LITTLE ROCK — Playing catch-up in a season-long college football pick ‘em contest, there is empathy for every basketball coach up against a double-digit deficit and a time crunch.
Their dilemma is when to dump the game plan and take some chances, hoping for turnovers or missed free throws or both. In the world of online picking, where months of fun and frustration can be had for a $10 entry fee, the parallel is when to abandon the conservative, season-long strategy and try to stab some underdogs.
As much as I work to avoid favorites at Oaklawn Park, they are the backbone of my selections in the five games per week contest.