Jim Feist

The 2025 NCAA Tournament’s South Regional Final brings a high-stakes clash between two powerhouse programs as the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans face off against the No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers on Sunday in Atlanta. Tip-off is set for 5:05 PM ET at State Farm Arena, and a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio is on the line. Michigan State Spartans (30-6) under Tom Izzo has once again led his Spartans deep into March, relying on a disciplined, defense-first approach. Michigan State has allowed just over 67 points per game this season while holding opponents to 40% shooting from the field. Offensively, they average 78 points per game, with solid ball movement and efficient perimeter play. Freshman guard Jase Richardson has emerged as a clutch performer, dropping 20 points in the Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss. Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard provide veteran leadership in the backcourt, while Malik Hall anchors the frontcourt with grit and experience. The Auburn Tigers (31-5) led by Bruce Pearl. The Tigers have ridden a high-octane offense to the brink of the Final Four. Auburn averages nearly 84 points per game, powered by a deep and athletic rotation. In their Sweet 16 comeback win over Michigan, the Tigers showed resilience behind Johni Broome’s 22 points and 16 rebounds. Guards Denver Jones and freshman sensation Tahaad Pettiford have given Auburn perimeter scoring punch, while their defense has held opponents to under 70 points per contest. Auburn also boasts one of the nation’s top shot-blocking teams, averaging six swats per game. Both teams are battle-tested. Michigan State thrives in gritty, close games, while Auburn can explode offensively in spurts. Whichever team dictates pace will hold the upper hand. Expect a physical, tightly contested battle with shifting momentum. Michigan State’s defense will slow Auburn’s tempo early, but the Tigers’ athleticism and depth may wear down the Spartans over 40 minutes. This looks to be a grind out game with every point being important. I'm taking the UNDER. 

The Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a competitive showdown between two clubs looking to establish early-season momentum. Both teams have shown flashes of potential and will be eager to close the series strong before turning the page to April. The Chicago Cubs have won three straight (2–3) after losing their first two games in Tokyo to the Dodgers. Arizona is 1–2. Chicago Cubs will start Matthew Boyd (LHP). Boyd enters the 2025 campaign following a solid 2024 season where he posted a 2.72 ERA and recorded 46 strikeouts. He’ll look to contain an Arizona offense that’s been swinging the bat well early on. Arizona will counter with Eduardo Rodríguez (LHP). Rodríguez brings veteran experience and aims to bounce back from a 5.04 ERA last season. His familiarity with the Cubs is limited, but he has the stuff to keep Chicago’s lineup in check when he’s on. Chicago Cubs Kyle Tucker (OF): The offseason acquisition has wasted no time making an impact, showcasing power and consistency at the plate. Ian Happ (LF): A cornerstone of the Cubs’ lineup, Happ is off to a steady start, batting .267 with one home run and four RBIs. Sunday’s matchup features two experienced left-handers, and the battle on the mound may come down to who can minimize damage against the heart of each lineup. I look for at least nine runs to be scored in this contest and as such I'm taking the OVER. 

The 2025 NCAA Tournament’s South Regional Final brings a high-stakes clash between two powerhouse programs as the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans face off against the No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers on Sunday in Atlanta. Tip-off is set for 5:05 PM ET at State Farm Arena, and a trip to the Final Four in San Antonio is on the line. Michigan State Spartans (30-6) under Tom Izzo has once again led his Spartans deep into March, relying on a disciplined, defense-first approach. Michigan State has allowed just over 67 points per game this season while holding opponents to 40% shooting from the field. Offensively, they average 78 points per game, with solid ball movement and efficient perimeter play. Freshman guard Jase Richardson has emerged as a clutch performer, dropping 20 points in the Sweet 16 win over Ole Miss. Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard provide veteran leadership in the backcourt, while Malik Hall anchors the frontcourt with grit and experience. The Auburn Tigers (31-5) led by Bruce Pearl. The Tigers have ridden a high-octane offense to the brink of the Final Four. Auburn averages nearly 84 points per game, powered by a deep and athletic rotation. In their Sweet 16 comeback win over Michigan, the Tigers showed resilience behind Johni Broome’s 22 points and 16 rebounds. Guards Denver Jones and freshman sensation Tahaad Pettiford have given Auburn perimeter scoring punch, while their defense has held opponents to under 70 points per contest. Auburn also boasts one of the nation’s top shot-blocking teams, averaging six swats per game. Both teams are battle-tested. Michigan State thrives in gritty, close games, while Auburn can explode offensively in spurts. Whichever team dictates pace will hold the upper hand. Expect a physical, tightly contested battle with shifting momentum. Michigan State’s defense will slow Auburn’s tempo early, but the Tigers’ athleticism and depth may wear down the Spartans over 40 minutes. I look for Michigan State to come in under the spread if not win outright. Play Michigan State. 

The New Orleans Pelicans (41–32) will welcome the Charlotte Hornets (19–54) in a cross-conference matchup that holds more weight for the home team. The Pelicans are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, looking to secure positioning in the top six and avoid the play-in. The Hornets, meanwhile, have long been eliminated from postseason contention and are shifting focus toward player development and lottery odds. New Orleans has been playing solid basketball over the past few weeks, winning six of their last eight games. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have led the charge, with Ingram playing with poise on the wing and Williamson dominating inside. Their defense has improved lately, holding opponents under 110 points in four of their last six games. Charlotte comes into this game having lost four straight. Injuries have decimated the roster, and their offensive consistency has been a major issue. Despite that, young players like Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr. have shown promise and are getting extended minutes in March. The Hornets injuries: LaMelo Ball remains out with an ankle injury. Mark Williams and Gordon Hayward are also unavailable, leaving Charlotte thin on both ends of the floor. The Pelicans have a clear edge in talent, depth, and motivation. They're solid at home and have one of the more physical frontcourts in the NBA, which should dominate a short-handed Hornets team lacking size and experience. New Orleans' ability to push the pace and get easy buckets in transition may overwhelm Charlotte early. Take the Pelicans here today as I look for a double digit New Orleans win!

The Midwest Region's Elite Eight matchup features the No. 2 seed Tennessee Volunteers (30–7) against the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (33–4). Both teams are renowned for their defensive prowess and disciplined playstyles, setting the stage for a highly competitive battle with a Final Four berth at stake. Tennessee Volunteers are 30–7 under Head Coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee secured their Elite Eight spot by defeating Kentucky 78–65, showcasing their defensive strength and balanced scoring. Houston is 33–4 under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston advanced by narrowly edging out Purdue 62–60, demonstrating resilience and clutch performance in critical moments. Houston allows 88.0 points per 100 possessions. Tennessee allows 89.3 points per 100 possessions. Houston averages 123.4 points per 100 possessions. Tennessee averages 121.1 points per 100 possessions. Pace of play: Houston 61.6 possessions per 40 minutes. Tennessee: 63.7 possessions per 40 minutes. Both teams exhibit elite defenses and methodical offensive approaches, often resulting in low-scoring, possession-controlled games. Tennessee Volunteers: Zakai Zeigler (Guard): Instrumental in the Sweet 16 victory over Kentucky with 18 points and 10 assists, Zeigler's playmaking and defensive tenacity are vital for Tennessee's success. Chaz Lanier (Guard): Contributed 17 points against Kentucky, providing a reliable scoring option from the perimeter. Felix Okpara (Center): Anchors the defense with shot-blocking ability and added 11 rebounds in the previous game, effectively controlling the paint. Houston Cougars: L.J. Cryer (Guard): Averaging 15.3 points per game, Cryer's scoring prowess and experience are crucial for Houston's offensive rhythm. Milos Uzan (Guard): Delivered a game-high 22 points, including the game-winning layup against Purdue, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure. Jamal Shead (Guard): Provides leadership and stability in the backcourt, facilitating the offense and contributing defensively. This Elite Eight clash is anticipated to be a defensive battle, with both teams excelling in limiting opponents' scoring opportunities. Houston's slight edge in offensive efficiency and superior three-point shooting (39.8%) could be pivotal. This looks to be a close game and slow pace. I'm taking UNDER as my Elite 8 Total of the Year. 

The Midwest Region's Elite Eight matchup features the No. 2 seed Tennessee Volunteers (30–7) against the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (33–4). Both teams are renowned for their defensive prowess and disciplined playstyles, setting the stage for a highly competitive battle with a Final Four berth at stake. Tennessee Volunteers are 30–7 under Head Coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee secured their Elite Eight spot by defeating Kentucky 78–65, showcasing their defensive strength and balanced scoring. Houston is 33–4 under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson. Houston advanced by narrowly edging out Purdue 62–60, demonstrating resilience and clutch performance in critical moments. Houston allows 88.0 points per 100 possessions. Tennessee allows 89.3 points per 100 possessions. Houston averages 123.4 points per 100 possessions. Tennessee averages 121.1 points per 100 possessions. Pace of play: Houston 61.6 possessions per 40 minutes. Tennessee: 63.7 possessions per 40 minutes. Both teams exhibit elite defenses and methodical offensive approaches, often resulting in low-scoring, possession-controlled games. Tennessee Volunteers:Zakai Zeigler (Guard): Instrumental in the Sweet 16 victory over Kentucky with 18 points and 10 assists, Zeigler's playmaking and defensive tenacity are vital for Tennessee's success. Chaz Lanier (Guard): Contributed 17 points against Kentucky, providing a reliable scoring option from the perimeter. Felix Okpara (Center): Anchors the defense with shot-blocking ability and added 11 rebounds in the previous game, effectively controlling the paint. Houston Cougars: L.J. Cryer (Guard): Averaging 15.3 points per game, Cryer's scoring prowess and experience are crucial for Houston's offensive rhythm. Milos Uzan (Guard): Delivered a game-high 22 points, including the game-winning layup against Purdue, showcasing his clutch performance under pressure. Jamal Shead (Guard): Provides leadership and stability in the backcourt, facilitating the offense and contributing defensively. This Elite Eight clash is anticipated to be a defensive battle, with both teams excelling in limiting opponents' scoring opportunities. Houston's slight edge in offensive efficiency and superior three-point shooting (39.8%) could be pivotal. I'm taking Houston on the Money Line here on Sunday.  

The Houston Rockets (48–26) visit the Phoenix Suns (35–39) in a Western Conference matchup. Houston aims to extend their four-game road winning streak and solidify their position near the top of the conference standings. Phoenix, currently 11th in the West, seeks a crucial victory to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Rockets have won nine of their last ten games, including a 121–110 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Suns are on a two-game losing streak, with recent defeats to the Boston Celtics (132–102) and Minnesota Timberwolves (124–109). Kevin Durant scored 23 points in the loss to Minnesota. Offense: Houston averages 113.7 points per game, shooting 45.1% from the field. Phoenix averages 114.4 points per game, shooting 48.0% from the field. Defense: Houston allows 109.1 points per game, ranking 5th in the league. Phoenix allows 115.9 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league. Houston: Leads the NBA with 48.6 rebounds per game. Houston's top-ranked rebounding and strong defense present challenges for Phoenix. The Suns will rely on Durant and Booker to counter the Rockets' interior strength. Phoenix's recent defensive struggles and Houston's momentum have the Rockets as my play here on Sunday.