if not for butler losing on sunday, i'd be on a 8-0 run right now. :scared and i'm still pissed about that freakin' butler game. just one play tonight that i love, and i have leans in each of the other 3 games.
louisville (-3) 2 units. it feels like i've been waiting for this game for a month. i really like the cards here. these 2 teams are somewhat similar, in that both like to get up and down the court, press you, and shoot a lot of 3s. but it's the differences that set louisville apart.
1) louisville actually has interior offense. between padgett, caracter, and clark, the cards have legitimate post-up offensive options. tennessee's offense is mostly perimeter-oriented.
2) louisville plays better defense. while the vols get after you with their press, their halfcourt defense is nothing special. not the case for the cards.
3) as much as i like bruce pearl, louisville has the coaching edge.
4) strictly my opinion, but the cards played in a much tougher conference this year.
5) since the win over memphis, tennessee is 2-5-1 ATS. they should be 1-6-1, but i digress. louisville has covered 11 of their last 13.
the cardinals are playing much better basketball right now, and i believe they are the better team overall.
leans:
washington st (+9) obviously the cougars play excellent defense, but the tarheels will still get their points. and i just don't think the cougs can score enough to stay with them. BUT... quentin thomas has been playing a lot of minutes (sure, lawson could be completely healed now) and he will really struggle against washington state. that alone could be enough to keep the cougs close.
xavier (+1) i simply don't think the muskateers are getting respect. west virginia is playing good ball, but they beat an arizona team that always loses in the first round and a duke team that barely beat belmont.
ucla (-11.5) all the talk this week... ucla is vulnerable... ucla can't score... you think that might get them fired up? the public is overreacting to one game and i think the hilltoppers are going to pay for it. i'd be surprised if they break 50. and the bruins, with collison, love, and shipp can score points. kinda expect a blowout here.
louisville (-3) 2 units. it feels like i've been waiting for this game for a month. i really like the cards here. these 2 teams are somewhat similar, in that both like to get up and down the court, press you, and shoot a lot of 3s. but it's the differences that set louisville apart.
1) louisville actually has interior offense. between padgett, caracter, and clark, the cards have legitimate post-up offensive options. tennessee's offense is mostly perimeter-oriented.
2) louisville plays better defense. while the vols get after you with their press, their halfcourt defense is nothing special. not the case for the cards.
3) as much as i like bruce pearl, louisville has the coaching edge.
4) strictly my opinion, but the cards played in a much tougher conference this year.
5) since the win over memphis, tennessee is 2-5-1 ATS. they should be 1-6-1, but i digress. louisville has covered 11 of their last 13.
the cardinals are playing much better basketball right now, and i believe they are the better team overall.
leans:
washington st (+9) obviously the cougars play excellent defense, but the tarheels will still get their points. and i just don't think the cougs can score enough to stay with them. BUT... quentin thomas has been playing a lot of minutes (sure, lawson could be completely healed now) and he will really struggle against washington state. that alone could be enough to keep the cougs close.
xavier (+1) i simply don't think the muskateers are getting respect. west virginia is playing good ball, but they beat an arizona team that always loses in the first round and a duke team that barely beat belmont.
ucla (-11.5) all the talk this week... ucla is vulnerable... ucla can't score... you think that might get them fired up? the public is overreacting to one game and i think the hilltoppers are going to pay for it. i'd be surprised if they break 50. and the bruins, with collison, love, and shipp can score points. kinda expect a blowout here.
