This is a very unusual day for me because I'm backing most of the favorites. I've included a short write-up on each game I'm playing:
WAKE FOREST -7
Many bettors will be on upstart Manhattan on this game. Most of us had Manhattan getting the points versus a very soft Florida team and on the surface, this looks to be another "winnable" game where the points look like a nice bonus. However, there is a strong angle in the second round of NCAA game to bet on team that won, but failed to cover in the first round. Almost always, these team underperformed and will not be as flat in the second game, as the first. VCU probably should have defeated Wake Forest in that game, but now that it's over, look for one of the ACCs top teams to get back on track with a win. Manhattan is a nice story, and a "sexy" pick for all the brackett bimbos, but talent and expereince will be the difference here. This is a reasonable number to lay. I particularly like laying anything about 8-9 or less,because is WF is up late in the 5-6 range, the foul fest begins and the favorite often runs up another few points to get the cover. It's much easier to overcome a line like this than something in the 9-10 range.
MARYLAND -1
I was so unimpressed with Maryland's effort in that first game, I swore I would not back them again. Talk about an uninspired second half performance! However, Gary Williams is too good a coach to let that happen twice in a row. The Terps enjoy some key inside advantages over the Orangemen and I look for Maryland to play a much better game this time, versus a team that will not be taken lightly. Another play that fits the BET ON TEAM THAT WON BUT DID NOT COVER IN FIRST ROUND ANGLE.
STANFORD -7
Alabama flat out stinks. This team blew a 10-point lead versus So. Ill and now stumbles into the second round with something like a 17-11 record -- one of the worst in the tournament. The SEC is notoriously weak this year, and now the Tide must face a team that was undefeated up until a few weeks ago. I have some nagging suspicions about the Cardinal as to whether they are really an elite team, but this looks like a very reasonable number to lay here against an outmatched opponent.
CONNECTICUTT -10
The Huskies underperformed in the first game, and are picked by some to go all the way in this tournament. This is more of an AGAINST Depaul pick, which looked totally exhausted after the first round win, a double overtime vistory versus Dayton. Depaul was down most of that game and the final score was very misleading. The Blue Demons are a fraud and will be exposed here versus a class team. Largest bet of the day on the Huskies.
-- Nolan Dalla
WAKE FOREST -7
Many bettors will be on upstart Manhattan on this game. Most of us had Manhattan getting the points versus a very soft Florida team and on the surface, this looks to be another "winnable" game where the points look like a nice bonus. However, there is a strong angle in the second round of NCAA game to bet on team that won, but failed to cover in the first round. Almost always, these team underperformed and will not be as flat in the second game, as the first. VCU probably should have defeated Wake Forest in that game, but now that it's over, look for one of the ACCs top teams to get back on track with a win. Manhattan is a nice story, and a "sexy" pick for all the brackett bimbos, but talent and expereince will be the difference here. This is a reasonable number to lay. I particularly like laying anything about 8-9 or less,because is WF is up late in the 5-6 range, the foul fest begins and the favorite often runs up another few points to get the cover. It's much easier to overcome a line like this than something in the 9-10 range.
MARYLAND -1
I was so unimpressed with Maryland's effort in that first game, I swore I would not back them again. Talk about an uninspired second half performance! However, Gary Williams is too good a coach to let that happen twice in a row. The Terps enjoy some key inside advantages over the Orangemen and I look for Maryland to play a much better game this time, versus a team that will not be taken lightly. Another play that fits the BET ON TEAM THAT WON BUT DID NOT COVER IN FIRST ROUND ANGLE.
STANFORD -7
Alabama flat out stinks. This team blew a 10-point lead versus So. Ill and now stumbles into the second round with something like a 17-11 record -- one of the worst in the tournament. The SEC is notoriously weak this year, and now the Tide must face a team that was undefeated up until a few weeks ago. I have some nagging suspicions about the Cardinal as to whether they are really an elite team, but this looks like a very reasonable number to lay here against an outmatched opponent.
CONNECTICUTT -10
The Huskies underperformed in the first game, and are picked by some to go all the way in this tournament. This is more of an AGAINST Depaul pick, which looked totally exhausted after the first round win, a double overtime vistory versus Dayton. Depaul was down most of that game and the final score was very misleading. The Blue Demons are a fraud and will be exposed here versus a class team. Largest bet of the day on the Huskies.
-- Nolan Dalla
