The Oakland Grizzlies and Texas Longhorns kick start Friday's NCAA Tournament action as the two West Region squads square off at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tomorrow's game, which will be televised live on CBS, is scheduled to tip off at 12:15pm ET. College Basketball Lines like the Longhorns at -10 against the spread; Texas is also a -570 college basketball picks moneyline favorite. The game total in this 13 versus four matchup is presently set at 154.
Oakland reached its second NCAA Tournament last season, but it was promptly jettisoned by the Pittsburgh Panthers 
(66-89) in the first round. The Grizzlies face a similar power this evening in Texas, which it hopes to stun in route to a third round meeting with either Arizona or Memphis.
Oakland is certainly a battle tested squad, despite its relatively easy Summit League schedule. The Grizzlies faced West Virginia, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State, Tennesse, Michigan, and Ohio State before heading into conference play. While they won just one of those games (Tennessee 89-82), it is safe to assume that the Longhorns will not present anything, at least from a talent stand point, that the Grizzlies have not already seen.
Oakland (25-9, 17-1 conference) also comes into tomorrow's contest with a great deal of momentum, having won 18 of its last 19 games.
The Grizzlies have four players that average double figures in scoring, led by senior center Keith Benson's 18 points per game. Benson also averages 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per contest.
Texas comes into tomorrow's game with a 27-7 record after closing out the season on a 3-1 run. The Longhorns, which finished second to Kansas in the Big 12 standings with a 13-3 league record, beat Baylor 60-54 in the season finale before going on to thump Oklahoma and Texas A&M in the conference tournament.
Texas' Big 12 Tournament run ended with a 73-85 loss to the Jayhawks in the championship game. Jordan Hamilton, the Longhorns leading scorer (18.6), tallied 21 points and seven rebounds in the setback.
Texas, which is making its 13th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, has lost four times in its opening round game since 1999, including an 80-81 setback against Wake Forest in last year's first round.
Oakland vs Texas 2011 NCAA Bracket Picks:
Oakland Golden Grizzlies +10 (-110), Over 154 (-110), +455 (Moneyline)
Texas Longhorns -10 (-110), Under 154 (-110), -570 (Moneyline)
