After an abysmal Tuesday, still not fielding any questions from this day, we went 3-2 yesterday and primed for the last weekend before all of the conference tournaments kick off next week. Michigan reminded everyone they’re the best team in the country last night and clinched the B1G title. They have one more game against little brother before the B1G tournament and NCAA tournament. There are a few other marquee matchups, before conference action, let’s get into them.
(If you missed yesterday’s blog outlining some of the best conference tournaments to watch, go here: Mid-Week Observations – The Morning Flush)
College Basketball:
3/5 Dayton@VCU (-3.5):
I need to hurry, this game starts in an hour and 30 minutes from the time I am typing this paper. This is the best game in the A-10 tournament today and I believe whoever wins this game will win the A-10 tournament. I’m not 100% sold on who to pick in this game, but if I’m forced to choose, I’ll pick VCU -3.5.
CSU@Nevada(-1)
Nevada has been a frisky team and if it hadn’t been for a Pokes sweep in Laramie, they’d be looked at as a bubble team. That being said, CSU is a legitimate threat to make the tournament and as much as it pains me, I’ll take the S.O.B.s +1.
3/6 UNLV@Wyoming
Kinda bullshit we only get to play this sorry team once because I think we’d sweep them. The Pokes looked good at times against Utah State last night, but had some inexcusable moments of immaturity. At one point, Maldonado had a great steal, made an incredible move on a defender and threw it away while trying to make a no look pass. It was the epitome to our season where guys are playing outside of themselves and don’t look comfortable with what they’re doing, in short: inexperience. Ok, enough with the commentary where it seems like I know what I’m talking about, but I really don’t. I see the Pokes playing more motivated than UNLV in a game that means nothing to the standings (even if we win, our conference win percentage would be .4375 and UNLVs would be .444). Hammer the Pokes.
No.17 OK State@No.6 WVU
I love watching Big 12 basketball, but I reeaaalllly love watching West Virginia basketball. This is going to be a back-and-forth game with a late tournament feel to it. I’m going to hammer the over if we can get it around 145ish, if not I’ll take West Virginia and the points. I might take both.
LSU@MIZZOU
It feels like just yesterday when everyone was talking about Mizzou as an elite 8 dark horse, but after a couple of inexcusable losses to Ole Miss and Georgia, they are in a free fall down Joe Lunardi’s bracket. This may very well be a prequel to a conference tournament matchup next Friday. I hate both these teams (I hate that I hate LSU this year), but both defenses stink, so I’ll take the over.
No. 4 Illinois@No. 7 OSU
Illinois beat the best team in the country while the whole program was taking a victory lap to find themselves as a potential number 1 seed heading into the tourney. At some point, you expect Ohio State to stop the bleeding, they’ve lost 3 straight and have given up 70+ in 4 straight games. I’ll take Illinois, but tread lightly. They over might be the better play here and I might make a late audible on twitter (@morning_flush) Saturday morning.
No. 21 Virginia@Louisville
I honestly have no idea, I’ll take the hungry dog runs faster mentality and go with Louisville. I’d say the under is in play, but the bookmakers always set Virginia totals incredibly low.
USC@UCLA
You could be a loser and watch this game, but both teams might be trying to lose so they can play Oregon State over Stanford next Thursday. I’ll take UCLA at home.
3/7 No. 2 Michigan@Little Brother
Memphis@No. 9 Houston
Houston beat the shit out of three cupcakes after losing the number one seed in the AAC, but Memphis is red hot after winning 7 in a row and needs a win like this to put on their resume. This all comes down to what the bookmakers do, but I’m willing to bet on Memphis at the right value. Over is also in play.
Campbell@Winthrop
The Big South championship comes down to this. Winthrop is 22-1, but Campbell gave them all they could handle in December in 1 of the 2 games @Winthrop. Winthrop hasn’t been blowing out teams by any means, I like Campbell at the right value, maybe even sprinkle the moneyline.
No. 25 Wisconsin@No.5 Iowa
Wisconsin might actually be bad, I haven’t really figured them out yet. Iowa could fall to the number 4 seed, which means they’d play Ohio State instead of Wisconsin in the Quarterfinals, so this game means a lot to them. Wisconsin would also rather play Penn State or Nebraska if they win rather than Indiana if they lose. All things considered, I’ll take Iowa.
No. 18 Texas Tech@No. 3Baylor
The electric factory that is the Big 12 comes to a close on Sunday, and I can’t wait for this matchup. Baylor cemented its #1 seed with a win against West Virginia Tuesday night and Texas Tech can go from a 6 to a 5 seed (maybe 4 if TCU pulls off a miracle). I like the hungry dog runs faster mentality this weekend, hammer Tech.
THIS. IS. MARCH. Let’s goooooo!!!!! We’ll get into more on Monday. Love you guys.
The Morning Flush 