The Mike Francesa Podcast Live - NCAA Day Two Reaction

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It's the Mike Francesca podcast on the Betrivers Network.

Hello, everybody. I'm Mike Francesca and welcome to the podcast, part of the Betrivers Network.

We come to you on this Friday night after a, I guess you would say tedious day of games.

I mean, a lot of, a lot of one-sided games, a lot of chalk, 104, 108, 114, I mean, a lot of one-sided games.

You kind of struggling in the first half that are still in action.

So is Missouri and Miami in the close game, a 7-10 game.

Other than the 9s, the favorite teams, one of the highest seed teams for a win is all day.

Kansas is rolling along. I know that Cowabab says cut into the elite a little bit, but Kansas is going to win.

So you're going to have a St. John's, Kansas game.

Daniels is just hitting some, you know, late jumpers to make a stascal call out better.

Peterson put up, you know, he kept firing today to show.

I think he wants to really show something and he's going to get a chance on the weekend.

Again, St. John's in what should be a very, very interesting game and a big game.

Because let's be honest, we'll save the Kansas.

St. John's preview for the more tonight.

We'll do it in depth.

You can't, I mean, Kansas has had a very up and down year for them.

But this is a premier program with a lot of talent with a player who has gotten incredible reviews.

You have despite all the injuries he's had and being in and out of the lineup.

But it's a big game and a huge game in the material era.

St. John's really desperately off a very comfortable win today.

You know, they continue their play the same way they had in the biggest tournament jumping out right on top of everybody.

They've jumped out to big one-sided leads early today.

They did it and put the game away because they were playing a team that plays slow and is not used to being behind big numbers.

And once they, they were way we were well coached and a solid team.

But once they kind of got their feet on the ground, the game was long over.

You can't spot, they couldn't spot St. John's, you know, 18 points because they were never going to catch him.

And obviously every time they got a run, St. John's got it right back up.

And St. John's actually one of the hitting 10-3s.

And if they out three, they're going to beat you.

I don't care who you are, they're going to beat you.

But they won easy.

I told you yesterday, I thought they would.

I said if they turned them over early and jumped out early, this game would be ugly.

It was more than ugly.

It was a tedious ball game.

Really nothing to watch.

It's been a tedious day all day.

Other than Kentucky, Santa Clara.

I thought Santa Clara was going to win the game.

And if you lost on Santa Clara, it was a, it was, you know, the typical burn because you had the point spread covered.

You had the underdog that was a three and a half point on the dog.

They were up 70, 68 Kentucky tight.

They came down and hit him a big three with three seconds left.

And then as Santa is trying to call time out.

The official has to make a declaration there of whether he thinks the opponent has the ball or not.

He obviously deemed that they did.

He did not grant the time out.

They get the ball bounced in.

A player who had an incredible day hit a 31 footer to send the game into overtime.

And then Kentucky, he winds up covering it over time.

So it was a tough burn if you took Santa Clara.

A tough loss for Santa Clara overall.

A big win for Kentucky.

And give Kentucky credit with 14 seconds down to they scored.

And when they needed to come up with a miracle three, they did.

And then they won the game in overtime.

That was the game of the day by far.

In a day where there were very few exciting, very few exciting moments.

Right now, Yukon has a nine point lead with 14 minutes to play.

Furman is being stubborn.

They're hitting some some threes.

They've hit seven.

Yukon is in one of those nightmarish games.

They're a little short handed today and their three for 17 from three.

And other than Reed, who you know how important he is.

Reed has 24 points on 10 for 11 shooting other than that.

Kentucky can't hit the roadside of a bond there three for 17 for three.

And let's be honest, they have finished the season not playing well at all.

And I thought this was an important game for them to just get back on the right side of things.

Well, they haven't done that.

Maybe they do it in the last 10 minutes today.

But they still are just not.

Remember they go.

They lost the market.

They lost by 20 to St. John's.

And I'm not playing well again today.

Now eight games tomorrow.

As I told you yesterday.

I did not think these were great matchups.

What I mean is all these games going to appeal to people who are not big basketball fans.

Other than them having some allegiance to one of the schools.

The answer is no.

There are not a lot of them.

They just aren't.

They'll be more on Sunday.

St. John Kansas is a perfect example.

That's a premium game.

It's a lot more to be had on Sunday.

Tomorrow they're going to.

This has been the way they've done this recently.

They put a stand up game.

At 12 o'clock.

They put a stand alone game.

At two o'clock.

And then they have a couple of games late with the last game starting at nine forty five.

So the first game starts at twelve twenty.

It's by itself.

The second game starts at two forty five is by itself.

This game starts at five fifteen one at six ten.

Two in the seven ten seven twenty bracket.

And then.

Eight forty five and nine forty five.

Eight games tomorrow.

A couple of.

A couple of toss ups.

Really one real toss up.

That would be Vandy Nebraska.

And.

A couple of interesting games.

Nothing thrilling.

Let me update you right now.

Cal Baptist house.

Cut a.

When I came down it was a twenty four point lead.

Now a six point lead.

With forty seconds left.

Cal Baptist isn't going to win.

They're going to cover.

They're not going to win.

Daniels has now twenty five points.

At one point he was three for sixteen.

Now he's seven from twenty.

He's.

Hit a couple of threes.

He's had some free throws.

He's got he's got twenty five points.

They've cut the leads of respectability.

And again.

Kansas going to win.

Peterson has twenty eight points on eleven for twenty four.

Shooting he missed his first six shots beginning of that game was a bondable nobody could put the ball in the ocean.

Elsewhere.

Miami has a seven point lead on Missouri.

In a seven ten game.

And you can't has a nine point lead on.

Furman with twelve minutes left.

That's it.

If you weren't paying attention tonight Florida.

Put up a one fourteen fifty five win as a thirty six point favorite.

Purdue put up a one oh four seventy one win.

As a twenty five point favorite.

UCLA had a pretty sizable lead then held on for dear life and one by four.

They weren't at a hundred percent St. John's one very comfortably seventy nine fifty three lead all the way.

Let every step of the way.

I will one.

And in the very game early a Tennessee beat the Miami ball highlight a high old darlings who obviously ran into a much tougher much more physical.

A team and held Tennessee and Tennessee held Miami about seven for twenty nine shooting from three and one easy.

Moving them tomorrow.

As we said we're in the field of thirty two.

We're down to the sweet sixteen.

That separates the men from the boys.

That's the first team location of the tournament.

Get to the sweet sixteen.

Second round losses.

If you were a team that had high expectations.

Second round losses.

A brutal like St. John's last year.

It has bothered them for a year.

There's on their mind today.

It'll be on their mind on Sunday.

No question about it.

For other teams it's about getting.

I say the only team this year.

That has to go past.

The final four.

I'm not even sure there is one.

Arizona needs to make the final four of the years a bit of disappointment.

I say the same thing for Michigan.

Duke is a little banged up.

Let's see what kind of shape during physically.

So here we go.

For the Saturday matchups.

St. Louis, which played sensationally.

And can make a lot of outside shots.

Matches up with Michigan.

Now, if you know St. Louis.

They don't have.

They have a wonderful old school.

Yoke.

Now, I'm not saying Yoke is alike.

I'm saying Yoke style center.

He really is a terrific player.

But Michigan has such size.

And such athleticism.

That the only way St. Louis threatens is if they make a lot of three store.

There were 12 and a half point favorite.

Now Michigan.

What they did against.

You know, putting up 100 points in the first round means nothing.

They haven't played really well in the last couple of weeks.

Not like they did earlier.

Can I see St. Louis winning this game?

I cannot.

Could I see them staying inside the number?

Well, they're a team that makes a lot of three.

So as we know.

So maybe that's possible.

Louisville is not near 100%.

Michigan state played an easy game.

I have respect for Louisville.

I have respect for the team.

Michigan states a four and a half point favorite.

Michigan state deserves to be the favorite.

Is though is a master.

At these games.

Is Michigan state a little up and down?

Yes, at times.

Do I think they win this game?

I do.

That takes us through the two standalone games.

Now we get into the nitty-gritty part of the day and then finish up.

So the game three.

When they think you're going to start to really zoom into the tournament on a Saturday afternoon.

515.

A good.

Well coached TCU team that won on a.

Last second shot four seconds left against Ohio State.

Against Duke.

How healthy is Duke will find out.

We know the point goes on coming back is a big man coming back.

We'll find out.

They're hopeful.

Duke's an 11 and a half point favorite.

They had a real struggle on their hands.

It doesn't mean they will tomorrow.

They're the better team.

But this TCU team.

Is a legitimate team.

This is no pushover team.

In any way.

Then I'll finish up because at 610 Houston.

Will battle Texas A&M.

They were 10 and a half point favorite.

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Texas A&M against Houston.

Houston.

I think wins this game.

Texas A&M was surprisingly efficient.

I think Houston will be a solid play in this game.

I think they'll probably win the game double digits.

And then remember, home cooking for them in the regionals.

And they will be very, very dangerous.

Texas against Gonzaga.

Beware of Texas.

Do not be surprised.

Listen, Gonzaga deserves to be favored.

The six and a half point favor.

This is already put a couple in the bank.

Sean Miller's teams are always dangerous in the NCAA tournament.

The second team is playing better now than it did all year.

I would not be shocked if they stay in the game and cause a fuss.

But I think Gonzaga will find a way.

B-C-U-A.

They are a team that is quick.

We'll take a long range threes.

Is a dangerous, feisty team.

But Illinois is a rough matchup.

They're better at what B-C-U does.

B-C-U.

Illinois will like the pace.

They'll like the style of play.

And eventually they'll wear a B-C-U down.

8.45, the toss-up game.

4.5, number 5, Vanity.

Number 4 in Nebraska.

I think Vanity is the better team.

I think Nebraska is very dangerous.

They started off the season gangbusters.

They finished the season six and six.

They have to starting off with a big long winning streak.

They make a lot of threes.

They played very well as they won their first NCAA tournament game.

They're 1.5, 1.2, Vanity is a 1.5 point favorite.

A toss-up game.

You put a gun to my head, I think Vanity would win.

And then a high point.

Which were the darlings against Wisconsin.

And this is going to be a rock, I'm sock, I'm high score and a game.

Played as a fever pitch.

That's fine.

I love that.

You can't play that better than Arkansas right now.

They are led by a sensational performer and a lot of talent.

Arkansas will win.

I'm not saying Arkansas won't be sloppy.

I'm not saying they won't let high point get it back to a cover.

They might.

But I think Arkansas advances.

I'd be very surprised if they don't.

And gets a chance.

To play Arizona in game three.

So.

Michigan is 12 and a half point favorite.

Michigan state of 4 and a half point favorite.

Duke in 11 and a half point favorite.

Used in a 10 and a half point favorite.

Gonzaga a 6 and a half point favorite.

Illinois in 11 and a half point favorite.

Vanity will 1 and a half point favorite.

Now, one big storyline today.

I will say came out today and just flooded their opponent.

I mean, they were up 35 to 6.

They were up 40 of 39 to 9.

They went on to a rousing victory.

But Jefferson.

I don't know whether he will play.

And I don't know whether.

He will be ready for the Kentucky game.

He's their best all around player or.

Or there's a toss up between two guys.

But he's that important to the team.

The guy who fills up fills up all the stat lines, you know.

And he's a very important guy for them.

So that's a very big storyline going into Sunday.

I don't know yet.

What's up with him?

What do you miss all game?

Would he be back for the regional?

Will you try to go this weekend?

I just don't know.

Kentucky's going to have some guests in their tank.

After coming from behind with the miracle shot and then winning the game

and over time.

It was a big win for them.

Obviously a lot of the teams had a rousing wins.

And you got some interesting matchups coming up.

Very interesting matchups coming up.

On the weekend like.

As an example, Sunday games are so much more attractive like St. John's Kansas.

You see where you come.

Okay.

I mean, that's.

That's got some sizzle to it.

Utah state played well today, even them against Arizona.

Okay.

Interesting, interesting games from that standpoint.

And.

Kentucky Iowa states another one.

You know, you don't ever.

Even though it's been a tough year for Kentucky.

And they've had big injuries and losing their point card was an enormous loss.

But they're still Kentucky.

At any time you see that uniform, you know this town behind it.

Now, let me update you on the.

Miami has opened up 12.

So they're going to win.

Miami.

Is going to be Missouri.

And we'll play Purdue on the weekend.

You can't.

To show you.

This game is only only six points.

Which shows you.

Just how much trouble they are having today.

Against.

I mean, they are four for 21 from three.

They have been.

Firmen's gone to the foul line.

18 times.

They've gone to the foul line.

E times.

Other than their offensive rebounds and reads game who has 27.

Read has 27 points.

And you heard Danny say that read would take them as far as his team would go this year.

They have.

He has 27 points in 19 rebounds.

Including six offensive rebounds in this game.

This game is way harder than it should be for you.

And you kind continues to struggle.

And if you say it was a full strength.

And they're not.

But if they were.

They would be exceedingly dangerous.

And they might be anyway.

Even less than full strength because they're well coached.

And they have talent.

You kind of is really struggling right now.

And the way you cons looking.

They could fall to a UCLA.

They could they would be definitely really.

It will be hard for them to beat a Michigan state.

If Michigan state, which I expect to be standing there in the regional semifinal.

So they continue to have trouble.

And just not play well.

And just pounds up winning by eight.

Now, Kansas had a big lead.

When I came down, they were up 24.

So they blew the lead late.

And obviously, Daniels, one of the 25 points.

So he at least, you know, can hold his head high.

The little God.

Who isn't even 510.

So.

Kansas wins by eight.

I think it's going to be Kansas.

I do not in any way.

Ever look past Kansas.

You can't not with the kind of talent they have.

You have to take them deadly seriously.

But it's going to be a very interesting game on the weekend.

So.

We will see tomorrow after the eight games have played.

We have gone now.

From the field of 68 to the field of 64 to the field of 32.

And we will be at the sweet 16 by the time we.

Put a ribbon on this on Sunday night and start to look towards opening day,

which is.

Right around the corner.

Yankee fans, midfans were right around the corner.

Yankee's will be in San Francisco before you know it.

That's going to be home to the pirates.

So baseball is right around the corner.

We'll see you tomorrow.

Thanks for listening to the Mike Frances of podcast on the Bet Rivers Network.