NCAA Men’s Basketball Conference Review – March 9, 2010
March 9, 2010 by D.J. Schwab
Filed under NCAA Basketball
The regular season is in the books, a few teams have already punched their ticket to the Dance, the mid major conferences tournaments are just about complete, and the major conference tournaments get underway this week. All this can only mean one thing; the madness of March is in full swing as NCAA Tournament seeds are up for grabs over the next six days culminating with the field of 65 being unveiled this Sunday, March 14th at 6:00 P.M. The following is a brief look at which teams from each conference should make it in.
The ACC should place seven teams in the NCAA’s. #4 Duke (26-5) finished the regular season tied with #19 Maryland (23-7) at 13-3 in the ACC and still has a good shot at a #1 seed with a strong showing in the conference tournament. The other five teams that should be in are Florida State (22-8, 10-6), Virginia Tech (23-7, 10-6), Wake Forest (19-9, 9-7), Clemson (21-9, 9-7), and Georgia Tech (19-11, 7-9).
Wright State vs Butler | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 9, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Free Pick, March 9, 2010
Wright State Raiders (20-11) vs. #12 Butler Bulldogs (27-4)
The No. 12 Butler Bulldogs will be seeking their fifth tournament title when they host the Wright State Raiders this evening in the Horizon League Tournament Championship Game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks
The last time these two teams met in the championship game was back in 2007.The Raiders beat the Bulldogs by a narrow five-point margin to claim the title. The Bulldogs own a 22-15 edge in the all-time series that includes two victories during the regular season.
NBA Western Conference Power Rankings March 5, 2010
March 8, 2010 by D.J. Schwab
Filed under NBA
As we enter the final month and a half of the NBA’s regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are 46-16 and still have a firm grip on the Western Conference with a five game lead over the Dallas Mavericks for the number one spot as well as an eight game lead over Phoenix (39-25) in the Pacific division. Denver at 40-21 still has a battle on their hands in the Northwest division as Utah (39-22) is only one game back and Oklahoma City (36-24) is 3 ½ games back. In the Southwest division, the Mavericks (41-21) have won nine straight to create some separation from San Antonio (34-24) who is five games back. There are nine teams in the conference that have a winning record with Portland currently in the eighth spot at 37-27. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers (46-16) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 7/5
Against the Sixers last Friday night, Pau Gasol scored 23 points and had 11 rebounds in the 99-90 win. In a huge conference showdown against the Nuggets, Lamar Odom scored a team high 20 points off the bench in a 95-89 win. In their next game they outscored the Pacers 38-17 in the third quarter on their way to a 122-99 rout. Last night they were stunned by the Heat 111-114 in overtime despite Kobe Bryant scoring a game high 39 points. Through 62 games Bryant leads in points per game with 27.6 and assists with 4.8. Gasol is the leading rebounder with 11.1. Next up for the Lakers are the Bobcats tonight and the Magic on Sunday on the road and then back home to play the Raptors on Tuesday, March 9th.
Dallas Mavericks (41-21) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 8/1
NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings March 5, 2010
March 8, 2010 by D.J. Schwab
Filed under NBA
Cleveland Cavaliers are on a five game winning streak and control the East with a six game lead in the conference over the Orlando Magic. They are 48-14 and have a 16 game lead over Chicago (31-29) in the Central division. The Magic are 42-20 and have a two game lead over Atlanta (39-21) in the Southeast division. In the Atlantic division, Boston (38-21) has opened up a seven game lead over Toronto (31-25) by going 6-4 in their last 10 games while the Raptors have lost four in row. There are only seven teams in the East with a winning record and right now at 30-31 the Miami Heat holds the eighth spot in the conference. Here is a brief look at my power rankings for the top three teams in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland Cavaliers (48-14) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 8/5
In a 126- 118 overtime win over the Raptors last Friday, Lebron James scored a team high 36 points and Antawn Jamison added 22 points and 11 rebounds. Against the Knicks, Jamison had another double –double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. They extended their winning streak to five games with a 111-92 win over the Nets. Through 62 games James leads in points per game with 29.8 and assists with 8.6 and Jamison is averaging eight rebounds per game. Next up for the Cavaliers are the Pistons tonight at home, the Bucks on Sunday on the road, and then back home to face the Spurs on Monday, March 8th.
Orlando Magic (42-20) Current Odds to Win the NBA Championship: 6/1
Penn State vs Michigan State | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 4, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
Thursday, March 4, 2009 – Free NCAA Pick
Penn State Nittany Lions (11-17) v #11 Michigan State Spartans (22-7)
The Penn State Nittany Lions will travel to the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan on Thursday night as they try and spoil the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans hopes of earning a share of the Big Ten title with Ohio State.
Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks
The Spartans will want to stay ahead of Boilermakers with a win, as the two teams are locked in a battle for the second seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
USC vs Arizona State | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 4, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
Free College Pick – Thursday, March 4, 2010
USC Trojans (16-12) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (20-9)
The Arizona State Sun Devils are still in the hunt for a PAC 10 title as they host division rivals the USC Trojans on Thursday night at Wells-Fargo Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks
The Trojans lead the head-to-head series with ASU, 49-32, including a 47-37 decision in the first meeting of the season back on Jan 2 at the Galen Center.
Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 3, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
NCAA Free Pick – Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Oklahoma State Cowboys (20-8) vs. #23 Texas A&M Aggies (20-8)
The No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies will tip off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a Big 12 bash on Wednesday at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas.
The Cowboys beat the Aggies 79-69 in the first meeting of the season on January 27th, and holds a 30-13 all-time series advantage over A&M.
The Aggies recorded their 14th win in 15 home games with a 74-58 win over Texas on Saturday, knocking the struggling Longhorns from the rankings. Leading scorer Donald Sloan (18.1 ppg) netted 19 points and four assists, while David Loubeau posted 15 points and seven rebounds in the win. The Aggies held Texas to just 36.8 percent shooting, while going 7-of-12 from three-point range. They also controlled the boards, 40-29, and scored 23 points off 13 Texas turnovers. A&M will likely be without B.J. Holmes, who left Saturday’s game with a sprained right foot. The Aggies, have held three of their last four opponents to fewer than 60 points, but have scored just 63.5 themselves.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Conference Review – March 2, 2010
March 2, 2010 by D.J. Schwab
Filed under NCAA Basketball
As we enter the final week of regular season, NCAA Men’s basketball action is at a fever pace and every game counts as we are in the thick of the stretch run towards March Madness. The best teams from every major conference are fighting for a top seed come tournament time and the rest of the nation’s Division 1 teams are battling it out for an invitation to the dance. The following is a brief review of the top two or three teams in each of the major conferences along with a few teams to watch from the Mid Majors.
With a win over #23 Maryland on Wednesday night, #4 Duke can wrap another ACC title. The Blue Devils are 25-4 overall and 12-2 in the conference while the Terrapins are 21-7 and 11-3. Clemson should get an at-large bid to the NCAA’s and Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Virginia Tech are all on the bubble for one.
Vanderbilt vs Florida | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 2, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
Free College Pick – Tuesday, March 2, 2010
#13 Vanderbilt Commodores (22-6) vs. Florida Gators (20-9)
The No. 13 Vanderbilt Commodores will travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Gators in an SEC clash on Tuesday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks
The last time these two teams met was back on Jan 9. Vanderbilt opened SEC play by downing Florida 95-87. The Commodores haven’t won a game at Florida in nine years, despite leading the all-time series 62-56.
Georgetown vs West Virginia | Preview, Predictions, Odds
March 1, 2010 by Matt Martz
Filed under NCAA Basketball
Monday, March 1, 2010 – Free NCAA Pick
#11 Georgetown Hoyas (19-9) vs. #8 West Virginia Mountaineers (22-6)
The No. 8 West Virginia Mountaineers will host the No. 11 Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East showdown at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia on Monday night.
Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks
Then-No.12 Georgetown was downed by the Mountaineers 75-58 at home the last time these two teams met on Jan 22, 2009. The Hoyas lead the head-to-head series with WVU, 26-21.
