Hello, friends. *extremely Jim Nance voice* I am Blakey Locks and I will be your guide this March. Every round I am going to traverse you through the trials and tribulations of betting your mortgage on 18-year-olds playing basketball. From Duke to Seton Hall to Gardner Webb, I will give you the knowledge necessary to conquer your bookie and feed your children. We will win together, lose together and laugh together. Let’s ride.

NCAA Tournament Record- (32-28)

Elite Eight- Saturday 3/30

Another 1-3 day yesterday. The Sweet Sixteen was a round to forget for sure but we have seven games left in the tournament and are still rocking a positive record. If the Elite Eight goes as planned then we can sit back and enjoy the Final Four with a guaranteed winning record. I am still riding UVA and Auburn (40/1) tickets in the bracket so despite my individual game bets those are my squads the rest of the way (along with whoever is playing Duke obviously). Let’s have a slight 2-0 night and get back on track.

All lines as of 5:00 PM EST via BetOnline

6:09 PM on TBS- (3) Texas Tech vs. (1) Gonzaga (-4.5) o/u 139.5

The unstoppable force (Gonzaga offense) meets the immovable object (Texas Tech defense) in the first game of the Elite Eight. Gonzaga has covered all three of their games so far and is now the betting favorite to win the whole damn thing. Normally I always go with offense in the tournament over defense but Texas Tech has been wildly impressive in the tournament so far. I think they are ready to reach the Final Four.

The Pick: Texas Tech +4.5

Bonus Pick: o139.5

8:49 PM on TBS- (3) Purdue vs. (1) Virginia (-4) o/u 127

Ryan Cline set the world on fire and stifled the monstrous Vawls comeback in the Sweet 16. Purdue is now poised to get another upset against 1-seed UVA tonight. The Hoos have embodied “survive and advance” so far in this tournament. They almost blew it against Oregon and their sharpshooter Kyle Guy has been anything but sharp. Purdue has been dominant so far and has wildly impressed me. Matt Painter is always locked in on the sidelines and they just seem to have some magic to them.

The Pick: Purdue +4.5 (buy the hook)

Super Bonus Florida Derby Pick: 6:00 post time- Bourbon War to win 

I have a good feeling here. Let’s get this 2-0.