ACC Tournament Quarterfinal – Terrapins vs Tar Heels
The Maryland Terrapins program has fallen lately, and only an unlikely run through the conference tournament will extend their season.
Author: The Wiesguy
The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.
Categories
NBA Power Rankings (MAR. 6th)
Bet On NBA Basketball
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Chicago Bulls (31-8) – They just keep winning and somebody had to take the top spot with Miami having a less than stellar week. The two teams face off next week so the Bulls will look to stay strong until then.
Oklahoma City Thunder (29-8) – They are still the class of the Western Conference and Russell Westbrook’s bum ankle doesn’t appear to be bothering him that much. Look out below, the Lakers are charging hard.
Los Angeles Lakers (23-14) – I am jumping up the Lakers because I like the fire they showed in beating Miami on the weekend. More so than the teams above it this team has a killer instinct. Please make a deal for a point guard.
Miami Heat (28-9) – It is just so much fun to pick on LeBron James isn’t it. The crunch time story is nothing new, we are just seeing recent examples. It doesn’t really matter though because in the playoffs Dwayne Wade will have the ball. It just makes for good talk show material.
San Antonio Spurs (25-12) – It was a surprise to see them drop a couple of home games but this team is still right where they want to be. It is good to see Tim Duncan mixing it up a little bit. He is aging gracefully but there is still some fire there it seems.
Indiana Pacers (23-12) – One of the hottest teams going right now. This team has been dangerous all season long because they seem to excel at all the little things – like going to the free throw line and making them count.
Orlando Magic (24-14) – The Magic’s play of late only underscores how much it will kill the franchise if they trade Dwight Howard and don’t make a good deal. I think they are going to hold off. Winning, especially in the playoffs will make everything easier.
Memphis Grizzlies (22-15) – While lots of teams are looking to make deals the Grizz might get the best addition when Zach Randolph gets healthy. They have been playing great, cleaning up at home and outscoring teams that can’t keep up.
Dallas Mavericks (22-16) – One of the biggest questions is whether Lamar Odom is a lost cause. The deal looked smart on paper but is anyone really surprised he has pouted his way through the season. Just think what would happen if he returned to form though. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Los Angeles Clippers (22-13) – Who would have thought that Kenyon Martin could be a difference maker. It is a short sample size but he is playing well individually and the team is getting better defensively. Again, who would have thought.
Boston Celtics (19-17) – Rondo is hottest thing going right now.
Atlanta (23-15) – Good record but nobody is talking about them
Denver Nuggets (22-17)
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-19) – Shouldn’t these guys be a bigger story?
Philadelphia 76ers (22-17)
New York Knicks (18-19)
Portland Trailblazers (19-19)
Houston Rockets (21-17)
Utah Jazz (18-19)
Phoenix Suns (17-20)
Golden State (15-20)
Sacramento Kings (12-26) – Demarcus Cousins – meanest player in NBA?
Milwaukee Bucks (15-23)
Toronto Raptors (12-26)
New Jersey Nets (12-27)
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-23)
Detroit (12-26) – Another lost season for the Pistons. At least Greg Monroe is progressing
New Orleans Hornets (9-29) – Life without Chris Paul is pretty dreary.
Washington (8-29)
Charlotte (5-31)
CLICK HERE TO GET OUR NBA PICKS FOR TODAY —–>
Boston Celtics (19-17) vs Philadelphia 76ers (22-17)
The Boston Celtics are playing very well right now. They have won 4 in a row heading into their Tuesday nighter against Houston, even though there are all sorts of trade rumours swirling around the team.
West Coast Conference Championship Game #21 Gaels vs Bulldogs
I am sure that the St. Mary’s Gaels were hoping to face anybody other than Gonzaga in the finals of the West Coast Conference Tournament.
Texas Longhorns (19-11) vs #4 Kansas Jayhawks (25-5)
The Texas Longhorns are in a great position to make a final push for the NCAA tournament.
LSU Tigers (17-12) vs Auburn Tigers (14-15)
When LSU beat Marquette it was thought that the SEC might have more depth than expected this year.
Zips (20-10) vs. Golden Flashes (20-9)
The Akron Zips need one more victory to clinch the East division of the Mid American Conference.
NBA Power Rankings (records as of All Star Break)
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Let’s take a look with an eye to the playoffs this week.
1. Miami Heat (27-7) – It is hard not to put the Heat at the top of this list. They have the talent and the experience to go all the way. The key is staying healthy. Without Wade they don’t have a chance. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-7) – Talent wise they are there with Durant and Westbrook, maybe the best duo in the league. The NBA is one of those leagues where you usually have get there first before you can win it.
3. Chicago Bulls (27-8) – Probably still the most complete team in the league led by the most complete player in Derrick Rose. Should be a good battle with Miami for homecourt in the second half.
4. San Antonio Spurs (24-10) – They are playing great but it is hard to forget their second half swoon and playoff exit last year. Still there is no team with more experience.
5. Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – It took them a while to find their stride but they are still defending champs. The defense is still there even with the loss of Tyson Chandler and I have a hunch they will trade for reinforcements.
6. Orlando Magic (22-13) – Trade talk still swirling but this team is a legit contender with Dwight Howard. If they deal him for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol their chances actually go up in my books.
7. Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – They could definitely win the title – for most entertaining team. Throwing lobs in the playoffs is not as easy but they could at least win one round.
8. Atlanta Hawks (20-14) – They should maybe blow this team up because it is good but not good enough. Second round is the ceiling I think.
9. Indiana Pacers (21-12) – If you are overlooking them they will beat you. This is a feisty team that operates as just that – a team.
10. Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – If Zach Randolph comes back healthy they could be off to the races. Don’t forget this team upset the Spurs without Rudy Gay last year.
Houston Rockets (20-14)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-14)
New York Knicks (17-18)
Denver Nuggets (18-17) – The potential is their but they have lost their way.
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Boston Celtics (15-17) – If they can just make it in all bets are off.
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20
Cleveland Cavaliers(13-18)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-20)
Detroit Pistons (11-24) – More than half their wins came in the last 10 games.
Sacramento Kings (11-22) – Jimmer is not an NBA phenomenon.
New Jersey Nets (10-25)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
New Orleans Hornets (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)
CLICK HERE TO GET OUR NBA PICKS FOR TODAY —–>
Bulls (18-11) vs Cardinals (22-7)
They may not have the better overall record but the South Florida Bulls are ahead of Louisville in the Big East standings this season. They are finally standing up for themselves in the conference and this game has a lot at stake, especially as their seems to be something brewing basketball wise in the state of Florida.
#13 Gators (22-7) vs Commodores (20-9)
The Florida Gators are looking to finish strong but it wont be easy. To finish their SEC regular season they will be visiting Vanderbilt and following that with a visit from Kentucky to the Swamp.
#2 Orange (28-1) vs Huskies (17-10)
The Syracuse Orange are looking primed for a #1 seed in the tournament. They still have just the one loss at Notre Dame which is looking better and better everyday as the Irish climb the rankings.
#18 Fighting Irish (20-8) vs Red Storm (12-16)
They are not a mid-major but Notre Dame may be the most surprising team in the top 25 right now.
Categories
NBA Power Rankings (FEB. 23rd)
Bet On NBA Basketball
Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.
Oklahoma City (26-7) – Is it too much to say that Durant and Westbrook are the best duo in the NBA? They haven’t earned their championship stripes but what else are they lacking?
Miami Heat (26-7) – A Heat vs Thunder finals would make for some great watching for sure. Heat are looking great right now, perhaps a bit ahead of their closest conference challengers in Chicago.
Chicago Bulls (27-8) – The most complete team on the list so far but they are totally different when Derrick Rose is out of the lineup. I like their commitment to defense though to smooth things over.
San Antonio Spurs (23-10) – You can’t ignore that record and the fact that Tony Parkers has been lights out lately. It is just too bad that Manu Ginobili is out once again. This time for much shorter.
Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – I know they are the defending champs but when you watch them play it is hard to see it. Delonte West is now out for a while so we will see if they can keep up their recent strong play shorthanded.
Orlando Magic (22-12) – They are playing much better but what will happen as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline. The All-Star game is in Orlando this year and hopefully the parade of stars can take the focus on Dwight Howard for a moment.
Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – It is still hard to consider these guys a contender but they are bringing it most nights. Losing Chauncey Billups was huge for them, they are just .500 in the games since. This team could slide down the ranking at any moment.
Los Angeles Lakers (20-13) – Perhaps the most dangerous thing in the league is a Kobe Bryant scorned. He isn’t happy with the rumours surrounding Pau and has sounded off. At least he can back things up with his play.
New York Knicks (17-17) – Witness the power of Linsanity, elevating a team with a .500 record into the top 10 of the power rating. Some are even talking MVP which would make him the least likely winner, ever. Still he has to be considered. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – The Grizz are on a nice run that makes you think about last year’s playoffs. The offense has been really sharp lately and young legs appear to be tiring less often.
Indiana Pacers (21-12)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-13)
Denver Nuggets (18-16)
Boston Celtics (15-16)
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Atlanta Hawks (19-13)
Houston Rockets (20-14)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20)
New Jersey Nets (10-24)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-19)
Sacramento Kings (11-22)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-18)
Detroit Pistons (11-24)
New Orleans Hornet (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)
CLICK HERE TO GET OUR NBA PICKS FOR TODAY —–>
2012 Baseball Team Win Totals
It is now past mid February and even though the hoops season has quite a ways to go thoughts are beginning to turn towards the diamond.
Golden State Warriors 12-17 (3-8 V) vs Phoenix Suns 14-19 (7-8 H)
The Golden State Warriors are exciting, but I guess not very effective.
Phoenix Suns (12-18) vs LA Lakers (17-12)
Some of the characters have changed but there is still little extra juice in the building when the Suns and Lakers face off.
