Well, my grandmother passed away on Sunday, so I haven't really been around often. Flying to Arkansas for the funeral tomorrow. Anyway, here are my NCAA picks (for now):
6* Vandy -3.5 WINNER
I'll be blunt. i don't think GW is a decent team. Here's their non-conf schedule (copied from espn.com)
11/10 at Boston U W 70-57
11/14 Dartmouth W 94-49
11/17 Longwood W 74-60
11/21 at Kennesaw W 69-52
11/26 at Providence L 86-67
12/03 Va Tech W 63-62
12/05 UMES W 79-56
12/09 at USC L 74-65
12/12 Retrievers W 72-51
12/28 #17 Air Force L 66-52
12/29 at Colgate W 75-42
Granted, they beat Va. Tech by 1 (though Va. Tech is erratic at best), but they lost the other 3 legit games (@Prov, @USC, vs. AF at home) by 19,9 and 14. Xavier beat them by 29 at GW. Also lost to SLU, UMass, Dayton and St. Joe's---all by 6 or more. Vandy is certainly streaky, but I think 3.5 is generous by all accounts, and I look for Vandy to roll.
3* Arizona -2
Imagine how good this team could be if they actually attempted to play defense. Yeah, when they click, they're fantastic. But really, this is me fading Purdue, who somehow parlayed a run in the Big10 tourney, with a 9-7 conference record. Losing at Minnesota, losing big at Ind. St... I just don't think there's any way they win this game.
The following are all 1* plays:
Wright St. +10
LOSS
Louisville -5.5
WINNER
ODU +1.5 (may drop another unit on this one---yes, I did drop another one at ODU -2) so 2 Units on ODU now...
(LOSS
VCU +6.5
WINNER
Maryland -7
WINNER (initial lean was Davidson, then I looked at their body of work---yikes, extremely unimpressive) When your best win is at Arizona St. then you have issues... I love the Curry kid, but have to believe Maryland will keep him in check. Duke beat this team by 28 and I expect another dd loss to another, better ACC team.
BC -2.5
WINNER
And, a couple teasers:
1* 4.5 pt. (+250)
Texas -4
Oregon -4
Maryland -3 check
Memphis -13
1* (+160)
Texas -4
Oregon -4
Maryland -3 check
1* parlay (pays +260)
LOSS
MSU -2
ODU +2