The Naismith Award

J. J. Redick may have just won the AP Player of the year award, but the big one remains very much in doubt. Neither he nor Morrison got their team to the Final Four and you can find holes in both their games. As such, here at www.BetBug.com we've got them listed as a straight up "pick'em".

Anyone who tells you that they know for sure who is going to win this thing is just putting you on. It should be close, and as we know, that's what makes a good betting prop.

The NO FUN LEAGUE

Actually, I could care less about the restrictions on endzone celebrations, that was just to get your attention. What really and truly p*sses me off is the fact the types of plays eligible for Instant Replay have been expanded. Now they are going to include Down By Contact. This is ridiculous. Now a player is supposed just "play through the whistle"? C'mon.

Here's an idea. You want to shorten the game, get rid of the controversy, and create even more water cooler talk (ie hype) the next day? Just GET RID OF REPLAY.

Altogether.

Replay is the worst thing to ever happen to sports. Whether it be football, hockey, basketball, or...gasp...now even tennis, for Gods sake...just let them play!

End of Rant.

Final Four

You may be having fun Mr. Thomas but your team's joy is about to end on Saturday. Aligators are very treacherous you know...

BetBug's FINAL FOUR ODDS go like this:

FLORIDA +160
LSU +250
UCLA +300
GEORGE MASON +600

25:1!

So I guess I'm the only person on this planet who, while quite excited to see the Patriots in the Final Four, is not actually cheering for them.

Why is that you ask?

Well let me direct you back to my Pick of the Day post for March 14th.

Yes that would be the Florida Gators bet at 25:1 to win the whole thing. The same Florida Gators who are now into the Final Four playing a #11 seed.

So while the rest of you underdog, cinderella types will be jumping on the bandwagon cheering on George Mason, yes I'll be that lone voice in the wilderness screaming, "Go Gators Go"

Washington and Minneapolis Regional Finals

Can you say Cinderella? That would be your 11 seed right there...in the regional final.

Go Patriots!

Wow. What a two days. One unbelievable ending after another. For once the second week was better than the first.

They don't call it March Madness for nothing.

So here we go with Sunday's Finals:

www.BetBug.com's Washington and Minny Regional Final Odds:

CONNECTICUT vs GEORGE MASON: UCONN -7.5 -105

VILLANOVA vs FLORIDA: VILLANOVA -2.5 -105

Atlantic and Oakland Regional Finals

Well well well.

A truly joyous night. Duke goes down to inglorious defeat and Reddick has one of his worst games of the season. This, together with Carolina losing in the second round is almost enough to make up for the wipe out of my dear old Big 10.

So...we now have for Saturday:

Herewith, BetBug's lines for the first two Regional Finals:

LSU vs Texas: Texas -3

Memphis vs UCLA: Memphis -3

Boogity Boogity Boogity

This week the Nextel Cup boys hit Bristol. It just so happens to be my favourite track. Well that's actually not entirely true. It's one of my 3 favourites. ANY short track is great and whether it here, Martinsville, or Richmond, this is my kinda racin'!

BetBug's FOOD CITY 500 ODDS:

Jeff Gordon 8-1
Kurt Busch 7.5-1
Tony Stewart 9-1
Matt Kenseth 9-1
Jimmie Johnson 10-1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 12-1
Ryan Newman 12-1
Greg Biffle 12-1
Kevin Harvick 15-1
Carl Edwards 15-1
Jamie McMurray 15-1
Mark Martin 15-1
Kasey Kahne 20-1
Kyle Busch 20-1
Jeff Burton 20-1
Elliot Sadler 20-1
Denny Hamlin 30-1
Casey Mears 40-1
Brian Vickers 40-1
Dale Jarrett 40-1
Jeremy Mayfield 50-1
Martin Truex 50-1
Joe Nemechek 50-1
FIELD 15-1

HAS HELL FROZEN OVER?

Vinatieri a Colt? What's next, Vanderjagt signs with the Pats? Good Heavens.

The Players Championship

This week sees the last every Players Championship to be played in March. Next year, under the revised PGA Schedule, Mr. Finchem and the boys will be trying even harder to convince you that this is the 5th major as they move it away from Augusta and into a space on the calander free of clutter, in May.

It's probably a good idea actually. One that should have occured years ago. While it's not yet a "true" major, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in this most prestigious field who would not desire to win this above all else, save for the 4 actual Majors.

As per usual, this tournament atracts a stellar international cast and BetBug has odds for all the big names and all others upon request:

PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS

Tiger Woods +450
Vijay Singh 17-1
Ernie Els 18-1
Phil Mickelson 18-1
Luke Donald 20-1
David Toms 25-1
Retief Goosen 25-1
Adam Scott 25-1
Sergio Garcia 30-1
Jim Furyk 35-1
Padraig Harrington 30-1
Scott Verplank 35-1
Davis Love 35-1
Chad Campbell 50-1
Mike Weir 50-1
Geoff Ogilvy 50-1
Darren Clarke 50-1

That "OTHER" Basketball Tournament on just now

Granted it does not exactly have the cache of the NCAA, but the NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT, the N.I.T. does have history on it's side. It was first played in 1938 (one year earlier than the NCAA), and it indeed for the first many decades of its existence, used to be the pre-eminent post season college basketball tournament.

This year's edition had as it's four number 1 seeds: Michigan, Cincy, Louisville, Maryland. Those schools names and their travelling alumni would look pretty good in any NCAA field.

With the finals played each year at MSG, this is far from a "second tier tournament".

Indeed, if you want to watch some great college basketball with home arena feels this week before Thursday night and the resumption of the NCAA, the NIT is your choice.

And guess what...it just so happens that there are also lines on all these games and thus... wagering opportunities. That's if the chance to watch the Maze and Blue isn't quite enough for some people.

Upset City and Bracket Madness

Well I don't know about you, but after these opening 4 days I'm pretty much completely f***ed with my pool and have absolutely zero hope of anything.

When will we all learn. No one is unbeatable and as great as some of these big teams look on paper, the game is played on the court and these young kids, for one given game, CAN compete just as well as any of the larger names.

So much for my dreams of going 63-0.

Derby Preps

This weekend sees 4 very significant Kentucky Derby prep races. The Tampa Bay Derby headed by Bluegrass Cat. The Gotham lead by Keyed Entry and Achilles of Troy. The Rebel with the return of Private Vow. And finally, the San Felipe with what...?...about 100 starters by Bob Baffert.

Taking them in order, I very much dislike Bluegrass Cat in Tampa. He's just not that fast. Couldn't give you the winner, but throw him out of the exotics and you might just find a big price.

Up North at Aqueduct, Achilles of Troy gets the acid test. Keyed Entry is not cheap spead, especially at just a mile and 16th. If AoT can withstand him early, he's no longer just some inner track winter horse. As a bit of a long shot, I don't mind Sweetnorthernsaint.

Down at Oaklawn they must be wondering what the hell happended to their race. At one point both Keyed Entry AND Strong Contender were supposed to take part in this race. Now the boys in Arkansas have to be content with Private Vow and a local boy Lawyer Ron. I like Asmussen to have brought back Private Vow in good form and I am taking a definte stand against the 2nd place finisher in the the Southwest, Steppenwolfer.

Lastly, the San Felipe at Santa Anita. A bit of a desultry race to be honest. I've never thought much of Bob and John, the Sham winner. And after than it's maidens and a bunch of slow bafferts. Perhaps a certain trainer known for getting some juicy results will find his derby horse here. Perhaps...

At any rate, as far as the futures go, I think a little stab on Sweetnorthernsaint at 20:1 at www.BetBug.com isn't the worst wager I've ever seen.

In Case You Missed it

With all the hoops hype this week, a couple of rather significant QB's switched teams in the NFL a few days ago.

First of all, WHAT THE HELL are the Dolphins thinking. They wouldn't pony up the extra little bit of cash to grab Brees instead of Culpepper. Dante has been over-rated from the word go while Brees is only going to get better and better. I was just waiting for the Fish to pick up Brees so I could jump all over them at big odds. BetBug for instance has them at 15:1. But NOW??? HA! With Culpepper directing things I wouldn't bet them at twice that price.

Enjoy the Big Easy Drew...you could have been a hero in Miami. Bring your umbrella.

The Four Basic Food Groups

The bets are made, the money is laid. And thus today we are left with simply this:






Anyone attempting to eat healthy for the next 4 days is really just passing up one of the best times of the year.

It may be one of the seven deadly sins, but just for a few days, well, it has to be done.

Gluttony - an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.

Bring on that music!

The Regions

Today we'll run down the odds for the top teams in each region. Many times you can actually find better value betting a team you like to win it's region and then pressing up if it does get to the Final Four than by simply betting them to win the whole thing outright. Especially if they're a mid level seed. Obviously the 1's will be huge moneyline faves in each game while the super longshots may not even have moneylines attached to some of their contests, but the 2's, 3's, and 4's surely are worth a look and some comparison.

So here we go. BetBug's Regional Odds for the big boys look like this:

ATLANTIC

Duke +130
Texas +400
Iowa +900
LSU +800
Syracuse +3000

OAKLAND

Memphis +250
UCLA +300
Gonzaga +700
Kansas +700
Pittsburgh +700

WASHINGTON

UConn +130
Tennessee +1000
North Carolina +500
Illinois +800
Washington +1200

MINNEAPOLIS

Villanova +200
Ohio State +500
Florida +500
Boston College +400
Nevada +2500

MARCH MADNESS

Finally.

The 2 best days of the year in sports are this Thursday and Friday. WALL TO WALL college hoops. I remember one time back in the day at University, four of us hit the McDonald's at 11:30am. After a $100 drive through bill, we immediately hustled back to residence to ensconse ourselves in front of the TV for the next 48 hours...ahh good times.

This year it looks for all the world like it's a two man tourney between Duke and UConn.

But if they both slip up this thing would be so wide open it would be ridiculous.
Any of 20 teams could win this thing.

BUT...that is only if the Huskies and the boys from Raleigh mess up. And that does not look too terribly likely.

So here we go. BetBug's odds to win the 2006 NCAA College Basketball Tournament:

UConn +350
Duke 5-1
Villanova 10-1
Memphis 14-1
Texas 14-1
UNC 15-1
UCLA 15-1
BC 20-1
Florida 25-1
Kansas 25-1
OSU 25-1
Gonzaga 35-1
Illinois 35-1
Iowa 35-1
LSU 40-1
MSU 40-1
Pitt 40-1
Tennessee 40-1
Washington 50-1
West Virginia 50-1
Georgetown 60-1
Syracuse 60-1
Nevada 70-1
NC St. 70-1
Indiana 80-1
Alabama 100-1
Arizona 100-1
Arkansas 100-1
Cal 100-1
GW 100-1
Kentucky 100-1
Marquette 100-1
Oklahoma 100-1
UAB 100-1
UNC-Wilmington 100-1
Wichita St. 100-1
Wisconsin 100-1
Bucknell 150-1
Northern Iowa 150-1
Seton Hall 150-1

Field 30-1

Of fast automobiles, loose morals, and rampant hypocrisy

The First Saturday in May

The Kentucky Derby is but a scant two months away. Now is the time to start focusing on your horse, while you can still gets some odds worthy of a wager.

At this point, unlike in past year, there really is no standout. With the injury to Stevie Wonderboy the Breeders Cup Juvenile winner and winter book Derby favourite, this may just be the most wide open Kentucky Derby in years.

Certainly Brother Derek, he of the multiple Graded two turn victories has to be respected, and his odds reflect these accomplishments. But one wonders if a horse who has been running pretty well none stop since August without a break has much more room for improvement.

And once you get past the defacto favourite, this race is beyond wide open. Can First Samurai or Keyed Entry, two brilliantly fast horses negotiate two turns and the mile and a quarter? Can Bluegrass Cat, he of the class pedigree and trainer, finally put up a speed figure worthy of a Derby winner? Will a relative new comer like Strong Contender have the seasoning necessary to deal with the craziness of Derby day? Can an Aqueduct inner tracker such as Achilles of Troy transfer his winning ways to Churchill Downs? Is one race in a two months really the best way to train a horse like Barbaro up to the Derby?

Needless to say, all these questions make for some rather intriguing possibilities.

Which of course leads to the aforementioned wide open race.

BetBug's Kentucky Derby Odds:

A.P. Warrior 50-1
Achilles of Troy 15-1
Barbaro 15-1
Bluegrass Cat 12-1
Bob and John 15-1
Brother Derek 10-1
Cause To Believe 20-1
Corinthian 15-1
First Samurai 12-1
Flashy Bull 25-1
Keyed Entry 15-1
Lawyer Ron 15-1
My Golden Song 40-1
Point Determined 25-1
Point of Impact 30-1
Private Vow 15-1
Really Indian 40-1
Refinery 40-1
Sacred Light 30-1
Steppenwolfer 25-1
Strong Contender 15-1
Sunriver 50-1
Sweetnorthernsaint 20-1

(others of course available upon request)

In Full Swing

Championship Week is here and by the end of the day tomorrow we'll know the last 64 (err...65) teams left to contend for the NCAA title. The only sentiment I have as far as the actual games go is that I fervently do not want to see another Duke/UNC game tomorrow. Not that I mind the rivalry. I simply loathe both teams with a passion unsurpassed.

Needless to say, if they do meet tomorrow in the ACC final, I for one, shall be simply cheering for major injuries to both teams.

Go Big Ten!!!

Tick tick tick

It's 6:37pm Eastern Standard Time March 8th 2006.

The NFL owners have exactly 1 hour and 23 minutes to get a new CBA done or else:

1 - the 2006 cap comes in approx. 10 million shy of what everyone expected, forcing huge outright player cuts on all teams

2 - the 2007 cap...oh wait that's right..there will be no 2007 cap.

which leads to 3 - whatever you can get the NY Jets and the NY Giants from BetBug at to win the 2008 SuperBowl next year...well let's just say the Green Bays and KC's of the world may need not apply for that particular game.

Terrel Owens for 20 million dollars for one year you say???

No Rules, No Asterisks

Regardless of all the allegations and all the inuendo, and at this point let's be honest, the truth is rather clear, but regardless of all that, let's just all remember, that AT THE TIME what he may or may not have been using was completely legal and above board, at least with MLB.

MLB has absolutely no recourse here.

Super Bowl XLI

Most NFL fans these days are focused on the draft and how their team is going to mine the new crop of talent. And I certainly am not any different. Watching whether or not Houston takes the home town boy Mr. Young or goes with Mr. Bush will actually be fairly intriguing.

And even here in the dead of winter, you can take a position on next years Super Bowl. BetBug's odds for the Vince Lombardi trophy are up and I certainly don't mind Carolina at 20-1 or Washington at 25-1. It's a long time to wait, but that afterall, is why they call this type of wager a FUTURES bet.

And Down the Red Carpet they come...

One day left till Hollywood's biggest Night. Judging by the betting, BrokeBack Mountain is expected to clean up. I hope this does not happen. Not because I am anti gay or something silly like that, no I don't want it to sweep since that will make for the most boring evening imaginable. Let's just hope that a few non-quadraped winners come through. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Clooney win for Best Supporting Actor as I can only imagine the amount of booze he will have already imbibed by the time his speech occurs and it might make for some hilarity. I'd also like to see anyone but Rachel Weisz take Best Supporting Actres as watching The Constant Gardner I just got the feeling she was acting to try and win an Oscar. And that sort of thing should never be rewarded.

Dig a little deeper

If anyone is interested in finding out just who really is most valuable to his team in the NBA, check out this site:

82games.com

Some very good stuff there, if you are willing to take the time to learn something new.

Green Jackets

With baseball and March Madness set to begin, there's one other little tournament just around the corner as well. You might have heard of it. Played at Augusta in early April. At a venue, as the CBS boys like to say, "like no other".

Bring on those Azalea's people. I can't wait.

BetBug has Tiger as the +250 favourite, naturally, but this is not a one man tournament. A few of your other potential winners:


Els 9-1
Mickelson 10-1
Singh 14-1
Goosen 15-1
Garcia 25-1
Furyk 33-1
Scott 33-1
Donald 40-1
Toms 40-1
DiMarco 40-1
Harrington 40-1

Going Going Gone!

Let's get the focus back to legitimate baseball today.

Who the heck is going to be the Home Run King this season?

At BetBug we're betting the faves like this:

Rodriguez 7:1
Ortiz 7:1
Pujols 8:1
Teixeira 8:1
Ramirez 12:1
Bonds 12:1

But who the hell wants 12:1 when 50:1 is out there!

How about taking a flyer on for instance Carlos Delgado at 50:1 or maybe Jason Giambi to reclaim his stroke (or to discover better steroid masking techniques...). Or even Ken Griffey Jr. at 60:1. Unlikely but at that price you don't have to be right too often to make some cash.