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: $1,912 Today: Betting $297
Today's plays
Bet 1: $220 on New Mexico State +13 over Michigan State
Comment: The Aggies score far too easily to be getting this many points from an underachieving Big Ten team.
Bet 2: $77 on Texas A&M -3 over Utah State
Comment: After a rugged Big 12 schedule, the Aggies are the more battle-tested team.
Mal Van Valkenburg, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $1,780 Today: Betting $440
Today's plays
Bet 1: $220 Texas A&M -2½ over Utah State
Comment: Texas A&M has better guard play and the athletic advantage. Texas A&M has the defense to fluster and knock Utah State off its game.
Bet 2: $220 Xavier pick over Minnesota
Comment: Xavier should put up some offense here. Jordan Crawford leads the team in scoring and should be the offensive focal point.
Matt Youmans, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,040 Today: Betting $220
Today's plays
Bet 1: $110 on Gonzaga +1½ over Florida State
Comment: Four of the Zags' starters, including senior Matt Bouldin, played on the team that won two NCAA games last season. Gonzaga is tough enough inside and shoots better from the perimeter.
Bet 2: $110 on New Mexico State +13 over Michigan State
Comment: The Aggies, who have won 19 of 23 games since a 3-7 start, are athletic and can score.
John Kelly, EOG.com
Bankroll: $1,975 Today: Betting $550
Today's plays
Bet 1: $275 on Wofford +10 over Wisconsin
Comment: The Terriers have won 13 straight games and 19 of their past 20. Wisconsin deserves favoritism, but the line seems high.
Bet 2: $275 on Gonzaga +1½ over Florida State
Comment: Mark Few against Leonard Hamilton is a coaching mismatch.
Bruce Marshall, The Gold Sheet
Bankroll: $1,980 Today: Betting $308
Today's plays
Bet 1: $154 on Utah State +3 over Texas A&M
Comment: A&M's shortcomings at the free-throw line (65 percent) and with turnovers make it unreliable in the favorite's role.
Bet 2: $154 on New Mexico State +13 over Michigan State
Comment: The Spartans don't look like some of Tom Izzo's past powerhouses. NMSU has a puncher's chance with its five double-digit scorers led by guards Jahmar Young and Jonathon Gibson.
Paul Stone, VegasSportsAuthority.com
Bankroll: $1,450 Today: Betting $440
Today's plays
Bet 1: $220 on Xavier pick over Minnesota
Comment: Jordan Crawford and the Musketeers prove too much for Minnesota, which struggled late in the regular season.
Bet 2: $220 on Cornell +4 over Temple
Comment: The Big Red almost pulled off a monumental upset at Kansas in early January. Cornell is a veteran squad with the necessary ingredients to at least take it to the wire.
