-point road pup on Jan. 25. Jeremy Lamb came out of nowhere to lead the Huskies with 24 points in this wire-to-wire win.

After we get past that test, we’ll head out west as Saint Mary’s (22-6 SU, 11-11-1 ATS) plays host to the Zags in a vital game for both team’s tourney chances.

The Gaels are currently projected as a 10th-seed in the big dance as Lunardi saw it at the start of the week. Things have certainly changed for them after losing at last-place San Diego (74-66) on Feb. 16 and at home to Utah State (75-65) last Saturday.

Gonzaga (19-9 SU, 13-11-1 ATS) looked to be in serious danger of missing the big dance for the first time since 1998 just two weeks ago. Now the Bulldogs can grab a share of the conference lead on Thursday night.

The Zags come into this game riding a four-game winning streak, going 3-1 ATS in that stretch. Marquise Carter is a big reason for the Bulldogs’ turnaround. The transfer from Three Rivers Community College has averaged 14.3 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game during this four-game streak.

One of Carter’s worst performances did come in a 73-71 loss to the Gaels on Jan. 27 for Gonzaga as a four-point home favorite.

Including that January victory, Saint Mary’s has won and covered the last two meetings with the Zags. Prior to this recent streak, Gonzaga won six straight games against the Gaels with a 4-2 ATS mark. The ‘under’ is 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head tests.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:13 PM

Florida seeks 6th straight win hosting Georgia

GEORGIA BULLDOGS (18-8, 7-5 in SEC)

at FLORIDA GATORS (21-5, 10-2 in SEC)

Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Florida -5.5

At 18-8 (7-5 in the SEC East), Mark Fox’s Georgia Bulldogs could not ask for a much better situation in the SEC East (outside of being in first place). The ‘Dawgs have four regular-season games remaining, can reach 20 wins prior to the start of the SEC Tournament, and have two more opportunities for quality road wins in SEC play. With an RPI of 37 and a SOS of 32 that ranks them ahead of other NCAA hopefuls with inferior RPI ratings like Michigan State, Illinois, Minnesota and even last year’s NCAA runner-up, Butler. Positioning is key this time of year and Georgia has it, but the other name of the game is to eliminate itself from bubble discussion with a resounding late-season victory, especially at that time of the season when the opportunities for such a triumph become so scarce. Thursday night in Gainesville, Georgia gets one of those chances when it takes on the SEC East-leading Florida Gators.

No. 13 Florida has won five straight and eight of its past nine games. Impressive during that stretch is how it has performed in tight games, defeating Vanderbilt by four in overtime, Kentucky by two in regulation, and Tennessee by one, all at home in the O’Connell Center. The Gators are coming off a 68-61 road win versus LSU on Sunday. Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton each scored 17 points, while Vernon Macklin added 16 points and six rebounds as the Gators made their 15-point, first -half lead hold up. “We had a great first half," Boynton said. "We played great going inside-out. We lost that in the second half and LSU hit shots in the second half." It was the first game of the season for the Gators without starting forward Chandler Parsons (10.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG) who sat out with a deep thigh bruise first suffered on February 12 against Tennessee. Asked about Parsons’ status for the Georgia game, head coach Billy Donovan said, “I’m concerned about that right now.” Even without Parsons Florida was still able to dominate the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 36-25, as LSU went down to defeat for the 10th straight time. With the win the Gators moved to 7-1 on the road this season, much improved over last year’s 5-5 mark on the road.

If the importance of the game doesn’t get the ‘Dawgs pumped up, the memory of the last meeting between these two schools definitely will. In that January 25 thriller, Georgia rallied from eight points down in the last three minutes of regulation, tying it when Trey Thompkins (16.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG) banked in a missed shot just ahead of the buzzer. The Bulldogs then had a three-point lead with time running out in the first overtime when Florida’s Walker raced through the Georgia defense and buried a desperation three pointer from over 30 feet away to force a second overtime. In that final session, Parsons scored nine of his 18 points to seal the 104-91 double overtime win. Bulldogs second leading scorer Travis Leslie (14 PPG, 7.1 RPG) described the loss as “devastating.” How big of an impact was the game? Florida has gone 5-1 since that win, while the Bulldogs are 4-3 since the defeat. Georgia is coming off a 69-63 road win Saturday over Tennessee, a victory that avenged an earlier home loss to the Vols in Athens. Thursday night the Bulldogs get a chance to do the same against the Gators, with a road win that could define its season, as well as prove to members of the selection committee that the ‘Dawgs are worthy of an NCAA at large bid.

Florida has been a terrible bet at home with a dismal 3-9 ATS mark. On the other hand, Georgia is a stellar 7-1 ATS (7-2 SU) in true road games this season. The Bulldogs are also 6-2 ATS as an underdog (5-0 ATS road dog) while the Gators are a laughable 3-13 ATS as a favorite, including 2-9 ATS when favored at home. The FoxSheets give another highly-rated reason to pick Georgia to at least cover the spread.

Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (GEORGIA) - off an upset win as an underdog against opponent off a road no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite. (32-9 since 1997.) (78%, +22.1 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:14 PM

Pittsburgh favored by 7.5 over rival WVU

WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (17-9, 8-6 in Big East)

at PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (24-3, 12-2 in Big East)

Tip-off: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Pittsburgh -7.5, Total: 129.5

Normally a Pittsburgh-West Virginia game preview will be fraught with the references you’d expect (Backyard Brawl, Backyard Brawl-part deux, Backyard Brawl-The Remix!). The only issue with that, is this year in the Big East, EVERY game is being played like it’s a backyard brawl. Whether it’s 1-14 DePaul coming within a Corey Fisher three-pointer of upsetting Villanova, or 3-12 Providence battling 11-4 Notre Dame to the bitter end before falling 94-93, everyone in the Big East is giving everyone else its very best shot, regardless of record or past history. A lesson that Pittsburgh was reminded of last Saturday afternoon in Madison Square Garden. Not to say that No. 4 Pittsburgh and West Virginia won’t collectively bring their own brand of sizzle and hatred to Thursday’s game at the Petersen Events Center. One way or another, fans will get their recommended daily allowance of rivalry! (and possibly Vitamin C).

The Panthers were having a very good weekend in New York City for about 39 minutes and 48 seconds. On a day that the team saw its leading scorer and best perimeter player Ashton Gibbs return to the lineup to play brilliantly in putting up 26 points on 8-for 14 shooting (6-of-9 beyond the arc), St. John’s stole the game at the end on a Dwight Hardy driving scoop shot with 1.2 seconds left to play. "I knew my knee was fine," Gibbs said. "It was a tough loss." While the loss did put Pitt in good company, as they became the fifth ranked team to lose to the surging Johnnies at MSG this season, that was little consolation for Jamie Dixon as he watched his team score just one basket in the game’s final 3:20 of play. If they want to accentuate the positive, the Panthers can look forward to their rematch with West Virginia knowing that without Gibbs on the floor for the first game, they were able to defeat the Mountaineers 71-66 by dominating the paint area. Dominating, as in scoring 42 points on the interior, outrebounding WVU by an impressive 40-28 margin, and hauling down 18 offensive rebounds. Gibbs’ absence was evident in the Panthers’ performance from beyond the arc, as they shot just a hair under 17% on the night. That void will be filled once again come Thursday night when Gibbs takes the court in his second game back after missing three games following his February 5 knee injury.

West Virginia is coming off a much-needed 72-58 win over Notre Dame, much-needed in that the Mountaineers desperately had to defeat a quality opponent to maintain their argument for an at-large bid to the big dance. Darryl Bryant scored 24 points, as the Mountaineers erased a one-point Irish advantage at the half with a 17-4 run early in the second half to put their opponent in the rearview mirror. Bryant had been averaging six points on 24% shooting over the previous five games entering the Notre Dame contest, but broke out of that slump at just the right time to secure victory for his team. At 17-9, 8-6 in conference play, with quality wins over Georgetown, Purdue, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Vanderbilt, Bob Huggins’ team (RPI: 21, SOS: 4) should be feeling much better about its tournament resume. Shooting at a 43.5% clip for the season, the Mountaineers will tend to become offensively challenged for stretches at a time, which is why their in-your-face defensive game (40.8% FG defense, 53rd-best in Division I) will be key to keeping them in this game on the road. The Panthers are 15-1 at the Petersen Events Center this season, while West Virginia is 1-6 there all-time, including a gut-wrenching, triple-overtime 98-95 loss last season. A game in which the Panthers backcourt of Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker torched the Mountaineers for 24 points each.

Pittsburgh has a decided edge in this series since 1997, going 16-10 SU and 16-9-1 ATS (64%). This includes a 9-1 SU and 6-3 ATS mark when hosting WVU. This season, the Panthers are 11-11 ATS overall and 8-6 ATS in Big East play. The Mountaineers are even worse at 10-13 ATS overall and 6-8 versus conference foes. Recently, West Virginia is 1-4 ATS in its past five games, while Pitt had gone 7-2 ATS before its past two ATS defeats. With Gibbs looking strong and healthy, expect Pittsburgh to take care of business at home. The FoxSheets give two more reasons to side with the Panthers to win and cover.

Play On - A home team (PITTSBURGH) - a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after a combined score of 125 points or less 2 straight games. (36-13 since 1997.) (73.5%, +21.7 units. Rating = 2*).

PITTSBURGH is 13-3 ATS (81.3%, +9.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PITTSBURGH 77.9, OPPONENT 67.3 - (Rating = 2*).

The Under has occurred in six of the past eight Pittsburgh games and also in six of the past nine WVU contests (6-2-1). This highly-rated FoxSheets trend also expects this game to finish Under the total.

Play Under - All teams where the total is between 120 and 129.5 points (PITTSBURGH) - good shooting team (45-47.5%) against an good defensive team (40-42.5%) after 15+ games, in a game involving two good ball handling team (<=14.5 TO's) after 15+ games. (198-115 since 1997.) (63.3%, +71.5 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:15 PM

Celtics favored by 3.5 at Denver

BOSTON CELTICS (41-14)

at DENVER NUGGETS (33-25)

Tip-off: Thursday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -3.5, Total: 203.5

The post-Carmelo Anthony period started impressively for the Nuggets, who host the Celtics in Denver on Thursday. The three-team deal that sent Anthony, Chauncey Billups and three other Nuggets to New York for Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov, left the Nuggets short-handed Tuesday. Denver, though, defeated Memphis 120-107 as six of its eight active players scored in double figures.

Denver currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference, two games ahead of ninth-place Utah, which also traded its franchise player this week. The Nuggets are 26-30 ATS this season, which includes a 13-15 record ATS at home. They have won two straight ATS after losing seven of their previous 10 games ATS. After combining to score just nine points on 3-of-13 shooting in his previous two games, J.R. Smith scored 26 points against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, making 6-of-11 shots from behind the arc. Arron Afflalo pitched in 21 points against Memphis, after averaging 8.0 PPG in his previous three games. The Nuggets have defeated Boston in five of its past six trips to Denver, although the Celtics won 114-76 at Pepsi Center two years ago.

The Celtics began the second half with an impressive 22-point win at Golden State Tuesday. They are 26-26 ATS this season and 14-11 ATS on the road. They have won their past three games ATS. They shot 55.6 percent against the Warriors after making just 42.6 percent of their shots in the previous five games before the All-Star break. Rajon Rondo scored 19 points and dished out 15 assists against Golden State, and has recorded double-doubles in four of his past five games. Ray Allen scored 28 points in the Celtics’ win over Denver in December and his 24.9 career PPG against the Nuggets is the highest against any opponent in his career.

Something has to give on Thursday, as the Nuggets who lead the NBA in scoring (107.8 PPG), have to deal with the stingy Celtics defense who lead the NBA in scoring defense at 91.2 PPG allowed. They have only surrendered 100 points once (101 to Dallas) in their past 15 games. Denver is 2-1 this season as a home underdog, and 5-2 over the past three seasons, while the Celtics have lost three of their past four games when favored on the road. However, the Nuggets have lost 10 of their past 11 games ATS against the Atlantic Division, and the Celtics should take advantage of a team that is not used to playing with each other. I’m taking Boston minus the points. The FoxSheets give two more reasons to side with the Celtics:

Play On - Road favorites (BOSTON) - average defensive team (43.5-45.5%) against a poor defensive team (45.5-47.5%), good ball handling team (<=14.5 TO's) against a poor pressure defense (<=14.5 TO's) after 42+ games. (147-89 since 1996.) (62.3%, +49.1 units. Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Home underdogs (DENVER) - good free throw shooting team (76-79%) against an average free throw shooting team (72-76%), in a game involving two good ball handling team (<=14.5 TO's). (119-71 since 1996.) (62.6%, +40.9 units. Rating = 2*).

Eight of the past 13 meetings in Denver have finished Over the total, and this highly-rated FoxSheets trend also sides with the Over on Thursday.

Play Over - Road teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (BOSTON) - after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite against opponent after a home game where both teams score 100 or more points. (50-20 since 1996.) (71.4%, +28 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:16 PM

St. Mary's looks for WCC title hosting Gonzaga

GONZAGA BULLDOGS (19-9, 9-3 in WCC)

at SAINT MARY'S GAELS (22-6, 10-2 in WCC)

Tip-off: Thursday, 11:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Saint Mary’s -3.5, Total: 147

Saint Mary's looks to snap a two-game skid and win the West Coast Conference title outright when it hosts Gonzaga on Thursday night.

The Gaels are aiming for their first outright conference championship since 1989, but will have to beat the Bulldogs for the second time in a month. In January, Saint Mary's claimed a 73-71 thriller in Spokane when Mickey McConnell (16.9 PPG, 6.1 APG, 48.0% three-pointers) nailed the game-winner and scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-5 from long range. McConnell has tallied double-figures in eight straight games and has led the team in scoring in six of the past eight contests. Rob Jones (13.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG) added 15 points and 13 boards in the first meeting with the Zags, but has had only 11 points combined on 5-of-18 shooting in his past two games. Matthew Dellavedova (12.6 PPG, 5.4 APG) also chipped in with 15 points in the January meeting, but shot just 5-of-15 from the floor. After winning four in a row to begin the month of February, the Gaels dropped consecutive games at San Diego (74-66) and versus Utah State (75-65). Saint Mary's ranks 12th in the nation in scoring (79.8 PPG), fifth in field-goal percentage (49.1%) and 11th in assists (17.1 APG), but has scored 66 points or less in three of its past four games. In its two straight losses, the Gaels allowed the Toreros and Aggies to both shoot at least 50% from the field (51% FG combined).

Gonzaga has won four straight games, despite the recent shooting struggles of leading scorer Steven Gray (14.7 PPG, 38.0% three-pointers). Gray led the Bulldogs with 19 points in Saturday's 70-53 rout over San Francisco, but the 19 points represented his highest scoring game since a 20-point effort against the Dons on Jan. 22, a span of nine contests. Gray is 21-for-64 from the field (32.8%) over the past five games, including 9-for-32 (28.1%) from three-point range. He had 14 points against Saint Mary's in January's matchup. Second-leading scorer Robert Sacre (12.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG) took only three shots (0-for-3) and did not score in 16 minutes versus USF. He's just 7-for-25 in his past five games (28.0%), but finished with 16 points and seven boards in the earlier meeting with Gonzaga. Marquise Carter (5.1 PPG) has picked up the slack offensively, scoring 38 points combined in his past two games on 13-of-19 shooting (68.4%). The Zags are second in the WCC to Saint Mary's in scoring, averaging 76.1 PPG (33rd in the nation), and are outscoring their opponents by 10.0 PPG. Gonzaga has also been strong on defense, limiting opponents to a WCC-best 33.9% from the field and surrendering 57 points or less in three of its past four contests.

The Bulldogs have an 11-5 advantage in the series since 2005, but the Gaels have won the past two meetings, including the January matchup and an 81-62 victory in the WCC Tournament finals in 2010. Prior to its two-game winning streak in the series, Saint Mary's had lost five straight to Gonzaga. The Gaels are 13-1 at home this season, including 5-0 in WCC play, but are just 4-6 ATS at home and 5-7 ATS in WCC games. They have claimed 11 consecutive conference wins at McKeon Pavilion, with their last league loss coming against the Zags, 89-82, last season. The McKeon Pavilion will be going crazy Thursday night and the Gaels will finally get that elusive regular-season WCC title. These two FoxSheets trends also like Saint Mary’s to win and cover on Thursday.

ST MARY’S is 22-6 ATS (78.6%, +15.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST MARY’S 82.3, OPPONENT 64.2 - (Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Any team (GONZAGA) - excellent shooting team (>=47.5%) against an average defensive team (42.5-45%) after 15+ games, after 4 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 40% or less. (47-18 since 1997.) (72.3%, +27.2 units. Rating = 3*).

Although five of the past six meetings at St. Mary’s have finished Over the total, this six-star FoxSheets trend supports playing the Under.

GONZAGA is 10-0 UNDER (+10.0 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=45% of their shots this season. The average score was GONZAGA 67.0, OPPONENT 65.6 - (Rating = 6*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:17 PM

St. Mary's looks for WCC title hosting Gonzaga

GONZAGA BULLDOGS (19-9, 9-3 in WCC)

at SAINT MARY'S GAELS (22-6, 10-2 in WCC)

Tip-off: Thursday, 11:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Saint Mary’s -3.5, Total: 147

Saint Mary's looks to snap a two-game skid and win the West Coast Conference title outright when it hosts Gonzaga on Thursday night.

The Gaels are aiming for their first outright conference championship since 1989, but will have to beat the Bulldogs for the second time in a month. In January, Saint Mary's claimed a 73-71 thriller in Spokane when Mickey McConnell (16.9 PPG, 6.1 APG, 48.0% three-pointers) nailed the game-winner with one second left and scored 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-5 from long range. McConnell has tallied double-figures in eight straight games and has led the team in scoring in six of the past eight contests. Rob Jones (13.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG) added 15 points and 13 boards in the first meeting with the Zags, but has had only 11 points combined on 5-of-18 shooting in his past two games. Matthew Dellavedova (12.6 PPG, 5.4 APG) also chipped in with 15 points in the January meeting, but shot just 5-of-15 from the floor. After winning four in a row to begin the month of February, the Gaels dropped consecutive games at San Diego (74-66) and versus Utah State (75-65). Saint Mary's ranks 12th in the nation in scoring (79.8 PPG), fifth in field-goal percentage (49.1%) and 11th in assists (17.1 APG), but has scored 66 points or less in three of its past four games. In its two straight losses, the Gaels allowed the Toreros and Aggies to both shoot at least 50% from the field (51% FG combined).

Gonzaga has won four straight games, despite the recent shooting struggles of leading scorer Steven Gray (14.7 PPG, 38.0% three-pointers). Gray led the Bulldogs with 19 points in Saturday's 70-53 rout over San Francisco, but the 19 points represented his highest scoring game since a 20-point effort against the Dons on Jan. 22, a span of nine contests. Gray is 21-for-64 from the field (32.8%) over the past five games, including 9-for-32 (28.1%) from three-point range. He had 14 points against Saint Mary's in January's matchup. Second-leading scorer Robert Sacre (12.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG) took only three shots (0-for-3) and did not score in 16 minutes versus USF. He's just 7-for-25 in his past five games (28.0%), but finished with 16 points and seven boards in the earlier meeting with Gonzaga. Marquise Carter (5.1 PPG) has picked up the slack offensively, scoring 38 points combined in his past two games on 13-of-19 shooting (68.4%). The Zags are second in the WCC to Saint Mary's in scoring, averaging 76.1 PPG (33rd in the nation), and are outscoring their opponents by 10.0 PPG. Gonzaga has also been strong on defense, limiting opponents to a WCC-best 33.9% from the field and surrendering 57 points or less in three of its past four contests.

The Bulldogs have an 11-5 advantage in the series since 2005, but the Gaels have won the past two meetings, including the January matchup and an 81-62 victory in the WCC Tournament finals in 2010. Prior to its two-game winning streak in the series, Saint Mary's had lost five straight to Gonzaga. The Gaels are 13-1 at home this season, including 5-0 in WCC play, but are just 4-6 ATS at home and 5-7 ATS in WCC games. They have claimed 11 consecutive conference wins at McKeon Pavilion, with their last league loss coming against the Zags, 89-82, last season. The McKeon Pavilion will be going crazy Thursday night and the Gaels will finally get that elusive regular-season WCC title. These two FoxSheets trends also like Saint Mary’s to win and cover on Thursday.

ST MARY’S is 22-6 ATS (78.6%, +15.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST MARY’S 82.3, OPPONENT 64.2 - (Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Any team (GONZAGA) - excellent shooting team (>=47.5%) against an average defensive team (42.5-45%) after 15+ games, after 4 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 40% or less. (47-18 since 1997.) (72.3%, +27.2 units. Rating = 3*).

Although five of the past six meetings at St. Mary’s have finished Over the total, this six-star FoxSheets trend supports playing the Under.

GONZAGA is 10-0 UNDER (+10.0 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=45% of their shots this season. The average score was GONZAGA 67.0, OPPONENT 65.6 - (Rating = 6*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:18 PM

Noah tries to lead host Bulls past Miami

MIAMI HEAT (42-15)

at CHICAGO BULLS (38-17)

Tip-off: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -2.5, Total: 191.5

The streaking Miami Heat come into Thursday night winners of 11 of 12, but the Chicago Bulls are finally full strength getting their rebounding monster Joakim Noah back on Wednesday night.

Miami hasn’t proven yet this year that it can hang with the league’s elite, going 1-6 against Boston, Chicago, San Antonio, Dallas and the L.A. Lakers. The last meeting on Jan. 15 with Chicago, Miami was missing LeBron James (26.2 PPG) and Chris Bosh (18.6 PPG) left the game early with a sprained ankle. The Bulls won the contest 99-96 despite Dwyane Wade (25.3 PPG) leading his team back from being down 14 and scoring 33 points. It is time for the Heat to answer the critics, starting a stretch where they will play 12 teams with winning records over the next 13 games. James would love to silence all the haters and put the Heat atop the Eastern Conference.

Chicago is coming in off an uncharacteristic 118-113 loss to Toronto on Wednesday. The Bulls who are third in the NBA in defense (92.9 PPG allowed) have to be disappointed after letting up 118 points to a below-average Raptors team. One positive is the return of their center Joakim Noah (13.8 PPG 11.9 RPG). Noah had seven points and 16 rebounds in Wednesday's loss. Noah missed 30 games after thumb surgery, but the Bulls kept on trucking, going 22-8 without him. Despite Noah's long absence, the Bulls still lead the league in rebounding margin and outrebounded Miami by 10 the last time these teams met. Derrick Rose (25.0 PPG) dropped 32 points in Wednesday’s defeat and has been red-hot, averaging 30.0 PPG over the past six games. Carlos Boozer (19.4 PPG) needs to help out with the scoring as he did Wednesday, pitching in 24 points, but that was his first game scoring 20 points or more in six contests.

Miami has been solid in road games going 21-10 SU and 18-12 ATS. The problem with the Heat is their inconsistent play against teams with winning records (12-10 SU, 10-10 ATS). Chicago has been fantastic at home, notching a 25-4 SU record and a league-best 18-10 ATS home mark. Chicago is outscoring opponents by 10.0 PPG and holding them to a league-low 89.5 PPG at home. As a home underdog of three points or less, the Bulls are 3-0 ATS this year and 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons. When Chicago is an underdog, it has won 9 of 13 games against the spread. The Bulls also love to frustrate good offensive teams being 18-6 ATS versus teams who score 99.0 PPG or more. Miami is 2-8 SU (3-7 ATS) in its past 10 visits to United Center, with Dwyane Wade shooting 42.6% FG in his career there. I like Chicago, who plays inspired basketball at the United Center, to beat the Heat in a close and physical game.

These two FoxSheets trends also support picking the Bulls.

Play On - Home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (CHICAGO) - off an upset loss as a favorite, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record. (71-33 since 1996.) (68.3%, +34.7 units. Rating = 3*).

CHICAGO is 14-2 ATS (87.5%, +11.8 Units) in home games after playing a game as a road favorite over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 103.6, OPPONENT 95.6 - (Rating = 2*).

These two FoxSheets also expect the Under to occur with Chicago’s great defense.

Play Under - Road teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points (MIAMI) - after leading in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half against opponent after scoring 105 points or more 2 straight games. (30-8 since 1996.) (78.9%, +21.2 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:20 PM

NCAA Odds: Xavier among top mid-majors

Is there a Butler for this year’s tourney among the crop of mid-majors?
Weekend must-wins abound on the schedules for college basketball mid-majors. Next week, when the big boys are closing their regular seasons, conferences like the West Coast, Missouri Valley, Colonial and Horizon will begin their postseason tournaments.

Thirty-one slots in this year's 68-team field are promised out to conference champions, and the remaining 37 openings will be fought for tooth-&-nail by all, especially the middies. We've had the hype of 11 Big East schools making this year's tourney; 9-10 getting in definitely isn't out of the question, roughly a quarter of the at-large openings.

Too much remains to be determined when it comes to making any final decisions. An upset in the Big South could lead to a tough cut from the Horizon while the unexpected in the Pac-10 or SEC the rest of the way could open the door for someone in the A-10.

Still, there are some mid-major conferences that clearly will be in play for multiple tickets to the dance. The five that seem destined to have at least one at-large bid extended are the Atlantic 10, Colonial, West Coast, Horizon and Ivy League.

Let's start with the Ivy League.

No foolin', that preseason notion of two Ivy Leaguers attending the dance could come true. With no postseason tourney, the March 5 meeting in Boston between Harvard and Princeton should serve as the conference title tilt.

If neither is upset before then, the Crimson and Tigers will enter that matchup with one conference loss each, and 23-24 wins overall. Harvard's lone Ivy defeat came at Princeton on Feb. 4, a 65-61 setback as a 2½-point underdog. Princeton enters this weekend off its only loss of the conference campaign, an embarrassing 75-65 upset at Brown as eight-point chalk.

Both teams head into weekend play with decent places in the RPI, but lacking on the Ken Pomeroy rankings. The loser of that March 5 game will need to have rolled over their other remaining opponents, but two entries is a strong possibility for the Ivy League.

The West Coast Conference is also a bubble group as far as sending two to the dance. The St. Mary's Gaels and Gonzaga Bulldogs are both worthy, but one could get squeezed out. All signs point to the two rivals meeting twice more, the first Thursday night (Feb. 24) for a regular season matchup and the next coming in the conference title game in Las Vegas a week or so later.

Both squads made the tourney last season, St. Mary's bowing out in the Sweet 16 to Baylor, 72-49, as a five-point underdog and Gonzaga exiting the round before that in an 87-65 loss to Syracuse who was favored by seven. Despite their resume that lists 12 consecutive NCAA appearances, the 'Zags might need two wins over the Gaels to make it, and that could mean St. Mary's gets left out despite a strong season overall.

Three deserving Horizon League squads are hopeful, but only two invites are likely to go out. Cleveland State holds a slim half-game lead presently over both Butler and Valparaiso. The Milwaukee Panthers are also lurking, but their only chance would be as the automatic qualifier meaning two of the previous three would be left to the NIT.

The Colonial Athletic Association also has three solid candidates plus a few bubble squads; like the Horizon League, however, there may only be two openings.

George Mason, the darlings of the 2006 NCAA Tournament when the Patriots made their shocking run into the Final Four, will get in either as the conference champ or as an at-large. Old Dominion also could get an at-large invite, assuming the Monarchs at least reach the conference championship.

Virginia Commonwealth's only chance will be to earn the automatic bid. Keep an eye on Hofstra next week when the postseason tourney gets underway in Richmond, VA. The Pride could become the proverbial fly in the ointment and knock either ODU or VCU out of the mix.

An A-10 quartet should get pared to just a trio once the dust clears on Selection Sunday. Xavier and Temple lead the way, with the Richmond Spiders currently bubbling. Dayton looked like a true contender earlier, but a pedestrian 4-4 stretch recently has the Flyers in trouble. They will need to win out in their final three, starting this Sunday (Feb. 27) at home versus the conference-leading Musketeers.

There doesn't appear to be a Butler among this year's crop of mid-majors. The Bulldogs were a true top-10 squad in 2009-10 and had the talent to make a deep run in the tournament, which they did. Three teams, however, do appear capable of making a run into the Sweet 16: Xavier, George Mason and Bucknell.

Xavier, the only one of the three to have unique championship odds presently at Bodog (100/1), shoots well from the field and from the line, plus is a better rebounding team than its 160th ranking might indicate. There's decent scoring behind Tu Holloway, but the Musketeers will still need 20+ from him each game to keep advancing.

George Mason also is well-rounded and has some upperclassmen that won't be intimidated easily. The Patriots' biggest problem will be coming up a team strong in the paint and posts.

I've probably jinxed the Bison by including them in this group, but there's still something about this Bucknell team that intrigues me. Mike Muscala is a great presence on the inside and the team shoots lights out from the charity stripe. The Bison are at least worth a look for a cover or two in the early stages of the tourney.

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:22 PM

Gonzaga back in hunt for 1st place in West Coast

February 24, 2011

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A month ago, Gonzaga's run of 10 consecutive West Coast Conference championships was in jeopardy after three straight losses.

Since then the Bulldogs have recovered and Thursday night they play at Saint Mary's with a chance to move into a tie for first place in the conference.

It took six straight WCC wins for resurgent Gonzaga (19-9, 9-3) to get a chance to win an 11th consecutive regular season title, a streak second only to UCLA's record 13 straight crowns back in the John Wooden era.

``We're playing for a league championship on the last week of the year,'' coach Mark Few said. ``You can't ask for anything else, especially in lieu of where we were four or five weeks ago.''

It has been a fitful season for the Gonzaga faithful, who are accustomed to Top 25 rankings, high-profile wins, and a waltz through the 14-game WCC schedule. While several mid-major programs have grabbed the spotlight in recent years, Gonzaga's run of more than a decade on the national stage is notable.

But this year, the Zags fell from the Top 25 early. They lost to San Diego State, Kansas State, Washington State, Illinois, Notre Dame and Memphis. Perhaps most unexpected, they lost three straight WCC games in late January and found themselves at 3-3 and mired in the middle of the league. They had not lost three league games since the 2006 season, and not lost three in a row since the 1996 campaign.

Instead of folding, the Zags went on a run and avenged losses to Santa Clara and San Francisco. They caught a huge break when last place San Diego upset Saint Mary's on Feb. 16, opening the door for another league title.

Saint Mary's (22-6, 10-2) edged the Zags at home on Mickey McConnell's last-second jumper on Jan. 27. The Gaels can clinch the WCC title with a win Thursday. A loss drops them into a tie, and each team has one league game left on Saturday.

``These guys deserve credit for putting us in the position, but now we need to take advantage of that position and finish this climb off,'' Few said. ``A great job of taking it game by game and not collapsing under the doom and gloom.''

The Zags' rise came in part because of the emergence of bench players Sam Dower, Marquise Carter and David Stockton, the son of former Gonzaga great John Stockton. All three have seen their minutes and contributions increasing in the second half of the season.

``In order for us to be good team, everybody has to be good,'' said Carter, a junior college transfer who moved into a starting job and was named WCC player of the week Monday after scoring 38 points in two victories.

Dower is averaging 7.0 points in just 13 minutes a game, while Stockton provides solid guard play.

The Zags are also getting good play from Elias Harris, a freshman sensation last year who has struggled to put up the same type of numbers again. Harris, considered a possible lottery pick before the season, is averaging 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Center Robert Sacre has struggled recently, although he continues to average 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

The steadiest player has been senior guard Steven Gray, the leading scorer at 14 points per game. Gray, the lone senior, has the most perspective on the team's legacy of success.

``We don't remember when we had a game like this that meant so much in conference,'' Gray said of the Saint Mary's contest. ``We want to go out and make the most of it.''

History can be a burden for the Zags, whose sellout crowds are not used to seeing them struggle in the WCC. In the past decade, they went 128-12 in the league, and lost only two of those games at home. They are 88-6 in the McCarthey Athletic Center since it opened in 2004, but two of those losses came this year, to San Diego State and Saint Mary's.

Gonzaga's 10 straight regular-season titles are tied with UNLV (Big West, 1983-92) and Connecticut (Yankee, 1951-60) for the second-longest streak in history. UCLA won 13 Pac-8/10 titles from 1967-79.

Few, who has never won fewer than 23 games or failed to make the NCAA tournament in his first 11 seasons, said the future of those streaks is up to the players.

``We've got to put everything aside and play,'' Few said. ``There are no speeches this time of year.''

**StarDust Bum** · 02-24-2011, 02:23 PM

Thursday Totals Watch

February 24, 2011

Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Cleveland State - The host Vikings are trending "over" the past few weeks (4-1 their last 5).

Wisconsin-Green Bay at Youngstown State - The Penguins have been a consistent "over-achiever" in recent weeks (Youngstown "over" its last 5 and 7 of its last 8).

Buffalo at Kent State - Lots of "overs" both ways lately, with Buffalo "over" consistently (12-4) the past two months, and Kent State "over" its last four.

Georgia at Florida - Conflicting "totals" trends in this hot SEC East rivalry, with the Gators "over" 8 of their last 12 and Bulldogs "under" 5 of their last 7.

Marquette at UConn - Buzz Williams' Marquette is "under" in 8 of its last 11 outings.

Old Dominion at James Madison - Matt Brady's Dukes are "under" in 4 of their last 5.

Northeastern at George Mason - Lots of streaks on the line in this one, with Mason of cour se covering its last 14 in a row, but effectively matched by Northeastern's "over" in 13 straight and 17 of its last 18. Jim Larranaga's Patriots also "over" 7 of their last 9 games.

Troy at Florida Atlantic - Recent "under" trends both ways, with Trojans "under" their last four and Owls "under" 5 of their last 7 outings.

Loyola-Chicago at Valparaiso - "Overs " in both directions lately, with Jim Whitesell's Ramblers "over" 5-1-1 their last 7 and Homer Drew's Crusaders "over" 8 of their last 10.

Florida International at Western Kentucky - Another pronounced Sun Belt trend belongs to FIU, now "over" in 10 of its last 11.

Arkansas-Little Rock at South Alabama - The Jaguars are "over" in 6 of their last 8 games.

North Texas at Arkansas State - The not-so-Mean Green have been plenty me an lately when it comes to "overs," going that way in 10 of their last 11 games.

Denver at UL-Lafayette - Solid defense propelling recent Ragin' Cajuns uptick, reflected in their six straight "under" efforts.

Stanford at Oregon State - Conflicting trends, with Johnny Dawkins' Cardinal "over" 5 of its last 6 but Craig Robinson's Beavers "under" 6 of their last 7.

Cal at Oregon - Mike Montgomery's Golden Bears are "over" 11-2 -1 their last 14 games.

West Virginia at Pitt - For this hoops version of the "Backyard Brawl," note WVU's 7 "unders" in its last 9 games.

UC Santa Barbara at CS Northridge - Bobby Braswell's Matadors are "under" in their last four games.

Pacific at UC Riverside - Bob Thomason's Tigers are "over" 7 of their last 9 outings.

Cal Poly SLO at Long Beach State - These Big West foes both trending "under" in the past few weeks (Mustangs 5-1 last six, 49ers 4-1 last five).

Arizona at Southern Cal - Conflicting trends. with Wildcats "over" 6 of last 7 and Trojans "under" 12 of last 18.

Idaho at Nevada - The Wolf Pack has gone "over" in 8 of its last 11 games.

Gonzaga at St. Mary's - Conflicting trends, with Zags "under" 5 of last 6 and Gaels "over" 6 of last 7.

Arizona State at UCLA - The Sun Devils are "over" in 6 of their last 8 games.

Portland at San Diego - The Pilots are "under" in their last three games.

La. Tech at Hawaii - The biteless Bulldogs are "under" 11-3-1 in their last 15 games.

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