Taking the ROCKETS. Never now what Warriors team is showing up. Houston can play. They are a good team, we know this. Harden can go point or point with anyone on GS. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON ROCKETS

Taking the RAPTORS. Think Toronto is the better team. Will be on them for the series. 4* Money Maker TORONTO RAPTORS 

Taking the NUGGETS. I know the Spurs have been very good at home. Just something tells me that Denver made the right adjustments and will wrap it up tonight. 4* Money Maker DENVER NUGGETS 

Taking PORTLAND to wrap this puppy up. 4* Money Maker PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 

Taking the SIXERS. I had Nets in Games 1 and 2. But the party is over. If they somehow stole a game at home, we would be taking a 7 game series. Nets just look they don't have it in the tank. Franchise days ahead look brighter, but time to turn the lights off on their season. Sixers more talented and should win this by a dozen. 4* Money Maker PHILADELPHIA 76ers

4* Money Maker RAPTORS and the UNDER. 

Taking BOSTON. Looking for the Celtics to close it and to go UNDER. 4* Money Maker BOSTON CELTICS + UNDER

Taking the ROCKETS. Had Jazz in Game 1, Rockets in Game 2. Have we seen anything that says the Jazz match-up and will play well here in Game 3. I know getting smoked twice on the road you would think, you come home and take out some revenge. I just don't see it happening. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON ROCKETS 

Taking the SPURS. Also liking the Under,- it has come down from the opener and would have liked it better obviously with more points to play with. I am trying to figure this total out since the last 2 games both went over this total by 9 and 10 points. Last night I said it looked to easy with Portland and we paid the price. I think the same can be said about this total. 4* Money Maker SPURS + UNDER

Taking the TRAILBLAZERS. Had these guys in Game 1. then free picked them Game 2. Now they are giving 8. I guess they are begging us to take the Blazers here. I'm grabbing the low hanging fruit, I have to. 4* Money Maker PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 

Taking the CELTICS. Easy to think Pacers bounce back down 0-2 at home. But I don't know. That was a brutal loss the other night. I don't think Boston wants to play games here. They want to win and get ready for Round 2. Not sure where Indiana is getting all their scoring from. I am also on the Under in this game. 4* Money Maker BOSTON CELTICS 

Taking the NUGGETS. Siding with the home team to even things out. 4* Money Maker DENVER NUGGETS 

Taking TORONTO, again. Pains me as I we made some coin on Magic this season, especially late. But after Game 1, I have to side with Raptors here. 4* Money Maker TORONTO RAPTORS 

Taking the WARRIORS. I don't think we saw the Golden State "A" game in the Game 1. We saw Steph do his thing. But as a whole, I think GS has a lot more to prove. I think they come out here tonight at drop 130+ on the Clippers. LAC coach will be ejected somewhere in the 3rd and the rout is on. 4* Money Maker GS WARRIORS 

Taking the NETS. Had Brooklyn Game 1. Will come back again Game 2. I am not as high as others are on Philly. I said in the other write up I thought the Nets would steal a game. They did. Now I think they feel they can really put Philly to the wall if they do it again. I don't think they are content being up 1-0. They have a chip on their shoulder, and I think this team, as a total organization, is out to prove itself. 4* Money Maker BROOKLYN NETS 

Taking the JAZZ. Like this team. Think this is too many points. We use this line in 4 games this season and Utah is 3-1 ATS with 2 outright wins. In the real world they split 2-2 each winning on the others home court. 27 and 11pt wins for Utah, 27 and 5pt wins for Houston. Give me the dog here. 4* Money Maker UTAH JAZZ

Taking the THUNDER. Just don't like what I see out of Portland. I mean, look at their wins the last month- What good team did they beat? I am not talking wins over a tanking teams. And I throw Denver in their since they were losing games and sitting guys. But I have to go back to what, March 18,23 and wins over Detroit and the Pacers - Winning at playoff Clippers back on March 12? Give me Westbrook and George getting points. 4* Money Maker OKC THUNDER 

Taking the PACERS. I know they are without Oladipo. But he's been out for 2 months and this team battled through his loss. Smart being out for Boston is different. I know this team has had injuries in the past. But he was a key cog. I can see the Celtics flaming out. 4* Money Maker INDIANA PACERS 

Taking the RAPTORS. Just think this line is a little short. Toronto a really good team. I am throwing out regular season games as the Raptors where without two stars in 2 of these games. If they don't control this game by 10+ I would be really shocked. 4* Money Maker TORONTO RAPTORS 

Taking the NETS. Call me crazy, and maybe I long for the only NJ Nets days - I remember Drazen and Kenny Anderson, Chris Morris and Derrick Coleman! Heck those early 2000s teams of Kidd, Van Horn, Kenyon Martin and Jefferson- Look. Nets are a tough, gritty team. I know that we are suppose to 'trust the process' and the Sixers are suppose to win it all with the Butler trade. I think that Brooklyn steals one here in Philly and will be on Brooklyn in these games. 4* Money Maker BROOKLYN NETS 

Taking the THUNDER. We know that OKC is still playing for something, while the Bucks will be resting guys. We'll take a shot with Westbrook and George to cover this number. 4* Money Maker OKC THUNDER

Taking the  HORNETS. Will back Charlotte in a big must win game. 4* Money Maker CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Taking the NETS. Where is the motivation for the Heat? Wade's last home game last night. A big night for him. Team wins but is knocked out of the playoffs. Now on the road. I don't think even being locked into the playoffs that Brooklyn will take things for granted. This franchise has been down and I think finishing above .500 is better than 41-41. 10* Money Bomb BROOKLYN NETS

Taking VIRGINIA. So we had both of these guys last weekend - Will go with VA to get it done. Look. I said in our Auburn write up last week that was the spot to move on them. Off a loss of key player, vs a conference foe. Double revenge on the season. Everything lined up. Now, not so much. I get that these guys have been great in this tournament. Really just a couple hiccup spots of poor play. But I said all season I believed Virginia looked a bit different. They are 2 wins away from getting away from last years epic loss. I think that is a huge motivation factor for them. They have been tested and responded. I think Auburn has peaked and this is a double digit loss for them  5* Best Bet VIRGINIA 

4* Money Maker DEPAUL

Taking TEXAS SOUTHERN. Had these guys already in this tournament. I told you about their more than solid non-con schedule that got them primed for a nice run like this is a smaller tournament. I don't like them falling behind at half though. The OTs in the tourney do scare a bit. But, on the positive side of things, they know they can fall behind, battle back, and win, in OT, on the road! Sign me up again. 4* Money Maker TEXAS SOUTHERN 

Taking LIPSCOMB, again. Have been on these guys all NIT long and will do it again. This is a good team. Shame they didn't get a shot at the NCAAs - but they are making the most of the NIT with a run here to MSG. Wichita State has really turned it on going 14-3 their last 17 games. But I think their shooting won't be enough to slow down the Bison. Just a bit too much for the Shockers to overcome. 4* Money Maker LIPSCOMB 

Taking DUKE. Lost with these guys the other day. And I'll tell you, it is hard passing up those points. It just seemed to me that it was too many points. Maybe they were trying to get VT money. I dunno. I thought that line should have been about half of what it was. That being said, you have seen me write many times about lines I think are too good to be true. Sometimes we take the low hanging fruit, sometimes we go against it. This line is again, probably a point or 2 high. Have this as a PK in my ratings. The fact that Duke is living dangerously to say the least, doesn't have me too concerned. They have probably the best 2 players on the court. Coach K hopefully won't screw this up for us. At this price, I am backing what I think, is a team with 2, possibly 3 NBA Top 10 picks in this years draft. I do love Sparty and Izzo. I said in November this was a Final Four team. And really, every team this weekend you could have made a case for back when the season started, minus probably Auburn (I thought they were a Top 20 team.) Short price, backing the favorite Duke again. 4* Money Maker DUKE 

Taking AUBURN. Hit a little bump in the road with our Sweet 16 action. Still a great month of college hoops. Look. Sometimes we take favorites. It didn't pan out Thursday/ Friday. Last week the first 4 days we were 18-6 and 5 points from 21-3. It happens. So in this spot I like the dog. We had Houston and NC last games out with these two. Houston, well, tough one. NC, totally run out in the 2nd half. I know Auburn loses Okeke, who is arguably their best all around player. But I think in this spot, it is next man up. They are playing Kentucky, a conference opponent who they know. There will be no surprises. Kentucky took both from the Tigers during the regular season. 82-80 on the road, and an all out ambush 80-53 in Lexington. Time for a little pay back. That was Auburn's last loss as they have reeled off 11 straight wins. Kentucky dancing with the fire lately. PJ back, but I am still on the dogs. 4* Money Maker AUBURN

Taking VIRGINIA. These guys hurt the bankroll on Thursday, but we are still backing them. I am not buying on Purdue. They have had some great runs of ball in this tournament. I mean, we had the Vols. They took the first half off. And not that I am bitter over losing in OT, but we had that game and let it slip away after a big comeback. Blame that loss on me for having faith in that crap coach. I said from the ACC tournament when we backed these guys - they are on a mission. This game is the regular season, it is probably higher. They were in a dog fight with the Ducks. I get it. You're scared to lay with them. It's a new day. New team. Tourney time, we throw out the last game. Just like we toss out the Boilermakers huge first half. We toss out their total collapse in the 2nd. 4* Money Maker VIRGINIA 

4* Money Maker DETROIT PISTONS 

Taking GONZAGA. Well. I was talking about coaching in our Pur/Va write up. Hats off to Texas Tech staff who have done an absolutely brilliant job this year. Tech is going to want to dictate the pace. And you know. I don't think it matters. Florida State seemed to play their game and that was a 72-58 point Gonzaga win. Tech not giving up points in the Dance, 44-58-57. I feel the Zags are on another level. We touched on their losses this year. Forget that WCC Championship Game loss. That was a total outlier. Neutral 3pt loss to Vols and 13pt road loss at NC in back to back spots. That's it. And we saw how good the Vols can be when they bring their total game. By the time you purchase this play, we will know if NC is advancing (I had them as a Best Bet Friday night). Tech is a very good team, for this price though, we are backing the fave. 4* Money Maker GONZAGA 

Taking HOUSTON. Had these guys last game and they looked just as solid as I thought. Nearly played Kentucky as a premium play but opted for them on the free pick video. Look. Will I be shocked if Kentucky wins by a dozen. No. Will I be shocked if Houston wins this outright. No.  First off, Washington may or may not play. And if he does, how healthy will he be?  We saw them in an absolute dog fight with Wofford eventually getting a 6pt win. Houston slow and steady pulled away for a double digit win over OSU after handing Georgia State by about 30. Both teams go deep - But Cougars have their go-to leader and scorer in Davis. Who is that guy for Kentucky? Herro 2-11 and Hagans 4-11, Travis 5-10 last game. If McGee just hits a couple of his 4-17 0-12 from 3 shots, we can be taking Wofford/ Houston right now. Can never count out Wildcats with the yearly talent. But I will take a ML shot also on the dogs who are hungry to prove they below in Power 5 talk and aren't little brothers from the AAC. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON COUGARS 

Taking DUKE. I liked UCF over Duke last game and cashed with Va Tech in their Round 2 game. On last Sundays NCAA Round Table where we talking after the selection show, I said I wouldn't be shocked at UCF knocking off Duke. And lets be honest, they probably should have. But that game is water under the bridge. New day, New team, New game. And we get a couple of old ACC foes squaring off. Duke was a 3.5 fave on the road with no Zion. So, this line is 7 - I think it should be 10. I know Duke can't hit a 3 for their life. But their inside game is nuts. Normally, I would shy away from a 3 man team in this round. I've been on VT going back to the ACC tournament. I think they are a very good team. Something just tells me this line is a bit fishy. 4* Money Maker DUKE

Taking NORTH CAROLINA. I really want to jump in with a larger play, nearly a Top 10* Money Bomb here. I just think - As much as Auburn wants to run with these guys, they just don't have the horses to last. NC is scoring 80, at a minimum tonight. If Auburn wants to push the tempo this game, I think they are getting run out of the building like 93-75 territory. As great as the Tigers have looked, they will need another SEC Championship Game performance to knock off the Tarheels. 5* Best Bet NORTH CAROLINA 

Taking MICHIGAN STATE. Death, Taxes, and Izzo's first Sweet 16 since 2015. I think he will have these guys primed tonight. So. I managed a back-door cover with Yale over LSU. Then LSU cost me by a half-point. My first fade was based on what will get with everything going on with the coaching situation. They hung tough enough to get to the second round. Where, they let a double digit slip away against a pretty average, at best Big 10 team. Michigan State doesn't play those childish games. They are going to maul you on both ends. They just crushed Minnesota, a common foe they see on a regular by 20. As I said. First Sweet 16 since 2015 for Izzo and friends. Not a chance they are losing focus vs these guys. LSU, I don't know. They have been playing with fire in the first two rounds. Think this is a 10pt win for Sparty. 8* Sure Shot MICHIGAN STATE. 

Taking VIRGINIA. Love that everyone is on Oregon. Holy cow people - First. Let's talk about the gift that the Ducks received. First. They were not even dancing until the knocked off Washington in the PAC 12 championship. Which, I think would have been unfair if Arizona State was in the play-in and not Oregon. So they run the table. Then they get a middle Big 10 team. Hot team prevails. They get Irvine - who I had over K-State. But still a 13 seed. Hitting 13 3s at a 52% clip helps to crush a small mid-major. Arizona State got run out of the building by Buffalo. Washington beaten by NC. And what do we have here -Well, hello Virginia. Good luck Oregon. Another ACC team to take a PAC 12 team behind the woodshed. Said it in their win over Oklahoma, and will say it again here. Virginia has 3 losses on the year. 2 of them to another 1 Seed in Duke. There was no let down before or after those Duke games. A 23 pt win over Wake isn't all that impressive. But how about a 6 point road win at North Carolina after a 10pt Duke loss - VA, on a mission. This game will be around 6-10 then its 15 and honestly, I don't Oregon scoring 60 in this game. Cavs should have 70+. 10* Money Bomb VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

Taking TENNESSEE. We have some recent bias for tonight's action. We saw Purdue dismantle the defending Champs in their last game. A total clinic. The Vols, who we backed, were busying blowing a big lead and fighting through an OT affair. I go back to my Sunday write up - and look at their season. Lost on a neutral to 'good' Kansas by 6 in OT. Auburn got them twice. I mean, who was beating Auburn in that SEC Championship Game? Nobody. They were in, as they say, 'the zone.' Lost by 2 in OT at LSU. And got run out of Kentucky by 17. They did their revenge at home winning by 19 over Kentucky. And we look at Purdue. A couple bad losses to Minny twice and at Maryland. Lost at Florida State by a point. No shame in that. 6 pt loss on a neutral to Va Tech. Again. Not a bad loss. We do see though them losing to 8 to Notre Dame on a neutral and a road game by 4 at Texas. Then, and these 2, at Michigan and Michigan State. 19 and 18 point losses. At a pick, I am siding with the better team. The ups and downs of both teams lead to this line with the Vols struggling to pull away and hold leads. And Purdue dismantling 2 teams (I lost that Old Dom by a half-point!) Tennessee with no bad losses on the season. Purdue has laid an egg in spots vs good teams. 4* Money Maker TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS 

Taking GONZAGA. So this line I see ticking up to 7.5 after an opening number of 6.5 I see a lot more money on Florida State. And I get it. FSU looking good in the NCAA. ACC battle tested. But are they? Say we throw out 2 bad road losses to Pitt, losing by 13 and losing at BC by 5. We have a 10pt loss to Duke in the ACC tournament - I see a 18pt loss at NC - losing by 13 at Virginia. Then 2 pt home loss to Duke and a 6pt neutral loss to Nova. Man- I see 1-4 vs the Top teams and losing all by double digits. We can say all we want about the Zags playing the WCC and ACC better top to bottom. Taking away that no-show game in WCC Championship we see 2 losses. 3 on a neutral to the Vols and 13 their next game at NC. That is a tough 2 step coming from the Northwest. I'm buying the Zags based on the reverse line move. 5* Best Bet GONZAGA 

Taking LIPSCOMB. I have said I thought these guys should have gotten an at-large and no chance NC State should have been discussed. So I had Hofsta over NCST in the opening round of the NIT. They got past them. Edged Harvard who I should have backed. Now on to Lipsy who we rolled with a Best Bet over Greensboro. Well, I think they take out another NC state on the road tonight. Let's not forget. These guys beat a pretty good Vermont team by 25. Lost by 4 at Louisville. Beat SMU, TCU and Mid Ten State all on the road and had a pair of losses totally 6 points to a tough Belmont team. I will never forget this Wolfpack team scoring 24 points in a game, a home game to boot! -this season. Will never lay points with a team who has that accomplishment under their belts. 4* Money Maker LIPSCOMB BISON

Taking TEXAS SOUTHERN. Should sprinkle in some ML with this play, These guys beat Oregon and Baylor, on the road in non-con action, Also played at Gonzaga, San Diego State, Georgia, Arizona State and Iowa State. Getting 6 from Rio Grande Their best non-wins are over North Dak and Texas Arlington. For these smaller schools I use their non con, especially in tournament settings as a big indicator of potential. Texas Southern clearly plays hard and up to opponents. People might laugh at the CBI, but for these kids, its a huge deal. Road team gets the call. 4* Money Maker TEXAS SOUTHERN 

Taking UTAH VALLEY. Led by WAC POY, Jake Toolson, we are on the dogs. These guys come in winning 9 of 10. South Florida, winning 3 of their last 10 and need OT to edge Stony Brook. Nice season, but it ends here. Utah Valley experienced in this tourney, 3rd straight year in it. They have something to prove. This is a big deal for them. Riding a 75% clip since Thursday in CBB we should probably go ML +125 a bit also. 4* Money Maker UTAH VALLEY

Taking HOUSTON. I am not buying Ohio State one bit. I don't care how many games the Big 10 has won so far in the tournament. You have a pair of 2 seeds in Michigan and Michigan State who are both Final Four type teams. Purdue is a 3. But your mid levels, Wiscy, bounced in Round 1. Maryland needed everything and the kitchen sink to get past Belmont. Minny with a good match-up over Louisville. Iowa gets annual choke artist, Cincinnati Bearcats. OSU 9-13 in conference - dropped 3 straight and 4 of 5 coming into the conference tournament. 19-14 gets you a bid? What a joke. I know they opened with a win over Cincy - Also knocked off Creighton and UCLA. But Houston better than that. Houston 32-3. Took care of business vs LSU, Oklahoma State on the road. Plus tourney teams St Louis and Utah State. You can only beat who is front of you. Cougs beat nearly all. At one point, OSU lost 5 straight and 6 of 7 in Big 10 play. Then ended the regular season 2-6 in conference play. Way to inconsistent for my liking. Will lay it with Houston. 8* Sure Shot HOUSTON COUGARS 

Taking VIRGINIA. So look. I thought about taking the points with the Sooners. I mean, red hot right? Out of the gate and gone in their last game. VA looked like a team that got upset by a 16 seed for the first 30 minutes of their game. Heck. They didn't look anything like the Sooners who pasted Ole Miss scoring 95 points. Oklahoma with nice early wins. Beat some team that is trendy right now in Wofford 11. Florida by 5 on a neutral. Lost a neutral to Wiscy, beat Dayton. Wins over Wichita and Notre Dame, USC and Creighton. Some name value there. Some NIT talent. Then their up and down BIG 12 season began. I can't even describe the 10pt win and 10pt losses in series splits. It is really an up and down year. I am not buying a team like that this weekend. Virginia has 3 losses on the year. 2 of them to another 1 Seed in Duke. There was no let down before or after those Duke games. A 23 pt win over Wake isn't all that impressive. But how about a 6 point road win at North Carolina after a 10pt Duke loss. Look. I said on a podcast that I think VA is on a mission this March. Dropping that game to FSU may have helped get them focused on a prize bigger than ACC Tournament Champs. Let's lay the points. 4* Money Maker VIRGINIA

Taking BUFFALO. Obviously looking at the +150 ML because if I think we lose by 2, then you know I think we can make a shot and win this by a bucket just as easily. 13 straight wins for the Bulls. Look. I know the 30-3 record does not look that impressive. So they crushed a crappy PAC 12 team. A good team from any conference should do the same. They beat West Va on the road in their 2nd game of the year. They beat St Francis PA, who was the Top Seed in the NEC tournament. Not a huge sexy team, but still, the best at their level. Neutral win over San Fran who was a trendy mid-major to win some games. Won at Syracuse. Beat St Bonaventure on the road. 2 wins over Southern Illinois. Lost at Marquette after that Syracuse win. You can only beat who will play you. Tough to schedule good Power 5 schools to come play you. And going on the road and beating Syracuse and West Virginia probably won't help with getting invites in the future. Texas Tech is no slouch. Winners of 9 straight before hitting the West Va buzz-saw in the Big 12 tournament. I just think that this line looks a little low. Maybe they are begging you to take Tech. Maybe they think everyone will be on trendy Buffalo who whipped Arizona in the First Round last year, before losing to Kentucky by 20 in this very round. 4* Money Maker BUFFALO 

4* Money Maker INDIANA PACERS 

Taking NORTH CAROLINA. Losses to Duke, Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan for NC. Plus a puzzling loss to Texas and a loss to Louisville. That's it. Washington put up 48 points vs Oregon in the PAC 12 Championship Game. That was after losing the regular season finale to them 55-47. They lost to an 8-23 Cal team. I can't see them sniffing staying within double digits. I think NC is going to outboard them on both ends of the court. I cashed Huskies ML in Round 1. But this is a terrible match-up for them. Can't see them keeping pace with Heels. This should be a 20pt win for NC along the 85-65 range. After a slow start in Round 1. I expect NC to be 100% ready to come for the PAC 12 regular season Champs. 10* Money Bomb NORTH CAROLINA 

Taking TENNESSEE. Not worried at this price with the Vols. So they took a close game vs Colgate. That doesn't shock me too much. Let's look at their season. Lost on a neutral to 'good' Kansas by 6 in OT. Auburn got them twice. I mean, who was beating Auburn in that SEC Championship Game? Nobody. They were in, as they say, 'the zone.' Lost by 2 in OT at LSU. And got run out of Kentucky by 17. They did their revenge at home winning by 19 over Kentucky though. Who is comparable to this Iowa team they played? Louisville, who they beat by 11? Mississippi State 17? Florida 12? How about Gonzaga? Beat them by 3 on a neutral. Iowa came into the Big 10 tournament dropped 4 straight and 4 of 5. They needed OT to beat a slumping Indiana team. They beat Rutgers by 2 and Northwestern by 1 in back to back games. You know how they do vs tourney teams. Losses to Michigan by 21 and 15. Michigan State 22 and 15. 20 at Wiscy, 20 at OSU. Vols too talented. This should be at least a 15 point win for Tennessee. 5* Best Bet TENNESSEE 

Taking AUBURN. Lost with these guys as they collapsed down the stretch. Also faded Kansas and took a brutal pounding on that game. But new day, new game. I'll grab Auburn as I think they are the better team. Not a fan of either of these coaches. But laying a point, I will side with the SEC guys, I had these rated pretty high to start the year. We saw them at their best in the SEC tourney. We saw them at their worse choking away a game they should have loss except for a bonehead play by New Mexico State. With new life, I expect a pretty focused team today. 4* Money Maker AUBURN 

Taking MICHIGAN STATE. One team in off a super impressive win that they controlled basically from start to finish. The other guys, a huge fave in a dog fight most of the afternoon, Will side with an angry Izzo who will have his guys more than ready for Minny. Sparty beat these guys by 24 already this year. Last years bunch 30 points better. 8* Sure Shot MICHIGAN STATE 

4* Money Maker FLORIDA STATE 

Taking LIPSCOMB. Think these guys played a little better schedule and are a little better overall. We had both teams in Round 1, and unfortunately, they face each other here. Just another tournament putting mid-majors against each other so they don't beat Power 5 middling schools. Lipscomb lost 2 tough games to Belmont. They beat SMU, TCU. Really beat up a good Vermont team. Beat other middies Morehead State and Midd Tenn State. Lost at Louisville and Clemson. Shame they aren't in the NCAAs with who they played. NCG lost to LSU and Kentucky but were crushed by Wofford. I put Lipscomb obviously closer to Wofford than Kentucky. But fact remains NCG didn't  step up when it needed to. 5* Best Bet LIPSCOMB

Taking LSU. So faded both of these guys in Round 1 and cashed those doggy tickets So my impression was not to know what to expect from LSU with the coaching situation, Well, it appears they are rallying, Yale isn't your typical Ivy team as it scored 80 a game, But the size and talent eventually prevailed for LSU, I had Belmont in the play in and thinking they could beat Maryland outright. They just couldn't finish. Terps didn't impress at all in a mediocre Big 10 season. Give me the small faves here. 4* Money Maker LSU 

Taking VIRGINIA TECH. So I think we saw STL really shoot the moon in the A-10 tournament. Would love to see them make a run here. But I can't see that happening. This VT team is very good. You hear about Virginia, Duke and NC out of the ACC, but don't sleep on the Hokies. 8* Sure Shot VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

Taking UCF. Just think that they have too much size for VCU. Rams coming in off tough loss in A10 Championship game. They lose a key piece in Evans. Maybe he plays -No clue as I write this on Tuesday, but zero chance he will be close to 100% if he gets on the floor. UCF a tough team. Beat Houston on the road and Cincy in back to back to spots- then dropped a tough roadie at Temple who always brings it. Obviously they have to get by VCU first, but I will be interested in them vs Duke in the next round. 8* Sure Shot UCF 

Taking LIBERTY. Going again with my small school Money Maker. Not sure how they will do on the boards today, but I know they will do well shooting the ball. I have this line closer to 5 so I will grab the extra points with a team very excited to be on the big stage. 4* Money Maker LIBERTY 

4* Money Maker BUFFALO

Taking IRVINE. So, Wade plays and is 100%, I think this line is higher. But if he's out or plays in a limited fashion, have to still side with Irvine. Right off the bat - this game is in San Jose. I don't know California, but I know Irivine does play here. It isn't like their fans are flying in from Kansas. They will have the crowd behind them. And in an early game like this, it will be noticeable. You beat a team in your conference tournament championship by 30, that interests me. That is a team that you play twice a year and knows your ins and outs over the years. 16 straight wins and 19 of 20. 5* Best Bet CAL IRVINE 

Taking OLD DOMINION. This team won't mind playing a slow, banging pace. And the double digits are just a bonus. I think OD wins this outright. Really. If this game isn't withing 10 I would be shocked. CUSA always shows up in the NCAAs.. Last year Marshall 13 seed won first round. Year before, 12 seed Middle Tenn State wins 1st round. Before that - 15 Mid Tenn over #2 Michigan State. 14 UAB over 3 seed Iowa before that. We have to go back to 2013-2014 to find CUSA not getting bounced in the first round. 10* Money Bomb OLD DOMINION 

Taking KENTUCKY. Look. Hate going against any team that has Christian in their name. Do not want to offend any Gods during this time of year. Unfortunately, Abilene might need a Christmas Miracle to hang here. I think Kentucky can name the score. 4* Money Maker KENTUCKY 

Taking MURRAY. Time to start sprinkling in some ML on these dogs. Will grab the Racers ML for a little something. I do like Marquette. A couple weeks ago, I was sure this team would make a deep run. But you drop 4 straight to end the year, beat, who I think is a not so good St John's team, and then lose to the Hall in a revenge spot from a week ago? That is not good focus. Murray a middie with something to prove. 4* Money Maker MURRAY STATE 

Taking NORTHEASTERN. Have been down on Kansas and will fade them again. You know I like my CAA. This is a good, balanced Huskies team. This is not your typical Kansas team. I think they are banged up and I think their HC is in trouble. 4* Money Maker NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES 

4* Money Maker BELMONT

Taking VERMONT. Nice location for these guys not far from home and should have a good crowd behind them. Can FSU win this by 20 or something. Possibly. I just think Vermont comes out strong and double digits, we are live dog here. 4* Money Maker VERMONT 

Taking AUBURN. I will tell you this. I was writing why I was liking the Aggies in this spot. A nice 30-4 record, 19 straight wins. Looks impressive. But then I dug into their season. The 4 losses. 15 at home to St Mary's, lost to Kansas by 3 on a neutral, a 3pt neutral loss to Drake, and a 6pt road loss to Cal Baptist (this is a team I actually like!). Now I know this line might be a tad inflated based on the Tigers showing in the SEC Championship Game. But as much as I love taking dogs, and trendy 5-12, 4-13 upsets, we are on the fave here. I don't think Auburn is a great as they showed Sunday, but they should this Aggies team. 4* Money Maker AUBURN 

Taking YALE. These guys average 80pgg. This isn't the Princeton offense running back-doors to beat Georgetown. Not sure what to expect out of LSU with the coaching situation. Maybe they rally. Maybe they fold. I know that Yale will bringing it's 'A' game. 4* Money Maker YALE 

Taking CENTRAL MICHIGAN. Will gladly grab a MAC dog vs an average, at best Big East team. 4-6 run for DePaul and 7-3 for CMU. I always feel the smaller conference has the edge. The line is a bonus. I think we win outright. 10-0-1 ATS run for them last 11 games and 16-4-1 ATS last 21 overall. 5* Best Bet CENTRAL MICHIGAN 

Taking WICHITA. I love me some Furman, but this is too many points for me to pass up. I think this line is probably double what it should be. 4* Money Maker WICHITA STATE 

Taking TOLEDO. I am going to jump on some +190 ML also. Big brother/ little brother in state battle. You know the Rockets want to come hard at these guys. MAC trying to get some street cred. Starts with knocking out a bigger name program - this one, an in state rival. Creighton - what team is showing up? The one that lost 6 straight? The one that won 6 straight?  They are 4-10 ATS in their 14 games going off as a fave. Toledo much more consistent on the year. Buffalo only team to really run them out of a game. 8* Sure Shot TOLEDO ROCKETS 

Taking BELMONT. Also, leaning on the over in this game - Think Temple will hit some shots, but I think Belmont out with a chip on their shoulder. Have to be excited about a mid-major at large selection! Think the Bruins push the tempo in a high possession game and not sure Owls keep pace as Belmont pulls away. 4* Money Maker BELMONT 

Taking HOFSTRA. You know, not that I think the half point matters - But I could have put this up earlier in the day at 10 and even 10.5 in some spots. Sometimes though, life is more important than the best number as I was with my son at his football scrimmage. And as much as this is my job, and keeps a roof over my families head, it will always be second to my children. So we are getting a late start with our NIT for Tuesday. No worries though. I am already sprinkled in with the Pride +435 ML. I can't believe there was discussion of NCST being on the bubble. Team scored 24 points in game! Hofstra not the strongest schedule but gets what it can get. It went on the road and lost by 4 at Marshall. A game they led at the half. They went on the road and had a 6pt half-time lead over Maryland before losing. They lost in OT at VCU. I think those teams are all similar to NC State. Give me the points and won't be shocked at outright win tonight. 4* Money Maker HOFSTRA 

Taking MARSHALL. Think this guys are going to run IUPUI right out of the building. This team beat Wichita last year in the NCAAs before losing to West Va. I know this is a step down for them. But, getting to 20 wins is big. They are also gunning for their SR Guard Jon Elmore to break the schools scoring record. IUPUI 16-16 on the year. Nothing special. At least we have some motivation with the home faves. 4* Money Maker MARSHALL 

Taking GREENSBORO. Look. I know you can say, hey, first team out, they feel snubbed, they won't show up. I highly doubt that. This is a team that needs to prove it can beat teams. Wofford owned this guys. But their only other losses were to Furman, LSU and Kentucky. That's it. A little ticked that another angry mid-major Lipscomb could be up next for them. Just shows me even the NIT wants to knock out the small schools early. Laying it. 4* Money Maker NC GREENSBORO 

Taking the SUNS. These guys seem to be fighting every game. Bulls little burst of energy and wins seems to have faded. Think Phoenix wins this one by 10. 4* Money Maker PHOENIX SUNS 

Taking NJIT. Think these guys played in a better conference and that is the difference. Lipscomb and Liberty are much better than anything that Quinnipiac can toss at them. North Florida and Gulf Coast weren't too shabby in A-Sun play either. 4* Money Maker NJIT 

Taking HOUSTON. I know everyone is locked in on Gonzaga, Duke, Tenn or Kentucky, Michigan or Michigan State as 1 seeds. But the disrespect for Houston is terrible. Like your small conference teams not getting a fair shake at a bubble look, this mid-major gets overlooked as well. 31-2 on the year. You can only play who is in front of you. If you can't get a team to play you. How is that held against you? Oregon - LSU - Utah State. Heck STL is in the A10 Championship. This isn't a knock a good Cincy team. We had them last week at home and the Cougars knocked their block off. I said it yesterday, though they didn't cover for us. This is a very good team. Will lay the short price.85-69 last week over Cincy, 65-58 their earlier meeting. They eventually pull away for us. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON COUGARS 

Taking GEORGIA STATE. Top seed and regular season champs get the call. I'm gonna say it was a disappointing 2nd week of conference tournaments to say the least. We cleaned up last weekend, but it has been tough up and go since Tuesday. So we fade Arlington again. Again. Even getting a couple points it is tough to back a poor shooting team (41%FG) - GaSt beat them by 5 and 6 this year. They are 6-2 on neutrals so they show up for big games. 6-1-1 ATS run for Georgia State and a 6-0 ATS run for Arlington. Both teams doing well and you expect that in any championship game. Panthers with the best player (Simonds) in the league and should take care of business today. 4* Money Maker GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS 

Taking ST LOUIS. This is a team I was on for a bit, then left. Have to be happy with the defense the last 2 games and that is why we are here. Not anything to do with points at this price. Bonnies won the only meeting this season 66-57. Again. STL giving up 44 and 55 in back to back games is a nice sight. Bonnies not a terribly strong shooting team and not good on the glass at all. Don't like STL HC Travis Ford much. But I think the talent should be able to carry them to a surprise NCAA bid. 4* Money Maker STL BILLIKENS 

Taking HARVARD. 1&2 Ivy seeds getting together and the 1 seed a decent sized dog. Have to side with that even though most of the times I am on opposite sides of a higher 'ranked' team favored over a lower one. Either seed or the 'rankings' system that come out. In this case though, I see the Crimson have won both games this year (88-86 road, 65-49 home) and 4 straight overall in the series. Yale being home does warrant a slight edge on laying a number, but I don't know if 4.5 is the right number. It was 6 in the regular season match up they lost just on February 23rd. So we side with the Crimson who even without last year Ivy POY still were top seeds. This team should be even better next year. 4* Money Maker HARVARD CRIMSON 

Taking WESTERN KENTUCKY. Almost as much as I hate when my favorite mid-majors or sleepers clash in the NCAA, conference tournament time for me is just as painful. Hate seeing teams I have profited on face each other. One must fall though. Old Dom with 2 wins over WKU this year. 67-63 and 69-66. Should be another tough battle. I will point out OD with that 41% FG shooting which is something I shy away from. WKU at 45%. Think Hilltoppers get their revenge. 4* Money Maker WESTERN KENTUCKY

Taking EASTERN WASHINGTON. So I had Montana in opening round conference game. But I am dogging up. Split on the year with a 74-73 home win for Montana and 78-71 home win for EW. Really turned it on since March winning 5 straight and 8 of 10 overall. Last year, Montana ripped these guys in the Big Sky Championship Game 82-65. Thinking it will be a bit different this time around. 4* Money Maker EASTERN WASHINGTON 

Taking GEORGIA SOUTHERN. You know I love when lower seeds are favored. 3 over a 2, but this is not one of those 1 or 2 point lines. This is actually a couple of baskets and I love it more. Teams split during the year. Gotta love GSU floor general Tookie Brown. Now Arlington came on strong and nailed down the 2 seed. But I have said before, I have trouble backing poor shooting teams. Arlington at 41% on the year, while Georgia Southern at 49.6. 10* Money Bomb GEORGIA SOUTHERN 

4* Money Maker DAVIDSON 

Taking HOUSTON. Had these guys yesterday, will come back again. Had Memphis on the free pick video so that was a nice. Look. I know it is very tempting to grab a big home dog like this in the Tigers. Yeah, they looked really good crushing UCF yesterday. A UCF team that had beat Houston and Cincy in back to back games before dropping season finale to Temple. And yet, we have this big line. Houston just has been an absolute beast this season. Cougars won the only meeting this season, 90-77. 30-2 now on the year for the Cougars. As I said yesterday. These guys waxed Cincy on the road in what was a meaningless game. 84-55 over Uconn. They don't seem like they are content or going through the motions vs bad teams. Obviously, crowd will be heavily invested in the dog. But if Cougars jump out early, this is going to be a 20pt route. I already think this is a double digit win. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON COUGARS 

Taking MICHIGAN STATE. So at the start of the season I thought these guys were a Final Four team. Not much to change my thinking they make a deep run starting next week. Don't be fooled by the 77-70 final over OSU - Sparty went to sleep the last 4 minutes. This game was 75-56 with under 4 to play. Sparty won 67-59 on the road and I expect something along the same lines this afternoon. Michigan State should pull away and I don't think after Happ, Wiscy has the guns to keep pace. 4* Money Maker MICHIGAN STATE 

4* Money Maker NORFOLK STATE 

Taking AUBURN. Not going to have big write ups this afternoon. Auburn a team I have been on early in the season, a couple times late. Not a fan of Florida. Teams split on the season. Tigers a big better in my opinion. 4* Money Maker AUBURN TIGERS 

Taking UMBC. I'll be honest. I want to take Vermont in this spot - I mean, 2 wins by UMBC this year over Vermont. 74-61 on the road and 65-56 at home. Now getting double digits. It's like they are begging you to take UMBC. Line looks crazy. I wanted ML on this site, but it was not available so we will take the points. 4* Money Maker UMBC 

more picks coming for the day. Need this up since it starts very early. 

Taking OREGON. These guys playing very well right now. Won't be shocked when they win PAC 12 - and maybe make a Sweet 16 run. A perfect 6-0 ATS/ SU run for Ducks. Beat ASU by 28 a couple weeks ago. Get your ticket and get out of the way of the Ducks. Simply rolling right now. 8* Sure Shot OREGON DUCKS 

Taking FRESNO. If I could have gotten +140 on the ML on the sites, I would have. But we will sprinkle that in later. Grabbing any points in what should be a very good game. Both regular season games were nail-biters. 82-81, 79-78 with both teams winning on the road. 4* Money Maker FRESNO STATE 

4* Money Maker TEXAS SOUTHERN

Taking WEST VIRGINIA. Who saw this late life from Huggy-Bear's teams? I know it is tough taking a double digit dog in Game 3 of tourney action - especially vs big, bad Kansas right? But I am still not sold on this Jayhawks team. Maybe they win by 20 like they did last month. Or maybe they lose outright like they did when they traveled to West Va. 4* Money Maker WEST VIRGINIA 

Taking VIRGINIA. Had these guys big yesterday and they delivered. And we lost a brutal one with VT as FSU drained a 3 after a missed FT and we go on to lose in OT. This VA team is excellent. Nothing else to say. 4* Money Maker VIRGINIA 

Taking TEXAS STATE. 3rd Sun Belt Tourney game for South Alabama and I am leaning on the Texas State here. These guys split the season series, and have similar numbers. Bobcats though are better and should be able to pull away late. 4* Money Maker TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

4* Money Maker DAVIDSON

Taking AUBURN. Lower seed, favored by more than a TD and has already lost to the team they are playing this year (80-77). Think the Tigers are a bit better and deeper. The barely 42% shooting for SC leads me to believe we see a big Auburn win. 4* Money Maker AUBURN TIGERS 

4* Money Maker PRAIRIE VIEW 

Taking UAB. So this is interesting. We see how this tourney sets up and UAB playing the 3rd straight game already. But they have had success vs the conference champs. Won by 14 at the start of March at home, lost by 11 on the road. But the OD power ratings are not that strong to warrant this number. Yesterday against the 8 seed, OD survived a scare in a PK game. This is one of those 'too good to be true' type looking lines as I see this as a PK or 2 type game. Blazers 7-2 ATS last 9 vs OD. Old Dom 0-5 ATS last 5 games and 1-5 ATS last 6 on neutrals. 4* Money Maker UAB BLAZERS

Taking VCU. Can't get in front of this runaway train. 12 straight and 14 of 15 for VCU SU and 12-3 ATS run. The suffocating defense was tops in the league and the offense 3rd best. 76-42 home win over RI in February which was their payback for a 71-65 loss in Rhode Island. I think this is a double digit game and can easily turn into a blow out. Cashed with RI yesterday, but today, we are on the other side. 4* Money Maker VCU RAMS 

Taking HOUSTON. These guys have been running wild in the AAC. I had Cincy at home to end the regular season and the Cougars just destroyed them. They have beaten Uconn by 8 and 10 already this year. 16-2 in conference. 29-2 on the year! Who is talking about this team? Beat Oregon when they had Bol Bol. Beat LSU. Beat Utah State who everyone is on/ will be on tournament time. I think they are so under the radar their isn't an issue of overlooking a team. They are gonna come out and dominate as they did Sunday on the road at Cincy. 4* Money Maker HOUSTON