NBA on ABC: Free NBA, NCAA Basketball Picks & Previews

NBA Basketball Picks
The first two NBA games of the day are dandies, as the surging Suns go to San Antonio to play a suddenly old Spurs squad – but both these teams, led by a couple aging vets, have a lot to play for as playoff spots loom. The next game is one of the best of the month as the two best teams in the West go head to head in L.A. as the Lakers host the Nuggets in what has to be considered the odds on favorite for the Western Conference Finals, known out west as “The Real Championship” – Here are my picks!

Phoenix Suns (+4) @ San Antonio Spurs (2-28: 1:00 PM ET – ABC): The Suns have looked pretty good lately and Amare Staudamire usually plays the Spurs better than anyone – he just gets his motor going against Timmy Duncan and company. That should be huge, because lately the Spurs have looked pathetic, and people can say what they want about age and injuries and inconsistent play being the biggest culprit, but I’ve been watching some games, and I see Tim Duncan getting old – on both sides of the floor. Still a very good player, but Tim can’t win by himself like he used to be able to do, and because of that the Spurs are 1-3 over their last 4 games, and Detroit and Philadelphia were two of the teams that kicked them around. I like the Suns.

Denver Nuggets @ L.A. Lakers (-6) (2-28: 3:30 PM ET – ABC): The Nuggets have been the better team lately, but is that enough to beat the Lakers in L.A.? I don’t think so. Not this time. The Nuggets have been okay over their last few games, but before that it was struggle-city, and it’s not like beating up Boston, Golden State, and Detroit (their current win streak) is that amazing. Already this season, teh Nuggets have ousted the Lakers twice, but Kobe’s back and healthy and Odom is playing well, Gasol and Bynum are going to give the Nuggets front line trouble – yes, the Lakers are getting healthy, and that spells trouble for the rest of the west. In L.A., with the Lakers needing this one more, I see them winning and covering.

NCAA Basketball Picks
The Big 10 didn’t have a place in my 4 amazing games for Saturday, but they are rocking Sunday all by themselves in my College Hoops ticket. The Boilermakers have to play without one of their top games, and Robbie Hummel is out for the season, and Michigan State is looking for a big win to boost their resume…

Michigan State Spartans (+4) @ Purdue Boilermakers (4:00pm ET, 2-28): Purdue managed a win even when Hummel went down against Minnesota, but it was tight, and they needed every ounce they had to beat a pretty decent, but unranked Golden Gophers team. The 14th ranked Spartans need this one bad, and I’m wiling to bet that Purdue struggles in their first game without Hummel. That will be enough, and the Spartans pull the upset over the 3rd ranked Boilermakers.

NCAA Basketball Saturday: Free College Hoops Picks & Previews

While the first three days of the week had few Top-25 match-ups, there’s not shortage of top-ranked opponents going at it on Saturday. I have 4 different conferences represented on Saturday, the SEC, Big 12, Mountain West, and the Big East – and the big East is BIG! All games should be good, but Villanova and Syracuse has a special place in my heart, that should be a great one! There aren’t any odds out yet, but I’ll give a prediction of the score below and you can decide on your bet accordingly.

Kentucky Wildcats (2) @ Tennessee Volunteers (17) (12:00pm ET, 2-27 – CBS): This game should be big time. The Volunteers can definitely be up and down, and there’s been some off the court business that has take it’s toll on the Tennessee club, but if one thing is consistent about them, they have competitive guys that step up big for big games. This is what you’d call a big game. The Vols have lost 3 of their last 5 and are just 5-5 over their last 10 games, but this game is big. Kentucky has lost just once this year, but they’ve had their share of close calls. What it comes down to is being at Tennessee, and I think the Vols will be ready to shut down all-world talent John Wall. That should be just enough to get them a huge upset win on Saturday. Tennessee 71, Kentucky 68.

Texas Longhorns (21) @ Texas A&M Aggies (23) (2:00pm ET, 2-27 – ESPN): From ranked #1 all the way down to #21, the Longhorns have seen their season take a turn for the worse. They are now 4th in the Big 12, and have lost 6 of their last 11 games after beating the Aggies in overtime on January 16th. That was a home game for the Longhorns, but now they’re on the road where they’ve gone 2-4 since that win. The Aggies are moving in the other direction, winning 7 of their last 10 games, and showing they can cause some problems in the post-season. I like the Aggies to continue their stellar home basketball (13-1 this season) and beat their in-state rivals. Texas A&M 73, Texas 68.

New Mexico Lobos (12) @ BYU Cougars (11) (4:00pm ET, 2-27): The Lobos haven’t lost in the last 12 games, and you have to go all the way back to the first 10 days of January to find an L on their schedule. During that stretch, they did away witha  couple good MWAC teams, including BYU. But I have to go with the Cougs to win this one – it’s tough to beat a good team twice (and BYU is a very good team) and while New Mexico has shown they are a good road team (only 2 losses on the road or at a neutral site this season) I have to go with the home team finding a way to get a win on Saturday. BYU 76, New Mexico 69.

Villanova Wildcats (8) @ Syracuse Orange (4) (9:00pm ET, 2-27- ESPN): This is my game of the day and it doesn’t need too many words to describe why. Both these teams have a chance at the title, both have really clutch players, and both are coached to do what they do better than how anybody else does it. This is also #1 vs #2 in the Big East standings, and if you haven’t noticed, there’s no conference knocking at the door of the Big East as far as best conference in College Basketball. These two teams haven’t played in over a year, a game which Villanova won 89-86 in one heck of a game. The winning team has scored at least 80 points in each of the last 5 contests, while both teams have score 80+ in each of the last 2. I think this is another close one, maybe too close to call, but I like Villanova to put up one hell of a fight, and in a game they could really use to get that confidence going for the final month of the season (the Dance included) I like them to upset Syracuse. Villanova 82, Syracuse 78.

Super Bowl XLV Odds to Win: AFC South, NFL Football Futures Bet

Here are some of my thoughts on the new “Odds to Win Super Bowl XLV”. I’m breaking it down into each division and dropping my thoughts over the next couple weeks. I hope you enjoy and get down with the breakdown.

AFC South
Houston Texans (35-1)
Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
Jacksonville Jaguars (50-1)
Tennessee Titans (25-1)

With chances of back to back trips to the Big Show wearing thin, I’m forgetting Indy. It was between the young and talented Texans and the running game of Tennessee, and even with a smaller payout, I think the Titans get my best all around bet in the AFC West.

Houston Texans (35-1): The Texans, talent-wise, have the ability to go from never in the playoffs to the Super Bowl – I mean, magic would have to happen, but this team has an improved offensive line and that talented and young defense is coming into its own. But I don’t know if they are coached well enough. I think the teams lack of understanding who they are is a big reason for their failure to get over the hump, and unless some things change this offseason with Kubiak and his staff, a Super Bowl seems unlikely.

Indianapolis Colts (7-1): I’m just not a believer in the Colts going back to back trips to the Super Bowl. If they do get there, yeah, I think they win it, as I just don’t see the best player in the NFL failing twice in a row on that stage, And betting against Peyton rarely is an easy thing, but with the uncapped year on the way, and big spending teams having more chances to pick up big time players, and the wear and tear that a trip all the way to the big game brings, plus a team that has been known for season ending injuries, I just don’t think the payout is high enough for the risk. I’d stay away from the Colts. If you still like them half way through the season, I’m sure the payout won’t be much different than it is now.

Jacksonville Jaguars (50-1): I don’t think the Jaguars’ defense is good enough to win a Super Bowl, and when you add that to the reality that this Jack Del-Rio coached team finds it basically impossible to win three straight games, I don’t know how a Super Bowl win can even be a possibility. Jones Drew is awesome. Despite what Del-Rio says, David Garrard is pretty dang good (and underrated) too. On both lines, they have some talent, but I’m not sure they are good enough. Skill players don’t get you all the way to the Big One.

Tennessee Titans (25-1): I think I would take the Titans over the Colts for a chance at Super Bowl success. Some will call me crazy, but this team turned it on late, and I think they have a chance to really succeed in the draft in terms of adding the kinds of players they need to become great. This is a huge defensive line draft, and they will get a chance at two difference makers at the positions. If they go for that, and make up ground on losing Haynesworth, I think they take the South Crown next season. Vince can win the big game, and his throwing has improved – yeah, at 25-1, this is my favorite bunch in the AFC South.

Friday Night NBA on ESPN: Free NBA Basketball Picks & Previews

Friday Night’s Basketball action might not have a Celtics/Cavs or Lakers/Nuggets feel, but there’s a couple good games that can grab my attention. The first of my two games of the night sees two of the “next best” teams in their respective conferences. The Lakers rule the West’s popularity contest and the Cavs (or Celtics, or even Magic) often sit atop the East’s, but there’s reason to believe the Mavericks and Hawks have what it takes to reach the NBA Finals. The Charlotte Bobcats and Memphis Grizzlies are both looking for a birth into the group of 16, and while both have had great times this year, they have seen plenty of struggles as well. Both need this win on Friday Night.

Dallas Mavericks (+3.5) @ Atlanta Hawks (2-26: 7:00 PM ET – ESPN): I know the Mavericks have gotten a lot better, but the Hawks are tough. Still, I think Brenden Heywood and Dirk Nowitzki end up giving the smaller front line in Atlanta a tough time. Two legit 7 footers will give a lot of teams trouble, but now that Dirk doesn’t have to defend the paint as much, things are going to get easier for the Mavs. I like Atlanta, and they certainly have a punchers chance, as they are probably the better team right now – but the Mavs have a lot to play with, and I think they are a tough match-up for the Hawks.

Charlotte Bobcats @ Memphis Grizzlies (-3.5) (2-26: 8:00 PM ET): The deciding factor for me in this game is the fact that it’s being played outside of Charlotte – and away from home, you never know what Stephen Jackson is going to do – that cat is a gong show. He’s also the best player in Charlotte. Tough combo, I guess – as the former Warrior, and Pacer, and Spur, breathed some playoff hopes into a franchise without any history outside of the regular season. But he’s been up and down, and he’s tough to rely on, and his troubles away from home certainly go with the Bobcats struggles. The Bobcats haven’t been playing great lately, and I think Zach Randolph ends up doing bad things to Charlotte’s front line. That’s enough for me to go Grizzlies at home.

NBA on TNT Thursday Night Picks: Cavs @ Celtics, Nuggets @ Warriors

NBA on TNT Thursday Night Picks: The first game of this duo is all about two Eastern powers and showing what they are heading down the stretch. The 2nd game doesn’t have a ton of playoff implications, but I can’t think of a more exciting place to watch Carmelo Anthony go play than Golden State. The Nuggets will go into Golden State trying to outgun a Warriors team that has a plethora of young shooters. Both games should have plenty of fireworks!

Cleveland Cavaliers (+1) @ Boston Celtics (2-25: 8:00 PM ET – TNT) In what basically comes out to a “heads up” game, the Cavaliers look like the team to beat in this one. Sure, they haven’t been on fire since Antawn Jamison joined LeBron’s bunch, but they’re starting to figure it out just in time for the final 25 games. The Cavs recently halted their 3 game losing streak by slapping a 10 point win on the Hornets on Tuesday. Jamison played well for the 2nd straight game, and Shaq’s extended minutes were useful as well.

But the guy that I’m looking at to push the Cavs over the Celtics in Boston is Mo Williams. The scoring point guard hasn’t played very well since coming back off injury, but I think he’ll have a good game against the risk taking Rondo. Mo can hit the open shot, and he’ll have a few. Without Paul Pierce close to healthy, I don’t think the Celtics are a very good value bet against the NBA’s elite.

Denver Nuggets (-6) @ Golden State Warriors (2-25: 10:30 PM ET – TNT) The Nuggets are only 13-14 away from Denver, and they’ve never been a real good road team, but the question remains, do you have to be a good road team to win in Golden State? Apparently not, as the Warriors are just 12-17 at home. That’s great compared to their 4-23 road mark, but still very far from a sure thing. The Warriors are without one of their main gunslingers, Corey Magette, but they have no shortage of guys to jack up shots.

Denver has beaten Golden State 5 straight times and 7 out of the last 8, but January 20ths game went to overtime in Denver while the Nuggets won by a single point in California on the 5th of January. Denver is just 4-4 over their last 8 games, losing to Washington between beating Cleveland and Boston. The Nuggets have won in Golden State four straight times, covering three of those games. I like Denver to grab another one on the road, evening out their road record this season.

Fantasy Football Update Running Backs: Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson

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You may have heard, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were both released this week, and while both organizations made it sound like the decision was difficult and sad, anybody in the know straight knew these two backs were going to be looking for work elsewhere come 2010’s NFL Season. The question is, how does this effect the players, the teams, and their former back-ups. There’s a lot left to be determined by free-agent additions and the draft, but right now, I have some answers if you’re looking.

San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson: It’s hard for me to imagine that LaDainian Tomlinson isn’t going to find work somewhere. If Fred Taylor can come into New England last season and be the Patriots lead back for portions of the year, what’s crazy about a 30-year-old LT finding some work. Now listen, his days of double digit touchdown-1400 yard rushing seasons are over and done with, but he still has a very good chance to be productive. He catches the ball well and still has good vision, if he’s not trying to prove he still has it on every run.

Some places that could use him? How about New England, Chicago, Green Bay, Houston, Minnesota (if they lose Chester Taylor), Seattle (if Julius Jones is getting carries, LT can instead), and maybe Washington (though I don’t know who would want to go run behind that line). Now every one of those teams isn’t likely to show interest in the former rushing hero, but some are, and if he’s down to play for lower pay, he’ll find a job, and I think he’ll be productive.

As for San Diego, I’m thinking their starting running back for next season isn’t on their roster yet. A guy like Chester Taylor, Willis McGahee, Larry Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, or LenDale White (see many character problems in that bunch?) could come in and be more of a workhorse back to team up with Darren Sproles. But if they don’t sign a big free agent or make a trade, they’ll likely grab a guy like Jahvid Best, Jonathan Dwyer, or Ryan Matthews on draft day.

Now, and here’s where dynasty keeper league guys might want to make a shot in the dark at the waiver wire right now – Mike Tolbert could be a goal line option. He actually did some solid things for the Chargers when he got touches, and he’s a big bad man at the running back position. If they don’t sign or trade for a new runner, and even if they do pick a rookie back, Tolbert could be a guy getting a lot more touches this year. If Jake Delhomme is currently your 4th quarterback, go on ahead and pick up Tolbert – it could end up being a great move!

Philadelphia Eagles, Brian Westbrook: Brian Westbrook obviously had his problems staying on the field last year, and, probably unfairly, has been listed as an injury risk his entire career (I say unfairly because he played a ton of games and finished near the top of fantasy runner rankings year after year for quite some time), but the bottom line is that he’s the riskier of the two future hall-of-famers that were let go this week.

Riskier yes, but worth less right now? I’m not so sure. Westbrook has been a gamebreaker since he was drafted in the 3rd round by Philadelphia, and while LT is a solid receiver, Westbrook might be the best RB receiver in recent history. The guy has been a dynamic force, a do it all running back with the tools to get lots of yardage and fast.

For a pass happy team looking to add some perfect hands to their powerful running game, Westbrook might be the perfect answer – the risky part is those concussions. Will he play any more? That has to be a question going through his head, and it will be one he will eventually answer. But a healthy Westy is a good bet to catch 50-60 balls and be a flex option for a team that relies more heavily on a big back.

Some likely destinations? Minnesota comes to mind, if Chester Taylor is gone, as Westbrook’s ties to Brad Childress are strong. He would seemingly be perfect in a pass-happy scheme like New England, or in Seattle maybe (though I really like Justin Forsett as a speed playmaker), and a place like Green Bay. Basically, a team that might add LT has to think about Westbrook too – but it’s all about if he plays and staying healthy. Big risks for any “older” back, but especially Westy.

The Eagles should be okay at RB as Shady McCoy did good things during his first season in the NFL, producing as a receiver and a runner throughout the season. But what about Leonard Weaver? There were games down the stretch where the former full-back carried the load for Philly, and I’ve always liked his ability to both run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. His talent is undervalued, no doubt about that.

It will be interesting to see what the Eagles do, and which Philly back ends up with the most value. Obviously, McCoy is the better bet of the two, but I doubt Shady is on any waiverwires right now, while Big Weave might very well be.

NCAA Basketball Wednesday Night: Big East Free Picks

Pittsburgh Panthers (+1) @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6:00pm ET, 2-24 – ESPN2)

Notre Dame has beaten Pittsburgh once since 2003. They play a tougher and more complete brand of basketball instead of relying on the pure chance that they can outscore another team. I know this is a HUGE game for Notre Dame and it is at home for the Irish, and Pittsburgh is only 6-5 on the road or at a neutral site so far this year – but I still can’t put money on Notre Dame favored by a point.

Listen, Pitt is going to be a huge public favorite in this one, and with Notre Dame fighting for their Big Dance lives, sitting 6-8 in Big East play, and playing at home where they are 15-3 so far this season (compared to 1-6 on the road), the Irish might not be a bad bet. But in a close one, a toss up, I have to pick a Pittsburgh team that is easily the better team. They allow 11 fewer points per game than Notre Dame – that says something to me.

South Florida Bulls (+13) @ Villanova Wildcats (8) (9:00pm ET, 2-24)

Villanova can’t lose three straight, can they? They’ve fallen to 8th after spending the last few weeks in the Top 3, but a home loss to South Florida would make it 3 Ls in a row. I don’t see it happening, but it certainly could. The Bulls are legit, don’t get their unranked-ness and their 16-10 record confuse you. This is a team that plays lots of close games and beats good teams. They beat Georgetown and Pitt in back to back games earlier this season, and they seem to step up against better opponents.

There’s no way Villanova comes in taking South Florida lightly, and you know the Wildcats will be playing at their best to stop this current losing streak, but South Florida doesn’t lose many games by double digits. They’ve struggled lately, dropping 3 of their last 4 and losing 2 by 11 or more points – but they are better than that, and you can bet they’ll come out to fight at Villanova. 13 is a lot of points to give a pretty good college basketball team, especially why you are struggling. I like South Florida here, I imagine they’ll flirt with an upset.

Georgetown Hoyas @ Louisville Cardinals: Free Pick & Preview

Georgetown Hoyas VS Louisville Cardinals – Free Pick & Preview: It’s easy to see Georgetown and their sexy 13th ranking and like them. It’s even easier if you were caught watching them earlier this year when they were making good teams look bad, overmatching teams like Duke and lighting them up on National TV. You might even think 13 might be a little low for the Hoyas to be ranked, and talent-wise, maybe that’s true. But they haven’t been playing too well lately, and guess what, the Cardinals have.

Georgetown isn’t a great road team, generally playing with what looks like less confidence and what has amounted to a 5-4 record on the road. But like I said, lately they’ve been pretty mediocre, losing 5 games in their last 10 outings, 3 of their last 5, including a game at home to unranked South Florida (where they lost by and a game at Rutgers (where they were playing Rutgers for goodness sake).

Louisville, face it, they are underrated. This team is good. Sure, they’ve lost some stinkers, and they might not have any players that you can name, but they play hard, and they have one hell of a coach telling them what to do to beat good teams. They play great defense, and against a Georgetown team that can struggle to score when they aren’t getting fastbreak buckets, that should give them and advantage.

Louisville is better than you think, and they are the favorite at home for a good reason- they should win this one – my money is on them.

Georgetown Hoyas @ Louisville Cardinals (-3) (7:00pm ET, 2-23 – ESPN2)

AFC West Odds to Win the Super Bowl: 2011 Super Bowl XLV Odds to Win

Here are some of my thoughts on the new “Odds to Win Super Bowl XLV”. I’m breaking it down into each division and dropping my thoughts over the next couple weeks. I hope you enjoy and get down with the breakdown.

AFC West
Denver Broncos (50-1)
Kansas City Chiefs (100-1)
Oakland Raiders (100-1)
San Diego Chargers (8-1)

At 50-1, the Broncos aren’t the worst chance you could take – but no, I don’t think they have it in them. That means, that, despite a poor payout for the chance you’re taking, the Chargers are the best bet from this division.

Denver Broncos (50-1): So apparently this is the worst division in football, or so the oddsmakers think, even the pathetic NFC West has better odds (all around) to find Super Bowl glory – and that’s saying something. This division has 258 odds against compared to 225 in the NFC West. But at 50-1, I kind of like what the Broncos are selling. All the talk about Marshall gone might very well be for not, as I think things might figure themselves out and the talented kid might end up getting paid as a Bronco. Defensively, they has solid schemes last year, and played way above what people expected, but some free agents and the loss of their defensive coordinator brings on more questions than answers. I think the chances are very low, but this team has some good players and a strong team concept – so I’m tellin’ you there’s a chance.

Kansas City Chiefs (100-1): I don’t know if I even need to mention the Chiefs. It looks like Matt Cassel doesn’t have a good enough arm to run Todd Haley’s offense, and I know that defense isn’t good enough or talented enough to win a playoff game, let alone four of them (because there’s no way they are getting a bye). Freaky stuff can happen, and this team might ride their late-year rushing success to a higher number of wins than expected, in a pretty blah division, maybe even the playoffs if the moons are really crazy, but a Super Bowl, please. I think the Raiders have a better shot.

Oakland Raiders (100-1): Okay, so maybe the Raiders aren’t as bad as I pretend. The problem is they have a clown on batteries running the team, and chances of that turning into Super Bowl success just isn’t realistic. I still think they have a solid offensive line and a defense that is better than advertised. Good enough to win a Super Bowl? Don’t get silly. So I guess 100-1 is a good enough payout, good enough to stay away from regardless.

San Diego Chargers (8-1): Listen, people want to blame it all on LT and his age, but the truth of the matter is, this offensive line just isn’t what it used to be. I don’t know why, for sure, they have solid players, but holes weren’t bursting like they used to. The Passing game, however, was and will be legit as long as Rivers is at the helm. He may throw marshmallows, but they are thrown very accurately and with all the confidence in the world. Defensively, I’m not sure how much I buy in. This team has lots of decisions to make on that side of the ball, and it will be interesting to see if they can get their explosive playmaking back from a couple years ago. Right now, I don’t know if they have enough. These Chargers aren’t my favorite low payout Super Bowl favorite, but they certainly have a chance.

NCAA College Basketball Sunday: Free Hoops Betting Tips

#3 Villanova Wildcats (-2) @ #21 Pittsburgh Panthers (12:00pm ET, 2-21): There’s no way Villanova loses 3 out of their last 5 games, and that’s what a loss to Pittsburgh would make come true. Villanova might be struggling a bit lately, but losing to Georgetown then running into UConn on a good night is hardly time to panic. Remember, these Wildcats still won at West Virginia just a few games ago.

I actually think their latest loss, to the Huskies, will be a good thing to help the Cats get ready for this game against the Panthers. Pittsburgh is always tough, and even tougher at home, but ‘Nova is 6-2 on the road and 5-0 in a neutral setting – that shows me playing away from home don’t bother them much. Ha. Give me the Wildcats in Pittsburgh!

#12 Ohio State Buckeyes @ #11 Michigan State Spartans(-4.5) (12:00pm ET, 2-21): Neither of these teams are what they have been. I mean, both have great coaches and very good players, but Ohio State and Michigan State have been beasts up front that out work you and out rebound you on the glass, and while both these teams still out work their opponents, those bigs that have been there in the past just aren’t there anymore.

But that’s fine and dandy, because a match-up of two great ball handling players is taking place on Sunday, making this one hell of a game. Kalin Lucas should be all the way back and healthy and Evan Turner is looking good as well. In a 57-60 loss to Purdue the other night, Turner went for 29 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. Lucas had 13 points and 4 dimes to lead the Spartans over the the Hoosiers. While both players should have big games, I’m looking for Michigan State to win at home (where they shine) against an Ohio State team that is just 4-5 away from home.

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