#9-ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Zooker returns for another season in Champaign with what appears to be his most talented team yet as 15 starters are returning.

Impressive QB Nathan Scheelhaase looks to build on an impressive 2010 when he totaled 868 yards rushing in addition to his 1,825 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. Star RB Mikel Leshoure is off to the NFL so Jason Ford looks to finally get his shot full time. The offensive line returns three of five starters and is led by senior left tackle Jeff Allen.

On defense, the secondary figures to take charge now that the Illini's two defensive line anchors from 2010 Corey Liuget and Clay Nurse are gone. Ball hawking cornerbacks Tavon Wilson and Terry Hawthorne will allow the Zooker to send the blitz out of almost any defensive package.

Illinois hosts two gimmes prior to hosting a good Arizona State team in late September. The conference slate looks manageable with no Iowa or Nebraska however Ron Zook always finds a way to lose the close games. Illini fans will hope 2011 is it for Zook after another disappointing season. Prediction: 6-6 overall; 3-5 in conference.

#10-PURDUE BOIILERMAKERS

The Boilermakers enter the 2011 season looking to rebound from a 4-8 2010 campaign. On the plus side, Purdue returns depth and experience at many key positions. On the downside, these same players went 4-8 last fall.

Offensively, Rob Henry had won the starting QB job until he went down in camp with a season ending injury. Robert Marve (if eligible) will get another shot to lead a Boilermaker offense that has lacked their signature high octane passing game for the past several seasons. Ralph Bolden returns at RB after missing all of 2010 with a knee injury. The WR position is the main question mark on offense however the OL returns 4 starters.

On defense, Ryan Kerrigan is gone (NFL) which figures to negatively impact an already weak defensive line. Purdue’s secondary looks to be the strength of the unit with Ricardo Allen back after 3 INTs and 2 TDs last season. Purdue also boasts perhaps the best kicker in the country with Carson Wiggs. Once past midfield, Wiggs is in range.

The non-conference schedule features 3 very winnable games followed by Notre Dame visiting West Lafayette. The Boilers figure to get out of this stretch at 3-1 before entering conference play vs Minnesota. Prediction: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in conference.

#11-INDIANA HOOSIERS

New head coach Kevin Wilson takes over in Bloomington looking to restore a program that has been sputtering now for the better part of two decades.

Star quarterback Ben Chappel has graduated which means Dusty Kiel likely gets the nod behind center this fall. Wilson is known to be an offensive guru so the Hoosier faithful are hoping he can turn Kiel into what he turned Sam Bradford into at Oklahoma. The ground game doesn’t look much more promising with Trea Burgess likely to get the bulk of the carries after amassing 600 yards in his first two seasons.

On the defensive side of the ball, things do not look much more promising for a unit that gave up 40+ points four times last season (including 83 at Wisconsin). Jeff Thomas returns at linebacker but that doesn’t figure to be enough for an Indiana team that ranked 102 in points allowed in 2010.

The non-conference schedule is light as usual with trips to Ball State and North Texas surrounding home games versus Virginia and South Carolina State. The Hoosiers likely come out of this with a 2-2 mark before heading to conference play where they travel to Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State. The only real hope for a conference win comes in their annual state showdown with Purdue. Prediction: 3-9 overall, 1-7 in conference.

#12-MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

Today begins our annual Big Ten conference rundown. If past years are any indication, you can take these locks to the bank! Up first is the Golden Gophers of Minnesota:

The Gophers enter the season coming off another losing season that improbably ended on a high note with a home win over Iowa.

Jerry Kill takes over in Minneapolis and will do so with a gaping hole at QB after the graduation of Adam Weber. Highly ranked dual threat recruit Marqueis Gray takes over an offense which figures to be able to move the ball on the ground with DeLeon Eskridge returning.

As usual, the defense looks to be the weakness for Minnesota. Last year the Gophers gave up over 33 points and 400 yards of offense per game and it doesn’t appear that will improve in the new 4-3 system brought by new Defensive Coordinator Tracy Claeys.

Minnesota opens at USC then plays 3 mid-majors (at best) at home. A 3-1 start looks likely however the Gophers last victory of the 2011 season may very well come in September. With no Indiana on the schedule, the best shot for a Gopher conference victory looks to be versus Illinois on the last Saturday of the regular season. Prediction: 3-9 overall, 0-8 in conference.

MLB RETURNS

We've got wagers in 3 seperate sports for you today/tomorrow........as Mr. Thursday Night continues to blaze the books!

PHILLIES/ROCKIES 2 TEAM MLB PARLAY

BUTLER/KENTUCKY 2 TEAM ML NCAA PARLAY

FLYERS/COYOTES 2 TEAM NHL PARLAY

SOUND THE ALARMS

3-0 on the NCAA hardwood yesterday raises our tournament record to 17-8 including a 17-5 run. 2 elite games plus 12 games on the ice equals a busy Saturday for Mr. Thursday Night and HC&P. We are expecting Derrick Williams and Arizona to finally end UCONN's incredible run while the clock finally reaches midnight for giant killer Butler. A few more NHL plays will likely be added later in the day. Good luck!

ARIZONA ML (+130) vs UCONN

FLORIDA -4 VS BUTLER

BOSTON BRUINS/LOS ANGELES KINGS 2 TEAMER +140

FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL

The hits just keep on coming here at HC&P as a 3-1 NCAA Thursday boosted our tournament record to an outstanding 14-8. Four more games tonight plus 5 games on the ice to choose from.

VCU ML (+160) vs FSU

NORTH CAROLINA (-105) -4.5 VS MARQUETTE

BUFFALO SABRES/WASHINGTON CAPITALS 2 TEAM NHL PARLAY (+130)

TO THE ICE

Our focus once again returns to the ice as the NCAA tournament takes a 3 day break. The weekend NCAA mark was 11-7 which is mighty impressive considering the 0-3 start. Two games in the NHL tonight as the beat up Penguins face the beat up Red Wings. Calgary also travels to LA a night after blowing a late lead in Anaheim.

LA KINGS/DETROIT REDWINGS 2 TEAM NHL PARLAY +160

MR. THURSDAY NIGHT=MR. MARCH MADNESS?

The hammer dropped on Saturday as Mr. Thursday Night posted a 4-0 NCAA mark running his tournament record to 9-5. Expect more of the same on Sunday as 3 games have caught our eye.

On the ice, the Coyotes return home after a very sucessful western road swing to take on the Black Hawks. Despite playing at home and having more points that Chicago on the season, the odds makers have made the Hawks the favorite in this one. Also of note, the Yotes will have a rested Ilyz Bryzgalov back between the pipes after getting Friday off. We see the Yotes staying hot and moving closer to clinching a playoff spot with a 3-1 win.

NORTH CAROLINA -4.5 VS WASHINGTON

NOTRE DAME -5 VS FLORIDA STATE

ARIZONA +6 VS TEXAS

PHOENIX COYOTES (EVEN) VS CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS

CREAM OF THE CROP

We've reached the 2nd round which is when the cream of the crop begins to rise to the top. Favorites will rule the day on the college hardwood as we have 4 sure-fire March money markers for your ass today. On the ice, the teams in playoff battles will be hungry this weekend so find your NHL bubble teams and ride them all the way to the bank. Good luck to all.

3 TEAM NHL PARLAY: WILD/KINGS/SABRES

RICHMOND -4

WISCONSIN -3.5

KENTUCKY -4

SAN DIEGO STATE -6

FANTASTIC FRIDAY

Another subpar day was made up for by MTN with the late add a SJ/PHX/CGY 3 teamer which salvaged the night. Today we've got 1 high value NHL parlay and 3 NCAA picks. The NHL parlay includes 2 of the 4 best team in hockey but the payout does not reflect that. Lock this in before Nicklas Backstrom returns and the number drops.

CAPITALS/CANUCKS +290

ILLINOIS ML VS UNLV

MICHIGAN +1.5 VS TENNESSEE

VILLANOVA -1.5 VS GEORGE MASON

Our 4 Unit NHL Parlay went KABOOM resulting in a winning night here at HC&P. The NCAA tournament kicks off in full force and there are 11 games on the NHL slate so it will be a busy Thursday.

ODU -2.5 VS BUTLER

SDSU -15.5 VS NORTHERN COLORADO

SJU -1 VS GONZAGA

FLAMES/COYOTES/MAPLE LEAFS PARLAY +340

RECOVERY

Mr. Thursday Night took one on the chin last night but today looks to be a 3-0 day as the NHL winds down while the NCAA tournament "First Four" carries on.

USC -4.5 VS VCU

**4 UNITS**DETROIT RED WINGS/VANCOUVER CANUCKS PARLAY (+130)

ANAHIEM DUCKS/CAROLINA HURRICANES PARLAY (+190)

THE MADNESS BEGINS

1-1 last night for Mr. Thursday Night as he once again learned the San Jose Sharks can not be trusted. The NCAA tournament kicks off tonight with a pair of play-in games. We're banking on UAB gaining a little bit of motivation from the media ripping them the past two days. In the NHL, Carolina travels to Buffalo with their playoff lives on the line. This clash is game 1 of our 2 team NHL parlay with the other matchup featuring a decimnated Coyotes squad traveling to Calgary to face the Flames in the always difficult Saddledome.

NHL PARLAY: CAROLINA/CALGARY +310

NCAA: UAB +5 VS CLEMSON

EDIT: Adding MONTREAL (-120) VS WASHINGTON

NCAA Tournament Week

March Madness is upon us with action beginning tomorrow night in what promises to be one of the most unpredictable tournaments in recent history. While we wait for the basketball to get under way, Mr. Thursday Night has a couple of hockey plays to keep you entertained this evening. Mr. Thursday Night continues to tear up the NHL, and is coming off a very nice 3 teamer last night.

Tampa Bay Lightning ML (-105) at Toronto Maple Leafs

San Jose Sharks/Vancouver Canucks 2 team parlay (+250)

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA

3 NHL plays this afternoon and evening (Please note the early start in the ATL/EDM game:

3 TEAM PARLAY (+250):
Sharks
Canucks
Predators

Ducks ML (+115) vs Blues

Thrashers/Oilers under 5.5

FEBRUARY 17TH

Good evening once again degenerates....college baseketball is starting to crank up and MTN has been red hot managing the NHL slate the past two weeks. We've got 3 sure-fire locks tonight, good luck!

Dallas Mavericks -2 vs Phoenix Suns

Iowa Hawkeyes +8.5 vs Northwestern Wildcats

2 Team NHL Parlay: San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes to win.

THE RETURN OF SLAPSHOT BOB

Slapshot Bob returns on Super Sunday with a NHL play and some Super Bowl locks!

Tampa Bay -1.5 (+200)

Green Bay/Pittsburgh Under 45

Green Bay ML -140

Hines Ward Under 3.5 Catches

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Sadly, the end of football season is upon us as Super Sunday has finally arrived. The gridiron has not been as kind to Mr. Thursday Night as in years past but he feels strongly about today's play. HC&P will stay up and running through the spring months as the NHL cranks up in its' strech run to the playoffs. Mr. Thursday Night is currently on a National Hockey League hot streak that reminds many around these parts of the run Slapshot Bob went on last winter. HC&P is currently in negotiations to bring Slapshot Bob out of his early retirement which was a result of a perceived lack of respect from his colleagues at this site. Good luck to everyone today!

Capitals -1.5 (+200)

Canadians (-150) and Lightning (-150) to win 2 teamer

Green Bay -3 (even)

MR. THURSDAY NIGHT'S FINAL RANKINGS

1. AUBURN
2. STANFORD
3. OHIO STATE
4. OREGON
5. OKLAHOMA
6. ALABAMA
7. LSU
8. TCU
9. WISCONSIN
10. OKLAHOMA STATE