Conference Chalk

can the world handle a manic Richard Lewis? If this concerns you (and it should), pray for his alma mater OSU to cover today

Only 8 teams and 7 games left, so might as well start taking a side in each one.  It’s just more fun (if not expensive) that way, but we do this first and foremost for the entertainment…right?  All jokes aside, I feel good about the first 3 picks. I’m with Richard Lewis on this one – pray for chalk.

Syracuse vs Marquette O127.5

Hard to pick a winner here as I’m a firm believer that conference foes facing off in the tournament breeds unpredictability.  With that though maybe the Marquette money line should be considered, but since I don’t firmly back that one up, I’m eyeing a low total as my play.  Both teams are coming off rather significant upsets and you can expect players’ shots to be falling.  I’d be shocked if both sides don’t hit 60 and at least on side to get into the high 60s or 70s.  The low end of my projection is right around the 127 range so I’ll take the Over.

Ohio State -4.5 vs Wichita State

We’re relying on the Buckeyes to wave the Big Ten flag today, with a reasonable request: take care of the inferior opponent.  We all know about Aaron Craft’s leadership, DeShaun Thomas’ sick skill set, and the rest of the collective bunch coming together, so I’ll spare the soliloquy.  Simply put, I can’t see us getting anything more than Ohio State’s A-Game.  Rest assured, we’ll also get the Shockers A-Game, but can it match up?  While the collection of wins over Gonzaga, VCU, Creighton, and Pitt is nice, it doesn’t prove they can take out an elite outfit.  The play here is cut from a cloth we’ve sewn here before: Chalk brings its A Game and takes care of business.

Florida vs Michigan O131

The game and perhaps the total comes down to the cage match between Michigan’s O and Florida’s D.  Both units are supurb – the Michigan offense comes in at #1 in kenpom.com’s  Adjusted Offense category, while the Florida’s D checks in at #2 on the defensive side.  With the sudden coming of age of Mitch McGary, the Wolverines now have 5 guys who can put the ball in the bucket.  An elite defense only has so many answers, and I can’t see the Gators keeping Michigan Under 70.  The question is, can Florida get to 61? And are we really having to ask that question?  Billy Donovan’s goal isn’t exactly to muck up the game Bo Ryan style, and the reason I’m taking the Over versus the UM money line is because it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Gators hit 80. What I can’t see is a 62-55 , ’02 Big Ten type slugfest.  The Over is a solid play here.

Louisville -3.5 vs Duke

I’m including this one to square things up, but I don’t love it.  I can name plenty of reasons both sides could pull this off and I even took Duke in my.  Not a money play for me here but the Cardinals look like the tournament’s team to beat so I’ll side with them.