23-18-2 for the tournament 1-2-1 on Saturday. Here are my picks for Sunday:
UConn +5.5 Michigan State is playing well right. They are healthy and well coached. Most thought that when they were healthy they were a top 5 team. I can't argue. But I have to go with UConn in this spot. They were an early season top 10 team. They had some mid year struggles, but have found themselves and are playing very well right now. Guard play is very important in tournament play. Both these teams have that, but Napier might be just a little better. Add Boatright to the mix, and UConn might have the best backcourt in the country, at least now. The fact that the Huskies are playing what amounts to a home game is important as well. When do you get a top 10 team and points at home? I think Michigan State will win, but the thought of getting 5.5 points on a very good team playing basically at is hard to pass up. I won't.
Michigan +2.5 I know who Kentucky has beat in their last 2 games. While the Wichita State game was impressive, the Louisville game left more doubt in mind. They were out played for a good portion of that game, but showed grit in coming back to win. Michigan, on the other hand played most impressively for 38 minutes, before taking the foot off the gas pedal, missing free throws and turning it over a couple times against Tenn. The Vols were widely picked to win that game, but if not for the last 2 minutes, would have been routed. To me Michigan was easily the more impressive winner on Friday, but they have to play the game. I think the Wolverines win because coach Cal coached UK teams have historically been below average defending the 3 point line, an obvious strength of Michigan. G RobIII is playing well, as is Irvin. That Michigan 4 legit threats on the perimeter. They aren't big, but have more than held their own on the boards in their last 2 games. I look for the Wolverines to win outright and advance to the final 4.
UConn +5.5 Michigan State is playing well right. They are healthy and well coached. Most thought that when they were healthy they were a top 5 team. I can't argue. But I have to go with UConn in this spot. They were an early season top 10 team. They had some mid year struggles, but have found themselves and are playing very well right now. Guard play is very important in tournament play. Both these teams have that, but Napier might be just a little better. Add Boatright to the mix, and UConn might have the best backcourt in the country, at least now. The fact that the Huskies are playing what amounts to a home game is important as well. When do you get a top 10 team and points at home? I think Michigan State will win, but the thought of getting 5.5 points on a very good team playing basically at is hard to pass up. I won't.
Michigan +2.5 I know who Kentucky has beat in their last 2 games. While the Wichita State game was impressive, the Louisville game left more doubt in mind. They were out played for a good portion of that game, but showed grit in coming back to win. Michigan, on the other hand played most impressively for 38 minutes, before taking the foot off the gas pedal, missing free throws and turning it over a couple times against Tenn. The Vols were widely picked to win that game, but if not for the last 2 minutes, would have been routed. To me Michigan was easily the more impressive winner on Friday, but they have to play the game. I think the Wolverines win because coach Cal coached UK teams have historically been below average defending the 3 point line, an obvious strength of Michigan. G RobIII is playing well, as is Irvin. That Michigan 4 legit threats on the perimeter. They aren't big, but have more than held their own on the boards in their last 2 games. I look for the Wolverines to win outright and advance to the final 4.
