RJ Bell's Dream Preview

Griffin Warner and Big East Ben break down all 8 games for the Sweet 16. The guys also give out best bets. 📌 Key Points📈 Big East Ben’s Bracket: Ranks 252nd on ESPN (top 0.1%) with 15/16 correct picks—only missed Arkansas (1:13).🧠 BYU Analysis: Shot 12/26 from 3, 15/16 FT vs. Wisconsin; strong frontcourt (Keita, Traore), but undersized vs. Alabama’s bigs like Cliff Amore (7:01).📉 Mark Sears Critique: Called inefficient and “garbage time” scorer—despite being Alabama’s spearhead (8:05).🩼 Grant Nelson Injury Watch: Improved in Round 2 but not 100% yet (8:45).🔥 Maryland’s Consistency: Largest loss all season is only 5 points; strong against spreads (16:21).🎯 Duke vs Arizona Mismatch: Ben criticizes Tommy Lloyd's in-game decisions vs Oregon (20:13). Griffin calls it a huge coaching mismatch favoring Duke's Jon Scheyer (21:44).💪 Texas Tech Praise: Ben touts JT Toppin’s dominance and Tech’s tactical shift against Drake (26:13).🔒 Michigan State Defense: #1 in 3PT defense; strong rebounding; Ben picks Sparty as his best bet (29:25).🔄 Tennessee vs Kentucky: Despite Kentucky sweeping regular season series, Ben says Otega Oweh replaces Jackson Robinson’s impact; both hosts pick Kentucky (+4) (33:19).📊 Stat Breakdown: BYU: 12/26 3PT, 15/16 FT vs Wisconsin. St. John’s: 2/22 3PT vs Arkansas. Arkansas: 2/19 3PT (26:04). Michigan State: Top 20 in rebounding & FT shooting (29:25). Mississippi: 317th in foul avoidance (29:25). 📘 Summary (Game-by-Game + Analysis) [0:14] Podcast Intro & Bracket BanterBen ranks #252/25M on ESPN. Missed only Arkansas for Sweet 16. Griffin is second in their group of 40.[6:51] BYU vs AlabamaBYU (+5.5) is hot—shooting well and strong frontcourt. Alabama underwhelmed vs. St. Mary’s. Sears deemed inefficient. Both hosts lean BYU.[10:05] Maryland vs FloridaQueen (Maryland) is impactful. Florida’s guard play strong but foul-prone. Both take Maryland (+6.5). Game could hinge on rebounding and tempo.[18:42] Arizona vs DukeArizona criticized for Tommy Lloyd’s passive coaching. Duke gets favorable whistles. Arizona has 3 NBA-level guards; Duke has coaching edge. Both like Arizona (+9.5).[25:25] Arkansas vs Texas TechTexas Tech praised for JT Toppin and tactical shift. Arkansas lucked out vs weak St. John's. Ben picks Tech (-5.5); Griffin stays loyal to Arkansas (+5.5).[29:25] Mississippi vs Michigan StateBen's best bet is Michigan State (-3.5), citing elite defense, rebounding, and foul shooting. Griffin hesitant, takes Mississippi (+3.5) for variance value.[31:07] Tennessee vs KentuckyKentucky swept regular season. Otega Oweh emerged as star. Both lean Kentucky (+4). Tennessee’s defense slipping (112 rating last 5 vs 99 season avg).[34:15] Michigan vs AuburnGriffin dislikes Auburn. Thinks Michigan could win outright. Picks Michigan (+8.5).[34:16] Purdue vs HoustonBen picks OVER (132.5), citing offensive growth. Griffin skeptical of Purdue’s scoring depth. Both imply Houston dominance possible.[35:36] Best Bets RecapBen’s best bet: Michigan State -3.5Griffin’s best bet: BYU +5.5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Griffin Warner talk NL Season preview. The guys discuss what they see happening in the national league this season. 📌 Key Points📊 Mets pitching issues: Clay Holmes as a starter is a major risk; Mets' success depends on pitching health.🔥 Braves’ injury curse: Despite talent, health concerns for Ronald Acuña Jr. and others cast doubts.⚡ Phillies' stability: Strong home record, elite rotation (Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez); Schwarber as DH is key.💣 Marlins tanking: 100-loss team with no offensive standout; Sandy Alcantara trade imminent.🔨 Nationals rebuilding: Young stars like CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews shine; over win total is a lean.📉 Brewers disrespected: 83.5 win total seems low for perennial winners; bullpen and young talent notable.🧨 Cubs overrated: Fragile rotation, Kyle Tucker injury concerns; team favored due to public support.🛑 Cardinals in decline: Aging stars, Arenado may be traded; under 76.5 wins is a sharp call.💫 Dodgers elite depth: Rotation goes 7-deep; minus-500 favorites for good reason.🚀 Padres upside: Elite offense; if Dylan Cease performs and they trade for Sandy, could challenge Dodgers.🧠 Summary Mets Breakdown: Griffin and Munaf (5:31) dissect the Mets' rotation concerns. Clay Holmes transitioning from closer to starter is risky, and injuries to Senga and others raise doubts about the 90.5 win total. They highlight strong hitters like Soto, Alonso, and Lindor but question if offense can carry them. Braves Analysis: (11:28) Braves projected at 93.5 wins. Griffin doubts their injury-prone roster—Acuña’s ACLs, Strider’s TJ surgery. Despite Chris Sale’s resurgence, the rotation and bullpen raise flags. Phillies Outlook: (16:05) Phillies win total ~91.5. Munaf praises their deep lineup (Schwarber, Castellanos, Harper) and consistent rotation led by Wheeler. Griffin notes road game underperformance but supports their division title hopes. Marlins & Nationals: (23:50) Marlins have the lowest expectations, with a -204 run differential in 2024 and no projected 15-HR hitter. Nationals, though unlikely contenders, feature an exciting young core and a competitive spirit under McKenzie Gore. NL Central: Brewers Dominance: (31:22) Brewers projected at 83.5 wins despite past consistency. Munaf and Griffin see value here, citing strong bullpen, Jackson Chourio’s emergence, and addition of Jose Quintana. Cubs Hype Questioned: (36:45) Analysts criticize the Cubs’ 86.5 win total. Injuries, suspect rotation, and overvalued acquisitions (e.g., Ryan Pressly) suggest underperformance. Cardinals Breakdown: (41:51) With a 76.5 win total, Griffin is bearish, especially if Sonny Gray is injured. Contreras moving to 1B shows dysfunction; Arenado trade rumors loom. Reds & Pirates: (45:43) Griffin sees Terry Francona helping Reds compete but doubts pitching. Pirates’ fate rests on Paul Skenes; team lacks power and depth—bet unders. Dodgers Overwhelming Favorites: (56:26) With a 103.5 win total, the Dodgers’ rotation (Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow) and bats (Ohtani, Freeman) make them a juggernaut. Munaf calls them better than their 2020 title-winning team. Padres & D-Backs: (59:35) Padres (85.5 wins) are Griffin’s dark horse due to a potent offense. D-backs (86.5 wins) add Corbin Burnes and have bullpen upside with Justin Martinez, but it's a tough division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Griffin Warner are getting ready for the new MLB 2025 season. The guys talk American League in this episode. Talk future wagers, division predictions and much more. The 2025 American League season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, especially in the AL East, where the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles are tightly packed in both talent and odds. The Central appears more top-heavy, with Cleveland underrated despite strong pitching depth, while the Royals and Tigers eye developmental leaps. The AL West showcases turmoil with the Angels and Athletics at the bottom, while the Astros aim to stay relevant despite shedding stars. Notably, injury concerns and bullpen strength dominate conversations. Betting-wise, the hosts take varied stances, with crossfires on the Red Sox and consistent skepticism around Toronto, the White Sox, and the Angels.🧠 Key Points📉 Pitching Depth Matters: Across all divisions, the theme is clear—strong rotations and bullpens are key to success in 2025.🔁 Astros in Transition: Once-dominant, Houston now faces identity challenges after major roster losses and conservative spending.💰 Betting Advice: Griffin leans Yankees (AL East), Guardians (AL Central), Mariners (AL West); Munaf favors Red Sox, Royals, and Rangers.🩹 Injury Watch: Concerns highlighted for key players like Rafi Devers, Shane McClanahan, George Kirby, and Royce Lewis.📊 Team Futures: Red Sox and Royals viewed as “sexy picks”; skepticism remains around the Blue Jays and Angels.🧱 Bullpen Builds: Teams like Cleveland, Houston, and Tampa Bay lean heavily on their deep bullpens for competitiveness.⚾ Player Watch: Bobby Witt Jr., Tariq Skubal, and J-Rod expected to be breakout or anchor stars.🚫 White Sox Warning: Set for another 100-loss season, lowest division odds at 250-to-1.📍 Division Dynamics: AL East parity at the top; Central has undervalued contenders; West features power shifts and rebuilding.📈 Win Totals to Watch: Griffin: Red Sox UNDER 87.5, Guardians OVER 81.5, Angels UNDER 72.5 Munaf: Blue Jays UNDER 78.5, Royals OVER 83.5, Athletics OVER 71.5 📝 Summary 🎧 Introduction & Setup: Munaf and Griffin introduce the preview (0:09-1:13), covering AL divisions, win totals, and best bets. 🌬️ AL East Overview: Griffin shares allergy woes before diving into favorites—Yankees (+135), Orioles (+270), Red Sox (+350), Rays (8-1), Jays (13-1) (1:14–3:31). 📈 Red Sox Rebuild & Bet Analysis: Griffin skeptical on Boston's leap; Munaf bullish due to pitching adds like Garrett Crochet and leadership by Bregman (4:00–10:04). ❗ Yankees Depth & Outlook: Injuries to Gerrit Cole and others discussed. Additions like Max Fried and Goldschmidt offer upside (12:43–17:34). 🧨 Orioles' Rotation & Regression Risk: Munaf flags lack of rotation depth and Gunnar Henderson’s injury (14:30–16:05). 🤕 Blue Jays & Fade Potential: Griffin critical of Toronto's trajectory and lack of an extension for Vlad Jr. (21:28–23:02). 🧂 Tampa Bay Rays at Home: A classic value team to back at home, despite McClanahan injury woes (24:03–25:35). 💎 AL Central Breakdown: Cleveland's bullpen gets heavy praise; Royals seen as ready to leap; Tigers and Twins raise durability concerns (26:36–45:31). 🔨 AL West Shake-Up: Astros lose key players, still favored. Rangers aim for a bounce back. A’s and Angels remain bottom feeders (48:13–1:07:20). 🎲 Best Bets & Division Picks Recap: Final segment with all win total picks and division winners by both hosts (1:12:52–1:16:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Griffin Warner and Big East Ben talk CBB betting for the Sunday March Madness card. March 22 “Need for Seeds” College Basketball Podcast with Griffin Warner and Big East Ben. The hosts began by analyzing Saturday’s Round of 32 losses and looking ahead to Sunday’s games. Griffin criticized Drake’s coach, McCollum, for failing to adjust to JT Toppin’s dominance against Texas Tech. Toppin shot 12-for-14, and Griffin mocked McCollum’s interview awkwardness and coaching rigidity. Ben echoed the criticism, pointing out McCollum ignored UNCW’s successful strategy. Both hosts agreed that Drake didn’t adapt defensively, and Griffin admitted only realizing in hindsight how stagnant their scheme was.Ben joked about BYU's Dawson Baker delivering an “all-time nut shot” and mentioned that the Badgers were too slow to capitalize. He then criticized how NIL and transfers have gutted mid-majors, shifting power toward elite programs and killing underdog stories. Griffin responded by saying the tournament is now a “favorites paradise,” and even good underdogs struggled to win outright. Both were frustrated by end-of-game scenarios and failed covers, especially in games like Gonzaga’s push, which involved pointless fouls and missed final shots.Griffin and Ben moved through Sunday’s betting card. On UConn vs. Florida, Ben confidently picked Florida -9, foreseeing a blowout and possibly a Danny Hurley ejection. Griffin leaned UConn +9 due to line value but acknowledged Florida’s strengths and UConn’s inconsistency. On Baylor vs. Duke, Griffin liked Baylor’s shooters and athletes but warned Duke’s size could overwhelm them. Ben thought the game total (143.5) was low and envisioned Duke pulling away late. Both agreed Baylor needed to slow the game to stay close.In Illinois vs. Kentucky, Ben leaned under 170, doubting either team’s consistency. Griffin took Illinois -2, citing Kentucky’s softness and reliance on threes. He admitted the pick wasn’t strong but viewed it as a better side. On Alabama vs. St. Mary’s, Ben said Alabama would “run them off the court,” calling St. Mary’s “slow as molasses.” He compared Alabama to a better version of Vanderbilt, who nearly beat St. Mary’s. Griffin backed under 149 instead, saying Alabama would control pace and St. Mary’s couldn’t score enough.The Colorado State vs. Maryland game had Ben predicting a blowout win for Maryland due to their size and physicality. Griffin was cautious but took over 143, sensing a closer game. On Ole Miss vs. Iowa State, both liked Ole Miss +5.5. Ben even predicted a straight-up win, noting Iowa State’s injuries and offensive issues. Griffin agreed, citing better health and shooting depth for Ole Miss.For New Mexico vs. Michigan State, Ben dismissed New Mexico’s reliance on offensive rebounds, which wouldn’t work against Michigan State’s bigs. He backed Michigan State -7.5. Griffin partially disagreed, saying Marquette’s Stevie Mitchell was a tougher defender than MSU’s guards. Still, he acknowledged that New Mexico’s lack of shooting and depth made them vulnerable and chose under 148.5.Player comments included praise for JT Toppin’s efficiency, criticism of Frederick King’s brief poor performance, and debates over players like David Joplin, Chase Ross, and Solo Ball. BYU’s Keita and Traore were highlighted for overpowering Wisconsin inside. The hosts also joked about coaching rumors, NIL finances, and players’ tournament trajectories. Ben cited his bracket ranking in the 99.9th percentile but attributed that to picking mostly favorites. Griffin reflected on how betting underdogs but picking favorites in brackets led to regret.They wrapped the show with their best bets: Ben took Alabama -5.5, while Griffin preferred the under in the same game. They offered a $25 promo code “survive to five” and teased their Sweet 16 coverage and tournament merch. Their contrasting picks reflect different philosophies—Ben trusting elite talent, Griffin seeking value against inflated lines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Griffin Warner and Big East Ben break down the second round of the big dance Saturday games. Best Bets as always🎯 Conclusion: Deep Dive into Tournament DramaThe second round lacked the electrifying upsets of prior years, but hosts Griffin and Ben remained fully engaged, diving into underdog surges (like UNC Wilmington and Drake), Big Ten dominance, and star performances (e.g., Kalkbrenner for Creighton, Graham E.K. for Gonzaga). Multiple games highlighted coaching challenges and team inconsistencies, while bold predictions were made against favorites like Houston and BYU. Best bets included Wisconsin and Michigan, based on matchups and perceived advantages in athleticism and game prep. Tensions around McNeese coach Will Wade’s pending departure added a storyline twist.📌 Key Points🎯 McNeese vs. Clemson: Clemson struggled offensively; McNeese’s defense and energy early gave them an edge (6:10–7:01).📉 Underwhelming Early Tournament: No standout buzzer-beaters or iconic first-round moments (0:43–2:10).💪 Texas Tech vs. UNC Wilmington: UNC Wilmington’s comeback exposed Texas Tech’s lack of offensive identity (14:00–15:50).🔥 Wisconsin's Resilience: Ben emphasized Big Ten toughness and picked Wisconsin over BYU, citing defensive advantage and altitude acclimation (19:13–22:07).🏀 Drake’s Cohesion: Flawless execution against Missouri earns high praise; picked as strong underdog vs. Texas Tech (15:16–16:30).😤 UConn vs. Oklahoma: First UConn deficit in years; brutal non-cover due to late-game sequence (2:11–2:41).🧱 Creighton vs. Auburn: Kalkbrenner expected to dominate defensively; Creighton picked to cover nine points (17:01–18:58).📉 Big East Struggles: Both hosts voiced disappointment in Big East showings; fading teams like St. John’s and Liberty (9:43–10:17).📈 Gonzaga Upset Watch: Gonzaga seen as a live dog vs. Houston due to injuries and offensive momentum (22:51–24:53).🎤 Will Wade’s McNeese: Storyline intrigue as Wade leads McNeese while prepping for his NC State job (35:00–36:00).🧠 Summary Breakdown Tournament Lacks Signature Moments: Ben opens with disappointment over the absence of iconic first-round games, unlike prior years like Furman–Virginia or Pegues' buzzer-beater for Auburn. Clemson vs. McNeese Breakdown: Griffin and Ben analyze Clemson's shooting woes and McNeese's defensive switch-ups; Wade’s zone defense may not work against Purdue. Purdue & UConn Analysis: Purdue expected to overpower McNeese; UConn's narrow cover fails due to late turnovers and missed shots. St. John’s vs. Arkansas Preview: Arkansas praised for facing stronger competition; both pick Arkansas to cover +7.5 against a less physical St. John’s. Michigan vs. Texas A&M Insight: A&M’s reliance on putbacks and free throws called out; Michigan favored due to interior presence and superior backcourt. Texas Tech’s Offense Exposed: Hawkins’ reckless play and overreliance on threes led to UNCW comeback; Drake picked to cover +7 due to system discipline. Creighton’s Size Advantage: Kalkbrenner's dominance inside expected to stifle Auburn; hosts back Creighton +9 confidently. Big Ten Love, BYU Disrespect: Heated debate as Ben champions Big Ten physicality; Griffin defends BYU’s multidimensional offense vs. Wisconsin. Gonzaga vs. Houston Battle: Both agree on Gonzaga’s upset potential with E.K. and strong perimeter shooting; Houston’s Juwan Roberts injury factor. UCLA vs. Tennessee Analysis: Tennessee’s defense earns respect, but UCLA’s balanced attack wins Griffin’s pick; game total debated due to both teams’ strengths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers talk NBA Friday betting. The guys have been hot and offer up some best bets. 📌 ConclusionIn this episode, Munaf and Mackenzie examined critical late-season developments as teams head toward playoff positioning. They highlighted the Miami Heat's dramatic collapse (10-game losing streak), the red-hot surge of the Houston Rockets (winners of 8 straight), and provided in-depth betting angles for upcoming matchups. Munaf leaned under on Miami’s season wins and praised Houston’s defensive surge, while Mackenzie spotlighted the Pistons as a surprise powerhouse. Both experts agreed on key best bets, notably favoring Detroit against the Mavericks. Their analysis was rooted in recent team trends, internal player dynamics, and implications for playoff outcomes. This episode was structured by timestamps, aligning insights to specific game discussions.🔑 Key Points📉 Miami Heat collapse: Lost 10 straight; worst offensive team since All-Star break.🔥 Houston Rockets surge: 8-game win streak; #2 seed in West; +12.1 net rating last 5 games.📊 Munaf’s Best Bet: Pistons team total over 121.5 vs Mavericks, based on Dallas’ collapsing defense.🧠 Mackenzie’s Best Bet: Pistons -5.5 first half, based on strong ATS and early-game performance metrics.🏀 Bam Adebayo regression: Now a negative offensive player, per estimated plus-minus.🛠️ Cavs-Suns Analysis: Munaf leans Cavs team total over; Mackenzie leans Suns (motivational spot).📈 Clippers-Grizzlies: Clippers favored by 3.5 without Ja Morant; lean Clippers 1H ATS due to Grizzlies' poor early-game stats.🎯 Coach of the Year Discussion: Kenny Atkinson still favorite despite Cavs losses; Draymond Green campaign boosts DPOY candidacy.💡 Pregame.com Promo: Code “DUNK25” for $25 off any package; offers value for March Madness and NBA playoff bets.📉 Dallas Mavericks stats: Worst defense in NBA over last 5 games (127.3 rating); allowed 122+ points in 10 straight games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Griffin Warner and Big East Ben talk CBB EAST Region betting. The guys are locked and loaded for March Madness and offer up best bets. Summary: CBB East Region Games Preview + Best Bets This document provides an in-depth analysis of the NCAA tournament's East Region, featuring expert insights, predictions, and best bets for various matchups. Hosted by Griffin Warner and Big East Ben, the podcast episode covers key matchups, betting odds, and tournament expectations, including discussions on teams like Duke, Baylor, Mississippi State, Oregon, Liberty, Arizona, VCU, BYU, Wisconsin, and Montana. The episode includes analysis of team performances, potential upsets, and expert betting advice.Key Takeaways & Best Bets📌 Duke's Dominance: The Blue Devils are expected to cruise through early rounds, with discussions on whether Cooper Flagg will make his debut before the Sweet 16.📌 Baylor vs. Mississippi State: The hosts agree that both teams have weaknesses, but Baylor’s defensive adjustments could be the key to their success.📌 Liberty as an Upset Pick: Liberty is tiny but efficient, with a strong offensive strategy. The hosts lean toward Liberty covering the spread against Oregon.📌 Arizona’s Strength: Arizona is heavily favored over Akron (-15), with concerns about Akron’s height disadvantage and fast pace working against them.📌 VCU over BYU: VCU is the best bet of the East Region. The team is athletic, defensively solid, and capable of controlling BYU’s three-point shooting.📌 St. Mary’s Over Vanderbilt: St. Mary’s is considered a safe pick to advance, as their slow tempo should give them control over Vanderbilt.📌 Wisconsin’s Evolution: A surprising high total (152) for a Wisconsin game, showing their new offensive approach. Wisconsin is expected to win big against Montana.📌 Alabama Concerns: Injuries to Mark Sears and Grant Nelson make Alabama’s outlook uncertain despite their heavy -23 point spread against Robert Morris.📌 Betting Promo Code: Listeners can use "SHOCKER25" for a discount on pregame.com betting services.📌 Final Best Bets: VCU +2.5 over BYU (Big East Ben's pick) St. Mary's -4 over Vanderbilt (Griffin Warner's pick) Final ThoughtsThe East Region has some great betting opportunities, with potential upsets (Liberty over Oregon, VCU over BYU) and dominant favorites (Arizona and Duke). Betting angles focus on team strengths, injuries, pace of play, and coaching strategies. VCU and St. Mary’s stand out as the best bets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RJ Bell, AJ Hoffman, Scott Seidenberg, Mackenzie Rivers and Steve Fezzik break down all the March Madness Friday games. The guys give out a ton of bets to consider for the first round.The document provides a detailed breakdown of the NCAA March Madness Friday games, focusing on betting insights and team matchups. Analysts RJ Bell, AJ Hoffman, Steve Fezzik, and Mackenzie Rivers discuss various teams' strengths, weaknesses, and betting angles.Key Takeaways: Bracket Picks: RJ Bell and AJ Hoffman discuss the best value for Final Four picks, leaning towards teams like Auburn and Houston. Game Previews: They analyze matchups such as Baylor vs. Mississippi State, UCLA vs. Utah State, and Alabama vs. Robert Morris, providing insights on spreads, totals, and best bets. Betting Strategies: The analysts highlight key trends like historical success of certain seeds, KenPom rankings, and conference performances. Team Strengths & Weaknesses: Factors such as three-point defense, pace, coaching experience, and recent form are discussed. Underdog Considerations: They evaluate whether lower-seeded teams like Liberty or Lipscomb have upset potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RJ Bell, Steve Fezzik, Dave Essler, Mackenzie Rivers and Scott Seidenberg talk CBB March madness Thursday games. The guys break down each game for the Thursday games and offer up a lot of bets.March Madness 2024 is here, bringing excitement and betting opportunities for college basketball fans. The Dream Podcast - CBB Madness All Thursday Games Preview delivers expert analysis, betting trends, and top picks from RJ Bell, Steve Fezzik, Scott Seidenberg, McKenzie Rivers, and Dave Essler. They break down key matchups, historical betting insights, and market adjustments to help bettors maximize their profits. One major takeaway is the value in understanding public betting trends. With ESPN and other platforms now showing bracket selections, bettors can identify contrarian opportunities and gain an edge. RJ Bell introduces his Dream Bracket system, offering a chalky bracket for small pools and a long-shot bracket for riskier plays. Steve Fezzik discusses first-half unders, a historically profitable strategy in March Madness, particularly in early round games. Data from Scott Seidenberg supports this, showing first-half unders in the first round have hit at a 56-39-1 rate over the past three tournaments. Several key matchups are analyzed, starting with Louisville vs. Creighton, where Dave Essler backs Louisville -2.5 due to Creighton’s turnover struggles. Fezzik recommends the first-half under due to the early start time and potential slow pace. In Purdue vs. High Point, Fezzik takes High Point +9, citing Purdue’s history of tournament struggles and the fatigue factor for Big Ten teams. In Wisconsin vs. Montana, Essler bets Wisconsin First Half -9.5, emphasizing their faster pace and offensive explosiveness. Montana’s potential altitude advantage is acknowledged but considered insufficient to overcome Wisconsin’s strength. Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville presents a massive 1 vs. 16 mismatch. Fezzik continues his strategy of betting heavy favorites on the moneyline, as number one seeds laying 23 or more points have a 155-2 straight-up record. He takes Houston ML at -8000 while also recommending SIU team total under 48.5. Auburn vs. Alabama State follows a similar pattern, with Essler betting Alabama State team total under 59.5, citing Auburn’s elite defense. Texas A&M vs. Yale is identified as a potential upset, with both Essler and Fezzik taking Yale +7.5. They argue that A&M lacks offensive firepower, making it difficult for them to build a lead. Yale’s ability to control tempo and limit turnovers makes them a strong underdog play. Michigan vs. UC San Diego is discussed, with RJ Bell pointing out that Michigan’s spread suggests the teams are evenly matched despite Michigan’s size advantage. Fezzik warns of Big Ten fatigue and leans towards San Diego. UCLA vs. Utah State sees a split opinion. Essler takes Utah State +5.5, citing their ability to shoot over UCLA’s defense. However, Fezzik warns that the Mountain West Conference has a terrible track record in March Madness, with a 32 percent ATS record since 2001. Several key betting trends are also highlighted. Fezzik notes that every NIT game total has moved up by 2 to 5 points before tip-off due to public money, indicating a potential fade opportunity. He also emphasizes that sharp bettors grab the best early lines, while public bettors often get worse closing numbers. Other trends include the struggles of Big Ten teams due to travel fatigue and the historically poor performance of Mountain West teams. Final betting recommendations include Yale +7.5, Utah State +5.5, Wisconsin First Half -9.5, first-half unders, and a Houston and Auburn moneyline parlay. March Madness is a prime opportunity for betting, and understanding market movements, historical trends, and expert insights can give bettors an advantage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Doctor gives you the sharpest card for the Valspar Championship, plus anoutright winner for the Porsche Singapore Classic. -Top 7 on odds board discussion -1 matchup -2 p2p -3 outrights (70/1, 80/1, 110/1) -Sleeper -FRP -2 lineups, scoring, best bet -Porsche Singapore outright For more on the world of golf, follow Doc on X @ drmedia59 The Valspar Championship at Copperhead Course in Innisbrook, Florida, features a competitive field of 25 of the world’s top 50 golfers. The tournament is known for its demanding layout, particularly the final stretch, called the Snake Pit, which plays over par and requires precision. Last year’s winner, Peter Malnati, took the title at 12 under, while past winners like Taylor Moore and Sam Burns have also thrived under similar conditions. This year’s field includes major names like Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Corey Conners, and Will Zalatoris, all looking to capture the title. Rory McIlroy enters the tournament fresh off a win at The Players Championship, where he staged a comeback and secured his 28th PGA Tour victory in a three-hole playoff against J.J. Spaun.Key betting insights for the Valspar Championship include outright picks, matchups, and placement bets. Among the favorites, Corey Conners stands out as a strong option for a Top 20 finish (+115, MGM), given his excellent form and consistent iron play. Lucas Glover, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is an attractive outright pick at 70-1, with a history of strong finishes at Copperhead and an improving putter. Taylor Moore, the 2023 Valspar champion, is listed at 80-1 and has found accuracy off the tee again. Ryan Gerard, another dark horse at 110-1, has shown promise in previous tournaments, particularly with his putting. A top sleeper pick is Kaito Onishi, available at 10-1 for a Top 40 finish. Onishi played at Innisbrook during his junior career and could surprise the field.The best matchup bet for this tournament is Bud Cauley over Sam Stevens (-110). Cauley has been showing steady improvement, finishing T-6 at The Players, while Stevens has been struggling with iron play and putting. Another key first-round bet is Chandler Phillips to finish in the Top 10 after Round 1 (+650, MGM). Phillips has been opening tournaments well, including a T-3 finish at last year’s Valspar. Fantasy lineups for DraftKings and PGA Tour Fantasy focus on players who excel in ball striking and accuracy, including Corey Conners, Lucas Glover, Taylor Moore, Bud Cauley, Adam Schenk, and Kaito Onishi. These selections are based on recent performance trends and their suitability for the Copperhead Course.In addition to the Valspar Championship, the DP World Tour’s Porsche Singapore Classic presents another betting opportunity. Rising Chinese star Ding Winyi, available at 40-1, has recorded four Top 25 finishes in ten DP World Tour starts. At just 20 years old, Winyi has already won the 2024 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and is quickly establishing himself as a contender.The winning score prediction for the Valspar Championship is 15 under, given favorable weather conditions. The best bet for the event is Lucas Glover to finish in the Top 10 (+320, MGM), as he has a proven record of strong performances at Copperhead and is in excellent form. This preview covers all aspects of the Valspar Championship and Porsche Singapore Classic, from outright winners and sleeper picks to fantasy golf strategies and best bets for the week. Tune in next week for a preview of the Houston Open, where top players, including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, will compete for another major title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices