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: $1,980 Thursday: Lost $20
Today: Betting $330
Bet 1: $220 on Oakland +10 over Texas
Comment: The Golden Grizzlies played a brutal nonconference schedule and will not be intimidated by the moment. Much like last year, the Longhorns peaked too soon.
Bet 2: $110 on Purdue -14½ over Saint Peter’s Comment: The Boilermakers enter the tournament off a pair of bad losses and will look to use this as a confidence builder. JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore hope to make one last run, even in the absence of suspended guard Kelsey Barlow.
Mal Van Valkenburg, Review-Journal Bankroll: $1,980 Thursday: Lost $20 Today: Betting $330 Bet 1: $165 on Xavier -2½ over Marquette Comment: Tu Holloway should lead the way for the Musketeers. Bet 2: $165 on Illinois +2½ over UNLV Comment: The Illini know how to defend the perimeter and will dominate inside. That’s the recipe needed to defeat the Rebels.
Matt Youmans, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,010 Thursday: Won $10
Today: Betting $308
Bet 1: $154 on Oakland +10 over Texas
Comment: Star center Keith Benson, averaging 18 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, will lead Oakland’s battle against the Longhorns’ big men. Texas is 4-4 in its past eight games.
Bet 2: $154 on Indiana State +12 over Syracuse Comment: The Sycamores are hot, and they shoot a solid 36.3 percent from 3-point range, so they should hang close in a low-scoring game.
John Kelly, EOG.com Bankroll: $1,560 Thursday: Lost $440 Today: Betting $440 Bet 1: $220 on Texas A&M -1 over Florida State Comment: The Aggies have a knack for winning the close ones, going 6-2 in games decided by three points or fewer. Bet 2: $220 on Oakland +10 over Texas Comment: The Grizzlies ended the regular season winning eight straight and 18 of 19. Texas ranks 65th among 68 tournament teams in free-throw percentage (67), a troubling trait for a team laying double digits.
Bruce Marshall, The Gold Sheet
Bankroll: $1,980 Thursday: Lost $20
Today: Betting $330
Bet 1: $165 on Georgia +5½ over Washington Comment: Trey Thompkins is a big presence inside for the Bulldogs. The Huskies made a 2,800-mile trip to Charlotte, N.C., for this game.
Bet 2: $165 on Indiana State +12 over Syracuse Comment: The Orange should have trouble extending the margin. The Sycamores have won five straight games and eight of their past nine.
Ken Thomson, SportsXRadio.com
Bankroll: $1,990 Thursday: Lost $10
Today: Betting $440
Bet 1: $220 on Oakland-Texas Over 154
Comment: This game is an early start, but Oakland knows only one speed — fast. Because of their superior athleticism, the Longhorns usually run with small-conference opponents.
Bet 2: $220 on Villanova -1 over George Mason Comment: Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes are healthier now with rest after an early exit from the Big East tournament.
