Tuesday, February 24, 2009

First pick of the day

I'm locked in with my first pick of the day, and I'll be able to watch it on ESPN2.

I've got the under on the soccer game between Manchester United and Inter Milan. This should be a good one.

http://streak.espn.go.com/entryStats?entryID=135638


Streak for the Cash- 2/24/09

Today's Matchups- http://streak.espn.go.com/?addata=2009_STREAK_PAGE1

I struggled a bit yesterday, going 6-4 overall and losing my streak. But I'm back today to try and turn things around. Enjoy the picks.

UEFA Champions League: What will be the match result?
AS Roma Win or Draw
@ Arsenal Win
Both teams have been struggling lately and I could really see this matchup going either way. I have a strange feeling that Arsenal gets a late one at home and takes this one 2-1.

UEFA Champions League (Manchester United @ Inter Milan): How many TOTAL GOALS will be SCORED?
2 Goals or Fewer
3 Goals or More
I love this pick here. I just don't see ManU allowing more than a goal, if any. And I would be completely shocked if ManU scored more than 2.

NBA (Grizzlies @ Cavaliers): Which SIDE will record a HIGHER TOTAL?
O.J. Mayo + Rudy Gay (MEM): Points
LeBron James (CLE): Points
The game is in Cleveland, but LeBron has actually put up some of his better scoring outputs away from the "Q" this year. And even though the Grizzlies aren't that great of a road team, I still think O.J. and Rudy can tally around 35 points combined. I don't see LeBron getting any more than 30. Plus, he might not play a lot of the 4th quarter, while Mayo and Gay should play the whole game.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Colorado Avalanche
@ Atlanta Thrashers
Although I usually go with the home team in games like this, for some reason I am leaning towards the Avalanche in this one. They have won three of their last four, while Atlanta is on a skid recently after a small road trip. This will be a close one, but I see Colorado coming out on top.

NCAA Basketball (Penn State @ Ohio State): How many TOTAL POINTS will be SCORED?
126 Points or Fewer
127 Points or More
With 126 points of fewer, we're looking at 63 points a piece, or less. And after all, this is the Big 10. Scoring always seems to be at a premium. Go with the under here.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Vancouver Canucks
@ Montreal Canadiens
Vancouver has won their last four games, three of those on the road. However, two of those wins were in shootouts, and Montreal just got things back on track Saturday with a win at home over Ottawa. Now, after two days off, they should be rested and ready to go at home against the Canucks.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Portland Trail Blazers
@ Houston Rockets
Houston has won four in a row on their current home stand. Portland has won three and a row, but two of those were against Memphis and the Clippers at home. Now, on the road, things will be a little tougher for the Blazers. As always in the NBA, if the matchup seems like a tossup, go with the home team.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Florida Gators
@ #18 LSU Tigers
This is the biggest lock in the history of Streak for the Cash. LSU has been underrated all season, while Florida has probably been overrated all season. Nick Calathes has played bad against some pretty bad teams already this season. Now, he will play bad against a good LSU team, who has won 11 straight games in the SEC. Garrett Temple is one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation, and you will see that tonight. The percentages in this one are dead on. LSU by 10.

Who will WIN this matchup?
#25 Florida State Seminoles
@ Boston College Eagles
Sure, BC has lost 3 of their last 4 games, but it's the ACC. Home teams fair very well in this conference and I don't expect this to change tonight. Go with Boston College.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Texas A&M Aggies
@ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Home team that rarely gets a nationally televised game. Average teams can't win on the road in-conference. Both of these teams are average. Go with the Cornhuskers.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Brigham Young Cougars
@ San Diego State Aztecs
I am very big on home court advantage as you can see. Both teams are 8-4 in the conference, and BYU won the first matchup between the two 77-71 in Provo. Now, it's in San Diego. Despite the San Diego State's recent destruction at New Mexico, I'd still go with the Aztecs in this one.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Back to zero

Well, after Kansas' win over OU, I am back to zero. I'll have to start again tomorrow.

Reviewing today's matchups, I am 6-2 so far, pending the women's curling pick and the Golden State/Los Angeles game.

Not a terrible day of predicting, but I did lose my streak. Looks like I'll be picking soccer again in the morning.

Locked in with Oklahoma

I went with OU over Kansas to try and get my streak to 4.

Women's Curling- Alberta vs. B.C.

Despite Alberta's victory in the final round of their match with Quebec today, I don't see them upsetting currently undefeated B.C. This seems to be an easy pick to me. B.C. all the way.

Another pick

I've locked in Louisville over Georgetown as my pick for the night.

I'm currently on a 2 game streak, trying to best my record of 13.

My Picks

I have locked in my first pick of the day with the 3 Goals or More pick in the soccer game. Check back later tonight for my other picks.

http://streak.espn.go.com/entryStats?entryID=135638

Streak for the Cash- 2/23/09

Today's Matchups- http://streak.espn.go.com/?addata=2009_STREAK_PAGE1

Not that many great matchups for the streakers today, but still some good picks for everyone to make. Here are my picks for today.

English Premier League (Tottenham @ Hull City): How many TOTAL GOALS WILL BE SCORED?
2 Goals or Fewer
3 Goals or More
Between these two teams, they should be able to put up three goals. Although Tottenham has struggled in their last two games, and Hull City has only been involved in a match with 3 or more goals once in their last 5 games, it shouldn't be too surprising when these two combine for three today. Both of these teams are near the bottom of the fixtures and really need to get a win here. Look for both teams to attack early and often and combine for three goals or more.

Canadian Women's Curling Championship (Victoria, BC) Draw 7: Who will WIN this matchup?
Quebec
Alberta
ESPN's sudden fascination with women's curling is beyond me. However, this matchup doesn't seem that hard to predict. Quebec is off to a 3-0 start, but is losing already this morning in a match with B.C., who is also 3-0. Alberta is 2-1, but their only loss came against undefeated Team Canada in a 9-3 blowout. Despite the location of this match being very close to Alberta, I still don't see them coming away with a victory here. Quebec should be heavily motivated after a poor showing this morning, and they should beat an underperforming Alberta team here. I will not pick the other curling match tonight between Alberta and B.C. until later tonight. I want to be able to see how those two teams do today before I make my selection. Please check the blog later today to see my pick there.

Who will WIN this matchup?
#7 Louisville Cardinals
@ Georgetown Hoyas
I don't see Louisville losing this game at all, even if it is in D.C. Georgetown has been struggling as of late, while Louisville has won three in a row since their terrible performance at Notre Dame, and is currently tied atop the Big East standings. Despite the fact that Georgetown really needs this game to help their NCAA Tournament chances, I just think the Cardinals have too much firepower with Samuels down low to stumble here.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Philadelphia 76ers
@ New Jersey Nets
This will be a battle of two teams heading in the wrong direction. The 76ers, after playing some of the best basketball in all of the NBA before the All-Star break, are now on a three game losing streak. The Nets are also on a free fall down the standings, losing their last five. However, four of those games were against some of the most elite teams in the NBA. Now that the Nets are at home for four straight games, they should be able to regroup and beat a Brand-less Philadelphia team. Here's a hint: Even though it's the NBA, home court advantage can never be forgotten. When you have two evenly-matched teams like this, take the home team.

NHL (Sharks @ Stars): How many TOTAL GOALS will be SCORED?
5 Goals or Fewer
6 Goals or More
This could be the toughest matchup of the day to predict. Both of these teams are certainly capable of putting the puck in the net. However, San Jose is coming off of a three game home stand, and now are beginning a four game road trip. The Sharks have lost their last three games starting road trips of three games or more, and haven't scored more than two goals in any of those losses. Dallas is tough at home and has great goalie play. So, I'm leaning towards 5 goals or fewer here.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
@ Murray State Racers
Don't let the records fool you. The Skyhawks are a huge beneficiary of a weak schedule so far this season. They have a record of 2-5 against teams with winning records, and are coming off a loss against Missouri State in ESPN's Bracketbuster challenge this weekend. Murray State isn't exactly that great either, but they have won four games in a row in the Ohio Valley Conference. They are also very tough at home. I like the Racers in a close one.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Boston Celtics
@ Denver Nuggets
This is a game that you should stay away from. Sure, the easy pick is the Celtics. However, Boston is on the second night of a back-to-back on the road, after yesterday's win over Phoenix. Denver is returning home after eight straight on the road, and you can bet they will be looking to get back on track with a win. If you have to go with one, go with Boston. But I wouldn't pick this matchup at all if you're smart.

Who will WIN this matchup?
#18 Kansas Jayhawks
@ #2 Oklahoma Sooners
Even though Blake Griffin is questionable for this game, and probably won't play, take OU in this one. Austin Johnson and Willie Warren should be able to handle things for the Sooners on the perimeter, while Taylor Griffin is still a strong presence down low. As long as Oklahoma can keep Sherron Collins under control, they should still be able to take this game, with or without the younger Griffin.

Who will WIN this matchup?
Golden State Warriors
@ Los Angeles Clippers
This is a matchup you should stay away from if you have a decent sized streak. Yes, it is the late game which makes you very eager to pick it. But, it's just not an easy pick despite what the percentages say. Golden State is very inconsistent on the road, and the Clippers are just very inconsistent anywhere. If you have a small streak or no streak at all, I would go with the Warriors. But, if you have a good streak of 4 or more, stay away.

Check back later for my curling prediction between Alberta and B.C.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Introducing the new "ESPN Streak for the Cash" Blog

That's right streakers, I'm here to give you guys all the info you need to be successful at Streak for the Cash.

Just recently, I have had a 13 game streak which brought me to the top 10 of the overall leaderboard. With my help, I know all of you guys can get there too.

Starting Monday, February 23, I will be giving my picks for all of the games everyday, along with advice for you streakers with long streaks and monthly aspirations.

I will also post all of the picks that I make on this blog daily.

So check back tomorrow for the opening day of the Streak for the Cash blog.