Both Memphis and Kansas won their NCAA conference picks regular-season and tournament, and both hammered to 18-point victories in Saturday's Final Four betting semifinals, Memphis over UCLA, and Kansas over North Carolina in one of the last March Madness Betting Picks.

Two almost identical NCAA basketball betting teams meet Monday night to wrap-up the college basketball betting picks season when co-No. 1 seeds Memphis (38-1) and Kansas (36-1) play in San Antonio for the NCAA basketball championship, with the Tigers 1.5-point favorites (over/under: 146.5) on WagerWeb.com.

The Jayhawks and Tigers rank 1-2 nationally in scoring margin and thrive in man-to-man defense. Memphis is among the top 10 in field goal percentage defense, blocked shots and assist-turnover ratio, Kansas in shooting percentage, 3-point percentage, assists and field goal percentage defense.

"They look like a mirror image of us," stated Memphis forward Joey Dorsey. "They have a dominant backcourt. They're long, athletic, and can bring four big men off the bench."

KU coach Bill Self joked that with their fast-paced styles of NCAA play, it was likely that Kansas or Memphis led the country in lobs for dunks. He said that he and Memphis coach John Calipari, with rosters stocked with
talented players, faced a similar challenge.

"Getting really talented guys to be very, very unselfish and understand that it's going to be a different guy every night," Self said. "With them, it's primarily two guys. With us, you never know. I think it will be a fun Monday night."

Chris Douglas-Roberts , at 6-foot-7, and the 6-3 Derrick Rose could be the Tigers' biggest advantage because Kansas' starting guards, Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson, are 6-1; Robinson likely will get
the defensive call on Rose. The top reserve guard, Sherron Collins, is only 5-11.

Douglas-Roberts and Rose combined for 53 points Saturday and have carried the load all tournament - while Kansas is more balanced with seven players averaging between 7.2 and 13.4 points.

Brandon Rush (6-foot-6) and Douglas-Roberts could be the key matchup in this game. Douglas-Roberts is the leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 23.6 points in the Tigers' five NCAA triumphs. Rush is arguably the most athletic of KU's many athletes.

Rush is averaging a more modest 16.6 points per game during Kansas' NCAA run. But he had 25 in the semifinal win over North Carolina and made crucial all-around plays down the stretch.

Rush is Kansas' top 3-point shooter at 42.3 percent. CD-R makes 41 percent of his 3-pointers but relies on
what Rose describes as "old man" moves to befuddle opponents. Douglas-Roberts has made more free throws (155) than any player on Kansas has attempted.

The most difficult college basketball betting matchup for Memphis will be inside. The Jayhawks have four capable big men and would like to force Memphis to take out a guard - the Tigers start three - and form a bigger lineup.

"The way they run their offense is different than the way we run it, but the philosophy's still the same," Self said. "Get the ball to the paint."

Kansas' Darrell Arthur, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson will have to help when Rose and Douglas-Roberts drive in the paint. Arthur, the team's second-leading scorer, set the tone early against North Carolina with
a big block. Memphis forwards Joey Dorsey (15 rebounds vs. UCLA), Robert Dozier and backup Shawn Taggart help the transition game get going with rebounds and defense.

One key stat: As fast as Memphis plays, it doesn't get sloppy - averaging only 8.4 turnovers in tournament play. KU is averaging 14.4 turnovers in the tourney.

Tonight marks Memphis' second title-game appearance - the Tigers lost to Bill Walton and UCLA in 1973.
Kansas won the tournament in 1952 and '88, and its 13 Final Fours rank fourth all-time.

Betting trends: Kansas enters having covered 8 of 11. KU is 7-1 in its last eight as an underdog. It has gone under the total in four straight. ... Memphis has covered its last three, but the Tigers are just 7-13
in their last 20 against the spread. The Tigers have exceeded the total in five straight contests.

Prediction: I'm tired of not believing in Memphis. As good as Kansas was in the first half against UNC, you
wonder if the Jayhawks expended too much energy. The Tigers win their first national title .

A high scoring NCAA Basketball National Championship game could be on tap tonight as two teams that love to run and gun take the court.  Kansas averages 80.7 points per game while Memphis averages 80.2 points per game.  Both teams also play excellent defense, but when two teams that love to run get together it usually is fun to watch. SBG Globalreports that early NCAA Basketball betting has the public taking Memphis at Home.

NCAA Basketball National Championship Betting Preview
Kansas (36-3) vs. Memphis (38-1)
Monday, 9:15 pm Eastern – CBS

SBG Global Opening Line: Kansas  - 1.5, Total 144

In the backcourt it will be Memphis guards Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts facing the Kansas duo of Sherron Collins and Mario Chalmers.  No guard tandem has been better than the Rose and Douglas-Roberts so that may give the Tigers the edge.  The Jayhawks may have an edge up front since Darrell Arthur is their second leading scorer.  Memphis has the size though with Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier.  Both teams are very deep with talent coming off the bench.  Memphis is averaging only 8.4 turnovers per game in the tourney while Kansas is averaging 14.4 per game.

SBG Global Current Line: Memphis  - 2, Total 147.5 

Kansas is looking for its first national title in 20 years. Memphis is playing for its first ever men’s basketball title. Neither Kansas coach Bill Self nor Tigers coach John Calipari has ever coached in a national title game. Memphis is averaging only 8.4 turnovers in tournament play. Kansas is averaging 14.4 turnovers in the tourney. 

Here are the NCAA Basketball betting stats for Monday’s game.  The Jayhawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as an underdog. The Jayhawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Conference USA. The Jayhawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Jayhawks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. 

The Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. the Big 12. The Tigers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 Monday games.

The Under is 5-0 in the Jayhawks last 5 neutral site games. The Under is 7-0 in the Jayhawks last 7 NCAA Tournament games. The Over is 4-1 in the Jayhawks last 5 Monday games. The Under is 36-16-1 in the Jayhawks last 53 non-conference games. 

The Over is 6-0 in the Tigers last 6 NCAA Basketball National Championship Tournament games. The Under is 7-1 in the Tigers last 8 vs. the Big 12. The Under is 5-1 in the Tigers last 6 Monday games.

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The NIT Final was played, with Ohio State winning and covering the spread vs. Massachusetts. But people refer to the NIT as the “No Interest Tournament” for a reason; at this time of the year the vast majority of bettors are focusing their Final Four Picks solely on the big NCAA tourney. 

The biggest weekend of the college season tips-off on Saturday, with Final Four picks action serving up a doubleheader. Memphis is listed as a 2½-point favorite vs. UCLA, while North Carolina is pegged at -3½ against Kansas.

But March Madness’ popularity is based on more than just Final Four pick and odds on an underdog or favorite. Props are popular as well and with the championship game only a few days away, SportsBetting.com has been seeing steady betting volume on the “Who will win the Tournament MVP” offering. 

With North Carolina favored to take the entire tournament (at +160), it’s not surprising that a Tar Heel is the player that is getting the most MVP betting action and it’s not surprising that player is one Mr. Tyler Hansbrough. 

Averaging 21 points and 9.5 boards in the tournament and named an All-American to boot, Hansbrough is listed as the odds-on at +200 and is seeing 22% of all the betting action on the tourney MVP…but he has company up there at the top. 

UCLA’s Kevin Love is an interesting Final Four picks story. Not only does he have a distinct surname, he is also the nephew of one of the Beach Boys (Mike Love, you know, the bald one up front that always wears the hats). 

The past two games have been monster performances for the UCLA center, as he has been doing a little bit of everything. Love has averaged 24 points, 4 assists, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, which has him slotted in behind Hansbrough on the MVP list (at +350). Players are lining up behind Love at a clip of 20% of the action so far. 

UCLA’s Final Four picks and odds opponent, Memphis’, is also represented on the list. Chris Douglas-Roberts’ sharp shooting (he’s averaging 25 points the past two games) is one reason why the Tigers are in the Final Four and while he is listed at +700 to win the hardware, he isn’t the Tiger that is getting the most action. 

Derrick Rose is the member of the Memphis team getting lower odds (+400) and he is seeing 14% of the MVP prop betting action. 

An interesting “long-shot” type player that is getting attention for the Final Four picks and odds is Kansas’ Brandon Rush. He’s listed at +1000 as an MVP candidate, tied for the highest odds on the board, but he’s getting love from the betting public.

The Jayhawks are listed ahead of UCLA, but behind North Carolina and Memphis, to win it all. But if Kansas does upset North Carolina in the Final Four matchup on Saturday, Brandon Rush suddenly goes from long shot to one of the favorites.

Earlier in the week, Rush was listed at +1500, but he has seen a decent volume of the bets going his way and the action has driven him down to +1000. Currently Rush is seeing 14% of the prop wagering action.

You can see all the Final Four odds, the Final Four lines and all available Final Four prop wagers here

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Don’t worry, you didn’t miss any Final Four action in San Antonio, but there is a college basketball championship game on tap Thursday night – this one comes from the “we weren’t good enough” NIT Tournament. Tonight’s battle features a pair of prestigious schools and major basketball programs with impressive resumes. But down years for Ohio State and UMass landed them in the NIT this year. 

But of course the big games are on Saturday in San Antonio, as the Final Four tips off. 

Let’s look at all the action: 

Thursday, April 3, 2008

NIT Tournament Championship 

Massachusetts vs. Ohio State  

The basketball Buckeyes are playing for a championship for the second year in a row but this year’s title isn’t as prestigious, not that it makes Ohio State want to win any less…well maybe a little. 

Last year OSU lost to the Florida Gators and this year the Buckeyes will be taking on the Massachusetts Minutemen. 

Aside from winning all four of their NIT tournaments, obviously, Ohio State has also scored a perfect 4-0 mark against the spread in each of those games. The Minutemen are 3-1 ATS at the NIT. 

Looking at the “Over/Under” in this matchup, the number is set at 149. Ohio State have produced an “Over” in three of their four NIT tilts, while the Buckeyes have recorded seven “Overs” in their last 10 games in neutral territory. 

On the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts has gone Under in three of its NIT games and have gone below the Total in seven out of its last 10. 

This game tips off at 7:05 EST.

SportsBetting.com  currently has a line of Ohio State -3 and 149. 

Saturday’s March Madness action features both Final Four games. 

Saturday, April 5, 2008

NCAA Final Four - Memphis vs. UCLA  

There were a handful of upsets in this year’s March Madness tourney, as always, but when the dust settled the No. 1 seeds from the four regions were the only ones left standing…marking the first time since they started seeding teams that has happened. 

In the first of the Final Four matchups the Memphis Tigers battle the UCLA Bruins. 

The Tigers punched a ticket to the Final Four by covering a 3½-point spread in an 85-67 victory over Texas. Memphis’ performance has been peculiar this tournament. With a 2-2 ATS tourney record, the Tigers struggled to cover when they were big favorites, as their two ATS losses came against Texas-Arlington and Mississippi St. as 25½ and 9½-point favorites respectively. 

However, the lower the spread the better chances of success for the Tigers it seems. As mentioned Memphis covered as a 3½-point fave in its Elite Eight tilt with Texas and also covered against Michigan State as a 5½-point favorite—the Tigers are 2½-point favorites against UCLA 

Memphis has also gone Over in all of its tournament games this year. The line is sitting at a reasonably low 135. 

Kansas vs. North Carolina  

When looking at the second Final Four matchup, it’s easy to see why the Tar Heels are the odds-on favorite (+160) to win the tournament. 

North Carolina entered the tournament not only as the top seed in the East region but the No. 1 seed overall. 

UNC is 24-11 ATS overall this season; 4-0 ATS during March Madness and has gone Over the Total in three of its last four. 

But the Jayhawks are also a No. 1 seed and have very impressive depth. 

Kansas wasn’t perfect against the spread in the tournament, but they did score a 3-1 ATS mark. They did stay Under the total in all four of its tournament contests. 

The line on this one has the Tar Heels as a 3.5-point favorite and a total of 159. 

With the historic matchups of all number one seeds, it should be a very exciting Saturday. 

Have a good weekend. 

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