There are some games that definitely stick out with some upsets on the horizons and trying to gather some early feedback.
Thursday (Buffalo)
Texas Tech vs Charlotte- I feel like the Big 12 has prepared Tech better for the Tournament this go around. With a look at this bracket, Coach Knight has a fighters chance to make run.
Strong Lean: Texas Tech
Depaul vs Dayton - I don't think Dayton is being given enough credit here. I feel they are more than capable of beating this Depaul team.I like Dayton to pull an upset here.
Raleigh,NC
Florida vs Manhattan- I feel Bobby Gonzalez and company is a lot better than we all realize and with Florida without Drejer really has no one to match up with Fuentes. I like Manhattan to win this one straight up.
Denver,CO
Air Force/North Carolina - Dicky V and the boys are giving UNC dues, Dues for what? This team has underachieved all year not doing well on the road. UNC is undisciplined going out to play Air Force team who is thrilled to get in, playing in front of partial crowd, plays Princeton style that may be similar to NC State but I don't feel Carolina will be ready for it. I am not going to call su win but points look extremely generous here.
BYU/Syracuse - Syracuse just is simply nothing special this year. BYU has the guards to play up and down or slow it down with Cuse but I think big advantage with BIG A for Cougars. I think BYU will win this one straight up.
Seattle,Washington
Alabama/So.Illinois- I think Bama is playing too well while Salukis are going the other direction as they played well above their heads. I like the Hot Tide to roll in this one.
Michigan St./Nevada - This Nevada team can run and gun with Spartans. They have beaten Kansas already this year. Two big advantages for Nevada is Spartans travelling to Seattle and Snyder at point as Spartans have no true point guard. Spartans have been upset in the past by Big Sky in Weber St. and I think they are ripe here vs hungry Nevada.
Gonzaga/Valparaiso- I have watched to national tv games by Valpo and imo they have no chance in this one. This is not the same Valpo teams of the past and I think Zag's at home will cover easily in this one.
Friday Games:
Columbus,Ohio:
Murray St./Illinois - I really liked Murray here until 2 key starters may be suspended. If they aren't, Murray can play and win as Illini have history of losing to teames in Ohio Valley (remember Austin Peay).
Orlando,Florida:
Vanderbilt/Western Michigan- The popular pick here is WMU but I think Vandy is SEC tested and a better team than we all may realize. I think they win this game by more than expected.
NC State/UL Lafayette- Wolfpack imo are not playing that well and could be ripe vs ULLaf. They earlier this season had Arizona beat in Tuscon and had led by double digits most of the way until final minute. NC State seems to have lost confidence. I feel it is a close game with Lafayette possibly live in this one.
Milwaukee,WI:
Richmond/Wisconsin- This looks like an easy call on paper but I think Richmond plays this one down to the wire. They won in hostile environments at Colorado and Kansas and won't be intimidated here. I think they could win but feel Wisky wins under the number.
Pittsburgh/Central Florida- I see a highly motivated Pitt team who got screwed by the committee. Central Florida isn't a bad team but I feel Pitt takes care of business and makes a statement here.
Kansas City,KS:
South Carolina/Memphis- Gamecocks were more competitive in SEC tournament than I expected and may have gotten over and adjusted to the loss of Howell. Memphis, seems to be fading as their performance against St. Louis was nothing less than pathetic. I like Gamecocks to move on.
Pacific/Providence- Another case of two teams heading in opposite directions. Pacific is very capable of pulling this one out as Providence has really fallen off. I think Gomes and co better come to play or they will lose this game. I see Prov winning but barely.
Note: OSU and KU should roll in Big 12 country as Ku has a home game and OSU travel well.
Any opinions are appreciated as I will post official plays by Wednesday morning.
Thursday (Buffalo)
Texas Tech vs Charlotte- I feel like the Big 12 has prepared Tech better for the Tournament this go around. With a look at this bracket, Coach Knight has a fighters chance to make run.
Strong Lean: Texas Tech
Depaul vs Dayton - I don't think Dayton is being given enough credit here. I feel they are more than capable of beating this Depaul team.I like Dayton to pull an upset here.
Raleigh,NC
Florida vs Manhattan- I feel Bobby Gonzalez and company is a lot better than we all realize and with Florida without Drejer really has no one to match up with Fuentes. I like Manhattan to win this one straight up.
Denver,CO
Air Force/North Carolina - Dicky V and the boys are giving UNC dues, Dues for what? This team has underachieved all year not doing well on the road. UNC is undisciplined going out to play Air Force team who is thrilled to get in, playing in front of partial crowd, plays Princeton style that may be similar to NC State but I don't feel Carolina will be ready for it. I am not going to call su win but points look extremely generous here.
BYU/Syracuse - Syracuse just is simply nothing special this year. BYU has the guards to play up and down or slow it down with Cuse but I think big advantage with BIG A for Cougars. I think BYU will win this one straight up.
Seattle,Washington
Alabama/So.Illinois- I think Bama is playing too well while Salukis are going the other direction as they played well above their heads. I like the Hot Tide to roll in this one.
Michigan St./Nevada - This Nevada team can run and gun with Spartans. They have beaten Kansas already this year. Two big advantages for Nevada is Spartans travelling to Seattle and Snyder at point as Spartans have no true point guard. Spartans have been upset in the past by Big Sky in Weber St. and I think they are ripe here vs hungry Nevada.
Gonzaga/Valparaiso- I have watched to national tv games by Valpo and imo they have no chance in this one. This is not the same Valpo teams of the past and I think Zag's at home will cover easily in this one.
Friday Games:
Columbus,Ohio:
Murray St./Illinois - I really liked Murray here until 2 key starters may be suspended. If they aren't, Murray can play and win as Illini have history of losing to teames in Ohio Valley (remember Austin Peay).
Orlando,Florida:
Vanderbilt/Western Michigan- The popular pick here is WMU but I think Vandy is SEC tested and a better team than we all may realize. I think they win this game by more than expected.
NC State/UL Lafayette- Wolfpack imo are not playing that well and could be ripe vs ULLaf. They earlier this season had Arizona beat in Tuscon and had led by double digits most of the way until final minute. NC State seems to have lost confidence. I feel it is a close game with Lafayette possibly live in this one.
Milwaukee,WI:
Richmond/Wisconsin- This looks like an easy call on paper but I think Richmond plays this one down to the wire. They won in hostile environments at Colorado and Kansas and won't be intimidated here. I think they could win but feel Wisky wins under the number.
Pittsburgh/Central Florida- I see a highly motivated Pitt team who got screwed by the committee. Central Florida isn't a bad team but I feel Pitt takes care of business and makes a statement here.
Kansas City,KS:
South Carolina/Memphis- Gamecocks were more competitive in SEC tournament than I expected and may have gotten over and adjusted to the loss of Howell. Memphis, seems to be fading as their performance against St. Louis was nothing less than pathetic. I like Gamecocks to move on.
Pacific/Providence- Another case of two teams heading in opposite directions. Pacific is very capable of pulling this one out as Providence has really fallen off. I think Gomes and co better come to play or they will lose this game. I see Prov winning but barely.
Note: OSU and KU should roll in Big 12 country as Ku has a home game and OSU travel well.
Any opinions are appreciated as I will post official plays by Wednesday morning.
