Butler just squeeked by Murray St in a 2 pt victory of 54-52. Now the bulldogs go into the Sweet 16 not only with high expectations but protecting a 22 game winning streak and now face their toughest opponent yet. Being a #5 seed is the highest for Butler in its 10 ncaa tournament aperences matching the Bulldogs position in 2007, But was taken out by the Florida Gators in the Finals. Overall on the season, Butler is 30-4 su but has not been very competitive ATS posting a 14-20 record, and Vegas seems to have their number as an underdog as they have gone 1-4SU and 2-4ATS. Being on Netral Court this year as been a hard road to travel for the Butler Bulldogs as they are 3-3SU nd 2-4 ATS. Offensively these Bulldogs are scoring 67ppg and grabbing 32RPG. Butler does have a pesky defense that only allows just under 59ppg But that has declined in their last 5 games dropping that number to just over 56ppg. Syracuse will be without Onuaku due to an injured right quad. Onauku averaged 10.5 ppg and over 5 rpg, but the Orange has worked hard overall this season holding a 30-4 record. Syracuse has ran the boards on Neutral Courts posting a 5-1SU/ATS and amazingly has held a 52-30ATS in neutral situations since 1997. The Orange dropped their last 2 games before the Tournamet started but since then has has produced to 20+ point blowout wins. In their last 5 games the Orange are 3-2SU/ATS averaging over 80ppg with a FG% over 51%. This type of scoring and FG% has not been an incoincidence as this type of % and scoring has been done all year long not too mention shooting the 3pointer at an incredible 40% on the road that has increased to 42%. Defensively, The Orange allows unde 61ppg and their opponents are only grabbing 32 RPG and FG% of only 41%. It has been a great run for Butler, but it ends today as the Orange win by at least 10+ points. Don't drink too much of this Butler Kool-Aide.
SYRACUSE ORANGE -6
Cornell has proven not only to be good with the books but can shoot basketball as well. The Big Red has destroyed serveral brackets thus far and we are only half way through the Tournament. Cornell by far has been the best underdog of the Tournament going 5-2SU and 6-1 ATS. Amazingingly The Big Red are 87-55 ATS since 1997 (as an underdog).
Neutral Courts have been no suprise to Cornell as they are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS during the season, But that has been just the tip of the iceburg for this Ivy League team who are 8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS over the last 3 years. Their last 5 games have been the most impressive on Cornell's ability to win games going 5-0SU and 4-1ATS averaging over 81ppg and holds an incredible shooting percentage of over 56%, But think for one minute that this a fluke for FG% as the Big red has done it all year long averaging 49% FG% on th road alone. Cornell is only 1-1ATS vs teams with a good offense that score 77+ppg game but it has ben their cup of tea over the last 3 year going 5-2ATS and 13-5 over the seasons dating back to 1997. Kentucky is looking for this win to get them to the elite 8. All they have to do id get past this stunning Cornell team. Dispite the last 2 blowouts the Wildcats have put onto their opponents, They are just 18-15 ATS as a favoite. The Wildcats have a 4-1ATS record int hier last 5 games. Kentucky has the ability of scoring huge points in games averaging over 82ppg. Defensively they are just as selfish as the Big Red are with giving up points as their opponents are just averaging 63ppg., However the wildcats have rebounded the ball well averaging 40ppg. But you just can not underestimate a team that matches up will on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornell is hot and I think will stay hot their previous situations that have landed them here is not Fluke. Cornell should win this game out right as they take the Wildcats to the wire here.
CORNELL BIG RED +8 1/2
The Mountaineers will head to the East-Regional Semifinals, but will have to do it without Darryl Bryant who ended his season with a broken foot on Monday. No confidence has been lost by teammate. Following a 68-59 win over Mizz. West Virginia was on an 8 game winning streak and led by a shutdown defense that has held all 5 of their opponents to under 60 points although Bryants's loss deplete West Virginia's depth at the position, they are now going to rely of their backup Jr. Joe Mazzula, already playing an extended role for the Mountaineers, he is averaging just over 5ppg, almost 4assists playing almost 25 mins in their last 4 games. In their last 5 games dispite being 5-0 have struggles not only from the feild at a FG% of 40% but offensively as well scoring just over 62ppg. Washington has an opportunistic, high tempo offense scoring almost 80ppg 11th in the nation. the Huskies are feeling good right now riding a 9 game winning streak with an 8-1ATS record in those games. teh huskies have struggles on the defense allowing opponents to score an average of 70ppg. the Month of March has been kind to the Huskies as they have went 7-0SU and 6-1ATS. On Nuetral Courts it has been a 5-1 year for Washington. The Mountaineers are relying on their Jr to keep the depth that they are known for but thee are some big shoes to fill and the pressure will be on him to keep it going With their offense stuggling and I see Washingtonputting this game in their win column as they have Pondexter and Thomas who are putting up over 36ppg together. Mazzula will not be able to put up the points that bryant did. Washington will win this game and go the Elite 8 for the 1st time in many years.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES +4
OPINION PLAY
this IMO will be a complete redemption game for Xavier as they were waxed by this team last year 56-71. everything they did was executed poorly
XAVIER MUSKETEERS +5
SYRACUSE ORANGE -6
Cornell has proven not only to be good with the books but can shoot basketball as well. The Big Red has destroyed serveral brackets thus far and we are only half way through the Tournament. Cornell by far has been the best underdog of the Tournament going 5-2SU and 6-1 ATS. Amazingingly The Big Red are 87-55 ATS since 1997 (as an underdog).
Neutral Courts have been no suprise to Cornell as they are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS during the season, But that has been just the tip of the iceburg for this Ivy League team who are 8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS over the last 3 years. Their last 5 games have been the most impressive on Cornell's ability to win games going 5-0SU and 4-1ATS averaging over 81ppg and holds an incredible shooting percentage of over 56%, But think for one minute that this a fluke for FG% as the Big red has done it all year long averaging 49% FG% on th road alone. Cornell is only 1-1ATS vs teams with a good offense that score 77+ppg game but it has ben their cup of tea over the last 3 year going 5-2ATS and 13-5 over the seasons dating back to 1997. Kentucky is looking for this win to get them to the elite 8. All they have to do id get past this stunning Cornell team. Dispite the last 2 blowouts the Wildcats have put onto their opponents, They are just 18-15 ATS as a favoite. The Wildcats have a 4-1ATS record int hier last 5 games. Kentucky has the ability of scoring huge points in games averaging over 82ppg. Defensively they are just as selfish as the Big Red are with giving up points as their opponents are just averaging 63ppg., However the wildcats have rebounded the ball well averaging 40ppg. But you just can not underestimate a team that matches up will on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornell is hot and I think will stay hot their previous situations that have landed them here is not Fluke. Cornell should win this game out right as they take the Wildcats to the wire here.
CORNELL BIG RED +8 1/2
The Mountaineers will head to the East-Regional Semifinals, but will have to do it without Darryl Bryant who ended his season with a broken foot on Monday. No confidence has been lost by teammate. Following a 68-59 win over Mizz. West Virginia was on an 8 game winning streak and led by a shutdown defense that has held all 5 of their opponents to under 60 points although Bryants's loss deplete West Virginia's depth at the position, they are now going to rely of their backup Jr. Joe Mazzula, already playing an extended role for the Mountaineers, he is averaging just over 5ppg, almost 4assists playing almost 25 mins in their last 4 games. In their last 5 games dispite being 5-0 have struggles not only from the feild at a FG% of 40% but offensively as well scoring just over 62ppg. Washington has an opportunistic, high tempo offense scoring almost 80ppg 11th in the nation. the Huskies are feeling good right now riding a 9 game winning streak with an 8-1ATS record in those games. teh huskies have struggles on the defense allowing opponents to score an average of 70ppg. the Month of March has been kind to the Huskies as they have went 7-0SU and 6-1ATS. On Nuetral Courts it has been a 5-1 year for Washington. The Mountaineers are relying on their Jr to keep the depth that they are known for but thee are some big shoes to fill and the pressure will be on him to keep it going With their offense stuggling and I see Washingtonputting this game in their win column as they have Pondexter and Thomas who are putting up over 36ppg together. Mazzula will not be able to put up the points that bryant did. Washington will win this game and go the Elite 8 for the 1st time in many years.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES +4
OPINION PLAY
this IMO will be a complete redemption game for Xavier as they were waxed by this team last year 56-71. everything they did was executed poorly
XAVIER MUSKETEERS +5