Kansas VCU Pick and Writeup
VCU playing with a huge amount of confidence and these kids will not give up the ship. Add in what the dogs have done past few weeks and 11 1/2 looks like a ton of points. Came across this writeup which confirms what I was thinking. Don't see Kansas coming into today feeling extra motivation playing VCU no matter what their coach is telling them, they are just kids still and their chest will get in the way of them seeing a dangerous opponent. Give me your thoughts on the writeup and game. Also like the under in KTY/UNC game, very tight game with a tremendous amount of Team,league pressure at stake.
VCU wasn't even supposed to be in this tourney. At least that was the general consensus when they were picked for a play-in game over Colorado and Virginia Tech. The Rams have used that snub as motivation for every game, and it's working. This team deserves to be in the Elite 8, based on their play. Consider the resume since the start of the tournament. They beat USC by 13. They beat the sixth seed Georgetown by 18. They destroyed the No. 3 seed Purdue (a team many had going this far) by 18. And, they took care of Florida State, putting up 72 points on a team that was playing better defense than anyone! So, forget the name on the jersey. This team is balling right now. The problem for them is that they run into a very tough Kansas squad - a team that could win it all. Kansas should win this game, but VCU will not go down without a fight. After what they've done thus far, they won't be in awe and they won't fear the mighty Jayhawks. The Rams are here to try to win. And, they are getting a bucketload of points here. VCU is 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games as a double-digit underdog. They are now a perfect 8-0 ATS in their last eight tournament games as well. Under Shaka Smart, this team is 8-1 ATS in tournament games. Yes, Kansas is the better team, but I think VCU keeps this one under the lofty spread.
VCU wasn't even supposed to be in this tourney. At least that was the general consensus when they were picked for a play-in game over Colorado and Virginia Tech. The Rams have used that snub as motivation for every game, and it's working. This team deserves to be in the Elite 8, based on their play. Consider the resume since the start of the tournament. They beat USC by 13. They beat the sixth seed Georgetown by 18. They destroyed the No. 3 seed Purdue (a team many had going this far) by 18. And, they took care of Florida State, putting up 72 points on a team that was playing better defense than anyone! So, forget the name on the jersey. This team is balling right now. The problem for them is that they run into a very tough Kansas squad - a team that could win it all. Kansas should win this game, but VCU will not go down without a fight. After what they've done thus far, they won't be in awe and they won't fear the mighty Jayhawks. The Rams are here to try to win. And, they are getting a bucketload of points here. VCU is 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games as a double-digit underdog. They are now a perfect 8-0 ATS in their last eight tournament games as well. Under Shaka Smart, this team is 8-1 ATS in tournament games. Yes, Kansas is the better team, but I think VCU keeps this one under the lofty spread.
