NCAA and NIT Tourney picks

[xerri]

Going to try and post all my picks for the tourneys in this thread.

Holy Cross +9 -110, 2 units
Excellent defensive team allowing just 56 ppg and 38% FG shooting on the season. Think they can match up against ND which isn't a real physical team. Holy Cross kept it close against BC earlier in the season losing by 3 and lost to a pretty decent team in the conf. tourney in Bucknell. I'll take the points and just hope ND isn't lighting it up from the 3 pt. line as I think Holy Cross will keep it close.

Oakland -6.5 -103, 3 units
I think there is good reason for a 12-18 team to be laying points against a team that was 1st in their conference. Oakland is a pretty decent team most years and their record is a little deceiving since they played 10 games against major and mid-major conferences. Alabama A&M didn't play much of anyone as their toughest opponents were a 32 pt loss to UAB, a 17 point loss to a terrible Georgia team, and a 3 point loss against Texas A&M. SWAC is a very weak conference and have a feeling Oakland wins by 10+ here.

 

[xerri]

Boston U +8.5 -105, 2 units
See this game as being much like the Holy Cross/ND game. Boston is normally a pretty decent small conference team and they held their own vs. BC earlier this year losing by 6. They play solid defense allowing 55 ppg and opponents are shooting just 37%. Georgetown didn't play well down the stretch losing 5 of 6 and I could see Boston pulling off the upset so will take the points in this matchup.

Oral Roberts +10 -103, 3 units
Think Maryland could care less about playing in the NIT. Oral Roberts has played well against the bigger conferences beating Tulsa, St. Louis, and Georgetown while losing by 1 to Hawaii and Indiana and by 7 at UAB. Oral Roberts can score on the inside and outside as Green shoots 56% from the field in the frontcourt with 19 ppg and the team shoots 40% from 3 pt range. ORU puts up 77 ppg and Maryland isn't a very good defensive team so I think they will put up their share. Maryland may be a little short on depth as well as Gilchrist and Gist are both questionable so I like ORU to keep it under the number.

 

[gman2]

great work on tuesday xerri. i have to admit, the oral roberts game stood out as a play as soon as the matchups were announced for the nit tourney. think were lookin at a very close game and a very uninspired maryland effort. best of luck. im with you on roberts.

 

[xerri]

Texas -1 -103, 2 units
While Fazekas is a very good player, I'm not sold on the rest of the Nevada team, especially their guards. None of their guards are shooting over 28% from the 3 pt line or over 70% from the FT line. Nevada didn't beat a top 25 team all year losing by 33 to Kansas and by 3 at home against Pacific. Texas has more size and athleticism than Fazekas is used to facing in his conference so I think they will be able to slow him down and I don't think the rest of the team can beat them offensively. Like the Horns to get the win here by 5 to 7 points.

Wisconsin Milwaukee +5 -107, 2 units
The 5/12 matchup normally produces a few upsets and think UWM is capable of winning this one. Panthers' have strong guard play and are capable of knocking down some 3's so like their chances at pulling off the upset.

Niagara +12 -109, 2 units
Niagara capable of putting up a lot of points as they avg. 85 ppg while making a high percent of their 3's and FT's. They also get to the line a lot and get 14 offensive boards per game so like them to keep this game under double digits.

Cincy -3.5 -102, 3 units
Think Iowa's depth will really be tested here against an athletic and deep Cincy team. Brunner and Hansen are foul prone and I think they will have trouble with Maxiell and Hicks in the paint who are a lot quicker and more athletic. Cincy allowing opponents to shoot just 37% on the season and I think they will be able to force at least 15-20 turnovers as well. Like Cincy to win by around 10 in this matchup.

 

[xerri]

adding

Creighton +1 -102, 3 units
UAB +3.5 -103, 2 units
Texas Tech -3.5 -102, 2 units

 

[xerri]

adding
Illinois 2H under 74.5 -110, 2 units
Don't think FD will score much over 25 in the 2H. Ended up playing FD +15 for the 1st half and after watching them I felt fortunate to get the cover. If Illinois clamps down on Klaiber this team doesn't have much scoring. Think Illinois may end up winning this one by 20.

 

[xerri]

Friday plays

NC Charlotte +4 -105, 2 units
St. Mary's +2.5 -108, 2 units
UL Lafayette +11.5 -106, 2 units
Bucknell +13.5 -107, 2 units
New Mexico +6 -108, 2 units

 

[xerri]

adding another unit to Bucknell for 3 total

adding
MSU -7.5 -111, 2 units
Stanford +2 -101, 2 units
Bucknell under 125 -105, 2 units

 

[xerri]

Saturday Plays

Arizona -7 -105, 2 units
Wisc Milw +2.5 -101, 3 units
Washington -6.5 -108, 3 units
OU -4.5 -111, 2 units

 

[xerri]

adding
Zags -2 -105, 2 units

 

[xerri]

Cincy +2 -101 2nd half, 2 units
Played them +2.5 but didn't have time to post. Like them to win this one outright so adding a little more at the half. Got off to a slow start but looks like they've settled down now.

 

[xerri]

WF under 78.5 -115 2nd half, 2 units

 

[xerri]

NC St +.5 -112 2nd half, 3 units

 

[xerri]

NC -15.5 -102, 2 units
SIU +8 -106, 3 units
GT/Louisville under 143.5 -110, 2 units
Florida pk -109, 2 units