March Madness Odds
In the last five years, this sweltering system is 27-6 ATS, 81.8 percent and it has been even sharper in the past three seasons at 18-3 against the spread. The outcomes generally have been more comfortable than a Therapeutic Bed, with the home town team winning by 9.6 points per game.
Take a moment or two to review today’s top betting system.
No. 6 Xavier Musketeers vs. No. 2 Kansas State Wildcats
2010-03-24
Xavier Musketeers versus Kansas State Wildcats will start at 9:37 PM ET, Thursday, March 25, 2010.
Xavier Musketeers
Even though the Xavier Musketeers are a mid major school they don’t play like it. They have been to the Sweet 16 in 4 out of the last 7 tournaments and even the Elite 8 twice since 2004. Jordan Crawford leads this group of Musketeers basketball after coming to national and maybe worldwide fame when a camera phone video captured him dunking on LeBron James, which
Kansas State Wildcats
Head Coach Frank Martin has the Kansas St. Wildcats playing at an extremely high level, particularly on the offensive side of the floor, where Kansas St. seems to score at will. Martin has helped keep the program in the national spotlight despite the loss of such high-profile players as Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. The Wildcats are doing it with outstanding guard play as Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente continue to pace Martin's squad on both ends of the floor. Pullen not only put up a career high 34 points in the team's second round win over BYU, he helped frustrate Cougars star Jimmer Fredette, who scored 21 points but hit just 5 of 13 field goals.
The Kansas State Wildcats averaged 79.8 points per game and shot 45 percent from the floor, they were also 24th in offensive rebounding in the nation. On defense Kansas State only allowed teams to put up 69.3 points per game against them and shoot only 41.7 percent from the floor. Kansas State played the 2nd toughest schedule over the course of the season but at this point they are one of just two Big 12 teams that are still in the tourney. This is a veteran team that knows how to get things done.
Xavier is 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5 nonconference games, 9 and 1 against the spread in their last 10 NCAA Tournament matches as an underdog and finally 5 and 2 against the spread in their last 7 games against the Big 12. Kansas State is 8 and 0 against the spread in their last 8 nonconference games, 6 and 1 against the spread in their last 7 neutral site games, and 16 and 4 with one tie against the spread in their last 21 games as the favorites to win.
I like the scrappy Musketeers and I think they match up well against the Wildcats. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game was decided on a buzzer beater or went into overtime, with that said Xavier Musketeers +4.5 would be my bet and I found that line at www.sportsbook.com.
The Preview: Kansas Jayhawks v. Lehigh Mountain Hawks
2010-03-19
The Preview: Kansas Jayhawks v. Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Bet on this game on www.sportsbook.com
Which hawk will prevail…okay dumb question.
The number one seeded, as well as favorites in this year’s tournament, the Kansas University Jayhawks will be facing the number 16 seeded Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the Midwest regional. Opening tip-off will be at 9:30 pm eastern time, March 18, 2010, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.
So the question isn’t who’s going to win, because a 16 seeded team has never beat a number one seeded team in the first round, but the better question is by how much and when will the Jayhawks pull their starters and put in the reserves. Fun fact, since the tournament went to its current format of 64 teams, a number 16 seed has never beaten a number one seed.
Before we answer the important questions and start betting on www.sportsbook.com, there are something very familiar things about this game. Let’s travel back into time to the 2005 tournament where the Jayhawks were matched up against Bucknell in the first round, and yes they also played at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center and yes the Bucknell’s are from the Patriot League too. Oh wait more crazy similarities, the game was also on March 18th and at night, and oh did I mention the Jayhawks lost. If you believe in superstition, signs, voodoo magic, and funky mojo I might stay away from this game, but then again, that stuff does not exist. OK, just had to get that crazy talk out of the way, I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t tell you guys about it.
Leading the Jayhawks in the Midwest Region are Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, two key pieces in the team's 2008 title run. The Jayhawks earned the overall number one seed based on an 18-1 record against Big 12 opponents, which includes three wins over Kansas State, a team in the mix for a top seed until falling to the Jayhawks in the conference final Saturday.
Currently the spread has the Kansas Jayhawks giving up 25.5 points, with how dominant the Jayhawks have been throughout the season as well as down the stretch, I don’t think this spread is too hard to reach. The Jayhawks averaged 81.8 points per game and has given up 63.8 points per game, if we do the quick math that is a difference of 18 points, but their opponents were mainly from their own conference, the Big 12. Playing a team from the Patriot League (is that a conference? Who knew) the Kansas Jayhawks can add another 8 points to their average or stop the Mountain Hawks from scoring all together.
The only chance Lehigh can even keep up with the Jayhawks is if freshman guard C.J McCollum can have a great game. McCollum leads the team in scoring with an 18.9 points per game average and leads his team with 70 three pointers and 40 steals. He is also the second assists leader behind senior guard Marquis Hall with 76. However, the Jayhawks have probably done their homework and will be able to contain the freshman.
All signs point to the Jayhawks as the easy bet. Go to www.sportsbook.com to make your bets.
CBB: Tennessee at Mississippi State (6:00 PM ET, ESPN)
2010-03-05
It shows how much the talking heads of ESPN and the rest of the bracketology world think of the SEC when a team like Mississippi State, at 21-9 on the season, still has work to do to escape from the proverbial bubble. That work might include just one small task though…beat Tennessee at home on Saturday evening. It should be a nip & tuck contest so be sure to follow the line moves all day long at Sportsbook.com then pounce when the moment is right.
The Bulldogs shocking loss at Auburn means they still have work to do to be outright West Division champions of the SEC. Mississippi State (21-9, 13-11 ATS) did not show their usual defensive tenacity, allowing the Tigers score the most points against them all season (89) and surrender highest shooting percentage for a the year at 51.7. This is extremely important contest for the Bulldogs since they are not secure for NCAA bid. Despite having 22 victories, a perusal of those accomplishments has Old Dominion as best win. Mississippi State needs a W and be playing in the SEC championship to give them their best chance for an invite. The Bulldogs are 11-5 ATS off a SU loss and spread failure.
Tennessee’s fate for now is set, finishing third in the SEC East and playing LSU in the first league tournament game. Coach Bruce Pearl wants his Volunteers (22-7, 11-15 ATS) to look at the bigger picture. A win at Starksville and at least a couple victories next week in Nashville could have Tennessee climbing to possibly a third seed when the NCAA bids are announced. Scotty Hopson’s more aggressive offensive manner and Brian Williams energy, make the Vols a tougher team to knock off. Wagering wise not so much, having covered only three of last 12 SEC conflicts.
The underdog has been the correct side in seven of the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
The StatFox Power Line shows Mississippi State by 1, while the Outplay Factor Line indicates Bulldogs by 3.
CBB: Ohio State at Michigan State (12:00 PM ET, CBS)
2010-02-19
The Sunday college basketball action gets off to fast start with a dandy of a contest from East Lansing, Michigan, with the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the Michigan State Spartans. The winner takes a big step towards a possible Big Ten title. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com expect that to be Michigan State, installing them as the home favorite.
The Big Ten Conference has taken on the appearance of one of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends, loaded at the top. Two teams fighting to gain control of the league lead are the Buckeyes and Spartans. Ohio State (20-7, 13-14 ATS) has been like a stealth bomber, occasionally seen but seldom noticed. Coach Thad Matta compares this group to the year before Greg Oden and company arrived to advance be NCAA runner-up. “I think this team is probably more efficient than that (2005-06) team was offensively,” Matta said. Led by forward Evan Turner, a player of the year candidate, the Buckeyes are a robust 23-10 ATS when they force 14 to 18 turnovers in a game.
Michigan State (21-6) plays three of last four games at home and has to win all three if they want to maintain Big Ten title hopes. The Spartans are surprisingly not mentally sturdy, especially when Kalin Lucas isn’t on the floor. Durrell Summers, Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe have not been come back better players after finishing second to North Carolina last season, which is why coach Tom Izzo’s club has been play against club at 10-16 ATS, in spite of their lofty preseason status. Sparty is 13-1 at home, but just 4-9 ATS this year.
Michigan State has won eight of last 10 over Buckeyes at the Breslin Center and can effectively end OSU’s conference title hopes, yet have an uneasy 3-5-2 ATS record against the Buckeyes.
The StatFox Power Line shows Michigan State by only 2. However, StatFox Steve had this to say in the Platinum Sheet: The shooting woes in Madison a few weeks back combined with the injury to PG Kalin Lucas really threw HC Tom Izzo’s team for a loop recently. However, with the win last Saturday at Penn State, it appeared that the Spartans were finding their footing again. People forget, this team was in the national title game a year ago, and the favorite to win the conference this season. This game vs. Ohio State will have a major impact on whether or not Michigan State is able to achieve that goal. The Buckeyes have struggled to score on the road for most of the season, and there are few places tougher to get it going at than the Breslin Center. That’s the difference in this one.
CBB: Villanova at Pittsburgh (12:00 PM ET, CBS)
The Big Ten isn’t the only conference with a big game on tap for Sunday, as the Big East has one scheduled for noon eastern as well, with Villanova visiting rival Pittsburgh. The Panthers have flown under the radar most of the season but will be coming into this game on a roll and hungry for a shot at the potential league champ. This figures to be a game where if you can pick the outright winner, you’ve got the pointspread too. Check the latest line on the LIVE ODDS page.
Villanova (22-3, 16-8 ATS) has been undaunted in its pursuit of the Big East regular season championship and look to continue the quest on the road. As good as the Wildcats amazing guards are, they couldn’t possibly have such a tremendous record without help inside. 6’8 Antonio Pena is masquerading as a center for Villanova and is their only true low post scorer but does excellent work as a reliable interior defender. Taylor King, Isaiah Armwood and 6’11 Maurice Sutton all bring something most games to negate opponents frontline, letting Nova’s guards control the contest. The Wildcats are 11-5 ATS having won eight or more of their last 10 games this season.
Pittsburgh (20-6, 13-8-2 ATS) flew by preseason presumptions starting 15-2, but once it was game after game in the Big East, the Panthers looked very much like the squad prognosticators believed they would be, losing four of five at one point. With a favorable slate the rest of the way, Pittsburgh has a four-game winning streak and can further change minds and attitudes with an upset win here. What doomed Pitt in that losing spell was the offense going stagnant, lacking ball movement, and settling for too many contested shots. Gilbert Brown and Brad Wanamaker have since recovered and Pitt is 10-1 ATS at home playing teams with a winning record after 15 or more games.
Pittsburgh has tamed the Wildcats at home with a 5-0 SU and ATS mark.
The StatFox Power Line shows Pittsburgh by 4, indicating value with the hosts.
CBB: Maryland at Duke (1:00 PM ET, CBS)
2010-02-12
Saturday’s college hoops betting board is loaded with 96 games, and Sportsbook.com will host the action for all of them. Be sure to stay tuned to the LIVE ODDS & GAME MATCHUPS pages throughout the day for all the late breaking updates. Some of the best games are on TV, some are not. One of the more compelling games is on CBS at 1:00 PM ET between ACC rivals Duke & Maryland.
Before the season began, the general feeling was the ACC might be more competitive from top to bottom than in recent years. Those beliefs have been prophetic and this will be a matchup that will help sort out the logjam. Maryland (16-6, 10-7 ATS) has a nice collection of players, but for them to emerge victorious, forward Landon Milbourne and guard Greivis Vasquez have to be the Terps’ top point producers. Look for Duke to play rough and do some talking, since Vasquez can get off his game, flapping his lips and being too emotional. Maryland is 16-7 AT in road games when facing a team with a winning record past the midpoint of season and is 5-2 and 5-1 ATS in true away games this season.
Duke (20-4, 15-8 ATS) looked like a tired squad in its loss to Georgetown at the end of January, playing four games in 10 days. Now this ACC clash will be their fourth in nine days, but at least they will have the crowd support to spur them on. The Blue Devils could really use Kyle Singler to begin filling the bucket with greater regularity, since the team has become too dependent on Jon Scheyer to do everything. Singler has to hit medium and three-point shots to open up the lane for players in the paint, which in turn opens up jump shooters to have clearer looks. Duke is 8-1 ATS vs. good passing teams, averaging 16 or more assists a contest.
Maryland is 8-1 ATS in 2010 and Duke is 13-0 and 9-3 ATS at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The outright winner is 13-0-1 ATS in last 14 head-to-head encounters for the only teams with two ACC losses. The StatFox Power Line shows Duke by 9. How does that compare to the actual at Sportsbook.com
CBB: Old Dominion at William & Mary (7:00PM ET, WSKY)
2010-01-22
The standings in the Colonial Conference have many of the usual suspects, however one is different. We’re all used to teams like Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth, and George Mason making noise in the NCAA tournament each spring, but few fans or bettors pay much attention to William & Mary. The small college in Colonial Williamsburg can put itself on the radar with a win Saturday night when it hosts ODU. Get the latest key info on this intriguing mid-major conference tilt on the Sportsbook.com GAME MATCHUP.
William & Mary (14-4, 9-4-1 ATS) has been hanging around the upper echelons of the league this season, with coach Tony Shaver’s club displaying supreme confidence. Point guard Quinn McDowell has been the catalyst, playing close to mistake-free as the Tribe has the fewest turnovers in the conference. William & Mary’s confidence comes from how they have played on road where they are 7-3 and 7-2 ATS. Off their defeat at Virginia Commonwealth, the Tribe is 7-1 ATS following a SU loss.
Old Dominion (15-5, 6-9-1 ATS) was the preseason pick to win the Colonial and they look the part in a three-way tie for first place. The Monarchs play superior defense like always (55.5 points per game) and are the league’s top rebounding team. Though the season has gone well, coach Blaine Taylor made a lineup switch, putting guard Kent Bazemore into the starting lineup and the results have been fantastic. At 6’4, Bazemore gives ODU more size in the backcourt and his length creates defensive issues for smaller opponents. The Monarchs are 11-3 off a SU win, with an underwhelming 4-7 ATS mark this season, which reflects the past since they are 8-20 ATS in their L28 after a triumph.
Old Dominion is 8-4 and 7-5 ATS at the Williamsburg, VA campus and the visiting team has covered five in a row. The StatFox Power Line shows Old Dominion by 3