Community Picks: Florida State 0% vs Syracuse 0%

Slaying the sportsbook is a monstrous task. Some days bettors take up residence in a penthouse suite. Other times, they curl up in the nearest ditch, shirtless and toothless. In an attempt to avoid complete destitution, I will post my picks, whether profitable or penniless, through the NCAA tourney. Check out Thursday's selections below:  Iowa (19-4, 13-7 ATS) at Indiana (19-5, 12-12) – What a time to be alive if you're a Hawkeye. The football team made an appearance in Pasadena. Caucuses occurred. And now, the Fighting Frans are nearing a No. 1 seed for the first time in school history.  Though Iowa is highly ranked by every measurement imaginable, many pundits and casual fans continue to question its veracity. Don't. This is a senior-laden, highly-experienced club with disruptive length and athleticism. The only team in the nation that currently ranks inside the top-11 in offensive and defensive efficiency, the Hawkeyes are a well-oiled machine on both ends. Throw in their deadly range (39.7 3PT%) and charity stripe conversions, and it's easy to see why they've logged seven wins against the KenPom top-50. Despite a sparkling 19-5 record, the jury is still out on Indiana. The Hoosiers, equipped with numerous effective jump shooters, are explosive on offense, particularly in transition. On the year, they've netted 1.14 points per possession and posted a 56.2 effective field-goal percentage, the second-highest mark in the country. Also improved on defense, they appear rock solid. However, IU very well could be a paper tiger, evidenced in its Charmin-soft Big Ten schedule. Point blank, Tom Crean and Co. have yet to face a team the defensive caliber of Iowa. Play D like it did at Penn St., and Jarrod Uthoff goes bananas.  Prediction: Iowa 80 (+3.5) Indiana 77 Continue to Article

February 11, 2016 9:52:am EST

Florida State's success against zone defenses has played a major role in the Seminoles' four-game winning streak. Now they are about to square off against maybe the ultimate zone defense in college: Syracuse's challenging 2-3 zone. Coach Leonard Hamilton is no stranger in game planning for the Orange's zone as this marks the 19th time he has faced Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. Continue to Article

February 10, 2016 6:57:pm EST

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Michael Gbinije scored 17 points leading Syracuse to a 68-60 overtime win against Virginia Tech Tuesday night. Continue to Article

February 02, 2016 11:02:pm EST