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Conference Tournaments
Conference USA
UAB won seven games in row, is 5-0-1 vs spread in its last six games, and are only C-USA team to beat Memphis this season (80-74 at home March 2). Blazers recruit in Memphis, so this has always been rivalry game. Memphis gave up 10-0 runs at start of both halves vs Houston Friday, still won by 14; Calipari isn't all that happy with his PGs. UAB is 4-0 vs spread as an underdog.
SEC
South Carolina lost twice to Kentucky this year, 80-78 at Rupp Jan 21, in game SC led most of way (+6), then 79-66 at home Feb 18 (-4). Both sides playing for third day in row; Gamecocks are +20 in turnovers (18-38) in first two games. Kentucky is 7-3 on SEC road- they're better on road than at home this year. UK was -11 on boards yesterday, shot 39%, still got comeback win.
LSU is without star freshman Thomas this weekend, and Brady has suggested that Tigers might be better off losing to rest up for next weekend; still, LSU pounded Vandy yesterday, making 56.7% of shots- they lost 71-62 at Florida Feb 11 (+4.5). Gators are 6-1 in this event last two years; they've won three games in row after mini-slump. Tigers' hefty star Davis might struggle in day game after night game.
ACC
Wake Forest is 4-2 in last six games, after 1-11 start in the ACC; their last four losses are all by 11+ pts, but they're hungry team with two senior stars; Deacons lost 93-70 at Duke Jan 8 (+17), and 82-64 at home to Blue Devils Feb 14 (+8). Duke is struggling beating Miami 80-76 yesterday after losing previous two games; out of 64 teams that played yesterday, Duke took 3rd-most 3's.
North Carolina won last eight games (7-1 vs spread); they lost at home to Boston College 81-74 on Jan 25 (-3). Eagles jumped out to 22-4 vs Maryland last night, and coasted to win. BC 4-0 this year on Tobacco Road, and won last four games overall, by 14, 2,15,2, pts. Eagles are 12-1 in ACC if they score 61+ pts. BC has four returning starters with over 400 career starts between them.
Big 11
TV switched game times for this event, so Iowa-Michigan State is early game, even though they played later yesterday.
Iowa won nine of last 12, but are ordinary 4-5 on road in Big 11, they allowed just 46.3 ppg their last three games, and are 10-4 in this event the last five years; home side won both their games vs Michigan State, with Spartans drilling Hawkeyes 85-55, then losing 66-54 at Iowa City. State is playing third day in row, while Iowa didn't play Thursday; they're 9-4 vs spread as Big 11 fave.
Ohio State playing for #1 seed in next week's tourney; they won last six games, are 8-4 vs spread as favorite in Big 11, and didn't get postseason ban from NCAA Friday, so they're having good week. Indiana won last five games to get back on bubble; they are 4-0 vs spread last four games, after 0-12-1 spread skid. OSU lost 81-79 at Indiana Jan 7 (+5.5), Buckeyes' first loss this year.
Big 12
Texas lost at College Station 46-43 ten days ago (-7) but beat the Aggies 83-70 at home Feb 4 (-16). A&M crushed Colorado, has to think they're in as at-large now, having won eight games in a row, five by four or less pts; they're 6-1 vs spread as Big 12 dog. Aggies shot 55% from floor last night, made 12-21 treys, while Texas was just 7-24 on treys in their closer-than-expected win vs Texas Tech. Longhorns 2-4 vs spread in last six as favorite.
Kansas is 13-1 in last 14 games, losing at Texas; they are 7-2 on Big 12 road, 7-5 vs spread as conference favorite; they crushed Nebraska twice this year, routing the Huskers 96-54 Jan 21 (-12), then again 68-47 in Lincoln Feb 8 (-6). Nebraska won five games on Big 12 road, winning twice here after being 0-6 in tourney the last six years- they get ball to good spots, having taken 60 foul shots in first two games.
Atlantic 14
.St Joe's won last eight games (7-1 vs spread), last six wins are by 31,10,16,12,15,14 pts; they covered eight of last nine tries as favorite, and are 7-2-1 as favorite in this event, but this is away game, at Xavier team that lost its PG recently- Musketeers are playing for fourth straight day; home team lost both meetings in season, with Xavier winning 62-58 at Philly Jan 4, then losing at home to St Joe's 68-58 on Musketeers' Senior Day Feb 28 (-6).
Pac-10
UCLA, Cal split this year, with Bears winning 68-61 at Pauley on Dec 31 (+6), then losing in OT at home to Bruins nine days ago, 67-58 (-1). Powe scored 41 last night for Cal, but got stinger late in game and didn't play last 1:40 of double OT thriller- starting time is only 15.5 hours after Cal's game ended Friday. UCLA has won six in row, 12 of last 14 games, but both teams they've been against in this tournament were depleted by injury/suspension.
MAC
Toledo won last ten games (8-2 vs spread); they were down at half 40-34 last night, rallied to win. Rockets lost 76-68 at Kent in first meeting (+4.5) Jan 4, then crushed Kent 60-44 Feb 7 (+1.5); Flashes are 7-1 since that game, 17-3 overall in MAC, 12-3 vs the spread as favorite; eight of their last nine wins are by 10+ pts. Toledo has had one good half, one bad half in last two games.
Big East
Syracuse is 8-1 vs spread in last nine games as Big East dog in tourney; they're on roll like West Virginia was last year- in only game vs Pitt this year, they lost 80-67 Jan 23 (+4.5), but none of that matters, as they've rallied to improbable wins three days in row behind senior guard McNamara. Pitt held Villanova to 35% from floor last night; their physical play KO'd Ray (by accident) but still, they're aggresive team with several NYC guys on club, so playing in Garden is special to them.
WAC
Nevada won their last twelve games; this is one-bid league, so no room for error for Wolf Pack squad that is 5-3-2 as favorite at home; home side lost both their games vs Utah State this year, with Aggies winning 59-53 in Big Monday game on this court, then losing at home, 75-57 Feb 25 (-3.5). Aggies are 15-2 in last 17 conference tourney games; they're 8-1 in last eight overall. Nevada has had the easier game each of last two nights.
MWC
San Diego State stared grim reaper in face last night, escaped in close game vs UNLV; Aztecs are 9-5 vs spread as a MWC fave; this year, Aztecs beat Wyoming twice this year, 78-77 in OT at Laramie Jan 28 (-3) then 91-72 at home March 1 (-11). Aztecs are in shooting slump (33%, 37%) this week. Wyoming had lost six in row before posting pair of upsets that may save coach's job. Cowboys shot 59% last night, held Utah to 27% from the floor.
Big West
Long Beach State won seven in a row, but they've gone all-out to win last two nights (94-91/75-73); asking them to beat senior guards of Pacific, plus quality big guy Maraker, when they're in action third night in row a lot to ask. Pacific beat 49ers twice this year, 78-72 at Beach Jan 13 (-3), 87-78 Feb 4 (-10). Tigers won ten in row in league play, but they did lose to New Mexico St squad in Bracketbusters. Long Beach was 17-34 behind the arc Friday.
Conference USA
UAB won seven games in row, is 5-0-1 vs spread in its last six games, and are only C-USA team to beat Memphis this season (80-74 at home March 2). Blazers recruit in Memphis, so this has always been rivalry game. Memphis gave up 10-0 runs at start of both halves vs Houston Friday, still won by 14; Calipari isn't all that happy with his PGs. UAB is 4-0 vs spread as an underdog.
SEC
South Carolina lost twice to Kentucky this year, 80-78 at Rupp Jan 21, in game SC led most of way (+6), then 79-66 at home Feb 18 (-4). Both sides playing for third day in row; Gamecocks are +20 in turnovers (18-38) in first two games. Kentucky is 7-3 on SEC road- they're better on road than at home this year. UK was -11 on boards yesterday, shot 39%, still got comeback win.
LSU is without star freshman Thomas this weekend, and Brady has suggested that Tigers might be better off losing to rest up for next weekend; still, LSU pounded Vandy yesterday, making 56.7% of shots- they lost 71-62 at Florida Feb 11 (+4.5). Gators are 6-1 in this event last two years; they've won three games in row after mini-slump. Tigers' hefty star Davis might struggle in day game after night game.
ACC
Wake Forest is 4-2 in last six games, after 1-11 start in the ACC; their last four losses are all by 11+ pts, but they're hungry team with two senior stars; Deacons lost 93-70 at Duke Jan 8 (+17), and 82-64 at home to Blue Devils Feb 14 (+8). Duke is struggling beating Miami 80-76 yesterday after losing previous two games; out of 64 teams that played yesterday, Duke took 3rd-most 3's.
North Carolina won last eight games (7-1 vs spread); they lost at home to Boston College 81-74 on Jan 25 (-3). Eagles jumped out to 22-4 vs Maryland last night, and coasted to win. BC 4-0 this year on Tobacco Road, and won last four games overall, by 14, 2,15,2, pts. Eagles are 12-1 in ACC if they score 61+ pts. BC has four returning starters with over 400 career starts between them.
Big 11
TV switched game times for this event, so Iowa-Michigan State is early game, even though they played later yesterday.
Iowa won nine of last 12, but are ordinary 4-5 on road in Big 11, they allowed just 46.3 ppg their last three games, and are 10-4 in this event the last five years; home side won both their games vs Michigan State, with Spartans drilling Hawkeyes 85-55, then losing 66-54 at Iowa City. State is playing third day in row, while Iowa didn't play Thursday; they're 9-4 vs spread as Big 11 fave.
Ohio State playing for #1 seed in next week's tourney; they won last six games, are 8-4 vs spread as favorite in Big 11, and didn't get postseason ban from NCAA Friday, so they're having good week. Indiana won last five games to get back on bubble; they are 4-0 vs spread last four games, after 0-12-1 spread skid. OSU lost 81-79 at Indiana Jan 7 (+5.5), Buckeyes' first loss this year.
Big 12
Texas lost at College Station 46-43 ten days ago (-7) but beat the Aggies 83-70 at home Feb 4 (-16). A&M crushed Colorado, has to think they're in as at-large now, having won eight games in a row, five by four or less pts; they're 6-1 vs spread as Big 12 dog. Aggies shot 55% from floor last night, made 12-21 treys, while Texas was just 7-24 on treys in their closer-than-expected win vs Texas Tech. Longhorns 2-4 vs spread in last six as favorite.
Kansas is 13-1 in last 14 games, losing at Texas; they are 7-2 on Big 12 road, 7-5 vs spread as conference favorite; they crushed Nebraska twice this year, routing the Huskers 96-54 Jan 21 (-12), then again 68-47 in Lincoln Feb 8 (-6). Nebraska won five games on Big 12 road, winning twice here after being 0-6 in tourney the last six years- they get ball to good spots, having taken 60 foul shots in first two games.
Atlantic 14
.St Joe's won last eight games (7-1 vs spread), last six wins are by 31,10,16,12,15,14 pts; they covered eight of last nine tries as favorite, and are 7-2-1 as favorite in this event, but this is away game, at Xavier team that lost its PG recently- Musketeers are playing for fourth straight day; home team lost both meetings in season, with Xavier winning 62-58 at Philly Jan 4, then losing at home to St Joe's 68-58 on Musketeers' Senior Day Feb 28 (-6).
Pac-10
UCLA, Cal split this year, with Bears winning 68-61 at Pauley on Dec 31 (+6), then losing in OT at home to Bruins nine days ago, 67-58 (-1). Powe scored 41 last night for Cal, but got stinger late in game and didn't play last 1:40 of double OT thriller- starting time is only 15.5 hours after Cal's game ended Friday. UCLA has won six in row, 12 of last 14 games, but both teams they've been against in this tournament were depleted by injury/suspension.
MAC
Toledo won last ten games (8-2 vs spread); they were down at half 40-34 last night, rallied to win. Rockets lost 76-68 at Kent in first meeting (+4.5) Jan 4, then crushed Kent 60-44 Feb 7 (+1.5); Flashes are 7-1 since that game, 17-3 overall in MAC, 12-3 vs the spread as favorite; eight of their last nine wins are by 10+ pts. Toledo has had one good half, one bad half in last two games.
Big East
Syracuse is 8-1 vs spread in last nine games as Big East dog in tourney; they're on roll like West Virginia was last year- in only game vs Pitt this year, they lost 80-67 Jan 23 (+4.5), but none of that matters, as they've rallied to improbable wins three days in row behind senior guard McNamara. Pitt held Villanova to 35% from floor last night; their physical play KO'd Ray (by accident) but still, they're aggresive team with several NYC guys on club, so playing in Garden is special to them.
WAC
Nevada won their last twelve games; this is one-bid league, so no room for error for Wolf Pack squad that is 5-3-2 as favorite at home; home side lost both their games vs Utah State this year, with Aggies winning 59-53 in Big Monday game on this court, then losing at home, 75-57 Feb 25 (-3.5). Aggies are 15-2 in last 17 conference tourney games; they're 8-1 in last eight overall. Nevada has had the easier game each of last two nights.
MWC
San Diego State stared grim reaper in face last night, escaped in close game vs UNLV; Aztecs are 9-5 vs spread as a MWC fave; this year, Aztecs beat Wyoming twice this year, 78-77 in OT at Laramie Jan 28 (-3) then 91-72 at home March 1 (-11). Aztecs are in shooting slump (33%, 37%) this week. Wyoming had lost six in row before posting pair of upsets that may save coach's job. Cowboys shot 59% last night, held Utah to 27% from the floor.
Big West
Long Beach State won seven in a row, but they've gone all-out to win last two nights (94-91/75-73); asking them to beat senior guards of Pacific, plus quality big guy Maraker, when they're in action third night in row a lot to ask. Pacific beat 49ers twice this year, 78-72 at Beach Jan 13 (-3), 87-78 Feb 4 (-10). Tigers won ten in row in league play, but they did lose to New Mexico St squad in Bracketbusters. Long Beach was 17-34 behind the arc Friday.
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