Monday on the Diamond

Record: 45-28-2 (61.64%) ROI: 20.69%
1Unit Plays: 32-20 (61.65%) [+13.83] ROI: 22.64
2Unit Plays: 10-6-1 (62.50%) [+9.00] ROI: 25.58%
3Unit Plays: 3-2 (60.00%) [+1.29] ROI: 6.35%
Profit in Units: +24.12
Yesterday: 4-3 (+.59)
Progress
Detailed Ledger (Team breakdown, graphs, graphs)
April 17-24: 20-12-0 (+14.65 units; ROI: 32.08%)
April 24-May 1: 21-13-0 (+9.47 units; ROI: 13.36%)

======================
Basics: 1 to 3 unit plays. Unless otherwise stated, plays are for 1 unit.
Number is to win on favorites; risking on dogs.
======================

Well I did not meet my 2+ unit goal for Sunday, but I did manage to stay in the black and make some money. I'll probably keep it short and sweet for today.

Monday Goal: 3 units

Picks for Monday, May 1st (quick view)

Sunday Diamond Picks

sunday selections forum

Goal is +2

Lions draft Blog read

As always, The Wayne Fontes Experience is a great read and would like to direct your attention to the site dedicated to local sports conversation:

As I was killing time before the upcoming gut wrencher that the Red Wings game will most likely be, I ran into an interesting article. Page 2 ranked the "100 Worst Draft Picks Ever" today. The great State of Michigan was well represented, as you might think. I thought I'd touch base on those who were drafted by or played with, at one time or another, teams from the mitten.

Continued: This list is not complete without Reggie Rogers

Sunday Bases Discussion and Picks

Picks for Today record: 41-25-2 (62%) ROI: 22.11%
**2Unit** Plays: 9-4-1
***3Unit*** Plays: 3-2
Units gained/lost: +23.53
Yesterday: 5-2 (+2.84)
Progress
Daily Excel Sheet (Team/weekly/monthly breakdowns)
April 17-24: 20-12-0 (+14.65 units; ROI: 32.08%)
April 24-May 1: 21-13-0 (+8.88 units; ROI: 14.62%)
======================
Basics: 1 to 3 unit plays. Unless otherwise stated, plays are for 1 unit.
Number is to win on favorites; risking on dogs.
======================

Pretty light day yesterday, not risking more than 1 unit on any single play. Lost one play on the run-line (cardinals) and another on the NYM/ATL total. Won some easy ones on Tigers -1, NYY -1.5, and Milwaukee ML and a couple more on Seattle ML and CWS ML. My goal was 2-3 units for the day and I hit 2.8 units. The goal for Sunday will be 2 units.

Been having success on the weekends so far. Saturdays (2): +12.65 and Sundays (1): +2.70 If I can get another 2 units for a Sunday, I'll be pleased.

Just beginning to look at the schedule and lineups for tomorrow. I'll be sharing things as they come to me as well.

Below are some trends for the following game. I try to glance at trends and try to find certain ones that maybe applicable. In the case here, the trends really aren't very convincing one way or the other. I like that CWS are 9-0 as dogs in their last 9. Garland is 6-0 after the Sox score less than 2 runs in their previous games. I like that the Angels are 7-1 in Santana's last 8 home starts.

White Sox vs Angels
----------------------
• White Sox are 9-0 in their last 9 games as an underdog.
• White Sox are 7-1 in their last 8 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• White Sox are 6-0 in Garland's last 6 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• White Sox are 6-1 in Garland's last 7 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• White Sox are 5-2 in Garland's last 7 starts.
• White Sox are 4-0 in Garland's last 4 starts as an underdog.
• White Sox are 1-4 in Garland's last 5 road starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.

• Angels are 5-0 in their last 5 day games.
• Angels are 7-1 in Santana's last 8 home starts.
• Angels are 0-3 in their last 3 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Angels are 9-4 in Santana's last 13 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Angels are 6-1 in Santana's last 7 starts as a home favorite.

• White Sox are 3-0 in Garland's last 3 road starts with Reliford behind home plate.
• Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 games with Reliford behind home plate.

Seems like a tough matchup to take the side. I've had the CWS the last 2 games. Not sure if I should just avoid this one all together. Under in the total looks pretty convincing, but have not had great success on judging the strength of my leans on totals so far.

Twinkies @ Tigers
-------------------------
In my opinion, this is a game to avoid.

I have had Detroit on the -1 the first two games. WHOA! were those some blow outs. Minnesota lost two games in a row by more than 10 runs. At times, the team looked like they lacked fundamentals. They had errors that were laughable. Detroit is jacking the ball out of the park like crazy... so if with the tasty offer the books are giving, I don't think it is wise to take Minnesota. I think they get swept here. This game will be closer (obviously) but the only bet I would make on this game would be Detroit Tigers -1.5 @ +125. I guess I shouldn't say only (I would take ML if someone made me pick a ML on the game--but wouldn't put more than 1 unit on it), but I think the RL is the best bet on this game is.

Fade Rogers with a 2.42 ERA in his last 3? When Lohse has 'improved' his ERA to 6.46 in the last 3 games, compared to his 8.55 overall..... I want to press that I don't think it is smart to fade the Tigers tomorrow.

I have a feeling that the Tigers are really going to want to get this home sweep, after that long successful road trip this will feel like a gem. I also think that they really aren't going to have an awful time sweeping. Sometimes it is just tough to bet on a team 3 days in a row

Waiting and seeing if the line comes down (did last night and I saved slightly)... & then I'll reconsider in the morning

Toronto @ Yankees
-------------------------
I know who I like in this matchup and I'm pretty sure I'll be taking NYY -1 -143 or NYY -1.5 +102. Yankees have yet to win a 1-run game, so the value in taking the Yankees has been in taking the RL....

Mussina has been solid this season. A WHIP of under 1 in his last 3 and under a 3 ERA, it seems to make sense to take the Yankees against the lefty Chacin. He is 4-0 and that to me is impressive with his 5+ ERA... Yankees are batting over .300 against lefties and had a good day at the dish yesterday... May carry over and they could deliver Chacin his first loss.

Games I won't be touching unless I get strong reason too....

--------------------------------------------------
Philly and Pittsburgh --- 2 bad teams, coin flipper

Seattle and Baltimore ---hit two games on the series and both team are pretty inconsistent. Couldn't tell you how this Sunday game is going to play out.

Boston and Tampa--- Would like Boston but not at that price. Schilling has been sick, but less good the last 3 (still very good)-- paying the price on the road in a rubber match doesn't sound like an exciting bet. If anything maybe, Tampa +1.5 +105 for 1 unit.

Considerations for discussion and the morning...
----------
Houston/Nati Over 9 or 9.5

Cubs/Milwaukee Over -- especially if it is like 8 or 8.5

NY METS--- streaking right now?

Cleveland? ...

Picks will be finalized in the morning...

Saturday Bases

Picks for Today record: 36-23-2 (61%) ROI: 21.01%
**2Unit** Plays: 9-4-1
***3Unit*** Plays: 3-2
Units gained/lost: +20.69
Yesterday: 5-2 (+5.72) progress
Daily Excel Sheet
April 17-24: 20-12-0 (+14.65 units; ROI: 32.08%)
======================
How this works: 1 to 3 unit plays. Unless otherwise stated, plays are for 1 unit.
Number is to win on favorites; risking on dogs.
======================

5 EARLY GAMES
1. Seattle Mariners -118 *1UNIT*
Felix Hernandez over Bruce Chen sounds good. &
I'm not thinking the vig will get cheaper.
• 2. Detroit Tigers -1 -105 *1UNIT*
Waited overnight on this one and I got a slightly better prices (ML dropped about 6 cents and the -1 runline 4 cents. I'm gonna put a unit down on Verlander and the Tigers to win another one against Minnesota. The bet is only 1 unit (yesterday it was 3 units), but I think their chances of winning are about the same but I don't feel the need to push the issue in game 2.
• 3. New York Yankees -1.5 -128 *1UNIT*
I have decided to add this early game. I think Yankees win today and they haven't won a game by just a single run all season long. I'd rather lose on the chance of a 1 run game then pay close to -255 for the ML.
• 4. Milwaukee Brewers -109 *1UNIT*
Pretty much I'm thinking Cubs aren't gonna score many runs against the lefty... Rusch lets up quite a few. Rubber match on Sunday...
• 5. St Louis Cardinals -1.5 -116 *1UNIT*
Don't see any reason why the Cardinals don't snap back and have a great game under the start of Carpenter. ML I think is a given but you are really paying a risky price, so I'm taking the runline.

2 LATE GAMES
•6. Mets/Braves OVER 8 +104 *1UNIT*
• 7. Chicago White Sox -116 *1UNIT*
Going to bite on Contreras and the Sox for two nights in a row.

Saturday goal is to net +2 to +3 units. Won't be looking to push too much, as last Saturday was 6-1 +9.81 units (the 22nd of April).

Introducing "The Malboro performance meter"

I witnessed the best at bat I've seen from a Tiger player in recent memory during today's thrilling win against the A's. Brandon Inge's 15 pitch at bat, resulting in a walk to keep a come from behind rally alive was a thing of beauty. Even more impressive was that Inge was behind 0-2 in the count, then battled for 7 minutes, fouling off 9 pitches. Not nearly as dramatic as Dave Bergman's legendary nationally televised 19 pitch at bat against Toronto in 1984, as that ended with Bergman hitting a 3 run home run, but it had it's similarities.

It was so good, that Jim Leyland had something to say about the length of Inge's plate appearance...

Tigers skipper Jim Leyland joked that Inge stood in there so long he had enough time to smoke more than one cigarette.

“One-and-a-half Marlboros,” Leyland said. “That was a tremendous at-bat. He showed great discipline up there. When people see that, they see the way it can be done.”

A one-and-a-half-marlboro at bat. I don't think Leyland could have given Inge any higher praise that that...

Continued

Wings win in Double OT

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Red Wings survived a scare because Kirk Maltby has been listening to his coaches.

Maltby scored his second goal of the night 2:39 into double overtime to lift Detroit to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their first-round series Friday.

He ended the 3½-hour game with a long shot from outside the right circle that was deflected past goaltender Dwayne Roloson by the stick of Edmonton teammate Rem Murray.

"Our coaching staff has been harping on us to get the puck on the net because you never know what can happen," Maltby said. "My shot just clipped his stick, and more times than not, those are the kind of goals that win in OT."

Maltby made it 2-all with 6:17 left in regulation when he scored off a rebound on a goal that stood after a video review. He had just five goals this season after scoring 14 in each of the previous two.

"You need guys like Malts to win at playoff time -- he competes," coach Mike Babcock said after coaching Detroit for the first time in the postseason.

Roloson made 54 saves.

"Unfortunately, they got a lucky bounce at the end of the game," Roloson said. "You can't fault our guys at all."

Manny Legace, who made just 23 saves for the Red Wings, said he felt a sense of relief.

"Especially when it goes to double overtime and the other goalie stands on his head," Legace said. "We got lucky."

Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference series is Sunday in Detroit.

The Oilers had a chance to steal the game against the Stanley Cup favorites, but Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish said his team has to get over the disappointment quickly.

"You can't carry that baggage long in postseason because that really debilitates you ability to bounce back," MacTavish said.

Three of the four regular-season meetings went to overtime with Detroit winning the lone game decided in regulation. The Red Wings won once in overtime, and the Oilers won a game in overtime and another in a shootout.

The Red Wings entered the playoffs with the best record in the NHL for the third time in four seasons, but they are coming off two straight early-postseason exits.

Detroit got off to a good start, with Robert Lang scoring on the power play for a 1-0 lead 4:05 in, but Legace gave up goals on two of the first seven shots he faced.

Edmonton's Sergei Samsonov made it 1-all midway through the first period, and Chris Pronger's slap shot from just inside the middle of the blue line at 8:43 of the second gave the gritty Oilers the lead.

Maltby scored his first goal when he charged toward the net and got the middle of his stick on a rebound off Johan Franzen's shot. The sellout crowd erupted when the red lamp was lit and did again following a review.

The fans booed just as loudly when Detroit's Brendan Shanahan was called for roughing with 1:50 remaining in regulation, but they were happy again when Legace turned away the Oilers with about 15 seconds left.

"We had lots of opportunities to win the game ourselves," MacTavish said.

Roloson, acquired on March 7 from Minnesota, made 14 saves in the first period and 16 in the second before facing fewer shots in the third. He stopped 16 shots in the first OT.

The NHL journeyman gave Hockeytown a flashback to the outstanding goaltending the Red Wings faced when Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff and Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere helped their teams eliminate Detroit in the second and first rounds of the 2004 and 2003 playoffs, respectively. Those clubs both reached the Stanley Cup finals.

The Oilers haven't advanced in the playoffs since 1998, when Dallas eliminated Edmonton for the first of five straight postseason appearances, with the last one coming three years ago.

Detroit is the most experienced team in the playoffs with more than 1,500 combined games and 26 Stanley Cup rings, while the current Oilers entered the postseason with 449 games of experience and no championships.

The Red Wings are in the postseason for the 15th straight season, the longest active streak in professional sports.

Game notes
Center Pavel Datsyuk, who led the Red Wings in scoring this season, missed the game as expected because of a left thigh injury. He said "maybe" when asked if he'll be ready for Game 2. ... Oilers left winger Ethan Moreau (groin) was also scratched. ... Chris Chelios, Detroit's 44-year-old defenseman, has appeared in 21 postseasons, tying Ray Bourque's NHL record. ... Maltby had his second career two-goal game in the playoffs and first since 1997 in the conference finals against Colorado. It was also his second OT goal in the playoffs, first since 1999 against the Avalanche.

Inside the Minds of the Detroit Tigers

Enjoy this:

Jim Leyland: I need a smoke, goddammit! I NEED A F'N SMOKE! How long was that contract I signed? Oh yeah, 3 years till I can retire in style. Screw that, I NEED A SMOKE!

Pudge Rodriguez: Ball 1? Bullshiat! There's no such thing as a ball, taking a walk is disrespecting my Pudge-liness. I HAVE A STATUE!

Carlos Guillen: Ouch! Dammit! Maaaan, here we go again. Was that my back, knee, elbow, ankle, neck, toe, foot, finger, thumb, wrist, chest, shoulder, or groin?

Continued

Streaky Tigers...

My inital excitement for the Tigers has dwindled slightly as they lost their last game in the Texas Rangers series and have now been swept by the White Sox at home. The final game in the series with the Sox was a 13-9 loss.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland came into this job with an idea of what it would be like to manage in spacious Comerica Park. This wasn't it.

"Obviously, more balls have left the park than I thought would," he said after Thursday's 13-9 loss to Chicago.

Continued

It was a pretty crazy game. The Tigers picked up 21 hits in a L. Verlander did not have a good start. In the fourth they were down 9-1, but had a chance to tie it in the 6th before going back down 5 runs again.

The White Sox are the World Champions, so it will be another week or two to see if the Tigers are fazed by this 4 game skid and to really be able to tell if they are going to be a team playing in October. A win would have been crucial against the Sox as the Tigers division is one of the toughest. The Cleveland Indians are looking to be a competitor this year as well.

Facebook: Deal or no deal?

No Deal.

Word is spreading fast that Facebook turned down an acquisition offer for $750 million because they’re holding out for $2 billion. Impressive considering News Corp purchased MySpace for $580 million last July. The question of whether they should have taken the $750 million offer is obviously impossible for most of us to answer. Regardless, what a great PR move on their part. Making it public that they turned down a $750 million offer and they’re holding out for $2 billion certainly benefits Facebook, in terms of attracting more subscribers and getting additional offers from possible acquirers. I would guess they have a number closer to $1 billion in mind and are publicly claiming they are holding out for $2 billion in hopes of meeting someplace in the middle, but who knows.

Quote of the Day

The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.

C. P. Snow

Chris Shelton buzz...

I mean I liked Chris Shelton last year but he is finally getting National recognition. Maybe you are a new Tigers fan or you just don't know much about him..

1. Gimme Shelton: That's pretty much verbatim what the Detroit Tigers said in December of 2003, when they plucked him from Pittsburgh for $50,000 as a Rule V pick. And who knew then that they were just a kiss away from a legend being born?

more

Tigers Update

The Detroit Tigers are off to a 5-0 start. This is the Tigers' best start since 1985, the year after they won the world series. They blasted the Rangers 7-0 last night. Today, Kenny Rodgers will face the Rangers and battle against Padilla.

This clip here is a young Tigers' star, Joel Zumaya. He throws a legit 97-99 mph fastball and is in the role of setup man for the Tigers right now.

Also, check out Chris Shleton's stats. Amazing start Shelton, batting .700.

Tigers extend undefeated streak

mlb.com-- Tigers manager Jim Leyland openly worried before the game that his hitters have hit so many home runs that they'll start thinking only about the long ball. Thursday did nothing to alleviate the problem, but it's a good problem to have. Chris Shelton's second two-homer game in four days and Magglio Ordonez's first two-homer game in three years led a seven-homer Tiger barrage off Rangers pitching, sending the Tigers to a 10-6 win at Texas.

The Tigers have a history of putting motion on pitchers whose knuckleballs go flat. They hit six home runs off of Boston's Tim Wakefield on Aug. 8, 2004, at Comerica Park, tying a Major League record for a pitcher in a game. Detroit spread out that power display over five innings. Tigers hitters needed just four innings to do it on Thursday off Rangers knuckler R.A. Dickey.

Brandon Inge started the string on the second pitch of the game, taking a hanging knuckler from Dickey (0-1) deep to left for his second home run of the year. After Placido Polanco and Ivan Rodriguez flied out to right, Ordonez ended his 0-for-8 start to the season with another solo shot to left.

Shelton homered leading off the second inning, then after a third-inning respite, resumed the home run derby with another solo shot with one out in the fourth to pass Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols for the Major League lead with his fourth home run this season. Carlos Guillen walked before Craig Monroe and Marcus Thames hit back-to-back blasts.

Ordonez's solo homer off the left-field foul pole leading off the ninth inning against Brian Shouse put the Tigers' power pace on a historic level. Detroit's 12 home runs the last two games and 15 homers in three games this season both surpassed franchise records for any two- or three-game stretch, respectively. Detroit already led the Majors in home runs -- Thursday's effort gave them more than double the total of any other American League team and six more than Atlanta. They fell one short of the team record for most home runs in a game.

Ironically, lack of offense plagued Tigers starter Nate Robertson last year with the third-lowest support in the league. Thursday's cushion allowed Robertson (1-0) to cruise to a victory. He allowed three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Friday Hump Day Bases

¤ Florida Marlins +1 +115 2 units

Starting Pitchers: Vargas vs Trachsel
Vargas had 6 spring training starts, getting a record of 2-1. He saw the most innings of any of the Marlins pitchers. 25 innings he comiled a 4.32 ERA allowing 12 runs in those 25 innings.
Trachsel also saw the most innings in Spring Training for the Mets. In 21.1 innings he had a ERA of 6.33 allowing 15 runs and 26 hits. He had a record of 1-1 in spring training.
I have played the Marlins once before this season and it was positive money on the runline (+1.5). They lost by 1 run to the Marlins, but I cashed my ticket. I remember Vargas from last year and will take the positive odds tomorrow.

¤ Washington Nationals +130 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Armasvs Backe
- this if from Apr. 4
News: Backe may miss his first scheduled start of the year with back problems, the Houston Chronicle reports. Spin: "It would be something that could be a consideration," manager Phil Garner said of potentially skipping Backe. "We're not planning on it right now. If Backe cannot start, Wandy Rodriguez would go on Wednesday and rookie Taylor Buchholz would move up to Friday. -Armas has a good track record versus Houston and I still don't think they have their bats going yet.

¤ Chicago Cubs +110 2 unit
Starting Pitchers: Madduxvs Suppan
-Cubs at home with the Vet on the mound. Suppan was weak in spring. Only a one unit play because I seem to always be on the wrong side of the Cubbies games.

¤ Cubs/Cards Over 7 +104 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Maddux vs Suppan
Seems a bit low to me. Good odds and chance to push. It is the first start for Greg Maddux since his shoulder injury and Suppan can get hit up. Making it a 2 unit play and I still have just 1 units on the Cubs

¤ Boston Red Sox -107 1 unit
Starting Pitchers: Clement vs Cabrera

¤ New York Yankees -1 +105 3 units
Starting Pitchers: Chacon vs Escobar
Athough Escobar had a good Spring Training performance, he doesn't have good numbers against the Yankees. He has a 7.62 ERA over the last 3 seasons. Chacon had a good spring with 27 innings allowing 11 runs and a 3.67 ERA. He saw the most innings in training out of any of the Yankee pitchers. He has 6 innings of experience against LAA and has allowed no runs.
--Yankees had a 4 run lead on Oakland before allowing 9 unanswered. Errors had a big part factor in that game. I expect the Yanks to play a cleaner game and come away with the win.

¤ Chicago White Sox -1 -140 1.5 units
Starting Pitchers: Garland vs Affeldt
First thing to notice is this is a 1.5 unit play. I don't like laying all that chalk. I am quoting lltb43 "Garland was 4-0 ML/RL in Apr 2005. His ERA was 1.80 (30 innings/6 earned runs). His ERA vs KC in 2005 was 1.19 (15.1 innings/2 earned runs). Affeldt appeared in 5 games in Apr 2005. His ERA was 4.29 (4.2 innings/2 earned runs)." Like them to win by 2 or more runs, but I'm only laying 1 run since I have to lay juice in either situation. Would much rather have the chance for a push if Chicago leads by 2 in the 9th and gives one up.


I am +7.00 on Seattle plays. I was considering picking Hernandez but I would much rather see him play this season before I wager on him. Quite a few plays but they should be pretty good ones.

Considerations:
I was considering taking Texas as a fade of Mike Maroth. I couldn't find enough information on J. Koronka for Texas. I didn't find any spring stats. I checked ESPN and he is young, played with the Cubs, and got beat up on the few opponents he saw. Detroit batters could light him up, so I'm not playing it unless I get much more information.

Cleveland -1 with Byrd, but this will be Byrd's first start with Cleveland. I don't want to lay anything yet. Wasn't really impressed that much with him last year in the playoffs. Lohse I believe has an alright track record against Cleveland. Not enough value right now for me to play ML or RL.

Totals: 3-0 on totals so far. The only one that sticks out at me is Seattle/Oakland over 7.5, but like I said I don't know how Hernandez is gonna pitch. Also, tonight Seattle game is at 6-2 in the 8th inning and Loazia got hit up real bad. I will have to do some more research and looking around to see if I wanna take a total.

Please take the time to add comments and suggest some plays for me to look at with some reasoning.

MLB Selections for the 6th

¤ Cincinnati Reds -1 +112 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Snell vs Claussen
Reds are at home after a nice win against the Cubs. Pittsburgh has been having trouble scoring runs. Pittsburgh lost 3-2 in Milwaukee and dropped all 3 games of the series.
Matchup Information

¤ Washington Nationals +1 +146 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Martinez vs Ortiz
Washington had a great come from behind win last night. Pedro Martinez is a quality pitcher but the Mets bullpen is struggling. Taking the run with the positive money.
Matchup Information

EARLY GAMES
¤ Philly +110 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Marquis vs Lidle
Philly looking to avoid the sweep. Played a solid game last night (though they did not win). 2 unit play to start the day with.
Matchup Information

¤ ATL/SF over 8 -120 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Lowry vs Sosa
-Juice isn't great but a slugfest could be possible. Sosa should be good for quite a few runs. He was very poor in Spring Training. 24 hits in 14 innings, with over a 7ERA. 0-2 as well. 12 runs given up in 14 innings. Lowry not quite as bad, 12 runs in 23 innings.
Matchup Information

¤ Colorado Rockies -121 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Batista vs Francis

¤ Seattle Mariners -104 4 units
Starting Pitchers: Loaiza vs Meche

Popped Cherry Wednesday Bases

¤ Chicago Cubs -103 2 units

Starting Pitchers: Rusch vs Arroyo
-Ok. I have not looked at any stats for this play. Bronson Arroyo lost me plenty of money last year on the Red Sox. Even with tremendous run support he still managed to get hit to royal hell. I do remember some really poor spring training appearances where he has gotten knocked up just as bad. That is factor one for me, I think Arroyo is nothing special. Now, I've been impressed by the Cubs thus far this year. Like the price and I have some confidence in Rusch based on his level of experience. Anyway, I locked in the wager but I encourage other people who have played with/against the Cubs to comment on THEIR own particular reasons to help others.
Matchup Information

¤ Chicago White Sox -120 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Contreras vs Lee
Third game of this opening series between the Indiands and White Sox. Contreras is a stud in my opinion. One of my more favorite pitchers to watch during the playoff run last season. Thinking the Sox take 2 out of 3.
Matchup Information

¤ Florida Marlins +1.5 -122 1 unit
Starting Pitchers: Moehler vs Backe
The game last night was 11-0 going into the bottom of the 9th, when Houston put up 2 runs. Before then it had been 17 innings, while only putting up 1 run, which was scored on a wild pitch. I'm laying the 22 cents and taking the RL with the Marlins
Matchup Information

¤ Seattle -1 +150 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Washburn vs Weaver

¤ Pittsburgh Pirates +105 1 unit
Starting Pitchers: Duke vs Okha

¤ Baltimore Orioles -1 -105 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Bedard vs McClung
Matchup Information

¤ San Fransisco Giants -110 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Morris vs Estes
Matchup Information

¤ New York Yankees -110 2 units
Starting Pitchers: Wang vs Haren
Matchup Information

Yesterday, 1-2 dropping a unit. I have never liked Scott Procter and don't know why the hell he is still on the Yanks. He came in the game to promptly give up the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. Houston -1.5 +100 was a very bad call but I'm happy I took a shot atleast and didn't just pay for the juice on the ML. Either way Houston was crap. The total was pretty easy in the ATL/LAD game and I managed to stay away from the over 8 in the Yanks. Losing day but lots learned.

Today, the top two listed plays are 2 units and my RL play is 1 unit.

Shelton and Rogers lift Tigers

Chris "Big Red" Shelton had his first multi-homer day, as he hit 2 in the Opening Day 3-1 victory down in Kansas City. "Very good ballgame," manager Jim Leyland said, upon his first win leading the only team he knew for the first 19 years of his pro baseball career. "The team played well. We got some good pitching. We just got a few more hits, and ours managed to go over the fence."

Shelton happened to provide just enough support for Rogers (1-0). The Tigers' oldest Opening Day pitcher ever and oldest to start any game since Wild Bill Donovan in 1918, Rogers battled off the lingering effects of a flu bug he had last week to retire the first six batters he faced and finish off his final seven batters in order. He scattered a run on three hits, struck out five and walked no one. MORE

Tuesday Bases

Today's Picks:
New York Yankees +110 1 unit (Pinnacle)

Starting Pitchers: Mussina vs Harden
There is the fact that the Yankees are a powerhouse (love them or hate them--I love them), and the fact that they destroyed Oakland last night, and now they are being offered at + odds? Hmm... It gets better when you look at the pitching matchup. Mussina last season was 2-0 vs OAK with a 1.13 ERA. Harden last season vs NYY was 0-2 with over a 6 ERA. Seems like there is only one choice on the side here, especially with the odds I got as soon as the line popped out.
Consider: ALT runline at -1.5 +175.
Matchup Information

¤ Houston Astros -1.5 +100 1 unit (Pinnacle)
Starting Pitchers: Pettite vs Mitre
I don't have too much to say about this except Pettite is a strong pitcher. I loved watching him last year in the playoffs and Mitre was a 2-5 pitcher on the Cubs with over a 5 ERA. Fading the Florida Marlins when they don't have Willis on the mound. Mitre is young himself, only born in 1981.
Matchup Information

¤ Braves/Dodgers over 7 -120 1 unit (Pinnacle)
Starting Pitchers: Smoltz v Penny
Yesterday's game was a shootout. I don't like the juice on this one, but I'm not gonna buy a half run because then I get the opportunity for a push. A 3-4 game seems like it will be easy as hell to reach, just for my push. Smoltz is solid, no doubt about that, but he is 38 years old and when he has a bad day it is bad. Brad Penny was a losing pitcher last year and most of the games near the end of the season were all over 7 runs.
Matchup Information

Anyway, good day yesterday going 3-0 and keeping a loss away so far. All plays are one unit still, as there is no reason to risk more since the season is just beginning. Please comment and discuss these games, and other games if you would like.
Goodluck

Opening Day Bases

Today's Picks

Detroit Tigers -115
1 unit Match-up information| ESPN
LA Angels -130
1 unit Matchup Information| ESPN
Yanks/A's over 7.5
1 unit Matchup Information| ESPN

Starting Pitchers:
Detroit Tigers: Kenny Rodgers
KC Royals: Scott Elarton

LA Angels: Bartolo Colon
Seattle Mariners: Jamie Moyer

Yankees: Randy Johnson
Oakland: Barry Zito

Why I like these plays:
-I have been following the Tigers and I like their chances today with Rogers at the mound. KC has one of the worst opening day records in MLB: Royals 13-24 .351
-I like the Angels based on the pitching matchup. If Colon is healthy he is a CY young winner last year. Moyer was 13-7 with a 4.28 ERA
- Randy didn't look like his oldself last year. Zito has dropped his last 5 outings against the Yankees. Both teams can hit the ball so I am going to take my chances on the over for the opening game. 5-3 game seems reasonable.

Goodluck

ESPN MLB Opener

Today's Pick

Chicago White Sox ML

Odds: -115 (Pinnacle)
Size: 1 unit [money management]
Result: W

Match-up information
Starting Pitchers:
Cleveland: C.Sabathia
Chicago: M.Buehrle

Why I like this:
▪I have read that the Sox will be having a ceremony to raise the world series banner before the game. That leads me to believe that it will be a packed stadium with lots of energy. Great way to start the season.

▪There aren't many stats to analyze but I like getting Buehrle @ home (with lots to show) for such a cheap price. Buehrle had a 16-8 record last year, with a 3.12 ERA (149 SO). Sabathia had a 15-10 record, with a 4.03 ERA (161 SO)

▪Although the White Sox had a pretty poor spring season, they are still the world champions and I will give them the benefit of the doubt while not laying much chalk on them.

to making money this season.

MLB Regular Season Contest

April 3rd is opening day for MLB. I have set up the MLB Regular Season Contest over at wagerline. This contest will run from April 4rd-Nov 15th. You are able to make picks RIGHT NOW. The object is to test your skills at picking winners over the course of the summer. Money line and Game Total Wagers are available wagers. Know when to pick your heavy favorites and know when to ride those dogs. Baseball is a game of streaks. Usually, I like to not pick against teams that have won 3 in a row. Goodluck. Prize can be discussed.

I was involved in a college basketball that was selecting only monely line dogs, at Covers. If people are interested I thought I would run a similar contest in MLB (picking dogs), with somewhere from 5-15 people. I haven't decide the exact number that I will track, but if enough people are interested, I can set up the details. contact me or using this link to post at Covers. This contest will start April 3rd.

¤¤¤MLB Regular Season Contest¤¤¤

Michael Redd and crew @ The Palace

Since I will be in attendance for the game Friday night, I thought I would provide a write-up. I have already seen the Bucks earlier this year (01.25.2006) where Detroit won in overtime 106-102. This data research is from a sports site I like, TeamRankings.

Detroit Pistons Overall
Record: 57-14
Power Rating: 107.5
Ranking: 1
6-2v #1-5
9-4v #6-10
7-6v #11-16
14-0v #17-22
21-2v #23-30

Detroit Pistons at Home
Home Ranking(31-3): 109 (1) 4-0v #1-5
5-1v #6-10
4-2v #11-16
6-0v #17-22
12-0v #23-30

Milwaukee Bucks Overall
Record: 36-35
Power Rating: 99.4
Ranking: 15
4-7v #1-5
4-8v #6-10
2-8v #11-16
8-8v #17-22
18-4v #23-30

Milwaukee Bucks on the Road
Away Rankings (14-21): 100.0 (16)
0-5v #1-5
2-4v #6-10
1-5v #11-16
4-4v #17-22
7-3v #23-30


Suggested Play: The line for the game is set at 10. Both teams are on 2 game winning streaks. Detroit had a solid home victory against Dallas, followed by a B2B last night win in Philly. The bench has been seeing considerably more playing time. The Bucks should be rested, are a solid squad, and will want to try and snatch a victory away from the Pistons after that nail-bitter of a game in January. Margin of victory predicted to be about 7 points. Taking Bucks +10

I uploaded this video of Rasheed Wallace on MTV Cribs. I have embeded the video below, but if you would like a copy you can click here.

Rasheed Wallace post game interview. March 28.

Baseball to investigate past steroid use

Major League Baseball will investigate alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds and other players and plans to hire former U.S. Senate majority leader George Mitchell to lead the effort. Mitchell will not be the lead investigator, but he will head the investigation effort.

A baseball official told The Associated Press on Wednesday that final plans for the investigation were still pending, as was a definite answer from Mitchell. An announcement was expected later this week.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because commissioner Bud Selig has not yet made an announcement.

ESPN's confirmation of Mitchell as the head of the investigation comes after Wednesday's New York Times reported that Selig was on the verge of announcing an investigation into steroid use by Bonds and other players as detailed in the book "Game of Shadows" and that Mitchell's name was being floating around baseball circles as the outside person to head such an investigation.

ESPN has learned that Bonds and any other current player who may be part of this investigation will be allowed to play while the investigation is ongoing.

Selig has been under pressure for weeks to form an investigation. Two books being released this spring accuse Bonds of using steroids, human growth hormone and insulin for at least five seasons beginning in 1998 -- "Game of Shadows," written by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters, and "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero" by Jeff Pearlman. Baseball did not ban performance-enhancing substances until after the 2002 season, and Bonds has denied ever knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

Some in Congress have called for an independent investigation. Mitchell, a Maine Democrat and a director of the Boston Red Sox, has been a director of the Florida Marlins and served on an economic study committee that Selig appointed in 1999.

Mitchell is the chairman of the board of the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ESPN.

Mitchell's possible involvement was first mentioned Wednesday in The New York Times. The name of a lawyer who will run the mechanics of the probe was also to be announced.

No matter what the findings of an investigation, it would be difficult for baseball to penalize anyone for steroids used prior to Sept. 30, 2002, when a joint drug agreement between management and the players' association took effect. Baseball began drug testing in 2003 and started testing with penalties the following year.

"I will only comment on things about Barry's on-field performance or contractual status," said his agent, Jeff Borris.

It is unclear whether current or former players would cooperate with an investigation or could be forced to do so by baseball. Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the Major League Baseball Players Association, declined comment.

Under pressure from Congress, baseball toughened penalties last year and again this season, when an initial positive test will result in a 50-game suspension. Twelve players, including Rafael Palmeiro, were suspended for 10 days each following positive tests last year.

Former commissioner Fay Vincent called this month for an investigation and suggested it be headed by Mitchell or John Dowd, who led baseball's 1989 probe into gambling by career hits leader Pete Rose, who agreed to a lifetime ban.

"I think the investigation is the right step," Vincent said. "I don't think the issue is punishment, I think it's: 'Shouldn't the players be called to task for cheating, even if there is no punishment?' I think baseball has to recapture the moral high ground."

An after-hours left for Mitchell at his New York office was not immediately returned Wednesday. The New York Daily News first reported March 16 that Selig would launch an investigation, but Selig said no decision had been made at the time. More: NY Times, MLB

I have also uploaded (to YouTube) this TLC special on steroids. What do you mean my arms aren't suppose to be that big?

NIT Championship Preview

South Carolina (22-15) vs. Michigan (22-10)

The Sports Network

DATE/TIME: Thursday, March 30th, 7:00 PM

FACTS/STATS: Site: Madison Square Garden (19,876) -- New York, New York. NIT Record: South Carolina 20-8, Michigan 24-5. Series Record: Michigan leads, 2-1.

GAME NOTES: The last two NIT champions will meet up in the tournament title game this evening, when the South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Michigan Wolverines at famed Madison Square Garden. The Gamecocks took the NIT title last year and are trying to become just the second team ever to win back-to- back tournament crowns and the first since St. John's (1943 and 1944). Dave Odom's squad has won nine straight NIT games and advanced to this championship game with a rather easy 78-63 rout of Louisville in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Gamecocks' NIT record has been pushed to 20-8 overall, as the team has navigated the tournament field with additional wins over Western Kentucky (74-55), Florida State (69-68 in OT) and Cincinnati (65-62). Odom will be seeking his 100th victory with South Carolina in this game. The Wolverines are no strangers to successful tournament runs, as they have moved to an impressive 24-5 (19-5 with NCAA sanctions) in this event. Michigan opened up NIT play with a rout of UTEP (82-67), followed by narrow wins over Notre Dame (87-84 in 2OT) and Miami-Florida (71-65). In Tuesday's semifinals, the Wolverines destroyed Old Dominion (66-43). Michigan has won this event three times (1984, 1997 and 2004), although the 1997 title was vacated due to NCAA sanctions. These two teams boast the longest active winning streaks in postseason national tournaments, standing at nine straight victories. These two teams haven't met since 1977.

Renaldo Balkman was outstanding on Tuesday night, as he erupted for 23 points, going 11-of-14 from the floor. Balkman got plenty of offensive support, as Tarence Kinsey and Brandon Wallace also posted impressive games, finishing with 21 and 19 points, respectively. Tre' Kelley added just seven points, but did dole out a game-high 10 assists. The Gamecocks played an almost perfect game against Louisville, shooting a scorching .600 from the floor (33-of-55), amassing 21 total assists and turning the ball over a mere seven times. On the season, South Carolina's numbers have been somewhat lower, but still solid. The team is netting 67.5 ppg and is getting it done on .459 shooting. Kinsey paces the team in scoring at 15.7 ppg. Kelley follows with 12.3 ppg and is the team's top distributor (4.5 apg). Balkman is almost at the double-digit mark, with 9.6 ppg.

The Wolverines completely shut down the Monarchs on Tuesday to advance to the championship game. Michigan held Old Dominion to a mere .278 shooting performance (15-of-54), while forcing 16 ODU turnovers. Defensively, the Wolverines were smothering, while offensively, the team was paced by Courtney Sims. The 6-11 junior hit 8-of-10 shots and posted 18 points in 22 minutes off the bench. Senior guard Daniel Horton chipped in with 10 points, while senior forward Chris Hunter just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Horton was just 4-of-11 from the floor and has been much more reliable offensively on the year. He leads four players that are averaging double digits, with 17.6 ppg. Horton is much more than a potent scorer, also leading the team in assists with 170. Dion Harris is a solid backcourt partner with 11.3 points and 2.8 assists per game. Sims (11.2 ppg, 5.9 apg) and Lester Abram (10.3 ppg) provide balance in the frontcourt.

Both of these teams have plenty of experience in this type of atmosphere, as evidenced by a pair of semifinal routs. Michigan did it with defense, while South Carolina was unstoppable offensively. Balkman will need to step up again and produce up front and if he can, the Gamecocks should be able to celebrate their second straight NIT title.

The Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Carolina 73, Michigan 67

Prediction: I don't completely agree with the write-up provided by The Sports Network (final score included). The main concern with Michigan is their neutral/away court record and playing performance. ODU was a depleted and injured team, and Michigan did not have many problems taking that victory. However, The Gamecocks are looking for that repeat title and have been getting quality wins against tough competition. My suggested wager is USC -3

Too much time...

Don't forget to bid on I'm selling my wife's box, my cock won't fit NR!

Up for auction is my wife's box. I'm selling her box because my cock won't fit in her box. I wanted to try and put my cock in her box before we got married, but she would not allow it. Now I find out my cock doesn't fit in it, and as you can see in the picture if I shove my cock any further in I will tear her box, and she doesn't want that. So I am selling her box and looking for one that my cock will fit in. Thank you for looking. My cock is only pictured as reference and not included with her box. I have tried to get rid of her box several times, she gave her box to the neighbor twice, but he returned it. She tried giving it to the mailman, but he said he rather have my cock. We even tried to give it away by putting a flyer on the church bulletin board, but it was taken down for some reason. So I am at wit's end to try and get rid of this thing, please help! Shipping will be determind at end of auction, actual cost at most!
I'm selling my wife's box, my cock won't fit NR! (continued with questions)

Where did the money go?

The US economy has been growing since 2001, but all the benefits of that growth have gone into corporate profits instead of employees. In 2005, more than 80% of American workers saw their inflation-adjusted wages fall for the second year in a row. Since 1990, while median family income has risen 5.8%, the cost of a bachelor’s degree jumped 63% at public colleges and 47% at private colleges. Health-insurance premiums rose 9.2% in 2005, more than 2.5 times the inflation rate.

Humans spur worst extinctions since end of dinosaurs

According to the "Global Biodiversity Outlook 2", a report released by the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity, we humans are currently responsible for the 6th major extinction event in the history of the Earth, and the greatest since the dinosaurs disappeared, 65 million years ago. The other four extinctions were about 205, 250, 375 and 440 million years ago. Scientists suspect that asteroid strikes, volcanic eruptions or sudden climate shifts may explain the five. It estimated the current pace of extinctions was 1,000 times faster than historical rates. Other conclusions in this report:

1) 2/3 of the services provided by nature to humankind are in decline, worldwide;

2) demand for resources globally exceeds the biological capacity of the Earth by some 20%;

3) the average abundance of species declined 40% between 1970 and 2000 while species in species in rivers, lakes and marshlands have declined by 50%.

Dallas Mavericks @ The Palace

Dallas Mavericks (54-16) at Detroit Pistons (55-14), 7:30 p.m.
Game Recap, Detroit 97 Dallas 90

(Sports Network/ESPN) - The Palace of Auburn Hills will be the venue for the night's biggest matchup, as the Detroit Pistons host the Dallas Mavericks in a battle of two of the top teams in the NBA.

The Central Division-champion Pistons, who own the top seed in the Eastern Conference, had a 16-game home winning streak stopped on Sunday against the New Jersey Nets. (The Nets hammered the Suns last night--at one point leading by over 40)

Richard Hamilton scored 19 points in the 79-74 setback for Detroit, which had a four-game win streak stopped. Tayshaun Prince and Tony Delk each scored 12 points, while Chauncey Billups posted just nine points, all in the fourth quarter.

Detroit will wrap up a small two-game homestand against Dallas and is 30-3 at The Palace this season. Despite the loss to NJ, Detroit continues to hold the league's best record and has a 1 1/2-game lead over San Antonio and Dallas for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks will continue a four-game road trip in the Motor City. They are tied with San Antonio for the top spot in the Western Conference and Southwest Division.

They opened the trip with a 98-83 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday at Philips Arena. Dirk Nowitzki posted a double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Jason Terry had 26 points.

Jerry Stackhouse contributed 16 points for Dallas, which has won two of its last three contests. The Mavs improved to 24-10 away from home and will visit Cleveland and Orlando to finish the road trip.

Dallas is 3-1 in its last four road games and leads the season series with Detroit, 1-0, after posting a 119-82 win on November 19 in Texas.

The Mavericks have won two in a row, three of four and five of the last seven versus Detroit.

Dallas also has won two of its last three trips to Detroit.

Yzerman Record and Wings Clinch

Yahoo Sports
Not surprisingly, Steve Yzerman was humble after he tied Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux with his 690th career goal. Yzerman tied Lemieux for eighth place on the career list and helped the NHL-leading. The Detroit Red Wings also clinched a playoff spot by beating the St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Monday night.

However, you won't hear Yzerman compare himself to the retired Penguins great.

"I don't really know the significance," Yzerman said. "If anything, it shows how good (Lemieux) is; he played almost five years less than I did."

The 40-year-old Yzerman scored midway through the second period off a scrum that started with Niklas Kronwall's shot from the slot. Blues goalie Patrick Lalime made the save on Kronwall, but the rebound ended up on Yzerman's stick just to the left of the goal, and the Detroit captain buried it for his 12th goal of the season.

Next up for Yzerman is Mark Messier, seventh with 694 goals.

"It's fantastic to be around," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "It shows you how much he loves the game. When you look at the leadership we have, that's why we win on a consistent basis."

Especially in March. The Red Wings are 10-1-2 this month and 89-31-17 in March since 1994-95.

Kirk Maltby, Johan Franzen and Tomas Holmstrom also scored for Detroit.

Manny Legace made 20 saves for the Red Wings. His bid for a second straight shutout was ruined when the Petr Cajanek scored of a faceoff with 57.3 seconds left on a slow-developing play.

"It's unfortunate it took an hour and a half to get to that puck," Legace said. "There were three guys in front of the net and they just touched it to Cajanek. My leg wasn't long enough to get there, but we got the win and that's the most important thing."

The Blues dropped all four games on their homestand and have lost seven in a row overall, marking the third time that St. Louis has lost at least seven straight. Heading into this season, the longest losing streak in Blues' history was seven games.

"This homestand is probably the most embarrassing in my career," Blues forward Keith Tkachuk said. "I don't like what I see. I know I always say I've got to be a lot better. Our better players have got to rise to the occasion and lead."

Maltby put the Blues behind early when he broke in on right wing and beat Lalime with a wrist shot from the right circle just 2:01 into the contest.

After Yzerman made it 2-0 at 9:45 of the second period, Franzen put the game away 47 seconds later when he scored off his own rebound.

"We had a game plan," Tkachuk said. "We just couldn't execute."

Detroit Notes: Detroit is the only team in the NHL that has not been shut out this season. Scott Young leads the Blues in scoring with 46 points and is the only St. Louis player with more than 40. Detroit has eight players with 50 or more points. The Red Wings are 33-0-2 when leading after two periods and the Blues are 0-28-4 when trailing after two.

Michigan to meet Old Dominion at MSG

The Michigan men's basketball team earned a return trip to Madison Square Garden with a 71-65 NIT quarterfinal victory over Miami (Fla.) Wednesday, March 22, in Crisler Arena. The quartet of Daniel Horton (19 points), Chris Hunter (16), Lester Abram (left, 15) and Dion Harris (15) combined for all but six of the Wolverines' points as U-M gained an NIT semifinal berth for the third straight season (two postseason, one preseason). Graham Brown added 10 rebounds for Michigan, which will face Old Dominion Tuesday, March 28. Game Notes

NIT Semifinals
Tuesday, March 28 • 7:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden • New York
ESPN2 Television

Michigan Advances to Championship game

Leprechaun Sighting?

So yea...umm.... lets see....People in Mobile, Alabama claim to have spotted a leprechaun in a tree. I'll let the video do the talking.

Elite 8 Sunday Matchups (AP)

11 George Mason vs 1 Connecticut

Connecticut's first national championship run seven years ago included a victory over a mid-major in the regional final. If the top-seeded Huskies (30-3) are to reach their third Final Four, they`ll have to dispose of another mid-major in surprising George Mason (26-7) on Sunday.

Connecticut earned its first national championship in 1999, surviving a tense regional final in which it beat Gonzaga 67-62 to reach the Final Four. The Huskies won their second national title two years ago.

Coach Jim Calhoun isn't thrilled about playing the 11th-seeded Patriots for the first time at the Verizon Center, just a short drive from George Mason`s campus.

"It's going to be nice playing an away game, too, I'm looking forward to that," he said sarcastically. "I think that part of the pod system is really working out to protect the (No. 1 seeds), right? I believe it is."

The Huskies advanced to this game with a thrilling 98-92 overtime victory over Washington on Friday. Connecticut rallied from an 11-point deficit and forced overtime on Rashad Anderson's 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in regulation. Anderson made five 3-pointers and scored 19 points off the bench for the Huskies, who trailed 78-72 with 1:16 to go in the second half and overcame a season-high 26 turnovers.

The senior guard, who battled a life-threatening illness last season brought on by complications from a skin infection, said he didn't get to sleep until 5:30 in the morning with the draining game still on his mind.

"I'm just happy to still be here," Anderson said. "This feeling is the best feeling ever in my life going back to what I went through last year, not knowing if I was ever going to get back to this point. It`s truly a blessing to still be here."

Marcus Williams also came up big for UConn with a career-high 26 points and eight assists to overcome his season high-tying seven turnovers. Williams is averaging 22.3 points in the NCAA tournament, marking the first time in his career he has scored at least 20 points in three straight games.

The Huskies - one of the favorites to win the national title - have survived difficult games in each round of the tournament, including a rally from 12 points down in the second half of a 72-59 first-round win over 16th-seeded Albany.

The unheralded Patriots scored the game's first nine points and never looked back in a 63-55 victory over Wichita State on Friday. Folarin Campbell continued his hot shooting and scored 16 points for the Patriots, who hadn't won an NCAA tournament game in three appearances until this year.

Campbell failed to score in double digits in the Patriots' four games before the tournament, but is averaging 17.3 points on 68 percent shooting in three NCAA contests.

He's one of five players who average in double figures for George Mason. Undersized 6-foot-7 center Jai Lewis leads the way with 13.5 points per game and Tony Skinn - suspended for the NCAA opener for punching a Hofstra player in the groin in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament - adds 12.7 per game.

The winner will meet Villanova or Florida on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Prediction: UCONN will probably win in a close game. George Mason is very talented but UCONN has the experience. Gregg Doyel, of CBS, thinks GM has no chance and has an interesting article as well about this matchup. I think you should take the points with George Mason though.

3 Florida Gators vs 1 Villanova Wildcats
This should be one of the closer matchups thus far in the tournament.

Why Florida might win:

This is not your big brother’s Florida Gators. Ever since UF lost to Michigan State in the 2000 championship game, Florida has tripped over its feet in the Big Dance. Last year, it was none other than the Villanova Wildcats that bumped the Gators in the second round of tourney and squandered some high hopes.

But now with a stable crew of starters that includes an few NBA prospects in Taurean Green and Joakim Noah, this team has all the pieces in place to make a run to the Final.

More importantly, Florida showed it can still win when the game doesn’t go its way. In Friday’s regional semi, Georgetown managed to grind the pace to a crawl and force Florida away from its preferred high-test running speed. But the Gators locked down on defense and got in the face of the Georgetown shooters, holding them to less than 40 percent from the field.

There’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to do the same thing against Villanova’s sharp-shooting guard-oriented offense. Florida hasn’t allowed many uncontested shots in the Tournament. No team has made more than 39 percent of its field goals against the Gators.

Why Villanova might win:

Jay Wright proved he can coach with the best of them. Without a timeout in the dying seconds of a game that was starting to look like a crushing loss for the No. 1 seed, Wright didn’t even need to tell his guys which play to run. They’d practiced it all year, in preparation for a situation like this.

A coach can’t win a game, but he put his players in a position to win and that’s exactly what happened. Even in a game in which the Wildcats’ biggest weapon – the 3-point shot – was taken away by a suffocating Boston College defense, Wright’s players showed the toughness to fight back and force overtime. That attitude might be called on again on Sunday versus a bigger, defensively tight Florida team.

“I know no one believes us, but these are the types of games that we like,” Villanova guard Randy Foye said. “Just grind it out, play defense and rebound.”

It’s a good sign that Villanova was able to shoot 21 percent from beyond the arc and still win a tough game. Nobody has managed to make 3-pointers with any regularity against Florida throughout the Tournament.

Prediction: This is a tough one to try and predict, but I think in the end Villanova will pull off the victory. I wouldn't be suprised to see an overtime or the game decided by less than 5 points. Lay the points on Villanova