@ Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>Minnesota +7½ over Michigan St. (12:00)
Most joints have this game at -6½ or –7 but I was able to find a +7½ at SIA but wait right up until just before game time if you’re on board because this line can only move in our favor and likely will. This line just seems so soft. The Spartans have cut up the Gophers twice already this season, once in Minnesota by 12 and the other time by 29. They not only have a significant talent advantage but they have a huge psychological edge too. In addition, with Pitt and UConn losing, the Spartans can grab a #1 seed in the dance and that’ll provide them with even more motivation. Why than, did the oddsmakers make this number so cheap? Why, why why? I keep asking myself that question because anyone who follows this game knows that the Spartans should be a double-digit favorite but they’re not and that concerns the hell out of me. The books are usually not wrong and I can usually smell a rat when I see one. Lots of folks come out of the woodwork this time of year to wager on the conference tournaments in preparation for the Madness next week. Thus, there are no soft lines. What the public will see is a #6 ranked Spartan team playing a mediocre Gopher team that went 6-8 down the stretch and allowed Northwestern to come back from a 15-point deficit yesterday to take a brief lead. So, what we have here is a quality, ranked team laying a seemingly soft number against an unranked opponent that they’ve thumped twice. In other words, what we have here is today’s big trap. Play: Minnesota +7½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
<o
></o>@ Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Virginia Tech +11 over North Carolina (12:00 PM)
Yesterday I mentioned how dangerous a team these Hokies can be and they came out and buried the Canes by 18, while allowing just 47 points against. Now with a little momentum to build on and playing against an inflated line, the prudent move here would be to take the points. Whenever you wager on the top ranked team in the country, you’re going to pay a premium to do so and that’s precisely the situation we have here. The Tar Heels are a lock for the dance and have been in this situation about 100 times. The Hokies are on the bubble and a win here or even a strong showing could go a long way in determining their fate. Tech lost to the Tar Heels by just eight only nine days ago and that was with the services of Ty Lawson, who is very doubtful for today’s game. They also gave the Tar Heels a big time scare in last year’s conference tourney so they won’t be intimidated here. The Tar Heels are loaded with talent from top to bottom but they have more important fish to fry starting next week and I’m suggesting the Hokies once again keep this one scary close. They looked very sharp yesterday and were monsters on the boards. They can cover by keeping it close and they can also back door a cover should the Tar Heels be up by 15 or so late. Play: Virginia Tech +11 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
