NightCap's Friday NCAA March Madness Plays!!

[NightCap424]

4-4 on Thursday, splitting the 5* games....for tonight, I like one of the remaining CAA teams to get the job done. Lines @ 5dimes...

Virginia Commonwealth does not get the credit they deserve for their athleticism. The traveling and short rest doesn't bother me since the Dayton to Chicago trip isn't long distance and overall I believe VCU is the better team. VCU is 4-0 this year on one full day of rest. They are also 5-0 against the spread as an underdog in the NCAA tournament and 4-1 against the Big East. Lets be honest, Georgetown has lost 5 of their last 6 and have been a mess down the stretch. I realize Christ Wright is back but there is a little think called rhythm that doesn't come back right away. Game speed and game contact are totally different than practice drills and non-contact scrimmages. VCU have won three of their last four on neutral courts including a solid win against a solid George Mason squad. Momentum is huge in college sports and VCU is one of those teams riding a wave of confidence. Just like Princeton, VCU protects the ball for the most part and limits the costly turnovers. They are also busy with their hands on defense and like to get in your face and force some pressing style turnovers. They turn their opponent over on average of 22.6 times per game. VCU as six players averaging 34% or better from the 3 point line with 27 or more games played this year. They have a deep bench and can provide from outside just as much as they can from inside. They have three solid non-conference games against UCLA, Tennessee, and Richmond.

Senior leadership goes a long way in March. VCU is loaded with Seniors who don't want to be one and out in the tournament. I realize they won the play in game but lets be honest, that doesn't carry much weight. I think this game has potential to be an up and down transitional game with a lot of points early and the tempo slowing late. Georgetown has been limited to 62, 47,51, and 46 points in their last four games, which were all losses. Austin Freeman will be a pivotal player as always for the Hoyas. Jason Clark is going to need to step up and be a contributor more than usual. Meanwhile, on the other side, I expect VCU's seniors to carry the load. Skeen, Rodriguez, and Rozzell are the keys to the Cadillac that is going to take VCU to a much tougher match-up with Purdue. Bradford Burgess is going to be more of a provider with much of the attention coming his way. Burgess will need to rebound as he has most of the year. If there is one thing VCU and Georgetown both lack, it's the ability to crash the boards consistently. Look for Jamie Skeen to develop a lot of open looks from the dribble drive and penetration to perimeter passing. Georgetown is 1-5 against the spread after failing to cover the spread in three consecutive games. I think VCU's ability to run will be the difference. If there is a team that matches up perfectly for VCU, it's Georgetown. The arrival of Wright doesn't worry me at all because you don't get your legs, shot, and stamina back in one game. I like VCU to cover and win straight up....


5***Virginia Commonwealth Rams +6

1***Virginia Commonwealth +210



smaller plays:
1***Ohio State -23.5
1***Tennessee -2
1***George Mason +1
1***Colorado -6 (NIT)


Best of luck today!!

NC424

[new york knight]

best of luck my friend !!

[NYCitySlicker]

Gl

[BOBBYW]

gl brother...

[shygorilla8082]

Good luck with VCU. G'Town has been so inconsistent this year.

[VicVega91]

best of luck tday !!

[secondbase]

gl night cap !

[sticktwo]

gl today

[GFB2008]

Good luck, NightCap!

[Rozy]

GL NC! Was wondering about thoughts on the purdue over since a significant factor of the defense (that u pointed out, ty) won't be present. I was thinking most would look at his numbers and say its no big deal but as you pointed out there is a reason he avg 20min/gm with those stats. Thanks.

[FalconFreak]

gl today

[NightCap424]

Originally Posted by Rozy

GL NC! Was wondering about thoughts on the purdue over since a significant factor of the defense (that u pointed out, ty) won't be present. I was thinking most would look at his numbers and say its no big deal but as you pointed out there is a reason he avg 20min/gm with those stats. Thanks.

If you look at Purdue's performances against the non-conference, they have succeeded to hold opponents under 60 points nine times out of twelve games. The fallout of Barlow's absence will be felt more on the mental side. According to JaJuan Johnson, who gets his hair cut at my girlfriend's salon, the Boilers haven't exactly been meshing well as a team on and off the court. St. Peters does have strong guard play so I expect Lewis Jackson, Ryne Smith, and Terone Johnson to step up their one on one defensive play. I don' think Barlow's absence is going to be felt immediately. As time goes on and the bench gets shorter, the team will probably feel the Barlow effect a little more. St. Peter's did not score over 65 points in their non-conference affairs. They managed to score 51 points or less four times against Robert Morris, Alabama, Seton Hall, and Wagner.

All in all, Purdue hasn't been very stellar as of late. I think 121 is a little short in the first round. St. Peters is going to get their looks, given the leadership at the guard position. Purdue should get into the low to mid 70's and I can easily see St. Peter's scoring in the high 50's to low 60's range. If anything I would play the over 121 but with Purdue's recent play....who knows.

[Shark23]

GL Nighcapper, go Rams!

[RanPicks]

Gl Capman

[cornbread]

gl today Night Cap