Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Sledgehammer Special — SGP: Saint Mary’s +3.5, Grand Canyon +15.5, UNDER 141.5 (+100, MGM)
That’s a direct and now rather freezing-cold quote from John Calipari, who, then in the midst of a slump, responded with those words when asked about the future prospects of his Kentucky Wildcats.
In hindsight, his team was actually built to collide with an iceberg in the frigid North Atlantic, sinking to the lightless ocean bottom below.
Not alone in catastrophe — No. 6 seeds, we’re staring at you — Day 1 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament was littered with the usual bankroll-draining madness. As the free picks spreadsheet clearly shows, this Jack Dawson succumbed to a subzero demise of a different variety.
Day 2, however, presents an opportunity to thaw, or deepen the chill.
Chase mode … ACTIVATE!
On the surface, Grand Canyon vs. Saint Mary’s — the last game scheduled on Friday’s docket — is a contest where unfettered chaos should give way to sensible calm.
Saint Mary’s, the WCC’s auto-berth winner, is a club that thrives off its unforgiving defense, which is executed in an unbudging methodical style. Prior to the Dance, the third-slowest team in the country surrendered only 0.949 points per possession. With suitable size and commitment to Randy Bennett’s ideologies, the Gaels relish in gradually squeezing the life out of their opponents.
And just because they’re defensive-minded doesn’t mean they’re completely inept offensively.
Due to the smooth strokes exhibited by Aidan Mahaney, Alex Ducas and Augustas Marciulionis, Saint Mary’s ranked No. 21 nationally in 3-point percentage offense in its last six games at 41.2%. Buttressed by big man Mitchell Saxen, the Gaels can also score effectively inside, although the recent loss of Joshua Jefferson to a knee injury has thinned an already shallow frontcourt.
Grand Canyon is a mid-major cut from a similar cloth. The WAC-y reps also lean on bodying up defensively in their own calculated pace.
GCU (No. 237 in adjusted tempo) ranks No. 4 in effective field-goal percentage defense since Feb. 20, conceding only 40.2% from two and 32.6% from three. The collapsing nature of Bryce Drew’s ball-hawking scheme (20.7 TO% D in last seven) and the Lopes’ plus athletes simply shut down in-conference competition.
Most notably, Tyon Grant-Foster, a 6-foot-7 versatile forward, is a legitimate pro prospect. He scored at least 21 points in five of his last seven games and steadily socked the opposition defensively this season while averaging 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐉𝐀𝐌 from @Ty_Youngbull off of the @waheed5_ steal. 💥 pic.twitter.com/dKnIsB1Z5O
— Grand Canyon Men’s Basketball (@GCU_MBB) March 17, 2024
Given the anticipated snail-like pace and the guarding gusto of both schools, this matchup is an ideal “in the middle” candidate. Do we need a winner? Of course, I need to sleep at some point. But please fellas, don’t suddenly morph into the high-scoring Kentucky Wildcats of … two weeks ago.
Too soon, Cal? Sorry coach, but the violins are playing.
Season record: 20-19, +3.38 units
BONUS TIME — Utah State +3.5 vs. TCU (-110, MGM)