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11/16 Starting Five Write-Up

(photo: Lincoln Journal Star)

I will do my best to provide *at least* a daily three ball of picks for all of you snipers out there. The goal is a 2-1 night, with some 3-0’s sprinkled occasionally. I recommend you play them individually .. however, never be scared of a little three ball parlay! 20/21 Season: 58%

Season Record: 15-12

11/12 Starting Five:

Texas A&M CC -2

Nebraska -3

Georgia State +8

Chicago State +33

Nevada ML -120

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Texas A&M CC -2 : Pure fade of IUPUI here. I believe them to be one of the worst teams in America this season. The Islanders also have some decent talent on the roster. They are shooting 77% from the line this season, and were only down 38-34 at the half to Texas A&M a few nights ago. This is not a road game. Neutral site in San Antonio. Give me the Islanders.

Score Prediction: Texas A&M CC 68 – IUPUI 62

Nebraska -3 : Unfortunately for my Jays .. this is my play of the night. Nebraska fans are coming into this game smelling blood in the water knowing that their instate rival is due to have a down season. The Cornhuskers have also welcomed in a true five-star talent in Bryce McGowens to the fold. The original FSU commit, decided to head to Lincoln to team up with his brother, Trey. He grew up local to me, so I know this kid is the real deal. Already averaging 27ppg in this young season. People may point to the Western Illinois loss as a cause for concern, but I do not buy it. It was the first game mixing in new pieces, and they were without their enforcers down low. Eduardo Andre and Lat Mayen are back, and I think they will get the best of Kalkbrenner. I hate to say it, but feel this may get ugly behind a feisty home crowd.

Score Prediction: Nebraska 80 – Creighton 65

Georgia State +8 : I absolutely love the guard play from this team. They are deadly from behind the arc (38% on 21 makes in 2 games), and can really get in your face with their pressure defense. They also have speed to kill. Richmond’s defensive efficiency has been very poor this season. Utah State hung 85 on them the other day. I also love the Georgia State TTO of 71, but feel there is more value in getting the points. There will be no way for the Spiders to stop Georgia State from scoring in this one. Close battle, and a live dog. May have an upset special here.

Score Prediction: Richmond 76 – Georgia State 74

Chicago State +33 : I don’t blame you if you do not want to take this play. I don’t want to either. However, I think there is considerable value. It is just too high. Chicago State has improved from worst team in the country, to just really bad. Loyola has dropped from a Sweet 16 caliber team, to a potential tournament team. Yet, the line sits one point off from the same matchup a year ago. I believe this line should be around 27. I’ll take a shot on this crazy number. Plus, this is an inner city battle. Hopefully, Chicago State will fight til the end. Please don’t Samford me.

Score Prediction: Loyola Chicago 84 – Chicago State 56

Nevada ML -120 : This was a non-play for me until I received word that AJ Bramah is back in the lineup tonight. He is the biggest transfer portal acquisition that nobody is talking about. Santa Clara should struggle to keep him in check, while also getting out to Sherfield and Cambridge. Washington and Baker’s length should cause trouble for Vrankic, and Alford’s guys get a huge road win. Sorry Broncos. We will always have Friday night.

Score Prediction: Nevada 76 – Santa Clara 72

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

11/15 Mega Monday Write-Up:

(photo: BGSU Athletics)

Season Record: 12-8

11/15 Mega Card:

Bowling Green +16

Marquette +8

Penn State -4

Buffalo Pick’Em

San Diego +3.5

Providence +6

Samford +20

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Bowling Green +16 : The Buckeyes are having a slow start to the season, and I do not believe it is a fluke. They will struggle to reach the heights of last year’s team in my opinion. CJ Walker was a very underrated floor general, and Duane Washington bailed them out with his ability to create his own shot countless times. They are missing their elite guard play this season. Still a good team, but the number tonight is reflective of last year’s Buckeyes. Not this season’s. Daeqwon Plowden is an absolute star for the Falcons, and he is already out to a hot start in his 5th year. I love the transfer portal acquisitions of Myron Gordon and Gabe O’Neal as well. They will be very productive pieces this season, and are already contributing. Bowling Green keeps this one around 10.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 77 – Bowling Green 67

Marquette +8 : This is Shaka Smart’s first massive home game in charge of the Golden Eagles. Fiserv Forum is going to be JUMPING. The Illini will still be without Kofi Cockburn due to suspension, and I think that this leaves the door cracked for a potential upset here. Darryl Morsell is quickly turning into one of the best weapons in the country in the early part of this season. He is already arguably the best on-ball defender in the country, but now he is filling it up to go along with the defense. Justin Lewis is also one of the best wings in the country that you probably have not heard of yet. 6’7, and can do it all. Double-Double threat on a nightly basis, and a lengthy defender. I like the Golden Eagles to keep this between one and two possessions for the entirety of this one. The defensive pressure will really bother the Illini. Curbelo is a nice player, but he is very loose with the ball against tight pressure defense. Potential upset alert.

Score Prediction: Illinois 72 – Marquette 68

Penn State -4 : I had this line at 6.5, so I will take it here. Penn State looked great in a season opening win over a decent Youngstown State team. They assisted on 16 of 31 made baskets, and the transfers really seemed to mesh in well. They also got this done with Myles Dread scoring 0 points in his new role as a starting guard for the Nittany Lions. That will quickly change. This guy has hit big triple, after big triple, during his time in State College. UMass showed in the Yale game that they had no interest in fixing their defense in the offseason, and the offense will be on a decline this season after the departures of Tre Mitchell and Carl Pierre. Penn State wins comfortably.

Score Prediction: Penn State 79 – UMass 69

Buffalo Pick’Em : Continuing to ride with my guys. If Josh Mballa stays out of foul trouble, this will be a comfortable win. We will always have our king, Jeenathan Williams, to bail us out in the event that he doesn’t.

Score Prediction: Buffalo 74 – North Texas 68

San Diego +3.5 : This is starting to feel a lotttt like Santa Clara vs Stanford from Friday night to me. However, this game will be on the road. Cal does not have a great home court advantage, so this does not bother me a ton. San Diego has a great crop of transfers that have quickly come together to get this team out to a 2-0 start (including a big time win at Nevada). Jase Townsend has scored the ball well to start this season, and Terrell Brown will continue to have a strong start in the post for the Toreros. Cal will struggle this season without Matt Bradley. There is nobody to handle that scoring load. Toreros in an “upset” win.

Score Prediction: San Diego 64 – Cal 61

Providence +6 : This team is scrappy and athletic. The type of team a Badger team normally struggles against. They are forcing 16.5 turnovers to start the season, and will be flying around and trapping again tonight. This team really improved in the offseason I believe. Even with the departure of Duke. I love the addition of Al Durham from Indiana. This seems to be a perfect fit for him, and he is out hot to start the year. Justin Minaya is also a sneaky good piece coming off of the bench. He was a do-it-all guy in the Frank Martin starting lineup for many years in Columbia, and now he is providing this production off of the bench for the Friars. With all of the turnover in Madison, I really love this play. Friars pull out a close one.

Score Prediction: Providence 65 – Wisconsin 64

Samford +20 : Ques Glover will prove to be in an instant impact transfer for the Bulldogs. I always thought he was very productive every time he got into the game for Mike White and the Gators. Jacob Tryon is also back this season for Samford. He is a 6’11 stretch forward that always proves to be a problem for defenses to figure out. Look out for freshman, Wesley Cardet Jr., this season as well. A guard with nice size, and can fill it up. San Francisco is a great mid-major program and they will not struggle to get this win, but we will sneak under this number.

Score Prediction: San Francisco 80 – Samford 65

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

11/12 Starting Five Write-Up

(photo: Busting Brackets)

Season Record: 4-5

11/12 Starting Five:

Minnesota +3

Furman +9

Santa Clara +4

SMU +8

UCLA -4

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Minnesota +3 : The wrong team is favored here. I have this as Minnesota -2.5, so I love getting the points. I love the group of transfers the Gophers brought in. Battle will be a star in the Big 10 this season. They are efficient and really shoot the basketball well. Their size will not hurt them against a Western Kentucky team that is learning their way without Charles Bassey. WKU really struggled from the line, and turned the ball over quite a bit against Alabama State. I think this is a “Remember Last Year?” trap from Vegas. Minnesota wins outright.

Score Prediction: Minnesota 73 – WKU 69

Furman +9: Simply too many points. The Paladins are bringing experienced guard play to the YUM! Center. Mike Bothwell is a bucket. That could cause issues for a Louisville team that I think will struggle to score again this season. Noah Locke was a good addition, but I do not love the make-up of this team. Also, Furman has been successful in keeping these Power 5 games close in recent years. Bob Richey is an excellent coach that will continue to get looks to move-up in the ranks. Take the Paladins.

Score Prediction: Louisville 70 – Furman 65

Santa Clara +4: Upset Alert!!!! Is it though?? Not really. That is why the line is where it is. Santa Clara is simply the better basketball team. Josip Vrankic dropped a cool 29/8/5 on a decent Cal State Fullerton team the other night. That is just an elite stat line at the collegiate level. This team is poised, rarely turn the ball over, and shoot lights out. The Broncos win outright.

Score Prediction: Santa Clara 69 – Stanford 64

SMU +8: Too many points for this scrappy bunch with elite guard play. Davis, Nutall, Bandoumel, and Weathers could each give you a 20 piece McNugget on a given night. I also love the additions of Tristan Clark and Marcus Weathers to help defend and rebound behind this group of guards. Oregon is a great team and get the win, but the Mustangs keep it close. Guards, Guards, Guards.

Score Prediction: Oregon 76 – SMU 73

UCLA -4: I am not buying the Villanova hype. What has changed? Seemingly nothing in my opinion. The only difference? They lost their best player to the league. It appears Gillespie has lost a step from his knee injury, and I believe the UCLA guards will run circles around him. Myles Johnson had a productive career in Piscataway, and will fill in serviceably for Riley tonight. I have this game at -6.5 to -7, and I would have taken it there. I think UCLA wins this game by 10 points or so. Villanova will run into the same problem as last year with not being able to score with offensively elite teams. Especially, early in the season. Also, this may be a sleepy game for the Wildcats. 11:30pm ET start.

Score Prediction: UCLA 72 – Villanova 62

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

11/11 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Seattle Times)

Season Record: 3-3

11/11 Three Ball:

Northern Iowa -3 (-120)

Merrimack -2

Washington -14.5

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Northern Iowa -3 : There should be a bad taste in the mouth of the Panthers after their opening season defeat. They were abysmal from the field and from distance, however they won the free throw and turnover battle. AJ Green is a 20+ppg type of weapon, and his 1-14 nights will be few and far between. UNI has everyone back in what is supposed to be a bounce back year with AJ Green back in the fold from his injury. Ben Jacobson will get this corrected, and the Panthers walk away with an important home win.

Score Prediction: UNI 68 – Vermont 62

Merrimack -2: Merrimack returns every single contributor from last year’s team. Jordan Minor is a really productive big, and he is surrounded by versatile combo guards. They picked up their pace-per-play last season, and they really impressed in their opener. This is NJIT’s first game of the season and they are going to have to find a way to evolve after the absence of Zach Cooks. He was the entirety of their offense many times last season. I will always side with experience vs inexperience. Even if it kills me (piss off Trevor Keels).

Score Prediction: Merrimack 71 – NJIT 66

Washington -14.5: I have seen some sharp money coming in on NAU … but .. I DON’T CARE. The Huskies are going to absolutely throttle the Lumberjacks tonight. I really love the crop of transfers they brought in. Terrell Brown Jr., Emmitt Matthews Jr., and Daejon Davis are instant impact players. Terrell is a scorer – Emmitt can do it all – Daejon is one of the most underrated PG’s in the country. Much like UNI, the Huskies have a bad taste in their mouth after a season opening upset. While the Huskies lost, the box score shows it was an anomaly. Washington outrebounded NIU 27-4. 27-4! They also won the free throw and turnover battle by a wide margin. Wondering how they lost this game? NIU was 21-48 from the field, and Washington was 20-75. They got up 27 more shots, and did not equal the total of makes. That will obviously improve. Also, NAU got absolutely crushed by Arizona on opening night. It was never competitive. It will be more of the same tonight. Book it.

Score Prediction: Washington 85 – NAU 62

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

11/10 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Detroit News)

Season Record: 1-2-0

11/10 Three Ball:

Buffalo +13

Detroit Mercy +5

New Mexico Pick’Em

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Buffalo +13 : This one may get scary at times, but hold on for a wild ride. Yes, Michigan will no doubt be in the mix for title contention this season.. but this is a scrappy Buffalo team that returns a lot of key veteran contributors. Jeenathan Williams and Josh Mballa are energizer bunnies at both ends of the court. They bring exceptional production to go along with that energy. I also love what Segu brings in the backcourt. Michigan gets the dub, no doubt .. but the Bulls keep it within the number.

Score Prediction: Michigan 75 – Buffalo 65

Detroit Mercy +5 : Antoine Davis, Antoine Davis, Antoine Davis. This man can straight fill it up. After turning down NBA interest, he is back for his senior season. I think we get an easy 25 piece tonight from him. He is not the reason I love this play though. Noah Waterman is a DANGEROUS piece that nobody is seemingly talking about. He is a 6’11 G/F combo that can face you, or have his back to the basket. Last season, he shot 52.8% from distance on 4.8 attempts per game!!! That is ELITE level shooting, and it is scary coming from a 6’11 wing. There is seemingly not a Cowboy defender that can handle this type of weapon. I also love the addition of D.J. Harvey from Vanderbilt. He will take some of the pressure off of Davis in the backcourt. The Titans win outright here.

Score Prediction: Detroit Mercy 75 – Wyoming 72

New Mexico Pick’Em: After a tough season for the Lobos, I think they get back to their winning ways under new head coach, Richard Patino. The Pit will be rocking tonight with fans back in attendance for Patino’s first game in charge, and I think that will play a big factor here in getting the Lobos over the edge. Jay Allen-Tovar is a nice post piece that the team added who has been excelling in the preseason. I am also excited to see what Jamal Mashburn Jr. does while teaming back up with Patino. Lobos get it done tonight.

Score Prediction: New Mexico 71 – FAU 66

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

11/9 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: UTRockets.com)

Season Record: 0-0-0

11/9 Three Ball:

Southern Illinois -5 (-120)

Toledo -4

UK +3.5

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Southern Illinois -5 : It feels good starting the season with our Salukis doesn’t it?! Happy as hell to have one of my mid-major darlings in a good spot to kick off our night. I really love the 5 points here at Arkansas Little Rock Marcus Domask will be making his return to the lineup tonight after battling injuries for the majority of last season. He definitely should be listed in any “Mid-Major All-American” list if he picks up where he left off from his freshman season. He is a do-it-all 6’6 forward that you will enjoy watching tonight. The exceptional guard play from Lance Jones and Ben Harvey will also be returning this season. In addition to Harvey and Jones, the Salukis have added Ben Coupet Jr. to the mix. A transfer from Little Rock. He is banged up, but expected to play in what will prove to be a revenge game for the way the Little Rock season ended last year.

Score Prediction: Southern Illinois 71 – Arkansas Little Rock 62

Toledo -4 : I really believe Vegas has missed the mark here with this number. I have this closer to a 10-12 point victory for the Rockets. Maybe they are seeing something that I am not, but I trust Tod Kowalczyk to have the guys ready to go tonight. I believe this will truly be a breakout season for 6’4 Guard – Ryan Rollins. He averaged 13.7 ppg as a freshman, while surrendering control of the offense and a lot of looks to the ball dominant – Marreon Jackson. Jackson is gone this season and I believe that will open up the floor for Rollins, Millner, Dennis, and Shumate. Valpo will really miss Donovan Clay (Missouri State transfer) this season in my opinion. This will be a down year for newly named Beacons.

Score Prediction: Toledo 75 – Valpo 64

UK +3.5: I was waiting for this number, and finally got it. It will probably be between 3-4 by the time you are reading this. I like it from 3 and up. There is simply too much love being given to Duke for Paolo Banchero. I am sure that he will make a name for himself in this upcoming season, but that doesn’t mean that it happens tonight under the bright lights of MSG. The impact the UK transfers will make is not being appreciated by national pundits as of yet, but they soon will know. Kellan Grady, Sahvir Wheeler and Oscar Tshiebwe have been major impact players at the highest level. This experience will be useful against a Duke team that will rely on their freshman two-headed monster of Banchero and Griffin. I also love TyTy Washington as a back-up point for Wheeler. He will be able to bring the same pace, and the UK offense should not lose a step when Wheeler is resting. **Added bonus is CJ Fredrick is healthy enough to play a few minutes to hit a big shot. That is what he does.**

Score Prediction: UK 76 – Duke 74

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

4/5 NCAA Championship Card

(photo: The Slipper Still Fits)

Bittersweet to be putting in the last plays of the season. Thank you to everyone who has followed along with me in the first year of this account. You have made it one of my favorite college basketball seasons of my life. Can’t wait to keep this rolling for years to come!

Season Record: 284-209-6

4/5 NCAA Championship Card – Main Plays:

Gonzaga -4 / o158.5 : This is Gonzaga’s time. The perfect season .. the Suggs miracle .. everything has led up to this moment. The model program that Mark Few has built will finally have it’s One Shining Moment. Baylor is a very, VERY, good basketball team. However, Gonzaga is great. They are historic. The biggest reason? They are unselfish. There is not a single bad shot taken from this bunch. The individual star power always takes the backseat to finding an open teammate. The assists will rack up in this high paced affair tonight. The biggest edge for Gonzaga will be with Drew Timme. He is well on his way to winning the Most Outstanding Player award, and will take advantage of mismatches in the post with Vital and others all night long. He will make a living at the free throw line. The backcourt will also get theirs, and Gonzaga will pull away in the end with late free throws. It is finally coming home Zags nation!

Score Prediction: Gonzaga 85 – Baylor 78

4/5 NCAA Championship – Player Props:

Drew Timme o21.5 points: Timme has eclipsed this number in each of the last four rounds, and that will not stop tonight. As mentioned earlier, I think he will get to the line much like he did against OU.

Corey Kispert o22 pts/reb: Kispert had a very quiet 15 points against UCLA. It was a poor shooting night from him, and he was very passive. I look for him to get more involved on the offensive side tonight. Also, he is averaging close to 7 rebounds in his last three games. I like this number a lot. Hopefully, late free throws can push us across if close at the end.

Davion Mitchell o21 pts/ast: Davion is one of the best passers in America. The 11/0 ast/turnover ratio against Houston was not a fluke. Davion also assisted at a high rate in the Wisconsin and Arkansas wins. The pace should be very similar to those tonight. He is averaging close to his season ppg total of 14ppg in the tournament, so I am thinking we get a 16-8 type of night.

Jared Butler o20 pts/ast: I think Butler is going for 20+ tonight, so I will gladly take this prop with assists included. Not much else to say.

4/5 NCAA Championship Fun Sprinkles:

Most Points in the Game: Drew Timme +170 – The power of the stache

First Points in the Game: Davion Mitchell +450 – Gonzaga has lost the tip in their last three games, and Baylor has won their last three tips. Going with the odds that Baylor wins the tip, and picking the man who has the ball in his hands most often.

First Made Three in the Game: Jared Butler +300 – Butler is 4-1 on making the first three for Baylor in this tournament. The Zags have had a mixed bunch. I’ll take the sprinkle on these odds.

3/30 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Card

(photo: azcentral.com)

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Season Record: 277-202-6

3/30 Elite 8 Card:

Gonzaga 1H -5 / Gonzaga -8 / 1H u72 : This will be Gonzaga’s toughest test yet. Will it matter though? The simple answer is no. The Trojans have been very impressive this tournament, and have handled their opponents easily. However, there are shooting metrics in their favor, and against their opponents, that are due for regression tonight. USC was 268th in the country in three pointers made entering the tournament, and have shot 10-17 from distance in each of their last two games. That is simply not sustainable for a team who showed all season that they cannot get it done from the outside. Also, the Southern Cal defense is good.. maybe even elite.. but KU and Oregon shooting 29 and 37% from the field is still a trend that will not continue tonight. Beyond my predicted regressions, this Gonzaga team is one of the best teams we have seen in the college game. Maybe ever. It is ok to say that. They are undefeated, and have only won one game by single digits. They are the #1 team in America in adjusted offensive efficiency by a wide margin, and have a pesky defense that will continuously turn you over. With the Mobley’s clogging the paint, this will be a big game for Kispert, Ayayi and Suggs from deep. Don’t overthink this. Zags easy.

Score Prediction: Gonzaga 82 – Southern Cal 69 (1H: Gonzaga 38 – Southern Cal 30)

Michigan 1H -3.5 / Michigan -6 / u137 : This will be a slow and methodical beat down served up by Juwan Howard. He has certainly got the best from the Michigan bigs this season, and they will be put to great use tonight. UCLA is severely undersized without Jalen Hill, and this is going to be a longggg night for Cody Riley and Mac Etienne. Hunter Dickinson, Brandon Johns, Franz Wagner and Austin Davis will force Mick Cronin’s hand and pull him out if his beloved 4 guard lineup if he wants to keep this within single digits. That still may not be enough. The Wolverines should dominate the offensive glass and points in the paint by a wide, wide margin. Beyond that, Michigan has assisted on 60 of 83 made baskets in the tournament. This is an efficient offense that has seemingly survived the Livers absence. Lastly, the Michigan defense will be the difference maker in this game. They rank Top 50 nationally in adjusted efficiency, and put on a clinic last outing against an FSU team that many were picking to upset them. Both teams sit outside of the Top 250 in pace, so we should easily go under as well.

Score Prediction: Michigan 69 – UCLA 60 (1H: Michigan 34 – UCLA 27)

3/29 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Card

(photo: CBS Sports)

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Season Record: 272-201-6

3/29 Elite 8 Card:

Baylor 1H -4 / Baylor -7.5 / o148 : If you weren’t impressed by the comeback against Villanova in the Sweet 16, the Bears will show you why the National Championship game will feature the Zags and Baylor just like we all predicted at the beginning of the season. Arkansas is a great team, and you are no slouch if you reach the Elite 8. However, this is a terrible matchup for the Muss Bus and his guys. Baylor has rediscovered their early season magic of turning teams over. Villanova and Wisconsin ranked in the top 10 in the country in not turning the ball over, and the Bears forced 16 and 14 turnovers from those teams respectively. Baylor also only turned the ball over a combined 10 times in those two games. That turnover edge will show up big in the box score tonight against an Arkansas team that can play wild and have mental lapses quite often. Expect a lot of fast break points from Baylor, and for this 2nd half to turn into a track meet. Hell, we may even get a track meet in the first half as well. Baylor will gladly run with Arkansas. It is in Arkansas’ best interest to slow this game down, but we all know that they just cannot help themselves. They are 17th in the country in pace, and that just will not change tonight. Baylor is scoring 72.3 ppg in the tournament against teams that made an effort to slow the game down, so I expect them to get close to 90 tonight. Baylor big.

Score Prediction: Baylor 85 – Arkansas 72 (1H: Baylor 40 – Arkansas 32)

Houston 1H -4 / Oregon State +8 / o128.5 : Participating in a cardinal rule of gambling tonight by taking different sides for the 1H and game, but they are the right plays in my opinion. Listen, Houston is the better team. We all know this. However, we can’t just let that control the entire narrative of this game as the Beavers have proved us wrong time and time again. One key factor is really driving this Cinderella run for Oregon State – the free throw line. What is the only issue with Houston’s elite defense? – fouling. The free throw stripe will prove to be an equalizer as this game moves on through the 2H. Oregon State is shooting 86.5% from the stripe this tournament, and have attempted a whopping 55 free throws in their last two games. However, they have also allowed their opponents to shoot 62 free throws in those two games. Oklahoma State & Loyola Chicago just did not cash in with high percentages. Houston has struggled from the stripe recently, so this may be another edge for Oregon State. I love the volume of free throws to also get us over the total. I don’t expect a ton of threes in this game, but those shots from the stripe will loom large on the total. Houston will come out hot with energy in this game, but fouls will catch up with them later in the contest and bring this inside of the number.

Score Prediction: Houston 69 – Oregon State 64 (1H: Houston 34 – Oregon State 28)

2021 NCAA Tournament 3/22 Second Round Card

(photo: University of Iowa Athletics)

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Season Record: 261-191-6

3/21 Second Round Card:

Iowa 1H -2.5 & o148 : The Hawkeyes looked really impressive early in their opening round game with Grand Canyon. If you remember, we cashed in on a 1H play. We are going to do so again today. We know Iowa loves a hot start, and this will be Oregon’s first tournament action following their first round cancellation due to VCU having to bow out from Covid issues. The bright lights caused many 1H unders to hit in the first round of this tournament, so I believe Oregon will come out a little shaky just like most ball clubs did. I also love the over here due to the outside shooting ability from both teams, and also both teams inability to guard the 3 point line.

Score Prediction: Iowa 80 – Oregon 76 (1H: Iowa 38 – Oregon 32)

Gonzaga / OU u155 : We are going back to the well here as well. There is a lot of value in fading the public’s desire to bet Gonzaga overs. Obviously they are going to get their points, but will OU without Harmon? Also, I expect Lon to really slow this game down. He has no prayer to stay competitive in a track meet. I lean Gonzaga on the spread, but I did not feel confident laying the 14.5.

Score Prediction: Gonzaga 80 – OU 65

UCLA -4.5 : I am not sure what the hell Texas did in their 2H against ACU, but you cannot lose to a 14 seed that shot 29.9% from the field and 16.7% from distance. UCLA won’t make that mistake. Why? Mick Cronin. Mick is lightyears better than Shaka and will take advantage of ACU’s ability to score. Johnny Juzang is having a big time tournament and I expect this to continue. UCLA will finish off the Cinderalla run for ACU tonight.

Score Prediction: UCLA 70 – ACU 62

Creighton -4.5 : I really like this spot for Creighton. As you know, I have a Sweet 16 future out with them. I knew this matchup was coming as well. Had Ohio beating UVA all of the way. I expect a big night from Chris Bishop. He has more athleticism than anyone that the Bobcats can bring to the table. Look for Zegarowski and Ballock to have eyes on him all night for a backdoor lob. This could be a game for a while, but Creighton will cover after Ohio is forced to foul late.

Score Prediction: Creighton 78 – Ohio 70

LSU +6 : This team is hot, hot, hot right now. Cannot believe we were able to grab this number. Hopefully, it has not slid back down to the 5.5 – 5 area by the time you read this.. but I like LSU all of the way to +4. I think Michigan will find it really hard to guard Trendon Watford in this game. He is a matchup nightmare for their personnel. If Thomas and Smart have big games, LSU could even win this one..

Score Prediction: Michigan 74 – LSU 72

FSU ML -120 : The Pac 12 is getting a lot of love right now. Maybe rightfully so. However, I love the matchup nightmare that FSU presents to Colorado tonight. The length and versatility of FSU could cause problems for Battey down low, and McKinley Wright will be guarding a backcourt with 5+ inches on him across the board. FSU is the more athletic team, and the better coached team. Leonard Hamilton gets the Seminoles back to the Sweet 16.

Score Prediction: FSU 72 – Colorado 67

Alabama 1H -3.5 & -6 : I am very, very confident in the Tide today. The reason? The three point line. If Alabama gets hot from deep, which they normally do, Maryland has no prayer of keeping this remotely close. They are dreadful from three point line as a ball club. Also, Maryland was lucky to make it out of the first round alive when you take a deep dive into the box score. They got outrebounded 18 to 2 on the offensive glass! Alabama is too good, and will take advantage of the things that UConn could not.

Score Prediction: Alabama 75 – Maryland 62 (1H: Alabama 36 – Maryland 28)

Kansas +2 : Do not sleep on Bill Self this time of the year. While this is not one of his most talented teams, there are still pieces present to beat Southern Cal. Especially, with the news that Jalen Wilson was joining the Jayhawks in Indianapolis. I had Southern Cal advancing in this game without him, but he is the difference maker for me. I think McCormick and Wilson as a tandem can compete with the Mobley brothers, and I give an edge to the Jayhawks in the backcourt. Bill Self will join Jay Wright in the Sweet 16 in “down years”

Score Prediction: Kansas 68 – USC 65