The only site hotter than Fox Nation is OffshoreInsiders.com for endless winning picks. Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Heat get a visit from the rival Magic, the Devils clash on the ice with the Rangers, and the CBI begins its championship.
2009 Final 4 Odds…
Connecticut is a four-point favorite over Michigan State in the updated college basketball odds. North Carolina is laying 7.5 to Villanova. The Wildcats are getting +305 on the moneyline. The updated odds to win the 2009 NCAA Tournament has North Carolina -140 to win it all. The rest of the pack is Connecticut +230, Michigan State +575, and Villanova +650.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The Heat will host the Magic in an all-Florida matchup on Monday night in one of just four games on the NBA schedule. Orlando is coming off a 110-94 win over the Bucks on Friday night, with Rashard Lewis tossing in 19 points to go along with eight boards in that win. The Heat took care of Milwaukee in their last outing as well, beating them 102-85 on Saturday. The Magic and Heat last met on the hardwood in Orlando February 22, with the Magic winning convincingly 122-99.
Also on the NBA’s slate for Monday: Milwaukee at New Jersey, Memphis at Golden State, and New York at Utah. The Jazz are coming off a big 104-99 overtime win over the Suns on Saturday, with Mehmet Okur pouring in 26 points and Deron Williams providing 21 points and 13 assists. The Knicks and Jazz last met on November 9, with New York winning 107-99 as a 4-point home underdog.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
There are just three games on the National Hockey League’s schedule for Monday night, including the Devils on the road at Madison Square Garden to take on the rival Rangers. New Jersey has been looking to lock down top spot in the Atlantic Division, but they’re coming off a 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. The Rangers are just trying to hold onto an playoff spot in the Eastern Conference; they fell 4-3 to the Pens when those teams met Saturday afternoon.
Also on tap for Monday are San Jose at Calgary, and Dallas at Phoenix. The Sharks have already claimed the Pacific Division crown, and they topped the Coyotes 3-2 on Saturday. The Flames hold just a slight edge on the Canucks for first place in the Northwest, and they slipped past the Wild 3-2 on Saturday. The Stars’ drive for a playoff berth in the Western Conference was delivered a blow in their Saturday matchup when they were doubled up 6-3 at home by the Panthers.
Rounding out the Roundup . . .
The lone college hoops game on Monday night will take place at Oregon State, where the Beavers will host the UTEP Miners in the first game of the ‘Best of Three’ championship series of the College Basketball Invitational. The Miners advanced to the championship with an 81-69 win over Richmond in the semifinals; Stefon Jackson had 34 points in that contest. The Beavers dropped Stanford 65-62 in overtime last round, behind 16 points from Lathen Wallace. UTEP is pegged as a 1-point favorite on Monday, with the total at 131.5 points. Games 2 and 3 (if required) will be contested at UTEP on Wednesday and Friday….Final four tickets are at Guy Store, which also has MLB tickets and all sports fan gear, plus much more.