Analysis:I'll play this smaller because I am not laying the points. We (I) may use Gonzaga somewhere else, too - hence the reason I'm saving a marble or two here. The more I looked the more I just cannot see WVU winning, and most of you guys know I love to take my underdogs. It's not like Gonzaga's record is a total reflection of the WCC schedule. They beat - Florida, Iowa State, and Arizona, to name some elite teams. They beat the Vols, who CAN beat anyone. They crushed San Diego State. You get the picture. So, they lost to BYU. Even if that were a blueprint, BYU doesn't pressure the ball like WVU and plays the Zags every year so they can game plan. Who does WVU play that's like the Zags? Nobody in the Big 12, that's for sure - in fact WVU themselves is the closest thing in terms of pace and offense/defense efficiency. The thing is just bigger and does it much better. They (Gonzaga) won't let WVU dominate the offensive glass, which has been their calling card. Gonzaga's bench has TONS more length, so for WVU to have a chance it's going to have to be their guards who play above expectations. Gonzaga's guards are as big or bigger, and in Williams-Goss (their PG) they've got the best player on the floor, and we know from experience how far one good guard can take a team, let alone one with tons of talent around him. With all the respect and love for Duke (who is clearly gone), UNC, UCLA, and Arizona (let alone Kansas) to win it all, and after the BYU loss, people seem to have forgotten who was perhaps the best team in the nation most of the season - I'll take them to simply win the game.
Tuesday: I'm quite likely passing. I lean to both favorites but won't lay those points. Thought about a ML parlay with them, but one probably won't win - there's no value in a CBB teaser at this point, and I cannot make a strong enough case for either underdog. Of the two favorites, Ole Miss is probably the better bet right now for reasons I stated in the forum. Tech doesn't seem quite as dangerous as Richmond, who has a bigger upside. So, talking through this, if I had to bet on a game(s) as a degenerate I might tease Ole Miss to Richmond. That's all I got.
Thursday - I thought briefly about going back and taking WVU + as well because I do think it's a very tight game - but, plenty of time and as usual just sharing thoughts as we go through the process.
Pick Made: Mar 21 2017 8:46AM PST