rjt how about some ML opinions sir?
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rjt,
your the man bro, keep it upComment -
keep it rollin RJComment -
I think Kansas runs Nova off the floor. However, the considerable gap in talent is pretty much indicated by the -1000 price tag.
Honestly, I think this late in the season, with all games playing on a neutral court, you're aren't going to find games where one team has a distinct advantage. Most teams are relatively evenly matched, and with the exception of the KU/Nova and UCLA/WKU games, each match up features teams that are pretty evenly matched. In the case of UCLA, Shipp's inability to contribute offensively and Mbah a Moute's status leaves a lot of pressure on Collison and Love offensively. UCLA should obviously win, but if Shipp and Westbrook don't give them anything, WKU can hang around.
I'd say Kansas has the easiest path to the Elite Eight by a pretty fair margin.
Good luck.Comment -
15-9-3, +10.9
Sweet 16 Thursday:
3* Louisville -2 -120
1* Washington State +8
1* Washington State/UNC Under 142
Final Thursday card:
4* Xavier +1 -115
3* Louisville -2 -120
1* Western Kentucky +13
1* Washington State +8
1* Washington State/UNC Under 142Comment -
Thursday: 4-1, +7.9
Tourney: 19-10-3, +18.8
Looking ahead a bit, UNC/Louisville is the best game of the tournament. A legitimate championship game match up in the Elite Eight. Louisville plays Washington State-caliber defense, yet possesses talent on offense that Wazzou can only dream of. Padgett's defense is incredible. He's always in the right spot defensively, either to take the charge or dramatically alter every shot in the lane. Probably the most intelligent player in the country. Hansbrough has his hands full with him, Caracter and Palacios. As always with Louisville, it's going to come down to how effective they are from the perimeter. I'll say this, I wouldn't bet against Pitino, and the Cards figure to be getting 5 or so in this one. Don't know if I'll play it, as my Lville futures provide me with enough incentive for the Cards to win, but taking the points is the only way I could play this game.
UCLA/Xavier is also a great one. My initial lean would be Xavier (+6?), but Howland v. Miller is about as bad a coaching mismatch as you will find this late in the tourney. Watching Huggins outcoach Miller, with WVU regularly beating X with backdoor cuts, was laughable and embarrassing. If Huggins makes Miller look that bad, what will Howland do? Scary thought. I might have to pass on this one, even though Xavier is UCLA's equal at virtually every position.Comment -
Nice day brother
Thought about you when I was watching Xavier. Glad you lucked out in that one. Even though X was lucky to win, I still think they were the better team, refs were being dicks.Comment -
The fact it was that close spoke to how bad Miller managed the game. It also didn't help that Lavender was nonexistent for about 40 min. and Burrell was out of control on about 90% of his touches on offense. Give Duncan the ball, defend the backdoor, X wins by 10+. Oh well, a win is a win, I guess. I'll take it.
Funny that as I type this Vitale is kissing Miller's ass and telling the Xavier administration to open the wallet to give him a new contract. I don't know what game he was watching... X won in spite of Miller.Comment -
4-1 attaboy
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19-10-3, +18.8
Sweet 16 Friday
1* Michigan State +5
Full Friday Card:
2* Villanova/Kansas Over 142 (played [and posted] this Sunday... I do still like the over even at the current number)
1* Michigan State +5Comment -
I strongly disagree with MSU pick RJT. The way I've been going that may be a good thing. But outside of Memphis's FT weakness, there really isn't anything that MSU does better than Memphis. Sure Izzo may be a better coach than Calipari, but that isn't enough for me to consider Sparty tonight. Memphis is quicker, stronger, physical, more battle tested, etc....
I might play Memphis but I missed out on the -4.5 and it's at -5 now so I have to decide real quick. I hope MSU wins, and I hate betting against them but sometimes you have to do these things. I think MSU has really overachieved and come back down to earth a bit tonight, unless Nietzal has a spectacular game or something.
Good luck....Comment -
BB,
Memphis is more talented, no question. But I think MSU has some advantages as well - more disciplined (you saw with Lville over Tennessee how important this can be), MSU's an unbelievable tournament/neutral floor team, and Izzo with 4 days to prepare is such a benefit.
I don't think the talent gap is so dramatic to the point that it would offset MSU's coaching edge and being the smarter, more fundamentally sound team. Both teams are physical. Morgan's every bit the athlete of Douglas-Roberts, Lucas' quickness will give even Rose problems, Suton's enough of a threat offensively to keep Dorsey from roaming around defensively.
I agree that Neitzel's probably the key. MSU desperately needs his offense. Unless Neitzel has a terrible shooting night, I see this as a game that goes down to the wire. That said, give me the 5, the better coach, the smarter team and, obviously, the superior FT shooting team.
I give MSU a great shot at the outright win.
We shall see.
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Friday: 0-2, -3.3
Tourney: 19-12-3, +15.5
Took it on the chin tonight.
Nice call on Memphis, BB. Sparty completely outclassed.
I want 6.5 with Louisville tomorrow.Comment -
LOL, I didn't even listen to my own analysis. I found MSU +5.5 (-105) out there and played Sparty. Fortunately, I played OVER 72 for the 2H and just lost a few bucks out of it.
I am really pissed b/c I should have hedged on Memphis ML. I had a great opening 4 day of the tournament, but Thursday everything went sour on me going 0-4, not to mention 0-2 in the NBA. I was shaken by that experience. Went 3-3 yesterday but was ready to play Memphis and Kansas and instead played MSU and VIllanova. Overall, 3-3 helped me gain a little more confidence.
I like Louisville and UCLA myself. UL is +6.5 (-105) out there right now if you look hard enough.....Comment -
19-12-3, +15.5
2* Louisville +6.5Comment -
Saturday: 0-1, -2.2
Tourney: 19-13-3, +13.3
Baseball season... done with college hoopsComment -
Congrats on a nice tourney rjt.
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Are you sure you're done?Comment -
Thanks man. Wished I could have finished better (0-3 last two nights), but it happens. I'm glad the CBB season is coming to an end.Comment -
Pretty sure, yes. Lean to Texas + tomorrow, but it's not really a game I want to get involved in.
No excuse for Kansas to not get by Davidson (although there's no way I'd lay the 9.5), which would setup Kansas/UNC. I'd give Kansas a slight edge, but if Hansbrough's hitting contested 18-footers like tonight, UNC will be tough to beat.
I've thought UCLA was the best team all season and I picked them to win it all in every bracket I filled out. Nothing I've seen has changed my mind. UCLA's the most balanced team remaining.
Maybe I'll change my mind if there's something I really like, but all teams left (assuming Kansas wins tomorrow) are evenly matched and the lines are too sharp at this point. Tough to find an edge this far into the tourney.Comment -
I made my UCLA/Kansas a HUGE wager cause I figured tomorrow will be the last "great day" for betting.
When it gets down to the final four, its really anybodys game. No big wagers for me either. GL my friend and have a GREAT and I mean GREAT baseball season.Comment
