Jim Feist

The upcoming NCAA Tournament matchup between the McNeese State Cowboys and the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, March 22, 2025, promises to be an intriguing contest. McNeese State, a No. 12 seed, is riding high after a stunning 69-67 victory over No. 5 seed Clemson, marking their first-ever NCAA tournament win. Under the guidance of second-year coach Will Wade, the Cowboys have showcased resilience and tactical prowess. Notably, Wade has been transparent about his impending move to North Carolina State post-tournament, a decision that has added an extra layer of motivation for his team. Purdue, the No. 4 seed, enters this game with a 23-11 record. They secured a 75-63 win over High Point in the first round, with standout performances from Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith, who each contributed over 20 points. However, Smith's efficiency was a concern, shooting 6-for-19 from the field. McNeese State: Brandon Murray emerged as a pivotal player in the victory against Clemson, leading the team with 21 points off the bench. Additionally, point guard Quadir Copeland, standing at 6'6", offers size and versatility, though his perimeter shooting remains a work in progress. Purdue: Trey Kaufman-Renn leads the Boilermakers with an average of 20.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Braden Smith, despite recent shooting struggles, is integral to Purdue's offensive rhythm, averaging 16.2 points and 8.6 assists per game. McNeese State's defense was instrumental in their upset over Clemson, limiting the Tigers to 36.8% shooting. Their aggressive zone defense disrupted Clemson's offensive flow, a strategy they may employ against Purdue. Purdue, conversely, must improve its shooting efficiency and handle defensive pressure adeptly to avoid potential pitfalls. While Purdue possesses the experience and talent expected of a higher seed, McNeese State's recent performances and tactical adaptability make them a formidable opponent. I'll take the points here with McNeese State.

The NCAA Tournament's second-round matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is set for 5:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBS. Michigan Wolverines (5th seed, 26-9): Under first-year head coach Dusty May, Michigan has experienced a resurgence, capturing the Big Ten Tournament title and extending their winning streak to four games. Their recent 68-65 victory over UC San Diego highlighted both their potential and areas needing improvement, particularly in maintaining leads and free-throw shooting. Texas A&M Aggies (4th seed, 23-10): Coached by Buzz Williams, the Aggies have been formidable, especially in non-conference play, boasting a 12-2 record. Their 80-71 win over Yale showcased their offensive capabilities, with standout performances from Pharrel Payne (25 points, 10 rebounds) and Wade Taylor IV (16 points, 5 assists). Michigan: Vladislav Goldin: The center leads the team with averages of 16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Danny Wolf: Averaging a near double-double with 13.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, Wolf's presence in the paint is significant. Texas A&M: Wade Taylor IV: The senior guard is pivotal, averaging 15.7 points and 4.3 assists per game. Zhuric Phelps: Contributing 13.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, Phelps adds depth to the Aggies' backcourt. This matchup is expected to be tightly contested, with both teams showcasing strengths in different areas. Should be one of the tighter contests on Saturday. I'll be on Michigan.

The NCAA Tournament's second-round matchup between the Creighton Bluejays and the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, promises to be a thrilling contest. Creighton, the No. 9 seed, enters with a 25-10 record, while top-seeded Auburn boasts a 29-5 mark. Creighton Bluejays: Under head coach Greg McDermott, Creighton has been a consistent force, aiming for their fourth Sweet 16 appearance in five years. They secured a convincing 89-75 victory over Louisville in the first round, showcasing their offensive prowess. Auburn Tigers: Led by coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn has been dominant this season, though they've faced some challenges recently. They advanced with an 83-63 win over Alabama State, demonstrating their depth and versatility. Creighton: Ryan Kalkbrenner: Averaging 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, Kalkbrenner's presence in the paint is pivotal for the Bluejays.  Steven Ashworth: Contributing 15.9 points and 6.8 assists per game over the last ten outings, Ashworth's playmaking abilities are crucial for Creighton's offense. Auburn: Johni Broome: With averages of 18.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, Broome is a dominant force in the frontcourt. Miles Kelly: Kelly has been instrumental, averaging 14.6 points over the last ten games, providing a consistent scoring option for the Tigers. Both teams emphasize strong frontcourt play. The anticipated matchup between Kalkbrenner and Broome will be central to the game's outcome. Creighton's defense will need to limit Auburn's three-point shooting, as the Tigers average 9.2 made three-pointers per game. Conversely, Auburn must find ways to penetrate Creighton's defense, which has been effective in limiting opponents' shooting percentages.  This matchup features two well-coached teams with contrasting styles. Auburn's high-octane offense and depth will challenge Creighton's disciplined defense and efficient scoring. A lot of points to lay to a talented Creighton team. I'll take the points here on Saturday. Play Creighton. 

The NCAA Tournament's second-round matchup between the No. 2 seed Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 7 seed UCLA Bruins is set for Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Both teams advanced with decisive first-round victories, setting the stage for a compelling contest. Tennessee Volunteers (28-7): Under head coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has showcased a balanced attack, averaging 74.8 points per game while limiting opponents to 63.0 points. Their defense has been particularly effective, holding teams to a 38.3% field goal percentage. The Volunteers are also proficient from beyond the arc, averaging 8.3 made three-pointers per game.  UCLA Bruins (23-10): Coached by Mick Cronin, UCLA emphasizes defensive tenacity, allowing just 65.2 points per game. Offensively, the Bruins average 74.7 points, with a field goal percentage of 46.7%. They also maintain a strong assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 16.5 assists against 10.0 turnovers per game. Tennessee: Chaz Lanier: Averaging 18.0 points per game, Lanier is a prolific scorer, shooting 40.3% from three-point range with an average of 3.3 made three-pointers per game. Zakai Zeigler: The dynamic point guard contributes 13.7 points and 7.5 assists per game, orchestrating the Volunteers' offense with precision. UCLA: Tyler Bilodeau: Leading the Bruins with 13.5 points per game, Bilodeau is an efficient scorer, shooting 49.5% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range. Eric Dailey Jr.: A versatile forward, Dailey Jr. averages 11.7 points per game and is known for his defensive prowess, contributing significantly to UCLA's turnover-forcing defense. Both teams pride themselves on stout defense, suggesting a low-scoring affair. Tennessee's ability to convert from long range could stretch UCLA's defense, while the Bruins' emphasis on ball movement aims to exploit defensive gaps. The individual matchup between Lanier and UCLA's perimeter defenders will be pivotal. This should be a great defensive batlle. And as such, points are critical. I'll take the points with UCLA.

New York Knicks (43-26): The Knicks currently hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. However, they've encountered recent struggles, notably back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and the Charlotte Hornets, teams with subpar records. A significant factor in their downturn is the absence of star point guard Jalen Brunson, sidelined due to an ankle injury. Without Brunson, the Knicks have faced challenges in offensive fluidity and defensive cohesion. Washington Wizards (15-54): The Wizards are enduring a challenging season, holding the league's worst record. They are currently on a three-game losing streak, including a recent 120-105 defeat to the Orlando Magic. Injuries have further hampered their performance, with key players like Marcus Smart, Corey Kispert, and Bilal Coulibaly sidelined. The Knicks have dominated recent matchups against the Wizards, winning the last eight encounters, including a 126-106 victory on December 30, 2024. However, their recent form without Brunson raises concerns. The Wizards, despite their struggles, have an opportunity to exploit the Knicks' current vulnerabilities. This is one game that the Knicks won't need Brunson. The Wizards had to play last night and lost at home to the Magic, 105-120. Now they have to travel to New York to face the Knicks. I'll lay the big points with the Knicks against a haggard Wizards squad. 

The  Golden State Warriors (41-29) enter this matchup holding the sixth spot in the Western Conference. They recently concluded a seven-game homestand with a 117-114 victory over the Toronto Raptors, a game that saw Stephen Curry exit due to a pelvic contusion. Curry is not expected to play here on Saturday, which will put a  lot of stress on this Warriors offense. The Atlanta Hawks (33-36) currently occupy the seventh position in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a commanding 32-point win over the Charlotte Hornets, with Trae Young contributing 31 points. However, the team has struggled with consistency, often alternating between winning and losing streaks.  The Warriors will need to adjust their offensive strategies in Curry's absence, potentially increasing the roles of Butler and Kuminga. Defensively, containing Trae Young, should he play, will be a priority. Injuries will play a part in tonight's outcome. I'll take the Hawks in this game plus the points.