Announcement

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 08:50 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

— Former NBA star Penny Hardaway is a high school coach in Tennessee; his Memphis East team won the state championship this weekend.

— Only once in last 21 years have all four 2-seeds made it to the Sweet 16.

— Steve Alford has a $7.8M buyout at UCLA; if he wants to go back home to Indiana to coach the Hoosiers, adidas is expected to pay the $7.8M.

— Indians 2B Jason Kipnis is out 4-5 more weeks with shoulder inflammation.

— Big change in MLB this year; there is a 10-day disabled list now, not 15 days.

— Arkansas State hired Louisville assistant Mike Balado as its new hoop coach; little weird that they announced it while Louisville was playing Michigan Sunday.

**********

Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a basketball weekend…….

13) Michigan 73, Louisville 69— Wolverines shot just 6-17 on arc; they shouldn’t win this game with those numbers, especially with Walton going 3-13 from floor. Snider was 0-9 for Louisville, 0-7 on arc, bad time for a game like that. Michigan was +5 (11-6) in turnovers; they’re on the roll of a lifetime here, finding ways to win.

12) Kentucky 65, Wichita State 62— Just like 2014, these teams play a tense second round game and Wildcats prevail. Whats next for a Wichita team that returns all its players next year? Will they be in a different league? Will Gregg Marshall still be there? UCLA whacked the Wildcats back in December in Lexington; the rematch should be fun.

11) Kansas 90, Michigan State 70— Spartans were #323 experience team in country; they played #49 non-conference schedule, had some injury issues, but got to the round of 32. Izzo is a great coach, but tough coaching such a young group, albeit a very talented team. Since 2010, Kansas is just 5-3 in this round; this is a solid win- they move on to play Purdue in regional semis.

Jayhawks scored 1.31 pts/possession in first two tournament games, which is really good.

10) North Carolina 72, Arkansas 65— Razorbacks were down 30-13 early, rallied to take the lead, led as late as when score was 65-60, but Tar Heels scored the last 12 points of the game, holding Arkansas scoreless over 3:30 of game. Razorbacks needed to keep game chaotic; when it slowed down, they fell apart.

9) Oregon 75, Rhode Island 72— Conference of Champions wins again; this was a hard-fought game, with Rams up 46-38 at half, but they only scored 26 in 2nd half. Oregon plays Michigan next in Kansas City- they outscored URI 18-6 on foul line, made 7-16 on arc. Rams shot 65% inside arc, but were just 6-8 on foul line, 6-22 on arc. This was a fun game to watch.

Bobby Hurley was with his brother Danny this weekend in Sacramento; had to be weird for him, since he played for the NBA’s Kings and got into a car accident outside the old arena there that ruined his playing career. Bobby was a much better player than his brother, but Danny Hurley seems like he is the better coach.

8) Baylor 82, USC 78— Trojans’ Metu killed the Bears inside (28 points), but Baylor’s bench outscored USC’s 25-4- they were +11 on boards and Lecomte took over a segment of the game that put Baylor ahead for good. USC was 9-22 on arc; they had a great week, but fell little bit short here.

7) South Carolina 88, Duke 81— This regional was supposed to be played in North Carolina, but was yanked because of the Bathroom Law, so Duke, a team that refuses to play true road games in pre-conference play, winds up playing the Gamecocks in Greenville, SC, basically a road game in the Round of 32.

Gamecocks were down 30-23 at halftime, but stormed back in 2nd half, scoring 65 points, most points a Duke team has allowed in one half under Krzyzewski. South Carolina is in Sweet 16 for first time ever; last time they had even won one tournament game was in 1973.

6) UCLA 79, Cincinnati 67— Bearcats led 33-30 at half, then UCLA scored 30 points in first 9:50 of second half, and pulled away in last ten minutes. Underdogs were 6-2 vs spread on Sunday.

There are rumors on the Interweb that Indiana will offer Steve Alford $31.7M for seven years to be its new coach, but now all that has to wait. UCLA is headed to Memphis to play Kentucky in the gym that John Calipari used to call home. Bruins beat Kentucky 97-92 in Rupp Arena in December.

5) Washington hired Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins as its new hoop coach. Hopkins was supposed to be Jim Boeheim’s successor (and he may still be), but he is 47, which is a little late to be getting your first head coaching job- guess he got tired of waiting.

4) A Las Vegas gambler risked $20,000 to win only $500, playing Louisville on the money line against Jacksonville State Friday.

3) Another investor risked $50,000 on a Villanova/Gonzaga money line parlay, which went down the drain when Wisconsin upset the Wildcats. Thats a bad day.

2) Here’s a good day: When Kansas State won their play-in game with Wake Forest, K-State coach Bruce Weber banked a $164,000 bonus for winning an NCAA tournament game. Hope he sends his agent a nice gift.

1— World Baseball Classic has to be a financial bonanza; they put 65,000+ fans in Petco Park for two separate admissions Saturday. Not sure what tickets cost, but they should have good crowds in Dodger Stadium for the finals this coming week.

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 09:13 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Monday, March 20

Weber State @ TX-Corpus Christi

Game 635-636
March 20, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Weber State
54.081
TX-Corpus Christi
50.671
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Weber State
by 3 1/2
152
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TX-Corpus Christi
by 1
145
Dunkel Pick:
Weber State
(+1); Over

Samford @ Liberty

Game 633-634
March 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Samford
55.712
Liberty
46.844
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Samford
by 9
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Samford
Pick
143
Dunkel Pick:
Samford
Under

UT-Martin @ Campbell

Game 631-632
March 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
UT-Martin
55.084
Campbell
48.630
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
UT-Martin
by 6 1/2
144
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
UT-Martin
by 1
149 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
UT-Martin
(-1); Under

George Washington @ Illinois-Chicago

Game 629-630
March 20, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
George Washington
62.449
Illinois-Chicago
50.834
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
George Washington
by 11 1/2
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
George Washington
by 5 1/2
152
Dunkel Pick:
George Washington
(-5 1/2); Under

UMKC @ Wyoming

Game 627-628
March 20, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
UMKC
45.745
Wyoming
57.204
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wyoming
by 11 1/2
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wyoming
by 9
168 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Wyoming
(-9); Under

Utah Valley @ Rice

Game 625-626
March 20, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah Valley
57.298
Rice
57.583
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah Valley
Even
168
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Rice
by 5
163 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Utah Valley
(+5); Over

Loyola-Maryland @ Coastal Carolina

Game 623-624
March 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Loyola-Maryland
51.876
Coastal Carolina
50.079
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Loyola-Maryland
by 2
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Coastal Carolina
by 6 1/2
140
Dunkel Pick:
Loyola-Maryland
(+6 1/2); Over

CS-Bakersfield @ Colorado State

Game 621-622
March 20, 2017 @ 11:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
CS-Bakersfield
60.966
Colorado State
62.972
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado State
by 2
134
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado State
by 5 1/2
129 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
CS-Bakersfield
(+5 1/2); Over

Boise State @ Illinois

Game 619-620
March 20, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boise State
59.593
Illinois
63.382
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Illinois
by 4
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Illinois
by 8 1/2
145 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boise State
(+8 1/2); Over

Akron @ TX-Arlington

Game 617-618
March 20, 2017 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Akron
58.263
TX-Arlington
66.734
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
TX-Arlington
by 8 1/2
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TX-Arlington
by 5
153 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
TX-Arlington
(-5); Under

UCF @ Illinois State

Game 615-616
March 20, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
UCF
59.048
Illinois State
70.570
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Illinois State
by 11 1/2
116
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Illinois State
by 5
127 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Illinois State
(-5); Under

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 09:16 AM

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, March 20

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UCF (22 - 11) at ILLINOIS ST (28 - 6) - 3/20/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UCF is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
ILLINOIS ST is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) in a home game where the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.

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

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

AKRON (27 - 8) at TX-ARLINGTON (26 - 8) - 3/20/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TX-ARLINGTON is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TX-ARLINGTON is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

BOISE ST (20 - 11) at ILLINOIS (19 - 14) - 3/20/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOISE ST is 83-112 ATS (-40.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
ILLINOIS is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points since 1997.
ILLINOIS is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) in home games after scoring 80 points or more since 1997.
BOISE ST is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
BOISE ST is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

CS-BAKERSFIELD (23 - 9) at COLORADO ST (24 - 11) - 3/20/2017, 11:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO ST is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO ST is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
CS-BAKERSFIELD is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
CS-BAKERSFIELD is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
CS-BAKERSFIELD is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in March games since 1997.

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

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

LOYOLA-MD (16 - 16) at COASTAL CAROLINA (17 - 17) - 3/20/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MD is 25-6 ATS (+18.4 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 108-59 ATS (+43.1 Units) in road games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 108-59 ATS (+43.1 Units) in road lined games since 1997.

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

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

UTAH VALLEY ST (16 - 16) at RICE (23 - 11) - 3/20/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
RICE is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
RICE is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
RICE is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games in March games since 1997.

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

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

MISSOURI-KC (18 - 16) at WYOMING (19 - 14) - 3/20/2017, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WYOMING is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
WYOMING is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
WYOMING is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
WYOMING is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.
WYOMING is 27-45 ATS (-22.5 Units) in March games since 1997.

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

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

GEORGE WASHINGTON (20 - 14) at IL-CHICAGO (16 - 18) - 3/20/2017, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IL-CHICAGO is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) when the total is 150 to 159.5 this season.
IL-CHICAGO is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in March games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 52-29 ATS (+20.1 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 119-89 ATS (+21.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 46-27 ATS (+16.3 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.

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

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

TENN-MARTIN (22 - 12) at CAMPBELL (18 - 17) - 3/20/2017, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENN-MARTIN is 77-108 ATS (-41.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
TENN-MARTIN is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

SAMFORD (20 - 15) at LIBERTY (20 - 13) - 3/20/2017, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAMFORD is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
SAMFORD is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 09:18 AM

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, March 20

Central Florida coach Dawkins won NIT twice when he was at Stanford, part of reason they fired him; no one wants to be in the NIT. Knights are 10-3 outside AAC, 7-1 in last eight games overall; they won last two road games, at ECU/Temple. UCF is #50 experience team that turns ball over 21.9% of time (#334). Illinois State spit pair with Tulsa of AAC; Redbirds won 21 of last 23 games- they’ve got #5 eFG% defense in country, are #98 experience team. Illinois State is 15-0 at home this season.

Tex-Arlington is 9-3 outside Sun Belt; they scored 62 points in first half of last game, a 105-89 win at BYU. Mavericks are #13 experience team that has #67 eFG% defense- they’re 11-0 at home this season. Akron beat Ga Southern of Sun Belt 75-67 in November; Zips won four of last five games- they’ve got #18 eFG% offense in country. MAC teams are 3-1 vs spread in tourney games this postseason; Sun Belt teams are 3-3.

Illinois is being coached by an assistant/interim coach after Groce was fired; they hired Brad Underwood two days ago, but he won’t coach Illini tonight. Illini won five of last seven games after being 14-12 at one point. Illini beat Northwestern/Michigan St in last two home games. Boise State is 8-4 outside Mountain West; they won last game 73-68 at Utah, despite shooting 3-16 on arc. Broncos are 5-8 vs top 100 teams; they split last eight games overall.

Colorado State is 9-5 outside Mountain West; their 7-man team should be better rested after its conference tourney run. Rams won 13 of last 16 games after an 11-8 start; they beat WAC’s New Mexico St (Bakersfield’s big rival) by 3 in season opener. Bakersfield won last game at Cal; they beat Fresno St of MW at home in November. Roadrunners are one of five worst foul shooting teams in country- they force turnovers 23.4% of time, #9 in country, are #15 experience team.

Coastal Carolina is 4-8 outside Sun Belt, but 8-1 vs teams ranked outside top 200; they beat a MEAC team last round. Chanticleers split their last eight games, but won five of last six home tilts. Coastal shoots 64.8% on line (#328). Loyola MD is 6-5 outside Patriot League- they had an impressive win over George Mason last round. Greyhounds turn ball over 21.9% of time (#336); they’re #242 experience team. Loyola lost six of its last nine games overall.

Pace #14 vs Pace #17. Rice won 10 of last 13 games; they’re #274 experience team that is playing pace #17- if VCU coach Will Wade gets another coaching job, Rice coach Rhoades will bolt to VCU. Owls shoot 39% on arc (#21 in country); they start three sophs, one junior. Utah Valley lost by 6 at UTSA of C-USA back in December; Wolverines won five of last six games, losing 4OT game in semis of WAC tourney. UVSU is #123 experience team; they play pace #14.

Wyoming is 9-3 outside Mountain West; they’re 3-5 in last eight games, since a 4OT win over Fresno- they won last three home games, by 11-12-10 points. Cowboys play pace #11 in high altitude; they start three juniors, one junior. UMKC is 6-9 outside WAC; they beat Green Bay at home last round, making 13-23 on arc- Kangaroos start five seniors, are #51 experience team that shoots 37.3% on arc for season (#68)- they play pace #49.

Ill-Chicago is somehow in a postseason tournament despite being 16-18; they’re 6-6 outside Horizon, beating Stony Brook of America East by 2 at home last game. Flames are 0-6 this season vs teams ranked #125 or better- their best win was over #184 DePaul. George Washington won seven of last eight games, with road wins at Duquesne/Fordham; Colonials played schedule #101- they’re 9-0 against teams ranked outside the top 200.

Tenn-Martin lost OVC final to Jacksonville State; Skyhawks are #8 experience team, starting a senior and four juniors- they’re 9-5 outside OVC, beating NC-Asheville in last round, team that finished ahead of Campbell in Big South. Camels won five of last six games; they’re 5-5 outside Big South,- they’re #318 experience team. Martin turns ball over 21.7% of time (#330); they’re #6 team in country on offensive boards grabbing 37.8% of their own misses.

Samford is in the #13 league, Liberty in the #27 league. Samford beat Campbell by 13 in its only Big South game; Bulldogs won three of last four games, but lost their last four true road games- their last road win was Jan 28 at VMI. Liberty lost NC-Greensboro by 7, Furman by 3 in its two SoCon games; Flames are 3-8 outside Big South- they won last game by 9 over a MEAC team. Liberty is #294 experience team that plays a very slow pace.

A&M-Corpus Christi lost Southland final in OT; they’re 5-4 outside Southland. Islanders are a thin team that forces turnovers 22.5% of time (#12)- they don’t shoot well (32.8% on arc), are 2-3 vs teams ranked #175 or higher. Weber State lost Big Sky final in OT; they won four of last five games, winning last round at Cal State-Fullerton. Wildcats shoot 39.7% on arc (#13); they are 4-3 in last seven true road games.

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 09:33 AM

NCAAB

Monday, March 20

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

TBA
OAKLAND vs. RICHMOND
Oakland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Richmond is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Richmond's last 7 games at home

7:00 PM
TENNESSEE-MARTIN vs. CAMPBELL
Tennessee-Martin is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tennessee-Martin is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
No trends available

7:00 PM
CENTRAL FLORIDA vs. ILLINOIS STATE
Central Florida is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Central Florida is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Illinois State is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Illinois State is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home

7:05 PM
SAMFORD vs. LIBERTY
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Samford's last 6 games on the road
Samford is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
No trends available

8:00 PM
UTAH VALLEY vs. RICE
Utah Valley is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Utah Valley is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Rice's last 6 games at home
Rice is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
GEORGE WASHINGTON vs. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
George Washington is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
George Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Illinois-Chicago is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Illinois-Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

8:00 PM
WEBER STATE vs. TEXAS A&M C.C.
Weber State is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Weber State's last 5 games on the road
No trends available

8:00 PM
AKRON vs. TEXAS-ARLINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Akron's last 8 games on the road
Akron is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Texas-Arlington is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Texas-Arlington is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games at home

9:00 PM
BOISE STATE vs. ILLINOIS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boise State's last 5 games on the road
Boise State is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Illinois's last 14 games
Illinois is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

9:00 PM
UMKC vs. WYOMING
UMKC is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Wyoming's last 9 games
Wyoming is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home

11:00 PM
CS BAKERSFIELD vs. COLORADO STATE
CS Bakersfield is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado State is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Colorado State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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

**Udog** · 03-20-2017, 10:21 AM

Sweet 16 lines hit the board following wild March Madness opening weekend

"Wisconsin is a dangerous team, and the wiseguys know that this is a team that can beat anyone because of its system."

Sunday night was a spectacular way to cap the avalanche of college hoops that the first four days of the NCAA Tournament provides. A buzzer-beating cover by Southern California, though Baylor moved on. Then another USC – South Carolina – knocked off perennial power Duke outright. Now we’re down to the Sweet 16, and Patrick Everson takes a look at a few of the opening lines, with insights from Scott Cooley of offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.

No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (-4)

Kansas had little trouble through the first two rounds in the Midwest Region, rumbling to blowout wins and covers in both games. The Jayhawks (30-4 SU, 13-18-1 ATS) boatraced No. 16 seed UC Davis 100-62 as a 22.5-point favorite Friday, then rolled No. 9 Michigan State 90-70 as a 7.5-point chalk Sunday.

Purdue (27-7 SU, 19-10-2 ATS) also won and covered twice to reach the Sweet 16. The Boilermakers dropped No. 13 seed Vermont 80-70 laying 8.5 points Thursday, then held off a huge rally by No. 5 Iowa State to win 80-76 giving 1 point Saturday.

“The public is going to jump all over Kansas, as they’ll see this is a low number,” Cooley said of the 9:35 p.m. ET Thursday matchup. “But we don’t want to give the Boilermakers too much value, since they’ve been very strong through the first two legs of the tourney.”

Late Sunday night, action indeed took the line to Kansas -4.5 at Bookmaker.eu.

No. 11 Xavier Musketeers vs. No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (-7.5)

Xavier is riding high as the only double-digit seed to survive the first weekend. The Musketeers (23-13 SU, 17-18 ATS) stopped No. 6 seed Maryland 76-65 as a 2-point underdog Thursday, then steamrolled No. 3 seed Florida State 91-66 as a 7-point pup Saturday.

Meanwhile, Arizona is right where everyone expected it would be in the West Region, playing in this Thursday contest at 10 p.m. ET. The Wildcats (32-4 SU, 19-14-3 ATS) cruised past No. 15 North Dakota 100-82 on last Thursday, pushing as an 18-point favorite, then fended off St. Mary’s 69-60 giving 4.5 points Saturday.

“Early smart money has come in on the underdog, so we’ve already dropped a half-point, but that’s not an indicator it will continue to plummet,” Cooley said of lowering Arizona a tick to -7. “Xavier has been impressive, but bettors haven’t respected their conference during the Big Dance thus far.”

No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 4 Florida Gators (-1.5)

Wisconsin wasn’t expected to make it through the first weekend in the East Region. As the No. 8 seed, that had to come at big expense to somebody – in this case, overall No. 1 seed and defending national champion Villanova. The Badgers (27-9 SU, 17-16 ATS) dispatched No. 9 Virginia Tech 84-74 as a 6-point fave Thursday, then shocked ‘Nova 65-62 as a 5.5-point ‘dog Saturday.

Florida (26-8 SU, 19-13 ATS) entered the NCAA Tournament off back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt – once on the road to end the regular season, then in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament. But the Gators ironed out the kinks by Thursday, beating No. 13 East Tennessee State 80-65 as a 10-point chalk. Florida followed with a stifling 65-39 victory over No. 5 Virginia giving 2 points.

“We’re giving the under-appreciated Badgers a bunch of respect here, and again, the squares will likely look toward Florida,” Cooley said. “But Wisconsin is a dangerous team, and the wiseguys know that this is a team that can beat anyone because of its system. This number could climb initially, but I don’t think we’ll see it any higher come tipoff.”

Announcement

Monday's NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 3/20

Monday's NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 3/20

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