Final Four musings

We have good teams reaching the Final Four, with a lot of experienced coaches. Something is missing though and I can’t my finger on it. Yes, I am bummed that Pitt is out, but I do like this Villanova team. I was not really sold on this Louisville team. I picked them to win it all at the beginning of the year, then changed my mind, and then got back on board. That sums up Louisville; talented but inconsistent. Still I would have liked to have seen that high energy style play on. I am not a fan of Michigan State and they have proven me wrong all year. I just don’t like big 10 basketball and teams that rely heavily on defense. It is a good strategy to win, just does not make for good TV viewing. But, I like Izzo and they deserve to be there so I won’t complain.

Of course, I will be watching and have planned my day accordingly. I am taking the kids to the park at 5:45am for some good quality time and then I am “checking out”. Here are my thoughts on the game.

MICHIGAN STATE +4 vs. Uconn

The kiss of death. I have been a hater all year, and now I am on them? Here is why.
1) Izzo. This guy is the best coach in the land. He constantly gets his underachieving teams to the final four. Calhoun is great too, but I have more faith in Izzo.
2) Home game. The crowd will no doubt be a benefit to MSU
3) Sutton. He can and will shoot the 3 and likely pull Thabeet away from the basket. This will be a benefit to the rest of the Spartans.
4) Defense. As I stated above, it is boring, but effective. Uconn will surely have an advantage inside, but MSU has a deep bench and they will be prepared for this. Uconn however is not that great of a shooting team, outside of Price.

I think Michigan State wins. I will take the points and the MONEYline. I hate totals, but since there are only a couple of games, I will make a pick. Give me the under of 133.5.
Final score 65- 60 Michigan state

NORTH CAROLINA -7 vs. Villanova

The easy bet is to take Villanova and assume this is way too many points. But, like all other UNC games, unless the opponent wins, North Carolina is going to cover. They are too talented and can score too quickly. The only way they don’t cover, is if UNC is down over 10 at half time, and even then I would not put it past them to still hit the original number. Villanova will have to shoot great, which they have shown they can do. They are tougher than UNC and they possess the guard speed that will give UNC fits. However, UNC will have its way with Nova inside. I think this will be a close game throughout and it would not surprise me to see Nova up at halftime, but when it is all said and done, UNC will be meeting MSU in the final game. I will take the over in this game 158.5

Final score UNC 88 Villanova 78

Good luck!
Money

Biased

I am still thinking about that Pitt game last night. I really liked them. They were my Memphis team similar to B. Anthony's feelings last year. However, I could still see that they were not the right pick and took Nova. I am a big fan of SI.com Seth Davis and he picked Pitt to win it all as well. He picked Pitt to win the game last night and picked them again at half. You think I am bummed. Read what he had to say.

“It's just a shame one of them had to lose in the end, and that's a rough way to go out for Pitt. In an earlier game today, Missouri lost to UConn and walks away taking solace in the year and in the tournament that they had --- they went further than anyone would have guessed. Pitt, on the other hand, walks away heartbroken --- they did everything but make the final play. But if you go 22 from 23 from foul line like Villanova did, you deserve to win.”

All he was talking about is how heartbroken Pitt (and himself) is. That was an incredible game, with a shot that will be remembered each and every year. Hats off to Nova and the Big East for making this a great tournament.

Sunday picks:
LOUISVILLE -6.5 vs. Michigan State
MSU has traditionally played well when Raymar Morgan has done well, and he is not playing well. They need a good game from him and this aint going to happen. MSU has depth, but not good enough depth, just people like you and me. They won’t be able to handle the press and Louisville will beat them rather easily.

UNC -7 vs. Oklahoma
I think this is another easy game. I am not a fan of Oklahoma. I have not been buying them all year. If they beat UNC then I will admit how wrong I was, which I seem to be doing a lot lately. I don’t see it happening with a healthy Lawson now.

Good luck!
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