College Basketball Early Season Barn Burners

College basketball is officially back! As with every CBB season, the first couple weeks feature some of the biggest match ups we will see until March. Right off the bat we get to see perennial powerhouses Kentucky and Duke go head to head. Immediately following that Michigan State and Kansas will play on the same court. There’s a full slate of games to put some action on. Here’s the lines we like the most:


#2 Kentucky vs #5 Duke
Pick: Duke +2.5

Georgetown @ #3 Maryland
Pick: Maryland -7.5

#4 Kansas vs #13 Michigan State
Pick: Michigan State +6

#8 Oklahoma @ Memphis
Pick: Oklahoma -4.5

Nebraska @ #11 Villanova
Pick: Villanova -17

Wisconsin-Milwaukee @ #18 Notre Dame
Pick: Notre Dame -13

Stephen F. Austin @ Northern Iowa
Pick: Stephen F. Austin +3

Valparaiso @ Rhode Island
Pick: Valparaiso +1

North Dakota @ Wisconsin
Pick: North Dakota +24.5

Final Four Futures & Bets to make before the weekend

2015 Final Four: Bets to make before the weekend.

Saturday sits 2 days away.  Before you start making bets on the games let’s take a look at some futures and some props for this upcoming weekend.  I picked what I think are the best lines for making some money.  Of course the odds are that Kentucky rolls through and wins it all.  That outcome won’t give you much return on a bet though.  So here are some highly possible alternatives to the common narrative. 

Exact Finals Matchup 

Wisconsin vs Duke 

The more time I think about it, the more confident I am that Wisconsin is destined to erase the zero in Kentucky’s loss column.  This Badgers team lost in a heartbreaking manner last year in the final four to Kentucky.  The teams core group of players stayed at school another year with one mission: Win the championship they felt they deserved.  A championship for Wisconsin wouldn’t feel right if they didn’t have to go through Kentucky to get there.  Saturday night’s game has been a year in the making for the Badgers.  This veteran loaded squad, with memories of a year ago fresh in their minds, will be the ones to take down Kentucky.  This line offers a big payout for the better looking to take a risk but not get too crazy.  Duke wins over the Spartans and the cinderella run comes to an end for Tom Izzo’s team.

Line: +300

Wisconsin vs Michigan State

If you feel like going big or going home look no further.  An all B1G final?  Could it actually happen?  Well, for Michigan State it’s probably the only shot they have at winning this thing.  As for the chances of these 2 B1G teams defeating the 2 most storied and successful college basketball programs in the country on the same day.. well it’s lofty I’ll just say that.  But with a line like this it’s hard to ignore.  If you’re feeling lucky you might as well put it to the test.

Line: +700

Odds to Win Tournament MOP

Karl Anthony Towns (Kentucky)

The most talked about player on the most talked about team.  This is either a sure thing or just low hanging fruit tempting you with seemingly free money.  If you think Kentucky is going to win it all then I this is who you should be putting your money on.  Also a line to throw something on just so you don’t miss out if Kentucky dominates all the way through.

Line: 3/1

Jahlil Okafor & Justice Winslow (Duke)

I threw these two together because their odds are the same and it could really go either way.  Personally, if Duke wins I think it will be largely credited to Winslow stepping up huge in the tournament.  He’s opened a door for himself over the past 2 games to make a case for MOP.  The attention is on after he averaged 18.5 pts/gm over Duke’s last 2 games.  The case for Okafor is easy to make though.  If they get through Michigan State it will most likely come as a result of Okafor shutting down Michigan State’s X-factor Branden Dawson.  Both teams they could face in the finals would be great tests for Okafor.

Line: 5/1 

Sam Dekker (Wisconsin)

All season long Frank Kaminsky and Wisconsin have been synonymous with each other in the media.  Kaminsky’s player of the year quality campaign stole most of the spot light from his Badger teammates.  Dekker has emerged as a lethal scorer in this tournament.  Just ask Arizona.  Dekker put up a career high 27 points against Arizona and went 5/5 from 3 in the 2nd half.  He’s clutch and he’s confident.  If Wisconsin wins this don’t be surprised if this guy gets MOP.

Line: 8/1

Travis Trice (Michigan State)

The senior guard on the Spartans has been nothing short of incredible through 4 games in the tournament.  Averaging just under 20 points a game and shooting lights out from behind the arc, particularly late in games.  If you think Michigan State is going to win it all then you know the only way that happens is if Trice continues to play out of his mind.  

Line: 10/1

College Basketball & NHL Sunday!

NCAAM & NHL Sunday - Stranded by American Airlines

While I sit stranded at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix I figured I might as well get back on the horse and make some picks.  My American Airlines flight was canceled because apparently they wait until shit starts literally falling apart before they make repairs.  Think twice before you book with AA that's all I have to say about that.  They didn't show even the slightest hint of remorse for leaving me stranded in an airport for 7 and a half hours and forcing me to arrive at my destination 7 hours later than expected.  Thanks guys.  But let's do some picks...

Michigan State +7.5 vs Wisconsin

It's March 15th and as always the Michigan State Spartans are playing their best basketball of the year.  Tom Izzo's team completed a comeback for the ages against an 8th ranked Maryland team yesterday afternoon to move on to the Big10 championship.  Today they meet a familiar foe from Wisconsin.  It's no secret the Badgers are one of the nation's best teams this year with one of the nation's best players (Kaminsky).  A month ago I wouldn't have given Sparty a chance against the Badgers;  but that was a month ago and now its March.  Tom Izzo has built a reputation over his career as being the guy in March.  How good is Izzo when it comes to this time of year?  His record in elimination games in the month of March is 70-28.  SEVENTY AND TWENTY-EIGHT. I'm not a mathematician but that's absolutely fucking insane.  Wisconsin is one of the nations best and one of the toughest teams to defend.  I expect this game to be a battle with Wisconsin slipping away with a narrow victory while the Spartans cover.  

UCONN +3.5 vs SMU

I have to roll with the defending national champions in a title game.  Both teams have had great games this year as well as games were you wonder what the hell is going on.  I expect the winning culture at UCONN and the recent history of winning National Championships (2011 & 2014) to be the difference maker here.  

NHL PICKS

Florida +1.5 (-155) @ NY Rangers

The Rangers have been the hottest team in the NHL the past couple months.  They're right there at the top now and have been rolling.  Florida, surprisingly, is battling for a playoff spot now.  They have been winning against some good hockey teams and when they lose they rarely lose by more than 1.  The last part is what makes me like the spread today.  The Panthers really don't lose by more than 1 very often.

Boston @ Washington (-140)

Ovi and the Caps have been a force to be reckon with the second half of the season.  Boston comes into town looking to gain more ground in their pursuit of the Wings in the playoff race.  This should be a close game but the Caps at home is tough to bet against.

Wednesday NHL and College Basketball Picks!

NHL with a side of College Ball

Ottawa (+155) @ Winnipeg

The Sens have outscored opponents 14-6 over their last 5 games.  They’re making teams work to get scoring chances and are finding success putting the puck in the net on the other end.  After the Evander Kane trade Winnipeg has been playing much better.  This should be a good game but I like the Sens here.  The Jets don’t create a lot of offense compared to some of the teams the Senators have been able to shut down lately.

NY Rangers @ Detroit (-130)

This game features two teams that could very easily cross paths in the playoffs this year.  On top of that, both teams have made some significant additions over the past week via trades.  Lastly, both teams are coming off wins against Nashville.  Detroit is always tough to beat at home, especially when they’re playing as well as they have been.  This should be a great game for any hockey fan to watch.  Detroit rolls at home.

Pittsburgh -1.5 (+175) @ Colorado

If you ask me, the Penguins look more like a contender every game they play.  They have won 4 straight and haven’t shown any signs of slowing down.  With Patrick Roy behind the bench for the Avs it’s safe to say that he will pull the goalie with 7 minutes left in the game if they're down at all.  He’s been a bit too aggressive this year when it comes to yanking the goalie and it has cost them more than it’s benefited them.  An empty net just means Cros or Malkin will bury another one.

Montreal @ Anaheim (-115)

Montreal got blown out by San Jose last game.  Tonight they continue their West Coast road trip by taking on the Ducks in the Honda Center.  The Ducks have own 4 of 5 and have been putting the haters to rest by blowing teams out.  I expect more of the same from them tonight.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PICKS

Ohio State -5.5 (-115) @ Penn State

Penn State has been getting absolutely crushed lately.  They’ve been losing to everyone and losing by a lot.  Ohio State slipped up and dropped 2 road games at Michigan State and Michigan but have won 2 straight since.  They are fighting to increase their NCAA Tournament seeding while Penn State is just..losing.

Notre Dame @ Louisville -4

Notre Dame is coming off a 5 point home loss to Syracuse.  Louisville is not a fun place to be a visiting team in.  The Cards are solid per usual and still have a great coach.  Notre Dame has been up and down all year.  I don’t think they’re up to the task of facing a top notch program on the road just before the tournament.  

Wake Forest @ Duke -17.5

Usually I stay away from a line like this but Wake Forest is BAD.  They’re terrible.  Duke could win it all this year.  This is going to be a blood bath.

Nebraska +8 @ Illinois

Both of these teams are extremely hot and cold.  They both have some horrible losses and some great wins this year.  I think it will be a close game and the Huskers will cover.