NCAA TOURNAMENT FANTASY CHALLENGE
Three Review-Journal sports department members and three professional handicappers have been given $2,000 fantasy bankrolls to bet during the NCAA Tournament -- two picks per day of either sides, totals or one of each. Below are their bets for today, with a brief explanation of their picks:
Adam Hill, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,182 Friday: Won $270 Today: Betting $440
Today's plays
Bet 1: $275 on Kansas State -4 over Brigham Young
Comment: The Wildcats' frontline is far too athletic for a Cougars frontcourt that struggles defensively.
Bet 2: $165 on Washington -1½ over New Mexico
Comment: Darington Hobson is not at full strength, which is a major problem for the Lobos in what could be a shootout.
Mal Van Valkenburg, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,180 Friday: Won $400 Today: Betting $330
Today's plays
Bet 1: $165 on Kansas State -4 over Brigham Young
Comment: BYU has had trouble with athletic teams. The Wildcats pose matchup problems for the Cougars, especially inside.
Bet 2: $165 on Saint Mary's +4½ over Villanova
Comment: The Gaels can hit the 3-pointer, and that should keep it close.
Matt Youmans, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,240 Friday: Won $200 Today: Betting $297
Today's plays
Bet 1: $187 on Kansas State -4 over Brigham Young
Comment: The Wildcats are too athletic and strong for Jimmer Fredette and the Cougars, who will get worn down.
Bet 2: $110 on Kentucky -9 over Wake Forest
Comment: Wake Forest was fortunate to beat a sloppy Texas team. John Wall and Kentucky are in a different league.
John Kelly, EOG.com
Bankroll: $2,475 Friday: Won $500 Today: Betting $825
Today's plays
Bet 1: $550 on Washington -1½ over New Mexico
Comment: Look for the Huskies' Quincy Pondexter to outplay the Lobos' Darington Hobson.
Bet 2: $275 on Northern Iowa +12 over Kansas
Comment: The Panthers are a perfect double-digit 'dog, a balanced team that controls tempo, defends every possession and hits timely 3-pointers.
Bruce Marshall, The Gold Sheet
Bankroll: $1,966 Friday: Lost $14 Today: Betting $310
Today's plays
Bet 1: $155 on Old Dominion +4 over Baylor
Comment: ODU's ability to control tempo will prevent Baylor from getting into its transition game.
Bet 2: $155 on Kentucky -9 over Wake Forest
Comment: Kentucky's Demarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson will swallow up post threat, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Wake lacks enough other scoring options.
Paul Stone, VegasSportsAuthority.com
Bankroll: $1,850 Friday: Won $400 Today: Betting $495
Today's plays
Bet 1: $275 on Kansas State -4 over Brigham Young
Comment: The Wildcats are too athletic for a tired BYU team.
Bet 2: $220 on Washington -1½ over New Mexico
Comment: Washington has covered seven of its past eight; New Mexico has one cover in its past seven.
