::Friday:: 3/13 (335-321-0) -25.5 units

1* 296-280

2* 29-31

3* 7-8

4* 1-1

5* 1-1

1* George Washington Revolutionaries +7.5

The Billikens win the league, and then have to play the early game, just like Miami Ohio yesterday.  So dumb.  It's a huge disadvantage.  GW has a game under their belt in this arena already, and SLU has really struggled away from Chaifetz, and they come out flat on the road.  I have no reason to believe that won't be the case again today, and they have to dig themselves out of a hole, and covering this number is too much.  I'm hopeful the Bills win the game, but I'm not sure they do. 

1* Ohio St Buckeyes +13.5

Michigan swept the season series, and both times, in convincing fashion.  But as we know, the third game is usually a battle at minimum.  Ohio St has won 4 straight and feeling pretty good I'd imagine.  Michigan hasn't played in nearly a week, and now gets the early game, which I feel hurts favorites.  14 points is a lot in a double revenge, rivalry, tournament game. 

1* Missouri St Bears +1.5

Another double revenge spot.  And this one probably has a little more "want to" behind it.  La Tech won in Springfield by 1 in double OT.  Then La Tech won in Ruston by 2.  Save the point and a half, the Bears are winning this game.  For some reason, the CUSA tournament has a day off built into it, and Missouri St had yesterday off after taking down #1 Liberty.  Could the day off kill that momentum?  I guess, but it also allows rest, and more prep time that La Tech isn't getting cause they played yesterday. 

1* Kentucky Wildcats +11.5

Florida swept the season series, with the second game being last Saturday, @ Rupp where they won by 7.  That was the last time the Gators have played.  Kentucky was able to hold off Mizzou yesterday, and have now won back to back close games in the SEC tournament.  I think they carry some of that into this game, and jump on Florida early.  The Gators will eventually rebound, but I think it will be too late to cover a dozen. 

1* St Bonaventure Bonnies +6.5

New reports out that Coach Schmidt isn't retiring, but was forced out by GM Gene Wojo!!  How the hell are you gonna force that guy out?  He's won that program over 400 games!!  His guys show up for him today, and maybe the rest of this tournament.  Dayton hasn't played in a week, and has lost all that momentum they gained in February.  Bonnies dismissed LaSalle, and beat a good Mason team yesterday after being down the entire game.  They are fighting for their coach. 

1* Illinois Fightin' Illini -8.5

It felt like Illinois needed this last week off.  They dropped 4 of their last 8, but three of those were in OT.  They finished with two wins, but over Oregon and Maryland, so who really cares.  Now they get to start their real season.  This team is built for tournaments.  They have size everywhere you turn.  Waglers size is a real problem for opponents to defend, but he also plays the top of that zone and makes it real hard to get the ball to the free throw line where you need to get against a zone.  Whisky led the whole way yesterday, but almost blew it at the end.  Blackwell and Boyd combined for 57 of the teams 85 points.  Brad Underwood will have a plan for those two after what they did to them in Champagne, when they combined for 49 in a 2 point Whisky win.  Revenge and that zone, get the Illini a double digit win. 

1* Tennessee/Vanderbilt Under 146.5

Vandys offense is really good, but it slows down a little bit when they hit the road. They score about 10 less PPG when they are away from Memorial Gymnasium.  These two split the regular season, but Tenn has the advantage of playing in Bridgestone Arena already.  Another hockey arena that take a bit to adjust to shooting in.  Tenn defense locked down Auburn in the final 10 mins of the game, at one point, going on a 20-0 run.  Vandy causes the most turnovers in the SEC and the Vols turn it over the second most.  When possessions don't end with shots, that really helps an under. 

1* Seton Hall/St Johns Over 132.5

Obviously the Johnnies are used to playing in The Garden, but Seton Hall got to play here yesterday, and scored 72 points.  Seton Halls pace and solid defense keeps this number low, but there's quite a bit of familiarity here.  These two played twice this year, one a St Johns 65-60 win in this arena, and the other a 72-65 Johnnies win @ SHU. Both of those games had 64 possessions. The adjustments were made by both coaches after the first game, and both offenses produced better numbers in the second outting.  I expect something similar here.

night games later

@STLTarHeels

STLTH.....

Good luck STL

BOL today.

GL STL 

Good luck STL 

1* Purdue Boilermakers -3.5

I think Nebraskas 2 seed in this tournament is fraudulent.  They played the 11th hardest schedule in the Big 10.  They got to beat up on the lower tiered teams in the league.  Purdue went into Lincoln and won in OT a month ago.  The Boilers have slipped a little bit here at the finish line losing 4 of 6, three of those @ Mackey, but they looked much better yesterday, and their size with Cluff, TKR, and then Jacobsen when they need a blow, will dominate the glass, and therefore dominate the game.

1* Miami Hurricanes +3.5

I think Miami wins the game, so I'm also playing the ML @ +130.  I've said I think Miami is the second best team in the ACC for a few weeks now, and nothing has changed that.  They got a well earned, revenge W over Louisville yesterday, and look to get revenge on Virginia tonight from 2/21 in Charlottesville.  They are more athletic, and are more diverse on offense than Virginia.  If the 3s aren't going, the Wahoos are screwed.  If the 3s aren't going for Miami, no biggie, they can get to the rim.  Virginia turns the ball over too much, and the Canes feast on turnovers, and offensive rebounds.

1* Ole Miss Rebels +11.5

Ole Miss has won two games already as a dog in this tournament, so momentum is on their side.  Bama hasn't played since Saturday, and for a team that relies soooo much on the 3pt shot, it could take some time to get a feel for everything in Bridgestone Arena.  Similar to Ohio St and Kentucky earlier today, this is too many points for a team that hasn't played a game in this arena yet. 

1*Iowa St Cyclones +4.5

I think Iowa St could win this tournament, so they are going to need to beat a really good team at some point to do so.  Iowa St had to go to Tucson, but the Cats never had to go to Ames.  Well, this is mini-Hilton, and the place will be packed with Clones fans.  Zona travels well, but it will be 2/3 ISU fans.  ISU has the senior PG, while AZ has a freshman.  A great freshman, but still a freshman.  I like the experience, environment, and Momcilovic to be the difference.

1* Akron Zips -6.5

I know Miami went undefeated and won the conference, but Akron is the best team in the MAC for my money.  This tournament is now theirs and they can taste the Dance.  They dominated both games with Kent St this year, and will do the same tonight.  The Flashes turned the ball over 15 times, and shot 1-23 from 3, while dominating the glass in the first game, and lost by 17.  They shot the ball much better in the second game on their home floor, but lost the rebound battle, and still turned the ball over 14 times.  TOs will be their death again this evening, as the Zips defense is an opportunistic one. 

1* Georgetown Hoyas +14.5

UCONN swept the season series, but by a combined 6 points.  The Hoyas have been super chippy all year long really, they just can't finish a game.  They lost @ St Johns by 3, @ Seton Hall by 4, @ UCONN by 4, etc.  Now they have won 3 straight, have some confidence and momentum after taking down two higher seeds, one being a really good Nova team.  I can't believe they are giving us this many points.  Sure, the Huskies could win by 30, but I think the size of the Hoyas up front presents issues for what Dan Hurley wants to do offensively. 

1* Michigan St Spartans -5.5

Sparty beat the brakes off the Bruins earlier in East Lansing, and I think they do it again.  UCLA doesn't have an answer for the interior of the Spartans. They are super soft, and Cooper and Kohler are going to bring the game to them in the post.  Plus its March and Izzo is still the coach.  I know he didn't let his guys off easy over the last week while they waited to play.  They will be ready. 

1* Utah St Aggies -6.5

It's gonna be a revenge tour for the Aggies.  After avenging the 27 point loss to UNLV last night, they now have their eyes set on Nevada, who they lost to just 3 weeks ago.  This offense is just so damn good.  They can score pretty much at will and Nevada goes through spurts of not scoring.  If that happens tonight, they will lose by 20.  They had to work their ass off to come back from double digits last night, and now its the third game in three days.  They just don't have the gas in the tank tonight to keep up with this offense of the Aggies. 

1* Kansas Jayhawks +5.5

Kansas has seen this defense already this year, and they won at the Phog by 13.  If Izzo owns March, Self will take that title from him whenever he steps away.  He's a great coach, who I think knows that Peterson was kind of just taking it easy all year, to ensure he was healthy at this time of the year.  Now he's going to turn it on, and this KU team can win the Natty with him leading them.  Houston has senior leadership all over the place, but at PG its a freshman, and again, he's very good, but alas still a freshman and big games can do funny things to inexperienced guys. 

1* Clemson Tigers +9.5

I don't know that Duke should be favored by double digits over anyone until we see that they can figure out how to play without Foster and Ngongba.  Foster was their only real outside threat on offense, and they already had issues scoring the ball at times this year.  Clemson had a near epic collapse last night, when they led by 12 with 2 mins and some change to go, and escape with a one point win.  

again love your writeups 

RK