Only one person who partook in online betting would have had any success last week.  Congratulations to StevieY for guessing (yeah guessing) that the Wings would beat the Hawks.  I wouldn’t exactly hire him to run my sportsbook, but he is definitely the cream of the crop this week.  We also welcome back Javier Sandooski this week, who managed to sit out last week’s bloodbath.  March Madness has begun, so expect many more college basketball picks the next few weeks.

Friday 3/12 at 1:25pm – Illinois @ Wisconsin (CBB)

• StevieY19 (15-9) Wisconsin over Illinois – Can Illinois play its way into the field of 64? Should I say 65? I don’t think so. If you’re from a major conference you have a bye into the field of 64, right? I’m reverting to the old lingo until they expand to include all 300+ teams in the future.  Anyway, Wisconsin outlasts the Illini in a close one.
• South Side Sheik (12-12) Wisconsin over Illinois – I’ve been a homer throughout these picks and it’s gotten me nowhere. For the last two to three weeks Illinois has faced “must wins” to get off the bubble and into the tourney. This is another one of those “must wins” and I don’t think the result will be much different. I see Bo Ryan having his guys ready to play and not content with their current seed in the bracket whatever that may be.
• Stormin Norman (11-13) Illinois over Wisconsin – I have been a homer my whole life and it’s gotten me nowhere.  Unfortunately I don’t have the common sense of the Sheik.  I think McCamey will show why he was named to the All-Big Ten First Team.  Also, its tough to win 2 in a row, and I don’t know if the Badgers have what it takes.
• His Jesusness Shuttlesworth (1-3) Wisconsin over Illinois: The Illini have lost 5 of 6. Wisconsin is overrated, but the Illini need McCamey at his best AND Davis/Tisdale shooting flawlessly to beat any legitimate opponent. The odds just aren’t in their favor.
• Javier Sandooski (10-8) Wisconsin over Illinois: As Corey Bradford said of the Illinois team, this team is painful to watch.  This game will be no exception.  They will go down quietly without a fight and it will be another March where I have no rooting interests except for gambling purposes.

Sunday 3/14 at 2:30pm — Celtics @ Cavs (NBA)

• StevieY19 (15-9) Cavs over Celtics – This is a big game for the Celtics too, I feel. I really have no idea if there are big games before the playoffs, but the Celtics could use a win over a non-terrible team for the first time since the middle of last month.  Too bad, Cavs win.
• South Side Sheik (12-12) Cavs over Celtics – Lebron will be back and the Cavs guards will abuse Rondo and Allen throughout to make up for the possible absence of Antawn Jamison. If Jamison is back, which is probable, then it’s just another weapon for the likely Eastern Conference Champs.
• Stormin Norman (11-13) Cavs over Celtics – LeBron’s return will be the difference.  All the other arguments about Antawn’s injury and how KG and Pierce get up for big games will be irrelevant.  The only team I could see myself picking to beat the Cavs at home right now is the Lakers, and the Celtics ain’t the Lakers.
• His Jesusness Shuttlesworth (1-3) Lakers over Magic- Celtics over Cavs: This clearly isn’t the smart pick- its instead a gut feeling. I don’t think Paul Pierce will return to form either. I’d say 3 days in Boston and a home win against a lowly Indiana team may allow the Celtics to regroup. Ray always plays well against Cleveland and the Sheed/KG tandem could dominate either an irrelevant Antawn or a young JJ Hicks.
• Javier Sandooski (10-8) Cavs over Celtics: LeBron is back.  Isn’t that enough?  If not, just know that it’s now March and he will kick it into overdrive as he prepares for the playoffs.  He’s been amazing all season, but watch – the show starts now.

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