Doc's Sports has been in the sports selection business for 44 years, and during that time we have gained the reputation as one of the best around for our ability to provide winners for all the major sports on a consistent basis. One of the primary reasons for our longevity and unparalleled success has been Doc's commitment to surrounding ourselves with some of the top expert handicappers in their field. Diversity is the spice of life, and our Advisory Board of experts have something to offer for everyone.

One of the 'best of the best' entering his ninth year with Doc's is Raphael Esparza. He was formerly known as the Vegas Sports Informer during a long tenure behind the counter of some of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas, and at the pinnacle of his career he held the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement from the industry in 2013.

Never being one to rest on his laurels, Raphael remains hard at work each and every day to bring you winning selections for a wide scope of sporting events. Living in Las Vegas, he has been able to develop a vast network of "insiders" that includes some of the town's biggest and most influential personalities in the sports betting game. These professionals know this industry inside and out, and he has been able to incorporate this "insider's edge" into all of his selection packages. Over the years, this edge has helped to made savvy bettors a small fortune.

As an expert handicapper, Raphael also offers selection packages for the WNBA, horse racing, boxing, professional tennis and soccer leagues all around the globe. One week you might find picks for pro wrestling and the next it could be prop bet picks in the world of entertainment. It is safe to say that if a sportsbook posts odds for it, he will handicap it.

Doc's and Raphael decided to create an ongoing dialogue through a weekly Q&A to delve deeper into the Las Vegas betting scene as well as to discuss some of the hottest trending sports betting topics of the day. We have found that there is no better source than someone that is a true "insider" in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world. The following is this week's conversation.

Doc's Sports: We are still a few weeks away from the start of March Madness in men's college basketball, but what kind of action does college hoops bring into the Las Vegas sportsbooks in comparison to the NBA this time of the year?

RE: I think there is some kind of March 1 light switch in Las Vegas that turns on the betting light for college basketball. The fact that a number of conferences hold their tournaments in town also helps the cause. What is really interesting about the month of March is that the focus will quickly shift back to the NBA once we get past the Sweet 16.

Doc's Sports: Last week we talked about your picks for the top four seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament, so this week can you give us a few of your sleeper teams that might be primed to make a deep run in this season's Big Dance?

RE: I am always high on San Diego State simply because of the way it can play defense. Two other teams that could go pretty deep this year would be Utah and Wichita State. The Utes are a very consistent team, and the Shockers already have the experience at making a run in this tournament. Also keep an eye on North Carolina with the added motivation to play well in memory of the late Dean Smith.

Doc's Sports: NBA returns to action this Thursday night after its All-Star break with both Oklahoma City and San Antonio looking to get a fast start out of that second-half gate. What is your take on both of these teams as perennial contenders to win the highly-competitive Western Conference this season after their less-than-stellar first-half performances?

RE: Right now I would point the arrow heading up for Oklahoma City, especially if the Thunder make any kind a trade moves to add some depth to the bench. I still have Spurs sort of flat-lining right now, but they could get more into the mix through the possible decline of some of the teams ahead of them in the standings.

Doc's Sports: NASCAR is the only sport that kicks off its season with the biggest event of the year. What are some of the things that you are looking at for this Sunday's Daytona 500?

RE: The fact that Jeff Gordon won the pole for this race in his final full season in the Sprint Cup series has caught my eye. I will also be looking at the betting odds for Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth as perennial contenders to win the Daytona 500. Another great place to find value in this race is the betting odds for head-to-head matchups.

Doc's Sports : In an article for Doc's Sports this week you released your picks for this year's Oscars, and in your blog, Straight Bet Talk, you released your picks for this year's Razzies. Could you give us your top unit play for both of these selection packages?

RE: I have probably not bet a parlay in over 20 years, but I would go with Julianne Moore as Best Actress in "Still Alice," JK Simmons as Best Supporting Actor in "Whiplash" and Patricia Arquette as Best Supporting Actress in "Boyhood". All three are heavy chalk, so a three-way parlay would be the way to go in this top play.

As far as the top Razzies, go with Cameron Diaz for Worst Actress in "The Other Women" and "Sex Tape". They could have even added Annie to that list. She will be really hard to beat in this one given just how bad she was in all three movies.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza . Also be sure to follow him on Twitter @VSIDocsports.