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Case of the Mondays: Purdue's Swoon Continues with Big Ten Final Loss


by - 3/5/2018

Purdue Boilermakers guard Dakota Mathias

March Madness is here, with several conference tournaments-including the Big Ten-already in the books. Purdue is obviously going dancing, but it will get an at-large bid as opposed to an automatic berth after losing in the Big Ten Tournament final to Michigan. Meanwhile, golf continues to provide plenty of thrills with the Masters just one month away, and baseball season is right around the corner.

Odds provided by Bovada Sportsbook unless otherwise indicated.

Purdue . First of all, what is the Big Ten doing, staging its conference tournament two weeks before the Big Dance begins? The Big Ten festivities have already concluded, while conferences like the Big Sky, Mid-Eastern Athletic, American East, Northeast, Southwestern Athletic, Horizon League, Summit League, and Colonial Athletic Association are either still in progress or have not yet started. Whatever the case, the Big Ten Tournament took place at Madison Square Garden over the past few days. Purdue, which was once 23-2, fell to 5-4 in its last nine games with a 75-66 loss to Michigan in the championship on Sunday. The Boilermakers are +1000 to win the National Championship ( MyBookie.ag).

Kawhi Leonard . Speaking of time off, Leonard has had plenty of it this season. He has played in just nine games for San Antonio-none since Jan. 13-because of a lingering groin injury. Leonard returned to the team in late February (albeit not in full practice mode), but there is no timetable for his comeback to game action. "He's doing what he's supposed to do," head coach Gregg Popovich assured. "He's working hard at it. He wants to be back. When and if he feels like he's ready to go, he'll be there." Adding insult to literal injury, Leonard's talks with the Jordan Brand on an extension for his shoe deal have stalled. The Spurs are +2200 to win the Western Conference.


New York Islanders . As it stands right now in the Eastern Conference, 71 points are enough to get in the playoffs. The Islanders would have needed only seven points in their last six games to currently find themselves with 71 points. Instead, New York has accrued a grand total of two in its last six-leaving it with 66 points in the standings. The Islanders have lost six in a row, falling in regulation on four occasions during this stretch in addition to one shootout loss and an overtime setback against Pittsburgh this past Saturday. New York has not scored more than three goals in a game since Feb. 9, a span of 10 outings. The Islanders are +110 underdogs at Vancouver on Monday night (5Dimes Sportsbook).

Troy Tulowitzki . Blue Jays' manager John Gibbons said on Sunday that Tulowitzki is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day due to bone spurs in his right heel. "I don't expect he'll be ready," Gibbons admitted. "But he's moving in the right direction, so who knows?" Tulowitzki missed the rest of last season after suffering a sprained right ankle and ligament damage on July 28. In his one full season with Toronto (2016), the 33-year-old batted .254 24 home runs and 79 RBIs. The Blue Jays are +1000 to win the American League East.

Justin Thomas . Thomas should never have had a chance at last week's World Golf Championship in Mexico, so finishing runner-up won't be too hard to take. Plus, he just won the week before at the Honda Classic. And the only person who beat him in Mexico was an all-time great: Phil Mickelson. Still, Thomas somehow did have a chance on Sunday-so he may rue the missed opportunity. After finding himself at even par through 36 holes, the 24-year-old American played the last 36 holes in a ridiculous 16-under with rounds of 62 and 64. He holed out for eagle on the 72nd hold before going to a playoff with Mickelson. Thomas carded a bogey on a par 3 after Mickelson made a routine putt that was good enough for his first victory since the 2013 British Open. Thomas is +1000 to win the Masters, while Mickelson is +1800. Dustin Johnson is a +750 favorite.

Rafael Nadal . Nadal lost the No. 1 ranking to Roger Federer last month, and it looks like he won't be regaining it any time soon unless Federer falls early in both Indian Wells and Miami, two huge tournaments taking place in March. Nadal will not be playing in either event as he recently announced-while withdrawing from last week's Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco-that he has not yet recovered from the hip injury that plagued him at the Australian Open. The Spaniard hopes to return on clay in April to prepare for the French Open. He is a -125 favorite to triumph for an 11 th time at Roland Garros.

Neymar . Neymar will probably be off the soccer pitch long after Nadal returns to the tennis court. The Paris Saint-Germain striker sustained injuries to his right ankle and foot during a win over Marseille in France's top league late last month. Neymar underwent surgery this past week and could be sidelined for up to three months. The 26-year-old Brazilian will obviously miss PSG's upcoming round of 16 Champions League match against Real Madrid and would even be in doubt for the Champions League final this spring if his club advances that far. The World Cup, meanwhile, begins on June 14 (June 17). Paris Saint-Germain is a -105 favorite against Real Madrid.

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