EP36's Tournament Emporium

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 7-8 (-1.56)

It's on bookies. Since starting 1-6, Daddy is now beginning to bang you in a most uncomfortable place.

[kmarinouofm]

get em EAGLES!!!

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 7-9 (-2.64)

Buckeyes were not as impressive as expected. Still, much closer to getting back to even at this point. Saturday is moving day. Welcome to Beaver Ball!

[EaglesPhan36]

SATURDAY, MARCH 20th
NCAA [WOMEN]: Hartford +11 (-115)

Hartford, the America East champions, take on 7th seeded LSU. Both teams are experienced and defensive minded. LSU allows just 37% FG shooting, while Hartford is even better at 35%. Offensively, LSU is a shade better, but given the neutral court in Durham, NC .... expect Hartford to keep this close and stay within the number.

NCAA [WOMEN]: Marist +10 (-115)

This looks to be one of the best 1st round bargains around with a veteran Marist club taking on Georgetown. Marist is battled test, having lost to Oklahoma State by two, West Virgnia by five and Oklahoma in overtime. Those are all tournament teams seeded higher than Marist. Georgetown had a strong Big East season, but this line seems a bit off.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA: St.Mary's +4.5 (-105)

I will confess I had Richmond in this spot to defeat Villanova, but regardless, I think the Gaels also possess the talent to dismiss the #2 seed. Villanova barely escaped the opening round against Robert Morris and I believe their defense is ultimately going to be the downfall of this squad. St.Mary's has the perimeter players to challenge the Wildcats and the inside presence of Samhan to really open things up. St.Mary's is one of the best outside shooting teams in the country and if they are on, they should not only keep Villanova close - they should have a chance for the outright win with a good inside-outside balance.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: Austin Peay-Tennessee UNDER 144.5 (-110)

Expect Pat Summit to come out and prove a point after the Lady Vols lost in the first round last year. Their defense has been pretty stifling all year as they yield under 58 ppg. Austin Peay did play some non-conference toughies like Vanderbilt & Xavier. Both were big blowouts: 95-51 to Vandy and 87-41 to Xavier. I think this one is more along the lines of that Xavier game where Peay will have problems getting points on the board and even if Tennessee gets 90, I think Peay will be in the low 50s or worse, making this a distinct possibility to cash.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 8-10 (-2.79)

Hartford getting killed - all mostly from the FT line where LSU is +15 in a 22 point game late. Tennessee Under hitting easily.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA: [1st Half] Ohio-Tennessee OVER 65.5 (-118)

I'm expecting a good tempo in this game as Tennessee should be happy to run a little more than they got to do against San Diego State. In that one, the Vols still put up 34 1st half points with the total at 60. Ohio comes into this with a ton of confidence, but their shooters won't get the wide open looks they had all day against Georgetown. They have however hit 44% from deep in their last 5, so they will still test the Volts. The Bobcats tempo and guard play should be good to put up points if the pace unfolds to an up-tempo style.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 9-10 (-1.79)

St.Mary's

[Facepunch]

Helluva game with St. Mary's

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 9-11 (-2.97)

Well that's shitty luck. I waited a few minutes to book the total and it rose to 65.5. Of course if F-ing Ohio makes a free throw, it cashes.

[kmarinouofm]

dude that was painful we needed 4 pts with like 2 mins to go..

[EaglesPhan36]

Got the Marist play now at +10.5 (-105). 8:20pm ET Beaver Ball tip. If I play anything else on men tonight, I'm thinking 2nd halves. Not really digging any of the lines for the rest of the slate. I think all the lines look pretty 50-50 ish with no big edges. Good luck with your games tonight. Might have one more Beaver Ball one late tonight, still weighing it.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: Tulane +9 (-110)

Tulane is the 12 seed going against 5th seeded Georgia. These are two teams in opposite directions at the outset of this tournament. Georgia was at one time 18-1, but finished the season 5-7. Of those 5 wins, only an overtime victory against LSU was noteworthy as the rest came against SEC also-rans. Tulane finished the season with wins in 10 of their last 11. The Green Wave did test themselves against Louisiana rivals LSU early in the season, losing by 7 in overtime. Georgia is the better defensive club, but Tulane shoots the ball better and has better balance. The Lady Dawgs are a bit similar to Texas on the men's side in that they do have talent, but have inexplicably been unable to pull themselves together after their hot start. Expecting them to turn the light on at the right time to me is a risky proposition. Georgia has senior leadership, but they lost in the opening round last season by 11. Tulane might be making their 1st appearance in the ladies' dance since 2002, but they have experienced leadership that if not overcome by the moment should make this a tight game. Tulane at +380 on the moneyline just in case you're curious.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 9-12 (-4.02)

Damn Marist. Were only down 2 at the half after leading most of the 1st half. Got blown the F out in the 2nd half.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 10-12 (-3.02)

[EaglesPhan36]

SUNDAY, MARCH 21th
NCAA [WOMEN]: Southern-UConn OVER 122 (-115)

Let's start this at the bottom line. Connecticut is going to massacre Southern University. Southern has had no comparable competition to prepare them for what awaits on Sunday with the Huskies. They played one out of conference game against a decent team in California. Cal made the NIT. The result, a 78-47 loss for Southern. While this UConn team has had some issues with offensive consistency, an opening round game against an overmatched squad should give them the opportunity to erupt. The Huskies start on the road in Virginia which their coach says will help them concentrate better. I'd expect nothing less than 80 from this team in this match-up. I think they need the confidence of scoring if a team that has won 72 straight needs more confidence. Can Southern get 40? In what will be a blowout, I think so. If they do get into the 40s, this should sneak in.

NCAA: Cornell +4.5 (-105)

How do you not take the Big Red here? They dismantled a team in Temple that played a similar style to Wisconsin, although the Badgers I think are better coached with Bo Ryan. Still, if Cornell gets more production from it's big guy and Cornell is hitting threes ... this game should be close and Cornell certainly could win outright.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA: Gonzaga +7 (-115)

This hurts me as an avid Syracuse fan, but money to be made is money to be made. I had a hard time not picking Gonzaga straight up in brackets in this spot because I believe they are a tough match-up for Syracuse. The Orange I have believed can be beat by a team with a big presence down low, a few SCORERS and a tough defense. I think they find all of that in the Bulldogs today. Without Onuaku, Robert Sacre looks like an even better match-up with Rick Jackson. Fouls could loom large there. If either big man picks up some trouble, edge to the opposition as neither really has a capable replacement. The fours are very similar players in Elias Harris and Kris Joseph. Similar size, similar game. Then I think where this game might be won and lost is the scorers for each team. Bouldin & Gray vs. Johnson & Rautins. Not sure who will draw Johnson for Gonzaga, but I think Gray is probably better athletically to run around with him where as Bouldin would bang him a bit more with added bulk. The key for Gonzaga will be how they play the zone ... I think Bouldin can dribble-drive into it and kick for shots. Gray could be the zone buster. The Bulldogs certainly are not going to be intimidated having played their usual tough out of conference schedule. The recipe for beating Syracuse has shown itself in their losses: opponents need to hit some outside shots, Syracuse's outside shooters need to be contained, opponents must control the glass. All things Gonzaga is capable of doing. I hope Syracuse sneaks out with a win and maybe I'll reverse this and they get a blow out win ... but I think Gonzaga and the points is a solid play in what figures to be tough and go.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: [2nd Half] Vermont-Wisconsin OVER 62 (-110)

5Dimes is the only place I've seen with totals on halves for the ladies. 33-25 at the half, Vermont the lower seed is winning by 8. This is not a big upset though as the Catamounts were in the tournament last year, while Wisconsin is here for the first time in 8 years. Wisconsin is in the bottom third in the country as far as fouls committed in each game. If their frustration grows, expect more fouls which can only help the cause. Both teams shot decently in the first half at 42%. Badgers will have to get 60 I think to make the comeback, so that is why I trend over here as I expect some points and definitely hopefully fouls and made FTs.

[EaglesPhan36]

The UConn OVER looks superb with 81 points at half time. Just need 42 to cash. UConn may score that many themselves. Like I said to the haters, make fun if you want for betting WNCAA ... but there are lazy lines a-plenty to find.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 11-13 (-3.17)

WNCAA UConn OVER. Gonzaga loser.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: Cleveland State-Notre Dame OVER 143.5 (-115)

Irish playing at home in this one will be looking to start fast and finish strong. They average 76 ppg on the season. At home, they were routinely scoring in the 80s during the season against most competition not named Connecticut. They are also looking to avenge a first round loss in the NCAAs last year, so I expect them to be focused. Cleveland State runs a very different offense, with no true posts. It's a motion oriented offense that may be able to put up some points today. Cleveland State was only fourth best in their conference this season, getting a surprise run through the conference tournament to win. They played no one close to the Irish's level this season, so they will likely be overwhelmed early in this one on the road. If Cleveland State can get into the 60s, Notre Dame should roll and do the rest.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 11-14 (-4.27)

Ack. 2nd half in Vermont-Wisconsin finishes at 61.

[EaglesPhan36]

Addding

Cornell +167 for 0.5 units in addition to the Cornell +4.5

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: [2nd Half] James Madison-Temple UNDER 66 (-110)

Poor shooting and very few foul calls. 42 point first half. Game is close though, just four points and hopefully that means no foul fest down the stretch.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA: Texas A&M -2 (-105)

Going back to simplicity. Purdue did not fall victim to the upset bug in Round 1, but A&M presents a much more daunting task. The Aggies are tested having played a rough out of conference schedule in addition to their Big 12 slate. On the season, the numbers are similar both offensively and defensively for these two. Lately though, A&M has amped their offensive production up shooting 47% in their last 5. A big category today I believe is rebounding. Purdue has been getting beat on the boards badly in their losses without Hummel. So watch that category today. The Aggies were almost +3 in rebounding margin this season. A&M is on a solid ATS roll to top it off, covering 11 of their last 13. Purdue has covered just one of their last 8. A&M is also solid in the PK-2.5 point range as a favorite, going 4-1 ATS this season.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: Nebraska -21.5 (-110)

This is a relatively low number here considering the seeding and talent levels. Nebraska does not get home court with this one in Minneapolis, so there probably won't be much of a crowd factor. The Panthers did test themselves against tough non conference foes, including Big 12 tournament team Iowa State. The Lady Cyclones beat them by 25. UNI also lost to Missouri by 17 on the road. That's a Missouri team Nebraska beat by 16 at home in their last meeting. Nebraska should come into this match-up pissed off after losing their first game all season in their last game against Texas A&M in the Big 12 title game. Nebraska was the cream of the crop all season in a good Big 12, routinely beating tournament teams like A&M, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State by double figures. Northern Iowa ranked near the dead bottom in D1 in FG% defense, while Nebraska was #12 in the country in FG shooting at 46%. Anything more than a comprehensive Cornhuskers win would be shocking.

NCAA [WOMEN]: South Dakota State +19 (-110)

The Jack Rabbits once again go up against a power conference team and the line seems a bit off here for me. This experienced SD State squad took Baylor to the last second in last year's 2nd round in the tournament, losing 60-58. Oklahoma meanwhile has been solid this year, but their defense has given most teams the opportunity to stay fairly close throughout. SD State is the #6 FG% shooting team in D1, so with two seniors and a junior as their leading scorers, I believe they will have success hitting baskets against this Sooners squad. Both defenses rank in the middle of the pack as far as FG%, so look for an entertaining game and I have a hard time believing Oklahoma will win by 20. Don't let the #14 seed next to SD State's name fool you, they are dangerous.

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 14-15 (-2.54)

I think Cornell did a lot of folks big today and I am one of them. No more 2nd halves on the ladies, they F-ed me. HUGE win for me on the side with 144 on the Notre Dame-Cleveland State OVER hitting just barely. Three games tonight, going at least 2-1 and getting back to sea level!

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 15-16 (-2.59)

Nebraska winning by almost 40. This was the best bet of the first round. All the other #1 seeds were favorites of 36 or better. SD State booked at +19.5.

[KingKolzig]

ep what do you think about Cornell +9.5 and Duke -8...............i like them both in those games. purdue just cant keep this up against one of the best Duke teams in years, and Cornell i think would be top 3 team in any major conference. Plus they will have a few days to scout out UK and set a game plan...........whats up with the women bets btw are you watching these games lol

[EaglesPhan36]

Record: 16-16 (-1.59)

Another Beaver Ball winner. OU wins, but only by 11. If I had left the two 2nd half bets off, would have been a much better day. Still, found .500 after that 1-6 start, so now time to roll. Not sure about those lines yet ... I'll be looking more for those lines on Wednesday. We've got WNCAA, NIT, CBI & CIT tomorrow!

[KingKolzig]

i think im leaning UAB -4 on tuesday. UNC just isnt that good and UAB is, its that simple. people might be thinking UNC is coming into form with a young team but they really got lucky in winning their first 2 NIT games. They escaped at home vs willian and mary and then Miss state surely was out partying the night before a noon tipoff and after a real demanding week before for state it really opened the door for UNC. state was still tired from the previous week i watched the game........plus UAB just pounded NC state by 20, and NC state is about equal to UNC i think. I think this line should be UAB -6, at least. im going to really watch this line cause i think it might actually go down to -3.5, and its a gem if it gets to that point

[EaglesPhan36]

MONDAY, MARCH 22nd
NIT: Nevada +9 (-115)

A wide line here considering Rhode Island's bad home ATS record, which stands at 4-9. They did cover in Round 1 of the NIT at home against Northwestern, mostly thanks to a 19 point differential on the FT line. The Wolf Pack are a solid shooting team at 48% that will test a leaky Rams' defense that allows 47% shooting and almost 70 ppg. Nevada has been particularly hot of late, hitting 51% of their shots in their last five. Rhode Island though still putting up points is having to volume shoot as they are hitting just 41% in their last five. This one looks like it will be a lot closer than oddsmakers have it listed. Expecting big things from Nevada's Luke Babbitt and the confidence this Nevada team should have from winning on the road in their NIT opener against a tough Wichita State team.

[EaglesPhan36]

NCAA [WOMEN]: Gonzaga-Texas A&M OVER 142.5 (-110)

Two high octane offenses meeting here in Spokane, Washington. A&M has been on a roll with 69 points or better in 9 of their last 11 games. Gonzaga has been a point producing machine all season long with totals over 71 points in all but one of their 32 games this season. These two met in Las Vegas back in December with the Aggies winning 80-76. Both teams shot over 50% in that one and the possession total for the game was above 150. Gonzaga put up a whopping 75 shots in Round 1 against North Carolina and the Tar Heels put up 78. A&M scored 83 points in their opener and while they may not shoot at the volume of Gonzaga, they are a bit more efficient. This should be an entertaining game that has a shot to go over the total.

[beefcake]

Love those totals!!!