Announcement

**crswir** · 03-17-2005, 09:31 AM

College Basketball Trend Report
UT-CHATTANOOGA (20 - 10) vs. WAKE FOREST (26 - 5) - 3/17/2005, 7:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WAKE FOREST is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
WAKE FOREST is 39-67 ATS (-34.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
WAKE FOREST 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.
WAKE FOREST is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.

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

CREIGHTON (23 - 10) vs. W VIRGINIA (21 - 10) - 3/17/2005, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CREIGHTON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less this season.
CREIGHTON is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as a neutral court underdog of 3 points or less or pick since 1997.
CREIGHTON is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
CREIGHTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games in all games this season.
CREIGHTON is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games in all lined games this season.
CREIGHTON is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
CREIGHTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CREIGHTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
CREIGHTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games when the total is 130 to 139.5 this season.

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

WI-MILWAUKEE (24 - 5) vs. ALABAMA (24 - 7) - 3/17/2005, 12:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a conference game this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games in all games this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games in all lined games this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
WI-MILWAUKEE is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) when playing with 7 or more days rest since 1997.

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

PENNSYLVANIA (20 - 8) vs. BOSTON COLLEGE (24 - 4) - 3/17/2005, 2:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 48-26 ATS (+19.4 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in road games as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 31-13 ATS (+16.7 Units) in road games in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 31-13 ATS (+16.7 Units) in road games in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PENNSYLVANIA is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.

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

FARLEIGH DICKINSON (20 - 12) vs. ILLINOIS (32 - 1) - 3/17/2005, 9:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ILLINOIS is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.

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

NEVADA (24 - 6) vs. TEXAS (20 - 10) - 3/17/2005, 7:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEVADA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
NEVADA is 56-31 ATS (+21.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEVADA is 56-31 ATS (+21.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
NEVADA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
NEVADA is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
NEVADA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEVADA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
NEVADA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.
NEVADA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games when the total is 130 to 139.5 this season.
TEXAS is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) after allowing 80 points or more this season.
TEXAS is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in road games when playing with 5 or 6 days rest over the last 3 seasons.

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

E KENTUCKY (22 - 8) vs. KENTUCKY (25 - 5) - 3/17/2005, 12:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
E KENTUCKY is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
KENTUCKY is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
E KENTUCKY is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
E KENTUCKY is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
KENTUCKY is 0-0 against the spread versus E KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons
KENTUCKY is 1-0 straight up against E KENTUCKY over the last 3 seasons

IOWA (21 - 11) vs. CINCINNATI (24 - 7) - 3/17/2005, 2:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IOWA is 35-58 ATS (-28.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
IOWA is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
IOWA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games against Conference USA opponents since 1997.
IOWA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
IOWA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
IOWA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in road games in first round tournament games since 1997.
IOWA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
CINCINNATI is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 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.

MONTANA (18 - 12) vs. WASHINGTON (27 - 5) - 3/17/2005, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTANA is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MONTANA is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 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.

PITTSBURGH (20 - 8) vs. PACIFIC (26 - 3) - 3/17/2005, 12:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PACIFIC is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
PITTSBURGH is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in a neutral court game where the total is 130 to 134.5 since 1997.

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

UAB (21 - 10) vs. LSU (20 - 9) - 3/17/2005, 9:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LSU is 15-2 ATS (+12.8 Units) after a conference game this season.
LSU is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
LSU is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games this season.
LSU is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
LSU is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
LSU is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
UAB is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games against SEC opponents since 1997.
UAB is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) as a neutral court underdog of 3 points or less or pick since 1997.
UAB is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
UAB is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
UAB is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
UAB is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in road games in first round tournament games since 1997.
UAB is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
UAB is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
UAB is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when the total is 150 to 159.5 over the last 3 seasons.
LSU is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LSU is 1-0 against the spread versus UAB over the last 3 seasons
LSU is 1-0 straight up against UAB over the last 3 seasons

UTAH ST (24 - 7) vs. ARIZONA (27 - 6) - 3/17/2005, 7:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH ST is 3-10 ATS (-8.0 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH ST is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
UTAH ST is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.

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

UTEP (27 - 7) vs. UTAH (27 - 5) - 3/17/2005, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in a neutral court game where the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in road games in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 this season.

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

NIAGARA (20 - 9) vs. OKLAHOMA (24 - 7) - 3/17/2005, 12:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NIAGARA is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
NIAGARA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
NIAGARA is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
NIAGARA is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
NIAGARA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
NIAGARA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
NIAGARA is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.

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

UCLA (18 - 10) vs. TEXAS TECH (20 - 10) - 3/17/2005, 9:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UCLA is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) against Big 12 conference opponents since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
UCLA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
UCLA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
UCLA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games in all games this season.
UCLA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games in all lined games this season.
TEXAS TECH is 1-6 ATS (-5.6 Units) in road games in first round tournament games since 1997.

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

WINTHROP (27 - 5) vs. GONZAGA (26 - 4) - 3/17/2005, 7:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WINTHROP is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 25-10 ATS (+14.0 Units) in March games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

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

ARIZONA ST (18 - 13) at UNLV (16 - 13) - 3/17/2005, 11:59 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA ST is 1-5 ATS (-4.5 Units) in road games against Mountain West conference opponents since 1997.
ARIZONA ST is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games as an underdog this season.

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

**crswir** · 03-17-2005, 09:32 AM

Pro Basketball Trend Report
LA LAKERS (32 - 31) at MIAMI (50 - 16) - 3/17/2005, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
MIAMI is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in March games this season.
MIAMI is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 6-1 ATS (+4.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 4-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 3-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

PORTLAND (23 - 39) at DALLAS (41 - 22) - 3/17/2005, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 1-6 ATS (-5.6 Units) in March games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 9-8 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 11-6 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

SACRAMENTO (40 - 25) at GOLDEN STATE (20 - 44) - 3/17/2005, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 5-19 ATS (-15.9 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in home games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 82-51 ATS (+25.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
SACRAMENTO is 5-1 ATS (+3.9 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 5-5 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 7-3 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

I'm getting out of Dodge, SPARK it's all on you until March 29,2005. Have a great Easter everyone and bring in some $$$$$$$$$$$.

**Spark** · 03-17-2005, 09:34 AM

Morning crs and thanks pal ...

Thursday afternoon NCAA games
Eastern Kentucky won last seven games; their coach once played for Kentucky, which won its last 14 first-round games (8-5 vs spread in last 13). OVC teams lost last 15 NCAA games, covering one of last seven. Colonels lost 98-49 to Florida, 75-63 to Western Kentucky, but did win at Dayton.

Indy site hurts EKU squad that took 115 more 3's than its opponents; harder to shoot treys in dome. Eastern also wasn't top seed in its league; they'll need to play very well to keep this inside 20 point margin.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee won its last seven games, 17 of last 18, is 5-1 vs spread as dog this year, and is playing in Cleveland, a Horizon League city; they start four juniors and a senior, are +112 in turnovers, and hold foes to 40.5% from floor. That's the good news. Bad news is that Alabama has taken 267 more foul shots than opponents, grabbed 162 more rebounds; they won last seven first round games, although none of last five were by more than eight points.

Tide is just 3-4 in last seven games, and has only one senior in top nine guys. If I were to call for 5-12 upset this year, this would be the game.

Pittsburgh lost four of last six games, as PG Krauser seemed to go off on his own late in year, Panthers are 10-1 outside Big East, but they played soft schedule, and lost at home to Bucknell. Pitt allows 63.4 ppg; they defend hard, and have nucleus of kids who have won lot of postseason games in recent years.

Pacific had 23-game win streak snapped Saturday; they beat Providence, another Big East team, last year. Tigers start four seniors. This is highest-seeded Big West team since '93 New Mexico State; Big West squads covered last five first round games.

Montana was the #3 seed in Big Sky, a weak league; they won last six games, but have 12 losses (three by 20+ pts). Griz lost by 16 to Gonzaga, 25 at Missouri, 18 at Stanford, 26 at Western Kentucky, and are -90 in turnovers, bad news vs Washington team stung by criticism of their being a #1 seed.

West region #1 seed has covered its last four first round games, and 12 of last 15. Huskies played one Big Sky team, beating Eastern Washington by 32; they allow foes to shoot 44.9% from floor, high percentage, but are 11-1 outside of Pac-10, with four wins by more than 20 points.

Cincinnati is 10-0 in last ten first-round games where they were #5 seed or higher, lost last two as lower seed (both #8's- they're #7 here)- they're 8-1 in last nine overall, losing to Gonzaga two years ago. UC just doesn't shoot well, and still lacks floor general. Iowa won five of last six games to get to this point, but they lack in athleticism with Pierce dismissed.

Hawkeyes beat Texas, Louisville out in Maui, beat Texas Tech by 30, but then went 7-9 in subpar Big 11, losing five of first six games without Pierce, before they caught fire recently. Indy site just two hours down road from Cincinnati.

Pennsylvania went 13-1 in Ivy, after going 7-6 out of conference, with loss at Wisconsin (77-44) and 89-52 loss at Providence in first three games of season. 15-1 in last sixteen games, Quakers start three seniors. hold foes to 39.7% from floor and are +139 on boards, but not great shooting team. Ivy League teams lost last six first round tournament games (0-6 vs spread).

Boston College went 4-4 in last eight games, after not having lost until Feb 8; they played very weak slate of non-league games, but won them all, beating Yale and Holy Cross in OT. Eagles get ball inside, shooting 269 more fouls hots than their foes. Watson's incident with bat-toting home invaders is an unwelcome distraction. BC is 1-4 as tournament favorite since '94.

Niagara lost in MAAC tournament by a point in each of last two years, but nucleus of three seniors got the Eagles in for first time since '70- they took 215 more 3-pointers than foes, 155 more foul shots, and grabbed 218 more rebounds, and have pair of seniors that have been teammates for eight years. They work together.

Oklahoma had seven-game win streak snapped in Big 12 tournament by Texas Tech; Sooners are 3-7 when they allow 68+ pts, a figure Niagara scored in all their games this season. Oklahoma is physical, deep team, but opponents shoot 43% against a young Sooner club that does not have a senior starter.

Texas-El Paso won last seven games; they start trio of juniors, two seniors who lost 86-83 at Maryland last March. Miners took 187 more free throws than foes, are +95 in turnovers, as quality senior PG Rivera has reminded veteran El Paso observers of Tim Hardaway

Utah has one great player in Bogut, stellar center- they took 290 more foul shots, grabbed 343 more boards than their opponents. Utes want a slower pace, UTEP wants it up and down. Utah has only one senior in its rotation. UTEP shoots 79% from the line as team; this might be best game of the afternoon card.

Thursday night NCAA games
Chattanooga won six of last eight games, but one of losses was 100-68 at Creighton Feb 19; they thrive on getting ball inside, taking 250 more fouls hots, getting 338 more boards than their foes. Mocs turn ball over 17 times a game- they lost game they led by 19 at half early in year, so their guards are suspect.

Wake Forest is #2 seed in West (0-8 vs spread in first round last eight years); they have great guards, and did not lose game (21-0) when allowing less than 81 points Moccasins shoot only 30% beyond arc, 68% from line they are not a team prone to scoring 80+ points. Clubs from Southern Conference lost last six first round tilts, but covered last two, losing by 5,3 pts as #13,15 seed

#8 seed for Texas is lowest of Barnes era'; they lost a pair of forwards during year, one each to injury, grades so they're struggling, losing three of last five, and six of last 11, but they still hold opponents to 39.5% from the floor, with plus-146 rebound margin. I just think its bad idea to back team that lost two rotation guys in season. Dome site actually hurts Texas more, since they shoot lot more treys than the Wolf Pack does.

Nevada lost at home in first round of WAC tourney, snapping a nine-game win streak; they trailed previous game by 11 at half in San Jose, thats almost like a loss. Wolf Pack covered eight of its nine WAC road games and had great success in tournament last year. Kansas beat them by 33, but that was revenge games after the Pack had ambushed Jayhawks in Reno last year.

Arizona lost in first round last year, just their second in first round in last nine years; Wildcats are 9-2 outside Pac-10 this year. Arizona shoots 40.1% on 3's, 77.6% from line, but foes shoot 43.6% from floor. Arizona is 10-2 since Feb 1, losing twice to Washington. Problem is, if Stoudamire has off day, they can lose to anyone.

Utah State won 25 games last year and didn't get into NCAA's, so they won Big West tourney, eliminating all doubt. Aggies are a bully team; 13 of their 15 league wins were by 10+ pts, but they were 2-5 in games that were decided by seven or less pts, and lost non-league games to Central Florida and IPFW. Big West teams covered their last five first round games.

Texas Tech got to finals of Big 12 tourney, but they're 5-5 in last ten games, 8-3 outside of Big 12; Raiders shoot 40.2% from floor, but took 246 less 3's, than its opponents- they shoot 76.4% from line, and took 156 more foul shots than foes. Knight hasn't been to Sweet 16 since 1994; it'll be upset if he makes it here.

UCLA plays on this court every year; they had 4-game win streak snapped when they lost to Oregon State in first round of Pac-10 tourney. Bruins are 7-2 outside the Pac-10, losing only to BC, Michigan State- they've a terrific freshman PG, but still allowed foes to shoot 44% from floor. UCLA covered seven of their nine on road in conference play, and also won at Notre Dame.

West Virginia had great weekend last week to make NCAA's; they play an unusual 1-3-1 defense, which is hard to prepare for, they're 9-3 in last 12 games, and are very well-coached. Morgantown is within driving distance to Cleveland, so lot of WVa fans should get there. Opponents shoot 44.7%, so not good on D.

Creighton also got hot in conference tourney to make this field, but they had extra week to recover/prepare, compared to West Virginia. Bluejays shoot 41.5% on 3-pointers, 73% from line; they can be hurt inside, but have excellent sr PG in McKinney. Creighton won its last eight games, taking all three conference tourney tilts by double figure margins.

Illinois is top-ranked team in country, can name score vs FDU, if they play well; they are superior in all parts of game. Question for Illini is whether they look ahead to second round game vs Texas-Nevada winner.

Fairleigh Dickinson lost 88-57 at Rutgers, but hung in vs some other good teams, losing 89-81 at Arizona St, 87-84 (ot) at Buffalo, 80-66 at Cal- they beat Rider by a hoop. Knights have balanced scoring, but defense allows 45% from floor, so passing team like Illinois is going to get lot of layups. NEC teams are 0-19 in this event since '85, when Green's FDU team lost 59-55 to Michigan; they've covered four of last seven in NCAA.

UAB greatly resembles the old Arkansas teams- they go like hell for 40 minutes, won five of last six games, are +222 in turnover ratio this year and are 9-2 outside of C-USA. Six of their last seven losses are by seven or less pts. They played LSU last year and lost 78-62, so Tigers know how to handle that pressure.

LSU won seven of last eight games, losing OT game to Kentucky in SEC semis, so they're playing well, with a 15-3 spread record in last 18 games. Tigers are 7-4 in non-league games, losing to C-USA's Southern Miss, Houston; they split four OT games this year. SEC has not been best this year, so wary of their teams.

Gonzaga went through the WCC, won regular season and conference tournament with target on its back, so they're tough team, especially after December where it faced Illinois, Washington, Georgia Tech, Okla State. Zags get ball inside, shooting 50.6% from floor, taking 235 more foul shots and grabbing 232 more rebounds.

Winthrop is in tournament for fifth time in seven years; they went 0-4 vs spread in first four visits, losing by 47, 4 (play-in game),24,39 pts. Big South winner covered last two years, losing by 19,21 pts, after going 0-5 vs spread previous five years. Winthrop beat Austin Peay Providence, Weber and East Carolina, and lost by 10 at South Carolina, so they're not an awful team.

Thursday night NIT
UNLV won six of last eight games as they finish strong in coach Kruger's first year; his son Kevin is guard for Arizona State team that lost last four games, all by eight or less pts- they covered their last five pts. Diogu is the best player on court, but Sun Devils lost last five games away from Tempe. UNLV beat Oregon State, Cal of the Pac-10 this season.

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