Elite 8 Odds: UK -2, MSU -5.5, AZ -3, UF -10
Morning odds:
Michigan opens a 2 point dog versus a UK team that just took down a #1 and #4 and is trying to recreate 91-92 Fab 5 magic.
MSU a pretty heavy favorite here as UConn is going to have major issues matching their front line.
Wisconsin getting decent respect versus an athletic Arizona squad; two long teams and an interesting clash.
Florida of course heavy favorite vs Cinderella.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
anyone and has had a very impressive season. I'd bet on them against Arizona with nothing bad to say about Az.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:17 AM ^
about AZ. I don't like their coach. Looks possessed.
March 29th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Haaaaave you met Bo Ryan??
March 29th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
I don't see where all the Wisconsin love is coming from. Yes, they looked absolutely dominant against Baylor, who is a good team, but they were awfully close to getting knocked off by Oregon. It took a big run down the stretch to win that. I'm not saying they're not solid, but I think saying they are playing better than anyone is a bit much. Another game like the Baylor one and I'll jump on board.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
Wisconsin is 13-2 in its last 15 games. Basically, aside from a slump in January for 2-3 weeks, they've looked really strong this season. They struggled some against Oregon but also opened the tournament with a 40-point thrashing, and then pounded Baylor. And we saw them put on a clinic in Crisler a month ago.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
They have played well for most of the year, and while they probably aren't a top-3 team, I see no reason why they can't beat an Arizona team that has been good this tournament but far from dominant.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^
Florida has not been impressive? Seriously? They are 35-2. They have beaten Kentucky 3 times and Tennesee 3 times. They have a 28 game winning streak.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
I think it has to do with the fact that Michigan is a very 3 pt orriented team and doesn't have big players down low. They just don't look like the blueprint for a great team in most commentators minds. Much more the look of a Cinderella team/underdog than a frontrunner.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
Michigan is one of the most heavily bet teams in the country. (See: last night's spread vs. KenPom's, futures bets)
March 29th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
can't overcome the size issue. . . (yeah I said it). They'll always favor teams who can deliver a big presence in the paint and shy away from those built around perimeter shooting because teams like Michigan can have an off night and the bigger teams usually prevail even when their own shooting is bad. . .
March 29th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
You know why? One game. The B1G title game is stuck in the media's mind and THAT team, not the team that won the B1G by three full games, is the one they remember. So the fact that we keep winning is nothing short of baffelling to them - given what a shittly team we obviously are.
I love it. The coaches use this as fuel and the players are seething. Nothing better than a pissed off, motivated team of excellent, well-coached players. And we have that.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
I agree that is part of it, but this team also doesn't "look" like an elite team despite its record. Hell, they lost the national POY and another 1st-rounder from last year's team, plus their most touted returning player barely played. They're winning shooting 3s and playing acceptable defense, not really rebounding much, and basically having the profile of a mid-major for those reporters too lazy to really dig deep. Kentucky, of course, is coached by an absolute idiot who is very good at convincing (read: paying) good HS players to play for him for a year and then kicking them out. But oh, look at all of those star ratings!
March 29th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
Hard feelings. Tangibles: No one trusts 3-point shooting teams and think they must get cold.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:16 AM ^
Lines seem reasonable....except for our game. I'll take us for the win.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:23 AM ^
They've looked scary dominant so far.
Michigan vs. Kentucky game? I would have thought Michigan -2, but if they want to call us an underdog, that can be just a little more motivation. Not that "The Engineer" needs more motivation, but I'm sure being the underdogs here will be mentioned in our locker room.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^
The favored teams and estimated probabilities courtesy of Massey:
Florida - 85% (predicted 69-58 median score, Florida by 10.5)
Arizona - 57% (predicted 66-64 median score, Arizona by 2.5)
Michigan State - 62% (predicted 71-68 median score, MSU by 3.5)
Kentucky - 57% (predicted 71-69 median score, UK favored by 2.5)
EDIT: See below. Good catch - not enough coffee on this end. Fixed.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
I'll take MSU and Florida to cover easily
March 29th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^
It's the final eight. Seeding means nothing at this point.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
Already gone from 2.5 to 2 at some places; 2 to 1.5 at others. So bettors must be liking UM more than UK so far.
http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/odds/las-vegas/line-move…
March 29th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
I think you are hearing this again and again because it makes sense.
Kentucky is also younger and less likely to pick up our offense...
We may lose, and we may win, but we will never be here again... (until next year. lol)
March 29th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
but playing against ranked teams this year. they are 1-6. with their only win being Louisville at home. . .yeah, 3 of those games were against Floriday. But it's a lot like Tennessee, it's all abou the quality of the competition.
March 29th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
If Michigan beat Ohio State and was on their way to the Rose Bowl, would you accept someone else saying "Oh Michigan's going to lose, beating Ohio State is their super bowl". No, you'd say "No winning that was awesome but we're still going to try to win the bigger game"
Kentucky isn't going to just lolly-gag around and go "Oh wellll. I'm just glad we beat Louisville. That's why we're in this tournament thing right guys?"
March 29th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
I think the difference is duration of time. If UM beat OSU in mid/late Nov they'd have well over a month to regroup before a Rose Bowl. Plus we have not been in the Big 10 title game so people around here forget there is actually a game to play after you beat Ohio. (sigh)
A better example would be if UM football beat OSU to get to the Big 10 title game and had to play someone they are not emotionally connected to ....like say a Nebraska in the Big 10 title game on a relatively short turnaround. Really 2 days in bball would be like playing Ohio on Saturday and then having a Thursday night game for the Big 10 championship.
Part of me says this will be an issue for UK but I think it would be more of an issue if they were jrs and srs. 18 yr olds have a way to forget things faster and if you have been on campus for 6 months you don't develop the same hate and passion and investment in the rivalry as you do if you had been there 3 years. Plus most of these UK kids are "mercenary" types; i.e. they went to UK thinking its 1 and done. So it's more of a pitstop then a place you wrap yourself up in the colors....
March 29th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
unfortunately, I'd have to agree.
/ducks.
double post
Unfortunately, we have lost a fair number of Rose Bowls after beating Ohio State.
Even the '69 team lost the Rose Bowl.
Of course, that team also learned the day of the game that Bo had suffered a heart attack.
March 29th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
It's bigger to the fans than it is to the players. Don't get me wrong, the players want to win just as bad as the next guy but it's not like the whole season rests on that one game on New Years Eve. Last night was a different story obviously since Louisville is now done. Think back to 2012 when Kentucky beat Louisville in the Final Four. Kentucky didn't stop there and pat themselves on the back.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
I like us in this game as long as Caris doesn't start playing for the other team in the 2nd half again.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:06 AM ^
March 29th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
I think everyone on the team needs to put some stick-um on their hands so they can hold onto the ball better tomorrow
March 29th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
They have talent and as a team have been playing well. I think we are going to have to out score them. I hope we shoot 3's like we did during the first half of the TN game but keep it up all through the game!
I see three scenarios. Michigan wins a close game, UK wins a close game or UK wins by 20 or more.March 29th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^