Ok so we are down to it, the last 4 teams playing for all the marbles so what better time to return with some locks. Our brackets are busted and it’s time to make some money back. For those that played my prop bets, the Duke WVU game is huge. The ACC has 7 wins so far so a loss would win that bet for us. Also, if WVU wins the whole thing, we get a big payout. So the only sensible thing to do is wager on the game. On to the locks.
West Virginia (+3) vs Duke – A smarter man who made the aforementioned prop bets would consider hedging here and betting Duke. But if you like action, like I do, you take WVU and hope to get paid big. Also, I really think WVU is going to win this game. They are longer and more athletic than Duke and should give them problems. Duke has been winning by out rebounding their opponents which will be a tall task against WVU’s army of 6-9, long, athletic players. I think it will be close, by D’sean Butler will be the difference in a WVU win, or at least a cover.
Butler (-1) vs Michigan State – This is kind of the opposite of last year. MSU played throughout the tourney on a mission to get to the Final Four and play in front of their home crowd. This year, Butler has done the same. MSU has had an awesome run this year coming together at the perfect time and Izzo has proven again why he is an elite coach. However, I just don’t see how they keep winning without their best player. Butler will not be out coached as they are a very fundamentally sound team. They play great defense and should not get pushed around. Plus, this is essentially a home game since their campus is like 10 miles from the arena. If MSU played at Butler what would the spread be? I would say at least 3 or 4. Point being, butler at -1 is a decent value.
Enjoy the Final Four degenerates, and good luck
Lock Tracker (21-15-1)