Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns ESPN Monday Night Basketball

Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns ESPN Monday Night Basketball: Kansas State started conference play with disappointment after being ranked in the Top 5. They came out of the gates 4-6 in conference, and unranked, but they’ve turned it around. A big win over (then ranked) #1 Kansas was followed by an easy win over Oklahoma and a 4 point victory on the road over a tough Nebraska team. Now they’re 7-6, and a spot in the tournament is near. But this week will be tough! First they play #21 Missouri and on Monday they get this game, at #5 Texas. If they can take down #1 and #5, they won’t just be in the tournament; they’ll have a good match-up early. But what about Texas?

The Longhorns have shown they can be as good as or better than any team in the country. Since a bad loss to USC back on December 5th, the Longhorns have lost just twice in 20 games, a 1 point loss to Kemba Walker in overtime, and a 3-point loss to Nebraska last week – that was before this weekend where they blew a 22-point first half lead on way to a loss in Colorado. But that might just add to their toughness, usually after an embarrassing loss like that, a good team comes out and dominates. They’ll be tough to beat at home, so this game should be great.

I’m really wavering on this game, and it’s a tough call for me for certain. But even with a lot to prove after that big loss, and playing at home where they’re great, against a 4-5 (on the road) Kansas State team, I still think 9 is too much. The Wildcats have been playing really tough basketball, and this is still the team that was a pre-season Top 5 group. Jacob Pullen is on fire, and I think he can keep K-State within 9 – even against one of the best teams in college basketball.

Kansas State Wildcats (+9) @ #5 Texas Longhorns (2/28) (ESPN)

New York Knicks @ Miami Heat NBA Sunday Basketball Pick

New York Knicks @ Miami Heat NBA Sunday Basketball Pick: If the Knicks and Heat didn’t do it for you pre-trading deadline, it certainly has a great ring to it now that Carmelo is suiting up for his home team. We’ll see how well that trade can work out almost immediately, and that’s a good thing. The Heat will certainly take advantage of the Knicks inability to play any sort of defense whatsoever, but I don’t know if the Heat will have an answer for Amare in the post. LeBron has guarded ‘Melo well at times in the past, but could a new uniform change a battle that has been dominated by LBJ? Stay tuned.

The Knicks played decent in their first game with Anthony and Billups, a win against Milwaukee, but a tough loss to lowly Cleveland brought some of the doubters back, and for good reason – when you lose to Cleveland, there are some glaring problems. But remember, it’s an 82 game season, and the Lakers also lost to Cleveland a while back, and “new players in new places” wasn’t an excuse for that reigning NBA Champ.

Miami won the first two meetings between these Eastern conference foes, dominating game 1 in a 22-point piecing, winning by 8 in game 2. But Game 3 saw New York play a tougher brand of basketball, limit the Heat’s fast break points, and win by 5 in Miami. In that win, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and Gallinari (the guys Melo was traded for) shot just 9 of 35 from the floor – something I’m sure Chauncey and Carmelo can improve upon. LeBron had a tough night from the floor, shooting just 7 for 24 from the field. But these Knicks are a different team, maybe better, maybe not – but they are different.

When the Heat score 100 points or more, they almost always win – and I’d be stunned if the Knicks porous defense holds the Heat under 100 again. Still, the Heat rarely blow teams out, and a big lead never seems quite safe enough. With a couple chuckers playing for New York, I see the Knicks keeping this one fairly close – and with the spread all the way up to 9, I’ll take the Knicks to cover.

New York Knicks (+9) @ Miami Heat (ESPN) (2/27)

Syracuse Orange @ Georgetown Hoyas Point Spread Free Pick

Syracuse Orange @ Georgetown Hoyas Point Spread Free Pick: You have to love the Syracuse/Georgetown rivalry. Both teams have great history, and they’re always a competitive force for College Basketball’s top spot. They both sit at 10-6 in Big East play, with two conference games to play. This game will be the last ranked opponent for either team, and you’d have to imagine one more big win could do a lot for either team.

Georgetown got the better of Syracuse last time these two teams played, despite playing on the road. The Hoyas have lost 2 of 3 coming into this one, which makes it all that much more important. The Orange have won 3 straight and look to continue their solid play after going through a tough 2-6 stretch earlier this year. Before losing to UConn on the 16th of February, the Hoyas won 8 straight games, going 6-2 ATS in those games.

The Hoyas are just 10-3 at home, so this isn’t a dominating home-court advantage. Also, the Hoyas are dealing with more than just a couple losses in their last 3 games, losing their point guard and one of their best players presents a whole different problem. Chris Wright has a busted paw, and without him, this Hoyas team loses some of that guard advantage. While the Hoyas are without Wright, Syracuse’s Brandon Triche is becoming one heck of a player for Jim Boeheim.

I like Syracuse to pull the small upset on the road, as Georgetown struggles without their star.

#20 Syracuse Orange (+1.5) @ #11 Georgetown Hoyas (2/26) (CBS)

Brigham Young Cougars @ San Diego State Aztecs NCAA Basketball Pick

Brigham Young Cougars @ San Diego State Aztecs NCAA Basketball Pick: The Cougars were the last team, wait, the only team to beat the Aztecs so far this season, topping them 71-58 in Utah. Since then, San Diego State has played some tough games, but they’ve won all of them, 7 straight and counting. That 13-point loss might seem like a big margin, and it is, but that’s not how the game went. It was real close coming down the stretch, but Jimmer Fredette took over, and a close game became a big win for the Cougars.

BYU lost the very next game they played, to New Mexico, by 9 points. But that was only their second loss of the season, and since then they’ve also run through the Mountain West.

The conference Championship could come down to this game, in fact, it looks like it will – so if the Aztecs or Cougars have any hopes of being a 1-seed in the Big Dance, this game is a must.

Will Jimmer be able to go hero on the Aztecs this time around? Because I think San Diego State is the better all around team with more talent outside of that one single position. I’m not saying that BYU is all Fredette, but the Aztecs get more from more directions, and I think that ends up being the reason they win this game.

With just one loss, on the road at BYU, the Aztecs look to avenge their lone mistake. At home where they are undefeated, I like their chances.

#7 Brigham Young Cougars @ #4 San Diego State Aztecs (-3.5) (2/26) (CBS)

Oklahoma Thunder @ Orlando Magic ESPN Friday Night NBA Pick

Oklahoma Thunder @ Orlando Magic ESPN Friday Night NBA Pick: The Magic didn’t do anything crazy at the trade deadline, but shoot, they had already been the trade kings of the first 50 games of the season, shipping off Rashard Lewis, Marcin Gortat, and Vince Carter’s shadow while bringing in Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, and Hedo Turkoglu. So far, they’ve had their ups and downs, that’s for sure, smacking around some of the league’s best then losing to some of the league’s worst. I’m still not sure how their roster will play out, but I’d be worried about the rest of the East passing them up, soon.

The Thunder are looking to rebound after falling to San Antonio on Wednesday Night while the Magic are coming off a 105-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings (who were without Tyreke Evans, their best player) in Orlando on Wednesday Night.

I don’t know if Dwight Howard can be matched athletically, or properly guarded, but if he can, Serge Ibaka has the kind of athleticism that could give Dwight trouble. I know the Magic will have a tough time staying in front of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. This one will be a shootout in Orlando.
I think Oklahoma has more upside, but right now, without the guy they traded for (Kendrick Perkins) and without their starting power forward who they traded (Jeff Green), they’ll be a little undermanned, and I think Dwight and Brandon Bass will cause too much havoc down low, giving them the advantage on Friday Night. 7 points seems like an awful lot, but I have to take the home team in a tough game to pick.

Oklahoma Thunder @ Orlando Magic (-7) (ESPN) (2/25)

NBA Basketball Betting – Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls Pick

NBA Basketball Betting – Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls Pick: The Heat and Bulls play on Thursday Night on TNT. The Heat have received a lot of praise lately, as the Big 3 seem to be playing their best basketball since signing in Miami. But the Bulls haven’t been too shabby either, and their lesser version of the Big 3 (Rose, Boozer, and Noah) have hardly played together at all so far this season. Despite the injuries, the Bulls aren’t too far away from the Heat and Celtics, and one has to think Noah’s return to health could be huge for Chicago’s chances to be a top seed in the East.

This home game for Chicago will be the first of two meetings between these two teams in the next 10 days, playing again on ABC next Sunday, March 6th. The Bulls should have a bit of a sour taste in their mouths after losing in Toronto on Wednesday. Prior to that loss they had one four straight, beating the Jazz, Hornets, Bobcats, and Spurs – so maybe that game in Toronto was just a poor defensive effort. I’ll take the Bulls at home!

I like Chicago’s advantage in the post, as the Heat don’t seem to have a defender that can guard a post like Boozer, or compete with a guy like Noah for rebounds and the like. They obviously have 3 guys that are close to impossible to defend, but the Bulls might be able to figure them out. They are one of the best home teams in the NBA at 25-4. I’ll take the Bulls to hand the Heat just their second loss in the last 10 games.

Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (+2.5) (TNT) (2/24)

NFL Lockout would hit Las Vegas hard

By Scott Matthews

A little under $87.5 million was wagered on Super Bowl XLV at Las Vegas sportsbooks, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. And bettors did better than they have in years, as sportsbooks profited a mere $724,176 combined.

Still, the amount bet was up from the $82.7 million wagered last year. And normally, Las Vegas does very well on the big game, its best year coming in 2005, when bettors wagered more than $90 million and the books made more than $15 million in profit.

But the NFL means a lot more to the bottom line in Las Vegas than just the money wagered on the sport. The Super Bowl is pretty much the busiest single day of the year in Las Vegas, with some reports saying almost 300,000 people flocked to the city in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLV. That represents millions and millions of dollars spent on hotel rooms, in restaurants, and, of course, in casinos.

So if the NFL owners and players cannot reach a new deal on a collective bargaining agreement before the March 3 deadline, and if a subsequent lockout or strike cancels even part or all of next season, Las Vegas will lose – big time.

The interesting thing about it, though, is that as much as anyone involved with the NFL wants to avoid a disruption to the season, many in the league would secretly be happy to see Las Vegas suffer at its expense.

While Las Vegas loves the NFL, the feeling is not mutual. The NFL makes it very clear it wants nothing to do with the gambling mecca – not even its advertising dollars.

You will never see an ad for the city, let alone any casinos, anywhere near an NFL game or broadcast – not on TV, not at stadiums – no where. The NFL goes out of its way to keep even the slightest hint of Vegas away from anything to do with its games. Advertisers are not even allowed to show the Las Vegas Strip, even from a distance, in their ads.

The NFL, in fact, has a specific rule that prohibits “ads for specific hotels, casinos and other institutions that house gambling.”

So Las Vegas will be hoping and praying for an NFL season in 2011-12, but if there isn’t one, it won’t get any sympathy from NFL headquarters.

Get Free Daily Picks from expert handicapper Scott Matthews by calling toll-free 1-888-777-5104 for a recorded message, or by checking out www.smpicks.com.

2011 NBA All-Star Game Pick Eastern Conference VS Western Conference

2011 NBA All-Star Game Pick Eastern Conference VS Western Conference: The All Star game is always fun, and while it’ll be hard to go away from the Eastern dominance of star-power, the West looks pretty well put together on the front line. I’ll have to dig deeper later in the week, but I’ll have a write-up and a pick, even for this princess game. Please take me back to the days where All-Star games were played with some passion. Where’s Larry Bird when you need him?

But if there’s any kind of edge I’m looking for in this one, I see it in the Eastern Conference. It seems like there is very good chemistry between groups of players in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics getting 4 players in the game and each of the Big Three from Miami making the team as well. When the Eastern Conference can play 4 of their starting 5 together in the All Star Game, and also go to 3 of Miami’s starting 5, they must have some kind of advantage, if that means running plays or just knowing each other.

The West is talented too, no doubt, and they have 3 great point guards that can really attack the Eastern Conference. This has been a game where point guards shine, so it wouldn’t surprise me if this game stayed close.

But the East just has too much, too much talent, too much chemistry, and some bigs that can really dominate down low. It is an All Star Game, all entertainment, but it seems the East has an advantage.

Eastern Conference (-1) VS Western Conference (abc) (2/20)

Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats College Basketball Pick & Preview

Washington Huskies @ Arizona Wildcats College Basketball Pick & Preview: The Huskies and Arizona go at it, and the Dawgs are looking to get back toward the top of the Pac-10. They have fallen behind UCLA (9-3) and Arizona (10-2) but I still argue they’re the most talented team in the conference. They’ll have to prove it on the road where the Wildcats haven’t lost all season. Still, one has to give the Huskies a fighting chance in this one – last time these two teams played, in Washington, the Huskies trounced Arizona by 18. But it was a lot closer than that, and Arizona is a lot more successful at home.

Arizona comes into the week winning 6 straight since that UW loss. Washington has won 3 straight after losing 3 in a row to unranked foes. Those three losses got them booted from the Top 25, but don’t pay too much attention to that number, the Huskies are definitely one of the 25 best teams in college basketball. Arizona’s a tough place to play, as the Wildcats are 14-0 at home so far this season. Still, don’t count the Dawgs out – they may be just 4-5 on the road, but it’s a huge game for their credibility.

But here’s my sports psychology breakdown of this game… The Huskies are the better, or at least more talented team. They often lose focus and drop games they shouldn’t, but this is a Saturday Night game, and they always seem to step up when the spotlight is on. Look for Isaiah Thomas to have a big night as the off and on Dawgs turn it ON in Arizona.

Washington Huskies (+3) @ #13 Arizona Wildcats (2/19) (ESPN)

Connecticut Huskies @ Louisville Cardinals Friday Night College Basketball

Connecticut Huskies @ Louisville Cardinals Friday Night College Basketball: UConn and Louisville play on Friday Night, and it should be another big battle in the Big East. Both of these teams have shown flashes of dominance at times, always competitive, and on the right night they can beat anyone. So who has the advantage on Friday?

Good question, UConn will either be coming off a home win over 9th ranked Georgetown or, of course, a home loss. That will make a big difference, especially traveling to Louisville to play the Cardinals.

Louisville plays Cincinnati on Wednesday Night, at Cincinnati, and that will be a huge one for the Bearcats who are fighting and scratching for a ticket to the big dance. Another week in the Big East!

As it turned out, the Bearcats beat the Cardinals on Wednesday Night as Connecticut found a way to oust the Hoyas. Some would think that means the Huskies should be favored in this one, coming off a big win, gaining some of that confidence back – but I’m going the other way in this one.

The Cardinals are a solid team with hard workers up and down the line. That loss to Cincinnati will only act as motivation, and playing at home should give them that extra kick they need. The Huskies are coming off a big win, and that often has the making of a lull.

I think this one will be one heck of a game, Friday Night, two ranked teams squaring off in Louisville – it will be great. But the home team coming off a down performance gets the nod.

#12 Connecticut Huskies @ #16 Louisville Cardinals (-3.5) (2/18) (ESPN)

Next Page »