Tonight the Duke Blue Devils will face the Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA National Championship game in Indianapolis, Indiana. This anticipated confrontation has already been labeled as the second match up between the famed David and Goliath. In this case David is represented by the Butler team who began the regular season ranked #11 in the polls. Butler is a small private school with a big heart and plenty of enthusiasm.
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Goliath of course is represented by the Duke Blue Devils, the only #1 seed to make it to the Championship Game. Duke themselves were underestimated this season but managed to work their way through the tournament in pursuit of their 4th National title. Butler is seeking their first.
Going in tonight’s Big Dance finally Duke is favored by 7.5. When you size these two teams up you can’t help but draw the conclusion that the Blue Devils have the advantage. Duke is just too big. The 7′1 Brian Zoubek will control the boards and Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith will offer plenty of offense. The Bulldogs are led by Gordon Hayward but Kyle Singler of Duke is every bit his equal when he is on his game. The Blue Devils just have to much size and too much bench for Butler.
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Butler does have an aggressive defense that has held its opponents to under 55 points a game. They will have to do that tonight to have any chance against Duke. Duke is favored tonight but they were not everyone’s first pick to make it too the title game. The fans choice is more likely to be the Bulldogs who have worked hard to get to this game and have earned a legion of support a long the way. There have been quite a few upsets through out this NCAA tournament. Butler is playing with a lot of determination but Duke had developed chemistry that will not be subdued. Duke will be the 2010 National Champions. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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It seems like only yesterday that we were talking about the Big Dance starting up and already we are preparing for the Final Four showdown on Saturday. Out of the four #1 seeds that entered the tournament; only one made it all the way to the final four and that is the Duke Blue Devils. For some that may be surprising but when you consider that this is Dukes 16th final four appearance; maybe not.
Duke has won the National Championship a total of 3 times. They won it last in 2001. Coach K of Duke has proven once again that he one of the best coaches in the history of the game. At times it seemed like the Blue Devils had an abundance of heart but talent that didn’t quite match up. Looks can be deceiving. Duke will play the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday for a shot at their 4th national championship. West Virginia is bigger and most would agree; more talented but will that win it for them. Many felt that Baylor would out play Duke as well and we all know how that turned out. Duke is favored by 2.5 and will win this one and move on to Monday nights final game.
Two #5 seeds clash early on Saturday when the Butler Bulldogs take on the Michigan State Spartans. Michigan State settled for runner up last year and have reached the final 4 in 8 of the last 16 years. They are the real deal. Butler on the other hand is the Cinderella team of the tournament. Butler is favored by 1 point and have looked incredible and have pulled out some tough games. Although this is the case I have to go with the tournament experience of Michigan State. They will face Duke in the championship game. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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The Elite 8 kicked off yesterday (Saturday) with fire and brimstone and it was open hunting season for Wildcats. The #1 seeded Kentucky Wildcats looked like they were well on their way to a National Championship run until they ran into the #2 seeded West Virginia Mountaineers in Syracuse. Kentucky was frustrated the entire game as West Virginia man handled them to a 73-66 victory taking the Mountaineers to their first final four in 51 years when they were led by a young talented basketball player named Jerry West. West Virginia Head Coach Bob Huggins set the inflated goal of a national championship and now he will have a chance to make it happen.
The #2 seeded Kansas State Wildcats would further prove that it was not a good day for Wildcats in the Elite 8 as they fell to the #5 seed Butler Bulldogs 63-56. After this game perhaps Butler will not be considered the underdog anymore but they will take it either way. Next up Butler will play the winner of the Tennessee-Michigan State match up later today and West Virginia will stack up against the winner of the Duke-Baylor face off later today as well.
The #6 Tennessee Volunteers take on the #5 Michigan State Spartans this afternoon with the Volunteers favored by 2. Michigan State went all the way to the championship last season only to fall short to the North Carolina Tar Heels. They are still thirsty for more after dropping favored Ohio State in the Sweet 16. Watch for Michigan State to serve up the 3rd upset of the Elite 8.
The only #1 seed left in the tournament is the Duke Blue Devils. They have been to the Final Four 11 times under long time under Coach K but the last time was 6 years ago. Coach K readily admitted that his present team has not been there and is not sure how they will perform. He also said the their opponents the #5 Baylor Bears may be the team that goes all the way. Of course he could be playing a little coy. The Blue Devils are favored by 5 points and should pull this one out but don’t be surprised if all 4 Elite 8 games are upsets. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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Tonight #2 Ohio State takes on #6 Tennessee. Ohio State is favored by 4.5 points. These same two teams meant 3 years ago in the Big Dance and Tennessee became a stepping stone for the Buckeyes as they drove all the way to the title game where they eventually lost the championship to Florida.
Ohio State has a different team now and they are not the same as they were in 2007; they might be better. Their 29-7 record this year only tells half the story. This team has been led by Evan Turner, the Big Ten player of the year who averaged 20 points per game this season. The Volunteers of Tennessee admit that it is hard to plan to defense the Buckeye team but they know they must. Tennessee 27-8 this season has never been to the Elite 8. Could this be their year to do so?
Tonight the Duke Blue Devils 31-5 take on the Purdue Boilermakers 29-5. Duke is favored in this one by 8.5 points although most do not believe that the Blue Devils match up to their great teams of recent years past. Duke has managed to surprise many of these misguided souls on numerous occasions this season.
Duke has the size advantage in this one and they need to power their way to the board. Although they shoot well from 3 point range they do not want to do not want to hang their hat on that tonight against a hungry Purdue team. Purdue has not worked their way into the Elite 8 in over a decade. Will this be the year they get there again?
Tonight Ohio State and Duke will move on to the Elite 8 and you can bet on that. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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Friday night Saint Mary’s continues their miracle run through the NCAA tournament as they take on the Baylor Bears. When the season started no one knew what to expect from the Saint Mary’s Gaels, not even their head coach Randy Bennett who has been the man in charge for the last nine seasons. They had just missed the tournament the year before and then watched their hopes sail away for future opportunity when their star player Patty Mills sailed to the NBA. In addition, five seniors including the master of production Diamon Simpson departed on their way.
The upcoming season was looking mighty bleak for Saint Mary’s and any possibility of getting to the Big Dance. After all, the Gaels had only been victorious in the NCAA tournament one time and that was five decades ago against Idaho State in 1959. Coach Bennett had not given up on his team mind you; he just didn’t quite know what to expect. It would not take long for him to realize that a small miracle was in the making.
Once every so often a bunch of guys come together on a team and you can almost sense the magic in the air. These players may not light up the world with their individual reputations but when you put them on the same floor they become one and form a team for the ages. It began with Saint Mary’s Omar Samhan. When he entered the scene in 2005 he was over weight and over cocky but to this point he has backed up his words. Then Mickey McConnell and Ben Allen took their game up a notch as well. Finally, freshman Matthew Dellavedova proved that he could make a positive impact out of the gate.
When the dust cleared at the end of this season the Gaels had compiled a 28-5 season. They took the Big Dance by storm by upsetting Richmond and then #2 seed Villanova. Now they are ready for the Baylor Bears who have a 27-7 record themselves. The Bears have been great on defense holding their opponents to around 38% shooting from the floor. However, the Gaels have 4 starters who love to unleash the thunder from 3 point range. McConnell alone has shown over 51% accuracy from the 3 point venue.
The Bears are favored by 4.5 in this one but don’t tell the Gaels. They don’t care. They are used to being the underdogs and delivering the upsets. The last time Baylor won a NCAA tournament game prior to this year was in 1950. Can you say upset? The miracle at Saint Mary’s may not be over just yet. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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On Thursday, March 25, 2010 the NCAA basketball tournament begins the Sweet 16 competition. It is an honor for teams to get there but it is only a stepping stone to get them to the Elite 8 and then finally to the Final 4. Let’s take a look at the Sweet 16 match ups.
In the East 4 teams remain to see who will survive to battle another day. Kentucky is the #1 seed in the East and they will face a red hot #12 Cornell team running on pure heart and spirit. Kentucky is favored by 9 points mostly due to their explosive offense but don’t count out this Cornell team. This has been a tournament of upsets and we have not seen the last of them.
West Virginia University is the #2 seed and they face the #11 seed Washington. Washington has played up so far in this tournament and could give WVU a run for their money. West Virginia is favored by 5 and should pull this one out.
In the West #1 Syracuse takes on #5 Butler. Syracuse is favored by 7 and should win this one going away as long as they are able to control the pace. Then #2 Kansas State squares off with #6 Xavier. Kansas State is favored by 4.5 but Xavier is riding on an upset whisper.
Friday night games begin in the South as #3 Baylor sets up against #10 Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s has been flying on a wing and a prayer and both have paid off thus far. Baylor is favored by 4 points in this one but I like Saint Mary’s to roll on. Then #1 Duke clashes with #4 Purdue. This should be a dandy of a game. If Duke holds true to their 8 point odds they will reach the Elite 8 for the first time in 4 years. Duke will win this one and move on.
In the Midwest #2 Ohio State slams head first into #6 Tennessee. Ohio State is small but they play large. Evan Turner is playing well and the Buckeyes are not finished yet. Ohio State is favored by 4.5 but will win by more. Finally #5 Michigan State faces #9 Northern Iowa. Michigan State is favored by 1 single point in this match up which just might be the best game in the Sweet 16. Northern Iowa knocked off #1 Kansas and they have upset their way right into the Sweet 16. On this night they will upset their way to the Elite 8. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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The second round of the NCAA championship tournament kicks off on Saturday. The first round set off shock waves that can still be felt some 24 hours later. In my last article I offered up my four upset games and all four came to be. Wake Forrest upset Texas, St Mary’s upset Richmond, Murray State upset Vanderbilt and Northern Iowa upset UNLV. How a bout that?
Saturday night the games do not get any easier. First up, St. Mary’s takes on Villanova. Villanova is a 4.5 point favorite. That is not saying a lot for Villanova. This one will go down to the buzzer and Villanova will win by a basket. Wake Forrest meets up with Kentucky in what should be a pretty good game but Kentucky is favored by 9 and they should eliminate Wake from the bracket.
My first upset pick of the night comes between BYU and Kansas State. Kansas State is favored by 4.5 but BYU will win this one in OT. Northern Iowa will watch their hopes and dreams slip away against #1 Kansas who is favored by 11.5. My second upset pick of the night comes when Murray State matches up with Butler. Butler is a pretty common 4.5 point favorite but Murray State will shock them.
Last but not least last years champions from North Carolina will face Mississippi State. Mississippi State is predicted to win by 7.5 points. North Carolina defeated William & Mary in the first round by 8 points. They had a rough season but this team is very well coached and will rise to the occasion. My last upset of the night. The Tar Heels eliminate Mississippi State in a shocker. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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The NCAA tournament kicks into high gear Thursday night as some of the best teams in the country clash in the Big Dance. Lets review some of the major games and see who has the edge. In the East Regional #1 seed Kentucky takes on #16 seed East Tennessee State. Kentucky is a #1 seed for a reason and they will win this one easily. Kentucky is a 19.5 point favorite. The #6 Marquette faces #11 Washington. Marquette is a 1.5 point favorite. If Marquette can keep the score down they will win. My upset for the East, Wake Forrest over Texas.
In the South Region #2 Villanova clashes with #15 Robert Morris. Villanova is picked to win by 18.5 and I can’t fault that prediction. Villanova wins. #3 Baylor takes on #14 Sam Houston State. Baylor is an 11 point favorite. Should be closer but Baylor will win. My upset for the South is Saint Mary’s over Richmond.
There will be an explosion in the Midwest Regional. Overall #1 seed Kansas will battle #16 Lehigh. Kansas is favored by 26 and will take the pass they were given. #3 Georgetown will dance with #14 Ohio. Georgetown is favored by 13.5 and should not have a problem here. My upset in the Mideast is Northern Iowa over UNLV.
In the West Region #2 Kansas State toys with North Texas. Kansas State is favored by 16 and should live up to it. #7 BYU takes on #19 Florida it what should be a humdinger. BYU is picked by 5 but Florida will not lay down in this one. Florida will pull out a close one. My upset in the west is Murray State over Vanderbilt.
A few of these may come down to the buzzer and a few surprise teams will play up on this night, you can bet on that. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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It seems like we have been waiting forever but the Big Dance, March Madness is finally here. The competition bracket is set and the 4 number one seeds are Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and Syracuse. The Kansas Jayhawks are 2-1 favorites to get to the final four and take home their 2nd national championship in 3 years. To do so however, they will have to dance well. Let’s review the games for tonight.
The 2 Huskies match up when Northeaster takes on Connecticut. Connecticut is favored by 7.5. It should be a good one. The Virginia Commonwealth Rams take on the George Washington Colonials in what is sure to be exciting. The Colonials are favored by 3 but don’t tell the Rams that, they have their own plans.
The Western Carolina Catamounts meet the Marshall Thundering Herd tonight and Marshall is favored by 11.5. This one could turn ugly. The Winthrop Eagles face the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions with the Eagles favored by 4. The North Carolina State Wolf Pack takes on the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls are favored by 3.5. The Wolf Pack just can’t seem to muster the same respect as their interstate rivals the Duke Blue Devils.
The Seton Hall Pirates host the Texas Tech Red Raiders with the Pirates 9 point favorites. Seton Hall is no stranger to the Big Dance and they seem to always compete well. The Indiana State Sycamores battle the St Louis Billikens tonight and the Billikens are favored by 7.5. St Louis lost their last game out to Rhode Island 67-43 but someone has faith in them tonight.
The William & Mary Tribe lock horns with the North Carolina Tar Heels tonight as well. Somehow the Tar Heels are favored by 8.5 even though they finished this season 16-16. They are only a shadow of the national championship from last year. Those are the odds but that does not guarantee a victory. Anything can happen in the Big Dance. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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Before the Big Dance begins next week there will be clashes in big conference tournament play as preparation for some March Madness attendees. The Big 12 conference is home to the number one ranked team in the country, the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas won the Big Dance just 2 years ago and they have won the Big 12 Championship a sweet 6 times in a row. They are almost a cinch to take the number one seed in the Big Dance but they are probably not going to be the only March Madness attendees from the Big 12.
Over a half dozen teams in the Big 12 seem to be headed for the NCAA Tournament next week. Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Missouri are all expected to attend as well unless they have a train wreck in the conference tournament. Texas was ranked number one in the country earlier in the season.
The Big East Conference is powerful as well. The Syracuse Orange are 28-3 on the year and also were ranked number one in the country at one time. They are favored to win the Big East tournament but there are some teams that might take exception to that. Pittsburgh finished 24-7, West Virginia ended up at 24-6 as did Villanova. Throw Marquette and Louisville in the mesh with 20 wins a piece and this one could be fun.
The Atlantic Coast Conference has taken a beating this year but the Duke and Maryland should still make things interesting. Duke finished 26-5 while Maryland earned a 23-7 record. Virginia Tech was also 23-7 while Clemson and Florida State both finished with 21 or more wins this season as well. Many believe the ACC has lost its edge but I would not ignore this conference. Those that shake them off may get surprised.
The Big 10 Conference looks good as well. Purdue finished 26-4 and Ohio State 24-7. Michigan State ended up at 24-7 as well and Wisconsin contributed a 23-7 season. Michigan State wound up playing the North Carolina Tar Heels for the NCAA Championship last year but came up empty. You can’t count these contenders down and out. One of these teams could easily make a run again. The excitement just keeps on building and it will continue to do so, you can bet on it. Until we meet again may your betting be better and remember to always be a good sport.
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