Picks 3/11/09

I should have stuck with my initial lean of the under in the Butler game. With 9 minutes left, we only needed 22 pts for the over and than both teams stopped scoring. Now for todays plays:

Saint Louis / La Salle - UNDER 128 : This game tips at noon today at Boardwalk hall in Atlantic City which is not a venue that was built for basketball. Saint Louis likes to play a slow pace and win with their defense while La Salle will play quick or slow and seems to adapt to the style that their opponent likes. I just see a real blah kinda game as the teams get used to the venue and St Louis dictates the pace.

Saint Joseph's -3.5 - I don't really like SJU's draw in the A-10 Tournament but I do think they will be able to get it done in this game. Charlotte has been a terrible road team and they do not have the size to stop Nivens. SJU really packed it in the lane the last time time these two teams played and Charlotte was able to hit 3's they usually miss (they only shoot 30% from 3).

Saint Joseph's / Charlotte - UNDER 132 : Last game both teams hit a lot of 3's and the game was called pretty tight with a lot of Ft's. Weird start time, new arena, and I played this game under at the same line in their first meeting. The pace was there for the game to go under but both teams just shot the ball better than they usually do.

Baylor -1 : I like the fact these 2 teams just played on Saturday. In that game, Baylor was a 6 pt favorite and lost at home down the stretch. I think there is good value in this line thanks to that loss. Nebraska is a really small team and they hide it by being well coached but seeing that Baylor just played them they should be able to adjust. Hopefully Baylor has not packed in their season like Cincy and Georgetwon did and shows up and plays to their potential.

DePaul / Providence UNDER 143.5 - These two teams went under this total when they played in the regular season. Thanks to Providence's zone it is important to be able to hit 3's but DePaul is ranked 329th in 3 pt shooting (29% clip). This will be Providences first game in tournament and they have to win this game so I think they will come out a little tight. I like the noon start time in this game as well.

So there you have it for the games I have locked in thus far. There has been good value in the unders so far during these conference tournaments.