::Thursday:: 3/12 (326-314-0) -25.8 units

1* 288-273 

2* 29-31

3* 7-8

4* 1-1

5* 1-1

1* UMASS Minutemen +7.5

Obviously, Miami swept the season series, so the third game angle.  They won those games by a combined 11 points.  All the pressure is still on the Red Hawks to keep the perfect season alive.  UMass' coach has been to a Final Four.  He knows how to coach in a tournament setting.  It's going be a dead arena in Cleveland, and such a disadvantage to the 1 seed to have to play the 11am game.

1* Providence/St. Johns Over 158.5

These two teams played twice, split those games, and both games finished on 148, despite the number being at 166/167 at tip.  St Johns defense is really good, and makes you work for everything.  Both teams should have really good scouting reports on each other by now, and know what they want to do offensively.  The early start, benefits the Friars, and the under I believe. 

1* Virginia Cavaliers -5.5

The Pack didn't look very good in the first half yesterday, but Pitt was shooting the lights out.  Virginia shoots the ball very well themselves, and won't fold like a lawnchair, the way Pitt did.  Virginia won both regular season meetings, and did it very convincingly.  The Wahoos don't get a ton of love, but they've only got 4 losses on the year, and take the wood to the Pack this morning. 

1* Missouri Tigers +3.5

According to Lunardi, I believe Mizzou is in the last four in, so a desperate spot to say the least.  But the Tigers have size and physicality that fucks with Kentucky, who is pretty soft.  Mizzou won at Rupp back in Jan, right after they beat Florida, which makes it that much more impressive.  I don't think Dennis Gates is a great in game coach, but he's better than Mark Pope.  Tigers win on the ML. 

1* Iowa St Cyclones -5.5

Tech just beat the Clones by 9 @ Hilton.  That would be their only loss at home all year.  It was without JT Toppin too.  Cyclones get near immediate revenge for an embarrassing loss to a team that shouldn't be able to hang with them without their best player.  They put it on ASU yesterday, and look to be on a mission to avenge their early March exists in the recent past. 

1* Creighton Blue Jays +3.5

The two meetings in the regular season were split, and played to a combined 3 points. SHU won by 2 @ home.  Creighton won by 1 @ home.  The Pirates don't have the offense to blow anyone out, and in what is expected to be a low scoring game, I'll take Greg McDermott to find a way to give his team a shot at winning this game outright. 

1* Miami Hurricanes +1.5

Immediate revenge here for the Canes who just dropped one by 3 at home to Louisville.   It's kinda odd to be that Miami is a dog here, but I'm assuming its cause Louisville got to play yesterday, and were tested.  As long as Miami doesn't come out flat, which they shouldn't while starting 3 seniors, I think Miami gets the W.

1* Auburn Tigers +5.5

The Tigers do have revenge here, but they actually looked like a basketball team that cared yesterday. They didn't turn the ball over, they shared it very well, and guarded the 3pt line.  I don't even think Nate Ament is going to play a ton in the game, probably on a minute limit.  Tennessee can go a chunk of mins at a time without scoring, and I think Auburn carries momentum from yesterday into today and they beat the Vols.

1* Utah St Aggies -7.5

UNLV swept this season series oddly enough, and the last one was in Logan, and the Rebs won by 27.  That just doesn't happen.  This is revenge at its highest form.  They will show no mercy on this Reb team and win by 30. 

Heading out for the day to watch the games and golf.  No idea if I'll be back, or will be coherent when I get back.  

STL is Prov/SJ under or over? Your write up supports the under?

BOL 

@Brewmeister

 Jesus H!! Good catch, I’m on the under!! Wish I could edit but I cannot. Thanks Brew!!

Good luck STL

No sweat good sir. That was pretty clear but just making sure.

Good luck STL 

UMASS  

You’re right, that just doesn’t happen in Logan, Utah. That 92-65 runaway by the Rebels nine days ago happened at the Thomas & Mack Center in Vegas, and l was there to see my annual UNLV home game. And it was great!

ST JOHN'S under   (whew!)

@MrBator

 lol it was a real early morning for me apparently. You’re 100% correct. Need to get to a game at The Mack.

CAVS   (whew!)

1* Kent St Golden Flashes -4.5

Ohio has bleed out the final month of the year, and it all culminated in the 3 points OT loss at home to Miami OH.  Kent St has lost 1 of their last 7 and have legit hopes of winning this tournament.  Rob Senderoff is a great offensive coach, and while I respect coach Boals, he doesn't really emphasize defense, and they should get pretty beat up today.  Kent St won the only meeting on their home floor by 15.

1* Florida St Seminoles +16.5

Like I said yesterday, FSU has started to make things click.  WInners in 10 of 12 now, and asking Duke, who will be without Foster and Ngonba, and don't shoot the ball particularly well from the outside in the first place, to come into a foreign building and win by 17+???? They certainly could, but I wouldn't count on it.  FSU lost by 4 in the their only meeting this year at FSU, and thats when FSU was playing like shit. 

1*Houston Cougars -9.5

Dybantsa has been great this tournament, but the physicality of Houston will take him off his game, and then where do the Cougs turn for offense?  I have no idea.  But Houston is probably still fuming over their 3 game losing streak a couple weeks ago. BYUs third game in three days, vs this physical defense that makes you grind out possessions, and with limited offensive options, is a bad combo. 

1* Tulane Green Wave +1.5

Tulane rids the momentum of yesterdays win, into a revenge spot vs Charlotte who beat the Wave by 3 in Charlotte.  The 49ers sputtered to the end losing the last three and 7 of 9.  Ron Hunter is a coach that has won conference tournaments before.  He is the difference. 

1* Rutgers Scarlet Knights +11.5

UCLA won the only meeting in Westwood by 32 points.  But I think Rutgers gained a little confidence last night against Minny, putting back to back wins together, and UCLAs pace doesn't allow them to routinely beat the fuck outta teams.  Double digits in a tournament setting is just crazy to me, but with that kind of revenge on the table, I have to take the shot.  And I fucking hate Mick Cronin.

1* Kansas Jayhawks -5.5

Home game for Kansas.  The Beakers won the only match up at Phog Allen in OT by 4.  After the energy that TCU had to put forth in beating OK St last night, I don't think they can stay in this game with the Jayhawks.  

Probably a few more when I get back home later on

love your writeups!!!!!!

RK

Auburn not covering is the most Auburn thing they could have done.

Disappointed in Houston. They had it with 20 secs to go and gave up 5 trash points. Oh well. Still having a blast taiing!