I always like a ton of games, but I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 for round 1.

favorite play: Wake Forest +4.5 vs Texas (Thursday) Winna!

Texas has lost their top 2 point guards to season ending injuries and have struggled ever since. Good guard play wins in the NCAA’s and Wake has a big advantage here. Wake also has an NBA first round talent in Amini who will give Texas’s front line fits. Wake will win outright.

Michigan St -13 vs New Mexico St (Friday)

All Izzo does in the tournament is win. I believe he is unbeaten in NCAA round 1 games. New Mexico St plays no defense so I expect Michigan St to score at least 90. I don’t see the Spartans allowing more than 75 to anyone, especially NMSt, so I like the Spartans to cover this big line.

Marquette/Washington over 143 (Thursday) Winna!

Both teams love to run and push the pace. Neither are great defensively, but both teams can shoot and put up a lot of points. It will be a fun game to watch and as much as I like Marquette in this one, the safer play is to take the over.

Texas A&M -3 vs Utah St (Friday)

In a battle of Aggies vs Aggies, I feel the big school is going to push around the little school. Utah St has an impressive record, but they haven’t beaten anyone. Texas A&M is a talented team who finished the season strong. They won easily against Texas and OK St (both in the tournament) and had close losses on the road against Baylor and Kansas. Donald Sloan (A&M) has plenty of tournament experience and is a great scorer. A&M will win by double digits

San Diego St +3 vs Tennessee (Thursday) Push

I’m surprised this line is as low as it is since the public seems to love Tennessee to make a run in the tournament. San Diego St is a balanced and athletic team whose strength (rebounding) is one of Tennessee’s weaknesses. Bruce Pearl’s teams are always undisciplined and he’s not a good x’s and o’s coach. Steve Fischer has won in the NCAA’s before and his team won’t be intimidated by the spotlight. I expected SDSU to win outright.

Record:2-0-1

A split decision yesterday as the underdogs prevailed once again. Looks like we’ll end up with a profitable season, but not profitable enough for our liking.

Totals for 2/27/10 thru 3/14/10: 28-21-1 +4.9 units
Season: 89-80-5 +1.0 units

Richmond +4 vs Temple

It’s been a weekend for the dogs, and the Spiders will fill that role once again today. Both teams are very solid and will be in the tournament regardless. It will be a low scoring affair which will most likely be decided by the last possession.

Georgia Tech +8.5 vs Duke

Pre-Season, Georgia Tech was picked by many to contend for the ACC title. They’ve been very inconsistent thanks to Lawal getting into foul trouble and young players like Rice and Favors being inconsistent. They are finally clicking on all cylinders and to me, they are of equal talent to Duke. This line is way to high thus this is my favorite play of the day.

Kentucky -7 vs Mississippi St

With four games today, you’d think at least one favorite has to win and cover. My pick is the Wildcats. They have yet to be tested in the tournament and Cousins will not be intimidated by Vernado. Vernado has a tendency to get into foul trouble and he’ll have his hands full today. Nobody has the quickness to stay with Wall and Bledsoe and when you can’t stop penetration, it’s hard to stop anyone. This one could get ugly early.

Record: 0-0

Yesterday we made back what we lost Thursday and then some. I don’t have time to type up my analysis in these games. You’ll just have to trust me.

Totals for 2/27/10 thru 3/12/10: 25-18-1 +5.2 units
Season: 86-77-5 +1.3 units

UTEP -7 vs Houston L

Illinois +8 vs Ohio St W

Vanderbilt -2 vs Mississippi St L

Akron -1 vs Ohio L

San Diego St +5 vs UNLV W

New Mexico St +9.5 vs Utah St W

Record 3-3

What a rough day yesterday. Not a good day for favorites.

Totals for 2/27/10 thru 3/12/10: 20-17-1 +1.3 units
Season: 81-76-5 -2.6 units

Virginia +17 vs Duke (11 am) W