NOTE: This play was released in the morning for a 3:00 EST start. About a half an hour before game time word got out that Butler star Jahmyl Telfort would not play. We sent out an email with the news saying that, if you had not already made a wager, you should downgrade the bet amount to 1*. Since we assumed 95% of subscribers would have already played the game, that we would grade it as a 3* Selection, win or lose.
Our 3* VERY STRONG release on the Butler Bulldogs came through but it was far from easy as they battled back from an 11 point second half deficit to win a close one. When it was announced before the game that their best player Jahmyl Telfort would not play our first thought was “here we go again”, as the breaks have not been our friend lately. But we will take it as a payback from the Gambling Gods for several very Bad Beats we have suffered recently. Let’s hope this is the start of the bounces going our way. Adding 3 Units brings our rolling 36 day record to 71-53 for Plus 72.2 UNITS.
3* VERY STRONG – Butler +1.5 (86-84) WIN
3* VERY STRONG – (Crown Tournament – Vegas 3:00 EST) Butler +1.5: This afternoon we have the start of the new College Basketball Crown tournament from Las Vegas where the Butler Bulldogs (Big East) face off against the Utah Utes (Big 12). Normally we would tread lightly in a tournament such as this but there are a number of factors here that favor the Bulldogs. Utah fired their coach Craig Smith which has prompted 7-9 players to enter the Transfer Portal (including 2 starters). Butler reportedly has Zero Defections and will have a full squad participating in this event. Per Haslametrics, the Utes RANKED LAST nationally (won 1 true road game all season) in “Away From Home Metric”, even before the defections, while the Bulldogs ranked 33rd Best. Butler also holds opponents to 31% shooting from deep. We have to question the motivation and psyche of a team who lost their coach, and most of their players, when going to battle against a Butler contingent with a full roster and who is led by an experienced tournament coach in Thad Matta. Reports are that Matta and the Bulldogs are happy to be here and are looking to build for next season. With all of the intangibles appearing to be on their side, we back the Bulldogs to advance as a slight underdog.