Your Hoops and Horses Selections for March 4-6

Welcome to America’s Best Racing’s Hoops and Horses column, where winners play!
Horse racing is Joe Kristufek’s means to an end, and he loves the sport like no other, but as a Chicago Bulls season ticket holder for eight years and a feared participant in fantasy hoops, Kristufek also has his finger on the pulse of the NBA.
From growing up with the Flintstones of Michigan State, running March Madness pools out of his hidden manila envelope in high school, to attending conference tournaments, Sweet 16s and Final Fours, college basketball runs in Derek Cooley’s blood.
Let’s sprint out on the fast break, spring the horses from the gate and pad our bankrolls!
College Hoops – by Derek Cooley
First off, let us take a look at how we fared last week.
It’s hard to split three games down the middle but that is exactly what we managed to do. Our win was our nicely called upset pick of Vanderbilt over Kentucky. Hopefully everyone got in on that money line as Kentucky, to my surprise, was actually favored by two points.
In Charlottesville, North Carolina lost by five to Virginia, who got a dynamite performance from their senior Malcolm Brogdon, covering the 2 ½-point spread.
Purdue played outstanding early on against Maryland, but allowed the Terps back in the game late.  Thankfully, some quality free throw shooting from the Boilermakers at the end allowed Purdue to earn the push.
Last week: 1-1-1
Season Total: 4-4-1 (.500)
Saturday, March 5, 2016
#8 North Carolina @ #17 Duke (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The last regular season game for both teams comes down to the Tobacco Road rivalry as Duke and UNC face off in Durham, N.C. The Cameron Crazies will be nuts for their Blue Devils, in hopes of a repeat of what they did to the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. This game is also of extreme importance to Duke’s ACC tourney seeding; they need this win (or a Notre Dame loss) for that all important “double bye.”
UNC on the other hand, is playing for that thing they call a “conference championship.” It is quite unfortunate that Duke’s Amile Jefferson, who is recovering from a broken foot, won’t suit up for this one.
UNC seniors Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson will not end their UNC careers by getting swept by Duke. Yes, both teams had less than stellar home performances last time out, but this one is going to UNC.
North Carolina – 81
Duke – 75
HUNCH IS CAMERON CRAZIES WILL BE FEELING BLUE ON SATURDAY

By flickr user adamglanzman - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamglanzman/11918987174/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30742803
#11 Louisville @ #4 Virginia (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
It’s weird to say that this will be the last game of the season for Louisville, period. No postseason play for the 11th-ranked team in the nation as a result of a self-imposed ban for all the shenanigans brought to the media’s attention in the offseason. 
This is a tough call. I really don’t know what to expect from the Cardinals, but I know what I’ll get from Virginia. You’ll get a great defensive effort, and unbelievable play from Malcolm Brogdon on senior night. Virginia takes this one.
Virginia – 72
Louisville – 64 
Sunday, March 6, 2016
#14 Maryland @ #12 Indiana (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Hoosier faithful can relax a bit after clinching their B1G title outright in Iowa City on Tuesday. What a journey it has been for the Hoosiers – from losing to both Wake Forest and UNLV in Maui and getting run out of the building by Duke, to B1G conference champs. Yes, Indiana has won the conference but they also had the easiest B1G schedule by far. 
Maryland needs this game badly for seeding purposes going into the B1G tourney, as they can realistically finish anywhere from third to seventh. This tilt is also a key résumé builder for the big dance.
Maryland has not been nearly as good on the road, and some of their losses were not as close as the score indicated. Yogi Ferrell is a senior, and he’s been really one of the best players of IU recent memory. This one will be close, but Indiana will sneak by in the end, like they usually do.
Indiana – 79
Maryland – 77
Ponies – by Joe Kristufek
We could have taken the free spaces on Mohaymen and Cathryn Sophia last Saturday at Gulfstream, but that’s not how we roll.
Noholdingback Bear (Texas Glitter Stakes) and Lira (Herecomesthebride Stakes) both ran second in their respective races, but Fredricksburg (Canadian Turf Stakes) and Kismet Heels (Palm Springs Stakes) failed to make an impact.
Last week: 4-0-2-0 ($2 WPS * $24 wagered * $10.80 returned)
Season Total: 13-2-3-3 ($2 WPS * $78 wagered * $69.20 returned = $5.32)
Saturday, March 5
Aqueduct – New York, N.Y.
Race 7 – Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes
#6 Cali Star (morning-line odds, 8-5)
A game second last out behind a chalky winner last out in the Houston Ladies Classic in Texas, this hard hitting mare has trained sharply since. She fits this race like a glove and should offer a fair price.
Race 9 – Gotham Stakes
#2 Shagaf (morning-line odds, 3-1)
This Bernardini colt won easily in his only previous Aqueduct start, he’s bred to handle advancing distances and he has the most upside. Off his recent troubled run behind Shagaf at Gulstream, Rally Cry also intrigues me. Let’s bet them both.
SHAGAF'S WIN IN JANUARY AT GULFSTREAM

Courtesy of Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park – Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Race 12 – Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2)
#4 Da Big Hoss (morning-line odds, 3-1)
A turf marathon revelation of sorts, this 5-year-old is better than ever. In his recent John B. Connally Turf Cup romp at Sam Houston, he absolutely crushed the course record in visually impressive fashion. He faces a tougher task here, but chances are he’s up to it. 
Oaklawn Park – Hot Springs, Ark.
Race 8 – Hot Springs Stakes
#1 Subtle Indian (morning-line odds, 8-5)
Defeating Ivan Fallunovalot will prove no easy task, but this razor-sharp speedster will have to be caught, and Oaklawn’s main track often favors his front-running style. As the second choice against a fan favorite, his odds may actually float up in our favor. 
Pro Hoops – by Joe Kristufek
Last week was a wash. The Indiana Pacers came up short against the feisty Charlotte Bobcats and the Orlando Magic failed in New York against the Knicks. The Washington Wizards did manage to wear down the 76ers in Philly and the over/unders evened up our record.
Last week: 3-3
Season Total: 8-6 (.571)
Friday, March 4
Cleveland Cavaliers 105
vs. Washington Wizards 92
Losers of three of their last five games, the traveling soap opera that is the Cavaliers looks to avenge a pounding it received by the Wizards last week. Washington is playing better, but when the Cavs face adversity, especially at home, they usually respond. 
JAMES AND CAVS WILL RESPOND TO ADVERSITY

By Erik Drost - LeBron James, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44669157
Indiana Pacers 96
at Charlotte Hornets 95
Winners of eight of their last 10, the Hornets are averaging more than 120 points per game in their last two games and they beat the Pacers in Indiana last week. The Pacers are a decent road team, they rarely get blown out and they’ll be motivated. Expect another close one.
Boston Celtics 107
vs. New York Knicks 95
The Celtics look to extend their winning streak to five against a free-falling Knicks team. Boston has been good against the spread and they’re playing their best ball of the season. They’re younger, faster, deeper and more determined.