March Madness Round 2, Day 2: Can We Bring It Home?

As I write this, we're 4-4 on a stressful Saturday, but still 30-19 overall. That's a pretty incredible start. And like any true fan, I know the depression of the weekend ending will inevitably hit on Sunday around 6pm, but if we keep this up, it'll be a lot worse this year knowing the hot streak is pausing too. But we have to get there first, and a bad card Sunday would erase almost all the momentum I've built the past three days. Similar to how the god awful "What a pro wants" commercial has erased any positive thoughts I've had of AT&T. I'm ashamed to be an AT&T customer and I'd give anything to never see that commercial again. On the other hand, I'm addicted to that buffalo with wings boxing out everyone at the bar. Now that's a good commercial. "BOX OUT!"

Colorado (10) vs Marquette (2)

Marquette -3.5 O/U 147.5

Colorado scored 102 and Marquette dropped 87 on Friday, so naturally I'd look to the over here, and with the number it's at, I'm surprised it's not higher. Is this a sucker bet? Maybe. But despite the stellar record I'm pretty sure I have lost every single under this tournament. Marquette shoots from deep way better and is stronger at the guard position, but this Colorado team plays like the Colorado SAE house parties: they don't quit. I think we get a rock fight here, but Marquette pulls away late. Opening the day with a two-fer.

The pick: Marquette -3.5 and Over 147.5

Purdue (1) vs Utah State (8)

Purdue -11.5 O/U 149.5

Outside of an OT loss to Bradley in early November, all of Utah State's losses have been by more than 12 points, and they tend to shoot the 3 poorly when they lose. Purdue has not let a team shoot over 25% from 3 in their last 5 games, of which they played Wisconsin twice and Illinois, who shoot well normally. A Purdue exit will be a massive disappointment and they know it, they will not be looking ahead.

The pick: Purdue -11.5

James Madison (12) vs Duke (4)

Duke -7.5 O/U 148.5

The Dukes vs Duke. I could not think of a bigger clash of cultures. Stanford Steve admitted the JMU College Gameday crowd for football was the drunkest fanbase he'd ever seen and they we're ROCKING in Brooklyn on Friday. They're perennial underdogs, play with swagger, and everything about the school screams "Fun". Whereas Duke fans on TV look like the worlds largest gathering of kids who reminded the teacher that homework was due. They're not nerds, they're pompous dorks who genuinely think they are fun to be around. They will bring up what car they drive and that they went to Duke even if you just asked what their name was. Don't believe me? Grayson Allen is there hero, and their current white-Jesus went viral for blatantly tripping someone earlier this month. I choose fun over Derek from Step Brothers.

The pick: JMU +7.5

Clemson (6) vs Baylor (2)

Baylor -3.5 O/U 144.5

I can't take much from Clemson's opener as New Mexico was significantly weaker and did not put up much of a fight. But they do have a history of playing every top-end team tight throughout the year. Baylor handled their business against Colgate and they, along with Creighton, are the only 1-4 seeds I heard 0 Final Four buzz about before the tournament. Maybe they heard that too and are feeling the disrespect? I think so. Clemson can keep up, and Baylor will be determinedand I think pull through.

The pick: Baylor -3.5

Grand Canyon (12) vs Alabama (5)

Alabama -5.5 O/U doesn't matter

I wrote "doesn't matter" for the total because I truly did not care (it's 168.5). I had so much fun watching over 200 total points in Bama's opener and cashing the over that I immediately decided to do it again. And who is their opponent? Essentially DeVry University on steroids. Grand Canyon has always been a joke to me because of their entire vibe, but I will begin taking them seriously. They traveled to Spokane from Arizona better than UCLA does when they have to go 10 miles across town to the Coliseum. Pretty impressive for a school with 0 history in the sport. They dropped 75 on St. Mary's which is eye-opening considering Gonzaga failed to reach that number in all 3 of their matchups against St Mary's.

The pick: Over 168.5

Northwestern (9) vs Connecticut (1)

UConn -14.5 O/U 135.5

Northwestern stumbled into the tournament and needed OT to beat FAU in a game they could've put away multiple times. UCONN has been rolling and I don't think Northwestern can keep this close. This should be a double-digit lead by halftime. This is straightforward.

The pick: UCONN -14.5

Texas A&M (9) vs Houston (1)

Houston -9.5 O/U 134.5

There's a case to be made that Wade Taylor IV is the best player in the tournament. This line will probably hit 10.5 by tip, and I hope it does as I think Houston's 39 point win in round 1 is inducing recency bias. But Houston have crushed bad teams all year. Houston are clearly he better team, but in March, great guard play can make miracles happen. I would not be shocked if the Aggies pull off what would be a MASSIVE upset against one of the most popular picks to win it all.

The pick: Texas A&M +9.5

Yale (13) vs San Diego State (5)

SDSU -5.5 O/U 129.5

Once again, San Diego State is covering for another year of Mountain West underachievement. But they did not instill any confidence after barely scraping by UAB. Yale on the other hand won a game that was celebrated more by Alabama fans than their own students. Maybe they should send their band out for this game? I think the nerds have one more left in them here in a winnable game.

The pick: Yale +5.5

Running March Madness record: 30-19