6:40pm - Hampton vs. Manhattan -9 O/U 140.5
The Hampton Pirates come into the game with a losing record at 16-17 but got into the field by winning the MEAC tournament. Leading scorer and rebounder, 6'7" G Dwight Meikle is doubtful with an ankle injury, but he missed the last 2 games and the well balanced Pirates overcame his absence to take the conference crown anyway.
The Manhattan Jaspers have won 7 of 8 including the last 3 in the MAAC tourney to gain their spot in the field. 6'6" F Emmy Andujar will be the best player on the floor as he leads Manhattan in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.
I really don't see Hampton winning or keeping it close for that matter. Especially without Meikle. Assuming he's out, I have to take the Jaspers to cover the number here and move on to get blown out by #1 Kantucky.
Manhattan 73 Hampton 58
9:10pm - Mississippi vs BYU -3 O/U 157.5
The Rebels come in as losers of 4 of their last 5 games. G Jarvis Summers is an adequate ball handler and scorer, but he will have to play outstanding to give Ole Miss a shot in this one.
The Cougars have lost 2 of 3, but won 6 straight before that. BYU averages 81.8 ppg and should have no trouble reaching that mark tonight. Tyler Haws and Kyle Collinsworth are a formidable 1-2 punch for BYU as they average 21.9 and 14.o ppg respectively, with Collinsworth adding 8.7 rebounds per contest.
Hard to get behind a Rebel team on such a cold streak. BYU is solid and if they get going offensively they can win a few games in the tournament. I like the Cougars in a high scoring affair.
BYU 91 Mississippi 78
I’ll be taking the under in both games here. Especially in the first half.