Kojak's Sweet Sixteen Picks for Thurs/Fri

Kojak · Mar 23, 2004

Had a nice bouncback Sunday going 8-3 and took Monday off but have been analyzing my plays for Sweet Sixteen.

Killer Plays:

Xavier +2.5 - Sato and Chalmers have been red hot and Finn has done a nice job in the middle. I like X to win this one su because the weakness of Texas is at the point guard position as they turn over the ball too much and barely got away with it against North Carolina. Xavier's guards ball control will be difference in this one.

Vanderbilt +9 - The weaknesses of UCONN is free throw shooting and point play which are strenghts of Vandy. Vandy won't be intimidated by UCONN playing in SEC and are gaining confidence. Vandy could pull upset in this one.

St. Joseph's -2 - SJ is playing a team that doesn't play defense. Williams could be a difference maker in this game but this guy is inconsistent for Wake. Paul is a great point but I feel Nelson will make it a point to take it to the freshman in this one.

Average:
Illinois +7
Kansas -4
Nevada +4.5
Pittsburgh +2
Syracuse -1.5

As of right now I will only be playing Killer plays. Best of luck.

Kojak · Mar 24, 2004

Looking at two over/unders in under in OSU/Pitt and over in Georgia Tech/Nevada.

TigerVen · Mar 24, 2004

Kojak,

Good luck to you on your picks this weekend. This is the last big weekend for College b'ball, so we better get it done now.

I think Vandy's run ends against UCONN in a big way. Vandy is so damn lucky to be here in the first place after NC State and the refs gave them the last game (and cover). UCONN is on a whole nother level and Vandy will have a hard time stopping them from scoring down low. Also Okefor will shut down Vandy's inside scoring. The only way Vandy gets it done here is if they are hot from the outside which they could very well be in this game, but I think it will be a blowout by UCONN.

Just my opinion.

good luck

Kojak · Mar 24, 2004

Tigerven,

Vandy has played UCONN twice in the last couple of years so they have seen and played against these Huskies. This game will be a lot closer than experts expect. Throw in UCONN's history this year of being a poor cover on the road and I like Vandy even more. Best of luck.

jaypaw · Mar 24, 2004

Okafor has had a week to rest...

How does Uconns record on the road come into play here - Phoenix isnt anywhere near Tennessee - nor is it near CT but, I dont know if i'd call this a road game.

TheGeneral+ · Mar 24, 2004

Best of luck Kojak.

TigerVen · Mar 24, 2004

I didn't know they had played each other. Thanks for the insight; however I still think Vandy will get rolled by the Huskies. Too many athletes on Uconn's side here. Plus they've been murdering teams lately and they beat a tough as nails Pitt team in the conference tourney (and took my money too). Also the SEC is very overated this year. I've doubted Vandy Recently and it has cost me, but this time I believe I'm right.

good luck to you

Kapusta · Mar 24, 2004

Kojak-I like the St.Joes call! I'd be a little wary on Vandy-they haven't faced a team that plays solid D. UCONN is solid, deep, very good and getting better. Okafor isn't really doing much and their blowing teams out. I think they beat them worse than Depaul and that game was over after the first half.
Texas may be able to D up Chalmers and Sato with Mouton and Ivey. They may be to big for Xavier, they have a very deep team. I think the Longhorns have too much. Agree with you 100% Xavier is playing great right now-I just don't think they match-up well against Texas.
Good Luck this is a bizarre tournie so who knows, freakin Xavier could win it all!

jaypaw · Mar 24, 2004

they didnt play vandy this year

not since december of 02 I believe

TigerVen · Mar 24, 2004

2 years ago is irrelavent in my book. That's a lifetime ago in college basketball. Thanks Jaypaw for the info.

Vandy will lose by double digits.

Kapusta · Mar 24, 2004

Jaypaw-No shit Sherlock-were you talking to me cause I didn't say they played them-who you referring that to. I don't think Kojak said that?

Kapusta · Mar 24, 2004

Jaypaw-I see what your talking about missed a couple of threads before, sorry Sherlock!

truelyhandicapping · Mar 24, 2004

LIKE

ill
nevada*i am a believer. beat kansas once from start to finish. beat a good zags team from start to finish, and didn't play well but beat state.

love big, big plays on

the cuse
texas

my system has a big play on kansas,

and a huge play for the weekend.

i bet you have a great weekend, at least i hope for your sake and mine.

best of luck buddy.

Kapusta · Mar 24, 2004

truely-I agree with Texas!

Kojak · Mar 25, 2004

Simply a repost with an add on tonights plays:

Killers:

Vandy +9
St. Joe's -2

Avg:
Syracuse -1.5
Pitt +2.5

Adding...

Notre Dame -6.5
Marquette +6
Vandy/UCONN over 140
Syracuse/Alabama under 135
all average plays

small:
Vandy +365 moneyline

Best of luck tonight to everyone!

jwblue · Mar 25, 2004

Koj:

Vandy is the play. A little nervous with Allstar on UCONN for 20 units, but I am with you.

IS

Kojak · Mar 25, 2004

In Spades,

Vandy has played Conn twice in the last 3 years and won't be intimidated. This UCONN team has cost people money all year and because they played two teams last weekend who were obviously intimidated and didn't show up everyone is jumping on their bandwagon. Vandy has beated Miss St.,Kentucky,Florida,Alabama, and NC State which I don't see that impressive of a resume for Conn. Conn comes in once again overconfident lets Vandy gain confidence and get the game close, than misses ft's down stretch to lose cover and possibly lose straight up imo. Vandy is the PLAY!

jwblue · Mar 25, 2004

Kojak:

The reasoning sounds PERFECT to take Vandy. But its scary to think that there could be 1000 reasons to wager on a team, but they still don't cover.

GL

IS