The Bum's March Madness All You Need To Know And Best Bets !

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UNLV And Colorado Cap First Day Slate

Welcome to The Pit and our first stop on Thursday's pod tour. Albuquerque will ship one team off to the East Regional next week in Boston and another down to the South Regional in Atlanta.

It's appropriate – or lucky timing, take your pick – to mention the East side of the bracket in our first report. Syracuse drew the No. 1 seed in that regional after a solid 31-2 campaign (16-16 against the spread), but will now be without center Fab Melo for the NCAA's due to an academic suspension. A quick call from a 'Cuse friend started with, "Stick a fork in our ass, we're done."

Assuming the Orange can at least advance to the Sweet 16 without their big man, Wisconsin or Vanderbilt figure to be the first real beneficiaries of facing a Melo-less Syracuse squad. The 7-footer missed three games earlier this year for the same reason, including the only regular season defeat at Notre Dame (Jan. 21). Most expect Wisconsin and Vanderbilt to meet in Albuquerque this Saturday to decide a Sweet 16 slot in Boston next week, and a potential match with 'Cuse.

Here's a quick glance at Thursday's Albuquerque pod; spreads and totals listed per the Don Best Odds screen on Tuesday around the cocktail hour.

(4) Wisconsin vs. (13) Montana
TIP-OFF: 2:10 p.m. (ET) TNT
SPREAD: Wisconsin -9
TOTAL: 118
PREVIEW: Early market correction moved the Wisconsin Badgers down a point from the opening 9½-10, which is certainly interesting. Even more fascinating has been the total, up three points from the start. It should always been an eyebrow-raising moment when a total in a Badgers game goes up.

Montana has pretty much been an ATM machine all season. The Grizzlies (17-9-1 ATS) have run into a little dry spell the last five (2-3 ATS), but that's tempered with missing a 19-point cover by a single point. The Grizzlies won the Big Sky regular season crown at 15-1 before taking tourney honors as well, and arrive at The Pit with a 14-game win streak.

The 'over' was also profitable on Montana during the season at 15-11, and strangely enough, that's the way games have been going for Wisconsin lately. Seven of the Badgers' last nine have jumped the scoreboard hurdle, and only two of their last 13 NCAA Tournament games have failed to reach the 120-point line.

(5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) Harvard
TIP-OFF: 4:40 p.m. (ET) TNT
SPREAD: Vanderbilt -5½
TOTAL: 122½
PREVIEW: Harvard finally broke its dry spell, and the reward is to face a very talented and hopped-up Vanderbilt. How well Kevin Stallings brings his Commodores off the big upset win over Kentucky last week, and how well Tommy Amaker prepares the Crimson for their first game in 12 days, and the school's first dance in 66 years, are the proverbial two sides of the coin.

So far, college basketball bettors seem to like Harvard. Vanderbilt opened as 6½-7 point chalk before the spread shortened at least a point at most shops.

Few teams played a tougher schedule than the Commodores. The Crimson also met a tough slate, beating a very good Florida State team on a neutral court as well as a solid Loyola Marymount crew in a true road test. Still Harvard hasn't faced a big guy since a loss at UConn in early December, and they'll have to quickly adjust to Vandy who has played Kentucky three times in the last month.

(3) Baylor vs. (14) South Dakota State
TIP-OFF: 7:27 p.m. (ET) truTV
SPREAD: Baylor -7½
TOTAL: 140½
PREVIEW: The South Dakota State Jackrabbits have a lot to be proud of as they make their first trip ever to the NCAA Tournament. Scott Nagy's bunch arrives after an exciting overtime win over Western Illinois in the Summit League title game, and riding an 8-game win streak as part of an 11-1 close to the campaign.

The problem is, they will be facing Baylor and its stud Perry Jones III who appears ready to put on a show and make his case for the upcoming NBA Draft.

Jones is going to need help, and the Bears' biggest foe this season has been themselves. The Jackrabbits have some big bodies to throw in the mix, and Baylor will have to control the glass and not let SDSU win the physical battle inside.

(6) UNLV vs. (11) Colorado
TIP-OFF: 9:57 p.m. (ET) truTV
SPREAD: UNLV -5
TOTAL: 133½
PREVIEW: The final tip on Day 1 should be the best matchup in Albuquerque, if not the entire first full day. UNLV certainly knows the way to The Pit, having played the Lobos on this floor in MWC action and winning two of the last three games vs. New Mexico here. Colorado enters on a high having just completed a 4-game sweep in the Pac-12 tourney, and will be looking to stick around at its first dance since 2003.

It will be interesting to see how the crowd pans out for this game. Will locals on hand get behind the Buffaloes since they're used to rooting against the Runnin' Rebels? UNLV wasn't a great team away from Sin City this year to begin with, winning just five of 11 true road dates with a poor 2-9 ATS. The Rebels dropped their tourney openers each of the last two years as an 8-seed, and are seeking their first NCAA tourney win since advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2007 as a 7-seed.

The spread has been widened a point from the opener to UNLV -5 as of Tuesday evening. The Rebels closed on a 3-10 ATS string (8-5 'under'). The Buffaloes are 6-7 ATS since the end of January (10-3 'under').

LOUISVILLE POD - PITTSBURGH POD - PORTLAND POD

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Louisville And Indiana Headline Portland Pod

Portland's Rose Garden will be the site for an interesting mix that is expected to end this Saturday with a pair of 4/5 matchups to feed the Sweet 16. However, as they say in many of those retirement fund commercials, "Past performance does not guarantee future results."

We begin with the Big East champ, Louisville, throw in a pair of clubs from New Mexico, last year's Final Four darling VCU, this year's mid-major hopeful Wichita State, an Indiana program that is trying to turn itself around, plus very solid and upset-minded Long Beach State and Davidson teams. At stake are one opening in Atlanta's South Regional and another in the West Regional at Phoenix.

Here's a quick glance at Thursday's Portland pod; spreads and totals listed per the Don Best Odds screen on Tuesday evening.

(4) Louisville vs. (13) Davidson
TIP-OFF: 1:40 p.m. (ET) TBS
SPREAD: Louisville -7½
TOTAL: 138½
PREVIEW: Louisville rescued a 2-5 close to the regular season with a 4-0 stretch both straight up and against the spread to win the Big East Tournament. Ironically, that push put them in the same 4/13 matchup as a year ago when the Cardinals lost to Morehead State as 9½-point chalk.

Davidson was the class of the Southern Conference, winning both the regular season and conference tourney titles, the later with a double-overtime win over Western Carolina. The Wildcats had the big upset vs. Kansas in December, but could've improved their seeding with a better showing at home in a Bracket Busters game vs. Wichita State (17-point loss as 3-point 'dogs).

There has been some early movement on the total, up from the early 136 figure.

(5) New Mexico vs. (12) Long Beach State
TIP-OFF: 4:10 p.m. (ET) TBS
SPREAD: New Mexico -4
TOTAL: 137
PREVIEW: We've also seen an early boost to this total that opened at 133 and has been pushed up a full four points. Some of that movement might be due to Long Beach State upgrading senior guard Larry Anderson (14.0 PPG) to probable for the contest after he missed the Big West Tournament with a sprained right knee. The flip side to Anderson's offense returning is he was voted the conference's top defensive player this season.

New Mexico's season has been a tale of several scorching streaks interrupted by 2-game losing skids. The Lobos reeled off a 13-game winning run (10-1 ATS) only to drop consecutive contests to UNLV and San Diego State, rebounded to avenge both of those setbacks during a 7-game stretch of victories (7-0 ATS), imploded on the road at TCU and Boise State and begin the dance with five straight wins and covers.

(5) Wichita State vs. (12) Virginia Commonwealth
TIP-OFF: 7:15 p.m. (ET) CBS
SPREAD: Wichita State -6½
TOTAL: 134
PREVIEW: Shaka Smart has Virginia Commonwealth on a 17-1 roll (9-7-2 ATS) and ready to show last year wasn't a fluke. The Rams will face a Wichita State crew that is eager to prove their semifinals defeat in the Missouri Valley Tournament was a fluke, with the Shockers on an equally strong run at 17-2 (11-7-1 ATS).

There is a little bit of a revenge angle in this game for Wichita State. The Shockers hosted the Rams in a Feb. 2011 Bracket Busters battle, and VCU got the win in Wichita as 9-point 'dogs, 68-67, probably the victory that put Virginia Commonwealth into last year's Field of 68.

(4) Indiana vs. (13) New Mexico State
TIP-OFF: 9:45 p.m. (ET) CBS
SPREAD: Indiana -6
TOTAL: 154
PREVIEW: Yet another total that has ballooned after opening at 151. The Hoosiers and Aggies each ended the season with very slight 14-13 'over' leans, and both come in 3-2 'under' their last five.

Indiana will be the first ranked team that New Mexico State has met this season, so there's a huge disparity in the overall level of talent each school is used to facing after the Hoosiers faced four ranked Big Ten teams twice each. There should still be some interesting matchups however, starting with freshman Cody Zeller from Indiana against New Mexico State senior Hamidu Rahman down in the post. Christian Watford and Wendell McKines will be another key battle.

ALBUQUERQUE - LOUISVILLE - PITTSBURGH

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Gonzaga Faces West Virginia In Pittsburgh Pod

Rather than splitting the Pittsburgh pod between two regions, all Iron City games will involve teams competing in the East quadrant of the bracket. It should make for an interesting blend of fans, to say the least.

Start with two squads from the Big East coming to town, No. 1 seed Syracuse and No. 10 West Virginia. Both should bring a strong contingency of fans, but there should still be plenty of ticket buyers from the Pittsburgh area who will always cheer for whoever is playing the Orange and Mountaineers.

Also on hand is Ohio State out of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are seeded second in the East Regional and fit in the same category as 'Cuse and WVU, meaning a lot of Buckeyes supporters will be on hand along with plenty of locals firmly behind Loyola (MD).

Here's a quick glance at Thursday's Pittsburgh pod; spreads and totals listed per the Don Best Odds screen as of Wednesday morning.

(8) Kansas State vs. (9) Southern Miss
TIP-OFF: 12:40 p.m. (ET) truTV
SPREAD: Kansas State -5
TOTAL: 133½
PREVIEW: It's been a mixed bag for Frank Martin and Kansas State. The Wildcats toppled Missouri two times and also beat Baylor in Waco, but inexplicably fell to Oklahoma twice and begin play on Thursday just 5-7 against the spread their last 12.

Southern Miss has beaten four teams in the dance, taking down New Mexico State twice, and is 8-4 vs. squads that made it to either the NCAA or NIT tournaments. The Golden Eagles come into this game on an even worse ATS trail than K-State, however, with Southern Miss backers 1-9 playing the college basketball odds.

The schools met in Manhattan, KS a little more than three years ago, and Kansas State waltzed to a 74-55 win as 6½-point chalk.

(1) Syracuse vs. (16) UNC-Asheville
TIP-OFF: 3:10 p.m. (ET) truTV
SPREAD: Syracuse -15
TOTAL: 147
PREVIEW: The big story here is Syracuse center Fab Melo being ruled ineligible for the tournament, no doubt a big part of the reason the spread has dropped from its -17 starting point. There has also been an increase in the total after opening at 144.

Melo's absence shouldn't cause any trouble for this game, but Jim Boeheim's bunch will face stern tests after Thursday. The Orange barely survived in the Big East opener against UConn before falling 71-68 to Cincinnati in the semis as 8-point favorites, and are just 4-10 ATS since mid-January.

(7) Gonzaga vs. (10) West Virginia
TIP-OFF: 7:20 p.m. (ET) TNT
SPREAD: Gonzaga -1
TOTAL: 133
PREVIEW: This game has shifted a point either way after beginning as a pick 'em, while the total has bounced up a bucket after the initial 131.

Gonzaga is making its 14th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and it's the third straight year the Bulldogs will face at least one Big East team in the event. Mark Few's troops were big winners for 'under' bettors all season at 21-6, and closed 11-3 below the total.

West Virginia will be traveling about 1,900 fewer miles than the Zags for this game, and went 8-8 away from Morgantown this year (also 8-8 ATS). The Mountaineers stumble into the dance having won just five of their last 13 games (4-9 ATS).

(2) Ohio State vs. (15) Loyola-MD
TIP-OFF: 9:50 p.m. (ET) TNT
SPREAD: OSU -17½
TOTAL: 129½
PREVIEW: There has been a little movement worth mentioning on the total that opened in the 131-131½ range. The dip fits Loyola-Maryland's strong 'under' record this season, but smacks in the face of Ohio State's closing 6-1 'over' trend that missed a perfect 7-0 mark by a point in the Big Ten Championship vs. Michigan State this past Sunday.

Thad Matta and the Buckeyes are looking for their third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 where they've been dismissed from the dance the past two years. The Greyhounds, meanwhile, are appearing in the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in school history, and first since 1994, and hit the floor Thursday 12-3 since a loss to Iona in mid-January (11-4 ATS).

ALBUQUERQUE - LOUISVILLE - PORTLAND

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UConn Battles Cyclones In Louisville Nightcap

Beware the Ides of March, which apparently came two days early for both the Iona Gaels and Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils.

Two amazing finishes in Tuesday's First Four battles filled in Thursday's matchups in the Louisville pod. Brigham Young rallied from a huge first-half hole vs. a Jekyll & Hyde Iona squad to post a 78-72 win over the Gaels. The Cougars' performance came on the heels of Western Kentucky nipping MVSU 59-58 after the Hilltoppers trailed by 16 with under five minutes to play.

Western Kentucky, the only team with a losing record in this year's NCAA Tournament, now draws overall No. 1 seed Kentucky in an all-Bluegrass State affair on Thursday, one of the South Regional contests being played in Louisville. Brigham Young will next take on Marquette, one of the West bracket contests at KFC Yum! Center.

Here's a quick glance at Thursday's Louisville pod; spreads and totals listed per the Don Best Odds screen around lunchtime on Wednesday.

(6) Murray State vs. (11) Colorado State
TIP-OFF: 12:15 p.m. (ET) CBS
SPREAD: Murray State -4
TOTAL: 135½
PREVIEW: One of three teams from Kentucky in this pod, Murray State should have a huge crowd on hand Thursday to back the Racers. Steve Prohm's kids enter play looking to add to their fantastic 30-1 mark to this point (14-11-2 against the spread), but could get caught looking ahead and past a very dangerous Colorado State squad.

The Rams made some noise in the Mountain West down the stretch with home wins over both New Mexico and UNLV, but succumbed twice to San Diego State over the final two weeks to finish fourth in the 8-team conference. The second defeat vs. the Aztecs came in the MWC semifinals last Friday.

One injury update finds CSU's Greg Smith questionable for the game with an ankle injury. Smith is third on the Rams in scoring (9.7 PPG) and second in rebounding (5.3 RPG).

(3) Marquette vs. (14) Brigham Young
TIP-OFF: 2:45 p.m. (ET) CBS
SPREAD: Marquette -5
TOTAL: N/A
PREVIEW: The Cougars will definitely be feeling their oats going into Thursday's matchup, but Dave Rose's club will also find it far more difficult to dig out of a hole against Marquette than it was with Iona. Brigham Young's win did stop a 4-game ATS slide and marked the sixth consecutive Cougars game to finish 'under' the total.

Buzz Williams' Golden Eagles are going to be eager to rebound from a one-&-done appearance in the Big East Tournament. Marquette begins play Thursday riding a recent 6-2 ATS string with seven of its last nine going 'over' the total.

(1) Kentucky vs. (16) Western Kentucky
TIP-OFF: 6:50 p.m. (ET) TBS
SPREAD: Kentucky -24
TOTAL: N/A
PREVIEW: It's been a great run by Ray Harper and Western Kentucky, but it all comes to an end on Thursday. The Hilltoppers managed just 37 points during the first 35 minutes vs. Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday before the amazing 22-5 run to close the game. Kentucky's defense might keep WKU from reaching 37 points for the entire 40 minutes on Thursday.

The Wildcats ended the campaign in a bit of an ATS rut, covering just two of their final eight games. The Hilltoppers didn't get the cover in Tuesday's games, but remain a solid 13-3 ATS in their last 16, making those two dozen points look very tempting.

Western Kentucky upset the Wildcats in Lexington way back in 2001, the last time the two schools met on the hardwood. The Hilltoppers were getting 13 from the oddsmakers and walloped UK, 64-52.

(8) Iowa State vs. (9) Connecticut
TIP-OFF: 9:20 p.m. (ET) TBS
SPREAD: UConn -1½
TOTAL: 136
PREVIEW: One of the second round's most intriguing clashes finds last year's champions facing one of the biggest surprises this year.

Connecticut seems to have righted its ship after a 3-9 span from mid-January through February (3-8-1 ATS). The Huskies closed with five covers over the last six games and came close to an outright win as 7-point 'dogs in the Big East quarterfinals vs. Syracuse.

Iowa State (22-10 SU, 18-9 ATS) was picked to finish in the second division of the Big 12, only to tie Baylor for third place during the regular season. The Cyclones were just 6-8 outside of Ames this campaign, but a respectable 9-4-1 ATS.

ALBUQUERQUE - PITTSBURGH - PORTLAND

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Gonzaga faces WVU Thursday in Pittsburgh

10 seed WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS (19-13)

vs. 7 seed GONZAGA BULLDOGS (25-6)


NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:20 p.m. EDT – Pittsburgh, PA
Line: Even

Gonzaga makes the long flight to Pittsburgh to face a team that is very familiar with the Steel City, the West Virginia Mountaineers.

As the spread would indicate, these are two very evenly matched basketball teams. But over the past five games, Gonzaga has looked to be the superior team, scoring 76.4 PPG on 48% FG, while WVU is scoring a pathetic 62.6 PPG on 37% FG. Defensively, the Bulldogs have limited these past five opponents to 63.2 PPG on 38.5% FG, while WVU has allowed its opponents to shoot at a 48% clip in this same time frame. But the Mountaineers will have more a virtual home game playing so close to campus. Which team will prevail on Thursday night? For the answer, check out the College Basketball Three at Three Pass for picks covering all the big games in college basketball each weekday.

West Virginia should have five or six more victories this year, but it just can’t win close games, as six of its past seven losses have been by six points or less. The offense has been brutal in the past two games in particular, scoring 58.5 PPG on just 32.5% FG. The Mountaineers revolve around Kevin Jones who led the Big East in both scoring (20.1 PPG) and rebounding (11.1 PPG) this season. Jones has been relying on his jumper a bit too much lately, going 4-of-24 from three-point land in his past six contests, including 1-of-8 in the Big East quarterfinal loss to UConn. Jones has scored at least 12 points in every game this season, and is averaging 21.7 PPG and 12.3 RPG in his past three contests. WVU has another dynamic scorer in Darryl “Truck” Bryant (17.2 PPG) whose poor decision-making down the stretch has certainly cost his team dearly. For the season, he has 89 assists and 78 turnovers, which is not the ratio you want from the guy handling the ball so much. He’s had a total of just five assists in his past four games. But the talented senior guard has done a great job driving the lane and getting to the free-throw stripe, going 34-of-41 FT (83%) in his past three contests. Another key to this team is keeping junior C Deniz Kilici (10.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG) on the court. He fouled out of the UConn loss, marking his eighth straight game of 3+ fouls. He has scored just 6.4 PPG on 36.6% FG in his past five contests. This three-star FoxSheets trend also sides with the Mountaineers:

WEST VIRGINIA is 23-6 ATS (+16.4 Units) in a post-season tournament game since 1997. The average score was WEST VIRGINIA 71.9, OPPONENT 67.9 - (Rating = 3*).

The Zags were once the Cinderella darlings of the NCAA Tournament, but they have not enjoyed much success as a greater seed, going 4-8 ATS in this role since 1999. They are 4-10 ATS (29%) in the NCAAs since 2005. Gonzaga has also struggled outside of Spokane this season, going 4-9 ATS in non-home games. But the Bulldogs are a well-rounded team with an ever-improving freshman backcourt of Kevin Pangos (13.8 PPG) and Gary Bell Jr. (10.0 PPG). They also have big bodies in the paint with 7-footer Robert Sacre (11.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and athletic 6-foot-7 junior Elias Harris (13.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG) who can score from anywhere. Harris is also an able defender and will probably be matched up on WVU’s star Kevin Jones. The Zags are so tough to guard because they shoot very well from downtown (38% 3-pt FG) with three marksmen shooting over 40% from behind the three-point arc in Bell Jr. (47.4%), Pangos (40.5%) and Harris (40.3%). This three-star FoxSheets coaching trend also likes Gonzaga to prevail.

Bob Huggins is 3-14 ATS (17.6%, -12.4 Units) in road games vs. teams who are called for 3+ less fouls/game than their opponents after 15+ games as the coach of WEST VIRGINIA. The average score was WEST VIRGINIA 63.6, OPPONENT 70.6 - (Rating = 3*)

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VCU takes on Wichita State Thursday

12 seed VCU RAMS (28-6)

vs. 5 seed WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS (27-5)


NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:15 p.m. EDT – Portland, OR
Line: Wichita State -5½

VCU tries to make another long run in the NCAA Tournament, which starts with a matchup against a tough Wichita State team on Thursday night in Portland.

The Rams are catching fire in March again as they have won 17 of their past 18 contests, including a three-game run through the Colonial Athletic Association to begin the month. The Shockers are also hot, going 19-2 since the 2012 calendar year began. But instead of winning the Missouri Valley as the conference’s top seed, WSU was stunned by 12-point underdog Illinois State in the MVC semifinals. Can VCU make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament? For the answer, check out the College Basketball Three at Three Pass for picks covering all the big games in college basketball each weekday.

VCU allows a mere 59.8 PPG on 42.3% FG this season, which helps to compensate for an offense that shoots very poorly (41.0% FG, 33.7% 3-pt FG). Senior swingman Bradford Burgess is the leading scorer (13.3 PPG), but he has shot terribly all season at 36.4% FG. He was a key part to the Rams success in last year’s NCAAs, averaging 15.7 PPG and 7.0 RPG in the six games. Sophomore F Juvonte Reddic (10.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG) was scoring 13.6 PPG during a five-game stretch, but was held to four points on 2-of-5 FG in the win over Drexel in the CAA Championship game. But the main reason that VCU was able to beat the Dragons was due to the play of junior G Darius Theus (8.6 PPG), who lit them up for 16 points, five assists and five steals. This three-star FoxSheets coaching trend also sides with the Rams:

Shaka Smart is 27-9 ATS (75.0%, +17.1 Units) versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% after 15+ games as the coach of VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH. The average score was VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH 70.8, OPPONENT 63.5 - (Rating = 3*).

Unlike VCU, Wichita State can score in bunches (77.7 PPG, 15th in nation) because it is a tremendous shooting team from all spots on the floor, making 48.5% FG (13th in nation), 37.3% threes and 75.1% free throws. Despite the gaudy numbers, Illinois State held the Shockers to 34.9% FG in their season-ending loss. Senior G Joe Ragland (13.4 PPG, 3.4 APG) had a game-high 17 points (5-of-9 FG) as the only starter that shot better than 50% from the floor. Senior C Garrett Stutz leads WSU in points and rebounds (13.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG), but is coming off a foul-plagued MWC Tournament. He scored just 6.0 PPG on 6-of-13 FG in his 19.5 MPG. This strong FoxSheets trend also likes the Shockers to win and cover.

WICHITA STATE is 9-1 ATS (90.0%, +7.9 Units) in road games after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WICHITA STATE 74.2, OPPONENT 60.8 - (Rating = 2*).

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UConn opens 2012 NCAAs versus Iowa St.


9 seed CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (20-13)

vs. 8 seed IOWA STATE CYCLONES (22-10)


NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Tip-off: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. EDT – Louisville, KY
Line: Connecticut -2½

The defending national champions begin their quest for repeat title on Thursday night when Connecticut meets Iowa State in a Second Round NCAA matchup in Louisville.

Both teams have played pretty well down the stretch. UConn is 5-1-1 ATS in its past seven games, nearly beating Syracuse twice, losing by just two points and three points to the Orange. Iowa State has beaten both Kansas and Baylor during a strong season-ending, 12-game run (8-4 SU, 9-2-1 ATS). Can the underdog Cyclones pull out the victory on Thursday night? For the answer, check out the College Basketball Three at Three Pass for picks covering all the big games in college basketball each weekday.

Hall-of-Famer Jim Calhoun is an impressive 16-1 in NCAA Tournament openers as UConn’s head coach. His team's offense has been erratic this season, but the Huskies usually are tough defensively. They allow just 64.1 PPG on 38.4% FG, blocking 6.9 shots per game. Sophomore F/G Jeremy Lamb (17.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG) is the top scorer, but he needs to be more assertive in the offense. He did not score in the second half of the team’s last game against Syracuse, but he came up big last March with 16.2 PPG on 58% FG in the NCAA Tournament. You never know what to expect from PG Shabazz Napier (12.7 PPG, 5.8 APG) who has attempted 3, 4, 18, 2, 18 and 17 shots in his past six games. Napier shot very poorly in the 2011 NCAAs, scoring just 5.0 PPG on 28.6% FG. The talented freshman Drummond is coming off a strong performance against Syracuse, producing 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. This three-star FoxSheets trend also sides with the Huskies:

CONNECTICUT is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games after covering 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CONNECTICUT 68.5, OPPONENT 59.1 - (Rating = 3*).

Iowa State is an excellent three-point shooting team, making 8.9 threes per game on a healthy 38% clip. Scott Christopherson (12.5 PPG) is the marksman at 45% and he has been on a roll with 19.8 PPG in his past six games. But the heart and soul of the Cyclones is sophomore F Royce White who leads the team in points (13.1 PPG), rebounds (9.2 RPG), assists (5.1 APG), steals (1.2 SPG) and blocks (0.9 BPG). He’s averaging 16.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.7 APG in his past three games. White’s one weakness is foul shooting, as he shoots a dreadful 49% from the line. Senior G Chris Allen is the team’s third double-digit scorer (11.8 PPG), but he is in a shooting slump over his past four games, making just 31% FG. This strong FoxSheets trend also likes the Cyclones to emerge victorious.

Play Against - Neutral court teams as a favorite or pick (CONNECTICUT) - after scoring 55 points or less, with four starters returning from last season. (45-19 over the last 5 seasons.) (70.3%, +24.1 units. Rating = 2*).

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Colorado tries to keep rolling against UNLV

11 seed COLORADO BUFFALOES (23-11)

vs. 6 seed UNLV RUNNIN’ REBELS (27-5)


NCAA Tournament - Second Round
Tip-off: Thursday, 9:55 p.m. EDT – Albuquerque, NM
Line: UNLV -5

After a shocking four wins in four days in the Pac-12 Tournament, Colorado moves onto the NCAAs where sixth-seeded UNLV awaits.

The Buffaloes averaged only 59.8 PPG in their four conference tourney wins, but held all four opponents below 43% FG. Colorado is playing well, but this is the same team that got blown out by 14+ points in five separate Pac-12 games. The high-flying Rebels average 76.7 PPG (24th in nation) and have beaten great teams. But they are also 3-11 ATS in non-home games this year. Can Colorado keep its win streak alive? For the answer, check out the College Basketball Three at Three Pass for picks covering all the big games in college basketball each weekday.

Colorado took great care of the basketball during its Pac-12 run, with less than 10 turnovers in each of the four contests. It also received huge performances from sophomore F Andre Roberson (11.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG), who was one rebound shy of posting double-doubles in all four games, averaging 14.8 PPG and 10.3 RPG. Senior G Carlon Brown leads the Buffs in scoring (12.6 PPG) and has six straight games of 13+ points. This includes his 15.8 PPG in the four-game Pac-12 tourney run. This team doesn’t shoot particularly well from behind the arc (34.3%), but freshman G Spencer Dinwiddie is deadly from downtown, making 44% of his threes this season, including 4-of-4 in the Pac-12 Championship win over Arizona. This three-star FoxSheets trend also sides with the Buffs:

UNLV is 1-9 ATS (10.0%, -8.9 Units) in road games after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite this season. The average score was UNLV 72.3, OPPONENT 69.6 - (Rating = 3*).

The Rebels are a team that can play with anybody, beating North Carolina earlier in the year. PF Mike Moser averages a double-double (14.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG) and SF Chace Stanback (12.7 PPG) has the ability to take over games with a 46.4% accuracy rate from three-point range and 15 games of at least 15 points this year. Feeding these two frontcourt players is the guard tandem of Oscar Bellfield (5.3 APG, 9.8 PPG) and Anthony Marshall (12.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG) who can dominate a game in many different ways. Marshall kept his team in the game in its MWC tourney loss to New Mexico, scoring 19 points, while Bellfield had 13 points, six assists and just one turnover. This strong FoxSheets trend also likes the Rebels to win and cover.

UNLV is 61-36 ATS (62.9%, +21.4 Units) after playing 2 consecutive home games since 1997. The average score was UNLV 73.9, OPPONENT 68.8 - (Rating = 1*).

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 15

Thursday's games
Day games
Murray State is 30-1, winning its last seven games since its only loss, to Tennessee State; Racers are 4-0 vs top 100 teams, winning at Memphis for its best win of year. Colorado State is lowest-rated MWC team in NCAAs since last time they made tourney, in 2003. Colorado State has four guards starting, so Murray will have chance to exploit them inside. Over last three years, dogs are 10-2 vs spread in 6-11 games. Teams have a common opponent; Rams lost to Southern Miss by 21; Murray beat USM in double OT. Both teams make over 40% behind the arc. Having game in Louisville makes this a Murray State home game.

Since 2006, Conference USA teams other than Memphis are 0-4 in this tournament; Southern Miss faded down stretch, going 3-4 in last seven games; overall, three of their last eight games went OT. Kansas State is favored by 5.5 over USM, biggest spread in 8-9 game since '87; K-State won last three first round games, by 13-20-5 points. Big X favorites are just 5-9 vs spread in first round last three years; since '03, Big X single digit first round favorites are 11-7 vs spread. USM makes only 43.3% of its 2-point shots. Over last four years, underdogs are 12-4 vs spread in 8-9 games. K-State was just 6-6 in its last twelve games.

Since 2003, teams from Southern Conference are 10-2 vs spread in this event, despite '08 Davidson being only team to win during that stretch. Louisville forces turnovers on 23.4% of possessions; Davidson protects ball well, ranking #22 in country in ball security. Over last four years, underdogs are 10-6 vs spread in 4-13 games. Last five years, team that won Big East tournament is 4-1 vs spread in its first NCAA tournament game, but Louisville is 1-5 against spread in first round last six seasons, losing to Cal/Morehead State last two years. Cardinals won four games in NYC last week after going 2-4 in last six regular season games.

Montana won its last 14 games to get here, but Big Sky teams lost their last five tournament games, with four of five losses by 18+ points; Griz only played three top 100 teams this season, losing to Colorado State by 6, Oregon State by 25, beating Long Beach by 2. Wisconsin won its last five first round games, by 13-15-2-4-14 points; they're 7-2 vs spread in last nine first round games, 5-2 when favored. Neither teams subs much but Badgers play 2nd-slowest paced games in country, so that shouldn't be factor. Only NCAA games Big Sky teams covered in last nine years were against fellow western teams, Washington/Nevada.

BYU was down 25 in first half to Iona Tuesday, won by 6, third year in row they've won tournament game, and greatest comeback in tournament history. Marquette is 2-4 vs spread in last six first round games, winning by 8-1-11 points. WCC teams are now 10-5 SU in first round/play-in games, despite being underdog in 11 of the 15 games- they're 6-5 as first round underdog. Favorites are 13-7 vs spread in 3-14 games the last five years. Since 2007, Big East teams that are 1-4 seeds are 13-8 vs spread in first round games. Very tough spot for NYU here, playing afternoon game here, after winning emotional game that ended 38 hours earlier.
Syracuse's title hopes took big blow when Fab Melo was declared out on Tuesday; Orange scored 16 ppg less in three games he missed earlier in season. #1 seeds are 8-4 vs spread in first round games last three years. Since 2004, Big East double digit favorites are 12-7 vs spread in the first round. Orange are 5-2 vs spread in last seven first round games, covering last three. NC-Asheville lost to NC State by 9, North Carolina by 16, UConn by 10, Tennessee by 4- they played #18 non-conference slate in country. Big South teams lost last three games in this round by 31-43-23 points after Winthrop pulled an upset back in 2007.

Long Beach State has junior/four seniors in starting five, their #2 scorer Anderson is expected back here after missing Big West tournament with sprained knee; 49ers lost by 4 at San Diego State in only game against a MWC team. Big West teams are 0-6 in NCAAs last six years, with all six losses by 11+ points (2-4 vs spread). New Mexico won five in row, 12 of last 14 games; they're younger and deeper than Lobos, holding foes to 30.9% behind the arc. 49ers are 18-2 in last 20 games, with losses by combined total of 5 points- they're 0-5 vs top 50 teams, with best win over #59 Xavier. Dogs are 10-6 vs spread in 5-12 games last four years.

In last four seasons, Vanderbilt has been upset in first round three times, as a 4-4-5 seed, a record of ineptitude unequalled in this tournament, so ton of pressure on veteran Vandy squad that had emotional win Sunday over Kentucky (won first SEC title since 1951). Commodores have five seniors in top five players; they make 38.9% behind arc, do Harvard will not be able to just doubleteam Azili. Since 2008, SEC first round faves are 4-9 against spread. Harvard beat LMU/Florida State in pre-season, but they struggled to win Ivy title- they don't shoot or make ton of 3's. Ivy League teams are 1-8 in this round since '03, 3-6 vs spread.

Night games
Young Western Kentucky squad (five freshmen in rotation) has won its last eight games, after rallying back from down 16 with 4:57 in play-in game Tuesday, biggest comeback in last 5:00 of any tournament game in NCAA history. That said, Hilltoppers will get crushed if they play like that against Kentucky squad that blocks 21.3% of its opponents' shots, and allows foes to make only 38.8% of 2-point shots. Wildcats figure to be focused after losing SEC title game, their first loss since Dec 10. Sun Belt teams are 7-4 vs spread as an NCAA underdog the last nine years. Kentucky is 3-4 vs spread in its last seven first round games.

VCU went to Wichita and beat Shockers 68-67 in Bracket Buster game LY, game that propelled Rams to unlikely NCAA bid/spot in Final Four, while Wichita wound up winning NIT. Underdogs are 8-4 vs spread in 5-12 games last three years; CAA teams are 15-5-1 vs spread in last 21 games as an NCAA underdog. VCU lost four starters from LY but their new group leads country, forcing turnovers on 27.4% of possessions. Wichita has two juniors, five seniors in its rotation- they're 9-1 in last 10 games, losing by point in Valley semifinals. Shockers protect ball well. Since 2005, MVC favorites are 4-1 vs spread in this round.

West Virginia will have home crowd on its side in Pittsburgh, but they'll need much better offense to advance; they've really struggled to score at end of games late in season, but they have won first round game in five of last six tournaments. Gonzaga is a young team, with one senior in its top six players; they're 7-2 in first round games last nine years, 5-4 vs spread as tournament underdog. Since 2005, Big East teams seeded 8th or lower are just 2-6 SU. Gonzaga won eight of its last ten games, with two losses by total of five points- they play lot of tough non-conference games, so doubtful they'll be intimidated by Big East opponent.

South Dakota State has four guys who make 40%+ from arc, but its best player shoots only 24.4%-- he is terrific passer who gets inside defense and creates shots for teammates; Jackrabbits won by 19 at Washington in December, so if Baylor doesn't defend arc well, this could get dicey. Summit League isn't bad ball, but their teams are 0-9 in NCAAs the last nine years, covering spread two of last three years. Last three years, Big X double digit favorites are 3-5 vs spread in this round. Baylor is 10-7 in its last 17 games after starting season 17-0; they block lot of shots but are average defending the arc, which is where Jackrabbits can hurt them.

Iowa State has NBA player in White, who shoots 53% from floor, only 49% from line; Cyclones are in tourney for first time since 2005- they beat Providence of Big East by 10 in December, part of a poor schedule they played to build confidence with team of transfers for league play, and it worked, with ISU going surprisingly good 12-7. UConn is 8-12 in last 20 games, but won three of four with Calhoun back on bench- they defend basket well but don't defend the arc so well. Christopherson is a senior guard who could do damage here. Since '05, Big East teams seeded 8th or lower are just 2-6 SU.

Indiana lost PG Jones for season last week; Hoosiers are in tournament for first time since '08- they're 13-0 out of conference, winning by hoop at NC State, beating Kentucky at home. Last four years, underdogs are 9-7 vs spread in 4-13 games, but since 2007, single digit dogs are 5-10 vs spread in this round, double digit dogs 4-1. New Mexico State uses only seven guys, but five are juniors/seniors. Aggies get to foul line more than anyone in country and are #4 team on offensive boards- they hold foes to 32% behind arc, which is important against Indiana team that shoots 43.3% behind arc, second-best in country.

Loyola Md is carrying banner for MAAC after Iona's epic collapse on Tuesday; since 2005, MAAC underdogs are 3-7 vs spread in first round games. Greyhounds have only one senior in their rotation, lost by 24 at Kentucky in their only game vs top 50 opponent. Over last seven years, underdogs are 16-12 vs spread in 2-15 games. Ohio State is just 6-4 in its last ten games, but all four losses were against top 25 teams- they're 9-6 vs spread this season when laying double digits. Since 2003, Big Dozen double digit first round favorites are 4-6 against the spread. Ohio State lost to Siena of MAAC in '09, last first round win for MAAC.

Colorado won four games in four days to get here; UNLV flattened out late in year, losing last four road games, going 5-5 in last 10 games, with last win away from home on January 28. Underdogs are 10-2 vs spread in 6-11 games last three years. Rebels beat Cal by 17, USC by 11 in its two games vs Pac-12 foes. Buffaloes are 1-2 vs MWC opponents, with win over Air Force, losses to Colorado State/Wyoming. UNLV has four seniors in its top eight players; their expectations got raised little bit too high after they upset North Carolina in December. Pac-12 teams are 10-2 in first round/play-in games the last three tournaments.

Friday's games
Day games
Texas is 7-2 in first round games last nine years, with both losses coming as an 8-seed; lowest seed they won as was a 7. Longhorns are 3-4 in last seven games, 4-10 vs top 40 teams- they make only 32.7% behind arc. Cincinnati won seven of its last nine games, losing 50-44 to Louisville in ugly Big East title game. Cincinnati is 6-2 vs top 30 teams, with 56-55 win over Oklahoma in only game vs Big X foe. Four of top seven guys for Texas are freshmen. Big East teams are 12-15-1 against spread when number is less than 4 points; Big X teams are 16-6-1. Over last three years, underdogs are 10-2 vs spread in 6-11 games.

NC State won four of last five games to sneak into field for first time in seven years; they're 5-10 vs top 60 teams.Since '03, ACC teams seeded #6 or worse are still 10-8 SU. San Diego State is back in tourney despite losing four starters from LY's Sweet 16 team; Aztecs started year 18-2, but went 8-5 in last 13 games, with four wins by 3 or less points, or in OT. Over last three years, underdogs are 10-2 vs spread in 6-11 games. ACC favorites of less than 5 points are 7-9 vs spread in non-conference games; MWC underdogs of 4 or less points are 4-8. Since 2003, MWC teams are 8-15 SU in this round, but 4-3 the last two years.

Creighton is a great offensive team; Alabama excels on defense. Bluejays won their last seven games, with four of seven by 2 or less points or in OT. Alabama is 8-8 in its last 16 games after 13-3 start; Mitchell is out for the Tide, which hurts its defense. Tide is 2-6 vs top 40 teams, with both wins way back in November. MVC teams are 12-3 vs spread when number is 3 or less points; SEC teams are 13-9. Bluejays make 42.5% on the arc, 55.5% inside it; they've won 14 road/neutral court games. This game opened at Creighton -2, but now they're +2. Alabama won by 10 over Wichita State, best team in MVC, back in November.

Over last three years, ACC underdogs are 4-3 vs spread in first round; from '03-'08, all 30 ACC entrants were favored in first round. Underdogs are 7-1 SU in 7-10 games last two years, with only fave that won BYU in double OT over Florida two years ago; Gators won 11 games in a row when they allowed less than 70 points, lost last seven in row when they allowed more than 70. Virginia has good defense thats been hurt by Sene being injured; they're 3-5 in last eight games. Florida lost four of its last five games, with two losses to Kentucky. SEC favorites of less than 5 points are 10-4 vs spread; ACC dogs of less than 5 points are 8-12.

Over last six years, #3 seeds are 15-9 vs spread in first round games, as gap has widened between haves/have-nots (11-13 in prior six tourneys). Florida State is first team in 16 years to win four games in same season against UNC/Duke (4-1); they also went 0-2 vs Ivy League teams, as its guards can be erratic. St Bonaventure is in tourney for first time in over decade; they lost to Saint Louis by 24, Temple by 6 in its two games vs top 40 teams- they're 0-2 vs ACC teams, losing to Virginia Tech by 9, NC State by a hoop. ACC favorites of 7 or less points are 10-15 vs spread; Atlantic 14 underdogs of 7 or less points are 20-19-1.

Georgetown lost badly to Ohio U/VCU in first round last two years, so they have monkey to get off back; Hoyas are #5 team in eFG% defense, #1 against 3-pointers (26.6%). Belmont won its last 14 games, against inferior competition; they're 0-4 in NCAAs last six years, losing by 34-25-1-14 points. Atlantic Sun teams are 0-9 in NCAAs last nine seasons, 2-4 vs spread in last six, losing last three years by 10-29-14 points. This game opened at 6.5, was quickly bet down to 3.5. Big East favorites of 5 or less points are 13-14 vs spread. Belmont lost by point at Duke, by 16 at Memphis, their only two games vs top 60 opponents.

Health of Henson's left hand/wrist is primary concern for Tar Heel club that could beat Vermont if they showed up hung over; North Carolina is 2-3-1 vs spread in last six first round games, winning by 28-4-21-39-43-15 points. Vermont held Lamar to 33% in easy win Wednesday, league's first NCAA win since Catamounts upset Syracuse in '05. America East teams are 0-6 in this round last six years, 2-4 vs spread, with last five losses all by 19+ points. ACC favorites of 15+ points are 11-11 against spread this season. Vermont lost to Saint Louis by 19, to Harvard by 7; also lost to South Florida by a hoop and Iona by 1, so they compete.

Norfolk State played Marquette twice at beginning of season, losing by 31 in first meeting, by hoop in rematch; Missouri only plays seven guys and three of them were nursing bumps/bruises at Big 12 tourney last weekend. MEAC teams are 1-9 in NCAA games last nine years (4-6 vs spread), with only win a play-in game; they lost last three years by 38-27-42 points. Mizzou only plays seven guys, but five are seniors; they are #1 in offensive efficiency, making 39.5% behind arc, 56.9% inside it. Norfolk beat Drexel before Dragons got hot, their only win in five games against top 100 teams, with losses by 31-3-13-32 points.

Night games
Interesting contrast with Memphis being much more athletic than much more experienced Saint Louis team led by skilled tactician Majerus, who has stellar record in first round games but hasn't been in tourney in nine years. Since 2003, Atlantic 14 underdogs are 5-7 vs spread in first round of NCAAs; Memphis won five of last six first round games, but is 1-4-1 vs spread as first round favorite. Conference USA favorites of 5 or less points are 11-13 vs spread. Atlantic 14 underdogs of 5 or less points are 12-13-1. Billikens lost to New Mexico by 4 in only game vs top 50 foe; their wins in Anaheim tourney were against teams that had bad years.

Since 2008, double digit favorite from ACC are 5-1 vs spread in opening round; Duke lost two of last three games, getting beat by Florida State in ACC tourney- their last four wins are all by 8 or less points. Lehigh lost both its game vs top 50 teams this season by nine points each. Kelly is a question mark for Blue Devils, who won't need him here, but will in next game. Duke won/covered last three first round games, winning by 42-29-24 points. Patriot League teams are 0-5 in NCAAs since Bucknell won back-back first round games in 2005-06, losing last five years by 10-15-13-16-29 points, but since 2003, they're 6-2 vs spread in this round.

Young Ohio U (no seniors who play) won eight of last nine games, force turnovers on 26.7% of possessions (#2 in country); they lost 77-72 to Louisville back in November, so big stage shouldn't awe them. Michigan won seven of its last nine games- they get 36% of their points on 3's, but Bobcats defend arc well, allowing opponents to make just 30.3% behind arc. MAC teams ars surprisingly bad 1-7 in first round last eight years, but they covered four of last five, losing games by 3-13-13-13 points. Four of Michigan's top six guys are freshmen/sophs; they covered five of last seven games as a favorite.

WCC teams are 10-5 in this round since 2003, despite being underdog in 11 of 15 games; St Mary's was held to 60 or less points in five games it lost this season, scoring 67+ points in 24 of 27 wins. Gaels' defensive ace Holt is expected back here; St Mary's hasn't played in 10 days since OT win over Gonzaga in WCC title game. Boilermakers turn ball over less than any team in country, 13.5% of time. Big Dozen teams are 10-9 vs spread in games where spread is 3 or less points. WCC teams are 7-5-1. Since 2005, Big Dozen teams seeded #8 or lower are 6-10 SU in first round. Purdue is 3-9 vs top 50 teams (Gaels are #44).

NEC teams are 2-9 in NCAAs since 2003; both wins coming in play-in games, but they've covered six of last seven first round games, with five of last seven first round losses by 15 or less points. LIU is 20-2 in last 22 games since starting season 5-6; they're adept at getting to foul line, scoring 25.5% of points from there. Blackbirds make 36.8% behind arc, but Michigan State holds opponents to 29.2% on arc. Since 2004, Izzo is 2-6 vs spread in first round games; Big Dozen double digit favorites are 5-6 in first round. This season, Big Dozen favorites of 15+ points are 14-9-1 vs spread. LIU lost by 16-8 in two games vs top 100 foes.

Xavier was 7-0 when it had big brawl with crosstown rival Cincinnati and had several players suspended; they're 14-12 since then, but did win three of last four games, losing to Bonnies in A-14 semifinals. ESPN's Bob Valvano suggested Monday that Xavier is underachieving team that is finally hitting its stride, while Notre Dame overachieved this season and has finally hit a wall; since 2003, Irish are 3-2 in this round, but 1-4 vs spread, winning by 1-18-13 points. Atlantic 14 underdogs of 5 or less points are 13-14-1 vs spread; Big East favorites of 5 points or less are also 13-14. Irish are 2-3 in last five games, including loss to St John's.

South Florida is a dominant defensive team that crushed Cal Wednesday, leading 36-13 at half; Bulls won 14 of last 20 games after 7-7 start- they held last 11 opponents under 60 points. Temple is 13-2 last 15 games, but first round lost to UMass in A-14 tourney is red flag, especially as Dunphy's postseason history isn't pretty- his long NCAA drought was ended LY, with 66-64 win over Penn State, before double OT loss to a real good San Diego State team in 2nd round. Owls beat Villanova by 11 in only game vs Big East foe- they won all five OT games they played this season. Temple makes 40.2% of its shots behind arc.

Since 2003, Horizon League underdogs are 16-9 vs spread in NCAAs, as Butler covered seven of eight last two years in advancing to Final Fours both years. Detroit is better than average 15-seed; McCallum is an NBA player who is at Detroit because his dad is the coach; Titans are 15-3 in last 18 games after 7-10 start, with Indiana transfer Holman providing beef off bench. Kansas is 3-6 as opening round favorite last nine years, failing to cover last three years in wins by 19-16-10 points. Titans make only 29.5% behind arc; they lost to Notre Dame by 6, Alabama by 8 in only two games they played against top 50 teams.

Other tournament
Kent State lost five of its last seven games, losing three of last four away from home. SC-Upstate lost 75-70 to Toledo of MAC in November.

[StarDust Bum]

My Day Game Best Bets:


03/15/2012 @ 12:10 PM

CBB

[711] NC ASHEVILLE +15½ 1.91



03/15/2012 @ 12:10 PM

CBB

[711] TOTAL o148 1.91
(NC ASHEVILLE vrs SYRACUSE)



03/15/2012 @ 09:40 AM

CBB

[713] TOTAL o134 1.91
(SO MISSISSIPPI vrs KANSAS ST)



03/15/2012 @ 03:50 PM

CBB

[719] TOTAL o136½ 1.91
(WESTERN KENTUCKY vrs KENTUCKY)



03/15/2012 @ 11:45 AM

CBB

[723] BYU +5 1.91



03/15/2012 @ 11:45 AM

CBB

[723] TOTAL o153½ 1.91
(BYU vrs MARQUETTE)



03/15/2012 @ 09:15 AM

CBB

[726] TOTAL u138 1.91
(COLORADO ST vrs MURRAY ST)



03/15/2012 @ 01:40 PM

CBB

[731] TOTAL o123½ 1.91
(HARVARD vrs VANDERBILT)



03/15/2012 @ 11:10 AM

CBB

[733] TOTAL o117 1.91
(MONTANA vrs WISCONSIN)



03/15/2012 @ 11:10 AM

CBB

[734] WISCONSIN -9 1.91



03/15/2012 @ 01:10 PM

CBB

[739] TOTAL o137½ 1.91
(LONG BEACH ST vrs NEW MEXICO)



03/15/2012 @ 10:40 AM

CBB

[742] TOTAL u139½ 1.91
(DAVIDSON vrs LOUISVILLE)

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Wizards (9-32) at Hornets (10-33)

Date: March 15, 2012 8:00 PM EDT

Despite both teams' overall play this season, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets probably feel good about facing each other with the hopes of ending their respective current rough stretches.

The Wizards look to avoid a seventh consecutive road defeat and hand the Hornets a fourth straight home loss Thursday night in a matchup of two of the NBA's worst teams.

While only Charlotte has fewer victories than Washington (9-32) in the Eastern Conference, New Orleans (10-33) owns the worst record in the West. The teams are a combined 4-10 in March and between them have dropped five in a row overall.

New Orleans has won two in a row and five of six against Washington, including three straight at home. The Hornets, however, are 4-18 on their home floor where they have dropped three in a row. They blew a 17-point lead in a 107-101 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Jarrett Jack scored 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting and Chris Kaman added 21 with 12 rebounds but the Hornets still found a way to lose despite shooting 51.8 percent and forcing 19 turnovers.

"The losses just drive you nuts," coach Monty Williams' told the Hornets' official website. "I was listening to somebody talking about winning. It's good, but it's not as bad as losing. The losing just makes you over-analyze at times or makes you really emotional. Where winning, it's almost the same every time."

Jack and Kaman have been the only real bright spots for New Orleans in 2011-12. The only Hornet to score 30 points this season, Jack is averaging a career-high 15.3 points. Kaman, meanwhile, has averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in the last 16 contests.

Kaman is averaging 20.8 points in his last five games versus Washington.

While the Hornets believe they have a good chance to bounce back Thursday, the Wizards might feel confident they can snap their six-game road skid against a team struggling at home.

Trevor Booker had 20 points with 12 rebounds and John Wall added 18 with 10 assists as the Wizards remained competitive but allowed Dallas to shoot 50.6 percent in a 107-98 road loss Tuesday.

"We competed,' Wall said. "We just gave up too many easy baskets. We've got to figure out how to close.'

Already one of the NBA's worst defensive teams giving up 102.3 points per contest, Washington has allowed an average of 110.0 on 50.0 percent shooting while losing four of five overall.

Despite another poor defensive effort leading to a third consecutive defeat overall, Wizards coach Randy Wittman has plenty of faith in his club.

"We've just got to keep fighting like that, and keep improving," Wittman told the Wizards' official website. "Making steps in the improvement defensively we need to make."

Wall is averaging a team-leading 17.3 points in his second NBA season, but he was held to a combined 16 on 6-of-20 shooting in Washington's two losses to New Orleans in 2010-11.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bobcats (6-35) at Mavericks (24-20)

Date: March 15, 2012 8:30 PM EDT

A couple of days without a game helped the Dallas Mavericks end their latest skid. A visit from another of the NBA's weaker teams could help the defending champions begin a run in the positive direction.

Trying to win two in a row for the first time in almost a month, the Mavericks look to remain perfect in their all-time series with the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday night.

Dallas (24-20) snapped a three-game slide with a 107-98 victory over lowly Washington on Tuesday. Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Jason Terry added 24 as the Mavericks shot 50.6 percent and looked refreshed following two days off after losing seven of nine during a 12-day stretch.

The Mavericks last won consecutive contests Feb. 15-17 to conclude a season-high six-game winning streak.

"Losing is no fun. Everybody's on edge, frustration comes out," Nowitzki said. "But we're a veteran team. All we can do is stick together."

The NBA's oldest team with all its starters and two main reserves having played at least 10 years, Dallas got a little healthier with the returns of Brendan Haywood and Brandan Wright on Tuesday. Even better news for the Mavericks is that they will not have to play back-to-back games until March 23-24.

"Nine games in 12 nights, this team was not designed for that," owner Mark Cuban said. "Especially, when you have injuries.

"Now's our chance to prove ourselves. It's just been a different year, and we've got the fewest games left. Now hopefully that will play in our favor. Hopefully we'll run into some tired teams like they've run into us."

Even if they were fatigued in the past, the Mavericks have had little trouble while going 14-0 against Charlotte since the Bobcats debuted in the 2004-05 season. Dallas has averaged 100.4 points while winning all seven matchups at home.

Nowitzki has averaged 26.1 points on 48.5 percent shooting in his career against the Bobcats (6-35). Terry has gone 25 of 46 from the field while averaging 21.0 points in his last three games versus Charlotte.

The Bobcats fell to 1-2 on a four-game trip with a 107-87 loss to Houston on Wednesday. Light-scoring reserve Derrick Brown had a team-high 15 points as the Bobcats shot 40.7 percent.

Two nights after holding New Orleans to 38.5 percent shooting during a 73-71 win, Charlotte allowed the Rockets to make 53.6 percent of their shots.

"I just don't want us to give up," coach Paul Silas said. "We really have to work hard and keep playing. I didn't think we played that hard. We just didn't have it. We just didn't play tough enough."

Leading scorer Corey Maggette (15.3 points per game), limited to nine minutes Monday because of back spasms, was held to 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting against the Rockets. He has gone 3 of 12 from the field and totaled 11 points in his last two games versus Dallas.

The Mavericks have averaged 101.1 points during a three-game home winning streak.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Thunder (32-10) at Nuggets (24-19)

Date: March 15, 2012 9:00 PM EDT

The Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder's latest defeat could be their most discouraging of the season.

Their victory over the Denver Nuggets last month was perhaps their most satisfying.

The Thunder hope to put a disappointing loss that capped a frustrating homestand behind them Thursday night when they visit the Nuggets in a matchup of Northwest Division rivals.

Oklahoma City (32-10) and Denver are the top two teams in the Northwest, but the Thunder are running away with the division - they lead the Nuggets (24-19) by 8 1/2 games.

Protecting home court has been one of the biggest reasons Oklahoma City has pulled away as it owns an 18-3 record at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Two of those losses, however, came in the Thunder's last three games.

After suffering an embarrassing loss to Cleveland on Friday, they appeared ready to finish their five-game homestand Tuesday with a fourth victory as they led Houston 102-91 with 2:29 remaining. The Rockets, however, closed the game on a 13-1 run to send Oklahoma City to a stunning 104-103 loss.

"I think we had this one in our hands throughout the fourth,' All-Star Russell Westbrook said. "We just let it go at the end.'

Westbrook finished with 19 points but had two turnovers, a missed jumper and a technical foul in the final stretch. Kevin Durant had a team-high 28 points but missed a turnaround jumper from the top of the key in the closing seconds.

"It was working for us, we were passing the ball to each other and finishing plays," Durant said. "We have to continue to just keep playing together and we'll be OK."

Durant and company showed just how impressive they can be in a 124-118 overtime victory over the Nuggets on Feb. 19.

Durant had a career-best 51 points, Westbrook scored 40 and Serge Ibaka added 14 points, 15 rebounds and a career-best 11 blocks for his first triple-double. It was the first time in NBA history three teammates put together a 50-point night, a 40-point complementary effort and a triple-double.

If there was one positive the Nuggets took from that loss is they pushed the Thunder to overtime despite playing without Danilo Gallinari and Nene Hilario.

Those two should both be on the court for the rematch and could be big factors considering how well each played in Denver's 118-117 overtime victory over Atlanta on Tuesday.

Gallinari had 19 points, including a key 3-pointer as he fell out of bounds with 3.9 seconds left in regulation, while Nene scored 22 and had the game's final points on two free throws with 27 seconds remaining. Both were appearing in their fifth game after missing extended time because of injuries.

Tuesday's performance was especially encouraging for Gallinari, who missed 13 games with a chip fracture in his left foot. He made 6 of 13 shots after totaling 18 points on 5-of-25 shooting in his previous four contests.

"You sit out more than a month you're legs are not the same,' he said. "It's going to take a while but I'm feeling better.'

Denver, 6-2 since the All-Star break, is first in the league in scoring at 104.1 points, just ahead of Oklahoma City at 102.5 per game.

Durant is averaging 27.9 points, and in 12 games against Denver since 2008-09, he is averaging 32.2 points - his third-highest average against any team.

The Thunder have won three straight over the Nuggets after losing 12 of the previous 15 in the series. Oklahoma City's 101-94 victory in Denver on April 5 snapped a seven-game losing streak there.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Timberwolves (22-21) at Jazz (20-22)

Date: March 15, 2012 9:00 PM EDT

Kevin Love has been on a torrid run in March and the Minnesota Timberwolves will need of more of that from him as they press on without Ricky Rubio.

Love and the Timberwolves continue a seven-game road trip Thursday night against the Utah Jazz.

With Rubio out for the season with a torn ACL, Minnesota's chances of making the playoffs rest primarily on keeping Love healthy and productive.

While Love missed last Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers with back problems, he continued his hot stretch during the next two games. Love scored 31 points in Sunday's loss to New Orleans - the team's first without Rubio - and had 30 in a 127-124 win over Phoenix on Monday.

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The Suns were ahead by five with 6:10 remaining, but Love scored 13 points in the fourth quarter while going 3 of 5 from 3-point range to help Minnesota (22-21) win the opener of its longest road trip of the season.

"The biggest thing for me is I didn't get a good warm up," said Love, who set a franchise mark with his 15th 30-point game of the season. "I had good looks in the first half but the ball never really felt right in my hand. I decided to get my legs under me in the second half and that was the biggest difference."

Love is leading the NBA with 32.3 points in six games this month - up from his season average of 25.7 points.

However, Love has been held below his scoring and rebounding averages in both meetings with Utah this season. He had 15 points and eight boards in a 108-98 loss in Salt Lake City on Jan. 21 and scored a season low-tying 10 with 10 rebounds in a 100-98 win at home Feb. 22.

Despite Rubio's absence, Minnesota scored its most points of the season in its last game. That may not be good news for the Jazz (20-22), who are coming off a poor defensive effort in a 120-111 loss at Phoenix on Wednesday.

Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson each scored 18 points, but Utah couldn't slow the Suns, who shot 56.4 percent overall and hit nine 3-pointers.

"We couldn't get over the hump,' coach Tyrone Corbin said. ``We didn't get the break we needed, but we have another one tomorrow.'

The Jazz have lost three of four, but will play their next two at home, where they have won three straight and are 15-6.

While Utah has allowed at least 104 points in its last three road losses, the Jazz are giving up 93.9 points at home this season, including 90.3 in the last three contests there.

Minnesota has struggled to contain Utah's frontcourt. Millsap has averaged 25.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while Jefferson has added 18.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in two meetings this season.

The Jazz have won four straight at home against the Timberwolves.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Suns (20-22) at Clippers (24-17)

Date: March 15, 2012 10:30 PM EDT

The Phoenix Suns' surge has been mostly due to a home-heavy schedule, and it's already victimized the Los Angeles Clippers.

A change in venue has historically not made a difference in this series.

The Suns look to for an improved defensive effort as they try to continue their dominance of the Clippers on Thursday night when these Pacific Division rivals meet for the second time in two weeks.

Phoenix (20-22) has won eight of 11, averaging 103.0 points. That's an increase of almost 10 points per game as the Suns attempt to turn around a season that appeared to be slipping away with a four-game slide prior to this stretch.

Their recent surge, however, has been aided by the schedule. They've played 10 of the last 11 at home, losing the only road contest in that stretch to drop to 7-12 away from home this season.

The Suns wouldn't appear to be too concerned with matching their season-high five-game road losing streak since they face the Clippers (24-17) again. They beat Los Angeles 81-78 on March 2, rallying from an 11-point, fourth-quarter deficit to improve to 12-1 in the past 13 meetings.

Phoenix has won five of six at Staples Center, scoring 116.3 points per game.

Still, coach Alvin Gentry wasn't happy after the Suns needed to erase a 13-point deficit to beat Utah 120-111 on Wednesday, two days after falling 127-124 to Minnesota.

"We had three guys with 20 or more and all the starters in double figures and that's great and fine," Gentry said of Phoenix's scoring distribution. "But we are just going to have to zero in and get a little better defensively. The last two games have been a little alarming."

Improved defensive play could help the Suns withstand this stretch of three games in three days, which started against the Jazz and ends Friday when they host Detroit.

Another strong performance from Jared Dudley would surely help. The swingman had 21 points against the Jazz, and is averaging 19.9 while hitting 54.2 percent of his shots from the floor - 14 for 32 from beyond the arc - over the last seven games. That includes 22 points versus the Clippers earlier this month, more than doubling his career average against them from his previous 11 meetings.

Steve Nash had six points, six assists and seven turnovers in that matchup. He's been much better over the past 11 road meetings with Los Angeles, averaging 17.2 points and 12.8 assists.

Los Angeles is trying to win back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 15-16, going 5-8 in 13 games since.

The Clippers, though, are hoping they can build on Wednesday's 96-82 win over Atlanta, as reserves Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe scored 25 and 14 points, respectively.

"It was a must-win," said Williams, who has totaled 46 points in two games. "We put a lot of pressure on ourselves for this game because we needed it really bad. So we came out and did what we had to do against a good team."

While Williams is averaging 17.2 points over the past nine games, the Clippers will likely need increased producion from stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Paul had 13 points and nine assists against the Hawks, while Griffin's 12 points were his fewest in 30 games. The duo was also kept in check by the Suns earlier this month, as Paul scored 16 points with five assists while Griffin added 17 points and seven boards.