| 27 March 2009
Connecticut -5 vs. Missouri
Out of the 60+ hours of college basketball I've watched this March, the team that looks the best right now is UConn. They are just beating teams all game long, dominating the whole way. Thursday night's game was the first good look I had at Missouri and they looked good, but not great. They beat a talented, but inconsistent, Memphis team, but they won't be able to get away with their, "40 minutes of Hell", defense against UConn. The Huskies are just too good for that. Missouri looked exhausted midway through the second half against Memphis. After being up by more than 25 points, they allowed Memphis to go on a ridiculous run and get within 5 points late in the game. They finally put Memphis away, but that late fade showed me that Missouri can't sustain that in a big game against a quality opponent. UConn will break that press and they'll score on Mizzou at will. Give the 5 points and take the Huskies.
Pittsburgh -2 vs. Villanova
Well, if UConn is the most impressive team of the tourney, Villanova is a close second. They have been on a tear in the tournament. In the last two rounds, they destroyed two good teams in UCLA and Duke. Just crushed them. They are 2-1 ATS in the tourney, and missed covering in the first round by 2 points. Pitt is winning, but barely winning, playing sloppy basketball and pushing it late. If it wouldn't have been for some officials swallowing their whistles Thursday night, Xavier would have certainly beaten them. I don't think Blair is going to get away with the fouls he got away with against Xavier. Watch his foul total closely. Pitt is 0-3 ATS this tournament, and 1-6 their last 7. In their earlier meeting Nova won by 10 at home. Take the Wildcats plus the gift of 2 points.
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