CNOTES 2024 - 2025 COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS-BEST BETS-OPINIONS THRU THE CHAMPIONSHIP !

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, March 11

5 of Tuesday’s best college basketball games:

Big X Tournament
Colorado vs TCU (-1.5) (@ Kansas City)
Colorado (12-19, 3-17)
KenPom rating: 91
Tempo: 165
Experience: 259
Continuity: 293
Colorado is 3-4 in last seven games, after an 0-13 skid.
Since 2011, Buffs are 13-1 SU in first conference tourney game.
Colorado is turning ball over 21.2% of time (#351)
Buffs are #59 team on defensive boards.
Colorado is 9-8 vs teams outside the top 50.

TCU (16-15, 9-11)
KenPom rating: 88
Tempo: 218
Experience: 131
Continuity: 330
TCU lost four of its last five games.
Horned Frogs have #330 eFG% offense in country.
Opponents are shooting 53.7% inside the arc (#288)
Horned Frogs are 9-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Last 10 years, TCU is 7-3 SU in first conference tourney game.


Home team won both series games this season.
TCU lost 76-56 in Boulder three nights ago.


Central Florida vs Utah (-1.5)
Central Florida (16-15, 7-13)
KenPom rating: 76
Tempo: 12
Experience: 86
Continuity: 259
UCF is 3-2 in last five games, after an 0-7 skid.
Knights are shooting 48.2% inside arc (#288)
UCF is 5-5 in Big X games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Knights are #340 team on defensive boards.
Last four years, UCF went WL in its conference tournament.

Utah (16-15, 8-12)
KenPom rating: 70
Tempo: 90
Experience: 121
Continuity: 194
Utah lost 4 of last 5 games; they already fired their coach.
Utes are shooting 64% on foul line (#357)
Utah has #63 eFG% defense in country.
Utes are #40 team on offensive boards.
Last eight years, Utah is 2-8 in conference tournaments.


UCF beat Utah 76-72 at home February 23.
Utes shot 64.5% inside arc, but were minus-11 in turnovers (19-8)


CAA tournament (@ Washington, DC)
Delaware vs NC-Wilmington
Delaware (16-19, 9-13)
KenPom rating: 235
Tempo: 35
Experience: 276
Continuity: 99
#12-seed Delaware has won 4 nights in a row, scoring 85.3 ppg
Blue Hens came into CAA tourney on an 1-11 skid.
Delaware shot 62% inside arc vs #1-seed Towson Monday.
All five starters played between 31-37 minutes Monday.
CAA opponents are shooting 55% inside arc vs Delaware


NC-Wilmington (26-7, 16-4)
KenPom rating: 105
Tempo: 280
Experience: 39
Continuity: 168
UNCW won five in row, 14 of last 16 games.
Only one Seahawk played 30:00+ in yesterday’s win over Charleston.
UNCW is playing for the third night in a row.
Seahawks are #30 team in country on offensive boards.
UNCW hasn’t won CAA tournament since 2017.


UNCW beat Delaware twice this year, 77-67/88-58
Seahawks are 5-2 in last seven series games.


Horizon tournament (@ Indianapolis)
Youngstown State vs Robert Morris
Youngstown (21-12, 15-7)
KenPom rating: 198
Tempo: 67
Experience: 147
Continuity: 301
Youngstown won seven of its last nine games.
Penguins won a slow, 59-possession game Monday, 56-54.
Three Youngstown guys played 30:00+ yesterday.
Penguins have #73 eFG% defense in country.
46.2% of YSU’s shots are 3’s (31.1%, #312)


Robert Morris (25-8, 17-5)
KenPom rating: 147
Tempo: 137
Experience: 238
Continuity: 308
Robert Morris won nine in row, 15 of last 16 games.
Colonials beat Oakland in OT last night; they were down 13 in 2nd half.
Four RMC guys played 34;00+ last night.
Colonials have best eFG% defense in Horizon games.
Robert Morris hasn’t been in NCAA’s since 2015.


Road team won both meetings this year.
Youngstown is 5-4 in last nine series games.


WCC Tournament (@ Orleans Arena, Las Vegas)
Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s
Gonzaga (24-8, 15-4)
KenPom rating: 9
Tempo: 44
Experience: 10
Continuity: 4
Gonzaga won eight of its last nine games.
Three Zags played 32:00+ in Monday’s game.
Gonzaga has #43 eFG% defense in country.
Zags are 2-8 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Gonzaga is 43-5 SU in its last 48 WCC tourney games.
Gonzaga won 10 of last 12 WCC tournaments.

Saint Mary’s (28-4, 18-1)
KenPom rating: 22
Tempo: 359
Experience: 201
Continuity: 82
Saint Mary’s won eight in row, 18 of last 19 games.
Gaels had stress-free win Monday; they didn’t shoot well.
Saint Mary’s is #2 team in country on offensive boards.
Opponents are shooting 45.6% inside arc (#12)
Gaels are 10-4 vs top 100 opponents.


Both teams are in NCAA’s; this game is more for pride.
Saint Mary’s beat Gonzaga twice this year, 62-58/74-67.
Gaels won four of last five series games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Tuesday, March 11

 

[Cnotes53]

Tuesday, March 11​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
PITT at ND	02:00 PM	PITT -4.0 U 136.5	+500 +500
AAMU at GRAM	02:00 PM	AAMU +4.5 U 130.0	+500 +500
COLO at TCU	03:00 PM	COLO +2.5 O 133.5	+500 +500
CAL at VT	04:30 PM	CAL -4.0 U 140.0	+500 +500
DSU at SUU	04:30 PM	SUU +5.5 O 144.5	+500 +500
SIE at RID	06:00 PM	RID +4.5 O 135.5	+500 +500
SHSU at UTEP	06:30 PM	SHSU +2.5 O 146.0	+500 +500
ME at UVM	07:00 PM	UVM -5.0 U 123.0	+500 +500
ASU at KSU	07:00 PM	KSU -6.0 U 144.0	+500 +500
DEL at UNCW	07:00 PM	DEL +8.0 O 149.5	+500 +500
NWST at MCNS	07:00 PM	MCNS -16.5 O 130.5	+500 +500
YSU at RMU	07:00 PM	YSU +4.0 U 137.0	+500 +500
SYR at FSU	07:00 PM	FSU -3.5 O 150.0	+500 +500
SFPA at CCSU	07:00 PM	CCSU -10.5 U 134.5	+500 +500
PV at FAMU	08:30 PM	FAMU -7.0 U 145.0	+500 +500
FAIR at SHU	08:30 PM	SHU -5.0 U 145.5	+500 +500
FIU at WKU	09:00 PM	WKU -4.5 U 143.0	+500 +500
ALBY at BRY	09:00 PM	ALBY +11.0 O 153.0	+500 +500
MTST at UNCO	09:00 PM	UNCO -5.5 O 145.0	+500 +500
GONZ at SMC	09:00 PM	SMC +3.5 U 137.5	+500 +500
UCF at UTAH	09:30 PM	UCF +2.0 O 156.5	+500 +500
NICH at LAM	09:30 PM	LAM +1.5 O 137.0	+500 +500
IDHO at MONT	11:30 PM	MONT -6.5 O 146.0	+500 +500

 

[Cnotes53]

NCAA COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS !

03/11/2025.................15 - 15 - 0..................50.00%....................- 7,50
03/10/2025.................12 - 5 - 0....................70.58%....................+ 32.50
03/09/2025.................20 - 20 - 1.................50.00%.....................- 10.00
03/08/2025.................16 - 19 - 0.................45.71%.....................- 24.50
03/07/2025.................15 - 13 - 1.................53.57%.....................+ 3.50
03/06/2025.................18 - 16 - 2.................52.94%......................+ 2.00
03/05/2025....................7 - 8 - 0.................46.66%......................- 9.00
03/04/2025..................5 - 10 - 0.................33.33%.....................- 30.00
03/03/2025....................3 - 9 - 0.................25.00%......................- 34.50
03/02/2025....................4 - 5 - 0.................44.44%......................- 7.50
03/01/2025.................34 - 25 - 0.................57.62%......................+ 32.50

TOTALS:...................149 - 145 - 2.................50.68%......................- 52.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Baseball teams with lowest payrolls last year:
$66,467,058— A’s
$87,300,901— Pirates
$90,342,690— Rays
$98,142,446— Marlins
$101,035,919— Tigers
$105,416,838— Orioles

Quote of the Day
“We’ve had an inordinate amount of one-possession games. I think that’s why we’re such an interesting seed going into this NCAA Tournament. I think we were 350th in luck in Kenpom. We’ve had more banked 3s on us than I could ever, ever remember in my entire career. Whether it’s law of averages coming through or just a little resiliency … or maybe it’s just desperation by some seniors who don’t want this thing to end.”
Gonzaga coach Mark Few

Wednesday’s quiz
Of the 31 conference tournaments in college basketball, how many are held in Las Vegas?

Tuesday’s quiz
In the TV show Friends, the coffee shop where people hung out was called Central Perk.

Monday’s quiz
Josh Allen played his college football at Wyoming.

*****************************************

Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……..​

— WCC tournament
Gonzaga 58, Saint Mary’s 51
Zags were +14 in turnovers (18-4)
Teams combined to shoot a disturbing 1-31 on the arc.
Gonzaga is 43-5 SU in its last 48 WCC tourney games.
Gonzaga has won 11 of last 13 WCC tournaments.

— CAA tournament
NC-Wilmington 76, Delaware 72
#12-seed Delaware had won four days in a row to get to final.
Blue Hens played all five starters 37:00+ in this game.
UNCW has won six in a row, 15 of last 17 games.
Seahawks are in NCAAs for first time since 2017, when Kevin Keatts was coach.

— Horizon tournament
Robert Morris 89, Cleveland State 78
Robert Morris shot 11-22 on arc, scored 1.31 points/possession.
Colonials have won 10 in a row, 15 of last 16 games.
Colonials are in NCAAs for first time since 2015, when they were in the NEC.

— NEC tournament
St Francis 46, Central Connecticut 43
Red Flash are 16-17; they can pack their bags for Dayton/play-in game.
During regular season, St Francis lost to CCSU by 15-16 points.
Red Flash won this game, despite shooting 31.7% from floor.
This was first time this year St Francis beat a team ranked higher than #222.

— MAAC tournament
Rider 78, Siena 76
Siena led 58-45 with 13:31 left in the game.
Rider out-rebounded the Saints, 41-28, had 16 offensive boards.
Rider plays Quinnipiac for the MAAC title Wednesday night.

— California 82, Virginia Tech 72, 2OT
Cal was 29-40 on foul line, Tech 22-31.
Teams combined to shoot 8-51 on the arc.
Golden Bears came into ACC tournament on a 1-7 skid.
Local rivals Cal-Stanford play Wednesday, in Charlotte, NC. Oy.

— Maine 57, Vermont 42
Vermont had won five of last seven America East tournaments.
Vermont shot 28% from floor, was minus-14 in turnovers (17-3)
Maine visits Bryant for the league championship Saturday.
This is Black Bears’ first winning season since 2010.

— Famous birthdays, March 12th:
Barbara Feldon, 92
Jake Kupp, 84
Kent Nix, 81
Liza Minnelli, 79
Mark Moseley, 77
Dale Murphy, 69
Darryl Strawberry, 63
Titus Welliver, 63
Steve Finley, 60
Grant Long, 59
Aaron Eckhart, 57
JP Losman, 44

2025 NFL season officially begins today; lot of signings going on……..

— Seattle Seahawks are signing QB Sam Darnold to a 3-year deal worth $100.5M; Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record last year- he is 35-39 as an NFL starter, 0-1 in playoff games.

— New Jersey Jets signed QB Justin Fields for two years, $40M; Fields has a 14-30 record as an NFL starter, running ball for 50.2 yards/game, second only to Lamar Jackson among QB’s.
Jets were 5-12 last year, have had nine consecutive losing seasons; they haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2010, when Rex Ryan was the coach, Mark Sanchez their QB.

— Daniel Jones sucks as an NFL QB; his record is 25-45-1, but he might get in the Business Hall of Fame someday. Indianapolis Colts signed him up for one year, $14M, giving the Colts two QB’s who can run but can’t throw the ball very well.
Anthony Richardson is 8-7 as an NFL starter, but he’s been hurt a lot, plus he completed only 47.7% of his passes last season.
Elsewhere in the world……..

— I’m not 100% sure what this means, but NBA star Stephen Curry has accepted a role with Davidson College (his alma mater) as an assistant general manager for the basketball program.
Curry will provide guidance to the men’s/women’s basketball teams based on his college and pro experience; a bunch of boosters have started an 8-figure fund to finance the two programs, so Davidson’s recruiting figures to get a lot better, very soon.

— Penn/Columbia both dumped their basketball coach this week.
Penn fired Steve Donahue, after 10 years; Quakers have made the NCAA’s once since 2007. From 1999-2007, Penn won the Ivy League seven times in nine years.
Columbia fired Jim Engles, after nine years; Lions started this season 11-1, with a win over Villanova, but they went 1-13 in the Ivy League. Lions haven’t been in the NCAA Tournament since 1968, so expectations are low, but not this low.

— LA Dodgers rewarded manager Dave Roberts with a 4-year contract worth $8.1M/year; Dodgers are 907-560 under Roberts, winning four NL pennants, two World Series titles.

— The pitch challenge aspect of instant replay will be interesting when it happens, which will probably be next year. Tuesday, the White Sox challenged the second pitch of the game, which is just a terrible idea, even more so because they lost the challenge.
You win the challenge, it doesn’t cost you anything; but you can only lose two challenges then you’re screwed the rest of the game.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, March 12

5 of Wednesday’s best college basketball games:

SEC Tournament (@ Nashville)
Texas vs Vanderbilt (-2.5)
Texas (17-14, 6-12)
KenPom rating: 46
Tempo: 175
Experience: 21
Continuity: 291
Texas lost seven of its last nine games.
Last eight games, Longhorns allowed 87 ppg.
Texas is shooting 48% inside arc in SEC games (#14 of 16)
Opponents are shooting 47.3% inside the arc (#41)
Texas won Big X tourney in 2023; in their last seven conference tourneys other than that one, Longhorns are 2-7 in onference tourney games

Vanderbilt (20-11, 8-10)
KenPom rating: 45
Tempo: 64
Experience: 66
Continuity: 348
Vandy is 4-7 in last 11 games, 3-2 in last five.
Commodores are forcing turnovers 20.2% of time (#41)
SEC opponents are shooting 56% inside arc (#15 of 16)
Commodores are shooting 48.8% inside arc in SEC tilts (#13)
Last three years, Vandy was 5-2 in SEC tournament games.


Texas lost 86-78 at Vandy February 8th.
Longhorns led that game by 10 with 13:37 left in game.


Oklahoma vs Georgia (-2.5)
Oklahoma (19-12, 6-12)
KenPom rating: 38
Tempo: 110
Experience: 73
Continuity: 241
Oklahoma won its last two games, after a 1-7 skid.
Sooners have #41 eFG% offense in country.
Since 2012, Oklahoma is 2-12 in conference tourney games.
Sooners are #274 team on defensive boards.
Oklahoma is getting 22.4% of points on foul line (#27)


Georgia (20-11, 8-10)
KenPom rating: 33
Tempo: 221
Experience: 149
Continuity: 217
Georgia won its last four games, after a 2-9 skid.
Dawgs have #25 eFG% defense in country.
Georgia is turning ball over 18.9% of time (#291)
Since 2019, Dawgs are 2-5 in SEC tournament games.
Georgia is getting 21.7% of points on foul line (#52)


Oklahoma lost 72-62 at Georgia January 11th.
Dawgs were 27-37 on foul line, Oklahoma 7-9


Big X tournament (@ Kansas City)
Kansas State vs Baylor
Kansas State (16-16, 10-11)
KenPom rating: 64
Tempo: 193
Experience: 48
Continuity: 295
K-State won three of last four games, after an 0-4 skid.
Wildcats won 71-66 Tuesday, played three starters 35:00+.
K-State hasn’t won two games in a Big X tourney since 2013.
Wildcats are #279 team in country on defensive boards.
K-State gets only 15.8% of points on foul line (#329)

Baylor (18-13, 10-10)
KenPom rating: 30
Tempo: 311
Experience: 30
Continuity: 221
Baylor lost four of its last six games.
Bears’ last four losses were all by 7 or fewer points.
Since 2017, Bears are 2-7 in conference tournament games.
Bears are #22 team in country on offensive boards.
Opponents are shooting 35.8% on the arc (#297)


K-State lost 70-62 at Baylor January 22.
Wildcats led that game by 12 points in second half.
Teams split their last six meetings.


Big Sky tournament (@ Indianapolis)
Montana vs Northern Colorado
Montana (24-9, 17-3)
KenPom rating: 166
Tempo: 182
Experience: 46
Continuity: 237
Montana won three in row, 13 of its last 14 games.
Grizzlies had stress-free win Tuesday (one guy played 30:00+)
Montana is shooting 57% inside arc (#19)
Grizzlies have #234 eFG% defense in country.
Montana hasn’t won Big Sky tourney since 2019.


Northern Colorado (25-8, 17-3)
KenPom rating: 114
Tempo: 87
Experience: 106
Continuity: 73
Northern Colorado won its last six games.
Bears won first two tourney games, by 24-27 points.
Northern Colorado has #7 eFG% offense in country.
Bears are #2 team in country on defensive boards.
Last 4+ years, Northern Colorado is 6-4 in Big Sky tourney


Road team won both series games this year.
Northern Colorado is 6-4 in last ten series games.


Big West Tournament (@ Henderson, NV)
Cal Poly (-2.5) vs Cal-Davis
Cal Poly (14-18, 8-12)
KenPom rating: 190
Tempo: 2
Experience: 324
Continuity: 274
Cal Poly is 8-4 in last 12 games, after a 1-10 skid.
Mustangs are 8-12 in Big West; last 2 years, they were 1-38.
Cal Poly is shooting 56.5% inside arc (#26)
Mustangs are #330 team in country on defensive boards.
Since 2015, Cal Poly is 2-7 in conference tournament games.

Cal-Davis (15-16, 9-11)
KenPom rating: 242
Tempo: 199
Experience: 217
Continuity: 70
Cal-Davis lost its last six games, scoring 62.3 ppg.
Aggies are shooting 44.6% inside arc (#352)
Cal-Davis is #338 team on defensive boards.
Opponents are getting 23.6% of points on foul line (#16)
Cal-Davis has gone WL in three of last four Big West tourneys.


Cal-Davis beat Cal Poly twice this year, 77-66/65-54.
Cal-Davis won last seven series games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Wednesday, March 12

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Wednesday, March 12

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Trend Report
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[Cnotes53]

Wednesday, March 12​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
CIN at ISU	12:30 PM	ISU -8.5	+500
CHAR at RICE	01:00 PM	CHAR +3.5	+500
SCAR at ARK	01:00 PM	SCAR +4.0	+500
FOR at URI	02:00 PM	U 155.5	+500
GRAM at SOU	02:00 PM	SOU -6.0	+500
WYO at SJSU	02:00 PM	WYO -1.0	+500
ND at UNC	02:30 PM	ND +10.5 U 145.5	+500 +500
COLO at WVU	03:00 PM	COLO +7.0	+500
TEX at VAN	03:30 PM	VAN -2.0 U 148.5	+500 +500
NW at MINN	03:30 PM	MINN +2.5	+500
BUT at PROV	04:00 PM	PROV +2.0 O 147.5	+500 +500
LAS at MASS	04:30 PM	LAS +2.5 O 144.0	+500 +500
FRES at NEV	04:30 PM	FRES +13.5 O 137.5	+500 +500
LAM at MCNS	05:00 PM	MCNS -13.0	+500
RID at QUIN	06:00 PM	QUIN -8.0 U 141.0	+500 +500
UMES at NORF	06:00 PM	NORF -16.5	+500
IOWA at OSU	06:00 PM	OSU -5.0 U 154.0	+500 +500
UTEP at LIB	06:30 PM	LIB -7.5	+500
DEP at GTWN	06:30 PM	DEP +5.0 O 145.0	+500 +500
AFA at UNLV	07:00 PM	AFA +12.0 O 128.5	+500 +500
KSU at BAY	07:00 PM	BAY -5.5	+500
NAVY at AMER	07:00 PM	NAVY +4.0	+500
CAL at STAN	07:00 PM	STAN -6.0	+500
LSU at MSST	07:00 PM	MSST -8.5	+500
FAMU at JKST	08:30 PM	JKST -6.0	+500
COPP at SCST	08:30 PM	SCST -16.5	+500
USC at RUTG	08:30 PM	RUTG +1.5	+500
SHU at MW	08:30 PM	SHU +3.0	+500
FIU at JVST	09:00 PM	JVST -8.0	+500
HALL at VILL	09:00 PM	VILL -10.5 O 126.0	+500 +500
CSB at UCSB	09:00 PM	UCSB -5.5	+500
DSU at UVU	09:00 PM	UVU -13.0	+500
OKLA at UGA	09:30 PM	UGA -3.5	+500
UCF at KU	09:30 PM	UCF +11.0	+500
SYR at SMU	09:30 PM	SMU -9.5 O 149.0	+500 +500
CP at UCD	11:30 PM	UCD +1.0 U 151.5	+500 +500
MONT at UNCO	11:30 PM	UNCO -3.	+500
UTA at GC	11:30 PM	GC -8.5	+500

 

[Cnotes53]

NCAA COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS !

03/12/2025.................16 - 18 - 0.................47.05%....................- 19.00
03/11/2025.................15 - 15 - 0..................50.00%....................- 7,50
03/10/2025.................12 - 5 - 0....................70.58%....................+ 32.50
03/09/2025.................20 - 20 - 1.................50.00%.....................- 10.00
03/08/2025.................16 - 19 - 0.................45.71%.....................- 24.50
03/07/2025.................15 - 13 - 1.................53.57%.....................+ 3.50
03/06/2025.................18 - 16 - 2.................52.94%......................+ 2.00
03/05/2025....................7 - 8 - 0.................46.66%......................- 9.00
03/04/2025..................5 - 10 - 0.................33.33%.....................- 30.00
03/03/2025....................3 - 9 - 0.................25.00%......................- 34.50
03/02/2025....................4 - 5 - 0.................44.44%......................- 7.50
03/01/2025.................34 - 25 - 0.................57.62%......................+ 32.50

TOTALS:...................165 - 163 - 2.................50.30%......................- 71.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Thursday’s 6-pack:
Six teams that were awarded an extra 3rd round pick for the NFL Draft
97- Vikings
98- Dolphins
99- Giants
100- 49ers
101- Rams
102- Lions

Quote of the Day
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Gary Player

Thursday’s quiz
Toronto Blue Jays won back/back World Series in 1992/1993; who was their manager?

Wednesday’s quiz
Of the 31 conference tournaments in college basketball, four were held in Las Vegas this year; usually it is five, but the Pac-12 took this season off.

Tuesday’s quiz
In the TV show Friends, the coffee shop where people hung out was called Central Perk.

***************************************************

Thursday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Wednesday……..​

Thursday is probably my favorite day of the college basketball season; 44 games on TV all day, each of them pretty important, conference tournament games. Should be a fun day; have lot of food in the house, won’t be going anywhere.

— Big Sky tournament
Montana 91, Northern Colorado 83
Both teams shot 65% inside the arc.
Montana won 14 of its last 15 games.
Grizzlies are in NCAAs for first time since 2019.

— Southland Conference tournament
McNeese State 63, Lamar 54
Lamar out-rebounded McNeese 49-32, but Cowboys have won 11 in a row.
McNeese has #39 eFG% defense, forces turnovers 21.6% of time- they can defend.
McNeese went 4-5 against the #24 non-conference schedule; they’ll be an interesting Cinderella next week.

— Patriot League tournament
American 74, Navy 52
American shot 11-25 on the arc on their home floor.
American tied for 1st in regular season in Patriot, going 13-5 in the #27 league
Eagles are in NCAA’s for first time since 2014 (they lost by 40 to Wisconsin)

— Big X tournament
Kansas 98, Central Florida 94 OT
Jayhawks led by 12 with 12:29 left in regulation.
Four Jayhawks played 36:00+.
Kansas is 7-7 in its last fourteen games.

Colorado 67, West Virginia 60
Buffs pull upset for 2nd day in a row; they were 3-17 in Big X regular season tilts.
West Virginia led this game by 13 midway thru first half.
Buffs play tournament favorite Houston Thursday.

— Big 18 tournament
USC 97, Rutgers 89, 2OT
Trojans led this game 41-30 at halftime.
USC survived 21 turnovers; they shot 10-23 on the arc.
All five USC starters played 41:00+; three of them played 46:00+

— Big East tournament
Butler 75, Providence 69
Butler shot 59.5% inside arc; they snapped a 4-game losing skid.
Providence was 8-35 on the arc, took only four foul shots (3-4)
Butler plays St John’s next; they lost to Red Storm by 8-6 points in regular season.

— MAAC tournament
Merrimack 66, Sacred Heart 62 OT
Bad beat if you had Sacred Heart +3.5; good handicapping if you had Merrimack.
Merrimack started season 1-6; they’re 2nd-worst rebounding team in country.
Warriors shot 13-36 on the arc, 11-26 inside arc.

— Famous birthdays, March 13th:
William H Macy, 75
Dana Delany, 69
Mariano Duncan, 62
Will Clark, 61
Aaron Cox, 60
Trent Dilfer, 53
Johan Santana, 46
Caron Butler, 45
Nicky Lopez, 30

— Next week in Japan, Cubs-Dodgers will play two games that count in the standings; games will start at 6am here in New York, 5am in Chicago, 3am in Las Vegas/Los Angeles.
Way to market the sport, guys.

— Colorado Buffaloes have a basketball player Julian Hammond, whose grandfather Julian played for five years in the old ABA, scoring 10.8 points/game for the Denver Rockets.
The ABA was great fun to watch; faster-paced games. The 3-point shot came into prominence there. Basketballs in the ABA were red, white and blue; still think the NBA should have one weekend a year where the four ABA teams play each other, honoring their past.
Nuggets, Pacers, Nets, Spurs are the four ABA teams that still exist.

— Speaking of the ABA, the rapper Common (real name Lonnie Lynn) is the son of a guy who also played briefly in the ABA.
Lonnie Lynn played college ball at Upper Iowa; he played 52 games for Rockets and Pittsburgh Pipers in the ABA in 1970, scoring 5 points/game.

NFL comings/goings:
— QB Jacoby Brissett signed with the Cardinals. He’s had an interesting career:
2016- Patriots (1-1)
2017-20- Colts (11-15)
2021- Dolphins (2-3)
2022- Browns (4-7)
2023- Commanders (0-0; 23 passes in three games)
2024- Patriots (1-4)
2025- Cardinals

Brissett was the Colts’ backup QB in 2017; he came in to play when they lost to the Rams in the 2017 opener, Sean McVay’s first game coaching the Rams.

— Cleveland Browns acquired QB Kenny Pickett from the Eagles, for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 5th-round draft pick.
Pickett was the 20th pick in the 2022 draft by the Steelers; he went 14-10 in two years with the Steelers, then won his only start for Philly 41-7 vs Dallas last year. He also got himself a Super Bowl ring.

— Saint Mary’s Gaels are going to be in the NCAA’s for 5th time in last six tournaments, but they haven’t dome that well there.
Since 1997, Saint Mary’s is 4-7 in first round games.
Since 2010, Saint Mary’s is 1-3 in second round games.
Gaels’ one Sweet 16 in this century was in 2010, when Matthew Dellavedova was a key player.

— RIP to former NBA player Junior Bridgeman, who passed away this week at age 71; he played college ball at Louisville, then played 12 years in the NBA, scoring 13.6 ppg.
We hear a lot about pro athletes who squander their money when they retire, but Bridgeman was the total opposite; he made so much money after his playing days ended that he became a billionaire philanthropist and recently, a part-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

RIP, sir.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 13

5 of Thursday’s best college basketball games:


ACC Tournament (@ Charlotte, NC)
North Carolina (-5.5) vs Wake Forest
North Carolina (21-12, 14-7)
KenPom rating: 35
Tempo: 32
Experience: 82
Continuity: 78
UNC won seven of its last eight games.
Tar Heels had easy win yesterday, beat Notre Dame by 20.
UNC has #46 eFG% offense in country.
Tar Heels are 8-12 vs teams ranked in top 100
UNC went WL in four of last six ACC tournaments.

Wake Forest (21-10, 13-7)
KenPom rating: 71
Tempo: 193
Experience: 101
Continuity: 55
Wake Forest is 3-4 in its last seven games.
Deacons haven’t played since Saturday.
Wake Forest has #36 eFG% defense in country.
Deacons are shooting 53.1% inside arc (#104), 29.2% on arc (#353)
Since 2008, Wake Forest is 4-17 in ACC tourney games (2-2 last 2 years)


North Carolina lost 67-66 at Wake Forest January 21st.
Wake was 21-27 on foul line, Tar Heels 6-10.
Deacons won three of last five series games.


Big X tournament (@ Kansas City)
Iowa State (-2.5) vs BYU
Iowa State (24-8, 14-7)
KenPom rating: 9
Tempo: 100
Experience: 23
Continuity: 36
Iowa State won seven of its last ten games.
Cyclones never trailed, had easy win yesterday.
Iowa State forces turnovers 22% of time (#11)
Cyclones have #55 eFG% offense in country.
Last nine years, Iowa State has won Big X tourney five times.

BYU (23-8, 14-6)
KenPom rating: 24
Tempo: 185
Experience: 131
Continuity: 135
BYU has won eight games in a row.
Cougars haven’t played since Saturday.
BYU is shooting 59.3% inside arc (#5)
Cougars are #23 team on defensive boards.
Last six years, BYU is 5-6 in conference tournaments.


BYU beat Iowa State 88-85 in double OT in Ames nine days ago.
BYU led by 21 with 12:37 left in regulation.
Cougars out-rebounded Iowa State, 52-24
BYU had 29 turnovers, but still won.
Cyclones are 1-2 vs BYU in Big X meetings.


Kansas vs Arizona
Kansas (21-11, 12-9)
KenPom rating: 21
Tempo: 112
Experience: 1
Continuity: 104
Kansas is 7-7 in its last 14 games.
Jayhawks beat UCF 98-94 in overtime last nite.
Four Jayhawks played 36:00+ last nite.
Kansas shot 12-27 on arc, blew 12-point 2nd half lead.
Since 2015, Kansas is 17-5 in this tournament.


Arizona (20-11, 14-6)
KenPom rating: 16
Tempo: 52
Experience: 30
Continuity: 149
Arizona hasn’t played since Saturday’s loss at Kansas.
Arizona is 3-5 in its last eight games.
Wildcats are shooting 55.3% inside arc (#42)
Arizona is #15 team in country on offensive boards.
Wildcats won Pac-12 tourney two of last three years.


Arizona lost 83-76 at Kansas five days ago.
Big man Dickinson had 33 points in that game.


SEC Tournament (@ Nashville)
Texas vs Texas A&M (-6.5)
Texas (18-14, 7-12)
KenPom rating: 44
Tempo: 172
Experience: 21
Continuity: 291
Texas lost seven of its last ten games.
Longhorns played only two guys 30:00+ in last night’s win.
Texas is shooting 48% inside arc in SEC games (#14 of 16)
Opponents are shooting 47.6% inside the arc (#53)
Texas won Big X tourney in 2023; in their last eight conference tourneys other than that one, Longhorns are 3-7.

Texas A&M (22-9, 11-7)
KenPom rating: 17
Tempo: 238
Experience: 11
Continuity: 6
Texas A&M won its last two games, after an 0-4 skid.
Aggies haven’t played since Saturday.
Texas A&M is the #1 team in country on offensive boards.
Aggies have #58 eFG% defense in country.
Last three Texas A&M is 7-3 in conference tourneys.


Home team won both series games this season.


Mississippi State vs Missouri (-3.5)
Miss State (21-11, 9-10)
KenPom rating: 29
Tempo: 131
Experience: 77
Continuity: 128
Miss State lost four of its last six games.
Bulldogs had easy win last nite, beat LSU by 29.
Miss State went WL in five of last six SEC tourneys.
Miss State is shooting 55.3% inside arc (#43)
Opponents are shooting 36.2% on arc (#317)


Missouri (21-10, 10-8)
KenPom rating: 20
Tempo: 132
Experience: 35
Continuity: 226
Missouri lost last three games, giving up 94.7 ppg.
Tigers haven’t played since Saturday.
Missouri has #13 eFG% offense in country.
Tigers are #301 team in country on defensive boards.
Missouri went WL in four of last five SEC tournaments.


Mizzou pounded Miss State 88-61 in Starkville February 1st.
Tigers scored 1.35 points/possession in that game.
Miss State won five of last seven series games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Thursday, March 13

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 13

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[Cnotes53]

Thursday, March 13​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
BGSU at AKR	11:00 AM	BGSU +12.0 U 149.5	+500 +500
DUQ at SBON	11:30 AM	DUQ +1.5 O 130.0	+500 +500
IND at ORE	12:00 PM	IND +2.0 O 142.0	+500 +500
USF at WICH	12:30 PM	WICH -3.0 U 143.5	+500 +500
OHIO at TOL	01:30 PM	OHIO -3.0 U 161.5	+500 +500
ALST at TXSO	02:00 PM	TXSO +1.0	+500
MARQ at XAV	02:30 PM	XAV +2.5 O 144.5	+500 +500
EMU at M-OH	04:00 PM	M-OH -5.5 U 149.5	+500 +500
BSU at SDSU	05:30 PM	SDSU -1.0 U 134.5	+500 +500
MAN at IONA	06:00 PM	MAN +1.0 U 143.0	+500 +500
MORG at HOW	06:00 PM	HOW -3.0 U 162.5	+500 +500
WMU at KENT	06:30 PM	WMU +9.5 O 142.5	+500 +500
NMSU at KENN	06:30 PM	KENN -1.0 U 136.0	+500 +500

 

[Cnotes53]

TLSA at TEM	07:00 PM	TEM -3.0 U 144.0	+500 +500
ALCN at COOK	08:30 PM	ALCN +2.5 O 134.0	+500 +500
MSM at MRST	08:30 PM	MSM +1.5 O 126.5	+500 +500
NCCU at DSU	08:30 PM	NCCU +1.5 O 153.0	+500 +500
LT at MTU	09:00 PM	MTU -2.0 O 142.0	+500 +500
SEA at AC	09:00 PM	SEA -5.5 U 132.5	+500 +500
UTSA at ECU	09:30 PM	ECU -3.0 O 151.0	+500 +500
TST at CBU	11:30 PM	CBU -6.5 U 127.0	+500 +500

 

[Cnotes53]

NCAA COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS !

03/13/2025.................15 - 14 - 0.................51.72%....................- 2.00
03/12/2025.................16 - 18 - 0.................47.05%....................- 19.00
03/11/2025.................15 - 15 - 0..................50.00%....................- 7,50
03/10/2025.................12 - 5 - 0....................70.58%....................+ 32.50
03/09/2025.................20 - 20 - 1.................50.00%.....................- 10.00
03/08/2025.................16 - 19 - 0.................45.71%.....................- 24.50
03/07/2025.................15 - 13 - 1.................53.57%.....................+ 3.50
03/06/2025.................18 - 16 - 2.................52.94%......................+ 2.00
03/05/2025....................7 - 8 - 0.................46.66%......................- 9.00
03/04/2025..................5 - 10 - 0.................33.33%.....................- 30.00
03/03/2025....................3 - 9 - 0.................25.00%......................- 34.50
03/02/2025....................4 - 5 - 0.................44.44%......................- 7.50
03/01/2025.................34 - 25 - 0.................57.62%......................+ 32.50

TOTALS:...................180 - 177 - 2.................50.42%......................- 73.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Friday’s 6-pack:
Teams that played the easiest non-conference schedules:
364) Marist 20-10
363) Georgetown 17-15
362) George Washington 21-11
361) Columbia 12-15- fired the coach
360) Penn State 16-15
359) Maryland 24-7

Quote of the Day
“Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.”
Ted Lasso

Friday’s quiz
Last time the Jets played in a playoff game, who was their quarterback?

Thursday’s quiz
Toronto Blue Jays won back/back World Series in 1992/1993; Cito Gaston was their manager.

Wednesday’s quiz
Of the 31 conference tournaments in college basketball, four were held in Las Vegas this year; usually it is five, but the Pac-12 took this season off.
*******************************************************

Friday’s Den: Wrapping up a long day of basketball…….​

Lot of conference tournaments going on; here is what we know:

— SEC
Ole Miss 83, Arkansas 80
Rebels shot 55% inside arc, but blew a 15-point lead.
Ole Miss outscored Hogs 6-0 in the last 0:29 of the game.
Arkansas played 7 guys; the 7th guy played only 8:00.

Texas 94, Texas A&M 89, 2OT
Aggies led by 5 with 2:32 left in the first overtime.
Texas had only six turnovers in a 50:00 game (+7)
A&M star Taylor was 17-18 on foul line, only 5-18 from floor.

Kentucky 85, Oklahoma 84
Kentucky shot 63.9% inside the arc.
Wildcats won their last three games, scoring 90.3 ppg.
Kentucky-Alabama is a quarterfinal game Friday night.

— Big X
BYU 96, Iowa State 92
Both teams led by 10 points in first half.
BYU was 18-36 on arc, 12-22 inside arc.
Not often you score 1.33 points/possession and lose, but Iowa State did.

Texas Tech 76, Baylor 74
Tech never trailed, led 52-39 at halftime.
Red Raiders shot 15-34 on arc, Baylor 4-16.
Tech is 14-3 in its last 17 games.

Arizona 88, Kansas 77
Arizona shot 57.5% inside the arc.
Kansas shot 14-31 on the arc, still lost by 11.
Jayhawks are 7-8 in their last fifteen games.

— Big East
Marquette 89, Xavier 87
Xavier led by 14 early in second half.
Marquette shot 14-33 on arc, had only 4 turnovers.
Bracketology has Xavier on the right side of the bubble (barely).

— ACC
Duke 78, Georgia Tech 70
Duke star Flagg sprained his ankle, is likely done for the weekend.
Tech led 26-12 late in first half.
Blue Devils are 25-1 since Thanksgiving.

— Big 18
Illinois 106, Iowa 94
Illinois shot 12-26 on arc, scored 1.43 points/possession.
Illini was 24-30 on foul line, Hawkeyes 5-10.
Illini out-rebounded Iowa, 41-24
Illinois won its last four games, scoring 92 ppg.

— Mountain West
Boise State 62, San Diego State 52
First time since 2007 that Aztecs lost first conference tournament game.
San Diego State didn’t score a basket in last 9:01 of this game.
Boise shot 11-40 on the arc, 8-16 inside arc.

— Big West
Cal Poly 96, Cal-Riverside 83
Cal Poly is 9-4 in last 13 games, after starting Big West play 0-8.
Last two years, Mustangs were 1-38 in Big West games; coach DeGeorge has done a really impressive job rebuilding this program.
Cal Poly plays Cal-Irvine in semi-finals Friday night.

— Famous birthdays, March 14th:
Michael Caine, 92
Clyde Lee, 81
Billy Crystal, 77
Dave McKay, 75
Butch Wynegar, 69
Larry Johnson, 56
Corey Stoll, 49
Steph Curry, 37
Brandon Aubrey, 30

— American
Tulsa 75, Temple 71
Temple led 42-30 at halftime.
Tulsa is 5-10 in its last fifteen games.
6-9 senior Garcia scored 20 points in 19:00 off the bench.

— MAC
Toledo 90, Ohio U 85 OT
Bobcats led by five with 3:12 left in the game.
Toledo was 29-35 on foul line, Ohio 16-21.
Toledo won MAC regular season the last four years, but didn’t win MAC tourney in any of those years; they finished T4th this season.

— Atlantic 15
St Bonaventure 64, Duquesne 59
Duquesne led by 7 with 4:07 left in game.
Two Bonnies played all 40:00; third guy played 36:00.
Bonnies are 22-10, despite #331 team in continuity.

— Conference USA
Kennesaw State 80, New Mexico State 77
Owls shot 11-25 on arc, 23-29 on foul line.
Three Kennesaw starters played 35:00+
Aggies were only 15-27 on the foul line.

Middle Tennessee 77, Louisiana Tech 75, 2OT
Teams combined to shoot 6-45 on the arc (Tech was 1-15)
Tech was 14-26 on foul line, lost by two points.
Blue Raiders won five of their last six games.

— WAC
Cal Baptist 55, Tarleton State 51
Cal Baptist won despite shooting 31% from the floor.
Lancers blew an 11-point lead in second half.
Cal Baptist plays Grand Canyon Friday night.

— Metro Atlantic
Iona 77, Manhattan 65
Iona was 10-25 on arc, Jaspers were 6-31.
Gaels have won 11 of their last 15 games.
Iona won this tournament eight of last 13 years.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, March 14

5 of Friday’s best college basketball games:

SEC Tournament (@ Nashville)
Ole Miss vs Auburn (-11.5)
Ole Miss (22-10, 11-8)
KenPom rating: 26
Tempo: 120
Experience: 3
Continuity: 136
Ole Miss won three of its last four games.
3 starters played 32:00+ in last nite’s Rebel 83-80 win.
Ole Miss hasn’t won 2 games in same SEC tourney since 2013.
Rebels are forcing turnovers 20.4% of time (#37)
Ole Miss is #233 team in country on defensive boards.

Auburn (27-4, 15-3)
KenPom rating: 2
Tempo: 136
Experience: 26
Continuity: 40
Auburn lost its last two games, 83-72/93-91 OT
Tigers haven’t played since Saturday.
Auburn won SEC tourney 2 of last 4 times they were in it.
Tigers are shooting 56.3% inside arc (#31)
Auburn has #14 eFG% defense in country.


Auburn beat Ole Miss twice this year, 92-82/106-76
Auburn won last eight series games.


Big East tournament (@ Madison Square Garden)
Marquette @ St John’s (-4.5)
Marquette (23-9, 14-7)
KenPom rating: 27
Tempo: 180
Experience: 115
Continuity: 12
Marquette split its last six games.
Eagles played three starters 31:00+ in Thursday’s 89-87 win
Marquette was down 14 in second half of that game.
Eagles get only 15.3% of points on foul line (#342)
Marquette is forcing turnovers 21.8% of time (#18)


St John’s (28-4, 19-2)
KenPom rating: 14
Tempo: 57
Experience: 69
Continuity: 275
St John’s has won seven in row, 17 of last 18 games.
Red Storm had stress-free win over Butler yesterday.
St John’s has #18 eFG% defense in country.
Red Storm is forcing turnovers 21.9% of time (#12)
St John’s is #9 team in country on offensive boards.


St John’s beat Marquette twice this year, 70-64/86-84 OT
Teams played in Milwaukee six days ago.
Marquette won six of last eight series games.


ACC Tournament (@ Charlotte, NC)
Duke (-5.5) vs North Carolina
Duke (29-3, 20-1)
KenPom rating: 1
Tempo: 254
Experience: 129
Continuity: 268
Duke lost star freshman Flagg (ankle) yesterday
Blue Devils have won nine in row, 25 of last 26 games.
Only one guy on Duke played more than 23:00 yesterday
Blue Devils have #2 eFG% defense in country.
Duke is shooting 57.9% inside arc (#10)


North Carolina (22-12, 15-7)
KenPom rating: 35
Tempo: 33
Experience: 78
Continuity: 78
UNC won eight of its last nine games.
Tar Heels played two guys 33:00+ in yesterday’s 68-59 win.
UNC has #53 eFG% offense in country.
Tar Heels are 9-12 vs teams ranked in top 100
UNC is #53 team in country on defensive boards.

Duke beat UNC twice this year, 87-70/82-69
Blue Devils are 5-4 in last nine series games.


Big X tournament (@ Kansas City)
Houston (-7.5) vs BYU
Houston (28-4, 20-1)
KenPom rating: 3
Tempo: 360
Experience: 41
Continuity: 8
Houston won 11 in row, 24 of last 25 games.
Cougars played one guy more than 28:00 in yesterday’s win.
Houston has #5 eFG% defense in country.
Cougars are forcing turnovers 21.9% of time (#13)
Houston is shooting 39.8% on the arc (#2)

BYU (24-8, 15-6)
KenPom rating: 23
Tempo: 185
Experience: 131
Continuity: 1353
BYU has won nine games in a row.
Cougars played ten guys 13:00+ in yesterday’s 96-92 win.
BYU is shooting 59.2% inside arc (#5)
Cougars are #24 team on defensive boards.
Last 6+ years, BYU is 6-6 in conference tournaments.


Houston whacked BYU 86-55 at home January 4th.
Houston is 2-0 vs BYU as Big X rivals.


Big 18 tournament (@ Indianapolis)
Michigan vs Purdue (-2.5)
Michigan (22-9, 14-6)
KenPom rating: 29
Tempo: 62
Experience: 81
Continuity: 262
Michigan lost its last three games, giving up 81.3 ppg.
Wolverines haven’t played since Sunday.
Michigan is turning ball over 20.2% of time (#336)
Wolverines are shooting 58.2% inside arc (#7)
Michigan has #28 eFG% defense in country.


Purdue (22-10, 14-7)
KenPom rating: 16
Tempo: 297
Experience: 186
Continuity: 41
Purdue won three of its last four games.
Boilers played three starters 30:00+ in last nite’s 76-71 win over USC
Purdue has #8 eFG% offense in country.
Opponents are shooting 56.1% inside arc (#341)
Purdue led by 10 in 2nd half of 75-73 loss at Michigan February 11.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Friday, March 14

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