For the record, I am doing this just for fun - for the love of the game!
Off the record, who knows, so wish me luck. Thanks!
Record: 8-12
Friday, 3/20/15. First Round:
(2) Kansas -9.5 vs (15) New Mexico State, 12:15PM, Omaha, NE, CBS
The Big 12 had it pretty rough yesterday. Kansas is different, though. After a poor tournament last year, expect the Jayhawks to be focused today.
(10) Georgia +7 vs (7) Michigan State, 12:40PM, Charlotte, NC, TRU
Funny that Michigan State, known for defense, has actually been a better offensive team than defensive. Georgia is the more gritty defensive team this year, so the score should be low and close.
(12) Wyoming +6 vs (5) Northern Iowa, 1:40PM, Seattle, WA, TBS
This will be another low scoring game, as both teams take their time on offense, to say the least. I'm high on UNI, but Wyoming is just as experienced and has been playing well of late. Look for another close one.
(12) Buffalo +4.5 vs (5) West Virginia, 2:10PM, Columbus, OH, TNT
I've been calling for this upset since the bracket came out, so I'm not stopping here. The Bulls are underrated and have played well versus tougher teams than West Virginia. I've never truly been sold on the Mountaineers this season.
(10) Indiana +6 vs (7) Wichita State, 2:45PM, Omaha, NE, CBS
This is one of the more intriguing match-ups of the first round. Indiana is reliant on the 3-point shot, but their threes will likely be contested today. Wichita State is solid on both ends of the floor, but I see this coming down to a play or two at the end.
(15) Belmont +17 vs (2) Virginia, 3:10PM, Charlotte, NC, TRU
On paper, the Bruins are a scary 15 seed, because of their history and their shooting prowess. Belmont shoots and hits a lot of threes, so a hot performance could keep them in this game. The flip side is, UVA is the best defensive team in the country and good enough offensively to exploit Belmont's defensive weaknesses.
(4) Louisville -8 vs (13) UC Irvine, 4:10PM, Seattle, WA, TBS
Louisville has struggled to live up to expectations this year, primarily because they can't shoot. Their defense has never been a problem. I don't see the Anteaters putting many points on the board.
(13) Valparaiso +5.5 vs (4) Maryland, 4:40PM, Columbus, OH, TNT
This is a close game/upset waiting to happen, unless Dez Wells and Melo Trimble can find a way to take over the game.
(9) Oklahoma State +3 vs (8) Oregon, 6:50PM, Omaha, NE, TBS
The Cowboys are the more well-rounded team and should benefit from playing a team outside of the Big 12 for the first time in a long time. Plus, the Big 12 needs some good news today.
(1) Duke -22.5 vs (16) Robert Morris, 7:10PM, Charlotte, NC, CBS
I have been impressed with Bobby Mo in their last three games, particularly with their leading scorer, Lucky Jones. But, when Duke puts its mind to it, they can be lethal. I see one of those performances tonight.
(10) Davidson +2 vs (7) Iowa, 7:20PM, Seattle, WA, TNT
This will be another good one. Davidson is one of the better offensive teams in the country, as well as fun to watch. Iowa is solid on both sides of the ball, but has been wildly inconsistent this year. Look for the Wildcats to drain a lot of threes to make up for the size differential.
(3) Oklahoma -13.5 vs (14) Albany, 7:27PM, Columbus, OH, TRU
The Sooners are one of my sleeper picks to get to the Final Four. I don't see Albany being too big of a roadblock.
(1) Wisconsin -20.5 vs (16) Coastal Carolina, 9:20PM, Omaha, NE, TBS
The Badgers have been quite rude to lesser competition all season. The Chanticleers are in for a long night.
(9) St. John's +4 vs (8) San Diego State, 9:40PM, Charlotte, NC, CBS
This will be a grind. SDSU is one of the best defensive teams in the country, while the Johnnies aren't too shabby either. St. John's will miss big man Chris Obekpa, but only on defense. Their guards should at least keep them in the game.
(2) Gonzaga -18 vs (15) North Dakota State, 9:50PM, Seattle, WA, TNT
Look for the Zags to make a statement to their NCAA Tournament non-believers.
(6) Providence -3 vs (11) Dayton, 9:57PM, Columbus, OH, TRU
Dayton is one of those teams that you must finish off and kill because they won't kill themselves. So, it won't be easy for the Friars, but Dunn, Henton & company have shown to be hungry late in the season. Look for Providence to survive a knock-down, drag-out affair.
Twitter: @Blacketologist
The Big 12 had it pretty rough yesterday. Kansas is different, though. After a poor tournament last year, expect the Jayhawks to be focused today.
(10) Georgia +7 vs (7) Michigan State, 12:40PM, Charlotte, NC, TRU
Funny that Michigan State, known for defense, has actually been a better offensive team than defensive. Georgia is the more gritty defensive team this year, so the score should be low and close.
(12) Wyoming +6 vs (5) Northern Iowa, 1:40PM, Seattle, WA, TBS
This will be another low scoring game, as both teams take their time on offense, to say the least. I'm high on UNI, but Wyoming is just as experienced and has been playing well of late. Look for another close one.
(12) Buffalo +4.5 vs (5) West Virginia, 2:10PM, Columbus, OH, TNT
I've been calling for this upset since the bracket came out, so I'm not stopping here. The Bulls are underrated and have played well versus tougher teams than West Virginia. I've never truly been sold on the Mountaineers this season.
(10) Indiana +6 vs (7) Wichita State, 2:45PM, Omaha, NE, CBS
This is one of the more intriguing match-ups of the first round. Indiana is reliant on the 3-point shot, but their threes will likely be contested today. Wichita State is solid on both ends of the floor, but I see this coming down to a play or two at the end.
(15) Belmont +17 vs (2) Virginia, 3:10PM, Charlotte, NC, TRU
On paper, the Bruins are a scary 15 seed, because of their history and their shooting prowess. Belmont shoots and hits a lot of threes, so a hot performance could keep them in this game. The flip side is, UVA is the best defensive team in the country and good enough offensively to exploit Belmont's defensive weaknesses.
(4) Louisville -8 vs (13) UC Irvine, 4:10PM, Seattle, WA, TBS
Louisville has struggled to live up to expectations this year, primarily because they can't shoot. Their defense has never been a problem. I don't see the Anteaters putting many points on the board.
(13) Valparaiso +5.5 vs (4) Maryland, 4:40PM, Columbus, OH, TNT
This is a close game/upset waiting to happen, unless Dez Wells and Melo Trimble can find a way to take over the game.
(9) Oklahoma State +3 vs (8) Oregon, 6:50PM, Omaha, NE, TBS
The Cowboys are the more well-rounded team and should benefit from playing a team outside of the Big 12 for the first time in a long time. Plus, the Big 12 needs some good news today.
(1) Duke -22.5 vs (16) Robert Morris, 7:10PM, Charlotte, NC, CBS
I have been impressed with Bobby Mo in their last three games, particularly with their leading scorer, Lucky Jones. But, when Duke puts its mind to it, they can be lethal. I see one of those performances tonight.
(10) Davidson +2 vs (7) Iowa, 7:20PM, Seattle, WA, TNT
This will be another good one. Davidson is one of the better offensive teams in the country, as well as fun to watch. Iowa is solid on both sides of the ball, but has been wildly inconsistent this year. Look for the Wildcats to drain a lot of threes to make up for the size differential.
(3) Oklahoma -13.5 vs (14) Albany, 7:27PM, Columbus, OH, TRU
The Sooners are one of my sleeper picks to get to the Final Four. I don't see Albany being too big of a roadblock.
(1) Wisconsin -20.5 vs (16) Coastal Carolina, 9:20PM, Omaha, NE, TBS
The Badgers have been quite rude to lesser competition all season. The Chanticleers are in for a long night.
(9) St. John's +4 vs (8) San Diego State, 9:40PM, Charlotte, NC, CBS
This will be a grind. SDSU is one of the best defensive teams in the country, while the Johnnies aren't too shabby either. St. John's will miss big man Chris Obekpa, but only on defense. Their guards should at least keep them in the game.
(2) Gonzaga -18 vs (15) North Dakota State, 9:50PM, Seattle, WA, TNT
Look for the Zags to make a statement to their NCAA Tournament non-believers.
(6) Providence -3 vs (11) Dayton, 9:57PM, Columbus, OH, TRU
Dayton is one of those teams that you must finish off and kill because they won't kill themselves. So, it won't be easy for the Friars, but Dunn, Henton & company have shown to be hungry late in the season. Look for Providence to survive a knock-down, drag-out affair.
Twitter: @Blacketologist
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