Opening Picks of MARCH MADNESS (Including the 1st Round BEST PLAY)

Well, I am going to issue out free picks for Thursday and Friday (including the 5* BEST PLAY OF THE FIRST ROUND for Friday) right now. I will not be posting again until the third round (next Thursday's games) because the birdman will be on the westcoast for a little R & R (and perhaps a few well-placed bets) in the only state in the U.S. where you can walk into a casino and place a wager on sports. But I offer up two full days of picks, right here, right now:

THURSDAY, March 16, 2006

First, go with Seton Hall +3 against Wichita State. I know that this is the year of the Missouri Valley conference, but being favored over a team that went 9-8 in the toughest conference in America is another thing. You think Seton Hall would lose 8 games in the MVC? Me either. Wich St. relies on its post play and they were able to pound the inside against their opponents in conference, but they will not do so against SH. I like Seton Hall to win this game, but take the 2 anyway.

Seton Hall +3 (**)

Next, take George Washington -2 against NC Wilmington. GW is the better team. That is all there is to that. Yes, they looked a little questionable down the stretch, but they kept winning those games didn't they? (they finished 26-2). Remember St. Joseph's last year...they struggled a little down the stretch and lost in the conference tourney and then put on quite a run. I know that GW's forward, Mensah-Bonsu, is questionable but he is not the only reason they are 26-2. They are simply better than NC Wil and they will show that on Thursday and they also play with a chip on their shoulder for getting an 8 seed. NC Wil is gonna get a whopping.

George Washington -2 (***)

Next up, take Syracuse as a PK against Tex A&M. How can anyone possibly not take the Cuse in this game. They are perhaps the hottest team in the country after running the table in the Big East tourney...and they were "blessed" with a 5 seed meaning they get to face a less-than-steller A&M squad. I don't see a letdown by the Cuse seeing that McNamara is a senior and they still remember their first round exit last year. They are too well coached for that to happen again. A&M is happy to be here and it will show against a tourney-tested Syracuse squad.

Syracuse PK (***)

Next, take Indiana -1 1/2 against SDST. Indiana is one of the most unpredictable teams in the country, but sometimes you have to have a feeling. And my feeling is that they are playing loose and without fear ever since Mike Davis announced (in chickens*** manner according to me) his resignation. They have nothing to lose as they proved by coming within one game of the Big 10 championship and by covering their last 5 games. Davis is not a good coach, but look for Indiana to ride emotion to a victory over a good, but inexperienced Aztec team. Don't look for Slaughter to have as much success on the boards against a Big 10 team as he did in his conference tourney

Indiana -1 1/2 (**)

Finally, on Thursday, take Utah State +6 1/2 against Washington. I just don't like the Washington as a team this year. I know they can score, but who can't in the Pac 10? I think that Utah State will be able to keep this game within the number with the 3 ball as they can shoot it very well. I think that Utah State will slow this game down and frustrate Washington and take this game right down to the wire. I am not ruling out the upset (as 12's always seem to).

Utah State +6 1/2 (**)
____________________________________

FRIDAY, March 17, 2006

First, go with Arkansas -4 1/2 against Bucknell. Remember last year when Bucknell upset Kansas in the first round? Remember that well? Now forget it because history isn't repeating itself this year for a couple reasons. First, KU was 3-5 in their last 8 going into that game last year, it wasn't that Bucknell "shocked" them. Second, Bucknell was an unknown high seed that "snuck" up on KU. Well, Arkansas has won 7 of 8 including wins against Florida, Alabama, and at Tennessee. Oh, and Bucknell recieved an 8 seed this year meaning, on top of their fame from last season, it will not be so easy to overlook them. I like the Hogs to roll this Bucknell team that only played 2 lined games this season.

Arkansas -4 1/2 (***)

Next, take NC State -1 against California. I know that NC State has played miserably down the stretch, but this is a team that I actually have knocking off Texas in teh second round. To do that, they have to beat Cal...and they will. Cal had a nice season, but come on, the Pac 10...that was a horrible, horrible conference this season. And for anyone to be so down on NC State, do they realize that they had a better record than Cal? (21-9 to 20-10). NC State got a much needed wakeup call and they will show why Cal is a one trick pony with Powe. They will win this game.

NC State -1 (**)

Next, take Kansas -6 1/2 against Bradley. If there is a hotter team than Syracuse right now, it is KU as they have dominated their opponents in the past month and a half in which their only loss came AT Texas, a game which they redeemed themselves in the Big 12 Championship by putting a whooping on UT. Their guard play is very, very good and Bradley's guard play is very, very bad. In March, where guard play can make or break you, this is not a good combination. Also with Julian Wright turning into a modern day Dr. Dunkinstein, they are dangerous at all aspects of the game. I love KU in this game and I think they will destroy Bradley (don't think that Bucknell is not on the mind of Bill Self...and his toupee). KU has not been a great tourney team as of yet, but they are playing too good and have too much talent in this one. They will win by double digits.

Kansas -6 1/2 (***)


***
Finally, as the BEST PLAY OF THE FIRST ROUND, take Michigan State -3 (buying 1/2 point) against George Mason. Michigan State is by FAR the better team here. The talent discrepancy is so bad, I am suprised this line is not in the double digits. Especially considering George Mason might be playing without its TWO top leading Scorers. Tony Skinn was suspended after punching a Hofstra player in the groin during their CAA semifinal loss and Jai Lewis has two sprained ankles might prevent him from playing. Michigan State, on the other hand, is a great tourney team. Izzo just knows how to win in March and the Spartans are playing great right now (capped off by a run to the Big 10 title game). They have way too much size and athleticism and they win this game by AT LEAST 10!!!

Michigan State - 3 (*****) -- First Round BEST PLAY--