The Bum's 2016 NCAA Basketball News-Trends-Picks !

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday's NCAA Tournament first round betting preview: South Region
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Every year you see a 12-5 upset, and to have that 12 seed, we know the history behind it. There's nothing but excitement from us, because we know what we can do."

(13) Winthrop Eagles vs (4) Butler Bulldogs (-11, 145)

Game to be played at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Butler, which earned its ninth NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years Sunday, became the gold standard for mid-majors under Brad Stevens and now Big East Coach of the Year Chris Holtmann. However, the Bulldogs look to snap a modest two-game losing streak and make amends from a quick exit in the Big East Tournament when the fourth seed in the South Region opens NCAA Tournament play Thursday in Milwaukee against 13th-seeded Winthrop in the first round.

With a second-place finish in the talented Big East and a season sweep of overall No. 1 Villanova, Butler is certainly capable of making a long run in this year’s tournament. However, after bouncing back from losing three of four to win four straight down the stretch, the Bulldogs dropped the regular-season finale at home 70-64 to Seton Hall before scoring a season-low 57 points in a five-point loss to Xavier on Thursday in the first round of the conference tournament. In a tournament where the No. 4 pick is always in danger of getting upset in the first round, the Bulldogs will take Winthrop and 5-7 senior star Keon Johnson very serious. After winning the Big South regular-season championship, the Golden Eagles claimed their 11th Big South title with their eighth straight victory, 76-59 victory over Campbell on March 4 behind 26 points from Johnson and 17 points and 14 rebounds from 6-8 Xavier Cooks to earn their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Butler opened as 11-point favorites and, as of Wednesday night, the spread has yet to move. The total opened at 143 and spiked up to 145.5.

ABOUT BUTLER (23-8 SU, 3-4-1 ATS, 6-2 O/U): Despite a midseason slump, 6-7 junior Kelan Martin led the team in scoring at 16.1 points, shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 34.9 percent from the arc. Senior forward Andrew Chrabascz is the leader of the team on the floor and averages 11 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Freshman guard Kamar Baldwin (10 points per game, team high 55 steals) is a budding star and gets help in a deep backcourt from senior transfers Avery Woodson (8.6 points, team-high 65 3-pointers), Kethan Savage (8.1 points) and Tyler Lewis (6.4 points, 3.9 assists).

ABOUT WINTHROP (26-6 SU, 17-12 ATS, 14-13-2 O/U): The Eagles, who went 15-3 in the Big South, are led by Johnson, the Big South Conference Tournament MVP who leads the team in scoring at 22.5 points, while draining 99 3-pointers at 40.4 percent and making 171 free throws at 86.8 percent from the line. Cooks, a junior forward who had a double-double in all three tournament games (19.7 points, 13 rebounds per contest), adds 16.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1. 8 blocks. Junior guard Anders Broman (8.3 points) and senior forward Roderick Perkins (7.5 points) complement Johnson from the arc, combining for 112 made 3-pointers.

TRENDS:

* Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Bulldogs are 20-5-2 ATS in their last 27 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 14-3 in Eagles last 17 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 4-0-2 in Bulldogs last 6 neutral site games as a favorite.




(12) Middle Tennessee St. Blue Raiders vs (5) Minnesota Golden Gophers (+1, 135.5)

Game to be played at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Middle Tennessee sprung the upset of the 2016 NCAA Tournament by upending perennial power Michigan State in a first round 2-versus-15-seed matchup. The Blue Raiders are back in the Big Dance again – this time as a 12 seed – after winning the Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles and will open against another Big Ten foe, fifth-seeded Minnesota, in a first-round South Region matchup Thursday in Milwaukee.

Despite a 27-4 regular season, which included a 17-1 Conference USA mark, Middle Tennessee wasn’t a sure-fire NCAA tourney lock, but it eliminated any doubt by posting three double-digit victories in three days to win the conference tourney last week in Birmingham. “We’re excited,” senior forward Reggie Upshaw said in school news release Sunday. “Every year you see a 12-5 upset, and to have that 12 seed, we know the history behind it. There's nothing but excitement from us, because we know what we can do when we get into the national spotlight in the NCAA Tournament.” There’s also palpable excitement in the Twin Cities as the Golden Gophers completed the best win-total turnaround (plus-16) in the Division I ranks this season and punching its first Big Dance ticket in four years. Minnesota’s first round win over UCLA in 2013 officially is the school’s only NCAA Tournament in the last 20 years as the Golden Gophers’ 1997 run to the Final Four has been wiped off the books due to NCAA violations.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Minnesota opened betting as 1-point favorites but by Wednesday morning that line has jumped the fence to Middle Tennessee St. -1. The total hit the betting board at 137 and dropped 135.5 by Wednesday night.

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (30-4 SU, 23-10 ATS, 13-20 O/U): The Blue Raiders went 2-0 against their only major-conference foes (Vanderbilt and Ole Miss) as part of a 10-1 start and finished the regular season with their first-ever appearance in the national rankings at No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches’ poll. Coach Kermit Davis’ squad features four upperclassmen starters, including leading scorers JaCorey Williams (17.3 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds per game as the Conference USA Player of the Year), Giddy Potts (15.8) and Upshaw (14.5). On the other end of the court, Middle Tennessee is renowned for its 1-3-1 trapping defense which limited opponents to an average of 63.3 points and forced 13.5 turnovers per contest.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (24-9 SU, 19-12 ATS, 18-13 O/U): Coach Richard Pitino is making his first NCAA tourney appearance in his fourth year with the Gophers and fifth as a Division I head coach overall. Pitino has a young team with five underclassmen and three juniors comprising the top eight of his rotation after senior Akeem Springs’ season-ending Achilles-tendon tear in Friday’s Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan State. Point guard Nate Mason (15.5 points), guard Amir Coffey (12.1), forward Jordan Murphy (11.2, team-leading 8.8 rebounds) and guard Dupree McBrayer (10.9) are averaging double figures while 6-10 center Reggie Lynch, the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 8.4 points and 6.2 boards and set a single-season program record with 111 blocks so far.

TRENDS:

* Blue Raiders are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Golden Gophers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Under is 9-2 in Blue Raiders last 11 non-conference games.
* Over is 8-2 in Golden Gophers last 10 overall.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday's NCAA Tournament first round betting preview: West Region
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite some outside lobbying for ACC Tournament champ Duke and Pac-12 Tournament champ Arizona, Gonzaga garnered a No. 1 seed for the second time in school history.

(12) Princeton Tigers vs (4) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-6.5, 134)

Game to be played at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York

Notre Dame junior power forward Bonzie Colson did his best to turn his attention from his team's ACC tournament final loss and ahead to the NCAA Tournament. With consecutive Elite Eight appearances in their rear-view mirror, the fifth-seeded Fighting Irish look to get back on track in the West Region in Buffalo, N.Y. on Thursday when they face an Ivy League champion Princeton team that has won 19 in a row.

"We have a whole new season to go," Colson said after his 29-point, nine-rebound performance in a 75-69 loss to Duke on Saturday. "We have an opportunity to cut down some nets and we're staying together and we're excited about what we have upcoming for us. You've got to move on quick. It's the nature of the game." While Notre Dame fell for just the second time in 10 contests, Princeton remained on its torrid stretch with a 71-59 victory over Yale on Sunday in the inaugural Ivy League tournament. "I'm so proud of the team," coach Mitch Henderson said of the Tigers, who are headed to their 25th NCAA Tournament appearance - and first since 2011. "I'm so happy to be their coach. And we're thrilled to be representing the league in the NCAA Tournament."

TV: 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Notre Dame opened as 7-point favorites over Ivy League champions Princeton and that line has come down slightly to 6.5. The total hit the betting board at 133.5 and has been bet up to 134.

ABOUT PRINCETON (23-6 SU, 12-10-1 ATS, 9-13-1 OU): Myles Stephens, who averaged 12.2 points per game this season, set a career high with 21 in the semifinals before besting that total by netting 23 in the Ivy League final to be named the tournament MVP. Fellow sophomore guard Devin Cannady (13.7 ppg) joins senior forward Steven Cook (13.6) and Ivy League Player of the Year Spencer Weisz (10.5, 5.4 rpg, 4.0 apg) to lead a balanced scoring attack. "The way we're playing right now, I think it's hard to stop us," Cook said. "If we keep playing consistent on the offensive and the defensive end, ... we can be trouble."

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (25-9 SU, 18-9-1, 14-13-1 OU): Standing just 6-foot-5, Colson (17.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg) led the conference in double-doubles for points and rebounds with 18 to land a spot on the all-ACC first team. Colson finished third for Player of the Year honors and teammate Matt Farrell (14.2 ppg, 5.5 apg) also ended up third for Most Improved Player while joining V.J. Beachem (15.0 ppg) and Steve Vasturia (13.3) as honorable mentions following the first, second and third teams. While Beachem and Farrell enjoyed strong seasons, both misfired against the Blue Devils by shooting 1-for-6 from 3-point range and the team went 6-for-25 from beyond the arc in the loss.

TRENDS:

* Tigers are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
* Fighting Irish are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as a favorite.
* Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Under is 12-2 in Fighting Irish last 14 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.




(16) South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs (1) Gonzaga Bulldogs (-22, 153)

Game to be played at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Despite some outside lobbying for ACC Tournament champ Duke and Pac-12 Tournament champ Arizona, Gonzaga garnered a No. 1 seed for the second time in school history. The West Coast Conference champion Bulldogs, who earned the top spot in the West Regional, will face Summit League Tournament champion South Dakota State, the 16th seed, on Thursday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

Gonzaga rolled to a NCAA-best 32-1 record and smashed Saint Mary's 74-56 in the WCC tourney championship game March 7 in Las Vegas, but a regular season-ending 79-71 home loss to BYU had some naysayers dropping the Bulldogs to a No. 2 seed. Gonzaga was ranked No. 1 in the nation for four straight weeks before the loss to the Cougars and aren't lacking for confidence after winning their three WCC tourney games by an average of 19.7 points. "There's no doubt in any of our minds that we can win the entire tournament," junior guard Nigel Williams-Goss said. "It's not going to be easy, and we'll have to meet a lot of challenges." South Dakota State, which began the year 1-6 and won the Summit League Tournament as a No. 4 seed with a 79-77 victory over Omaha in the championship game, doesn't figure to be one of those challenges, although junior swingman Reed Tellinghuisen put up this tweet Sunday: "History happens ... why not us?"

TV: 2 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Gonzaga opened as monster 23-point favorites over South Dakota State but that line has inched down a full point to 22. The total hit the betting board at 153 and hasn’t moved off that number.

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (18-16 SU, 14-16-1 ATS, 19-12 OU): The Jackrabbits, under first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger, will be making their fourth NCAA tourney appearance in six years thanks in great part to 6-9, 245-pound sophomore forward Mike Daum, the Summit League's Player of the Year and the MVP of the conference tourney for the second straight year. Daum, who had 37 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game win over Omaha, leads the team in scoring (25.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.2) and has connected on 77-of-185 3-pointers (41.6 percent). The 6-7 Tellinghuisen is the only other Jackrabbit averaging in double figures (11.9) but also can stroke it from 3-point range, connecting on 73-of-212 attempts behind the arc.

ABOUT GONZAGA (32-1 SU, 22-7-1 ATS, 15-15 OU): Williams-Goss, a lanky 6-3 transfer from Washington, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the WCC tourney after scoring 22 points to go along with six rebounds, six assists and six steals in the title-game win over the Gaels. He also captured WCC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors after leading the team in scoring (16.9), assists (4.8), steals (1.8) and free-throw accuracy (91.0 percent), the latter which also ranks him 10th nationally. Przemek Karnowski,a burly 7-foot senior center, is second on the team in scoring (12.6) while also shooting 60.1 percent from the field while 6-9 Missouri transfer Johnathan Williams III led the team in rebounding (6.5) to go along with 10.2 points per game and was also a first team All-WCC pick with Williams-Goss and Karnowski. Two other Bulldogs average in double figures: Senior guard Jordan Mathews (10.4 points) and multi-skilled 7-foot freshman forward Zach Collins (10.2), considered a likely first-round NBA pick.

TRENDS:

* Jackrabbits are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Bulldogs are 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Bulldogs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater.
* Under is 4-1 in Jackrabbits last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Under is 4-1 in Bulldogs last 5 NCAA Tournament games.




(13) Bucknell Bison vs (4) West Virginia Mountaineers (-14, 148)

Game to be played at KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York

West Virginia was the victim of a first-round upset in last season's NCAA Tournament, an outcome it hopes to avoid when it takes on Bucknell in the opening round of the West Region on Thursday in Buffalo, N.Y. The fourth-seeded Mountaineers, who were the No. 3 seed when they fell by 14 points to Stephen F. Austin last year, are making their third straight appearance in the tournament and eighth in 10 years under coach Bob Huggins.

Their frenetic style forced a nation-leading 20.4 forced turnovers and a Big 12-leading 63.3 shot attempts per game. Paced by junior guard Jevon Carter, the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year and the team's leader in scoring (13.1) and assists (3.9), West Virginia opened 12-1 and was ranked as high as eighth in the country at one point. The 13th-seeded Bison are returning to the tournament for the first time since 2013 after winning the Patriot League regular season and tournament titles. They won first-round games in 2005 and 2006, the first of which came as a 14-seed against Kansas of the Big 12.

TV: 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: West Virginia opened as 14-point favorites over Bucknell and that has dropped half-point to 13.5. The total hit the board at 146.5 and has been bet up to 148.

ABOUT BUCKNELL (26-8 SU, 7-1 ATS, 5-2-1 O/U): Kimbal Mackenzie's 18 points helped the Bison pick up an 81-65 win over Lehigh in last Wednesday's Patriot League title game and he ranks as the team' top perimeter threat with 59 3-pointers. Junior forward Zach Thomas is the team's top scorer (16.0) and ranks second in rebounding (6.6), while junior center Nana Foulland is second in scoring (14.9) and leads the way on the boards (7.8). Bucknell paced the Patriot League and ranks 25th in the nation in shooting (48.1 percent), led by Foulland (62.8).

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (26-8 SU, 13-15-1 ATS, 16-12-1 OU): Carter scored 18 points in a loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament title game Saturday night, when the Mountaineers were hurt by an 8-for-17 effort from the foul line, continuing with a theme that saw them rank eighth in their conference in that category (67.8 percent). Sophomore forward Esa Ahmad (11.2) is the only other double-digit scorer but five others average between 6.1 and 9.9 points for the conference's third-ranked offense (82.0). Carter was 1-for-7 from the floor - including 0-for-4 from 3-point range - in the first-round loss last season and shot 5-for-22 in three tournament games as a freshman in 2015.

TRENDS:

* Bison are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Mountaineers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Over is 4-1-1 in Bison last 6 games following a straight up win.
* Over is 4-1 in Mountaineers last 5 games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater.




(8) Northwestern Wildcats vs (9) Vanderbilt Commodores (-1, 130)

Game to be played at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Eighth-seeded Northwestern make its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament when it takes on No. 9 seed Vanderbilt in the first round of the West Region in Salt Lake City on Thursday. The Wildcats set a program record with 23 victories and won back-to-back games in the Big Ten tournament for the first time before bowing out to Wisconsin 76-48 in the semifinals, and hope to make a splash in the Big Dance after ending a 78-year drought.

"I know it's a long time coming for a lot of people that have followed the program for a lot of years," Northwestern coach Chris Collins told reporters. "Most happy for the players though as those are the guys that have earned this right." Vanderbilt became the first team to earn an at-large bid with 15 losses as it did just enough to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. The Commodores won five of their last six regular-season games and beat Texas A&M 66-41 and Florida 72-62 in overtime before losing to Arkansas 76-62 in the semifinals of the SEC tournament to seal a berth. Vanderbilt dropped four of its last five matchups with Big Ten opponents, including a 60-57 loss to Wisconsin in 2012 NCAA Tournament, and hopes to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since falling to the Badgers.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Vanderbilt opened as 1-point favorites over Northwestern and that number appears to be fine with bettors and hasn’t moved yet. The total opened at 132 and has dropped two full points to 130.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (19-15 SU, 20-12 ATS, 13-18-1 OU): Junior guard Matthew Fisher-Davis leads the Commodores in scoring with 13.6 points per game and reached 1,000 points for his career with 10 points against Arkansas. Senior forward Luke Cornet, who is averaging 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, set a program record for blocked shots with his 207th against the Razorbacks. "It's a day of celebration for our program especially our guys," first-year Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew told reporters. "From where we started the season to where we are now is just a remarkable turnaround on all fronts."

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (23-11 SU, 19-12 ATS, 11-18-2 OU): Junior guard Bryant McIntosh. who leads the team in scoring at 14.4 points per game, holds the program record for most career assists with 541, breaking the old mark of 528 set by Michael 'Juice' Thompson (2007-11). Scottie Lindsey is working his way back to 100 percent after missing three weeks with a bout of mono in February as he averaged 16.3 points in the Big Ten Tournament after only managing 7.6 over his previous five outings. The Wildcats dropped four of their last five meetings with Vanderbilt but they haven't met since Dec. 3, 1992.

TRENDS:

* Commodores are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Commodores are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. Big Ten.
* Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
* Over is 9-2-1 in Commodores last 12 games following a straight up loss.
* Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games after scoring less than 50 points in their previous game.




(11) Xavier Musketeers vs (6) Maryland Terrapins (-2, 142.5)

Game to be played at Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Two teams given a reprieve after late-season slides will square off when sixth-seeded Maryland faces No. 11 seed Xavier in the West Region on Thursday in Orlando, Fla. It’s the third time the historically strong programs have met with Maryland winning both previous contests, including a victory in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

Both teams were sweating the selection process a bit Sunday after key injuries led to their struggles down the stretch. The Terrapins dropped five of their last nine regular-season games and bowed out in their first game in the Big Ten Tournament against Northwestern. The Musketeers lost six straight from Feb. 11-March 1 following the loss of point guard Edmond Sumner (15 points, five assists per game) to a torn ACL, but they won three in a row before a 75-72 loss to Creighton knocked them out of the Big East tournament. Despite the late swoon, Xavier is in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year and the 11th time in the past 12 seasons.

TV: 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Maryland opened as two-point favorites over Xavier but that line has faded slightly to 1.5. The total hit the betting board at 143.5, dropped to 141.5, before rebounding to 142.5.

ABOUT XAVIER (21-13 SU, 15-18 ATS, 15-18 OU): Sumner was the Musketeers’ No. 2 scorer and a terrific complement to star guard Trevon Bluiett (18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds). Fellow guard J.P. Macura (14.3 points) has had no trouble taking up the scoring slack, but Xavier misses Sumner’s ball-handling skills with freshman Quentin Goodin (4.8 points, 3.2 assists) taking over the point guard role. Xavier’s undoing might be its lack of a dominant post player, as 6-9 forward RaShid Gaston (8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds) is the team’s top big man.

ABOUT MARYLAND (24-8 SU, 15-12-3 ATS, 14-15-1 OU): The Terps have a bona fide star in guard Melo Trimble (17 points, 3.7 assists), but the key to their success in the tournament might be what they get from the supporting cast. Guard Anthony Cowan (10.5 points, 3.7 assists) and forward Justin Jackson (10.4 points, 6.1 rebounds) also average double digits but have been inconsistent producers in their freshman campaigns, and fellow freshman Kevin Huerter (nine points) is a streaky 3-point shooter who can change a game when hot. Although he wasn’t a major producer, the Terps miss the post presence of 7-1 center Michal Cekovsky (7.6 points, 2.8 rebounds), who was lost to a broken ankle three weeks ago.

TRENDS:

* Musketeers are 21-5-1 ATS in their last 27 NCAA Tournament games.
* Terrapins are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 6-0 in Musketeers last 6 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Under is 4-1 in Terrapins last 5 Thursday games.




(7) St. Mary’s Gaels vs (10) VCU Rams (+4, 126.5)

Game to be played at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Saint Mary's, under the shadow of West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga for much of the season, gets a chance to make it own statement when it takes on VCU in Salt Lake City in the first round of the West Region on Thursday. The seventh-seeded Gaels lost four games this season, with three coming against the Bulldogs, while the 10th-seeded Rams make their seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance after falling in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament title game Sunday.

Junior center Jock Landale is the biggest weapon for coach Randy Bennett, with the 6-11 Australian averaging 16.8 points on 60.9 percent shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Junior forward Calvin Hermanson is the only other player on Saint Mary's averaging in double figures with 12.9, but the Gaels don't need a lot of scoring when their defense is holding opponents to 56.5 points - second in the nation to Virginia (55.6). VCU prides itself on its defense as well, forcing opponents into 14.7 turnovers per game and holding them to 66.3 points. The Rams' 1-2 scoring punch consists of guard JeQuan Lewis (14.7 points, 4.6 assists) and forward Justin Tillman (12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds), and coach Will Wade will have his undersized front line focusing on keeping Landale in check.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: St. Mary’s opened as 4.5 chalk over VCU and has dropped to an even 4. The total hit the betting board at 129 on Monday and has been lowered to 126.5 as of Wednesday morning.

ABOUT SAINT MARY'S (28-4 SU, 16-11-2 ATS, 12-17 OU): The Gaels are one of the better passing teams in the nation, with a pair of players - junior Emmett Naar (5.8 assists) and senior Joe Rahon (5.7) - that rank 1-2 in the WCC in assists per game. As much as those two handle the ball, they don't turn it over often, which will be key against a VCU team that can pressure the ball better than most teams. If Naar and Rahon keep the Saint Mary's offense clicking and not be effected by the Rams' defense, Landale should get his shots and the Gaels could keep rolling along.

ABOUT VCU (26-8 SU, 12-17-1 ATS, 17-13 OU): Though only 6-7, senior forward Mo Alie-Cox plays big for the Rams, ranking second in the Atlantic 10 in blocks with 2.1 per game. A 7-1 wingspan certainly helps Alie-Cox, who may hear his number called more often against Saint Mary's as Wade goes at the Gaels' top player, Landale, to try to get him into foul trouble. Alie-Cox averaging 9.7 points and shoots 54.8 percent from the field, so he can score, and if he can have a big game against the Saint Mary's big man, the Rams could pull the upset.

TRENDS:

* Rams are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 NCAA Tournament games.
* Rams are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.
* Gaels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games as a favorite.




(3) Florida State vs (14) Florida Gulf Coast (+12, 146.5)

Game to be played at Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Florida State is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years, and with seven victories over ranked opposition the Seminoles could be a candidate to make a long tournament run starting with Thursday’s West region first-round matchup with Florida Gulf Coast University in Orlando. The third-seeded Seminoles won 25 games this season and finished second in the regular season in the rugged ACC, thanks in part to a strong offense sparked by guard Dwayne Bacon.

The Seminoles average 82.5 points per game and shoot 48.3 percent from the field – ranking 18th in the nation in both categories – and Bacon earned second-team All-ACC honors after averaging 16.9 points. The No. 14 seed Eagles make their third NCAA appearance in the past five years after winning the Atlantic Sun tournament, and also shoot the ball extremely well, ranking fifth nationally at 50.2 percent from the field. Florida Gulf Coast has won 20 games for the fifth consecutive season, losing by nine points to Baylor and one point to Michigan State early in the season. Brandon Goodwin leads an offense that finished second in the league in scoring at 79.4 points per game.

TV: 9:20 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Seminoles opened as 11.5-point favorites and that number wasn’t high enough and was bumped up to 12 within an hour of opening on Sunday night. The total opened at 146 was quickly bet up as high as 147, and returned to the opening number, before settling at 146.5.

ABOUT FLORIDA GULF COAST (26-7 SU, 4-0 ATS, 1-3 OU): The Eagles enter the NCAAs winners of 12 of their past 13 games, as Goodwin has scored 20 or more points seven times in that span. Demetris Morant leads Florida Gulf Coast in rebounding with eight per game while scoring 10.7 points per contest on 75.7 percent shooting from the field (17-of-19 in his past three games). Florida Gulf Coast ranks 17th in the country in defending the 3-point shot (30.9 percent).

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (25-8 SU, 17-12-2 ATS, 15-15-1 OU): Bacon battled a shooting slump late in the season, but rebounded to hit 9-of-14 shots for 18 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Notre Dame in the ACC semifinals. Jonathan Isaac gives FSU a strong inside presence, as the freshman averaging 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. The Seminoles led the ACC in forced turnovers per game (14.36).

TRENDS:

* Eagles are 17-3-1 ATS in their last 21 games as an underdog.
* Seminoles are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
* Under is 8-1-1 in Eagles last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 6-1 in Seminoles last 7 NCAA Tournament games.




(2) Arizona vs (15) North Dakota Fighting Hawks (+16.5, 147.5)

Game to be played at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

Arizona star Allonzo Trier’s roller-coaster season is surging forward at just the right time for the Wildcats, who earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region after beating Oregon in Saturday’s Pac-12 tournament title game. The Wildcats begin play Thursday with a first-round matchup against 15th-seeded North Dakota, which earned its first trip to the Big Dance with a 93-89 overtime victory over Weber State in the Big Sky tournament championship game.

Trier, a 6-5 sophomore guard who missed the first 19 games of the season with a PED-related suspension, was named Pac-12 tournament MVP after finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds in the 83-80 win over Oregon. Center Lauri Markkanen, who averages 15.6 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds, joined Trier on the all-tournament team and figures to create plenty of trouble for the smaller Fighting Hawks. The Wildcats’ 69-62 loss to Gonzaga on Dec. 3 likely cost them a No. 1 seed, but they earned a share of the Pac-12 regular-season title after winning six of their final seven games. Coach Sean Miller’s squad will need to be careful not to rest on defense against sharpshooting North Dakota, which averages 80.5 points while shooting 48.5 percent from the field.

TV: 9:50 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Arizona opened as 17-point favorites against North Dakota but within minutes was bet down to 16.5 where it has remained. The totals opened at 146 and has been steadily rising all week, currently sitting at 148.

ABOUT NORTH DAKOTA (22-9 SU, 17-9-2 ATS, 15-12-1 OU): The Fighting Hawks are led by senior guards Corey Baldwin and Quinton Hooker, who was named Big Sky tournament MVP after scoring 28 points in the title game victory over Weber State. Sophomore guard Geno Crandall ranks second on the team in scoring (15.6) for the Fighting Hawks, whose resume includes a win over Cal State Bakersfield along with surprising losses to Northern Arizona and Sacramento State. With the team’s small frontcourt expected to struggle against Arizona’s size, the Fighting Hawks will need to continue to hit from 3-point range to keep pace with the Wildcats.

ABOUT ARIZONA (30-4 SU, 18-14-2 ATS, 16-17-1 OU): Miller pushed all the right buttons in the Pac-12 tournament, even giving junior power forward Keanu Pinder his first start of the season in the title game so Markkanen could avoid foul trouble. The Wildcats boast an intriguing mix of freshmen and veterans, including junior point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who has played well late after battling injuries early in the season. “Really, really, really – I’ll use those words – proud of what this team has become,” Miller told reporters. “You hope it really comes together in March and that’s really what happened.”

TRENDS:

* Fighting Hawks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Wildcats are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
* Over is 5-1 in Fighting Hawks last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 games following a straight up win.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday's NCAA Tournament first round betting preview: Midwest Region
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iowa St. was one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation, and the Cyclones will be up against one of best 3-point defenders in 12th-seeded Nevada.

(13) Vermont Catamounts vs (4) Purdue Boilermakers (-10.5, 134.5)

Game to be played at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Purdue rode the stellar play of Big Ten Player of the Year Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas to the top of the conference, only to see porous foul shooting against emotionally charged Michigan result in an early exit in the conference tournament. The fourth-seeded Boilermakers look to rebound in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on Thursday, when they face 13th-seeded Vermont, which extended its winning streak to 21 games by claiming the American East Conference championship.

"Every game could be your last game," the 7-2 Haas, who knows that full well after seeing the Boilermakers bounced in their first contest of the NCAA Tournament each of the last two seasons, told reporters. "You have to fine-tune those things and come into the NCAA Tournament playing your best basketball." Sophomore power forward Swanigan (team-leading 18.5 points, 12.6 rebounds) tied a single-season conference record with 26 double-doubles and recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds in Purdue's 107-79 victory over Vermont in the Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff on Nov. 15, 2015. Ernie Duncan scored 18 points and Trae Bell-Haynes added 17 in that contest for the Catamounts, who clinched their sixth Tournament appearance and first since 2012 with a 56-53 win over Albany on Saturday.

TV: 7:27 p.m. ET, truTV

LINE HISTORY: Purdue opened the betting period for this game Sunday night as 8.5-point favorites and they have been steadily bet up all week to the current number of -10.5. The total opened at 136 and has dropped slightly to 134.5

ABOUT VERMONT (29-5 SU, 4-4 ATS, 2-6 O/U): Freshman forward Anthony Lamb (12.6 points), junior forward Payton Henson (11.4) and Bell-Haynes (11.1) led the attack for the Catamounts, who benefited from balanced scoring and the nation's 12th-ranked defense to set a school record in victories. "That's what we are. It's defense and rebounding here," coach John Becker told reporters. "I just believe that's how you win championships, that's why we were able to win 21 games in a row. Offense can come and go, and these guys - especially after last year - bought into that." Lamb, who matched Duncan by making 40.4 percent of his 3-point attempts, drilled a career-high six long-range shots in a 74-71 win over New Hampshire on Monday before collecting 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Great Danes en route to being named tournament MVP.

ABOUT PURDUE (25-7 SU, 17-10-2 ATS, 16-12-1 O/U): In addition to Haas (12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds), the Boilermakers feature a strong junior class that includes Vince Edwards (12.2, 4.8) and Dakota Mathias (9.9, 3.8). Edwards scored a team-high 25 points and Mathias added 13 in a 69-65 Big Ten victory over Northwestern last Sunday before the combining for just 11 on 4-of-17 shooting in a 74-70 setback against the Wolverines. Free-throw shooting was a huge part of the problem as Purdue made 17-of-19 foul shots against the Wildcats before converting just 6-of-13 attempts versus Michigan.

TRENDS:

* Catamounts are 4-16-1 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Boilermakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as a favorite.
* Under is 6-1 in Catamounts last 7 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog.
* Over is 13-3 in Boilermakers last 16 games as a favorite of 7.0-12.5.




(12) Nevada Wolf Pack vs (5) Iowa St. Cyclones (-6.5, 156)

Game to be played at Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Iowa State was one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the nation during the regular season, and the fifth-seeded Cyclones will be up against one of best 3-point defenders in 12th-seeded Nevada when they meet Thursday in a Midwest Region first-round game of the NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee. Iowa State was 14th in the country with a 40.2 shooting percentage from beyond the arc this season, but opponents of the Wolf Pack have shot 30.7 percent from 3-point range - the 15th-lowest mark.

The key player in this matchup will be Iowa State senior point guard Monte Morris, who averages a team-high 16.3 points and 6.1 assists while his 5.17 assist-to-turnover ratio put him atop the nation in that category for the third time in the last four years. Morris also has the experience of reaching the Sweet Sixteen twice and has played in seven NCAA Tournament games overall, averaging 13.3 points, shooting 9-of-17 from 3-point range and recording 34 assists and 11 turnovers. Morris should have added incentive to play well after he was passed over as one of the five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, which annually goes to the nation's top collegiate point guard. Nevada beat Colorado State on Saturday to win the Mountain West Conference tournament and gain its first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years, and the Wolf Pack feature four players who average from 14.1-to-19.8 points.

TV: 9:57 p.m. ET, truTV

LINE HISTORY: Iowa State opened as 6.5-point favorites and, despite a brief drop to -6, the point spread currently sits on that opening number. The total hit the board at 155.5 and as of Wednesday night sits at 156.

ABOUT NEVADA (28-6 SU, 23-10-1 ATS, 18-14-2 O/U): The Wolf Pack faced their toughest opponent this season in the opener in Saint Mary's, which ended the campaign ranked No. 18 - six spots ahead of Iowa State. Marcus Marshall is the go-to player on offense for Nevada, as the 6-3 senior guard averages 19.8 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Utah State managed to hold him to 1-of-12 shooting and San Diego State to 1-of-10 during conference play, but he's otherwise been consistent and has been getting to the free-throw line more frequently of late, combining to shoot 21-of-28 in his last two games.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (23-10 SU, 18-12 ATS, 18-12 O/U): Morris certainly won't have to win this game by himself, as he has two other senior guards who can score in a variety of ways. Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15.5 points) has made six or more 3-pointers five times this season, including a 6-of-11 effort in an overtime win Feb. 4 against then-No. 2 Kansas. Deonte Burton (14.8 points) can score from outside or above the rim, evident by his thunderous slam dunk off a lob pass in Saturday's win over West Virginia in the Big 12 tournament final - the sixth straight game in which he bettered his scoring average.

TRENDS:

* Wolf Pack are 20-4-2 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Cyclones are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
* Under is 5-0 in Wolf Pack last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Over is 8-0 in Cyclones last 8 games following a straight up win.

[StarDust Bum]

2017 NIT, CBI, CIT Results
March 16, 2017

NCAA Tournament

National Invitation Tournament (NIT)

REGION 1 - CALIFORNIA
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 14 CSU Bakersfield (+6.5, +240 ML) at California 73-66 Underdog-Over (125)
Mar. 14 College of Charleston at Colorado State (-4.5) 81-74 Favorite-Over (136)
Mar. 15 Texas-Arlington (+5.5, ML +220) at Brigham Young 105-89 Underdog-Over (166.5)
Mar. 15 Akron (+7.5, ML +300) at Houston 78-75 Underdog-Over (144)
Mar. 20 CSU Bakersfield at Colorado State - -
Mar. 20 Akron at Texas-Arlington - -
Mar. 22 TBA at TBA - -

REGION 2 - SYRACUSE
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 UNC Greensboro at Syracuse (-12) 90-77 Favorite-Over (146)
Mar. 14 Mississippi (+1) at Monmouth 91-83 Underdog-Over (167)
Mar. 14 Indiana at Georgia Tech (+2.5, +125 ML) 75-63 Underdog-Under (143)
Mar. 15 Belmont (+5, ML +180) at Georgia 78-69 Underdog-Under (147.5)
Mar. 18 Mississippi at Syracuse - -
Mar. 19 Georgia Tech at Belmont - -
Mar. 21 TBA at TBA - -

REGION 3 - ILLINOIS STATE
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 14 Boise State (+12, +575 ML) at Utah 73-68 Underdog-Under (156)
Mar. 14 Valparaiso at Illinois (-9) 82-57 Favorite-Over (138.5)
Mar. 15 UC Irvine at Illinois State (-10) 85-71 Favorite-Over (130.5)
Mar. 15 Colorado at UCF (-3.5) 79-74 Favorite-Over (139)
Mar. 20 Boise State at Illinois - -
Mar. 20 UCF at Illinois State - -
Mar. 22 TBA at TBA - -

REGION 4 - IOWA
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 14 Richmond (+8, +315 ML) at Alabama 71-64 Underdog-Under (139)
Mar. 14 Oakland (+10.5, +525 ML) at Clemson 74-69 Underdog-Under (157)
Mar. 15 South Dakota at Iowa (-11) 87-75 Favorite-Under (164)
Mar. 15 Fresno State at Texas Christian (-8.5) 66-59 Underdog-Under (145)
Mar. 19 Oakland at Richmond - -
Mar. 19 Texas Christian at Iowa - -
Mar. 21 TBA at TBA - -

SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 28 TBA vs. TBA - -
Mar. 28 TBA vs. TBA - -
Mar. 30 TBA vs. TBA - -

College Basketball Invitational (CBI)

FIRST ROUND
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 Utah Valley (+4.5, ML +170) at Georgia Southern 74-49 Underdog-Under (156.5)
Mar. 15 Loyola-Maryland (+10, ML +450) at George Mason 73-58 Underdog-Under (141)
Mar. 15 Hampton at Coastal Carolina (-9) 83-67 Favorite-Over (145)
Mar. 15 Toledo at George Washington (-6) 73-69 Underdog-Under (146.5)
Mar. 16 Stony Brook at Illinois-Chicago - -
Mar. 15 Green Bay at Missouri-Kansas City (+1.5, ML +110) 92-82 Underdog-Over (169)
Mar. 15 San Francisco at Rice (-1.5) 85-76 Favorite-Over (154.5)
Mar. 15 Eastern Washington at Wyoming (-4.5) 91-81 Favorite-OVer (163)

QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 22 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 22 TBA at TBA - -

FINALS (BEST-OF-THREE)
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 27 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 29 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 31 TBA at TBA - -

CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT)

FIRST ROUND
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 Norfolk State at Liberty (-7) 73-64 Favorite-Over (131)
Mar. 14 St. Francis, PA (+4, +165 ML) at Jacksonville 78-76 Underdog-Under (157.5)
Mar. 14 Houston Baptist at Campbell (+1.5, +105 ML) 98-79 Underdog-Over (150.5)
Mar. 14 Canisius at Samford (-3.5) 78-74 Favorite-Under (164)
Mar. 15 Ball State at IUPUI Fort Wayne (-4.5) 88-80 Favorite-Under (171)
Mar. 15 Fairfield at Maryland-Baltimore County (-3) 88-83 Favorite-Over (153)
Mar. 15 Georgia State at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (+3, ML +135) 80-64 Underdog-Under (146.5)
Mar. 15 Stephen F. Austin at Idaho (-4.5) 73-50 Favorite-Under (138.5)
Mar. 16 Lamar at Texas State - -
Mar. 16 St. Peter's at Albany - -
Mar. 16 Furman at South Carolina-Upstate - -
Mar. 16 UNC Asheville at Tennesse-Martin - -
Mar. 16 Weber State at CS Fullerton - -

SECOND ROUND AND QUARTERFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 17-20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 17-20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 17-20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 17-20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 17-20 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 23-26 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 23-26 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 23-26 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 23-26 TBA at TBA - -

SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 29 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 29 TBA at TBA - -
Mar. 31 TBA at TBA - -

[StarDust Bum]

A look at Thursday's opening day of the NCAA Tournament
March 16, 2017

A look at some interesting things in Thursday's opening round the NCAA Tournament:

---

CHANCE TO REPEAT

Villanova comes into the tournament not only as the overall No. 1 seed but as defending champion. No champion has repeated since Florida in 2007.

''I think pressure is pressure, so you want to embrace it and try to allow it to make you better,'' Villanova coach Jay Wright said. ''You're a 1 seed, and so you're supposed to win it if you're the 1 seed, right? It's all about how you handle that, and I think having that pressure last year and having pressure this year, I think makes it a little bit easier to handle.''

---

SHORT STUFF

Mount St. Mary's Junior Robinson is the shortest player in Division I at 5 feet, 5 inches.

''I've embraced it,'' Robinson said of the constant height difference. ''It's kind of like a chip on my shoulder to prove people wrong that height really doesn't matter. It's about the heart that you have and the passion that you played the game with. I mean, each game, I'm going to probably be the shortest player on the court. Actually, I'm going to be the shortest player on the court.''

---

STUDY HALL

Princeton doesn't leave its Ivy League reputation for academic behind just because the Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament.

''This is normal for us. I think we have close to 20 mid-terms this week between the team,'' said coach Mitch Henderson, a former Princeton player. ''We have two rooms in the hotel and one room is for studying. Half the team was in there at 8 a.m. This is what we do. ... So, when we walk out there, we're going to be flying around. And then when we go back to the hotel, we study.''

---

WHY NOT?

A No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1 seed and Mount Saint Mary's Junior Robinson has an interesting take on it.

''I mean, records are meant to be broken,'' he said, ''and we have the confidence going into this game, that if we take care of things the way we're supposed to and handle ourselves in the manner that we can, why not?''

---

BEAUTIFUL BUFFALO

While plenty joke and comment about spending time in the winter in Buffalo, West Virginia coach Bob Huggins isn't one of those people.

''I really like Buffalo,'' he said. ''I actually came up here and went fishing. How about that? I bet no other coach here has been fishing.''

---

COLSON UPDATE

Notre Dame's Bonzie Colson turned his ankle in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Duke.

''He's much better,'' Fighting Irish coach Mike Brey said. ''We had some swelling on Sunday and Monday and it's come down a lot. He's made great progress, doing a little bit more every day. You know, I think by noon tomorrow, he's one of those guys, he's such a warrior, that you tape him, you give him a couple Advil, and cut him loose.''

---

A MIDDLE TENNESSE REPEAT?

Middle Tennessee drew a ton of attention in last year's tournament when the then-15th-seeded Blue Raiders beat second-seeded Michigan State in the opening round. This year, it's another Big Ten team facing 12th-seeded Middle Tennessee in fifth-seeded Minnesota.

''It's kind of felt the same,'' senior forward Reggie Upshaw said. ''Of course this year we're not going to be able to sneak up on anybody like we did last year. But I felt like we have a good team who is very mature and have a couple good days of practice leading up to tomorrow's game. You know, as far as just our preparation and stuff like that, I feel like it's all been the same.''

---

FLORIDA FRENZY

Third-seeded Florida State and No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast meet in Orlando, Florida, in the first round.

FGCU made its NCAA Tournament name in 2013 when it won two games and reached the Sweet 16.

The Eagles have become a fashionable pick by bracketeers.

''I don't know who we're favored by, but we don't really look at those things,'' junior forward Brandon Goodwin said. ''People see us as the underdogs. People see it as David versus Goliath, all that type of stuff. We know where we're at. We know what we want to do coming into the tournament. We're happy to be here. We think we belong here. Should be exciting coming in.

''Hopefully, it should be a good amount of dunks for us, not for them, but we'll see how it goes.''

---

DIFFERENT ZAGS

Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, is in its 19th consecutive NCAA Tournament and the Bulldogs can no longer hide in waiting as they chase their first Final Four appearance.

''We came in, we had guns a blazing, nothing to lose, and especially that first run to the Elite Eight,'' Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. ''It was all new to us. And we were excited and giddy and felt like we were playing with house money. And now it's more a measured, leveled, and we know we've got a job to do. We've got to take care of the job.''

---

FIRST TIME

No school's trip to the NCAA Tournament was more public than Northwestern's. The Wildcats earned an at-large bid, the school's first appearance in 77 years.

''I think we can't emphasize enough that this isn't the end goal. It's one of our goals to make the tournament, but we're not just satisfied to be here,'' junior guard Bryant McIntosh said. ''We're going to go out and try and win a game and continue playing, playing for our lives, just to continue the season on. So it's been such a special year that you don't want to see it end. And that's why it's just a single goal and not the end goal.''

[StarDust Bum]

Busted: Teams at top of brackets find themselves in trouble
March 16, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) They are supposed to be the best of the best. In many instances, they have looked more like the ugliest of the ugly.

Some of the top teams in this year's NCAA Tournament have seen their names pop up in off-the-court headlines all too often and for all the wrong reasons.

-No. 1 seed Kansas has been beset by a series of run-ins with the law.

-No. 2 seed Louisville is awaiting the latest from the NCAA in a back-and-forth that started when an assistant coach hired female escorts to party with recruits.

-Another top seed, North Carolina, is still going back and forth with the NCAA on a complicated case centered on athletes taking ''paper classes'' that resulted in inflated grades to keep the players eligible. This story was running hot last year while the Tar Heels were making a run to the NCAA final. It still isn't resolved.

If all this feels achingly familiar, it's because it is.

''It's not a new problem,'' said Joy Gaston Gayles, a professor at North Carolina State who studies the impact college sports has on its athletes. ''And you often wonder, what's going to be the scandal that breaks the camel's back? Every decade, scandals get worse and nothing really changes.''

You could put together a book about them all, which is exactly what Penn State professor Shaun Harper did recently. Gayles wrote a chapter in ''Scandals in College Sports'' about some of the lowlights of the past 10 years or so.

''You see these kinds of things, and for institutions of higher education, it flies in the face of everything higher education is about,'' she said.

North Carolina's irregular-courses scandal has already cost the university - long one of the most respected in the nation - the embarrassment of a 12-month probation levied by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. There is still the possibility the NCAA could find the athletics program guilty of ''lack of institutional control,'' which has, for decades, been about the worst conclusion possible within the realm of college sports.

But ''institutional control'' can be defined in many different ways outside of the traditional NCAA nomenclature.

In the most damaging instance of legal trouble at Kansas this season, police investigated a reported rape at the dorm that houses the basketball team. No charges have been filed.

From there, more headlines kept piling up involving no fewer than four players.

Coach Bill Self said he's proud his team has rallied despite the steady stream of issues.

''I will say that this team has been as focused as any group that I can remember considering all the crap and distractions that this team has listened to and dealt with,'' he said.

While Self paints an us-against-the-world scenario, Rick Pitino is portraying this season as a comeback story at Louisville - proud of what his team has accomplished after losing two scholarships as part of self-imposed sanctions that also included missing the postseason last year. The coach has accused the NCAA of overreaching for suggesting a possible one-year suspension because he failed to monitor the assistant coach who was throwing the recruit parties.

And yet, the biggest story about Pitino this week is that he and his son, Richard, are the first father-son coaching duo in the tournament. The Minnesota program that Richard Pitino now coaches has been beset with problems for decades, the latest of which came last year when Pitino suspended three players for their connection to a sex video that showed up on social media.

At Baylor, one of the darkest episodes in college sports history was brought to light again when news surfaced of an upcoming documentary in which former coach Dave Bliss repeats the claim that Patrick Dennehy, who was shot and killed in 2003, was a drug dealer. That documentary will air the night before the Final Four.

At East Tennessee State, the Buccaneers are celebrating the reclamation project that is coach Steve Forbes , who was fired from Tennessee and suspended for a year for failing to cooperate with an investigation into then-coach Bruce Pearl's program.

All this makes the problems this year at Duke seem almost quaint. Coach Mike Krzyzewski handed down an ''indefinite'' suspension to star Grayson Allen because Allen couldn't stop tripping opponents. The suspension turned out to last one game.

''There are things that you see or the public see, and there are things that you all don't see and shouldn't see or shouldn't be talked about, and they're called teachings,'' Coach K explained. ''You don't need to teach out in the public all the time.''

But it's a sport where every move, especially this time of year, is very much out in the open.

''There's a lot of value in playing college sports,'' Gayles said. ''But sometimes it gets lost in all the corruption and scandals that take place because this is such a highly commercialized, big-business industry that we're running on college campuses. It's a system that has potential, but we haven't realized it, and I don't know if we ever will because of all the competing interests.''

[StarDust Bum]

TOURNAMENT GAMES AS OF MONDAY:

Date W-L-T % Units Record

03/16/2017 0-0-0 0.00% +0

03/15/2017 15-9-0 62.50% +2550

03/14/2017 10-7-0 58.82% +1150

BEST BETS:

03/15- ATS- 4 - 2 ..........TOTALS- 5 - 2

03/14- ATS- 5 - 2...........TOTALS- 0 - 2


EARLY GAMES 03/16/17

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

PRIN at ND 12:15 PM

PRIN +6.5

O 134.0

UNCW at UVA 12:40 PM

UNCW +7.5

O 134.5

WIN at BUT 01:30 PM

BUT -11.0

SDST at GONZ 02:00 PM

GONZ -22.5

U 156.0

BUCK at WVU 02:45 PM

WVU -14.0 **********

ETSU at FLA 03:10 PM

ETSU +10.5

O 149.5

MTU at MINN 04:00 PM

MTU -1.5

U 135.5

VAN at NW 04:30 PM

VAN -2.5

U 130.0

XAV at MD 06:50 PM

XAV +1.5

O 142.5

[StarDust Bum]

EVENING BEST BETS:

SPC at ALBY 07:00 PM

SPC +1.5

U 122.0

FUR at SCUS 07:00 PM

FUR -5.0

O 148.5

MSM at VILL 07:10 PM

VILL -25.5

U 131.5

VCU at SMC 07:20 PM

VCU +4.5

O 128.5

UVM at PUR 07:27 PM

PUR -8.5

UNCA at UTM 08:00 PM

UNCA -4.0

STON at UIC 08:00 PM

UIC -1.5

LAM at TXST 08:30 PM

TXST -9.0

*********************************

FGCU at FSU 09:20 PM

FGCU +12.0 **********

VT at WIS 09:40 PM

VT +6.0

U 136.0

UND at ARIZ 09:50 PM

UND +17.5

O 146.5

NEV at ISU 09:57 PM

NEV +6.5

O 155.5 **********

WEB at CSF 10:00 PM

WEB +2.5

O 148.5

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s six-pack

— Kind of cheesy of Indiana to fire Tom Crean about 90 seconds after the NCAA
tournament started. Will they go after native son Steve Alford?

— Clippers actually gave Blake Griffin his birthday off; he didn’t go to Denver for LA’s game last night. Oy.

— North Dakota hoop coach Brian Jones makes $100,000 a year. Not a lot for a D-I coach.

— Dwayne Wade is out for the year with a fractured elbow.

— Friend of mine who works at a sports book in Las Vegas wrote 867 betting tickets in just over nine hours Wednesday night. This is a great week to be in the desert.

— Virginia is only team in NCAA tournament with only one player averaging double figures.

**************************

Wrapping up the first real day of March Madness

Night games

Xavier 76, Maryland 65— When Xavier’s kids sat down to watch TV at 5:30 Sunday, they had to nervous as to whether they were in the field of 68 or not. Now they’ve advanced to the round of 32. Terrapins won a lot of games with an extremely young nucleus held together by junior PG Trimble; that wasn’t enough here, as Xavier big man O’Mara had a career night, scoring 18 points.

Villanova 76, Mt St Mary’s 56— Wildcats dozed thru first half, led 30-29, then did what they had to do in second half to advance. Villanova needs to step up its game Saturday. Over last seven years, #1 seeds are 23-5 SU in second round games, but they did lose five times, as favorites of 11.5-8-6.5-4.5.9.5 points. Wildcats were last of those five teams, losing to NC State in 2015.

Purdue 80, Vermont 70— Game was only 37-36 at half, but Boilermakers win/cover- Vermont didn’t score in last 1:16 as Purdue covered on a FT with 0:28 left America East teams are now 6-7 vs spread in this round the last 13 years- Albany 5-1, rest of the league 1-6.

St Mary’s 85, VCU 77— Announcer on A-14 tournament last weekend said this: “If VCU plays a team with experienced guards, they could be in trouble in NCAA’s.” That is exactly what went on here. Gaels ran a clinic on half-court offense and move on to play Saturday.

Florida State 86, Florida Gulf Coast 80— Not often a game starts 2-2 with both baskets on dunks, but this one did. This game was like a fierce playground battle between arch-rivals; teams combined to go 10-41 on the arc, but Seminoles got to foul line 39 times. Bacon had 25 for FSU; you could say he was…..sizzling.

Wisconsin 84, Virginia Tech 74— Badgers made 13-31 on arc, will next play Villanova, which could be a good game— Wisconsin starts four seniors who’ve played a lot of ball together. Bronson Koenig was 8-17 behind the arc; thats a lot of 3’s for one guy to take.

Iowa State 84, Nevada 73— Wolf Pack only played six guys in this game; difficult to play as hard as they do and not sub much— their legs go late in game, which shows in their shooting. When Nevada has better depth next year, they’re going to be a handful.

Good trivia; Nevada player Jordan Caroline’s dad is Simeon Rice, who was a really good player in the NFL. His granddad is JC Caroline, who played 10 years for the Bears and intercepted Johnny Unitas’ first career pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

Arizona 100, North Dakota 82— Fighting Hawks went right at Arizona and got their butts kicked, but what a year they had, making NCAA’s for first time. In 2018-19 they move to the Summit League, which is a better league, so they’ll need to upgrade their recruiting. Video from this game won’t hurt, at least the offensive part of it.

Arizona-St Mary’s Saturday will be an interesting game.

Afternoon games

Notre Dame 60, Princeton 58— Tigers had a wide-open 3-pointer to take lead with 0:05 but Cannady missed, and Irish survive/advance. Cannady grew up five minutes outside South Bend. Princeton won Ivy title on Sunday; thought noon Thursday game was a tough draw for them, but they played well- too bad they were 8-31 on arc.

Virginia 76, NC-Wilmington 71— Seahawks led by 14 in first half, but Cavaliers used big run to grab 30-29 lead at half- Virginia held UNCW off in second half. Hard to believe Kevin Keatts will still be Seahawks’ coach next year; he’s done great work there, and the $$$ leagues should come calling this week or next.

Butler 76, Winthrop 64— Bulldogs outscored Winthrop 20-5 on foul line; Woodson made 6-10 on arc for Butler. Big South is now 2-6 vs spread in this round the last nine years. This was Eagles’ first trip to NCAA’s since 2010, when Gregg Marshall was their coach— terrific year for them.

Gonzaga 66, South Dakota State 46— Zags were only up 26-22 at half, but they methodically pulled away in second half and won easily- they held Jackrabbits’ star Daum to 17 points. Zags might’ve covered spread had they not gone 8-18 on foul line. There will be pressure on Gonzaga Saturday, when they play Vandy-Northwestern winner to get to Sweet 16.

West Virginia 86, Bucknell 80— Mountaineers were up 27-12 eight minutes in; there was a few minutes when Bucknell couldn’t get ball over half-court, but then Bison got gritty and hung in there- they got within five points a few times in second half. West Virginia-Notre Dame is a high quality second round game Saturday.

Florida 80, East Tennessee State 65— Game was 33-32 at half, but Gators outscored ETSU 21-6 on foul line, got lot of run-out hoops after Bucs’ turnovers to pull away in second half. Second round game with Virginia will be a much different style game.

Middle Tennessee State 81, Minnesota 72— Last two seasons, Blue Raiders are 5-0 vs SEC/Big 14 teams, winning by average of 12.6 pts/game. This was a 12-seed beating a 5-seed, but not an upset. MTSU was favored by a point. Richard Pitino lost his poise, got T’d up near the end when Gophers were down nine- -they were already going to lose, but not his finest moment.

Northwestern 68, Vanderbilt 66— Vandy scored with 0:17 left to take lead, then one of their best guys screwed up, fouling on purpose— did he think a) they were behind? b) they were up 3? c) they had a foul to give? Whatever, it was a colossal screw-up.

Northwestern makes their foul shots and advances, so we get 120 more shots of the Seinfeld lady on TV Saturday (her son is a sub on Northwestern).

[StarDust Bum]

Friday’s games

Day games

Oklahoma State lost its last three games, all to Kansas/Iowa St; Cowboys went 20-12 against the hardest schedule in country, winning five Big X road games- they lost by 1 at Maryland, their only Big 14 opponent. Michigan is in NCAA’s for 6th time in last seven years; they’re 10-2 in last 12 games, winning four games in Big 14 tourney last week after the team plane slid off the runway while trying to leave Michigan Wednesday. Wolverines are #62 experience team led by senior PG Walton. Last eight years, underdogs are 20-11-1 vs spread in 7-10 games.

Baylor lost in first round last two years, as a 3-seed and 5-seed; that doesn’t happen much. Bears went 5-6 in last 11 games after a 20-1 start that had them #1 in country; 8 of their 11 non-league wins were by 15+ points. New Mexico State is in NCAA’s for 5th time in last six years; they went 1-3 vs spread in previous four visits, losing by 13-20-4-19 points. Aggies won their last five games overall; they beat Bakersfield in WAC final, after Roadrunners won in four OT’s the night before, so they got little fortunate there. Aggies are #147 experience team, Baylor #109.

Seton Hall won five of its last six games, Arkansas eight of its last ten; good 8-9 game here. Seton Hall starts three juniors and senior who won Big East tourney LY, then lost to Gonzaga by 16 in first round- it was their first NCAA’s since ’06. Pirates lost 81-76 to Florida, its only SEC opponent this season. In first three years of refigured Big East, league is 9-6 vs spread in first round games. Arkansas is 11-1 outside SEC, losing at Minnesota by 14; Razorbacks are #18 experience team. Last eight years, underdogs are 20-10 vs spread in 8-9 games.

Oregon won eight of last nine games but lost best shot blocker Boucher for season with injury; Ducks lost Pac-12 final by 3 to Arizona- they’re 13-0 vs teams ranked outside the top 100, with seven wins by 17+ points. Oregon played 7 guys in Pac-12 final, with four starters playing 33+ minutes. Iona won Alaskan Shootout in November; they’re 7-4 outside MAAC, losing by 21 at Florida State. Gaels make 39.7% on arc (#16); they won true road game in OT in MAAC final to get to this point. Last four years, underdogs are 10-6 vs spread in 3-14 games.

Jacksonville State is in NCAA’s for first time; JSU coach Harper was in twice while at Western Kentucky, losing in this round by 15-7 points to Kentucky/Kansas. Gamecocks are 0-2 vs top 50 teams this season, losing to TCU by 19, Maryland by 26. Louisville won its last four first round games (1-2-1 vs spread), winning by 7-31-7-2 points. This is only 3rd time in last 30 years Cards are #1 or #2 seed- they won 1st round games by 20-31 those years. Over last 8 years, OVC teams are 6-1-1 vs spread in this round. Since ’08, #2 seeds favored by 20+ points are 1-3 vs spread.

Quick turnaround for USC team that was down 17 in second half to Providence Wednesday, but rallied to win with big lineup. Trojans made 12-24 on arc, beat SMU 78-73 at home Nov 25; they are 6-8 vs top 100 teams this year. SMU won 26 of its last 27 games, winning its last 16 games; Mustangs are #111 experience team that play six guys only- they play slow (#330) pace, took two of three vs Cincinnati, winning by 15-9 points. SMU is 1-1 vs Pac-12 teams, losing to USC, beating Stanford by 23. Last 7 years, dogs are 15-12-1 vs spread in 6-11 games.

North Carolina was “only” 8-4 in its last 12 games, losing by 15 at Miami, 20 at Virginia; UNC is 3-4 in its last seven games away from Chapel Hill- they won their last 14 first round games. Last six times they were a 1-seed, Tar Heels are 3-2-1 vs spread in first round. Texas Southern lost at Arizona by 22, Louisville by 31, Cincinnati by 38, Baylor by 26 as they played guarantee games in December to cover their budget. Tigers won at Rice/LaSalle; their coach is Mike Davis, who used to coach at Indiana. Since 2004, SWAC teams are 1-6 vs spread in this round.

Rhode Island is in NCAA’s for first time since ’99 (lost to Charlotte in OT); Rams won their last eight games, are strong defensive team that holds foes to 29.2% on arc, #2 in country. Creighton was 18-1 when PG Watson got hurt; they’re 7-8 since then. Bluejays made 45%+ on arc in four of those seven wins. Creighton is 12-0 outside Big East, but that was with Watson in lineup. URI beat Cincinnati on a neutral court, lost by 3 at Providence in two of its pre-conference games. Last eight years, underdogs are 17-14-1 vs spread in 6-11 games, 5-3 last two years.

Night games

Wichita State beat Sean Miller’s Arizona team in LY’s tourney; they draw Sean’s brother Archie here. Shockers are 10-3 outside MVC, 3-4 vs top 60 teams this season- they’re #262 experience team. Wichita’s bench plays 4th-most minutes in country. Dayton had won nine games in row before losing to GW/Davidson in last two; Flyers are #34 experience team, starting four seniors- they shot 40%+ from arc in each of last eight games. Dayton is 2-1 in this round under Miller, losing 70-51 to Syracuse LY. Last four years, MVC teams are 6-1 vs spread in this round.

Kansas State gets extra day of rest, with this game Friday instead of Thursday after Tuesday tilt in Dayton. Wildcats were 27-36 on foul line in Dayton foulfest Tuesday; they’ve won four of last five games, are 12-1 outside Big X. Cincinnati is 7-3 in its last ten games after starting season 22-2; Bearcats won by point in OT at Iowa State in December, a team that swept Kansas State this year, by 5-8 points. Cincy is 1-3 in last four first-round games, with four games decided by total of 11 points. Last 7 years, dogs are 15-12-1 vs spread in 6-11 games.

South Carolina lost six of last nine games (went 4-6 in last 10 LY) but made tourney due to 13-0 pre-conference schedule with wins over Clemson/Memphis. Carolina won by 15-14 vs couple of lesser Big East teams (DePaul/St John’s). Marquette is best 3-point shooting team in tourney (43%); Eagles beat Vandy by 24, Georgia by 10 in two games vs SEC opponents. Carolina is #5 in country at defending 3’s. Crowd in Greenville figures to support home-state Gamecocks, but Duke fans will root for Wojo’s team. Last six years, dogs are 14-9-1 vs spread in 7-10 games.

Kansas is 11-1 outside Big X, with only loss by 4 to Indiana in season opener; Jayhawks lost in first round of Big X tourney last week, but star Jackson was suspended- he is back here. KU had some off court issues this season- they beat Long Beach State of Big West by 30 back in December. Kansas is 2-6 vs spread in first round games last eight years. Cal-Davis is thin team with two senior guards; Aggies are in first NCAA’s; they won in Dayton two nites ago, are 7-7 outside Big West, which was terrible this year. Last 11 years, Big West teams are 4-7 vs spread in this round.

Duke is 1-4 vs spread in its last five 1st-round games, losing SU as a 2-seed/3-seed to Lehigh, Mercer; Blue Devils won ACC tourney LW, are 12-3 in last 15 games- they’re #266 in experience, starting two frosh and a soph (all very talented). Troy finished T6 in Sun Belt (15th-rated league); Trojans won 10 of last 12 games- they went 6-6 vs #335 pre-conference schedule- they lost by 5 at USC. Last ten years, 2-seeds are 22-18 vs spread in this round (7-5 last three years). Since ’07, Sun Belt teams are 7-3 against the spread in this round.

PG Lonzo Ball hurt his left thumb in UCLA’s last game; he is their engine, so if he isn’t 100%, Bruins won’t play well, but we won’t be able to tell until game starts. UCLA won 10 of last 11 games; they beat W. Michigan of MAC by 14 in December. Bruins won seven of last eight first round games; they were underdog in 3 of last 4. Kent State is in NCAA’s for first time since ’08; Golden Flashes won nine of last ten games; they start a frosh, two sophs- they lost at Oregon St by 19, the worst team in Pac-12. Since ’03, MAC teams are 8-6 vs spread in this round, 1-3 last four years.

Kentucky won its last 11 games; they’re 10-3 outside SEC, beating Cleveland St of Horizon by 31 in November. Wildcats won last six first round games (3-3 vs spread); they’re #341 experience team, better not look ahead to Wichita/Dayton winner, because Northern Kentucky has to excited as hell to be here, for first time. Norse won six in row, 10 of last 11 games; they lost by 31 at West Va, but game was only 36-29 at the half. Last five years, Horizon teams are 1-4 vs spread in this round. Last ten years, 2-seeds are 22-18 vs spread in this round (7-5 last three years).

Michigan State/Miami both lost three of last four games; Spartans are 8-2 in last ten first round game- they lost as a 2-seed LY, as an 18-point favorite. Miami won its last five first round games but was higher seed in all five games. ‘canes are #264 experience team that plays #338 tempo- their bench plays #321 minutes. MSU’s bench plays most minutes in country- they start three freshmen, which is why they aren’t as consistent (8-9 in last 17 games) as most Izzo teams. MSU plays #242 tempo. Last eight years, underdogs are 20-10 vs spread in 8-9 games.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday - Session 1
March 17, 2017

The first four games on the slate to kick off Friday’s NCAA Tournament’s betting action starts things off in the Midwest Region with No. 10 Oklahoma State facing No. 7 Michigan.

Next up is No. 14 New Mexico State taking on No. 3 Baylor in the East Region followed by No. 9 Seton Hall going up against No. 8 Arkansas in the South Region.

Friday’s first session comes to an end with another Midwest Region clash between No. 14 Iona and No. 3 Oregon.

Midwest Region (Indianapolis, IN)

No. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. No. 7 Michigan Wolverines (CBS, 12:15 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Michigan -2 ½, 154

Betting Matchup

The Cowboys lost their last two regular season games to Iowa State and Kansas as underdogs before dropping a 92-83 decision to the Cyclones in their first game of the Big 12 Tournament as 1 ½-point favorites. The total went OVER in all three games.

Advertisement

Oklahoma State is now 20-12 straight-up overall with a 17-11 record against the spread. It has gone 8-3 ATS this season when closing as an underdog. It comes into this tournament ranked eighth in the nation in scoring with 85.5 points per game.

Michigan could be considered one of the hottest teams in the NCAA Tournament following its recent four-game run to the Big Ten Tournament title. The Wolverines (24-11 SU, 16-16 ATS) are actually a perfect 5-0 both SU and ATS in their last five games.

Senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. has been the team’s leading scorer this season with 15.2 PPG and he led the way in Michigan’s stunning 71-56 romp over Wisconsin this past Sunday with 22 points.

Betting Trends

-- The Cowboys are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as underdogs and the total has gone OVER in its last six games at a neutral site.

-- The Wolverines have gone a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six neutral-site games and the total has stayed UNDER in six of their last NCAA Tournament games when closing as favorites.

-- These two last met in the Sweet 16 Round of the 1992 NCAA Tournament with Michigan pulling off the upset as underdogs before losing to Duke in the national title game.

East Region (Tulsa, OK)

No. 14 New Mexico State Aggies vs. No. 3 Baylor Bears (truTV, 12:40 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Baylor -12, 135

Betting Matchup

The Aggies won the WAC Tournament with a 70-60 victory against Cal State-Bakersfield as two-point favorites to extend their current SU winning streak to five games.

At one point this season they reeled off 20 SU wins as part of an overall record of 28-5. They are 6-2 ATS in eight games this season with a posted betting line. Senior guard Ian Baker leads the team in both points (16.6) and assists (4.1).

Baylor made an early exit from the Big 12 Tournament with a 70-64 loss to Kansas State as a 4 ½-point favorite. The Bears (25-7 SU, 14-15 ATS) have gone a shaky 3-4 SU in their last seven games while failing to cover in five of these contests.

They are 10-13 ATS this season when closing as favorite. Junior guard Johnathan Motley has averaged a team-high 17.3 points this season, but this has been bumped up to 20.2 points over his last five starts.

Betting Trends

-- The Aggies are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against the Big 12 and the total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six games in the NCAA Tournament.

-- The Bears have failed to cover in five of their last seven NCAA Tournament games and the total has stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in 11 of their last 14 games played at a neutral site.

-- Baylor won two previous meetings SU in 2015 and 2014 with the total evenly split at 1-1.

South Region (Greenville, SC.)

No. 9 Seton Hall Pirates vs. No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks (TNT, 1:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Arkansas -1, 146 ½

Betting Matchup

The Pirates gave Villanova a run for its money in the Big East Tournament in a 55-53 loss as 10 ½-point favorite. They went 5-1 SU in their last six games with a 4-2 mark ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in four of those six games.

Seton Hall (21-11 SU, 15-16 ATS) averaged 73.3 points this season behind junior guard Khadeen Carrington’s team-high 16.9 PPG. He was held to 11 points against Villanova after exceeding this average in three of his previous four starts. Arkansas made a run all the way to the SEC title game before losing to Kentucky 82-65 as a 7 ½-point underdog.

The Razorbacks (25-9 SU, 17-15 ATS) went 8-2 SU in their last 10 games with a 7-3 record ATS. The total stayed UNDER in five of their last six contests.

Junior guard Daryl Macon scored 18 points off the bench in the loss to Kentucky with senior guard Dusty Hannah basically matching his team-high scoring average (14.6 PPG) with 14 points in the losing cause.

Betting Trends

-- The Pirates have gone 3-0-1 ATS in their last four neutral-site games and the total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six games played at a neutral site.

-- The Razorbacks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against the Big East and the total has gone OVER in four of their last five NCAA Tournament games.

-- These two last met in 2010 with Arkansas coming away with a 71-62 victory as a slight 1 ½-point home underdog.

Midwest Region (Sacramento, CA)

No. 14 Iona Gaels vs. No. 3 Oregon Ducks (TBS, 2:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Oregon 14 ½, 152

Betting Matchup

Iona finished third in the Metro Atlantic this season at 12-8 SU in conference play, but it earned a spot in this tournament with a tight 87-86 victory against Siena as a 2 ½-point favorite in the conference tournament’s title game.

The Gaels are 22-12 SU overall with a 15-16-1 record ATS. They have been able to average a solid 80.5 PPG this season, but they have had their issues at the other end of the court with a points-allowed average of 76.4 points a game.

The Ducks earned the Pac-12 regular season title on a tie-breaker against Arizona with both teams going 16-2 SU in conference play, but they could not get past the Wildcats in the conference tournament title game in a tough 83-80 loss as slight 1 ½-point favorites.

Oregon (29-5 SU, 19-13-1 ATS) is averaging 79.1 PPG behind junior forward Dillon Brooks’ 16.3 PPG, but it lost a big chunk of offense when Chris Boucher (11.8 PPG) was lost for the season with a knee injury.

Betting Trends

-- The Gaels have failed to cover in their last four NCAA Tournament games and the total has stayed UNDER in 10 of their last 13 games at a neutral site.

-- The Ducks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games in the NCAA Tournament and the total has gone OVER in four of their last five neutral-site games.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday - Session 2
March 16, 2017

Midwest Region (Indianapolis, IN)

No. 15 Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. No. 2 Louisville Cardinals (CBS, 2:45 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Lousville -20, 134

Betting Matchup

The Gamecocks carry the flag for the Ohio Valley Conference, a league which has made noise in past NCAA Tournaments. In fact, a 15-seed Belmont of the OVC took 2-seed Duke down to the wire in 2008 before the Blue Devils escaped 71-70. Morehead State and Murray State have also made noise for the OVC, so the two-seed Cardinals will need to be on their toes. The Gamecocks enter 6-0 ATS in their past six neutral-site games and 5-2 ATS in their past seven as an underdog while going 4-1 ATS in their past five against teams with an overall winning mark.

Louisville is back in the NCAA Tournament after a one-year self-imposed postseason ban due to a pending NCAA investigation. The Cardinals drink is stirred by Donovan Mitchell (15.7 PPG), Quentin Snyder (12.7 PPG) and Deng Adel (11.9 PPG), but occasionally they have struggled with their shot. The three leading scorers have combined to shoot just 40.7 from the floor. Louisville enters the game just 1-5 ATS over their past six games overall and 1-5 ATS in their past six against winning teams.

Betting Trends

-- The UNDER has been the rule for Jacksonville State lately, going 7-1 in their past eight neutral-site games and 20-7 in their past 27 games overall. The under is also 5-1 in their past six as an underdog.

-- The OVER is 9-3-1 in Louisville's past 13 NCAA Tournament games, but the under is 7-0 in their past seven matchups against OVC opponents. The under is also 17-6-3 in Louisville's past 26 non-conference outings and 9-2 in their past 11 outings as a favorite of 13 or more points.

-- These teams have met just once before with Louisville hammering Jack State 88-39 back on Nov. 17, 2014.

East Region (Tulsa, OK)

No. 11 Southern California Trojans vs. No. 6 Southern Methodist Mustangs (truTV, 3:10 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Southern Methodist OFF, OFF

Betting Matchup

Southern California rallied from a 17-point deficit in the play-in game in Dayton to exact revenge on Providence after the Friars ousted them in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Revenge is what Southern Methodist will have on their minds against USC, as the Trojans topped the Mustangs 78-73 back on Nov. 25. These teams have changed dramatically since, as USC tumbled down the stretch while SMU seemed to get stronger as the season progressed.

Advertisement

Cincinnati seemed to garner all the headlines in the American Athletic Conference for most of the season, but Southern Methodist kinda snuck up on the league and caught fire after the holidays. The Mustangs won two of the three meetings against the Bearcats, including a 15-point win March 12 in the AAC Final. SMU has won 16 in a row heading into their first-round game, and they have an impressive 14-2-1 ATS mark over their past 17 outings.

Betting Trends

-- The Trojans are 4-1 ATS over their past five games, and 20-8-1 ATS in their past 29 non-conference tilts. However, they're just 3-9 ATS over their past 12 games against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or greater.

-- The OVER is an impressive 7-0-1 across the past eight outings for SMU, including 2-0-1 in their past three neutral-site battles. The over is also 6-1 in SMU's past seven non-conference games.

-- SMU has won nine straight games away from Dallas, and they're an impressive 10-1-1 ATS in their past 12 games away from home. The Mustangs are 14-3 ATS in their past 17 games against teams with a winning percentage over .600 and 21-5 ATS in their past 26 games following a straight-up win.

South Region (Greenville, SC)

No. 16 Texas Southern Tigers vs. No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (TNT, 4:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: North Carolina -27, 154 ½

Betting Matchup

It is well publicized that a 16-seed has never been a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and there aren't many reasons to believe Texas Southern is going to break that streak and make history. The Tigers ranked 168th in the nation defensively, and that's not a good sign facing a North Carolina side which averaged 84.3 points per game. UNC also led the country with 43.5 rebounds per game, so the size disparity is something that will affect Texas Southern greatly. The Tigers do have 7-footer Marvin Jones and 6-foot-10 Stephan Bennett, but neither of those players factored in much on the offensive end.

UNC's Isaiah Hicks averaged 19.7 PPG and 7.3 RPG over his past three games, hitting 72.0 percent from the floor (18-25 FG). The Tar Heels are stacked with Hicks, Justin Jackson (18.1 PPG), Joel Berry II (14.8 PPG) and Kennedy Meeks (12.6 PPG), as they have depth to go very deep into this tournament and win it all. UNC fell in the ACC Semifinals against rival Duke, losing by 10 points, and it's rather rare for a No. 1 seed to be 2-2 SU/1-2-1 ATS over their past four games overall.

Betting Trends

--The Tar Heels are 8-4 SU over the past 12 games, going 5-6-1 ATS dating back to Jan. 28. They are also just 3-4 SU/ATS over their past seven games away from home. UNC is 4-1 ATS in their past five NCAA Tournament games and 20-8-2 ATS in their past 30 neutral-site games overall.

-- The UNDER is a dominant 9-3-1 over the past 13 games for UNC, and 4-2-1 in their past seven games away from home. The OVER is 4-0 in UNC's past four NCAA Tournament games, however, and 6-2 in their past eight games as a favorite of 13 or more points.

-- Texas Southern has failed to cover each of their past four neutral-site games, although they're 6-2 ATS in their past eight games as an underdog of 13 or more points.

-- The OVER is 7-3 in Texas Southern's past 10 neutral-site games, and 4-0 in their past four as an underdog.

Midwest Region (Sacramento, CA)

No. 11 Rhode Island Rams vs. Creighton Blue Jays (TBS, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Pick 'Em, 141 ½

Betting Matchup

Creighton was humming right along this season with an 18-1 SU record heading into Jan. 21, and that only setback was against defending national champion Villanova. Since then they're a very ordinary 7-8 SU/6-9 ATS and they just haven't looked the same since Maurice Watson Jr. went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Dreams of a run to the Final Four appear to have gone right out the window for the Blue Jays. They have a nice inside presence with 7-foot freshman center Justin Patton, who shot 69.4 percent from the field to rank second nationally.

Rhode Island enters the game as a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team. They're a tremendous perimeter team, ranking third nationally against the 3-pointer with opponents hitting just 29 percent from behind the arc. However, opponents are shooting 40.4 percent from the floor against the Rams. URI is just 1-4 ATS in their past five games against the Big East Conference opponents and 2-5 ATS in their past seven outside of the conference. However, they have covered four of their past five neutral-site games, including three in the Atlantic 10 Tournament and four of their past five this season.

Betting Trends

--The Blue Jays are 14-5 ATS in their past 19 non-conference games, but just 1-8-1 ATS in their past 10 NCAA Tournament contests. Creighton is also 1-6 ATS in their past seven against teams with a winning percentage greater than .600.

-- The UNDER is 19-8 in Rhode Island's past 27 neutral-site games and 4-1 in their past five non-conference affairs.

-- The UNDER is 4-0 in Creighton's past four neutral-site games, 6-1 in their past seven overall and 4-1 in their past five battles against a team with a winning percentage of .600 or greater.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday - Session 3
March 16, 2017

Midwest Region (Tulsa, OK)

No. 16 UC Davis Aggies vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (TNT, 6:50 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Kansas -23.5 145.5

Betting Matchup

The Aggies have won 18 of their last 24 games, the last four of which have all been elimination games. Of those contests, the last three all ended up coming down to getting stops in the final minute, which is what this group prides itself on. After being upset in the Big West Tournament as the top seed in 2015, last year's group fell off due to injuries, which set them up to be the resilient group they've been to date.

After trailing at the half against NC Central, UC Davis came out of the gate with an 11-2 run and never looked back, although the Eagles twice cut the deficit down to one point. Forward J.T. Adenrele and Chima Moneke do the dirty work inside and on the boards, while senior guards Brynton Lemar and Lawrence White bring length and savvy to the perimeter alongside point guard Darius Graham. Lemar was the conference tournament MVP, while Moneke will likely be the favorite for Big West Player of the Year honors next season. He scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to engineer the upset of NC Central, which entered the First Four game as a 3.5-to-4 point favorite.
Advertisement


Although the Jayhawks couldn't have anticipated losing to TCU without All-America candidate Josh Jackson, going out in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament gave everybody a few days of extra rest without costing the team a No. 1 seed in these NCAAs. The pressure is on Jackson (16.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), who was suspended for a traffic incident, to atone for leaving his team short-handed, but he's got the goods to more than make up for it. Already, he's set a KU freshman record for double-doubles and could pass Ben McLemore and Andrew Wiggins as the highest-scoring freshman in school history with a strong run here.

Despite his exploits, senior point guard was the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and was recognized nationally as this season's top player by various publications. He's averaged 20.8 points and 5.1 assists, shooting nearly 50 percent from 3-point range while also running the offense. Quality depth has been an issue all season, particularly up front, where center Udoka Azubuike was lost for the season. Devonte Graham, the Jayhawks' third double-figure scorer (13.1), is a go after tweaking an ankle in the conference tournament.

Betting Trends

-- UC Davis is 7-1 over its last eight, which includes going 6-1-1 against the number. Seven of the eight games have also gone under the posted total, including the First Four game. With the number closing at 131.5, NC Central missed its final few field goal attempts and failed to score in the final 1:49 to deliver the under. The Aggies held the Eagles to 5-for-26 from 3-point range.

-- The Jayhawks have only played seven games against non-power five schools, winning them all by at least 18 points. Davidson and UNLV played them tightest of that group, which features three teams they've beaten by 30 or more (Long Beach State, NC-Asheville, UMKC). Kansas has averaged 87.5 points per game in those contests.

South Region (Indianapolis, IN)

No. 10 Wichita State Shockers vs. No. 7 Dayton Flyers (CBS, 7:10 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Wichita State - 6, 148

Betting Matchup

The Shockers haven't lost since Jan. 14, avenged that defeat by 41 points at home and by 20 in the Missouri Valley Tournament and have been a favorite of various computer rankings due to their consistency in beating teams silly. They entered this NCAA Tournament with wins by 15 or more points in 14 of their last 15 games. Critics will tell you the MVC was weak this season, a reason why Illinois State was left out of the field of 68 despite being regular-season co-champs alongside Wichita State. That's undeniable. Against power-five schools, the Shockers are just 2-3, with their best win in that group coming at Oklahoma, which wasn't even a .500 team this season. Despite this, they deserved better than getting stuck with a No. 10 seed where an "upset" sets them up with a likely matchup against Kentucky. Beating the Flyers would be an upset by seed only, since Wichita State is a clear favorite.

Guards Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, standouts over the past few seasons, each landed on an NBA roster and have played some as rookies, so this season has required Wichita to establish new backcourt leaders. Redshirt freshman Landry Shamet has stepped in to the point guard role and leads the team in minutes and assists while ranking second in scoring (11.1). Kansas transfer Conner Frankamp, a deadly 3-point shooter, has stepped in at the two. The Shockers' major strength is their size and versatility up front, as there are few frontcourts in the nation they can't match up with. Wichita State ranks in the national top-10 in rebounding and 3-point shooting.

The Flyers definitely had loftier aspirations than coming into these NCAAs as an underdog No. 7 seed when the season began. Injuries have played a major role. Kostas Antetokounmpo, Greek Freak's youngest brother, was ruled ineligible. Forwards Kendall Pollard and Charles Cooke missed time, so outside of imposing their will in the Atlantic 10, Archie Miller's team never captured the attention they were hoping to in a season where they're blessed with so much tournament experience. Seniors Schoochie Smith, Pollard, Cooke and Kyle Davis have five NCAA Tournament wins under their belts, so they're looking to turn that into a major advantage in this round and in a potential showdown with young Kentucky.

Betting Trends

-- Since last losing on Jan. 14, the Shockers have won 15 consecutive games, covering the number 11 times. The under is 10-4 over Wichita State's last 14 games, which includes all its Missouri Valley Tournament wins.

-- Dayton dropped its last two games, but had a season-long nine-game winning streak working before six-point setbacks to George Washington and Davidson. The over was a perfect 11-0 in Flyers games to close the regular-season, but the run ended in a 73-67 loss to Davidson in the A-10 Tourney that came up three points shy.

East Region (Greenville, SC)

No. 15 Troy Trojans vs. No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (TBS, 7:20 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Duke -19, 152

Betting Matchup

The Trojans led USC in the second half and played Wyoming tight on a key Western swing that helped generate confidence for conference play. The team utilized more of an up-tempo style and suddenly became one of the toughest teams in the Sun Belt to play. Despite finishing sixth, one game back of third place, Troy won four games in four days in New Orleans, the first three by double-digits before handling Texas State in the final.

Forward Jordon Varnado, whose older brother Jarvis was a three-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year at Mississippi State and is currently a pro in Turkey, is more of a wing at 6-foot-6 but still blocks a team-high 1.4 blocks and can mix it up on the boards, averaging 7.1 to go along with his team-best 16.5 points per game. Guard Wesley Person, son of the former NBA player and nephew of the "Rifleman," Auburn legend Chuck Person, has made 92 3-pointers and shoots 40 percent from the arc, while Florida transfer DeVon Walker brings his elite athleticism to the table on a team where everyone pitches in to do the dirty work.

Duke entered the ACC Tournament as a NCAA Tournament No. 4 seed, so if Clemson had somehow made a key basket or two down the stretch of a tight game, the Blue Devils might have followed suit as a team seeded unfairly by a committee that did a brutal job at that vital part of the process. Instead, they beat the Tigers, came back on Louisville and Duke and held off Notre Dame and ended up as a No. 2 seed. Success in Brooklyn came as a result of the continued emergence of forward Jayson Tatum, an elite recruit who didn't really start living up to the hype until conference play and has really taken off of late. It didn't hurt that standout shooter Luke Kennard and the controversial Grayson Allen also shot the ball great, taking advantage of the looks Tatum helped create.

The Blue Devils were a preseason No. 1 in the eyes of most due to who they had returning and coming on board in recruiting. In addition to Tatum, center Harry Giles was also part of a standout class, but his best contributions haven't come until recently since he's been progressing slowly after tearing both of his ACLs. With him now a productive part of the rotation, Mike Krzyzewski has the most talented top-seven in the college game since all are likely to play in the NBA in some capacity. Oddsmakers initially had Duke as the betting favorite for this NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday despite them being placed in the same East region as No. 1 overall seed Villanova.

Betting Trends

-- Troy had a streak of eight consecutive covers from Dec. 17 to Jan. 14, undoubtedly spreading a little holiday cheer for backers. They're on a run of four straight covers entering this one and have seen the under come through in seven of the last nine.

-- Duke was in the rare spot of being an underdog in three of four games before the ACC Championship and went 2-0-1, pushing in Chapel Hill before beating the Tar Heels in the semifinals. The over hit in all four of those games, but came in under the posted total in the conference final.

South Region (Sacramento, CA)

No. 11 Kansas State Wildcats vs. No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats (truTV, 7:25 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Cincinnati -3 ½, 130 ½

Betting Matchup

Although the Wildcats had a questionable resume, they stuck it to detractors by playing their best offensive game of the season in eliminating Wake Forest from the First Four to advance here. The 95-88 victory came thanks to a season-best 66 percent shooting from the field. K-State scored its second-highest output, falling one shy of matching the number they put up in Stillwater in one of their few quality true road wins on the season. Wesley Iwundu scored 24 points and Kamau Stokes added 22 as both showed off their versatility.

Kansas State probably shouldn't have ever reached the point where it was in danger of missing these NCAAs, but they got off to a brutal start in Big 12 play, often blowing games like numbskulls. They never did make it over .500 against league competition, but showed enough in a run to the conference tournament semis -- they led West Virginia, blew it -- to earn one of the final dance cards. They're looking for multiple wins at an NCAAs for the first time since 2010. History is on their side. At least one team that survived the First Four has moved on into the second round with another victory since the tournament format was modified to open the decade.

The Bearcats lost out to SMU in the American Athletic Conference regular season race and fell in the league tournament final, so this group has fallen short of their goals thus far. In all four of their losses, it was their offense that betrayed them, which could set up nicely for an upset here since K-State does have length on the perimeter and is used to more prolific attacks within its league. Cincinnati defeated Iowa State in Ames on Dec. 1, holding the normally explosive Cyclones to just 54 points on their home floor. Ideally, they're going to play a completely different game than Wake did on Tuesday, likely slowing tempo to a crawl early to keep the Wildcats from sustaining the confidence level they'll be carrying over.

Senior point guard Troy Caupain has been the engine for the Bearcats for years and must be aggressive and assertive since few of his teammates can create their own offense outside of putbacks. On that note, it will be on the more versatile Gary Clark to help teammate Kyle Washington get some breathing room inside by stepping out to draw defenders away from the paint. If he can be successful, Cincinnati should generate enough offense to avoid a fourth first-round exit in five years.

Betting Trends

-- The Wildcats are 4-1 in March and a perfect 5-0 against the number. The only non-conference opponent on Cincinnati's level that K-State has faed this season was Maryland, which won 69-68 as a 3.5-point underdog in the Barclays Classic in Brooklyn.

-- Besides that aforementioned victory over Iowa State, Cincinnati has also defeated Xavier and Penn State, but lost on the road at Butler. The under is 6-4-1 over its last 11 games.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday - Session 4
March 17, 2017

Midwest Region (Tulsa, OK)

No. 9 Michigan State vs. Np. 8 Miami (TNT, 9:20 p.m. ET)

-- As of late Thursday, most betting shops had Miami (21-11 straight up, 11-19 against the spread) listed as a 2.5-point favorite over Michigan State in this 8/9 game from the Midwest Region. The winner will advance to face top-seeded Kansas in Tulsa, presuming the Jayhawks don’t become the first 1-seed to fall against a 16-seed. The total was at 125.5 points.

-- Jim Larranaga’s squad has lost three of its last four games, including a 78-53 loss to North Carolina last Thursday in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. UM failed to cover the spread as an 8.5-point underdog. The 131 combined points went ‘under’ the 137.5-point total. Bruce Brown was the only UM player in double figures with a team-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field.

-- Miami is led by Davon Reed’s 15.0 points-per-game average. Reed, a senior guard, is hitting 39.9 percent of his 3-pointers and 83.3 percent of his free throws. Ja’Quan Newton averages 13.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Brown is also scoring in double figures with a 11.9 PPG average. He also averages 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

-- Miami owns a 5-7 spread record in 12 games as a single-digit favorite.

-- UM is ranked 24th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 63.7 PPG.

-- Michigan State (19-14 SU, 17-15 ATS) has lost three of its last four games outright while going 2-2 ATS. The Spartans dropped their last two games of the regular season until registering a 78-51 win over Penn State as six-point ‘chalk’ in their Big Ten Tourney opener. Nick Ward and Miles Bridges produced similar stat lines, with each player tallying 15 points, nine rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Joshua Langford added 13 points, while Lourawls Nairn Jr. dished out nine assists without committing a turnover.

-- Tom Izzo’s team was bounced from the Big Ten Tourney in a 63-58 loss to Minnesota as a 1.5-point underdog. Bridges scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the losing effort. Ward added 15 points and 11 boards.

-- Eron Harris, MSU’s third-leading scorer (10.7 PPG), went down with a season-ending injury on Feb. 18. He was making 38.7 percent of his launches from downtown.

-- Bridges, the true freshman power forward, leads the Spartans in scoring (16.7 PPG) and rebounding (8.3 RPG). He missed seven games in December with an injury, but he’s still blocked 42 shots in 26 games played. Ward, another freshman forward, is averaging 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

-- Michigan State is No. 51 in the RPI Rankings, posting a 3-8 record against the RPI Top 25, a 6-9 mark versus the Top 50 and 10-13 ledger against the Top 100. The Spartans own home wins over Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, in addition to a neutral-court victory over Wichita State and a overtime triumph over the Gophers at The Barn.

-- The ‘under’ has cashed in six straight games for the ‘Canes, who have seen the ‘under’ hit at a lucrative 20-9-1 overall clip.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-15 overall for the Spartans after cashing in three consecutive games.

-- TNT will have the broadcast at around 9:20 p.m. Eastern, 30 minutes after the conclusion of UC Davis-Kansas.

South Region (Indianapolis, IN)

No. 15 Northern Kentucky vs. No. 2 Kentucky (CBS, 9:40 p.m. ET)

-- As of late Thursday, most books had Kentucky (29-5 SU, 18-16 ATS) installed as a 20-point favorite with a total of 152.5 points. The total had opened at 154. The Norse had 25/1 money-line odds at several offshores.

-- Kentucky brings an 11-game winning streak to Indianapolis after winning the SEC Tournament in Nashville last weekend. John Calipari’s club garnered a No. 2 seed in the South Region behind Sunday’s 82-65 win over Arkansas as a 7.5-point ‘chalk.’ The Wildcats defeated Georgia (71-60) and Alabama (79-74) to get to the finals. De’Aaron Fox scored a team-best 18 points against the Razorbacks. Edrice Adebayo and Malik Monk chipped in 17 points apiece, while Dominique Hawkins was also in double figures with 14 points and four steals. Adebayo pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

-- UK has been a double-digit favorite 24 times this year, going 12-12 ATS. With that said, the ‘Cats have limped to a 3-9 spread record in their last 12 such spots.

-- Monk, a true freshman shooting guard, averages a team-best 20.4 PPG. He shoots at a 40.3 percent clip from beyond the arc. Fox (16.1 PPG) has a 154/77 assists-to-turnovers ratio, while Adebayo (13.3 PPG) averages team-highs in rebounding (7.8 RPG), field-goal percentage (61.4%) and blocked shots (1.6 BPG).

-- UK is ranked fifth in the nation in scoring (85.9 PPG) and 13th at defending the 3-point line (30.7%). The defense against 3-pointers is helped by the length Fox and Monk have for guard-standards.

-- Northern Kentucky (24-10 SU, 20-9 ATS) won its sixth straight game with a 59-53 win over UW-Milwaukee in the finals of the Horizon League Tournament. The Norse, who are 5-0-1 ATS during their six-game surge, were led by Lavone Holland’s 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Drew McDonald added 14 points and 12 boards.

-- McDonald averages team-highs in scoring (16.4 PPG), rebounding (7.7 RPG) and blocked shots (0.6 BPG).

-- Northern Ky. faced only one team in the NCAA Tournament field, losing 92-61 at West Va. as a 26-point road underdog. The Norse has a been an underdog 12 times, compiling an 8-4 spread record with six outright victories. They’re 2-1 ATS in three games as double-digit ‘dogs.

-- Totals have been an overall wash (17-17) for the ‘Cats, but they’ve seen the ‘under’ go 11-4 in their last 15 outings.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-13 overall for Northern Ky., but the ‘over’ is 6-1 in its last seven contests.

-- This tip should be around 9:40 p.m. Eastern on CBS. The winner advances to face the Wichita St.-Dayton winner on Sunday.

East Region (Greenville, SC)

No. 10 Marquette vs. No. 7 South Carolina (TBS, 9:50 p.m.)

-- As of late Thursday, most books had South Carolina (22-10 SU, 11-16 ATS) listed as a one-point favorite with a total of 144.5.

-- Frank Martin has his team in the NCAA Tourney for the first time during his five-year tenure. South Carolina is the seventh seed in the East Region, facing a Marquette team out of the Big East in Greenville, South Carolina, where it should enjoy a home-crowd advantage.

-- South Carolina will have fresh legs after losing its first game in the quarterfinals of last week’s SEC Tournament. The Gamecocks lost to Alabama for a second time this year in Nashville, dropping a 64-53 decision as five-point favorites. Sindarius Thornwell scored 16 points and grabbed four rebounds in the losing effort. P.J. Dozier added 15 points and five boards, while Rakym Felder contributed 10 points.

-- Thornwell is a stat-sheet stuffer who is the heart and soul of this squad. He averages 21.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.9 blocked shots per game. The senior small forward has shot at career-best percentages from the field (44.0%), 3-point land (39.1%) and the FT line (83.2%). Thornwell had 44 points and 21 rebounds in a four-OT loss to ‘Bama during the regular season.

-- Dozier, a hometown product from Columbia’s Spring Valley High School, is a sophomore guard who’s averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

-- South Carolina is mired in a 1-9 ATS slump.

-- USC has played only seven games against teams in the field, going 2-5 SU and 2-4-1 ATS.

-- Marquette (19-12 SU, 16-15 ATS) leads the nation in 3-point shooting, draining 43.0 percent of its attempts from long distance. The Golden Eagles are sixth nationally in FT percentage (77.9%), 15th in field-goal percentage (48.7%) and 17th in scoring (82.5 PPG).

-- Like USC, Marquette will certainly have fresh legs after going one-and-done at last week’s Big East Tournament at MSG in NYC. The Golden Eagles had won four of five games both SU and ATS heading into the postseason, only to lose 82-76 to Seton Hall as 2.5-point favorites. Andrew Rowsey had 23 points in defeat. Markus Howard had 16 points, hitting 3-of-6 shots from 3-point range.

-- Marquette might be without senior center Luke Fischer, who is ‘questionable’ with a shoulder injury. Fischer averages 11.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game.

-- Marquette went 7-9 both SU and ATS in 16 games against foes in the NCAA field.

-- The ‘over’ is 16-15 overall for Marquette after cashing in four consecutive games.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-11-1 overall for the Gamecocks, going 3-0-1 in their last four contests.

-- This game will tip around 9:50 p.m. Eastern on TBS after the Troy-Duke game ends.

South Region (Sacramento, CA)

No. 14 Kent State vs. No. 3 UCLA (truTV, 9:57 p.m.)

-- As of late Thursday, most spots had UCLA (29-4 SU, 16-17 ATS) favored by 18.5 points with a total of 161.5. The Golden Flashes had 18/1 money-line odds (risk $100 to win $1,800).

-- Steve Alford is in his fourth season at UCLA and has his team in the NCAA Tourney as a No. 3 seed in the South Region. After missing the NCAA Tournament last season, Alford entered this year on a relatively warm seat in terms of his job security. His two 5-star recruits in Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf delivered ‘as advertised’ to eliminate any doubt about his future at the school with this season’s 29-win campaign. However, with Tom Crean getting fired by Indiana on Wednesday, immediate speculation has centered on Alford, the IU legend who led the Hoosiers to their last national title in 1987. We’ll see what (if any) impact this has on the Bruins.

-- UCLA has been a double-digit ‘chalk’ 19 times, posting an 8-11 ATS record.

-- UCLA has won outright in six of 10 games played against teams in the NCAA field.

-- UCLA’s best wins: at Kentucky, at Arizona and vs. Michigan.

-- UCLA saw its 10-game winning streak snapped in last Friday’s 86-75 loss to Arizona as a 2.5-point favorite in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ball had a team-best 20 points in the losing effort, but he had more turnovers (two) than assists (one). Leaf finished with 15 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.

-- Leaf is averaging 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game He shoots at a 61.8 percent clip from the field, knocking down 45.3 percent of his 3-balls. Leaf has an 83/48 assists-to-turnovers ratio and 37 blocked shots. Ball (14.6 PPG) has a 254/83 assists-to-turnovers ratio, 64 steals and 26 blocked shots. The future lottery pick is hitting 54.4 percent of his attempts from the field and 41.0 percent from long distance. Ball also pulls down 6.1 RPG. Bryce Alford, the senior guard who is the head coach’s son, is averaging 15.8 PPG, making 43.5 percent of his 3-pointers.

-- Kent State (22-13 SU, 16-13 ATS) has won nine of its last 10 games while producing an 8-2 spread record. The Golden Flashes won four games in as many days both at the MAC Tournament to earn the league’s automatic bid. They beat Akron by a 70-65 count as 3.5-point underdogs in the finals this past Saturday. Jaylin Walker dropped game-high 30 points on the Zips thanks to 11-of-18 shooting from the field. Jimmy Hall added 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.

-- In order to get to the MAC Tourney finals, Kent State had to go to overtime before beating Central Michigan and getting a miracle cover in a 116-106 victory as a 9.5-point ‘chalk.’ Hall played 44 of 45 minutes, producing 33 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and six assists without a turnover. Walker finished with 29 points and 14 boards, burying 7-of-14 launches from 3-point land. Jalen Avery added 24 points, six boards and three assists compared to merely one turnover. Avery bombed home 5-of-6 from downtown.

-- After getting past CMU, Kent State advanced to the finals with wins over Buffalo (68-65) and Ohio (68-66). The Golden Flashes were 3.5-point underdogs in both outright victories.

-- Kent State has thrived as an underdog, compiling an 8-4-1 spread record with eight outright wins. The Golden Flashes have been double-digit ‘dogs only once this year, winning a 63-58 decision at Texas as 12.5-point ‘dogs. They are 7-2 both SU and ATS in their last nine games as ‘dogs.

-- Hall is averaging team-highs in scoring (18.9 PPG), assists (2.6 APG), rebounding (10.5 RPG), field-goal percentage (52.1%) and blocked shots (1.4 BPG).

-- Kent State hasn’t faced a team in the NCAA field all year long.

-- After cashing in eight of Kent St.’s last nine games, the ‘under’ has improved to 17-14 overall.

-- The ‘under’ is on an 8-2 run for the Bruins in their last 10 games to improve to 16-15-2 overall.

-- This game should tip from Sacramento at around 9:55 p.m. Eastern on TruTV. The winner will advance to face the survivor of Kansas State vs. Cincinnati.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Florida improved its all-time NCAA Tournament record to 43-17 with Thursday’s 80-65 win over East Tennessee State as a 9.5-point favorite. Mister Jennings, the hero of ETSU’s only NCAA Tournament win in program history way back in 1992, wasn’t walking through that door in Orlando. Although it led by just one at intermission, UF went on a 10-1 second-half run sparked by junior guard Chris Chiozza to create a double-digit cushion. Devin Robinson led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Kasey Hill and Chiozza had 14 points apiece. The Gators opened as 1.5-point favorites for Saturday’s showdown with Virginia.

-- Virginia fell down to UNC-Wilmington by double digits in the first half, but the Cavaliers rallied to a 76-71 triumph to advance to the Round of 32. The Seahawks took the cash as 7.5-point underdogs, though.

-- Iowa State remained hot as a firecracker with its 10th win its last 11 games, beating Nevada late Thursday by an 84-73 score. The Cyclones improved to 9-2 ATS in their last 11 by covering the number as six-point ‘chalk.’ The foul-fest in the final minute allowed ‘over’ backers to cash a winner with the 157 combined points slithering ‘over’ the 156-point tally thanks to late FTs from ISU. Monte Morris flirted with a triple-double, recording 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The Cyclones will meet Purdue, which knocked off Vermont, on Saturday.

-- Florida Gulf Coast played Florida State tough and took the money as a 12-point underdog, but the Seminoles advanced with an 86-80 victory in Orlando. The ‘Noles will meet Xavier on Saturday after the Musketeers surged past Maryland 76-65 behind 18 second-half points from Trevon Bluiett.

-- This just in: Xavier’s Chris Mack can coach. Without injured Edwin Sumner, the Musketeers are nonetheless in the Round of 32, which is a testament to Mack’s outstanding work at this Big East program.

-- Northwestern is listed as a 10.5-point underdog for Saturday’s showdown with top-seeded Gonzaga in Salt Lake City. The Wildcats are the only undefeated team in NCAA Tournament history after beating Vanderbilt 68-66 as two-point underdogs. After a go-ahead bucket with 18 seconds remaining, Vandy’s Matthew Fisher-Davis inexplicably fouled Northwestern’s Bryant McIntosh on purpose with 14 seconds left. McIntosh, who scored 25 points, calmly hit both free throws to put his team ahead by one. Fisher-Davis, who finished with a team-best 22 points, told ESPN’s Michelle Steele, “I didn’t know the score, to be honest…(I) saw Coach (Bryce) Drew point at my man, he was just telling me my matchup, and I got it confused with the foul. That was it.”

-- I want to salute Georgia’s J.J. Frazier on a remarkable collegiate career that ended Wednesday night in a home loss to Belmont. The core nucleus of Frazier along with Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines, both of whom are rookies playing overseas this year, helped me cashe winners galore over the last four years. I’m not sure Frazier can defend well enough to make it in the NBA, but he can score in any league at any level and will certainly make greenbacks galore overseas. All indications are that Mark Fox will be retained. He was reportedly on the recruiting trail Thursday. UGA’s expectations for next year will depend heavily on Yante Maten’s decision on whether or not to return to school or skip his senior year to turn pro. Maten returned from a ‘Grade 2’ sprained knee at the SEC Tournament, but he had a setback in practice this week and didn’t play in the loss to Belmont.

[StarDust Bum]

2017 NCAA Tournament Results
March 17, 2017

NCAA TOURNAMENT BETTING RESULTS

Wager Favorites-Underdogs
Straight Up 16-4
Against the Spread 9-11

Total
Over-Under 14-6

First-Four Games
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Matchup Score ATS Result
Mount St. Mary's (+1) vs. New Orleans 67-66 Underdog-Over (132)
Kansas State (-1) vs. Wake Forest 95-88 Favorite-Over (147)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
North Carolina Central vs. UC Davis (+3.5, ML +150) 67-63 Underdog-Under (131)
Providence vs. Southern California (-2) 75-71 Favorite-Over (141.5)

First Round - Thursday March 16
SESSION 1
Matchup Score ATS Result
Notre Dame (-6) vs. Princeton 60-58 Underdog-Under (133.5)
Virginia (-7.5) vs. UNC Wilmington 76-71 Underdog-Over (134.5)
Butler (-10.5) vs. Winthrop 76-64 Favorite-Under (145)
Gonzaga (-23.5) vs. South Dakota State 66-46 Underdog-Under (157)

SESSION 2
Matchup Score ATS Result
West Virginia (-13) vs. Bucknell 86-80 Underdog-Over (148.5)
Florida (-9.5) vs. East Tennessee State 80-65 Favorite-Under (148)
Minnesota vs. Middle Tennessee State (-1.5) 81-72 Favorite-Over (128)
Northwestern (+2, ML +115) vs. Vanderbilt 68-66 Underdog-Over (130)

SESSION 3
Matchup Score ATS Result
Maryland vs. Xavier (+2, ML +115) 76-65 Underdog-Under (142)
Mount St. Mary's vs. Villanova (-25) 76-56 Underdog-Over (131.5)
St. Mary's, CA (-4) vs. Virginia Commonwealth 85-77 Favorite-Over (128.5)
Purdue (-8) vs. Vermont 80-70 Favorite-Over (134.5)

SESSION 4
Matchup Score ATS Result
Florida State (-11) vs. Florida Gulf Coast 86-80 Underdog-Over (149.5)
Wisconsin (-6) vs. Virginia Tech 84-74 Favorite-Over (136)
Arizona (-18.5) vs. North Dakota 100-82 Underdog-Over (147)
Iowa State (-6) vs. Nevada 84-73 Favorite-Over (157.5)

First Round - Friday, March 17
SESSION 1
Matchup Score ATS Result
Michigan vs. Oklahoma State - -
Baylor vs. New Mexico State - -
Arkansas vs. Seton Hall - -
Oregon vs. Iona - -

SESSION 2
Matchup Score ATS Result
Louisville vs. Jacksonville State - -
Southern Methodist vs. TBA - -
North Carolina vs. Texas Southern - -
Creighton vs. Rhode Island - -

SESSION 3
Matchup Score ATS Result
Kansas vs. TBA - -
Dayton vs. Wichita State - -
Duke vs. Troy - -
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State - -

SESSION 4
Matchup Score ATS Result
Miami-Florida vs. Michigan State - -
Kentucky vs. Northern Kentucky - -
South Carolina vs. Marquette - -
UCLA vs. Kent State - -

Second Round
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

SUNDAY, MARCH 19
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

Sweet Sixteen
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

FRIDAY, MARCH 24
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

Elite Eight
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -

Final Four & Championship
SATURDAY, APRIL 1 & MONDAY APRIL 3
Matchup Score ATS Result
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -
TBA vs. TBA - -