UConn Sflorida

South Florida at Connecticut

2/21/09

By 5dimes.com

We are less than a month away from Selection Sunday (March 15) and the tip-off to March Madness. As the countdown to the Big Dance starts, the intensity level for all teams is turned up, even those with an invite already assured.

UConn is one such team. The #1 ranked Huskies will be looking to shake off a loss to the #4 ranked Pitt Panthers when they face South Florida on Saturday.

As the week began, UConn found themselves ranked No. 1 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls but they didn’t justify the top-ranking when they lost to Pitt by a final of 76-68.

5dimes.com had UConn listed as a 3-point favorite when the Game tipped off and reported pretty even betting action on it from (57% of the volume was on UConn) in their largest wagered on Game of the week so far.

The next rankings won’t be released until Monday, so UConn still has time to make amends for the flub against the Panthers, but it will be interesting to see what Monday’s new rankings hold them, even if they do blow South Florida of the cOurt.

Although UConn and South Florida are on opposite ends of the Big East standings (UConn is obviously at the top and USF is third-last), the Huskies are only 1-2 ATS in their last three meetings with the Bulls.

The nation’s consensus No. 1 team hasn’t been a profitable play for sports bettors in their last nine home Games heading into this matchup. They have failed to cover the spread in six of those nine starts in front of their home fans.

Looking at the Over/Under numbers in UConn’s last nine home Games, they have recorded 3 overs and 6 unders.

South Florida is an atrocious 2-18 straight up in their last 20 road Games, but have managed to reach .500 against the spread, posting a 10-10 ATS mark in those starts.

Should UConn falter, it will be the perfect opportunity for the Oklahoma basketball Sooners, who are the consensus No. 2 team in the nation, to garner top-spot consideration.

Oklahoma vs. Texas

The #2 ranked Sooners will play Big 12 and territorial rival, the Texas Longhorns in Texas on Saturday.

Despite being the second-best team in NCAA hoops, Oklahoma has struggled somewhat in Texas going 6-9 ATS in the last 15 road Games against the Longhorns (they are 7-9 straight up in their last 16 visits to Texas).

In the last seven Games overall against Texas, Oklahoma is once again behind the proverbial 8-ball with a record of 1-6 SU and ATS.

However, in the last nine road Games overall, Oklahoma is 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS including a five-Game SU and ATS win streak.

Online sportsbooks will be busy writing tickets on this tilt, as it will be one of the biggest wagered on Games of the weekend.

North Carolina vs. Maryland

Ranked No. 3 and sitting atop the ultra-competitive ACC, the North Carolina Tar Heels will look to improve on their 10-2 Conference with a Game at Maryland against the Terrapins.

While UNC is one of the favorites to take the NCAA men’s hoops title this year, it hasn’t been profitable against the Terps on the road going 5-8 ATS in their last 13 Games at Maryland.

Total bettors take note: in the last 14 Games overall between these two teams, they have produced 10 overs and 4 unders.

The weekend if stacked full of big matchups…enjoy all the Games.

Online sports book 5dimes.com has all the lines, plus great bonuses and promotions running. Check them out.