1* Merrimack Warriors -3.5
I've loved Marist and their defense all year, but they won't be able to score with Merrimack. They won the first game by 13, and the second by 25. They are a really good basketball team, that should win this tournament, and if they get the right match up, could win a game in the big dance. They are small, so anyone with size will kill them, but tonight, Marist doesn't present that problem. It will be a lower scoring game, but I think Merrimack wins by at least two possessions.
1* Towson/Charleston Under 138.5
Back to Towsons defense I go. The first game played to 113. Charleston can't shoot from the outside, so everything has to come from the interior, and Towson doesn't let you get close to basket easily. Towsons offense is super slow, and really bad. They can't shoot from anywhere, and the fact that they went 5-11 yesterday from 3, leads me to believe they will come back to their mean today.
1* Nebraska Cornhuskers -5.5
Iowa is reeling, losing 5 of their last 7. They've locked up the 9th spot in the league. Nebraska, with a win (and some help) can finish tied for 2nd place. I haven't gone through the tie breakers to see who would get what seed, but still plenty of motivation. Senior night for Sam Hoiberg (coaches son), and a few other guys. The place will be packed and going bananas.
1* Northwestern St Demons +1.5
The Colonels swept the regular season, by a combined 5 points. Two heart break loss' provide quite a mit of motivation in a tournament setting. The Demons will be up for this one. Their lack of offense will hopefully be neutralized by the neutral floor.
1* Marshall Thundering Herd -4.5
Georgia Southern is on a heater of all heaters. 5th game in 5 days has to take some sort of effect on their legs though. Marshall likes to run too, adding to the tired legs angle. Also add in that, Southern swept the regular season, including Marshalls Senior Night. Big time revenge spot, to go to the finals.
1* Hofstra Pride -3.5
The Pride lost the only meeting @ Bill and Mary by 7. Their defense gave up 89 points in the that game. Since then, the defense is giving up 59 points a game. This isn't the same team the Tribe saw the first time. Speedy Claxtons guys have gone 8-2 over that stretch. Defense suffocates the Tribe offense, taking them out of their pace and rhythm. Pride win comfortably.
1* Pacific/Santa Clara Under 149.5
The only way Pacific stays in the game, is if they slow it down to a snails pace, and limit possessions. The first two meetings, which Santa Clara won handily, were two very different games. The first meeting, Pacific shot 50% from the field and that game went over todays number by a couple points. The second meeting, Pacific shot closer to their season average, and the game didn't even get to 130. In an unfamiliar gym, I'll take the later offense to show up, along with the slow pace, keeps this number around 140.