USA Today picks Marquette to win Big East tournament

[Spotcheck Billy]

A look at the 5 major conference tournaments here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/03/13/top-5-sizing-up-the-best-conference-basketball-tournaments/1984619/

Main story lines: Georgetown, Louisville and Marquette finished in a three-way tie for the regular-season title at 14-4, leaving a cutthroat tournament to determine the top overall team. This is the final year of the tournament as we know it, with seven of the league's Catholic schools — DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St.John's and Villanova — forming part of a new 10-team conference. Syracuse and Pittsburgh are leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference (Notre Dame is likely to join the league earlier than planned), and Rutgers is going to the Big Ten. Longtime Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim's potential retirement surely will be a subplot, despite his assertion he is not thinking about stepping down.

Key players: Otto Porter, Georgetown (16.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Russ Smith, Louisville (17.9 ppg); Vander Blue, Marquette (14.4 ppg); C.J. Fair, Syracuse (14. 5 ppg, 7.1 rpg); Jack Cooley, Notre Dame (13.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg)

Projected winner: Marquette

[NavinRJohnson]

Well, with in-depth analysis like that, I have no choice but to agree.

[reinko]

But they have such pretty weather maps!!?!?!?!

[klyrish]

Well, with in-depth analysis like that, I have no choice but to agree.

Seriously just choked on my water.

[Aughnanure]

But they have such pretty weather maps!!?!?!?!

The best!

[chapman]

They put the same picture in the Sports section and called it the Conference Realignment Map.

[Benny B]

They put the same picture in the Sports section and called it the Conference Realignment Map.

Well played.

[Eldon]

Vegas is picking us to lose -3

[reinko]

Vegas is picking us to lose -3

Uh, that's not how odds work chief.

[Bocephys]

Uh, that's not how odds work chief.

Who you calling chief, pal?

[akmarq]

Who you calling chief, pal?

Who you calling pal, bro?

[Hards Alumni]

Vegas is picking us to lose -3

Actually, I have heard ND +2

[Eldon]

Before he left my roommate just told me "Marquette is minus 3 tonight"

I've always interpreted that to mean that I can go bet on that.  As in, I put up, say, $100 and if Marquette either wins or loses by only one or two, I win $100.  In other words, whoever comes up with that line thinks that ND will win by 3 or more points. 

Correct me where I went wrong on this.

[jesmu84]

Before he left my roommate just told me "Marquette is minus 3 tonight"

I've always interpreted that to mean that I can go bet on that.  As in, I put up, say, $100 and if Marquette either wins or loses by only one or two, I win $100.  In other words, whoever comes up with that line thinks that ND will win by 3 or more points. 

Correct me where I went wrong on this.

It means Marquette is expected to win by 3. Or ND is expected to lose by 3. If you bet Marquette -3, you'd win the bet if MU won by 4 or more. If you bet ND +3, you'd win the bet if ND lost by 2, 1, or won the game.

I think.

[reinko]

It means Marquette is expected to win by 3. Or ND is expected to lose by 3. If you bet Marquette -3, you'd win the bet if MU won by 4 or more. If you bet ND +3, you'd win the bet if ND lost by 2, 1, or won the game.

I think.

Correct.  And if MU wins by exactly 3, you get your bet back.

[4everwarriors]

It means Marquette is expected to win by 3. Or ND is expected to lose by 3. If you bet Marquette -3, you'd win the bet if MU won by 4 or more. If you bet ND +3, you'd win the bet if ND lost by 2, 1, or won the game.

I think.
[/quote

That's right, kimosabe.

[spartan3186]

It means Marquette is expected to win by 3. Or ND is expected to lose by 3. If you bet Marquette -3, you'd win the bet if MU won by 4 or more. If you bet ND +3, you'd win the bet if ND lost by 2, 1, or won the game.

I think.

And that isn't counting the juice. You'll typically get -110... meaning you have to bet $110 to actually win $100.

[muwarrior97]

Let's go Marquette!!! Watching from Downtown Montreal tonight.....get that Pere Marquette mojo crackin'

[Eldon]

Correct.  And if MU wins by exactly 3, you get your bet back.

Cool.  Thanks for the knowledge

[nyg]

Latest Vegas line is MU a 3 point favorite, with the under/over at 126. 

[Benny B]

Who you calling pal, bro?

He's not your bro, chief.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

He's not your bro, chief.

Don't call him chief, buddy.

[4everwarriors]

Probably not your buddy, kimosabe.

[reinko]

Probably not your buddy, kimosabe.

Easy there guy.

[MUCam]

Easy there guy.

Check yourself, boss.