Monkey Plays for Saturday

[TheFunkMonkey]

Syracuse -2.5
Still don't understand why the line is so low, but I'll bite.

Mich St -12
Spartans are picking it up, all those tough non-conf games are paying off. They won by 12 @ NW, why can't they win by 20 @ home?

Kentucky -2.5
Yes, the Cats lost @ Georgia, but they didn't have Gerald Fitch. Not only is Fitch their leading scorer, but Kentucky isn't exactly a deep team. Also, we've seen that Georgia has become a VERY tough place for SEC teams. Fitch played 20 minutes in Kentucky's last game, so he should be ready.

I think Auburn is getting too much credit for their win @ LSU. But maybe I'm biased against Auburn. I still remember watching the sloppy Tigers getting embarassed on national TV @ UNLV.

From here on out, I think every game becomes a "tournament" game. Bubble teams are playing for a bid. Teams like Kentucky are playing for valuable seeding. Their experience and focus will take care of the volatile Tigers.

Purdue -2
Minnesota is 2-10 in conference, but I doubt Purdue will overlook the Gophers. Purdue is on the bubble, so they need to take advantage of this relatively easy game. Very concerned about Purdue's recent slide, but I think the slide ends @ Minnesota.

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

UL Lafayette +3.5
The Ragin Cajuns lost @ Dayton by 7, @ Xavier by 4, @ Zona by 3. Rice is very good @ home, but I think the Ragin Cajuns have more motivation for this Bracket Buster game. The games are supposed to highlight the mid-major teams, but is UL Lafayette even a mid-major? They're one of the least-known teams in the field, and this is their chance to shine. Watch out for the Cajuns in the NCAA Tourney.

 

[Kojak]

I like your Purdue and Michigan St. plays but are against you on Syracuse and Kentucky as I will go with the home dogs. Best of luck.

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

Almost 5-0 for the day. So close, yet so far. Doh! Still, I won't complain about 3-2.

Mich St was up 14, NW scored the final 4 points. NW also finished the game on a 9-2 run.

UL Lafayette was up 5 @ halftime, but lost by 5.

Kojak, you're right. Gotta be careful with road chalk. But from time to time you can find good value on the road.

Back with more picks for the night.

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

Texas -1.5
Oklahoma just doesn't have enough offense. They can't shoot, they can't score. In order to win, the Sooners need to play an almost-perfect game, whereas Texas can score in a hurry if need be.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Sooners kept it close for 20 minutes, like they did against Ok St. But then they'll hit one of their patented ice-cold streaks and score something like 2 points in 7 minutes.

Unlike Mizzou, I still have faith in Texas. Longhorns can be extremely dangerous when they play smart.

Pacific -3.5
Pacific is 13-1 in conference, Cal Poly is 3-10. Pacific's RPI is 76, Cal Poly is 212. Cal Poly has lost their last 4 games, all by double-digits.

Pepperdine -1.5

Zona -10

After losing @ Cal and @ Stanford, Zona has won by 27, 24, and 13. When Oregon St played @ Zona, Zona won by 34.

With Zona, it always seems to be a guessing game. Will they play hard, do they want to prove something? After losing a heart-breaker to Stanford, it appears as though they've decided to destroy every mediocre team in the Pac-10. The Cats are trying to send a message. I'm listening.

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

New Orleans -8

In their last 6 home games against D-1 teams, FIU has only lost by less than 8 once. Six defeats by 32, 9, 12, 20, 13, and 1.

FIU is 0-10 in the Sun Belt, New Orleans is 8-4.

Taurance Johnson was dismissed from the team on Feb 14th. He was their 4th leading scorer, 2nd in steals, 2nd in blocked shots.

FIU also lost leading scoring/rebounder Junior Matias in mid-January.

If FIU couldn't win WITH these guys, how are they gonna win without them?

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

Colorado +5.5 2nd Half

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

Florida -3

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

Zona -7.5 2nd Half

 

[TheFunkMonkey]

8-5 for the day.

Not sure what to say about Zona and Nawlins losing straight-up to Oregon St and FIU.