Karl Garrett
40 DIMER - VILLANOVA WILDCATS....20 DIMER - MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
40 DIMER - VILLANOVA WILDCATS 40 Dimers-10-1
I have listened all week long to everyone touting North Carolina as the winner of this tournament, but I say doubt Villanova at your own risk.
Villanova has already trashed a UCLA team that had been to the Final Four in the 2 previous Big Dances, then they crushed the # 2 seeded Duke Blue Devils from the ACC, and lastly handled the toughness of # 1 seeded Pitt in the last round.
That is an impressive resume, and the Wildcats do it with depth (8 of their players average 18 minutes per game), and experience (3 senior starters). Jay Wright's team is a tough bunch, and I expect them to handle the best shot the Tar Heels can throw at them, and still be within this rather roomy impost.
North Carolina may very well advance, but I don't think this one is going to be a blowout.
Wildcats plus the points as my 40 Dimer this Final Four Saturday.
20 DIMER - MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
The barometer for this game is the Purdue-Connecticut matchup a few games back. In that one, the Boilers had plenty of opportunities to take the lead against the Huskies, but couldn't quite get over the hump due to their youth.
That is not the case in this Big 10-Big East battle from Ford Field in the early game. Michigan State is a little more experienced than the young Boilermakers, and you cannot underestimate the importance of the Spartans pretty much playing a home game in Detroit today. The crowd support will be huge.
Michigan State plays defense with the best of them, and they can match the Huskies on the boards as well.
The G-Man is highly impressed with the way the Spartans squelched Louisville to earn this Final Four berth. In that one, State held the Cards to only 52-points. If they can bring that type of game to this occsasion, there is a good chance Michigan State may pull the outright upset.
G-Man taking the points with Michigan State in this one.
Today's Complimentary Selection
Friday night winner on Phoenix makes it a 9-2 comp play run my last 11 releases.
G-Man will strike early on Saturday and stay with the hot hand, and that is the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto comes to New York for the front end of this home-and-home having won and covered 5 in a row. The Raptors have also taken 3 of the last 4 series meetings, and did win and cover the most recent meeting 111-100 as the 3 1/2-point favorite back at the end of February.
New York is just 1-9 straight up their last 10 games, and the Knicks have also failed their last 3 tries when installed as the favorite.
With the Raptors playing so well as the regular season comes to an end, the G-Man will look for Toronto to run their winning streak to 6 straight wins and covers.
Toronto is the call from the Garden on Saturday.
3♦ TORONTO
(on a 1♦ to 5♦ basis)