March 10, 2023 • 35 mins
"Time to ride the HOT teams!"
Brace for Winnings presented by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Sean Brace & Joe Tansey discuss all things NCAA Hoops from todays card!
- Creighton plays TOUGH D
- Vandy looks nice at +330
- Hot teams to ride
- Plenty of winners discussed
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Brace for Winnings is a production of iHeartRadio. Brace for
Winnings presented by Draft King Sportsbook, your one stop podcast
for all things happening on the hard wood. Now here's
your host, Sean Brace. It is a Friday, and we
are fast approaching selection a Sunday. Only a few more
days and a few more games to go down until
(00:26):
we find out the final sixty eight coming your way
for the ultimate prize in college troops, the National Championship,
and of course is being played in Houston. Is a
good afternoon, everybody, Sean Brace, of course. Brace for Winnings
the podcast presented by Draft Kings sports Book, been daily
pot where we get you up to date on everything
(00:46):
happening in the world of college basketball. So many games,
so much to pay attention to. And look, even I
struggle from time to time, but that's why we bring
any expert. Joe Tanzy of course, hot and loaded, ready
to go for the weekend, ready to go for Friday
with all of his play. Is a good afternoon, Joe.
A lot of fun yesterday, a lot of big games,
(01:08):
and these games today are gonna be even more dramatic
because now we got some real deal matchups. Some matchups
that we might see starting next week or the following week,
a lot of games that are of NCAA tournament caliber.
Yeah we won't. We won't see any of them until
the Sweet sixteen at minimum because of the bracketing rules.
(01:30):
But yeah, I want some drama, Like I'm waiting for it.
I'm sitting here, you know, back in my recliner here
waiting for Wednesday. We got a little bit of it
in the Big Ten, but that's about it. Like there
there's nothing, there's no drama out here in the Power Conferences,
(01:51):
and like, just give me, give me one. I want
one juicy storyline and one of the six Power conferences
going into Saturday, there's like potential for a few, but
like there's nothing there right now. Like I tweeted the
last night, I feel like we have like sixty six
the sixty eight already locked in, and like where else
(02:13):
where the bid Steelers going to come from? Like did
you get any pushback on that tweet? Do we have
sixty six out of the sixty eight already ready to go?
I think that's the consensus, Like with all the people,
all of the bracket predictions and all the different websites,
I'm reading, it's like like Utah State beating New Mexico
last night, it seems like Utah State kind of solidified
(02:34):
their spot, like all the bubble teams like Penn State
last night after them beating Illinois, it feels like they
they slidified the spot. Rutgers, same thing. I think that
the question mark comes in the ACC now because it's
like Clemson's still all the bubble, but they have to
(02:55):
beat Virginia tonight NC State in Pittsburgh. If you play
around with the resumes enough, they look bad. So I
think that's maybe where the maybe where the bubble drama
is in the ACCUM. The only other thing that's out
there right now is if North Texas wins Conference USA
or UAB, because Florida Atlantic is a lock in the field.
(03:17):
So the only drama we really have is if either
Jelly Walker gets taught for you AB or North Texas,
who I think is going to beat you AB today
their defense just shuts down FAU in the championship game. Uh,
you know, pick your your path to chaos and then
that maybe locks out maybe one of the ACC teams
(03:39):
or Utah State. But I mean, it feels pretty straightforward.
Of who's in the field. It's Friday, you know, early
Friday afternoon of Championship week, and there's nothing like it's
pretty clear cut of of who is in the field
and who isn't. And I think that speaks to just
how average a lot of teams were last year. I
(04:01):
told you yesterday there's been a lot of chaos, but
the I think the really really good teams. There's no
great teams this year, but the really good teams, I
think they'll eventually sort themselves through, and the Sweet sixteen
A Lady is gonna be a lot of really really
good competitive games between those top teams. I could see
(04:22):
a lot of chalk happening. Obviously depends on how the
bracket plays out, but I'm waiting for it, Like, Okay,
well we're off, We're off running here in this first game.
We're recording us at noon today, a little bit later today.
It's a Friday. Don't yell at us, but hey, Rutgers,
they're already in What number are they at? What seat
are they they're on the I believe they're either, depending
(04:45):
on your favorite practologists, either on the last four buys
or last four in. I think they're they're essentially playing
to avoid Dayton, is what it sounds like. They've been
not on the wrong side. Like all we have left
is Clemson, who I just mentioned m Oregon. If they
beat Ucla, they beat come a resume to evaluate. Um,
(05:06):
but UCLA pulled away against Colorado yesterday and you bet
Ucla you got away with one. Um. Mississippi States kind
of hovering over it in the SEC. But yeah, but
Florida hasn't been Florida for the last two three weeks
because Colin Castlan's out for the season, so that was expected. Um,
(05:31):
I don't know, Like what was Ohio State gonna be
Michigan State? Like Ohio States out there, but they gotta
win five and five, Like even if they reached the
semis and beat Sparty today, like, can they can win
five and five days? That's so difficult to do. So,
like even even though there's still alive in the Big ten,
(05:53):
it's like, man, they're gonna they're gonna hit a wall
at some point. So I think, really, because Florida Atlantic
is the team we've been talking about a lot in
the mid major ranks this year. They were top twenty
five team. I think if the North Texas UAB winner
wins Conference USA tomorrow, then it takes away a spot.
(06:14):
You have a little bit more of type. Butt holes
in the ACC is essentially what I think it comes
down to. Because Pits resume has holes in it. NC
States resume got holes in it, Clemson's got holes in
it like Cleon, And only one of those three teams
can do any improvement to their resume. So I think
that's the only drama we're headed towards, because everything else
(06:37):
is a one big league that's still left to play
for in the mid majors. All right, Well, I want
to stay with yesterday just real quick if we could,
and I want to hear your thoughts on Crate and
a team that I believed, did you have the winning
this tournament Big East. I didn't have an official pick, Okay,
I don't remember. Somebody had was pretty high on Crete
(06:58):
and of course we know look at the beginny year
there was hype and they played the really well in
the MAUI went to the championship game and had a
little bit down. Throughout the course of a long season,
they've been playing better basketball. I'm curious to know your
thoughts on this and maybe you've got some analytics or
some stats. Of course you do. You're Joe Tanzy. As
far as defense is concerned, where did they stand on defense?
(07:18):
Because last night was incredible they were all over Villanova.
As far as defense is concerned, I think of Creton.
I think of guys they want to shoot the long ball.
Of course, they got some good size. As I said,
I've watched them a few times this year. I wasn't
surprised to see them beat Villanova. I had Villanova, you know. Look,
(07:38):
I my thought process was, we can't be touting for
the last three or four weeks, or me personally, I
can't be saying watch out, watch out, justin Moore, watch out,
and then all of a sudden it comes down to
taking them. And I don't take the five and a half.
So I, you know, bad day at the office for me.
We're on to the next one. But Creighton defensively, Joe,
my goodness, if they play like that in this upcoming tournament,
(08:01):
watch out. Yeah. And look there are top fifteen in
defensive adjusted deficiency on on KEMPOM. So that fits your
what the top forty on offense and defense KEMPOM criteria
for a title winner here's my problem with them, and
you're gonna hear this for the next week. Is their depth,
Like what happens if if somebody gets Cockbrenner into foul
(08:24):
trouble or Shireman into foul trouble. They don't run more
than more than sixty deep at times, So that that's
the biggest concern if if you're betting on Creton, they
can score with anyone, and they have the defensive metrics
to fit the criteria of a winner. But and it's
(08:47):
it could come down the circumstance with them, Like I
think that's really what what Creton's downfall could be is
is foul trouble. Because we've seen it. You know, this
is your your prototypical kind of what if scenario. What
if one of these guys it's foul trouble and it
turns into a mess and they can't get their offense going.
(09:07):
That could happen. And I think that's what Creton's clear
downfall is, whereas some other teams may not have a
crystal clear weakness like that. All right, And a couple
other quick ones from yesterday, ones that you haven't really
discussed just yet. I was on Tilt last night and
I almost took USC, so I'm glad I bailed out
(09:27):
on that one Arizona State. That's impressive victory. They didn't
miss it is they didn't. That's a good win for them,
and it puts them on the right side of the bubbles.
As of right now, the Minardi has them as their
last as his last team been, so they still got
work to do. But that is impressive to me because
a SU was one in five against the top three
(09:51):
in the PAC twelve and their one win was the
incredible buzzer beater against Arizona a few weeks ago, so
they hadn't beaten any of the top teams in the
PAC twelve. Finally did so against USC. To me, that's
really impressive. They showed up when they needed to. Um,
you would have to think that gets them in. But again,
(10:12):
there's one or two wacky scenarios out there where you know,
like in cee US today or if Oregon somehow gets hot. Look,
the safest way for as you to get in the
tournament is to win two more games, like playing simple.
Can they do it? Probably not? The PAC twelve is
usually one B two in the final, but um, yeah,
(10:34):
they gotta be they gotta be rooting for UCLA in
that first semi final out in Vegas, and probably for
Virginia and Kentucky as well. Today. That way, Clemson's gone
and Vandy's gone, and you can you can have a
safe or as safe as you can get a spot
close to the bubble. Okay, talk to me about the
(10:56):
SEC Tournament Vanderbilt and LSU. I didn't really have an
opinion on that game. I've been kind of guessing on
both of the teams all season long. Vanderbilt ended up
smashing of seventy seven to sixty eight. They or four
and a half point favorites. Surprised about that, and what
is your outlook on the SEC Tournament right now? Absolutely
not surprised whatsoever. LSU has been one of the worst
(11:17):
Power Conference teams all season. They're in flux because the
Will Wade firing. Matt McMahon came over from very State
and he knew he had a rebuilding job. He brought
in a lot of transfers guides from his old job.
This was always going to be down here for LSU.
The fact I think they beat Georgian in the first
round was frankly pretty surprising, but LSU has been a
(11:38):
top team to fade all seasons. So Vandy now sets
up this this really fascinating situation where they're not even
close to the bubble right now. But if you get
in the SEC semi finals with two wins of Kentucky,
one it Rough and one of the SEC tournament in
the last two weeks, do you get into the conversation.
(12:01):
I think that, you know, just based off still being
alive and playing on Saturday, Vandy would have to be
in the conversation, whether it's yeah, they're in, where they're out, whatever,
The fact that you were still talking about Vanderbilt is
a good thing. They've gotten hot at the right time.
But is it too little, too late? That's what you're
gonna hear about Vandy. The SEC is gonna be interesting
(12:23):
to watch because look, I think all the spotlights on Tennessee,
you know, beating Old miss yesterday, that's a that's a
good win. But now you have the rest of the
teams are nca excuse me, NCAA tournament caliber teams and
guard plays where Missouri really thrives. And if you're not
(12:44):
able to match them because of this Zigler injury, just
buy them on MISSOI at plus five and a half today,
they might be susceptible to an upset. MISSOO is one
of those teams where, um, they're not as extreme as
NC State, where if their guards get hot and they're
shooting three and they're gonna be trouble for a higher
(13:08):
seed in the second round. But they're kind of on
that same level where if the guard plays there and
they get a little help from inside, they can compete
with anyone. They can score with anyone, that's that's for sure.
But if they have an off night, they're going to
have a really off night. So it's gonna be a
fascinating matchup clash styles offense first defense. UM, I have
(13:31):
no I don't know what to make of A and
M in Arkansas. M A and M is a deserved
two seed, but they're not the second best team in
the SEC. And Arkansas is not the tenth best team
in the SEC. On record, they are, but on talent
they aren't because Nick Smith, the star freshman, missed a month. Um,
(13:54):
So how do you kind of evaluate Arkansas at this point?
Is it is fascinating. So beating Auburn was a step
in the right direction, but that A and M Arkansas game.
It is fascinating because the line is so close. Um,
it's a rivalry game. It you know, arkansasis has to
get right. They lost you know, three in a row
to end of regular season. A and M. They're good,
(14:17):
they play really good defense, but can they survived the tests?
You know? This is this is where that the next
step in Buzz Williams and then an M program comes
in and then I expect Bama to roll in Mississippi State.
I'm not really concerned about them there. Um, the line
keeps fluctuating between seven and eight points. I kind of
stayed away from it because Alabama has been a little
(14:41):
rough around the edges um these last few games. And
betting them at eight points when they can win the
game by seven, you know, it's They're kind of a
stay away for at least that game. So fascinating to
the four games, and I mean, if Vanderbilt wins, we
got some drama. So maybe I just become a def
(15:03):
act Vanderbilt fan. Even though I don't think they could
be Kentucky. I don't think the odds makers think they
could be Kentucky. Here plus three thirty on the money
line that's a pretty nice price there, I might look,
they already did and as you pointed out, at Kentucky,
So maybe weren't the play here or just enjoy the game,
stay away or it's Kentucky or bust your thoughts on that.
(15:25):
I mean, they're eight and a half point underdogs, and
there's in every situation. I think if you're betting that game,
you'd be you're betting Vanny. I mean, they've won nine
of ten. They beat Kentucky, they beat Auburn, they beat Tennessee. Um,
a lot of those big wins came at home, but
they beat Kentucky at Rock. Um. I think I know
(15:50):
it's a little too high. I would Actually, I haven't
even looked at that game much today because he's so
focused on the afternoon games. Yeah, you know Sleeps, what's that? Um? Yeah,
locked me in for Randy plus eight and a half
like a very minimum, but you know they're playing for something. Yeah. Yeah.
(16:12):
And I didn't even know they were on such a
streak that you just pointed out nine o last ten
And as I just pointed out, I watched a little
bit of that game when they beat up Kentucky there,
and of course Jerry Stack got himself a nice little
program going on there. Watch out so plus three very quiet,
it's a very quiet nine and one in their last time.
Oh nice. Well, I might take a little flyer on
that plus three thirty. I do like the eight and
(16:32):
a half though. All right, let's keep it moving here
and let's go ahead and talk a little bit more
about you know what, let's just get out over to
today's game. So let's talk more about today's card and
find out where you're at. Once again, we're recording this
here at twelve thirty right now as we sit you are,
we are live action, Tracy. We got Rutgers up by
eight twenty to twelve with ten o seven to go
(16:54):
in the first half live action on that live line,
one twenty eight and a half is your total, and
you're looking at plus one ten and the money line
for Ruckers than that one. But ultimately we got one
o'clock Alabama and Mississippi State ECU catching twenty three against Houston.
Could Houston trip up and maybe win by ten? Here? Um,
(17:14):
it is their first game. Maybe I'm not going to
talk myself in the betting on East Carolina, but I
think there's a school of thought where maybe try and
look at a first half on easy Okay, Um, but ye,
the AAC is just so bad where I don't think
(17:35):
I've been on anybody in the AAC except for Houston,
Memphis and Fading Tolls all years. So well, let's stay
in that conference. Tell me what you think about Cincinnati
and Temple five for Cincinnati here, I have no thoughts
on that game, honestly none. Temple's just been so bad lately. Um,
it's a shame. We're not going to get a true
(17:56):
Philadelphia area team in the NCAA Tournament this year unless
Penn wins the IVY League. Um. Yeah, they're just I mean,
they're trending downward. Um. If anything, I went bet to Cincinnati.
But I just I think the AAC has just been
so so mediocre in the middle of where it's It's
just it's so difficult to get a read on these teams.
(18:18):
All right, let's keep it going down to car We'll
get your plays, of course before we get out of here.
But you kind of mark at you, cond well, just
when I thought that game was absolutely over. Oh, by
the way, I was watching that game, and I'm like,
I'm not watching the actual players. I'm watching that, the
fans like the first three or four rows to yes,
(18:41):
I can I can see too. I can see who
has Dukon minus seven. I can see who has Providence
plus seven. And then like the reaction was just like
so tempered by everyone who was starting to react to
the swing and the points because it pushed. And I think,
if you bet Yukon, you're like, that feels like a loss.
But if you're if you bet Providence, You're like, well,
(19:04):
at least I magically won my money back. Like dude,
I think that's the way you have to approach it.
It's great that you pointed at out now. Look, I've
seen Van Pelt do it before, but it's what I do.
It's like when I see a number or I see
a game and it's coming around that number, and especially
a perfect scenario the way that game played out yesterday
were Yukon, I think I said it at half, I'm like,
(19:26):
all right, well that's a winner. Literally week we changed
the channel, we watched every other game, flip it through,
flip it through, and then I think the five o'clock
because when that game ended went the commercial break, and
I'm like, dude, what does that scores say they were
up by five. I think so that is hysterical. We
need to like make that a segment where people send
us videos of people from the crowd, like with the reaction,
(19:48):
show them we know you got the ticket, show the
fan in the stands. That was like last night, We're
in the studio producing the Villadova game and I'm watching
Clemson NC State on the screen and like I had
the over one forty eight and like recruit proason, we're
literally halfway there at halftime, and then nc stage just
(20:10):
forgot to play offense, and like they were even on
that cold streak where they were putting shots in the
basket and they were rolling out, like it got to
that point where they had like two or three those
in a row, and I'm like, all right, well this
is this is dead on a rival and you can't
even you know, find a path back in the second half.
But there are gonna be games like that plenty of
(20:31):
like that in March, where you think you have it
in a big run ends up screwing you, or you
end up winning because of it, or you know, the
total just goes out of control. I mean, I think
there was a beat in the TCUs A State game
as well, where it stayed under um even though the
total was close to like one fifty. I think, so, look,
(20:52):
there's gonna be more of that today. Whether you like
it or not, it's just bound to happen. Yep. I
agree with that. And I was on the over as well,
and that was frustrating because you know, I didn't think, yeah, yeah,
it's well. I was looking at as far as following
the number, and then all of a sudden, look, we
got one team to eighty. You know, that's like perfect,
(21:12):
and then I know I get it. The other teams
you got to score seventy first day the over, but
I thought it'd be a little bit more competitive, especially
what we saw the night before within the state the
live total half time was one fifty three. So like
it was, it was on track, and it just it
just collapsed right in from our face. Da yep, like
you said, all right, keeping them moving on this week's
(21:33):
Oh we didn't even talk about ucon Marquette. Give me
a number or give me a play a lean four
points spread yukon favorite or one forty seven year total.
That's gonna be tough, tough, um, I'm staying away with it,
but I'll give you this comparison because I tweeted out
yesterday and I want to get your thoughts on it.
Tyler Colick from Marquette love him. He reminds me so
(21:57):
much of Aaron Kraft from Ohio State. Sure, where he
just he just gets the lane. He's fearless, like he doesn't.
It's not reckless, it's it's fearless. And he does all
the little things he can dribble into the lane. He's
so crafty. Like when I when I watched Tyler Coltz,
(22:19):
I'm I feel like I'm watching Aaron Craft play basketball
from you know, early on in the twenty tents of
Ohio Est like that is I could see it. To me,
that's to me that like it's the perfect mold of
player that he h. He's the ringleader, man, He's the
one that drives drives that offense. I mean, wasn't he
the player of the conference for offensive? Wasn't he I
(22:39):
think player to year? Yeah, yeah, exactly, so, I mean
he is special. And Phanto was ranting a raven about him.
I know he did a post on him a couple
of weeks ago that I read that was really in depth,
and the kid delivers. So that's why, you know, obviously
this time of year, you gotta have great guards, great
guard play, and somebody that can you could trust with
(23:00):
the ball to knock down those free throw shots or
not turn it over. And he is that guy. I
like the comparison, and I really do. It's just tough
because Yukon is playing so well and they look like
that that Yukon team that was really hot in December
and early January. So I don't know. I mean, I'm
(23:21):
throwing something up against the wall here. I think I
take the points at Marquette and hope for a tight
game and somebody wins on a final possession. But that's
that's kind of weak as far as analysis. Yeah, I
would take Marquette, though if you made me make a play,
I probably would as well. Although it's Yukon in the
garden in March and my heart is telling me don't
(23:45):
bet against Yukon, but I'm staying away from it just
because it I can't fully grasp like what my actual
angle would be. Penn State and Northwestern Northwestern surprised a
lot of people this year. They're favored by a point
napp over Penn State. Penn State looking good. They got
some players on thirty and a half. Is your total here?
(24:05):
Six thirty pm N Draft King Sports Book. Any thoughts
on this one? Yeah? Yeah, what a year for Penn
State athletics. They win the Rose Bowl, they get into
the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade,
and they're gonna lose their head coach in dinner Dame U.
The third one may not be true, but Mica Sure's
very definitely could leverage this season and get a better
job than Penn State basketball. UM. I kind of want
(24:30):
to ride the hot team here, like Northwestern. Yeah, they
beat Rutgers to end the regular season, but they lost
three in a row before that. Um, they're gonn gonna
be off a five day break, which they haven't had
in a long time. UM. I think if anything here,
(24:51):
I'm gonna take the Penn State first half money linees
plus one oh five. And the reason why I'm doing
the reason why I'm doing it is because Penn State
already has a game. They're gonna come in, They're gonna
feel comfortable like we're we're watching the Rutgers produe game
over recording and produe it is struggling to find a
little bit of that rhythm. You can't really use the
first half unders strategy here because the game total of
(25:14):
one thirty. Like if if Penn State gets hot or
if Western gets hot for four minutes, your your first
half under strategy is shot. UM. So I think this
maybe you know, Northwestern's got pressure on them for the
first time home state in Chicago. They're gonna have the
crowd behind him. Excuse me, but how many times is
(25:38):
doing with Western basketball play with pressure? So I think
that's yeah. So I think that's the way I put it.
As Penn State knows they're in the tournament. Now they
can play freer. And oh, by the way, the best
player on the floor is Jalen Pickett who plays for
Penn State UM and they just beat Northwestern UM in
Evanston as well. UM, Penn State's the hot hand. So
(26:00):
I'm gonna take that approach with the first half money
line because I think north Western maybe takes twenty or
so minutes just to get warmed up. I mean, we
just saw Zachide just launch a pass over his teammate's head.
It means something you've been playing two three games a
week for what three to four months now, and now
(26:25):
you've had five days off and you're playing in a
new arena. It's real. It affects you. So I think
the hotter team in Penn State ends up having the
advantage at least in the first half. We'll see how
the second half goes. But I would I wouldn't mind
if we got a boobooye jail and ticket showdown at
some point in that game. All right, keeping it moving.
(26:45):
We're under ten here on the zoom. I want to
ask you yesterday the biggest game, that you were kicking
yourself in the back or the backside for not being
on I'll tell you my answer, and that's why it's
popping up now. Kansas yesterday. I don't know why I
didn't pull the trigger on Kansas, and I get it,
it was a little tighter at first half, but after
(27:06):
it was all said and done and just walked away.
I mean, they're the overall number one seed, best team
of college basketball. Um. I'm bringing it up because they're
four and a half point favorites here today again as
well against Iowa State, and I realized Iowa State's a
little bit better of a team. Um, But ultimately it
is this a spot a better team than West Virginia.
(27:26):
But ultimately is this a spot that you know? Look,
you made a mistake yesterday, brace don't make the same
mistake twice. I gotta be on Kansas today, correct. Um.
I don't fully support it just because they call Kansas
City Hilton South Iowa State shows up in that tournament?
(27:48):
The hell does that mean? Hilton College? Gotcha? Okay? So
like that, I was thinking the hotel chain, this is
where like the diehard college basketball brain and like you
swooping it in after the Super Bowl, like I have to,
I forget about that when we get don't don't do
(28:10):
that to me. I'm they want to college shops. Sorry,
I don't know where. Iowa State the name of their arena,
that's what I How many times has their arena named
changed in the last decade? Right? Doesn't everybody change their heads?
I give it up. I give it up. Rememberas no, no, no.
Hilton Magic has been a thing for a long time.
Tyrese Halibert and George Dyang Monte Morris. When they were good,
(28:33):
Hilton Magic was was the real deal. It's like the
like the octagon of Doom at Kansas State. Yeah, you
know all of those nicknames, right? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah yeah,
the trapisode of the trapisode of terror at Rutgers. Yes,
do you know that one? Do know that one? But
did not know the Hilton did I was unaware of
Hilton out there at Iowa State. I know they're the cyclone,
(28:54):
So sign me up for that one. Yeah. Um, that's
gonna be a tough game. So I wouldn't. Um, I
wouldn't go there on Kansas today. But I tell you what,
I kicked myself for not picking Duke because Pittsburgh was
in a weird spot. But I hate to say it, Sewan,
but Duke's playing really good basketball. I'm gonna whisper that
(29:16):
and not try and speak Duke into existence because Duke's
been laying in low. We haven't had a reason to
care about Duke all year, and then all of a sudden,
they're on this winning streak. They play really good defense,
and they're probably gonna make the ACC Tournament final. Prepare yourself,
just prepare yourself for Duke and Duke fans being insufferable
(29:40):
and all of this, all of these clips of John
Shire when he was a player, like you're gonna see it.
You hope there's a mercenary twelve or thirteenct out there
that it takes them out, like like Lehigh. But Man
Duke is the real deal. I'm taking them against Miami
today minus two and a half. Defense is going to
(30:02):
rule the ACC. Duke and Virginia are both gonna win.
They're both gonna cover, and you're gonna You're gonna get
MACC tournament final in the mid sixties tomorrow and you're
gonna like it. You have no other choice because both
those teams play really, really good defense. What's the one
thing Miami doesn't do, play defense, and the one thing
Clemson doesn't do is play play defense. I think Clemson's
(30:24):
glass slipper ends up breaking. If they could play NC
State in every game, they'd win the NCAA Tournament. But
they can't plays the State in every game. Um and
then Miami. I love the guard play, but Philippowski's the
X factor. He plays down low. You can get North
chattermir into a little bit of foul trouble. Nigel Pack
fouled out from Miami. They almost blew that game yesterday.
(30:46):
He found out like four or five minutes left. That's
a little bit of a concern to me. And their
defense is a red flag as well. So I'm taking Duke,
I'm taking Virginia. I'm tempted by the Duke Miami under
from going to stay away from it because I'm confident
in Duke and I hate myself. I absolutely hate myself
to say Duke is getting hot at the right time.
(31:06):
But that's what they're doing. Yeah, a lot of well.
Patrick McDonald was on the show on Wednesday. He said, hey, man,
I watch out for the Duke. He so, okay, they
have been playing much better basketball. And of course that game,
okay at you and see that was a slam dunk
for for for the tar Heels, and that showed me
everything I need to know about Duke. They are rolling
at the right time. So we'll see what happens, Okay.
(31:28):
I don't I don't hate John Shire. I don't hate
John Shire though. That's the thing. When John Shire played,
I was like, you know, it wasn't like I had
have an opinion on him. So like, am I turning
the tid on Duke? Am I getting soft? No? I think, hey, look,
we'll take anything that's that's good from the acc right.
I mean, nobody had any expectations. So if you give
(31:49):
us a final Duke and Uva, I'll take that, right.
You know, I know it's gonna be game, But Duke
Uva in an absolute knockdown, drag out rock fight first
to sixty five wins. At least it's being played in Greensboro.
That's that's that's true, you know, not in DC, but yeah,
I'm I'm on both Duken Virginia. I think defense is
(32:10):
the defining factor of the DCC the games today. All right, Uh,
one more for me, actually two more for me. Let's
go to Indiana. Maryland. Maryland beat Minnesota yesterday. I think
we talked about that. I think you said minnesotas terrible
watch out. That should be an easy one for Maryland. Indiana.
Everybody loves themselves, some Hoosiers and look I do when
(32:32):
they're at home. That's an unbelievable place that they play.
The Hell's the name of their arena, really, so there
you go. Yeah, I couldn't pull that. I couldn't pull it.
That's one of the most historic gyms in the country. Dude,
I you know, I don't know. I'm John Blanks and
places you know what, Now, I got a homework assignment.
(32:53):
Start learning in the arenas a little bit better than
what you do. All right? Um, so you know, look,
that is a home court advantage. I love them when
they're playing at home. That place is rockin but here
neutral court. Two point favorites, of course, I like the
usual your thoughts in the game. Though. Yeah, apply everything
you just said about Indiana, and it applies about ten
(33:15):
times more to Maryland. Maryland sucks away from College Park.
They're absolutely atrocious. Let's go, Let's go down the rest
of the real quick lost to Michigan, lost to Rockers,
lost to Iowa, lost to Perdue, lost the Sparty, lost
in Nebraska, lost to Ohio State, lost to Penn State,
(33:35):
all on the road. The only team that Maryland beat
on the road in Big Ten play was Minnesota, who
was the worst team in the conference, who they beat
by sixteen points yesterday. There is absolutely no world where
I am trusting Maryland Terrapins outside of College Park this season,
especially on the small spread. Indiana minus two feels like
the biggest slam dunk in the history of a Big
(33:57):
Ten tournament. All right, I like it. Well, I'll be
back in that one today. I think they're definitely gonna
get a wager pushed on them. Um, finally, yeah, let's
let's do this. We got actually we're under two minutes here,
Creton Xavier, give me twenty seconds on that. Crton Zavier
Crateton favored by three and a half. I kinda like Creton, right, yeah,
(34:20):
oh that lose you. I mentioned a microphone came undone,
we're under there are yeah, I know, yeah, I know, yeah,
that's I don't have a play on Creton Zavier. I
think it's two fantastic big EG schemes, but I don't
have to read anyway, all right. And then the other
(34:42):
one would be let's go to TCU and Texas text
tune at point favorites one forty six and a half
TCU really impressive victory. I think you had that yesterday.
Ever for Kansas State. Your thoughts in that game. If
TCU plays the way they did against Kansas State, they're
gonna beat Texas. But Texas is tough, so staying away
from that one. But uh yeah, that should be a fun,
(35:05):
very like Elite eight type game. Thirty seconds your plays please,
Duke Virginia, Indiana, Penn State first half and I am
taking the late night over in Arizona State, Arizona one
fifty four. Those are my late night plays. Boom. That's
Joe Tanzy Jay Tanzy nine zero. Step your game up
(35:27):
if you're gonna get We forgot Vanderbilt, we forgot Dandy.
We're wrong with Vandy. That was added Eddy. Everybody, Brace
for Winnings. We'll be back tomorrow with a special Saturday edition.
Enjoy the game's good luck. Draft King sports Book use
braces the promo code bo Brace for Winnings in iHeartRadio
podcast presented by Draft Kings Sports Book. Brace for Winnings
(35:50):
is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from my
heart Radio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your podcasts.
Brace for Winnings is a production of iHeartRadio. Brace for
Winnings presented by Draft King Sportsbook, your one stop podcast
for all things happening on the hard wood. Now here's
your host, Sean Brace. It is a Friday, and we
are fast approaching selection a Sunday. Only a few more
days and a few more games to go down until
(00:26):
we find out the final sixty eight coming your way
for the ultimate prize in college troops, the National Championship,
and of course is being played in Houston. Is a
good afternoon, everybody, Sean Brace, of course. Brace for Winnings
the podcast presented by Draft Kings sports Book, been daily
pot where we get you up to date on everything
(00:46):
happening in the world of college basketball. So many games,
so much to pay attention to. And look, even I
struggle from time to time, but that's why we bring
any expert. Joe Tanzy of course, hot and loaded, ready
to go for the weekend, ready to go for Friday
with all of his play. Is a good afternoon, Joe.
A lot of fun yesterday, a lot of big games,
(01:08):
and these games today are gonna be even more dramatic
because now we got some real deal matchups. Some matchups
that we might see starting next week or the following week,
a lot of games that are of NCAA tournament caliber.
Yeah we won't. We won't see any of them until
the Sweet sixteen at minimum because of the bracketing rules.
(01:30):
But yeah, I want some drama, Like I'm waiting for it.
I'm sitting here, you know, back in my recliner here
waiting for Wednesday. We got a little bit of it
in the Big Ten, but that's about it. Like there
there's nothing, there's no drama out here in the Power Conferences,
(01:51):
and like, just give me, give me one. I want
one juicy storyline and one of the six Power conferences
going into Saturday, there's like potential for a few, but
like there's nothing there right now. Like I tweeted the
last night, I feel like we have like sixty six
the sixty eight already locked in, and like where else
(02:13):
where the bid Steelers going to come from? Like did
you get any pushback on that tweet? Do we have
sixty six out of the sixty eight already ready to go?
I think that's the consensus, Like with all the people,
all of the bracket predictions and all the different websites,
I'm reading, it's like like Utah State beating New Mexico
last night, it seems like Utah State kind of solidified
(02:34):
their spot, like all the bubble teams like Penn State
last night after them beating Illinois, it feels like they
they slidified the spot. Rutgers, same thing. I think that
the question mark comes in the ACC now because it's
like Clemson's still all the bubble, but they have to
(02:55):
beat Virginia tonight NC State in Pittsburgh. If you play
around with the resumes enough, they look bad. So I
think that's maybe where the maybe where the bubble drama
is in the ACCUM. The only other thing that's out
there right now is if North Texas wins Conference USA
or UAB, because Florida Atlantic is a lock in the field.
(03:17):
So the only drama we really have is if either
Jelly Walker gets taught for you AB or North Texas,
who I think is going to beat you AB today
their defense just shuts down FAU in the championship game. Uh,
you know, pick your your path to chaos and then
that maybe locks out maybe one of the ACC teams
(03:39):
or Utah State. But I mean, it feels pretty straightforward.
Of who's in the field. It's Friday, you know, early
Friday afternoon of Championship week, and there's nothing like it's
pretty clear cut of of who is in the field
and who isn't. And I think that speaks to just
how average a lot of teams were last year. I
(04:01):
told you yesterday there's been a lot of chaos, but
the I think the really really good teams. There's no
great teams this year, but the really good teams, I
think they'll eventually sort themselves through, and the Sweet sixteen
A Lady is gonna be a lot of really really
good competitive games between those top teams. I could see
(04:22):
a lot of chalk happening. Obviously depends on how the
bracket plays out, but I'm waiting for it, Like, Okay,
well we're off, We're off running here in this first game.
We're recording us at noon today, a little bit later today.
It's a Friday. Don't yell at us, but hey, Rutgers,
they're already in What number are they at? What seat
are they they're on the I believe they're either, depending
(04:45):
on your favorite practologists, either on the last four buys
or last four in. I think they're they're essentially playing
to avoid Dayton, is what it sounds like. They've been
not on the wrong side. Like all we have left
is Clemson, who I just mentioned m Oregon. If they
beat Ucla, they beat come a resume to evaluate. Um,
(05:06):
but UCLA pulled away against Colorado yesterday and you bet
Ucla you got away with one. Um. Mississippi States kind
of hovering over it in the SEC. But yeah, but
Florida hasn't been Florida for the last two three weeks
because Colin Castlan's out for the season, so that was expected. Um,
(05:31):
I don't know, Like what was Ohio State gonna be
Michigan State? Like Ohio States out there, but they gotta
win five and five, Like even if they reached the
semis and beat Sparty today, like, can they can win
five and five days? That's so difficult to do. So,
like even even though there's still alive in the Big ten,
(05:53):
it's like, man, they're gonna they're gonna hit a wall
at some point. So I think, really, because Florida Atlantic
is the team we've been talking about a lot in
the mid major ranks this year. They were top twenty
five team. I think if the North Texas UAB winner
wins Conference USA tomorrow, then it takes away a spot.
(06:14):
You have a little bit more of type. Butt holes
in the ACC is essentially what I think it comes
down to. Because Pits resume has holes in it. NC
States resume got holes in it, Clemson's got holes in
it like Cleon, And only one of those three teams
can do any improvement to their resume. So I think
that's the only drama we're headed towards, because everything else
(06:37):
is a one big league that's still left to play
for in the mid majors. All right, Well, I want
to stay with yesterday just real quick if we could,
and I want to hear your thoughts on Crate and
a team that I believed, did you have the winning
this tournament Big East. I didn't have an official pick, Okay,
I don't remember. Somebody had was pretty high on Crete
(06:58):
and of course we know look at the beginny year
there was hype and they played the really well in
the MAUI went to the championship game and had a
little bit down. Throughout the course of a long season,
they've been playing better basketball. I'm curious to know your
thoughts on this and maybe you've got some analytics or
some stats. Of course you do. You're Joe Tanzy. As
far as defense is concerned, where did they stand on defense?
(07:18):
Because last night was incredible they were all over Villanova.
As far as defense is concerned, I think of Creton.
I think of guys they want to shoot the long ball.
Of course, they got some good size. As I said,
I've watched them a few times this year. I wasn't
surprised to see them beat Villanova. I had Villanova, you know. Look,
(07:38):
I my thought process was, we can't be touting for
the last three or four weeks, or me personally, I
can't be saying watch out, watch out, justin Moore, watch out,
and then all of a sudden it comes down to
taking them. And I don't take the five and a half.
So I, you know, bad day at the office for me.
We're on to the next one. But Creighton defensively, Joe,
my goodness, if they play like that in this upcoming tournament,
(08:01):
watch out. Yeah. And look there are top fifteen in
defensive adjusted deficiency on on KEMPOM. So that fits your
what the top forty on offense and defense KEMPOM criteria
for a title winner here's my problem with them, and
you're gonna hear this for the next week. Is their depth,
Like what happens if if somebody gets Cockbrenner into foul
(08:24):
trouble or Shireman into foul trouble. They don't run more
than more than sixty deep at times, So that that's
the biggest concern if if you're betting on Creton, they
can score with anyone, and they have the defensive metrics
to fit the criteria of a winner. But and it's
(08:47):
it could come down the circumstance with them, Like I
think that's really what what Creton's downfall could be is
is foul trouble. Because we've seen it. You know, this
is your your prototypical kind of what if scenario. What
if one of these guys it's foul trouble and it
turns into a mess and they can't get their offense going.
(09:07):
That could happen. And I think that's what Creton's clear
downfall is, whereas some other teams may not have a
crystal clear weakness like that. All right, And a couple
other quick ones from yesterday, ones that you haven't really
discussed just yet. I was on Tilt last night and
I almost took USC, so I'm glad I bailed out
(09:27):
on that one Arizona State. That's impressive victory. They didn't
miss it is they didn't. That's a good win for them,
and it puts them on the right side of the bubbles.
As of right now, the Minardi has them as their
last as his last team been, so they still got
work to do. But that is impressive to me because
a SU was one in five against the top three
(09:51):
in the PAC twelve and their one win was the
incredible buzzer beater against Arizona a few weeks ago, so
they hadn't beaten any of the top teams in the
PAC twelve. Finally did so against USC. To me, that's
really impressive. They showed up when they needed to. Um,
you would have to think that gets them in. But again,
(10:12):
there's one or two wacky scenarios out there where you know,
like in cee US today or if Oregon somehow gets hot. Look,
the safest way for as you to get in the
tournament is to win two more games, like playing simple.
Can they do it? Probably not? The PAC twelve is
usually one B two in the final, but um, yeah,
(10:34):
they gotta be they gotta be rooting for UCLA in
that first semi final out in Vegas, and probably for
Virginia and Kentucky as well. Today. That way, Clemson's gone
and Vandy's gone, and you can you can have a
safe or as safe as you can get a spot
close to the bubble. Okay, talk to me about the
(10:56):
SEC Tournament Vanderbilt and LSU. I didn't really have an
opinion on that game. I've been kind of guessing on
both of the teams all season long. Vanderbilt ended up
smashing of seventy seven to sixty eight. They or four
and a half point favorites. Surprised about that, and what
is your outlook on the SEC Tournament right now? Absolutely
not surprised whatsoever. LSU has been one of the worst
(11:17):
Power Conference teams all season. They're in flux because the
Will Wade firing. Matt McMahon came over from very State
and he knew he had a rebuilding job. He brought
in a lot of transfers guides from his old job.
This was always going to be down here for LSU.
The fact I think they beat Georgian in the first
round was frankly pretty surprising, but LSU has been a
(11:38):
top team to fade all seasons. So Vandy now sets
up this this really fascinating situation where they're not even
close to the bubble right now. But if you get
in the SEC semi finals with two wins of Kentucky,
one it Rough and one of the SEC tournament in
the last two weeks, do you get into the conversation.
(12:01):
I think that, you know, just based off still being
alive and playing on Saturday, Vandy would have to be
in the conversation, whether it's yeah, they're in, where they're out, whatever,
The fact that you were still talking about Vanderbilt is
a good thing. They've gotten hot at the right time.
But is it too little, too late? That's what you're
gonna hear about Vandy. The SEC is gonna be interesting
(12:23):
to watch because look, I think all the spotlights on Tennessee,
you know, beating Old miss yesterday, that's a that's a
good win. But now you have the rest of the
teams are nca excuse me, NCAA tournament caliber teams and
guard plays where Missouri really thrives. And if you're not
(12:44):
able to match them because of this Zigler injury, just
buy them on MISSOI at plus five and a half today,
they might be susceptible to an upset. MISSOO is one
of those teams where, um, they're not as extreme as
NC State, where if their guards get hot and they're
shooting three and they're gonna be trouble for a higher
(13:08):
seed in the second round. But they're kind of on
that same level where if the guard plays there and
they get a little help from inside, they can compete
with anyone. They can score with anyone, that's that's for sure.
But if they have an off night, they're going to
have a really off night. So it's gonna be a
fascinating matchup clash styles offense first defense. UM, I have
(13:31):
no I don't know what to make of A and
M in Arkansas. M A and M is a deserved
two seed, but they're not the second best team in
the SEC. And Arkansas is not the tenth best team
in the SEC. On record, they are, but on talent
they aren't because Nick Smith, the star freshman, missed a month. Um,
(13:54):
So how do you kind of evaluate Arkansas at this point?
Is it is fascinating. So beating Auburn was a step
in the right direction, but that A and M Arkansas game.
It is fascinating because the line is so close. Um,
it's a rivalry game. It you know, arkansasis has to
get right. They lost you know, three in a row
to end of regular season. A and M. They're good,
(14:17):
they play really good defense, but can they survived the tests?
You know? This is this is where that the next
step in Buzz Williams and then an M program comes
in and then I expect Bama to roll in Mississippi State.
I'm not really concerned about them there. Um, the line
keeps fluctuating between seven and eight points. I kind of
stayed away from it because Alabama has been a little
(14:41):
rough around the edges um these last few games. And
betting them at eight points when they can win the
game by seven, you know, it's They're kind of a
stay away for at least that game. So fascinating to
the four games, and I mean, if Vanderbilt wins, we
got some drama. So maybe I just become a def
(15:03):
act Vanderbilt fan. Even though I don't think they could
be Kentucky. I don't think the odds makers think they
could be Kentucky. Here plus three thirty on the money
line that's a pretty nice price there, I might look,
they already did and as you pointed out, at Kentucky,
So maybe weren't the play here or just enjoy the game,
stay away or it's Kentucky or bust your thoughts on that.
(15:25):
I mean, they're eight and a half point underdogs, and
there's in every situation. I think if you're betting that game,
you'd be you're betting Vanny. I mean, they've won nine
of ten. They beat Kentucky, they beat Auburn, they beat Tennessee. Um,
a lot of those big wins came at home, but
they beat Kentucky at Rock. Um. I think I know
(15:50):
it's a little too high. I would Actually, I haven't
even looked at that game much today because he's so
focused on the afternoon games. Yeah, you know Sleeps, what's that? Um? Yeah,
locked me in for Randy plus eight and a half
like a very minimum, but you know they're playing for something. Yeah. Yeah.
(16:12):
And I didn't even know they were on such a
streak that you just pointed out nine o last ten
And as I just pointed out, I watched a little
bit of that game when they beat up Kentucky there,
and of course Jerry Stack got himself a nice little
program going on there. Watch out so plus three very quiet,
it's a very quiet nine and one in their last time.
Oh nice. Well, I might take a little flyer on
that plus three thirty. I do like the eight and
(16:32):
a half though. All right, let's keep it moving here
and let's go ahead and talk a little bit more
about you know what, let's just get out over to
today's game. So let's talk more about today's card and
find out where you're at. Once again, we're recording this
here at twelve thirty right now as we sit you are,
we are live action, Tracy. We got Rutgers up by
eight twenty to twelve with ten o seven to go
(16:54):
in the first half live action on that live line,
one twenty eight and a half is your total, and
you're looking at plus one ten and the money line
for Ruckers than that one. But ultimately we got one
o'clock Alabama and Mississippi State ECU catching twenty three against Houston.
Could Houston trip up and maybe win by ten? Here? Um,
(17:14):
it is their first game. Maybe I'm not going to
talk myself in the betting on East Carolina, but I
think there's a school of thought where maybe try and
look at a first half on easy Okay, Um, but ye,
the AAC is just so bad where I don't think
(17:35):
I've been on anybody in the AAC except for Houston,
Memphis and Fading Tolls all years. So well, let's stay
in that conference. Tell me what you think about Cincinnati
and Temple five for Cincinnati here, I have no thoughts
on that game, honestly none. Temple's just been so bad lately. Um,
it's a shame. We're not going to get a true
(17:56):
Philadelphia area team in the NCAA Tournament this year unless
Penn wins the IVY League. Um. Yeah, they're just I mean,
they're trending downward. Um. If anything, I went bet to Cincinnati.
But I just I think the AAC has just been
so so mediocre in the middle of where it's It's
just it's so difficult to get a read on these teams.
(18:18):
All right, let's keep it going down to car We'll
get your plays, of course before we get out of here.
But you kind of mark at you, cond well, just
when I thought that game was absolutely over. Oh, by
the way, I was watching that game, and I'm like,
I'm not watching the actual players. I'm watching that, the
fans like the first three or four rows to yes,
(18:41):
I can I can see too. I can see who
has Dukon minus seven. I can see who has Providence
plus seven. And then like the reaction was just like
so tempered by everyone who was starting to react to
the swing and the points because it pushed. And I think,
if you bet Yukon, you're like, that feels like a loss.
But if you're if you bet Providence, You're like, well,
(19:04):
at least I magically won my money back. Like dude,
I think that's the way you have to approach it.
It's great that you pointed at out now. Look, I've
seen Van Pelt do it before, but it's what I do.
It's like when I see a number or I see
a game and it's coming around that number, and especially
a perfect scenario the way that game played out yesterday
were Yukon, I think I said it at half, I'm like,
(19:26):
all right, well that's a winner. Literally week we changed
the channel, we watched every other game, flip it through,
flip it through, and then I think the five o'clock
because when that game ended went the commercial break, and
I'm like, dude, what does that scores say they were
up by five. I think so that is hysterical. We
need to like make that a segment where people send
us videos of people from the crowd, like with the reaction,
(19:48):
show them we know you got the ticket, show the
fan in the stands. That was like last night, We're
in the studio producing the Villadova game and I'm watching
Clemson NC State on the screen and like I had
the over one forty eight and like recruit proason, we're
literally halfway there at halftime, and then nc stage just
(20:10):
forgot to play offense, and like they were even on
that cold streak where they were putting shots in the
basket and they were rolling out, like it got to
that point where they had like two or three those
in a row, and I'm like, all right, well this
is this is dead on a rival and you can't
even you know, find a path back in the second half.
But there are gonna be games like that plenty of
(20:31):
like that in March, where you think you have it
in a big run ends up screwing you, or you
end up winning because of it, or you know, the
total just goes out of control. I mean, I think
there was a beat in the TCUs A State game
as well, where it stayed under um even though the
total was close to like one fifty. I think, so, look,
(20:52):
there's gonna be more of that today. Whether you like
it or not, it's just bound to happen. Yep. I
agree with that. And I was on the over as well,
and that was frustrating because you know, I didn't think, yeah, yeah,
it's well. I was looking at as far as following
the number, and then all of a sudden, look, we
got one team to eighty. You know, that's like perfect,
(21:12):
and then I know I get it. The other teams
you got to score seventy first day the over, but
I thought it'd be a little bit more competitive, especially
what we saw the night before within the state the
live total half time was one fifty three. So like
it was, it was on track, and it just it
just collapsed right in from our face. Da yep, like
you said, all right, keeping them moving on this week's
(21:33):
Oh we didn't even talk about ucon Marquette. Give me
a number or give me a play a lean four
points spread yukon favorite or one forty seven year total.
That's gonna be tough, tough, um, I'm staying away with it,
but I'll give you this comparison because I tweeted out
yesterday and I want to get your thoughts on it.
Tyler Colick from Marquette love him. He reminds me so
(21:57):
much of Aaron Kraft from Ohio State. Sure, where he
just he just gets the lane. He's fearless, like he doesn't.
It's not reckless, it's it's fearless. And he does all
the little things he can dribble into the lane. He's
so crafty. Like when I when I watched Tyler Coltz,
(22:19):
I'm I feel like I'm watching Aaron Craft play basketball
from you know, early on in the twenty tents of
Ohio Est like that is I could see it. To me,
that's to me that like it's the perfect mold of
player that he h. He's the ringleader, man, He's the
one that drives drives that offense. I mean, wasn't he
the player of the conference for offensive? Wasn't he I
(22:39):
think player to year? Yeah, yeah, exactly, so, I mean
he is special. And Phanto was ranting a raven about him.
I know he did a post on him a couple
of weeks ago that I read that was really in depth,
and the kid delivers. So that's why, you know, obviously
this time of year, you gotta have great guards, great
guard play, and somebody that can you could trust with
(23:00):
the ball to knock down those free throw shots or
not turn it over. And he is that guy. I
like the comparison, and I really do. It's just tough
because Yukon is playing so well and they look like
that that Yukon team that was really hot in December
and early January. So I don't know. I mean, I'm
(23:21):
throwing something up against the wall here. I think I
take the points at Marquette and hope for a tight
game and somebody wins on a final possession. But that's
that's kind of weak as far as analysis. Yeah, I
would take Marquette, though if you made me make a play,
I probably would as well. Although it's Yukon in the
garden in March and my heart is telling me don't
(23:45):
bet against Yukon, but I'm staying away from it just
because it I can't fully grasp like what my actual
angle would be. Penn State and Northwestern Northwestern surprised a
lot of people this year. They're favored by a point
napp over Penn State. Penn State looking good. They got
some players on thirty and a half. Is your total here?
(24:05):
Six thirty pm N Draft King Sports Book. Any thoughts
on this one? Yeah? Yeah, what a year for Penn
State athletics. They win the Rose Bowl, they get into
the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade,
and they're gonna lose their head coach in dinner Dame U.
The third one may not be true, but Mica Sure's
very definitely could leverage this season and get a better
job than Penn State basketball. UM. I kind of want
(24:30):
to ride the hot team here, like Northwestern. Yeah, they
beat Rutgers to end the regular season, but they lost
three in a row before that. Um, they're gonn gonna
be off a five day break, which they haven't had
in a long time. UM. I think if anything here,
(24:51):
I'm gonna take the Penn State first half money linees
plus one oh five. And the reason why I'm doing
the reason why I'm doing it is because Penn State
already has a game. They're gonna come in, They're gonna
feel comfortable like we're we're watching the Rutgers produe game
over recording and produe it is struggling to find a
little bit of that rhythm. You can't really use the
first half unders strategy here because the game total of
(25:14):
one thirty. Like if if Penn State gets hot or
if Western gets hot for four minutes, your your first
half under strategy is shot. UM. So I think this
maybe you know, Northwestern's got pressure on them for the
first time home state in Chicago. They're gonna have the
crowd behind him. Excuse me, but how many times is
(25:38):
doing with Western basketball play with pressure? So I think
that's yeah. So I think that's the way I put it.
As Penn State knows they're in the tournament. Now they
can play freer. And oh, by the way, the best
player on the floor is Jalen Pickett who plays for
Penn State UM and they just beat Northwestern UM in
Evanston as well. UM, Penn State's the hot hand. So
(26:00):
I'm gonna take that approach with the first half money
line because I think north Western maybe takes twenty or
so minutes just to get warmed up. I mean, we
just saw Zachide just launch a pass over his teammate's head.
It means something you've been playing two three games a
week for what three to four months now, and now
(26:25):
you've had five days off and you're playing in a
new arena. It's real. It affects you. So I think
the hotter team in Penn State ends up having the
advantage at least in the first half. We'll see how
the second half goes. But I would I wouldn't mind
if we got a boobooye jail and ticket showdown at
some point in that game. All right, keeping it moving.
(26:45):
We're under ten here on the zoom. I want to
ask you yesterday the biggest game, that you were kicking
yourself in the back or the backside for not being
on I'll tell you my answer, and that's why it's
popping up now. Kansas yesterday. I don't know why I
didn't pull the trigger on Kansas, and I get it,
it was a little tighter at first half, but after
(27:06):
it was all said and done and just walked away.
I mean, they're the overall number one seed, best team
of college basketball. Um. I'm bringing it up because they're
four and a half point favorites here today again as
well against Iowa State, and I realized Iowa State's a
little bit better of a team. Um, But ultimately it
is this a spot a better team than West Virginia.
(27:26):
But ultimately is this a spot that you know? Look,
you made a mistake yesterday, brace don't make the same
mistake twice. I gotta be on Kansas today, correct. Um.
I don't fully support it just because they call Kansas
City Hilton South Iowa State shows up in that tournament?
(27:48):
The hell does that mean? Hilton College? Gotcha? Okay? So
like that, I was thinking the hotel chain, this is
where like the diehard college basketball brain and like you
swooping it in after the Super Bowl, like I have to,
I forget about that when we get don't don't do
(28:10):
that to me. I'm they want to college shops. Sorry,
I don't know where. Iowa State the name of their arena,
that's what I How many times has their arena named
changed in the last decade? Right? Doesn't everybody change their heads?
I give it up. I give it up. Rememberas no, no, no.
Hilton Magic has been a thing for a long time.
Tyrese Halibert and George Dyang Monte Morris. When they were good,
(28:33):
Hilton Magic was was the real deal. It's like the
like the octagon of Doom at Kansas State. Yeah, you
know all of those nicknames, right? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah yeah,
the trapisode of the trapisode of terror at Rutgers. Yes,
do you know that one? Do know that one? But
did not know the Hilton did I was unaware of
Hilton out there at Iowa State. I know they're the cyclone,
(28:54):
So sign me up for that one. Yeah. Um, that's
gonna be a tough game. So I wouldn't. Um, I
wouldn't go there on Kansas today. But I tell you what,
I kicked myself for not picking Duke because Pittsburgh was
in a weird spot. But I hate to say it, Sewan,
but Duke's playing really good basketball. I'm gonna whisper that
(29:16):
and not try and speak Duke into existence because Duke's
been laying in low. We haven't had a reason to
care about Duke all year, and then all of a sudden,
they're on this winning streak. They play really good defense,
and they're probably gonna make the ACC Tournament final. Prepare yourself,
just prepare yourself for Duke and Duke fans being insufferable
(29:40):
and all of this, all of these clips of John
Shire when he was a player, like you're gonna see it.
You hope there's a mercenary twelve or thirteenct out there
that it takes them out, like like Lehigh. But Man
Duke is the real deal. I'm taking them against Miami
today minus two and a half. Defense is going to
(30:02):
rule the ACC. Duke and Virginia are both gonna win.
They're both gonna cover, and you're gonna You're gonna get
MACC tournament final in the mid sixties tomorrow and you're
gonna like it. You have no other choice because both
those teams play really, really good defense. What's the one
thing Miami doesn't do, play defense, and the one thing
Clemson doesn't do is play play defense. I think Clemson's
(30:24):
glass slipper ends up breaking. If they could play NC
State in every game, they'd win the NCAA Tournament. But
they can't plays the State in every game. Um and
then Miami. I love the guard play, but Philippowski's the
X factor. He plays down low. You can get North
chattermir into a little bit of foul trouble. Nigel Pack
fouled out from Miami. They almost blew that game yesterday.
(30:46):
He found out like four or five minutes left. That's
a little bit of a concern to me. And their
defense is a red flag as well. So I'm taking Duke,
I'm taking Virginia. I'm tempted by the Duke Miami under
from going to stay away from it because I'm confident
in Duke and I hate myself. I absolutely hate myself
to say Duke is getting hot at the right time.
(31:06):
But that's what they're doing. Yeah, a lot of well.
Patrick McDonald was on the show on Wednesday. He said, hey, man,
I watch out for the Duke. He so, okay, they
have been playing much better basketball. And of course that game,
okay at you and see that was a slam dunk
for for for the tar Heels, and that showed me
everything I need to know about Duke. They are rolling
at the right time. So we'll see what happens, Okay.
(31:28):
I don't I don't hate John Shire. I don't hate
John Shire though. That's the thing. When John Shire played,
I was like, you know, it wasn't like I had
have an opinion on him. So like, am I turning
the tid on Duke? Am I getting soft? No? I think, hey, look,
we'll take anything that's that's good from the acc right.
I mean, nobody had any expectations. So if you give
(31:49):
us a final Duke and Uva, I'll take that, right.
You know, I know it's gonna be game, But Duke
Uva in an absolute knockdown, drag out rock fight first
to sixty five wins. At least it's being played in Greensboro.
That's that's that's true, you know, not in DC, but yeah,
I'm I'm on both Duken Virginia. I think defense is
(32:10):
the defining factor of the DCC the games today. All right, Uh,
one more for me, actually two more for me. Let's
go to Indiana. Maryland. Maryland beat Minnesota yesterday. I think
we talked about that. I think you said minnesotas terrible
watch out. That should be an easy one for Maryland. Indiana.
Everybody loves themselves, some Hoosiers and look I do when
(32:32):
they're at home. That's an unbelievable place that they play.
The Hell's the name of their arena, really, so there
you go. Yeah, I couldn't pull that. I couldn't pull it.
That's one of the most historic gyms in the country. Dude,
I you know, I don't know. I'm John Blanks and
places you know what, Now, I got a homework assignment.
(32:53):
Start learning in the arenas a little bit better than
what you do. All right? Um, so you know, look,
that is a home court advantage. I love them when
they're playing at home. That place is rockin but here
neutral court. Two point favorites, of course, I like the
usual your thoughts in the game. Though. Yeah, apply everything
you just said about Indiana, and it applies about ten
(33:15):
times more to Maryland. Maryland sucks away from College Park.
They're absolutely atrocious. Let's go, Let's go down the rest
of the real quick lost to Michigan, lost to Rockers,
lost to Iowa, lost to Perdue, lost the Sparty, lost
in Nebraska, lost to Ohio State, lost to Penn State,
(33:35):
all on the road. The only team that Maryland beat
on the road in Big Ten play was Minnesota, who
was the worst team in the conference, who they beat
by sixteen points yesterday. There is absolutely no world where
I am trusting Maryland Terrapins outside of College Park this season,
especially on the small spread. Indiana minus two feels like
the biggest slam dunk in the history of a Big
(33:57):
Ten tournament. All right, I like it. Well, I'll be
back in that one today. I think they're definitely gonna
get a wager pushed on them. Um, finally, yeah, let's
let's do this. We got actually we're under two minutes here,
Creton Xavier, give me twenty seconds on that. Crton Zavier
Crateton favored by three and a half. I kinda like Creton, right, yeah,
(34:20):
oh that lose you. I mentioned a microphone came undone,
we're under there are yeah, I know, yeah, I know, yeah,
that's I don't have a play on Creton Zavier. I
think it's two fantastic big EG schemes, but I don't
have to read anyway, all right. And then the other
(34:42):
one would be let's go to TCU and Texas text
tune at point favorites one forty six and a half
TCU really impressive victory. I think you had that yesterday.
Ever for Kansas State. Your thoughts in that game. If
TCU plays the way they did against Kansas State, they're
gonna beat Texas. But Texas is tough, so staying away
from that one. But uh yeah, that should be a fun,
(35:05):
very like Elite eight type game. Thirty seconds your plays please,
Duke Virginia, Indiana, Penn State first half and I am
taking the late night over in Arizona State, Arizona one
fifty four. Those are my late night plays. Boom. That's
Joe Tanzy Jay Tanzy nine zero. Step your game up
(35:27):
if you're gonna get We forgot Vanderbilt, we forgot Dandy.
We're wrong with Vandy. That was added Eddy. Everybody, Brace
for Winnings. We'll be back tomorrow with a special Saturday edition.
Enjoy the game's good luck. Draft King sports Book use
braces the promo code bo Brace for Winnings in iHeartRadio
podcast presented by Draft Kings Sports Book. Brace for Winnings
(35:50):
is a production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from my
heart Radio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your podcasts.
Host
Sean Brace
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