World Gawne Mad – Thursday Evening Opening Round Session

Hopefully, you were able to stick it to the man and enjoy the first eight matches.  Regardless, here are eight more for your gluttonous consumption.

#16(E) Radford (+22.5, N/A) v. #1(E) Villanova (6:50, TNT)

The Highlanders outlasted my Blackbirds on Tuesday night, but that and $3 will get you a cup of coffee.  Nova won’t so much as let them hang around awhile.

#12(S) Davidson (+4.5, +175) v. #5(S) Kentucky (7:10, CBS)

This line keeps closing, and I don’t get it.  Davidson has some hoodoo against Rhode Island, but I don’t see that translating to Kenfucky, who are legitimately in the zone, and red hot.  Look for the better Wildcats’ defense to shut down the lesser Wildcats’ perimeter offense.

#11 San Diego State (+4.5, +175) v. #6 Houston (7:20, TBS)

Speaking of hot…both of these teams.  I could see Houston going on a super-long run, but this matchup is dangerous as fuck.  Should make for excellent viewing.

#14(E) Steven F. Austin (+11, +500) v. #3(E) Texas Tech (7:27, truTV)

Ordinarily, taking down a 3 seed would be asking a lot of just one guy, but Guns Up!! are quite overrated.  Could definitely see this one going down to the wire.

#9(E) Alabama (+2.5, +125) v. #8(E) Virginia Tech (9:20, TNT)

Another very watchable game, though I suspect Roll Damn Tide may have shot their damn wad in the SEC tourney.  Their PG is a legitimate star in the making (unlike Trae Young).  VPI just annoys the fuck out of you until you find you’ve somehow lost by five or so.

#13(S) Buffalo (+8, +320) v. #4(S) Arizona (9:40, CBS)

What does Vegas know that is keeping this line in check like this?  Shouldn’t Fat Sean’s NBA bunch run train on a MAC-tion side?  I’m just confused here.

#14(W) Montana (+10, +475) v. #3(W) Michigan (9:50, TBS)

Michigan is white-hot, or rather, they were before taking like a month off since the B1G tourney ended.  We shall see if that has an impact.  I know fuck-all about the Griz.

#11(E) St. Bonaventure (+6, +225) v. #6(E) Florida (9:57, truTV)

We remember the Bonnies from Tuesday night’s comeback win against UCLA, and they get plenty of rest in prep for Thursday’s nightcap.  The betting line is highly favourable, especially if one thinks the Gators kinda suck (as I do).