ORLANDO, Fla. — There have been many big sports headlines this week — Phil Jackson’s hiring, NFL free agency, MLB spring training — but little action. Thursday takes us from zero to 600. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Dayton (+6) over Ohio State: There’s a reason Ohio State never schedules Dayton. The Buckeyes’ in-state foes pose a dangerous threat with a well-rounded team and should give them all they can handle.
UConn (-4½) over St. Joseph’s: AAC Player of the Year Shabazz Napier begins what he hopes will be a Kemba Walker-like run. St. Joseph’s has a strong frontcourt, but Napier and Ryan Boatright are dynamic playmakers and can take over the game as the Huskies return to the Big Dance after missing last season because of NCAA violations.
Western Michigan (+13) over Syracuse: Remember when the Orange were 25-0? Forget it. That team no longer exists. Syracuse has lost five of its past seven games and is averaging 60.5 points over the past 10 games, with baffling losses to Boston College and Georgia Tech. The big name is the only reason for the big point spread.
Oregon (-5½) over BYU: The teams played a wild, overtime affair in December, with the Ducks coming out on top, but an ACL injury to Cougars guard Kyle Collinsworth — the team’s second-leading scorer, leading-rebounder and leader in assists — changes everything.
2014 record: 16-5-1 (before Wednesday night)
2011-13 record: 72-47-2
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