NCAA Tournament Fantasy Challenge
Three Review-Journal sports department members and three professional handicappers have been given $2,000 fantasy bankrolls to bet during the NCAA Tournament — two picks per day of either sides, totals or one of each. Below are their bets for today, with a brief explanation as to their picks:
Adam Hill, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,425 Saturday: Won $35
Today: Betting $330
Bet 1: $330 on Butler +3½
Comment: The Bulldogs have the experience of playing in the championship game, and even if they do lose, the points will be a factor.
Mal Van Valkenburg, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,095 Saturday: Lost $30
Today: Betting $1,100
Bet 1: $1,100 on Butler-UConn over 128½
Comment: The money is coming in on the under for this game, and the logic is there. A big game and defense should dominate. With such a low number, it is not going to take a lot to go over. In UConn’s last 10 games, all tournament contests, only three games went below 130 points and only one under 127. For Butler, three of its last four games have had more than 130 points scored.
Matt Youmans, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,479 Saturday: Won $220
Today: Betting $440
Bet 1: $440 on Butler +3½ over Connecticut
Comment: The Bulldogs are 10-1 with a two-point loss to Duke during their remarkable two-year NCAA Tournament run. Butler leaders Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack will get it done.
John Kelly, EOG.com
Bankroll: $330 Saturday: Won $75
Today: Betting $275
Bet 1: $275 on Butler +3½ over Connecticut
Comment: The Bulldogs are 10-1 straight up and against the spread over the last two NCAA Tournaments. There’s room for Butler to lose the game yet still cash the bet.
Bruce Marshall, Vegas Insider
Bankroll: $1,435 Saturday: Lost $30
Today: Betting $730
Bet 1: $365 on Butler +3½ over Connecticut
Comment: Bulldogs guard Shelvin Mack can match points with Kemba Walker, and Butler’s role players are delivering big.
Bet 2: $365 on Butler-Connecticut under 129
Comment: With the shot clock likely milked continually, solid defense and an expected lack of transition buckets, look for this in the high 50s, low 60s.
Ken Thomson, SportsXRadio.com
Bankroll: $885 Saturday: Lost $25
Today: Betting $550
Bet 1: $330 on Connecticut -3½ over Butler
Comment: Star guard Kemba Walker continues to dominate, and the Huskies will limit Butler’s offensive rebounds.
Bet 2: $220 on Butler-Connecticut over 129
Comment: Look for UConn to open a double-digit lead, forcing the Bulldogs to speed up the tempo.
