Clock to strike midnight on Florida Gulf Coast’s fairy tale

Play Q-&-A with handicapper Kelly Stewart, who answers selected questions from Las Vegas Review-Journal readers. Readers can mail her at Askkelly@reviewjournal.com.

Q: Can Florida Gulf Coast pull another upset?

— David, Las Vegas

A: Florida is actually my best bet this week. I like the Gators in the first half and minus-13 for the game. The public will bet FGCU because it has been a great story, but the fairy tale is coming to an end. All of the media hype and instant fame will be too much for the Eagles to handle, and they won’t be catching this opponent by surprise.

Georgetown took them lightly, and San Diego State just did not impress me all season. That’s not to diminish what FGCU accomplished as a No. 15 seed. It’s an exciting team that plays a fast pace.

But Florida coach Billy Donovan will be prepared. Donovan has coached the Gators to three national championship games, winning titles in 2006 and 2007. This season has been a roller-coaster ride for Florida, but it appears Donovan has his team peaking at the right time. The Gators won their first two NCAA Tournament games by 32 and 14 points. If they keep their foot on the gas, this could be a 20-point blowout.

Q: With the injury to center Reggie Johnson, is Miami still your pick to win the title?

— Tom, Las Vegas

A: Is it too late to change my bet? Only kidding. The sharps say he’s worth 1½ points to the line. Johnson has played in 26 games and started only nine. I might look to take 5½ points with Marquette and hope the Hurricanes keep their title hopes alive until Johnson can return for the Final Four. I’m crossing my fingers.

Q: Were you surprised to see Gonzaga get knocked out early?

— Steve, Las Vegas

A: No, but I was hoping Kansas State would get another shot at the Zags. The West Coast Conference just isn’t as competitive as the Big Ten or Big East, so although Gonzaga was a great team and might have deserved a top seed, it did not get tested by tough enough competition before the NCAA Tournament. After I saw the Zags struggle as 22-point favorites against Southern, I immediately set my sights on Wichita State and the upset.

Q: Who do you like in the Michigan-Kansas game?

— Kent, Lawrence, Kan.

A: After the Jayhawks’ poor first-half performance against North Carolina last weekend, it makes me question them more than ever. The Tar Heels were nothing special this season, but they led by nine at halftime. Kansas was a 20½-point favorite over Western Kentucky in its tournament opener and barely won, 64-57.

This does not look like one of coach Bill Self’s best teams. If the Jayhawks don’t play better than they did last weekend, they are in for a world of hurt. The Wolverines have two of the nation’s top guards, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., and they were tested in the Big Ten, the nation’s toughest conference this season.

Q: Does Oregon have a good shot to upset Louisville or at least cover 10 points?

— Jim, Las Vegas

A: The Cardinals have been impressive down the stretch. They run a full-court press which creates excessive turnovers for each opponent, and Oregon will be no exception. The game is in Indianapolis, a short road trip for Louisville, so I anticipate it to be like another home game, similar to last week in Lexington, Ky. Everyone knows I hate to lay the chalk, but I love the Cardinals in this spot.

Kelly Stewart of Hottiehandicappers.com can be reached at Askkelly@reviewjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kellyinvegas.