Williams has the magic touch in the tournament

Ever since Roy Williams took over as coach at North Carolina in 2003, the Tar Heels have been favored in every NCAA tournament game that they have played, including today’s Elite Eight matchup against Louisville.

It’s easy to understand why Las Vegas oddsmakers have a strong connection with Williams, who has the best winning percentage among active NCAA coaches.

In five seasons, Williams has led North Carolina to a 14-3 NCAA tournament record, which includes the Tar Heels’ 2005 national championship. And this season, despite being favored in all but one game, Williams led North Carolina to a 23-11 record against the spread.

In tonight’s East Regional final, North Carolina (35-2) is favored by 5 1/2 points over the Cardinals (27-8). The Tar Heels are 5-1 against the spread in their last six NCAA tournament games.

Williams, who coached Kansas from 1988 to 2003, has had his share of disappointments.

In 1997, Williams’ Jayhawks were upset in the Sweet 16. In 1998, Kansas was eliminated in the second round.

Last season, North Carolina reached the East Regional final, where it lost to Georgetown in overtime.

Louisville, which has been favored in each of its first three tournament games, may be ready to pull off the upset. The Cardinals are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games overall, 4-0 against the spread in their last four games versus an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent and 5-1 against the spread in their last six games versus an opponent with a winning percentage above .600.

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Xavier (30-6) will face UCLA (34-3) in today’s West Regional final and the Musketeers are listed as six-point underdogs.

After winning its first two games of the tournament playing as a favorite, this will be the second consecutive game that Xavier will play as an underdog. On Thursday, the Musketeers were 1 1/2 -point underdogs against West Virginia and covered the line in a 79-75 overtime victory.

UCLA supporters should note that the Bruins are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games overall and Xavier has covered the spread in its last seven NCAA tournament games where it has been an underdog.

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Baseball

In the latest odds released on this season’s World Series championship, the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets hold down the role of favorites at 4-1, followed by the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers at 6-1.

The Chicago Cubs are at 7-1 with the Cleveland Indians at 10-1. The Angels are next at 14-1 with the Dodgers close behind at 20-1.

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