Sunday, March 19, 2017

Preview of all remaining Round of 32 games.



We are one game down for today, and we've had our first upset of the day.  I decided that I would update standings after every 2 games were completed, so I'll wait until after the Wichita State / Kentucky game is over before updating that.  I also thought I'd just give the preview for the remaining games all at once.   Here they are:

Kansas / Michigan State
Kansas: 211
Michigan State: 8
Other: 6
Vegas Line: Kansas by 8

A lot of people have made a lot of money in pools just like this one picking Michigan State to make the Final 4.  That could happen again this year if Michigan State actually wins this game.  The 8 people that picked them would make up a nice bit of ground on the field, and what with Louisville out of the tournament on the other side of the region, it would really open things up.  It would probably put a final stake in the heart of the Gutless bracket as well, so that's another reason to pull for the Spartans if you are me.

North Carolina / Arkansas
North Carolina: 220
Arkansas: 2
Other: 3
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 10.5

I have decided that my rule of thumb for t-shirt wearing is to take the team that has the biggest point spread where I have a t-shirt for that team.  Yesterday that was Northwestern.  Today that honor goes to Arkansas.  10.5 is not that big of a point spread, but it's the most today compliments of most of the favorites winning in round 1.  This would also be a fun upset, but given the way North Carolina played in the opening round, it's going to be a real uphill fight for the Razorbacks.

Oregon / Rhode Island
Oregon:  169
Rhode Island: 35
Other: 21
Vegas Line: Oregon by 5.5

I am officially jinxing Rhode Island.  As I was driving home on Friday night, I was counting the schools in the Round of 32 that I had t-shirts for.  I had 30/32.  The only 2 that I didn't have were Villanova and Rhode Island, and we all know what happened to Villanova.  That doesn't bode well for Rhode Island's chances in this game.  That being said, I think that Rhode Island is in a tie for the lowest remaining seed still alive.  That would make them a Cinderella, I think.  They weren't ranked all season.  I think USC and Xavier were at some point.

Baylor / USC
Baylor: 113
USC: 21
Other: 91
Vegas Line: Baylor by 6.5

USC pulled the biggest upset of the first round, which is why the "Other" count is so high.  I had SMU winning this game, and it doesn't look like I was alone.  I always claim that you should take the play-in winner to do well in the tournament, and maybe USC can pull the upset here.  Baylor has a particularly bad track record in the tournament.  They also have faded a little bit since being ranked #1 early in the season.  Plus, it doesn't seem like there is a lead big enough to put USC away.  They've pulled some pretty big comebacks already through 2 games.

Duke / South Carolina:
Duke: 218
South Carolina: 2
Other: 5
Vegas Line: Duke by 7.5

I hate Duke.  I didn't notice this at the time, but this game is being played in South Carolina.  That's gotta give the Gamecocks a lift, right?  I'd like to see that.  I've been saying that the East is the most unpredictable region.  An upset here would solidify that, as Villanova has already lost at the top side of the bracket.  Plus, I hate Duke, so I always root for an upset of them.

UCLA / Cincinnati
UCLA: 188
Cincinnati: 24
Other: 13
Vegas Line: UCLA by 4

This is a pretty low point spread for this game.  I think if Cincinnati can win this game, they will be my pick for Sweet 16 team that nobody remembers was in the Sweet 16.  I really know nothing about them.  I hope they win though.   I had Kansas State winning this game, so I need all the help I can get.

Good luck to everyone.  I'll be back after every 2 games with updated standings.

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