bigcaddy04:
First and foremost, welcome to the RX. Hope you enjoy your time here. Glad you agree with the Georgia Tech release. As for the ultimate champion, you'll get no argument from this oldman, as the quality of these four teams is excellent and as I said previously, it would not surprise me to see any one of the four become the champion. Best of luck to you today.
First and foremost, welcome to the RX. Hope you enjoy your time here. Glad you agree with the Georgia Tech release. As for the ultimate champion, you'll get no argument from this oldman, as the quality of these four teams is excellent and as I said previously, it would not surprise me to see any one of the four become the champion. Best of luck to you today.
Gary_Philly:
Glad you appreciate my opinion and also glad to see you feel there is value with Georgia Tech.
Regarding the Duke/Connecticut game, I can honestly tell you that this oldman found it extremely difficult to decide on a side for this game. In my humble opinion, these two teams are so evenly matched, that I couldn't even give you a slight lean on which team to play.
That being said however, I do have an opinion on the total for this game that I nearly made a full release. In previous threads, I have often stated that in the NCAA tournament, teams will tend to play to a consisent level, particularly the deeper they survive in the tournament. I look carefully at how they have played each team from a defensive standpoint more than an offensive standpoint. In this case, Connecticut held Vermont, Depaul, Vanderbilt, and Alabama to 53, 55, 53 and 71 points respectively. I believe Alabama's high point total came as a result of Connecticut taking command early and opening a huge lead then coasting while resting Okafur following his obtaining the stinger in his right arm. Thus, one could reasonably expect that Connecticut may be able to hold Duke to somewhere around 60+ points. Offensively, Connecticut scored 70, 72, 73, and 87 in those games respectively, with each game being an easy separation win. As for Duke, the Blue Devils held Alabama State, Seton Hall, Illinois and Xavier to 61, 62, 62, and 63 respectively which is extremely consistent. Thus one could reasonably expect Duke to hold Connecticut to some point total in the 60's, particularly when looking at the offensive output of the Huskies in their first three games. Offensively, Duke scored 96, 90, 72, and 66 in those games respectively. What I envision is two exceptional well coached teams that will respect each other and be very patient with each possession while trying to score, thus using clock and shortening the game. The Blue Devils will not attempt to run with the Huskies and won't want a transition game except on a steal breakaway. The Blue Devil defense will play out at the 3 point line to protect against Gordon from being successful and tight defense inside surrounding Okafur, Villanueva and Boone. The weak link for the Huskies is point guard Talik Brown. Watch for turnovers caused by the Blue Devil defense. The Huskies defense will also play at the 3 point line trying to take away Reddick and Ewing and hoping that Okafur can stop the inside presence of Williams, Deng, et al. The way I see it, the game will be cautiously played out of respect for the opposition, the pace of play will slow as the game gets deeper toward conclusion, and the ball walked upcourt a significant amount of time. Thus, since early this week, I have had an opinion that the two teams will each score in the 60's. The number early in the week was 146. Currently, it stands at 144. Because we've lost some line value, I'll leave it as an opinion only. Hence,
Duke/Connecticut Under 144 (Opinion Only)
Best of luck to you today.
Glad you appreciate my opinion and also glad to see you feel there is value with Georgia Tech.
Regarding the Duke/Connecticut game, I can honestly tell you that this oldman found it extremely difficult to decide on a side for this game. In my humble opinion, these two teams are so evenly matched, that I couldn't even give you a slight lean on which team to play.
That being said however, I do have an opinion on the total for this game that I nearly made a full release. In previous threads, I have often stated that in the NCAA tournament, teams will tend to play to a consisent level, particularly the deeper they survive in the tournament. I look carefully at how they have played each team from a defensive standpoint more than an offensive standpoint. In this case, Connecticut held Vermont, Depaul, Vanderbilt, and Alabama to 53, 55, 53 and 71 points respectively. I believe Alabama's high point total came as a result of Connecticut taking command early and opening a huge lead then coasting while resting Okafur following his obtaining the stinger in his right arm. Thus, one could reasonably expect that Connecticut may be able to hold Duke to somewhere around 60+ points. Offensively, Connecticut scored 70, 72, 73, and 87 in those games respectively, with each game being an easy separation win. As for Duke, the Blue Devils held Alabama State, Seton Hall, Illinois and Xavier to 61, 62, 62, and 63 respectively which is extremely consistent. Thus one could reasonably expect Duke to hold Connecticut to some point total in the 60's, particularly when looking at the offensive output of the Huskies in their first three games. Offensively, Duke scored 96, 90, 72, and 66 in those games respectively. What I envision is two exceptional well coached teams that will respect each other and be very patient with each possession while trying to score, thus using clock and shortening the game. The Blue Devils will not attempt to run with the Huskies and won't want a transition game except on a steal breakaway. The Blue Devil defense will play out at the 3 point line to protect against Gordon from being successful and tight defense inside surrounding Okafur, Villanueva and Boone. The weak link for the Huskies is point guard Talik Brown. Watch for turnovers caused by the Blue Devil defense. The Huskies defense will also play at the 3 point line trying to take away Reddick and Ewing and hoping that Okafur can stop the inside presence of Williams, Deng, et al. The way I see it, the game will be cautiously played out of respect for the opposition, the pace of play will slow as the game gets deeper toward conclusion, and the ball walked upcourt a significant amount of time. Thus, since early this week, I have had an opinion that the two teams will each score in the 60's. The number early in the week was 146. Currently, it stands at 144. Because we've lost some line value, I'll leave it as an opinion only. Hence,
Duke/Connecticut Under 144 (Opinion Only)
Best of luck to you today.
Ted - Congratulations, nice call. I thought the game was going to OT which would have at least landed me the over with a chance at the Okie State cover. Like I said, I was cringing that you were on the other side because I respect your capping a great deal. Would have made the play I did again tommorow but can't win them all. Conrgrats. Good luck on your G-Tech future on Monday!
spreadbeater:
Prior to the play of the games today, regardless of outcome, it was my intention to play Georgia Tech if they won today in the championship, knowing that they once again would be a dog. Expected the line to open at +7 but see that it opened at +6 and has moved down to +5.5 in many shops. The total is an option as well in this game.
After viewing the games, I need to evaluate exactly what I saw. Not trying to evade you here, this oldman just needs to sleep on it for a day and try to envision how I see the championship game being played.
Definitely will post a thread for the championship game. Sorry I can't give you a more definite answer right now. Just need the time. Appreciate your patience and best of luck to you.
Prior to the play of the games today, regardless of outcome, it was my intention to play Georgia Tech if they won today in the championship, knowing that they once again would be a dog. Expected the line to open at +7 but see that it opened at +6 and has moved down to +5.5 in many shops. The total is an option as well in this game.
After viewing the games, I need to evaluate exactly what I saw. Not trying to evade you here, this oldman just needs to sleep on it for a day and try to envision how I see the championship game being played.
Definitely will post a thread for the championship game. Sorry I can't give you a more definite answer right now. Just need the time. Appreciate your patience and best of luck to you.
