GREG GAMBLE’S 2008-09 HARDWOOD Picks: 91-75 ats…55%
NBA 62-56 - NCAA 22-15 - Teasers 7-4 - Church League 69-0

After winning on LSU and then getting a car wash...

...TIME FOR MY 4:00 TOURNEY UPDATE HOMEBOYS!

...I just can't see how this Illini team handles a late night tip in Portland without their fearless floor general!

W. KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS (+5) vs FIGHTING ILLINI
For all the talk the Hilltoppers are not the darling they were last year with a new coach and without Courtney Lee, the kids from Kentucky have won seven-straight, 11 of their last 12, and sport a brilliant young headmaster with an exciting, yet disciplined style. Especially with the Illini's best backcourt defender & playmaker out, look for WKU's veteran backcourt to control the tempo (A.J. Slaughter: 16 ppg, 4 apg, 3 rpg - Orlando Mendez-Valdez: 14 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg, 41-3pt), while getting in the paint, dishing to their aggressive undersized forwards, and getting the Illinois bigs in foul trouble. Throw-in that Bruce Weber's squad has lost three of their last four and...
THE HILLTOPPERS BY 2-6 PTS

Hello, my name is Marcus Thornton and I'm going to make you remember me this weekend!

#9 BUTLER BULLDOGS @ #8 LSU TIGERS (-2)
Don't fall for it Homeboys...Vegas is pushing Butler like they're the new Gonzaga. And I can't remember the last time the Mushroom Lovers (aka The Zags) sported a somewhat new coach, four out of their top five scores as underclassmen (2 frosh & 2 soph), and only one impressive win all season...Xavier on the road.

You know why she's happy? With LSU's length & athleticism she can't believe Vegas only favors them by a bucket!

On the Tigers side, besides the fact you don't have to worry about a pre-game speech from Les Miles, they're freakishly athletic, long, have plenty of experience, and sported a 10-game win-streak in SEC play this season. I could go through match-ups but I need a splash of Tequila in my Shiraz...LSU WINS BY 6-12 POINTS

As for my only afternoon upset...

You can see it in her eyes...she wants to luv the Longhorns, but knows the Gophers are too deep to handle!

#10 MINNY TUBBY SMITHS (+4.5) @ #7 TEXAS SHORT BENCH
The Gophers crew is a legit 10 deep and their brilliant headmaster is looking more relaxed than ever not dealing with the pressure of Ashley Judd & the KU alumni. As for Texas, they're just not that good and only roll if A.J. Abrams catches fire...and considering Tubby has a plethora of bodies to throw at him, I'm guessing at least one of those cats can stop a shorty that can't dribble from knocking down a few three-pointers. At least that's what I think...GOPHERS WIN OUTRIGHT

While having a tat about a guy from 90210 might not be the coolest thing when your the hottest girl on the planet...

...I still luv Mark Few and will always support David Silver! As for later tonight, I love Asians and GONZAGA (-13) to roll with ease in Portland. I think they're playing Bowling Green...oh wait, Akron maybe..it doesn't matter, just bring on the Tar Heels!