Tuesday's Picks

Because the best way to feign actual knowledge on a subject is an accurate prediction, I introduce The Picks. Every weekday, Monday-Thursday (hopefully) I will pick the televised games of the night, against the spread of course, and follow the results to see if I actually know something about basketball. The results should be both entertaining (for readers) and soul-crushing (for me). And if I'm wrong, I'll just do what all the TV "experts" do: never bring it up again and avoid all accountability. And since I won't be betting actual money (that often), I win every time!

I'll also be occasionally picking against one of my roommates, Craig, so we can have a rational method of settling all disputes involving rent, household matters, etc.

Last night: I wasn't aware of Dominic James health issues going into that Marquette-Louisville game last night and even though I think he is completely overrated, it probably would've given me a reason to stick with my gut and take the Cardinals (+2). A healthy James probably wouldn't have made a difference because Louisville used some incredibly stifling defense to roll on the Golden Eagles and appear to be hitting its stride. Next stop national championship! Kansas (-18.5) enjoyed a nice, breezy destruction of an embattled Missouri squad. The Jayhawks were up 19 with under a minute left and a meaningless Missouri lay-up went in and out to keep the cover with KU. Betting on basketball is absolutely brutal. The only entertaining part of this game was when they showed the Kansas fans and their anti-Missouri shirts. I believe on said: "Missouri: Keeping Ugly Women Out of Lawrence Since 1863." Not bad but I can't imagine the ones they couldn't show on the air.

And I could write about 1,000 words on that Gonzaga-St. Mary's game. Holy shit. Great atmosphere, very high level of basketball (especially the defenses, which I didn't expect), big-time players making big plays (Jeremy Pargo was unguardable last night), two freshmen, Austin Daye and Patty Mills coming up big in the clutch (Daye is an absolute freak and is quickly becoming one of my favorite players in college basketball), plus it went to overtime and amidst all the amazing talent, an eight-grader, Todd Golden was the hero, going 6-6 from three. If Duke-UNC can live up to that game, I will be thrilled. Definitely one of the top three games I have seen this season and I am completely exhausted today as a result of it. Oh and the Gaels (-2.5) covered.

Michigan at Ohio State (-14)- Another night, another horrendous Big Ten match-up on TV. Isn't this what the Big Ten Network is for? I know it's Rivalry Week or whatever and it's cute to have the whole Michigan-Ohio State thing, but when no one cares and the teams suck, I don't see the point. Michigan has lost 10 of its last 11 and Ohio State just lost at Iowa, managing just 48 points. This will be a hotly contested match of who can suck more. I don't see how Ohio State covers 14 points the way its offense has been lately. They will win by one of those boring eight point margins or something. DO NOT WATCH THIS GAME.
The Pick: Michigan

Butler (-3) at Valparaiso- Now this one, you can watch. Valpo is new to the Horizon League so I don't see how this is a "rivalry" but it has been decent enough in conference to keep this one close. This is what I call a "point of reference game." People get a chance to see Butler play and it serves as a reference point come March when trying to fill out a bracket. Fortunately for me, I have seen the Bulldogs play this season and know that they are very good and barring some crazy performance by one of Valpo's bigs or a barrage of threes, Butler will cover.
The Pick: Butler

Florida at Tennessee (-9)- Florida was just destroyed at Arkansas, an atmosphere that closely resembles what the Tennessee fans will provide tonight. The Gators freshmen have played beyond their years this season but the Vols' manic style is not something you can ever really prepare for. Freshman stud Nick Calathes seriously might crap his pants. Florida's only chance is if Marrese Speights can take advantage of what should be a favorable match-up with the Vols' thin frontcourt... and score 45 points.
The Pick: Tennessee

Last night's record: 2-1
Overall record: 19-17-3

ACC: 3-4
Big 12: 3-3-2
Big East: 4-4-1
Big Ten: 4-1
SEC: 2-2
Missouri Valley: 1-0
West Coast: 2-1
Big West: 0-1
CAA: 0-1

Craig's record: 8-11-2