Joe D’Amico

Arizona.

With all respect to Iowa State, facing Arizona State and Texas Tech the last few days, will not prepare them for the matchup with an Arizona team that shredded them in the only meeting that season. Wildcats took down the Cyclones on March 2 at home, 73-57 for their third win and cover over the last four matchups in this rivalry. ‘Zona is red hot, winning seven in a row and covering four of their last six outings. This is a short line for them. As a matter of fact, this is the shortest line I've seen them lay in quite a while. The Wildcats are projected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With a decisive victory here, in my opinion, it would seal that deal. They have the Big 12 Player of the Year in Jaden Bradley. They also possess a more explosive offense, a much better rebounding core at both ends of the court, and are significantly stronger at defending the arc. Please remember ISU heavily relies upon their outside shooting. They're not gonna’ have the same success in the matchup that they've had against recent opponents. Take Arizona. Thank you.

Nebraska.

Please remember, sportsbetting isn't about who wins. Sportsbetting is about who covers. With yesterday's half-point ATS no cover, the Boilermakers under head coach Matt Painter are now 1-17 versus the spread in his last 18 Big ten tournament games. As a matter of fact, coming into today's matchup, Purdue has failed to cover five straight outings. Meanwhile, Nebraska, who owns a 26-5 overall record and has covered 17 of 31 lined games this season, will enter this matchup well-rested having not taken the court since March 8. They finished the regular season playing some solid basketball going 4-1 SU, and covering three of their final five games. It's true, on their own court back on February 10, the Cornhuskers lost a heartbreaker to the Boilermakers in OT, 80-77. Don't think for a moment they're not looking for some serious payback. Believe it or not, they are the 11th ranked team in the nation, and they're getting points from the 18th ranked team, as they are rested. I feel this line is off, my friends. They possess a stifling defense from the likes of which their opponent here today will have a problem with. Especially because in that first matchup approximately a month ago, Nebraska fell short on the glass, and that will be something they avenge here today. Take Nebraska. Thank you.

Tennessee. 

Maybe Vanderbilt and Tennessee split out both meetings this season. But going back a bit, the Volunteers have had their way with the Commodores, winning seven of the last 10 matchups. They will come in here a little fresher, having taking down the Tigers yesterday 72-62. Meanwhile Vanderbilt has not taken the floor since March 7. They did finish their regular season winning three of their last four games. But I feel they'll come in here a little bit rusty. Maybe they're only playing a short distance from their own campus, but Vanderbilt is in for a tough matchup here today. Take note Tennessee on both sides of the court is one of the best rebounding teams in college basketball. Then rank fourth on the offensive glass, and first on the defensive glass. They also own one of the most swarming and frustrating defenses not just in the SEC, but across the land. They are just as good at defending in the paint as they are defending from downtown. And that will be the difference in this matchup. Take the Volunteers. Thank you.

Florida.

This will be Kentucky's third game played in 48 hours. While they beat LSU and Missouri over the last two games, they are certainly stepping up in class. Please remember this team has struggled down the stretch dropping five of their last nine straight up, and three of their last four against the number. Meanwhile, Florida enters this matchup well rested and running hot. The Gators come in here not having taken the court since March 7, and rolling, riding an 11-game SU winning streak, covering nine of those 11 contests. These two conference rivals met twice this season, with the earlier meeting on Valentine's Day as Florida prevailed at home 92-83. The later matchup was on March 7 on the road, with once again the Gators prevailing, 84-77. Maybe they only won by nine-points and seven-points, but this is a much difference situation. The Wildcats are certainly stepping up in class significantly, and once again playing their third game in 48 hours. This will take its toll on this team. With one of the most explosive offenses in college basketball, a very frustrating defense, the best offensive rebuilding core in the nation, and one of the stingiest in the nation on the defensive boards, I feel Florida will come out here and make a statement. Take the Gators. Thank you.

Joe D will CRUSH THE BOOKS today in CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT play: SEC EARLY WINNER, UT/VANDY WINNER, (5-1 RUN) LAS VEGAS STRIP MOVE, and my BIG GAME 9-1 BIG TEN BEATDOWN. Follow me today, ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!

Friday’s FREE WINNER: Michigan State Spartans.

Game 812.

6:00 PM PST/9:00 PM EST.

Amassing 20-wins in college basketball is a very respectable feat. The UCLA Bruins are 22-10 this season. They enter today's game winning and covering three straight, and five of their last six overall outings. But something we know about the Bruins; they lose a little luster when they travel. This season at home they own a 17-1 record. When they travel, they fall way short. These two teams met approximately one month ago as Michigan State devoured UCLA in East Lansing, 82-59. The Spartans come into today's game well-rested having not taken the court since March 8. They own a 25-6 overall record, covering 17 of 31 lined games this season. They are no stranger to playing in Illinois. As a matter of fact, this is just a short trip for MSU, a little over 200 miles away from home. You're going to see a lot of green shirts in the stands in this matchup. Having a very favorable crowd will certainly boost the Spartans, who finished with a 15-5 conference record this season. With the bigger, stronger frontcourt, I expect Michigan State to devour UCLA on the boards here with their 11th-ranked offensive rebounding core, and their fifth-ranked defensive rebuilding core. Please remember that they own a top-25 defense overall, and will contain the Bruins outside shooting, an area UCLA heavily relies upon. They come in here with fresher legs, the confidence of knowing they picked apart this opponent. Take MSU. Thank you.

UCLA.

It's one thing to win. It's another thing to cover. While Purdue is a very talented basketball team, they have failed to cover five of their last six games. Meanwhile, UCLA has covered four in a row and six of their last seven contests. I doubt very much they're in a letdown situation today following yesterday's beat down of Michigan State. Please remember the Bruins took down the Boilermakers in the only matchup this season back in the third week of January at home, 69-67. I don't see Purdue coming in here with vengeance trying to redeem themselves from that earlier season lost. I see this team, which is one of the better teams in the nation on the boards, having trouble once again in this matchup with UCLA's size. On the first meeting, they only outrebounded the Bruins 25-23. The Boilermakers are very good from beyond the arc, but so is UCLA, which also happens to be better at defending the three-point line. This game will be much closer than the pointspread. Take the Bruins. Thank you.

Wisconsin

With all respect to Michigan, who I do feel is one of the best teams in the nation, they have played a lot of top teams and might at this point be a little tired from the long season. The one thing about the Wolverines, at least lately they have not covered, going 1-5 ATS their last six outings. Meanwhile, Wisconsin enters this matchup winning five in a row and eight of the last 10 SU, which includes covers in four of their last five outings. Just to let you guys know, the last four matchups between the two conference rivals have been separated by 4, 3, 6, and 3-points. While I feel Michigan is a better team on paper and certainly can rebound with any team in college basketball, I just think this is way too many points. Take the Badgers. Thank you.