In the big game of the day on Streak for the Cash, I think the Louisville Cardinals will have plenty to celebrate as they win the NCAA National Championship over the Michigan Wolverines. Find the rest of my free sports picks below. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a limited, but intriguing Monday slate on Streak for the Cash as everything builds up to the big game tonight. There’s a straight-up pick for the NCAA Tournament Finals between Louisville and Michigan as well as props for both halves. Earlier in the day, there’s options on the board from the NHL, MLB, EPL, and even the RPL (Russian Premier League) to get us started. Here’s the picks I’m taking today:

4/8 Streak Picks

11:00- Mordovia Saransk Win/Draw: In this Russian Premier League match, Krasodar which sits mid-table takes on Mordovia Saransk who sits 15th out of the 16 teams in the league. However, getting the draw Mordovia is a solid pick since homefield is such an advantage in the RPL. Krasnodar is just 1-3-6 away from home meaning only once did they get an outright win while Mordovia has gotten at least a draw in four of their 11 home matches. They’ve actually won two of their last three matches and haven’t lost outright at home since before the Winter break all the way back on November 18. Confidence Meter: 4

Apr 7, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (center) is congratulated by his teammates in the dugout after hitting his second home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

2:05- Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox get their home schedule off to what could be a difficult start as they host their divisional rival Baltimore Orioles. They’ll send Clay Buchholz to the hill looking to build on a good first start of the season against the Yankees as he tries to extend his mastery of the O’s. Throughout his career, Buchholz has a 2.04 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore at Fenway while going 3-1. He threw a no-hitter against them back in 2007 in his second career start and they haven’t done much to solve him since. The O’s will counter the Buchh start by sending Wei-Yin Chen to the mound for his second start of the year. He allowed a pair of runs in 5 2/3 innings in Tampa his first time out, but last year was 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA against the Red Sox in his final two appearances against them. This Red Sox team is a far cry from last year’s for many reasons, and their lineup has some punch as they showed last night. I think they’ll use the energy from the crowd who should be fired up and energized after last year’s mishap. Baltimore dominated the season series last year, but its hard to know if that’s even a factor with this new crew. Confidence Meter: 6

3:00- Manchester United Win: Pretty simple analysis here-Man U is 14-0-1 at home this EPL season while Man City is 7-5-3 on the road. Add in that United triumphed at City’s home pitch earlier this season and you’ve got all the reasons you need to go with the Red Devils. It’s no lock since City is an excellent team, but I think United has the better chance of winning. Confidence Meter: 5

4:10- Minnesota Twins: The Twins and Royals start their series in the Royals home opener as the two teams showcase their offseason additions. Ervin Santana didn’t look good in his loss to the White Sox struggling with the same issues that plagued him last year before he signed with the Royals. In contrast, Kevin Correia looked solid allowing just two runs in seven innings against Detroit. The Twins are coming in having taken the last two of their series from Baltimore. The Royals are home and slightly favored, but I don’t trust Santana so I’m taking the Twins. Confidence Meter: 3

7:04- New York Mets: Speaking of not trustin the starter, Roy Halladay was crushed his first time out allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings in an uncharacteristic outing for the former-ace. Halladay gets the start tonight against the visiting Mets as the Phillies look to get a series win after losing two of three to the Braves and Royals to start the season. The Mets have won two of three as they’ve opened, albeit against the lowly Padres and Marlins. Matt Harvey will look to build on his impressive first outing of the season in which he struck out 10 while throwing seven scoreless innings. Harvey is making just his 12th career start, but I’ll take him on the upswing and the Mets at 4-2 over Halladay apparently starting the downturn in his great career and the Phillies at 2-4. Confidence Meter: 4

Apr 4, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (21) and defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) react to a goal as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen (44) watches at the Air Canada Centre. Philadelphia defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

7:06- Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto has taken four of their last five as they start a big home-and-home with the Rangers. Both teams are playing well and getting good goaltender play. The Leafs get the nod here since they’re 10-7-2 at home while the Rangers are just 7-9-2 on the road. This should be some good playoff-level hockey to enjoy in the runup to the marquee matchup tonight. Confidence Meter: 3

9:23- Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals were my pick at the beginning of the tournament and I’m sticking with them now. Their starters won’t have another off night like that, and their pressure defense should give Michigan problems much like the Orange did in the last game. I think the Cardinals win cover the 3 1/2 point spread and win by 8-10 getting Rick Pitino another Championship. Confidence Meter: 7

Apr 6, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Russ Smith (2) lays the ball up past the defense of Wichita State Shockers guard Ron Baker (31) in the second half of the semifinals during the 2013 NCAA mens Final Four at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

9:24- Russ Smith or Tie: With the exception of last game, Smith has been light’s out in the tournament. He struggled from the field against Wichita State but still managed to put up 21. Trey Burke also struggled last game and finished with only seven against the Orange. I think both have bounce-back games, but I’ll take Smith especially getting the tie in this first-half point prop. Confidence Meter: 6

10:25- 69 Points or Fewer: This could be close and any second half over/under is based largely on gameflow. I don’t think either team goes off since both play solid defense and I’d take the under overall. I’ll make this my pick and let you know on twitter (@FantasyCPR) if it changes. Confidence Meter: 2

Streak Scoreboard-April

Yesterday’s Picks: 9-6

Picks Overall this month: 68-45

Confident Picks (over 5): 15-13

Personal Streak: W1 (Sabres)

The Syracuse Orange led by guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) and forward James Southerland (back) already defeated one Big East opponent as they knocked off Marquette in the Elite Eight. Can they make it an all-Big East final as they face the Michigan Wolverines in today’s second Final Four game? Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The later game at the Final Four, and the one getting most of the pre-game hype, features two #4 seeds facing off for the first time since the tournament expanded to the current format. Syracuse and Michigan are both teams from power conferences that have had great seasons, but only one will move on to face the winner of the Louisville-Wichita State game (click here for my analysis of that game).

This shapes up to be an intriguing matchup between two teams with plenty of similarities but also some striking differences. The major difference isn’t in the skill level or the pedigree of the players but in the makeup of the rosters. Syracuse’s guards tend to be bigger and longer to make the famed Orange zone most effective. Michigan, on the other hand, has quick scorers who can light up the scoreboard.

Apr 5, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (right) is presented with the Oscar Robertson trophy during the USBWA player of the year press conference at the Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. have handled the Havoc of VCU and demolished the Florida press in their last game, but they haven’t seen this zone yet. The effectiveness of the Orange zone can be seen on almost every possession, and it translates to some pretty impressive numbers too. They’ve only 45.8 points per game in the tournament and head Montana, Indiana, and Marquette to season-lows in scoring. Cuse has held their opponents to just 29% from the field and has shown the ability to stretch to cover three-pointers as well holding opponents to 14-91 for 15%.

Syracuse will need their defense to shut down the high-scoring offense of Michigan that averaged over 75 points a game this year and has been over 70 in every game in the tournament. Michigan’s offense has been bolstered in their tournament run by the emergence of Mitch McGary as a scoring threat and the three-point assault of Nik Stauskas.

Mar 30, 2013; Washington, D.C., USA; Syracuse Orange guard Michael Carter-Williams (1) dribbles as Marquette Golden Eagles guard Todd Mayo (4) defends during the second half of the finals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Both teams have multiple weapons on offense and any number of players could end up being the difference. One to watch for sure is the Orange’s James Southerland. Southerland is the best long-range shooter for the ‘Cuse and had his best shooting game against Marquette in the last round. He’s the Orange player who will need to score if the Wolverines start dropping treys. Another emerging Syracuse player to watch is Michael Carter-Williams who has played extremely well throughout the tournament and could have a huge game since the Wolverines guards could  struggle to defend his length and quickness.

Michigan can win this game if they can turn it into a high-scoring affair and if Stauskas can stroke the three like he did against Florida. Vegas has the Wolverines as two-point favorites, but I think the Orange are on enough of a roll to get past Michigan and get a rematch with Lousville for the National Title on Monday night.

It will be a great game to watch, but I see the ‘Cuse zone containing the Wolverines and James Southerland providing the offense to keep it close. Ultimately, I think a play or two coming down the stretch make the difference. Give me the Orange in a close one.

Pick: Syracuse Orange-60, Michigan Wolverines 57