March Madness 2010

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Jan. 4, 2010. 8:00 pm EST - FOX

Glendale, Ariz., University of Phoenix Stadium

Boise State 17 - TCU 10

The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will host the Big 12 champion, unless that team is ranked first or second in the BCS poll (in which case it will go to the FedEx BCS National Championship Game in Miami). If the Big 12 champion is ranked first in the BCS poll (and goes to the FedEx BCS National Championship Game), the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has the first choice to replace that pick. If the Big 12 champion is ranked second in the BCS poll (and goes to the FedEx BCS National Championship Game), the Fiesta Bowl has the second choice to replace that pick. These picks can be made after each bowl has filled its regional consideration selections.

The second team will be: 1) the conference champion from the Big East; 2) a runner-up or co-champion from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-10 or SEC; 3) Notre Dame; 4) conference champion from Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Sun Belt or the WAC.

The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has the first pick for its second team and can make the selection after: 1) the FedEx BCS National Championship Game has filled its game with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the BCS poll; 2) the Rose Bowl has filled its game with the Pac-10 and Big Ten champions or a replacement team if its loses one or both of those champions to the FedEx BCS National Championship Game; 3) the Sugar Bowl fills its first slot with the SEC champion or a replacement team if the SEC champion is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the BCS poll; 4) the Orange Bowl fills its first slot with the ACC champion or a replacement team if the ACC champion is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the BCS poll.

To become eligible for BCS at-large selection, teams from conferences in the BCS must win at least nine (9) games and be ranked among the Top 14 in the BCS poll.

Notre Dame qualifies for an automatic selection if it is ranked in the Top 8 in the final BCS standings.

One team from among the champions of Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Sun Belt or the WAC automatically qualify for a BCS bowl if either: 1) such team is ranked in the Top 12 of the final BCS standings; or 2) such team is ranked in the Top 16 of the final BCS standings and its ranking is higher than that of a champion of a conference that has an automatic berth in one of the BCS bowls.

No more than two teams from the same conference can participate in BCS bowl games.

Football Betting News

NBA Friday/Saturday Outlook

Posted on 3/17/2010 12:00:00 AMby Getchalk

Need a break from the madness of March? The NBA has plenty of wagering options this weekend starting with a busy schedule Friday night. Here's a look at the best bets in pro hoops this weekend:

Friday - Washington Wizards at Portland Trail Blazers

For a few brief moments the Washington Wizards were the best bet in the NBA. After shipping out their top two stars during the trade deadline, while also suffering through the suspension of Gilbert Arenas, oddsmakers pitied the Wizards to the point where you couldn't bet against them.

However, things are back to normal in D.C. - which means Washington is losing and failing to cover the spread. The Wizards have lost nine games in a row, going just 3-6 ATS in that span and conclude their current four-game road trip in Portland and Los Angeles.

Washington comes into Friday's game off a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. The Wizards actually led by six points after the first quarter but were overwhelmed by the Nuggets on both ends of the floor. They gave up 32 points in the fourth quarter but managed to stay within the 14.5-point spread, losing 97-87. Andray Blatche, who led Washington with 23 points, tweaked his ankle in the loss but is expected to play Friday night.

The Blazers are heading in the opposite direction, winning four straight games and improving to 8-2 in their last 10 outings. Portland has covered the spread in six of those contests including its two most recent wins over Sacramento and Toronto.

The Trail Blazers face the Wizards before taking to the road for a one-game swing to Phoenix on Sunday. They are 22-13 at the Rose Garden this season but books have sucked most of the value out of their home court, leaving backers to go 16-18-1 ATS in those games.

Portland got a great all-around effort from their starting five against the Raptors on Sunday. All five starters scored in double figures while Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Nicolas Batum each scored 20 or more points.

The Blazers' offense is on fire, averaging almost 110 points per game in their last three outings while playing over the betting total in all three games. On the season, Portland scores 98.4 points a night and boasts a 38-31 over/under record.

Saturday - Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks

Boston heads west for three games, starting with Houston on Friday then visiting the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. The Celtics are solid on the road, posting a 22-12 record away from Beantown heading into Friday.

They are 17-16-1 against the spread in opposing gyms and have gone 2-1-1 ATS in their four most recent away games. Dallas knocked off Boston inside the Garden back in January, winning 99-90 as a 4.5-point road underdog.

The Celtics are under a lot of scrutiny in the past week after losing three of their last five games heading into Wednesday's meeting with the New York Knicks. Former teammate Leon Powe, who now plays for the rival Cleveland Cavaliers, told the media he thinks Boston looks old. These comments came after the Cavaliers beat Boston 104-93 last weekend.

However, the Celtics' Big 5 continue to produce, including veterans Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Heading into Wednesday, Boston's offense had averaged more than 104 points per game in the past four outings – playing over the total in each of those contests.

Dallas is enjoying a four-game homestand which wraps against the Celtics on Saturday. The Mavericks welcome the Chicago Bulls to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday before getting the rest of the week to prepare for Boston.

Dallas will be trying to put a loss to the Knicks behind them after giving up 128 points to New York on Saturday. They hope to have high-scoring shooting guard Jason Terry back this week after he missed most of the month with a broken orbital bone in his face.