An Update From Vegas
A local poll voter checks in from Las Vegas
By Chris Olson in Vegas
The atmosphere here is building to a crescendo. Scores of folks have spent the past few hours staking out their seats and discussing their favorite bets. I showed up to the Mirage at midnight which, in retrospect, was far too early.
The book at the Mirage closes from 3 until 5:30 each day in order to count money and reset lines. Before they closed, however, I was able to get in $100 on both Georgetown at 10/1 and the Maryland women at 6/1. I hereby resolve to vote Brenda's troops No. 1 in next year's Bog Poll if they can make me $600.
As the seats filled up my companions and I sought out more ridiculous wagers. Being from California, my guys rode an all-Pac 10 parlay for 60 to 1 odds. I stayed true to the Atlantic 11 and opted for an all-local bet: Mason to cover 7, UMBC to cover 17 and American to cover 20. I stand to go up $100 if all of those covers come to pass.
Obviously not content to simply go with three bets I tried the Obama Primary parlay (pledged delegates, of course), taking Georgia (+8), Wisconsin (-12), UNLV (+2), Kansas State (+2), BYU (+2) and Mississippi Valley State (+32). I stand to go up $800 if everybody can get their act together.
The room is particularly excited for the George Mason/Notre Dame tilt this evening. Most of the money is going away from Mason, but there are a few loyal supporters who think that Notre Dame's perimeter defense is porous enough to allow Mason some good shots. People I've spoken to here also like Georgetown but worry about what happens if
Roy Hibbert gets shut down and Jonathan Wallace's shots aren't falling. Another gentleman with money on Georgetown swears that DaJuan Summers is going to catch fire and make a name for himself in the tournament, much like Chris Wilcox did for Maryland in 2002.
By Dan Steinberg |
March 20, 2008; 11:29 AM ET
| Category:
College Basketball
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Posted by: Scott in Shaw | March 20, 2008 02:33 PM
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Um, Clinton won the Nevada caucuses, but I suppose it's too late to take back the UNLV bet.