Karl Garrett

40 DIMER - WESTERN KENTUCKY + 5
10 DIMER - CLEMSON -5.5
10 DIMER MEMPHIS - 20

Lines are Current Pinnacle
5:10 AM Minneapolis
Court Side for the Big Dance



40 DIMER - WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS + 5

I was not a big believer in this Illinois team during the regular season, and now that guard Chester Frazier is hurting, I am less of a believer in Bruce Weber's bunch.Even if Frazier can go, how much can he really contribute with his hurt hand? I say not much, and I say the Illini are in for a dog fight in Portland tonight.Western Kentucky is no fluke, as they come into this one having won their last 7, and they have also covered their last 5.Illinois is struggling, as the Illini have dropped 3 of their last 4 both straight up, and against the spread.The Hilltoppers have the experience to give this relatively inexperienced Illini team a tussle for the full 40-minutes.
Take the 5.5 points here, as Western Kentucky may just be able to spring the outright as well.


10 DIMER - CLEMSON TIGERS - 5.5
Yes, Clemson faltered down the stretch, but I will give Oliver Purnell's team a shot here against a Michigan team who are only in because of early season upset wins over UCLA, and Duke.The Wolverines have struggled down the stretch as well, as Michigan is just 5-5 straight up their last 10 games. There is a good chance Clemson stretches this one out early, and we don't have to sweat at all laying the 5-points the Tigers are currently favored by as I type this.Don't worry about the late season swoon the Tigers are going through, it won't bite them in this one, as the matchups favor Clemson hands down.
Lay - 5.5


10 DIMER - MEMPHIS TIGERS - 20 Points
Talk about laying it, I say to "lay it" with the # 2 seeded Tigers.John Calipari's team owns the nation's longest winning streak, yet the tourny committee does not believe they are strong enough to garner a # 1 seed. You know damn well that Calipari will make this his rallying cry, and last year's finalists will take no prisoners along the way.Memphis has really been bothered this season against the spread as they are 22-11 overall in lined games this year, and they have covered 18 of their last 24 coming into this game, including their last pair, and 4 of 5.Northridge is happy to be "dancing", but it will be a quick one for them, as they have not seen the likes of the Tigers in their regular season conference play.
As Dicky V would say; "It's Rout City, BAY-BEEEE!!!!!!"
Lay - 20 with Memphis!


Today's Complimentary Selection
Another comp play winner last night on Bowling Green plus the points, as the G-Man is now 7-2 the last 9 days for free.Going tonight, lay the points in Portland as Gonzaga enjoys the "home cooking" against Akron.The 'Zags Spokane campus is not too far away from the Rose Garden, so expect to see plenty of Bulldog backers in the stands this evening. Not that Mark Few's team will need much support, as the Bulldogs have won their last 9, and even better still is the fact they have covered their last 3, and are 5-1 against the spread their last 6 lined games, all in the favored role.
Akron won the MAC tournament for their automatic ticket to the Dance, but they did close the regular season by losing 3 of their final 5.This is a Gonzaga team that has plenty of experience, and the G-Man is calling for the 'Zags to be dancing late in this tourny. Lay the double-digits, as Gonzaga makes it look easy in their opening round.

5♦ GONZAGA - 12.5
(on a 1♦ to 5♦ basis)