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

March Madness Round 1

First Round Bracket Boner Picks – Day 2

#3 Duke (-12.5)  vs #14 Mercer (L)

Day 1 of the tourney was not short on storylines.  There was upsets, there was overtimes, and there was Adrian Payne dropping 41 on Delaware.  Today is another day that will not disappoint when it comes to action.  Duke begins tournament play today when they take on Mercer.  Typically I would stay away from a line this big but its Duke taking on Mercer.  Mercer became one of the automatic bid teams after defeating Florida Gulf Coast in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.  Duke will be the best team Mercer has been on the court with this entire season and Jabari Parker will be the best player Mercer has been on the court with this entire season.  I don’t see any reason Duke doesn’t dismantle Mercer.

Sugar’s Pick: Duke -12.5

#3 Iowa State(-8.5)  vs #14 North Carolina Central (WINNER!)

Personally, I think this is a lock.  Iowa State plays in the Big 12.  North Carolina Central plays in the MEAC.  I’ve never lied to my readers and I don’t plan on starting now.  Before researching NCC this evening I had never heard of the MEAC or any of the teams in it.  I would argue that unless you are from desolate parts of the Southern East Coast or select parts of the North East, then neither have you. I think Iowa State can play with any team in the country.  They are 4-0 in their last 4 and every team they played is in the tournament.  Carolina Central hasn’t been on the court with a tournament team since December 22^nd when they lost to Wichita.  Every game since has been against teams you and I have never heard of (or want to hear of).  Last weekend Iowa State beat Kansas by 11.  North Carolina Central is going to get blown-the-fuck-out.

Sugar’s Pick: Iowa State -8.5

#2 Kansas (-14)  vs #15 Eastern Kentucky (L)

Embiid might be out right now but there is no way in hell Eastern Fuckin Kentucky has a close game with Kansas.  What is in Eastern Kentucky? (Besides white guys with no teeth, wearing overalls with no shirts on).  Eastern Kentucky plays in the Ohio Valley Conference.  The OVC is very similar to the MEAC; a little shit show conference I recently discovered. (see previous pick).  The difference is: I’ve actually heard of the Ohio Valley Conference before.  Let’s just say, I have more respect for the talent level in my 86 year old grandmothers Senior Shuffle Board League.  East Kentucky got lit up by NC State and Wisconsin early on this year and since then haven’t played another tournament team.  Tonight they take on Kansas.  Wiggins has been goin’ off lately and this is his tournament debut.  Look for Kansas to roll through Colonels with ease.

Sugar’s Pick: Kansas -14

#8 Gonzaga vs #9 Oklahoma State (-3.5) (L)

The Cowboys are in my Final Four.  I don’t expect them to blow out the Zags but I do expect Marcus Smart and his team to win this game by more than 4.  The white boys from Spokane are going to have an early exit courtesy of Oklahoma State. 

Sugar’s Pick: Oklahoma State -3.5

LAST MINUTE PICK!

Sugar’s “My Maple Syrup Tastes Like Jack Daniels; Part 2” Pick

#1 Syracuse (+6.5) @ #5 Duke (WINNER!)

Two teams you could very easily see in the Final Four next month, meet tonight for the second time this season.  Both teams are coming off tough losses.  Duke had it handed to them by their rival, UNC; While Syracuse, in their first loss of the season, was defeated by Boston College (7-20, 3-11) in overtime.  Did Boston College expose some previously unseen weakness in the Orange? No. Absolutely not.  Most likely the Syracuse basketball team was up partying the night before the game screaming “TURN DOWN FOR WHAT” and other stupid things college kids say these days.  When you’re 25-0 a game against Boston College (6-20 at the time) isn’t something that will “get you hard” as our fellow writer Bobcat likes to put it.  Duke is a different animal though.  The Blue Devils are one of the teams you put a big circle around on your calendar at the start of the season.  Every team that travels to Durham knows they’re in for a battle.  You can bet yer britches Coach Boehiem has his team ready to fuckin roll.  The season is quickly winding down and March Madness is right around the corner. Tonight’s game is a big test that will show just how ready (or not ready) each of these teams is for the tournament.  Look for Cuse to roll tonight but if the Blue Devils win don’t expect it to be by much.

Sugar’s Pick: Syracuse +6.5

Thursday's Barely Legal Mormon Pickz

General disclaimer: Coming off our first sub .500 night since we started keeping track of our picks, many people would give it up and go back to their real jobs. Well, I'm not most people, and I don't have a job. So just like riding a horse or shooting heroin you have to get right back on.

Duke (-1.5) at North Carolina (L)
The game we originally picked last week, but was postponed due to inclement weather. Not much has changed from a week ago; Carolina still has flashes of being an elite team, Duke struggles to remain consistent, and Jabari Parker is still Mormon. This game will be decided by the shooting prowess of Parker and Rodney Hood. Carolina has talent in Marcus Paige and James Mcadoo, but they lack depth behind those two. Expect a close game throughout with Duke pulling away late in the second half.

Gonzaga (+3) at BYU (L)
This pick is purely for revenge against the state of Utah. Last night we picked them to cover against Arizona, and it should have happened until some guard (I'm not even gonna bother to look up his name) missed 4 free throws in the last two minutes of OT. Destroying our hopes and shitting on our gambling dreams. Well tonight my alma mater Gonzaga will get us our well deserved vengeance. Like the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served Mormon. GU can lock up the conference title with a win tonight against the second place cougars, and senior forward Sam Dower should help the bulldogs do just that. Look for a sloppy game that Gonzaga never loses control of, and no fewer that 8 white players on the court at all times.

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Back to the Streak!

Streak for the Cash Winners!

If you thought we were done streaking for the cash because of a few failed picks, you are spelunking in the wrong cave my friend! We are back, and reloaded like a Marvin Harrison hand gun!

Women's Hockey - Bronze Medal Game: Who will WIN the BRONZE MEDAL? (L)

Choice 1: Switzerland

Choice 2: Sweden
Pick: Sweden

UEFA Europa League - Rd of 32 (1st Leg): What will be the match result? (L)

Choice 1: Tottenham Hotspur Win

Choice 2: Dnipro Win or Draw
Pick: Tottenham

NCB: Who will WIN this matchup? (WINNER!)

Choice 1: Michigan St.

Choice 2: @ Purdue
Pick: Michigan State

NCB (#5 Duke @ North Carolina): Which PLAYER will SCORE 6+ POINTS FIRST in the 1st Half?  (W)

Choice 1: Jabari Parker

Choice 2: Marcus Paige
Pick:  Jabari Parker

NCB (#5 Duke @ North Carolina): Which TEAM will be FIRST to SCORE 10 POINTS in the 2nd Half? (L)

Choice 1: Duke

Choice 2: North Carolina
Pick: Duke

NCB: Who will WIN this matchup? (L)

Choice 1: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Choice 2: BYU Mormons Cougars
Pick: Gonzaga

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