Online March Madness Betting – Wildcats, Huskies Clash In Houston

Online March Madness betting is winding down as there are only four teams who made it to Houston, and one matchup features two “blueblood” programs that have surprised some by making it to this point. Connecticut was left for dead before a run in the Big East tournament carried them to this point, while Kentucky has sacrificed talent for maturity after sending five players to the first round of the NBA draft.

UConn Kentucky Betting – Saturday, 8:45 PM ET

The Huskies are now 12-0 in tournaments this season after a 74-67 win over San Diego State to win the West region, racing out to a nine-point halftime lead before holding off the Aztecs. Kemba Walker showed that he may be the best player in the country with a 36-point performance, while Jeremy Lamb continued his solid play with 24 points for the Huskies, who shot 47.4% from the field and hit eight of their 16 attempts from beyond the arc. March Madness betting players have been counting out UConn since the stretch run, but after winning in Maui earlier in the season, the Huskies rolled through the Big Tournament and now, here they are, in the Final Four for the fourth time since 1999.

The Wildcats return to the Final Four for the first time since 1998 in a 76-69 victory over North Carolina to take the East region, and they were spectacular from long range, going 12-of-22. Brandon Knight had another big game with 22 points, while Josh Harrelson and DeAndre Liggins scored 12 points apiece for the Wildcats, who may not have the talent of last year’s squad, but the 2011 edition avenged last year’s loss to West Virginia, and they’re further in the Tournament than their highly touted predecessors. Harrelson has been a massive factor with his play in the post.

Those checking out college basketball scores will see the Wildcats as a 2.5-point favorite against the Huskies, who are 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS in three meetings with Kentucky since 2006, when UConn came away with an 87-83 victory in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They also met this season, and the Wildcats got spanked 84-67 in the final of the Maui Invitational as Walker lit them up for 29 points. Expect the Wildcats to be fired up to avenge that loss, especially Knight as he was awful, going 3-of-15 for six points and he missed all eight of his three-point attempts. The Huskies have had a great run, but they have to run out of gas sometime, and we think Knight will get the best of his matchup against Walker, and not only that, Kentucky has more weapons on the perimeter. This would also be a good time for Terrence Jones to snap out of his slump. Go with the Kentucky Wildcats in your sports betting picks.

NHL Betting – Canadiens Look To End Goalless Drought; Snap Three-Game Slide Tuesday

The Montreal Canadiens worked an extra 64 minutes through on-ice activities at their practice facility in Brossard, Quebec on what was supposed to be a day off Sunday, in hopes that it will help end their 186 minute streak of futility when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday. That is how long it has been since the Canadiens scored a goal, the final tally in an 8-1 win over the Minnesota Wild over a week ago.

Atlanta Thrashers @ Montreal Canadiens

Tuesday March 29, 2011 – 7:30 PM ET

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

Online Sports Betting Odds: Canadiens – 120

The Canadiens had plenty of support at the arena when hundreds of fans showed up to cheer their team on, only hours after they were booed off the ice following a 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals. Montreal will battle to end their skid against an Atlanta team that has ranked among the coldest through the second half of the NHL season to fall out of the Eastern conference playoff race.

NHL Betting Preview: Thrashers

Three wins in 19 games from January through February pushed Atlanta from the top of the Southeast down to fourth in the division and outside of the elite eight in the conference. While they are no longer in free-fall mode, the Thrashers are still struggling to find their consistency with four wins through their last eight games, and now face a five-game road trip. Atlanta allowed the worst team in the Eastern conference to score twice in the third period and force a shootout in an eventual 5-4 win over the Ottawa Senators, and will need a much more focused effort on the road where they have hovered around the .500 mark this season.

NHL Betting Preview: Canadiens

The Canadiens’ players know all about the need to remain focused after head coach Jacques Martin put them through tough workout drills on what was supposed to be a day off. The obvious initial goal will be to get on the board and end their three-game goalless drought, and getting to the net and causing traffic in front of the Atlanta goal will be something that Montreal’s forwards concentrate on. The one consistent this sports betting bonus season has been the play of netminder Carey Price, who is a legitimate Hart trophy candidate for the league’s most valuable player. Price ranks second in the NHL in wins and shutouts, and in the top-10 in nearly every other important statistical category.

NHL Betting: Matchup & Pick

Price will hold down the fort until the Canadiens’ offense can finally get going, and that shouldn’t be a problem against an Atlanta team that has allowed more goals than any other team in the Eastern conference. Montreal is on pace to have just one player hit the 30-goal mark in team captain Brian Gionta, and will need more production from its role players in order to finish the pay per head season strong.

Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Montreal Canadiens - 120

March Madness Betting – Cougars Look To Carry Over Mountain West Magic In Sweet 16 Thursday

The Brigham Young Cougars are one of two teams from the Mountain West to make this year's NCAA national title tournament, and with the March Madness betting Sweet 16 upon us both are still alive. The Cougars and MWC conference champion San Diego State Aztecs have both advanced through their first two tournament games, but will be tested with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line. BYU will be the first to put its title hopes on the line, as they take on the Florida Gators in the South East region on Thursday.

Brigham Young Cougars vs. Florida Gators

Thursday March 23, 2011 – 7:27 PM ET

New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA

Online Sports Betting Odds: Florida Gators - 3

The Cougars will battle a Florida team that finished first in the SEC East during the regular season, but are still looking to make a statement in the Madness after falling to Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC title tournament. The Gators had little trouble with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and the UCLA Bruins through their first two tournament games, and will need to be ready for a step up in competition.

March Madness Betting Preview: Brigham Young

Jimmer Fredette has taken the Cougars on his shoulders since the team lost Brandon Davies to a season-ending suspension in the final days of the Mountain West season. Fredette has been a one-man show through BYU's first two tournament games in registering a combined 66 points, and it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up against a tough Gators' defense. Jackson Emery has complimented Fredette well in Davies' absence, including the 16 points and four assist he put up against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the third round. Fredette will be the focal point to the Cougars' success, but the further BYU goes the more he will need his teammates to step up around him.

March Madness Betting Preview: Florida

The Gators haven't been tested much through the first two rounds, and the most important factor for their next game will be to expect a tougher challenge. Erving Walker has been the team's biggest star so far in the tournament, but he hasn't done it alone with Kenny Boyton and Vernon Macklin both playing key roles in the team's first two pay per head wins. Boynton's health will be one of the keys to Florida moving any further forward in the Madness, as the Gators will need their best defender to be able to at least slow Fredette.

March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick

The Gators have cruised through the first couple of sports betting bonus tournament rounds, but will be in for a major wakeup call against BYU. Fredette will continue to perform at the highest level with the injury to Boynton keeping him from playing his best defense. Florida should be able to keep this game close down to the wire, but it will be the Cougars that advance to the Elite Eight.

Gambling Advisor blog Betting Pick: BYU Cougars + 3

Bet On March Madness – Thursday’s Quick Picks

Those who bet on March Madness are getting ready for the Sweet Sixteen to begin on Thursday, and all four matchups should be closely contested, so with no delay, let’s jump into some picks.

UConn San Diego State Betting – Thursday, 7:15 PM ET

In the first-ever meeting between these two, this game is a pick ‘em in Anaheim, and the second-seeded Aztecs are in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time. However, they have a coach in Steve Fisher who has been here before, and they have a big frontcourt that the third-seeded Huskies may have problems with. The Huskies may have the best player on the court in Kemba Walker, but San Diego State has more weapons and can slow the game down. Go with San Diego State.

BYU Florida Betting – Thursday, 7:27 PM ET

The No.2 Gators are a 2.5-point favorite in New Orleans against the No.3 Cougars, and those watching March Madness scores may remember last year’s 99-92 double-overtime win for BYU over Florida, who gave up 37 points to Jimmer Fredette, the favorite for national Player of the Year. But the Gators are a better team than last year, and revenge is a strong motivation at this time of year. Look for a big game from Florida’s Chandler Parsons, one of the best all-around players in the country, as he looks to pick up the slack for Kenny Boynton, who may not be at 100% because of an ailing ankle. Still, we’re taking Florida to go to the Elite Eight.

Arizona Duke Betting – Thursday, 9:45 PM ET

The last time these two met, it was in the 2001 title game, and the Blue Devils came away with the win. This time around, the defending champions from Duke are an 8.5-point favorite in Anaheim against the No.5 Wildcats, and that is far too high. Duke has the edge on the perimeter, but the Wildcats have a guy who can get to the foul line better than anyone in the country in Derrick Williams, and Arizona has some size that can give the Blue Devils some problems. NBA scouts are very high on Williams, and he’s already made some big plays. We think Duke will win the game, but Arizona will cover the spread in this matchup.

Butler Wisconsin Betting – Thursday, 9:57 PM ET

In the nightcap, the No.4 Badgers are 5-point favorites in New Orleans against the No.8 Bulldogs, who have won both of their games with plays in the dying seconds. Wisconsin also needed a big play to edge Kansas State, but we’re going to give the edge to Butler, who have made a living off being an underdog. The Bulldogs went to the title game last year, and they won’t fall under the pressure, while the Badgers may crack. We know the Bulldogs won’t, so take them as the underdogs in your online sportsbook.

Hockey Preview for Tuesday March 22, 2011: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Minnesota Wild Picks

Sports Bet Overview

The NHL playoff race is entering the last stages just as the 2011 March Madness betting starts to get interesting as well. There are teams that the sports betting bonus experts have not mathematically eliminated from NHL playoff contention, so those teams keep working towards their post-season goals. A 5dimes review of the Eastern Conference standings shows that the Toronto Maple Leafs are five points out of a playoff spot with nine games left to play. The chances are slim, but the Leafs keep playing for that final playoff spot.

The Minnesota Wild has a little higher mountain to climb. With nine games left on its schedule, Minnesota is seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for the Wild, its schedule does not have as many conference games as some of the teams it is chasing. That puts the Wild at a distinct disadvantage. Another element that is working against the Wild is the play of the team itself.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are 5-4-1 in the last 10 games and sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Toronto trails the eighth place Buffalo Sabres by five points, and a road game is not exactly the ideal setting for the Leafs. Toronto has a 15-17-3 road record this year, which is not helping in the hunt for a playoff spot. Even with the emergence of rookie goaltender James Reimer, the Leafs cannot seem to score goals or play good defense on the road. The only thing that Toronto has going for it in this game is that the opponent is the Minnesota Wild. Other than that, this game will be a struggle for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild’s problems can be spelled out by the team’s record in the last 10 games. With a 2-6-2 record in the last 10 starts, Minnesota is not doing anything to help its chances of getting near the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Wild is in 11th place and it trails the eighth-place Anaheim Ducks by seven points. With only nine games to play, and an effort that is not helping the Wild win games, it does not look good for the team from Minnesota.

The Bottom Line

The Toronto Maple Leafs has a legitimate chance at a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The teams in front of the Leafs are playing inconsistent hockey, and a three or four-game winning streak by Toronto could catapult them into playoff contention. The Minnesota Wild, on the other hand, seems to be done for the season. They are playing with no emotion and are certainly not giving any of the signs that they are ready to fight for a playoff spot. This is exactly the kind of opportunity that the Toronto Maple Leafs need to take advantage of in order to jump-start its playoff hunt.

Gambling Advisor blog Free Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Online March Madness Betting – Bulldogs Look To Quiet Red Storm

Online March Madness betting players have watched St. John’s emerge as one of the biggest surprises of the season, as they continually took down teams in the Big East, or anyone that visited Madison Square Garden. But the Red Storm will go to Denver for the Southeast region on Thursday, when they face Gonzaga, a deep team and a program who has been known for taking down the teams of the power conferences.

Gonzaga vs. St. John’s Betting – Thursday, 9:45 PM ET

The No.11 Bulldogs (24-9, 11-3 WCC) come into this game with a ton of momentum, winning nine in a row and claiming the WCC tournament as well. Gonzaga came into the season with high expectations, but suffered through a tough non-conference slate and a three-game losing streak in January. However, the Bulldogs are built for the postseason with players like Steven Gray, Robert Sacre, Elias Harris and Demetri Goodson, players who have been here before and won’t back down from a school from the Big East. Gonzaga is 11th in the country in field-goal percentage, 22nd in field-goal defense, and they’re an excellent free-throw shooting team, ranking 15th. MLB betting players know you have to be solid in the fundamentals, and Gonzaga is the poster child for that in college hoops.

The No.6 Red Storm (21-11, 11-6 Big East) fell against Syracuse in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, but they’ve still won eight of their last 10 games. St. John’s have beaten some very good teams, due to playing in the Big East, but they haven’t fared as well when they’re not playing at home and in particular, at Madison Square Garden. Dwight Hardy leads a team loaded with seniors, and you could argue that Hardy has been the best player in the Big East over the second half of the conference schedule. But the numbers aren’t flattering for St. John’s (287% in three-point defense, 188th in rebound margin).

We’re betting 5dimes that this will be one of the toughest games of the first round for March Madness betting players to call, as Gonzaga is a dangerous 1-point underdog for St. John’s to draw. The Bulldogs beat St. John’s in the 2000 Tournament, then beat them in November 2001 at home while covering the spread both times. We’re giving Gonzaga the edge when it comes to crowd support as their campus in Spokane is much closer for their fans, and the Red Storm hasn’t been that great outside of New York. While St. John’s has a lot of seniors, the program hasn’t been to the Tournament since 2002, while the Bulldogs have players who are used to the pressure of the Big Dance, and that will be enough to power Gonzaga to a sports betting victory.

NHL Betting Preview for Tuesday March 15, 2011: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres

Sports Betting Overview

The Sabres honored the passing of former French Connection member and hockey legend Rick Martin with a win over the Ottawa Senators. But the win was more than an homage to a great player, it was extremely necessary for the Sabres to maintain their playoff status. As the March Madness betting begins, the Sabres sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. A loss in the first game of last weekend to the Toronto Maple Leafs threatened to derail the Sabres’ playoff hopes. But a strong sportsbook promo performance against the Senators helped to keep the Sabres locked into seventh place.

The Carolina Hurricanes keep dropping further and further in the NHL standings as the days go by. Right now, the Hurricanes are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and four points behind the eighth place New York Rangers. But the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils are charging hard. The Hurricanes have been stumbling in the last couple of weeks, and they need to start picking up the pace if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are fighting more to keep seventh place in the conference than they are to catch the Montreal Canadiens and take over sixth place. The Sabres have 13 games left in the regular season, but they trail the Canadiens by seven points in the standings. The Canadiens are playing well and not giving the Sabres many chances to make up ground.

The Sabres are fending off the New York Rangers for that seventh spot. The Sabres and Rangers both have 76 points, but the Sabres have one more regulation win and that put them in seventh. In the last 10 games the Sabres are 6-2-2 with losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins clouding an otherwise impressive run. The team has responded to new owner Terry Pegula, and they hope to maintain their momentum going into the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have a lot of problems. The team is 3-5-2 in the last 10 games, and that includes a 2-game losing streak. The teams that the Hurricanes are tangled with in the standings are all winning. The Hurricanes need to start putting some wins together or they will quickly find themselves looking up at the Devils, Thrashers, Leafs and Rangers.

The Hurricanes’ main problem is their defensive inability to clear the zone. The Carolina defense will often leave goaltender Cam Ward on his own in the defensive zone, and that has resulted in the Hurricanes giving up a lot of goals. A relaxed defensive approach in this game against the high-flying Sabres would be a huge mistake.

The Bottom Line

The Hurricanes lack the leadership and defensive toughness necessary to stand toe-to-toe against the Sabres. The Sabres are riding a wave of emotion and momentum so high that it is hard to say what team will be able to bring them down.

Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Buffalo Sabres

Bet On NCAA Basketball: Hawkeyes Look To Knock Out Spartans

March Madness betting players have seen Michigan State spiral out of control from a Final Four contender to a possibility of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997, and a loss in the first round of the Big Ten tournament would surely be the final nail in the coffin. The Spartans face off against Iowa, and this rubber match won’t be easy to get through.

Iowa vs. Michigan State Betting – Thursday, 4:30 PM ET

The Hawkeyes (11-19, 4-14) lost six in a row before a major upset of Purdue at home, and they could use that big win to gain some momentum for this game. They’ll need it because the Hawkeyes aren’t a good team, ranking 207th in points scored and 186th in points allowed. Matt Gatens is one of three players to average in double figures for the Hawkeyes, who do shoot a decent 44.1% from the field, but only 31.1% from the three-point line. If the Hawkeyes were an online horse betting option, they would be a longshot but at the same time, they have nothing to lose and can play relaxed.

On the other hand, the Spartans (17-13, 9-9) have everything to lose in this game, and it’s been a weird season in East Lansing. It began with a brutal non-conference schedule, while guard Kalin Lucas had to battle back from another injury, and fellow guard Korie Lucious was kicked off the team. The Spartans still rebound well and they block shots, but they’re not as good defensively as they normally are, ranking 147th in points allowed, and they’re terrible at defending the three-point shot, ranking 280th in three-point defense.

We’re going to bet 5dimes that the Spartans will be the favorites in this Big Ten clash, as they are 4-1 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five meetings with the Hawkeyes. Their two meetings this year were both routs as Iowa won by 20 at home on February 2nd, while the Spartans avenged that with a 19-point victory at their place a month later. The Spartans still have enough talent to beat the Hawkeyes, but they’ve played well below their standards this season. Lucas, in particular, has to take this team on his back and lead the way, but freshman Keith Appling scored 18 in the win at East Lansing, and if he doesn’t, someone else will have to step up. The Spartans have a size advantage in the post as well, and they should use that to maximize their chances. The Hawkeyes are going to give the Spartans a scare and this will be a close game, but we’re sticking with Michigan State in our best online sportsbook.

NHL Odds Preview for Wednesday March 9, 2011: Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings

Sports Bet Overview

The betting on March Madness has yet to really get underway, but the sports betting bonus on which NHL teams will make the playoffs is in full swing. When the NHL season started, the Hockey Training Tips observers thought that the Los Angeles Kings would rule the league. The Kings got off to a very fast start that put them at the top of the Western Conference and battling for the top spot in the league. But, as the season wore on, the Kings came crashing down to Earth and found themselves looking up at the top eight teams in the Western Conference. The Kings have battled back and are now in the thick of the Western Conference playoff battle again, but they will have to keep winning to stay in the hunt.

The Detroit Red Wings are so happy with goaltender Jimmy Howard that the team signed Howard to a three-year contract extension in the middle of this season. In what is sure to be deemed a coincidence, Howard has gone 1-2-2 in his last 10 starts. The Red Wings will probably not catch the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Western Conference as they trail the Canucks by seven points. But if the Red Wings are not careful, the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks could pass them and knock the Red Wings out of the top three in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles Kings

For many teams in the NHL, now is “do or die time.” The Kings are managing to put together some good streaks to maintain their hold on eighth place in the Western Conference. In the last 10 games the Kings are 6-3-1, and that has helped to put them back into the playoff race. But their last start was a critical Western Conference loss to the Canucks in Los Angeles. The Kings are getting some great goaltending from Jonathan Quick, but they will need to pick things up in the goal-scoring department if they want to be playing in the NHL post season.

Detroit Red Wings

For all of his recent flaws, Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard is having a very good season. His season record is 31-12-5 and his save percentage is .907. The knock against Howard is that he lets in easy goals at the most inopportune moments. But when a goalie has 31 wins on the season, it is hard to argue with his technique.

The Red Wings are the top scoring team in the league outscoring goal-producing machines such as the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks. It is the offense of the Red Wings that makes up for the goaltending, and even the Detroit defensemen get in on the goal-scoring act. This is not the best Detroit team we have seen in a while, but it is one of the most offensively consistent teams in the league.

The Bottom Line

The Kings have problems with teams that can score goals. Jonathan Quick keeps the Kings in games as he can, but until players like Anze Kopitar start putting the puck in the net, the Kings will have problems beating the better teams in the league.

Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Detroit Red Wings

College Basketball Picks – Tar Heels Wary Of Looking Too Far Ahead

The No. 13 North Carolina Tar Heels have overcome a tough start to their season to climb all the way to the top of the ACC standings in to a tie with the defending national champions for first spot. The Tar Heels could have the chance to win the conference championship outright this weekend, but that opportunity comes with a big warning about looking too far ahead. In order to keep pace with the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils and get that shot at the title, the Tar Heels must first take care of the Florida State Seminoles on Wednesday night.

(13) North Carolina Tar Heels @ Florida State Seminoles

Wednesday March 2, 2011 – 7:00 PM ET

Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Florida

Online Sports Betting Odds: North Carolina – 1

The Seminoles have won three of their last four since falling to North Carolina 89-69 on the road, and will be eager to avenge that loss when they return home for a rematch. Florida State proved its merit when they took down Duke earlier this year, which has Tar Heels’ head coach Roy Williams wary of a potential upset.

College Basketball Betting Preview: North Carolina

Led by Tyler Zeller, the Tar Heels are right there with Duke in the race for the ACC title. This just one year after finishing 5-11, and in the same college basketball betting season that they started out with just four wins through their first seven games overall. Maturity and chemistry have been the two biggest factors, as North Carolina has rallied around Zeller to win five straight heading into Wednesday night’s action. Zeller and John Henson scored 16 each the first time these teams met, with freshman Harrison Barnes scoring a game-high 17 in the win. The Tar Heels had four players hit double-digit scoring totals in that win, and will need to do the same in this one.

College Basketball Betting Preview: Florida State

The Seminoles demonstrated their upset capability when they took down the Blue Devils earlier this season, but this game will be about a lot more than that. Florida State is two games back of the Tar Heels and Duke for the top spot, and there is a real possibility that this team can finish second if they can knock North Carolina off this week. This will be the Seminoles’ final game at home this season, and they have the chance to clinch a perfect record there against ACC opponents for the first time in school history.

College Basketball Betting: Outlook & Pick

The Seminoles are perfect at home this season, but in order to clinch that eighth win they will need to take down a North Carolina team that has won their last four meetings there. That will be no easy task as the Tar Heels fight for their chance to clinch the ACC title with a showdown against Duke looming this sports betting bonus weekend.

Sportsbook Promotion Code Betting Pick: Tar Heels -1