This is probably the most important day all year as well as the most entertaining with several teams on the bubble playing ranked teams and several marquee matchups. Thursday has not treated me well but it is not over yet!
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament:
Georgia Tech +1 - Yellow Jackets are starting to peak vs Carolina team who just can't seem to get over the top. I am going with the Yellow Jackets because I feel this team is battle tested and handles the big game spot light better than Roy's boys!
Maryland +4 - Terrapins under Gary Williams know how to win at tournament time. This young group gained a lot of confidence down the stretch and still may need to win to get in with all the possible upset in conference tournaments.
Big 10 Tournament:
Iowa +1.5 - Hawkeyes don't have the depth but Alford is another coach who knows how to make runs in conference tournaments. In a tight game, Iowa pulls the minor upset.
Minnesota +13 - Golden Gophers are not as bad as record indicates. Wisconsin is not a strong road team except for last two games of regular season. I see a Badger letdown here coming off of road wins at Michigan St. and Indiana. Humphries is playing well and will keep this one close.
Michigan St. -7.5 - Spartans have dominated pretty easily the Wildcats and also don't want to take any chances with the committee. Spartans are a dangerous team in this tournament.
SEC Tournament:
Kentucky -8 - This is a play against Georgia beating Wildcats 3 in a row more than Kentucky winning. I feel like Wildcats are playing now for a #1 seed and will be motivated to beat Bulldogs badly to make up for two previous losses!
South Carolina -3.5- I truly feel the loser of this game will not make the NCAA's. Both were flat down the stretch after key injuries. Gamecocks seem to be in a little better spirits and improving confidence after putting up 91 vs Razorbacks.
Big 12 Tournament:
Oklahoma St. -9 - Just feel Iowa State played as well as they could against Kansas St. and don't think they can sustain it against Cowboys. This will be a very partial crowd near home feeling as Cowboys solidly win.
Texas -7.5 - I feel Oklahoma without Brown will have a terrible time on the boards and inside vs deep Longhorn team. Ou may keep it close for a half but lights out on Sooners in the 2nd half.
Conference USA Tournament:
Depaul +2 - Blue Demons are getting no respect and they should. They may have the best starting 5 in conference and Coach Leitao has they guys believing. Depaul gets solid win as they should be favored in this one.
Big East Tournament:
Pittsburgh -7 - The legs will catch up to BC in this one. Pitt was sleeping a little today but will play some tough defense limiting Smith and marching on to the Big East Championship Game for the fourth straight year.
MAC Tournament:
Miami Ohio +5- I am still not sold that Kent St. is the same team they were a month ago. Miami could very well beat them again here and go on to championship game.
PAC 10 Tournament:
Stanford -11.5 - Many might feel Stanford is not motivated but I beg to differ as they have not won this tournament in quite awhile. Oregon just doesn't have enough horses or discipline to mount much of a threat to the Cardinal!
Will add as day progresses tomorrow. Best of luck.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament:
Georgia Tech +1 - Yellow Jackets are starting to peak vs Carolina team who just can't seem to get over the top. I am going with the Yellow Jackets because I feel this team is battle tested and handles the big game spot light better than Roy's boys!
Maryland +4 - Terrapins under Gary Williams know how to win at tournament time. This young group gained a lot of confidence down the stretch and still may need to win to get in with all the possible upset in conference tournaments.
Big 10 Tournament:
Iowa +1.5 - Hawkeyes don't have the depth but Alford is another coach who knows how to make runs in conference tournaments. In a tight game, Iowa pulls the minor upset.
Minnesota +13 - Golden Gophers are not as bad as record indicates. Wisconsin is not a strong road team except for last two games of regular season. I see a Badger letdown here coming off of road wins at Michigan St. and Indiana. Humphries is playing well and will keep this one close.
Michigan St. -7.5 - Spartans have dominated pretty easily the Wildcats and also don't want to take any chances with the committee. Spartans are a dangerous team in this tournament.
SEC Tournament:
Kentucky -8 - This is a play against Georgia beating Wildcats 3 in a row more than Kentucky winning. I feel like Wildcats are playing now for a #1 seed and will be motivated to beat Bulldogs badly to make up for two previous losses!
South Carolina -3.5- I truly feel the loser of this game will not make the NCAA's. Both were flat down the stretch after key injuries. Gamecocks seem to be in a little better spirits and improving confidence after putting up 91 vs Razorbacks.
Big 12 Tournament:
Oklahoma St. -9 - Just feel Iowa State played as well as they could against Kansas St. and don't think they can sustain it against Cowboys. This will be a very partial crowd near home feeling as Cowboys solidly win.
Texas -7.5 - I feel Oklahoma without Brown will have a terrible time on the boards and inside vs deep Longhorn team. Ou may keep it close for a half but lights out on Sooners in the 2nd half.
Conference USA Tournament:
Depaul +2 - Blue Demons are getting no respect and they should. They may have the best starting 5 in conference and Coach Leitao has they guys believing. Depaul gets solid win as they should be favored in this one.
Big East Tournament:
Pittsburgh -7 - The legs will catch up to BC in this one. Pitt was sleeping a little today but will play some tough defense limiting Smith and marching on to the Big East Championship Game for the fourth straight year.
MAC Tournament:
Miami Ohio +5- I am still not sold that Kent St. is the same team they were a month ago. Miami could very well beat them again here and go on to championship game.
PAC 10 Tournament:
Stanford -11.5 - Many might feel Stanford is not motivated but I beg to differ as they have not won this tournament in quite awhile. Oregon just doesn't have enough horses or discipline to mount much of a threat to the Cardinal!
Will add as day progresses tomorrow. Best of luck.
