Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tuesday Buckets

Charlotte +5.5 +101 (.75)
SDSU +1.5 +104 (.75)

Monday, March 30, 2009

I'm Stubborn

Heat +2 +103 (.75)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

1-2

That will be the record after tonight's games

OKC +10.5 -101 (.75)
Sacto +6 -102 (.75)

I'm Past The Point Of Getting Upset

Hawks +3.5 EV (.75)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Defense, Please?

Mizz/Uconn U150 -102 (.75)

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday Trouble

Purdue +7 -109 (1.25)
Duke -2.5 -102 (1)

Portland -6.5 -105 (.75)
Chicago -6 +103 (.75)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Going Broke

SDSU -3.5 -102 (1)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

NIT Loser

Florida -11 +110 (.75)

Monday, March 23, 2009

Monday

Creighton -2 EV (.75)
Wichitard -1.5 - 101 (.75)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Worst. Birthday. Ever.

Wisky +3 -108 (1)
Kansas -8 -104 (1)
Siena +12 -110 (1)
USC +4 -102 (1)

ASU Down 9 with 8 To Go.

Put this loser in last night.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

This Line Is Retarded

2H Bulls +6 -107 (.5)

All the Lakers have to do is lose by 7? I'll bite.

This Should Do It

Grizz +7.5 +102 (.75)
Bucks +3 EV (.75)

Passing Duke

Might Be It

Adding
Gonzaga -11.5 -109 (.5)

Bulls +3.5 EV (.75)

More Losers

Memphis -10 +106 (1)
Michigan +7.5 -106 (1)

Nova By 30

Live Bet:
UCLA ML +300 to win .5

Second Round Plays

UCLA +2.5 -104 (1)
Gonzaga -10.5 -105 (1)

Waiting on the Michigan line to move to 7 on MB

Friday, March 20, 2009

Whatever

Cleveland St +7.5 +105 (1)

Friday Night

Wisky +2.5 +103 (1)
Wisky ML +138 to win .5
Morehead +21 +108 (1)

Raptors -1.5 -101 (.75)
Pacers -1.5 -110 (.75)

Looking at a few more plays for this evening

A Miracle Would Be 1-1

ETSU +20.5 +104 (1)
Cornell +12 +107 (.75)

Go Bison

2nd Half
NDSU +2.5 +115 (1)

I didn't want to pay ridiculous juice on MB before the game started, so this will make me feel a little better when Kansas wins by 15.

2nd Half Carnage

SFA +2 +105 (.5)

Oddsmakers must not have been watching the right game.

More Carnage

MB Live Bet
SFA +11.5 +119 (1)

Passing the Bison because I can't get a decent price

Thursday, March 19, 2009

This Night Will Not Be Good

Zips +13.5 +103 (1)
Bruins -8 -106 (1)
Bears +15 -101 (1)
Illini -5 -104 (1)

Rams +1 +102 (.75)

One For The Afternoon

Cal -1.5 +104 (.75)

I Should Have Kept The Receipts For These Presents

BYU -2.5 -109 (1)
Cal St. Northridge +19.5 +107 (1)

I know I'll want to return both of them at 11:43 CST.

My Bracket



This is the bracket I am submitting for the money pool I'm running. The scoring is standard 1-2-4-8-16-32 with around 25 people. I got cute with this bracket for no apparent reason other than to placate my own ego. I'll end up looking rather stupid in a couple of weeks when my bracket is shot. Good luck to all.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

NCAAB Futures Roundup

Memphis +1150 (1.25)
Gonzaga +3095 (.5)
UCLA +5500 (.25)
WV +5000 (.25)

Partly inspired by Vegas Watch and his great regional previews, this is what I'll lose in the coming days.

My Christmas Eve

Bucks +5.5 -102 (.75)

Might be back with a college play

Here it is
Stanford -13.5 -105 (.75)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Blowing $ On The NIT/NBA

UAB +6 -101 (.75)
SDSU -11.5 +105 (.75)
New Sexico -7.5 -104 (.75)
Wazzu +4.5 -104 (.75)

Bulls ML +109 (.75)
Clippers +3 +106 (.75)

West Region Breakdown

#1 Connecticut vs #16 UT-Chattanooga
Opening Line: Uconnn -21
Current Line: Uconn -20.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Uconn 87-62
Chattanooga has been quite good to me this year. The disparity in Pomeroy's score when compared to the line is substantial. It is likely a combination of their recent performance (1-6 ATS), the public coming to the realization that Jerome Dyson's injury is a killer and not winning a six overtime game. Regardless this game isn't worth taking.

#8 BYU vs #9 Texas A&M
Opening Line: BYU -2
Current Line: BYU -2
Pomeroy Projected Score: BYU 75-69
BYU clocks in as the 18th best team in the country, sporting a top 25 offense and defense according to Ken Pomeroy. While the oddsmakers haven't always looked highly upon BYU, they are starting to come around as Vegas Watch points out. I doubt the public thinks BYU is a top 20 team and in most instances thinks A&M > BYU. That's simply not the case, there is a definite strong lean on the Mormons.

#5 Purdue vs #12 Northern Iowa
Opening Line: Purdue -8.5
Current Line: Purdue -8
Pomeroy Projected Score: Purdue 67-59
It's entirely possibly that Purdue is a great deal better than what their record indicates due to the fact that Robbie Hummel sat out 5 games and was largely ineffective in a handful of others due to a fractured vertebrae. Given their Big 11 tourney run the public has taken notice of the Boilermakers in their first round game against Northern Iowa. UNI doesn't look too appealing at 8 so this one's a pass.

#4 Washington vs #13 Mississippi St
Opening Line: Washington -4.5
Current Line: Washington -5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Washington 80-72
The committee did Washington no favors by pitting them against Mississippi St. As from a gambling perspective a case could be made for Washington as an anti-pub favorite, but I'm not buying it. Washington was the regular season Pac 10 champions and are playing close to home in the Rose Garden. Pass.

#6 Marquette vs #11 Utah St.
Opening Line: Marquette -5.5
Current Line: Marquette -4.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Marquette 75-69
You couldn't force me to pick a team in this game.

#3 Missouri vs #14 Cornell
Opening Line: Missouri -13
Current Line: Missouri -13
Pomeroy Projected Score: Missouri 81-67
Missouri came from mediocrity last year to become a legit top 15 team this year and win the Big 12 tournament. They have been nothing short of dominant at home this year, while less than stellar on the road falling behind big at Kansas St, Kansas and Texas A&M. In fact of any protected seed (seeds 1-4) Missouri has the largest home/road differential. Not a good omen come tournament time. I would be remiss if I didn't mention who has the largest home/road differential in the tournament. That team is Cornell, but they have a legit excuse as their point guard Louis Dale missed the first eight games of the season. That still doesn't explain a 15 point loss at Indiana or a 20 point drubbing at the hands of perennial power Princeton with their full compliment of players. Missouri and their pressing brand of basketball should ravage this group of unathletic rich white kids from Ithaca. Definite lean on poison ivy.

#7 Cal vs #10 Maryland
Opening Line: Cal pk
Current Line: Cal -1
Pomeroy Projected Line: Cal 74-71
Maryland is the name school from the ACC with wins over Michigan St., North Carolina and Wake Forest. Cal came from an underrated Pac 10 and although they have nice wins over Washington(2), Arizona St and USC none of those wins can match the three marquee victories that Maryland possesses. Plus, Cal is a grand total of four games over .500 in the past five years prior to this season. So who should be favored? Lean on the Golden Bears.

#2 Memphis vs #15 Cal St. Northridge
Opening Line: Memphis -18.5
Current Line: Memphis -19.5
Pomeroy Projected Line: Memphis 76-58
While this line appears to be short, it really isn't. Here are Pomeroy's projected spreads for the #1s and the rest of the #2s if they faced off against Northridge.
Louisville Pitt UNC Uconn Oklahoma Duke Michigan St.
-16 -17 -19.5 -16 -12.5 -15.5 -13

Memphis crushed Houston and Tulsa on their home court en route to a C-USA tournament championship. Houston and Tulsa >> #15 seed, so shouldn't Memphis' domination continue? Well, that's what almost everyone thinks.

Almost assuredly I'll have a play on the Matadors.

South Region Breakdown

#1 North Carolina vs #16 Radford
Opening Line: UNC -27.5
Current Line: UNC -26
Pomeroy Projected Score: UNC 98-70
I don't see any reason for me to touch this game.

#8 LSU vs #9 Butler
Opening Line: LSU -3
Current Line: LSU -2.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Butler 66-65
LSU is a tad overrated. Butler has been fade material for the entire Horizon conference schedule. Gun to my head I'd lean LSU, but luckily I'm not in Mexico so I don't have to worry about such scenarios. I'll gladly pass this one.

#5 Illinoios vs #12 Western Kentucky
Opening Line: Illinois -6
Current Line: Illinois -5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Illinois 67-58
If my fantasy tournament draft is any indication, where 4 WKU players were drafted (3 of which were drafted before any Wisconsin player) they're public. It's a combination of last year's run and beating Louisville this year. Illinois is without Chester Frazier and isn't entirely attractive (slow tempo, no recognizable names and the #4 defense will do that). I've been fading WKU all year, I don't see any reason to stop now.

#4 Gonzaga vs #13 Akron
Opening Line: Gonzaga -13
Current Line: Gonzaga -12.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Gonzaga 74-61
Akron came out the MAC this year which putting it nicely, had a down year as a conference. They're about as sexy as Digger Phelps, while Gonzaga has been playing some decent ball of late. I'll contend that Gonzaga's tournament games in Las Vegas were more semi-home than neutral due to their traveling fan base. I'll be the first to claim I don't know how the NCAA handles ticket allotments, but I'm sure the Rose Garden will have their share of Bulldog fans. Which ultimately brings me to my point, any square who puts in as little effort as possible will come to this same conclusion. Gonzaga dominated in the WCC tourney and Akron really should be no different. I know my opinion of Gonzaga is higher than most, but I'm not sure how Akron even gets to 60. Maybe they'll get a couple of 3s to fall. Slight lean to the Zips.

#6 Arizona St. vs #11 Temple
Opening Line: ASU -5
Current Line: ASU -4.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: ASU 63-58
In the interest of transparency, I'll let everyone know I have a crush on Arizona St. Their first round tilt against Temple is a pass, I'm looking forward to their possible second round match against Syracuse. I don't have much for this game other than hoping ASU can win (not a jinx) without looking too impressive.

#3 Syracuse vs #14 Stephen F. Austin
Opening Line: Syracuse -14.5
Current Line: Syracuse -12
Pomeroy Projected Score: Syracuse 69-59
Syracuse is everyone's favorite team, that was the vibe I picked up from several random acquaintances on Saturday night during the Big East finals. That can be expected when you prevail in a 6OT marathon and then win your next game (thanks a bunch Mountaineers). Now they're playing a no-name in Stephen F. Austin who is best known for allowing Ben Woodside to score 60 points in mid-December. Another possible play in this game will be the under as SFA is quite good on the defensive end. If it's within sniffing distance of the 128 that Pomeroy has projected I'll have to definitely get down on that.

#7 Clemson vs #10 Michigan
Opening Line: Clemson -6
Current Line: Clemson -5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Clemson 74-69
Clemson's recent swoon makes them almost playable. I do have a certain bias against Michigan, which is odd because I like Jon Beilein's coaching style. Maybe, it's Michigan jacking up a bunch of 3s when they have no business doing so. I have a small lean towards Oliver Purnell, but rest assured I'll be on either one of these teams when Oklahoma comes calling.

#2 Oklahoma vs #15 Morgan St
Opening Line: Oklahoma -17.5
Current Line: Oklahoma -16.5
Pomeroy Projected Line: Oklahoma 77-62
Oklahoma = fade material, if I play Morgan St remains to be seen

Monday, March 16, 2009

East Region Breakdown

#1 Pittsburgh vs #16 East Tennessee St.
Opening Line: Pitt -21
Current Line: Pitt -19.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Pitt 86-68
I'm kicking around the idea of backing the Buccaneers, but we'll see if common sense gets the better of me.

#8 Oklahoma St vs #9 Tennessee
Opening Line: Tennessee -3
Current Line: Tennessee -2
Pomeroy Projected Score: Tennessee 81-80
Oklahoma St is the hotter team coming in having won 8 out of 10 while covering in 9 out of 10. These teams would appear to be dead even, but Vegas has shown more faith in Tennessee in the last few weeks including installing the Volunteers as 3 point favorites. Medium lean on Tennessee.

#5 Florida St vs #12 Wisconsin
Opening Line: F$U -3
Current Line: F$U -2.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Wisconsin 61-60
No, that is not a misprint Pomeroy has Wisky winning this game. Nevermind that Florida St finished 4th in the ACC and beat a Lawson-less UNC in the ACC tournament. Or that Wisconsin was one of the last at-large teams to make the tournament, lacks a marquee victory, and the Big 11 is nowhere close to the ACC. I have been fading Florida St without great success this year and it will continue into the tournament. Wisconsin will be a large play, I only hope that the line doesn't drop much further before MB opens up their tournament market.

#4 Xavier vs #13 Portland St
Opening Line: Xavier -11.5
Current Line: Xavier -11
Pomeroy Projected Score: Xavier 75-64
Portland St lives and dies by the 3, being the fifth most 3-ball dependent team in the nation. Xavier has been fade material all year long, but this line isn't screaming for action on Xavier so it's a pass. I'd much rather take Wisky at +1.5 against Xavier in round 2.

#6 UCLA vs #11 VCU
Opening Line: UCLA -10
Current Line: UCLA -7
Pomeroy Projected Score: UCLA 75-66
UCLA has a horrible draw, which figures because I have them at 55-1 to win this whole tournament. If UCLA gets past Eric Maynor and Co., they're rewarded with what is essentially a road game against Villanova. As for UCLA's first round game the line has plummeted 3 points fairly quickly. VCU has name recognition for a Colonial squad and a star player in Eric Maynor. Small lean towards UCLA.

#3 Villanova vs #14 American
Opening Line: Villanova -18.5
Current Line: Villanova -16.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Villanova 71-58
I'm not touching American.

#7 Texas vs #10 Minnesota
Opening Line: Texas -4.5
Current Line: Texas -4
Pomeroy Projected Score: Texas 64-63
Minnesota left a bad taste in my mouth with their great foul-shooting. I spent a good five minutes picking up all the items I had strewn across my room. Do I want to back them again? Maybe.

#2 Duke vs #15 Binghamton
Opening Line: Duke -22.5
Current Line: Duke -21.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: Duke 83-62
Pass

Thunderstorm

OKC +5 -102 (.75)

Midwest Region Breakdown

VW's instant bracket reactions, Frank's log 5, VW's championship odds and ML's Midwest thoughts

#1 Louisville vs winner of #16(s) Alabama St/Morehead St.
The only sliver of value I see is if Morehead St. can advance past the opening round game and get a rematch with Louisville. In late November, Louisville closed as 29.5 favorites over Morehead St., a game where they dominated the second half en route to a 38-point victory The spread for a potential rematch would be substantially lower (KP has 19.4) than the original meeting in Freedom Hall.

#8 Ohio St vs #9 Siena
Opening Line: tOSU -3.5
Current Line: tOSU -3.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: tOSU 75-72
In my previous comments I was particularly surprised that Siena nabbed a 9 seed. Their best wins on the year were twice over Niagara at home, a BracketBusters home win over Nothern Iowa and a one-point road win over St. Joe's. Siena has credibility due to their drubbing against an overrated Vanderbilt team. The Buckeyes made a run to the finals in the Big 11, including a Jon Diebler 3 as time expired to give them the cover. I've been fading tOSU throughout the year, but I could see Siena being a public dog with last year's performance.

#5 Utah vs #12 Arizona
Opening Line: pk
Current Linen: Arizona -1
Pomeroy Projected Score: Utah 70-68
Arizona sneaked into the tournament as one of the last at-large teams and will be facing the MWC Champs Utah. I thought Utah would open as a short favorite and that was not the case. Usually I would be all over a #12 laying to a #5, but not when it's a)a public team in Arizona who b) ranks #132 in adjusted defensive-efficiency and c) has two wins on the road against those titans of hoops from Oregon. In regards to Utah, they're a far better team at home. According to these guys Utah has the fifth largest differential when it comes to home/road splits. That doesn't bode well for the Runnin' Utes, except for the fact that Arizona has the fourth largest home/road differential. Smells like a pass.

#4 Wake Forest vs #13 Cleveland St.
Opening Line: Wake -8
Current Line: Wake -8
Pomeroy Projected Score: Wake 72-66
Wake has been fade material since their big wins over UNC and Duke. There's nothing sexy about Cleveland St. sans their 60-foot buzzer beater road win over Syracuse. They're more than content to play a Big11-style grinder. There's not much thought that needs to go into this play.

#6 West Virginia vs #11 Dayton
Opening Line: WV -10
Current Line: WV -8.5
Pomeroy Projected Score: WV 68-57
The "contrarian community" is thrilled with this game, but the sudden 1.5 point movement is cause for concern.

#3 Kansas vs #14 North Dakota St.
Opening Line: Kansas -11.5
Current Line: Kansas -10
Pomeroy Projected Score: Kansas 80-71
Potential Cinderella NDSU got hammered out of the gate as the line dropped 1.5 points. I'm sure everyone knows about Ben Woodside, no need to state what everyone will hear several times this week. He's clearly the leader, but they have complimentary players that all work well. Their top four players in minutes played all shoot better than 39% from 3s, their offense is outstanding for a mid-major. Their defense is less than stellar. To have any chance they'll need to keep Sherron Collins in check and hope he continues his poor shooting. Big lean towards the Bison.

#7 BC vs #10 USC
Opening Line: USC -3.5
Current Line: USC -2
Pomeroy Projected Score: USC 70-66
USC is coming off their Pac 10 tournament championship to secure an automatic bid, so they're no longer a secret. I don't think that will matter much because BC has beaten UNC and Duke this year. Plus ACC >>> Pac 10. Strong lean towards the Trojans.

#2 Michigan St. vs #15 Robert Morris
Opening Line: Michigan St. -17.5
Current Line: Michigan St. -17
Pomeroy Projected Score: Michigan St. 74-60
I'll be fading Michigan St in due time. I'm not sure if this will be the time though. On a sidenote, go Jeremy Chappell!.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Selection Special

I'm going to post my initial thoughts when the brackets are announced

5:03 #1 seeds go as expected

5:05 Shouldn't the committee take into account the Jerome Dyson injury?

5:11 Siena as a #9, didn't see that coming.

5:12 Most likely be backing Utah, come on NDSU?! Nope, Cleveland St.

5:13 USC to the Sweet 16

5:14 damn, NDSU drew Kansas. YES!! WV vs Dayton. WV vs USC in the Sweet 16.
I will discount Dayton, Mr. Anthony.

5:18 BYU could be intriguing.

5:20 Memphis has an easy road to the Sweet 16, not so much with a possible match-up with Missouri.

5:21 Marquette-Utah St should be thrilling.

5:26 Let's go Wisconsin!

5:27 Duke has a good draw.

5:29 Spoke too soon, UCLA has a tough game against VCU.

5:34 Lame, LSU-Butler? Illinois is a #5? Illinois-WKU, is weak as well.

5:36 Gonzaga will meet UNC in the Sweet 16.

5:37 For some reason I like Clemson against Michigan and OU.

5:37 a #3?!?!?!? GO ZONA ST!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Puke

Blue Devils -9.5 +106 (.75)

Fading Florida St.

I'm being forced to back the Tar Heels

UNC -8.5 -102 (.75)
Miss St. +3.5 +107 (.75)

Friday, March 13, 2009

A Few More

Purdue -7 -104 (.75)
WV -6.5 -101 (.75)

Raptors +1 -106 (.75)

Might Be Back With More

Puke -10 -104 (.75)
Temple +4.5 -106 (.75)
Duquesne +2.5 +101 (.75)
ASU -1 +109 (1)

Wizards +8 EV (1) - I tried to talk myself out of a bigger play, but to no avail.

Put This Loser In Earlier

GT +5 +103 (.75)

Big 10 Quarters

Minnesota +7.5 +104 (.75)

I'm not a big Golden Gopher fan, but Michigan St is in line for a #1 seed if they win the B11 tourney. Sparty has easily dispatched of Tubby's squad twice this year, a third time shouldn't be too difficult.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Frank Martin Cannot Make Adjustments

Virginia +4.5 +104 (.75)

Trying To Hang On Until The Madness Begins

WV +4 +104 (1)
K-St +3 +104 (.75)
Ohio -1 +113 (.75)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Should've Hedged On The Zards

No chance they hold on for a cover

Texas Tech +6.5 +105 (.75)

Humpday NBA

Zards +7.5 +116 (.75)
Hawks -1.5 -105 (.75)
Heat -3.5 -104 (.75)
Rockets -3.5 -106 (.75)

Looking at one more.

Last Time Backing Baylor

Baylor +1 -106 (.75)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Setting Alarm Clock > Me

Charlotte +5.5 -102 (.75)
South Florida +4.5 -101 (.75)

Still looking at the Clippers, unfortunately.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Monday Bball Plays

Blazers +2 +107 (.75)
Chattanooga +2.5 -104 (.75)

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Grab A Defensive Rebound Canes

Spiders +6 -108 (.75)

This enabled a layup that was definitely needed with NC St down 10. Thus Miami -8.5 loses. I'm lucky I didn't break anything at work.

Saturday College Hoops

Canes -8.5 +103 (.75)
Clones -3.5 -101 (.75)
Hawkeyes -3 +102 (.75)
A&M +1.5 +106 (.75)
Vagina +1.5 +103 (.75)
Sun Devils -7 +111 (.75)
Auburn -2 +106 (.75)
WV-3 +110 (1)

Friday, March 6, 2009

Meh.

Utah -9.5 +590 risking .75

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Messing With The MAC

Miami-OH -9 +108 (.75)

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Rest of the NBA Garbage

Bulls -7 -107 (.75)
Mavs -3.5 EV (.75)

Wednesday's College Buckets II

Mizzou -4 -105 (1.25)
Colorado +7 -112 (.75)
Texas Tech +10 +106 (.75)

NBA Garbage

Nets +7 +104 (.75)

Wednesday's College Buckets

NC St -2 -107 (.75)
GT +2.5 +102 (.75)
Pitt -10 +102 (.75)
Houston +7 -107 (.75)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Another Vegas Trick?

The reverse trap!

This is where Vegas sucks people in only to have them win their bet, devious bastards.

Duke -12-105 (1)
USF +2.5 +101 (.75)
K-St +5.5 -107 (.75)
Rutgers +15 -104 (.75)

Passes - Iowa, Indiana, Maryland and Montana St (honestly, I exercised all my willpower not to play the Bobcats)

Monday, March 2, 2009

No Action Tonight

Passing the Wizards, Thunder, 76ers and Clippers

Best of luck if you're on anything tonight.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

No Granger, No Dunleavy

Pacers +2 -102 (.75)
Hawks +4 -101 (.75)

Missouri Sucks

Suns +4 +101 (.75)

But They Just Beat Pitt!

Rutgers +3.5 -106 (1)
Missouri +4.5 -104 (.75)

More Fun With Live Betting

'Ville -8.5 +147 to win .75