put an end to a rather nasty downward trend with the first 2 rounds. my history though... do well the first weekend of the tourney, then crap the bed. so feel free to fade away.
texas a&m (-3.5) 2 units. very simple - memphis has not faced this good of a team (especially defensively) all season. they are not battle tested. who is the best team they beat all season? kentucky? a&m knows how to win close games. i look for the aggies to wear 'em down and pull out a solid win in the second half.
tennessee (+5) 2 units. great matchup for the vols. first of all, i am not sold on ohio state as being a great team. they were lucky as heck to beat xavier. the vols can match the buckeyes 3-pointer for 3-pointer. and oden is still not a scoring threat, other than an ocassional put-back. if this game is close at the end, who is the one player on the court who you want to have the ball in his hands? chris lofton, no question about it.
southern ill (+9) 1 unit. really like the salukis here, and would not be shocked by an upset. the way to beat these jayhawks is get them in a halfcourt game. well, this is going to be a halfcourt game. these salukis are not intimidated by anybody. in fact, they are probably chomping at the bit to shut down this mighty kansas offense. get the jayhawks in a halfcourt game... make them focus on defense for 30 seconds... pull off huge upset. my concern is obvious: if the jayhawks do set the tempo, they will win this by 30.
texas a&m (-3.5) 2 units. very simple - memphis has not faced this good of a team (especially defensively) all season. they are not battle tested. who is the best team they beat all season? kentucky? a&m knows how to win close games. i look for the aggies to wear 'em down and pull out a solid win in the second half.
tennessee (+5) 2 units. great matchup for the vols. first of all, i am not sold on ohio state as being a great team. they were lucky as heck to beat xavier. the vols can match the buckeyes 3-pointer for 3-pointer. and oden is still not a scoring threat, other than an ocassional put-back. if this game is close at the end, who is the one player on the court who you want to have the ball in his hands? chris lofton, no question about it.
southern ill (+9) 1 unit. really like the salukis here, and would not be shocked by an upset. the way to beat these jayhawks is get them in a halfcourt game. well, this is going to be a halfcourt game. these salukis are not intimidated by anybody. in fact, they are probably chomping at the bit to shut down this mighty kansas offense. get the jayhawks in a halfcourt game... make them focus on defense for 30 seconds... pull off huge upset. my concern is obvious: if the jayhawks do set the tempo, they will win this by 30.
