Although the NFL season is over, things at the STN Sports Books are heating like a Green Valley Ranch sauna. “I think people really start looking at college basketball now,” said Chuck Esposito, Station Casinos Race and Sports Book Director.
“You’re also at the midway point of the NHL season with a trade deadline coming up here. It was very impactful in the NBA, and you’re actually not that far away from NFL free agency and then the draft.” We’re feeling more punchy than that U.S/Canada 4 Nations game.
With all that in mind, let’s quickly review the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports app and the STN Sports Books…
March Hoops
Who’s ready to get really mad? We are just weeks from the NCAA Men’s Conference Tournaments and all the trappings of March. There is no question that college basketball has changed due to the one-and-done mentality of the game’s starts, but that might lead to some opportunity for bettors. Teams with a lot of experience and consistency — which usually happens with smaller school teams — have continued to do well in the Big Dance.
“In the tournament, we always see some of these schools outside of the Blue Bloods, the mid-tier teams, make runs,” Esposito said. “They have kids that have been there maybe four years or have transferred in now and have a fifth or sixth year of eligibility. It’s more of those veteran college teams that seem to make some noise. It happens every year.” Now, are we saying that mid-major will win the whole thing? Not necessarily, but there’s value in those teams, as they tend to have more heart than Cupid on Valentine’s Day.
“There appears to be a little bit more parity every year in college hoops, and there’s maybe a surprise team breaking through because of that,” Esposito said. “I look for teams who are getting that swagger and are healthy going into the tournament.”
NHL Midway
The NHL is halfway through the season, so we have a good idea of the haves and the have-nots. As we saw with the NBA, trades can shift the entire perspective of a season, and Esposito thinks something is cooking in Canada that doesn’t involve it becoming the 51st state.
“I think Edmonton’s going to be really active at the deadline,” Esposito said. “You’ve got Connor McDavid, so you have to do everything in your power to surround him with the best possible team.” Could Mikko Rantanen be on the block again, having just been traded to Carolina? It’s possible and probable if the Hurricanes can’t sign him to a long-term deal. Rantanen’s season has gone more directions than Summerlin Parkway construction.
The Oilers and Golden Knights have been jockeying for first place in the Pacific Division all season, and each is looking for that edge. Having said that, if history is any indication, don’t rule out Vegas regarding deadline deals. Said Esposito, “It always seems like the team that makes either the biggest splash or one of the biggest splashes is the Knights.”
NFL Free Agency
While the Eagles and Chiefs reign supreme in the NFL, a few teams look to revamp more than the NBA All-Star Game. “The big domino which will really alter future books are guys like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Tee Higgins, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel,” Esposito said. “Those are five big names that could be moved, which could potentially alter some landscape.” The Commanders are rumored to be in basically every player.
“If you add a guy like Parsons to the Commanders, that defense is vastly improved. If you add a Deebo Samuel or a Tee Higgins there, how much more dynamic can that offense be? I think there are guys that are potential game changers out there. Some of these moves would shift future books dramatically.” The result of a trade of one of these key players could be more measurable than a rare Vegas rainstorm.
“With all these guys available for trade, it’s going to be interesting to see what teams do in the draft and trade market this year to make that run,” Esposito said.
Bets To Know
It’s the rematch of the most exciting hockey game this year that we didn’t expect. USA/Canada collide again in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Thursday night. Check the app for betting options.
Weekly Winners
Small bet, nice win. a $2.50 11-teamer hit for this STN Sports guest on Tuesday morning, paying $1,035.51.
-AZ Wildcats ML
-Alabama St Hornets ML
-Norfolk St Spartans ML
-Lamar Cardinals +1
-S Carolina St Bulldogs -16.5
-Morgan St Bears +5
-N Iowa Panthers -2
-Alabama A&M Bulldogs -.5
-Duke Blue Devils -13
-Houston Christian Huskies +5.5