Thanks to a close to unbelievable end of the Virginia Purdue game I was 1-1 on Saturday's games. Texas Tech made me a loser against Gonzaga. Er, Gonzaga made Gonzaga a loser. What a poor performance by the Zags. I hear that Mark Few is a very good person and very good coach. So I feel for him. The Zags just did not come up big, and Texas Tech did.
But Virginia. Well how do you tie a game down by three when you are shooting two foul shots with five seconds left. That was amazing. And then not only do they win the game in OT, but manage to hit all foul shots at the end including 2 with 1.3 seconds left while up only three, in order to make people in Las Vegas who bet on Virginia delirious. Spread was 4 1/2. Final score 80-75. Win by the hook.
Running record 24-33-1.
Five games left. In an attempt to win back the fictitious money and break even, I could bet the over/under as well as against the spread. This is what the state of Nevada counts on. Try to bet more to win back what you lost. Since the odds of winning are not good, if you try to win back what you lost, you will wind up, in most situations, losing more than you had been losing. I'll just bet against the spread.
For Sunday
Give the 2 and bet Duke against Michigan State.
Give the 4.5 and take Kentucky over Auburn
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Print vs. Web
My course in Sports Communication (soon to be complemented by a fine textbook written by the author of this blog) is in its second year. This is the fourth consecutive semester it has been offered and in the fall there will be two sections.
I've been impressed, for the most part, with the quality of students who enroll in this class. We at Northeastern have continued to increase the requirements necessary for admission so it would make sense that students in this class would be bright and industrious as are the students in our other classes.
What makes this class distinctive is that many students enroll in it, not because it is a requirement, but because of their inherent interest in sports. And knowledge of sports. When undergraduates enroll in Organizational Communication--another class I teach--they typically are not familiar with Communication theories or, say, Scientific Management.
However, students in Sports Communication are athletes themselves, very serious fans, or in some cases aspire to go into careers in sports writing or broadcasting. They come with considerable background and that background enriches the course.
Each class begins with what I have called a Daily Case. Students have to respond by writing a one page paper based on a prompt that appears on the syllabus. The prompt is a statement. Students either Agree or Disagree with the statement and provide a rationale. For example, a prompt could be: how teammates communicate off the field of play is more significant than how they communicate on the field of play in terms of ultimate team success. Another example: Fans are entitled to express their discontent at player and coaching performance--as critically as they wish--when they purchase a ticket for a game. A third example: If women's sports were broadcast as regularly as men's sports then women's sports would enjoy the same level of fan enthusiasm. A fourth: Athletes have the social responsibility to use their platforms to communicate their positions about social injustice.
Typically, the reactions to these prompts are varied often representing antithetical positions with the same level of energy. One student will argue that athletes do have the responsibility to speak out about, for example, political oppression. And another will shout, just as emphatically, that athletes should stay in their athletic lanes.
One prompt that, each semester, gets uniform response relates to whether sports information communicated on the web is more relevant and valuable than information communicated in traditional media. Regularly, the majority of students will say that they never read the newspaper for sports news. I will ask a question about an article in the Boston Globe and the students will look at me as if I asked about a piece in Physics Quarterly. Students in 2019 who are interested in sports go to the web. One of the best students I have had in four semesters teaching this class said, "I can't remember the last time I read a newspaper for sports news." She was always on top of information about sports. but never used the paper.
Okay, so on Thursday I passed a colleague of mine on the way to class. He is a sports fan and teaches a course in Sports Writing. I asked him if he was excited about opening day which was last Thursday. He smiled and asked if I had seen the sports page of the New York Times where there were several articles dedicated to the 1969 Mets. I had not, but as someone who remembers the 69 Mets, more than I remember nearly any other sports team, I was eager to see the articles.
I have a Sunday subscription to the Times, but not a daily one. However, because of the Sunday subscription I have access to the web version. So, I thought I would put on a young person's hat--even though I almost never read a newspaper on line, and read the articles.
Spoiler Alert: I am and have been eligible for social security, so perhaps my comments reflect the times around the track, but I found reading the articles off-putting. First I could not see them all at the same time, so I could not select which ones I might find most attractive. Second, I kept butting heads with advertisements that for some reason in the print version I can skip over. Yes, I did not dirty my fingers, and yes I did not have to go to the library, but the experience of reading them all or the serendipity of finding something else relevant on the page was not as great.
So today, I will be going to a local library where they keep back copies and immerse myself in the 69 Mets in a way, I do not think those who seek out the Times on-line can or will.
I've been impressed, for the most part, with the quality of students who enroll in this class. We at Northeastern have continued to increase the requirements necessary for admission so it would make sense that students in this class would be bright and industrious as are the students in our other classes.
What makes this class distinctive is that many students enroll in it, not because it is a requirement, but because of their inherent interest in sports. And knowledge of sports. When undergraduates enroll in Organizational Communication--another class I teach--they typically are not familiar with Communication theories or, say, Scientific Management.
However, students in Sports Communication are athletes themselves, very serious fans, or in some cases aspire to go into careers in sports writing or broadcasting. They come with considerable background and that background enriches the course.
Each class begins with what I have called a Daily Case. Students have to respond by writing a one page paper based on a prompt that appears on the syllabus. The prompt is a statement. Students either Agree or Disagree with the statement and provide a rationale. For example, a prompt could be: how teammates communicate off the field of play is more significant than how they communicate on the field of play in terms of ultimate team success. Another example: Fans are entitled to express their discontent at player and coaching performance--as critically as they wish--when they purchase a ticket for a game. A third example: If women's sports were broadcast as regularly as men's sports then women's sports would enjoy the same level of fan enthusiasm. A fourth: Athletes have the social responsibility to use their platforms to communicate their positions about social injustice.
Typically, the reactions to these prompts are varied often representing antithetical positions with the same level of energy. One student will argue that athletes do have the responsibility to speak out about, for example, political oppression. And another will shout, just as emphatically, that athletes should stay in their athletic lanes.
One prompt that, each semester, gets uniform response relates to whether sports information communicated on the web is more relevant and valuable than information communicated in traditional media. Regularly, the majority of students will say that they never read the newspaper for sports news. I will ask a question about an article in the Boston Globe and the students will look at me as if I asked about a piece in Physics Quarterly. Students in 2019 who are interested in sports go to the web. One of the best students I have had in four semesters teaching this class said, "I can't remember the last time I read a newspaper for sports news." She was always on top of information about sports. but never used the paper.
Okay, so on Thursday I passed a colleague of mine on the way to class. He is a sports fan and teaches a course in Sports Writing. I asked him if he was excited about opening day which was last Thursday. He smiled and asked if I had seen the sports page of the New York Times where there were several articles dedicated to the 1969 Mets. I had not, but as someone who remembers the 69 Mets, more than I remember nearly any other sports team, I was eager to see the articles.
I have a Sunday subscription to the Times, but not a daily one. However, because of the Sunday subscription I have access to the web version. So, I thought I would put on a young person's hat--even though I almost never read a newspaper on line, and read the articles.
Spoiler Alert: I am and have been eligible for social security, so perhaps my comments reflect the times around the track, but I found reading the articles off-putting. First I could not see them all at the same time, so I could not select which ones I might find most attractive. Second, I kept butting heads with advertisements that for some reason in the print version I can skip over. Yes, I did not dirty my fingers, and yes I did not have to go to the library, but the experience of reading them all or the serendipity of finding something else relevant on the page was not as great.
So today, I will be going to a local library where they keep back copies and immerse myself in the 69 Mets in a way, I do not think those who seek out the Times on-line can or will.
Sweet Sixteen Part 3
Tough night. Only 1-3. MSU covered. However, while Duke won again, miraculously, they did not cover. Houston plus 2.5 looked like a good bet when they were up in the last seconds, but Kentucky managed to not only go ahead but finish the game winning by 4. Finally, my wish came true with Auburn. If you read the blog yesterday you know I bet against them but rooted for them and they pummeled North Carolina***. So one win, three losses, bringing my March Madness total against the spread to 23-32-1.
Today I like (as if it matters) Virginia to cover the 4.5 point spread against Purdue, and Gonzaga to cover the 4.5 point spread against Texas Tech.
As long as I have been, appropriately, self-deprecating throughout--I do want to point out that in my brackets--that is predicting wins and losses not against the spread--I am still very much alive. I currently have 7 of the 8 teams in the elite eight still alive. The only interloper is Purdue. I had Villanova knocking them out in the round of 32. Seven out of eight. Just saying.
***My antipathy for North Carolina has evolved after studying the academic scandal that surfaced in the last months of 2014. Student-athletes, for nearly twenty years, were shuttled into sham courses in attempts to maintain their eligibilities. That there were sham courses was irresponsible enough, but that the activity existed for 18 years indicates or should have indicated to anyone who did not have her or his head in the ground that something foul was going on. So, it was the fact of the sham courses, the number of years the activity was ongoing, the absence of anyone screaming foul, and the claiming subsequently that "we did not know." All of this in a big ball emitted a foul odor. But what put the tainted cherry on top, is that during the investigation the school continued to protest that they had done nothing wrong, that this sham was perpetrated by Moe and Larry with help from several Curleys, who were good gosh doing these reprehensible things. That foul cherry is why I likely will never cheer for UNC ever again.
Today I like (as if it matters) Virginia to cover the 4.5 point spread against Purdue, and Gonzaga to cover the 4.5 point spread against Texas Tech.
As long as I have been, appropriately, self-deprecating throughout--I do want to point out that in my brackets--that is predicting wins and losses not against the spread--I am still very much alive. I currently have 7 of the 8 teams in the elite eight still alive. The only interloper is Purdue. I had Villanova knocking them out in the round of 32. Seven out of eight. Just saying.
***My antipathy for North Carolina has evolved after studying the academic scandal that surfaced in the last months of 2014. Student-athletes, for nearly twenty years, were shuttled into sham courses in attempts to maintain their eligibilities. That there were sham courses was irresponsible enough, but that the activity existed for 18 years indicates or should have indicated to anyone who did not have her or his head in the ground that something foul was going on. So, it was the fact of the sham courses, the number of years the activity was ongoing, the absence of anyone screaming foul, and the claiming subsequently that "we did not know." All of this in a big ball emitted a foul odor. But what put the tainted cherry on top, is that during the investigation the school continued to protest that they had done nothing wrong, that this sham was perpetrated by Moe and Larry with help from several Curleys, who were good gosh doing these reprehensible things. That foul cherry is why I likely will never cheer for UNC ever again.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Sweet Sixteen Part 2
Only two for five last night. Michigan was suffocated by Texas Tech and did not come close to scoring enough to help with the Over. Virginia prevailed but could not cover against a better Oregon team than I thought. Gonzaga did come through for me as did Purdue.
Two for five is not bad, and is excellent compared to the 2 for 16 which was opening day last Thursday. Forty percent is about right for betting against the spread. Consequently, if you do not want to lose money stay away from the following predictions for tonight.
Give away the 6.5 and take Michigan State over LSU
Give away the 8 and take Duke over Virginia Tech
Take the 2 1/2 and bet Houston over Kentucky
As much as I wish I did not have to, and I will root against my bet, but Give away the 5 1/2 and take North Carolina over Auburn.
Just saying, that in my brackets I am doing pretty well. I had both Gonzaga and Texas Tech advancing to the Elite 8 as well as Virginia. So of the four who have already advanced to the Elite 8 I have 3 in my brackets.
Record so far for the tournament against the spread and Over/Under 22-30-1. Moral of the story, do not bet on college basketball against the spread.
Two for five is not bad, and is excellent compared to the 2 for 16 which was opening day last Thursday. Forty percent is about right for betting against the spread. Consequently, if you do not want to lose money stay away from the following predictions for tonight.
Give away the 6.5 and take Michigan State over LSU
Give away the 8 and take Duke over Virginia Tech
Take the 2 1/2 and bet Houston over Kentucky
As much as I wish I did not have to, and I will root against my bet, but Give away the 5 1/2 and take North Carolina over Auburn.
Just saying, that in my brackets I am doing pretty well. I had both Gonzaga and Texas Tech advancing to the Elite 8 as well as Virginia. So of the four who have already advanced to the Elite 8 I have 3 in my brackets.
Record so far for the tournament against the spread and Over/Under 22-30-1. Moral of the story, do not bet on college basketball against the spread.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Sweet Sixteen Part 1
Fresh off a disastrous Thursday and Friday last week, I continue this 2019 March Madness with the following picks.
My record going into tonight is 20-27-1.
Note there are five picks here. Four games and one Over pick. Betting the Over indicates that the total points will exceed the number the oddsmakers have established. So, the oddsmakers put the Over/Under at 124.5 for Michigan Texas Tech. If those teams combine to score more than 124 than the Over is a winning wager.
Five opportunities to demonstrate what little someone who knows, knows.
Purdue take the 1.5 over Tennessee.
Virginia give the 8.5 against Oregon
Gonzaga give the 8 over Florida State
Michigan give the 1.5 against Texas Tech
Michigan/Texas Tech--Take the Over 124.5
My record going into tonight is 20-27-1.
Note there are five picks here. Four games and one Over pick. Betting the Over indicates that the total points will exceed the number the oddsmakers have established. So, the oddsmakers put the Over/Under at 124.5 for Michigan Texas Tech. If those teams combine to score more than 124 than the Over is a winning wager.
Five opportunities to demonstrate what little someone who knows, knows.
Purdue take the 1.5 over Tennessee.
Virginia give the 8.5 against Oregon
Gonzaga give the 8 over Florida State
Michigan give the 1.5 against Texas Tech
Michigan/Texas Tech--Take the Over 124.5
Monday, March 25, 2019
Something Approaching Normalcy
The dust has cleared.
Forty eight games have been played in the most exciting sporting weekend including the super bowl. The fans who flew to Las Vegas to bet on the first weekend of March Madness are now back home, feeling headachy for having kept long hours and consumed too much beer. They do not want to recount what they have eaten since Wednesday.
I stayed at home, exercised daily, had a broiled piece of chicken with a baked potato last night--and picked every single game from the comfort of a regular domicile.
And I have more money in my pocket because of it.
On the first two days of the tournament I picked, at best--accounting for two betting with heart and not head selections--7 correctly, 24 incorrectly, with one push.
On the last two days I rebounded. Had I been in Las Vegas I might have taken an early return flight after the first two days, so who knows if I would have even wagered on Saturday and Sunday. But in the simulation I did quite well on Saturday and Sunday. I selected 7 out of 8 correctly on Saturday and 6 out of 8 on Sunday, all against the spread.
Sum total of my wagering on 48 games. Twenty wins. Twenty seven losses. One push.
This is why there are hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard. I know much more about college basketball than most. I had two great days on Saturday and Sunday. But still, after picking 13 out of 16 correctly the last two days, I would still be very much in the red had I travelled to Nevada. And this of course does not count the costs of the flight and lodging.
Brackets: I am still alive. I have 13 out of the 16 left.
Forty eight games have been played in the most exciting sporting weekend including the super bowl. The fans who flew to Las Vegas to bet on the first weekend of March Madness are now back home, feeling headachy for having kept long hours and consumed too much beer. They do not want to recount what they have eaten since Wednesday.
I stayed at home, exercised daily, had a broiled piece of chicken with a baked potato last night--and picked every single game from the comfort of a regular domicile.
And I have more money in my pocket because of it.
On the first two days of the tournament I picked, at best--accounting for two betting with heart and not head selections--7 correctly, 24 incorrectly, with one push.
On the last two days I rebounded. Had I been in Las Vegas I might have taken an early return flight after the first two days, so who knows if I would have even wagered on Saturday and Sunday. But in the simulation I did quite well on Saturday and Sunday. I selected 7 out of 8 correctly on Saturday and 6 out of 8 on Sunday, all against the spread.
Sum total of my wagering on 48 games. Twenty wins. Twenty seven losses. One push.
This is why there are hotels on Las Vegas Boulevard. I know much more about college basketball than most. I had two great days on Saturday and Sunday. But still, after picking 13 out of 16 correctly the last two days, I would still be very much in the red had I travelled to Nevada. And this of course does not count the costs of the flight and lodging.
Brackets: I am still alive. I have 13 out of the 16 left.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Iowa fans and bettors.
Iowa lost, but there are people in Des Moines that are dancing.
Down 20 plus in the first half Iowa came back to tie in regulation. But eventually they lost by 6 in overtime.
However the spread was 8.
If you bet on the Hawkeyes you can enjoy the corn on the cob in Iowa City.
Meanwhile the end of the game provided another example illustrating that players and coaches do not think of the spread. Iowa missed a shot down by 6, Tennessee had the ball with just a few seconds left and nobody was guarding anyone. Had the Tennessee player dribbled to the basket for an uncontested layup the bettors for Tennessee would have had a push, i.e. not lost the bet. Instead they were losers and, no doubt, spewed loud profanities in casinos. Particularly so, if the Tennessee bettors spent their dough before the second half commenced since their team had a 20 point lead at the time.
Oh, and 1 for 1 for me after game 1.
Down 20 plus in the first half Iowa came back to tie in regulation. But eventually they lost by 6 in overtime.
However the spread was 8.
If you bet on the Hawkeyes you can enjoy the corn on the cob in Iowa City.
Meanwhile the end of the game provided another example illustrating that players and coaches do not think of the spread. Iowa missed a shot down by 6, Tennessee had the ball with just a few seconds left and nobody was guarding anyone. Had the Tennessee player dribbled to the basket for an uncontested layup the bettors for Tennessee would have had a push, i.e. not lost the bet. Instead they were losers and, no doubt, spewed loud profanities in casinos. Particularly so, if the Tennessee bettors spent their dough before the second half commenced since their team had a 20 point lead at the time.
Oh, and 1 for 1 for me after game 1.
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