You do not stick around for over 40 years in the sports selection business without doing something right, so it is no big surprise that Doc’s Sports Service remains a leader in this industry. We have built this stellar reputation by employing the services of some of the top handicappers in the business to provide our loyal customers winning selections in a number of different sports. One of Doc’s top performers for well over four years now has been the Vegas Sports Informer. He has been able to establish himself as one of the best handicappers around though the unique ability to fully utilize the experience of working the past 15 years behind the counter of one of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. This kind of insider’s edge can only be gained from working in the mecca of the sport gambling industry, and The Informer has used it to the fullest to consistently provide winners in a number of different sports.

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Doc’s Sports decided to sit down with The Informer on a weekly basis and pick his brain, so to speak, in hopes of providing our customers a first-hand, behind-the-scenes glimpse at what is really going in the Las Vegas books. We also try to tap into his expert opinion on each week’s hottest trending topics in the sports gaming industry. The following is this week’s discussion.

Doc’s Sports: This past weekend was the first since late August of last year with no football action on the board. What sporting events did the Las Vegas betting public turn to in its place?

VSI: Seeing that it was Chinese New Year, many of the books saw a good deal of action shift over to the NBA, especially on the Los Angeles Lakers. College basketball also saw its fair share of action. Betting the second half lines on most of the marquee matchups on Saturday’s college basketball schedule was extremely popular. Michigan at Wisconsin probably drew the most second-half action considering how close that game was.

Doc’s Sports: As the month of February wears on, much of the focus going forward should be on college basketball with the tournament season right around the corner. We all know the top teams in the country, so which ones would be your biggest sleepers right now?

VSI: Look no further than the top three or even four teams in the Mountain West. I would rate the MWC as the third best conference in the country this season, and teams such as San Diego State, New Mexico and UNLV are all capable of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this year. Another team to watch is Gonzaga. The Bulldogs keep moving up the ranks as the losses pile up with some of the other top teams in the nation, but they are the real deal.

Doc’s Sports: It is hard to believe that the NHL regular season has already reached the quarter pole of its 48-game amended schedule. An early trend has seen the road favorites winning 62.2 percent of the time. Have you been riding this wave with your picks, or is there some other betting trend in the NHL that has piqued your interest?

VSI: While betting on trends is sometimes a viable option with something like the NBA, when it comes to the NHL it is all about individual matchups. I pay special attention to a team’s goalie and his current form. I also like to jump on streaking teams when the right situation presents itself. Since you are primarily betting money lines, I will sometimes gravitate towards small favorites on the road. But I always still look at the matchup at hand first.

Doc’s Sports: It is All-Star Weekend in the NBA. While this event is a fan favorite, especially the Slam Dunk Contest, does it offer any opportunities for bettors in light of a four-day break from regular season games?

VSI: When it comes to all-star games for any of the major sports, this is one of my few chances during the year to sit back and watch these events for the pure entertainment value they offer. I would not recommend betting on any of them, but if you absolutely have to, then take a close look at the “over” on the total line no matter how high the number is set. Look what happened in this year’s NFL Pro Bowl.

Doc’s Sports: Pitchers and catchers are starting to report to all the various MLB Spring Training sites in Arizona and Florida as we speak. Toronto and both Los Angeles ball clubs have been opened as the early favorites to win it all. What are your thoughts on which teams remain the ones to watch for the upcoming baseball season?

VSI: For the most part I think that the oddsmakers are right on the money with the Angels and the Dodgers. It appears that Toronto’s offseason acquisitions give it the edge in the AL East, but that division is always hotly-contested right down to the bitter end. The Angels may have some depth issues in their pitching staff, but overall they are the class of the American League. The Dodgers are loaded as well, but in their role as the ‘West Coast Yankees,’ you still have to question how they will hold up with all the added attention and scrutiny that title brings with it.

To keep up on all the inside information from Las Vegas be sure to follow VSI on Twitter @vsidocsports. Also, if you have any questions for The Informer that you would like us to cover in future articles please email them to askvsi@docsports.com and we will do our best to add them into the mix.