SEC showdown pits Gators against Wildcats

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/07/2010 - Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Kentucky Wildcats close out the regular season this afternoon with an SEC clash against the Florida Gators, who need a victory to help their NCAA Tournament prospects.

Losses in the last two games have dropped Florida to 20-10 overall and 9-6 in conference, and the club is considered "on the bubble" as the SEC Tournament approaches. The two losses during the current slide have come by a total of six points, including a 64-60 setback at home to Vanderbilt on Tuesday. There is no question that a win over Kentucky on the road this afternoon would do wonders for the Gators' resume'.

The Wildcats clinched at least a share of their 44th SEC title with an 80-68 victory over Georgia on Wednesday, and they earned the outright title by virtue of Vanderbilt's loss yesterday. At 28-2 overall, including 13-2 versus league foes, it seems that Kentucky is a lock to receive a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The squad has dominated the SEC Tournament over the years and will be the favorite to win that event for sure.

Kentucky beat Florida by a 77-89 final on January 12th, and the Wildcats own a commanding 87-32 series advantage over the Gators.

Florida is generating 71.7 ppg this season while allowing 64.7 ppg to opponents. There are five double-digit scorers in the fold, and Kenny Boynton leads the way with 13.5 ppg despite his 36.8 percent shooting. Erving Walker, the team's second-leading scorer, provides 12.7 ppg despite his abysmal 34.8 percent field goal efficiency. On a positive note, Walker has dished out 151 assists, more than double his turnover total, and he tops the club with 45 steals as well. Chandler Parsons (12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Alex Tyus (11.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Vernon Macklin (10.7 ppg) are solid contributors as well. Macklin posted 21 points and nine rebounds from his center position against Vanderbilt on Tuesday, but he was the only Gator to reach double figures in scoring. Florida shot just 36.5 percent from the field and went ice cold down the stretch.

Not only are John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins two of the best players in all of college basketball, but the freshmen may be the top two picks in the next NBA Draft if they decide to leave Kentucky after only one season. Wall is a dynamic point guard who is averaging 17.0 ppg to go along with 6.2 apg, 4.1 rpg and 54 steals. Cousins, a beast on the low block, brings 15.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg to the mix to complement his team-high 54 blocked shots. While Cousins is shooting 54.5 percent from the floor, Patrick Patterson (15.0 ppg, 10.1 rpg) is even more efficient at 58.8 percent. Rounding out a foursome of double- digit scorers is Eric Bledsoe with 10.3 ppg. The Wildcats are netting 79.9 ppg while holding opponents to 65.6 ppg on 38.2 percent shooting. Against Georgia on Wednesday, Wall scored 24 points and handed out six assists. Patterson tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Darnell Dodson posted 11 points. The Wildcats shot 54.5 percent from the field in that clash and overcame a 38-28 rebounding deficit.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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