#1 Duke vs #5 Utah w/ Writeup (Pls.Comment)

I happen to agree with all these guys who are betting on Duke tonight.. I may be biased because I am a Duke fan/ but I have made plenty of money this year betting on and even against them. I am a fan, but that does not stop me from accurately capping a game. Cash is king.!!!

Their one real vet Quinn Cook has been apart of a team that has made a deep run and also a team that was busted early (mercer last year). This team has triple the talent last years team had. Okafor is better then Jabari and then you have to factor in Winslow and Tyus. They are young and not very deep (which is a def flaw when it comes to tourney play) but I do think they will handle Utah fairly easily. Anyone that is using the anti-Duke approach and simply capping this game due to Duke's lack of success in recent tourneys is foolish.

This is a completely new team with a totally different feel. Coach K- is the best coach in the entire country and has had them prepared from game 1. They absolutely SMACKED Robert Morris and controlled the entire game against the Aztecs! Let's not choose to remember only the things that help our leans. The Aztecs throttled an underwhelming St. Johns team in the first round. They looked big and athletic. People were all over them getting 9.5 in the second round. Past Duke teams would not have covered that number. Even in 2013 when they lost to Louisville in the elite 8 as a 2 seed, they did not control a single game from start to finish like they did the last two games. This team just has a different feel from past Duke teams. Tyus and Jhalil don't play like freshman. It's quite impressive...

One poster said it PERFECTLY in another thread... People tend to have short term memory and turn into 'what have they done for me lately.' Are Duke haters just the usual anti Duke contingency??? How can people sit here and tell me Duke isn't any good and they are going to lose to Utah? I can't take anyone seriously when they use one game to make their mind up when capping games. Perfect example is the Wichitan-ND GAME. Everyone and their mother wanted to bet Wichita. ND had played two close games and were immediately considered "trash." Wichita beat up an absolute underwhelming Kansas team and people wanted to grown them. Kansas had no business being a two seed. Notre dame played and dominated the ACC (and as a Duke fan I absolutely hate ND). That being said, I can not discredit what they did all season in one weekend. That ND game last night was one of the easier capped games in recent memory for me. I think this game falls into the same category....

Utah beat Georgetown handedly.. People are now enamored with the Utes. How can we forget...  this was a Georgetown team that most had losing to Eastern Washington. So who is impressed by a win over Georgetown?! I certainly am not. The Big east did not represent well this tourney... Utah is a good team but they are not a great team. They struggle at times offensively. They were in an absolute terrible PAC12
Conference. I just don't think Utah is very good and as a Duke fan, was very happy to see them as the four seed in their Region.

Granted it was early in the year, but Duke Crushed Wisconsin in Wisconsin (a team with size who doesn't foul and plays excellent defense). They beat a Michigan state team on a neutral floor early in season. They just crushed San Diego State (whom beat Utah early in season)... As cappers we all know.. Team A beats team C.. Team C beat Team B. Therefore, Team A beats Team B?? Right?? Wrong. Unfortunately the transitive property does not apply. So I understand this information above is not important. Just using the example that they have beaten similar teams... Ones with better defenses and much MUCH better offenses. Utah is going to have to hope Okafor gets into early foul trouble to keep themselves in this game.

I personally am shocked that this number is only 5 (it actually dropped to 4.5 with my guy). I am not going to sit here and tell you Duke is going to win it all. I actually thing Gonzaga and Obviously, Kentucky, are nightmare matchups for Duke. Tonight, I expect Duke to cover against the Utes. It will not be as dominating as it was in the first two rounds as I expect a close game at halftime. I think each team will be feeling each other out for the first 10 minutes and expect a lower scoring first half. Low 30s.

DUKE -4.5...  And Duke ML -200 (If you don't want to lay the points, its March anything can happen) - you can parlay Gonzaga and Duke ML for about -120 odds. Give or take..


My other leans for tonight but still capping...
Oklahoma +2, Nc State +3, Gonzaga -8.5

**Oklahoma is the best team most people care to ignore. I really like them tonight but I have no problem admitting that I've gotten my shit pushed in betting Virginia second half vs the Spartans. They have killed me all year. Sounds dumb by another factor. 65% plus in Duke and Michigan state. I can't see public completely cleaning up tonight and hitting both**

LETS win some
Money guys... Please comment- I do want friendly banter and opposing views!!

I stopped reading after this - " I may be biased because I am a Duke fan"

I understand that the last couple of years duke hasn't done well in the sweet 16. This team is a lot different. I can see a late cover for Duke that resembled last nights Wisky cover over UNC. I took -5 and not going to over think it.

If you kept reading... that would answer your question

Ive seen them lose to San Diego state, UCLA, Arizona twice and Oregon Twice. I saw them beat Wichita, Stanford and UCLA.. and I saw them the first two games in the tourney... I bet on and against them quite often this year... I don't make write-ups on teams I haven't seen (or have seen seldom).

Official plays so far:
Duke -4.5
Duke ML (-200)
Duke ML & Gonzaga ML parlay

NC state +3

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I will be keeping an eye on live bets and second halves. Want to see how Gonzaga plays. I think UCLA might keep it close early. The 8.5 is a bigger number then I'd like to lay. Maybe a second half play if it's close...

Very close to unloading on Oklahoma.. Waiting to see how final numbers shake out before sprinkling on Sooners.

Duke might win, but i don't think they will cover.

This is a close game I'm an Arizona fan so I watch a ton of pac 12 ball. If the utes are on tonight this will be the best game in the sweet 16. If they don't show up like they did in their final few games before the pac 12 tournament and lost to a shitty washington game then this is a blow out. I'm banking on them showing up and wanting to take down a really good duke team. I'm taking the points on this one. 

Duke loses 5th game to a #5 seed who is +5

Gold didn't you buy a point to make it +6?? I had it at 4.5...4.5 is a short number. Duke is the better team and its not really that close in my opinion. Having watched both teams all season, Duke has played and beaten much better teams all season long. If Duke has the smallest lead late- few fouls and the cover is easy. I Don't even think it'll be that close. I just think people taking he points is a sucker bet. Just my opinion but good luck all.. If anything I would take Utes ml, If I were inclined to back the Utes. That's the true value. I have Duke money line and -4.5.. But most of my money is on Duke zaga ml parlay. March madness- anything can happen and the teams don't care about the spreads obviously. So I try to take the points out of it when I can this time of year unless I like the dawgie.

GOOD LUCK GUYS

If your watching Gonazaga UCLA game you are seeing neither team can throw the ball in the ocean right now.  Football stadium with a court installed.  Baskets are seemingly in the middle of nowhere when it comes to shooting perspective.  I agree with your pick on Duke.  I am hoping they get to the rim and dont rely on 3 point shots tonight.  Utah does struggle to score so with that fact and the venue they are playing in I am taking the under 1st half and game.  Both teams will struggle some in the first half for sure.  They may adjust in the second half.  I will be keeping a close eye on the UCLA Zags game in 2nd half.  Crazy low scoring in this game from 2 high potent offensive teams.  Outside shots are airballs right now.  Announcers will not recognize the fact of the venue....They just keep talking about how both teams cannot make an open shot.  The only scoring is coming from the inside game or driving to the bucket.  Was leaning over in DUKE Ute game but will be on Duke and Under for largest plays of the season.  BOL

Eagle, everything you were writing was spot on until of course you had to bring up duke crushing my badgers lol. Bo actually lost on purpose to get coach k put another W on his resume. I was unsure on game tonite but am going to take duke ML 220 to win 100 after writeup.I do appreciate write up by people who know teams well. I honestly think badgers will beat ariz sat because i felt they got their jitters out beating NC and played a bad game. Coach K is top coach but Bo aint far behind. I was leaning duke and as you said, coack K is king and he dont lose to utah. We may have to apply same principal to Izzo tonite. Good luck and have gonzaga big and looking good. 

Yes excellent points. Either way, UTAH has issues scoring. So maybe this may benefit them bringing down dukes offense or ... Make it even worse for them. Either way, Ive watched too much college ball to even think UTAH has a chance of covering this game. I saw that UTAH was the 4 in dukes region on selection Sunday and was begging Duke see them in sweet 16.. Eyeball test is all I need. I do not think Utah is very good.. Duke is hungry this year

On a side note for utah, my old classmate from MUHS class of 1973 jeff jonas is utah all time assist leader. He helped get majerus the job and then they had a big fallout over some real estate deal. The muhs team of 1971 to 1972 was undefeated and considered best team in country that year.

Yes man. I agree with you. I have Wisky in my final
Four. Over zona. I pounded them last night second half. Bo is very good. WISKY is amazing at home. That's why, when Duke beat them in sconsin... I knew his team was for real. Not any team goes ito Wisconsin and lays the hammer down like Duke did. I fully respect the Badgers.

Don't want to
Look ahead but Duke zaga line will be 1.5-2 either way. Should be great if Duke does what they should do

I am doubling my utah bet eagle, u convinced me. These arenas are terrible for basketball and have to take it into account. Lets face ot, coach k from utah aint beating coach k from duke. When u get time, would like your opinion on ariz, wis game sat. Should be a heavyweight fight . Txs for ur writeup

You are clearly biased. But that's fine. You like your team tonight. Great. And they may win handily.


But you discredit the team Utah just played, and yes g-town is not great.
But what about who Duke has played? They, as usual, got an easy trip to get to this round. Robert Morris is nothing. And Sd St has a great defense and that's it. One of Steve fishers worst teams in a while. They can't score and just aren't that great. Duke hasn't beat anyone either and the fact that you are trying to pump up what they've done tells everyone that you're biased

As usual, your team will benefit greatly from the refs help and probably advance. I'll be rooting like hell for them to lose.
Gl tonight

You are clearly biased. But that's fine. You like your team tonight. Great. And they may win handily.


But you discredit the team Utah just played, and yes g-town is not great.
But what about who Duke has played? They, as usual, got an easy trip to get to this round. Robert Morris is nothing. And Sd St has a great defense and that's it. One of Steve fishers worst teams in a while. They can't score and just aren't that great. Duke hasn't beat anyone either and the fact that you are trying to pump up what they've done tells everyone that you're biased

As usual, your team will benefit greatly from the refs help and probably advance. I'll be rooting like hell for them to lose.
Gl tonight

i went to madison from 1973 to 1983 when they played at old barn. When everyone went to have their cigs at halftime in hallway, the smoke would rise into stadium in 2nd half and create a boxing environment. I saw the game when wes matthews hit a half court shot to beat majic johnson championship team. I  just love my badgers and so happy for bo. He was assistant in those days under bill colfield so everyone loves bo in madison. They are getting diamond stone next yr for sure

How did I discredit Utah? Did u take the time
To Read my entire write up? Who has Duke played? In the tourney...No one.. That's how it is set up dude when you are a 1 seed. What are you talking about? When you are a one sees you play a 16 and an 8/9.. Every 1 seed should crush their first two
Opponents. And they did crush them Like good teams should against lesser opponents!!!

If u read my entire write up.. You will see I am basing my Duke play on their entire body of work. They crushed San diego state who beat UTAH! They beat Wisconsin by 20 IN WISCONSIN (a 1 seed!!).. They beat mich state.. A team that may be final 4 bound. They played in the ACC. Arguably the best conference. My play is not biased as I stated- I have beg against Duke numerous times his year. I like money. I bet to win money not to bet on my "teams."

I discredit Utah because they aren't any good. People want to use their first two games in the tourney as a sticking point to why they like them +5.. My rebuttals to that is, they beat a Georgetown team that everyone and their Mom had eastern Washington upsetting them. I went back the whole year. I've watched both teams play plenty. Utah lost to San diego state Oregon twice Ucla, (who is TERRIBLE.. If U wanna talk about easy road... See UCLA)... Also a terrible Washington team.

Duke had an easy road to the sweet 16? Lmao.. When you are a 1 seed that's what happens because of YOUR BODY OF WORK IN THE REGULAR SEASON.

I Get it. Duke is a highly disliked team nationally. I totally understand that. As an avid sports fan I understand that fans will look for any reason to bet against them. My write up was just to let people know if you wanna bet against Duke- wait for Gonzaga or finals. Not tonight. Utah isn't good. That is all.

Good luck brother.

I do like Wisconsin tomorrow. I had Arizona on my bracket all week. But after watching Zona play xavier I will be on Wisky. Good luck

I dig it.. good shit.. I can't help but like ND +11.5 vs UK.. I truly think KENTUCKY is going to cough one of these games up. Just don't know which one.. They embarrassed the mountaineers last night!

Already have NC state +3... Adding NC STATE +2 second half.. Couldn't help myself.. Hope I didn't get too greedy!!

Would love for you to respond to my rebuttal.. If you read my entire write up- U actually fit the description of the people betting Utah like A GLOVE... As I stated... In my write up that you clearly didn't read entirely... Everyone is "what have u done for me lately.."... This tournament is looking at teams entire body of work. Which is why I went back to regular season outcomes and plenty of reasons. Both teams first two games mean nothing. But if u want.. Do what every Wichita state backer did yesterday. Pump yourself up over a second round game and then get mopped with the floor against a real team... Smh

Good luck in any case. I was just warning people

Once again; if U read my entire write up ... I said to wait to bet against Duke vs gonzaga. That is a bad matchup for them. So no.. I am not biased. I am realistic