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The Top Four NCAA Seeds

March 11, 2010 – 6:44 pm

Sunday’s show on CBS is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated programs for college basketball on television. With the outcomes of conference tournaments, the top seeds are in question. While two or more of the top-rated teams may be considered safe bets during Championship Week, as many as four to eight teams usually hit this stretch with a shot to grab a number one seed. This year is different. Here’s a look at the clubs that could snag that kind of slot on Sunday. Be sure to check out all of the odds at YouWager.com for the tournament championship.

Some sportscasters have insisted that there are no great teams this year. But, YouWager.com wants to remind sports betters that true greatness can’t always be measured until after we’ve had time to reconsider.

We have also been told, as Dick Vitale says, that the NCAA tournament this year, could be “one of the wackiest ever.” Eight to 12 teams are able to mount a six game winning streak and make it to the championship.

Without a terrible injury, such as the case at Purdue, the four number one seeds are already locked in. Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Duke will be at the pinnacle of each of the four major regions. This spares sports bettors from having to watch the first five minutes of the Selection Show.

Even if all your favorite teams lose their first game of the conference tournament, they will all still emerge as number ones. How can you be certain? Simply look up the odds to win the national championship at YouWager.com. Here’s how it reads right now:

Kansas +200 (bet $100 to win $200)

Kentucky +300

Syracuse +300

Duke +700

These are the top four teams in all the major rankings.

Right up until last week, Kansas State was worth an argument among sports bettors, as a choice under the radar. But after losing to the Jayhawks in Lawrence, they seemed to carry some heavy baggage to fail against Iowa State at home a few days later, and this probably takes them out of serious contention.

At one time, Purdue had a very serious crack at this group, but without   Robbie Hummel, the Boilermakers may still be high in the polls, but they aren’t at the top of the lists for sports bettors. Purdue is now down to +3500 to be crowned champion, and this places them below Wisconsin at +2500, but this above Tennessee at +5000.

According to YouWager.com, as Purdue opened the season at 12-1, if Hummel had not been injured, the Boilermakers would probably have ultimately been 7 to 1 or 8 to 1.

West Virginia and Ohio State are still among favorites for sports bettors to win the Big East and Big Ten conference tournaments. But even if with titles, YouWager.com notes that the Mountaineers have had six defeats, and until they beat Villanova last week, their best show on the road was a match against Seton Hall. The Buckeyes had seven losses and a defeat from North Carolina back in November doesn’t help their record right now. They were also beaten by West Virginia. Both teams are +1200 to win it all.

Ok, a case could be argued for New Mexico. If, they were 31-0 instead of 28-3, then much like a non-BCS conferences in football, the Lobos and a surprising season could be said to be outstanding. But it’s probably just not good enough for them to be a top seed. New Mexico is posted ad +4500 to be national champions.

At the end of the day, are there really any great teams here? Could a team like Villanova, in 1985, or N.C. State, back in 1974, come out of nowhere to pull a Buster Douglas and surprise the sports betting public? Looks like we are all about to find out, now that you have seen which teams are the top four seeds.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, college, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

Chicago vs. Orlando, TNT

March 11, 2010 – 5:41 pm

In two NBA matches, the Orlando Magic won against one of the best teams and one of the lamest in the league. Their next match will likely fall into the second category. Orlando seems likely to add another notch to their belt in their seventh straight game this Thursday, as they play the lackluster Chicago Bulls. YouWager.com has the Magic as a heavy 12.5-point favorite.

Orlando, apparently, is where ‘the magic happens’ as the Ladies’ Man used to say. At 45-20, and 32-39-4 against the spread, the Magic has had its longest winning stretch of the NBA season, and they are giving themselves a little buffer over the Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Orlando remains behind Cleveland, who is in first place, by five matches. Orlando defeated LA last Sunday in a finals rematch and they topped that win with a 113-87 victory against the Clippers on Tuesday.

The Magic were ahead by 26 points at the halfway point and they rode that home for the rest of the game. Finishing with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Dwight Howard raised a lot of hell in the first half of the game, and the team made their way into the break with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Coach Stan Van Gundy liked the way they approached the game coming off a big win. “There was no letdown,’ he said, “especially in the second half.” Orlando has covered five of their last seven home games. Orlando has a very good shot at increasing a nice string of runs against Chicago, a club that has lost 5 in a row, or 0-5 against the spread. The Magic has not had 7 in a row. They were 4-2 against the spread since January 6-17th in 2009.

Point guard Jameer Nelson has provided a big boost for Orlando, and they have won 5 games in a row at home. Nelson averages 12.6 points this season, and 16.4 in the last 10 games. Nelson has 17 points and eight assists on Tuesday, shooting 3 of 5 from 3-point range. Nelson and his Orlando teammates will surely attempt to capitalize on Chicago problems with defense. The Bulls continued their losing stretch Tuesday with their fifth loss in a row, with 132-108 to Utah. This was the highest score the club allowed an opponent this year.

At 31-32, and 30-31-2 against the spread, Chicago is allowing 115.0 points per game and their last two foes have averaged 127.0 points and shot 55.3 percent. These defeats happened without their defensive Joakim Noah, who’s been out with an injury, with plantar fasciitis. The Bulls are 5-10 against the spread after permitting 100 or more points, and this includes a failure to cover their last five in a row.

Howard will surely be trying to dominate the inside now that Noah is out of the picture. Recently, he had 18 points and 14 rebounds in 25 minutes of a 107-87 victory on February when Noah was not in the game. In an earlier   game, when Noah was in the lineup, Howard was limited to only nine points and 12 rebounds for a 101-93 defeat on January 2nd.

In a tight battle with five teams for the last four playoff spots in the East, Thursday is part of a hard trip for the Chicago Bulls. They will fight their   next four games away from home. Their next five foes are all contenders for the playoffs. Derrick Rose says, “It’s the NBA, you can always change things around.” He had 25 points and 13 assists Wednesday. “Now we go on the road for two big games. We need them.” Chicago is 19-14 and 15-15-3 against the spread away from home, and they have covered five of their last six against teams with winning home records.

A second for Chicago, averaging 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, Luol Deng has suffered with a strained right calf. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI before Thursday’s game. At YouWager.com, Orlando is an obvious favorite. But they have been an unstable bet on Thursday’s recently, failing to cover four in a row and they are only 2-7-1 against the spread coming off a win by double digits. The Bulls are 6-2-1 against the spread after a big defeat of 10 or more points at home and they are 9-4 UNDER when facing teams with winning records.

Chicago hasn’t lost six straight games since the period of November 14-24, 2006. They have suffered defeats against Orlando, 1-3 against the spread, with an average of 19.3 points. The StatFox Power Line predicts Orlando by 16. This indicates that even the odds at YouWager.com don’t give Orlando all the credit they deserve.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

Previews for Conference Tournaments

March 10, 2010 – 5:53 pm

Most of the rest of the conference tournaments begin on Wednesday or Thursday, where the majority of the power leagues will name their 2010 championships. Most of the teams that win these tournaments may have already been in good positions to get a bid to the Big Dance on Sunday. A chance still remains that some of the underdogs could steal a bid from top teams by winning their matches. Here’s a rundown on some of the action with a few bold predications. Be sure to check out the LIVE ODDS page at YouWager.com for all of the latest lines on each game.

A Preview of Conference for March 10-13

As C-USA gets ready for their 15th postseason tournament, it’s a bold, brave new world. Regular season champion UTEP is looking to overthrow Memphis, the team that has won the last four tournaments. If any team other than the Tigers win, it would likely be second team to win, with all other previous champions in other leagues. Currently, UTEP is the favorite, as they have had only one conference loss all year and have their first Top 25 ranking since 1992. The Miners are also 9-3 and 8-4 against the spread away from home.

UAB and Memphis are considerable threats to the crown here. The Blazers are 11-4 straight up when away from home and the Tigers have the history and the experience, and tradition, according to coach Josh Pastner. Marshall has the size factor going on the court with 6’11 Lee Whiteside, and enough of a three-point shooting ability to be considered a serious threat, after winning eight of their last nine and they are 9-3 against the spread as a road team. The location change could help Tulsa, as the team will be playing at home now. Jerome Jordan and Ben Uzoh are truly a dynamic duo. Out of all the teams below the top five, only Southern Miss looks to be competent. The Golden Eagles are 12-3 against the spread on the road and they are 10-3 against the spread as underdogs, but they only have three wins.

Factors to consider from YouWager.com: Quarterfinals underdogs are 9-3 against the spread for the last three years.

Prediction: UTEP vs. Memphis final


Championship -11:30 Eastern, CBS

Pac 10 Preview for March 10-13

For many in the sports betting public, this conference didn’t meet the expectations. Generally, California has the best overall talent on the boards, and they are the top seed and they have never won this event. They finished second in 2006. This year, USC will be on the sidelines with a suspension. This means the number 8 vs. 9 winner will draw the Bears. Expected to compete for title, Washington turned out to be too young a team. Senior Quincy Pondexter did not enjoy stellar senior season and The Huskies were underdogs on the road with 4-7 straight up and against the spread record.

Arizona State finished out at second in the league, with some great coaching by Herb Sendek, in spite of a limited team. They could possibly make the title match playing with intelligence and cunning, lacking qualities in this conference. It may be difficult to get excited about some of the other  teams. Even the fans are often lackluster at the Staples Center when the Pac-10 has four or five good teams, like a New Jersey Nets home game. The best advice here from YouWager.com, is to play the underdogs, as many of the teams are evenly matched, meaning yes, they stink.

The stats: Favorites of three to six points are on a run for 12-0 straight up and 9-2-1 against the spread in the Pac 10 Tournament.

Prediction: California and Washington final


Championship, 6PM Eastern, CBS

Preview of the Big 12 on March 10-13

For 2010, the tournament returns to its original location this year, at  Kansas City. It’s a stacked field. Coach Bill Self’s team is the clear choice for sports bettors and they have been consistently winning all season long. This is not as great as the Kansas team that won the title two years ago. It had more mature players. But this one might just be good enough for 2010. The most frightening aspect of betting on the Jayhawks is that they have not destroyed their opponents. Their 9-2 straight up record on the road may sound great, but this is undermined by the fact that they’ve only won by 9.9 points per game.

Can any other team take Kansas down? Baylor has speed and a very strong front court. Missouri can run up a score, has a good defensive press, and Texas A&M has players like G. Donald Sloan and some good players in the paint. Ok State has beaten the Jayhawks and they have G. James Anderson and the Cowboys have some other dangerous sharpshooters. Texas has had a lot of injuries and they seem to lack the kind of guards that really matter. It comes down to Kansas State. They have the ability to beat the Jayhawks, with great guard play. This, could be a fantastic tournament with several close games and give meaning to the underdogs, who could provide better than average wagers.

Underdogs of six points or more are 37-21 against the spread since 2000.

Prediction: Kansas vs. Baylor in final


Championship 6PM Eastern, ESPN

MAC Preview – Mar. 7, 10-13

Four times since 2001, Kent State has won this tournament and they will be among the favorites again this year. The Golden Flashes seem to have the mental strength to win the tight matches and have blown a number of top MAC clubs away. They are 5-1 straight up and against the spread as favorites on the road. Their biggest competition could be their division partner, Akron, the defending champion. The Zips do indeed have plenty of zip. They are 10-2 and 6-4 against the spread coming off a spread loss. The West Division looks kind of generic in comparison, but Central Michigan has drawn the higher seed as champion.

Sunday, the first four games were played at higher seeded home sites. The winners should have the benefit of the momentum they’ve built, along with some rest and time to prepare against taking on the other teams at Cleveland, a neutral site. Ohio U. and Buffalo can boast all they want about being the top two scoring teams, and Ball State is probably the best defensive team, keeping their opponents to 40 percent shooting rates. But Kent State and Akron have dominated the picture this season, so it’s hard t to consider any other teams for the championship match.

The title favorite is 9-3 straight up and against the spread and the SU winner is 12-0 against the spread.

Prediction: Kent State vs. Akron in final


Championship 6PM Eastern, ESPN2

Mountain West Tournament Preview – March 10-13

Recently, the few Mountain West tournaments have not been exactly action-packed. But this year could be very competitive. New Mexico and BYU are heads and shoulders above the rest. Both are have been rated nationally in the last seven weeks of the season. The Lobos are 11-2 and 7-4-1 against the spread away from home, and the Cougars are 13-3 and 11-5 against the spread, under the same conditions, with wins by over 12 points per game. YouWager.com cautions bettors to be careful with wagers on these two teams in the quarter-finals. Mountain West Conference favorites of nine or more an ordinary 8-7 against the spread since 2002.

UNLV is playing host again this year and this seems to have given them a great advantage. they have won three times and finished second two other times at home in seven years. San Diego State could also be a big threat here with their formidable defense. they have allowed the lowest points in the conference. It’s hard to see the Aztecs succeeding if the competition is close, because they are the last in the league for free throw shooting at just over 60 percent.

Favorites have done well in recent Mountain West Conference tournaments. They’ve gone 7-1 straight up and against the spread during the last three years in the semi-finals and title games.

Prediction: New Mexico and Las Vegas in final


Championship 7PM Eastern, Versus

The Big East Preview – March 9-13

For the second year in a row, all 16 members of the Big East are participating. The first day will feature the eight teams at the bottom, from the perspective of team talent. Connecticut and Seton Hall are the best among these, but both teams will have to play at high speed to win. The four winners from the first day will progress to encounter seeds 5 thru 8 and this section holds some superior clubs. They may not be the most talented teams, but Marquette and Notre Dame have been playing very well. The Golden Eagles are 9-2 and 8-3 against the spread and the Fighting Irish are 7-2 against the spread.

The heavyweights arrive in the quarterfinals, and while it seems unlikely that any team in this group could lose, at least one underdog has won outright on average over the twelve years. YouWager.com expects Syracuse and Pittsburgh to move up to the semi-finals, based on their abilities, and Pitt’s incredible mark in March in New York. Hoping for a major upset? Watch Villanova. they are 2-3 in last five outings and 3-7 against the spread since February.

Historically, this tournament frequently seen one team make an unlikely sweep in the last several years. Only one time has a team won back-to- back since the year 2000, and this stat could eliminate Louisville. Favorites of seven or less are 9-2 straight up and against the spread the first two days.

Prediction: Syracuse and Pittsburgh in final


Championship 9PM Eastern, ESPN

The Big West Preview – March 10-13

The Big West has held this annual tournament every year since 1976. One dependable aspect of the conference is that for 11 of the last 13 years, the champion or co-champion of the regular season has also been in the in the championship game. This could mean that UC-Santa Barbara, or Pacific, or both, will probably have a very good shot at playing for an NCAA automatic bid. Cal-State Fullerton is this league’s top scoring team. They are 8-3 against the spread on the road, but they were defeated in all four games against the top two teams.

UC-Davis has been up and down and their best statistic is the fact that they are 11-5 against the spread against Big West opponents. This year, the contest will be in Anaheim once again. For the past five years, this match has been as amusing as nearby Disneyland for total players. Those on the UNDER are 23-9, 73.5 percent, with all the games coming in a full four points below the oddsmakers average total in games played.

Known for being competitive, in the Big West contest only 10 matchups have registered above 7.5-point spread in recent years and although the underdog is 1-9, they are a potent 8-2 against the spread.

Prediction: UCSB and Pacific in final


Championship 8PM Eastern, ESPN2

The WAC Preview – March 11-13

Eight teams are going to in Reno, Nevada for the WAC conference tournament. The University of Nevada has finished tied for second in the league and they will have the advantage of playing at home. Utah State is the favorite choice as the league champion. They are 11-5 against the spread in conference action here. Nearly all the other teams going head-to-head in Nevada are around or above .500 against the spread, with the exception of the Wolf Pack, at 6-10 against the spread. This could make underdogs a play with some history to back it all up.

In earlier tournaments, underdogs have a 20-9 ATS record and the OVER has also been a strong play at 21-10. Looking past the top four seeds, Fresno State seems to have the best team talent, but it is difficult to overlook their record as 3-12 straight up as a visiting team. At number four, Louisiana Tech will have the opportunity to beat Utah State in the semi-finals, if they make it that far, after they earned a split and covered both previous matches. Nevada will have a home court advantage over rival New Mexico State, and last week, they won and covered a game against the Aggies. In last year’s event, Nevada finished second to Utah State at the Lawler Events Center, and this would be the third match in five years between these two teams.

Prediction: Nevada and Utah State in final


Championship 10PM Eastern, ESPN2

The SEC Preview – March 11-14

This year, the SEC Tournament looks several in past years. Kentucky is a clear favorite as the top seed. Mississippi State can also claim co-Number one slot after winning the SEC West. While there will be plenty of Wildcat fans in the stands, there should be plenty from Tennessee, too, at the Sommet Center in Nashville, and Vanderbilt and the Tennessee Vols will be well represented.

Some of the lower-ranked teams have their obvious flaws, but aside from LSU, all of them seem to have at least one major positive factor that could make them a dangerous underdog. South Carolina has Devan Downey, Georgia looks very athletic, however, they are 1-12 on the road, and Auburn and Arkansas have proven themselves to able to score in bursts, and Alabama is currently second in the conference with the fewest points allowed by opponents. Should any of these teams make it to the quarterfinals, bettors should consider them because underdogs are 8-3 against the spread this round.

This conference still looks like the Kentucky Invitational and teams in the title match is 8-1 UNDER with underdogs 5-3-1 against the spread.

Prediction: Kentucky and Vanderbilt in final


Championship 1PM Eastern, ABC

The Atlantic 10 Preview – March 9, 12-14

The Atlantic 10 tournament is known for quick runs. Only three teams, in 1997 St. Joseph’s, 1999 Rhode Island, and 2003 Dayton, have not won consecutive championships, or two of three since 1991. This year’s tournament could be one of the biggest sports bettors have ever seen.  Several powerful teams at the top and at the second level clubs look to be capable of putting together an impressive number of victories. Two-time defending A-10 postseason champ Temple, Xavier and Richmond have risen to the top of the conference. St. Louis, Charlotte and Rhode Island have all also proven that they can win a string of matches. The Rams have the capacity to score. They are second in the A-10 and their winning record on the road is 9-6, second to St. Louis in points allowed in the league. The best teams will be favored and it could be money-making to wager on them in the right situations. As double-digit favorites, they are 9-0 and 7-2 against the spread. The first round match is always at the home of the higher seed, and the home-standing favorite of seven or less points is 18-4 and 17-5 against the spread. A Temple and Richmond rematch from Feb. 6 seems likely in Atlantic City. The Spiders won that one 71-54.

Prediction: Temple and Richmond in final


Championship 1PM Eastern, CBS

The ACC Preview – March 11-14

Created in 1953, the Atlantic Coast Conference men’s postseason tournament has both prestige and history. Duke and Maryland have been burning brightly, but no team in the 12 has had a winning record on the road in this conference. The Maryland Terps are 8-5 and 8-4 against the spread away from home overall and the Blue Devils are 9-5 and 7-6-1 against the spread on the road.

A team with the most to gain here is North Carolina. NC has been playing a lot better lately, if you overlook their loss to Duke. They’ll have to win to defend their NCAA title. The other teams at the bottom don’t seem to have much of a chance. One exception is Boston College who has won primarily at home. Virginia Tech put together enough victories to be considered for semi-finals, and Florida State can still mount a threat with their defense, if they can make enough shots.

YouWager.com notes that ACC underdogs have an overall mark of 44-23-3 against the spread since 2003.

Prediction: Duke and Virginia Tech in final


Championship 1PM Eastern, ESPN

The Big Ten Preview – March 11-14

It’s been a crazy year for the Big Ten. Teams that had every reason to win lost at home, and underdogs bounced back to win. There was a lot of head scratching for sports bettors. At the end of the day, only team stands above the rest of the pack, with their best basketball of the season. Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won 10 of 11, and they are 6-5 against the spread. Their versatile starting lineup, led by Evan Turner, can steamroll opponents in several ways. Despite a good record, Michigan State has disappointed many sports bettors and they haven’t looked as powerful as many originally thought they were. Purdue might have won the Big Ten outright, but without Robbie Hummel, they dropped from top five in the country to the Top 20 or 30.

There are two teams under the radar in this part of the world- Wisconsin and Illinois. The Badgers have a big man back with Jon Leuer and they could possibly put together a wild weekend streak and steal the big prize. Illinois is known to very physical with Demetri McCamey to lead them. The question is about the rest of the team. Are they mentally strong enough to win day after day? Depending on the seeds, many bettors will want to watch Penn State. They are 3-15 in league play, but 9-2 against the spread away from home, losing by less than four points a game.

Some of these games will be wrestling matches. the UNDER has hit 60 percent the last three years.

Prediction: Ohio State vs. Michigan State in final

Championship 3:30PM Eastern, CBS

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, college, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

The Timberwolves are tough. The Numbers are easy.

March 10, 2010 – 5:04 pm

If you only look at one NBA game today, this is one worth taking the time to crunch the numbers for.

Luck has played with the Timberwolves. They won and covered four games in a row in the time from January 29th to February 6th, and this seemed to give them the feeling that they could turn the NBA season around. But it was kind of like a warm day in Minneapolis during February. It felt good, but reality would soon return things to normal.

Minnesota went on to lose 12 of their next 13 games, and this included their last six, all in a row. In a terrible streak, the Timberwolves gave up 115.9 point per match, 9.2 points above a 29th ranked scoring defense that has permitted 106.7 points per game on the entire season. The high mark, or low point, was their last match with the Dallas Mavericks. The T-Wolves surrendered 125 points in losing by 13, with their fourth consecutive Over game.

Their opponent tonight is Denver, the Number One team in the Northwest Division, third in the Western Conference and second in the NBA in scoring at 107.6 points per game.

The Timberwolves still have to play the rest of the NBA season. Currently, they have a 14-50 record, and they are rated 23rd in field goal percentage at 44.9 percent and 25th in field goal percentage defense at 47.5. The good news? Sometimes, with failure comes predictability. The Timberwolves are 32-32 against the spread, but losing by 9.8 points per game suggests that their opponents may be bringing a positive aspect to these matches. This Wednesday, Minnesota plays host to the Denver Nuggets and the game is profiled here with some very interesting numbers on the total. At YouWager.com, this number is set at 216.  YouWager.com has also posted the Nuggets as an eight-point favorite. Put all of these factors into a big electronic brain, and here is the advice that you get:

Play the Over when the total is greater than or equal to 200, the home team is off a home loss by 10 points or more, with a winning percentage under 25 percent, playing a team with a winning record.

Losing sports bettors may claim that pro sports are rigged, but do you ever hear winners make the same complaint? Smart sports bettors knows there is no such thing as a ‘lock.’ They just have a better understanding of the situation, and know that the right information will put the chances of winning on their side.

Here are some important factors to consider- the last five NBA seasons have seen a specific totals system produce a 21-1 record. That means 95.4 percent if you are keeping score. The average total score of this particular system is 220.5 points per game. This is far above tonight’s game, and it dates back to 1996.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

Boston vs. Milwaukee 8PM Eastern, FSN

March 9, 2010 – 6:02 pm

A highlight for Tuesday is the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. At home, The Bucks are a 1-point at YouWager.com. After a month-long schedule that consisted of some of the worst teams in the NBA, the Bucks are one match into a stretch that sends three of the leagues best teams to Milwaukee’s Bradley Center. They dropped the Cleveland Cavaliers –without LeBron- on Saturday. A hot night for Brandon Jennings helped them top the team with the NBA’s best record, and now they’re looking for their 10th win in 11 games Tuesday as they attempt to halt the Boston Celtics and their string of four wins.

At 33-29, and40-21-1 against the spread, the Bucks were three games away from the Eastern Conference’s final playoff slot on January 26th. But they’ve gone 15-4 and 15-3-1 against the spread since then to make to fifth place. Of Milwaukee’s first 14 victories in this streak, 13 came from nine clubs at the bottom in the East. Of all these teams, only Miami, which the Bucks beat three times, presently has a winning record.

Visits from Cleveland, and Boston, at 40-21, and 26-34-1 against the spread, and then Utah, in a seven-day period will surely provide Milwaukee with bigger challenges. And some questions remain for sports bettors after their first real challenge. Jennings managed to score 25 points in a 92-85 victory Saturday night over the Cavaliers, but they gave LeBron James a night off to rest his sore ankle.

Andrew Bogut, who scored 15 points and had nine rebounds, called it a ‘lose-lose situation’ for the team. “There’ll be people saying it was a great game and there’ll be other people saying, well, LeBron didn’t play, if he would have played, they would have won,” Bogut said. Milwaukee is 18-4 against the spread after playing a game as a home favorite this season.

Milwaukee bettors hope Jennings is displaying signs of a personal turnaround. This rookie point guard had averaged 9.9 points and shot 29.7 percent since February 1st before the win over Cleveland. Only three days before, after shooting 2 for 12 in a victory over Washington, Jennings said he wasn’t even sure if wanted to continue taking shots.

His public display of personal frustration didn’t exactly make coach Scott Skiles very happy. Jennings now says he playing for something bigger. After making   five 3-pointers against Cleveland, Jennings said, “Main thing is get to playoffs, having the city start believing in us and keep going on from there.” The Bucks haven’t lost a game against the spread since February 17th to Houston, generating 9-0-1 against the spread mark.

If the Bucks can manage to wind up the postseason with a positive record, for the first time since 2006, they could find themselves playing the Celtics, the Atlantic Division leaders in the first round. The Celtics are 4-0, and 3-1 against the spread in March after going 9-11 from January 14th through February 27th. However, notes YouWager.com, the competition has not been very strong.

Boston’s winning streak came from matches against teams that occupied the 9th-12th spots in the East, and they had to fight hard to win against Washington at home on Sunday. The Celtics were trailing 79-66 with 6:11 remaining before they rallied with a 20-4 effort to claim an 86-83 victory. Ray Allen got eight of his 25 points in the stretch that decided it all.

Boston’s coach Doc Rivers said it was nice to play poorly and still win. “I just wish we could have played the first 40 minutes, like we played the last eight,” he said. The Celtics are 24-12 against the spread after a win by six points or less over the last two seasons.

The Celtics lost their most recent trip to Milwaukee back on March 15th. Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo together shot 8 of 36. This was Boston’s only defeat in the series’ last eight games, at 3-5 against the spread. Kevin Garnett – who didn’t make a single goal on Sunday for the first time in more than 14 years, had had 25 points and nine rebounds in a 98-89 win at TD Garden on December 8th. Bogut shot 25 points and made 14 rebounds in that defeat while committing a season-high record of seven turnovers. It was one of only three Milwaukee losses in 17 games in which Bogut has scored 20 points or more.

At YouWager.com, the Bucks are a one-point home favorite with total of 188. They are 11-3 against the spread after successfully covering the spread in four or more consecutive games. Usually, the Milwaukee Bucks and the term “defense” are not often used in the same phrase, unless the team is being criticized. But, YouWager.com notes that the Bucks are 10-2 UNDER when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points, winning by seven points per game this season. Boston always tries to play the game at their own pace. This may account for their 2-12 against the spread record against teams averaging 83 or more shots a game since the beginning of the season. They are also 25-12 UNDER in road encounters when playing against a club with a winning record.

Milwaukee is 14-5 against the spread when the line is +3 to -3 this season. The StatFox Power Line predicts Milwaukee by 7. This Eastern Conference game is available on most TV stations 8PM Eastern.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

Some Betting Trends for the Major Conferences

March 9, 2010 – 4:43 pm

There’s a lot to pick from, at YouWager.com and on television. Many sports bettors who saw our Conference Tournament trends and tendencies post recently have been focusing on the leagues that began the tournaments last week. Some of the trends we discovered have been very profitable for college basketball bettors, especially the ones that dealt with totals, in the smaller conferences. Now, here’s a look at the action coming your way in the major conferences such as the Big East, the ACC, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Pac 10 and the SEC, where some matches promise to be even more wild and wooly than the first games in the NCAA tournament. Be sure to take some of these trends into consideration before you make your wagers at YouWager.com.

The Big East Conference

  • Tuesday and Wednesday in Big East Conference Tournament action: Early round FAVORITES are 17-5 straight up and 14-8 against the spread (63.5%) since 2005. Broken down among line ranges, FAVORITES of less than 7-points are on a 9-2 straight up and against the spread run.
  • The quarterfinal round of the Big East tournament has been very high scoring over the last four years, with 11 of 16 games (68.8%) going OVER the total.
  • On average, one out of every four Big East quarterfinal games is an upset, with 12 underdogs winning outright over the last 12 years. Underdogs of 7-points or more during that time hold a 10-6 against the spread edge (62.5%).
  • Underdogs have held the edge in the Big East semifinal round over the last five years, going 6-4 straight up and 7-3 against the spread (70%). Those getting more than 3-points have covered five of the last 6 (83.3%). Fatigue tends to set in this round as well, as defense rules the day. Since 1999, UNDER the total is 15-7 (68.2%).
  • A strange pattern has developed in the Big East tournament title game, with underdogs and favorites alternating against the spread wins EVERY YEAR since ’98. Accordingly, the UNDERDOG is scheduled to cover in 2010 after Louisville’s chalk win over Syracuse last spring.

The Atlantic 10 Conference

UNDERDOGS have managed to split the eight first round Atlantic 10 tournament games of the last two years after FAVORITES had been on an incredible 24-2 straight up and 21-5 against the spread (80.8%) run.

  • FAVORITES of 7-points or less are on a run of 18-4 straight up and 17-5 against the spread (77.3%) in first round Atlantic 10 tournament action since 2001.
  • Including 3-1 against the spread a year ago, FAVORITES in the quarterfinal round of the A-10 tournament, have been going 20-7 straight up and 18-9 against the spread (66.7%) since 2003. During that stretch, DOUBLE-DIGIT FAVORITES are 9-0 straight up and 7-2 against the spread (77.8%).
  • The semifinal round of the A-10 tournament has proven quite competitive, with UNDERDOGS of 4.5-points or more having gone 5-3 straight up and 7-1 against the spread over the last dozen years.
  • The A-10 title game has been anything but competitive, with underdogs having won just once in the last 10 years (1-8 against the spread 11.1%).

The Big 12 Conference

There may not be another major conference tournament that has seen more UNDERDOGS cover with regularity than the Big 12. Since 2000, underdogs are 61-44 against the spread, a solid 58.1%. UNDERDOGS of 6-points or more are 37-21 against the spread (63.8%) during that stretch.

  • The last three Big 12 tournaments have been particularly defense-oriented, with UNDER the total converting in 22 of 33 games (66.7%), and the losing team being held to 60 points or less in 17 of those contests.
  • On Big 12 tournament games with totals set at 147-points or higher, the UNDER is 13-3 (81.3%).
  • The last 12 Big 12 tournament quarterfinal games have gone UNDER the total (100%). UNDERDOGS are 7-3-2 against the spread (70%) in that span.
  • Almost like clockwork, the last seven years of Big 12 semifinal games have seen one favorite cover, and one underdog. Of the games with lines set at 6-points or higher, UNDERDOGS are 5-1 against the spread (83.3%).

The Conference-USA

2000 also saw a shift from favorites to underdogs holding the edge in Conference USA, as underdogs are a healthy 60-45 against the spread (57.1%) since 2000.

  • Double-digit lines are a regular occurrence in the C-USA tourney, and teams laying 10-points or more are 19-0 straight up and 11-8 against the spread (57.9%) since ’06.
  • As the best value on the C-USA tournament, UNDERDOGS come with those getting 6.5-points or less, as they are 20-17 straight up and 26-10-1 against the spread (72.2%) dating back to 2003.
  • C-USA UNDERDOGS in the FIRST ROUND own a 24-13-2 against the spread (64.9%) record since 2000.
  • Of the 16 C-USA round one matchups since 2006, the UNDER is 13-3 (81.3%).
  • The C-USA quarterfinal round also “goes to the underdogs”, as UNDERDOGS are 9-3 against the spread (75%) over the last three seasons.
  • With Memphis dominating the events, the FAVORITES turn the tables in the semifinal round, having gone 17-3 straight up and 12-8 against the spread (60%) over the last 10 years. The Tigers have won four straight title games as favorites as well, going 3-1 against the spread (75%).
  • Since 2006, UNDER the total is 10-2 (83.3%) in the C-USA semifinal & final games.

The Mountain West Conference

With the yearly edge in every one of the last eight Mountain West tournaments except 2005, UNDERDOGS are 40-18 against the spread (68.9%) overall during that span.

  • There is a sizeable break at one particular line point in past Mountain West Tournament games. FAVORITES of 9-points or more are 8-7 against the spread (53.3%) since 2002. UNDERDOGS of 8.5-points or less are an incredible 33-10 against the spread (76.7%).
  • UNDERDOGS hold a strong edge in the early Mountain West Tournament action, going 16-4 against the spread (80%) in the round one and quarterfinals games since 2006.
  • FAVORITES have done well late in the last three MWC tournaments, going 7-1 straight up and against the spread (87.5%) over the last three years in the semi’s and title games. YouWager.com note that last year’s championship game was called a ‘pick em’ pointspread.’

The Pac 10 Conference

The Pac 10 is one of the few conferences where tournaments have been ruled by FAVORITES in recent years, as those teams laying the points are 23-10 against the spread (69.7%) over the last four years, including the first six games of the 2009 proceedings.

  • The Pac 10 tournament games have also been high scoring over the last 4 years, 23-12-1 OVER (65.7%) since ’06.
  • FAVORITES of -3 to -6 points are on a run of 12-0 straight up and 9-2-1 against the spread in the Pac 10 Tournament.
  • YouWager.com doesn’t recommend considering underdogs in the first round or quarterfinals of the Pac 10 tournament, if you are basing it on recent years, as FAVORITES are on an incredible streak of 20-4 straight up and 19-5 against the spread (79.2%) in those rounds since 2006.
  • UNDERDOGS have a much better chance of covering late in the Pac 10 Tournament, with 11-7-1 against the spread (61.1%) since ’03 in the semi’s and title games.
  • The key benchmark figure on wagering totals in the Pac 10 tourney is 156. In games with posted numbers less than that, the OVER is 34-19 (64.2%) since the beginning. In those higher than 156, the UNDER is 7-2 (77.8%).

The Big West Conference

This conference has seen a fairly even distribution of favorites and underdog covers over the last seven seasons, with FAVORITES owning a slight 25-22 against the spread (53.2%) edge.

  • Here’s more on the competition within the Big West tournament- Since 2003, there have been only 10 games with lines of 7.5-points or more, with UNDERDOGS going just 1-9 straight up, but 8-2 against the spread (80%) in those contests.
  • The last five years of the Big West Tournament have been profitable for UNDER bettors, as those playing that side of the total have gone 25-9, for 73.5%. During that span, on totals averaging 137.6 PPG, the games have produced just 133.5 PPG.

The Big Sky Conference

The conference has shown a shift to FAVORITES in the last three seasons, as those teams laying points have converted 10 of the 15 (66.7%) games during that stretch.

  • There have only been two upsets in the Big Sky Conference tournament semifinals over the last seven years, and FAVORITES are 10-4 against the spread (71.4%) in that span.
  • The Big Sky Conference is one of few where LARGE UNDERDOGS, or those getting 7-points or more, have a good shot at an upset, owning a 4-8 straight up and 8-4 against the spread record since 1998, including 2-2 straight up and 4-0 ATS over the last 2 years.
  • FAVORITES in the -4 to -6.5-point line range have been nearly against the spread (88.2%).

The Big Ten Conference

After being an underdog dominated event for most of its early years, there has been a shift to FAVORITES in the last three Big Ten Tournaments, with 18-12 against the spread (60%) since ’07.

  • There has also been a huge shift in the oddsmakers’ perception on totals. Between 1999 and 2006, the average posted total in Big Ten tournament games was 130.5. Since then, it has dropped nine points to 121.5. Still, UNDER has been the correct choice in 18 of 30 games during that span (60%).
  • FAVORITES won all three opening round games of the Big Ten tournament last year, both straight up and against the spread, slowing a run of 14-4 against the spread by dogs.
  • Also, FAVORITES own a 5-1 straight up and 4-2 ATS mark in the semifinals of the last 3 Big Ten tournaments after going just 1-11 against the spread prior.
  • DOUBLE-DIGIT Big Ten tourney UNDERDOGS are 7-1 against the spread (87.5%) since 2005.
  • LOWER SEEDED FAVORITES can boast an 11-5 straight up and 9-6-1 against the spread (60%) record since ’98 in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Atlantic Coast Conference

In the ACC, UNDERDOGS won the quarterfinal & semifinal games of 2009 against the spread and boast an overall mark of 44-23-3 against the spread (65.7%) since ’03.

  • UNDERDOGS of 9-points or more are 18-6-1 against the spread (75%) in the ACC Tournament since ’03, including five straight covers.
  • YouWager.com suggests considering UNDERDOGS on the pointspread and money line in the opening round of this year’s ACC tournament. They are 13-6 straight up and against the spread (68.4%) since ’05.
  • Quarterfinal UNDERDOGS are efficient against the spread, but that’s all, with a record of 7-21 straight up and 18-9-1 against the spread (66.7%) since 2003.
  • Semifinal UNDERDOGS are even more effective than previous rounds, 15-6-1 against the spread (71.4%) since 1999.
  • Not until the ACC title game do FAVORITES take over, 10-1 straight up and 6-3-2 against the spread (66.7%) since 1999.
  • One of the only recognizable trends on totals in the ACC tourney came on games with posted numbers 150 points or higher, 10-5 OVER (66.7%) in the last 15.

The Mid-American Conferenc

FAVORITES are your preferred wager of choice in MAC tournament games in recent years, says YouWager.com. They have a record of 40-26 against the spread (60.6%) over the last 6 seasons.

  • The MAC title match has seen the FAVORITE go 9-3 straight up and against the spread (75%) since its inception. The straight up winner is 12-0 against the spread.
  • Semifinal FAVORITES in the MAC tournament have won the last three years and are 5-1 against the spread (83%) in that span.
  • The best spot for playing UNDERDOGS in the MAC tournament has been in games when the lines are 3-points or less. In these cases, they are 23-16 against the spread (59%) since 1998.
  • OVER the total has been the best wager since 2004, with a 37-24 (60.7%) record since 2004.

The Southeastern Conference

In the 2008 SEC Tournament, the action was dominated by underdogs, 7-4 straight up and 9-2 against the spread, but split down the middle last year, 5-5-1. Overall, since 2005, underdogs own a 29-25-1 against the spread (53.7%) edge.

  • Georgia was the first SEC tournament DOUBLE-DIGIT underdog to score an upset since before 1998 when it beat Mississippi State in 2008. Overall, those teams are 1-15 straight up and 5-11 against the spread (31.3%) in that span.
  • In past SEC games with pointspreads less than 3-points, UNDERDOGS are 15-13 straight up and 16-11-1 against the spread (59.3%) since 1998.
  • It’s gone back-and-forth in the last few seasons, but FAVORITES own a 22-11 against the spread edge in opening round SEC tournament action since 2000. Lower-seeded teams are 5-1 straight up and against the spread of those games.
  • UNDERDOGS have been the preference of sports bettors at YouWager.com in SEC quarterfinals over the last 3 seasons, 8-3 against the spread (72.7%).
  • In the last nine SEC Tournament championship matches, the UNDER is 8-1 (88.9%), and the UNDERDOGS are 4-5 straight up and 5-3-1 against the spread (62.5%).

The Western Athletic Conference

In this conference, UNDERDOGS covered all but one game in the 2009 Tournament, increasing their four-year record to 20-9 against the spread (69%). That span has also seen OVER the total go 21-10 (67.7%).

  • Lines of less than 3-points should raise an immediate red-flag for WAC tourney bettors at YouWager.com, as UNDERDOGS of 2.5-points or less are a money-making 13-5 SU & 13-4-1 against the spread (76.5%) since 2000.
  • Although there is no first round in this year’s WAC tourney, since ’06, UNDERDOGS in the first round and quarterfinals combined have gone 14-5 against the spread (73.7%) over the L4 seasons.
  • The WAC quarterfinals have produced 14 OVER’s, 6 UNDER’s (70%) over the last five seasons. Similarly, eight of the last 10 (80%) WAC semifinal contests have gone OVER the posted total. In that same streak, all five WAC title games exceeded the total as well. If you’re combining those numbers, it’s 27-8 (77.1%) OVER for the last five years.

YouWager.com invites sports bettors to enjoy the action this week, and reminds you to check back next week for all the key information you’ll want wager on the NCAA, NIT, CBI, and CIT brackets!

By Joe Pienso | Posted in Uncategorized, basketball, college, online wagering, sports, sportsbook | Comments (0)

Sunday College Hoops!

March 7, 2010 – 1:51 pm

Florida vs. Kentucky 12PM Eastern, CBS

Remember when Florida was on of the strongest teams in the nation, after they won back-to-back national titles? The Gators haven’t played in a tournament since then and they may find themselves on the outside again this March, unless they can pull off a major upset at Kentucky on Sunday. Be sure to check out the GAME MATCHUPS page at YouWager.com for all the latest betting information on the last day of the college basketball regular season.

The Gators will be ending the season with a match against their biggest rival: Kentucky. Florida, at 20-10, and 13-12 against the spread, has been trying very hard to get back into a tournament for the first time in three years with major efforts from Chandler Parsons and Erving Walker. But the team’s recent close defeats at Georgia and at Vanderbilt slowed down this mission. Parsons has matured and puts on a well-rounded show now, getting his teammates in on the action offensively, with a point forward style. It will be an uphill battle. The Gators are playing well and they are 5-2 against the spread as underdogs on the road this season.

This tough game will end with what coach John Calipari surely hopes is a three-part play. Kentucky, at 28-2, and16-12 against the spread, is the best team in the SEC and they have the best record. Calipari wants his team to win the conference tournament, keep the momentum going, and follow it up with six consecutive wins and a national championship. This game will be an attempt to dominate, on their home court as DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and John Wall play at the Rupp Arena for the last time. The Wildcats are 7-0 against the spread against poor three-point shooting teams converting 31 or less of their attempts since last year. Kentucky has won nine of the last dozen in Lexington over Florida with a 6-5-1 against the spread record. The StatFox Power Line predicts Kentucky by 11.

Michigan vs. Michigan State 4PM Eastern, CBS

Michigan State is one of only three teams with four defeats in Big Ten play. For   the Spartans to stay in the spotlight, they’ll have to beat rival Michigan at home on Sunday. After nearly getting beat on Thursday by Penn State, Oddsmakers seem to think that the Spartans will get the job done, but its up to the bettors at YouWager.com to decide if they can do it with enough points to make it worthwhile.

As 13-point home favorites over last place Penn State, the Spartans 67-65 win sums up their season. Michigan State, at 23-7, and 11-18 against the spread,

is struggling to be the co-champion of the Big Ten. The Spartans 9-0 conference start, and a one-point win on the road at Minnesota and Michigan only seemed to hide some of the weaknesses that became more apparent in February. Kalin Lucas seemed to be carrying this team. Super-duper sub Draymond Green looked to be the only other player that could score consistently. Recenty, Lucas hasn’t looked as strong, with eight turnovers and one assist in last Sunday’s win against Purdue, plus he missed two shots that almost cost his team the game. The Spartans are 13-2 and 4-11 against the spread as a home favorite.

Michigan, at 14-15, and 13-12 against the spread, started the year up in the Top 25 but they dropped rapidly. Coach John Beilein has been attempting to put 6’10 center Zack Gibson into his starting lineup, because 6’8” DeShawn Sims is the only other regular starting player over 6-foot-5. Gibson could be important against the bigger and more physical Spartans since the Wolverines have been outrebounded eight straight games. Michigan is 2-5 and 6-1 against the spread as an underdog on the road. Going back to 1998, Michigan State has won all 10 games over in-state rival Michigan in East Lansing, with a 5-5 against the spread record. The StatFox Power Line predicts Michigan State by 9.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, college, news, online wagering, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

NASCAR News: the Kobalt Tools 500 1:15 PM Eastern, FOX

March 7, 2010 – 1:39 pm

Jimmie Johnson is The Man. Maybe he’s not be leading the ranking in the NASCAR Cup Series before the big race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. But after winning his last two races, he’s the man to beat for anyone who is serious about the race for points. He’s also the heavy favorite to win this week’s Kobalt Tools 500, at 5-1 odds, at YouWager.com. In his 17 starts at Atlanta, Mr. Johnson has had three wins and he’s placed in the Top 5 at the finish line 9 times. The only statistic to give his opponents any hope is the fact that he has   only averaged a 15th place finish at Atlanta in the past two years. This suggests that other drivers like Jeff Gordon (8-1), Kevin Harvick (10-1), or Kyle Busch (10-1) could win. The big green flag drops 1:15 PM Eastern on Sunday, after a weekend of events.

Here’s a preview.

The Drivers

The most recent winner at Atlanta is Kasey Kahne. He won last at this track on Labor Day weekend. The defending champion of this event is Kurt Busch. In each of the last five starts, there have been five different winners. One factor for bettors to consider, says YouWager.com, is that none of the top three drivers, in terms of average finishes, has won here in those starts. Jeff Gordon (6.0 avg.), Kevin Harvick (6.5) and Matt Kenseth (9.0) have all placed well in their last four attempts, and each has earned a five Top 5 finish in that time span, but none has won. Kyle Busch could actually be the driver to beat. He has had a win and a Top 5 finish in the COT as well. The Busch brothers have been dominating their home track in Las Vegas, and they have also led the most laps in Atlanta, too, with Kurt having 246 and Kyle 197. In addition to Gordon, Harvick, and Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards has a pair of Top 5 finishes in his last four starts at AMS.

There are also six Chase contenders that have averaged less than a 20th place finish over the last two years. This includes Mark Martin (20.0), Carl Edwards (20.8), David Reutimann (21.0), Juan Montoya (21.5), Jamie McMurray (22.5), and Joey Logano (26.0). Two of these drivers, Montoya and McMurray are teammates at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, but they got unwanted attention when they knocked each other out of the Shelby American.

In the overall rankings, after three races, Kevin Harvick leads the series. He’s followed by teammate Clint Bowyer, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, and, Jimmie Johnson. Kyle Busch holds down the all-important 12th spot, a couple of points in front of Jeff Gordon. All of the Top 17 drivers are within only one race of one another, so it is not too late for any of the others such as Juan Montoya, Kasey Kahne, or Denny Hamlin. Based upon winning momentum, history at Atlanta, and   other factors, YouWager.com expects that Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Clint Bowyer will be the top contenders on Sunday. Biffle has the longest odds to win, at 15-1. Some of the outside drivers with a chance are include Juan Montoya (15-1) and Joey Logano (35-1). Montoya’s first strong start happened in this race two years ago, and he may be ready for a good run. Logano drives the Home Depot #20 car, a sponsor headquartered in Atlanta. Logano has been driving well lately, and this could be his weekend.

The Track

Atlanta is a high-speed event with speeds beyond 200 mph, on a track that features multiple racing grooves. It’s all about the horsepower and handling here, and this will be demonstrated over the weekend at qualifying and practice sessions. Of the last 19 winners in Atlanta, only two came from outside the Top 10. The average starting spot for a winner in the COT is 3.5. Also seven of the last 10 winners here had a Happy Hour ranking in the Top 6. The lineup begins t on Friday at 6:10 PM Eastern. There will also be Busch and Craftsman Truck series races this weekend at the track, so it will be a busy three days at AMS. The gentlemen start their engines at 1:15 PM Eastern on Sunday afternoon.

By Joe Pienso | Posted in NASCAR, news, online wagering, sports, tips | Comments (0)

Betting on the Colonial and WCC Conference

March 5, 2010 – 7:34 pm

College conference action builds with four more games, on top of everything else. Two conferences will also feature a championship match on ESPN on Monday, the West Coast conferences and the Colonial. These highly charged matches will show off teams that have been hot in the NCAA tournament. For the latest wagering info and lines, go to the LIVE ODDS page at YouWagercom.

A CAA Preview

This postseason tournament promises to be exciting after a lively Colonial Athletic Association season. Five schools have a good shot the championship, along with one more team on the outside. At 23-8, and 10-16-1 against the spread, Old Dominion was the champ of the regular season, mainly due to an outstanding 15-0 record at home. But what may concern some sports bettors is that the Monarchs don’t seem be shooting very well. With 44.8 percent, many of their shots are coming in on offensive rebounds. This could make them vulnerable, says youwager.com. At 19-11, and 15-13-1 against the spread, Northeastern doesn’t look good coming in to the tourney. They’ve lost three of their last six

with 0-6 against the spread and they do not seem to be playing tough on defense. George Mason, at 17-13, and 11-15-1 against the spread, has been in the Colonial Athletic Association finals for the last three years, and while they are a talented, they are also very young. This could either make them a finalist or just a one hit wonder.

Virginia Commonwealth, at 20-8, and 13-12 -1 against the spread, has won the CAA tourney two of the last three years. The team features center Larry Sanders, and this player can dominate the game. The Rams are known to put the pressure on with their defense with the kind of style that can disrupt a big match. They have a strong history in these events, and they also have the advantage of playing at home. William and Mary, at 20-9, and 15-9-1 against the spread, has been chasing the conference title all year, but they are in new territory here. They do have the league’s best record on the road at 10-6 and 10-5 against the spread. Looking for a long shot? Take a look at Hofstra. At 18-13, and 14-14-1 against the spread, Hofstra has won nine out of 10 and they are 9-3-1 against the spread on the road.

YouWager.com notes that when it comes to wagering, favorites with less than 10 points have been highly profitable bets in the CAA tournament since 2002, and they sport a 40-19 ATS record. Underdogs with 10 points or more are great wagers lately. They look mediocre with a 2-15 straight up record but have an incredible 15-2 against the spread (88.2 percent) record since 2003. Total players can often cash in with a moneymaking 37-17 UNDER record in the last six years. In the championship game, the favored team has won nine straight games while going 6-2-1 against the spread (75 percent).

Prediction: Virginia Commonwealth vs. Hofstra final

WCC Preview

The West Coast Conference is one of the most dependable tournaments for sports bettors for deciding that at least one of the teams will be in the finals. At 25-5, and 14-10-2 against the spread, Gonzaga has been a class act in the WCC for years and this school has been a finalist every year since 1998. They’ve been the WCC Champs nine times so they will again be a heavy favorite playing in Las Vegas. Depending on the opponent.

St. Mary’s, at 24-5, and 18-9-1 against the spread, and Portland, at 20-9, and 14-10-1 against the spread, are probably the only two teams capable of making the match. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have won and covered against them in four tries this season. St. Mary’s Gaels and the Portland Pilots will likely go head-to-head for a third time in the semifinals. Each team has won on their home court.

St. Mary’s could have an advantage with a 10-3 straight up record on the road with 9-3 against the spread, and star center Omar Samhan in the paint. The Gaels don’t have it locked up because Portland also has a good team. The Pilots know that the only way they can make it to the NCAA Tournament is to win the West Coast tournament. If these two clubs meet for a shootout, the game on ESPN2 Sunday night could be even more exciting that the finals.

Wagering notes from YouWager.com: Favorites, of seven or more, are 27-0 straight up and 19-8 against the spread in the WCC tournament since 1998. Favorites have had the edge in every round of the West Coast Conference Tournament over the last 12 seasons, with a 10-3 against the spread (76.9 percent) record in Round One. Oddsmakers usually reveal which games in the WCC tournament have been the highest scoring, as on those with totals of 146 or higher since 2001, and these are 10-1 OVER the number.

Prediction: Gonzaga and Portland final

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, college, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)

A Loaded NBA Weekend!

March 5, 2010 – 6:40 pm

Think March is only about college basketball? Think again. The NBA schedule has 26 games this weekend. There are at least six every day. Here are the YouWager.com trends to help you separate the strongest games from the pack.

Friday, the weekend tips off with 11 matches. Two of them form the ESPN doubleheader. Up first, the Cleveland Cavaliers host their division rival, the Detroit Pistons. LeBron and company has won four straight matches. Both straight up and against the spread, and now they are starting in consecutive matches against foes in the Central Division. They are 6-1 straight up and 5-2 against the spread playing in their division this season. Detroit is 2-8 straight up and 2-7-1 against the spread in this scenario. Then, in the late game, New Orleans and San Antonio face off for the second time in five days. The Hornets will be looking to avenge a 106-92 loss at home on Monday, and the Spurs will be trying to hold their own. In spite their record at 10 games over .500, they are just 7-14 against the spread in their last 21 contests. In the other matches, the red-hot Bucks will play in Washington. They have an 18-3-1 against the spread record with their last 22 games, and this includes a 100-87 win against the Wizards on Wednesday. Also, the Lakers play in Charlotte, and the Mavericks, who won their last nine games, will host Sacramento.

Saturday, there are nine matches to choose from. This includes many back-to-back situations. Two of these, the Bucks and the Cavaliers, will face off in Milwaukee. Milwaukee is 10-6 straight up and 12-3-1 against the spread with no days off and Cleveland is only 6-9 against the spread. Also, Atlanta goes to Miami. Miami has lost four straight against the spread. They are only

12-17 against the spread at home, and 4-10 straight up and 5-9 against the spread coming to the end of back-to-back games. In Memphis, the Spurs will visit. The Memphis Grizzlies trail the San Antonio Spurs by four matches in the Western Conference standings.

Sunday, on ABC at 2:30 PM Eastern, the Lakers face the Magic at Orlando. The Lakers are leading in the Western Conference rankings 5 and a half games as they come in to the weekend, ahead of Dallas. The Lakers are 3-11 against the spread (-9.1 Units) on the road when they are playing a team with a winning record this season. The average score for the Lakers: LA 94.9, OPPONENT 98.1 (Rating = 1*). The Magic are playing very well and they have lost only six times at home this season. Later on ESPN, Boston hosts Washington. The Celtics have not been playing well lately, but they did manage to beat Charlotte by 24 points Wednesday so they could be ready to bounce back. Closing out the night is a match between Portland and Denver. The Blazers have a 4 and a half game lead for the 8th and final playoff slot in the West and recently, they won five of six games. They will have been resting since Wednesday and they have a 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread record when they are playing on 3+ days rest.

Here is a look at the top trends to consider when you wager this weekend:

Friday, 3/5/2010

(807) NEW YORK vs. (808) TORONTO

NEW YORK is 29-13 against the spread (+14.7 Units) revenging 2 straight losses where opp. scored 100 points over last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 105.4, OPPONENT 105.8 – (Rating = 2*)

(809) BOSTON vs. (810) PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA is 0-10 against the spread (-11 Units) at home vs. good passing teams, averaging 23 assists/g over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 95.7, OPPONENT 106.1 – (Rating = 2*)

(813) ORLANDO vs. (814) NEW JERSEY

ORLANDO is 16-3 against the spread (+12.7 Units) when playing against a terrible team (Win Pct. 25%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 106.5, OPPONENT 92.4 – (Rating = 3*)

(813) ORLANDO vs. (814) NEW JERSEY

ORLANDO is 12-1 UNDER (+10.9 Units) on Friday nights this season. The average score was ORLANDO 93.5, OPPONENT 92.4 – (Rating = 3*)

(815) SACRAMENTO vs. (816) DALLAS

DALLAS is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season. The average score was DALLAS 101.5, OPPONENT 98.7 – (Rating = 2*)

Saturday, 3/6/2010

(503) ATLANTA vs. (504) MIAMI

ATLANTA is 27-8 UNDER (+18.2 Units) revenging a loss vs. opponent of 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 91.6, OPPONENT 93.3 – (Rating = 3*)

(505) NEW JERSEY vs. (506) NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY is 3-17 against the spread (-15.7 Units) versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 92.3, OPPONENT 107 – (Rating = 4*)

(513) CLEVELAND vs. (514) MILWAUKEE

MILWAUKEE is 5-16 against the spread (-12.6 Units) revenging a close loss vs. opponent of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 95.3, OPPONENT 102 – (Rating = 1*)

(517) INDIANA vs. (518) PHOENIX

PHOENIX is 16-4 against the spread (+11.6 Units) vs. poor teams outscored by 3+ PPG in 2nd half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 121.9, OPPONENT 106.7 – (Rating = 2*)

Sunday, 3/7/2010

(803) LA LAKERS vs. (804) ORLANDO

LA LAKERS are 23-8 UNDER (+14.2 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA LAKERS 103.1, OPPONENT 93.1 – (Rating = 2*)

(807) WASHINGTON vs. (808) BOSTON

BOSTON is 4-15 against the spread (-12.5 Units) versus poor teams – outscored by their opponents by 3+ PPG this season. The average score was BOSTON 99.7, OPPONENT 95.1 – (Rating = 2*)

(807) WASHINGTON vs. (808) BOSTON

WASHINGTON is 10-0 UNDER (+10 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%) this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 93.8, OPPONENT 96.6 – (Rating = 4*)

(811) PORTLAND vs. (812) DENVER

DENVER is 23-11 against the spread (+10.9 Units) revenging a same season loss vs. opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 107.6, OPPONENT 98.7 – (Rating = 1*)

By Joe Pienso | Posted in basketball, news, online wagering, sports, sportsbook, tips | Comments (0)