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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Free March Madness Picks: Round 1 By Ron Jumper Yep, it is finally that time. Time to make my first round picks for this year’s tournament taking place on Thursday and Friday. Over the course of the tournament, I am going to make 35 picks. I will make 5 a day through the first weekend. After that, yours truly will provide you with EVERY game from the Sweet 16 to the National Championship! Where else can you get that kind of deal for 100% FREE? I’m guessing nowhere…  NCAA Tournament Record: 0-0 Thursday’s Picks 11 Virginia Commonwealth (+6.5) covers vs. 6 Duke The Blue Devils just don’t have it this year. They don’t have any great scorers, depth, or consistent point guard play. That plays right into VCU’s hands, the Rams will press the entire game and speed the game up to a fast pace. Eric Maynor will be the difference, it will be because of him that Greg Paulus has the worst day of his career as a Dukie. Expect the upset, even it is Duke. VCU 61-57 9 Michigan State (-1.5) covers vs. 8 Marquette While some feel the whole Izzo-Crean battle makes this game too tough to pick, I think it makes it crystal clear. The Spartans have the better coach, are playing well at the right time, and are healthy. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles have a good coach, are playing so-so, and are not healthy (McNeal out with thumb injury). All of this is leading to a simple conclusion, don’t pick against Michigan State in the first round ever. MSU 65-53 6 Louisville (-5.5) covers vs. 11 Stanford Rick Pitino’s club is gelling together and playing very well at the right time. I’ve always felt they had the nucleus to be very good and they are living up to it, finally. Meanwhile, Stanford limped into the tournament with a so-so record and unimpressive 18-12 record. I just think playing in the state of Kentucky will be too much for the Cardinal. Louisville 71-57 10 Gonzaga (+1) covers vs. 7 Indiana The Gonzaga Bulldogs have had an up and down year to date. However, they pulled together and won the WCC. They seem to be back to playing at a high level again. Meanwhile, I just don’t think Indiana has enough scoring to win if this game gets into the 70’s or 80’s. Expect the ‘Zags to pull of another upset in March. ’Zags 72-65 2 UCLA (-19.5) covers vs. 15 Weber State This one is real simple. The game is being played in California and that will give the Bruins a virtual home game. I feel bad for Weber State, as they got a nearly impossible task in the first round. UCLA 82-56 Friday’s Picks 4 Southern Illinois (-7) covers vs. 13 Holy Cross It is real simple here. Holy Cross was playing on Bracket Buster Saturday at Hofstra, as I’m watching the game I notice a Pride fan has a sign that reads “How bout Holy Crap?” After that, I continued to watch the game and, to be honest, I couldn’t really argue. SIU 55-42 2 Wisconsin (-13) covers vs. 15 Texas A&M-CC I know the Badgers aren’t an explosive scoring team, but they don’t have to be in this one. I expect to see the Islanders score in the 40’s for this one. Wisconsin is too well coached to not put this team away like they are supposed to. Badgers 57-40 3 Oregon (-9) covers vs. 14 Miami (Ohio) The Ducks are playing really well right now. They seem to be the far superior team in this matchup. While admirable that they won the MAC, Miami is simply not a very good basketball team. I expect the Ducks to speed the game up and leave the Redhawks behind. Oregon 84-62 5 Tennessee (-7) covers vs. 12 Long Beach State I just can’t see what the committee was thinking here at all, Long Beach State has no credentials to earn a 12 seed. They have beaten no one outside of their conference and just don’t have real chance of beating the Vols. While the Vols aren’t a huge team, this will be one of the few times all season that they have a size advantage inside. Both teams can run, but inside will make the difference. Vols 77-59 11 Winthrop (+4) covers vs. 6 Notre Dame Speed, speed, and more speed. The Eagles of Winthrop come at you hard and fast. This is a team that bosts a 28-4 record! I like Notre Dame, I really do, but this is my upset special for Friday’s action. Expect this one to be one of the more exciting games of the day. Remember that Winthrop’s 4 losses were to UNC, Maryland, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin. Winthrop 62-59  March 13, 2007 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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