Let's face it: One of the best days of the tournament is when the Dukies go down, no matter the round or any biases against the team that does the deed. What is it about them that makes it so easy to dislike?  Jealosy of a perrenial hoops powerhouse?  A long lineage of easily dislikeable players? Coach K's likeness to a rat when he's screaming at the refs for having the audacity to call a blocking foul on a Blue Devil?  The ass-kickings they've handed us recently??  It's all of these things and more.  They're just so....so...Duke.  Ugh. 

So what better scenario could we ask for as Horns fans of the '09 edition?  It's March, so anything can happen, but let's be real: 1 win in the tourney was enough to make most of us happy.  But the reward is a chance to take down the evil empire of college hoops!?!  Well...I'm gonna need you to come in on Saturdaaay. 

So please forgive the negativity...it's Game Day. Let's get it on. Get that Duke hate out there.  You'll feel better once you do.  Here's my personal Top 10 Worst Dukies List to kick start what should be a fun day of dancing....please share yours as well.  Hook 'em!

1. JJ Reddick
2. Christian Laettner
3. Coach K
4. Bobby Hurley
5. Jeff Capel (more for his post grad work)
6. Cherokee Parks
7. Greg Paulus
8. Alla Abdulnabi
9. Steve Wojciechowski
10. Danny Ferry

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to look at the lines.  For the first time this season, the Longhorns didn't cover vs. the Pokes....I've never felt so good about losing a bet.  As always, please chime in with thoughts and let me know if I'm missing anything blatant. 

Definites (home team in caps)
Mizzou (-20) over BAYLOR
OKLAHOMA (-21.5) over Nebraska**
Texas (-6) over TEXAS TECH
Tex Christian (-13) over UNLV
**load up the boat pick

Possibles
TEXAS A&M (-3) over Colorado
MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Northwestern
Louisville (-14) over CUSE
OKIE STATE (-31) over Iowa St
San Jose St (-16.5) over IDAHO
Utah (-7.5) over NEW MEXICO
STANFORD (-30) over Wash St

After a hiatus last week, getting this up a little earlier so people have more time to weigh in.  With fewer marquee matchups this weekend there are a lot of interesting games.  Let me know if I'm missing anything or where/why you disagree.  I've starred the games I feel are stronger about.

Bringham Young -29 over UTAH ST**   
Penn St. -12 over PURDUE         
Maryland -14 over UVA               
TTech -7 over KANSAS ST**        
TULANE -19 over Army**          
Mizzou -11 over NEBRASKA**            
Texas -14 over COLORADO**        
MIAMI -2.5 over Florida St   
Az State +9.5 over CAL
Florida -23 over ARKANSAS**
Nevada -24 over IDAHO
UCLA -17 over Wash St**
TCU -24 over San Diego St**
ARIZONA -19 over Wash
Ball St. -7 over TOLEDO
Akron -4 over KENT ST
Okla -27 over BAYLOR**
OK ST -24 over Tex A&M**
FRESNO -22 over Hawaii**
Oregon +17 over USC

Mixed results last week, finishing 7-5-1.  Not many jumped off the page at me this weekend, as ugly SEC head to head's have left me gun shy in that conference.  As always, please let me know thoughts on these and others I may be missing:

Done:
PENN STATE -28 over Temple
BYU -28 over Wyoming
MIZZOU -34 over Buffalo
TEXAS -29 over Rice
TULANE -6 over UL Monroe

Possibles:
LSU -2.5 over AUBURN
Houston -6.5 over COLO ST
NAVY +6 over Rutgers
MICH St -9 over Notre Dame
OREGON -10 over Boise St
AIR FORCE +9 over Utah
TCU/SMU over 51
TENN +8 over Florida

Last week:
Kansas +3.5 over S. FLORIDA
VANDERBILT -7 over Rice
Auburn -10.5 over MISS ST
Penn St -27 over CUSE 
Michigan -2 over NOTRE DAME
OREGON ST. -12.5 over Hawaii
BAYLOR pick over Wash St.
Oklahoma -20.5 over WASHINGTON
Utah -24 over UTAH ST.
ARIZONA ST -22.5 over unlv
LSU -42 over North Texas
Georgia -7 / S. CAROLINA  *push*
Cal -15 / MARYLAND

Most important - Safe wishes to all of those dealing with Ike. 

Here are my unscientific picks for Week 3.  Last week went 9-3 (added the Aggy game, thanks to Takchevy and longhornglory).  Please pick these apart or let me know of any blatant games I'm missing.  Saturday (and Friday night) should be great.

Kansas +3.5 over S. FLORIDA
VANDERBILT -7 over Rice
Auburn -10.5 over MISS ST
Penn St -27 over CUSE 
Michigan -2 over NOTRE DAME
OREGON ST. -12.5 over Hawaii
BAYLOR pick over Wash St.
FRESNO +2 over Wisco
Oklahoma -20.5 over WASHINGTON
Utah -24 over UTAH ST.
ARIZONA ST -22.5 over unlv
MICH ST -17 over Florida Atlantic
LSU -42 over North Texas

Games I'm not touching but curious (**my pick):
**MIZZOU -26.5 / Nevada
**Georgia -7 / S. CAROLINA
**VA TECH -6.5 / Ga Tech
**Cal -15 / MARYLAND
**TUALNE  / E Carolina -13
**USC -10.5 / Ohio St

And I would have taken the Horns -23

Advance apologies if this is below the fine men and women of BON, but I'm interested in hearing thoughts from knowledgeable fans on the this weekend's slate of games.  Opportunities abound in the first few weeks of the season as the experts in the desert are still figuring out just who is who.  Here's a few that stick out to me - please chime in with thoughts and let me know if I'm missing a game you like. 

This is my gut and incredibly unscientific, so forgive me those of you hard cores out there shaking your head because I'm going against that school that is 9-1 ATS vs. MAC teams in week 2 since 1942 the week before playing a PAC 10 team below 46 degrees latitude.

AUBURN -17.5 over S Miss
OREGON -35.5 over Utah St.
OKLAHOMA -21 over Cincy
OHIO ST. -34.5 over Ohio
WISCONSON -21 over Marshall
Texas Tech -10.5 over NEVADA
GEORGIA -24 over Central Mich.
NOTRE DAME -22 over San Diego St.
ARIZONA -22.5 over Toledo
Texas -26.5 over UTEP
IOWA -26.5 over Florida Intl

I'm also very close to convincing myself to take Miami (+21) over FLORIDA.

I was curious to see how teams performed vs. where they ended up in the final rankings so I thought I'd share.  Teams still around in bold:

Continue reading this post »

Any of the NYC Horns out there have a good spot to watch the games?  With the big one coming next Monday, trying to figure out the best place.  Both for hoops and for football in the fall.  I know Stout seems to be the spot where a lot of fans congregate, but want to make sure I'm not missing the true oasis in the concrete.  Hook 'em