VSiN By The Books | March 9, 2026 | Hour 3

0:00The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are built to keep going, blending rugged muscle with precision engineering, all supported by Toyota's time-tested legacy of dependability. Step into a Tundra and feel the unyielding capability with the available iForce Max engine Tundra puts out impressive power, torque, and towing performance and the roomy high-tech cabin keeps you connected on the go. Or take a look at Tacoma made for drivers who push past the path. Agile, tough and relentless with available features like crawl control, portable JBL speaker, a power lift gate, so gear goes in fast and the adventure keeps moving. The Tacoma and Tundra are engineered to endure season after season, mile after mile. So drive one home today, visit toyota.com or stop by your local Toyota dealer to find out more Toyota. Let's go places. You're having a good time. You're out drinking with the boys. Now it's time to pay the tab. $11,352.47 wait what? Well there are court costs, attorney fees, higher insurance costs, damage to your car,

1:01do you why finds? Not to mention the damage to your social life, plan a sober ride or pay the price. Drinking and driving costs more than your drinks. It could cost a life. Learn more at what's the damage.org brought to you by Virginia DMV. Full throttle here. Yeah, it's like this is the time of year gents in here that you're going to get these changing temperatures. Just when I'm ready to put away the winter coats, I see in the forecast next week here for the highs in the 40s back here in Tennessee. So thank you. We got March Madness. We got golf. We got UFC. We got a lot of the things to keep this warm here if it

2:01gets cold again. Amen. And again, what a great first week of conference basketball tournaments, some upsets, a couple of Cinderella's in there, a couple of tournaments finishing up tonight tomorrow. And then we get the big boys headed into tomorrow and Wednesday as well. Let's talk about some of those big boy conferences here in college basketball and some of these conference tournaments that will take shape this week. Look, I'm partial. I love the big east tournament at Madison Square Garden. That's obviously my favorite each and every year, even though Syracuse is in the ACC these days, just the history of that one. But the ACC has got a lot of history in their own right. They do move it around here from different venues this year. It's going to be in Charlotte. It will tip off on Tuesday. Duke is the overwhelming favorite to win this. Now, what's interesting here and I kind of made much of it and stock up stock down last week is some of these tournaments do not have the same cachet that I'm alluding to back when I wore younger man's clothes where it was important to not only if you're a big boy already already going to to to the NCAA tournament. I mean, I'm going as far back as when it was

3:02only 48 teams. You had to get those automatic bids. Obviously, those days are long over up to 64, 68, maybe more expansions coming. Who knows? But the incentive to play a Duke at minus 330. Is it really there, Jensen? I mean, they're on one heck of a run right now. And I think they know no matter what happens, they are going to be a one seed. If they win the ACC tournament, they'll probably be the tournament overall number one. Yeah, it's going to be one of those spots too, where if you understand the format in a lot of these conference futures, I think would be predicated more so on the amount of games you have to play in consecutive days to not only get to a semi-final but to a championship game. So we look at the ACC and the top eight teams receive buys to that third round. The top four receive those double buys into the quarter finals. So again, you're asking these longer shot teams that are in triple digits to have to win three and three,

4:03four and four. That's really difficult to do. Zach Cohen did our deep dive here on the ACC tournament. And he said while it's boring to suggest backing a minus 330 or $350, excuse me, $3. Yep, $3.5 favorite. Hard to imagine anyone else winning. Now, I would say that that's right. And if you want to avoid the laying the 350, then maybe it's a money line rollover, just kind of do the math when we see where some of these teams are after day one, day two. Couple of betting trends to keep in mind here, Dave, from Steve McAnon, favorites of at least five and a half points have been nearly automatic in the ACC tournament. 61 and eight straight up 40 28 and one ATS almost 59% cover percentage in over the last decade. Here's what that sends alarm bells off from me. You're going to have some of these big favorites.

5:08So if you're looking for two team money line parlays with that 61 and eight straight up clip of favorites of five and a half for more points, if you don't want to worry about having to cover those numbers, that might be a more advantageous spot to pick your spots literally and figuratively in this ACC tournament, knowing that that betting trend in and of itself is pretty remarkable. So something to keep in mind here as we get this ACC tournament underway tomorrow. Not that it matters necessarily from the betting perspective, but I mean, again, when you get to the big dance, maybe you value certain leagues and say, well, that leads just better because it's deeper top to bottom. Where are you in the big 12? Would you say that they had the best regular season when you looked at Houston, which looked like a number one C for the longest time. That looks like that firmly on the two line Iowa status 22 to one and win the national championship in Arizona. One of those top three schools all year. Would you say it's fair to say that the big 12, which is going to begin Tuesday in Kansas City was in fact the best regular season conference

6:12in college basketball? Sure. I think that's fair. And I think overall, when you have an opportunity, at least in that, in that first iteration of the selection committee, when they revealed those first top 16 seeds, and you had Arizona and Iowa state in there for one seeds, and then you had Houston, who has been challenging for it. I mean, those are your top three teams, and no surprise here. Your top three betting choices in the big 12 tournament. I would imagine looking at through Iowa state, yes, given their tournament history there in Kansas City could challenge. But I would have to believe that chalk holds here, barring something completely unforeseen. It would not shock me if it's Arizona and Houston and give Houston a little bit of run here that they could have an opportunity to knock off Arizona if they play a better game. But I don't think we were in danger of of any of those double digit numbers as far as conference futures are going to get in here. One thought to keep in mind, another great Steve Mackinan

7:13betting trend here. Teams often earlier round by in the big 12 tournament, 23 and four straight up 17 and 10 against the number. That's a 63% cover percentage since 2016. But underdogs in the opening round, Dave. So that starts tomorrow underdogs in the opening round of the big 12 tournament, 10 and 11 straight up 17 and four against the number 81% cover percentage for underdogs in the opening round of the big 12 conference tournament. Again, I mentioned that my favorite is the Big E's conference tournament. That's going to begin here on Wednesday in the city that never sleeps Madison Square Garden. If you've never been, you should go. It's a pilgrimage. It is it is amazing atmosphere that they have. I went when it was the old Big E's to obviously with with my squad Syracuse now in the ACC. Yukon's odds on to win this thing at minus a dollar 25. The Johnny's all the way back Rick Patino. Rick Patino will be the first one to tell you that too

8:15at plus 210. Then a pretty big demarcation line there to Villanova as the third betting choice at plus 650. Look, I get it. Like Yukon is going to be a two seed. It feels like in the NCAA tournament. I look at the Johnny's and they're like 70 to one to win the national championship yet plus 210. Yukon by the way is 18 to one to cut down the nets. Is the Big E's top two not getting enough respect in the marketplace that when they turn the page the next week to the big tournament that they can really make inroads there? I think they're getting respect. I think Yukon falling all over themselves against Marquette doesn't help the resume. No, but you know, we're just a week or so removed from saying like, that's not a team. I want to play, you know, with the physicality and the tournament history. Is St. John's going right? Yes, they are. Is that a team that overall, you want to back when the bracket comes out? I don't know if I'm there yet from a number,

9:18you know, with an opportunity to monetize into the second weekend. Maybe, man, I would say I'd rather hitch my wagon, Dave. I mean, I know this is crazy to say. I think I'd rather hitch my wagon to like a St. Mary's of all people of Virginia. I think I would rather look at some of those teams that I feel would be more balanced. And it's not by much like, let me give credit where it's due because I think you could, I think you could lump St. John's into like a Michigan state category to a certain extent. They have those ebbs and flow, like I think a Tennessee in our friends at CB analytics.com on that adjusted offensive rating versus adjusted defensive rating. They kind of have St. John's and Tennessee overlap each other. So almost like you're looking at a mirror image, we've seen Tennessee lock it down defensively, play really well. Then we see him against my Vanderbilt commoners and they look awful at home. So I don't know how much trust you

10:22have there in a conference tournament setup that we will have here. Yeah, I think you stick with the chalk. I mean, we're not getting a Villanova or, you know, now, I mean, I don't know, I don't know. I mean, is there any. Providence has has won a handful of games at it, but we're not getting that. I mean, there's too many, too many games you got to win in successive days, fatigue, I think ultimately a factor when you get later on in the week. I mean, I go way back to when Jerry McNamara had a historic run in 2004, I've just cussed one of the title in 2003. And they had to play that extra game, as you mentioned, and went all the way one five and one one, the big he's tournament got into the first round the NCAA tournament. Then he got bounced the following week. I don't know that I want to back Michigan and plus our five to win this. This is kind of want to get that at the beginning of this conversation. Maybe you want to back Duke at 330. I'm not going to lay that price point there, but Michigan to me feels like they know that there are an overall number one. I don't think they're playing their best basketball despite the win against party over the weekend and wrap up the regular season. I think there's too many other teams in

11:22the big 10 where this might mean more a la a Purdue at plus five 50 to turn, turn the corner, right? And for them to write the ship, Michigan, the ship's been righted for weeks. Well, you're going to get the motivation angle here and you're so right. I mean, how much Michigan beating party yesterday, I kind of eliminates me from wanting to back them at least initially. You are so right. I would think Purdue, if you're looking for a team that net needs, not only to improve recent form, but wants to kind of have ahead of steam, you know, going in. I would would 100% agree that would be the team I would target there in the big 10. Same rationale on the SEC. I know the Florida is not a lock to be the fourth number one. So it feels like they're cementing it, though, at this juncture here. But maybe I'll look to Alabama or an Arkansas. It's seven to one is a long shot. If they get to one of those teams got to the final, you could possibly monetize there, Jensen. Yeah. If you're going way off the beaten

12:22path here, Dave, Texas A&M, Texas A&M would be a dark horse that I think they are a six seed right now. If I remember correctly, they're on the bubble too. Okay. So you're looking at, you know, motivation factors here, you know, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, solidly in the field to come selection Sunday. We'll break those games out and even in more details tomorrow. Those don't tip for the SEC to Wednesday. Upside download the app now. If you haven't done it, I do a people here Tennessee Kentucky border driving all over the place here, saving money at the pump when you do so. So download the free upside app. Use the promo code books. The offers do vary by location and user. Visit upside.com for all of the details. Talk a med space ball with Max. Give him an axe right here. Be some other books. Hey, everybody, Dave Ross here. Let me get your attention very quickly for the podcast listeners out there. It is March. That means the madness is officially upon us. And the folks here at Vision have gone nuts with this one. I'm being told just 29.99. You can get unlimited access to visa and pro through May 1st. I'm talking about picks throughout

13:23the tournament, public betting data for every single game plus sharp tools, projections, articles, so much more. But already, it's already begun because up on the site right now for the champ week, we got everything there for every single game, which means every day you don't have to wait for an opportunity to be missed. Just click the link in the description to get started. It is March. Baby, let's go. All right. Now back to the show. The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are built to keep going blending rugged muscle with precision engineering all supported by Toyota's time tested legacy of dependability. Step into a Tundra and feel the unyielding capability with the available I force max engine. Tundra puts out impressive power torque and towing performance and the roomy high tech cabin keeps you connected on the go or take a look at Tacoma made for drivers who push past the path agile tough and relentless with available features like crawl control, portable JBL speaker, a power lift gate, so gear goes in fast and the adventure keeps moving. The Tacoma and Tundra are engineered to endure season after season, mile after mile. So drive one home today, visit toyota.com or stop

14:28by your local Toyota dealer to find out more Toyota. Let's go places. You're having a good time. You're out drinking with the boys. Now it's time to pay the tab. 11,352.47 cents. Wait, what? Well, there are court costs, attorney fees, higher insurance costs, damage to your car, do you why finds? Not to mention the damage to your social life. Plan a sober ride or pay the price. Drinking and driving costs more than your drinks. It could cost a life. Learn more at what's the damage.org brought to you by Virginia DMV.

15:29Since back per gallon on your very first Phillips to go to upside.com for all of the particulars. I've been really looking forward to this conversation with Max Goodman. This is a great job. newjurzy.com met's beat reporter joins us now here in the progressive guest line. Give him a follow on ex at max T Goodman and Max as we were talking about during the break here with me, you and Jensen. I'm a diehard metropolitan fan. I like to bet them as well. Can I feel better about this baseball team coming into this year after the collapse that we all witnessed last September to somehow miss the postseason and only end up with 83 wins a year ago. I think you can. I really do. And first off, thanks for having me guys. Good morning. I think with with all of the changes that this this organization made this past off season, a lot of them were pointed decisions looking beyond sentimentality, getting rid of some fan favorites. And early in the off season, you're looking at again a team that had just collapsed, had missed the playoffs and had gotten rid of so many talented players. And you're wondering

16:34what the heck is this organization doing, right? But as the weeks and months progressed, they started to make some impactful acquisitions. And I think when you look at the way that this roster is constructed now, yes, there are some risks there. It's a new look in field. We'll see how the defense looks early on. They're they're going to rely on a mix of young players, potentially, you know, rookie phenom, Carson Benj and Wright Field. And then the older players, you know, you bring in Marcus Simeon and the Brandon Nemo Trail. We'll see how that works out. So there are definitely question marks throughout this roster. But I think David Sterns and the front office deserve a round of applause in a sense here for for making a lot of changes after the way last season went in a market where championships are the expectation. And that standard has not been met for the last several years and beyond that in Queens. Absolutely right. And Max, you mentioned the big free agent signings offensively to replace Peter Lonzo, Jorge Polanco coming in obviously after a great postseason run with the Mariners,

17:37Marcus Simeon in that straight up trade for Brandon Nemo. Let me ask you about Boba Shet. And obviously the elephant in the room here is you alluded to we got Boba Shet learning a new position at the hot corner. We got Jorge Polanco learning a position that he hasn't played at first base. I can tell you as a former Major League reliever coming in with runners and scoring position, not the greatest amount of confidence if I get a ball down the line. But I think for people that are on the outside looking in, to me, I would exercise caution because I think this team offensively and I'll get your thoughts on it. This team may be better offensively this year, even without Peter Lonzo with the other additions, including Luis Robert Jr coming over in a change of scenery move too. I'm with you. I think that this team has definitely taken a step forward offensively. And you know, there are some merits to having four short stops across your infield, right? I do think that they'll be able to handle, you know, like the hands, right? You know, Bichette and Polanco have been playing up the middle throughout their careers. They should be good at fielding the ground balls. I'm just curious how, you know, Bichette's arm will play on

18:41those deep ground balls down the line that, you know, Aaron Otto, Chapman, Machado, like they make those throws, those throws look easy. Bichette, if you look at the stat cast metrics, like that hasn't necessarily been his MO throughout his career. So that's my question there. And Polanco, with the footwork at first base, you know, it's just going to take reps and time. And I think that once we see that in games and it's important for them to get that experience under their belt this spring, that's when their teammates and also the fans who are scratching their heads in a way of how those decisions were made will start to feel more comfortable. But with the lineup, there's, there are a few X factors in the middle with Robert Jr., you mentioned, maybe Francisco Alvarez can finally have a full breakout season. But when you look at the depth of not just the top four, where you have proven all-star caliber talent, but then the lineup as a whole, like I think this is a deeper unit, a more high octane unit than we've seen in years past, where yes, filling Peter Lonzo's, you know, powerful shoes is borderline impossible, right? Like getting 50 home runs

19:42is going to be tough from one player. But when you have the aggregate and the quality of that that throughout this order and working the count, being able to hit behind runners and, you know, the protection isn't necessarily just one player right behind Soto. It's also the first and second hitters and then four through nine, you know, and they can string, you know, rallies together, at least on paper that that's my sense of how this lineup will look. And again, it's, it'll be very different. Talk to me in two months after the regular season has definitely gotten underway. But that's the sense I've gotten being around this team this spring. You know, Max, it's fascinating because Jensen's perspective as a player is so unique. And then ours as reporters, and I've been in a lot of those club houses and in locker rooms and various sports for a lot of years. Sometimes it's contrived that you hear about these riffs between major stars in club houses. And we're hearing that now about possibly with Soto and Francisco and Dore. What's your take on that? You don't necessarily need to be best buds all the time to win at the highest level. But is there a real issue as to who is the true leader in this clubhouse?

20:47Well, what I'll say is that this is my first spring covering the team. So I wasn't in there last year. So my perspective is just how spring training has been going so far. And I haven't sensed any issues in that clubhouse. In fact, I would say it's the total opposite. You know, coming over from covering another team, the vibe that I'm getting in there is that these guys are pretty close knit. You know, what comes to mind first off? I know this isn't lendo or Soto, but you know, during live BP at Clover Park, you know, a lot of the Latin players are sitting behind home plate, Freddie Peralta and Francisco Alvarez and a bunch of relievers. They're chopping it up. They're laughing. They're watching their teammates get their work in. So I know the vibes are always high. And as a former player, you can speak to this too. Like everyone's in great shape right now. The stakes aren't as high. The guys were competing for roster spots. It's early. Now the games are starting to get underway. Again, we'll see how things go over the next several weeks. But the bottom line with what I'll say here is that everything's easier when you're winning, right? And last year at the beginning of the season,

21:48no one was talking about any clubhouse issues for the Mets. And like you alluded to, also, these guys don't have to be best friends. But when the team starts to spiral towards the end of the year and collapse and end up missing the playoffs with the payroll they have, with the expectations they have, of course, everything's going to be under a microscope. And that's that's when those stories are going to start to come out, whether they're warranted or not. So the folks that I've talked to in the organization, I haven't gotten the sense that that was a real, you know, terrible issue for them at the end of last year. I think that the bottom line there is that they just weren't playing well. And the success that they weren't having on the field translated to some of the reports that came out and how things were going behind the scenes. Yeah, nothing like a New York microscope to try and pick apart anything in a clubhouse. We've seen it not only there in Queens, but in the Bronx as well. All right. I had said it last year, Max, and obviously this year going in, if you're going to try and run down the Dodgers, you not only have to have an offense that can be competent, but you must have a rotation that has some guys at the top that can really be forces

22:51to be reckoned with. Boy, do the Mets answer a massive question mark at the top of the rotation with the acquisition of Freddie Peralta. I do think it takes some pressure off of Nolan McLean, David Peterson, the rest of that rotation. Just from a semantic standpoint, we know that he answers the number one starter. Do you believe that this could be a rotation that may go with a six man at a camp to kind of protect the length of some of these young guys? You still have clay homes coming back, who's looked really great in the WBC thus far. Shamanaya could I say they've all dealt with injuries the last couple of years? Would it be viable in your mind if you had to say Carlos Mendoza is going to say six man rotation or do they make a decision to cut it down to five? So first thing there is it's a good problem to have that they have six healthy big league starters. And there's a lot of depth there too, right? Jonah Tongue, Christian Scott, Tobias Myers is in the bullpen. He also has starting experience. So they have other starters they can turn to if they are hit with the injury bug. And let's be honest guys, it's inevitable. Guys

23:53will get hurt whether it's now or throughout the season. So that's important that the best teams do have that depth. A couple weeks ago, I think it was Sterns was asked if he'd be open to a six man rotation. And his answer was basically just kicking that rock down the road, right? Like that's that's something that will attack if we get closer to opening day and everybody's still healthy because when you look at those six starters, you know, what's could I say you're going to do? What's Sean and I are going to do this year? Obviously at the top of the rotation, I think it's more of a sure thing. What the meds are going to get with Peralta and McLean. By the end of this year, McLean might be the, you know, the true ace of this team, but going into it, I'm not surprised the Peralta starting on opening day. He's your number one guy. They brought him in for a reason, they spent the prospect capital that they did for a reason there. So injuries will come whether, whether you like it or not, whether you're being cynical or not, that that is going to happen at some point. So it's good that they have depth. But hey, if opening day comes around and everybody's healthy, I don't know, right? I mean, you got to have all six of those guys on the team. It's in

24:56some way. I wouldn't expect them to, you know, send somebody down. So in that case, is Senghor Peterson maybe going to go to the bullpen would, would claim homes maybe go into a different role. I think that they'll, they'll decide that when they get to it, when they cross that bridge. But the bottom line again is that everybody needs to be healthy for as much of the season as they can get them, right? And those, those depth arms that I mentioned need to step up throughout the season too. So the favorites to win the NL East at Pasadahar 50, they're win total sitting at 90 and a half. Max, you've got a team that you're covering this year with very lofty expectations there in Queens. Really enjoyed the conversation, Max. Have fun covering this team and hopefully it's a winning team here for, for not just yours truly, but all the metropolitan fans out there. Give a follow on X at max T Goodman New Jersey dot com as the Met's beat reporter. Let's get back here, Jetson. Talk about some of our best bets. That's next right here on Vs and by the books.

25:59You're too dim to Vs and by the books right here on Vs. We continue a Vs and by the books here on this Monday morning. If you've not downloaded the upside app, you should do so right now. It's simple to do. I've done it. You're going to save money at the pump the first time you do a 25 cents off when you use promo code books title of this show. So just go to upside dot com for all of the details. Really enjoyed that conversation. Obviously, you know, I was looking forward to that one with Max Goodman as we continue the daily dime and breaking down every single team in Major League Baseball. Talk about the metropolitan's. I was fascinated by the nature of say, Juan Soto and Francisco Lendor, the true mega stars on the baseball team for a win total of 90 and a half. And sometimes I can be combustible, Jetson. You've been in those club houses. You know what that dynamic can be like here. You don't have to be best buds. But in order for a team like the Met's and we're going to talk about this in a football context here in a little bit as well. And I've been someone of those locker rooms where sometimes

27:01the stars didn't always see eye to eye and you knew it. Can you can you still do that in 2026 in a clubhouse like that can be combustible when you're playing in a city like New York? Well, it's different this day and age Dave. We have so much more of a social media presence and we have much more of for the brand, shall I say. It is much more individualistic in this day and age. Now, as it pertains to where Lendorance said they're going to be fine. And I do think that if you're looking at player futures and full season futures, I wouldn't mind, you know, looking at, you know, where we are with Soto and where we are with Francisco Lendor remember that Lendor is dealing with the ham and injury. And so that could zap some of the power early for him. But I would say overall from overall production, I think they're going to be fine. I'm more in trade and you know that I pick the Mets just because of where I was in the draft order in our MLB futures

28:08draft to win the World Series. I think that's the intriguing part is what happens at the deadline when we get there. And I don't know if I would advise anyone buying any futures on the nationally side, outside of maybe the Mets and maybe the Braves and the Cubs at 18 to 1. I'm looking at just if you're going to be on the other side of the bracket, if you will, you know, in the baseball playoffs, you don't recede. So the one seed, let's say the Dodgers have the best record, they're locked into face in the four five. So I'm looking more so at, you know, would the Braves be a candidate for a top wild card there? They'd be a four seed. Would they be a last seed? I'm almost looking at I'd rather have the nationally central winner because I don't know about you, man, but don't you feel that, you know, whoever wins the West, if is indeed the Dodgers again, it's going to be at least 95

29:12wins. If you're looking at the winner of the nationally yeast, that's going to be at least 90 wins. Do we think the Cubs or the Brewers, you know, I would, I would look at a price of Chicago 18 to 1, the Cubs to win the central or I'm sorry to win the World Series and the Brewers at 35 to 1 to win the World Series. Like if you're going to get any big numbers in pocket just for a monetization point, if we're playing this out, that might be where I'd go. Just kind of understanding where the seeding ends up falling for the baseball playoffs. Absolutely fascinating. Again, Wantsoto's, by the way, is a second betting choice to win MVP in the nationally behind, of course, Shohei Otani, who's odds on Soto's plus 750. So if the Mets in that conversation with Max, go ahead and get to get over that win total and 90 and a half, they're going to cash that ticket plus a dollar 50 to win the NLEs. If they're going to make a run of the Dodgers, Wantsoto is going to have to have the type of year that Wantsoto says he's going to have and he's aiming. He's gunning for Shohei Otani in that top spot. I like that in Wantsoto. By the way, the NFL legal tampering has begun. It

30:14didn't even take to high noon to get some of these things to be announced here, Jensen. We mentioned to a tug of a low that will be officially released by this new management group and the new front office here with John Eric Sullivan and the new head coach Jeff Hathley. Hathley is shaping up that defense to changing right before our eyes. Minka Fitzpatrick is on the move again, being dealt to the New York Jets Aaron Glenn. That's an interesting move there for Aaron former corner in the way to get a safety here in Minka. This is an exchange for a seventh round pick and then the Jets are going to give Minka a new three year 40 million dollar deal drew Rosenhaus doing work for his client. Minka is a very interesting player from his Pittsburgh days where maybe it didn't match there with Mike Tomlin. Clearly, it's not matching again in the reuniting in Miami. And now he's going to try his wears with the with the Jets here. What do we make of the dolphins really shedding a lot of salary here? Culture. And this is this is got green Bay's fingerprints

31:16as far as we know wins. We know what continuity looks like. Speaking of green Bay, I'm glad you're sitting down, Adam Schefter, trade update. The green Bay Packers are finalizing a deal that would send defensive tackle. Roshan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a late round 2027 draft pick that per ESPN sources. Oh, daddy. Speaking of changing tectonic plates. It's the sum of the parts. It's this is why you don't spend all the money on one player apparently, Dave. Wow. Jerry is wheeling and dealing before draft day coming up in April. A late round pick in 2027. That's the key for me. So look, as a cowboy backer, you know, I'm loving this move here. They've really got to fortify that defense. I do wonder if the Cowboys are still now in play

32:19for tray Hendrixson. Because remember, the reports are that the Cowboys were in play for Max Crosby, but Jerry was not willing to give up two number ones, which would have been basically the Michael Parsons deal because that's that's what they got in essence here from the Packers. And the Cowboys do have two first round picks if they keep both those picks coming up in next month's draft. So this for Sean Gary news to me is this is exactly what I'm looking for here from the Cowboys new defense coordinator, the youngest in the league at 34 years of age coming over Philadelphia. So we'll figure out what this new defense is going to look like, but I like this as a low risk move to go get Rashon Gary. And boy, by the way, the Packers just keep updating their linebacking court. Rashon, of course, could have played that position, played the tackle as well. So this is going to be very interesting from a schematic standpoint here. What's going to run in Dallas, but I like hearing this news. And if they are in play now for Hendrixson from a financial side, remember legal tampering here is going to begin in short order later on this morning. High noon on the east coast, but these moves are coming fast and furious. The legal tampering

33:23is well underway. I'm going to have Zachary Cohen here joining us in the very next segment, talk all things NBA and beyond here. So if you're a decent post subscriber, you know that before we get to conference tournament play here in some of the bigger conferences this week, always two hours before tip. You can get the latest and greatest information when you're a decent pro subscriber. Chenson, let's get into some of the picks that you already have out there here for decent pro subscribers, anything on the docket that you like today in some of these smaller conference tournaments. Let me go and just kind of overview of where we are. I did get a little money line play and a lot of these early sometimes you just play some of the changing numbers and seeing where some of the money moves as we're doing this live. So again, off the beaten path here, Texas A&M Corpus Christi money line against New Orleans got that at minus a $1.35 on the money line there in hard rock sports book here. So again, wherever you have access, if you're in one of those jurisdictions, that's the best money line price that I'm finding out

34:27there right now outside of Fandall. Fandall has minus $1.30 here. The islanders, the legacy center taking on the private tiers. Just do like where some of these numbers are shaping up here and feel this agreement with the move. This is a minus two on the open spread here for A&M Corpus Christi up to two and a half. I do like where that's at at the moment. If I'm looking at some totals and Dave, we had Will Hill on earlier, a lot of unders going to be sponsored here. I did get to an under in the Georgia Southern and Troy matchup that tipping off at seven p.m. Eastern time. This total open at one fifty three and a half. It is all the way down to one fifty and a half. So I got that at one fifty three and a half on draft kings at minus $1.25. This again, at the Pensacola Bay Center here, the Trojans and the Eagles in this tournament matchup. So a do like points to be at a premium here already a three point move in our favor at many of those

35:31books. So a couple of those plays already in pocket on the college hardwood tonight. One other one I would advocate for and again, I also like where Will's heads at first half unders might be the way to go. The horizon league championship tonight right state and northern Kentucky. This number open at one sixty for the total already down to seeing one fifty eights. There's a one fifty seven and a half already at Fandall. So these go quickly. No play yet for me on that game, Dave, but in a championship and I agree with Will, everything tightens up a little bit. Maybe the first half under a play for you, but I do like the full game under as a lean too. Shout out to our producer Joe Friso and everybody back in Las Vegas, keeping us up today with the NFL. These changing things here. And again, we can't get to everything here and be some by the books. That's why we have a whole network coming up with Georg Zander, Kelly Biddle and next in the numbers game. So all these breaking news here in the NFL, they'll keep you up to date. By the way, juice reel, they are real. So if you have not checked out juice reel, you need to do that. They're going to rank every

36:33better out there. You can see exactly what the best bettors in the community have their money on. So no more fake capters out there lying about it. We're all about transparency here in Lewis Ross administration. So is juice real. You get paid when you follow others in their picks. That will juice reel free today. That's juice like orange juice are. The average cost of a D wine Virginia is 11,352 dollars and 47 cents, drinking and driving costs more than your drinks. Learn more at what's the damage.org. Brought to you by Virginia DMV. We are back. Peace in by the books. And again, right now, if you have not downloaded the upside app, you can do so. It will literally save you money at the pump. I've done it. You can do it.

37:35I'm driving all over Kentucky and Tennessee and I'm saving money every time I use the promo code books. You will get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your very first bill up. So download the free upside app today. Use promo code books. It is a limited time offer here, people. For that 25 cent per gallon bonus offers do vary by user and location. See upside.com for all of the terms and conditions. We are back here very busy day again. The legal tampering period is going to be getting in high noon here. But there's a lot of news breaking in the NFL. I don't expect yellow Alexander and Kelly Bidlin to weed with the Roshan Gary news. But I have a feeling they'll sneak in some cowboy talk here as the show comes up after us here on a numbers game. We always look forward to our conversations with Zach Cohen. Does a great job here at bson.com is our senior editor, also the host of hardwood handy cappers. So check out that pod. A fantastic listen there is certainly if you're talking NBA, you want to be listening to hardwood handy cappers. Zach welcome. We appreciate you joining us here in the progressive guest line. I think the buzz this week is all about Jason Tatum.

38:36Like we we were waiting for this return. I was watching early in the first time. It didn't look great early right away. And you're like, oh, no, did he come back too soon? And then it look like Jason Tatum, right? And they blow out the mouths and they beat the Cavaliers yesterday. There's been a decided move in the marketplace here up to plus an hour 40 now for the Celtics to win the East. What's your takeaway, the early returns of Tatum back with the seas? Well, I think it's amazing that he's playing 27 minutes per game already. I think that's what I did definitely did not expect what I knew he was going to be returning. I was expecting maybe 20 minutes early on and then get it's way up to 25 minutes. Come play off time. Now it's very easy to kind of see him playing 30 plus minutes in a playoff series. So that seems like they're going to have him playing a full minutes workload in the postseason. That's absolutely huge. And I do think that you know, by the time the playoffs roll around, he's going to be looking pretty good. So I think my question with Boston, to be honest, is like, if you knew that this version of Tatum was coming down the pipeline and that you were going to be able to play in the minutes that you

39:36were able to, I don't understand why you weren't a little bit more aggressive at the trade deadline in acquiring a center, because I still think that this team is like, you know, a really good two-way center away from being an actual title contender. I think that Namiya's Kate has been very good this season. I know that they tried to get Vouchavitch, but he looks a little bit older and, you know, I don't know, washed at this point and tried to, not say that, but yeah, I do think that that is the word I'd have to use. So I feel like if they were to make the move that, you know, the Pacers did for a Vita Zubats, we'd be talking about them in a completely different light right now. I agree, Zach. I watched most of the game yesterday. I know there was no Jared Allen in there. There's been times where he's been physical. There's been times where you and I could post up on him and have a double, double, but I think, and I'd said it before with Dave, if I could cherry pick a path for the calves, I'd want him to stay in the four seed spot and then be able to take their chances with the pistons potentially in around two. I also am a devout thankful follower of

40:39LeBron James back when he brought a title to Cleveland. Thank you for your services. They're no longer required. Is that the case in Lakerland? My God, the statistics are mind boggling when he's out and Luca and Austin Reeves are together. Lakers nine and two, including a resounding win as an underdog against the Knicks. What do we make of what happened there in the City of Angels yesterday? Yeah, I do think it is that simple. Like to be honest, I don't know if that has anything to do with LeBron to be honest. I think that he's a player that obviously, if you need offense, you need somebody that can run the show for a little bit and you need somebody that can score 20 plus points per game, that is a player that can obviously still help you. But I do think that this is a team that has enough shot creation in Reeves and Luca. And I just think that having either a floor spacer or a defensive player out there with those two is the best path for that moving forward. So I think if you're watching this Laker's team and you saw what they did against the Knicks yesterday, it's really more about what's to come next season and beyond because LeBron will be on this team

41:40next year. And I do think that the Lakers will be a little bit better off because of it. And I do think that they're going to start using some of those assets that they have to start building around Luca. And I think that the result will end up being pretty good if they can be put, we've seen like an endowals. If you put shooters, you put defensive players, three and D guys around him, you could build a championship roster. So that will be kind of the process starting next year. I must stay out West very quickly. We saw San Antonio absolutely blast Houston last night. And I look this morning and I see that the Rockets have dipped now to the fifth betting choice out west at 20 to one to win the 20 to one now for the Rockets to win the conference. Minnesota, movie up in that four spot here to 15 to one. What's going on with H town, Zach? Did they have enough past Kevin Rand to actually say, man, 20 to one is worth a look in the West? Or do you feel like, no, this is, there's a reason why they're dipping in the odds market. I think there's a reason they're dipping. I think they've just lost so much of their identity.

42:40I think the Steven Adams injury to start the year was kind of a death blow to them because this is a team that offensively relied on kind of beating you up and hitting the offensive boards defensively. He's a little bit underrated as a defensive center. Now all of a sudden you're relying a lot on Alperin Shenguin defensively. And he has been kind of the target of opposing offenses recently. I mean, San Antonio went at him as often as they possibly could last night. So that is kind of the deficiency right now. And then there's also Eme Udoka struggling to decide whether or not he wants to read Shepard to be playing 35-ish minutes a night because he I think he doesn't trust Shepard defensively. So this is a team that just needs, you know, Fred Van Vley and Steven Adams back in order to actually jump back into the title picture. And that'll be next year, not this year. So it'll be a year older for Kevin Durant. And just at some point you have to assume he's going to drop off. So, you know, depending on whether or not that's next year, this could be a very short window for them. If it was a window that was open at all. Zach, can I go on the flip side because I don't know why I played the under last night. I didn't

43:42expect the shooting percentages for the spurs and the rockets to be as ridiculously good as they were. But how much of a wagon are the spurs? And I know from February 1st, obviously they had an incredible month there. Saw a statistic where they in the Celtics basically had been one, two, a net rating, defense, all those notable categories. How viable are the spurs here? And if you haven't jumped in on a future portfolio yet involving them, would you recommend getting a piece of the spurs at this moment? Yeah, I think the spurs have a real shot of winning the West and winning the NBA title. I think that we've seen now for the better part of two months that this is a top five team, both in adjusted offensive efficiency and adjusted defensive efficiency. We've seen them play very well against the thunder throughout the course of the season. So if they were to get that matchup, well, I think that OKC would be the rightful favorite and probably get through that series. I would see it going six or seven games and really being up in the air. So I think the spurs team while they're young can absolutely win at this year. So

44:48if you are looking for a bit of a longer shot than, you know, the short shot in the Western conference, I still think that there's a little bit of value to be squeezed out of this spurs. You know, I was looking and Philadelphia, by the way, 12 and a half point underdogs tonight in the East against Cleveland tonight after Cleveland got beat last night by the Celtics. And I was thinking man, 13 to one. Is that a playable number for Joel and being Tyrese Maxine in the bunch? They're not 35 to one with the the ascension now, the re-assension if you will, the Celtics here. So what do you make of the sixers? Because if you're looking for a long shot play that you can monetize if they could win a series or two, is there any value in that number? Now it's dipped over 20 bucks from 13 to one to 35 to one. So with the sixers, I think that there is, you know, a path to them being the Eastern Conference representative, but that path includes Joel and being in Paul George, both being on the floor together. And you absolutely need to know that before putting any money on it. So I think that the best way to kind of do this is to wait until the end of the year, see where those guys are at and take a

45:51worst number knowing that those guys are playing, rather than taking it now or as you don't know the status of him be who is still kind of being evaluated with an injury. George, we don't know what he's going to look like when he comes back from the suspension. And also, I think the real reason it's dipping is because Philadelphia is really not a lock to be, you know, a top six team. So they might have to go in through the play and tournament. So I think that is kind of the big risk you're taking with taking the sixers right now. But I do think this is a team that when they are fully healthy, they are definitely dangerous. It's just even Maxi now is injured. So I'm looking tonight at VJ Edge Come Pops. Very good. Azac, last one from me. And we said last year, boy, we're just a couple of games from the nuggets being the story of the Western Conference and what was an amazing postseason matchup with the Thunder. I know we've got to wait for injury reports to come out. Is there a lean for you in this matchup tonight and maybe anywhere else on the slate that you can identify? Yeah, I saw some seven and a halfs out there for the nuggets and I think that that's a little bit too much. I feel like Jamal Berry is questionable. I understand that if he does not play, that would be

46:55a pretty bad number. But I do think that this is going to be again that he plays and they have Aaron Gordon back. They're pretty much just waiting on Peyton Watson to return, but they're finally healthy. This is a really good rest situation for them. They have not played since Friday night. So I do think that Gordon's going to play a little bit better than he played against the Nix on Friday. And I do think it's going to be a close game. And then as I mentioned before, I like Edge come over 18 and a half points. He's averaging 24 points per game, one playing without Tirees Maxi. And there is a risk that he might not play tonight. He's questionable, but that bet will just be voted if he doesn't play. So there's really no risk there if you do take the over. And then I also like the Clippers because I thought Jalen Brunson looked really beat up towards the end of yesterday's game and looked really a step slow when I was just watching him and then you have to come around and play two nights in a row. So I think L.A. wins tonight.

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