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There are moments in an NBA season that you store in the memory banks for the turn around match up. Earlier this season in January Phoenix played at Brooklyn and seemed destined for a competitive second half. They had a lead at halftime and had played about as well as a road team could. Then came the third quarter and things unraveled in embarassing fashion. Phoenix which had a seven point lead at halftime, burned that away as Brooklyn went on a 24-6 run.

It was one of the worst second halfs of any team in the season, and the Suns scored just 26 points. Alvin Gentry’s walking papers probably started getting drafted that night.

This time around I think the Suns will have a little payback on their minds. Though Brooklyn covered last night and have been playing solid basketball, this is one of those underdog opportunities I like.

Take the 5.5 points which may move to 6 by game time.

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Last week I posted a four team moneyline parlay that cashes big for readers. Yesterday’s free play was an outright winner with Florida Gulf Coast over Georgetown. These are giveaways to show you how consistent you can win with daily plays.

Brooklyn is starting to play not just better but more in sync and cohesive on the basketball court. Any time you face a team with superior athleticism you have to have communication from all five players in the court. Deron Williams has regained his confidence and will be up for the challenge in Los Angeles.

Vegas is always going to tilt the line a bit for a home high caliber team such as the Clippers. It’s too many points to not gravitate towards Brooklyn

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Thus far in the tournament there have not been too many surprises that jump out at you. You could say the twelve seed victories are upsets but evaluating those teams on the basis of their season would discount the word “upset”. Seeding is seeding and tough matchups present themselves as a result. It does not matter if it is a sixteen seed versus a one seed or a seventh vs a tenth seed.

Today’s free play comes with from a game that everyone has circled as a team that could make a run in Georgetown. The Hoyas stormed to the finish line in the Big East with hard nosed defense and the rising offensive play of Otto Porter. Porter played like an upper classmen and carried the Hoyas on his shoulder and bestowed confidence in the team.

Tournament time though I do not believe the Hoyas will last too long. They have a short bench with Greg Whittington having been suspended for quite awhile, and the offensive deficiencies will arise in the tournament. Markell Starks and and Smith-Rivera are two capable guards that can create off the bounce, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Inside Nate Lubick does the little things but can be left unguarded because he is not going to make a basket unless it’s at the rim. Porter is only a sophomore and the big stage could cause him to struggle at least for a half.

Expect Florida Gulf Coast to play right there with Georgetown. 13.5 is too many points as I do not expect Georgetown to eclipse 55 points.

Free Play: Florida Gulf Coast Plus 13.5

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Line -14

A strong line in the NFL and even NBA tends to suck lots of money on the favorites and into the backroom of sportsbooks. A hot team shoud stay hot with ease correct? That’s the thinking that leads to trouble. Once in awhile though there are opportunities that should be pounced on even on large spreads.

Tonights matchup for Denver I believe is one of those. Their high tempo offense and opportunisitic transition defense leads to easy run out baskets. Philadelphia is coming off a beat down last night in Los Angeles. With Denver already on their own double digit win streak, they should come out firing early and often.

This is one of those games that can get out of hand right out the gate, and I believe it will. By halftime Denver should be up well past the current line of 14. You may think that means difficulties for a second half lull and backdoor cover. That shouldn’t be an issue. The tank is well past E for the 76ers and there will not be a second half push. Expect Doug Collins to have his bench emptied early as they prepare for back to back road games Sunday and Monday at Sacramento and Utah.

Play Denver 1st Half and Game

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Two years ago I called it on the UConn Huskies in late February to win the National Championship. Last year was a close call with Louisville who came into the tournament as 40-1 odds and had a shot to beat Kentucky in the final four. This year they came in as favorites and are entering the tournament as so with a strong Big East tournament once again.

I believe this year will once again prove to be a heck of a tournament with some surprise teams to consider.

Top Conferences By Rank
1. Big Ten
2. Big East
3. Atlantic 10
4. Mountain West
5. ACC
6. Pac-12

Syracuse 35-1-
I’m shocked that Syracuse has continued to rise from an odds stand point. Maybe there is insider information on a possible suspension before the tournament like last year with Fab Melo. We know that James Southerland missed some time clearing up an academic issue, hopefully that is 100 percent cleared. At 35-1, Syracuse presents the best overall value from a strong top fifteen to twenty team. The zone defense is always good to have and I truly do not believe teams in their eastern bracket are as strong as perceived. Indiana, Butler, and Miami.

The threat with Syracuse is always if they have to face a Big East team in the tournament. The committee did a great job on making sure that wouldn’t happen in the second round. Those teams know how to attack the zone as they face it year after year. I’ll be shocked if teams do not struggle against their attack zone and trap zone. Offensively they’ve come back to life and are getting sudden strong play from Rakeem Christmas and Baye Keita inside.

Do not forget about Brandon Triche. There is no player in the country that has more experience on the big stage than Triche. He is a four year starter at Syracuse, and has been a part of several noteworthy Cuse teams. His freshman year was the season they lost to Butler after Arinze Onuaku went down in the Big East tournament. His sophomore year they suffered a very tough loss on a blown call for a backcourt violation in the final minute to Marquette. Last year they went to the Elite 8. Both Triche and Southerland have been on all of those teams, and CJ Fair (junior) has had a significant role as well. Experience will be key for them as an advantage. It always helps having a former player/coach like Gerry McNamara on the sidelines as well.

Temple- 200-1
I’ve loved Temple’s team all season long, and believe they have underachieved from a talent standpoint worse than any team in the country. They have the depth and strong play from every position to make a big push in the tournament. Check odds on them in your local sportsbook for Sweet 16 and Elite 8 odds. In the tournament you look for that “it” factor player. Khalif Wyatt is that type for Temple. He can create and lead his team to victory when he wants.

During the season Temple had a problem playing down to their competition in some puzzling losses. But they also play up to the higher rated competition as well. Defeating Syracuse at Madison Square Garden and narrowly losing to Kansas at Kansas. Big man Jake O’Brien can stretch teams with his ability to shoot three pointers, and Anthony Lee is a tough nosed lengthy big man that plays hard all his minutes.

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson can be a tough matchup for several teams. What is another big factor for Temple is their depth especially in the back court. Dalton Pepper a transfer from West Virginia provides solid minutes and on the ball defense. The senior cast of O’Brien, Wyatt, TJ Dileo, Hollis-Jefferson and Scootie Randall are unmatched in the tournament. A strong win in the second round over Indiana could give them the mental edge of belief.

My Overall Favorite: Michigan State—15-1
Sometimes all it takes is the right matchups to get you to the final four. From there coaching and the will to win take over. Michigan State has the coach in Tom Izzo and the nucleus of players to get the job done. They were bounced from their conference tournament early and many have probably cancelled them out as possible champs. When you have a team that plays strong defense like Michigan State game in and game out, you have to give that team an extra star and check mark over other teams.

Coach Izzo will have his team ready and I do not believe any other top four seed has an easier path to the final four.

Other teams to consider
San Diego State- 300-1
Another regular season under performing team, but they have the talent on the court to perform. From this year to next March I do not think there is another team in the country that makes a stronger leap in seeding than SD State. I expect them to be no lower than a three seed next season.

New Mexico- 20-1
Outside the Power Six Conferences no one is getting as much attention as New Mexico. In a tough Mountain West Conference this season they delivered. I have them right below Temple outside the Power Six.

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So Kobe is a game time decision at 9am PT. The ten point spread for the Pacers is on high alert just and will sink rapidly. I’ll have more insight via twitter as more news comes out.

In college today there are plenty of games to key in on. I’ll start off in the PAC-12 which I believe has had the most exciting games thus far in conference tournament play. UCLA against Arizona is a curious line and intriguing matchup. Arizona is favored by four but I believe that’ll move down a half point. Grab UCLA as this game should come down to the wire. Arizona just does not pull away from teams. Shabazz Muhammed is back in his home town and will put on a show.

Another matchup I like is UMASS in the underdog role vs Temple. Temple may be playing their best basketball now but that was during a stretch that they had to win. Now that they’ve solidified a tournament berth, will the inconsistent Owls rear their heads once again? UMASS matches up well and has a chance for the outright upset.

Possible moneyline parlay

UMASS, UCLA, Lakers, and Maryland. Huge return.