Blog

College Basketball

7:09 PM EST
Rotation # 628
Alabama -4.5 over BYU (win)
Alabama plays at the highest tempo and is the best-scoring offense in the nation. With that, they sacrifice defensive play. The Crimson Tide can lock in on the defensive end, as they are great on the boards and at blocking shots. The Cougars are an offensive-minded team that can get sloppy on the defensive end. The Cougar’s three-point defense is weak and could be in trouble tonight against a hot-shooting Bama team. BYU didn’t challenge themselves in the non-conference this year, so the only similar SEC opponent was a loss to Ole Miss on a neutral floor. The Tide had the most demanding schedule in the nation. Mark Sears is a veteran guard looking to extend his career another game. Senior Grant Nelson hasn’t been at 100 percent, but he, too, is looking to avoid playing his last college game. 42-year-old BYU Coach Kevin Young was outstanding in his first year of taking over for Mark Pope, but getting to the elite eight will be a tall task. Take Alabama.

College Basketball
9:39 PM EST
Rotation # 625
Arizona +9.5 over Duke (win)
Duke has looked outstanding in their first two tournament games, but Arizona is much bigger and has a more physical presence than Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor. The Blue Devils will get their points but won’t walk right over the Wildcats defenders and will work for their points. Duke has covered at a high rate this year, and the oddsmakers have given them a couple of extra points, knowing the public will back them. The Wildcats play at a good pace and can spread the count and hustle on the fast break. Arizona has bench players to hassle Duke’s youth, getting them into foul trouble. Wildcats senior Caleb Love is the best player on the team and is used to playing against Duke, as he played many games against them when he was with North Carolina. Stopping Cooper Flagg is next to impossible, but the Wildcats have the offense to stay in this game. I am interested to see how the Blue Devils respond if they get into a close matchup. Take Arizona.

College Basketball
10:09 PM EST
Rotation # 629-630
Arkansas/Texas Tech Under 147.5 (loss)
Arkansas peaked at the right time, as they were unstoppable last weekend. The worst thing to do to a hot team is to sit them down for almost a week. It will be tough for coach Calipari to juggle Boogie Fland and Adou Thiero in the lineup as it takes away from many other players who stepped up in their absence. The Razorbacks have a size advantage and will contest the Red Raiders’ shots around the paint area. The Razorbacks have the length to make three-point shooting hard for Texas Tech. Both offenses are good around the basket but not at an elite level like the remaining favorites in the tournament. Texas Tech protects the ball on offense and will try to slow down the pace, so Arkansas can’t use their athletic ability to get easy transition buckets. Look for a lower-scoring game. Take the Under.

Free MLB 
10:10 PM EST
Rotation # 910
Diamondbacks -125 over Cubs (loss)
Gallen/Steele
The Cubs are already two games in the hole after losing both to the Dodgers in the Tokyo Series. It won’t get easier tonight on the road against Zac Gallen. Arizona missed the playoffs last season by one game after an epic collapse in the final week of the year and are eager to start the year on the right foot with their ace on the mound. Arizona knows a slow start a season ago held them back from a successful season a year ago. The Diamondbacks have great pitching, a solid bullpen, and great offensive production. Cubs starter Justin Steele has looked shaky in spring ball. Take the Diamondbacks.