Handicapper Profile

#839 Murray State Racers +5 (6:10 edt)

The Racers are looking very strong right now with only 4 SU losses all season long and they destroyed a very good Marquette team to advance in this tournament.  They are 3-0 SU in neutral court games and they are 12-4 ATS away from home so they know how to get it done in a strange venue.  Murray State has covered 5 of their last 6 and 8 of their last 10 games while Florida State only has 3 covers in their last 9 games.  Take the Racers and the points here. 

#814 Iowa State Cyclones -5.5 (9:50 edt)

Love the Cyclones here since they are just simply the much better team here.  Iowa State won the Big 12 tournament so they will be brimming with confidence here and they will relish the chance to stick it to a big football name on the basketball court.  Iowa State is 6-1 SU in neutral site games and this game is being played in Oklahoma which is Big 12 country so you know those fans would love to see the Buckeyes crushed here.  Look for Iowa State to run up this score given any chance to do so. 

#778 Nevada Wolf Pack -2 (6:50 edt)

Love Nevada laying a very small number here since this team was bored during the regular season playing in a lousy conference but they will be very awake here after losing in their conference tournament as double digit favorites.  This tournament will have them looking for redemption and they are 5-1 SU in neutral court games this season.  Florida was just a .500 or so team in conference play and their offense has been awful all season long.  Take Nevada and their far superior offense to get this win and cover here.

#728 Nebraska Cornhuskers -5.5 (9:00 edt) ESPN2

Give me the Cornhuskers here since they will be super pumped to be in any post-season tournament they way their season started.  They are not a team that usually makes the NCAA big dance so not making it will not be disappointing to them.  Nebraska is a solid 9-6-1 ATS at home while Butler does not like the road as evidenced by their 9-23 ATS record in their last 32 roadies.  Nebraska was 3-0 ATS in the Big 10 tournament so they know how to get it done in a tournament environment.  Lay it with Nebraska here.

#671 Belmont Bruins -3 (9:10 edt) TRU TV

Belmont feels they deserved to be in the tournament but they are not happy about being in the First Four so look for a very spirited effort from them here.  They also have a bad taste in their mouth after losing their conference tournament championship game to Murry State.  Temple squeaked in here but not sure they deserved it with their record and their schedule.  Look for a focused Belmont team here to get this win and cover and move on to the big boy part of the tournament.

#544 San Antonio Spurs +2.5 (8:00 edt) ESPN

Love the Spurs here because I think they catch the Warriors in a perfect dead spot here.  Golden State is off of 2 straights big statement wins on national television so this one feels like a game they will let of the gas pedal after proving their standing as still the best team in the league and knowing they play again on Tuesday.  San Antonio is playing very well right now winning 8 games in a row SU with 7 covers in that run and the Spurs have revenge from a 39 point loss in February to the Warriors.  Look for the Spurs to be very motivated here against a less than fully motivated Warriors team. 

#522 Milwaukee Bucks - (3:35 est) ABC

Love the Bucks here since they have been awesome at home ATS this season at 19-12-1 while the 76ers have been less than stellar on the road sitting at 13-19 ATS.  The Bucks have covered 6 of their last 8 games overall and they have covered 5 of their last 7 against Philly.  The 76ers have only 1 cover in their last 5 games and they don't like the road.  Play the Bucks here.

#507 Golden State Warriors pick (8:35 est) ABC

Golden State sent a message to the Rockets in their last game that they are not ready to give up their title and I look for the same focused effort from them here in a prime time TV game against another team gunning for their title.  The Warriors have covered 9 of their last 13 meetings with the Thunder and Oklahoma City is just 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games overall.  Look for a focused Warriors team to get this win/cover here.

#586 L A Clippers - 8.5 (10:35 est) NBATV

Lay the lumber here with the Clippers since they will be very interested in getting a win since they are coming off of a loss and they need wins in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.  The Bulls look like they have thrown in the towel on the season so I don't see them offering much resistance here with the end of the season in sight.  Lay it with Los Angeles here.  

#570 Denver Nuggets -11 (10:35 est) TNT

Love the Nuggets here to get this cover since they are dynamite at home this year at 23-11 ATS including 9-3 ATS in their last 12.  Dallas is struggling only covering 3 of their last 12 games overall and Denver has won and covered both previous meetings this season.  Love the Nuggets here.