Forecasting Thursday's Games

I have always hated this week for some apparent reason. That is, the week after the opening week. Think about it: there are fewer games, probably 60% of America's brackets are done, and the depression of not being able to  watch a buffet of games sets in.

Nevertheless, the Sweet 16 always has great games as the level of competition and the pressure increases. Let's take a gander at what we have for Thursday...


UConn v. San Diego State 7:15..... Line UConn minus -1
Starting the night out with a bang we got the Huskies going up against a San Diego State team that has only lost to one opponent all year (BYU). Possibly the biggest factor in this game will be the location--Anaheim--which practically makes it a home game for the Aztecs. Should the Huskies be worried about this? You bet their grey buns they should. They have to travel across the country to face a tenacious defense that is loaded with vets and simply does not lose. A lot of people love Kemba, but I see a more Gerry McNamara effort out of him instead of a Carmelo Anthony which means he is more prone to exit the NCAA tourney early after a heavy Big East run. The Aztecs have the guards to slow down Walker, and their front court is clearly better. Look for Aztec PG DJ Gay to have a big game--he's due. I like the Aztecs.

BYU v. Florida 7:27.... Line Florida minus -3
Sweet baby Jesus this one gets me wet. Practically a rematch of last years matchup in the first round (BYU won in OT) these two squads square off with a chance to reach that coveted elite 8. BYU has resurged into the experts affection, but I'm not buying it. Yes, Jimmer is fantastic to watch and he will put up the numbers again, but BYU simply does not have the big guys to match the Gators. The Florida front court of Vernon Macklin, Alex Tyus, Erick Murphy and the future star Patric Young are all just so much more athletic than any BYU big. They just seem to want the ball more and I don't see a guy named Noah (Hartsock-starting BYU center) being able to contain them. A glimmer of hope for BYU is that Florida's best on-the-ball defender Kenny Boynton has a bum ankle so Jimmer could go off. However, I like little man Erving Walker to orchestrate another victory.

Arizona v. Duke 9:45... Line Duke minus -8.5
Impressive victory for Arizona against Texas on Sunday where they got a tremendous performance out of Jordin Mayes, but Duke will be way too much for them. Derrick Williams is the focal point of that offense and  I find it difficult for him to put in a Herculean against the Brothers Plumlee. Kyrie Irving will be in full form and Duke's guards will cause some serious problems against Zona's ball handling. Set aside some Bud Heavy's Uncle because it should be a long night.

Butler v. Wisconsin 9:57...Line Wisconsin minus -5
My darling pick of the Tourney is still alive and I love this matchup against last years darling. Jordan Taylor put in one of the worst performances of his career against Pullen and I'm sure he is itching to prove that he is a premier guard. Shelvin Mack prepare yourself because your about to get locked up like George Jung in Blow. I will admit that although the Badgers have more talent, the Bulldogs have the heart and for this very reason it will be a tight one so take Butler against the spread. Wisconsin loves to run the shot clock down so it shouldn't be very high scoring. As Owen Wilson once put it in You Me and Dupree, "If your looking for a Clydesdale, I'm not your guy". This game won't be a clydesdale, but watch it anyways.