Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

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


by Docsports.com - 3/5/2019

Zion Williamson Duke Blue Devils

Doc's Sports Service continues to earn the reputation as a recognized leader and trusted name in the sports handicapping industry. We are gearing up for another big March for college basketball with our various selection packages for all the games. One of our trusted partners for the past several years has been Raphael Esparza as a top expert sports handicapper. He earned that reputation during a long and successful run in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. His career culminated in 2013 as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

Since retiring from the sportsbook industry, the former Vegas Sports Informer now spends his time running a successful sports investment business from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. From big unit plays in college basketball to posting prop bet odds for pro wrestling, Esparza offers the widest array of betting options in the sports betting industry today. As part of a weekly discussion, Doc's is able to gain some unique insight into a few of the hottest trending betting topics in the world of sports.

Doc's: March is all about college basketball, so heading into the final week of the regular season, what would be one or two matchups at the top of your betting list?

RE: You would have to go with Duke at North Carolina in the ACC at the top of list this Saturday depending on the playing status of Zion Williamson for the Blue Devils. Thursday's Iowa at Wisconsin game in the Big Ten could have some seeding ramifications for the conference tournament. I am also interested in Saturday's Mountain West matchup between San Diego State and Nevada in Reno with the Wolf Pack needing a big win.

Doc's: We have been talking about Gonzaga all season long as one of the best college hoops teams on the court at 29-2. However, the Bulldogs have faced some massive point spreads down the stretch to fall to 2-4 against the spread in their last six games. Heading into the WCC Tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas later this week, is this the type of team you go with or go against in its two possible tournament games?

RE: Betting Gonzaga with the spread has gotten tougher to do. I will probably take a closer look at the total line for any WCC Tournament games. The Bulldogs have a much better defense than people give them credit for to add value to the 'under'.

Doc's: Sticking with the top Mid Majors in college basketball, you have always been high on Nevada and to a lesser extent the AAC's Houston Cougars this season. Can you give us a Mid Major off the national radar that can also make some legitimate noise in this season's NCAA Tournament?

RE: I have also been a big Buffalo Bulls' fan out of the MAC all season long. However, I am going back to the SEC with No. 10 LSU and the ACC with No. 14 Florida State as my two biggest sleeper teams for the NCAA Tournament. Each of these football powers is better than its current ranking in the college basketball polls.

Doc's: This Saturday's San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita could feature both of trainer Bob Baffert's top contenders for this year's Kentucky Derby. If Game Winner and Improbable do end up entered the actual field, which three-year old do you have winning the head-to-head matchup?

RE: This one could be too close to call. The field for that race should remain rather small to negate any real issues with the starting gates. If I had to choose, I would give Game Winner the slight overall edge.

Doc's: This Saturday's featured matchup on ESPN's UFC Fight Night card pits heavyweights' Derrick Lewis as a +190 underdog against Junior Dos Santos as a heavy -240 favorite. Is there any reason to bet against Santos in this fight?

RE: This should be an all out brawl that stays under 1 ½ rounds. I would not be surprised to see Santos' odds down to -200 or even -190 by fight time against Lewis as a live dog. If you are going to bet the underdog, do it now.

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 do not even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sports Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza.

Most Recent Weekly Sports Betting and Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers