Joseph D'Amico
Butler vs. Florida
Play: Florida -3½
Florida has been spectacular. The Gators have won and covered 5 of 6 post-season games, including their L3. They possess 4 players averaging DD’s. The frontline of 6’8 Tyus, 6’10 Macklin, and 6’10 Parsons are crashing the boards for 28.9 RPG. The “Big Men” are talented and agile. Florida has a swarming defense that allows a mere 63.1 PPG. Seasoned Coach, Billy Donovan is one of the best there is at preparing his team. Butler has played well, but let’s face it, the Bulldogs just don’t play the same level of competition as do the Gators. Butler has an “undersized” frontcourt that is not just giving up height here, but a lot of muscle as well. Understand that this is a squad that lost to “mediocre” teams like Evansville, Wisconsin Milwaukee twice, Wright State, and Youngstown State. The backcourt of Mack and Vangart is talented but fold when facing more “physical’ foes. Florida held BYU’s Jimmer Fredette to just 11-29 shooting. Butler doesn’t have a single player of Fredette’s caliber. Defense and physicality will give Florida a huge advantage here. The Gators are 13-3 ATS their L16 Tourney games, 6-1 ATS their L7 neutral site games, and 8-1-1 ATS their L10 overall. Take Florida.
Larry Ness
9* East Tenn St +2.5
Iona has an interesting basketball history. The beloved Jim Valvano, with Jeff Ruland as his star, led the Gaels to back-to-back NCAA appearances in 1979 and 1980. The 1980 team won its first round game with Holy Cross and barely lost 74-71 to third-seeded Georgetown in its next game. The school then made back-to-back NCAA trips in 1984 and 1985 again, coached by Pat Kennedy and led by Steve Burtt. The cycle came full circle for Iona with former star Jeff Ruland as its coach, leading the team to NCAA appearances in 2000, '01 and '06 with Steve Burtt, Jr starring for the 2006 team. However, enough history. Iona finished tied for 2nd in the MAAC (13-5) during the regular season and advanced the tourney final, losing 62-57 to St Peter's. The Gaels then won at Valparaiso and easily handled Buffalo back at home (78-63). Iona is led by the 6-7 Glover (17.9-10.1), who first signed with Seton Hall a few years back but never played due to eligibility issues. He came to Iona prior to this year via the College of Eastern Utah (can't make THAT up!). He's joined up front by the 6-8 Rodriquez (6.7-6.6) plus an excellent backcourt. PG Machado (13.4-3.8-7.5) is terrific, joined by Smyth (10.1), Jenkins (9.7) and Dwight (8.7). However, Smyth injured his shoulder while diving for a loose ball during the tourney final vs St. Peter's back on March 7th and has been out since. He remains doubtful for Saturday's match-up with East Tennessee State. Speaking of the Buccaneers, they are coming off back-to-back NCAA appearances. This year's team returned four starters from last year plus regained the services of 6-6 guard Mike Smith, who played just four games last year after injuring a knee injury. Smith averaged 15.3-7.7 in 2008-09 and this year leads the team by averaging 17.9-6.9. Returning starter Hubbard (13.9-8.2 LY) has been sidelined all season for undisclosed reasons after playing just four games. However, Tubbs (10.4-4.5) and Williams (13.9-4.1) join Smith in the backcourt plus the 6-8 Brown (10.6-7.2) has had another solid season. ETSU failed in the Atlantic Sun tourney this year but has had two home games in this year's CIT, beating Furman 76-63 and Ohio U 82-73. Smith has scored 32 and 24 points in those two games while Tubbs has added 22 and 27. The Buccs made 26-of-51 FGs vs Furman and 27-of-51 vs Ohio (combined 52.0%) and now get a THIRD straight home game with a win giving them a shot at in the championship game vs . East Tenn St is a superb 13-1 at home this year, losing ONLY to Belmont, a 30-5 team which lost FOUR of five games this year to Tennessee (twice), Vandy and Wisconsin. Not sure why the Buccs are a home dog here, as I expect then to win with "room to spare!"
Billy Coleman
Knicks -4
Bucks +6
UConn Over 145
Kelso
200 Units Florida
10 Units Pistons
3 Units UConn
Chris Jordan
300* Butler +4
300* Arizona +3
300* Ariz / UConn Over 145
Sports Bank
400 Florida Over
Jeff Benton
50 Dime UConn
Lenny Del Genio
Vegas Icon - Florida
Street Rosenthal
200* Bucks +5.5
200* Jazz +6
200* Connecticut -3
200* Florida -4
Marc Lawrence
5* UCONN
Wunderdog
Butler +4
Arizona +2.5
MTi Sports
4* Knicks Over 99.5
Jim Feist
NBA TOM - Bulls Under
Will Cover
UConn
Lenny Stevens
20* UConn