NCAAB TOP 10 BATTLE: INDIANA VS. MICHIGAN

by DAVID THE MAVEN CHICOTSKY

#2 Ranked Indiana (25-5, 8-2 away) takes on the #7 Michigan (25-5, 20-0 home) in one of the most electric games of the year. This is a revenge game for the Wolverines as they were beat by the Hoosiers 81-73 on Feb. 2^nd. Over the past 4 years, the teams are 4-4 straight up in their matchup.

Betting Information

Indiana is 15-13 against the spread and 13-13 against the total. Michigan is 13-14-1 ATS and 17-11 Over on the year.

Michigan has been dreadful for sportsbettors as of late, going 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games.

In the last 8 meetings between these teams, the home team is 6-2 ATS. In their last 19 meetings, Indiana is 14-5 ATS.

This game has serious implications as Indiana is in first place in the Big 10, while Michigan sits one peg below them in second place.

Recent Games

Indiana lost to #14 Ohio State at home last game, 67-58, despite going 6-15 from the 3-point line. They were lead in scoring by their stud forward Cody Zeller who had 17 points on 5-9 shooting. Michigan is coming off back to back wins against #9 Michigan State and Purdue. Keep an eye on Michigan sophomore guard Trey Burke who leads the team in scoring with 19 points per game.

Sources: Bleacher Report, Covers

WILL DURANT BE EATING CARMELOS THURSDAY NIGHT?

by HOLLY RAMELLA

What’s Happening?

The electric Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the surprising New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Thursday night. Both teams lead their conference, the Knicks are first in the Atlantic conference while the Thunder are first in the Northwest conference. Each holds key players that provide them with victories every week. Kevin Durant is the star of the Thunder and rightfully so. He average 28.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. Carmelo Anthony is the leader of the Knicks, averaging 28.2 points; Amare Stoudemire may be of help if he actually plays. ESPN sources state that he will not start against the Detroit Pistons tonight, the poor thing needs a rest.

Weaknesses

No team is perfect. Neither the Thunder nor the Knicks are exceptions to this ruling. Offensive rebounding and turnovers are a problem for the Thunder, most likely the reason the Spurs are ahead of them. Turnovers are not a problem for the Knicks, but scoring baskets are. They are tenth in the league for points scored per game. If they ever want to beat the Heat, which will most likely be the team to beat in the playoffs, they’re going to learn how to score or trade for a player who can.

Advantages

With an impressive straight up record of 44-16, the Thunder hold the statistical advantage over the Knicks with a straight up record of 36-21. The Knicks take on the Detroit Pistons tonight, leaving the Thunder for a day of rest. Both teams are young but experienced setting the game up to be fast-paced. Home court advantage is big for the Knicks – especially since they are 21-9 at home. Other than that, the Thunder have the upper hand in overall talent.

Who We Want:

The Oklahoma City Thunder are an easily likeable team. SF Kevin Durant does not start drama and is idolized by most for his outstanding talent. SF Carmelo Anthony on the other hand has players trash talking his mother. He’s portrayed as an arrogant thug who needs his friends to fight his battles with PF Kevin Garnett. Skill wise it is clear that Durant is the better small forward and also the more likeable. Being a newer team compared to the Knicks who have been around forever, they are the talented underdog of the NBA.

Betting Information:

The Thunder are 37-23 against the spread with an average line of -7.2. They are 33-27 over, that’s where the high scoring comes in play, with an average total of 202.6. Against the spread the Knicks are 29-27-1 with an average line of -4.1. They are 28-27-2 under with an average total of 195.4. The Knicks are coming off a mere one game winning streak while the Thunder are coming off a two game win streak against the two L.A teams. It will be a high scoring game, but Durant will end the night with a big bowl of Carmelo’s.

GEORGETOWN LOOKING FOR 12 WINS IN A ROW AS THEY TRAVEL TO VILLANOVA

by JEFF ALLEN SPORTS

Winners of 11 in a row, No. 5 Georgetown heads to Villanova as slight underdogs Wednesday night.

Line: Villanova -1, Total: 122 (Line Movement)

While the Hoyas have been one of the hottest teams in college basketball lately with 11 straight wins, the Wildcats have struggled in their past couple. With an overtime loss to Pittsburgh Sunday, Villanova has now lost two in a row. But the ‘Cats have won five of their past six home games. These two teams met once last season, and the Hoyas cruised at home en route to a 67-46 win, holding ‘Nova to 14-of-50 (28%) shooting. Georgetown is 9-1-1 ATS during its 11-game winning streak, including 4-0 ATS as underdogs. Overall, the Hoyas are 6-1 ATS on the road. Although the Wildcats have also been a tremendous bet this year (18-9 ATS overall and 11-6 ATS in the Big East), Georgetown has also owned the series between the two teams, going 3-0 SU and ATS in the last three meetings.

Injury Report

Containing Georgetown begins with addressing PF Otto Porter (16.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG) who has quickly emerged into a National Player of the Year candidate with his hot play. He’s averaging 27.7 PPG (58% FG), 7.0 RPG and 3.3 SPG in his past three games, playing all but one minute of those three games, even though one of them went into double overtime. Despite his 6-foot-8 frame, he’s a deft shooter (47% threes) and that has only improved over his hot spell where he’s hit 9-of-16 from beyond the arc. Last year, Porter made just his second career start against Villanova and scored a team-high 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, also adding six boards. G Markel Starks (12.2 PPG, 2.9 APG) paces the backcourt as the team’s only double-digit scorer with Greg Whittington (12.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG) still out, though they haven’t missed him much, as their entire hot streak has been without him.

Unlike the Hoyas, Villanova doesn’t have one dominating scorer. But sophomore PF JayVaughn Pinkston (12.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG) has consistently been there, scoring double-digits in eight consecutive games. He’s joined down low by C Mouphtaou Yarou (9.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG) who has a big 6-foot-10 frame and will be key to helping guard Porter across the court. Freshman PG Ryan Arcidiacono (12.2 PPG, 3.4 APG) paces the backcourt and is averaging 17.8 PPG over the team’s past five contests. He hit 5-of-8 threes in the team’s double OT loss to Pittsburgh and is making 2.2 threes per game this season. Lengthy 6-foot-6 SG Darrun Hilliard (11.4 PPG) joins him in the backcourt, though Hilliard has struggled in the team’s two recent losses with 8.5 PPG on 3-of-17 shooting.

Source: Statfox

WOUNDED WINNERS: BULLS VS. SPURS

by DAVID THE MAVEN CHICOTSKY

The Bulls have done a commendable job of keeping themselves in the playoff picture despite losing their team leader Derrick Rose for the year to an ACL injury. The Spurs are all of a sudden now in a similar boat, with their leader Tony Parker out with a severely sprained ankle. The Spurs will need to band together and do what they can to score against a Bulls defense that is ranked 3^rd in the league.

The Bulls have revenge, as they lost to the Spurs 103-89 in a Chicago game where the Bulls were favored by 2 points.

ATS Info

The Bulls have shined without their star, going 34-25 straight up and 34-25 Under– but similar to other big market teams, have left bettors holding the bag (they’re 25-32-2 ATS on the year). On the road the Bulls haven’t been too shabby, going 17-11 straight up and 16-10 ATS (15-13 Over).

The Spurs are a league leading 47-14 straight up, 33-26-2 ATS and 32-29 Under on the year. At home they’ve been almost unbeatable, going an incredible 24-3 straight up, alongside 15-11-1 ATS and 17-10 Under records.

Source: Bleacher Report

REVENGE ALERT: ARKANSAS (18-11) VS. MISSOURI (21-8)

by JEFF ALLEN SPORTS

After the Razorbacks eked out a two-point win against Missouri last month, the Tigers will look to get their revenge in their final home game of the season.

Line: Missouri -9.5, Total: 152 (Track Line Changes for the Game)

Missouri is the second-best rebounding team in the nation (41.3 RPG) and outrebounded Arkansas 47-31 when the teams first met on Feb. 16, but the Razorbacks scored the final four points of the game, in the contest’s last 19 seconds, to squeak out the 73-71 win, giving Mike Anderson his first win over the school he once coached. Since then, Arkansas has gone 2-2 both SU and ATS, most recently cruising past Kentucky for a 13-point win on Saturday. The Tigers have gone 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) since that game, falling at Kentucky, but putting up 89.5 PPG in two straight wins over South Carolina and LSU. The Razorbacks are 5-3 ATS as underdogs this season, including 3-0 ATS as double-digit underdogs. Given the way they were able to play Missouri last time, they certainly have the ability to make this a close game. But the Tigers are a perfect 16-0 SU and 12-3 ATS since the start of last season after back-to-back, double-digit wins.

PF Marshawn Powell led Arkansas in the first meeting between the two teams, scoring 24 points (8-of-19 FG) without recording a turnover. Powell (14.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG) is a threat to score anywhere on the court and is averaging 16.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG in his past two contests. PG BJ Young (15.2 PPG, 3.5 APG) leads the Razorbacks in scoring and is the only other double-digit scorer on the team. Young also had a big game against the Tigers last month, dropping 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting while adding five assists, five rebounds, but also five turnovers. But since that meeting, Young has struggled shooting the ball with just 7.0 PPG on 11-of- 42 FG (26%) and 0-for-10 threes. In the two road games during this slump, he’s gone 2-for-19 from the floor and 0-for-8 from downtown. Junior SF Coty Clarke (7.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG) was the only other Arkansas player to score more than five points against Missouri, tallying 13 points (4-of-6 FG), seven rebounds and two steals. Clark also had a monster game in Saturday’s win over Kentucky with 14 points (4-of-5 FG, 6-of-7 FT), 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

SG Keion Bell (11.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG) had a career game against Arkansas, leading the Tigers with 25 points on a near-perfect 9-of-11 shooting and 7-of-8 from the line. He also added eight boards in the loss before fouling out. But he was the only starter to reach double figures in the contest for head coach Frank Haith, a surprise given the team has a whopping six players who average double-digit points. PF Laurence Bowers (14.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG) leads that effort and is coming off a big double-double, recording 23 points and 10 rebounds against LSU. He was dreadful in the first meeting against the Razorbacks though, going 1-for-10 from the field for just two points. The starting backcourt of PG Phil Pressey (12.1 PPG, 7.1 APG) and SG Jabari Brown (14.0 PPG) were just as bad in the loss, going a combined 4-for-19 from the field (1-of-9 threes). PF Alex Oriakhi (11.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG) scored seven points, but added 11 boards in the game. Oriakhi has found his scoring touch lately, with 17.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG and 2.0 BPG in his past three games. He also has two double-doubles in that span. Reserve G Earnest Ross (10.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG) was a rare bright spot against Arkansas, going for 16 points (7-of-12 FG) and nine boards, and he could be the necessary spark plug in this matchup too.

Source: Statfox

NO HUGS ALLOWED: CINCINNATI VS. #10 LOUISVILLE

by LUCAS COMBS

When: Monday, March 4^th at 4PM PT

Where: KFC! Yum Center, Louisville, Kentucky

Line: -10 Louisville

Line Movement

The Match-Up

The Louisville Cardinals host the Cincinnati Bearcats Monday at the KFC! Yum Center (as if the fat, white people down south need more fast food). The game has different implications for each team. Louisville needs a win to stay in the hunt for a Big East title, while Cincinnati could use a big Top 10 road victory to boost their NCAA Tournament resume.

The Cardinals are led by Junior Russ Smith (18.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Senior Peyton Siva (9.8 ppg, 6 apg). Smith had 18 points and 5 assists in Louisville’s big road victory at #12 Syracuse on Saturday. The Cincinnati Bearcats are led by Sean Kilpatrick (17.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg). Kilpatrick had 20 points and 5 rebounds in Saturday’s home win versus UConn.

Betting Information

Against the spread, Louisville is 15-13-1 ATS (7-7-1 ATS at home) and Cincinnati is 10-15 ATS (5-4 ATS on the road). The Cardinals are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games. The Bearcats, on the other hand, are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games (1-6 ATS in their last 7).

Concerning the total, Louisville is 13-10 Under overall (5-4 Over at home) and Cincinnati is a compelling 18-4 Under (7-2 Under on the road).

The total has gone Under in the last 5 match-ups between Cincinnati and Louisville.

Hugs

Russ Smith may have been instrumental in Louisville’s win over #12 Syracuse on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean Russ Smith was perfect.

“Wake the fuck up,” Pitino yelled at Smith on defense during the game versus the Orangemen. Apparently, Smith forgot to do a line before the game.

Pitino yelling at Smith is nothing new. Smith and Pitino have a relationship that is anything but conventional. Smith often uses hugs to quell Pitino’s yelling and meticulous nature, even when hugs aren’t welcomed.

Ain’t that just sweet? I wonder if Smith gave Pitino a hug after Rick paid women to get abortions.

Injury Report

Source: Wall Street Journal

REVENGE AND CHAMPIONSHIPS: #5 MIAMI-FL VS. #3DUKE

by LUCAS COMBS

When: Saturday, March 2^nd at 3PM PT

Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina

Line: -6.5 Duke

Total: 135.5

Line Movement

The Match-Up

Saturday, the Duke Blue Devils will be looking to devour that cold dish we like to call revenge, while the Miami Hurricanes will be looking to secure an outright ACC title in the rowdy confines of Cameron Indoor. Duke was defeated Thursday by the Virginia Cavaliers, 73-68. Seth Curry had 28 points in the loss. Miami got a bounce back win versus Virginia Tech Wednesday, 80-65. The win came after a disappointing loss to Wake Forest last Saturday. Miami’s Shane Larkin had 22 points and 6 assists in the win over the Hokies.

The Blue Devils will look to do some bouncing back of their own; not only from the Virginia loss suffered on Thursday, but a January 23^rd drubbing in Miami at the hands of the Hurricanes, 63-90.

Betting Information

Against the spread, the Miami Hurricanes are 15-7-2 ATS (5-4-2 ATS on the road). The Hurricanes are 0-3-2 ATS in their last 5 games this season.

Duke, meanwhile, is 15-13 ATS overall (7-7 ATS at home). The Blue Devils are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and 1-6-2 ATS in the last 9 games versus the Hurricanes.

Concerning the total, Miami is 14-7-1 Under overall (7-4 Under on the road). The total, however, has gone Over in 4 of the last 5 games on the road for Miami and Over in 6 of the last 7 games on the road versus the Duke Blue Devils.

Duke is 15-12 Over overall (7-6 Under at home). The total has gone Over in 9 of the last 13 games and Over in 4 of the last 5 home games for the Blue Devils.

Blue Baby Whine

Is little Coach K a poor sport? Affirmative.

After suffering the loss to Virginia on Thursday, Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski was ‘irate’ about the Cavalier fans storming the court,

“Look, do you know how close you are to. … Just put yourself in the position of one of our players or coaches. I’m not saying any fan did this, but the potential is there all the time for a fan to just go up to you and say, ‘Coach you’re a [expletive],’ or push you or hit you. And what do you do? What if you did something? That would be the story. We deserve that type of protection.”

You do deserve that type of protection Mike? This coming from the Coach of a school who has the most blatantly disrespectful basketball student section in the country. Remember when your students shouted “How’s your Grandma” at NC State’s Tyler Lewis Grandmother died? Where was your petulant vernacular then? Speak up Mike, I can’t hear you. Oh, it’s about student safety, not about the fact that you are a sore loser. How about this Coach K, since you are feeling all entitled – You name me 10 instances when an athlete got seriously hurt from fans rushing the court (Heck, name me 5) and then I’ll stop calling you a sore loser and a whiny, entitled baby, okay?

What was that Coach K?

Injury Report

Source: LA Times, Sports Illustrated