Point Spread: Buckeyes -6 Game Total Line: 140 The No.4 seed Kentucky Wildcats will look to keep their dream of a national title alive when the face the No.1 seed Ohio State Buckeyes this upcoming Friday night in the Sweet 16 round of this year?s NCAA Men?s Tournament. This East Region semifinal from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. is set to tip at 9:45 p.m. (ET) and will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Kentucky needed to hold-off a persistent No.13 seed Princeton team in the second round to squeak-out a 59-57 win as a 12 ½-point favorite. The Wildcats looked much more at ease in a third round 71-63 victory over No.5 seed West Virginia as a 3 ½-point favorite that advanced them to Sweet 16. Part of Kentucky?s lack of consistency can be attributed to the fact it has three starters that are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Brandon Knight leads the team in scoring with 17.4 points a game, while Terrence Jones is second in scoring with 16.1 points and has a team-high 8.7 rebounds a game. A third freshman, Doron Lamb has also been a key contributor with 12.6 points a game. Ohio State turned in a couple of brisk workouts in its first two tournament games with a 75-46 rout of No.16 seed UT-San Antonio and a 98-66 dismantling of No.8 seed George Mason as an 11 ½-point favorite. The Buckeye?s freshman sensation Jared Sullinger has been relatively quiet in these first two games with a total of 29 points after leading the team with an average of 17.2 a game in the regular season. William Bufford led the way against the Roadrunners with 18 points and David Lighty stepped up against the Patriots with a game-high 25 points. Ohio State is just too deep for the Wildcats to keep this game close for 40 minutes. Look for Sullinger to turn in a monster game as Ohio State rolls to its third straight double-digit win in this tournament.

 

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Betting Preview: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Friday when the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers meet at STAPLES Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 9½-point favorites versus the Clippers, while the game's total is sitting at 197½.

Los Angeles won its last outing, a 127-119 result against the Wizards on March 23. The Clippers failed to cover in that game as a 13.5-point favorite, while the 246 combined points took the game OVER the total.

In their last action, Los Angeles was a 139-137 winner at home against the Suns. They failed to cover the 7?point spread as favorites, while the combined score (276) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Los Angeles: Team record: 28-44 SU, 34-37-1 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the LA Clippers last 12 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers LA Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers LA Clippers are 6-15-1 ATS in their last 22 games on the road

When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Toronto are 2-8 After playing Washington are 3-7 After a win are 4-6

Los Angeles: Team record: 51-20 SU, 34-37 ATS Current streak: won 5 straight games.

LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers LA Lakers are 12-3 SU in their last 15 games when playing LA Clippers

When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing New Orleans are 8-2 After playing Phoenix are 8-2 After a win are 9-1

Next up: LA Clippers home to Toronto, Saturday, March 26 LA Lakers home to New Orleans, Sunday, March 27

 

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The fans at United Center will be treated to a game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls when they take their seats on Friday.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 9-point favorites versus the Grizzlies, while the game's total is sitting at 187.

Memphis won its last outing, a 90-87 result against the Celtics on March 23. The Grizzlies covered in that game as a 6-point underdog, while the 177 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Chicago was a 114-81 winner in its last match on the road against the Hawks. They covered the 4?point spread as favorites, while the total score of 195 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Memphis: Team record: 40-32 SU, 45-26-1 ATS Current streak: won 3 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago

When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing San Antonio are 5-5 After playing Boston are 4-6 After a win are 5-5

Chicago: Team record: 51-19 SU, 45-24-1 ATS Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Memphis is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis

When playing on Friday are 2-8 Before playing Milwaukee are 5-5 After playing Atlanta are 7-3 After a win are 8-2

Next up: Memphis home to San Antonio, Sunday, March 27 Chicago at Milwaukee, Saturday, March 26

 

NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls

Point Spread: Huskies -1

Over/Under : 130

The closest matchup on tap for Thursday pits the No.2 seed San Diego State Aztecs against the No.3 seed Connecticut Huskies in the West Region semifinals of this year?s NCAA Men?s Tournament. Game time from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. is set for 7:15 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on CBS.

San Diego State had a fairly easy time of it against No.15 seed Northern Colorado in its first game with a 68-50 win as a 14 ½-point favorite. Things got a bit dicey from there as the Aztecs needed two overtimes to knock-out No.7 seed Temple 71-64 as a 5 ½-point favorite to advance to the Sweet 16.

Billy White led the way against Temple with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds and sophomore forward Kawhi Leonard matched his total with 16 points of his own and added nine more rebounds in the win. Leonard leads San Diego State with 15.6 points and 10.6 rebounds a game, while Malcolm Thomas has also been a key contributor with 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds a game.

Connecticut came into this tournament with a five game winning streak and ran it to seven with an 81-52 rout of No.14 seed Bucknell in the second round as a 10-point favorite, followed by a 69-58 win over Big East foe No.7 seed Cincinnati as a 3 ½-point favorite.

Kemba Walker recorded 18 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists in the win over the Bisons, but lit up the scoreboard against the Bearcats with a game-high 33 points including 16 down the stretch to close-out the win. Jeremy Lamb added 14 points and Alex Oriakhi pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to support Walker?s effort.

This game will come down to the Aztecs? ability to win the battle of the boards against the 11th-best rebounding team in the country as well as try and contain Walker, who appears to be just warming up. Add in the Huskies? momentum coming into this game and it all points to a trip to the Elite Eight for Connecticut.

 

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Betting Preview: San Diego State vs. Connecticut Huskies

Point Spread: Florida -3

Game Total Line: 149

Thursday?s action in the Southeast Region kicks off with the No.3 seed BYU Cougars tangling with the No.2 seed Florida Gators in the Sweet 16 round of this year?s NCAA Men?s Tournament. Tip-off from the Superdome in New Orleans is set for 7:27 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on TBS.

BYU opened-up the tournament with a 74-66 win over No. 14 seed Wofford as an 8 ½-point favorite. The Cougars then proceeded to roll over No.11 seed Gonzaga 89-67 as a one-point favorite to advance to the Sweet 16.

There was some genuine concern when BYU decided to dismiss its leading rebounder and third highest scorer Brandon Davies from the team due to violations of the school?s personal conduct policy, but so far the team has not missed a beat without him. Much of this is due to the fact that Jimmer Fredette has averaged 33 points a game to help mask the Cougars? problems underneath the boards.

Florida made its way into this round with a 79-51 romp over No.15 seed UC Santa Barbara in the second round as a 12 ½-point favorite, followed by a 73-65 win over No.7 seed UCLA as a 5 ½-point favorite.

Erving Walker turned in a game-high 21 point performance against the Bruins after leading the team all season long with an average of 14.7 points a game. Kenny Boynton, who is averaging 14 points a game, added 12 points and five assists against UCLA before leaving the game with a slightly sprained left ankle. He is currently listed as probable and should be ready to go for Thursday?s game.

These two teams faced one another in the first round of last year?s NCAA Tournament with BYU coming away with a thrilling 99-92 victory in double-overtime as a five-point favorite. You can expect another close, hard-fought battle this time around as well, but stick with Florida to come out on top with a win that just barely covers the three-point spread.

 

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Betting Preview: BYU Cougars vs. Florida Gators Betting Odds

The New Orleans Hornets and the Utah Jazz will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Hornets listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game's total is sitting at 190½.

The Hornets were an 89-85 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Celtics. They failed to cover the 1?point spread as underdogs, while the total score (174) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Utah lost its last outing, a 106-94 result against the Thunder on March 23. The Jazz earned a push in that game as a 12-point underdog, while the 200 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

New Orleans: Team record: 40-31 SU, 34-34-3 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of last 9 games when playing on the road against Utah The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing Utah The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 10 of last 13 games

When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Phoenix are 5-5 After playing Boston are 7-3 After a loss are 5-5

Utah: Team record: 36-36 SU, 30-40-2 ATS Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of last 9 games when playing at home against New Orleans is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against New Orleans The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans

When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Dallas are 6-4 After playing Oklahoma City are 7-3 After a loss are 4-6

Next up: New Orleans at Phoenix, Friday, March 25 Utah home to Dallas, Saturday, March 26

NBA Preview: New Orleans Hornets vs. Utah Jazz

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at American Airlines Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 15½-point favorites versus the Timberwolves, while the game's total is sitting at 209½.

Last time out for Minnesota, they were a 127-95 loser as they battled the Kings at home. The Timberwolves failed to cover in the match as a 4-point favorite, while 222 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

The Mavericks were a 101-73 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Warriors. They covered the 8.5?point spread as favorites, while the total score (174) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Minnesota: Team record: 17-54 SU, 31-40 ATS Current streak: lost 4 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Dallas The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas The total has gone UNDER in 16 of last 24 games when playing Dallas

When playing on Thursday are 1-9 Before playing Oklahoma City are 2-8 After playing Sacramento are 4-6 After a loss are 3-7

Dallas: Team record: 49-21 SU, 36-32-2 ATS

is 17-1 SU in its last 18 games when playing Minnesota is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Minnesota The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Minnesota is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home

When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Utah are 8-2 After playing Golden State are 4-6 After a win are 6-4

Next up: Minnesota at Oklahoma City, Friday, March 25 Dallas at Utah, Saturday, March 26

NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks

 

The fans at Coleman Coliseum will be treated to a game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Alabama Crimson Tide when they take their seats on Wednesday.

Oddsmakers currently have the Crimson Tide listed as 5-point favorites versus the Hurricanes, while the game's total is sitting at 130.

Miami was an 81-72 winner in its last match at home against Missouri State. They covered the 5?point spread as favorites.

Last time out for Alabama, they were a 74-67 winner as they battled New Mexico at home. They earned a push in the match as a 7-point favorite.

Miami: Team record: 21-14 SU, 16-13-1 ATS

Alabama: Team record: 23-11 SU, 16-13-1 ATS

 

NIT Preview: Miami Hurricanes vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

The College of Charleston Cougars and the Wichita State Shockers will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Charles Koch Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Shockers listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Cougars, while the game's total is sitting at 142.

Last time out for College of Charleston, they were a 64-56 winner as they battled Cleveland State on the road. They covered in the match as a 4-point underdog.

In their last action, Wichita State was a 79-76 winner on the road against Virginia Tech. They covered the 5?point spread as underdogs.

College of Charleston: Team record: 26-10 SU, 18-13-1 ATS

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3 After a win are 8-2

Wichita State: Team record: 26-8 SU, 16-14 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games at home is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games

When playing on Wednesday are 4-6 After a win are 6-4

 

NIT Preview: College of Charleston Cougars vs. Wichita State Shockers

The San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Pepsi Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 5-point favorites versus the Spurs, while the game's total is sitting at 211½.

Last time out for San Antonio, they were a 111-96 winner as they battled the Warriors at home. The Spurs covered in the match as a 11-point favorite, while 207 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Denver was a 123-90 winner in its last match at home against the Raptors. They covered the 12.5?point spread as favorites, while the total score of 213 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

San Antonio: Team record: 57-13 SU, 39-29-2 ATS Current streak: won 3 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver

When playing on Wednesday are 6-4 Before playing Portland are 6-4 After playing Golden State are 7-3 After a win are 7-3

Denver: Team record: 42-29 SU, 37-31-3 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing San Antonio The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 11 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games at home

When playing on Wednesday are 4-6 Before playing Washington are 6-4 After playing Toronto are 5-5 After a win are 7-3

Next up: San Antonio at Portland, Friday, March 25 Denver home to Washington, Friday, March 25

 

NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets