Friday's Card (Mar 18th)

[Irish]

Iowa St (+1) over Minny WThe cyclones high pressure defense might be too much for the gophers (holding opponents below 40% from the field 26 times). They forced 17 or more turnovers in 20 games. Minny will have a tough time defending the ISU speed, but the cyclones do go through shooting droughts and Minny can capitalize. Still the cyclones are the play based on how they can control other teams with their defense.

St. Marys (+2) over So. Ill L
Hate to bet against the so. Ill team know for solid play in the tourney but Marys have the ability to shock them. IMO So. Ill does not have an answer for Daniel Kickert (6'10"), who is shooting nearly 48 percent from 3-point range. The Salukis have only two starters taller than 6-3, SO either Matt Shaw (6'7" FR) or Josh Warren (6'8"). Either way it opens up the middle and takes on of the rebounder's away for So.Ill. Where the Salukis can hurt you is forcing turnovers, they can pick your pocket with the best of them. BUT having 2 senior guards leading the ball handling should help keep the ball with the Marys.

NC St (-4.5) over Charlotte W
Hate going against Char because they can shoot the three so well, but the pack are shooting the deep ball well of late. Have to go with the hot hand.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

Ga. Tech (-5.5) over GW W
GT has the experience of playing in this and know what to expect. GW normally does not start well or they can not continue up tempo play through out the game. Look for GT to have the edge at guard and Jack (sprained ankle) and Elder to have big games, plus the jackets get Muhammad back. The yellow jackets began to play well in the ACC tourney and should continue. GW is a solid ball club, Thompson, Pinnock (huge off the pine) and Pops are their best players. The Colonials are clearly a team that is at its best when the game is played at a break-neck pace. GT can accommodate that pace but also has the ability to slow it down and run sets. Schenscher needs to pick up the intensity, he has the ability to be a force tonight. I'm sorry this tech team beat #1 seed UNC by 3 and lost to #1 seed Duke by 5, IMO they can handle GW.


Nova (-5.5) over New Mex W
Nobody on this NOVA team has ever played in an NCAA Tournament. Nova HAS to stop Granger, if they hound him then New Mexico will have trouble on offense. The Lobos head into the NCAA tournament on a 9 game winning streak. New Mexico's strength of schedule was a pitiful 316. The Lobos lack quality depth, especially in the paint. The Wildcats can cause defensive pressure with the best of them, and Jason Fraser, Curtis Sumpter, Will Sheridan should dominate the glass. Just as Granger is a match-up problem for every team, so are the players on Nova. They have the ability to hit the three and score down low. Wildcats normally have problems with teams that have solid big men and New Mexico lacks that size underneath. Granger could put this team on his back (like Kirk Snyder of Nevada's past), but IMO the Nova depth and talent is the play.

Cheers
Irish

 

[RexBudler]

gl to you Irish,

 

[Master Capper]

lets cash the Cyclones, good luck

 

[Irish]

Stanford (+2) over Miss st L

Think the Stanford boys have the deep game to keep the defense honest. Little has to be a force in the paint. Slowing the tempo down will help the trees. IMO MS has the edge in the run and gun game. Best way to stop that is grind the clock and get good shots, something Stanford can do very well. Not too much more I have to say.

small play
Cuse (-8.5) over Vermont L
IMO the zone defense will cause the catamounts problems. they have some talent but no where near the athletes to play with cuse. Warrick should have a big day if he avoids fouls. McNamara should be able to get open looks with the Vermont man to man.

Cheers
Irish

 

[gman2]

great start to the day irish. keep it up. villanova, while only at halftime, obviously looks promising. best of luck with the night games

 

[vinnie]

you must have saved some of that Irish good luck from yesterday nice day so far :clap:

 

[Irish]

Nova almost didn't finish the drink!!

small play
Wisky (-7) over N.Iowa LThe badgers have a solid team but really haven't gotten a look. N.Iowa really did not play well against tough competition so tonight they might not have the ability to stay with Wisky. What I have learned is the underdog has shown up in full force this tourney so I'm always a little leery. Still size and talent favor the badgers and therefor they get my play, should not be a run away but the badgers have the edge from the line as well!

Thanks for the good wishes gentalmen, best of luck to all of you!

Cheers
Irish

 

[Irish]

late night John Cocktoastston :mj14: pick

Delaware st (+27) over Duke W
even if Duke open up a can, IMO they will rest their starters for later games. That opens up the back door and I'm coming in and I'm bringing a pint with me!

:mj14:

Cheers
Irish