Hidden Gem of the Day: Missouri Hosting Old Dominion

To the best of my knowledge, tonight's ODU @  Mizzou game isn't going to be televised, but I am really intrigued to see how this one unfolds.  Old Dominion is a good ball club, one I expect to make the tourney, however I think Mizzou is a disastrous matchup for teams without sparkling point guard play and either 1. athleticism to keep up with the breakneck Tigers, or 2) Incredible discipline to slow down and squeeze the life out of the game.

ODU's best shot is #2, however I don't think it's going to be enough.  Missouri is the best team in the country no one is talking about, with their only blemish an overtime defeat to Georgetown.  If for no reason other than the pace they play they create interesting matchups and contrasting styles.  This year's ODU team is very similar to last year's squad that knocked off Notre Dame in Round One, and much more built to slug it out with the more rugged BEast schools than the uber-quick uptempo squads.

MANIACS PICK:  Missouri -8.5