Tonight's NBA Picks

By Dan Rodgers

There are a few NBA games going on tonight that I've taken an interest in. Hopefully, you stopped by yesterday and saw both of my winners.

Detroit Pistons @ Denver Nuggets -8.5 = One thing I've learned is that home teams tend to cover a lot more than road teams. In this case, we've got a good team playing at home against a bad team. Not to mention the Nuggets are getting Wilson Chandler back, and he should provide a spark for the team. You all should know how much I think the Pistons suck, and even though they aren't as bad as Washington, Charlotte and New Orleans, I don't see them keeping it close. INCORRECT - sorry I can't predict Ben Gordon dropping 45 points and shooting 9/9 from three.

I'm going to shoot for another sweetheart 8-point teaser:

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Atlanta Hawks +.5 = There is no reason for the Hawks to lose at home to the Cavs. They are clearly the better team and this game just fit perfectly in the sweetheart. CORRECT

Phoenix Suns @ Orlando Magic -.5 = This game fits in perfectly as well. The Suns just gave everything they had last night to beat the Heat and somehow blew the lead. The Magic should come out looking to have a good offensive game since they got embarrassed last night and they should take care of business tonight at home. CORRECT

Chicago Bulls +.5 @ Toronto Raptors = This is another game that just fit perfectly. The Bulls are the far superior team and there is no reason for them to not beat up on a weak Toronto team. CORRECT

Good luck tonight everyone.

Rodgers That

CBB Lite

By Dan Rodgers

Today there aren't too many games, but a lot of the games are good ones. I'm going to start with Memphis. They play the smoking hot Marshall.

Marshall @ Memphis -12 = The Thundering Herd destroyed Southern Methodist and beat Tulsa in three overtimes before a convincing 9-point win over Southern Miss. A lot of people are picking Marshall because they are so hot, but I think they are going to run out of gas. I expect them to hang with the Tigers early and for Memphis to pull away in the second half. The Tigers are also hot, and playing at home. Memphis has won six in a row, all by double digits, and is shooting lights out this season (fifth in nation in FG%). CORRECT

I'll be back in a bit and post more games...

I like Ohio State, Michigan didn't play very well yesterday. The 7.5 is a bit high, but the pick would definitely be them - CORRECT. I also like Missouri (-3) over Baylor.

Colorado vs. Arizona -3.5 = The Wildcats beat the Buffaloes by 14 in the regular season. I think they are clearly the better team and couldn't believe that the line was so low. I don't have much else to say other than I think Colorado much struggle offensively. I think this is an easy win. INCORRECT

Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt -6.5 = Vandy destroyed Ole Miss by 26 in the regular season. They are coming off of a 22-point win over Georgia, and I can't figure out for the life of my why this line isn't bigger. I don't see any reason why Vandy doesn't give us a repeat performance for an easy win. CORRECT

I'm going to try to hit a sweetheart teaser because the lines work so well:

NC State vs. UNC -1 = Bringing this line down to one is what makes this so damn appealing. The Wolfpack has been playing well recently but I don't see anyway they can beat UNC. The Tarheels are smoking right now and looking to leave no doubt that they deserve a No. 1 seed in the tournament. CORRECT

Massachusetts +11.5 vs. St. Bonaventure = UMass has just been playing really well the last few games and I don't see this one turning into a blowout. I'm not too well versed on these two A-10 teams, but getting 11.5 after UMass beat the Bonnies outright earlier in the season sounds good to me. CORRECT

Wisconsin +12 vs. Michigan State = I usually don't like picking against the Spartans because they are such a dangerous team. However, the Badgers have been playing incredibly well as of recent and I think their tough defense will keep them in this game. INCORRECT - The Badgers cut the lead to 11 with 20 seconds left and for some reason felt the need to foul. MSU made both to make the lead 13. Wisconsin missed a three and a layup after getting the offensive rebound... a very brutal way to lose.

I'll be back later with some NBA.

There isn't much I like in the NBA tonight, because all of the bad teams are on the road playing good teams and the spreads are huge.

Utah Jazz @ Chicago Bulls -11 = I know this is a big spread, but I made a play against the Jazz last night and it paid off. As I said last night, Utah is an awful road team and they lost by 13 in Philly yesterday. There is no reason for them to not be dominated again tonight by the Bulls. CORRECT

Also, I like the UNDER 197 in the OKC/Charlotte game. Charlotte has trouble scoring anyway and five of the Thunder's last seven games have gone under. INCORRECT

Rodgers That

Some love for the USA

By Dan Rodgers

While MLB heads for the final stretch and the NFL gets ready to kick off, many people have pushed the NBA to the back of their minds. While it might stay there, don't forget to give some love to the U.S.A. team that is competing in the 2010 FIBA World Championships.

While the "superstar" names aren't playing, there are still quite a few young stars that are competing. Headlining the team is Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant. Playing along side him include: Durant's OKC teammate Russell Westbrook, Chicago's Derrick Rose, and Memphis' Rudy Gay, among others.

U.S.A. is 2-0, tied atop their pool with Brazil. Their wins, both by double-digits, were over Croatia and Slovenia.

This post is probably not necessary because, as usual, we will probably dominate most teams and come away with the championship or gold medal, etc. Nevertheless, these guys deserve credit, and I'll come back with another update in a few days.

Rodgers That

Wade, Bosh Heating up

By Dan Rodgers

ESPN reported that according to a source with knowledge of the situation, Dwayne Wade will resign with Miami and he will have a new playmate in former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh.

This move isn't a surprise, or shouldn't be, to anyone. It was fairly anticipated that Wade wanted to resign in Miami with the assumption that the Heat would being in another big name to play along side him.

This will have a fairly large impact on LeBron James' decision because now we now he won't go to Miami and he may not stay in Cleveland. James was lobbying for the Cavs to sign Bosh which could have guaranteed him staying in Cleveland. Now, he may be inclined to head to Chicago or New York.

The Bulls already have a good supporting cast with Rose, Deng and Noah. The Knicks just signed Stoudemire and will give LeBron the Garden if that's what it takes to get him. Should be interesting; tune in tomorrow night to the LeBron James special on ESPN at 9 PM.

Rodgers That

Slide over Gil

By Dan Rodgers

No surprise to anyone the Washington Wizards selected John Wall first over in the 2010 NBA Draft. We expect the Wiz to ask Gilbert Arenas to slide over and play shooting guard. If Gil does so, and does so well then the Wizards could surprise people and make the playoffs next season.

The 76ers followed by taking Evan Turner...oh gosh...another surprise...

Some pretty weird stuff going on though...Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe fell to Oklahoma City at 18 and James Anderson fell to number 20 (he was projected 10).

Teams are proposing trades like crazy...reports that Oklahoma City is looking to trade Eric Bledsoe to the Clippers and get Cole Aldrich from the Hornets. There are also reports of the Bulls trading players to the Wizards to relieve cap room.

If any of the trades actually go through or any other crazy stuff happens...I'll report back.

Rodgers That

The King of where?

By Dan Rodgers

This is just an introductory post to what is going to happen this summer. What many are saying is the most impressive free agent class in NBA history.

The Cleveland Cavaliers lost last night in the conference semi-finals to the Boston Celtics. That means that LeBron James, along with the rest of the Cavs player's, season is over. Which means that in a month and a half, LBJ will become a free agent along with players: Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh to name a few.

Now, since this is an intro post, all I'm going to say is that by rule the Cavaliers can only offer a maximum deal of six years worth around $125 million. Any other team is only allowed to go as high as five years worth around $95 million. So the Cavs to have the edge, or do they?

Other teams mentioned to be interested are the Knicks, Bulls, Nets, and Clippers. All of those teams have some reason that would be good for LBJ, but we are just going to leave it at that for now. Check back later in the summer for more on this historic free agent class.

Rodgers That

See you next week

Hey everyone,

Just so you know, I will be heading off this weekend to a retreat with my fraternity brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and have no worry that we will crank out some posts as soon as I return on Sunday. Here are some things you might want to think about over the weekend:

• The Rangers battle the Flyers for the eight seed in the NHL Playoff Race. The two teams also play each other for their final two games. Should be a great end to the season.
• The NFL Draft continues to creep up on us...
• The MLB season completes week one...gotta love my Yankees taking two out of three in Boston to open the season
  
• The NBA season heads to the final stretch and the playoff race tightens. Look out for the Bulls and Raptors to battle for the eight seed in the East.
  

Upset...Saturday?

By Dan Rodgers

This Saturday was just absolutely filled with upsets...and I'm not just talking about one sport.

NCAAB:

(1) Kansas 77 - 85 Oklahoma State
(2) Kentucky 65 - 74 (17) Tennessee
(11) BYU 81 - 83 (12) New Mexico
(13) Georgetown 64 - 78 Notre Dame
(21) Texas 58 - 74 (23) Texas A&M

NBA:

Celtics 96 - 104 Nets
Heat 71 - 94 Bucks
Bulls 90 - 100 Pacers

Just thought I would comment because there was a ton of upsets today and I love them. Even though I am a big Kansas supporter...I like to see parody in sports so people will stop thinking that games are rigged or officials are paid off etc...

Rodgers That