It’s here—two of the arguably top 5 least productive workdays on the American calendar. I for one am prepared, and that’s all I’ll say on the off chance someone I work with reads this…
The beauty of the NCAA tournament is that everyone has a chance, at least in theory. If you’re a Division I program then you have an opportunity to make the dance and if you win 6 (or 7 if you’re a play-in team) games in a row you won a natty. Now, I’m not going to litigate the fact that there’s a clear stratification of teams based on talent and resources and in reality like 8 teams have the real opportunity to cut down the nets. Instead, I choose to live with the optimistic outlook that everyone at least has a chance, unlike college football.
As I write this I’m already metaphorically salivating at what’s to come. Who will be this year’s darling team that comes from nowhere to capture all our hearts and minds? Which individual player is going to put his stamp on the tournament and probably make himself a lottery pick in the process? We love this tournament for the storylines and the hope it can instill in us. And in more recent years some of us love it because it allows us to take advantage of the public pushing lines and giving us maximum value.
That’s right, all that flowery love for the dance has led you down the path to:
JJ’s Gambling Shack: Tournament Edition (it’s a full-blown shack now, I was accidentally infringing on another person’s IP, shoutout Rone)
Let’s look at just the next two days of matchups and find some individual games to try and build some bankroll. These plays are First Round Only, one game only, and one unit only. Let’s Dance!
Doesn’t Coach Cal look funny in red? Well, we love that shade of red today boys and girls!
I’m putting these plays in order of WHEN THE GAME TIPS OFF! This way if you miss the post when it hits, just pick up where you can:
Thurs. 12:15 pm Creighton (9) +2.5 vs (8) Louisville: Listen, this is a pure heat check. I want to see how the gambling winds are blowing as I plunge headfirst into 4 days of buckets. The game is in Lexington, KY so it might as well be a home game for the ‘Ville, but Creighton is the better team, the more complete team, and the Big East is being disrespected this year despite having a back-to-back natty winner from the Conference. Take the points, leave the cannoli.
-Thurs. 2:00 pm Houston (1) -28.5 vs SIU Edwardsville (16): This is a heartwarming story about a team making its first-ever appearance in the tourney, but don’t let the feels interrupt good business… Houston will cover, this is a bankroll booster, end of the preview.
Thurs. 2:50 pm Auburn (1) -32.5 vs Alabam State (16): Call me a square bettor, call me a juice bag, but also remember to call me a winner. Same reasons as above, lay the points and take the W.
Thurs. 7:10 pm Arkansas (10) +5.5 vs Kansas (7): Here, don’t say I always take favorites… Arkansas is a PURE VALUE PLAY. They are getting 5.5 points. If Kansas was getting 5.5 we’d be on them. We take the points and hopefully run to the bank.
Thurs. 9:25 pm Utah State (10) +5.5 vs UCLA (7): My official play is taking the 5.5 points, but my unofficial play is taking the Utes Moneyline Bay Bee! This is a matchup that favors the mid-major and I’m hopefully ending my broadcast day with a WINNER.
Author’s note: I will add to this and re-pop it when I add in the Friday slate of games I like. But for now, I want to get it posted for y’all, because I do it for you. Let’s have a day!