TresCoronas

@skillahmang

 It’s a marathon not a sprint

@PublicJoe

 Joe - It looks like we capped the exact same game.  GL to us.

I'm backing France in this spot.

Spain is over-valued.  They certainly have been a nice watch, playing possession AND attacking football.  But today they play the most talented and experienced side in the world.  Les Bleus have not "impressed" thus far in this tourney, but there is no questioning their recent history.  Deschamps has them set up to win tournament games and that is what they'll do today.  IMO their midfield and back line will frustrate the younger, naive Spanish side, which will lead to mistakes, counter-attacks and a goal or two.  And to that end, who better to have finishing a counter-attack than the most dangerous goal-scorer in today's game.  I back Mbappe to score from open play today.

2u - France to advance +100

1u - France to win +200

0.5u - Mbappe anytime goal scorer +210

Down to 10.  Grit = $$$

Very average Brazil team.  Uruguay are no joke.  Gritty and playing Bielsa ball at its finest.

2.5U - URU to advance +100

Jose - I been involved in a same or similar pool with a group of buddies for almost 20 years now.  It is the best pool I have ever been in.  We draft tomorrow night.  I'd be interested to see how your draft went.

Tres

Three Today:

Georgetown (+1.5) – 1u:  Nova seems prime to ambush here like they did at home to Syracuse, Louisville and Marquette already this season.  It would certainly not surprise if the Cats won.  Their bubble motivation is compelling.  However, this far into the season it is impossible to label the Hoyas as anything other than legit.   They are 13-3 in the Big East.  They win games.  I expect a close one and I’d rather be on the team with the National Player of the Year candidate and catching a few points.

Cal (-5.5) – 2u:  The Bears are rolling. They have won 9 of 10 in Conference, during which they have dominated the best in the PAC.  A share of the Conference title is not out of reach with a win in this game.  Also, they get their rival at home with revenge as additional motivation (lost in Palo Alto in early January).  Stanford has been competitive in the PAC, but they have not stayed within this number on the road against the class of the conference (UCLA, Arizona, Oregon and Colorado). 

UCLA (-3.5) – 1u:  This feels like a square play, but I will bite.  The Bruins seem to have hit their stride.  As much as their recent run (Ws in 6 of 7) can be attributed to the three touted freshman finally playing to expectations, Larry Drew II’s exceptional PG play has propelled the Bruins.  This is also a play against feckless WSU.  They are last in the PAC, with their only home conference win coming against 3-13 Utah.   UCLA won by 14 in the first matchup at Pauley four weeks ago.