Written by :
Published on :
Former big name NBA star-turned sports handicapping analyst, Gary Payton, has released his own free March Madness 2010 picks. Payton works for the popular online gambling website, BetUS.com (see website here)
Eric Williams of BetUS.com offers a cross-analysis of Payton' picks.
Richmond
St. Mary's +2
Analysis: Payton likes the St. Mary's-California Gaels here - and as much as it breaks my heart to go against them, I‘ve got to agree with GP and go against the Richmond Spiders here. St. Mary's is a bit more explosive offensively than the Spiders and just about the Spiders' equal defensively.
Gonzaga +1.5
Florida State
Analysis: GP likes the Florida State Seminoles in this matchup, but I disagree this time mostly because the Gonzaga Bulldogs are the smarter and more mature ballclub in this contest. Yes, the Seminoles are bigger, taller and faster. Unfortunately, they are also more prone to turnovers and losing focus than their counterparts. I like the Bulldogs here.
Murray State +3
Vanderbilt
Analysis: This was probably my toughest pick on the board with Murray State winning a whopping 30 games and playing excellent basketball coming into this contest and the Commodores coming off a pitiful showing in its 62-52 SEC tourney loss to Mississippi State. However, I'm going to disagree with Gary Payton simply because I believe Vanderbilt is going to play at a high level following their last game and genuinely believe any team that can stay within two points of Kentucky like the Commodores did in their 58-56 home loss to the Wildcats on Feb. 20, should be able to knock off a smaller program like Murray State with relative ease.
BYU
Florida +5
Analysis: I'll admit, this was another tough call, but in the end, I agree with GP. Florida may not be close to the Cougars in the mental department, but their athleticism and length will bother BYU's shooters just like they struggled against UNLV in their last contest.
Cornell
Temple -3.5
Analysis: I'll get right to the point with this one because it's such an easy call. The Glove likes Cornell to upset the Temple Owls in this contest but he apparently doesn't know much about Fran Dunphy or this Owls team, whose defense would make legendary head coach John Chaney blush. Cornell will bow under the weight of Temple's ‘lockdown' defense and inside play of Lavoy Allen.
Get a FREE $75 in CASH when you open an online betting account with $200.
