Since Monday, we've heard all kinds of lame, half-baked opinions being thrown around talk radio, group chats, and the office. Complaints about there being no Cinderellas, the tournament not having any moments outside of Derik Queen, and an overall lack of juice. Well, as the late Toby Keith would say, "How do you like me now?"
A 200-point performance to open, and a miracle comeback OT thriller to end it showed what can happen when all of the best teams in the country are left. Thursday was one of the best Sweet 16 days in recent memory, and there is no reason to believe that tonight does not have the potential to match or even surpass.
If you're in your 20's or 30's (or 40's I guess if you're a Bravo star, shoutout Kyle Cooke from Summer House), you're likely reading this as your friends are starting to make plans to go out, kick-off the weekend at some shitty bar, concert, or, god-forbid, an apartment pregame. Word of advice? Unless it's a sports bar, leave the chat. Irish goodbye those trying to takeaway your happiness, UberEats some wings and a six-pack, and unwind with some great games.
I kept the hot streak going with a 4-1 day yesterday to bring the record to 37-22, so I guess it's a "How Do You Like Me Now?" double-dip.
[4] Purdue vs [1] Houston
Houston -8.5, Total 132.5
I'm going out of order with the late game first here because I have an axe to grind. I've picked against Purdue in both of their games and am 0-2, but I won't back down. This Purdue team is simply not good. Call it bias or whatever, but I'm pretty sure their jersey makes anyone who wears them look incredibly unathletic. I've got no issue with Matt Painter or the school itself, but this team stinks. Their presence among the elites in this Sweet 16 is more out of place than Tiger Wood's Instagram post was on your feed on Sunday. So if i strike out picking against Purdue here, please respect my privacy. Love may be in the air, but I have none of it for this Purdue team. I will live and die by this sword. Go Cougs.
The Pick: Houston -8.5, Over 132.5
[6] Ole Miss vs [2] Michigan State
Michigan State -3.5, Total 145.5
Back to the regularly scheduled program, had to get that off my chest. As for the first game of the day, I am so tempted to take Ole Miss given my penchant to back 3-point shooting in March. However, Michigan State are one of the best teams in the country at defending the 3, so does that cancel it out? I think so. Michigan State are also more efficient on both offense and defense than the Rebels, and I trust Izzo in March more than Chris Beard. Izzo, to my knowledge, hasn't spent much time around pet monkeys, which is a plus in my book. I think Michigan State roll in this one if they can shut down Ole Miss's shooting like they have most opponents.
The Pick: Michigan State -3.5
[3] Kentucky vs [2] Tennessee
Tennessee -4.5, Total 144.5
The toughest task in sports is to win a game, and the only thing tougher is to beat the same team twice, and the only thing tougher than that is to beat the same team three times. That is what Kentucky has to do tonight after going 2-0 vs Tennessee in conference play. I do think Tennessee pulls this off, but in a tightly contested conference game, 4.5 is a lot to swallow. Kentucky scored 78 and 75 in the previous two meetings, so if Tennessee pulls this off, they will have to post above that number you would think. Which means? grab a calculator... run the numbers... yup. Over.
The Pick: Over 144.5
[5] Michigan vs [1] Auburn
Auburn -8.5, Total 154.5
With Michigan's dynamic duo of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, it might come as a surprise that Auburn block almost twice as many shots and create 28% more steals than the Wolverines. That is NOT a good outlook for the Michigan men who have struggled to take care of the ball so far this tournament. However, Auburn have not looked themselves in going on three weeks, and Michigan have been one of the hottest teams in the country. I think the turnovers catch up with Michigan in this one, but I'm not convinced Auburn is fully back to themselves enough to pull away substantially. Expect a dog fight. I hate to do it and I know it's a gross way to end the Sweet 16, but I'm feeling a a game in the low 70's/high 60's.
The Pick: Under 154.5
March Madness Record: 37-22
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