Box and one

great game to watch  Florida played great defense esp in the end  Think Coogs tried forcing the ball to much but they played into the gators bigs  Clayton who had been held in check at the end rose above and delivered . My bad and loss. Missed my prop bet and that was a huge payout   But have to wait till next year.  Have a nice summer and fall  Everybody be healthy and safe   See  everyone in college football  Take care  My loss and hate to end the season on a loss  But have my Phillies in baseball  Take care 

Houston +1 over Florida **
Two teams that are very different in their style of play . So much has already been written about each team ...Not going to bore you with all the backgrounds I like the Coogs slightly because they are the better defensive team . But Florida has Clayton who can score when ever he wants to. I made a prop bet way back and have Houston to win it all Both teams came from behind and prevailed . Being in the final 4 brings back memories I lost all 3 finals in New York HS playoffs And two of those games I was behind and made a comeback victory in the semifinals . I was worried in 2 of those finals because of the energy and come from behind wins. I had to convince my players that we had one more game. Now college kids are different then 16 and 17 yr old boys . I sometimes feel that we played our best game in the semifinals and were a little flat in the finals . Don't think these college kids are the same as my HS kids but it does worry me . The thing that is different is that both of these teams were behind and came back to win. So that makes me feel Houston who many thought as the game was going on was going to lose to Duke. Both coaches have done an outstanding job all year . When you look at Chris Dortchs final 25 teams in Blue Ribbon he has Houston as No. 12and Florida not even in the top 25. In fact Florida was pre-season picked 9th in the tough SEC. They are a team that lost in the 1st round of last years NIT's. And Clayton is a former MAAC player tearing up the SEC or who ever gets in its way . Not a huge play for me tonight because I think both teams are so close in talent but again have different styles ..One wants to slow down the game and the other wants to up the tempo I'm going to lean to the Coogs and hopefully my prop bet cashes in . Good luck to everyone Had a nice year ..Thank you all for all the nice comments and hopefully will be back next year. Everyone stay healthy . Thank you ie and covers adminstrators for allowing us to post our plays .. Go Phillies in baseball 

topcat not sure why basketball forum ...Think more people here in the forum know who I am . But did think about where do I tell my story . I like that  top cat said there is no HS basketball forum  Think tonite with a new coach North Texas might struggle vs Anteaters . Teams playing away from home might have trouble on offense with new baskets and away arena's but Defense travels every where /  but still think my Mean Green can play tough tough D  BUt Cal Irvine plays tough D. The under is 128 so that might be the play but I'm going to stick to my guns and still take my alma mater. Think new NTSU coach won't change many things  but not sure how the players react to a new coach. Again the Defensive philosophies don't change much . Again this is a Homer play on my part. Cal has a better ATS record is experienced but think the boys from Denton win this game by a few points . I would play the under but always lose when I play overs and unders  Go North Texas .

Sorry for the delay in this long boring story that has absolutely nothing to do with Handicapping but I took the yearbook to the pet store and the manager who at 1st refused to help me pointed out in the yearbook a senior who owned a python snake and these mice were actually the pythons food . This student had bought them day before 5 white mice . The owner of the store said he had no idea that this kid would release them in the hallways of the HS and I believed him . When I got back to school I brought the senior in my office and he admitted it was him that had brought the mice to school and released them I called his parents and suspended the senior . Since it was almost the last few weeks of school and the senior prom was at the end of the week I allowed him to attend the senior prom and gave him 4 or 5 detentions and 2 days OSS Out of school suspension. He had to help clean the cafeteria after school and empty all the garbage cans in the school I allowed him to attend the Prom and graduation ceremony . But every April 1st I remember that day like it was yesterday. The boy that dressed in a Army outfit and combat boots in now a NY state trooper The boy who bought the mice to school is now a stock broker on Wall Street and is a friend of mine on Facebook . He is married and has 3 ids and sends me a Christmas card every year.
A few years later on another April fools Day in my parking space in front of the school students collected picnic tables,umbrella's and chairs in my parking space. space. I had to pretend that I was upset. But always thought of all those other school that had graffiti ,key locks and damages done . Think being proactive and sending out letters to the parents made everyone realize Pranks can go to far. Anyway another April fools Day has passed and gone away

Going back in Time.. I am the Principal of a big High school in NY . The week before at a Principals meeting I'm listening to all my fellow Pricipals talk about April fools pranks and their High School and how they deal with them . I take any prank seriously and Personal . My former superintendent who has transferred to another school is at a biggest school district in the Hudson Valley He hired me as an asst prin at my school a few years before. . He was involved in a serious prank at his new school ..Kids put Crisco oil all over the steps of 4 floors oh his new state of the art High school . Then they hit the fire alarm and 2,000 kids came out for the Fire drill. Kids and staff were falling all over steps and a security office at the HS fell . The radio of the one security gds in school screamed " officer Down . The NY state police and local police station heard it also and within 10 minutes there were 10 state trooper cars and another 10 local police. The school was in a " lock down". Then a food fight in the cafeteria was going on . The seniors at his school had planned the whole prank . At another HS the seniors put some kind of Glue on all the out door locks so when the buses came to drop off the students no one could get in the school . Thousands of kids were in the parking lot Buses loaded with students Parents dropping off their kids A huge traffic problem in front of the school
So I had sent a letter out to all the seniors and their parents a few days before saying any prank at the HS could mean your son/daughter would not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony . You could pick up your childs dipolma in my office the next day after graduation I was being proactive for April Fools pranks I had a senior assembly and met with all the seniors faculty advisors ..
Well I thought it would work , But we had 2 seniors go to the local pet store and buy 10 white mice . I heard on the radio there were mice all over the hallways during the changing of the periods and girls were screaming as the mice were all over the two floors . Then One of our students who dressed like a Columbine kid who wore army fatigues and combat boots deceided he would step on the mice and kill them . He was actually trying to help but he squished them and there was blood all over. One of the seniors girls came into my office and told me who bought the white mice. and what store it came from After order was restored and the hallways were clear ed I separated the two boys we suspected I hopped in the Drivers Ed car and took a yearbook with me I have to pick up my granddaughter from school sorry will continue when I get back .

Michigan +9 over Auburn ***
Kentucky +4.5 over Tenn **
Houston -8.5 over Purdue **

Oklahoma St -1.5 over my NT Mean Green ***
NT is a no.2 seed and should be home tonight yet because of a faculty event and a cheer leading competion they have to play away due to home court conflict at the Super Pit in Denton. Unreal and North Texas is defending NIT champions . NT is 13-1 at home and although a better seed has to play away . I just want everyone to know when I attended North Texas across the street from our apartments they were building the Super Pit . It was under construction and I and my roommate dribbled a ball out on the court and I imagined where the court would be and took the 1st jumper ever in the Super Pit. Not sure if it was a swish or air ball since there was no baskets up yet or floor . But I imagined I banked it off the glass for a basket. Anyway although NT plays outstanding defense and Cowboys play no defense think the pace of this game is the key NT plays slow and defends. Ok St likes to run the ball . I hate going against my alma mater but think The cowboys get a close home win . NT' coach Hodges has done an outstanding job since Grant went to Texas Tech NT won the NIT's last year and beat Ok St . Not sure if anyone from Stillwater will be at the game tonight. But Nt playing away and OK St beat SMU and UAB in last few games gives the Cowboys an advantage . I hate going against my team but think Ok St edges out my boys in a close game .Ok St won in OT the last time they played the mean Green but think the worse defensive team wins this tonight. If the line was 3 or more points I would take my Mean Green . Can't even watch the game tonight on ESPN tonight. Going to see the Broadway play Hamilton here in Austin but will check the scores at intermission . If I was Nt I would play the voice of Bill Mercer in the lockeroom prior to the game That would inspire my team since he just passed away on Sunday Good luck tonight Go North Texas oops I took Ok St Really can't loose either way My heart says North Texas but money is on Cowboys ..

diet coke  yes the Von Erichs.. one of them played football for North Texas  Think they brothers all died tragically  Right???

Texas has fired its basketball coach Rodney and hired XU's Sean Miller . Great movie and hire. Rodney has been on the "hot" seats here in Austin for awhile.Miller has taken his teams to the Sweet 16 and final 8 but never the final 4. What I like about the hire is Millers teams is always one of the leading teams in the country in assists. His teams " share the ball" Miller who was at Arizona and was investigated by the FBI in a scandal back in the day. I guess he was and cleared. Don't remember the specifics of the case but I think it had something to do with their center. Anyway Miller leaving the Big East for the SEC to me is almost a " wash" Think with the massive donor base at Texas and NIL money Miller will do fine here in Austin . Was at the Girls game yesterday at Moody Col in Austin. Went to buy a t-shirt and it was $40. Went to buy a final 4 hat and it was the same price. Think I will just wear my NY Giant hat .Phillies hat or North Texas one. Maybe even my Tex State hat THe stadium at Moody was awesome. My daughter got us free tickets and although Texas woman's won big was very impressed with William and Marys ladies. Miss not being in Vegas this week and North Texas lost in the NIT's on a heartbreaker . The voice of North Texas Bill Mercer passed away yesterday He was 99. He also did the play by play of Wrestling in the Dallas area for years . Most people in the Dallas-Ft Worth TV area knew him from play by play for Wrestling . He would do those crazy interviews with the Wrestlers there wives and agents. All staged and choreographed . May people didn't realize he was the Voice of the Mean Green . He once had a pie thrown at him during an Interview and continued the interview with cream pie all over his face. I asked him about that and he answered something like " if you knew how much they pay me you wouldn't ask that question. Many year later when he was the color man for the Texas Rangers TV broadcast we visited him in his TV booth at Yankee Stadium THe guard watching the TV-radio booth at Yankee stadium told Mercer " there are 3 college kids out here and want to speak to you. Mercer came out and talked to us. Rest in Peace Bill. I hope I can get to 99. People from the Metro Plex Fort Worth and Dallas area. A great voice you all heard over the years is gone.

North Texas --3.5 Ark St ***
NIT ,playing at the Super Pit in Denton. NT plays tough defense and think they slow down Ark St's offense . Arks has a good pt gd and that scares me but think NT has enough offense to go along with its solid defensive play

Houston -5 over Gonzaga ***
Like the Coogs defense . Hate going against Zaga though
Tex Tech -7 Drake ** Love Grant and his team Another solid def coach
Whisky -1 over BYU **
Tex AM -3 over Michigan **
going to woman's game tonight here in Austin Love Texas pt gt gd Harmon.

the1turn sorry Norfolk covered and lost 95-69  My bad 

just found this old post  

just got back from the game Troy led most of the way and was comfortable but then Tex St put on a full court pressure and made it a 2-4 pt game at the end. The big difference was Tayton Conerey the 6'3 gd for Troy  One  He cannot play defense but did get 4 or 5 steals  The problem is when he doesn't get the steal is is out of position He . Think he has to be one of the best gds in the Sun Conf . But he is a head case . During one of the timeouts he isn't even in the huddle  Can shoot pass and has a great handle of the ball  He made some key baskets when Texas caught up with Troy Made a huge offensive rebound put back But cannot play D. Coach has to hide him out there on D. Troy won and covered . Small crowd for Tex St but the dance,drill and strutters performed I made the big TV screen monitor as they played some songs . Nice win and cover for the visiting team

Florida -28.5 over Norfolk St ***
Think Gators can score vs Norfolks D. This team has so much more talent and will run up the score if given a chance . Think backcourt and front court are at huge advantages in matchups.

Kentucky -11.5 over Troy ***
Saw Troy from row 2 when they played Tex St . Former UTA coach Cross is now the head coach at Troy. These are my notes of the game .I am given a roster that Tex St provides for the game. I need to write fast like I'm scouting a game so I use abbreviations Nick names etc so later on I can understand or remember I thought I would try to copy my notes from the Tex St game 12-Dowd 6'8 white skinny kid, Inside scorer .Conerway 6'3 gd football build very fast can dribble and shoot Best player for Troy . Great passer and has a nice cross over dribble. also Fields 15 has dreds and is 6'8 and solid rebounder. White 3 red head gd always goes right . Valdez lite skin 6'7 fd who can score. Troy has 7 coaches and in their huddle everyone's is arguing and pointing the fingers at each other .Conner their best player has a black head band on and is cursing out one of his teammates. The huddle is arguing with players and asst coaches. Cross has zero control of their huddle. He had no control a few years ago when I saw him with his UTA team. But he wins so he must be doing something right. All I know is if you put your best def player on Conerway and shut him down Troy is in trouble. I'm sure Kentucky has scouted them and also knows this . I do know one of the asst coaches at Troy who played at North Texas Brandon Gilbert. Anyway I haven't watched Kentucky this year and think they should blow out Troy . No stats etc on my part Just a feeling . Tex St was up 3 30-27 at the half . They beat Tx St 74-69 and were lucky at the end . I'm sure all the in fighting from the Troy players is gone by now since they are at the big dance No numbers or Ats records for this game. Just a " hunch " on my part. Stop Conerway and you win this by 25 points. I am sure Kentucky has a scouting report on Troy and they know a lot more them me.
Like Uconn -5 over Oklahoma ***
As long as Pop Hurley is sitting behind his son during the game.

Houston -28,5 over SIU Edwards ****
Think Coogs defesne shuts down SIU . Hate giving away so may points but this is a blow out game. Houston plays suffocationg defesne and has some studs on offense. Coogs share the ball and have many options to score . Former Baylor star LJ Cryer has been a big difference since many of the Coogs graduated or transferred from last years 33 wins. Sampson is a great coach . I like one of his quotes. " I take player who like to climb the stairs not take the elevators ". I think Coogs stop SIU from scoring and think the SIU kids are just so happy to be playing in the " dance' . Sampson as the No 1 seed wants to win it all. Don't think he takes the "foot off the pedal" today.

DRake +6 over Mizzou **
Texas Tech -14.5 over NC Wilma **

Memphis -3,5 over UAB ***
UAB coming off win over North Texas think Memphis is a much better team . Think Memphis has more depth and is the top team in the conference with 28 wins overall . Memphis wins and covers today

No time to explain  granddaughters soccer games today.

 Zona +7,5 over Houston **

 Florida -3 over Bama **

 UAB +3.5 over my North Texas **

 VCU -10 over Loy Ch **

Johnnies -3 or-4 over Marquette ***
Johnnies won both games vs Marq in conference . But this game is a tournament game so it doesn't mean as much as trying to beat a team 3 times during the season. Its hard to beat someone 3 times but I'm sure Johnnies coaches have told their players forget the past two games. New season new tournament etc. Think Johnnies have the better team, better coach and although its listed as a neutral court Johnnies have the advantage They are 18-2 and top seed in the Big Dance Selection Don't think they trip tonite in NYC . Pitino has put together a solid team despite many new faces. Luis was named POY of the BE.Lou Had 9 Johnnies transfer out the day after he was named coach at St Johns. That in itself tells you what he wanted. he wanted 3 things in his new players to replace those 9 guys that booked. A shooter,athletic bodies and had great work ethic . He has them now and with the Johnnies who went 28-4 think he wins today and covers and get a Joe lunardi high sceed in the upcoming tourney

Georgia -3.5 ****

hey swami  been a long time  glad your still around