Steve Merril George Mason vs. Notre Dame Free NCAA Tournament Pick

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Steve Merril
George Mason vs. Notre Dame (NCAAB) - Mar 20, 2008 9:50 PM EDT
Play: Point Spread: -6.5/-105 Notre Dame

George Mason made a memorable run two years ago to the Final Four as a #11 seed, but this year’s squad is not as talented. George Mason earned an at-large bid in 2006, but that was not the case this year as the Patriots had to win the CAA tournament to earn the automatic qualifier. Their opponent in the finals, William & Mary, upset the #1 seed Va Commonwealth as a 12-point underdog in the semi-finals, so George Mason was able to avoid the best team in the conference (VCU). The Patriots got a much easier game versus a tired W&M squad playing their fourth game in four days.

Notre Dame will be extremely focused for this game after being upset in the first round last year versus Winthrop. That was a young Notre Dame squad, with limited postseason experience, but this year’s team is a veteran unit. The Irish will also gain focus and motivation after losing 89-79 versus Marquette in the Big East tournament last week.

Quality teams usually bounce back in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after a SU loss, and Notre Dame fits a solid 65% angle based on that premise tonight.

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