Is the party over for Princeton?

A 2-2 record yesterday will hardly do the trick, but it was offset by some awesome games. Those finishes for Kansas State and Gonzaga ... holy moly. How sweet is it that we have four more games today? Let's jump in.

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One spread pick for each Friday game

San Diego State +7.5

Alabama is the title favorite, but we've had our eyes on San Diego State since brackets were released. How do the Aztecs win this game? Their defense, which ranks sixth in the nation according to KenPom's metrics. The Crimson Tide have themselves a great defense as well and the edge on offense, but Brandon Miller has not been too efficient from the field up to this point, shooting just 5-for-22. Does the fact that Alabama has blown out both teams so far despite Miller's quiet showing suggest their best is yet to come? Perhaps, but we're backing San Diego State at this number, as the Aztecs are 9-3-1 ATS over the past two months.

Miami +7.5

Houston was our pick to win it all before this tournament began, so consider this a slight hedge on that position. The Hurricanes are looking to advance to their second straight Elite Eight, and Isaiah Wong and this offense have been shooting the lights out. Houston has one of the nation's best defenses, and it appears Marcus Sasser is healthy, but the Cougars were aided by some abysmal free-throw shooting from Auburn in the second round. We like them to win, but we'll back Miami to keep this one close.

Princeton +10

This is simply too many points! Fifteen-seed or not, Princeton has proven to be for real, taking down No. 2 Arizona and No. 7 Missouri and we're still getting 10 points to back the pride of the Ivy League? Sign us up. Princeton is here because of their defense and rebounding, two strengths that can continue to shine even if the shots aren't falling. On defense, the Tigers have shown themselves to guard the three-point line well, which is what Creighton's offense needs to thrive. We'll lay the points in what should be a fun game.

Texas -4.5

See, we're not all underdogs tonight! The Big 12 has shown itself to be one of the most complete and best conferences in men's hoops and their conference tournament winners in Texas should continue representing the Big 12 well. The Longhorns have the depth and star power to overtake a Xavier team that has just six players playing significant minutes. It's hard for us to see a way the Musketeers keep up.

In the news ...

Elite Eights set in East and West regions — Half of the Elite Eight field is set. In the East, No. 3 Kansas State advanced past Michigan State in OT thanks to a record-setting night from guard Markquis Nowell, who dished out 19 assists — the most ever in an NCAA men's tournament game. The Wildcats are two-point favorites over No. 9 FAU, who upset Tennessee thanks to a late second-half surge. The West figures to be a battle between No. 4 UConn and No. 3 Gonzaga. The Zags came back from down 13 to win on a last-second deeeeep three from Julian Strawther against UCLA. UConn blew out Arkansas and has dominated their draw up to this point. The Huskies are currently favored by two points.
 
Phillies lose Rhys Hoskins for the year to torn ACL — Thursday brought with it a significant blow for the defending National League champions. The Phillies have lost star first baseman Rhys Hoskins for the year to a torn ACL, opening a significant hole in their lineup. Hoskins was set to play on a one-year contract this season, meaning that Hoskins may have played his last game in Philadelphia, especially with the number of contracts they've doled out to other players recently. If this is indeed it for Hoskins, we always have that three-run bomb in the NLDS against the Braves; the video still gives us chills. Philadelphia is currently +900 to make it back to the World Series, the sixth-best odds in the NL.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll