On The Hop's 2014 NCAA Postseason

[OnTheHop]

Nothing good to say about the regular season, finishing: -43.75. I hit a valley early in the year, made a slight recovery and then fell back. I was basically even the second half of the season. Putting it behind me. On to the postseason.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-4), 2 units: Give me Mike Brey and a week to prepare and I'll take it. Wake beat them at home but Notre Dame shot 3/234 from behind the arc. I don't think the Deamon Deacons can put up enough points to stay in this one even against an offensively challenged Fighting Irish squad.
Utah Utes (-5.5), 2 units: Washington is going to look to score in transition and Utah is excellent at preventing that from happening. The Utes can take advantage of their dominance inside and make life miserable all day long for the Huskies.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (+9), 2 units: Oklahoma State is back....or are they? Other than Kansas, not a lot of big wins in their recent resurgence. Total look ahead spot with the Jayhawks on tap tomorrow...or if they are ahead will they rest their players early leaving the back door open?

Futures:

Texas to win the Big 12 Tournament (+800), 1 unit: The winner of the Texas/West Virginia game is going to definitely provide some hedging opportunities.
West Virginia to win the Big 12 Tournament (+1300), 1 unit: Did I mention that the winner of the Texas/West Virginia game is going to definitely provide hedging opportunities?
Ole Miss to win the SEC Tournament (+2000), 1/2 unit: They should get by the Miss/Vandy winner and then get Georgia who somehow, someway got a 3 seed???? Get past that and there will be a huge hedging opportunity.

 

[indiana]

Hop........good luck today and through the tourney...........indy

 

[XSPower]

Good luck today!!!!

 

[OnTheHop]

Thanks guys...hoping to bounce back from a rough year. Not the best start.

Postseason: 1-2, -2.2

Futures Pending: 1u Texas to win B12 (+800), 1u WVU to win B12 (+1300), 1u Ole Miss to win SEC (+2000)

Iowa State Cyclones (-3.5), 1 unit: Kansas State is dominant....at home. This is Kansas City but not their home court. I'll grab the much better team with a good inside presence with a short number.

 

[OnTheHop]

Penn State Nittany Lions (+4.5), 1 unit: Minnesota just beat them by 200 and the line is 4.5? That smells bad. Good guards get you far in tournaments, especially when the Gophers don't have the size down low to correct their guards defensive deficiencies.
St. John's Red Storm (-5), 1 unit: This team drives me insane. If they can't show up today with the tournament on the line in a home game, I don't have any idea when they are showing up.
South Carolina Gamecocks (+7.5), 1 unit: Good win for South Carolina yesterday. I think the momentum carries over to today. Arkansas is so tough at home but away from home.....eh. The Gamecocks played the Razorbacks tough on the road and I think they feel like they can stay with them today at a neutral site.
Oregon Ducks (+2), 2 units: Getting a little value since they struggled yesterday. They were tight as yesterday was a "win and your in" game. Now they can just play. Few teams are playing better ball right now than Oregon and I'll gladly get a bucket against an up and down UCLA squad.
ML Parlay: Missouri Tigers, Clemson Tigers, UMass Minutemen (+210), 1 unit to win 2.1 units

 

[OnTheHop]

​Colorado Buffaloes and California Golden Bears under 136.5, 1 unit

 

[XSPower]

Penn State Nittany Lions (+4.5), 1 unit: Minnesota just beat them by 200 and the line is 4.5? That smells bad. Good guards get you far in tournaments, especially when the Gophers don't have the size down low to correct their guards defensive deficiencies.

St. John's Red Storm (-5), 1 unit: This team drives me insane. If they can't show up today with the tournament on the line in a home game, I don't have any idea when they are showing up.

South Carolina Gamecocks (+7.5), 1 unit: Good win for South Carolina yesterday. I think the momentum carries over to today. Arkansas is so tough at home but away from home.....eh. The Gamecocks played the Razorbacks tough on the road and I think they feel like they can stay with them today at a neutral site.

Oregon Ducks (+2), 2 units: Getting a little value since they struggled yesterday. They were tight as yesterday was a "win and your in" game. Now they can just play. Few teams are playing better ball right now than Oregon and I'll gladly get a bucket against an up and down UCLA squad.

ML Parlay: Missouri Tigers, Clemson Tigers, UMass Minutemen (+210), 1 unit to win 2.1 units

​Colorado Buffaloes and California Golden Bears under 136.5, 1 unit

Good luck tonight my friend!!!!

 

[OnTheHop]

Thanks XS...hope all is well.

 

[OnTheHop]

Postseason 5-5, -1.5
Postseason Futures: -1
Postseason Futures Pending: 1u Texas to win B12 (+800), 1u Ole Miss to win SEC (+2000)

Illinois Fighting Illini (+7.5), 1 unit: Michigan shot the lights out last time they played. I have to believe Groce can come up with a little bit better of a defensive plan to contain Stauskas. If they can get stops and slow the game down Illinois stays inside the number.
Ohio State Buckeyes (-5), 1 unit: This game is a gut feeling for me. I think Nebraska's season was the Wisconsin game and this number is too low based on Ohio State struggling with Purdue. The Buckeyes will grind and defend and wear down a Cornhusker team that is fantastic at home but will struggle to score today.

 

[OnTheHop]

Pittsburgh Panthers (+1.5), 1 unit: Too much action coming on North Carolina. They're rested but also rusty. Pitt showed a lot with their win at Clemson. Watch the Panthers go to a zone and dare the Tar Heels to score from outside, which they can't do consistently. Pitt was in the game the whole way at North Carolina and I like the way they are playing.

 

[XSPower]

Good luck today!!!!

 

[OnTheHop]

North Carolina State Wolfpack (+9), 1 unit: Like the way NC State finished the season. Played hard until the end and picked up a few big wins. On the other hand Syracuse limped to the finish and have been unimpressive at best on the road all year. In a virtual home game I'll grab the big number and hope the Wolfpack can find enough points to stay close.
Northwestern Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans Under 121, 1 unit: I would be surprised if Northwestern gets to 50. If Michigan State jumps out to a big lead they will take their foot off the gas as they'll have an afternoon game tomorrow.
Kentucky Wildcats (-4.5), 1 unit: LSU has been bad away from home. I expect the athleticism of Kentucky to give them several chances on the offensive boards. The Tigers don't have the weapons to keep up with the Wildcats who should get it done in front of a partisan crowd.
FUTURES HEDGE: Baylor Bears (-125), 1.25 to win 1: Bad feeling about this one for my Texas future so I'm going to make sure at worst I am basically break even after tonight. If the Longhorns pull it out I'll look to hedge again tomorrow. Will count this one in my futures not overall record.

 

[OnTheHop]

Xavier Musketeers (+6), 1 unit: Xavier figured it out the second time around against Creighton and really limited their threes. The Blue Jays led 2-0 and never led again. When they played at Creighton the Musketeers were in the game the whole time. I love Dougie McBuckets but this seems like too many points to me.
Houston Cougars (+19.5), 1 unit: Tough to go against Louisville right now. They are playing great basketball. However, Houston has played the big boys in conference tough for the most part. Also, I am a fan of taking big numbers in tournament games especially when the favorite is going to have a tough game tomorrow as they may sit their regulars early to rest them.

 

[OnTheHop]

Postseason 10-8 +.2
Postseason Futures -1.5
Postseason Futures Pending: NONE

Pittsburgh Panthers (+3), 1 unit: Pittsburgh is playing their best basketball of the season right now. While the fatigue factor worries me in a game where every possession is going to be a battle I'll grab more than a bucket with a hot, confident team.
Florida Gators (-6.5), 1 unit: Has there ever been a more underrated elite team than Florida? Two losses this year. At Wisconsin and at UConn and they were shorthanded in both games. Tennessee is hot right now but take a look at who they have beaten. Their best win this year is Xavier and that was in December. Gators have too many weapons and too deep of a bench for the Vols.
Saint Joseph's Hawks (-2.5), 2 units: Other than the LaSalle game, St. Joe's really doesn't have a bad loss this year. If it weren't for VCU and St. Louis a lot more people would have taken notice of this team. On the other hand St. Bonaventure limped into the conference tournament with a horrendous conference record. They gave everything they had yesterday to get past a sliding St. Louis team and I think they show up with nothing today. This may be the sucker play of the day but I can't help myself.
Ohio State Buckeyes (+3), 1 unit: Yes I saw how bad they looked against Purdue. Yes I saw them come all the way back against Nebraska. However for some reason Ohio State just gets it done and especially in the Big10 Tournament. How does Michigan beat you? Shooting jump shots and 3's. The Buckeyes are one of the best in the country at perimeter defense and the Wolverines don't have the weapons to beat them inside. Just like Illinois yesterday, look for them to focus on Stauskas and make someone else beat them. If they can slow the game down a little Ohio State has a great shot.

 

[XSPower]

Postseason 10-8 +.2
Postseason Futures -1.5

Postseason Futures Pending: NONE

Pittsburgh Panthers (+3), 1 unit: Pittsburgh is playing their best basketball of the season right now. While the fatigue factor worries me in a game where every possession is going to be a battle I'll grab more than a bucket with a hot, confident team.

Florida Gators (-6.5), 1 unit: Has there ever been a more underrated elite team than Florida? Two losses this year. At Wisconsin and at UConn and they were shorthanded in both games. Tennessee is hot right now but take a look at who they have beaten. Their best win this year is Xavier and that was in December. Gators have too many weapons and too deep of a bench for the Vols.

Saint Joseph's Hawks (-2.5), 2 units: Other than the LaSalle game, St. Joe's really doesn't have a bad loss this year. If it weren't for VCU and St. Louis a lot more people would have taken notice of this team. On the other hand St. Bonaventure limped into the conference tournament with a horrendous conference record. They gave everything they had yesterday to get past a sliding St. Louis team and I think they show up with nothing today. This may be the sucker play of the day but I can't help myself.

Ohio State Buckeyes (+3), 1 unit: Yes I saw how bad they looked against Purdue. Yes I saw them come all the way back against Nebraska. However for some reason Ohio State just gets it done and especially in the Big10 Tournament. How does Michigan beat you? Shooting jump shots and 3's. The Buckeyes are one of the best in the country at perimeter defense and the Wolverines don't have the weapons to beat them inside. Just like Illinois yesterday, look for them to focus on Stauskas and make someone else beat them. If they can slow the game down a little Ohio State has a great shot.

Thanks and good luck today my friend!!!!

 

[OnTheHop]

ML Parlay: Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Creighton Blue Jays (+110), 2 units to win 2.2 units

 

[OnTheHop]

Providence Friars (+7.5), 1 unit: Hedging my parlay. If Creighton wins by 8 or more I win 1.1 unit. If Creighton wins by 7 or less I win 3.2 units. If Providence wins I win 1.1 unit.

 

[OnTheHop]

Postseason 13-9-2 +2.2
Postseason Futures -1.5
Postseason Futures Pending: NONE

Michigan State Spartans (-3), 2 units: When healthy, Michigan State can compete with anyone. They dominated a good Wisconsin team yesterday from start to finish. The Spartans lost to Michigan twice this year and this is a perfect revenge spot against a Wolverine team that has had two tough games to get to the Big10 tournament final.

 

[XSPower]

Good luck today!!!!

 

[OnTheHop]

Thanks XS for stopping by and the kind words.