ONE Sotheby's International Realty Will Be Exclusive Sales ...

ONE Thousand Museum, a new tower designed by world renown architect Zaha Hadid will soon grace the Downtown Miami skyline. Developed by Louis Birdman and Gregg Colvin, ONE Thousand Museum will be located at 1000 Biscayne Boulevard across from the American Airlines Arena and soon to be cultural hub Museum Park. ONE Sotheby?s International Realty is proud to be the exclusive Sales & Marketing Firm for this world-class project that will change the landscape of luxury real estate in our city.

The monumental ONE Thousand Museum will rise 60 stories above Biscayne Boulevard and boast half and full floor units, duplex town homes and a single duplex penthouse all outfitted with top of the line finishes and furnishings. ?Iconic architecture, unprecedented amenities, stunning skyline and ocean views, and close proximity to Miami?s finest museums and performing arts institutions will position ONE Thousand Museum as the most prestigious new residential property in the city,? says Mayi de la Vega, ONE Sotheby?s International Realty?s CEO and Founder.

ONE Sotheby?s was chosen as the Sales and Marketing firm because of the exceptional service our agents provide to top tier clientele and for having access to international buyers around the globe. We look forward to marketing the tower to buyers looking for something luxurious and unique in the middle of Miami?s thriving cosmopolitan and cultural scene.

Mayi de la Vega, also added, ?With ONE Thousand Museum, the Miami skyline will rival that of New York City when it comes to architectural interest, world attention, and pricing. We simply haven?t yet had a residential tower designed by an architect of Hadid?s caliber in Miami, nor have we seen the level of amenities that this extraordinary building will provide.?

Renderings of ONE Thousand Museum will be released by Zaha Hadid in late March and sales will commence during the same time. For more information about the project please visit www.1000museum.com, or contact 1-855-ONE-MUSE (663-6873)

Source: http://www.onesothebysrealty.com/blog/2013/02/one-sothebys-international-realty-will-be-exclusive-sales-marketing-firm-for-one-thousand-museum/

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WePay Launches Mobile Payments App on iOS For ... - The Next Web

Online and mobile payments service WePay?has launched an iOS app today to help small and growing businesses in the United States accept credit card transactions with minimal fuss.

The app means that firms can use an iPhone as a virtual terminal, charging credit cards at any time and at any location without using dedicated hardware.?It also includes a number of invoicing features, allowing the user to send and manage custom-made, professional itemized bills.

Processing credit cards and sending out invoices will cost 2.9 percent of the total amount paid, in addition to a 30 cent charge per transaction taken by WePay.

If the client is having any problems with the service, it?s also possible to call or email customer support directly from within the WePay app.

Bill Clerico, CEO of WePay says the needs of small business service providers aren?t being met by the existing mobile payment apps on the market.??Our solution offers these businesses everything they need to get paid,? he said. ?Now whether they?re on the road or in the office they have access to everything people love about WePay [...] all without requiring any extra hardware or a dongle.?

WePay has a number of other firms to compete with though. Digital payments company Square is one of its biggest competitors in the United States, having recently announced that it is now offering a complete hardware package to help businesses run its Square Register solution.

Mobile payments platform LevelUp, known for its use of QR codes, is also actively targeting small businesses in the United States by offering custom-made apps. Earlier this month restaurant chain Sweetgreen became the first firm to take advantage of the service, and it?s been confirmed that an app for First Trade Union Bank is also in development.

iZettle, meanwhile, has just introduced a new device in Europe based on chip and pin technology, which accepts all major credit cards including Visa. It?s only available in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the UK, Germany and Spain for now, and works in conjunction the free iZettle app.

They?re already competing with a number of other up-and-coming startups such as SumUp?(we took a sneak peak at its upcoming?SumUp Pay solution at Finovate Europe) and Rocket Internet-incubated Payleven, the latter of which has also opted for an app plus chip and pin reader combination. Meanwhile, eBay-owned PayPal is looking to launch its mobile payments service, PayPal Here, in the UK before the end of the summer.

The caveat here is that most of these services are still operating in select regions, restricting growth not only in transactions but also the number of businesses adopting it.

All of these mobile payments companies are looking to expand though, so if WePay wants any chance of keeping up with the rest of the pack, it?ll need to keep developing its mobile app offerings in the United States ? and quickly.

? WePay | iOS

Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our site, The Next Web may earn a small commission if you click through and buy the product in question. For more information, please see our Terms of Service.

Image Credit:?Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Source: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/02/28/wepay-launches-an-ios-app-for-small-businesses-upping-its-game-in-the-mobile-payments-race/

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British Columbia traffic deaths could be cut in half

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dixon Tam
dixont@sfu.ca
604-417-0881
Simon Fraser University

A study by a Simon Fraser University researcher shows British Columbia has much higher traffic death rates than most northern European countries. Comparisons to the safest country, the Netherlands, suggest B.C. could reduce the number of traffic deaths by more than 200 per year.

It also found that fatality and injury risks varied by travel mode.

"Many studies have shown that overall, considering both potential physical activity benefits and injury risks, cycling and walking are on the whole very healthy travel activities," says SFU health sciences assistant professor Meghan Winters, senior author of the study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health.

However, the study, Exposure-based Traffic Crash Injury Rates of Travel in British Columbia, confirmed using B.C. data that amongst travel modes, cyclists and pedestrians do indeed carry higher injury risk than drivers. It also demonstrated that traffic fatality risks are far lower in other countries, indicating that safety improvements are possible.

"The results fit with the common perception that cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable road users. However, we were surprised to see how similar the risks were between these two modes," says Winters.

"Another surprise was comparing fatality risk for these modes to public transit and motorcycling (for which we had to look at research from the U.S. since B.C. data was not sufficient). In the U.S., where pedestrian, cyclist, and car exposure-based fatality rates were similar, bus travel had 20 times less risk than other modes, and motorcycle travel 25 times higher risk."

According to the study, injury risks vary by mode of transportation car, bicycle, and walking and understanding the differences is important for prevention. It adds that since these travel modes are not used equally, injury rates calculated with a population denominator may reflect differences in burden, not differences in risk, between modes.

Exposure-based denominators take into account factors like the proportion of trips or the distances travelled by each mode. Examples:

• Motor-vehicle occupants had the lowest fatality rates using exposure-based denominators (9.6 per 100 million person-trips and .97 per 100 million kms)
• Cyclists and pedestrians had similar fatality rates using trip denominators (13.8 vs 14.7 per 100 million person-trips, respectively), but cyclists had a lower rate using distance denominator (2.60 vs 7.37 per 100 million kms)

Winters believes more data about travel behaviour in Canada is needed. Creating a national trip diary could provide researchers with data to help reduce fatalities.

"Since there is no national data collection on travel for travel behaviour data, it is not possible to make comparisons, either within Canada or internationally, that would allow us to identify safer jurisdictions and learn about traffic safety measures that could be adopted here," says Winters.

###

Simon Fraser University is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

Simon Fraser University: Engaging Students. Engaging Research. Engaging Communities.

Simon Fraser University
Public Affairs/Media Relations (PAMR)
778.782.3210 www.sfu.ca/pamr

Contact:

Meghan Winters, SFU Health Sciences, 604.315.0484 (cell), mwinters@sfu.ca

Dixon Tam, SFU media relations, 778.782.8742 (office) or 604.417.0881 (cell), dixont@sfu.ca

(Note: Meghan is in California but available to do phone interviews today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST and when she's back in Vancouver on March 1.)

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 28-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dixon Tam
dixont@sfu.ca
604-417-0881
Simon Fraser University

A study by a Simon Fraser University researcher shows British Columbia has much higher traffic death rates than most northern European countries. Comparisons to the safest country, the Netherlands, suggest B.C. could reduce the number of traffic deaths by more than 200 per year.

It also found that fatality and injury risks varied by travel mode.

"Many studies have shown that overall, considering both potential physical activity benefits and injury risks, cycling and walking are on the whole very healthy travel activities," says SFU health sciences assistant professor Meghan Winters, senior author of the study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health.

However, the study, Exposure-based Traffic Crash Injury Rates of Travel in British Columbia, confirmed using B.C. data that amongst travel modes, cyclists and pedestrians do indeed carry higher injury risk than drivers. It also demonstrated that traffic fatality risks are far lower in other countries, indicating that safety improvements are possible.

"The results fit with the common perception that cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable road users. However, we were surprised to see how similar the risks were between these two modes," says Winters.

"Another surprise was comparing fatality risk for these modes to public transit and motorcycling (for which we had to look at research from the U.S. since B.C. data was not sufficient). In the U.S., where pedestrian, cyclist, and car exposure-based fatality rates were similar, bus travel had 20 times less risk than other modes, and motorcycle travel 25 times higher risk."

According to the study, injury risks vary by mode of transportation car, bicycle, and walking and understanding the differences is important for prevention. It adds that since these travel modes are not used equally, injury rates calculated with a population denominator may reflect differences in burden, not differences in risk, between modes.

Exposure-based denominators take into account factors like the proportion of trips or the distances travelled by each mode. Examples:

• Motor-vehicle occupants had the lowest fatality rates using exposure-based denominators (9.6 per 100 million person-trips and .97 per 100 million kms)
• Cyclists and pedestrians had similar fatality rates using trip denominators (13.8 vs 14.7 per 100 million person-trips, respectively), but cyclists had a lower rate using distance denominator (2.60 vs 7.37 per 100 million kms)

Winters believes more data about travel behaviour in Canada is needed. Creating a national trip diary could provide researchers with data to help reduce fatalities.

"Since there is no national data collection on travel for travel behaviour data, it is not possible to make comparisons, either within Canada or internationally, that would allow us to identify safer jurisdictions and learn about traffic safety measures that could be adopted here," says Winters.

###

Simon Fraser University is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

Simon Fraser University: Engaging Students. Engaging Research. Engaging Communities.

Simon Fraser University
Public Affairs/Media Relations (PAMR)
778.782.3210 www.sfu.ca/pamr

Contact:

Meghan Winters, SFU Health Sciences, 604.315.0484 (cell), mwinters@sfu.ca

Dixon Tam, SFU media relations, 778.782.8742 (office) or 604.417.0881 (cell), dixont@sfu.ca

(Note: Meghan is in California but available to do phone interviews today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. PST and when she's back in Vancouver on March 1.)

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/sfu-bct022813.php

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Step Inside the Hot Oscar Afterparties!

Reese Witherspoon! Jen Aniston! See the A-listers reveling at the glitziest post-Oscars bashes

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/oscar-afterparties/1-b-523800?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aoscar-afterparties-523800

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Huawei reveals 'fastest smartphone in the world'

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) ? Huawei, a Chinese company that recently became the world's third-largest maker of smartphones, calls its new flagship product "the fastest smartphone in the world" and wants to use it to expand global awareness of its brand.

Parts of the presentation of the phone at a press conference Sunday in Barcelona, Spain, suggest that the company has some way to go in polishing its pitch for a global audience.

Richard Yu, head of Huawei's consumer business group said the new phone can be programmed to display more than 100 different "themes," or looks. This is important because "ladies like flowers, colorful things," Yu said.

Yu also said Huawei is learning from Apple how to make Google's Android software easier to use, a lawsuit-friendly utterance considering that Apple is on a global campaign to sue makers of Android phones for copying from the iPhone.

The new phone, the Ascend P2, will have a 4.7 inch screen. Yu said it will be available in the April to June time frame for about $525 without a contract. It's the "fastest" because it supports faster download speeds than other phones. However, today's wireless networks aren't equipped to supply those speeds.

Huawei Technologies Ltd. was the world's third largest seller of smartphones, after Samsung and Apple, in the fourth quarter of last year, according to research firm IDC. That's despite selling very few phones in the U.S., where the big phone companies mostly ignore it. It has a much better position in Europe, where cellphone companies have embraced its network equipment, and France's Orange is committed to selling the phone.

In the U.S., a congressional panel recommended in October that phone carriers avoid doing business with Huawei or its smaller Chinese rival, ZTE Corp., for fear that its network equipment could contain "back doors" that enable access to communications from outside. The Chinese government rejected the report as false and an effort to block Chinese companies from the U.S. market.

Meanwhile, a report by a private U.S. cybersecurity firm concluded recently that a special unit of China's military is responsible for sustained cyberespionage against U.S. companies and government agencies. China has denied involvement in the attacks in which massive amounts of data and corporate trade secrets, likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars, were stolen.

"It has not been an easy journey for us," Huawei's global brand director, Amy Lou, said Sunday of the company's quest to become globally recognized and trusted. She called the company "a great consumer brand in the making."

The world's largest cellphone trade show, Mobile World Congress, opens Monday in Barcelona.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/huawei-reveals-fastest-smartphone-world-171144973--finance.html

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NBA Arts and Crafts Handicapping Tip

College Basketball Gambling: Sunday's hot links

A few articles for Sunday's CBB action... UCLA scored 88 points last time out against Stanford. It was supposedly a result of a simplified offense. Cincinnati has lost four of five but is trying to remain positive. Purdue has struggled to score of late but Matt Painter is far more concerned about defense. Michigan used the week off to focus on defense. And today's total against Illinois got bet down from 138 to 134.5 Florida State plans to throw multiple players at Virginia Tech scoring machine Erick Green. Virginia has lost two straight and is in a revenge spot vs. Georgia Tech after losing 66-60 in Atlanta back in early February. The Cavaliers do however have Duke on deck. UCLA's Travis Wear (11.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) remains doubtful vs. USC. Boston College has won two of its last three -- finally turning a few close games into wins. The Eagles have ACC losses by 5, 3, 1, 5, 1 and 3. Tags: College Basketball

NBA Arts and Crafts Handicapping Tip

Submitted by Stat Intellegince Take a piece of graph paper, and turn it sideways so you?re looking at it like it?s the same shape as the screen on your laptop (short and wide like a cutting board as opposed to tall and skinny like notebook paper). Down the left side, right the names of the 30 NBA teams. I do it by divisions because it?s easier for me to think of the teams in clusters like that. You may prefer alphabetically because it?s easier to look for a certain team. Whatever. There should be at least 30 lines if you have a typical piece of graph paper. If you don?t?find one that has at least 30 lines so that each team will have a row going across. Now, across the top of the paper, write the days of the month. You?re building a calendar. There?s room in each little box to write a number. You should know what month it is?so you don?t have to write F22, F23, F24 if it?s February. Just the numbers should do unless you?re a calligrapher using a very thin pencil point (I write sloppily in pen). You?ve created a grid?with the NBA teams down the left side, and the dates for several weeks going across the top. Now, find a daily NBA schedule. I use the one at ESPN?s website. I?m sure there are plenty of others out there. If you subscribe to the Don Best schedule, you can just use your handy booklet. Use the schedule to fill out your grid. If Atlanta?s playing at Boston on the first day of the month, you put an X by Atlanta, and an X by Boston under the column with a 1. (If you?re starting this today, SUNDAY, you might as well make 24 your first number at the top of the grid?and go 24-25-26-27-28-1-2-3-4 because the month is about to turn). If you?re patient, I?d go back to the All-Star Break and pick it up from 19-20-21 because that?s when the new set of games began. If you want to include a bit more information in your grid, instead of using an X, put an R by the road team, and an H by the home team. If Atlanta was playing at Boston on the #1 day of the month, you?d have an R by in Atlanta?s row in the #1 column, and an H in Boston?s row under the #1 column. The important thing is that the box is filled on the right day?because THIS will allow you to see: *Back-to-back?s *Back-to-back?s that are also the fourth game in five nights or the fifth in seven *Road trips (if you?re using the R) *Extended breaks *Herky jerky stretches where teams are hopping back and forth from home to road (if you use H and R) Me, I use a yellow hi-liter for all the back-to-back spots, and then I draw oval circles around the 4-in-5 and 5-in-7 spots (and anything more brutal than that?which is how I could see a couple of months ago that San Antonio was in a fatigue sequence from Hell when Commissioner Stern inexplicably fined them for intelligently resting their key players). I?m not going to suggest to you that this is the secret key to unlocking the vault of NBA riches. But, it is important information to have if you?re serious about handicapping. It?s silly to NOT know who?s tired and who?s fresh. The more you study, the more you recognize which teams are able to handle fatigue stretches and which teams collapse. The more you start thinking about the big picture like a coach does, instead of just having knee-jerk reactions to the first pointspread you see in a game like too many gamblers do. ?That seems high,? or ?that seems low? changes when you know the fatigue dynamic. At the very least, you?ll trim off some poor risks from your portfolio. It?s better to go 4-3 than 6-6. Ideally, you?ll find some possibilities you hadn?t noticed before. ?There were three teams Saturday night who were playing back-to-back and their fourth game in five nights: Charlotte (+10) lost to Denver 113-99 Orlando (+5) lost to Cleveland 118-94 Detroit (+5) lost to Indiana 90-72 That?s 0-3 ATS as a group, with two double digit non-covers. Now?it was three Eastern Conference non-playoff teams?a subset that doesn?t set the world on fire even in the best of times. Still, a question like ?don?t you think the oddsmakers have already factored that into the line? was answered. Tough to properly gauge how big a hit tired teams will take. The market typically makes a generalized minimal adjustment for a back-to-back?but not team specific adjustments when larger tweaks are warranted. Again, I?m not suggesting you jump willy-nilly into fading any team in a back-to-back. I would strongly encourage you to pay more attention to this than you probably have been. You computer savvy youngsters who were laughing about using graph paper can probably throw something together this afternoon on your laptop while you?re half-watching a game on TV. If you handicap with pen and paper, there?s probably a Walmart down the street. For more blogs by Stat Intelligence, click here. Tags: NBA Stat Intelligence

Bracket Buster Betting Free Play: Albany Great Danes at Fairfield Stags

Submitted by Andrew LangeAlbany at Fairfield -8? Recommendation: #638 Fairfield In most cases, the handicap of Bracket Buster games is all about information and motivation. In the case of Albany, we find a team that isn?t exactly giddy about having to go on the road for a meaningless game. Here's what head coach Will Brown had to say about it... "All I am worried about right now is the America East," Brown said. "I am not going to risk anything for the BracketBuster. Our focus is the America East Conference tournament right now. I want to make sure we are healthy, rested and feel good about ourselves." He went on to add... ?I think it?s a great concept,? Brown said. ?It?s a great idea, but if you don?t play on TV, I would rather have the weekend off. I know a lot of coaches feel that way.? Brown said that starting guard Peter Hooley won't play and that he'll be open to the idea of playing more guys off the bench. The tricky part now becomes can we trust Fairfield laying -8? The Stags are playing good basketball, winning seven of their last eight. They've been off since Monday and don't play again until next Friday so at home they should have at least some focus for this contest. Plus it is senior day for a few players. Worth a shot laying the bigger price against a team that may not show up.? Tags: College Basketball Albany Great Danes Fairfield Stags Andrew Lange

NBA Gambling: New York Knicks Regressing and Passive

Submitted by Stat Intelligence Earlier this season, we invented the KRIB Index because the New York Knicks were playing like they had re-invented basketball (Knicks Re-Invent Basketball). They had a higher number of made treys than giveaways more than 30 games into the regular season?something nobody else in the league could do even one game deep into the season. Maybe you had to be a stathead to love it. But, Knicks fans certainly loved the pop and sizzle the team was showing on offense. Recently, that pop and sizzle are gone. The Knicks are regressing in those key offensive stats, and have grown passive on defense after an enthusiastic start. Recent games where the Knicks have played like KRAP: New York (-1.5) lost tonight to Toronto 100-98 New York (+4) lost to Indiana 125-91 New York (-8) lost to Toronto 92-88 New York (-3.5) lost to the LA Clippers 102-88 New York (-6) won at Minnesota 100-94 (push) New York (-4.5) lost at Washington 106-96 That?s 1-5 straight up, and 0-5-1 against market expectations over their last six games. They?ve been a .500 caliber team since Amare Stoudemire returned to uniform?after being about? 70% team while he was out. I don?t want to suggest it?s all his fault. The veterans may have reached a fatigue point. It?s certain that complacency set it on both sides of the ball after that great start. It?s all added up to a recent disaster. *Two double digit losses and and non-covers (by 17.5 and 30 points) against the playoff bound LA Clippers and Indiana Pacers. *A double digit loss and a 16-point miss against a Washington team that?s been performing at an Eastern Conference playoff caliber level statistically since John Wall returned. *A sweep at the hands of Toronto! Tonight was a revenge game, yet the team was still acting like every night?s a party and there?s no reason to exert yourself for 48 full minutes because that?s no fun. Madison Square Garden was a fun KRIB when the going was good. If the team doesn?t get serious on both sides of the ball soon, fans will be dealing with a lot of KRAP. Toronto 100, New York 98 2-Point Percentage: New York 53%, Toronto 45% 3-Point Shooting: New York 10/28, Toronto 7/18 Free Throws: New York 18/23, Toronto 23/28 1?s and 2?s: New York 68, Toronto 79 Rebounds: New York 42, Toronto 31 Turnovers: New York 16, Toronto 9 The stats looked worse than this before New York rallied to win the fourth quarter 28-21. New York?s recent defensive issues showed up again here with a low number of forced turnovers, and a loss at the free throw line. It was far from a defensive disaster?but the market expected about 95-96 points for the Raptors and they reached the century mark. We see once again a disastrous turnover night on offense. The great passing of the first 35 games or so has completely disappeared. This team doesn?t have the margin of error to live with 15-16 turnovers every time they take the floor. Big game again for Rudy Gay of the Raptors. He?s having fun in Toronto. I?m afraid that the media?s general refusal to acknowledge the superiority of the West over the East caused them to miss the degree that Gay would be stepping down in class. Since joining the Raptors, he?s played six games against Eastern Conference defenses?and is averaging 24 points per game. He only averaged 17.2 this year for Memphis against a West-heavy schedule. It?s like a decent American League pitcher getting traded to the National League in baseball. A couple other early games I wanted to run the numbers from? Houston 106, Brooklyn 96 2-Point Percentage: Houston 53%, Brooklyn 49% 3-Point Shooting: Houston 16/30, Brooklyn 10/30 Free Throws: Houston 8/12, Brooklyn 6/11 1?s and 2?s: Houston 58, Brooklyn 66 Rebounds: Houston 37, Brooklyn 41 Turnovers: Houston 16, Brooklyn 13 The Nets are still getting outclassed by teams who are over .500. And, this loss at home to a team from the West comes on the heels of recent losses to San Antonio and the LA Lakers on this floor. Those are far from embarrassing numbers up above from the Nets though. They won 1?s and 2?s, rebounding, and turnovers. Tough to win when your opponent is 16 of 30 on treys. Houston is making that spread attack work for them. You get the sense that a playoff opponent will come up with something to deal with it after repeated viewing. Not that anyone in the top four is relishing that challenge. Houston is 31-26 for the season now, 31-24-2 against market expectations. Don?t forget that they had that brutal fatigue stretch (a pair of 4-in-5?s in consecutive weeks) that really took the wind out of their sails. If you take out the 1-8 straight up, 0-9 market debacle from that fatigue period, you?re looking at a team that?s 30-18 straight up, 31-15-2 ATS when relatively or very fresh. Strong and significantly underrated. Washington 119, Denver 113 2-Point Percentage: Denver 59%, Washington 48% 3-Point Shooting: Denver 4/22, Washington 11/24 Free Throws: Denver 31/37, Washington 24/33 1?s and 2?s: Denver 101, Washington 86 Rebounds: Denver 36, Washington 49 Turnovers: Denver 11, Washington 18 How about Washington?! They do it again here, as they knock off one of the hottest teams in the league to maintain their recent pace of playoff caliber basketball. Washington is 20-7 ATS its last 27 games. They did stub their toe entering and coming out of the All-Star Break. So, it?s not like they?re automatic every night. But, this was a good sign that the whole thing wasn?t a mirage. I was starting to wonder after the losses to Detroit and Toronto. Though, the more you study the boxscore, the less exciting this win is. Tonight?s victory was keyed by great three-point shooting, mixed with poor three-point shooting from the Nuggets. That?s not great news if you?re a Wizards fan hoping this will continue. Washington allowed 59% on two-point shooting while turning the ball over 18 times. Not exactly textbook. The line may be catching up given that Denver was only -3 here. Washington was +7 in made treys but only won by two made treys (+21 points from behind the arc in a game they only won by six). Let?s keep an eye on this. Some red flags are starting to wave that the party is over, at least when Washington is playing teams who know what they?re doing. They may still offer value against tank job teams or mid-level guys that aren?t bringing peak intensity. Not going to stay up late to write up San Antonio/Golden State and Portland/Lakers. You avid fans are watching one (or both) of those games already. Back with you late Saturday afternoon and in the evening to crunch the numbers in major college action. Wanted to thank all of you who popped in yesterday for that lengthy piece on tips for the average gambler keyed by ESPN?sarticle on Haralabos Voulgaris. I was concerned it might have been too long. But, it turned out to be the most read (and re-tweeted) article here in the blog in quite some time. Off the charts. For more blogs by Stat Intelligence, click here. Tags: NBA New York Knicks Stat Intelligence

Nevada passes bill to legalize online gambling

In the race to legalize online gambling, Nevada just blew the doors off of New Jersey. "We could stick our head in the sand and say we don't want to participate, and theoretically, 49 other states would," he said. "We are ... maintaining our leadership position and putting the best rules in place as possible." ?Tags: NBA New York Knicks Stat Intelligence

College Basketball Gambling: ESPN Bracket Buster Power Ratings

Here are Sportsmemo Handicapper Rob Veno's Power Ratings for Friday and Saturday's ESPN Bracket Buster games. 2013 ESPN Bracket Buster Power Ratings Road Team Conference Home Team Conference Veno Power North Dakota State Summit Akron* MAC Akron -7.5 Stephen F. Austin Southland Long Beach State* Big West Long Beach -2 Iona MAAC Indiana State* MVC Indiana State -4 Eastern Kentucky OVC Valparaiso* Horizon Valparaiso -9 Canisius MAAC Vermont* America East Canisius -1 Pacific Big West Western Michigan* MAC Western Michigan -3 Montana Big Sky Davidson* So-Con Davidson -10 Northwestern State Southland Niagara* MAAC Niagara -5.5 Creighton MVC St. Mary's* West Coast St. Mary's -5 South Dakota State Summit Murray State* OVC Murray State -2.5 Denver WAC Northern Iowa* MVC Northern Iowa -5 Ohio MAC Belmont* OVC Belmont -7 Illinois State MVC Utah State WAC Utah State pk Loyola-Maryland MAAC Tennessee State OVC Tennessee State -3 Weber State Big Sky Oral Roberts Southland Weber State -4 Bradley MVC Illinois-Chicago Horizon Illinois-Chicago -0.5 Wisconsin-Green Bay Horizon Drake MVC UW-Green Bay -0.5 Central Michigan MAC Youngstown State Horizon Youngstown -11.5 Albany America East Fairfield MAAC Fairfield -6.5 Evansville MVC Wright State Horizon Wright State -3 Gardner-Webb Big South College of Charleston So-Con Charleston -11.5 Morehead State OVC Oakland Summit Oakland -7.5 UC Irvine Big West Texas-Arlington WAC Texas-Arlington -3.5 Kent State MAC Loyola-Chicago Horizon Loyola-Chicago -1 Jacksonville State OVC UNC Asheville Big South UNC Asheville -8 Charleston Southern Big South Rider MAAC Rider -4 McNeese State Southland Toledo MAC Toledo -10.5 Loyola Marymount West Coast Cal Poly Big West Cal Poly -8 Sacramento State Big Sky UC Santa Barbara Big West UC Santa Barbara -4.5 Missouri State MVC Eastern Michigan MAC Eastern Michigan -1 Miami (Ohio) MAC Southern Illinois MVC Southern Illinois -9.5 Manhattan MAAC Buffalo MAC Buffalo -4 Northern Arizona Big Sky Hawaii Big West N/A Ball State MAC Southeast Missouri State OVC SEMO -6.5 Northern Colorado Big Sky UC Davis Big West UC Davis -5.5 Southeastern Louisiana Southland Winthrop Big South SE Louisiana -2 Savannah State Mid-Eastern Campbell Big South Campbell -0.5 UMKC Summit Tennessee Tech OVC Tennessee Tech -11 Eastern Illinois OVC Northern Illinois MAC Northern Illinois -3.5 Morgan State Mid-Eastern High Point Big South High Point -9 Nicholls State Southland Texas-San Antonio WAC Texas-San Antonio -8.5 VMI Big South Marist MAAC Marist -9 SIU Edwardsville OVC Central Arkansas Southland SIU-Edwardsville -3.5 Coastal Carolina Big South Western Carolina So-Con Western Carolina pk Radford Big South Siena MAAC Siena -7.5 North Dakota Big Sky Nebraska-Omaha Summit North Dakota -3.5 South Dakota Summit Montana State Big Sky Montana State -5.5 Bowling Green MAC IPFW Summit IPFW -2.5 Wisconsin-Milwaukee Horizon IUPUI Summit UW-Milwaukee -1 Longwood Big South Tennessee Martin OVC Tennessee-Martin -9.5 Cal State Northridge Big West Southern Utah Big Sky Southern Utah -2 Texas State WAC Lamar Southland Texas State -1 Cal State Fullerton Big West Texas A&M- CC Southland Fullerton -4 St. Peter's MAAC Hampton Mid-Eastern Hampton -4.5 Idaho WAC Idaho State Big Sky Idaho -1 Sam Houston State Southland Eastern Washington Big Sky Eastern Washington -3.5 UC Riverside Big West Portland State Big Sky Portland State -5.5 Austin Peay OVC Liberty Big South Liberty -0.5 The Citadel So-Con Presbyterian Big South Presbyterian -4.5 ? Tags: College Basketball Rob Veno

NBA Handicapping: New York Knicks look to bounce back vs. Toronto

New York -1.5 at Toronto O/U 194 The New York Knicks try to bounce back tonight in Toronto after Wednesday's 125-91 blowout loss to Indiana. A database search dating back to 2007 shows that teams that lost by 30 points or more and were favored in their next game went 40-18 SU and 31-26-1 ATS (avg. line of -5). "They?re embarrassed and they should be," said Woodson. "There?s nothing pretty about how we played, Indiana did everything they were supposed to do on their floor and it was pretty much an embarrassment." Tags: NBA New York Knicks Toronto Raptors

Sports Betting Podcast 2-22-2013 with Handicappers Rob Veno and Erin Rynning

Tags: College Basketball NBA Rob Veno Erin Rynning

ESPN's Chad Millman discusses the New Jersey sports betting case

Here's a link to Chad Millman's recent Behind the Bets Podcast with NorthJersey.com's John Brennan. A great listen as the two discuss the New Jersey sports betting case.Tags: College Basketball NBA Rob Veno Erin Rynning

NBA Gambling: Kobe says Lakers will make playoffs, odds say different

Portland at LA Lakers -9 O/U 202.5 Despite being three games below .500, Kobe Bryant seems to feel the Lakers are a lock to make the postseason. They are currently 3.5 games behind Houston for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. According to John Hollinger's numbers, the Lakers have a 32.7% chance of reaching the postseason. One sportsbook had the Lakers -150 to miss the playoffs. "It's not a question of if we make the playoffs. We will," Bryant told Sports Illustrated. "And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone ? Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver ? whoever. I have zero nervousness about that." ?Tags: NBA Los Angeles Lakers Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Handicapping: Bettors come in on Heat and Clippers for tonight's TNT doubleheader

TNT's NBA doubleheader features two good matchups with Miami traveling to Chicago and San Antonio in Los Angeles to take on the Clippers. Note that LA hasn't played since last Thursday. According to Bookmaker, 80% of bets have been placed on Miami -3.5 while just over 67% have come in on the Clippers. Over 75% of wagers were made on the Spurs-Clippers OVER, while 56% preferred the UNDER in Miami-Chicago. ? Tags: NBA Miami Heat Chicago Bulls San Antonio Spurs Los Angeles Clippers

NBA Gambling News: Portland Trail Blazers continue to slide

The Portland Trail Blazers just worked themselves out of the Western Conference playoff hunt after losing six straight (0-6 ATS). When asked about their struggles, a few players pulled out the lack of trust card.?Now if by lack of trust they mean their defense has been horrible (108.7 ppg allowed last six games) then yes, trust has been a major issue. Portland?travels to LA to take on the Lakers tomorrow night. "We're not trusting each other," Wesley Matthews surmised. "I feel like lately we haven't been trusting each other," Aldridge concluded, "or overly helping each other on defense." "Our transition defense has gotten a little worse. That was one of the Achilles' heels early in the season," coach Terry Stotts said after Wednesday's practice. "Our pick-and-roll defense has been inconsistent. We have good stretches, but it's not as consistent as we need it to be." ? Tags: NBA Portland Trail Blazers

Alf Musketa's WGC Accenture Matchplay Handicapping Primer?

Submitted by Alf MusketaSnow in the Arizona desert has dominated the headlines early in the WGC Accenture Matchplay Tournament. The PGA Tour will be pressured to get the event finished on time. Next week's PGA Tour stop is across the country in Florida for the Honda Classic, where both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have committed to play. The delays due to the weather are both good and bad for golf handicappers. Good because we know the conditions will be soft, the course will be longer, and the greens will be more receptive and that will favor longer hitters off the tee and players that will fire at the flags consistently and aggressively. This group includes Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Rickie Fowler, and Bo Van Pelt to name a few. The bad aspect of the delays is that the sportsbooks may miss posting matchups in between rounds. There are six matches that are already on the back nine of the first round and after a brief break for lunch, which are usually only 30 minutes, they?ll be right back out on the golf course for the next round. Sportsbooks, especially here in Las Vegas, are notoriously late at putting up any kind of golf matchups and props. Online matchups for future matchplay rounds will be the way to go.? ?? One thing to look for when watching for potential bets in the next round is putting. If a player is making everything inside eight to ten feet, making those key strokes to tie his opponent on a hole, keeping the match score ahead like we saw with Luke Donald a couple of years ago, that is the way to win at matchplay. Also, aggressiveness is something that I want with my wagers ? players with the guts to shoot for the pins, especially when they trail. Smart aggressive play will get the job done.? ?? I was at this event on Monday and Tuesday to scout the players and talk to a few contacts. What I was looking for were players that struggled on the range and putting green. This field is the best in the world with the top 64 present sans Brandt Snedeker and Phil Mickelson, but there are several players that do not belong here due to weak Tours and competition that they play on that qualified them via World Ranking points. Some of which include Marcus Fraser, David Lynn, Hiroyuki Fujita, Chris Wood, and Shane Lowry. These players and a few others squeaked in this tournament playing European, Australasian and Japan golf Tours. If they played the deep and talented PGA Tour some of them wouldn't be able to keep their cards. Tags: PGA Alf Musketa

College Basketball Betting Free Play: Georgia Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks

Submitted by Teddy CoversGeorgia +11 at Arkansas O/U 131.5? Recommendation: Georgia Arkansas is in a miserable spot tonight.? They?re coming off a lucky, somewhat fraudulent win over Missouri in their last game, outscoring the Tigers 7-1 in the last 28 seconds to steal a two-point victory.? On deck for the Razorbacks?? A trip to Florida to take on the revenge minded Gators.? In between is this game against Georgia as double-digit favorites.? Even head coach Mike Anderson is worried about his team?s ability to focus tonight.? ?I know after Missouri everybody is patting them on the back and saying, ?Great, great win!?? While focus is a major issue for the home favorite, we?re catching the road underdog in a spot where their hunger is very real.? Three different extremely controversial calls went against the Bulldogs in the final minutes of regulation against Ole Miss on Saturday, as they lost an eight-point lead late, eventually losing in overtime to the Rebels. But even in that defeat, Georgia showed why they are a bet-on team in hostile environments.? Prior to the OT loss at Ole Miss, they had won their previous three SEC road games at Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas A&M.? Head coach Mark Fox: ?We have been pretty stable away from home.? I think our defense has been pretty consistent all year and that has been a great stabilizer for us. One of the keys to winning away from home is trying to slow that home team down.? Georgia also has one significant matchup edge against the Razorbacks ? rebounding!? Anderson: ??They outrebounded Ole Miss by 15. That?s something that really caught my eye. Ole Miss is a very good rebounding basketball team. We will have our work cut out for us?They?re a team that will shoot it and go get it. Their guards rebound the basketball.? Over the last five games, Georgia has averaged a +6 margin on the boards, while Arkansas has averaged a -8 rebounding differential.? Expect those extra possessions for the Bulldogs to work in our favor tonight!? ? Tags: College Basketball Georgia Bulldogs Arkansas Razorbacks Teddy Covers

Meet the D3 women's hoops team that got screwed by sports betting haters, the NCAA

Even though no one is allowed to make a legal sports bet in the state of the New Jersey, Montclair State, a D3 women's basketball team, won't be able to host a postseason tournament game because of some ridiculous NCAA ruling. The NCAA must not have received the memo that sportsbooks and local bookies aren?t really into taking action on small school women's hoops. ?Look at the big picture here,? she said. ?This is supposed to be about the experience of the student athlete. They worked hard all season to give themselves the best chance to win, a chance to play in front of their own fans in what would be a great moment for the whole community. ?To take that away from them? It is, quite frankly, a disservice to the kids, to the faculty, to the entire university.? Tags: College Basketball Georgia Bulldogs Arkansas Razorbacks Teddy Covers

Sports Betting Podcast 2-21-2013 with Handicappers Sammy P and Ian Cameron

Tags: NHL College Basketball Sammy P Ian Cameron

MLB Handicapping: Season O/U Wins and Market Expectations

Taking a look at Pinnacle's MLB Season Over/Wins for the upcoming season. We threw in last year's win totals and the differential to get a gauge on early market expectations. Toronto (+16), Boston (+14) and the Chicago Cubs (+11.5) are projected to be the biggest gainers. Baltimore (-14.5), Oakland (-9.5), and the New York Yankees (-7) the biggest decliners. 2013 MLB Season Over/Under Wins - Pinnacle TEAM 2013 Season O/U 2012 Wins Difference ARIZONA 82.5un-124 81 +1.5 ATLANTA 87.5ov-114 94 -6.5 BALTIMORE 78.5un-110 93 -14.5 BOSTON 83un-111 69 +14 CHICAGO CUBS 72.5ov-125 61 +11.5 CHICAGO WS 81 85 -4 CINCINNATI 91un-112 97 -6 CLEVELAND 77.5 68 +9.5 COLORADO 70.5ov-123 64 +6.5 DETROIT 92.5ov-113 88 +4.5 HOUSTON 59.5un-118 55 +4.5 KANSAS CITY 77.5 72 +5.5 LA ANGELS 91.5ov-113 89 +2.5 LA DODGERS 91.5 86 +5.5 MIAMI 63ov-129 69 -6 MILWAUKEE 81 83 -2 MINNESOTA 67.5ov-125 66 +1.5 NY METS 75un-111 74 +1 NY YANKEES 88ov-109 95 -7 OAKLAND 84.5 94 -9.5 PHILADELPHIA 84ov-113 81 +3 PITTSBURGH 77 79 -2 SAN DIEGO 74.5 76 -1.5 SAN FRANCISCO 88 94 -6 SEATTLE 77.5 75 +2.5 ST. LOUIS 86 88 -2 TAMPA BAY 86 90 -4 TEXAS 86.5ov-111 93 -6.5 TORONTO 89ov-125 73 +16 WASHINGTON 92un-117 98 -6 Tags: MLB

College Basketball Betting Update: Can BYU finally cover against a quality opponent?

BYU at St. Mary's -8 O/U 150 Quick update of our BYU Stinks Against Good Teams blog. We last posted following the Cougars' home loss to St. Mary's. Since then BYU went on the road and got blasted by Gonzaga 83-63 as 10-point underdogs. They also lost outright to San Diego and San Francisco and have covered only one game this month (1-4 ATS). Tonight they're catching +8 against the Gaels. College Basketball Betting: BYU's struggles against strong competition continue Last night, BYU lost on a buzzer beater to St. Mary's, 70-69. It marked yet another failed attempt for the Cougars to pick up a marquee victory. Over the last two seasons, BYU has had an incredibly difficult time stepping up in class. Check out the results against St. Mary's and Gonzaga... BYU -5 vs. St. Mary's - 70-69 Loss? BYU +2.5 vs. Gonzaga - 77-58 Loss? BYU +6.5 at Gonzaga - 74-63 Loss? BYU -3.5 vs. Gonzaga - 83-73 Win? BYU -2.5 vs. St. Mary's - 80-66 Loss? BYU +4 at St. Mary's - 98-82 Loss That's 1-5 SU/ATS. And if we include better than average power conference teams, there are even more failures. 2012-13? BYU -2 vs. Florida State - 88-70 Loss? BYU +3 vs. Notre Dame - 78-68 Loss? BYU +4 at Iowa State - 83-62 Loss? BYU +7 at Baylor - 79-64 Loss 2011-12? BYU +5 vs. Marquette - 88-68 Loss? BYU -4 vs. Baylor - 86-83 Loss? BYU +7.5 vs. Wisconsin - 73-56 Loss If we stretch the parameters a little, there were SU/ATS wins against Oregon (infant stages of Dana Altman's first season) and at Virginia Tech (Hokies finished 16-17). Still, BYU's track record against strong competition is downright awful. In those 13 aforementioned games, BYU has exactly ONE win and ONE spread cover. And if you look at the line history, all of those games were competitively lined yet 10 of the 12 losses were by double-digits. The Cougars still have three regular season games remaining against St. Mary's and Gonzaga. Tags: College Basketball BYU Cougars St. Mary's Gaels

College Basketball Handicapping: Finding ways to score the key for Cincinnati

Cincinnati -1 at Connecticut O/U 126.5 You know how some beat writers or SIDs will point out that Team A is 34-1 when scoring 100 points or more ? or some silly stat that is ridiculously obvious. Here's one that isn't. Most of you are aware that Cincinnati isn't a great offensive team. The Bearcats rank 10th in the Big East in offensive efficiency (0.98 ppp) and 14th in effective field goal percentage (44.1%).So it stands to reason that when Cinci does have success it often manages to match or exceed those numbers. But Cinci has proven it doesn't need to shoot lights out or be ultra-efficient to win. Amazingly this team is a perfect 19-0 when it scores 61 points (!!!) or more. The scary thing is the Bearcats have seven losses. Tonight's opponent UConn has held four of its 12 Big East opponents to below 60 points in regulation. ? Tags: College Basketball Cincinnati Bearcats UConn Huskies

NCAA Basketball Gambling: California has had Oregon's number

California at Oregon -5 O/U 138 February 9, 2008 was the last time Oregon defeated California. Since that time, the Golden Bears have ripped off 10 straight (7-3 ATS) vs. the Ducks. In this year?s first meeting in Berkeley, Oregon outshot Cal 47.6% to 35.6% but without point guard Dominic Artis (who won't play again tonight) the Ducks committed 22 turnovers and lost 58-54. ?The first year, they were just flat better than us,? Altman said of games against Cal in his three seasons. ?Last year we had chance at their place, we just didn?t get it done. ?This year we had a chance at their place and didn?t get it done. We?ve had our chances.? ?Tags: College Basketball California Golden Bears Oregon Ducks

College Basketball Betting Trends: Temple Owls like to make things close

Temple has quite a streak?in play?heading into tomorrow night's game against La Salle. The Owls have?participated in?five straight games decided by exactly one point. They are 3-2 SU/ATS in those contests ? all three wins came as underdogs. "We've been in every game, although there are games where you could say we didn't put enough space between," Dunphy said. "As a coach, if you've been it long enough, you have different personalities that go along with each team. We haven't been able to get any great separation, and yet, there's another side to these guys that there hasn't been any quit. I'm equal parts frustrated and proud [of the streak]." ?Tags: College Basketball Temple Owls La Salle Explorers

NCAA Basketball Gambling Update: Minnesota's Williams downgraded to doubtful

Minnesota at Ohio State -6 O/U 125.5 According to Sports Options, Minnesota's Rodney Williams (11.4 ppg) was downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game against Ohio State. We got mixed reports on Twitter ? everything from questionable to doubtful to game time decision to out. Earlier this afternoon, the betting markets came in fairly strong on Ohio State as the line climbed from -5.5 to -6.5. There has been some buyback over the last hour with the Buckeyes now -6 at most offshore sportsbooks. It's actually a significant blow if he doesn?t suit up considering the Golden Gophers' offensive struggles of late (53.4 ppg last five game in regulation). ?Obviously he?s a focal point of our offense,? Mbakwe said about Williams. ?But we have a lot of guys who can step up and lead the team.? ?We need to not only get our points but bump it up to his production [level] to fill in that gap,? Eliason said. College Basketball Handicapping: Minnesota and Ohio State limp into Wednesday's matchup Minnesota at Ohio State -5.5 O/U 126 It's a lot easier handicap a game when one team comes in off a horrific performance rather than two. Such is the case with tonight?s Minnesota-Ohio State matchup. The Buckeyes were destroyed by Wisconsin, 71-49, in Madison. The Golden Gophers were just as bad as a 16-point lead somehow turned into a 21-point loss at Iowa. Needless to say, the key word from both camps following their defeats was "embarrassed." "I think I can speak for the team, we are embarrassed," Smith said. "We not only embarrassed ourselves, we embarrassed our coaching staff, our university, our school president and our fans. We embarrassed everybody. We didn't answer the call. We didn't do anything we're known to do. We kind of abandoned everything?our principles, offensively and defensively." "I told them it was embarrassing," Smith said. "It really is. It was like we had never seen the zone, we'd never practiced against it. I didn't know what to tell them." ? Tags: College Basketball Minnesota Golden Gophers Ohio State Buckeyes

College Basketball Betting: Kansas Jayhawks thinking revenge, backflip

Tags: College Basketball Kansas Jayhawks Oklahoma State Cowboys

NBA Handicapping: Dallas Mavericks in favorable spot vs. Orlando Magic

Orlando at Dallas -11.5 O/U 206 Article on Dallas' propensity for slow starts. Rick Carlisle said the Mavericks have the league's?worst point differential the first six minutes of the game. What Dallas has been successful with is beating teams at home who are on the second night of back-to-backs. In that situation they are 11-2 SU and 9-4 ATS (7-0 SU/ATS streak). Tonight's opponent Orlando lost at home to Charlotte last night. ?We?ve struggled all year with starting games,? coach Rick Carlisle said. ?In fact, we?re the worst team in the league in the first six minutes of the game. It?s a challenge we got to take on.? ?Tags: NBA Dallas Mavericks Orlando Magic

College Basketball Gambling Free Pick: Washington State Cougars at Arizona State Sun Devils

Submitted by Teddy CoversWashington State at Arizona State -6.5 ? Recommendation: Arizona State I posted a free play winner in support of Arizona State in their last game; an outright Sun Devils upset win as 7.5 point underdogs at Colorado.? And there?s absolutely no reason to do anything different in regards to Herb Sendek?s squad tonight; an undervalued commodity for months now. Arizona State has hit 67% against the spread over their last 18 lined ballgames dating back to the beginning of December, including a 75% ATS mark as favorites of 6.5 points or higher ? exactly the pointspread that we find them in tonight.? It all starts with point guard Jahii Carson, averaging more than 19 points per game in his last ten contests. But Carson isn?t doing it by himself.?? 7-2 center Jordan Bachynski is blocking nearly four shots per game, a true low post defensive dominator.? Carrick Felix has already been named the PAC-12 Player of the Week three times this year; a double-double machine. Evan Gordon and Jonathan Gilling are perimeter sharpshooters, combining to hit?4.5 three pointers per game.? And they?ve gotten even better since combo guard Chris Colvin?s return to the lineup following a modest injury absence; their best scorer off the bench. Washington State can?t match Arizona State?s talent or execution levels on either end of the floor.? The Cougars have covered only twice in their last eight tries on the highway; just 2-5 ATS as underdogs of five points or more this year ? not a team to support when stepping up in class.? They?re coming off a particularly disheartening overtime defeat against Oregon in their last game, simply playing out the stretch of yet another disappointing campaign.? Don?t expect a step-up effort tonight!? Tags: College Basketball Arizona State Sun Devils Washington State Cougars Teddy Covers

Source: http://www.sportsmemo.com/blogs/view/?name=NBA-Arts-and-Crafts-Handicapping-Tip&blog_id=12133

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Oscar Pistorius gets bail as murder trial looms

Photographers take photos of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius as he stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Photographers take photos of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius as he stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, silhoetted in front vehicle, center, arrives at a relatives home in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb 22, 2013. Pistorius was released on bail and will return to court June, 4, 2013 to face a charge of pre-meditated murder in the shooting deth of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Waldo Swiegers)

Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial) (AP Photo)

Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial. (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras-Star) SOUTH AFRICA OUT

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) ? Oscar Pistorius walked out of court Friday ? free at least for now ? after a South African magistrate released him on bail, capping four days of often startling testimony that foreshadowed a dramatic trial in the Valentine's Day slaying of his girlfriend.

But as he was driven away, chased by photographers and cameramen, questions continued to hound the double-amputee Olympian about what actually happened the night he gunned down Reeva Steenkamp inside a locked bathroom in his home.

Pistorius is charged with premeditated murder, and even Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair expressed doubts about his story that he mistook the 29-year-old model for an intruder and fired out of fear.

"Why would (Pistorius) venture further into danger" by going into the bathroom at all, Nair asked.

Cries of "Yes!" went up from Pistorius' supporters when Nair announced his decision to a packed courtroom after a nearly two-hour explanation of the ruling.

Nair set bail at 1 million rand ($113,000), with $11,300 in cash up front and proof that the rest is available. The 26-year-old track star was also ordered to hand over his passports, turn in any guns he owns and keep away from his upscale home in a gated community in Pretoria, which is now a crime scene.

He cannot leave the district of Pretoria without his probation officer's permission and is not allowed to consume drugs or alcohol, the magistrate said. His next court appearance was set for June 4.

Earlier, Pistorius alternately wept and appeared solemn and composed, especially as Nair criticized police procedures in the case and as a judgment in the track star's favor appeared imminent. He showed no reaction as he was granted bail.

Pistorius left the courthouse in a silver Land Rover just over an hour after the bail conditions were set. The vehicle, tailed by motorcycles carrying television cameramen, later pulled into the home of Pistorius' uncle.

"We are relieved at the fact that Oscar got bail today, but at the same time we are in mourning for the death of Reeva, with her family," said Pistorius' uncle, Arnold Pistorius. "As a family, we know Oscar's version of what happened on that tragic night and we know that that is the truth and that will prevail in the coming court case."

Dozens of journalists and international and local television crews had converged on the red-brick courthouse to hear the decision ? a sign of the global fascination with a case involving a once-inspirational athlete and his beautiful girlfriend, a law school graduate and budding reality TV show contestant.

Nair said Pistorius' sworn statement, an unusual written account of what happened during the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14, had helped his application for bail.

"I come to the conclusion that the accused has made a case to be released on bail," Nair said.

Pistorius said he shot Steenkamp accidentally, believing she was an intruder in his house. He described "a sense of terror rushing over" him and feeling vulnerable because he stood only on his stumps before opening fire.

Prosecutors say he intended to kill Steenkamp as she cowered in fear behind the locked bathroom door after a loud argument between the two.

Yet despite poking holes in Pistorius' version of events and bringing up incidents they say highlight his temper, the state's case started to unravel during testimony by the lead investigator, Detective Warrant Officer Hilton Botha.

Botha, who faces seven charges of attempted murder in an unrelated incident, was removed from the case Thursday. His replacement, the nation's top detective, Vinesh Moonoo, stopped by the hearing briefly Friday.

While Nair leveled harsh criticism at Botha for "errors" and "blunders," he said one man does not represent an investigation and that the state could not be expected to put all "the pieces of the puzzle" together in such a short time.

The prosecution accepted the judge's decision without protest. "We're still confident in our case," prosecution spokesman Medupe Simasiku said.

Pistorius faced the sternest bail requirements in South Africa because of the seriousness of the charge, which carries a life sentence if convicted. His defense attorneys had to prove that he would not flee the country, would not interfere with witnesses or the case, and his release would not cause public unrest.

Nair questioned whether Pistorius would be a flight risk when he stood to lose a fortune in cash, cars, property and other assets. Nair also said that while it had been shown that Pistorius had aggressive tendencies, he did not have a prior record of offenses for violent acts.

Anticipating the shape of the state's case at trial, he said he had serious questions about Pistorius' account: Why didn't he try to locate his girlfriend if he feared an intruder was in the house? Why didn't he try to determine who was in the bathroom before opening fire? And why did he venture into perceived "danger" in the bathroom when he could have taken other steps to ensure his safety?

"There are improbabilities which need to be explored," Nair said, adding that Pistorius could clarify these matters by testifying under oath at trial.

Sharon Steenkamp, Reeva's cousin, said the model's family would not be watching the bail decision and had not been following the hearing.

"It doesn't make any difference to the fact that we are without Reeva," she told The Associated Press.

Before the hearing, Pistorius' longtime coach, Ampie Louw, said he hoped to put the runner back into his training routine if he got bail.

"The sooner he can start working the better," said Louw, who persuaded the double-amputee to take up track as a teenager a decade ago. But he acknowledged Pistorius could be "heartbroken" and unwilling to immediately pull on the carbon-fiber running blades that earned him the nickname "Blade Runner."

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AP Sports Writer Gerald Imray contributed to this report from Johannesburg.

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Jon Gambrell can be reached at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP .

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-02-22-Pistorius-Shooting/id-6c5cd8e451c149cfaba757a4c67d67fb

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