March Madness 2010

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Dec. 23, 2010. 8 pm EST - ESPN

San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium

Utah 37 - California 27

The decision to bring a second bowl game to San Diego was not made lightly. Producing a second bowl within a week of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl seemed unrealistic at first, given that it takes a full-time staff, hundreds of volunteers, and an entire year to plan a successful Holiday Bowl. But as the clock expired on the inaugural San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl game between the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy and the Colorado State Rams in 2005, it was evident that San Diego had put yet another successful bowl game on the map.

In 2005, an agreement was reached between the Poinsettia Bowl and the Mountain West Conference in which the Mountain West runner-up would play in the Poinsettia Bowl. Over the past few years the Poinsettia Bowl has also established yearly agreements with Army (2006) and Navy (2005, 2007), guaranteeing them a Poinsettia Bowl berth if they were bowl-eligible (6 wins). Because of the Mountain West’s conference ties in San Diego, as well as the city’s large naval contingent, it was no surprise that the game has attracted many local fans in addition to those traveling from outside the region.

The Poinsettia Bowl has now also come to a two-year agreement with the Pac-10 Conference, which allows the bowl to select the 7th place team from the conference in 2008, and the sixth place team in 2010.

The Poinsettia Bowl has fulfilled its objective of generating tourism, exposure and economic benefit for the San Diego region, having an annual economic impact of nearly $8 million on the community.

The mission of the non-profit San Diego Bowl Game Association is to generate tourism, exposure, economic benefit, and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by presenting the nation’s most exciting and entertaining bowl games and festival of events.

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.