What a Semi-Final Saturday. There are going to be a lot of really good, deserving mid-majors who will be disappointed today because the Oregon State Beavers won the PAC-12…WHAT?!?! I’m standing by my take, any team who loses to Oregon State doesn’t deserve to go to the big dance, so I’m sorry PAC-12, but you are a 1-bid league in my personal record book. Wyoming beat Oregon State in Corvallis in December, so through the transitive property that makes us PAC-12 champions right? In other news, Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas are back and won the wackiest, deepest conference I’ve ever seen. Shaka Smart’s hair took him from the hot seat before the season to a cool throne after winning the Big12 championship. And Michigan might’ve lost or something…doesn’t matter, we’re still winning it all. Let’s preview the 5 remaining finals before the selection committee rips some hearts out.
Loyola (MD) vs Colgate (-9.5) (147)
I love mid-major conferences, but even I have no idea what to do with this game. Loyola Chicago is really good, and I can’t fathom a tournament with two Loyola teams, so let’s roll with the toothpaste -9.5.
VCU vs St. Bonaventure (-2.5) (128)
It cracks me up how some of these leagues are putting their finals on Selection Sunday to try to get as much exposure as possible for their bubble teams. The Semifinals for the A10 were played over a week ago! These two teams split their regular season meetings, but I like the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in this one. They won 5 of their last 6 and beat the bricks off a St. Louis team that desperately needed a win on the bubble. VCU backed their way into the tournament after losing 2 of their last three, but did have two wins against quality teams in Dayton and Davidson. I still like the Bonnies to win comfortably.
LSU vs No. 6 Alabama (-5.5) (158)
Geaux Tigers. LSU beating Arkansas might’ve been my personal biggest surprise of the day yesterday. I thought the Hogs were by far the most consistent team in the SEC, but a team that relies on the three as much as them are bound to run into a cold day. I still don’t trust Alabama, but they have dominated the Tigers this year, beatin’ the piss out of them for a combined 48 points. Take Alabama -5.5. Look for both of these teams to be overseeded and out of the tournament by the second weekend.
Cincinnati vs No. 7 Houston (-13) (136)
Cincinnati is an awesome story. I’m bummed for the Shockers and Memphis, I believe they are both tournament-worthy, but Cincinnati has a team of destiny feel. One of their starting guards, David DeJulius, opted out in late February for going through some mental issues brought on by the pandemic. He was a starter who averaged 9.5 points per game before opting out, but he opted back in right before the American Conference Tourney. In their win against Wichita State, DeJulius received quality minutes and scored 7 after Cincinnati’s star senior guard, Keith Williams, exited the game with an injury 17 minutes into the game. I’m 1-1 in “team of destiny” games, and Cincinnati will need Williams back to have a shot, but I’m taking the Bearcats +13 if he’s healthy.
No. 9 Ohio State vs No. 3 Illinois(-5.5) (150.5)
This hurt me to type this matchup out. Illinois is playing on a completely different level than anyone else and might be the true number one seed going into the tournament. Ohio State is finally learning to close out games, but I don’t know if it’ll be that close. I love the Illini at -5.5.
Credit to me for not bringing up by 6-1 record on Friday, but after going 5-2 yesterday, you’d be a stooge to continue to fade me. 11-3 on the weekend and 15-6 since Thursday? Ya boi is hawt. Love you, bye.
The Morning Flush 