STILL # 1

Yeah, we want to give away more FREE Distant Replays Branded shirts every week, and if you want to win, you’re going to have to brush up on your College Basketball.  Of course I’ll be here each week to guide you along with my own expertise and college basketball knowledge (or lack thereof!), as this contest will have all to do with picking weekly winners in college basketball games.

The contest will work like this:

1) Every Monday, I will post my 5 top college basketball games of the week and give you my predicted winners and why (FYI – Distant Replays will offer 25% off all DR Branded gear for those teams for a full week!  ENTER CODE DRGOW @ CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT THIS WEEK STARTING AFTER 5PM EASTERN TIME TONIGHT BEFORE GEORGETOWN & PITT TIP-OFF!!!)

2) You will e-mail your picks to me (andyphyman@gmail.com) for the same games (no point spreads; straight up wins & losses) no later than the following day by 3pm eastern standard time - NEED BEFORE 7PM TONIGHT FOR THIS WEEK ONLY!!

3) Each Monday I will announce which person e-mailed the most winners for the weeks picks, and that person will win a FREE Distant Replays Branded shirt of their choice! In the event of a tie, all of the entries will be entered into a drawing to determine a winner.

FOR REAL

IT’S THAT SIMPLE!!!  We’ll run this contest right up until the opening round of games for March Madness (March 16, 2010) before we bust out a new & improved version of the contest for that whole shabang!!  Let’s get on with it, shall we?  Here are your first 5 games:

Game 1: # 14 Georgetown vs. # 11 PITT- The Hoyas come off a valiant comeback that fell short against Big East beast Villanova this past weekend.  Meanwhile, the Panthers keep pace with the Cats, and remain undefeated in the Big East with a huge overtime win over Louisville.  Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs is starting to blossom, and will lead Pitt to victory at home tonight.  PITT – 75, GEORGETOWN – 72.

Game 2: # 25 Baylor vs. # 3 Kansas – The Jayhawks host an upstart Baylor Bears squad who are in the thick of the Big 12 conversation.  Junior guard LaceDarius  Dunn (3rd leading scorer in Big 12)  has led the Bears to a 14-2 record averaging 19 points a game.  Kansas rebounded strong after their stunning loss to a depleted Tennessee squad, with convincing wins over Nebraska and Texas Tech, and will continue with a win at home tonight. KANSAS – 82, BAYLOR – 77.

ON A ROLL

Game 3: # 7 Duke vs. NC State – The Blue Devils guard tandem of  Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith have been unstoppable of late, leading Duke to victories of 19 points or more in their last 8 victories.  The Wolfpack roared back and showed heart in latest game against Clemson, but the backcourt continues to lack the leadership needed to compete at the top in the ACC. Duke wins by 20 again. DUKE – 92, NCSTATE – 72.

Game 4: # 1 Texas vs. # 21 UCONN – Along with Dexter Pittman, senior Damion James has flat out dominated, leading the formidable frontcourt tandem in scoring and rebounding for the Longhorns.  Texas remained undefeated by fending off in-state rival Texas A& M in OT this past weekend, but were finally beaten by Kansas Sate on Monday.  What happened to the Huskies?  After dropping their 3rd straight to a mediocre Michigan squad (first 3 loss string since 2006), they fall into the “what the heck is going on?” category with the North Carolina Tarheels.  Knocking off Texas will be a tall order, but they will have home court advantage and a “do or die” mentality.  Not enough come Saturday.  TEXAS – 84, UCONN – 78.

BEAT GT AGAIN? NO.

Game 5: FSU vs. # 18 Georgia Tech – Which Yellow Jacket team will show up this Sunday?  The team that beat DUKE & North Carolina (@ Dean Center) in the past two weeks, and a tough Clemson team last night, or the team that got beat by bitter rival Georgia, and the surprising Virginia Cavaliers?   FSU had been rolling before back-to-back losses to Maryland & NCState, and did bounce back with a win over Virginia Tech. GT likes to spread the ball to all (witness starting 5 all averaging at least 10 points per game), and swarms on defense.  Lest I forget to mention the Seminoles knocked out these Jackets in Georgia in OT, right before Christmas.  The Yellow Jackets will return the favor.  GEORGIA TECH 75 – FLORIDA STATE – 69.

So there you have it folks.  My 5 picks for this week.  Wanna win a FREE Distant Replays Branded shirt? Then again, e-mail your winners to me (andyphyman@gmail.com), enjoy the action, and check back next Monday to see how you did.  Remember, whoever picks the most winners wins a FREE Distant Replays Branded t-shirt (all ties will go to a drawing).  Be sure to follow the action on our Facebook Fanpage and Twitter.  GOOD LUCK!!!