Clemson and Missouri aren’t March Madness favorites, but they could end up having the game of the first round when these two groups of Tigers square off in Buffalo on Friday. Both teams are comfortable running up and down the floor, but who will be alright when the game slows down in the second half?

Missouri Tigers vs Clemson Tigers odds – Friday, March 19, 2:45 PM ET

The Tigers, a tenth seed in the East region, stumbled down the Big 12 stretch, losing three of their last four, and their lone win came in overtime at lowly Iowa State. Mizzou is a run-and-gun team that shoots three-pointers at a 37.1% clip, and the main gunners are Kim English and Marcus Denmon. Laurence Bowers has decided to postpone surgery on two torn wrist ligaments until after the NCAA Tournament, and even though the Tigers like to run, Bowers is their best inside scorer, but now, it’s even more important that Mizzou hit their three-pointers. The Tigers also lead the nation in steals, which fuels the transition game, but they’re terrible on the boards.

Clemson was upset by North Carolina State in the first round of the ACC tournament, but their mission is to make it to the second round after two straight exits in the first round. Clemson can get out and run as well, but that leads to turnovers, although Demontez Stitt has taken better care of the ball lately, and that’s what needs to happen if the Tigers want to make it through this 2010 March Madness bracket. Defensively, the Tigers are seventh in the nation in steals, and they’re great at defending perimeter shooters, which is a bad sign for Mizzou.

Clemson is favored by 1.5 points according to sportsbook odds (sportsbook review), and their lone meeting with Mizzou resulted in a 47-45 win at home back in 1996. This could turn into a track meet, and it probably will be for the first 10 minutes, if not the entire first half. However, the game will slow down at some point, and Clemson has the edge in Trevor Booker, who could be able to take over the game with Bowers less than 100%. Mizzou has struggled this year when the game turns into a half-court matchup, as they’re built for speed, and their problems on the glass are magnified if their three-pointers aren’t dropping. Oliver Purnell has done a great job at turning the Clemson program around, and after three straight trips to the big dance, all that is left for them to do is win a first-round game, and it looks set up for them to do so.

Bet March Madness: Clemson -1.5

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This Thursday marks the beginning of the end of everyone’s March Madness predictions as the first round of the NCAA Tournament kicks off. The most intriguing matchups Wednesday are a mid-major 5-12 battle, and a 7-10 matchup featuring a young SEC team; with a coach with a championship pedigree, against an underrated powerhouse of the Mountain West Conference.

# 5 Butler Bulldogs (28-4, 18-0 in Horizon League) vs. # 12 UTEP Miners (26-6, 15-1 in Conference USA)

March Madness Odds
Spread: Butler -2
Over/Under: 130.5
Money Line: Butler -130, UTEP +110

Butler ran the table in the Horizon League going 18-0 and wasn’t really challenged along the way. Led by G/F Gordon Hayward (15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds), F Matt Howard (12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds) and G Shelvin Mack (13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists) the Bulldogs are a small team and don’t have a true center. Butler’s veteran presence and extreme ball movement skills will be up against a physical bunch in the University of Texas El-Paso Miners. Derrick Caracter is a junior transfer from Louisville and has seen his production sky-rocket in Conference USA where he averaged 13.8 points and eight rebounds a game this season. Caracter is a 6′9”physical power forward who will be a load to handle, especially with the chemistry with junior guard Randy Culpepper who averaged 18 points and just fewer than three rebounds and two assists a game and is going to be an interesting challenge for Shelvin Mack and Butler.

Prediction: Butler has not lost a game since before Christmas and UTEP lost to Houston who was a hot team, but merely an average team in the conference during the season. Butler is the better team and will be able to neutralize the two man game UTEP likes to play with great team defense and ball movement on offense in a tight game.
Final: Butler 73 – UTEP 68. Take Butler -2.

# 7 BYU Cougars (29-5, 13-3 in MWC) vs. #10 Florida Gators (21-12, 9-7 in SEC)

Sportsbook Review
Spread: BYU -4.5
Over/Under: 146.5
Money Line BYU -205, Florida +170

BYU was knocked out in the semi-finals by a hot UNLV team and ended up with a seven seed for their trouble. BYU is far better than the seed given and guard Jimmer Fredrette is one of the best players in the nation. From Glen Falls, NY, the 6′2″ junior is averaging 21.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists shoots 90% from the charity stripe and 45% on threes. He is a pro-prospect and one of the best guards in the history of the Mountain West Conference. The MWC has four teams in the tournament (3, 7, 8 and 11 seeds) and BYU was ranked high this year in the national polls. Florida had a tough season in the SEC and the young Gators will have a steep challenge against the quick Cougars. The Gators are young and are led by small guards Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton. Fredrette is an elite talent and should make easy work of the youngsters and BYU should cruise to an easy double digit victory.
Final: BYU 90 – Florida 72. Take BYU -4.5. (*also check out the rest of the March Madness odds)

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Super Bowl betting is on the minds of many in the online betting industry right now, but the NFL is trying to drum up interest in the Pro Bowl by moving it from Hawaii to Miami, the site of the Super Bowl, and a week before the big game. There are a number of injuries to both rosters, but here are four players to keep an eye on this Sunday.

AFC vs NFC odds – Sunday, January 31, 7:20 PM ET

Chris Johnson, Tennessee: the Offensive Player of the Year this season, Johnson was the runaway rushing leader with 2,006 yards to go with 14 touchdowns. Other telling stats: Johnson had just three fumbles despite an NFL-high 358 carries, and he paced the league with 79 rushing first-downs.

Darrelle Revis, New York Jets: the Pro Bowl is usually a shootout (sportsbook players should know that eight of the last 10 Pro Bowls have had 55 points or more scored), and the NFC will look to air it out against the player many call the best cover corner in the league. Revis had six picks during the regular season, and then two more in the playoffs, and shut down many of the game’s best receivers.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: the Packers’ pivot was fourth in the league in yards and passer rating, and one only wonders what kind of numbers Rodgers would have had if he wasn’t sacked a league-high 50 times. The Packers’ offensive line pulled it together in the second half of the year, so look for a confident Rodgers to throw some bombs on Sunday.

Miles Austin, Dallas: Larry Johnson of Arizona and Minnesota’s Sidney Rice are out with injuries, but the NFC, who are 2.5-point favorites according to US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook review), still have Austin, who came out of nowhere to rank third in receiving yards. Austin had 250 yards in Week 5 at Kansas City, and never took his foot off the gas, although he was kept quiet in the Cowboys’ humbling loss at Minnesota in this year’s playoffs. Austin tied for second in the NFL with 21 plays of 20 yards or more, and teammate Tony Romo will surely look for the wide receiver when they’re both in the game.

NFL betting picks: The NFC (-2.5) is too deep at quarterback for the AFC.

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New Jersey Devils (34-15-1) vs. Ottawa Senators (28-21-4)

While most of the betting focus being on Super Bowl odds and NFL picks after Championship Weekend, many are overlooking key matchups in the NHL. The NHL season has just past its mid-point and the games now have more serious implications in the standings and some preview possible playoff matchups.
This Tuesday night one such matchup is taking place as Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils travel up to Ottawa to take on the surging Senators.

Bookmakers Review : *note lines are approximations as they have not been posted yet
Spread: Senators -1.5
Over/Under: 5.5
Money line: Ottawa-130 New Jersey +115

Why the Devils Will Win

The New Jersey Devils are led by the greatest goaltender of all-time in Martin Brodeur. This season he has eclipsed the all time Shutouts record (now standing at 108 and counting) and hasn’t seemed to lose a step. The fact that the Devils have only one overtime loss is a testament of Brodeur’s greatness in both clutch in-game moments and shootouts.
The Devils offense is spear-headed by LW Zach Parise (23 goals, 28 assists) and captain and RW Jamie Langenbrunner (14g, 31 a). C Travis Zajac (14g, 26a) has been a revelation this season providing both strong Power Play and Penalty Kill play for the Devils. The Devils strong defense is led in scoring by Andy Greene with Mike Mottau, Swedish Olympian Johnny Oduya and Bryce Salvador playing big minutes. The Devils play a lot of low scoring affairs as a result of their strong play as well as their legendary goalie.

Why the Senators Will Win

The Ottawa Senators are coming into this game versus the Devils on a six-game winning streak. Captain Daniel Alfredsson is having another solid year for the Senators leading them in scoring (14g, 26 a) while missing 11 games. A big reason for the improved play is the awakening of new Senator Alexei Kovalev from his catatonic state. Struggling most of the season, Kovalev has come on in the last two months and has registered at least one point during this six-game winning streak (1g, 6a). Unheralded Center Mike Fisher has been solid for the Senators (17g, 22a) and Defenseman Chris Phillips is putting up yet another solid season for them. The big reason for the recent solid play of the Senators however, are goalies Billy Elliot and rookie backup Mike Brodeur (Martin’s distant cousin). Neither net-minder has allowed over 2 goals during the Senators streak.

Who Will Win?

The Devils have been outstanding this season and their record shows it. The Devils play a disciplined game, and even without star forward Patrik Elias (concussion) can score the puck very well. The Senators defense is porous and could spell their demise in this one. The Devils are 3-0 against the Senators this season while outscoring them 10-6 in those contests. Expect more of the same in this one.

Final: New Jersey 3- Ottawa 1
Sports Betting Parlay: Take the Devils at +1.5 or money line, and the under.

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San Jose Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks

The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks are locked in a battle for Western Conference supremacy and the two teams will step on the ice on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks have been fantastic this season and are riding a four-game winning streak heading into this game. On top of that, they have already defeated the Sharks twice this season including a 7-2 thrashing at the Shark Tank in the last meeting. Look for more of the same.

NHL Betting Odds: Blackhawks

Anaheim Ducks @ Colorado Avalanche

The Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche are doing some role playing this season but the two teams have swapped what they were perceived to be in the preseason. Anaheim was considered to be a decent playoff team in the West and they have been the worst team in the conference whereas the Avalanche were supposed to be the worst team around but they are in the playoff hunt.

Still, the Avs have struggled of late. Since starting 10-1-2, the Avs are just 10-10-4 since.

The Ducks have won three of their last four games and should be able to catch the Avs at a vulnerable time.

Sports Betting Pick: Ducks

Nashville Predators @ Vancouver Canucks

The good news for the Vancouver Canucks is that they have played a lot of home games early on in the 2009-10 NHL season and they have developed a record above .500 because of it. The bad news is that the Canucks have played more home games than almost anyone in the league and with a month-long road trip looming (stemming from the Winter Olympics being held in the city of Vancouver), the Canucks better figure out a way to win more home games or start winning on the road.

The Canucks will host the surprising Nashville Predators on Tuesday, who are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now.

The Preds have won six of their last seven games and they have been lighting the lamp regularly during this hot streak. In their last nine wins, the Preds have scored at least four goals in each game and in their current hot streak, they have averaged 4.7 goals per game.

Sports wagering handicappers know that when a team is hot, you stick with them so stick with the Predators in this one.

Bet Jamaica Reviews Picks: Predators

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The Week That Was: New York Knicks

Coach Mike D’Antoni saw the same movie twice in the past week, with his team experiencing victory in one showing and defeat in the other. On Friday, Dec. 11, the Knicks – trailing the New Orleans Hornets by a slight margin heading into crunch time – scored 18 unanswered points in the final 4:57 to subdue Chris Paul’s crew by a 113-96 score. Four days later, on Dec. 15, the Knickerbockers would swallow the bitter pill they forced New Orleans to swallow. Leading 85-79 with 3:58 remaining in regulation, New York got outscored by Charlotte, 15-2, and dropped a 94-87 decision to coach Larry Brown’s Bobcats. As was the case in the New Orleans game, the final few minutes witnessed the complete disappearance of one team. It was as though the Knicks were so fascinated by New Orleans’ big fade that they decided to try out the act for themselves.

It’s not exactly a sports betting tip because it has long-accepted point of NBA wisdom that the final six minutes of a game are the only part that really matters, as long as the scoreboard margin is reasonable. The New York Knicks have re-discovered this truth over the past week. Now, they need to be more consistent finishers.

Thursday, December 17th – 8:00 PM ET
United Center – Chicago, IL
Bet Jamaica Review odds: Bulls -3

Chicago Bulls Week Recap

Compared to previous weeks, sportsbook odds makers know that the Chicago Bulls actually had a somewhat decent seven-day stretch. For one thing, they won a game. On Dec. 11, the Bulls topped Golden State in overtime, 96-91, thanks to an 18-point, 14-rebound effort from center Joakim Noah.

The Bulls’ other two games from the past week were losses, but Chicago actually displayed a reasonable amount of effort in both contests. The problem for coach Vinny Del Negro’s roster was that no one can score.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Bulls didn’t play their typical “matador defense.” Yes, the Boston Celtics dusted off Chicago by 26 points, but that was primarily the result of the Bulls’ meager 80-point total. The Celtics’ 106-80 win at the United Center turned into a yawner because the Bulls shot just 33 percent from the field.

A few nights later against the world champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Bulls competed with even more vigor on defense and held the Lakers to under 100 points. Yet, two quarters with fewer than 18 points doomed Chicago in a 96-87 loss. Expert sports handicapping sharps know that if this team can’t develop regular second and third scorers, it won’t get off the canvas.

Outlook & Sports Pick

The Bulls couldn’t hit the side of a barn against the Celtics and Lakers, but they at least showed that they can play for their coach when they put their minds to the task in front of them. That competitive integrity will be sorely tested in this game against the Knicks. Losing to Boston and the Lake Show can and will be forgiven, but dropping a home game to the Knicks just a week and a half after losing at home to the New Jersey Nets could very well be the last straw for Chicago management. If the Bulls lose here, the ax could fall on Del Negro. Desperation, then, should carry the Bulls to a home win, even though the Knicks are playing comparatively better basketball at the moment.

Sports betting pick: Chicago Bulls

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