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Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza


by Doc's Sports - 3/20/2018

Wenyen Gabriel Kentucky Wildcats

Each of the four regions in this year's NCAA Tournament have been pared down to four teams after the opening two rounds of play. However, it's still anyone's guess as to which ones will win their next two games to move on to the Final Four. In this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza , we will get his thoughts as to where the best value lies in the updated NCAAB futures odds to win each region in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Once known in sports betting circles as the Vegas Sports Informer during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, Raphael cut his teeth in the sports betting capital of the world to become one of the best all-around handicappers in the nation. At the peak of his sportsbook career, he held the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013. Since then, he continues to split his time between Las Vegas and the Big Easy in New Orleans running a successful and diverse sports investment service. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: The top four seeds in the South Region all failed to reach the Sweet 16 to open the door for No. 5 Kentucky as far as a Final Four run. The betting odds favor the Wildcats to win this region, but are you leaning that way as well?

RE: I do believe that everything has fallen into place for Kentucky getting to the Final Four, but I do not like the value in its futures odds as such a heavy favorite. Keep an eye on Nevada as a possible upset special in the South.

Doc's Sports: The West appears to be a two-team battle between Gonzaga and Michigan for a spot in the Final Four out of this region, according to the updated betting odds. Which of the four remaining teams in the West successfully navigates its way through the next two rounds?

RE: The West should come down to Gonzaga and Michigan, but you have to be impressed with the way Texas A&M ran all over North Carolina. If the Aggies stay hot from 3-point range and start hitting their foul shots, they can get past the Wolverines and the Bulldogs on the way to the Final Four.

Doc's Sports: The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats have looked dominant in their first two tournament games, but both No. 2 Purdue and No. 3 Texas Tech are still in the mix to win the East Region. The odds heavily favor the Wildcats, so are you still going chalk with one of your top teams heading into the Big Dance?

RE: West Virginia won its first two games in impressive fashion, but its run ends on Friday. I like Purdue getting past Texas Tech in the Sweet 16, but the Boilermakers' tournament run comes to an end in the Elite Eight. I have been riding the Wildcats as one of my top two or three teams all season, and I think that their odds to win the East still offer quite a bit of value.

Doc's Sports : The Kansas Jayhawks are the other No. 1 seed that made its way into the Sweet 16, but they are listed as second-favorites to win the Midwest Region. You were also pretty high on Duke's chances to win this region this time last week, so are still leaning that way heading into this week's games?

RE: I would still lean towards Duke winning the Midwest Region, but Syracuse's zone defense could present some issues in this Friday's Sweet 16 matchup. If the Blue Devils go cold, the Orange could be the only ACC team in the Final Four this year.

Doc's Sports: College basketball's NIT may play second fiddle to the NCAA Tournament, but there are still some pretty good basketball teams on the board heading into the quarterfinals of that tournament. Which of the remaining NIT teams do you have cutting down the nets at Madison Square Garden in the Championship Game?

RE : What makes the NIT so interesting is that all the early rounds right through the quarterfinals are played on the higher seed's home court. The final two rounds move to MSG, which gives teams such as Louisville and Marquette a big advantage having played at that venue before. Ultimately, I would go with the Cardinals to win this year's NIT title.

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