Matty O'Shea | CBB Sides Single-Dime Bet
723 George Mason 6 (-110) Bodog vs 724 NotreDame
Analysis: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a very confident and talented bunch, but I simply think they will be overconfident in this game going against a team that is used to being underestimated in George Mason. The Patriots advanced to the Final Four just two years ago and will hang tough with Notre Dame in this game until the very end. Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey was not terribly disappointed that his team lost to Marquette in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament, which is a clear sign that he thinks they will have a cakewalk in the first round. I like this Notre Dame team a lot, but they have a lot to prove to me when playing away from home. I also believe George Mason is a very dangerous foe here in this spot and should stay within the number, so bet the Patriots to cover as my Single Dime NCAA Tournament Underdog Play O' the Day for Thursday.
Matty O'Shea | CBB Total Single-Dime Bet
726 Washington St. / 725 Winthrop Under 112 BetUS
Analysis: This is the lowest total on the board, and with good reason. Both teams like to slow the pace of the game and ranked among the Top 10 defensive teams in the country during the regular season. Winthrop held its three opponents to an average of less than 49 points in winning the Big South Tournament while Washington State needs to play better defense in hopes of returning to early-season form when the Cougars got off to a 14-0 start. The UNDER is 8-1 in Winthrop's last nine neutral site games, and I believe this could very well be the lowest-scoring game of the Big Dance, so stay with that trend and bet the UNDER as my Single Dime NCAA Tournament Total Play O' the Day for Thursday.
Matty O'Shea | CBB Sides Single-Dime Bet
717 Kent St. -2 (-110) BetUS vs 718 UNLV
Analysis: The Kent State Golden Flashes are the real deal, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them duplicate UNLV's run to the Sweet 16 a year ago. The Runnin' Rebels built off last year's success in the NCAA Tournament by having another solid season, due mostly to their outstanding play at home. They have the benefit of playing the Mountain West Tournament at home and capitalized on that by winning it the last two years. They are just an average road team though and will be tested by a Kent State team that was ranked in the Top 25 for the first time ever after winning at St. Mary's. Even though the Golden Flashes followed that big victory up with a loss, they have rebounded nicely by winning five straight heading into the Big Dance, going 4-1 ATS. They are also an outstanding 16-2 ATS in their last 18 Thursday games, so look for their success to continue here and bet Kent as my Single Dime NCAA Tournament Side Play O' the Day for Thursday.
Matty O'Shea | CBB Sides Single-Dime Bet
739 Maryland 4 (-110) BetUS vs 740 Syracuse
Analysis: The Syracuse Orange barely beat Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT because point guard Jonny Flynn aggravated a back injury with five minutes left in the first half and did not return. Flynn will try to play tonight, but he will not be close to 100%. That will severely hamper the team's chances of making it to the next round against Maryland because he has been their MVP all season. When Flynn plays below average, Syracuse usually loses. When he plays well, they usually win. Consider that he led the Big East in minutes played with 39.2 per game (out of 40) and was on the court 522 out of a possible 525 minutes in 13 games leading up to Tuesday's victory. The Orange lack depth and only go seven players deep with Flynn in the lineup. Look for the Terrapins to take advantage of this and bet them as my Single Dime NIT Play O' the Week.
Matty O'Shea | NBA Total Single-Dime Bet
704 DAL / 703 BOS Under 188 BetUS
Analysis: The Boston Celtics have been winning with outstanding defense, and I don't expect that to change tonight in an effort to complete the Texas Triangle sweep. They have held San Antonio and Houston to an average of 82.5 points in their last two games after limiting Milwaukee to 77 to open their five-game road trip. The UNDER is 5-1 in Boston's last six games. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks were playing great defense until suffering a 102-100 home loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. They had surrendered 86.6 points per game in their previous five, so look for head coach Avery Johnson to stress this tonight against the Celtics. Finally, we have the top UNDER ref in the NBA calling this game in Ed Malloy. This all adds up to betting the UNDER as my Single Dime NBA TV Play O' the Day.