Record:7-3 (24-11 overall)
North Carolina over Florida - The Gators are not the team they were last year.
Gonzaga over St. John's - The Johnnies stuck around longer than I expected.
Kentucky over Providence - It's getting silly watching some of these games.
Texas over Connecticut - With Isaiah Taylor, this would've been much less close.
Louisville over Ohio St. - The Cardinals couldn't quite make this a laugher.
Duke over Wisconsin - So glad that I stuck with my gut on this.
Utah over Wichita St. - My strategy of continually picking against the Shockers finally paid off.
Texas at Kentucky (Friday)
With Isaiah Taylor, I'd be much more worried about Kentucky's chances. Texas has one of the only teams with the front court depth to challenge Kentucky's. I saw the Connecticut game though, and they need much better guard play to take advantage of that depth. Playing at home with two fully intact platoons, it's hard to pick against the Wildcats.
Winner: Kentucky
Florida at Kansas (Friday)
Kentucky's dismantling of Kansas has given some people the wrong idea about the Jayhawks. Then there's Florida, who is 3-3 against some tough teams. I feel much better about the Jayhawks' depth and talent at home.
Winner: Kansas
Gonzaga at Arizona (Saturday)
Arizona survived Maui despite some stiff competition. Gonzaga has looked impressive against lesser competition. I love the Bulldogs' three headed monster of Kyle Wiltjer, Przemek Karnowski, and Domantas Sabonis in the front court and Kyle Pangos is one of the very best point guards in the country. Gonzaga doesn't have a Stanley Johnson though. I'll be rooting for Gonzaga, but I don't see how they beat Arizona's top six at home.
Winner: Arizona
Virginia at VCU (Saturday)
Shaka Smart is still trying to teach the HAVOC system to the new guys and is so far sorely lacking in size. It's hard to see how they break 50 points against Virginia's brick wall of a defense. The Rams are in desperate need of a signature win. This would certainly count as that.
Winner: Virginia
St. Johns at Syracuse (Saturday)
The Red Storm put up a good fight against Gonzaga. Syracuse couldn't cut it against Michigan. St. John's is lousy with experience in their limited rotation. Talented freshmen Kaleb Joseph and Chris McCullough are still learning Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone. I'm calling for the upset.
Winner: St. John's
San Diego State University at Washington (Sunday)
Look, Washington is still undefeated and Nigel Williams-Goss is looking like a star. San Diego St. also doesn't have a go-to scorer. That's what makes this look like a competitive game. The Aztecs have more talent, depth, and a better defense. It may not be pretty, but it will be the Huskies' first loss.
Winner: SDSU
Louisville v. Indiana (Tuesday)
Haha! Indiana has had some good games at home and they certainly look better than I expected thanks to the sweet shooting of James Blackmon and Yogi Ferrell. Louisville is a much better team, Harrell is a monster that the Hoosiers have no answer for, and IU hasn't faced a defense like this yet.
Winner: Louisville
Illinois v. Villanova (Tuesday)
It's been a nice start for Illinois. Villanova is off to a great start though. They are incredibly balanced and experienced. I don't even know which player to point to since there's a half-dozen who could have a big game. Is this even going to be close?
Winner: Villanova
Kansas at Georgetown (Wednesday)
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is a handful, especially at home. I kind of feel like Kansas is going to be fired up over that Champions Classic smack down for most of the season and I worry about anyone they go up against from here on out (short of Texas, of course).
Winner: Kansas
Utah at BYU (Wednesday)
I love these overlooked Western school games. Utah got that big win against Wichita St. It's their turn to be on the road now against a hostile BYU crowd. Tyler Haws vs. Delon Powell will be the matchup of the night.
Winner: BYU
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