A week ago, free money lay strewn across lawns, overpasses and bong-ridden spring break hotel rooms (8-2 last week). This week is no different. The first two rounds of the tourney you play selectively. From here on out, you play every game on the board. Much like the spring break trips of the past, now is not the time to say, "Maybe I'll take tonight off and get back on the Natty Light/opium highway tomorrow." No. It's time to power through.
THE DOGS BE A BARKIN'
Xavier (+1) You're kidding me, right? Sure, West Virginia may be the hottest team in the country the last two weeks, but Xavier's defensive intensity and ability to hit FT's will get it done in the last 5 minutes.
Louisville (+3) Tennessee's modus operandi is to run people off the court with superior athleticism coupled with forcing turnovers. The problem in this game is that L'ville has the horses to run with the Vols (while Padgett and Palacios inside should exploit the Vols weak post defense).
Louisville over (145') Up and down game for sure. If you don't think this game is at least in the 70s, then you probably also believe Pol Pot was a regular humanitarian. Easiest pick of the day here.
Washington St. (+8') Tough game to call, but there's absolutely no way Washington St. is going to allow UNC to run rampant with their fast break game. UNC wins this one because they're just enormously deep (I feel uncomfortable typing that for some reason). It's all a matter of how the FT's go at the end for the cover. You gotta play it though. It's Thursday night for godsake. What else are you going to do?
Western Kentucky (+12) UCLA has played a ton of relatively close games the last two weeks and they're just not the type of team that consistently blows people out. Their style just doesn't lend itself to it. Plus, any time you can get double digit points in a S16 game, you've got to take it. Like Wash St., though, the Hilltoppers stand no real chance of winning. But I really like them losing by 9.
Put a Cecil on each and check back tomorrow after you go at least 5-1.
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