And so it begins...Championship Week. Monday Plays 3/8

Game of the Night and Play of the Night in Vegas. Shotout to Richmond and the CAA for an awesome two days of hoops in the Coliseum. LETS GO TRIBE!!!

ODU vs W&M
In 2008 the Tribe made a run to the CAA finals, upsetting favorite ODU in the quarters on the way. Here they are again on the verge of breaking the field of 64, but I just can’t see them pulling off the straight up win against an ODU team that just persevered against a very hot VCU team (in Richmond no less). The sticky man to man defense that extends all they way outside the 3 point line will just be too much for the Tribe, who haven’t put together a full 40 minutes yet this weekend. Without a full 40 of top notch effort, no way they win straight up. Schneider or McDowell could get hot and keep it close, especially given W&M will keep this to as few possessions as possible, but in the end they just don’t have any chance in the paint in this matchup, so will be completely reliant on 3s against the best defense in the conference. Under looks like a solid play, with a lean to ODU, but I’d love to see the Tribe in the Dance so will be pulling for them. Play: Under 117.5

Siena vs Fairfield
Been riding the Stags all season since watching them hang with the Terps for 30 minutes, but not sure they are capable of the straight up win here either. Siena has lost focus at times this season, but know they need this one to get a bid, so I expect maximum effort (unlike previous matchup after they had the 1 seed locked up). Rossiter can keep Johnson off the boards, which is crucial, so it will be up to freshmen phenom Derek Needham to carry the team, and just not sure he can do it in the biggest game of the season on the road against the perennial MAAC powerhouse Siena. Should be a wall to wall comfortable lead and hopefully they keep it in double digits. Play: Siena -7.5

Appalachian St vs Wofford
Only seen these teams play once each, but it was clear that Wofford relies on points in the paint and rebounds (from a Harangody-esque Dahlman), and aren’t really a team to get out and run and finish quick buckets in transition (they prefer a slowed down half-court game). That will be a problem against Appalachian State, who has a huge problem with turnovers. The way to beat them is taking these right back down the court and getting easy buckets. App State has some “ballers” for sure and some horses in the paint who can neutralize what Wofford tries to do on offense. Wofford appears the team of destiny as this is their first trip to the SoCon finals, but App St has been playing very well (beat Charleston handily, probably the 3rd best team in the conference) and I don’t see Wofford taking advantage of the turnovers, if they do I see this total going over, so playing that as well. Las time they met went over 150. Plays: App St +4.5, Over 135

St Mary’s vs Gonzaga
Bubble teams beware. The entire world is expecting a repeat of last year and not recognizing that while the Zags appear better given their new found size in the paint, their offense is much worse and the perimeter defense leaky. Also note that St Mary’s without Patty Mills is a much bigger perimeter threat, and Mickey McConnell is lights out. They just blew out a solid Portland team, and I expect them to keep it rolling tonight.
Play of the Night: St Mary’s +4 and St Mary’s ML +165