Basketball Weekly Preview – Mar 3rd
If you’re a hoops junkie, you’re in your element now. This is the last week of the regular season in college hoops; it’s been a lucrative season, as you can see in our Top 10 lists of the biggest moneymakers in the NCAAB and the NBA.If only they had 344 teams at the pro level, as well. We’ll have to make due for now with a paltry 30, two of which can be found in this week’s preview. As always, the most up-to-date betting lines are available at Bodog Sportsbook.
NCAAB
1. Weber State: 18-5
2. Auburn: 17-5
3. Kansas: 17-5-1
4. St. Peter’s: 15-5-1
5. The Citadel: 17-6-1
6. Louisiana Tech: 17-7
6. Northern Colorado: 17-7
8. Wisconsin-Green Bay: 18-8-1
9. Florida State: 15-7-1
10. Drexel: 18-9
NBA
1. Cleveland: 39-20
2. Orlando: 37-21-1
3. Oklahoma City: 37-22
4. Charlotte: 35-25
5. Milwaukee: 35-25-2
6. Indiana: 34-26-2
7. New York: 33-26
8. Utah: 33-27
9. Denver: 32-27-1
10. Boston: 33-28
NCAAB: Connecticut at Pittsburgh
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh
Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Connecticut: 27-2 SU, 11-12 ATS, Under 15-8
Pittsburgh: 26-3 SU, 14-8-1 ATS, Over 12-10-1
The Huskies took back the top spot in the AP poll after taking advantage of Marquette (+1) and putting away a pesky Notre Dame squad (+11.5). That’s three wins for UConn since last month’s loss to the Panthers, but only the one cover against the Golden Eagles. Pittsburgh is also 1-2 ATS since beating the Huskies (-2.5) 76-68 on the road, but that includes the shocking loss at Providence (+9) that knocked Pitt out of the No. 1 spot in the national rankings.
Bet on College Basketball at Bodog!
NBA: Cleveland at Boston
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston
Friday, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Cleveland: 47-12 SU, 39-20 ATS, Under 33-26
Boston: 47-14 SU, 33-28 ATS, Under 33-27-1
The similar records of these two clubs – especially against the total – speaks to their standing as the two best defensive teams in the NBA. Boston leads with 98.1 points allowed per 100 possessions, followed by Cleveland at 98.5. These two teams are also closely matched on the offensive end: The Cavs are fourth in the league at 109.5 points per 100 possessions, and Boston is fifth at 108.3. But these are numbers for the full season, and Boston is in a mild state of flux with Kevin Garnett (knee) injured and Stephon Marbury (head) joining the team after reaching a buyout settlement with the Knicks. The C’s are 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS in their last six games; Cleveland is 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS.
Bet on NBA at Bodog Sportsbook!
NCAAB: Duke at North Carolina
Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Sunday, 4:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Duke: 24-5 SU, 14-13-1 ATS, Under 17-10-1
North Carolina: 25-3 SU, 11-15 ATS, Over 16-10
Who is Elliot Williams? The freshman shooting guard from Memphis is smart, athletic and can drive the lane, as we’ve seen in the last four games since he was promoted to the starting lineup. Duke won all four games at 3-1 ATS. Jon Scheyer has been better than either Greg Paulus or the injured Nolan Smith (concussion) since switching from 2-guard to the point. North Carolina is still on top in the ACC despite losing to Maryland (+12); the Heels took out their frustrations on Georgia Tech (+23) in Saturday’s 104-74 beat-down, covering for just the second time in February.
NCAA Betting at Bodog Sports!
Don’t Miss
NCAAB: Florida State at Duke (Tuesday, 8:00 p.m.)
NCAAB: Marquette at Pittsburgh (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
NBA: San Antonio at Dallas (Wednesday, 9:00 p.m.)
NBA: Portland at Denver (Thursday, 10:30 p.m.)
NCAAB: Texas at Kansas (Saturday, 4:00 p.m.)
NCAAB: Purdue at Michigan State (Sunday, 12:00 p.m.)
NBA: Phoenix at San Antonio (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.)
