I hope no one bet with my picks yesterday.....and who wishes they went to Tampa?? Every lower seed won there yesterday, and those were some great games. Recapping yesterday and mocking myself:
American/Tennessee: I think Tennessee rolls after being ticked about their bracket/seeding. Tennessee won by 15, but it was much closer, and I'm starting to be worried for the Volunteers, as they were snuffed out on the boards and looked like they had a bit of a hangover from the SEC tourney and the selection process. Someone needs to tell G Chris Lofton to stop aiming the ball and shoot.
Davidson/Gonzaga: the Zags will hold off Stephen Curry, but this could be a great game. Uh, no they didn't. Curry was awesome, and the Zags couldn't find a whole bunch of rhythm, and Davidson won in the last 10 seconds. Great game, but it was the national coming out party for Curry, who hit for 40 while shooting 8/10 from long distance. Think having an NBA Dad (Dell Curry) helped this kid with a couple of ways to set his feet and get his shot off?
St. Mary's/Miami: St. Mary's has 4 guys from the Australian national team, they've beaten good teams, I like them by 8. Dead wrong on this one, St. Mary's was kind of flat in the second half, whereas Miami came out fired up, and it showed.
Western Kentucky/Drake: Love the Drake, but watch for Courtney Lee, he's scored 2K in points, watch for him in this years draft. Did you see the shot by Ty Rogers?? So far the best moment of the tourney, and right now this was the best game. Drake came back from 15 down to tie it up and send it to OT. But Rogers hit a long 3 at the buzzer, sending the Drake home.
South Alabama/Butler: I hope the AD at Butler wrote a strongly worded letter to the Selection Committee for sending the higher seed to Birmingham, Alabama...nice to give a 10 seed a home game. I like Butler, a ton of seniors, and they're pretty good. Didn't matter where they played this one, Butler came out on fire and won by 20.
UMBC/Georgetown: I think Georgetown will win, but don't be shocked if this is close. UMBC has 3 transfers from major conferences, so they shouldn't be intimidated by Georgetown. Well, it was close for 10 minutes, and then Georgetown just flat-out overpowered UMBC, crushing them on the boards, winning by 19.
Austin Peay/Texas: The 'Horns, in a rout. I'm thinking by 20, at least. And they won by 20!!!
San Diego/UConn: I look for UConn to try and control the paint and run the Toreros off the floor. It'll be close, UConn late with some free throws, by 7. Congrats to San Diego, a great game (in Tampa) and I do feel for UConn, who will be asking themselves 'What If' because starting PG AJ Price was injured 8 minutes into the game. Very tough to lose your lead guard in college and win a game.
Mount St. Mary's/UNC: Mount, thanks for showing up, meet the overall #1 seed, the Tar Heels by 18. I know the score reads that UNC coasted, but they gave up 41 in the 1st half. It's a little worrisome, it looks like they don't care on D sometimes. I don't think it will matter tomorrow, but you never know.
St. Joe's/Oklahoma: I still can't figure out Oklahoma, and St. Joe's is really a tough group. Based on the Philly connection, I think St. Joe's pulls this out. I don't think OU cared to much for my analysis, and never trailed, gaining victory by 8.
Siena/Vanderbilt: I like Vandy, but don't be surprised if this game is a track meet, Siena can score, and in bunches. And of course, my kinda surprise pick for a Sweet 16 run is run off the damn court. It's like they never showed up. Siena took it to the kids from Vandy all night, winning by 21. I now hate Vandy. How do you beat the #1 team in the country and then pull off this stinker not 3 weeks later?
Oregon/Mississippi St.: I don't even think Oregon should be in the tourney. Look out for MSU's point guard, he's a baller. Mississippi State wins by 7, it was a decent game, but it's the outcome I had hoped for.
Arkansas/Indiana: I think Arkansas runs IU off the floor, they haven't been the same since Kelvin Sampson was dismissed. That's too bad for these kids, right before the whole cell phone crap happened they were looking like a potential Final 4 team. Too bad I was correct on this one, the Hogs winning by 14, with F Sydney Weems going 12/14 for 31 pts.
Boise State/Louisville: I think Louisville just outruns and hustles Boise St. out of the gym. Louisville runs them off the floor by 18. 'Nuff said.
Villanova/Clemson: I like Clemson, and their style is hectic, it's a gut feeling. I know that I don't like 'Nova, only because Scottie Reynolds kills my boys every stinkin' time (da 'Cuse!), but you give props when it is deserved, and Villanova deserves them. They came back from 18 down at one point to win this game. Clemson can only blame themselves, shooting 60% from the charity stripe, and losing by 6. Oh yeah, guess where this game was played? If you said Tampa, you'd be right!!
Texas-Arlington/Memphis: Memphis will try and put up 100, and they just might. Memphis wins 87-63, not much to say, other than I hope they make it fun to watch!
Now, here are today's picks (seriously, don't use these for gambling purposes, you'll lose money, and I can't have that on my conscience):
West Virginia/Duke: I know everyone is saying how lucky Duke was to escape Belmont, and there may be some truth to that, but they won. And I don't ever trust Bob Huggins coached teams. Not yet, at least, so I'm going with Duke by 7.
Kansas State/Wisconsin: I'm taking Wisconsin, a better coached team and far more experience then KSU's last opponent, USC. You never know, K-State could keep winning just to spite me. It's not like it would be the first time.
Purdue/Xavier: A damn fine 2nd round matchup, I like Xavier to try and get out and run and give Purdue some matchup difficulties. I think this game will be in the 80's, with Xavier hitting some shots at the end to win by 6.
Notre Dame/Washington State: I still have no clue what Wazzu did to Winthrop to hold them to 11 pts in the 2nd half of their 1st round matchup, but I don't think that will happen to Notre Dame. The Irish have some kids that can shoot, and I look for that to open up the game and the inside for Luke Harongody, the Big East player of the year. I like ND by 8.
Marquette/Stanford: Please, Lopez twins, work Marquette, I can't stand that team right now. I think PG Dominic James might be one of the most overrated players in the country. Have your guards sag off of him and dare him to beat you deep, you'll be just fine.
UNLV/Kansas: This will not be a walk in the park for Rock Chalk Jayhawk fans. I don't think it ever is. But this one could be a track meet, gosh I love those. Scoring in the 90's for this one, KU pulls away late, wins by 13.
Michigan State/Pittsburgh: Hide the women and children. And can someone get me a football officiating crew? This game could be played in the 50's, and will not be for the weak of heart. This is what's known as a 'Grown-Ass Man's Game'. Look for some seriously strong screens and bodies to fly. I like Pitt, I think they are the tougher team and better athletes.
Texas A&M/UCLA: UCLA should win this game, but it won't be as easy as showing up to the arena. A&M has some guys that have been around the tournament, and they aren't going to lay down. This will be a sneaky-good game.
Enjoy your Saturday of hoops, I'll be back tomorrow morning to mock my own picks, because I'm not that good at it!
No comments:
Post a Comment