Ncaa Basketball Bracket Picks - March 09, 2008
We won just one game last night. Today we have three picks.
Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:
Game: Florida at Kentucky (12:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Kentucky -3 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Florida has the record at 21-9, but where have the wins come from? The Gators are 18-1 vs teams with an RPI of over 100! They are 3-9 vs the top 100. The Gators are also 2-7 ATS in their last nine. With an RPI in the mid 60s, they aren't going to the NCAA Tournament, at least based on what they have done so far. Kentucky is a completely different team than the one that lost to Gardner Webb, UAB, Houston, and San Diego early in the season. They are 10-2 in their last 12, and the only two losses have come to Tennessee and Miss State, both on the road. They have a 48th ranked RPI and an 11th rated strength of schedule, and a win here puts them firmly on the bubble. They are beating everyone they are better than, and they are just simply a better team right now than the Gators, and will win here.
Game: Indiana at Penn State (2:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on Penn State +8.5 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)
When Geary Claxson went down for Penn State a hopeful season was left in disarray. Claxson led Penn State in just about everything, and the result was a lot of losses. They have regrouped, and after six straight losses, have become a tough out at home. They have now won four straight on their own court, which includes a win vs Michigan State. Indiana has struggled mightily on the road all season in conference play. Yes, they are 6-2 on the road in the Big-10, but have been creamed by Michigan State and Wisconsin, and survived vs the worst. They have wins over Northwestern by 3, Ohio State by 6, Illinois by 4 in OT, Minnesota by 5 and Iowa by 3. They have been barely escaping, and now must face a team that has renewed confidence at home, that has shown the ability to win, or at least stay close. We like the Nitany Lions in a possible upset, but at least to stay in the hunt.
Game: Purdue at Michigan (4:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Purdue -4.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
It has been a tough year for Michigan, enduring a 20-loss season. They are coming off of two losses to Northwestern and Penn State, hardly the cream of the Big-10. The fact is the top teams in the Big-10 have come in here and dominated - Indiana by 14 and Wisconsin by 16. Purdue is 16-3 in their last 19 games. They have dominated the softer teams on the road, with wins at Penn State by 14, Northwestern by 15, and Illinois by 8. We don't see any obstacle here that says the Boilermakers are in trouble, and expect them to continue their dominance over the weaker teams. We look for Michigan to continue their struggles against the top teams in the conference.
NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-08-2008
The Mildcats haven't done much purring in Big Ten play. They have been beaten at home by double-digits in six of eight conference games, and have basically been non-competitive. The Badgers h...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-07-2008
No. 8 and No. 9 do battle this afternoon in the first round of the Southern Conference tourney. The winner gets the privelege of facing Davidson tomorrow. We think it will be Wofford that advances. We...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-06-2008
Saint Bonaventure has won just eight games all season, and the teams they beat are pretty much at the bottom of the barrel. The reason we mention this, is George Washington has played 12 road games an...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-05-2008
Let's set the stage for this pick. How big is the Duke vs. North Carolina game? It means everything to the fans, coaches, recruitment, and players. How distracting is it to the players knowing it ...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-March-04-2008
It's hard to ignore what the Broncos have done this season. After a slow start, they have now won eight of nine, but haven't been a particularly good road team all season where they have ...
