During the NCAA Tournament, we will be running some picks from a variety of Guest Selectors, some former players, some business owners, some entertainment personalities, etc.:
>>> KEITH MORRIS
(Former La Salle Player)
> Temple (+3.5) over Belmont
The Owls are playing for Dunph. Enough said! . . . But we’ll say more anyway. Temple will control the tempo. The Owls are not going to get into an up-and-down game with this Belmont team. If they can handle Belmont’s pressure and limit their turnovers, they win the game outright.
>>> SEAN LYNN
(Manager Splitz Bar N Grill/Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade, N.J.)
> Temple (+3.5) over Belmont
Belmont is 2-5 against the spread in its last seven NCAA Tournament games. The Owls are 7-1 ATS in games following a loss this season.
>>> KEVIN CALLAHAN
(Former Sports Journalist)
> Temple (+3.5) over Belmont
Of course, Fran Dunphy is a sentimental favorite as an all-time great guy and coach in his final season on the Owls’ bench, but Belmont also has a feel-good flair with coach Rick Byrd in his 33rd season at the school and 38th season overall while topping the 800-win mark this season in search of the school's first NCAA Tournament win. However, emotion aside, Temple certainly can win this game outright as the Owls are more tourney-ready having faced a tougher schedule than Belmont, so taking the points is icing.
>>> RAY KOOB
(Radio Personality)
> Temple (+3.5) over Belmont
The Owls have been playing better down the stretch, winning six of their last eight, including a victory over Connecticut. Temple rallies to extend Coach Dunphy's career!
>>> BRUCE LEFKOWITZ
(Former Penn Player)
> FDU (-2) over Prairie View A&M
East Coast bias and a wife who was a three-time captain at FDU aside (mostly), the Knights are experienced and can shoot the ball. Lay the wood.
> Belmont (-3.5) over Temple
The battle of Head vs. Heart. How can you not pick the Owls in Dunph’s last go round ? I’ll be rooting that way, But Belmont is for real and I am not sure Temple can score the ball effectively enough. It’s going to be right on the number, but Belmont covers.
>>> BILL RUSHTON
(co-owner Hide Tides Restautant, Bensalem, Pa.)
> Belmont (-3.5) over Temple
Dunphy almost never covers in the tourney and this will be no different. Besides, the kid of my business partner at Allstates Bonding is a sophomore at Belmont. Go Bruins!