4* Money Maker BELMONT

Taking OLD DOMINION. This team won't mind playing a slow, banging pace. And the double digits are just a bonus. I think OD wins this outright. Really. If this game isn't withing 10 I would be shocked. CUSA always shows up in the NCAAs.. Last year Marshall 13 seed won first round. Year before, 12 seed Middle Tenn State wins 1st round. Before that - 15 Mid Tenn over #2 Michigan State. 14 UAB over 3 seed Iowa before that. We have to go back to 2013-2014 to find CUSA not getting bounced in the first round. 10* Money Bomb OLD DOMINION 

Taking KENTUCKY. Look. Hate going against any team that has Christian in their name. Do not want to offend any Gods during this time of year. Unfortunately, Abilene might need a Christmas Miracle to hang here. I think Kentucky can name the score. 4* Money Maker KENTUCKY 

Taking MURRAY. Time to start sprinkling in some ML on these dogs. Will grab the Racers ML for a little something. I do like Marquette. A couple weeks ago, I was sure this team would make a deep run. But you drop 4 straight to end the year, beat, who I think is a not so good St John's team, and then lose to the Hall in a revenge spot from a week ago? That is not good focus. Murray a middie with something to prove. 4* Money Maker MURRAY STATE 

Taking NORTHEASTERN. Have been down on Kansas and will fade them again. You know I like my CAA. This is a good, balanced Huskies team. This is not your typical Kansas team. I think they are banged up and I think their HC is in trouble. 4* Money Maker NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES 

Taking VERMONT. Nice location for these guys not far from home and should have a good crowd behind them. Can FSU win this by 20 or something. Possibly. I just think Vermont comes out strong and double digits, we are live dog here. 4* Money Maker VERMONT 

Taking AUBURN. I will tell you this. I was writing why I was liking the Aggies in this spot. A nice 30-4 record, 19 straight wins. Looks impressive. But then I dug into their season. The 4 losses. 15 at home to St Mary's, lost to Kansas by 3 on a neutral, a 3pt neutral loss to Drake, and a 6pt road loss to Cal Baptist (this is a team I actually like!). Now I know this line might be a tad inflated based on the Tigers showing in the SEC Championship Game. But as much as I love taking dogs, and trendy 5-12, 4-13 upsets, we are on the fave here. I don't think Auburn is a great as they showed Sunday, but they should this Aggies team. 4* Money Maker AUBURN 

Taking YALE. These guys average 80pgg. This isn't the Princeton offense running back-doors to beat Georgetown. Not sure what to expect out of LSU with the coaching situation. Maybe they rally. Maybe they fold. I know that Yale will bringing it's 'A' game. 4* Money Maker YALE 

4* Money Maker BUFFALO

4* Money Maker WASHINGTON

Taking UCF. Just think that they have too much size for VCU. Rams coming in off tough loss in A10 Championship game. They lose a key piece in Evans. Maybe he plays -No clue as I write this on Tuesday, but zero chance he will be close to 100% if he gets on the floor. UCF a tough team. Beat Houston on the road and Cincy in back to back to spots- then dropped a tough roadie at Temple who always brings it. Obviously they have to get by VCU first, but I will be interested in them vs Duke in the next round. 8* Sure Shot UCF 

Taking VIRGINIA TECH. So I think we saw STL really shoot the moon in the A-10 tournament. Would love to see them make a run here. But I can't see that happening. This VT team is very good. You hear about Virginia, Duke and NC out of the ACC, but don't sleep on the Hokies. 8* Sure Shot VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

Taking LIBERTY. Going again with my small school Money Maker. Not sure how they will do on the boards today, but I know they will do well shooting the ball. I have this line closer to 5 so I will grab the extra points with a team very excited to be on the big stage. 4* Money Maker LIBERTY 

Taking IRVINE. So, Wade plays and is 100%, I think this line is higher. But if he's out or plays in a limited fashion, have to still side with Irvine. Right off the bat - this game is in San Jose. I don't know California, but I know Irivine does play here. It isn't like their fans are flying in from Kansas. They will have the crowd behind them. And in an early game like this, it will be noticeable. You beat a team in your conference tournament championship by 30, that interests me. That is a team that you play twice a year and knows your ins and outs over the years. 16 straight wins and 19 of 20. 5* Best Bet CAL IRVINE