Looks like a great tournament with a few potential upsets. Time permitting, I will add my "bird" notes on some of these invitees. In the meantime, let's get these early qualifiers. Get after 'em, Pregamers!

Saint Marys CA -2½ (-115) ~ Two quite evenly matched teams here and I did buy the hook. I give the Raiders a slight edge on the defensive end, but overall and playing in the WCC, I think the Gaels find a way to advance. It won't be easy, though. Both teams adequate from the line and there shouldn't be much (if any) of an edge there. SM 76 MT 70

Liberty +1½ (-115) ~ Going with the small dog here for strictly one reason. The Aggies are feeble from the line while the Flames are good. ML play. They do need to dictate pace (Over, although oddly enough I lean Under here) and the Aggies are actually 6-0 on a neutral court, but half are likely high-school gyms. Wire to wire. Liberty 70 NC-AT 65

Liberty (+115) ½ unit

Liberty (+130) ½ unit ~ Added
Liberty (+110) 1st Half ½ unit ~ Added

Long Island -½ (-120) ~ Although I don't really feel the need to buy the hook here, I found myself doing so? Two pretty evenly matched conferences, IMO. I'll go with the better team, but they will need to play at least a little D. As I said, if the Blackbirds can make Jimmy run....it is over. LIU 75 JMU 69

Lasalle +1 (-110) ~ Another small dog that should be favored, IMO. Offense and defense slightly better by my numbers. Both exceptional at the line, but the Explorers should get there a couple more times. Very slight edge in competition goes the Broncs way, but it won't be enough. Lasalle 73 Boise State 69

And there folks are our final brackets 

• Ducks will need to shoot "lights-out" from the line to advance. We know the Cowboys will........
• Which Creighton shows up? Jays' defense very suspect. I certainly won't be laying points, in any case......another flop in the Dance? Under probably the best play.
• Co St/Mizzou one of the most interesting games.....at least on paper. Final possession? Over the look with a forecast of OT.
• Marquette/Davidson at first glance looks like a tricky one. I don't think so......Davidson with some past March success, but not this time.
• Butler beware ~ they had better sharpen up at the line because this one may be won/lost there. Bisons perform well in the dog role.
• Illinois...a tale of two teams? They had better bring the good one if they hope to advance.
• NCS should be in a battle to the wire.
• The Hoyas had better not sleep on these Eagles.
• Akron won't be the #12 to upset. Tough tourney team in the Rams (which we all know about).
• SDS/Oklahoma is the tightest game in the entire Round, IMO.
• 'Nova gets punked (bitch-slapped).......
• New Mexico looks like the best play (ATS) of any 2nd Round match-up, IMO.
• If the same teams show up that we saw yesterday, Ole Miss advances easily. That 62% FT shooting WILL kill the Badgers eventually.
• The line is very suspect with Arizona, but I don't think it is really that close. Bears further scrutiny, though.
• Gophers a bit fishy laying 3 to UCLA? As above.
• Pitt/Wichita should be entertaining from start to finish. Definitely taking the points here. Panthers in the Big Dance usually the worst bet going.