READ THIS BEFORE YOU POST!!!!!!!!!

REMEMBER - A MAXIMUM OF 4 LOCKS PER WEEK!

AND A MAXIMUM OF ONE LOCK PER DAY!

LOCK THREAD CONCEPT -

This thread has been created for all of us to share our expertise with everyone else to benefit the group.

THIS IS NOT A PICKING CONTEST!

PLEASE make special note of this!!! If you have an area of expertise - Pac-10, AFC East, Big East, NHL, etc. - please make some LOCK choices from your area of expertise when you have a game you are confident enough in to call it a "LOCK". The difference between a PICK and a LOCK is that a PICK is a game you like, a LOCK is a game that you KNOW. We are here to help each other win. If you are claiming your choice is a LOCK, and you really have NO true knowledge of that game, then you are just cheating us and posting your PICK just for attention and to see your name on the board.

RULES FOR POSTING -

I take it upon myself to donate my time and track everybody's LOCK every day, as long as you agree to do your part by doing a few simple things. I will not track your picks if you do not follow these rules. You are welcome to still post your PICK or card, but unless you do the things below, I won't be putting your LOCK on the spreadsheet.

- Post only 1 LOCK per day.  You may post a MAXIMUM of 4 LOCKS per week.  A week starts on Monday, and ends on Sunday.  Choose NCAA, NBA, NFL, or NHL.  You do not have to stay in one sport.  Spread them around if you like.

- No "buying" points.

- First half lines are OK.  No second half or quarter lines.  We want the LOCKS posted early enough so we can all benefit.  Time constraints make second half lines too tough to track.

- No other "line-manipulations: like teasers, etc.

- No props.

- No moneylines.

- Hockey and soccer plays need to be -129 or better.  No HUGE favorites for LOCKS.  If you have a -200 line or something, take the -1.5 goals if you feel like it is still a LOCK.

- Do not try to cheat on lines. We, as a group, are all over the lines and every time someone gives a stinky spread, it is always called out. If the line is off, the LOCK doesn't go into the spreadsheet.

And, THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE!

You must give an original explanation as to why you KNOW this LOCK will win. And don't just "stat" us to death. Tell us about the game. And if you are going to try and fool us by cutting and pasting from another website, at least figure out how to remove all the HTML and other garbage. People on this thread are all over the internet and will find your plagiarism. I guarantee it. You can use Last 10, ATS, etc., numbers to support your argument, but stats from a gambling website are not an explanation. They are stats that any of us can get anywhere on the internet. Also, how about if you have actually SEEN the team play that you pick. I'd say that if you haven't seen a team play at least a few times, you can't really be an expert on said team.

FOLLOW THESE RULES AND I WILL TRACK EVERY LOCK YOU POST - FREE OF CHARGE!!!!!!

I will try to get CONSENSUS statistics out before the first tips each day around 3:40 PM, PST.  There is no guarantee, however.

Thank you for your understanding and your help in keeping this thread for the benefit of everybody, not just a place for you to blather out random picks and toot your own horn.

Good luck today and let's work together to win some cash!

-USC Holmey

3-1 Locks

The Ohio State University Buckeyes -7

Ohio State comes in at 12-6 but is 9-1 at home, their only loss came against UNC and was ahead at halftime in the game, ended up losing by 10 because of a 13 minute FG drought. OSU is beating opponents by 19 PPG at home and has alot of confidence there. OSU just came off a 3 game road trip against 3 very good teams, Purdue, Michigan St and Tennesse. OSU played all three games hard and never gave up, they had chances to win all three games and get a big win and fell just short in all three, theres nothing more frustrating for a young team than to be in tough games and not pull them out. Coming home after this trip is exactly what they needed, and playing an Illinois team that they already beat by 16 in Illinois, its time for them to take out their frustrations of that road trip and get a convincing home win to get their confidence back. Hunter has been playing like a beast down low lately, Kufos is solid, Evan Turner is turning into a freshmen star and lighty and butler are playing well and doing their jobs, this team is far more talented than Illinois, is at home and wants to avenge their 3 game losing streak.

Illinois comes in at 9-10 and has been playing a little better of late, but their last game at Purdue was a killer, played great in the first half and was in position to get a big road win, and was just manhandled in the second in every way, it was a tough loss to take and staying on the road and playing a team that already smacked them once is not the way to heal. Illinois is 2-5 on the road, having lost 4 in a row on the and like i stated earlier just had a bad loss for their confidence. Illinois has also lost 6 out of their last 7.....we have to teams going in opposite directions, OSU is getting better and played good teams tough, they just havent gotten over the hump yet, Illinois has lost so many lately there used to it now, and will continue to lose confidence with every loss.

OSU in a BLOODBATH BLOWOUT

A few stats for both teams
+/- point differential
OSU +9
Illinois +2.6

FG%
OSU 45.5%
Illinois 43% (shoot well below this on the road)

FT%
OSU 70.1%
Illinois 59%

3 Pointers a game
OSU 7.5
Illinois 5

Tennessee has the leadership and depth win at Kentucky. They play full court defense and hustle after every loose ball. Chris Lofton is one of the most exiting players in the country and as a senior, will lead this athletic Tennessee team to a victory on the road. Kentucky on the other hand has basically three players: Crawford, Patterson, and Bradley. They don't have the depth to match up against the hustle and athleticism what could be a great Tennessee team.

The Vols play defense, knock down the 3, and grab the 50/50 loose balls. Kentucky, while they may have grit, has a stagnant offense that will be tested against full court pressure al game long, and only a few players who contribute on a regular basis. Tennessee will stretch out their defense, leaving shooters open and opportunities to take advantage of their athleticism inside.

Tennessee won on the road at Xavier 82-75 and blew out South Carolina on the road 80-56. In Kentucky's other big rivalry game this year, Louisville ran them out of their own gym 89-75. The Vols continue their run through the SEC and cover the 5 easily.

OhioStateBucks1 - Although I hate the buckeyes -grin-

I agree with your lock - and "double endorse it".  I would post the reasons why, but it would be a waste of time - too may people respect your opinion - and there are about 5 more reasons why I'd select the bucks....

Go bucks....(until football season! -huge grin!-)

I too love the Bucks today. However, I am going to steer away from marking it as a LOD.

Why, because my LOD's keep losing. Solid plays until I lock em. Jus' like Rider didnt show up yesterday. I would like to note that people should look at Riders next home game...........they dont play like crap twice in a row at home that often.

3-1 in NCAA, 6-1-1 in NBA.......losses= Rider and DET UNDER......Clev OVER pushed, local gave me 187.

USC- If ya dont mind; Im just going to post my plays. No LOD for a while.

Its always a pleasure to see new guys around. Always great to see the O.G.s as well.

And as always, outstanding job on the thread USC.

MAJ

My 1st LOCK...(bet the house on this one)

1st QT Sac. Kings -1

So far the last 7 road games in a row, the nets have not covered a 1st quarter spread. the last time on the road that they covered 1st qt was at new york against the "knicks" and that was on DEC 15th.  Overall they are 5-12 ATS in 1st Quarters for the whole season.  Expect the kings to jump on a nice lead to start off the game since they play very well at home especially with martin, bibby, and artest back. Not to mention they are on a 2 game winning streak beating the pacers and pistons both on the road and will ride that momentum back home. After the 1st qt this will be 8 games in a row..

LOCK IT AND LOAD IT!!!!!

i guess it doesnt count but i dont care... just trying to help people win money on here!!!

lol rule #1

never bet your house on anything

cause if you lose, its foreclosure

and then chowda comes in and sells your house

PS NHAAS1 = 7 year old...LOOOOSSSEEERRR

get a life...KID...

peter on the other hand

i do like the play, but not big...nets have been in a shooting slump...

they MAY jst come out on fire 1st quarter and SUCK for the game

cant sleep...

THE TIME IS 4:20...