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Brad vs. the Book: Mountaineers locked and loaded for Kansas

Brad Evans

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 Tuesday's selections below: 

West Virginia (19-4, 13-7 ATS) at Kansas (19-4, 12-8) – Though his casual attire and gruff nature would lead many to believe otherwise, Bob Huggins is a sophisticated, highly intelligent basketball tactician. The fiery coach, knowing his team's scoring limitations, instituted a pressing scheme designed to ceaselessly pester and exhaust the opposition while creating easy transition buckets. It's worked brilliantly. This season, WVU opponents have committed a turnover on 26.2 percent of their possessions, tops in the nation. Toss in numerous second-chance opportunities generated by Devin Williams and Jonathan Holton, and the Mountaineers have fired the rifle often.

When these clubs first met Jan. 12 in Morgantown, KU guards Wayne Selden and Frank Mason were unable to swat away the bees. The duo, responsible for 13 of the Jayhawks' 22 turnovers, were repeatedly stung in the 11-point defeat. Vengeance is on the mind, but given WVU's ability to neutralize the paint, extend on D and flat out frustrate, it will be extremely difficult to dispose. Take the points.

Prediction: Kansas 78 West Virginia (+7) 75  

Ulis and friends should be bare their claws against Georgia. (AP)
Ulis and friends should be bare their claws against Georgia. (AP)

Georgia (13-8, 11-9 ATS) at Kentucky (17-6, 10-13)

– The last time Big Blue took the floor, it smashed visiting Florida by 19, shaking off consecutive defeats at Kansas and, inexplicably, at Tennessee. Sporting a 33-game home win streak, it's favored handsomely for a reason.

The talent of this Wildcats team pales in comparison to recent incarnations. Jamaal Murray has routinely balled out cracking the 20-point mark eight times, but hyped frosh Skal Labissiere continues to be a work in progress. Still, Georgia is an inferior club with minimal chance of keeping pace. Kentucky's superior size should clean up in the post. Throw in Tyler Ulis' hot inside/outside shooting and a 15-plus point victory is within reach. If Georgia is competitive in this one, Jeb Bush impossibly steals New Hampshire.

Prediction: Kentucky (-12) 76 Georgia 61

Xavier (21-2, 14-9 ATS) at Creighton (15-9, 14-9) – Of late, the X-Men's superpowers have waned. An unstoppable force over much of the Big East slate, they recently squeaked by rancid St. John's and Marquette giving up a combined 1.07 points per possession in those contests. Thanks to the torrid shooting of Edward Sumner, Myles Davis and Trevon Bluiett, Xavier managed to escape catastrophe. Still at the doorstep of a No. 1 seed, it enters a murderous stretch with four tough road matchups in their next six.

Greg McDermott's kids haven't lit the world on fire, but have a place in the bubble conversation. A terrific scoring club that protects the rock, they've overcome occasional defensive lapses by putting ball into basket. If the Musketeers' sluggish D persists, the combo of Maurice Watson's dribble penetration and Geoffery Grosselle's finishing skills will prove hard to contain. In a game with enormous at-large implications for Creighton, 'OMAHA!' is sure to rock.

Prediction: Creighton (+1) 82 Xavier 80 

Other leans: Mississippi St. (PK), Michigan St. (-1), Dayton (-13.5)

Parlay Play: West Virginia (+7), Dayton (-13.5), Kentucky (-12)

Year to date: 75-68-3

Want to throw elbows at Brad? Follow him on Twitter @YahooNoise.