NightCap's Friday NCAA March Madness!!

[NightCap424]

3-2 last night making a small profit...UCONN continued their torrid pace and Wisconsin had another embarrassing performance. All in all, the games have been pretty solid. For tonight, I am going with some teams that still don't get the respect they deserve. Here we go...

Marquette has lost 14 games this season and yes, that's more than most tournament teams. Of those 14 losses they have only lost by double digits three times meaning they know how to keep games close. Four of their last five games have been great on the defensive end of the floor. In those games their average points allowed per game was 61. Marquette ranks 21st in the nation in offensive efficiency. They rank that high due to being in the top 70 in FG%, turnover %, offensive rebound %, and their ability to draw contact and get to the line. Marquette only allows their opponents to score 67.6 ppg on neutral courts while North Carolina, who is less defensive, allows 73.1. North Carolina's flat footed defense has been showing up as of late. In their last four games, UNC has allowed an average of 83 ppg. I expect the flow and tempo of the game to start out pretty quickly. Both teams should have the adrenaline flowing which will allow for early transition and a few uncharacteristic turnovers. Marquette is 8-3 against the spread this year as an underdog and 6-1 when totals are between 150-160 points. Marquette is also 13-4 over the past three seasons versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game. UNC can definitely score but they can also give up plenty of points. Harrison Barnes has been playing well of late but I think UNC will have the tougher match-ups tonight. Marquette has had a better shooting percentage than UNC in FG%, 3pt %, and FT% over the entire season. Darius Johnson - Odom will have to play smart basketball and stay out of foul trouble. He has had recent tendencies to pick up early fouls and limit his effectiveness early in games. Zeller and Henson will be the focal points for UNC tonight. Much of Marquette's defensive stance will be against Harrison Barnes so the smaller pieces of Marquette will need crash the boards and create transition opportunities. UNC doesn't have a deep bench so I think Marquette will have the advantage to keep their guys rested and ready to go throughout the game. I think Marquette wins this game straight up tonight. Nobody is talking about them, kind of like VCU still isn't getting the respect they deserve. I will take VCU + points any time considering how hot they are playing....


5***Marquette Golden Eagles +4½
2***Virginia Commonwealth +4
1***Marquette +175
1***Virginia Commonwealth +160
1***Santa Clara +3½ (CIT)

Parlay:
1***to win 5.76***
-Ohio St. ML
-Kansas ML
-VCU +4
-Marquette +4.5



Best of luck tonight!

NC424

[buli]

go get em NC!

[LegendaryNumber5]

Best of luck. That Parlay looks strong!

[Nesser25]

Best of luck on all of your plays tonight, NightCap.

[GFB2008]

Good luck, NightCap!

[BOBBYW]

gl..

[SANDERS7]

gl nc

[jaws7]

good luck nc

[belmont kid]

gl tonight cap

[Keith]

gl NC

[Shednblues]

Good luck tonight Nightcap. Thanks for the writeups.

[NightCap424]

thanks everyone, making a small addition. I will take experience over youth anytime when it comes to a team that is more athletic, has better shooters, and more players with tournament experience. Sullinger should have no problem with Harrellson and I don't think KY has a great match-up for Lighty and Buford. I can see OSU winning by 12+

1***Ohio State -6

[LordCC]

I like alot of your card, good luck NC!

[SteelCityPlayers]

gl tonight

[sienarules]

BOL tonight, 'Cap! With you on a 2-Tm tease with Marq & VCU. ...'Cap with a parlay, too?!?