Betting Odds Final Four Teams

UConn Huskies: -125 (Clear favorites among online betting sites)

Miami Hurricanes: +450

San Diego State Aztecs: +400

Florida Atlantic Owls: +650

2023 Futures: Tournament Opening Odds.

UConn Huskies: +2500

Miami Hurricanes: +7500

San Diego State Aztecs: +10000

Florida Atlantic Owls: +13000

Team Recaps

Connecticut Huskies (UConn)

The Connecticut Huskies have not been to a final four since 2014, in which they won the NCAA National Championship against Kentucky. Connecticut has 36 tournament appearances, 6 Final Fours, and 4 Championships. They Started the tournament at +2500 and?are coming off an impressive blow-out win against The Gonzaga Bulldogs, 82-54. UConn has covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament. UConn respectively held Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga to under 56 points each and hit the under those games.

Strengths: The UConn Huskies rank 7th in the nation in rebounds per game, with 29.9 per game. Led by Forward Adama Sanogo, Connecticut is an excellent defensive team. The Huskies held Gonzaga to 54 points, a team that ranked 1st in points scored. In addition, they held Saint Mary’s to 55 points, and they are averaging 59.3 opponent’s points-per game in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Sanogo is a glass cleaner, who has been an unstoppable force on both ends of the ball. This team has many talents and ranks 7th in the nation with an offensive rating of 116.7. UConn is a inside team that dominates in the second half.

Weaknesses: The UConn Huskies turn the ball over a lot, including 48 times in the NCAA Tournament. Dan Hurley and the Huskies need to find a way to limit turnovers, and not allow opponents to get to the line as frequently as they do. UConn ranks 317th in the league, allowing teams to get to the line on average 15 points per game.

Miami Hurricanes

This is the Miami Hurricanes first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. They entered the NCAA Tournament +7500, are coming off an 88-81 win over Texas. Led by Head Coach Jim Larranaga, the Hurricanes have covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, three of their last four games have hit the Over. The Hurricanes are averaging 81.3 points-per game and are extremely efficient on the offensive end.

Strengths: The Miami Hurricanes rank 21st in the nation in points-per game, with 79.6. This is a Hurricanes team that can score efficiently from anywhere on the court. Miami ranks 42nd in three-point percentage at 36.9. Led by Guards Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, Nijel Pack, and Norchad Omier, the Hurricanes are top 14th in field goal percentage at 48.4. Miami is shooting an efficient 78 percent from the line, which ranks top 12 in the Nation. This is a team that can cook up beyond the three, can attack inside, and scores anywhere. It will be interesting to see how the Hurricanes matchup against the Huskies defense. On another note, this team knocked off a #1 seed Houston, and #2 seed Texas.

Weaknesses: Although Miami is an offensive powerhouse, they lack defense compared to teams like UConn and San Diego State. They have allowed an average of 70.3 points per game per opponents in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, Miami ranks 236th in the Nation in points allowed at 71.9. It’s important to say, numbers can be deceiving. The Hurricanes played hard against Drake, holding the Bulldogs to 29.2 percent shooting from the three-point. Furthermore, Miami held Indiana to 69 points scored, and 32 percent from the three, and 41.3 percent from the field.

San Diego State Aztecs

This is the San Diego State Aztecs first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. However, San Diego State has been kicked out of the first round of the last two NCAA Tournaments. They entered the NCAA Tournament +10000, and they are coming off an incredible win against Creighton, 57-56. In addition, the Aztecs have covered the spread, and the money line, in all four games of the NCAA Tournament.

Strengths: San Diego is a 5th seed that may have been overlooked this tournament. The Aztecs rank 25th in the nation, allowing an average of 62.9 points per game. They are a tough team physically, and are allowing an average of 57.3 opponents points per game in this years March Madness Tournament. In addition, they held Creighton, a team who’s fantastic offensively, to 63 points per game, and Alabama to 64 points per game. It’s important to note this Aztecs team knocked off the #1 seed Alabama, who was considered one of the favorites to win this year’s NCAA Tournament. San Diego State has hit the under in their last 10 games.

Weaknesses: Although the Aztecs are a physical team that plays incredible defense, they rank 183rd in points-per game at 71.5, and rank 153rd in three-point shooting at 34.7 percent. Guard Matt Bradley is the only player to average double digits in points, and they only shoot 44.1 percent from the field. They rank 86th in the Nation in rebounds and will rely heavily on their defense.

Florida Atlantic Owls

This is the Florida Atlantic Owls first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Their only NCAA Tournament appearance came in the 2001-2002 season, where they got kicked out in the first round. They entered the tournament with March Madness betting lines of +13000, and they are coming off an exhilarating win against Kansas State, 79-76. In addition, the Owls have covered the spread in three of their four Tournament games, and the money line in all four. It’s important to note FAU knocked off one of the top defensive teams, Tennessee, 62-55 in the Sweet 16.

Strengths: Don’t let that 9th seed fool you. FAU has shown every reason to be in the Final Four. This team can hoop, especially from, an offensive standpoint. The Owls rank 37th in the nation in points-per game at 78. In addition, they are an efficient passing team, especially with cuts. They might not be the #1 team beyond the arc, however, they hit their three-point shots when it counts. Speaking of defense, FAU ranks 45th in the nation in opponents points per game at 65.1. In addition, they are ranked 18th in opponent field goal percentage at 40.2 percent.

Weaknesses: FAU has shown to be a competitive team, with the right amount of balance on both ends of the ball. They are only team that hasn’t beaten a #1 or #2 seed, however, they doesn’t mean we should count them out. Although they have point-differential of +12.8, their biggest point differential came against Fairleigh Dickinson at 8 points. Both wins against Memphis, and Kansas State were decided by less than 5 points.

For More Betting Info & Game Predictions, Follow us at @BallislifeBets

Sara Jane is a full-time content creator, focusing on both college basketball, the NBA, NFL, and writer of www.ebooksnet.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Twitter: @GGirlSports

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The two sport star Derrick Griffin is taking his talents to the University of Miami! D-Griff is probably one of the most athletic players in the 2013 Class. Whether he ends up playing Football or Basketball, he's sure to put on a show!

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2 time NBA champion Chris Bosh made an appearance on Conan last night and talked about their 2nd championship and LeBron almost getting decapitated.

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Andrew Wiggins outside heat locker room. Ray Allen comes out, greets him, "We were just talking about you. I'll be following your career."

— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) March 17, 2013

Andrew Wiggins is the #1 player in the nation and one of most sought after player by colleges in recent memory.

LeBron comes out, poses w/ people outside locker room then greets Wiggins, "What's up? You good? How's everything?"

— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) March 17, 2013

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Dwyane Wade with the drive and poster on Reggie Evans.

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It just struck me that Dwyane Wade hasn't been called by his "flash" nickname in a few seasons now. Maybe because he's taken a step back after all his injuries but D-wade still shows some flashes of "Flash" every once in a while including earlier tonight

The post Dwyane Wade Sneaks In The One Hand Dunk By Marcin Gortat! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Here's LeBron's 'Dynamite' dunk from the other night.

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So when Phil Jackson joined the "Waddle and Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000 Chicago’s radio show last week, it was inevitable he’d hear it.  While there has been a long list of hopefuls as the “Next Jordan”, the last decade provided us with two, legitimate contender’s to Jordan's GOAT status.  Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have been serious enough challengers that even most Jordan loyalists would admit so.

Kobe is, and has been widely regarded as the closest thing to MJ.  He holds that title because of several similarities.  First it’s his physical likeness to MJ, as both shaped what became the prototypical body for 2-guards: 6”6-6”7, lanky, athletic, yet strong guards.  Kobe’s offensive arsenal also mirrors MJ’s: both bearing fatal fade-away and pull-up jumpers, strong footwork and post-play, and an inclination to occasionally put people on posters.

Kobe’s body of work in the clutch is also indisputable and straight Jordan-esque,  while being consistently referred to as “a cold blooded assassin” more than any real cold blooded assassin would hope, referring to a vicious drive and will compared to MJ’s.  Jordan vs. Kobe is a classic Apple’s vs. Orange’s: preference rules, so if you happen to like oranges, then you think they’re better than apples.

Then there’s LeBron’s case.  Most phenom’s playing the guard positions are measured by Jordan’s mold, but with LeBron it’s different.  He isn’t compared to MJ because of his likeness to Jordan’s game.  He breaks that mold.  He controls a game like MJ did.  LeBron is 6”8 of svelte, chiseled, coordinated basketball machinery. He doesn't stick his tongue out because he chews on a mouth guard that he wears down much like his opponents. He defies position and can best be labeled as point-forward.

Jackson, whose prolific coaching career allowed him the longevity to witness all three at their respective peaks (MJ, KB, LBJ), was asked if LeBron “has the potential to be better than Michael Jordan.”

“He's got all the physical attributes,” answers Jackson about James.  He continues, “He is a player that can play four positions. Except for perhaps the center spot, which he hasn't given a shot at yet, he can play those other four positions quite well. This is unique; Michael could play three and was very good at all three of those, but as a power player that LeBron can become, I think he has an opportunity to explore and advance some of the status that he has already gained.”

The Zen-Master also warns that “Winning six championships is an elusive thing out there and they haven't won two yet,” and that “I think he's there, I think he's at that position. He's got good things ahead of him and a lot of it depends upon if he's gonna be healthy for the remainder of his career.”

LeBron has a distinct game, dissimilar to MJ and Kobe in that LeBron looks to pass first, and always has.  Even with that mindset, LeBron still boasts the 3^rd highest all-time career PPG at 27 ppg (MJ, at 30 ppg, is of course first on that list).  So it’s not his game or mentality, but LeBron’s level of sheer dominance that has him being compared to MJ.  Finally for LeBron, it resulted in a ring.

Trying to fit LeBron in the MJ mold is largely why LeBron was viewed as failing in the past, falling short in drive, hunger, and clutch plays.  But perhaps no other perimeter players in NBA history can dominate a game, regardless of where on the 94x50 foot court, both offensively and defensively, with, or without the ball, like James and Jordan.  They both control almost every aspect of the basketball game and that’s what defines greatness for a guard in what was originally a game structured around the big men.

Jackson's answers express that sentiment exactly .  I love how the Zen-Master  educates us on two things: 1) only Jackson can maneuver around this question as gracefully (Scottie Pippen, please take notes), and 2) LeBron and MJ are different animals, and only time will tell if LeBron, or anyone else will combine personal achievement with the winning of six titles like MJ masterfully did.

Jackson doesn’t answer the question necessarily, but instead presents strength's that one was better at than the other , and offers hope that LeBron will stay healthy enough during his career to definitively answer such question.

The “Better than Jordan” notion, however,  is a question that while is fun to ask at times, needs to go away for good.  If Kobe vs. Jordan are Oranges vs. Apples, then LeBron is a hulking Pineapple in the analogy, and if you happen to like Pineapples, you've enjoyed LeBron’s past six months of ballin’.  Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron were/are each their own unique players.  While stats help put the argument on paper, the point is to enjoy what we’re experiencing for the once-in-a-generation art that it is.  Regardless of apples, oranges, or whatever crazy fruit you prefer (did I really just compare LeBron to a Pineapple just now?), please just enjoy the lot before they rot.

Thanks to the good folks at http://sportsradiointerviews.com/, you can read the transcript of the whole interview there.

The post Phil Jackson Cautiously Drops Wisdom on Jordan vs. James appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

What's NBA without a little drama? No fun.

As we all have heard by now, after spending five incredible seasons in Boston, the former Celtic shooting guard, Ray Allen broke the big news this off-season that he will be taking his talents to South Beach to partner up with the 2011-2012 NBA Champions, "LeBron James and the Miami Heat." With the Miami Heat Media day being this past Friday, Allen stood next to Dwyane Wade, Rashard Lewis, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James, posing in his new Heat uniform, which still doesn't look right to most of us.

But the one person who might have had a much more difficult time seeing Allen in that uniform, is Allen's former running mate, Kevin Garnett. Over the weekend Garnett felt the need to tell the media that he longer has Ray Allen's phone number in his phone and that all connections have been cut off. Allen, then, responded by saying that it was "a shame" and that he is actually a good person to talk on the phone with.

But wait...it gets better.

Dwyane Wade has now gotten involved, expressing today that he's glad that KG and Allen won't be talking. "[Garnett] doesn't need to be talking to our team anyway, so it's all good."

Now, you can take this story however it sits well with your sense of humor. But when putting all this together, I couldn't help but to imagine Ray Allen just like this....

You'll be okay KG.

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Never thought I'd be watching a video of a human being getting sized up for a ring but it's just what comes with being a basketball junkie during the off-season I guess. Check out 2 time NBA champion Dwyane Wade getting sized up for his championship ring.

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Check out LeBron throwing down the 360 slam against the Hawks. This just might be his first 360 ever caught on tape!

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Check out The Top 50 Moments from the 2011 NBA Lockout Games.
Special thanks to the following:

www.themarsreel.com
duro sports
digitaldreamvideos.biz
And all of the NBA players who took part in the charity events throughout the country. You really made these last 6 months something that NBA fans will never forget!

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