Talk about a Cinderella, this team has been in Division 1 about as long as Francis has been Pope! But if you had looked back on what they accomplished this year, well this team can flat out play with anyone. The Eagles beat Miami and Florida, and took Duke down to the wire, so here they are in the Sweet 16 as a 12-point dog?
This is the year of Cinderella as we have not only Florida Gulf Coast but No. 12 seed Oregon and 13 La Salle. Remember FGCU was a 15 seed. These teams all have a vision of something big and if any make it to the Great 8 look out!
Let’s take a little look at what we have in store this Thursday and Friday.
Thursday (odds c/o Wynn)
At Washington DC
Syracuse +6 vs. Indiana: The Hoosiers were in danger on Sunday as Temple took them down to the wire. With that game out of their system they should be able to get by Syracuse, but laying six looks a little steep especially when the number should be more like -4. The take will be the play in this game but I do see the Indiana Hoosiers pulling it out late and moving on to the great 8. INDIANA.
Marquette +6 vs. Miami: Marquette is getting six from the Hurricanes? Not with my money. Sometimes teams just have a destiny and that could be the case with the Golden Eagles, who should have lost to Davidson and Butler. They pulled both games out and are battle tested. Must take the six in as somehow they will keep it close. MARQUETTE.
At Los Angeles
Arizona +4 vs. Ohio State: The way Zona has been playing I thought this game would be around Ohio State -1½, especially after the Buckeyes’ narrow last second win on Sunday. Arizona has been on cruise control but the two teams they beat well (Belmont and Harvard) were not Big Ten quality. Really don’t want to lay the -4 so will look for a cheap money line on the Buckeyes.
As we can see, the Vegas money is coming in on Zona with the home-grown, soon-to-be-super-big-man “Big Ben” Carter slapping balls away from off the bench. Buckeyes had their scare and get the job done in heading to the great eight. Look for the Wildcats in the Final Four as they will beat either La Salle or Wichita State. ARIZONA.
LaSalle +3½ vs. Wichita State: The 13 seed LaSalle had to play three games in a short span to get here and won all three as dogs, including big wins over Kansas State and Mississippi. The Explorers take on 9 seed Wichita State who crushed Pitt as a 5-point dog and got the best of Gonzaga as a 6-point dog. Talk about a tossup! Someone will move on and get beat by Ohio State. PASS.
Friday
At Indianapolis
Oregon +10 vs. Louisville: Louisville looks primed and ready for a trip to the Big Show but you can believe the Ducks will not go down easy. This line is perfect, but it is the kind of game a trey at the buzzer gets the cover. Oregon is a team that does not want to go away. Louisville gets the win but may not get the cover. PASS.
Michigan State +1½ vs. Duke (133): This will be a real dynamite game to watch with high intensity. The winner could be drained when meeting up with Louisville on Sunday. They say this is Izzo time so we will see. This could be a game to bet the total as we could see overtime. OVER.
At North Texas
Michigan +2 vs. Kansas: This game calls for a good bet on the Jayhawks. They are just so well coached and get those passes off like you never see anymore. They really took care of North Carolina and will be very hard to beat, especially laying just a bucket. KANSAS.
Florida GC +12 vs. Florida: The Eagles have no fear and are a real good team as was stated in the opening paragraph. Getting 12 points in this game looks like a gift and I will fall into the trap. I’ve been with the Coasters from the get-go and will ride them in this game to cover. FLORIDA GC.
Saturday April 6 we move onto the Final Four as this tournament may never end and the baseball season starts on Sunday, March 31.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].