Announcement

**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 08:16 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

— Cuonzo Martin gets $21M for seven years to be hoop coach at Missouri. What a country.

— Siena coach Jimmy Patsos will be in the Turner TV studios Saturday/Sunday.

— Rashaun Madison of NC Central went to four high schools, three colleges. Must be some interesting stories in between those stops.

— Tex-Arlington 105, BYU 89– Cougars were indifferent on defense.

— TCU 66, Fresno State 59– Horned Frogs get their 20th win.

— Washington fired hoop coach Lorenzo Romar, which means they lose #1 recruit Michael Porter Jr, whose dad is Romar’s best friend. Young Porter is the #1 recruit in Class of ’17. His dad was an assistant with Romar at Washington.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud…….

13) I was thinking abut Baylor as a possible Final Four team; problem is, the last two years Bears lost first round games as a 3-seed and a 5-seed- that is not good and hasn’t happened very often.

Last year, Baylor was a 6-point favorite over Yale; they lost to the 12-seed Bulldogs, 79-75. Year before, they were favored by 7.5 points over Georgia State, but lost to the 14-seed Panthers 57-56. This year, Baylor is a 3-seed again and gets New Mexico State- Bears are favored by 12 points. Proceed at your own risk.

12) If Kentucky gets to the Sweet 16, and they should, John Calipari returns to Memphis, where he once led the Tigers to the national title game. Things haven’t gone so well for Memphis since Calipari left for Kentucky. Curious to see what kind of a reaction he’ll get.

11) Note to self: If I ever go to a baseball game in Japan, DO NOT sit in front of the guy who blows a whistle for the whole nine innings.

10) Back in 1986, I was a big fan of the Bradley Braves, coached by Dick Versace and with Hersey Hawkins as the star player; they won an NCAA tourney game before losing in second round to Louisville. Point guard on that team was Jim Les, who played in the NBA for a while and now got his Cal-Davis Aggies in the NCAA’s for the first time. Good coach.

9) According to Baseball America, two of Tampa Bay Rays’ top 12 minor league prospects are from the Albany, NY area, where I live. Garrett Whitley, an OF and Jaime Schultz a pitcher who pitched at High Point U in North Carolina (where the basketball coach is Scott Cherry, who is from Saratoga, 25 miles north of Albany).

Albany is not exactly a hotbed of high school baseball, maybe because as I type this on March 15, my front lawn has two feet of snow on it.

8) Surprising fact: In the six years since the NCAA tournament field was expanded to 68 teams, one of the play-in winners has also won a first round game.

7) So 5-seed Minnesota is a 1-point favorite over 12-seed Middle Tennessee? Last time a 5-seed got this little respect in the first round was 2006, when 12-seed Texas A&M was favored by 1.5 points over Syracuse- they beat the Orangemen, 66-58.

Middle Tennessee was an 18-point underdog when they upset Michigan State last year. Perception of the Blue Raiders has changed a lot.

6) When the Houston Texans signed Brock Osweiler last year, they had never met him? How is that possible? Guy is hopefully your franchise QB; you’d think you’d like to talk with him before he signs a contract with $37M guaranteed in it.

5) Thanks to Jim Boeheim’s comments about there being “no value” to the ACC hoop tournament been held in Greensboro, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, Class A affiliate of Miami Marlins, will give away $20 worth of food and drinks on April 11 to anyone who shows up with a driver’s license that lists Syracuse on it.

Even better, Syracuse played NC-Greensboro in the first round of the NIT- Orange won by 13. Whoever made that happen though, they had to have a good chuckle about it.

4) 10-seed Wichita State is a 6.5-point favorite over 7-seed Dayton; whose opinion do you respect more, Las Vegas oddsmakers or a bunch of college administrators sitting in a hotel conference room? This is the most points a 10-seed has been favored by over a 7-seed.

3) Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia once walked on to the baseball team at Arizona State; he had to ask three times before they even let him try out. “We already have our second baseman” was the response he got, but finally, they let him try out. Smart move.

Things have worked out pretty well for Pedroia, and also for the second baseman who was the starter at ASU at the time— Ian Kinsler.

2) Cal-Davis 67, North Carolina Central 63— Aggies were +10 on boards, held NC Central to 5-26 on arc and advance on to get whacked by 1-seed Kansas in the next round. Thats just the reality of it, but Davis has had a great year- first NCAA tournament and they won a game.

1— USC 75, Providence 71— Trojans were down 17 early in second win; their win is 7th-largest comeback in NCAA tournament history and also avenges 70-69 loss to Friars last year. USC will play Southern Methodist next, Friday in Tulsa.

**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 08:34 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Thursday, March 16

Stony Brook @ Illinois-Chicago

Game 759-760
March 16, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stony Brook
53.106
Illinois-Chicago
51.679
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Stony Brook
by 1 1/2
150
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Illinois-Chicago
by 1
145 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Stony Brook
(+1); Over

Weber State @ CS-Fullerton

Game 757-758
March 16, 2017 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Weber State
52.221
CS-Fullerton
55.562
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
CS-Fullerton
by 3 1/2
151
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Weber State
by 1
142 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
CS-Fullerton
(+1); Over

Lamar @ Texas State

Game 755-756
March 16, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Lamar
46.278
Texas State
60.707
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas State
by 14 1/2
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas State
by 8 1/2
135 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas State
(-8 1/2); Over

NC-Asheville @ UT-Martin

Game 753-754
March 16, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC-Asheville
55.891
UT-Martin
49.949
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NC-Asheville
by 6
157
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NC-Asheville
by 3
150 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC-Asheville
(-3); Over

Furman @ SC-Upstate

Game 751-752
March 16, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Furman
53.700
SC-Upstate
53.357
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
SC-Upstate
Even
143
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Furman
by 5
147 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
SC-Upstate
(+5); Under

St Peter's @ Albany

Game 749-750
March 16, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St Peter's
63.137
Albany
57.563
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St Peter's
by 5 1/2
117
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Albany
by 1 1/2
122 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St Peter's
(+1 1/2); Under

VA-Commonwealth @ St Mary's

Game 743-744
March 16, 2017 @ 7:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
VA-Commonwealth
69.951
St Mary's
67.823
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
VA-Commonwealth
by 2
133
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St Mary's
by 4 1/2
126 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
VA-Commonwealth
(+4 1/2); Over

North Dakota @ Arizona

Game 741-742
March 16, 2017 @ 9:50 pm

Dunkel Rating:
North Dakota
53.882
Arizona
73.504
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 19 1/2
152
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
by 16 1/2
147 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-16 1/2); Over

Vanderbilt @ Northwestern

Game 739-740
March 16, 2017 @ 4:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vanderbilt
68.818
Northwestern
71.792
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Northwestern
by 3
125
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vanderbilt
by 1 1/2
130 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Northwestern
(+1 1/2); Under

South Dakota St @ Gonzaga

Game 737-738
March 16, 2017 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
South Dakota St
54.496
Gonzaga
82.378
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Gonzaga
by 28
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Gonzaga
by 22
153
Dunkel Pick:
Gonzaga
(-22); Under

Winthrop @ Butler

Game 735-736
March 16, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winthrop
54.814
Butler
70.559
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Butler
by 15 1/2
148
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Butler
by 11
144 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Butler
(-11); Over

Middle Tennessee @ Minnesota

Game 733-734
March 16, 2017 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Middle Tennessee
69.102
Minnesota
66.132
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Middle Tennessee
by 3
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Middle Tennessee
Pick
136
Dunkel Pick:
Middle Tennessee
Over

Vermont @ Purdue

Game 731-732
March 16, 2017 @ 7:25 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Vermont
63.106
Purdue
77.632
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Purdue
by 14 1/2
129
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Purdue
by 8 1/2
135
Dunkel Pick:
Purdue
(-8 1/2); Under

Nevada @ Iowa State

Game 729-730
March 16, 2017 @ 9:55 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Nevada
66.143
Iowa State
75.786
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Iowa State
by 9 1/2
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Iowa State
by 6
157
Dunkel Pick:
Iowa State
(-6); Under

Xavier @ Maryland

Game 727-728
March 16, 2017 @ 6:50 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Xavier
65.122
Maryland
69.058
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Maryland
by 4
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Maryland
by 1 1/2
142 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Maryland
(-1 1/2); Under

FL-Gulf Coast @ Florida State

Game 725-726
March 16, 2017 @ 9:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
FL-Gulf Coast
62.649
Florida State
67.177
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida State
by 4 1/2
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida State
by 12
147
Dunkel Pick:
FL-Gulf Coast
(+12); Under

E Tenn State @ Florida

Game 723-724
March 16, 2017 @ 3:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
E Tenn State
64.012
Florida
67.916
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 4
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
by 10 1/2
144 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
E Tenn State
(+10 1/2); Over

NC-Wilmington @ Virginia

Game 721-722
March 16, 2017 @ 12:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC-Wilmington
66.990
Virginia
71.455
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Virginia
by 4 1/2
140
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Virginia
by 7 1/2
134 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC-Wilmington
(+7 1/2); Over

Bucknell @ West Virginia

Game 719-720
March 16, 2017 @ 2:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Bucknell
55.478
West Virginia
77.871
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
West Virginia
by 22 1/2
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
West Virginia
by 13 1/2
146 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
West Virginia
(-13 1/2); Over

Princeton @ Notre Dame

Game 717-718
March 16, 2017 @ 12:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Princeton
61.519
Notre Dame
71.070
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Notre Dame
by 9 1/2
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Notre Dame
by 6 1/2
133 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Notre Dame
(-6 1/2); Over

Virginia Tech @ Wisconsin

Game 715-716
March 16, 2017 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Virginia Tech
64.546
Wisconsin
77.132
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wisconsin
by 12 1/2
132
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wisconsin
by 5 1/2
137 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Wisconsin
(-5 1/2); Under

**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 08:36 AM

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIRGINIA TECH (22 - 10) vs. WISCONSIN (25 - 9) - 3/16/2017, 9:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA TECH is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) as an underdog this season.
VIRGINIA TECH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.
VIRGINIA TECH is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRINCETON (23 - 6) vs. NOTRE DAME (25 - 9) - 3/16/2017, 12:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PRINCETON is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 75-49 ATS (+21.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUCKNELL (26 - 8) vs. W VIRGINIA (26 - 8) - 3/16/2017, 2:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W VIRGINIA is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
BUCKNELL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all games this season.
BUCKNELL is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
W VIRGINIA is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNC-WILMINGTON (29 - 5) vs. VIRGINIA (22 - 10) - 3/16/2017, 12:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 42-20 ATS (+20.0 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 163-126 ATS (+24.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 100-68 ATS (+25.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
VIRGINIA is 33-52 ATS (-24.2 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E TENN ST (27 - 7) vs. FLORIDA (24 - 8) - 3/16/2017, 3:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
FLORIDA is 124-93 ATS (+21.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
FLORIDA is 73-47 ATS (+21.3 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
E TENN ST is 28-12 ATS (+14.8 Units) in March games since 1997.
E TENN ST is 50-30 ATS (+17.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
E TENN ST is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
E TENN ST is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLA GULF COAST (26 - 7) vs. FLORIDA ST (25 - 8) - 3/16/2017, 9:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLA GULF COAST is 32-12 ATS (+18.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 32-12 ATS (+18.8 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 18-4 ATS (+13.6 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in March games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) after a conference game since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
FLA GULF COAST is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
FLORIDA ST is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

XAVIER (21 - 13) vs. MARYLAND (24 - 8) - 3/16/2017, 6:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
XAVIER is 4-11 ATS (-8.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
XAVIER is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
XAVIER is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) in road games in March games since 1997.
XAVIER is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.
XAVIER is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
XAVIER is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
XAVIER is 223-176 ATS (+29.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEVADA (28 - 6) vs. IOWA ST (23 - 10) - 3/16/2017, 9:55 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IOWA ST is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
IOWA ST is 153-117 ATS (+24.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
NEVADA is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games this season.
NEVADA is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
NEVADA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
NEVADA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
NEVADA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
NEVADA is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEVADA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERMONT (29 - 5) vs. PURDUE (25 - 7) - 3/16/2017, 7:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PURDUE is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
PURDUE is 42-26 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
PURDUE is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PURDUE is 1-0 straight up against VERMONT over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIDDLE TENN ST (30 - 4) vs. MINNESOTA (24 - 9) - 3/16/2017, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all games this season.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
MIDDLE TENN ST is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 87-116 ATS (-40.6 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WINTHROP (26 - 6) vs. BUTLER (23 - 8) - 3/16/2017, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUTLER is 55-38 ATS (+13.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BUTLER is 55-38 ATS (+13.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
BUTLER is 70-34 ATS (+32.6 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
BUTLER is 53-33 ATS (+16.7 Units) in March games since 1997.
BUTLER is 28-12 ATS (+14.8 Units) in road games when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
BUTLER is 70-34 ATS (+32.6 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
BUTLER is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
BUTLER is 79-54 ATS (+19.6 Units) after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
BUTLER is 74-42 ATS (+27.8 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 18-4 ATS (+13.6 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 210-163 ATS (+30.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

S DAKOTA ST (18 - 16) vs. GONZAGA (32 - 1) - 3/16/2017, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S DAKOTA ST is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games this season.
GONZAGA is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) in all games this season.
GONZAGA is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
GONZAGA is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
GONZAGA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
GONZAGA is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
GONZAGA is 74-51 ATS (+17.9 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GONZAGA is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
GONZAGA is 34-12 ATS (+20.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
S DAKOTA ST is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
S DAKOTA ST is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VANDERBILT (19 - 15) vs. NORTHWESTERN (23 - 11) - 3/16/2017, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NORTHWESTERN is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
NORTHWESTERN is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
NORTHWESTERN is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
NORTHWESTERN is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
VANDERBILT is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
VANDERBILT is 20-12 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
VANDERBILT is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
VANDERBILT is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
VANDERBILT is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

N DAKOTA (22 - 9) vs. ARIZONA (30 - 4) - 3/16/2017, 9:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
ARIZONA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival this season.
N DAKOTA is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games this season.
N DAKOTA is 17-9 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
N DAKOTA is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
N DAKOTA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
N DAKOTA is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
N DAKOTA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
ARIZONA is 47-71 ATS (-31.1 Units) after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VA COMMONWEALTH (26 - 8) vs. ST MARYS-CA (28 - 4) - 3/16/2017, 7:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST MARYS-CA is 49-34 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
ST MARYS-CA is 49-34 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
ST MARYS-CA is 15-8 ATS (+6.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
ST MARYS-CA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games in first round tournament games since 1997.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
ST MARYS-CA is 77-106 ATS (-39.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST PETERS (19 - 13) at ALBANY (21 - 13) - 3/16/2017, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FURMAN (21 - 11) at USC UPSTATE (17 - 15) - 3/16/2017, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UNC-ASHEVILLE (23 - 9) at TENN-MARTIN (21 - 12) - 3/16/2017, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LAMAR (19 - 14) at TEXAS ST (20 - 13) - 3/16/2017, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS ST is 1-0 straight up against LAMAR over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEBER ST (18 - 13) at CS-FULLERTON (17 - 14) - 3/16/2017, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STONY BROOK (18 - 13) at IL-CHICAGO (15 - 18) - 3/16/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IL-CHICAGO is 28-12 ATS (+14.8 Units) in March games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 119-88 ATS (+22.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 46-26 ATS (+17.4 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 08:37 AM

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, March 16

Thursday’s NCAA games
Day games
Notre Dame lost in regional finals the last two years; they’re 2-7 vs spread in last nine first round games, winning last two years by 4-7 points. Princeton won its last 19 games; their last loss was 96-90 to Monmouth Dec 19. Tigers are 1-4 vs top 100 teams, with losses by 9-11-11-6 points and a 72-70 win at Bucknell- they’re in NCAA’s for first time since 2011, when they lost 59-57 (+13) as a 13-seed vs Kentucky; Ivy League teams are 5-2 vs spread in first round last seven years (4-3 SU). Princeton played Sunday, now has early game Thursday; not best scenario.

Virginia went 9-7 down stretch after starting season 16-3; they won four of last five games, with all four wins by 10+ points. Cavaliers play slowest-tempo games in country, are #16 team in country at protecting ball. NC-Wilmington won its last seven games; they’re 11-2 outside CAA, with one of losses by 14 at Clemson of ACC. Seahawks are #57 experience team, starting three seniors, two sophomores; they force turnovers 20.4% of time. Virginia won their last three first round games, by 11-12-36 points. Since ’09, CAA teams are 8-2 vs spread in first round games. Last four years, underdogs are 10-6 vs spread in 5-12 first round games.

Winthrop is in NCAA’s for first time since 2010; they’re #31 experience team, starting three seniors and a junior. Eagles lost by 14 at Florida St, 16 at Dayton- they won at Illinois in their games vs “bigtime” teams. Winthrop makes 38% of its 3-pointers, accounting for 36.7% of their points. Butler lost its last two games, split their last ten games; they’re 5-1 vs teams outside top 100, with three wins by 16+ points. Bulldogs won first round games the last two years, by 8-10 points. Since ’08, Big South teams are 2-5 vs spread in first round games.

Gonzaga hammered South Dakota 102-65 Dec 21; Coyotes finished four games ahead of rival South Dakota State in Summit standings- does that make Zags overconfident here? Over last seven years, Gonzaga is 5-2 vs spread in first round games; last time they were a 1-seed (’13) they won their first round game 64-58. Jackrabbits lost first six D-I games this season; they lost by 29 at Cal, 12 to East Tennessee St, 28 at Northern Iowa, 22 to Wichita State in non-league games vs good teams. Since ’03, Summit League teams are 4-8-2 vs spread in first round, 4-4 last eight years.

Bucknell won 18 of its last 21 games, winning last six; they lost by 20 at Wake Forest, by 26 at Butler, but also won at Vanderbilt. Patriot League teams are 0-4 vs spread in this round the last four years, losing by 12-40-41-39 points; Bucknell is in tourney for first time since 68-56 (+3) loss to Butler four years ago. West Virginia lost in first round LY to SF Austin; Mountaineers force turnovers 28.1% of time, #1 in country- they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight first round games. Last three years, underdogs are 7-5 vs spread in 4-13 first round games.

Florida lost three of last four games, all to Vandy/Kentucky; Gators are 19-0 this season vs teams ranked outside top 50- this is coach White’s first NCAA tourney in his sixth year as a head coach. East Tennessee State won 13 of its last 15 games; they’re #7 experience team in country, starting a junior, four seniors. Buccaneers played two SEC teams this year, losing to Tennessee by 4 at home, winning by 2 at Miss State- ETSU coach Forbes was an assistant at Tennessee for six years. Last three years, dogs are 7-5 vs spread in 4-13 first round games.

5-seed Minnesota is a 1-point favorite over 12-seed Middle Tennessee? Gophers are in NCAA tourney for first time since ’13; they’ve won nine of last 11 games, but lost senior G Springs over weekend- they played only six guys in last game (three played 39:00+). Blue Raiders beat Michigan St in first round LY; they’re 20-1 in last 21 games, 5-1 vs top 100 teams, with wins over UNCW, Ole Miss, Vandy, Belmont. Last three years, Big 14 teams are 8-14 vs spread (12-8 SU) in first round games. Last six years, C-USA teams are 4-2 vs spread in this round.

Northwestern is in NCAA’s for first time, despite going 5-7 in its last 12 games; Wildcats are 4-6 vs top 40 teams this season, with best win at Wisconsin- they start two juniors, two seniors, are healthier now with Lindsey (mono) back in lineup. Vanderbilt won seven of its last nine games; they were only 6-6 in pre-conference games, going 0-5 vs top 50 teams- they’re 6-9 overall vs top 50 teams this season. Drew was in NCAA’s twice as Valpo’s coach, losing first round games by 3-11 points. Commodores are 1-5 in last six NCAA tournament games.

Night games
Maryland is #317 experience team, playing three frosh around star PG Trimble; Terps are 4-6 in their last ten games after a 20-2 start when they won eight games by 6 or less points- they beat Georgetown by point in only game vs Big East foe. Xavier lost seven of last ten games; two of three wins were over doormat DePaul; Musketeers are 6-7 since Somner got hurt, but Bluiett is back, playing 38:00+ in seven games since he returned. Xavier played three starters 38:00+ in last game, a 4th kid 34:00- they’re 9-3 in last 12 first round games. Underdogs are 5-3 SU in 6-11 games the last two years.

VCU split its last six games after a 23-5 start; Rams are 4-2 in last six first round games- they’re #40 experience team, forcing turnovers 21% of time (#36)- they start four seniors. St Mary’s is in NCAA’s for first time since ’13; 2-3 vs top 60 teams, with three losses to Gonzaga, wins over Dayton, Nevada back in November (VCU split pair with Dayton). Gaels are #84 experience team, playing 2nd-slowest tempo in country; they start three juniors, two seniors- they’ve got #4 eFG% in country. Last six years, underdogs are 14-9-1 vs spread in 7-10 games.

Purdue lost in first round LY as a 5-seed; their last tourney win was in ’12. Boilers won eight of last ten games with both losses to Michigan- they’re #23 experience team- no seniors start. Vermont won its last 21 games, is in its first NCAA since 2012; Catamounts lost to Providence by 22, Butler by 12, So Carolina by 18; their best win was over #111 Harvard. Vermont is #93 experience team, but start only one senior. America East teams are 6-6 vs spread in last 12 tourney games, but Albany was 5-1, rest of league is 1-5 vs spread. Last three years, underdog is 7-5 vs spread in 4-13 games— since ’13, single digit underdogs are 5-4 in 4-13 games.

Florida State is in NCAA’s for first time since 2012; they split last four first round games (1-3 vs spread). Seminoles split their last eight games- they’re #306 experience team, starting frosh and two sophs- their bench plays #23 minutes in country. FSU is 11-1 vs teams ranked outside top 100, with ten wins by 14+ points- the only loss was to Temple. Florida Gulf Coast won 19 of last 21 games; they’re 0-3 vs top 50 teams, losing by 21 to Florida, 1 at Michigan St, 9 at Baylor- they lost by 16 to UNC in this round LY. Last four years, double digit favorites are 4-3 vs spread in 4-13 games.

Virginia Tech is in NCAA’s for first time since ’07; Hokies are 2-0 vs Big 14 teams, winning by 3 at Michigan, by 13 over Nebraska on neutral floor. Tech starts two juniors, two seniors; they’re #103 experience team- they make 40.3% of their 3’s (#9 in country). Wisconsin beat Syracuse by 17, lost by 15 to UNC; Badgers are 4-6 in last 10 games (3-1 in last four)- they start four seniors, but are #306 at defending arc (37.7%). Last three years, favorites are 6-4 vs spread in 8-9 games; last five years, favorites of 4+ points are 6-2 vs spread in 8-9 games.

Arizona won five of its last six first round games; they’re 2-6 vs spread in last eight first round games, 4-6 in last 10 first round games when laying double digits. When Wildcats won Pac-12 tourney two years ago, they won first round game by 21. Arizona is #323 experience team, with two frosh and a soph starting. North Dakota is here for first time; Hawks went 2-5 vs D-I teams in pre-conference. UND plays #34 tempo in country. Big Sky teams lost last ten NCAA 1st round games (2-8 vs spread); last SU winner was Montana in ’06.

Since ’08, Mountain West teams other than San Diego State are 5-22 vs spread in NCAA tournament, 4-16 in the first round. Nevada is in NCAA’s for first time since ’07; they’ve got a former NBA coach, start three sophs- their bench plays 2nd-least minutes in country. Since ’94, underdogs in 5-12 game in this region are 18-5 vs spread, 15-8 SU. Over last four years, dogs are 11-5 vs spread in 5-12 games. Iowa State is #6 experience team in country, starting four seniors; they’re 4-1 in last five first round games, with all four wins by 13+ points.

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.

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.

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.

**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 08:38 AM

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12:15 PM
PRINCETON vs. NOTRE DAME
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Notre Dame's last 7 games
Notre Dame is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

12:40 PM
UNC WILMINGTON vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Virginia's last 8 games

1:30 PM
WINTHROP vs. BUTLER
No trends available
Butler is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Butler's last 6 games

2:00 PM
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE vs. GONZAGA
No trends available
Gonzaga is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games
Gonzaga is 19-5-1 ATS in its last 25 games

2:45 PM
BUCKNELL vs. WEST VIRGINIA
No trends available
West Virginia is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games
West Virginia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

3:10 PM
EAST TENNESSEE STATE vs. FLORIDA
No trends available
Florida is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games

TBA
LAMAR vs. TEXAS STATE
No trends available
Texas State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Lamar
Texas State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

4:00 PM
MIDDLE TENNESSEE vs. MINNESOTA
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games
Minnesota is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

4:30 PM
VANDERBILT vs. NORTHWESTERN
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Northwestern's last 5 games

6:50 PM
XAVIER vs. MARYLAND
No trends available
Maryland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Maryland is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games

7:00 PM
SAINT PETER'S vs. ALBANY
Saint Peter's is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
No trends available

7:00 PM
FURMAN vs. USC UPSTATE
Furman is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Furman's last 6 games on the road
No trends available

7:20 PM
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH vs. ST. MARY'S
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Mary's last 6 games
St. Mary's is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games

7:27 PM
VERMONT vs. PURDUE
No trends available
Purdue is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Purdue is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

8:00 PM
STONY BROOK vs. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois-Chicago's last 6 games
Illinois-Chicago is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
UNC ASHEVILLE vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN
No trends available
Tennessee-Martin is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Tennessee-Martin is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home

9:20 PM
FLORIDA GULF COAST vs. FLORIDA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida State's last 5 games
Florida State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games

9:40 PM
VIRGINIA TECH vs. WISCONSIN
No trends available
Wisconsin is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Wisconsin is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games

9:50 PM
NORTH DAKOTA vs. ARIZONA
No trends available
Arizona is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games

9:57 PM
NEVADA vs. IOWA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Iowa State's last 5 games
Iowa State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games

10:00 PM
WEBER STATE vs. CS FULLERTON
Weber State is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Weber State's last 5 games on the road
CS Fullerton is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
CS Fullerton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Friday, March 17

12:15 PM
PRINCETON vs. NOTRE DAME
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Notre Dame's last 7 games
Notre Dame is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

12:40 PM
UNC WILMINGTON vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Virginia's last 8 games

1:30 PM
WINTHROP vs. BUTLER
No trends available
Butler is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Butler's last 6 games

2:00 PM
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE vs. GONZAGA
No trends available
Gonzaga is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games
Gonzaga is 19-5-1 ATS in its last 25 games

2:45 PM
BUCKNELL vs. WEST VIRGINIA
No trends available
West Virginia is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games
West Virginia is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

3:10 PM
EAST TENNESSEE STATE vs. FLORIDA
No trends available
Florida is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games

TBA
LAMAR vs. TEXAS STATE
No trends available
Texas State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Lamar
Texas State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

4:00 PM
MIDDLE TENNESSEE vs. MINNESOTA
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games
Minnesota is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

4:30 PM
VANDERBILT vs. NORTHWESTERN
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Northwestern's last 5 games

6:50 PM
XAVIER vs. MARYLAND
No trends available
Maryland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Maryland is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games

7:00 PM
SAINT PETER'S vs. ALBANY
Saint Peter's is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
No trends available

7:00 PM
FURMAN vs. USC UPSTATE
Furman is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Furman's last 6 games on the road
No trends available

7:20 PM
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH vs. ST. MARY'S
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Mary's last 6 games
St. Mary's is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games

7:27 PM
VERMONT vs. PURDUE
No trends available
Purdue is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Purdue is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games

8:00 PM
STONY BROOK vs. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Illinois-Chicago's last 6 games
Illinois-Chicago is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
UNC ASHEVILLE vs. TENNESSEE-MARTIN
No trends available
Tennessee-Martin is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Tennessee-Martin is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home

9:20 PM
FLORIDA GULF COAST vs. FLORIDA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida State's last 5 games
Florida State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games

9:40 PM
VIRGINIA TECH vs. WISCONSIN
No trends available
Wisconsin is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Wisconsin is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games

9:50 PM
NORTH DAKOTA vs. ARIZONA
No trends available
Arizona is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games

9:57 PM
NEVADA vs. IOWA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Iowa State's last 5 games
Iowa State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games

10:00 PM
WEBER STATE vs. CS FULLERTON
Weber State is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Weber State's last 5 games on the road
CS Fullerton is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
CS Fullerton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 10:25 AM

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

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Thursday's NCAA Tournament first round betting preview: East Region
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Hart finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench against Mount St. Mary's when he last saw the Mountaineers on Nov. 13, 2014.

(5) Virginia Cavaliers vs (12) NC-Wilmington Seahawks (+7.5, 135)

Game to be played at Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Virginia survived the gauntlet of ACC play in the regular season and came out of it with a No. 5 seed in the East region of the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers will begin their tournament run on Thursday in Orlando, Fla., against No. 12 seed UNC Wilmington, which breezed to a Colonial Athletic Association title behind a potent offense ranked in the top 10 nationally.

That Seahawks, who average 85.2 points and reached 100 seven times during the season, will match up against a Virginia defense that led the nation in points allowed (55.6) and held six different opponents under 45 points. Defense has been the calling card for the Cavaliers under coach Tony Bennett, who brought the team to the Elite Eight as a No. 1 seed last year and had his team in a top-2 seed in each of the previous three NCAA Tournaments. That defense showed some cracks at times during ACC play and in the conference tournament, when Virginia was bounced by Notre Dame in the second round while allowing the Fighting Irish to shoot 52.2 percent from the floor. UNC Wilmington is making its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and is facing an ACC team again after falling to fourth-seeded Duke 93-85 last spring.

TV: 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

LINE HISTORY: Virginia opened as 8.5-point favorites and that number has dropped a full point to 7.5. The total opened at 136 and was quickly bet down to 135 on Monday afternoon and has held firm at that number.

ABOUT UNC WILMINGTON (29-5 SU, 14-15-1 ATS, 16-14 OU): The Seahawks are carrying a seven-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament after closing out the regular-season CAA title and ripping through the conference tournament. Four players average at least 12.3 points for Wilmington, led by 6-foot-5 sophomore guard C.J. Boyce (17.6), who scored 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting in the win over College of Charleston in the CAA title game. The Seahawks lack size and often count 6-7 sophomore forward Devontae Cacok as the tallest player on the floor surrounded by guards that push the tempo.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (22-10 SU, 18-12 ATS, 10-19-1 OU): The Cavaliers will do everything they can to eliminate the tempo the Seahawks prefer to play while trying desperately to score some points of their own. Senior guard London Perrantes (12.5 points) is the only player averaging double figures in scoring and he slumped to three points on 1-of-9 shooting in the loss to Notre Dame that knocked Virginia out of the ACC tournament. The Cavaliers did get an encouraging performance in that loss from junior guard Devon Hall, who collected 12 points and nine rebounds after totaling nine points and eight boards combined in the previous two games.

TRENDS:

* Seahawks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
* Over is 7-0 in Seahawks last 7 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5.
* Over is 8-2 in Cavaliers last 10 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.

(4) Florida Gators vs (13) East Tennessee State Buccaneers (+10, 147.5)

Game to be played at Amway Center, Orlando, Florida

Florida opens the NCAA Tournament looking to find its stride again after a late-season slide and an early exit from the SEC tournament. The Gators are the fourth seed in the East region, and while they will be favored in Thursday's first-round matchup against No. 13 seed East Tennessee State in Orlando, losses in three of their final four games have raised questions on how far the Gators can advance.

Florida, which lost to Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale and again in the SEC quarterfinals, features a balanced offense which finished fourth in the SEC in scoring (78.9 points per game) and a defense ranked 14th nationally against the 3-point shot (30.7 percent). The Buccaneers won the Southern Conference title and are back in the NCAAs for the first time since 2010, winning nine of their final 10 games. East Tennessee State is one of the best shooting teams in the country, ranking 10th at 49.1 percent from the field while averaging 79.9 points per contest. The Buccaneers have faced two SEC teams this season, beating Mississippi State and losing by four to Tennessee.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, truTV

LINE HISTORY: Florida opened as 10-point favorites, that line was quickly raised to 10.5 on Sunday night and by Monday morning had faded back to the opening number, where it has remained. The total opened at 143.5 and has been steadily raising, by Wednesday afternoon it was up four points to 147.5.

ABOUT EAST TENNESSEE STATE (27-7 SU, 17-13-1 ATS, 15-15-1 OU): T.J. Cromer finished second in the Southern in scoring at 19.1 points per game, shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line. Cromer tied a conference tournament record with nine 3-pointers against Samford, finishing with a career-high 41 points. The Buccaneers have shot 840 free throws this season, eighth-highest total in the country, while recording 8.4 steals per contest (14th nationally).

ABOUT FLORIDA (24-8 SU, 17-13 ATS, 14-16 OU): KeVaughn Allen leads the Gators in scoring at 13.9 points per game and is 16-of-36 from 3-point range in his past five games. Kasey Hill ranks second in the league in assists (4.6) and fifth in steals (1.7), but in his past five contests has recorded more turnovers (13) than assists (12). Chris Chiozza led the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.51), while Canyon Barry averages 12.1 points off the bench while shooting 87.8 percent from the free-throw line.

TRENDS:

* Buccaneers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Gators are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
* Over is 8-1-2 in Buccaneers last 11 neutral site games.
* Over is 6-0 in Gators last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.

(1) Villanova Wildcats vs (16) Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (+26.5, 131.5)

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

As a freshman in his second college basketball game, Josh Hart made one of many statements during his decorated Villanova career when he enjoyed his first double-double in a blowout victory over Mount St. Mary's. The Big East Player of the Year hopes to have a similar impact against them again Thursday when the top-seeded Wildcats open their title defense in the NCAA Tournament East Region against the 16th-seeded Mountaineers in Buffalo, N.Y.

Hart, who finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench against Mount St. Mary's when he last saw the Mountaineers on Nov. 13, 2014, continued his stellar senior season Saturday with 29 points - one shy of his career high - in a Big East tournament title victory over Creighton. Along with fellow classmates Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds, Hart is part of the Wildcats' most successful senior class, leading them to a 128-16 mark over their four seasons. The 6-6 wing added to his list of individual accomplishments against the Bluejays last weekend as well, becoming only the third player to win the conference tournament MVP award twice, joining Georgetown's Patrick Ewing and Louisville's Peyton Siva. Mount St. Mary's, which began the season 1-11 only to turn it around and post the program's second 20-win season, earned its second NCAA Tournament victory with Tuesday's 67-66 decision over New Orleans in First Four action at Dayton, Ohio.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Villanova opened as 26.5-point favorite over the unlucky winners from Mount St. Mary's. The total opened Wednesday night at 132.5 and dropped by a full point to 131.5.

ABOUT VILLANOVA (31-3 SU, 18-15 ATS, 11-22-0 OU): Hart (Big East-high 18.9 points, team-best 6.5 rebounds) bettered both his season averages with 21 points and 7.3 boards during the team's three-game Big East tournament title run and scored at least 11 points in every game this season. Sophomore backcourt mate Jalen Brunson (14.8 points, 39.6 3-point percentage) is one of three other Villanova players averaging more than nine points and shooting at least 37 percent beyond the arc, joining forwards Jenkins (13.4, 37.2) and Mikal Bridges (9.9, 39.3). Jenkins, who nailed the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in last season's national championship, shot 22.5 percent from beyond the arc over his last six outings after connecting on 40.3 percent over his first 28 games.

ABOUT MOUNT ST. MARY’S (20-15 SU, 4-3-0 ATS, 4-3-0 OU): Junior Robinson (14.3 points), who is the shortest player in the Big Dance at 5-5, scored at least 22 points for the third time in four games this month with 23 against the Privateers, including the go-ahead jumper with 1:27 to play. Sophomore guard Elijah Long (team-high 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, team-high 4.4 assists) managed only six points as New Orleans held him to an uncharacteristic seven field-goal attempts, interrupting a four-game stretch during which he averaged 21.8 points. Freshman guard Miles Wilson (11.5 points, 3.8 boards) helped the Mountaineers pick up the slack with 17 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday, posting his second straight double-double after recording none over his first 33 games.

TRENDS:

* Wildcats are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Mountaineers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Over is 5-1-1 in Wildcats last 7 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
* Over is 5-1 in Mountaineers last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

(8) Wisconsin Badgers vs (9) Virginia Tech Hokies (+5.5, 136.5)

Making its 19th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Wisconsin will square off with Virginia Tech, which is dancing for the first time since 2007. The teams will face off in Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday in the first round of the East Region with the winner likely taking on top-seeded Villanova in the Round of 32.

Wisconsin, seeded eighth after losing to Michigan in the Big Ten tournament title game on Sunday, received a seed lower than many had expected. That could serve as extra motivation for the Badgers, who have several key players with Final Four experience, including guard Bronson Koenig and forward Nigel Hayes. No. 9 seed Virginia Tech features an assortment of quality 3-point shooters and won four of five before falling to Florida State in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament. Coach Buzz Williams has improved the Hokies in all three seasons on their sideline but is down to eight scholarship players heading into the tournament.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Wisconsin opened as 4.5-point favorites on Sunday evening, was quickly bet up to 5.5. and has held firm at that number. The total opened at 138.5 and has since dropped two points to 136.5.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (22-10 SU, 16-11-1 ATS, 14-14 OU): The Hokies finished seventh in the ACC this season and have a resume that includes wins at Michigan and versus Duke, Virginia and Miami (Fla.). Zach LeDay leads five double-digit scorers at 16.3 points and also grabs a team-high 7.4 rebounds, while Seth Allen chips in 13.4 points while making 45.1 percent of his 3-pointers. Ty Outlaw (48.2 percent on 3-pointers) and Justin Robinson (42.5) are two other terrific shooters for Virginia Tech, which makes 40.3 percent of its long-range shots overall and brings a ton of firepower from its reserves with LeDay and Allen typically coming off the bench.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (25-9 SU, 15-16 ATS, 12-16-3 OU): The Badgers entered Sunday ranked seventh in the nation in points surrendered (61.1) but allowed Michigan to shoot 56.3 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from the arc in a 15-point defeat. Koenig delivered 15 points and made multiple 3s for the fifth straight game. Ethan Happ nearly averages a double-double and recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds against the Wolverines while Hayes added 14 points for his second straight double-double.

TRENDS:

* Hokies are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Hokies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
* Under is 5-1 in Hokies last 6 non-conference games.
* Under is 9-1-1 in Badgers last 11 neutral site games.
* Under is 4-0 in Badgers last 4 NCAA Tournament games.

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**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 10:35 AM

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

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

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**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 10:51 AM

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

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

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**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 10:56 AM

NCAAB

Thursday, March 16

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

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**Udog** · 03-16-2017, 02:31 PM

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Thursday, March 16

Mount St. Marys vs Villanova, 7:10 PM ET
Mt St Marys: 1-6 ATS after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games
Villanova: 21-9 ATS in non-conference games

Virginia Tech at Wisconsin, 9:40 PM ET
Virginia Tech: 6-0 ATS in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders
Wisconsin: 3-11 ATS after one or more consecutive overs

Princeton at Notre Dame, 12:15 PM ET
Princeton: 6-0 ATS in road games after 8 or more consecutive wins
Notre Dame: 16-6 UNDER in a NCAA tournament games

Bucknell at West Virginia, 2:45 PM ET
Bucknell: 7-1 ATS after playing a home game
West Virginia: 4-11 ATS after having won 6 or 7 of their last 8

NC Wilmington at Virginia, 12:40 PM ET
NC Wilmington: 28-12 ATS after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite
Virginia: 13-29 ATS in road games off a loss by 10 points or more to a conference rival

E Tennessee State at Florida, 3:10 PM ET
E Tennessee St: 26-12 ATS after playing 4 consecutive games as favorite
Florida: 0-6 ATS in road games after 2 straight games with 9 or less offensive rebounds

FLA Gulf Coast at Florida State, 9:20 PM ET
FLA Gulf Coast: 7-0 ATS in road games off a win against a conference rival
Florida St: 3-14 ATS after 3 straight games where opponent grabbed 31 or less rebounds

Xavier at Maryland, 6:50 PM ET
Xavier: 2-10 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses
Maryland: 9-1 ATS in road games after one or more consecutive overs

Nevada at Iowa State, 9:55 PM ET
Nevada: 9-0 ATS after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite
Iowa State: 11-3 OVER off a win against a conference rival

Vermont at Purdue, 7:25 PM ET
Vermont: 9-1 UNDER after 2 straight games committing 11 or less turnovers
Purdue: 17-7 ATS as a favorite

Middle Tenn State at Minnesota, 4:00 PM ET
Middle Tenn St: 16-5 ATS after a win by 10 points or more
Minnesota: 6-16 ATS when the line is +3 to -3

Winthrop at Butler, 1:30 PM ET
Winthrop: 8-19 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins
Butler: 18-4 ATS in first round tournament games

South Dakota State at Gonzaga, 2:00 PM ET
S Dakota St: 2-8 ATS in road games in non-conference games
Gonzaga: 13-5 ATS off a win against a conference rival

Vanderbilt at Northwestern, 4:30 PM ET
Vanderbilt: 9-1 UNDER in road games after 2 consecutive conference games
Northwestern: 9-0 ATS in a neutral court game where the total is 130 to 134.5

North Dakota at Arizona, 9:50 PM ET
N Dakota: 14-5 ATS after a conference game
Arizona: 8-20 ATS in road games after a combined score of 155 points or more 3 straight games

VA Commonwealth at Saint Mary’s CA, 7:20 PM ET
VA Commonwealth: 1-10 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5
St Mary’s CA: 13-4 ATS in non-conference games

Saint Peter’s at Albany NY, 7:00 PM ET
St Peter’s: 10-2 ATS when the total is 129.5 or less
Albany NY: 19-8 OVER in non-conference games

Furman at USC Upstate, 7:00 PM ET
Furman: 2-11 ATS after 2 straight games being called for 5+ more fouls than opponent
USC Upstate: 4-3 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers

NC Asheville at Tennessee Martin, 8:00 PM ET
NC Asheville: 10-7 ATS in all lined games
Tennessee Martin: 6-20 ATS as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6

Lamar at Texas State, 8:30 PM ET
Lamar: 5-8 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4 games
Texas St: 15-5 ATS as a favorite

Weber State at CS Fullerton, 10:00 PM ET
Weber St: 5-13 ATS after 2 consecutive conference games
CS Fullerton: 9-2 ATS when the line is +3 to -3

Stony Brook at Illinois Chicago, 8:00 PM ET
Stony Brook: 1-5 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5
Illinois Chicago: 7-0 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less

Announcement

Thursday's NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 3/16

Thursday's NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 3/16

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