You know the March Madness betting craze is in full swing when we’re already talking about Friday games, but that’s the case. On paper, the Xavier vs Portland State odds look like a pretty intriguingmatchup ; because of Xavier’s size, opponents have to shoot well to beat them, and Portland State can shoot. But online betting fans shouldn’t get carried away in this one.

Finishing 25-7, Xavier is one of those teams that isn’t mentioned in the same breath as the top contenders but still has multiple sportsbook followers who see them as undervalued. It’s hard to argue against that assertion; the Musketeers are one of the biggest teams in March Madness betting, with all of their starters over 6’5″. That createsmatchup nightmares on both sides of the court for their competition, particularly on the boards; Xavier ranked near the top of the country in rebounding margin. The Musketeers also have size—big size—on the bench with two seven-footers, so their rebounding prowess runs deep. Their main weakness is a lack of true ball-moving ability.

There’s no doubt that Portland State can score. The Vikings had three players average double figures this season and six players shoot 35 per cent or better from three-point range, meaning pretty much everyone on the team is at least a moderate threat from downtown. To have a chance in March Madness betting , they’ll have to catch fire from the perimeter.

While a Portland State upset would be fun to see, online betting fans can’t help but see them as a “happy to be there” team. Their rebounding isn’t anywhere near what it needs to be for the Vikings to contend in March Madness betting. Expect them to hold their own against Xavier—if their shooting doesn’t go cold—and still lose in the end. Bet on Xavier to advance.

For all the top sports handicapper spread picks, OffshoreInsiders.com is a no-brainer.

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: First-round matchups at the Big Dance shoe dazzle dominate the sports scene, with UConn, Memphis, UNC, and Duke all in action. The must read links for March Madness betting are here.  Most importantly, get the objective rundown of which professional sports handicappers are hot and who has the big plays for NCAA picks and predictions.

The search for Cinderella . . .

All sources claim that North Carolina will be without point guard Ty Lawson, but Lines-Maker.com will update any late breaking information.

North Carolina is one of two top seeds in action at the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, as they’ll see how badly they’re able to beat No. 16 Radford in an afternoon contest. The Tar Heels are 26-point favorites in that South Region matchup. Other South games on tap for Thursday: No. 9 Butler vs. No. 8 LSU (-2.5), No. 10 Michigan vs. No. 7 Clemson (-5.5), No. 13 Akron vs. No. 4 Gonzaga (-12.5), No. 15 Morgan State vs. No. 2 Oklahoma (-16.5), and No. 12 Western Kentucky vs. No. 5 Illinois (-4.5). The Hilltoppers won their opening game in ’08.

The other No. 1 in action on Thursday is Connecticut, which will take on Chattanooga as a 20.5-point favorite in West Region action. Also in that quarter of the bracket on Thursday: No. 15 CSU Northridge vs. No. 2 Memphis (-19.5), No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 BYU (-2), No. 12 Northern Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue (-8), No. 10 Maryland vs. No. 7 California (-1), and No. 13 Mississippi State vs. No. 4 Washington (-5.5). Mississippi State won the SEC Tournament last weekend.

Four East Region games round out the Thursday Madness schedule, with that slate highlighted by No. 2 Duke taking on No. 15 Binghamton. The Blue Devils have been pegged as big 21.5-point favorites. As well, it’ll be No. 10 Minnesota vs. No. 7 Texas (-4), No. 14 American vs. No. 3 Villanova (-16.5), and No. 11 VCU vs. No. 6 UCLA (-7). The Bruins were upset last week in the Pac-10 tourney.

Major sports service winning March Madness picks…

Revolutionary and futuristic pro gambler Stevie Vincent is celebrating three years of his picks being public.

NCAA Tournament betting is the time of the year that so many new clients get their first exposure to forensic sports handicapping. For newbies, welcome to the world of winners, but we want to explain the basis. Stevie releases fewer plays but has more winners.

To sell picks, more picks means more sales. Stevie wants to win picks and let everything else fall into place. He releases only picks he bets.

That’s why he has “only” four NCAAB plays including three of his highest rated Level 5. He has since added a PERFECT PLAY from the NIT and two pro basketball. He goes 7-0 Click now to purchase  Stevies entire card for $40.

Let Jeff Buckley enter the ring of fire, you need the professional bettors who will tell you “I told you so” when the NCAA Tournament scores come in.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The NBA has just three matchups on its schedule for Thursday night as the basketball world focuses on the college game. Starting things off is Dallas at Atlanta at 7:00pm ET, with the Mavericks coming off a 103-101 win over the Pistons on Tuesday night. LeBron James and the Cavaliers then play host to the Trail Blazers in an 8:00pm ET matchup, while Kobe Bryant and the Lakers get a visit from the Warriors at 10:30pm ET. Los Angeles was beaten 94-93 by the Sixers in their last outing Tuesday night, with Bryant being held to just 11 points.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from a loss to the lowly Coyotes on Thursday night when they take on the Predators in one of eight games on the NHL schedule. Also on the slate: Los Angeles at Boston, Montreal at Ottawa, Washington at Tampa Bay, Toronto at Florida, Edmonton at Colorado, and St. Louis at Vancouver, while Phoenix returns to the ice at home against the Ducks.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, the second round of the World Baseball Classic concludes on Thursday night with Korea taking on the winner of Wednesday night’s late matchup between Japan and Cuba at San Diego‘s PETCO Park. Whoever comes out on top in that contest on Thursday will claim top spot in Pool 1. The semifinals of the tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the World Baseball Classic champion will be decided on March 23.

It’s time to win March Madness bets as the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is here. The top sportsbooks are awaiting a record number of new bettors and here are all the picks needed for the first day of the Big Dance.

The ultimate links for March Madness bettors with great resources is up and so are the best picks and spread betting predictions. We have the objective rundown. Sorry, Barack Obama’s bracket is not linked.

Let’s start out with the Lord of the Dance, GodsTips which since their Cadillac Club days has been Mr. March.

It’s time for GodsTips famed Million Dollar March. We burn the midnight oil, brew the coffee and again will win more than any other sports service on earth. We have 10 winners for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament including two Wise Guys. Let the best information and hard work pay for you. Click now to purchase GodsTips entire card for $17.

Now to the MasterLockLine. They have all the top sports service plays from all the top handicappers in their highest rated sports. They monitor every single top sports service pick so you don’t have to. Best of all you get these same highly anticipated plays for pennies on the dollar.  

Several years ago in our Super Lock days, it was proposed in a conference call to release the top picks on every NCAA Tournament game. We realized often there was conflicting steam from other credible sources. So power of 620 sports services behind every selection presents every elite pick without disagreeing highly-rated selections from other sources.  

The top in the 21^st century is a handicapper out of Philadelphia who rates his plays 5, 7.5 and 10 stars While Bill Tanner is the all-time top basketball handicapper in units won, the Quaker City veteran is tops since 2000. His units won, winning percentage and ROI have been on a steady climb. 10*s on Butler/LSU, Cal Northridge/Memphis, Northern Iowa/Purdue

Bill Tanner is the No. 1 college and NBA handicapper combined since 1995. He’s from the basketball crazed state of Indiana and his Platinum Plays in hoops hit around 62 percent. He also hits above 60 percent in college football with “Plats”.   About a dozen years ago, he lapped dinosaur “Doc” as the top Big 10 handicapper in the land. He has four NCAAB Platinum Plays, but one is cancelled by credible conflicting picks. Get his top three NCAAB Platinum Plays. He also has NBA Plats on Dallas/Atlanta, Golden State/Lakers 

Staff Purchase Play, this is when we pay a major sports service to release a major play before the sports service itself does. A handicapper who spends literally well into six figures per year in radio advertising is spending their third highest amount ever (and most ever for non-NFL) on an NCAAB Game Thursday. This Stone Cold Lock is being sold for $250. Get it for pennies on the dollar Michigan/Clemson

MasterLockLine EXCLUSIVE: Widely considered the most decorated handicapping contest winner in history, “Fat Al” from Raleigh has an exclusive arrangement to give us his real money maximum best bets. He calls them his “no offense, you don’t know what you are talking about” bets to anyone who disagree. Most top sportsbooks have him on their “winners list” of sharp players. American/Villanova winner

Mark the Shark, the top handicapper west of the Mississippi hits 60-65 % of his Game/Total of the Month or higher plays. He is without question the top Pac 10 and Mountain West tipster in America. He’s been offered nearly seven figures per year to join a famed Las Vegas sports handicapping marketing giant, but has spurned offers because they demanded marketing concessions that would negatively affect his modules. He’s on a 9-0 run with Game of the Week or higher. NCAA Basketball Game of the Week on Akron/Gonzaga. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick   

NCAA Tournament betting is the time of the year that so many new clients get their first exposure to forensic sports handicapping. For newbies, welcome to the world of winners, but we want to explain the basis. Stevie releases fewer plays but has more winners.

To sell picks, more picks means more sales. Stevie wants to win picks and let everything else fall into place. He releases only picks he bets. That’s why he has “only” four NCAAB plays including three of his highest rated Level 5. Click now to purchase

Every resource needed for March Madness betting 2009 is here. To beat the NCAA Tournament game odds and betting line there are several must-read articles:

·        How to Win Picks In the NCAA Tournament Men’s Hoops

·        Lord of the Big Dance Gives March Madness Betting Golden Rules

·        Exposing Myths About What Wins The Big Dance

OffshoreInsiders.com is long accepted as the best source for sports handicappers, also get reliable sportsbooks.

ScoresOddsPicks.com has great matchups for beating the college basketball odds. Here are betting previews from a bettors standpoint for Thursday opening round and Friday’s NCAA Tournament first round games. 

In fact, Lines-Maker.com will have news and previews as well as late-breaking injury information as it comes in.

Still need NCAA Tournament tickets? The Guy Store has March Madness tickets, fan gear, FatHeads and more.

For the best sports service picks, it’s the power of 620 sports services behind every selection on the MasterLockLine. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick throughout March Madness betting.

Because the MasterLockLine monitors each and every one of the nation’s top sports service, handicappers, tip sheets and syndicates, you will get every Game of the Year play worth betting. Every last one in the industry is yours. That’s why you get more legitimate service Games of the Year on the MasterLockLine than anyone else.  

Several years ago in our Super Lock days, it was proposed in a conference call to release the top picks on every NCAA Tournament game. We realized often there was conflicting steam from other credible sources. So the MasterLockLine presents every elite pick without disagreeing highly-rated selections from other sources.

Though the best sports betting forum, the SportsCrew forum is down, in fact the entire SportsCrew.com site is, but JoeDuffy.net is a long-time source for March Madness betting information as well.

Great NCAA Tournament March Madness props including who makes the Final 4, plus of course the odds to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.