Free Pick
2004 NCAA Basketball Free Picks (6-4-2, 60%, +4.8 Units)
March 26, 2004
Texas (-3) vs. Xavier, 7:25 PM EST
Game Notes:
The #2 seeded Texas Longhorns (25-7) are a much deeper team than the #7 seeded Xavier Muskateers (25-10). Texas guard Royal Ivey will do a better job of shutting down Xavier's guards Romain Sato and Lionel Chalmers than Xavier's previous opponents. Texas has been here before and returns most of their players from last years Final Four squad. They have the shooters, they have the bodies, they have a bench that goes 11 deep. If Xavier's big men get in foul trouble, this game could get out of hand. While Xavier has been on a fantastic run, Texas' depth, experience and the time to prepare for their match up will lead the Longhorns to victory. Play on Texas for 3 units. __
The seventh-seed, Xavier Musketeers will meet the third-seeded, Texas Longhorns, in the Georgia Dome at Atlanta. The semifinal matchup features two 25-win teams. Xavier, which won the Atlantic-10 Tournament, advanced to the "Sweet Sixteen," with victories over Louisville and Mississippi State. The Musketeers come into this contest, winners of eight straight and 15 of their last 16 games. Texas made its way to this round by defeating Princeton and North Carolina. The Longhorns lead the all-time series 2-1, with the last meeting coming in the 1990 Midwest Regional, a 102-89 Longhorns win.
The Musketeers one-two punch of Lionel Chalmers and Romain Sato has been as good as any duo in the nation. The two have been exceptional during the postseason. The pair bring experience and senior leadership, which has been a big part of the Musketeers run. Chalmers is averaging 16.7 points per game and opens things up inside, with his outstanding range. Sato is adding 16.2 points per contest and is a great rebounder for a 6-5 swingman, as he grabs an average of 8.1 rebounds per outing. Senior center Anthony Myles is a solid inside player, who will have a tough task handling the Longhorns deep frontline. Guard Dedrick Finn and 6-8 freshman Justin Doellman complete the starting five. The Musketeers have little depth, which could spell trouble against the nations deepest team.
When most teams shorten their bench this time of year, Rick Barnes continues to use his entire squad. Eight players are averaging 13 or more minutes per game, while 10 players are logging at least eight minutes per tilt. Brandon Mouton and Royal Ivey see more time than the other Longhorns. Mouton is averaging 17.5 points per game during the tournament, while Ivey is adding 16.0 points per contest. Both have made key shots. Ivey is a strong defender. Brian Boddicker is a solid forward, who can score from inside or outside. He is a big three-point threat. Center Jason Klotz has played better down the stretch, giving the Longhorns a fine inside presence. Freshman P.J. Tucker has slowed down, after a great start to the season. Kenton Paulino, Brad Buckman, Kenny Taylor and James Thomas will all see time.
Despite being one of the hottest teams in the country, the Musketeers are a two point underdog. Overall, the Musketeers are 19-14 ATS and have covered in 15 of their last 16 games. They are 7-6 ATS as an underdog. Seven of the last nine Musketeers games have gone over the Vegas total. The Longhorns are 14-13 ATS and are just 3-5 ATS over their last eight games. They are 11-10 ATS when favored. Five of the last seven Longhorns games have been under the Vegas total.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Duke Blue Devils
It's the Big Ten against the ACC, when the Illinois Fighting Illini meet the Duke Blue Devils in the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Tournament. The semifinal round is being played in the Georgia Dome at Atlanta. The Illini come in with a 26-6 record and have won 14 of their last 15 games, including tournament wins over Murray State and Cincinnati. The top seeded Blue Devils are 29-5, after an easy victory over Seton Hall. This is the sixth meeting all-time between the teams. The Blue Devils lead 3-2, with the last contest coming in 2000, resulting in a Blue Devils, 78-77 victory at Duke.
The fifth-seeded Illini are led by sophomore guards Deron Williams and Dee Brown. Williams, a first-team All-Big Ten selection leads the club in scoring, with 14.2 points per game, while handing out a team-high 6.2 assists per contest. Williams set a school record, for points in a NCAA Tournament game with 31 in the win over Cincinnati. Brown is second in scoring, at 13.3 points per game and is also a fine ball handler, who is dishing out 4.5 assists per game. The duo will look to break down the Blue Devils perimeter defense, which is banged up. Senior guard Luther Head is an outstanding athlete who can do some damage down the lane. Center James Augustine (9.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg) has been coming on of late. He is a solid rebounder, who will battle the Blue Devils down low. Roger Powell starts at forward and adds scoring punch. 7-2 Nick Smith comes off the bench, but lacks the skills to be an offensive threat.
One weakness of the Blue Devils is the lack of depth. That will be magnified, with the rib injury to point guard Chris Duhon, who will continue to play with a heavy wrap. Duhon will be tested on the defensive end by the Illini's explosive guards. Guard J.J. Redick is as good as any shooter in the nation and leads the team in scoring, with 16.0 points per game. Freshman Luol Deng (14.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) can provide scoring from anywhere on the court and is a solid rebounder. Daniel Ewing (12.7 ppg) has played well down the stretch, but can be inconsistent. Shelden Williams has become an outstanding inside presence and is averaging 12.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per outing. Williams will go toe-to-toe with the improved Augustine. The Blue Devils depth or lack of could be a major factor in this contest.
The Blue Devils are favored by seven points. They are 12-11 ATS when favored by seven or more points. Overall, the Blue Devils are 17-15 ATS and have covered three of their last four contests. The last five Blue Devils games have gone over the Vegas total. The Illini are 15-12 ATS this season and have covered four of their last five outings. The Illini are 0-2 ATS, while underdogs this season.
Your welcome Chuck. He just banned me for posting his plays here. As he stated, "i am one of the most powerful people in the industry". LOL Whatever, i only got his plays spotty. 1-2 last night. I follow Animal 5*'s mostly
daughtery, i called an OG gambler in my neighborhood to find out abou gaston. i showed him his site and he began to tell me about his fruad of a service.
while he says gaston his probably a good gambler, his prices are set so high because he doesnt have any customers, and he wants to lure people in to make it seem like he has tomorrows newspaper with his outrageous prices.
THE FACT REMAINS, TY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FRAUD, HE KNOWS, I KNOW, YOU KNOW, HE DOESNT HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS
Comment