The Bum's College Basketball Best Bets Thru March Madess !

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Sunday, March 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

St. John's 0 0th St. John's +10.5 500

Virginia 0 Over 123 500

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Sunday, March 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Iowa St. - 12:15 PM ET Iowa St. +7 500 POD # 4
Ohio St. - Over 143 500

Temple - 2:45 PM ET Temple +11.5 500 POD # 3
Indiana - Over 147.5 500

Kent St. - 3:00 PM ET Loyola-Maryland -4.5 500 POD # 1
Loyola-Maryland - Under 142 500

North Carolina - 5:15 PM ET North Carolina +6 500
Kansas -Over 144 500

Minnesota - 6:10 PM ET Minnesota +8 500 POD # 2
Florida - Under 124.5 500

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G. Mason makes 'bittersweet' move to A-10

March 25, 2013


FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - George Mason athletic director Tom O'Connor says it's ``bittersweet'' to be leaving the Colonial Athletic Association for the Atlantic 10.

GMU was one of the founding members of the CAA, but O'Connor said the changing landscape of college sports prompted the move. Two of Mason's regional rivals - Virginia Commonwealth and Richmond - previously departed for the A-10, and the switch also sets up a subway conference rivalry with nearby George Washington.

GMU is paying an exit fee of $1 million and will forfeit at least $1.65 million in conference payouts. University President Angel Cabrera said the move will pay for itself ``in as little as five years.''

The move leaves the CAA with nine schools for 2013-14.

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Sunny Days: UM, UF and FGCU in Sweet 16

March 25, 2013


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Look out college basketball, here comes the Sunshine State.

The Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators rolled through Austin on the first weekend of the NCAA tournament and will join upstart Florida Gulf Coast in the Sweet 16.

Now a state known for breeding some of the best college football players in the country is charging through March behind the perennial-power Gators, the surging Hurricanes and the Eagles, the team that has become the national darlings of the postseason.

``The state of Florida has great basketball teams,'' Miami's standout guard Shane Larkin said. ``Florida Gulf Coast was a team we played early in the season and they beat us. But now it's just show that they're a great team because they beat us.''

Miami (29-6), the No. 2 seed in the East Region, advanced to the round of 16 in Washington, D.C. with a tough 63-59 win over No. 7 Illinois on Sunday night. Larkin hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with a minute left and Miami gained possession on a ball knocked out of bounds that probably should have gone to Illinois, helping the Hurricanes hold on for the win.

After Larkin's first field goal in about 9 1/2 minutes, Illinois guard D.J. Richardson missed a 3-pointer. In the fight for the rebound, the ball appeared to ricochet off the hands of Miami's Kenny Kadji out of bounds. But the Hurricanes kept the ball, and Durand Scott made two free throws after that.

Rion Brown's two free throws with 7 seconds left pushed the game out of reach and put the Hurricanes in the Sweet 16 for just the second time in school history. Miami will play the East Region's No. 3 seed, Marquette (25-8), on Thursday night.

``On the free throws, the only thing I thought about was just Sweet 16,'' Brown said.

Larkin, the ACC player of the year, finished with 17 points. Brown scored 21.

Brandon Paul scored 18 for Illinois (23-13) which was left to wonder how things might have been if a late call had gone its way.

``You saw the same video I did,'' first-year Illinois coach John Groce said. He added, ``hard game to officiate ... 50-50 calls are hard sometimes.''

Kadji said he didn't know if he touched the ball last before it went out of bounds and was awarded to the Hurricanes.

``It was just so many hands, you know,'' Kadji said. ``I don't know who touched it last.''

Florida, which won national titles in 2006 and 2007 and lost in the regional final the last two seasons, will come back to Texas after using a big first half and clutch shooting by Mike Rosario to beat Minnesota 78-64.

The Gators, the No. 3 seed in the South, get a matchup with their high-flying statemates No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Rosario scored 25 points a day after coach Billy Donovan called him out in front of his team for a poor performance in the Gators' first tournament game against Northwestern State.

``The message that coach gave us and gave me personally was, `You've got to go out there and compete,''' said Rosario, who was 8 of 12 shooting overall and 6 of 9 from 3-point range. ``In the second half there, we dug deep.''

Donovan clearly knows which buttons to push.

``I think he felt bad about it,'' Donovan said. ``I'm on him all the time. A lot. Because I want him to be the best he can be.''

Andre Hollins scored 25 points to lead the Gophers (21-13).

Defensively, the Gators denied just about everything the Gophers tried in the first half. Florida tied up shooters at the perimeter, challenged layups and blocked a dunk when Casey Prather stuffed Minnesota's muscular Trevor Mbakwe in a clear statement that the Southeastern Conference regular-season champs would be as tough as anything the Gophers faced in the Big Ten.

Offensively, it seemed as if Florida's shooters couldn't miss. The Gators shot 65 percent in the half and Rosario made four 3-pointers. Minnesota gathered itself for a brief burst when Hollins knocked down consecutive 3-pointers and a steal and layup trimmed Florida's lead to 39-23.

If the Gophers could have pulled within 10 by halftime, they might have been able to grab a lead in the second. Instead, the Gators rolled into the locker room leading 48-27.

But Minnesota wasn't ready to quit.

Hollins, who scored 53 points in two games, made three 3-pointers in an 11-2 run that took some of the swagger out of the Gators. Minnesota kept chipping away and trimmed the Florida lead to 53-46 with 12 minutes left.

``We didn't just hang our heads,'' Hollins said. ``We just had to come out blazing.''

But Hollins soon picked up his fourth foul and went to the bench for about four minutes. The Gophers had lost their first shooting option and by the time he returned, the Gators had built the lead back to 12 before a 7-0 run all but closed it out.

``We couldn't get any flow,'' Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. ``When your point guard is your best shooter and your best scorer, it makes it tough.''

[StarDust Bum]

Minnesota fires coach Tubby Smith

March 25, 2013


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota fired Tubby Smith on Monday, cutting ties with the veteran coach one day after the Golden Gophers lost to Florida in the NCAA tournament.

Athletics director Norwood Teague announced the decision Monday and said it was time for a ``fresh set of eyes'' on the program.

Smith was 124-81 (.610) in six seasons at Minnesota, helping to bring the program back to respectability and ramping up expectations for a team hit hard by an academic cheating scandal.

Smith won 20 games five times. But he went just 46-62 in Big Ten play and never finished higher than sixth in the conference. The Gophers made three NCAA tournament appearances under Smith. They beat UCLA this year before losing on Sunday.

``Tubby has had a long and distinguished career and we feel it's time for a fresh set of eyes for our student-athletes and our program in general,'' Teague said. ``We are grateful to Tubby and his entire staff for their hard work and dedication to this university, our students and the entire Minnesota community.''

Smith was welcomed with wild enthusiasm when left powerhouse Kentucky in 2007, hailed as the savior to a program that Dan Monson was never able to raise back out of the abyss created from a the academic fraud that ended up wiping out the team's Final Four appearance in 1997.

Smith won 20 games his first season and took the team to the NCAA tournament the following year, restoring some sense of pride to a team that at one time was the most popular draw in the Twin Cities.

But the success seemed to level off after that. The Gophers made the tournament again in 2010, missed it in 2011 and settled for an NIT bid last year as fans started to grow impatient.

``I want to thank the University of Minnesota and the people of Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to lead the Golden Gopher basketball program for six years,'' Smith said in a statement provided by the school. ``Our staff did things the right way and will leave knowing that the program is in far better shape than when we arrived.''

This year's team started off 15-1 and rose as high as No. 8, with wins over Michigan State, Illinois and Memphis during that run. But they quickly came back down to earth, losing seven of 10 games in Big Ten play and squeaking into the tournament as a No. 11 seed thanks in large part to a late-season win over then-No. 1 Indiana at home.

The Gophers handled UCLA in the second round of the tournament only to be thumped by Florida in the next round. A common refrain from fans was that the players, and the team, never seemed to improve as the season went on, instead either stagnating or regressing. The Gophers never finished with a Big Ten record above .500 and finished in seventh place or worse four times in his six seasons.

Undaunted, Smith always pointed to his reputation for running a clean program and the empty cupboard he inherited when he arrived. He has long been lobbying for a practice facility and improvements to historic, but outdated, Williams Arena and has said the lack of investment in the facilities have led to some setbacks in recruiting.

``I don't apologize or I don't defend anything,'' Smith said last week. ``We do the best we can. We do a good job. That's why we're NCAA bound.''

The decision to part with a big-name coach after a rare tournament victory for the program is a bold one for Teague, who is in his second year on the job. It requires a cash-strapped athletic department to raise $2.5 million for Smith's buyout.

With a bevy of highly touted recruits in the state, Teague is acting quickly partially to give a replacement time to forge relationships with high school players including Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones, one of the most sought-after juniors in the country.

Teague and his top assistant, Mike Ellis, are considered to be plugged in to the college basketball world and are believed to have a strong list of candidates to replace Smith at the ready.

Teague came to Minnesota from Virginia Commonwealth, and it has been speculated almost since his arrival that he would eventually bring Shaka Smart with him. But Smart may have higher profile suitors waiting for him as well with openings already at UCLA and USC.

Other names that could come up are former Timberwolves coach and Golden Gopher alumnus Flip Saunders, Villanova's Jay Wright and Marquette's Buzz Williams.

[StarDust Bum]

Sweet 16 Trends

March 25, 2013

If you are a player or a coach, there is nothing sweeter this time of the year than being alive in the NCAA Tournament. For those teams that survived the opening two rounds of this main event it's on to the Sweet 16 and, hopefully, the Elite 8 this weekend.

From the NCAA Sweet 16 Tournament Guide here are essential notes and trends of the teams that have arrived. Stay tuned.

NCAA SWEET 16 ROUND NOTES

-- #1 Seeds off BB SUATS wins are 18-7 ATS (Louisville)

-- #2 Seeds are 14-6 ATS vs. opponents off a SU dog win (Florida)

-- #6 Seeds off a DD ATS win are 1-8 ATS (Arizona)

-- Favorites of 9 > pts are 10-4 ATS vs. opp off BB SUATS wins (Florida, Louisville)

-- Favorites off BB SU wins of 15 > pts are 13-4 ATS (Louisville)

-- Underdogs of 11 > pts are 7-2 ATS (Florida Gulf Coast)

Best Team ATS records in this round
Louisville 6-0, Florida 4-1, Michigan State 6-2

Worst Team ATS records in this round
Syracuse 0-6, Duke, Marquette, Ohio St 1-3, Kansas 4-9

Best Conference ATS records in this round
Atlantic 10: 7-2, SEC: 11-5

Worst Conference ATS records in this round
Missouri Valley: 1-4, Big 10: 5-10, Big East: 9-14-1

NCAA ELITE 8 ROUND NOTES

-- #1 Seed favs > 7 pts are 1-8 ATS

-- #2 Seeds are 2-10-1 ATS off a DD ATS win

-- #3 Seeds are 1-7 ATS

-- #4 Seeds are 9-1 ATS

-- #6 Seeds are 0-7 SU and 2-5 ATS

-- Teams that score 67 < pts are 12-40 SU & 12-39-1 ATS

-- Teams that score 85 > pts are 27-7 SU & 24-8-2 ATS

-- Teams off BB ATS losses are 5-1 ATS

-- Teams with Revenge are 14-4-1 ATS

-- Dogs off 3 straight DD wins are 1-4-1 ATS

Best Conference ATS records in this round
SEC: 4-0 as favs > 7 pts, Big 10: 5-1, Pac 12: 5-1, Big East: 6-2 as dogs

Worst Conference ATS records in this round
Big 12: 1-11, Big East: 1-6 as favs, SEC: 2-6 as favs < 7 pts.

COACH ME IF YOU CAN

-- Florida's Billy Donovan is 13-4 SU and 12-5 ATS in the NCAA tournament from the Sweet 16 out, including 6-0 SUATS versus .825 or greater opposition.

I'll be back next week with a final look at FINAL FOUR and Championship game action.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday NIT Action

March 25, 2013


The Sweet 16 is set in the NCAA Tournament, but the NIT is reclaiming the spotlight tonight with three games with its Final Four starting next week at Madison Square Garden. The top-seed in the Kentucky regional is no longer playing as the Wildcats were bounced by Robert Morris last week. It was an upset to a certain extent, but Robert Morris received a huge break by playing the game at home in Pittsburgh due to Rupp Arena being unavailable as it was used for the NCAA Tournament.

Robert Morris at Providence (-8 ½) - 7:00 PM EST

The Colonials will look to bottle up all the momentum from last Tuesday's 59-57 upset of Kentucky as 3 ½-point home underdogs as Robert Morris makes the short trip to Providence. RMU allowed 52% shooting from the floor to Kentucky, while pulling down just 17 rebounds in the win.

Providence rallied past Charlotte in its NIT opener, 75-66, while pushing as nine-point home favorites. The Friars outscored the 49ers, 42-30 in the second half, as the game barely went 'over' the total of 139 ½. PC's starting five scored 73 of the 75 points, while Bryce Cotton led the Friars with 25 points for the fifth straight win at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

Robert Morris has very little to show from a pointspread standpoint due to the Northeast Conference rarely being listed on the board. The Colonials are 4-2 ATS in six lined games, while posting a 1-1 ATS mark as an underdog that includes an early-season loss at Lehigh. RMU lost close calls at Arkansas and Xavier earlier this season, while picking up a solid home win over Ohio on December 1.

The Friars owned a 5-3-1 ATS record as a home favorite this season, but that also includes an outright loss to DePaul early in Big East play. However, Ed Cooley's club has won eight of 11 games down the stretch since a three-game skid to close January.

Mercer at BYU (-7 ½) - 9:00 PM EST

Probably the biggest upset in the first round of the NIT came in Knoxville, as Mercer won at Tennessee, 75-67 to cash outright as eight-point road underdogs. The Bears hail from the same conference as Florida Gulf Coast (Atlantic Sun), as Mercer knocked down 50% of its shots from the floor to shock the Volunteers, while leading from start to finish. Now, Mercer travels to Provo for a tough matchup with BYU.

The Cougars chased out Washington in the opening round of the NIT, 90-79 to cash as six-point favorites. BYU blistered Washington's defense with 57 points in the second half, while Tyler Haws put up a game-high 37 points for the Cougars. The victory snapped a six-game ATS skid in the favorite role, while improving to 4-8 ATS the last 12 opportunities when laying points.

The Bears have played seven lined contests the whole season, but have posted a 2-4-1 ATS record. Mercer has eclipsed the 72-point mark in five consecutive games, while hitting the 'over' in three straight contests, including the win at Tennessee. This team is not afraid to go into big-time schools and cause trouble, as Mercer has picked up victories at Alabama and Florida State this season.

Louisiana Tech at Southern Mississippi (-8) - 10:00 PM EST

These two teams met earlier this season in Rustin, as Louisiana Tech silenced Southern Miss, 65-55. The Bulldogs cashed as four-point favorites in spite of shooting just 39% from the floor, but they limited the Golden Eagles to 33% shooting. Southern Miss was squeezed from the NCAA Tournament when it fell to Memphis in double-overtime of the Conference USA title, as the Eagles go for their second consecutive win in the NIT.

Donnie Tyndall's club held off Charleston Southern, 78-71, but failed to cover as 11 ½-point home 'chalk' last Wednesday. Southern Miss torched Charleston from the field by drilling 56% of their shots, while hitting 10 three-pointers. The Golden Eagles have now finished 'over' the total in seven of the last eight games, while scoring at least 78 points six times in this stretch.

Louisiana Tech snapped a three-game skid by knocking off Florida State in Tallahassee, 71-66 as three-point underdogs. The Bulldogs grabbed a share of the WAC regular season title with Denver, but Tech was upset in the opening round of the conference title against Texas-San Antonio, dashing any chances of a bid to the Big Dance. Tech put together a 2-3 ATS record as a road underdog this season, but went 11-5 straight-up away from Rustin.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

Matchups for the Sweet 16 this Thursday/Friday......

Thursday:
-- Indiana (-5.5) vs Syracuse
-- Miami (-5.5) vs Marquette
-- Wichita State (-4) vs LaSalle
-- Ohio State (-3.5) vs Arizona

Friday:
-- Louisville (-10) vs Oregon
-- Duke (NL) vs Michigan State
-- Florida (-12) vs Florida Gulf Coast
-- Kansas (-2) vs Michigan


*****

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up the best weekend of the year.......

13) Florida Gulf Coast 81, San Diego State 71-- Eagles shot 55% from floor against solid defensive team, become first #15 seed ever to advance to Sweet 16. They're the talk of the tournament-- good for them.

12) This Comer kid is terrific PG who should be playing in a much better league than the Atlantic Sun; if UNLV had him, they'd be a favorite to go to the Final Four. What tremendous court vision he has.

11) Apparently the only reason Florida Gulf Coast went Division I in hoops is because a D-II league in Florida turned them down. Multiple people have confirmed that story, which is a little amazing.

10) Ohio State 78, Iowa State 75-- Terrific game that swung on a marginal charging call against the Cyclones when they were up a point; Craft's heel appeared to be on that arc under the basket. Iowa State made 12-25 from arc, rallied back from down 13-- this was a very tough loss. .

9) Had no idea that Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg needs a heart valve replacement in the near future, no one knows exactly when; he played in NBA for ten years, had to retire because of the heart issue. Our thoughts and prayers are with him-- very popular figure in Iowa.

8) Indiana 58, Temple 52-- Three of Owls' five starters combined to go 0-21 from floor in this interesting game, as Khalif Wyatt carried Owls for 38:00, but got no help when he needed it most. Indiana-Syracuse this week means roughly 1,000 replays of Keith Smart's shot in 1987- terrific.

7) Florida 78, Minnesota 64-- Gators were up 21 at half, staggered thru the second half; Minnesota-UCLA might wind up as the worst first round game of the last 20 years. Should've automatically picked against the winner here.

6) Speaking of UCLA, they officially fired Ben Howland Sunday; question is, who are they going to get who is a better coach? If you fire a guy who got to three Final Fours in ten years, why is this considered a good job?

5) LaSalle 76, Ole Miss 74-- Much like VCU two years ago, Explorers are proving that going to the First Four isn't so much of a hinderence. It helps to have really good senior guards.

Last 13-seed in the Sweet 16? Bradley Braves, in 2006.

4) Kansas 70, North Carolina 58-- Tar Heels were up 30-21 at half, were +11 in turnovers for game, but shot only 30.1% and Jayhawks started running more in second half, going on 42-17 spurt to turn game in their favor.

3) Miami 63, Illinois 59-- Survive. Advance. This was a 50-50 game; Durand Scott scored only six points, but Hurricanes made key plays late for the win. Illinois team always seemed like they should've been better.

2) Duke 66, Creighton 50-- Awful game, with McDermott not scoring hoop in last 24:00; he was 12-12 from foul line, but Duke bludgeoned the Bluejays and move on to Indianapolis for the Sweet 16.

Krzyzewski, Pitino, Izzo in same region....with Dana Altman, who is a very good coach, but not exactly a media darling. Should be interesting.

1) Its great to see an unknown team like Florida Gulf Coast believe in its abilities, play with tremendous enthuiasm and shock the world; they've got guys who can run, pass, shoot, defend- well-rounded, athletic players. Next up are the Florida Gators, who wouldn't even scrimmage the Eagles last fall.

Florida Gulf Coast is a 12-point dog; you going to give them 12 points?

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, March 25

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ROBERT MORRIS (24 - 10) at PROVIDENCE (18 - 14) - 3/25/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PROVIDENCE is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games in March games since 1997.
PROVIDENCE is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
PROVIDENCE is 32-56 ATS (-29.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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MERCER (24 - 11) at BYU (22 - 11) - 3/25/2013, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BYU is 178-126 ATS (+39.4 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
BYU is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
BYU is 118-83 ATS (+26.7 Units) in all home games since 1997.
BYU is 118-83 ATS (+26.7 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
BYU is 54-32 ATS (+18.8 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
BYU is 53-31 ATS (+18.9 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1997.
BYU is 82-56 ATS (+20.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
MERCER is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
MERCER is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
MERCER is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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LOUISIANA TECH (27 - 6) at SOUTHERN MISS (26 - 9) - 3/25/2013, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOUISIANA TECH is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISIANA TECH is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LOUISIANA TECH is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
SOUTHERN MISS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SOUTHERN MISS is 1-1 against the spread versus LOUISIANA TECH over the last 3 seasons
SOUTHERN MISS is 1-1 straight up against LOUISIANA TECH over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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HOUSTON (20 - 12) at GEORGE MASON (19 - 14) - 3/25/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGE MASON is 34-17 ATS (+15.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
GEORGE MASON is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGE MASON is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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RICHMOND (19 - 14) at WRIGHT ST (22 - 12) - 3/25/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
RICHMOND is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
WRIGHT ST is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
WRIGHT ST is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
WRIGHT ST is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) as a favorite this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
RICHMOND is 1-0 against the spread versus WRIGHT ST over the last 3 seasons
RICHMOND is 1-0 straight up against WRIGHT ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SANTA CLARA (22 - 11) at PURDUE (16 - 17) - 3/25/2013, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SANTA CLARA is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SANTA CLARA is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
PURDUE is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
SANTA CLARA is 28-11 ATS (+15.9 Units) in road games when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
SANTA CLARA is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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W MICHIGAN (21 - 12) at WYOMING (20 - 13) - 3/25/2013, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W MICHIGAN is 22-41 ATS (-23.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
WYOMING is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
WYOMING is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
WYOMING is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WYOMING is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) in March games since 1997.
WYOMING is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
WYOMING is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games this season.
WYOMING is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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UC-IRVINE (21 - 15) at ORAL ROBERTS (19 - 14) - 3/25/2013, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UC-IRVINE is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
ORAL ROBERTS is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
ORAL ROBERTS is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in March games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, March 25

Robert Morris kids might still be hung over after beating Kentucky last week on national TV; Colonials lost by 10 at Pitt LY, last time they've faced a Big East team. Providence plays only seven guys; they're 8-3 in last 11 games, beat Bryant by 32, in only game vs NEC opponent.

Mercer finished ahead of Florida Gulf Coast in A-Sun; they're 12-2 in last 14 games, but lost at New Mexico by 18, Denver by 29 in its two western road games this year. BYU is 4-5 in its last nine games, but won three of last four at home. Last three Mercer games went over total.

27-6 Louisiana Tech snapped 3-game skid with 71-66 win at Florida St., Tech (-4) beat Southern Miss 65-55 Dec 8, despite 23 turnovers; USM top scorer Davis had only 7 points. Eagles won last five home games and eight of last 11 overall. Tech lost two of its last three away games.

George Mason is announcing move to A-16 today; their last six games were all decided by 6 or less points. Patriots lost four of last five home games. Houston has played easiest schedule in country this year; they've won five of last six games, with last three wins all by 5 or less points.

Richmond's 76-71 win at Bryant in first round was its second win in last ten road games; Spiders are 16-2 this season vs teams ranked outside top 100 (Wright State is #113). Raiders won four of last five games; they're 1-0 vs CAA teams this year, winning 63-57 at league doormat Hofstra.

Santa Clara is 10-5 in its last 15 games, but lost lost last three road tilts, by 17-43-13 points; Broncos are 1-7 vs teams in top 70, winning by 7 at Saint Louis in November. Purdue won three of last four at home, with only loss by 5 to Michigan. Purdue is 12-4 vs teams outside top 80.

Western Michigan lost three of last four road games, with four of its last five on road decided by 4 or less points; Broncos won 12 of its last 17 games overall. Wyoming is 15-0 vs teams outside MWC, 12-0 vs teams ranked outside top 125- they've beaten four top 70 teams in Laramie.

Cal-Irvine won nine of last 11 games; they lost by hoop at Sam Houston State in OT, its only game vs Southland opponent- they won two of last three road games. Oral Roberts beat Sam Houston two out of three, but lost to them in Southland tourney; Titans won seven of eight at home.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Monday, March 25

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Trend Report
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12:00 PM
ST. JOHN'S vs. VIRGINIA
St. John's is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. John's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia's last 6 games
Virginia is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games

1:00 PM
STANFORD vs. ALABAMA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Stanford's last 7 games on the road
Alabama is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama's last 5 games

7:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. GEORGE MASON
Houston is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
George Mason is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
George Mason is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:00 PM
SANTA CLARA vs. PURDUE
Santa Clara is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Santa Clara's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Purdue's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Purdue's last 7 games at home

7:00 PM
RICHMOND vs. WRIGHT STATE
Richmond is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Richmond is 6-12-3 ATS in its last 21 games on the road
Wright State is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Wright State's last 7 games at home

7:00 PM
ROBERT MORRIS vs. PROVIDENCE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Providence's last 6 games at home
Providence is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
UC IRVINE vs. ORAL ROBERTS
UC Irvine is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of UC Irvine's last 6 games on the road
No trends available

9:00 PM
WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. WYOMING
Western Michigan is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Western Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Wyoming is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Wyoming is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games

9:00 PM
MERCER vs. BYU
No trends available
BYU is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
BYU is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

10:00 PM
LOUISIANA TECH vs. SOUTHERN MISS
Louisiana Tech is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Louisiana Tech's last 10 games on the road
Southern Miss is 3-11-1 ATS in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Southern Miss's last 5 games at home

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NCAAB
Dunkel

Houston at George Mason
The Patriots look to build on their 7-3 ATS record in their last 10 non-conference games. George Mason is the pick (-6) according to Dunkel, which has the Patriots favored by 8. Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-6). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY. MARCH 25

Game 613-614: Robert Morris at Providence (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Robert Morris 55.374; Providence 66.196
Dunkel Line: Providence by 11; 142
Vegas Line: Providence by 8 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Providence (-8 1/2); Over

Game 615-616: Mercer at BYU (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mercer 56.284; BYU 64.887
Dunkel Line: BYU by 8 1/2; 139
Vegas Line: BYU by 7; 143
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-7); Under

Game 617-618: Louisiana Tech at Southern Mississippi (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 58.293; Southern Mississippi 67.286
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 9; 147
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 8; 144 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-8); Over

Game 621-622: Houston at George Mason (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 55.425; George Mason 63.312
Dunkel Line: George Mason by 8; 147
Vegas Line: George Mason by 6; 152 1/2
Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-6); Under

Game 623-624: Richmond at Wright State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 61.961; Wright State 60.486
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 1 1/2; 132
Vegas Line: Wright State by 1; 127 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (+1); Over

Game 625-626: Santa Clara at Purdue (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Santa Clara 58.705; Purdue 71.082
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 12 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Purdue by 6 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-6 1/2); Under

Game 627-628: Western Michigan at Wyoming (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 53.071; Wyoming 60.543
Dunkel Line: Wyoming by 7 1/2; 122
Vegas Line: Wyoming by 6; 127
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (-6); Under

Game 629-630: UC-Irvine at Oral Roberts (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 55.708; Oral Roberts 56.589
Dunkel Line: Oral Roberts by 1; 145
Vegas Line: Oral Roberts by 4 1/2; 141
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (+4 1/2); Over
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NCAAB
Short Sheet

Monday, March 25

NIT Tournament Betting Trends

Robert Morris at Providence, 7:00 ET ESPNEWS
Robert Morris: 8-3 ATS after winning 3 of their last 4 games
Providence: 3-12 ATS at home in March

Mercer at BYU, 9:00 ET ESPNEWS
Mercer: 9-1 ATS as a road underdog
BYU: 9-19 ATS off an ATS win

Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss, 10:00 ET ESPNU
Louisiana Tech: 8-2 ATS off a non-conference game
Southern Miss: 11-22 ATS off a home game


CBI Tournament Betting Trends

Houston at George Mason, 7:00 ET
Houston: 8-1 Over away off an Under
George Mason: 1-7 ATS at home after winning 2 of their last 3 games

Richmond at Wright State, 7:00 ET
Richmond: 3-10 ATS off a non-conference game
Wright State: 10-1 ATS off 3+ games allowing 65 points or less

Santa Clara at Purdue, 7:00 ET
Santa Clara: 9-17 ATS off ATS losses in 2 of their last 3 games
Purdue: 9-0 ATS at home after playing BB games as a favorite

Western Michigan at Wyoming, 7:00 ET
Western Michigan: 7-0 Over in March
Wyoming: 8-2 ATS vs. non-conference opponents


CIT Tournament Betting Trends

Cal Irvine at Oral Roberts, 8:00 ET
Cal Irvine: 15-5 Over vs. non-conference opponents
Oral Roberts: 4-13 ATS in March
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Monday, March 25

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Robert Morris - 7:00 PM ET Providence -7.5 500
Providence - Under 138.5 500

Richmond - 7:00 PM ET Wright St. -1 500 POD # 3
Wright St. - Under 129 500

Santa Clara - 7:00 PM ET Purdue -6 500 POD # 4
Purdue - Under 141.5 500

Houston - 7:00 PM ET George Mason -7 500
George Mason - Over 152 500

UC Irvine - 8:00 PM ET Oral Roberts -4 500 POD # 2
Oral Roberts - Under 142 500

Mercer - 9:00 PM ET Mercer +8 500 POD # 1
Brigham Young - Under 143 500

Western Michigan - 9:00 PM ET Wyoming -6 500
Wyoming - Under 127.5 500

Louisiana Tech - 10:00 PM ET Louisiana Tech +6.5 POD # 5 500
Southern Miss - Over 142.5 500

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Tuesday's NIT/CIT Action

March 26, 2013

Only one game takes place in the NIT on Tuesday night, while three contests are showcased in the College Insider Tournament. All six teams playing the CIT hail from mid-major conferences, but the two squads hooking up in the NIT both are from power leagues and playing well down the stretch.

Maryland at Alabama (-3 ½) - 7:30 PM EST

The first spot in the NIT Final Four will be filled out on Tuesday night with the winner of this contest in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide has cashed seven of their last eight games following Saturday's 66-54 victory over Stanford as 4 ½-point favorites, the second straight triumph in the NIT by double-digits.

The Terrapins are equally as hot as the Tide, posting a similar 7-1 ATS record the previous eight contests, including six consecutive covers. Maryland rallied past Denver, 62-52 in the second round of the NIT, while grabbing the ATS win as 4 ½-point 'chalk.' Mark Turgeon's team is 5-0 ATS the last five games away from College Park, including three straight covers as an underdog.

These two teams are going in different directions from a totals standpoint. Maryland has cashed the 'over' in four of the last five games, while the offense has tallied at least 75 points four times in this stretch. Alabama is playing solid defense recently by allowing 58 points or less in four of the previous five contests, as Anthony Grant's club is riding a 6-2 run to the 'under.'

CIT

Evansville at Canisius (-1) - 7:00 PM EST

The Purple Aces are riding under the ATS radar lately by putting together a 7-1 mark against the number the last eight games. Evansville plays its first road game in the CIT following home victories over Tennessee State (84-72) and Eastern Kentucky (86-72), while cashing each time in the favorite role.

Canisius rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to stun Youngstown State in overtime on Saturday, 84-82 as 2 ½-point road underdogs. The Golden Griffins shot just 37% from the floor, but knocked down 10 three-pointers to win consecutive games for the first time since early February. In the last three games away from home, Canisius has drilled the 'over,' while allowing at least 82 points each time. However, the Griffins step up their defense at home by giving up 65 points or less in the last three home contests.

Following a six-game road losing streak in Missouri Valley play, Evansville has won each of its last two away contests at Wright State and Wichita State. The Purple Aces shocked Wichita State as 11 ½-point underdogs, 59-56 in late February, while going 4-1 ATS the last five opportunities in the away 'dog role.

Loyola-Maryland at East Carolina (-4) - 7:00 PM EST

The Pirates needed a massive rally to survive the opening round against Savannah State, 66-65. However, ECU had an easier time against Rider on Friday, 75-54 to easily cash as four-point favorites, while limiting the Broncs to just 27% shooting from the floor. On Tuesday, the Pirates will see another MAAC team, a Loyola-Maryland squad that finished tied with Rider for second place in the conference.

The Greyhounds snapped a four-game ATS skid in a 73-59 rout of Kent State as 4 ½-point favorites, while the Golden Flashes couldn't hit a lick from the floor by shooting 27%. Loyola split its previous six road contests, as the Greyhounds are 3-1-1 the last five times in the away underdog role. The 'over' is rolling for the Greyhounds on the highway recently by cashing in each of the last six away from Maryland.

East Carolina has played just one away game since March 6, a 79-72 defeat to Tulsa in the Conference USA quarterfinals. In the four other contests in this stretch, ECU is 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS in Greenville, while posting a 5-2 ATS record the last seven games in the home favorite role.

Bradley at Northern Iowa (-11) - 8:00 PM EST

These two Missouri Valley squads are meeting for the third time this season after UNI swept the season series. The Panthers destroyed the Braves in Cedar Falls, 84-53 in January as 7 ½-point favorites, while taking a 41-14 advantage at halftime. Northern Iowa squeaked by Bradley in the second meeting in Peoria a month later, 68-65 as three-point favorites.

Bradley took care of business in its first two CBI games at home over Green Bay (75-69) and Tulane (77-72). The Braves are just 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS the last nine road contests, while one of the covers came by a ½ point at Creighton as 17-point underdogs. Bradley has been involved high-scoring affairs recently by going 8-3 to the 'over' the last 11 games.

Northern Iowa is struggling against the number of late by going 1-5 ATS the past six games, as the last two non-covers came as double-digit favorites against North Dakota and Illinois-Chicago. The Panthers are riding a 7-1 'over' stretch the previous eight trips to the court, but three of those 'overs' came on totals of 119 ½ or below.