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 as to their picks:
Adam Hill, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,525
Friday: Lost $20
Today: Betting $330
Bet 1: $165 on Butler +3½ over Florida
Comment: This should come down to the last possession. The Bulldogs have proven they can execute in close games.
Bet 2: $165 on Butler-Florida Under 132
Comment: If the Gators are settling for 3s and not hitting, Butler will control the pace.
Mal Van Valkenburg, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $2,165
Friday: Lost $880
Today: Betting $440
Bet 1: $220 on Butler +3½ over Florida Comment: Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard provide enough offense and toughness for Butler to keep pace with the Gators.
Bet 2: $220 on Arizona-Connecticut Over 145 Comment: Both teams should push the tempo. Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams are two of the most exciting players left in the tournament.
Matt Youmans, Review-Journal
Bankroll: $1,896 Friday: Lost $275
Today: Betting $352
Bet 1: $187 on Arizona +3 over Connecticut
Comment: Kemba Walker might carry UConn again, but Wildcats forward Derrick Williams is just as dominant, so take the points.
Bet 2: $165 on Butler +3½ over Florida
Comment: The blue-collar Bulldogs took it to Pittsburgh and Wisconsin, so they should be able to do the same to the Gators.
John Kelly, EOG.com
Bankroll: $160 Friday: Lost $440
Today: Betting $110
Bet 1: $55 on Butler +3½ over Florida
Comment: Veterans Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are a formidable duo underrated by opponents and oddsmakers.
Bet 2: $55 on Arizona +3 over Connecticut
Comment: The Wildcats are doing an impression of the 1988 Kansas team with Derrick Williams starring in the lead role of Danny Manning.
Bruce Marshall, The Gold Sheet
Bankroll: $1,775 Friday: Won $450
Today: Betting $440
Bet 1: $220 on Butler +3½ over Florida
Comment: The Bulldogs’ ability to control pace and tempo and play textbook team defense will make the going rough for the Gators.
Bet 2: $220 on Connecticut -3 over Arizona
Comment: Don’t expect Arizona to pick up where it left off against Duke. Huskies star Kemba Walker proves the difference.
Ken Thomson, SportsXRadio.com
Bankroll: $1,160 Friday: Lost $330
Today: Betting $550
Bet 1: $440 on Florida -3½ over Butler
Comment: This is the first game of the tournament in which Butler’s Brad Stevens won’t have the coaching edge.
Bet 2: $110 on Connecticut -3 over Arizona
Comment: The Huskies’ Kemba Walker-Jeremy Lamb combo is the Big East’s last hope.