I've posted 2 college sides for Sunday's tourney. 8-1 run the last 3 days, including 6-1 in the Big Dance and 2-0 in the NBA. Passing in Sunday's pro baskets.
CREIGHTON v. NORTH CAROLINA: Meeting of old high school teammates when CU's Doug McDermott takes the floor against UNC's Harrison Barnes. Most important note from this contest is that John Henson (wrist) may return for today's contest.
LEHIGH v. XAVIER: Mountain Hawks not only owned the quickness to hang with Duke, but showed they can play a physical brand of basketball. The Patriot League entry is no fluke. Led Michigan State well into the second half during the regular season. Muskies were ranked as high as 8th before the "basket-brawl" game with Cincinnati. Lehigh G C.J. McCollom averaging 22 ppg. Lit up Duke for 30. Tu Holloway not always getting help from fellow guard Mark Lyons.
NC STATE v. GEORGETOWN: All 5 Wolfpack starters average in double-digits in points scored. Leslie & Howell = nearly 17 rpg. Lorenzo Brown dishing out 6.35 apg. Hoyas allowing just 59 ppg. Big East tourney chalk under 50% ATS since '09.
ST. LOUIS v. MICHIGAN STATE: SLU no longer holding opponents scoring down due only to a snails-paced tempo. This edition allowed just 57.5 ppg on 41.1% shooting, including 32% from behind the arc. But unlike past editions, averaging almost 70 ppg. Spartan front-line may force SLU to rely on an inconsistent backcourt on the offensive end.
CINCINNATI v. FLORIDA STATE: Bearcats had to rely on deep perimeter shooting more than they wanted to thanks to the suspensions in December. But they're now a better team for it. Seminoles 16-3 SU (12-7 ATS) since Hamilton loosened the reigns on the offensive end. Still playing sound defense, ranked 6th and 35th in FG percentage allowed and defending the trey.
OHIO v. SOUTH FLORIDA: Bobcat coach John Croce owns a deep bench with 9 players averaging over 11 minutes played per game -- certainly a plus in what should be a grinder. Outstanding defending trey-happy opponents (Mich 7 of 23). USF doesn't rely on the trey...can't shoot it from the deep perimeter anyway. A Hank Iba special?
NORFOLK STATE v. FLORIDA: Norfolk: 44.6% FG & 31.8% (278th) 3-pointers during regular season. Shot 54.2% and 52.6% against overrated Mizzou (Tigers were 243rd & 297th in FG percentage allowed and 3-point defense). Double-digit seeds = on a 0-10 SU & 0-9-1 ATS slide in the field of 32 against single-digit seeds ranked 6-9. UF Patric Young v. NSU Kyle O'Quinn should tell the story.
PURDUE v. KANSAS: KU's Tyshawn Taylor (cramps) upgraded to probable. Boilers better after speeding up the offensive attack. But they allow 44.5% shooting (244th in div-1). Have to rate Kansas right up there with Michigan State & Ohio State. Purdue went 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS) losing by 13 ppg to Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Allowed 80 ppg in those outings. Can Kansas avoid the tendency to lose focus in the Big Dance?
Best of Luck on Sunday!

Scott Spreitzer