OCD Picks - Home of the Football Handicapping Champion
Up against the nation's elite handicappers as professionally monitored by Sports-Watch and the National Handicappers Bowl. Check out his 2009 NFL Football record, his 2009 College Football record, and his 2009 College Bowl record on SPORTSWATCH!
OC Dooley was also the 2009 NFL Over/Under totals champion as reported by The National Handicappers Bowl!
In 2010, his winning record continued. OC Dooley was # 1 in the NFL Preseason, #1 in the College Football Postseason Bowls, and #3 in the NFL Playoffs. In 2011 the College Football Postseason Bowls excelled again with a lofty #2 ranking.
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SPECIAL FRIDAY BASEBALL "5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT (7:05 eastern start) triggered by UNUSUAL handicapping situations rarely if ever seen on the diamond
BEST BETS 4-2-1 PAST SIX DAYS
MARQUEE BEST BETS SENSATIONAL PAST THIRTY-ONE DAYS (9-3)
NBA PAST FORTY-EIGHT DAYS STELLAR (38-21)
Friday report features just the third top-rated "5 UNIT" Best Bet bombshell of the season
BOSTON USA BOSTON USA BOSTON USA (thoughts and prayers)
"5 UNIT" ESPN-TV event ends regular season on 4/17 "Rockets/Lakers" UNDER (202') WINS despite overtime session
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SWEEP (Louisville-and-Over)
BEST BETS PAST FORTY-SIX DAYS (37-23)
INCLUDING COLLEGE SWEEP (5-0). The lone Final Four NCAA Best Bet Wichita State (+10) WIRE TO WIRE COVER in 72-68 tussle versus Louisville. In the NCAA Championship a special "5 UNIT" totals event Michigan/Louisville OVER (137') WINS with ease in a high scoring affair with 158 combined points scored
Special "5 UNIT" Best Bets from the NBA saw the Knicks snap Miami's 17-game home win streak four weeks ago (PLUS PISTONS SNAPPING AN 0-18 SKID VERSUS BULLS FOUR WEEKS AGO SUNDAY IN A DARING UNDERDOG CALL)
Opening night "5 UNIT" Sunday ESPN baseball televised event 145-UNDERDOG Astros WIN with ease in junior circuit debut
LONG TERM SPECIALS
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***ALL BEST BET action past forty-nine days 39-25***
***Top-rated "5 UNIT" Best Bet bombshells past 109 days stellar 19-9***
BEST BETS PAST 137 DAYS (114-93)
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updated 5:30 pm edt 5/17
RARE "5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT FRIDAY (7:05 et start)
HANDICAPPING ALERT: Due to several UNUSUAL handicapping situations rarely if ever seen on the diamond all premium clients Friday have been instructed to pound a 7:05 eastern baseball clash like they already know the final score. Grab the wallet and read the critical analysis carefully
ALL NBA PLAYOFF BEST BETS 4-2 (including Wednesday Bulls +14 cover with ease in 94-91 tussle at South Beach)
All NHL Playoff releases 7-3 so far (including WIN last night with the Boston Bruins)
4-2-1 BEST BETS PAST SIX DAYS
--Thursday baseball underdog Marlins (+150) fail in EXTRA INNINGS versus Reds
--Wednesday rare NBA Best Bet Bulls (+14) COVER WITH EASE in a close 94-91 tussle at Heat (amazing "24-4" System clicks again)
--Tuesday baseball Mariners (+105) misses by a one run margin (4-3 road setback at Yankees)
--Monday special "5 UNIT" Best Bet NHL Playoff event "Rangers/Capitals" OVER (5) PUSHES in 5-0 final verdict
--Sunday MARQUEE NHL Playoff Four-Unit Best Bet monster Maple Leafs (+115) WIN in 2-1 home triumph versus Bruins
--Saturday NHL Playoff Best Bet total "Penguins/Islanders" OVER (6) WINS in a 4-3 overtime contest
--Saturday BASEBALL INFORMATION BEST BET Athletics (-105) WIN on the road (major offshore line swing made Oakland the favorite despite a 3-11 road slide and a starting pitcher with an ERA above the seven mark)
ALL PLAYOFF RELEASES 12-7 PAST TWELVE DAYS including Thursday's NBA totals setback on Pacers/Knicks Over
BASEBALL 6-5 LAST WEEK WITH FOUR SUCCESSFUL UNDERDOG TICKETS
"21-18" OVERALL PAST TWELVE DAYS
BEST BET ACTION ALL SPORTS 37-23 the past forty-six days while MARQUEE monsters on an 9-3 tear
4-2 ALL NBA PLAYOFF BEST BETS
RARE NBA PLAYOFF BEST BET WEDNESDAY
Bulls (+14) COVER WITH EASE in a close 94-91 tussle as an amazing 24-4 System cashes another winning ticket
TONIGHT’S “3 UNIT” REDZONE NBA PLAYOFF BEST BET (Bulls +14 at Heat in a 7:10 eastern tipoff televised on TNT): At the bottom of this analysis segment you will see through various angles and systems that this is arguably one of the “highest percentage” wagers of the entire postseason. It is easy to see why visiting Chicago would be cast as a prohibitive underdog even though they pulled off an outright upset at Miami in the opening tilt of this playoff series while also putting an end to the Heat’s massive 27-game winning streak near the end of March during the regular campaign. It was a few nights ago in front of their own fans that a Bulls roster dealing with massive injury and illness seemed outmatched, undermanned and emotionally fatigued in what turned out To be a humiliating setback where Chicago shot a horrendous 19-of-74 from the floor which grades out to a woeful 25.7 percentage. I am aware that once again the Bulls tonight will be WITHOUT Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich along with Derrick Rose but due to an excellent COACHING staff they are a dangerous underdog. Most reading this analysis are aware that Tom Thibodeau originally made a name for himself as the creator of Boston’s infamous DEFENSE which ran the table to win a league championship. One could argue that Thibodeau cost his team in game-four by accusing the great LeBron James of “flopping” while contending that the defending world champions get the benefit of most official calls. While they woke up Miami who has appeared to be on cruise-control in this series the fact of the matter is that Lebron’s shooting percentage is down while sharpshooter Ray Allen has struggled from three-point territory. In addition Heat superstar Dwayne Wade has been limping around and most likely will rest an ailing knee this evening. Getting back to Tom Thibodeau ever since he has been Chicago head coach when in TRIPLE REVENGE against an opponent his Bulls (10-1 ATS) have been an investors dream due to his squad’s overall toughness and defensive prowess. Here is an amazing “24-4” SYSTEM (86% since 1996) which plays ON double-digit underdogs like Chicago off a horrendous offensive effort (80 or less points scored) and also off a very low scoring affair where both teams involved put “160 or less” points on the scoreboard. To add even more icing to the cake for the entire season to date when off consecutive games played on the highway the seemingly unbeatable Miami Heat (0-9 ATS/HOME) have been a disastrous investment
57-43 OVERALL PAST THIRTY-ONE DAYS
MARQUEE BEST BETS PAST TWENTY-NINE DAYS (9-3)
Including Tuesday 4/23 when the "Brewers/Padres" OVER (7') cashed a WINNING ticket in the second inning of a 6-3 final verdict that saw San Diego cleanup batter Carlos Quentin return from injury. Wednesday 4/24 it was a Marquee Four-Unit monster ESPN-TV move where the Mets (-155) WON in an extra inning thriller versus the Dodgers. Wednesday a national audience got to watch the hottest pitcher in baseball (New York's Matt Harvey) who was one of only 13 pitchers since the live-ball era (1920) to have a streak of five consecutive starts lasting at least seven innings while allowing "four or fewer" hits each time on the mound
"5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT WRAPS UP THE NBA REGULAR SEASON IN STYLE
Major injuries to the Lakers lineup forced them to lean heavily on a pair of former "defensive players of the year" (Dwight Howard, Ron Artest). Wednesday on ESPN the Rockets/Lakers UNDER (202') cashed a WINNING ticket despite an overtime session of a 99-95 final verdict
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SWEEP (Louisville-and-Over)
College Best Bet action UNDEFEATED (5-0) in final eight days of coverage
NCAA Championship "5 UNIT" Best Bet totals event Michigan/Louisville OVER (137') WINS with ease in a high scoring affair with 158 combined points scored (taking advantage of both sides excelling with standout guards)
TNT INTANGIBLE GAME OF THE YEAR (strong four-unit marquee monster) on 4/16 saw the Raptors (+6) win OUTRIGHT on the road in a 113-96 romp versus the Hawks in a rare National-TV appearance that was brought on by the Boston tragedy which caused the cancellation of a scheduled Pacers/Celtics telecast
NBA REVENGE GAME OF THE YEAR (strong four-unit marquee monster) on 4/15 saw the Suns (+7) win OUTRIGHT in their home finale 119-112 versus playoff bound Houston. It was less than a week prior when Phoenix lost a "buzzer beat" on the road when the Rockets were credited with a game winning basket on a GOALTENDING call
TNT TOTAL OF THE YEAR (strong four-unit marquee monster) on 4/11 saw the "Thunder/Warriors" OVER (203') WIN in a high scoring 116-97 final verdict. Golden State had just wrapped up their second playoff berth in 20 years and as predicted let up defensively. For the first time ever all game announcers on a national broadcast are NOT traditional play-by-play men (Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber all analysts who were former OFFENSIVE stars on the court)
TONIGHT’S SPECIAL “5 UNIT” NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP REDZONE BEST BET TOTAL (Michigan versus Louisville OVER 137’ in a 9:20 eastern tipoff on CBS): The personnel for this year’s NCAA Title game is different from a year ago when the star players were big men that created havoc for opposing players down low in the paint. Kentucky a year ago was led by Anthony Davis whose 175 blocked shots set a single season conference record. Meanwhile Kansas had Seven-Foot giant Jeff Withey who going into the championship game had averaged a whopping 6.7 blocked shots per contest in the Big Dance. With the help of those defensive stars last year’s NCAA Championship stayed below the posted total (137’) by a substantial margin in what turned out to be 67-59 contest. Last year’s “under” continued a recent championship game trend of low scoring affairs as in both 2011 and 2010 mid-major Butler was involved and the Bulldogs came up with offensive efforts on 41 and 59 points respectively. Last year I personally expected a much higher scoring game since a mid-major who has to survive by slowing the pace was finally not involved, but that turned out not to be the case because of stellar big men described above. This year’s Title game is dominated by star GUARDS on both sides including Louisville’s Russ Smith who arguably is the most intimidating open-court player that college basketball has seen in more than a decade. Meanwhile Michigan counters with arguably one of the best backcourts in the entire country as both Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Junior are excellent dribble-drivers who also out on the perimeter average more than 3 successful three-point shots per contest. In the case of Burke he tends to commit few errors even when facing teams like Virginia Commonwealth who apply intense and constant defensive pressure. In the Final Four the Wolverines found a way to defeat the stingiest defensive side (Syracuse) in the tournament which means they will not be fazed this evening by the Cardinals relentless stop-unit. Admittedly there is a risk taking Over the total in college basketball since this has been one of the lowest scoring seasons in recent memory, but that has caused tonight’s over/under figure to actually DROP offshore and I for one am taking advantage of the value. In the past two years Michigan is 8-1 OVER when off consecutive games where the defense held the opposition to “60 or less” points on the scoreboard. In all neutral-court games this season Louisville is a staggering 11-1 OVER the number even though they have one of the most relentless defensive attacks in the country
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE-AND-TOTAL SWEEP included Louisville (-4) COVERING the spread in an 82-76 triumph as the Big East Conference exits in style while the top pair of schools in overall BASKETBALL REVENUE (Louisville and Kentucky) cash tickets in the title game for a second consecutive time
DARING NBA "5 UNIT" BEST BET BOMBSHELL Pistons (+4') OUTRIGHT in a 99-85 romp as they finally SNAP an 0-18 series skid versus the Bulls last Sunday evening even though injury-riddled Chicago had finally gotten back the services of Joakim Noah. Due to injuries Detroit for the first time in recent memory actually had a roster that was deeper than the Bulls. Last Sunday evening the Pistons were a relatively small underdog (oddsmakers statement) even though Detroit had not won in front of their home fans in a near two-month span
CBI CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: All premium clients were treated to a pair of MARQUEE Four-Unit Best Bet monster WINNERS on both Wednesday and Friday in college last week. In the second game of a best-of-three series as predicted George Mason (-1) successfully covered the spread in a six-point margin of victory as due to a scheduling situaton at the Patriot enter the team for the first time in TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS played on-campus at the tiny Recreation Center (capacity 1,500) which was sold out and unusually loud. On Friday the handicapping scenario was completely different as George Mason returned to their normal home floor in a much more sedate environment that helped the visitor. As predicted last night Santa Clara (+1') won OUTRIGHT and claimed the school's second national postseason tournament title in a three-year span
NBA TEAR 38-21 past forty-eight days
"5 UNIT" WEEKEND BEST BET SWEEP WRAPPED UP MARCH MADNESS IN STYLE
One of the most anticipated releases in the handicapping industry is up to 19-8 spanning the past two-plus months. On Saturday it was college basketball taking center stage as Weber State (+5') won OUTRIGHT at Northern Iowa as premium clients were informed that Weber's head coach was returning to his native state courtesy of the little known College Insider Tournament. On Sunday a new baseball season began with a bang as the heavy underdog Astros (+145) WON with ease in an 8-2 rout as they made a successful junior circuit debut
OPENING BASEBALL "5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT
Heavy UNDERDOG Astros (+145) WIN their junior circuit debut with ease in an 8-2 rout on opening night
TONIGHT’S SPECIAL “5 UNIT” REDZONE BASEBALL BEST BET (Astros +145 at home versus Rangers in an 8:05 eastern start on ESPN-----Harrison versus Norris): One of the keys to this major personal investment actually surrounds exactly one year ago at this time when the baseball ESPN televised Sunday night season opener featured the Miami Marlins who were “showcasing” a brand new ballpark to the nation. Most reading this analysis remember that the Marlins spent more free-agent money than any other franchise last year at this time in an effort to show the local fan base they were finally serious about winning. Of course to make a long story short the myriad of free-agent acquisitions never gelled in the clubhouse which forced the team to hold yet another “fire sale”. While the heavy-hyped Marlins lost their home opener in front of a nationally televised audience a year ago, the situation for the 2013 ESPN primetime opener is radically different as the majors lowest-payroll is involved. On paper things could not be worse for Houston who is attempting to avoid becoming baseball’s first franchise since the expansion Mets back in the early 1960’s to record three consecutive seasons of 106+ defeats. But after FIFTY YEARS in the senior circuit tonight marks the debut of the Astros as an AMERICAN League squad which in itself brings a certain form of excitement. In addition tonight marks the first time that Bud Norris has been cast as the opening day starter as he gets to showcase his vast skills to a national audience. Due to a sharp slider Norris is among only 8 different pitchers in the senior circuit to record at least 150 STRIKEOUTS in each of the past three years. The location of tonight’s opener is in Houston which is important since Norris a year ago was dominant in front of the HOME fans (4-1, 1.71 ERA) permitting opposing batters to hit only 5 homers in 73.2 innings. On the mound for Texas tonight is Matt Harrison who against major league competition in the just completed spring training struggled (5.11 ERA) as opposing batters hit a collective .321 at the dish against him. Once again most reading this analysis most likely remember the virtual “free fall” of the Texas Rangers a year ago as they squandered a double-digit lead in the American League West Division chase on the FINAL DAY getting bypassed by a franchise (Oakland) with the third-lowest overall payroll. Texas who in the prior pair of campaigns made it all the way to the World Series only to suffer a pair of near-misses in the late innings is in my opinion ready to go on a downward spiral the shelf life of being an elite team is small (refer to Philadelphia Phillies). The last time we saw the Texas Rangers on the field was at home as an enormous Wildcard Playoff favorite and they promptly lost to Baltimore. Basically the Rangers who have just lost slugger Josh Hamilton to free-agency were unable to emotionally recover from their Divisional late season collapse. Getting back to Houston it is safe to assume that the Astros will have problems drawing fans all season but that will NOT be the case tonight. Due to a shift for the first time to the American League Houston opens against a geographic rival who is located just 250 miles away. Tonight’s ESPN baseball opener actually reminds me of an NIT basketball tournament shocker when virtually unknown Robert Morris due to a technicality actually got to HOST mighty Kentucky and pulled off the outright upset where fans stormed the court. One can argue that the Houston Astros true “World Series” for their fanbase is actually tonight on the national stage and I am taking full advantage
SATURDAY COLLEGE "5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT (3/30)
Weber State (+5') stunning OUTRIGHT road upset at Northern Iowa in what was a "homecoming" for one of the most successful mid-major HEAD COACHES
A stunning OUTRIGHT upset as Mississippi (+6) eliminated Wisconsin by a 57-46 final count
Harvard (+9') pulled off an opening round OUTRIGHT upset of New Mexico in a battle of head coaches (Tommy Amaker, Steve Alford) who actually met 26 years ago as players for marquee programs (Indiana, Duke) in the NCAA Tournament. It was one year ago when Harvard made the first Big Dance appearance in 66 years and failed to cover, but in a second consecutive visit settled down and pulled off the upset
SPECIAL "5 UNIT" TV NIT TOURNAMENT BEST BET
Mercer College is the lone school in the entire state of Georgia participating in one of the four postseason tournaments. Mercer actually won a postseason event a year ago running the table in the College Insider Tournament. In an opening round tilt Mercer made their NIT debut in a nationally-televised ESPNU tilt where Mercer (+8) won OUTRIGHT at Tennessee by a 75-67 final count. In the past four years Mercer has compiled the school's most overall victories dating way back to the 1950's. In that time span they have now upset 6 different "power conference" schools
ALL NCAA POSTSEASON CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT RELEASES 25-19
5-UNIT BEST BET SPECIALS 19-7
Including the NBA on 2/20 as for the first time in recent memory the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers had a nationally-televised contest that did not involve LeBron James and promptly covered the spread in an ESPN telecast. Dating back to 1/22 the top-rated Best Bet release is now 11-4 including a 105-100 victory by Cleveland as a small home favorite on 2/20
UNDER (296') wins with a combined 281 points scored
5-UNIT BEST BET "FIFTY YEAR" INTANGIBLE
2/16 Saturday Loyola of Illinois (-4) celebrated FIFTY YEARS since winning the college basketball championship in a 69-60 home triumph versus city rival Illinois of Chicago
***"5 UNIT" ESPNU-TV BEST BET EVENT WINS ON 2/14***
Penn State (+8) COVERED in a close 74-72 home tussle versus Iowa in a game featuring head coaches the both played and coached in the Philadelphia area bringing familiarity to the table
***"5 UNIT" ESPN-TV BEST BET EVENT WINS WITH EASE ON 2/13***
Spurred by college realignment and the fact that the Huskies are ineligible for the postseason, Wednesday marked the final meeting between Syracuse and Connecticut as Big East conference members. In the lone scheduled regular season tilt Connecticut (+4') won OUTRIGHT by a 66-58 final count
"5 UNIT" Saturday Best Bet event (1/9) WINS WITH EASE as Montana (-12') covers in a twenty point margin of victory in what was their final home game in a "one month" stretch. The Grizzlies also made it 25 in a row against conference competition in the regular season
SUPER SUNDAY "5 UNIT" FOOTBALL EVENT (Ravens OUTRIGHT Super Bowl upset)
TONIGHT’S SPECIAL “5 UNIT” REDZONE SUPER BOWL BEST BET SIDE (Ravens +4’ versus 49ers in a 6:35 eastern kickoff on CBS): One could call this a law-of-averages wager as we have just finished an entire decade-full of Super Bowls with the AFC entrant winning outright just twice. But one can argue that this campaign it was the AFC which had the tougher draw as postseason entrants were decided much quicker than the NFC which went right down to final day of the regular season. The route that San Francisco had to travel to make tonight’s game was substantially easier than that of Baltimore who had to pull off a pair of road upsets against a pair of high profile quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady) that carried with them lofty wagering price tags. In the Divisional round of the postseason San Francisco had the advantage of hosting an opponent (Green Bay) who the week prior in the Wildcard round seemingly received a “free pass” as Minnesota was forced to start quarterback Joe Webb who did not throw a single regular season pass. In the NFC Championship San Francisco had the advantage of facing arguably one of the weakest #1 seeds ever as not only was Atlanta cast as a prohibitive home underdog, the Falcons had a very low #31 defensive ranking in yards gained after contact. It was one year ago in the Super Bowl when the Giants ended up defeating the Patriots for the second time in a 4-year span in the Big Game. In 2011 New York got off to a very slow start in part due to defensive injuries that slowed the likes of Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyoria who eventually got healthy and helped the team get hot at the right time and virtually run the table to a championship. Baltimore has followed a similar pattern when you consider it was not until the WILDCARD round of the playoffs when their top four defenders were on the field at the same time including the likes of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs who have helped trigger the team a late season run. Of course tonight is the final game of a 17-year career for Ray Lewis who during the week was unfazed by a Sports Illustrated generated report regarding steroid use, as he now has an “us against the world” philosophy. It was back in the year 2000 when a suffocating defense led by the emotional Lewis pushed Baltimore to a Super Bowl championship even though they at the time had a conservative offensive attack that was led by unheralded quarterback Trent Dilfer. To make a long story short the Ravens have a much better offense this time around led by star running back Ray Rice who also has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield. It was way back in the preseason when quarterback Joe Flacco proudly proclaimed himself as an “elite” quarterback and he has proven the point by now becoming the all-time NFL leader in playoff ROAD victories (6) surpassing Eli Manning. Of course the difference between Flacco and Manning is a Super Bowl ring and with an upset victory tonight he has a chance at virtually cashing a 20-million dollar paycheck. This has been a very emotional season for the Ravens which began with the passing of long-time owner Art Modell who Ray Lewis looked at as a father figure. In an ironic twist it is exactly 5 months to the day since Modell’s passing. It was prior to a National-TV primetime affair this season when wide receiver Torrey Smith learned just hours before kickoff the tragic death of one of his brothers which will be on his mind in this particular contest. There are rumors that tonight may be the final game ever for Baltimore star secondary performer Ed Reed who in another ironic twist actually is a native of New Orleans where tonight’s game is being played. We have another ironic twist as for the first time ever both head coaches involved (Harbaugh’s) just happen to be brothers. In his rookie season the first-ever NFL tackle of Ray Lewis just happened to be against one of the Harbaugh’s who at the time was an Indianapolis quarterback. There is even a Hollywood angle surrounding tonight’s game as the subject of the movie “blindside” Michael Orr will be on the field in a Baltimore uniform. After eleven years in the pits former Raven Jonathan Ogden was just selected to the Hall of Fame. I have found out that Baltimore’s lockeroom yesterday was an emotional scene as one of the performers from the 2000 champions and current front-office member OJ Begantz made an appearance even though battling Lou Gehrig disease. Continuing with the irony theme Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco just happened to have attended the same college (Delaware) as current New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who himself has been in the press starting with being a keynote speaker at the Republican convention. I want to take all of you back to a year ago with two of the top-four ranked defenses (49ers, Ravens) advanced to their respective conference championship games, so it should come as no shock that they have now advanced to another level where the game should be competitive. If tonight’s game is close keep in mind that Baltimore has a special-teams edge as San Francisco field goal kicker David Akers has struggled. In the past eleven years in the Super Bowl the UNDERDOG side has gone a solid 8-3 ATS and I am looking for that pattern to continue this evening
SUPER SUNDAY "5 UNIT" NCAA HOOPS EVENT (2/3)
In one of the biggest revenge spots of the entire season Georgia Tech (+2') won OUTRIGHT at home versus a Virginia squad that a year ago humiliated them by a 70-38 final count in front of their own fans
ALL PRO-AND-COLLEGE ALL STAR FOOTBALL RELEASES SWEEP (3-0)
WINNING results from the Pro Bowl, Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl. In the last NFL event prior to Super Sunday the underdog National Conference WINS in an All-Star 62-35 rout
114-91 ALL BEST BETS PAST 136 DAYS
***2013 HOOP BEST BETS (81-66)***
"5 UNIT" NBA-TV BEST BET EVENT (Hornets COVER a 111-106 thriller at Lakers) on 1/29 in a rare national telecast for New Orleans
SPECIAL SATURDAY NCAA "5 UNIT" BEST BET 1/26 COVERS (double-digit underdog Lasalle OUTRIGHT upset of a nationally-ranked Virginia Commonwealth contingent who just two days prior saw a long winning streak end against an rival opponent coughing up a seven-point advantage with just 42-SECONDS remaining on the clock. As expected Virginia Commonwealth suffered an emotional letdown
ESPN WEDNESDAY INTANGIBLE GAME OF THE YEAR (1/23)
A rare "strong four unit" release saw Miami-Florida (+3) OUTRIGHT by a whopping TWENTY SEVEN POINT margin versus #1 ranked Duke (90-63 no brainer). Premium clients were informed that the NCAA earlier that afternoon admitted to a botched investigation of the Miami program and the Hurricanes celebrated that night
SPECIAL NCAA "5 UNIT" BEST BET (1/22)
South Carolina (+13') COVERS the spread in a road visit to Missouri that was decided by a SIX point margin. Last Tuesday marked South Carolina head coach Frank Martin's first visit back to Big-12 country where he made himself famous as the fiery leader of Kansas State. Prior to the contest Martin was critical of his freshmen-laden team that was not giving all out effort or exhibiting leadership. The Gamecocks actually held a "double digit lead" in the second half against a battered Missouri squad that listed three players as "doubtful" or "questionable". Missouri's head coach also had the off-the-court distraction of dealing with an NCAA investigation
"MARQUEE" SUGAR BOWL BEST BET GIFT
Louisville (+14) pulled off the biggest OUTRIGHT upset in BCS Bowl history as they defeated a Florida contingent who according to the coach deserved to be in the National Championship due to strength of schedule. The Gators suffered from fan apathy as they failed to sell their allotment of tickets. Louisville's head coach Charlie Strong stuck with the Cardinals who soon will be moving up to the Atlantic Coast Conference and the current Big East entrant responded. Strong actually spent FIFTEEN YEARS in four different stints as a Florida Gators assistant coach
NEW YEARS DAY BETTING BONANZA
--New Years wrapped up with a late-night MARQUEE 4-Unit monster from the NBA as the Nuggets (-1) CRUSHED the visiting Clippers in a 92-78 romp which put an end to a massive 17-game Los Angeles winning streak. In a unique handicapping situation Denver was revenging a nationally-televised Christmas Night loss to the same Clippers. New Years night was a rare home game for the Nuggets who played 22 of the initial 32 games on the highway
--New Years Bowl Best Bet side saw Northwestern (-1) COVER in a 34-20 triumph as the Wildcats finally secured their first postseason triumph in 64 years
--New Years Bowl Best Bet total "Wisconsin/Stanford" UNDER (47) WINS in a Rose Bowl matchup featuring a pair of old-school physical squads
--New Years PRIMETIME Florida State (-14) COVERS in a 31-10 romp in the Orange Bowl which was the Seminoles first BCS appearance in SEVEN YEARS
2012 BOWL GAME OF THE YEAR WINS
New Years Eve "Iowa State/Tulsa" UNDER (50') WINS in a 31-17 Liberty Bowl contest with an unusual handicapping set up as the contest was supposed to include "9-3" Louisiana Tech and their high octane attack which was statistically among the nation's best. With Northern Illinois edging their way into a BCS-sanctioned event Louisiana Tech was pushed out of the postseason picture
FINAL NFL "5 UNIT" EVENT OF THE REGULAR SEASON COVERS
The St. Louis Rams were attempting to finish above the .500 mark for the first time in NINE YEARS and as an 11' point underdog successfully COVERED the spread on the road against a Seattle contingent in an emotional letdown spot after routing Divisional rival San Francisco in primetime the prior week
--Sunday 12/30 primetime NBC BEST BET Cowboys/Redskins UNDER (48') WINS in 28-18 contest
--Sunday 12/23 primetime NBC BEST BET Seahawks (-2') COVER with ease in 42-13 rout of 49ers
--Sunday 12/16 primetime NBC BEST BET 49ers (+4) OUTRIGHT 41-34 upset at Patriots NCAA BASKETBALL "5 UNIT" BEST BET EVENT COVERS 12/19
In the first FATHER-VERSUS-SON coaching matchup since the year 2000 it was top-five ranked Louisville (Rick Pitino) going up against Florida International (Richard Pitino). As predicted Florida International (+25') stayed within the number in a 79-55 contest
SPECIAL NBA "5 UNIT" EVENT ON 12/18 MONDAY SAW THE HEAVY UNDERDOG ROCKETS (+10) WIN OUTRIGHT IN A 109-96 ROMP AS THEY HANDED THE KNICKS THEIR FIRST HOME SETBACK OF THE SEASON. LAST MONDAY SAW THE RETURN OF JEREMY LIN TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN WHERE A YEAR AGO HE PUT THE KNICKS BACK ON THE NATIONAL MAP
5-UNIT NCAA HOOPS BEST BET EVENT COVERS WEDNESDAY 12/12
In a rare handicapping situation Portland State played host for the FIRST TIME EVER to an opponent from the Pac 12 conference inside their on-campus facility which was SOLD OUT (8-1 in front of sellout crowds since 1996). Portland State (+12') in their first home game in more than one month successfully COVERED the spread in a close 79-74 clash versus power-conference opponent Oregon State
5-UNIT COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEST BETS COVER CONSECUTIVE SATURDAY'S TO END REGULAR SEASON
On the final regular season Saturday Army (+7) COVERED in a close 17-13 tussle versus Navy. For the first time since way back in 2005 the rivalry was a battle for the coveted Commander-In-Chiefs award since both sides had defeated Air Force earlier. For the first time since way back in the 1940's Army was starting a quarterback facing Navy for a FOURTH conscutive campaign. Trent Steelman was playing in his final Black Knights appearance under center and had re-written the Army record book becoming the first signal caller to both pass for 2.000 and rush for 2,000 in the same season
***All rare college football "5 UNIT" Best Bets 4-1 for the regular season including arguably the first-ever college football playoff as Georgia (+8) COVERED the spread in a 32-28 shootout versus Alabama in the SEC Championship game***