Some first round WATCH OUT's I have my eye on...
Thursday
-WATCH OUT DUKE! The Hitler Youth are 10.5 pt favorites against Colonial's UNC Wilmington. I've seen UNCW about 7 times this season. They are dangerous. The Colonial isn't nearly as strong anymore without departed VCU, Richmond, ODU, etc. But, don't sit on the Seahawks. It's an early game (12:15 tip, first game of the NCAAT) in Providence. The crowd will get behind the Seahawks in the 2nd half if they can hang around. Duke lives and dies with the 3 and if they aren't on, that's an even bigger WATCH OUT because the kids from New Jersey don't play much defense at all.
-WATCH OUT BAYLOR! The Bears were sent packing in their first game last year by 14-seed Georgia State. Yale has the potential to do it again. The Bears are "only" around a 5 or 6 pt favorite so it isn't like Vegas is expecting a blowout here to start with. Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs drive the Baylor bunch crazy.
-WATCH OUT MIAMI! I've seen Buffalo play a few times this season and saw their last 2 wins in the MAC tournament. The Canes laying 13.5 pts seems far too many IMO. I like the Canes to win, but it won't be that easy.
-WATCH OUT PURDUE! The Boilermakers are laying 9 pts to Little Rock, who is very athletic and will get up and down the court for easy baskets. Purdue is a solid team from a solid conference. If they bring their "A" game, they should win and perhaps even by double digits covering the spread. However, if they bring anything less, they could be sent home.
-WATCH OUT INDIANA! Chattanooga is getting 12 pts. That's seems like waaaaaay too many. The Mocs won a very competitive SoCon this year. The Hoosiers are money at home, but just so-so away from Bloomington. An outright upset here will not surprise me at all. At least one 12-seed always beats a 5-seed in the NCAAT and this seems like the most likely one to me.
-WATCH OUT ARIZONA! Wichita State has a solid backcourt. In fact, some make the case it is perhaps the best in the nation. Gregg Marshall's bunch is loaded with experience and as VCU proved a few years ago, a team can come out of the Dayton early-week play in games and make a significant run. This game will be in Providence - note, 3 hours east of Arizona's time zone. This game could be a SHOCKER (pun intended). {edit note: the opening line on this game is a Pick 'Em in Vegas}
Friday
-WATCH OUT CALIFORNIA! I know you are a sexy pick right now and rightfully so. But, true freshmen can have their eyes really big right now and the Rainbows from Hawaii are a very good team that most of the nation knows little about. Cal is laying 7. Like Purdue, if they play their best ball, they will likely win and cover.
-WATCH OUT TEXAS A&M! My sister's Aggies are laying 13 to Green Bay. The SEC really sucks in basketball. Especially this year. Green Bay plays the kind of game that may negate A&M's frantic pace and slow things down to a halfcourt event which most NCAAT games eventually evolve to.
