College Basketball: March Madness and the NCAA Tournament

March 17, 2010 under College Basketball

The Triangle and Two: A Weekly Look at the Ups and Downs of Campus Hoops by Terrence Mayrose

“The ball is tipped…” The opening words to ” One Shining Moment” are so inspiring this time of year.

Tomorrow tips off the premier day for college basketball. Day 1 of the NCAA tournament. Long lunches, streaming videos on computer work screens, and even a “sick” day will all be common occurrences as The Big Dance gets underway.

Before diving into the college basketball bracket, here’s a few quick points that stand out about Selection Sunday :

Virginia Tech basketball fans were left out of the NCAA tournament despite a 23-8 (10-6) record

Any Hokie fan who jumps on the “raw deal” bandwagon led by Dickie V should know that Virginia Tech’s resume of wins include : #249 NC Greensboro, #254 Delaware (in ot) , #275 Brown, #304 Charleston Southern, #317 VMI, #318 MD Baltimore County, and #338 North Carolina Central . This collection of wins is a main part of the reason Virginia Tech is non conference strength of schedule ranks an abysmal 318th (all ratings by kenpom.com). After being left sitting on the side with a glass of punch while everyone else is dancing in the middle for the second straight season maybe Seth Greenberg will get the memo : PLAY TOUGH TEAMS…

Mississippi State listens to T and 2 but doesn’t turn out well

Opting to follow the sacred belief that fouling up three is always a good thing, Mississippi State basketball fans saw a rare occurrence. Kentucky was able to in fact hit the first,miss the second, get the rebound and score to force overtime. Readers were quick to email asking, ” Still believe you should foul up three ? ” To which I responded, ” Name me any other time you’ve seen that happen.” Aside from Sunday’s miracle….no one had ever seen fouling up three come back to haunt someone. So the T&2 still strongly supports the theory. Click here to read more.. »

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Ahead of the Point Spread: Rife with Opinions Week 10

November 5, 2009 under College Football, Point Spread

Pad Lock Nails Point Spreads, Bails Out Uncle Gil, Prompts Return

Despite going AWOL following a winless weekend three days earlier, our boy Gil Lock of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers still managed to be the impetus for a positive contribution to the family effort. His nephew, Pad Lock, stepped in for his missing uncle and came up just a field goal shy of a perfect weekend. He won easily with Cincinnati over hapless Syracuse and used his special version of mathematics, “Arifemetic”, to predict that the Western Kentucky-North Texas matchup would go over by 50 points. If only New Mexico State had managed a three pointer in its 45-0 shellacking at the hands of Ohio State, Pad would be greeting his returning uncle with a spotless record. Much like his Aunt Jill, however, Pad has been asked to stay on and continue his streak. If only the same could be said for Gil.

It’s been a tough year for Mr. Lock, whose 7-10-1 record is dragging down the otherwise stellar performance of his family, Jill turned in another 2-1 week; putting her mark at an incredible 13-5. Asked where he disappeared to last week, Gil was vague. “I was ashamed of myself. It was my second winless week. I’ll give it another shot this week but my confidence is waning.” Touching, Gil. Now put down the violin and pick some winners.

Point Spreads: Week 10

Jill’s Locks of The Week

Ohio State Buckeyes +4 over Penn State

- This pick has to do more with cleanliness than anything else. Gil took me to Penn State for a game once and it smelled like cow chips all weekend. Besides, that really old guy that coaches Penn State will probably make everyone wear white again. I mean, really. White after Labor Day? The Buckeyes win by ten.

Boise State -20 over Louisiana Tech

I know it seems like I’m picking Boise every week but, hey, they’ve been good to me. If they’re going to a BCS bowl they have to win big so I’m staying with them. And their coach is such a cutie.

Texas A&M – 4 1/2 over Colorado

Can’t believe the lines are so small over Colorado. Not only do they stink, but the football gods have to still be mad at the head coach for benching his own son. Meanie. Last week Missouri was laying just 4 and beat Colorado by 19. Go with the Aggies.

Pad Locks

Pittsburgh -19 over Syracuse

- Two years ago, uncle Gil took me to the Garden to see Pitt vs. Duke. Pitt’s LeVance Fields blew up Duke’s Greg Paulus so completely that Coach K took him out of the game. I remember telling Gil that the beating could only have been more embarrassing if Fields had been allowed to hit him. Well, that’s gonna happen on Saturday when Pitt makes Paulus wish he was still wearing sneakers. Pitt huge.

Fresno – 6 1/2 over Idaho

- If there’s a team in the country comfortable playing on the road, it’s Fresno, who travels every year to play real competition. Besides, how could I not pick against Idaho after their poor showing vs. Nevada sent my uncle over the wall? Fresno by two touchdowns.

Troy-Western Kentucky over 67 1/2

- Yeah, that’s right. Over 67 1/2. Western Kentucky couldn’t stop an offense if they played with fourteen guys. Last week they gave up 68 points to a North Texas team that was 1-6 coming in. Troy might go over by themselves.

Gil Locks

Virginia Tech – 12 1/2 over East Carolina

(Tonight)- Hate picking against ECU because so many hot girls have gone there but Va. Tech really needs the game. Their athletes are way better, I love Tyrod Taylor and think that they’ll get a score on special teams. I also like that the game is tonight because I need to get back on the horse.

Utah -27 over New Mexico-

The forgotten BCS buster, Utah has lost just once since 2007. They still have TCU on their schedule and slim hopes for a BCS bid if Boise slips so they have to run it up on poor New Mexico.

Connecticut-Cincinnati under 52

- UConn has had trouble scoring against good teams all year and that should continue vs. the Bearcats. Cincy’s offense is not the same without QB Tony Pike so I don’t expect an explosion from them, either. I’m thinking along the lines of a 31-10 Cincinnati blowout.

Season Record- 22-16-1