NBA Southwest Division Game of the Month. My selection is on Houston minus the points over San Antonio at 8:05 pm et on Friday.

With the Spurs having won nine of their last 10 games overall this one will be pegged as a showdown between two of the West's best teams on Friday night. Keep in mind, San Antonio has played eight of its last 10 contests at home. The Spurs are just 13-22 on the road this season, where they rank a miserable 28th in the league in defensive rating. The Rockets are coming off a tough overtime loss in Memphis two nights ago, but had gone a perfect 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS over their previous three games. This hasn't been a favorable matchup for the Spurs in Houston, with the Rockets winning their last three meetings on this floor by 15, 16 and 7 points. Take Houston (10*).

NCAAB Blowout Game of the Month. My selection is on Kansas State minus the points over Cal-Irvine at 2 pm et on Friday.

I'll lay the points with the Wildcats on Friday afternoon. Cal-Irvine has become a trendy upset pick here in round one of the NCAA Tournament, largely due to an injury to Dean Wade of Kansas State. The fact is, that Wade injury has essentially been common knowledge since before this line was released. In other words, it has already been factored into the pointspread, which I believe is simply too short. It's easy to forget that Kansas State went on a serious run in this tournament last year, winning three games before bowing out to Cinderella team Loyola-Chicago. Most of the players from that Wildcats squad are back this year and I believe they come in with a chip on their shoulder after bowing out of the Big 12 Tournament at the hands of Iowa State last weekend. The Wildcats have lost only three games since the start of February with two of those coming against Iowa State and the other against Kansas. Cal-Irvine hasn't lost since January 16th but has it really been tested? The Anteaters are without a doubt a formidable opponent but I like Kansas State to ultimately pull away for the win and cover. Take Kansas State (10*).

My selection is on Cincinnati minus the points over Iowa at 12:15 pm et on Friday.

I believe Cincinnati is a vastly underrated commodity entering this tournament. Yes, the Bearcats have limped to a 14-20 ATS mark this season but they got themselves on a nice run in the AAC Tournament, culminating with an upset win over Houston in the final. Cincinnati checks in having delivered the cash in two of its last three contests. Iowa has just one win to its credit over its last six games and that came against an awful Illinois squad. The Illini's only other win over their last eight games came by way of overtime at home against another non-NCAA Tournament team in Indiana. As bad as the Bearcats have been ATS this season, the Hawkeyes have been even worse, going 13-20 ATS. Look for Mick Cronin's Bearcats to perform above expectations in their first game of the tournament. Take Cincinnati (10*).