March Madness Picks: VCU Living On A Prayer in Final Four Against Butler
Virginia Commonwealth Rams vs. Butler Bulldogs
Saturday April 4, 2011 – 6:09 PM ET
Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Online Sports Betting Odds: Butler – 3.5
That’s what happens when a team goes 9-1 in March Madness betting play over a two-year span, which is what the Bulldogs have done to earn a Final Four appearance for the second consecutive season. Butler beat three of the top four seeded teams in the Southeast to reach the national semi-final, and are focused on completing unfinished business.
March Madness Betting Preview: VCU
From an enthusiastic young head coach to a team that has simply lit it up from beyond the arc, everything about the Rams’ run to the Final Four has been exciting. Nobody will talk about how the first two teams they beat were really struggling, with both the Georgetown Hoyas and Purdue Boilermakers at the low point of their seasons entering tournament play. Nobody will talk about how they shot the lights out to survive a scare from a Florida State Seminoles’ team that was seeded just one spot higher, or how Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks always choke in the Elite Eight. The bottom line is that VCU is shooting better than they have all year, and their hot streak has made them one of the most dominant teams nobody predicted would be here.
March Madness Betting Preview: Butler
In order to succeed in this tournament, teams need to be able to perform under pressure, and that is exactly what the Bulldogs’ calling card has been the past two seasons. Despite struggling through the Horizon regular season, Butler came alive with a close win over the Old Dominion Monarchs, and were even better in a 71-70 victory over the top-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers. Butler isn’t the sharpshooting team that VCU has been in this tournament, preferring to grind it out with sports betting bonus opponents and wear them down inside. Perimeter defense will be the key to slowing down the Rams, and if they can do that the Bulldogs shouldn’t have a problem winning it with a strong inside game.
March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick
The Rams have overachieved throughout the entire tournament, but there is only so long that they can continue to perform at such a high level. Butler represents the most physical team they will face, and should wear them down offensively, while giving them no space at the other end of the floor. VCU has been this year’s Cinderella team, but their road will end against a Bulldogs’ team that has unfinished pay per head business.
March Madness Betting Pick: Bulldogs – 3.5
US vs Paraguay - The Press/Blog Hangover
*Chandler shines in Paraguay loss, leads German-American invasion
*Three thoughts: U.S.-Paraguay
*Top 5 USMNT v Paraguay Afterthoughts
*What's the biggest positive you took from the USMNT's two friendlies?
*U.S.-Paraguay player ratings
*USA improves, but falls to tough Paraguay
*Ream's composure, passing impresses coaches, teammates in USA loss
*Post-Game Thoughts: Paraguay 1, USA 0
*Quote Sheet: U.S. MNT vs. Paraguay
PIXY STIX AND WATER.
While I applaud Bradley for trying new formations, I was hoping to see him hold open auditions for the #10 spot during these Friendlies. I know Benny Feilhaber was injured for the Argentina and Paraguay Friendlies, but I wanted to see him, JoseTorres, and yes, I’m going to say it, Jonathan Spector, given a look in the #10 role during these past six games. I know you can easily make a case against all of these guys. Feilhaber’s play has been up and down and he has not continued on the upward trajectory I thought he was on after the 2007 Gold Cup. Torres’ play for the USMNT and Pachuca in the past is also open to valid criticism. Spector? He’s in here because there are so few candidates and no stone should go unturned in the search. (Also, Spector apparently can play every position, we just didn’t know it. I heard he is now playing keeper for West Ham’s reserve team.) I know that Feilhaber, Torres and Spector aren't world class #10’s. I also understand that Edu/Jones/Bradley/Holden may be head-to-head better players than these three. However, to be a good team, you do not need to get the eleven best players together, you need to get the eleven players who play the best together. I believe that having an average #10 on the field would be better for this USMNT than having another good defensive midfielder out there.
Now, as part of the open auditions, I would want the #10 candidates to be given lots of rope. While Feilhaber and Torres have had some chances in the past, I think Bradley gave them the hook too quickly and it affected their play. In my opinion, you are not going to get a player's best if he thinks he's going to get yanked every time he makes a mistake. That makes them play tentatively instead of with confidence, and you need loads of confidence to be an effective #10. In future Friendlies, I would like Bradley just to hand any #10 candidates the keys to the car and tells them, "Go do your thing, I'm not taking you out for anything. Complete 5% of your passes? No problem! Get repeatedly caught in possession in our end? No sweat! Make a no-look, backheel pass that nutmegs Tim Howard for an own goal? Great! The only way you’re coming out is for an injury or a red card.” I would start with Benny “No Air” Feilhaber and go on down the list until someone shows they can handle the job better than anyone else.
NHL Odds Preview for Tuesday March 29, 2011: Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
A playoff atmosphere is in the air during March Madness betting and the stretch run for the NHL post-season. Every game in the NHL schedule counts, and that is especially true for games like this one between two teams battling for the same playoff spot. Both of these teams are looking to move up in the NHL standings, and both of these teams are doing the right things to make those moves happen.
The Buffalo Sabres hold down the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference NHL standings, but the Sabres are also only three points away from taking over sixth place. The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to make one last push as they sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Sabres by seven points. With only six games remaining, it is unlikely that the Toronto Maple Leafs will catch Buffalo. But if the players on the Maple Leafs want to be on the team next season, they will keep making a push as though the playoffs were within their reach.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are 6-3-1 on the last 10 games and are riding a three-game winning streak. In the last few games, Buffalo is getting excellent goaltending from former Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller. Miller is 4-0-1 in his last five games and that stretch includes two shutouts. Miller’s play has been solid behind a defense that is not playing so well, but the Buffalo offense has really picked up the pace in the last several games. The Sabres have brought their goal differential to +12, which is a dramatic improvement over where the team was at just after the all-star break. The team is still waiting for aggressive forward Patrick Kaleta to return to the line-up. But, in the meantime, pint-sized performers Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis are causing plenty of headaches for the opposition.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were keeping pace with the Sabres as early as a week ago. But while Buffalo was ripping off a three-game winning streak, the Leafs have had a difficult time putting two wins together. In the last 10 games, the Leafs are 5-4-1 and they just lost their most recent game which was against the Detroit Red Wings. A loss to Detroit is nothing to be ashamed of, but when you are chasing a team in the standings that keeps on winning then every game counts.
The Bottom Line
If the Leafs lose this game, then you can pretty much consider them out of the playoff hunt as it will put them nine points behind the high-flying Sabres with only five games left in the season. The Sabres are probably not going to catch Tampa Bay for fifth in the standings, but to climb to the sixth position in the Eastern Conference would be quite an accomplishment for a team that was out of the playoffs immediately after the all-star break.
BSNblog Pick: Buffalo Sabres
Congrats to Dempsey! - View all 10 goals
Yanks in Lower English Leagues: Simek and Grella (hit the post)
*He hit the post in a 2-1 loss to Brighton.
Simek with Carlisle
*He went the distance in a 2-1 loss to Brentford.
*Highlights of both matches after the jump...
US vs Argentina - The Press/Blog Hangover
*Three thoughts: U.S.-Argentina
*U.S.-Argentina player ratings
*Grading the U.S.'s performance
*Agudelo's equalizer, Howard's saves help USA overcome rough first half in 1-1 draw
*More thoughts on USA-Argentina
*U.S. 1 -1 Argentina: A Couple Quick Hits
*Agudelo continues run of form with performance against Argentina
*Top 5 US v Argentina Afterthoughts
*Chandler impresses in USMNT debut
*Tactical formation switch changes USMNT's fortunes against Argentina
A STROKE OF GENIUS
CONTINUE READING AFTER THE JUMP.
India's Sachin Tendulkar falls shy of 100th ton but racks up 18,000 one-day runs
Tendulkar, 37, looked in sublime form during his 68-ball innings, hitting seven fours on his way to 53. It was his 94th one-day half-century for India.
Tendulkar edged paceman Shaun Tait to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin in the 19th over and had started walking when umpire Marais Erasmus called him back while he confirmed the legality of the delivery.
Once the replays showed that the delivery was legal, Tendulkar walked away, much to the disappointment of the frenzied crowd packed in to the Sardar Patel stadium for India's do-or-die encounter.
Nevertheless, the veteran batsman, playing his sixth World Cup and probably his last, completed 18,000 one-day runs in the process, consolidating his position as the most prolific one day batsman of all time.
Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya is second with 13,428 runs, while Australian captain Ricky Ponting is third on 13,288.
Read More >>
March Madness Betting – Defending National Champions Battle Wildcats for Spot in Elite Eight
Arizona Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils
Thursday March 23, 2011 – 9:45 PM ET
Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Online Sports Betting Odds: Duke Blue Devils – 8.5
The Blue Devils got a boost from the return of Kyrie Irving to the lineup, but coach K will tread carefully as he looks to work one of his best players back into his game plan without disrupting the chemistry they put together en route to an ACC title this year.
March Madness Betting Preview: Arizona
While Irving's return had attracted the bulk of the sports betting bonus attention, the Wildcats will be keyed in on reigning ACC MVP Nolan Smith, who has averaged 21.3 points per game and 5.2 assists this season. Smith scored a game-high 24 points in the win over Michigan, and if Arizona can slow him down it could leave the Blue Devils vulnerable. The Wildcats have their own superstar in Derrick Williams, who has emerged as one of the top player's in this year's tournament. Williams had the game-saving block in Arizona's win over Memphis in the second round, and then followed that up with a massive three-ball in the upset of the Texas Longhorns.
March Madness Betting Preview: Duke
Irving scored just 11 points against the Wolverines, but there is no doubt that coach K is confident in his ability to deliver with the game on the line. Kyle Singler has emerged as the perfect compliment next to Smith, including the 13 points and eight rebounds he registered against Michigan. If Irving can find his form without hurting the chemistry between Smith and Singler, than Duke will easily make it through to the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils shot over 50-percent as a team in their most recent win, and never trailed in the second half. Duke has enough talent to outscore Williams and the Wildcats' offense, and coach K knows his team's focus has to be on offense.
March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick
While the Blue Devils cannot afford to let Williams run wild, their pay per head focus will have to be on scoring. Duke has one of the best triple threats in the tournament with Smith, Singler, and Irving, but they will need to find a way to perform together in order to get the job done. Arizona has been fortunate to survive through their first two games, but that run will come to an end against the defending national champions.
March Madness Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils – 8.5
NHL Odds for Tuesday March 22, 2011: New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins
Many people who bet on March Madness have also been keeping tabs on the race for the NHL playoffs. No matter how the sportsbook promo experts do the math, the New Jersey Devils’ amazing second-half of the season run will come up short as far as a playoff spot goes. But the betting services know that the New Jersey players are all playing for spots on next year’s team and, if next year’s team is anything like this team was, then the Devils will be a Stanley Cup force next season.
The Boston Bruins are hovering around that first-place slot in the Northeastern Division. Right now, the Bruins hold on to the top spot in the division by one point over the Montreal Canadiens. But the Canadiens are surging and the Bruins need wins to stay ahead in the race. With team captain Zdeno Chara going down to a leg injury in the last Bruins’ game, things do not look good for the team from Bean Town.
New Jersey Devils
On December 23, 2010, the New Jersey Devils were dead last in the NHL with only nine wins out of more than 30 games. That is the day that former Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire took over as this season’s interim head coach. Ever since then, the Devils have made the long and difficult climb into playoff contention putting together winning streaks of eight and nine games at a time. The Devils are 7-3-0 in the last 10 games and seven points out of a playoff spot. It does not look like the Devils will have enough time to get themselves into the playoffs, but they can make life miserable for the Bruins as the Devils try to keep right on winning.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and trying desperately to hold off the Montreal Canadiens for the Northeast Division lead. But the Bruins are starting to show signs of trouble that is very similar to last season. Even though he has had a Vezina-caliber season, goaltender Tim Thomas is not playing well lately. The Bruins would like to turn to Tuukka Rask, as they did last season, but Rask has been unstable lately. Thomas was pulled in the Bruins loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Rask was put in goal. But when the Leafs scored on Rask’s seventh shot against, the young goalie exploded on his defense and Thomas was put back in net. Things are coming a bit unhinged in Boston.
The Bottom Line
The New Jersey Devils are a disciplined hockey machine right now, and the Boston Bruins are not. The Bruins need to get themselves under control or they may find themselves with a first-round playoff exit this year. But this game is one that will slip away from the Bruins and show the New Jersey fans that there is a lot to look forward to for next season.
BSNblog Free Pick: New Jersey Devils
Altidore plays the 2nd half in a 0-0 draw with Ankaragucu
*He played the 2nd half in a 0-0 draw with Ankaragucu.
*Highlights after the jump...
To win the World Cup, you have to beat them all: Yuvraj
"Don't you think you are not practising enough?" somebody asked him the question and that added fuel to the fire. "We know our bodies, we know how to go about it...It's the media that is saying we are not practising. It's your problem, not ours," it seemed that Yuvraj was carrying the mood of his batting to the press conference room.
The left-hander looked relieved that he has delivered the goods just when it mattered. This was his first international century after a gap of two years and he wants to take the good form into the quarterfinal against Australia. "Obviously, I am feeling good about it...Wickets, runs...I think it's all going well," Yuvi's answers were short, crisp and incisive.
Now they are up against Australia and when somebody asked whether they would have preferred some other team in the quarters, Yuvi shot back. "Boss, if we have to win the World Cup, we have to beat every team...It doesn't matter if we are playing Australia or Sri Lanka."
Aussies have three quicks in Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson in the line-up. So, will the short ball be a problem? "We wouldn't have been the No. 1 Test playing nation and No. 2 ODI nation if we struggled against the short ball...Don't say such things to me," Yuvi seemed to pull the query out of the park.
India are going off the boil a number of times and there was a situation on Sunday as well when the bowlers struggled to get that breakthrough. When asked about it, the left-hander said that it's a matter of keeping the faith in the bowlers.
"When things get tough, it's important that we don't lose confidence in the bowlers...We knew somebody or the other will strike when it matters and that's what happened. Zaheer got two, I got a couple, and we finally won the match," Yuvraj said.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - Yanks Abroad Weekend Recap
*Adu scored for Rizespor
*Dempsey scored for Fulham though they lost 2-1
*Whitbread scored for Norwich as Guzano made a mess of it
*Edu helped Rangers win the League Cup
*Davies officially begins his comeback with 2 goals
*Bedoya scores a nice goal in preseason
The Bad
*Chandler is sent off with two yellows (second one was very questionable)
*Stuart Holden's changing accent
The Ugly
*Holden is injured with a poor challenge from Evans
*Guzan allows Whitbread to score with some poor keeping
*Lichaj scored an own goal in a 2-0 loss
Yanks Abroad Leftovers: Bocanegra, Starikov, Feilhaber, & Rolfe
*He played the first half in a 1-0 loss to Kuban Krasnodar.
Feilhaber with AGF
*He played the first half in a 2-0 win over Hobro IK.
Bocanegra with St. Etienne
*He went the distance in a 0-0 draw with Lorient.
Rolfe with Aab
*He played the first half in a 2-1 win over Lyngby.
Starikov
Feilhaber
Bocanegra
Rolfe
Highlights here: http://tv2sport.dk/node/74810
Yanks in Lower English Leagues: Johnson, Grella, Simek & Lichaj
*He went the full 90 in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Johnson with PNE
*He went 74 minutes in a 2-1 win over Coventry City.
Grella with Swindon
*He went 66 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield.
Lichaj with Leeds
*He went the distance in a 2-0 loss to Sheffield United.
Lichaj
Simek
Grella
Johnson
MOTD Highlights of Yanks in the EPL: Holden, Howard, Jones, Dempsey & Friedel
Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool by jordanip
Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers by jordanip
Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers by oodinjeta
Edu helps Rangers defeat Celtic 2-1 to win the Co-operative Insurance Cup
*He went the full 120 minutes in a 2-1 win over Celtic.
*Highlights after the jump...
Whitbread scores on Guzan in a 1-1 draw
*Zak scored and Brad made 7 saves in a 1-1 draw.
*Highlights after the jump...
Adu scores for Rizespor in a 2-0 win over Akhisar Belediye Genclik Ve Spor
*He scored in a 2-0 win over Akhisar Belediye Genclik Ve Spor.
*Highlights after the jump...
Credit to john derksen for gif
Akhisar Belediyespor - Çaykur Rizespor Adu'nun1... by tunustan
Davies scores 2 in his debut for DC United
Cherundolo helps Hannover in 2-0 win over Hoffenheim
*He went the distance in a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim.
*Highlights after the jump...
Friedel makes 2 saves in a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton
*He made 2 saves in a 1-0 loss to Wolverhampton.
*Bradley was on the bench yet again.
*Highlights after the jump...
szólj hozzá: A0-1W
Chandler gets sent off in a 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen
*He got 2 yellow cards in a 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen.
*Second yellow card is at 1:45 in the clip. Very very very harsh.
*Highlights after the jump...
Holden injured in Bolton's 1-0 loss to Manchester United (extended highlights)
*He was taken off in the 78th minute in a 1-0 loss to Manchester United.
*Video of the Holden's injury.
*Highlights after the jump...
Manchester United v Bolton Wanderers by Globajeez
Dempsey scores on Howard in 2-1 loss to Everton
*Clint scored in a 2-1 loss to Everton.
*Highlights after the jump...
Clint's goal:
Full highlights:
szólj hozzá: E2-1F
Sania-Vesnina in Indian Wells doubles final
In the title round on Saturday, the Indo-Russian pairing, who are yet to drop a set in the tournament, will play the American combine of Bethanie-Mattek Sands and Meghan Shaugnessy.
Buddle goes 76 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin
*He went 76 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin.
*Highlights after the jump...