The Big Ten holds its final championship game before the bracket is released, and the final minutes of the event feel like they're in the way the country wants to see.
Suggestion: Move through the Big Ten title game – played by teams who don't see seed line movements more than one to two inches – push back over a few hours with Sunday's choice, then the Ivy League title game – featuring a nationally recognized school with one of the nationally recognized schools.
Tennessee through Florida (+4.5)
The Gators have apparently been unstoppable since March began, scoring at least 89 points during their five-game winning streak.
However, the Vols have already shown they can slow down the fourth-highest scoring team in the nation, holding Florida averaging 58.5 points (26 points below the season average) in their regular season splits.
Tennessee has thrived as a loser this season, including the upset of top seed Auburn yesterday.
Wisconsin, Michigan (-3.5)
I haven't put a bet on badgers for three days in a row.
Wisconsin, who took part in the Big Ten tournament with three losses in five matches, discovered that John Tonjae was robbing the reins.
The senior guard averaged 29 points, helping the Badgers revenge their regular season losses to UCLA and top-seeded Michigan State.
Next up is the Wolverines, who claimed a three-point victory over Wisconsin on December 3rd.
Beyond Yale Cornell (+5.5)
Big Red is looking for its first NCAA Tournament Bertz since the 2010 Sweet 16 Run, taking part in the Ivy League title game with five consecutive games, averaging 92 points over the past three weeks.
Three of the last five meetings between the teams have been decided on less than four points, and Yale's last five games (except for the final meeting with Columbia) were determined on an average of five points, including the 92-88 Bulldogs' victory at Cornell.
Their meeting this season shows Yale will play the underdog at that preferred pace.
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VCU around George Mason (-7.5)
The Rams were able to make the NCAA Tournament as one of the last big teams, but they don't have to sweat.
The Atlantic 10 top team lost only once since the beginning of February, and yesterday they entered the sixth-best average score margin in the nation (15.3 points).
It's been a month since VCU (20-10 against spread as favorites), but despite shooting with less than 39% off the field, opportunistic defense was built to torture one of the most likely to leave the teams in the country.
VCU coach Ryan Odom has appeared in his fifth conference title game in seven seasons, and has already led UMBC and Utah to big dance.
Last year's title game upset Duquesne helps to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.
This season: 9-6
Records 2011-24: 378-340-12
