Dave Cokin
Northern Iowa vs. Purdue
Play: Purdue -8
Northern Iowa has sailed under the radar all season, but the fact is that this very well coached squad has indeed emerged as the legit best team in the Missouri Valley Conference. But this year's MVC crop turned out to be below that league's usual standards and I can't see Northern Iowa pulling the upset today. Purdue started off red hot, ran into a couple of injuries that slowed them down, but are now looking like a team that could make some noise in this tournament. They're very solid fundamentally and I like their experience. I was also very impressed with their performance in the Big 10 tourney, and believe the Boilermakers might be peaking at just the right time. The underdog is capable of making this a tough game, and the number is high enough to prevent me from taking a strong stance on Purdue, but I do think the Boilermakers are the right side.
Sean Higgs
CS Northridge vs. Memphis U
Play: Under 132
Let's go UNDER here. Tigers play D. CS Northridge hasn't seen a team remotely close to this Memphis team. They will be lucky to make it to 50. Which leaves us with Memphis to roll out a 80 point game. Even with a chip on their shoulder from a #1 snub. I see this breaking down as a 73-45 type game. FREE PLAY! UNDER
Joseph D'Amico
Dallas Mavericks vs. Atlanta Hawks
Play: Atlanta Hawks -6
Today's winner is the Atlanta Hawk's over the Dallas Maverick's. Atlanta is ripping it up on this home stand. The Hawk's have won and covered all 6 of their matchups on this stretch. As a matter of fact, they have covered their last 9 at home. Atlanta is fighting to retain the 4th seed in the East and homecourt in the 1st round of the playoffs. Don't forget that Atlanta will be playing with some extra gusto, as they want revenge for their "close but no cigar" 2 point loss ( with a 13 point 4th quarter comeback) in the only meeting with Dallas this season. Center Al Horford DNP in that 1st meeting. Of late, he has been lighting it up as he is averaging 15.0 PPG and 10.2 RPG in his last 10 outings. Dallas is hurting with Guard Devean George and Forwards Stackhouse, Howard, and Williams, all listed as most likely missing tonight game. Check these Atlanta stats out; the Hawk's are 7-0 ATS their last 7 vs. teams with a SU winning record, 6-0 ATS their last 6 vs. teams with a losing road record, 5-0 ATS their last 5 as a favorite, 5-0 ATS their last 5 games played on 1 days rest, 6-0 ATS their last 6 overall, 7-0 ATS their last 7 as a home fav, and 5-0 ATS their last 5 vs. the Western conference. This is a no-brainer. Take Atlanta.
Strike Point Sports.
Alabama (+2.5) over Vanderbilt
Despite the Bruins playing somewhat more of an uptempo style of play this season, its still UCLA and Ben Howland. And when you combine those two factors with the NCAA Tournament, its safe to say the Bruins will be on their 'A' game come this match-up. Also, it's not like UCLA is playing a team that wants to get up and go. Even if UCLA does decide to selectively run, VCU will make sure to slow the pace even more. In this game the Rams will stick with a halfcourt attack, and their full court press should do well to keep the Bruins from running on them. A lot of good guard play, but both playmakers and point guards in Eric Maynor and Darren Collison will have the focus on good, quality possessions. With that, the under is the play in this first round game.
Vegas Sports Informer
Take Akron (+12.5) over Gonzaga
I can't see Gonzaga losing this game but winning by double-digits could be a problem for the Bulldogs. Akron is a tough team to beat and hasn't lost a game by double-digits since Jan. 10 in overtime against Miami, Ohio. Gonzaga is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games and the MAC representatives are notoriously tough outs in the NCAA Tournament.
Bob Balfe
Morgan State +16.5 over Oklahoma
Oklahoma is not playing their best ball even with a healthy Griffin in the lineup. The Sooner Guards are not playing their best and the team is turning the ball over more than average. Oklahoma is a bigger and superior team, but Morgan State has a big win at Maryland this year under their belts and are used to playing on the road. Morgan State plays good defense and has a good coach in Todd Bozeman. This team has the experience to pull a major upset. Take Morgan State +16.5 and if you are feeling really lucky take the Moneyline. A $100 bet would win you $1240! Its worth a shot!
Wunderdog
Cal State Northridge vs. Memphis
Pick: UNDER 131.5
The Memphis Tigers came within a few points of winning a national championship last year, dropping a heartbreaker in overtime at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks. That Tigers team saw Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas Roberts and Derrick Rose all either use up eligibility, or declare for the draft. Those three players combined for 46 of the 68 points scored in the championship game - 67.6%! They also dished out 12 of the team's 14 assists. How in the world are they back again, as a #2 seed and strong candidate for another Final 4? John Calipari doesn't rebuild at Memphis, he reloads. And he has another freshman sensation in Tyreke Evans, who in his first year leads Memphis in scoring. Shawn Taggert and Antonio Anderson emerged as double-digit scorers, and Robert Dozier elevated his game. The result? Memphis hasn't skipped a beat in terms of wins and losses. But, the offense isn't nearly as good. It's about defense as this team defends as good as anyone in the country. How good? They gave up 43 ppg in the three games in the C-USA Championship round. They have allowed an average of 48.5 ppg in their last 12 overall. Last year's team put up 80+ in 19 games. Meanwhile this year in the last 13 games, Memphis has reached 80 just once. CS Northridge at 17-13 is fortunate to be here. They were 6-10 to start the season and finished 11-3 to make their way into the tournament. They have done it with defense, as those 14 games down the stretch saw teams average just 65 ppg against them and no team touched them off for 80+. If Memphis with their superior athleticism and tenacious defense holds them to 50 or less like they have with just about everyone, this total of 130+ would require a lot from the Tigers offense. Memphis would have to go over 80 to push it over, something they have done just once in their last 13 games. And, this is something Northridge hasn't allowed happen in their last 14 games. Too many things have to happen in an unexpected way to push this one OVER the total and my play here is on the UNDER, which has also prevailed in 11 of Memphis' last 12 games.
Dwayne Bryant
Rhode Island +1 vs Penn St.
Penn State is listed as a #1 seed, they're from the stronger conference, playing at home with same-season revenge (Rhode Island won at Penn State back in November), and yet they're favored by just a single point.I like the way the Rams match up with PSU and I do not think that Rhode Island's November win at the Bryce Jordan Center was a fluke. The Rams own edges in points per game, FG %, free throw %, and rebounding.The Rams are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games, and 18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 non-conference games. Rhode Island is also 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
I'll take Rhode Island in this one
Greg Shaker
LSU -1.5 vs Butler
I have been waiting for this line to drop to this level and it is time to pull the trigger. Butler is everyone's pick today because they are Butler, and the LSU Tigers play in the weak SEC. The Tigers also did not finish strong this year, and that lends people to believe that maybe they are not up to snuff for this tourney game. The most interesting thing about today's contest is the fact that even though the Tigers are the slight favorite to win, nobody is giving them a chance. That has a way to motivate teams and especially one that has had the kind of season LSU has had. You are not going to convince me that the Horizon League is as strong as the SEC. The Bulldogs have played very well, but this is The Big Dance, and they find themselves in a peculiar situation of being the squad that is supposed to win. While the Bulldogs have good interior play, the Tigers do as well and the rebound edge is with us. The Tigers do not turn the ball over very much but they do force TO's. LSU coasted toward the end of their campaign but they will be ready today and they will not take the Bulldogs lightly as many have done in the past.
Matt Fargo
Michigan vs. Clemson
Play: Michigan +5
Clemson started the season 16-0 and expectations grew once again only to see the Tigers tumble again. They went 7-8 in their last 15 games including a first round loss in the ACC Tournament against lowly Georgia Tech. This is nothing new. Last season, Clemson started the season 10-0 and 12-1 only to finish 12-9 in their final 21 games including a first round NCAA tournament exit against Villanova. Two years ago, Clemson started the season 17-0 only to finish 4-9 in its final 13 regular season games then lost in the first round of the ACC Tournament and had to settle for an NIT invitation. Want more history? Three years ago, it was an 11-0 start and a 7-11 finish along with a first round ACC Tournament loss and another NIT bid. This tells us two things. First, the non-conference schedules have been a joke and those cupcake wins do nothing in preparation for the ACC. This year’s non-conference schedule was ranked 260th in the nation. Second, the coaching is a real issue. Oliver Purnell has put a good resume together in his six years at Clemson but he has yet to get the Tigers over the hump. Last year was a classic example as he led them to their first NCAA Tournament in nine years only for them to bow out after one game. With the athletes this team has, they should be a lot better. Michigan built a very good resume in the non-conference season as it defeated UCLA and Duke. A 3-1 start in the Big Ten turned some heads but a 2-7 run ensued and it looked as though the 11-year NCAA Tournament drought would continue. The Wolverines finished strong however as they went 4-2 in their final six regular season games before splitting in the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan’s success or lack thereof comes down to making shots. If the shots are falling, the Wolverines can beat anyone but if they are not going down, winning becomes more difficult. As with any John Beilein coached team, Michigan takes care of the ball as it has a 1.38 assist/turnover ratio which is ninth best in the nation. It is also shooting 75.5 percent from the charity stripe which is 14th in the country. Those are two of the bigger statistical categories to look at come tournament time and the Wolverines have advantages in both in this matchup. They also have an edge in overall efficiency and that is pretty big considering they are the underdog. Back to the coaching, Beilein is spectacular. He is the 7th head coach all-time to bring four different teams into the NCAA Tournament. I will take him over Purnell with four days to prepare any day of the week. If the perimeter shots are falling at just an average clip, the Wolverines have a great shot at the upset. 3* Michigan Wolverines
Charlie Scott
Butler vs. LSU
Play: LSU -1.5
The LSU Tigers are a older group of players, with 4 starters back from last season, that are long, quick, and athletic. While they have a future NBA Player in Thorton, what impresses me the most about LSU is their defense and how they not only defend every shot, but deny the pass as well. Butler on the other hand is a good team, but is not the Butler team the general public thinks it is. Butler lost 4 starters off last Year's team that made a run last March, and is a young team. Butler hasn't played a team that defends as well as LSU all season and I expect LSU to take advantage of the mismatches on the court.
Bryan Leonard
Mississippi State & Washington
The Huskies have a distinct site advantage by playing this game in Portland, Oregon. They along with Gonzaga should own the majority of the fans and that semi home court edge could be a big bonus. Many pundits have talked about the PAC 10 being down this year but in reality this is a conference with only two teams not ranked in the Top 50. Sure there may not be a dominant team like a typical UCLA squad but the day to day struggles of competing in this conference is especially daunting. The Huskies bring a 25-8 record into play today and all eight defeats came against teams playing in the postseason. The last five against teams in the NCAA Tournament. That tells us that this club doesn't take games off, they give a complete effort against everyone they play and that kind of play can go a long way in not only winning today but doing so by a margin. Washington is known to have an excellent offense but this run and gun club ranks 11th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency. They pound the offensive boards and get to the line. This is a well coached team that does everything right. By losing in the second round of the PAC 10 Tournament they are not only rested but hungry to get that losing taste out of their mouths. And it should be noted that the Huskies haven't lost back to back games since facing Kansas and Florida way back in November.
Mississippi State is 23-13 on the season after winning the SEC Tournament. Even with that surprise victory this conference has just three teams making the Big Dance. That tells you all you need to know about the strength of the SEC which was very much down this year. Even tourney given Kentucky was left out in the cold. The Bulldogs simply do not belong in this tournament but a late season hot streak saved their season. With home losses to San Diego and Mississippi and road or neutral site loses to Texas Tech, Charlotte, Cincinnati and Alabama the Bulldogs are in over their head here. And the location can't be any worse for this southern team to travel as far to the northwest as possible. Mississippi State's strength is defending inside but the pace of this game will negate that advantage. Washington wants to get out and run and that should really frustrate this underdog.
PLAY WASHINGTON
Big Al Mcmordie
Rhode Island at Penn State
Prediction: Penn State
At 7 pm, our member selection is on the Penn State Nittany Lions over Rhode Island. On Tuesday, we cashed our NIT play on "Rhodie" +4 over Niagara, but we'll go against Jim Baron's Rams tonight. These two teams met earlier this season, and Rhode Island came away with a hard-fought victory. But you know what they say about paybacks! And in the post-season Tourneys, teams playing with revenge have been doing quite well of late -- and especially if both teams check in off a win. PSU is also 9-1 ATS at home off a home win, and we'll back the Nitts tonight.
Lenny Del Genio
Virginia Commonwealth at UCLA
Prediction: UCLA
In all due respect to the World Wide Leader, any time Jay Mariotti goes one way, were going the other direction. This particular 6 vs. 11 matchup has become a trendy tournament upset pick of both experts and college basketball novices, and it?s easy to see why. We were personally on VCU when the Rams (as an 11 seed) upset Duke in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. That was a special year for the CAA as fellow league member George Mason became the lowest seeded team ever to advance to a Final Four. However, even with star guard Eric Maynor two years wiser, we cannot back the Commonwealth this time around. UCLA HC Ben Howland is too good a coach to allow his Bruins to falter here. Besides, it seems as if every year, the trendy upset pick falls flat on its face (Oklahoma vs. St. Joe?s last year). Also, VCU is 0-6 against the spread over the last three season off consecutive covers as a favorite. UCLA was playing well before its outright loss to rival USC in the Pac 10 Tournament, as they had won and covered five straight games prior. Maynor will also have to contend with Bruins PG Collison, who will give him all he can handle as opposed to the weak competition he faced in the CAA during the regular season. He also has less depth and a less athletic front court than the team that almost went to the Sweet 16 two years ago. The F Larry Sanders you keep hearing about is overrated. Take UCLA
Dennis Macklin
Anaheim Ducks at Phoenix Coyotes
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks
Both teams are struggling mightily with the Ducks just 2-4 in L6 and the Coyotes 2-8 in L10. With little to recommend in the way of current form or techs, we look at the head-to-head where we find the Ducks enjoying a 4-1 edge over the L5 by a 16-9 aggregate. The Ducks have won last three trips to this venue including a 7-3 demolition on January 27th. The Desert Dogs have semingly mailed it in so we'll take the visting Ducks in this pick 'em.