Quick thoughts on the evening window, with a full board of lines and props below. **My Paranoia……..I had a math teacher in high school who made us go up to the blackboard to unravel equations. Whenever somebody began writing out a formula in the same area on the blackboard the last person had used, he would always bellow “Same Spot Syndrome” admonishing the student as if doing so was bad juju that would lead to figuring out the wrong answer. Always avoid Same Spot Syndrome. I feel the same way about highly seeded NCAA teams the year after being upset in the first round in a similar role. Watch out for the Same Spot Syndrome. Over the years, we’ve seen Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt fall into the trap to be upset in consecutive tournaments. There have been a few others, but I cant come up with them off the top of my head. I can make some guesses, but I dont want to disparage any program if my memory is foggy. I’d look it up, but who has time for research? Besides, the JCB research staff took to the day off to watch the tournament. Lazy cretins. Anyway, yeah, I am paranoid about Michigan. But
NCAA Tournament: Round Of 64, Day One
Hello all. Happy NCAA Tournament Day. I hope none of you are at work. And I hope all of you have cold beverages, great food and your brackets ready to go. We begin with four subregionals this afternoon. Here’s a quick look at the lines, props available (per sportsbook.com) and previews of this afternoon’s action. And, speaking of action, there are official picks within. Book It. MIDWEST REGION, AUBURN HILLS #3 MICHIGAN STATE VS #14 VALPARAISO, 12:15. Lines, MSU -10.5, O/U 127.5 Michigan State Total Points, Over/Under 69 points Valpo Total Points, Over/Under 58.5 points Total 3-pters Made, Over/Under 11.5 Keith Appling, Over/Under 17 points + assists Ryan Broekhoff, Over/Under 14 points #6 MEMPHIS vs # 11 ST. MARYS, 2:45. Lines, Memphis -1.5, O/U 139 St Mary’s Total Points, Over/Under 70 Memphis Total Points, Over/Under 69 Total 3-pters Made, Over/Under 14 Joe Jackson, Over/Under 18.5 points + assists Matthew Dellevadova, Over/Under 22.5 points + assists The Spartans have played well in some of the season’s best games. But they’ve also specialized in letting people hang around. They’re 7-12-1 ATS as favorites this season. The main culprit has been an offense that doesnt value the basketball. They’re 209th in the nation in turnover percentage, coughing the ball
Tuesday First Four, Part II
Unlike the first game in the First Four battles tonight, the night cap carries some juice. Not only do we have two teams that are combined 55-11, but we have the 22nd ranked KenPom team in St Mary’s going up against the 32nd rated team in Middle Tennessee State. The first game touts the two worst teams in the KenPom ratings that are in this field. The second play-in game features a pair of teams that are at least in the top-10 percent nationally. The Racers are two-time Sun Belt regular season champions. But they’re also two-time premature departurees from their league tournament. Last year that relegated them to the NIT. This year, they at least still managed a berth into this First Four game. St. Mary’s is in their third NCAAs in four years, advancing into the Sweet 16 in 2010 and losing in the Round of 64 a year ago to Purdue. They are your WCC regular season and tournament runner-ups and have not lost to anyone not named Gonzaga since before Christmas. We have a classic offense vs defense matchup in the offing tonight. In one corner, its the Gaels and their 23rd ranked scoring offense at the land, pouring in 75.5 points per