Deadlines and headlines
It’s going to be a busy morning here at VSiN as we prep for Round 2 of the NCAA Tournament.
The deadline for the Circa College Hoops Challenge is 10 a.m. ET with six plays per contestant for the Saturday and Sunday second-round games. The picks will be posted here on VSiN.com shortly after the deadline. Texas pro handicapper Paul Stone leads the field of 15 handicappers with a 20-12 record (5-0 on Best Bets). Paul will join host Tim Murray on the VSiN Weekend Morning Line (10 a.m.-1 p.m. ET).
The deadline for the VSiN March Bracket Challenge is 11:30 a.m. ET with 10 plays per contestant for the weekend second-round games. The leader has a 17-3 record in the field of 3,216 entrants. The “betting splits” will be posted here on VSiN.com shortly after the deadline. If you want to see how VSiN staffers played today’s menu in the Bracket Challenge, go here.
As ATS record-keeper Dave Tuley reports: Favorites went 13-3 SU and 10-6 ATS on Friday to finish the first round of NCAA Tournament at 25-7 SU and 19-13 ATS (59.4%); Unders dominated 12-4 on Friday and improved to 21-11 (65.6%).
It was a Madness-level Friday night at Circa, but well worth the lost sleep. VSiN hosts Stormy Buonantony, Matt Youmans and Jonathan Von Tobel were hanging out to watch the late games. Sports betting luminaries Steve Fezzik and Rufus Peabody made appearances. Not to be outdone, though, was professional bettor Sean “No Chop” Perry, who showed up at “The Secret Bar” (in the second-floor high-limit room) to discuss his career aspirations with Circa owner Derek Stevens. (Sean apparently has a videographer accompany him around town.) I won’t get into what was said, but I did admire Derek’s restraint in the face of asshattery.
8 second-round previews
We have previews for every game and I’ve included links to our matchup pages, which include lines, ATS records, splits and picks (for VSiN Pro subscribers).
>Purdue vs. McNeese (12:10 pm ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup
>Arkansas vs. St. John’s (2:40 pm ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup
>Michigan vs. Texas A&M (5:15 pm ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup
>Drake vs. Texas Tech (6:10 pm ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup
>Auburn vs. Creighton (7:10 pm ET, TBS). Preview / Matchup
>Wisconsin vs. BYU (7:45 pm ET, CBS). Preview / Matchup
>Houston vs. Gonzaga (8:40 pm ET, TNT). Preview / Matchup
>Tennessee vs. UCLA (9:40 pm ET, TBS). Preview / Matchup
This is the magic link: Previews, betting strategies and resources in one place.
Picks & Best Bets
>Greg Peterson‘s top plays (coming soon)
>Adam Burke (later this morning)
Artie “The Swami” Alonzo weighs in after picking Illinois (-3.5) to go 3-0 as the VSiN fan contributor:
Houston -5.5: HC Kelvin Sampson and Houston have a history of not getting past this round. He has a team that I would argue has the most rugged, relentless, and elite effort on every possession in the country. As much as I respect HC Mark Few, he doesn’t have the players for this game. To be blunt, they are too soft and will fold under the relentless Houston attack. And you gotta remember now, unlike past Houston teams, this team can score also! I love the Cougars here to not only win, but make a statement!
>VSiN Pro picks for the tournament
Tyler Shoemaker has Best Bets for the women’s tournament games today.
Prepping for the Derby
VSiN At The Track: Road to the Kentucky Derby made its debut Friday.
VSiN host Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman of RacingDudes.com cover their Kentucky Derby Top 5 and darkhorses, plus they preview today’s prep races (Jeff Ruby Stakes and Louisiana Derby).
>Here is a link to the replay.
VSiN At The Track will be a regular weekly series through the Derby and the other Triple Crown races.
Mike will post a story on the prep races later this morning.
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Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen will have his plays later this morning.
NHL: Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later, too.
Tennis: Zach has posted his plays for today’s action at the Miami Open.
UFC: Lou Finocchiaro offers his Best Bets for the UFC card in London today. Britton Hess will have his picks for every bout later this morning.
MLB: The season opens Thursday. Adam Burke previews every team with his prediction on the season win total.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Saturday, March 22. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
