Picks for 4/6/26
College Basketball
8:50 PM EST
Rotation # 702
UConn +6.5 over Michigan (pending)
My goal every tournament is to hit 60%. We will achieve that goal with a win tonight. If not, we gained a few units for the tournament, so I can’t complain. It’s tough to make money when the oddsmakers are on point and can focus on just one game, as opposed to an entire slate of games, where you might be able to find a few soft lines. Dan Hurley is the better coach in this matchup, but Dusty May isn’t far behind. As far as hardware is concerned, Hurley is approaching G.O.A.T status. The Huskies have plenty of tournament experience, including a few guys who have won titles before. UConn did not buckle under the pressure in the Final Four game against an Illini team that clearly did, and there was also a luck factor that couldn’t be factored in. I can’t remember ever seeing a game where so many layups bounced in and out of the net as they did for Illinois. The bottom line is the Huskies’ defense was outstanding and somethered one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. Michigan went wire-to-wire against Arizona in the Final Four. There isn’t a person on earth who thought it would be that easy, especially with Yaxel Lendeborg not getting full minutes.
8:50 PM EST
Rotation # 702
UConn +6.5 over Michigan (pending)
My goal every tournament is to hit 60%. We will achieve that goal with a win tonight. If not, we gained a few units for the tournament, so I can’t complain. It’s tough to make money when the oddsmakers are on point and can focus on just one game, as opposed to an entire slate of games, where you might be able to find a few soft lines. Dan Hurley is the better coach in this matchup, but Dusty May isn’t far behind. As far as hardware is concerned, Hurley is approaching G.O.A.T status. The Huskies have plenty of tournament experience, including a few guys who have won titles before. UConn did not buckle under the pressure in the Final Four game against an Illini team that clearly did, and there was also a luck factor that couldn’t be factored in. I can’t remember ever seeing a game where so many layups bounced in and out of the net as they did for Illinois. The bottom line is the Huskies’ defense was outstanding and somethered one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. Michigan went wire-to-wire against Arizona in the Final Four. There isn’t a person on earth who thought it would be that easy, especially with Yaxel Lendeborg not getting full minutes.
UConn dominated all slow-paced teams in the tournament; Michigan dominated all fast-paced ones, except for its rout of Tennessee. Tonight’s game is at Lucas Oil Stadium, a football venue, making this more of an EVENT than a basketball game—an NCAA moneymaker. Dusty May had players shoot in the Big House to work on depth perception. It’s like asking a tennis player who plays on grass to play the finals on clay. Michigan is the better team, but it is careless with the ball, and forcing turnovers isn’t a strong point. Each possession is critical in a high-stakes game for all the marbles. Handicapping is tough with this game’s unique setup. The benches are below court level, making the entire experience awkward.
The Wolverines could very well get out to a monster first-half lead and run away with the game, but I don’t know if it’s wise to go against Dan Hurley, who aims for a third title in the last 4 years. Alex Karaban is looking for his third title. Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, and Jaylin Stewart are looking for their second title. Silas Demary Jr. looks healthy again, back to finding open teammates for points; freshman Braylon Mullins is a three-point sniper; and big man Tarris Reed Jr., who started his collegiate career with Michigan, is dominating in the paint. The Huskies haven’t even played that well in the tournament, with multiple scoring droughts, yet they’re still in the finals. Again, you can’t compare apples to apples on this elevated playing surface in a dome setting. Enjoy the game. I will take a chance with the underdog, cue up Luther Vandross for one shining moment, and start the countdown for college and pro football. Take UConn.