Handicapper hits big, loses bigger

He hit his largest wager of the NCAA Tournament thus far, but it still couldn't save professional sports handicapper Paul Stone from a losing night Friday.

Despite winning $1,300 on 1-point favorite Texas, which stomped Stanford 82-62, Stone ended up dropping $790 as he lost his other three plays.

"The nation saw tonight what a great point guard D.J. Augustin is. He's just such a creator, and Stanford really didn't have an answer for him," Stone said. "... I whiffed pretty much on the other three. They didn't even come close."

Stone, who is down $1,040 for the tourney overall, lost $880 on the Texas-Stanford under 134 (144), $770 on 5-point underdog Michigan State, which fell to Memphis by 16, and $440 on 111/2-point underdog Villanova, which lost by 15 to Kansas.

Stone again said "(today's) a new day," but his days are fast becoming numbered in the tournament, which has only four remaining.

Stone, whose record against the spread fell to 18-18-2, has two plays today: $660 on 51/2-point favorite North Carolina and $440 on 6-point underdog Xavier.

"When Tiger Woods is at the top of his game, Tiger Woods is going to win the tournament that week. When North Carolina is at the top of its game during the 2007-08 basketball season, North Carolina is going to win the game that week," he said. "Since getting point guard Ty Lawson back from an injury, the Tar Heels have been almost invincible They're hitting on all cylinders and putting teams away."

Meanwhile, Xavier's opponent, UCLA, is not playing like a No. 1 seed, and that's why Stone is playing against the Bruins. Take away the Mississippi Valley State game, Stone said, and UCLA has won six of its last eight contests either in overtime or by three points or fewer.

"They have not been putting people away," Stone said. "Xavier is a senior-laden team, and I think they can keep it within the number."