27-Mar-2011 07:06 Hiland Doolittle The last of the Elite 8 meet today and this is who we like on the day.
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UNC Tar Heels vs. Kentucky Wildcats Odds (-1.5, 146.5) 5:05 PM ET, CBS A college basketball fan?s dream-come-true matchup will decide the final team to go to the Big Dance. These teams have two things in common; they have NBA prospects and they are young, so young. We may not see some of these underclassmen at the college level next year.
These are college basketball?s two winningest programs and share 12 NCAA titles and 31 semifinal appearances. In a year of upsets number two UNC will face number 4 Kentucky. Coaches Calipari and Williams will be strategizing their match-ups and the pace of the game.
The Tar Heels want to run. They play excellent transition basketball and of late have vastly improved their half court play. Since freshman Kendall Marshall took over the point the inside power of Zeller, Henson and Barnes has been unleashed. These are probably the best three front men in the tournament. Zeller had 32 points against Marquette and Henson and Barnes were hitting from inside and outside. Henson?s shot blocking abilities are unparalleled. The Heels played a miraculous first half against Marquette. If they play with that fire for 40 minutes, the Heels can go all the way.
Kentucky upset the top seed in the tournament and was poised throughout the win over Ohio State. Just when the game looked like it was going to overtime, up stood Brandon Knight and nailed a pull up jump shot to seal the deal.
The Wildcats will need a strong effort from their inside men, especially rookie sensation Terrence Jones. There are so many intriguing high profile match-ups in this game that foul trouble could spell the difference. UNC lacks depth, but Coach Williams always comes up with an answer. Expect Knight to have a quiet game.
The UNC frontcourt is too good for Kentucky. Take 1.5 points and the Heels.
VCU Rams vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting (-11.5, 146.5) 2:20 PM ET, CBS The best looking team in the tournament has been Kansas. With the ouster of Ohio State, Kansas is the clear favorite to win the title. The VCU Rams have surpassed everyone?s expectations and have certainly performed the way the selection committee thought they would.
VCU wins with their intensity and with their confidence. They use lots of fresh faces to keep the energy level high. Somehow, you get the feeling that VCU will make a game of this despite being out-manned and outgunned. Since tournament time arrived, Kansas has cut down on their turnovers. Their inside-outside combo is too much for the Rams.
Kansas struts their stuff and erases all doubts in this one. Give 11.5 points and take the Jayhawks.
The Oregon Ducks and the Creighton Bluejays will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Qwest Center. Oddsmakers currently have the Bluejays listed as 5-point favorites versus the Ducks, while the game's total is sitting at 141½. Oregon won its last outing, a 79-71 result against Boise State on March 23. They covered in that game as a 4-point favorite. In their last action, Creighton was an 82-64 winner at home against Central Florida. They covered the 4.5?point spread as favorites. Oregon: Team record: 19-17 SU, 18-16 ATS The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games on the road is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road When playing on Monday are 8-2 After playing Boise State are 2-0 After a win are 6-4 Creighton: Team record: 22-14 SU, 20-14 ATS is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games at home When playing on Monday are 8-2 After a win are 4-6 Next up: Oregon home to Creighton, Wednesday, March 30 Creighton at Oregon, Wednesday, March 30
