Opening Day at Citi Field was postponed yesterday due to the weather, so the New York Mets will get their home opener this Friday at 2:40 EST. The weather is going to play a major factor in this one today. Wind will be blowing 20-30 mph on an overcast day after a bunch of rain yesterday.Â
Gonzaga hasn’t scored less than 66 points all season, as the Bulldogs are used to outrunning everyone on their schedule. But the Bulldogs lost that game to Portland, and there’s no evidence they can handle a team that forces them to figure things out. Texas won’t allow them to run, which could muck up Gonzaga’s efforts.
The Golden Eagles survived against Colorado, defeating them 81-77 in their last game. They have won five of their last six games including the first-round defeat of Western Kentucky. Marquette is one of the most balanced teams in the tournament and with the spread at -7 they are a heavy favorite to move on.
Indiana’s not totally helpless: the Hoosiers lead the nation in 3-point percentage. Of course, No. 2 is the Gamecocks, which is just another reminder that the Hoosiers pretty much have to be perfect to win this.
Oregon State came up with a superb season before it leaves those old rivalries behind, and they’ve done it with defense. Four of their past six opponents haven’t broken 60 in regulation, and the exceptions were both Stanford. Notre Dame also knows how to play that way, although it’s not the Irish’s preference.
Since its 2015 World Series title, Kansas City’s had more 100-loss seasons (three) than non-losing seasons (two). That said, there’s always a chance at the playoffs when you play in AL Comedy Central, as the Twins won this division with just 87 victories last year.
Welcome to my Quick Picks column, where I hand out winners, winners, and more winners every day. I fire off picks on everything from college hoops to the NHL.
Opening Day is here for Major League Baseball, except for the Dodgers and Padres, who played a series in December or something, and everyone is alight with excitement. Can the Braves grab another championship? Will the Dodgers move on from the Shohei scandal? Are the Oakland Athletics a real team?
The regional semifinal gives us a rare rematch of the national title game — and this one might not be as close as the previous one. Connecticut appears better than it was a season ago, while San Diego State isn’t quite where it was last year.