This article is part of our College Hoops Best Bets series.
We have officially turned the page to March, and you know what that means: it's Tourney Time! During this time of year crazy things tend to happen. Conference tournaments have begun and there has been no shortage of upsets. Three No. 1 seeds have already been sent home packing, ending their hopes of making it to the big dance. This week I will try and make it 3 for 3 with giving you winners.
Last week ,with help from John, we ended up going 2-2 but being plus one unit overall. Depending on when you locked in the Wichita game, you could have ended up with a great win or a really tough beat. When I wrote it up the night before the Shockers were sitting at -15.5 but ended up going off at -16.5. f you got it at -16.5 it could have been one of your toughest losses ever; it was so bad it was featured on Scott van Pelt's "Bad Beats" segment on SportsCenter.
Wichita State was up 25 with 1:40 left until Illinois St. went on a 9-0 run to end the game. But when I locked it in I got it at -15.5, so we are going to chalk this up as a win. Our other win came when the Texas Longhorns ended their game on even more spectacular run, outscoring the Sooners 22-0 down the stretch. Our two losses were under 135.5 in the Louisville v. Miami game and BYU -2.5 at home vs
We have officially turned the page to March, and you know what that means: it's Tourney Time! During this time of year crazy things tend to happen. Conference tournaments have begun and there has been no shortage of upsets. Three No. 1 seeds have already been sent home packing, ending their hopes of making it to the big dance. This week I will try and make it 3 for 3 with giving you winners.
Last week ,with help from John, we ended up going 2-2 but being plus one unit overall. Depending on when you locked in the Wichita game, you could have ended up with a great win or a really tough beat. When I wrote it up the night before the Shockers were sitting at -15.5 but ended up going off at -16.5. f you got it at -16.5 it could have been one of your toughest losses ever; it was so bad it was featured on Scott van Pelt's "Bad Beats" segment on SportsCenter.
Wichita State was up 25 with 1:40 left until Illinois St. went on a 9-0 run to end the game. But when I locked it in I got it at -15.5, so we are going to chalk this up as a win. Our other win came when the Texas Longhorns ended their game on even more spectacular run, outscoring the Sooners 22-0 down the stretch. Our two losses were under 135.5 in the Louisville v. Miami game and BYU -2.5 at home vs Gonzaga. The Miami under was a tough loss as it went over with only 20 seconds left in the game. It turned into a foul fest down the stretch (which they sometimes do) and there was 13 points scored in the last 1:17 to bring the final total to 138. In the BYU game, the Cougars could never it get going. Gonzaga controlled most of the game and BYU couldn't hit a big shot to get over the hump when they made it close. I will look to improve from last week with this weeks picks.
Drexel vs. Hofstra (-11.5)
In the second round of the CAA tournament, I'm going with the No. 9 seed Drexel getting the points against the top seed. Drexel is 6-26 but they are playing their best basketball of the season by winning three of their last four. The should look to pound the ball inside and get Hofstra in foul trouble. Hofstra is more talented but their lack of depth could hurt them with getting the cover.
Pick: Drexel (+11.5), two units
Oregon (-2) vs. USC
USC is 16-1 at home this season but they haven't been playing very well lately, losing five of their last seven. I think they will right the ship with a big win over the Ducks. It's senior night for USC but they shouldn't get caught up in the emotions as they only have one senior who hardly ever sees the floor. He will probably get the start but with this being a huge game for USC's tournament chances, he won't see the floor long.
Pick: USC (+2), one unit
Iowa St. vs. Kansas (-9.5)
Bill Self has Kansas playing their best ball of the season at just the right time. Coming off a 30-point thrashing at Texas, I like the Jayhawks to keep rolling on senior night at the Allen Fieldhouse. It may seem hard to believe but this is actually Perry Ellis' last home game, and I expect him to have a big night against weak interior defense of Iowa St. Jameel McKay is a good shot blocker coming off his man and swatting guys driving from the perimeter, but he can be exposed in the post one-on-one. Ellis has lost just once at home during his four-year career, which came back when he was a freshman.
Pick: Kansas (-9.5), three units
Northern Iowa vs. Wichita St. (-9)
What can I say? I love this team; this is my third write up and I'm looking to go 3 for 3 with them. This is a second-round matchup in the "Arch Madness" MVC Tournament and after coming out sluggish against Loyola-Chicago I think they come out firing against the Panthers. Look for Fred Van Vleet to get involved early and often in the offense by getting into the paint and distributing to the Shockers' three-point shooters on the perimeter. If there is one weakness on the Northern Iowa team it is that they tend to let up the three-ball, allowing the most points behind the arc in conference play, according to Kenpom. Look for the Shockers to roll in this revenge game after losing at home to UNI earlier this year.
Pick: Wichita St. (-9), two units
