The Bum's College Basketball Best Bets/Trends/ News Thru The Madness !

[StarDust Bum]

More Best Bets:

TEM at PSU 08:00 PM
TEM +9.5

SFPA at UIC 08:00 PM
SFPA +5.0

UNT at SDAK 08:00 PM
O 148.5

UTRGV at UNO 08:00 PM
UNO -3.5

LAM at UTSA 08:00 PM
UTSA -2.5

NEB at MSST 09:00 PM
MSST -4.0

UCD at UTAH 09:00 PM
UTAH -12.5

SYR at ASU 09:10 PM
SYR +1.5

COLG at SF 10:00 PM
SF -7.0
U 140.0

MER at GRC 10:00 PM
GRC -6.5
O 142.0

BYU at STAN 10:00 PM
STAN -2.5

BSU at WASH 10:00 PM
BSU -1.0
O 148.5

CARK at SEA 10:00 PM
SEA -6.5
O 159.5

[StarDust Bum]

NCAA Capsules
March 15, 2018

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) Freshman Oshae Brissett had his 13th double-double while leading Syracuse's second-half comeback, and the Orange - the last team to make the NCAA Tournament - held on for a 60-56 victory over Arizona State on Wednesday night in the First Four.

The 11th-seeded Orange plays No. 6 seed TCU (21-11) on Friday in Detroit in the Midwest Region.

Syracuse (21-13) had to sweat out Selection Sunday and wound up as the last one to make the bracket, relegated to the First Four.

Arizona State (20-12) scored a season low in points - only the third time it's been held under 70 all season. The Sun Devils' previous low was 64 points.

Brissett overcame a hard fall in the first half, scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds. He had a three-point play and a step-back jumper as the Orange overcame a seven-point deficit with 7 minutes left.

With a chance to take the lead, Arizona State's Shannon Evans II missed a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go. Frank Howard got the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws to clinch it. Kodi Justice had 15 points for Arizona State, which hasn't won an NCAA Tournament game since 2009.

---

TEXAS SOUTHERN 64, NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL 46

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - Damontrae Jefferson scored 25 points and pulled down eight rebounds as Texas Southern got its first ever NCAA Tournament win, a 64-46 rout of North Carolina Central in a First Four game.

Jefferson, a sophomore, along with Miami's Chris Lykes is the shortest player in the tournament at 5-foot-7.

No. 16 seed Texas Southern (16-19) also became the first team with a losing record to win a tournament game. The Tigers started the season 0-13 - the worst start for a tournament team in NCAA history - and didn't win a game until Jan. 1. Now they're moving on to face No. 1 seed Xavier on Friday.

Donte Clark had 18 points and Trayvon Reed added 10 points and eight boards for Texas Southern, a historically black college in Houston that won the Southwestern Athletic College Tournament. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament winner N.C. Central, another historically black school was making its second straight appearance in Dayton for a play-in game.

N.C. Central (19-16) was led by Raasean Davis with 19 points, part of a starting five that included a pair of true freshmen guards and a walk-on.

[StarDust Bum]

2018 NIT, CBI, CIT Results
March 14, 2018

NCAA Tournament

National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
UPPER LEFT BRACKET
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 Notre Dame (-19.5) vs. Hampton 84-63 Favorite-Under (151.5)
Mar. 13 Oregon (-11) vs. Rider 99-86 Favorite-Over (159)
Mar. 14 Marquette (-12) vs. Harvard 67-60 Underdog-Over (146.5)
Mar. 14 Penn State (-9.5) vs. Temple 63-57 Underdog-Under (144.5)
Mar. 15-19 Notre Dame vs. Penn State - -
Mar. 15-19 Oregon vs. Marquette - -
Mar. 20-21 TBD vs. TBD - -

Lower Left Bracket
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 Baylor (-13) vs. Wagner 80-59 Favorite-Over (138)
Mar. 13 Louisville (-7.5) vs. Northern Kentucky 66-58 Favorite-Under (147.5)
Mar. 13 Middle Tennessee (-6) vs. Vermont 91-64 Favorite-Over (137)
Mar. 14 Mississippi State (-4.5) vs. Nebraska 66-59 Favorite-Under (142.5)
Mar. 15-19 Baylor vs. Mississippi State - -
Mar. 15-19 Louisville vs. Middle Tennessee - -
Mar. 20-21 TBD vs. TBD - -

UPPER RIGHT BRACKET
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 USC (-14) vs. UNC Asheville 103-98 Underdog-Over (151.5)
Mar. 13 Western Kentucky (-4) vs. Boston College 79-62 Favorite-Under (159)
Mar. 13 Oklahoma State (-11) vs. Florida Gulf Coast 80-68 Favorite-Under (160)
Mar. 14 Stanford (-3) vs. BYU 86-83 Push-Over (149)
Mar. 15-19 USC vs. Western Kentucky - -
Mar. 15-19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 20-21 TBD vs. TBD - -

LOWER RIGHT BRACKET
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 St. Mary's (-14.5) vs. SE Louisiana 89-45 Favorite-Under (139.5)
Mar. 14 LSU (-3.5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 84-76 Favorite-Push (160)
Mar. 14 Utah (-12.5) vs. UC Davis 69-59 Underdog-Under (139)
Mar. 14 Boise State vs. Washington (+2, +120 ML) 77-74 Underdog-Over (147.5)
Mar. 15-19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 15-19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 20-21 TBD vs. TBD - -

SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 27 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 27 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -

College Basketball Invitational (CBI)
FIRST ROUND
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 13 Eastern Washington at Utah Valley (-6.5) 87-65 Favorite-Over (148)
Mar. 14 Miami-OH at Campbell (-3.5) 97-87 Favorite-Over (144)
Mar. 14 Jacksonville State (+4.5, +170 ML) at Canisius 80-78 (OT) Underdog-Over (144)
Mar. 14 North Texas (+11.5, +550 ML) at South Dakota 90-77 Underdog-Over (148.5)
Mar. 14 UT Rio Grand Valley at New Orleans (-3) 77-74 Push-Under (154)
Mar. 14 Colgate at San Francisco (-7) 72-68 Underdog-Push (140)
Mar. 14 Mercer (+6, +240 ML) at Grand Canyon 78-73 Underdog-Over (142)
Mar. 14 Central Arkansas (+6.5, +250 ML) at Seattle 92-90 (OT) Underdog-Over (159.5)

QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 19 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -

FINALS (BEST-OF-THREE)
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 26 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 28 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 30 TBD vs. TBD - -

CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT)
FIRST ROUND
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 12 Central Michigan (+5.5, ML +205) at Fort Wayne 94-89 Underdog-Over (164)
Mar. 12 Abilene Christian at Drake (-8.5) 80-73 (OT) Underdog-Over (151)
Mar. 12 North Carolina A&T at Liberty (-12) 65-52 Favorite-Under (139.5)
Mar. 12 Hartford at San Diego (-10) 88-72 Favorite-Over (138)
Mar. 14 St. Francis-PA at Illinois-Chicago (-5) 84-61 Favorite-Under (156.5)
Mar. 14 Niagara at Eastern Michigan (-8.5) 83-65 Favorite-Under (153.5)
Mar. 14 Lamar at Texas-San Antonio (-3) 76-69 Favorite-Under (150.5)
Mar. 15 Louisiana-Monroe at Austin Peay - -

SECOND ROUND AND QUARTERFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 16-21 TBD at Wofford - -
Mar. 16-21 TBD at Northern Colorado - -
Mar. 16-21 TBD at Portland State - -
Mar. 16-21 TBD at San Houston State - -
Mar. 16-21 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 22-25 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 22-25 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 22-25 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 22-25 TBD at TBD - -

SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 28 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 28 TBD at TBD - -
Mar. 30 TBD at TBD - -

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

Some prop bets for the NCAA tournament; wins by team: (Westgate SuperBook)

— wins for Villanova, 3.5 (under -$120)

— wins for Duke, 3 (under -$130)

— wins for Michigan State, 2.5 (under -$135)

— wins for Virginia, 4 (under -$140)

— wins for North Carolina 2.5 (under -$140)

— wins for Michigan 2 (under -$130)

Quote of the Day
“It’s an interesting process. People trying to evaluate your game, trying to find your flaws. But you only get to do it once. You’ve got to enjoy it. … You’ve got to be yourself. That’s the most important thing. You’ve got to be able to talk ball. You’ve got to be able to handle the outside noise and relax and do your thing. I think I’ve put myself in a good spot.”
Baker Mayfield, who hopefully will play as well as he talks

Thursday’s quiz
How many times has a #16-seed beaten a #1-seed in the NCAA tournament?

Wednesday’s quiz
James Harden played his college basketball at Arizona State.

Tuesday’s quiz
NBA’s Hawks played in St Louis before moving to Atlanta.

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

Thursday’s List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud……

13) USC star Chimezie Metu sat out the Trojans’ NIT game Tuesday, because he doesn’t want to get hurt before the NBA Draft, which is in late June. This ignited a heated Twitter debate.

I’ll say this: Metu has the right to do as he pleases, it is a free country. But…….

In 2000, Kenyon Martin was the star of a Cincinnati team that was going to be a #1-seed in the NCAA’s, but in the first round of the C-USA tournament, he broke his leg and also injured knee ligaments, the kind of disastrous injury that Metu obviously fears now.

Long story short: Martin was still picked 1st in the NBA Draft that year; he played 15 years in the NBA, scored over 9,200 points and earned $113M in his career.

My opinion is that you should finish what you start, but thats just my opinion.

12) Klay Thompson has apparently broken his right thumb, will miss at least four games; he hasn’t missed more than five games in a season since he became a full-time starter.

11) Stupid new baseball rule: In minor league baseball this year, all extra innings will start with a runner on second base. I’m beginning to think the people who run baseball don’t like baseball.

10) Patrick Beilein is the 34-year old coach at LeMoyne, a D-II school in Syracuse; he is the son of Michigan coach John Beilein. It has been rumored that Patrick Beilein has already gotten three job offers from D-I schools this spring.

9) Ole Miss is going to hire Middle Tennessee State coach Kermit Davis, whose dad used to be the coach at Mississippi State. Rough couple weeks for the Blue Raiders, who got screwed out of an NCAA tournament bid and now are losing their coach of the last 16 years.

8) Memphis went 21-13 this year, but apparently they fired Tubby Smith this week and will hire Anfernee Hardaway as his replacement. John Calipari spoiled this fanbase forever; they ran Josh Pastner out of town after he went 166-73 with the Tigers and now they got rid of Tubby, whose career record is 597-302. Tough town.

7) Evansville fired Marty Simmons after 11 years and zero NCAA tournament bids; he went 25-9, 24-12 two and three years ago, but didn’t win Arch Madness so now he is unemployed.

6) Arizona Cardinals signed Mike Glennon as their backup QB, which is a good thing if they’re going to start Sam Bradford at QB this fall.

Bradford has a 34-45-1 W-L record in NFL, missing 48 games in his eight NFL seasons. He has a very bad knee that Mike Zimmer recently called “degenerative.” He is not dependable.

5) There are 11 teams in this year’s NIT that would be favored over Syracuse on a neutral floor.

4) Toys ‘r Us is closing its 800 stores in this country; that just sounds kind of sad.

3) Cleveland Browns’ tackle Joe Thomas retired this week; the man played 10,363 consecutive snaps in the NFL without missing a play, which is astounding for an offensive lineman.

2) Saw a baseball shift this week I’ve never seen before; Kris Bryant is batting for the Cubs with a man on 3rd. San Diego put three infielders on the left side of the infield, and the 1B almost halfway to 2B. If Bryant hits the ball to the right side of the infield, not sure how they get him out, unless he hits it hard right at the first baseman.

1— Dee Gordon is playing centerfield for the Mariners this spring, at least he was until Robinson Cano strained a hamstring. Seattle’s TV guys were bragging on the Mariners’ bullpen, so we’ll see how well they do this season.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday - Session 1
March 14, 2018

The opening round of this year’s NCAA Tournament gets underway with the first four games on Thursday’s slate.

Rhode Island will get things started against Oklahoma followed by Wright State taking on Tennessee. The next two games pit UNC Greensboro against Gonzaga before Penn faces Kansas in the final matchup in Session 1.

Midwest Region (Pittsburgh, PA)
No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Rhode Island (CBS, 12:15 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Rhode Island -2, 158

Betting Matchup

Oklahoma was one of the more controversial picks for the Big Dance considering its 2-8 SU slide in its last 10 games including and early exit from the Big 12 Tournament with a 71-60 loss to Oklahoma State as a slight 1 ½-point favorite. Betting on the Sooners has been a major drain on the bankroll since mid-January with a 3-13 record ATS. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last six games.

The Rams were the top team in the Atlantic 10 this season at 15-3 straight-up in conference play, but they came up just short in the tournament title game with a 58-57 loss to Davidson as 2 ½-point favorites. Rhode Island struggled down the stretch at 2-3 straight-up in its last five games while going just 2-6 against the spread in its last eight contests. The total stayed UNDER in five of the Rams’ last six games.

Betting Trends

-- The Sooners are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games played at a neutral site and the total has gone OVER in five of their last seven games against the Atlantic 10

-- The Rams have covered in seven of their last 10 neutral-site games and the total has stayed UNDER in five of their last seven nonconference matchups

-- This will be the first meeting between the two in this Big 12/Atlantic 10 matchup

South Region (Dallas, TX)
No. 14 Wright State vs. No. 3 Tennessee (TruTV, 12:40 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Tennessee -13, 131

Betting Matchup

Wright State earned its spot in the field by winning the Horizon League Tournament as the No. 2 seed at 14-4 SU in conference play. The Raiders bring a four-game winning streak both SU and ATS into this matchup and the total has gone OVER in three of those games. Senior guard Grant Benzinger is the team’s leading scorer (14.5 points) and he scored 19 points with nine rebounds against Cleveland State in the tournament title game.

The Volunteers came up short against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament Championship as two-point favorites in a 77-72 loss. The was the third time they failed to cover as favorites in their last four games. This is part of a 4-6 record ATS in their last 10 contests. Sophomore forward Grant Williams basically matched his team-high 15.3-point scoring average in that loss to the Wildcats.

Betting Trends

-- The Raiders have covered in their last five games against a team with a SU winning record and the total has gone OVER in four of their last five neutral-site games.

-- The Volunteers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four NCAA Tournament games and the total has gone OVER in six of their last eight games in this tournament.

-- This will be the first meeting between these two teams.

West Region (Boise, ID)
No. 13 UNC Greensboro vs. No. 4 Gonzaga (TNT, 1:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Gonzaga -12 ½, 136

Betting Matchup

Needing to win the Southern Conference Tournament to earn a bid, the Spartans added to a SU 8-1 run to end the regular season with three more victories including a 62-47 upset against Middle Tennessee as slight 1 ½-point underdogs to claim the title. Betting on them has been a bit trickier at 3-4 ATS in their last seven games. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five contests.

You cannot do more than the Bulldogs did in the West Coast Conference this season. They won the regular season title at 17-1 SU before posting three more wins in the WCC Tournament. They are 30-4 SU overall coming into this Thursday’s opener. Gonzaga has not been a good betting team for most of the season at 14-18-1 ATS, but it has covered in three of its last four games.

Betting Trends

-- The Spartans have gone 5-0-1 ATS in their last six nonconference games and the total has stayed UNDER in their last five games on Thursday.

-- The Bulldogs are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games in the NCAA Tournament and the total has gone OVER in five of their last six neutral-site games.

-- This will be the first meeting in the East Coast/West Coast clash.

Midwest Region (Wichita, KS)
No. 16 Penn vs. No.1 Kansas (TBS, 2:00 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Kansas -14, 147

Betting Matchup

Penn tied Harvard for the best SU record in the Ivy League at 12-2 and it went on to beat the Crimson 68-65 in the tournament title game as a 2 ½-point favorite. The Quakers have just one SU loss in their last eight games with a 6-2 record ATS. The total has gone OVER in five of their last seven games. Penn is averaging 76.7 points per game behind Ryan Betley (14.5 points) and AJ Brodeur (13.1 points).

The Jayhawks followed up their 13-5 SU run to the Big 12 regular season title with a three-game run both SU and ATS to the tournament title as well. They closed as slight 1 ½-point underdogs in an 81-70 victory against West Virginia in the conference championship to improve to 6-2 ATS over their last eight games. Sophomore guard Malik Newman scored a team-high 20 points in that Big 12 title game.

Betting Trends

-- The Quakers have failed to cover in four of their last five games against the Big 12 and the total has gone OVER in 10 of their last 13 games outside the Ivy League.

-- The Jayhawks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Ivy League and the total has stayed UNDER in 28 of their last 38 NCAA Tournament games.

-- The last time these two met was in 2000 with Kansas winning by the lopsided score of 105-59 as a 16-point home favorite.


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


Thursday - Session 2
March 14, 2018

Midwest Region – Pittsburgh – PPG Paints Arena
#15 Iona vs. #2 Duke (-19 ½, 157) – 2:45 PM EST – CBS

In the last seven seasons, Duke (26-7 SU, 20-11 ATS) has reached the Final Four only one time, coming back in 2015 when the Blue Devils captured the championship. Duke is back in the NCAA tournament for the 22nd consecutive season, while trying to rebound after losing to surprising South Carolina in the second round last March.

The Blue Devils are led by fantastic freshman Marvin Bagley, III, who is averaging 21.1 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per contest, while coming off three consecutive double-doubles. Duke lost in the ACC semifinals to rival North Carolina, 74-69 as four-point favorites, as the Blue Devils own a 3-4 ATS record the last seven games overall. Since posting a perfect 6-0 ATS record in the 2015 championship run of the tournament, Mike Krzyzewski’s team is 2-3 ATS the past five tournament contests.

Iona (20-13 SU, 15-14 ATS) grabbed the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title by knocking off Fairfield in the championship game, 83-71. The Gaels are back in the Big Dance for the third straight season, but suffered double-digit defeats in the opening round to Oregon in 2017 and Iowa State back in 2016. Iona has won only one NCAA tournament game in 13 tries, coming back in 1980 against Holy Cross. The Gaels posted a 3-3 ATS record as an underdog this season, including covers as double-digit ‘dogs in losses at Syracuse and Rhode Island.

South Region – Dallas – American Airlines Center
#11 Loyola-Chicago vs. #6 Miami-FL (-1 ½, 134) – 3:10 PM EST – truTV

One of the biggest stories in college basketball from a mid-major conference standpoint came out of Chicago as the Ramblers of Loyola-Chicago (28-5 SU, 19-9-1 ATS) cruised to a Missouri Valley title. For years, the MVC was owned by Wichita State, who bolted for the American Athletic Conference, as the Ramblers took advantage by posting an 18-3 conference mark, while picking up a solid road win at Florida in December.

Miami (22-9 SU, 11-15 ATS) finished as the third seed in the ACC tournament, but was blown out by North Carolina in the quarterfinal round. The Hurricanes won their final four games of the regular season by a combined eight points, while compiling an 0-7 ATS record in their last seven contests in the favorite role. In non-conference play, UM put together an 11-1 record, while going 4-2 ATS as a favorite with the two non-covers against New Mexico State and Middle Tennessee.

The Hurricanes were also a 1 ½-point favorite in their opening round game last season, but were blown out by Michigan State, 78-58. Loyola-Chicago is making its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1985, while the last team other than Wichita State to win the MVC tournament was Northern Iowa, who knocked off Texas in the first round of the 2016 tournament at the buzzer.

West Region – Boise – Taco Bell Arena
#12 South Dakota State vs. #5 Ohio State (-8, 146 ½) – 4:00 PM EST – TNT

Ohio State (24-8 SU, 15-15 ATS) began Big 10 play with a bang by starting 9-0, but the Buckeyes are currently on a 2-3 run the past five games. The Buckeyes lost to Penn State for the third time this season in a 69-68 defeat in the Big 10 tournament quarterfinals, but OSU is back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2015. From 2010-13, the Buckeyes reached the Sweet 16, including a pair of Elite Eight appearances, but couldn’t escape the first weekend in 2014 and 2015.

The first test for the Buckeyes will be the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State (28-6, 19-9 ATS) out of the Summit League. The Jackrabbits are back in the Big Dance for the third straight year after winning the Summit tournament, capped off by defeating state rival South Dakota, 97-87 as 1 ½-point underdogs in the championship. South Dakota State is currently on an 8-2 ATS run, while winning 19 of its past 20 games overall.

In the last two tournaments, the Jackrabbits failed to get out of the first round, but managed to cover as underdogs in losses to Gonzaga in 2017 and Maryland in 2016. South Dakota State owns a 5-4 ATS record as a ‘dog this season, including outright wins over Iowa, Buffalo, and Ole Miss. The Buckeyes posted a 3-5 ATS mark as a favorite against teams outside the Big 10 this season, while losing to Butler, Clemson, North Carolina, and Gonzaga in non-conference play.

Midwest Region – Wichita – Intrust Bank Arena
#9 North Carolina State vs. #8 Seton Hall (-2 ½, 157) – 4:30 PM EST – TBS

The 8/9 game is always competitive in the tournament as both Seton Hall and North Carolina State enter Thursday’s play with exact records. The Pirates (21-11 SU, 13-12 ATS) are back in the NCAA tournament for the third straight season as a 14-2 start helped cement Seton Hall’s at-large bid. Seton Hall split its final 12 games of the season, which includes a pair of losses to Villanova and blowing a second half lead in a Big East tournament defeat to Butler.

However, Seton Hall has covered the number in five consecutive games, although four of those ATS wins came in the underdog role. In the last two appearances in the NCAA tournament, the Pirates lost by six points to Arkansas in 2017 and a 16-point defeat to Gonzaga in 2016. The last time Seton Hall won an NCAA tournament game came back in 2004, while N.C. State is seeking its first tourney victory since 2015, when the Wolfpack reached the Sweet 16.

N.C. State (21-11, 13-12 ATS) closed the regular season with a 5-1 record before getting tripped up by Boston College in the ACC tournament. The Wolfpack picked up road wins at North Carolina and Syracuse in the conference play, while its top victory away from Raleigh came at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in November against Arizona as a 12 ½-point ‘dog. Since the end of January, N.C. State has compiled a 7-4 ATS record the last 11 games, while sailing the OVER in four consecutive contests on the highway.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday - Session 4
March 14, 2018

East Region – Pittsburgh – PPG Paints Arena
#9 Alabama vs. #8 Virginia Tech (-2, 141 ½) – 9:20 PM EST – TNT

-- As of Wednesday night, most betting shops had Virginia Tech (21-11 straight up, 17-11 against the spread) listed as a two-point favorite with a total of 141.5. The Crimson Tide was available to win outright for a +110 return (risk $100 to win $110).

-- This is an 8/9 matchup in the East Region that’ll take place in Pittsburgh, with the winner advancing to face top-seeded Villanova (assuming the Wildcats don’t become the first team to lose to a 16 seed since the Tournament expanded the field to 64 in 1985). TNT will have the telecast around 9:20 p.m. Eastern or 30 minutes after the conclusion of ‘Nova-Radford.

-- Alabama (19-15 SU, ATS) ended the regular season on a five-game losing streak, but freshman sensation Collin Sexton made sure the Crimson Tide received an NCAA Tournament invite with a pair of brilliant performances at last week’s SEC Tournament in St. Louis. With his team trailing by one with four seconds remaining, Sexton took the inbounds pass and went the length of the floor with the quickness and released a long finger-roll shot in the lane that caught nothing but nylon just after the horn sounded. Sexton’s shot lifted Alabama to a 71-70 win over Texas A&M as a 3.5-point favorite. Sexton had 27 points and five assists against the Aggies, while Dazon Ingram finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.

-- The win over A&M likely had Alabama “in” the field, but it removed all doubt in Friday’s quarterfinals. Auburn took a 41-31 lead over ‘Bama to halftime, but Sexton sparked a huge run to start the second half by knocking down a trio of 3-balls in the first several possessions. The Tide would outscore the Tigers 50-22 in the final 20 minutes to collect an 81-63 victory as a 6.5-point underdog, hooking up money-line supporters with a payout in the +235 neighborhood (risk $100 to win $235). Sexton scored 31 points by sinking 10-of-16 field-goal attempts, 6-of-8 launches from 3-point range and 5-of-5 attempts from the free-throw line. Ingram added 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

-- Alabama has compiled a 10-8 spread record with seven outright victories in 18 games as an underdog.

-- Sexton averages team-bests in scoring (19.0 points per game) and assists (3.5 APG). Junior center Donta Hall (10.9 PPG) is the team’s second-leading scorer and paces ‘Bama in rebounding (6.8 RPG), field-goal percentage (72.1%) and blocked shots (2.1 BPG). However, Hall missed Saturday’s SEC Tourney semifinals loss to Kentucky after sustaining a concussion in the second half vs. Auburn on a scary fall. Hall did practice in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, although Avery Johnson maintained that he was a game-time decision. Johnson said it was probably 60/40 that he would play. I’m saying I’ll be extremely surprised if Hall isn’t on the court for tip-off.

-- Buzz Williams’s club has lost back-to-back games and three of its past four, including a 71-65 loss to Notre Dame as a two-point underdog at the ACC Tournament. Va. Tech led the Fighting Irish by 13 at halftime and by as many as 21 points early in the second half. However, Mike Brey’s team outscored the Hokies 45-18 in the final 15 minutes. Justin Bibbs and Justin Robinson shared team-high scoring honors with 15 points apiece in the losing effort. Robinson handed out seven assists and had three steals.

-- Virginia Tech owns a 7-3 record both SU and ATS in 10 games as a single-digit ‘chalk’ this year.

-- Robinson leads the Hokies in scoring (13.8 PPG), assists (5.6 APG) and steals (1.2 SPG). The junior guard has connected on 40.0 percent of his tries from long distance. Bibbs (13.1 PPG) had made 39.1 percent of his treys, while Kerry Blackshear Jr. averages 12.6 points and 6.1 RPG. He’s also blocked 29 starts. Chris Clarke averages 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

-- Along with Bibbs and Robinson, Ahmed Hill and Nickeil Alexander-Walker give Virginia Tech four players who have drained at least 50 treys for the season.

-- One Alabama weakness is its FT shooting, as it ranked 13th out of 14 SEC teams in FT percentage (67.2%).

-- The ‘over’ has hit in six of Alabama’s last nine games, but the ‘under’ is 21-12 overall for the Tide.

-- Totals have been an overall wash for the Hokies, but they’ve seen the ‘under’ cash in nine straight games.

South Region – Boise – Taco Bell Arena
#13 Buffalo vs. #4 Arizona (-8 ½, 158 ½) – 9:40 PM EST – CBS

-- As of Wednesday night, most spots had Arizona (27-7 SU, 14-18 ATS) listed as an 8.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 158.5. The Bulls were +375 on the money line (risk $100 to win $375).

-- The winner will face the Davidson-Kentucky survivor on Saturday for a ticket to the Sweet 16.

-- Sean Miller’s team has won five games in a row and eight of its past nine. UA covered the spread in all three of its wins at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Center. The Wildcats beat Colorado (83-67), UCLA (78-67 in OT) and USC (75-61), taking the cash as 4.5-point favorites in the finals against the Trojans. DeAndre Ayton dominated the lane against USC, producing 32 points and 18 rebounds while making 14-of-20 FGAs. Dusan Ristic added 16 points and five boards for the winners.

-- Ayton, the freshman center who is a future lottery pick and might be the No. 1 overall pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, leads Arizona in scoring (20.3 PPG), rebounding (11.5 RPG), FG percentage (61.6%) and blocks (1.9 BPG).

-- Arizona lost star guard Allonzo Trier to a season-ending suspension a couple of weeks ago. Trier had averaged 18.4 PPG while burying 39.1 percent of his 3-pointers.

-- Arizona has a 5-10-1 spread record with five outright L’s in 16 games as a single-digit ‘chalk’ this season.

-- Buffalo (26-8 SU, 16-12 ATS) is back in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons. Since Nate Oats took over for Bobby Hurley when he left for Arizona St., he has a 63-38 overall record and has his team back in the Tournament for a second time in three years.

-- Buffalo was mired in a 2-7-2 ATS slide in its last 11 regular-season games, but it covered the spread in all three of its victories at the MAC Tournament. Oats’s squad won a 76-66 decision over Toledo in the finals as a 7.5-point favorite. Wes Clark exploded for 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field, contributing five rebounds, four steals and three assists as well. Nick Perkins scored 16 points and pulled down five boards, while Jeremy Harris finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.

-- Buffalo is 3-1 ATS with one outright victory in four games as an underdog this season. The Bulls have lost by more than seven points just three times this year. They faced five foes who are in the Tournament during non-conference play, losing all five times. UB lost by six to Cincinnati on a neutral court, by 14 to South Dakota St. on a neutral floor, by 11 to St. Bonaventure at home, by seven at Syracuse and by 16 at Texas A&M.

-- Buffalo is led by C.J. Massinburg, a three-year starter who averages 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Perkins averages 16.6 points and 6.2 RPG, while Harris (15.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG) has a 76/42 assist-to-turnover ratio and hits 43.2 percent of his attempts from downtown. Clark (14.6 PPG, 5.3 APG) has buried 39.1 percent of his 3-balls.

-- The ‘under’ is on an 8-2 run for the Wildcats to improve to 17-16 overall.

-- Despite seeing back-to-back ‘unders,’ the ‘over’ is 19-12 overall for the Bulls.

West Region – Wichita – Intrust Bank Arena
#14 Montana vs. #3 Michigan (-11, 135) – 9:50 PM EST – TBS

-- As of Wednesday night, most spots had third-seeded Michigan (28-7 SU, 22-11 ATS) listed as an 11-point favorite with a total of 135. The Grizzlies were +550 on the money line (risk $100 to win $550).

-- Michigan won the Big Ten Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City thanks to wins over Iowa (77-71 in overtime), Nebraska (77-58), Michigan St. (75-64) and Purdue (75-66). John Beilein’s squad has now won nine games in a row while going 8-1 ATS, including the spread cover as a four-point underdog in the win over the Boilermakers in the finals. Mo Wagner led the way with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field despite being limited to 17 minutes of playing time due to foul trouble. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman added 15 points and four assists without a turnover, knocking down 3-of-5 attempts from downtown. Jon Teske added 14 points, while Zavier Simpson contributed 10 points, five boards, five assists and two steals.

-- Michigan has been a double-digit favorite 11 times, posting a 6-4-1 spread record with zero outright defeats.

-- Michigan is ranked ninth in the nation in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 63.5 PPG.

-- Wagner paces the Wolverines in scoring (14.5 PPG), rebounding (7.1 RPG) and FG percentage (52.9%). Simpson (7.5 PPG) leads the team in assists (3.6 APG) and steals (1.2 SPG), while Abdur-Rahkman averages 12.6 PPG and has a stellar 116/23 assist-to-turnover ratio. Charles Matthews also averages 12.6 PPG.

-- Montana (26-7 SU, 19-11-1 ATS) is a No. 14 seed after winning the Big Sky Tournament with an 82-65 win over Eastern Washington in the finals this past Saturday night in Reno. Michael Oguine scored 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, 3-of-4 makes from 3-point range and 6-of-6 net splashers from the charity stripe. Ahmaad Rorie added 15 points and five assists, while Fabijan Krslovic finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

-- Montana has won six straight games since losing 79-77 at Idaho in overtime on Feb. 17. The Grizzlies played four games against teams from major conferences this season. They won 83-78 at Pittsburgh in overtime as three-point underdogs, before dropping a 70-57 decision at Penn St. as 12.5-point ‘dogs two days later. Then on Nov. 29, Montana lost 70-54 at Stanford and three weeks later it lost 66-63 at Washington. However, the Grizzlies covered the number as four-point ‘dogs against the Huskies.

-- Montana went 14-0-1 ATS during a 15-game stretch from Dec. 3 to Feb. 3. The Grizzlies have covered at an 18-7-1 clip in their past 26 outings.

-- Montana owns a 3-2 spread record with one outright win in five games as an underdog. The Grizzlies have lost by a double-digit margin just twice this season, losing by 16 at Stanford and by 13 at PSU.

-- Rorie averages team-highs in scoring (17.2 PPG) and assists (3.2 APG), while Jamar Akoh (13.1 PPG) paces the Grizzlies in rebounding (6.7 RPG), FG percentage (57.9%) and blocked shots (0.7 BPG). Oguine averages 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

-- Montana is seeking its first NCAA Tournament win since beating Nevada by an 87-79 count in 2006. The Grizzlies are in the Tournament for the first time since ’13.

-- Totals have been an overall wash (16-16-1) for the Wolverines, but they’ve seen the ‘over’ go 5-0-2 in their past seven outings.

-- The ‘over’ is 19-12 overall for the Grizzlies after cashing in each of their past three games.

-- TBS will have the broadcast 30 minutes after San Diego St. vs. Houston concludes. The Aztecs and Cougars tip at 7:20 p.m. Eastern.



East Region – Dallas – American Airlines Center
#11 St. Bonaventure vs. #6 Florida (-5 ½, 143) – 9:55 PM EST – truTV

-- As of Wednesday afternoon, most books had Florida (20-12 SU, 15-15 ATS) listed as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 143. The Bonnies were +205 on the money line.

-- UF has advanced to at least the Elite Eight in its past five NCAA Tournament appearances, compiling a 16-5 record during that stretch. The Gators are a remarkable 28-6 in their last 34 NCAA Tournament games dating back to 2006. Damn!

-- Florida has been to five Final Fours in 20 all-time Tournament appearances. The Gators are 45-18 in 63 Tournament games. They’ve won by at least 12 points in each of their last five first-round games in the Tournament.

-- Mike White’s team closed the regular season with three straight wins both SU and ATS vs. Auburn (72-66), at Alabama (73-52) and vs. Kentucky (80-67). However, UF lost an 80-72 decision to Arkansas as a four-point ‘chalk’ in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals last Friday. The Razorbacks dominated the boards with a 40-28 rebounding edge. Keith Stone kept the Gators in it by hitting 8-of-10 FGAs, 4-of-5 launches from 3-point land and 2-of-3 FTAs. Stone finished with 22 points, five rebounds, one steal and one assist without a turnover in 24 minutes of action coming off the bench. Chris Chiozza added 16 points and six assists, while KeVaughn Allen had 11 points and four assists compared to just one turnover.

-- Jalen Hudson paces UF in scoring with a 15.3 PPG average. The transfer from Virginia Tech is draining 40.9 percent of his 3-pointers. Egor Koulechov, a grad transfer from Rice, is averaging 13.6 points and 6.5 RPG. Koulechov has buried 40.5 percent of his treys and 87.4 percent of his FTs. Allen (11.2 PPG) leads the Gators in FT percentage (90.1%), while Chiozza (11.2 PPG) averages 6.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

-- Florida has been a single-digit favorite 17 times this year, posting an 8-8-1 spread record with seven outright defeats.

-- St. Bonaventure (26-7 SU, 16-14 ATS) advanced to Dallas to face the Gators by rallying past UCLA for a 65-58 win as a 2.5-point underdog. Courtney Stockard, who was nursing a hamstring injury sustained in last Friday’s A-10 Tournament quarterfinals that forced him to miss a semifinals loss to Davidson this past Saturday, was listed as ‘questionable’ right up until game time against the Bruins. Nevertheless, the junior swingman stole the show at the First Four in Dayton. Stockard scored 26 points to go with four rebounds and four steals, while Matt Mobley added 14 points, seven boards and three assists. Senior guard Jaylen Adams had miserable night, making only 2-of-16 FGAs, but he came through in the clutch with the go-ahead bucket that put the Bonnies in front to stay.

-- The win over UCLA was the first for St. Bonaventure since 1970 when it was led by a future NBA stalwart in Bob Lanier. That Bonnies’ outfit in 1970 won 25 games, but the victory over the Bruins gave them a school-record 26 wins.

-- St. Bonaventure has won 14 of its past 15 games with the lone defeat coming to red-hot Davidson when Stockard was resting his sore hamstring. This is the Bonnies’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and they got there by way of an at-large berth for the first time in 18 seasons.

-- Mark Schmidt’s team has been an underdog nine times this year, producing a 5-4 record both SU and ATS.

-- Adams paces the Bonnies in scoring (19.4 PPG), assists (5.3 APG) and steals (1.6 SPG). The senior guard has drained 44.4 percent of his 3-balls and 85.0 percent of his FTs. Mobley (18.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG) has hit 38.1 percent of his attempts from long distance, while Stockard averages 13.3 points and 6.3 RPG.

-- The ‘over’ is 16-14 overall for the Bonnies.

-- The ‘under’ was on an 8-1 run for Florida until the ‘over’ appeared in its past two contests. The ‘under’ is 16-14 overall for the Gators.

-- This game will tip 30 minutes after the conclusion of Texas Tech vs. Stephen F. Austin on TruTV. The Red Raiders and the Lumberjacks are set to collide at 7:27 p.m. Eastern.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Early Best Bets
March 13, 2018

Thursday College Basketball Best Bets – Early

There really is nothing quite like the first Thursday of the NCAA tournament from a gambling perspective as it's just a barrage of games for 12+ hours the entire day to sink your teeth into. Staying disciplined with your bankroll can be a bit of a concern during these first two days with how much action there is, so keep that in mind when you are grinding through the day.

Another good way to approach the day is to split the games up by time slots so that they can be broken down into smaller parts and focused on that way. Whether you do it by afternoon and night like I am, or breaking it down to four-game time slot blocks is up to you, but having a plan of attack is never a bad thing. So with that out of the way, let's get right to the early plays for Thursday.

Best Bet #1: Oklahoma +2

For all the controversial selections the committee made on which schools got into the NCAA tournament, no one received more vitriol than Oklahoma. The Sooners struggles down the stretch were well documented and perceived to be the deciding factor in them missing out on the big dance, but the committee saw otherwise and put Oklahoma in the field of 64 based on what they claimed was their overall body of work.

Whatever the case may be, Oklahoma is in, and we seen before that these teams that everyone disputed being put in the field Selection Sunday go on to make a run to at least the Sweet 16. This Oklahoma could be set for the same path.

Conspiracy theorists would suggest the Sooners got into the field so that the NCAA can garner more ratings with Trae Young getting at least one more game of national television exposure, but be that as it may, the guy can fill up the basket. Oklahoma's poor play down the stretch were in large part because teams were seeing the Sooners for the second time around and blatantly taking Young out of the game and forcing someone else to beat them.

Oklahoma isn't the deepest team and that will eventually be their downfall in this tournament, but Young and the Sooners should be able to get by a Rhode Island team that people are putting too high on a pedestal for this game simply because they want to fade Oklahoma and get some sort of satisfaction that the committee was wrong with their pick.

Rhode Island is a solid team for sure, but they really didn't face the competition the Sooners did on a nightly basis in the Atlantic 10. The Rams also don't have the first hand experience of dealing with Young's scoring ability the same way the majority of Oklahoma's Big 12 rivals did the final month of the season, and even if film study tells Rhode Island that's the most likely path to victory, I'm not sure they've got the athletes across the board that those Big 12 schools have to accomplish that goal.

The Rams also enter the tournament on a 4-10 ATS run when off a loss and a 1-4 ATS mark in their last five against a winning team, so don't be going to back this team simply out of spite for the committee and/or Oklahoma.

I've seen this story all too often in March where the team nobody expected/wanted to get into the tournament gets overlooked and undervalued before going on a run to win a few games. Without question the Sooners know they've got a second life this year – just go back and watch Trae Young's reaction to Oklahoma being announced into the field at the 40 second mark of this video – and I don't think they waste it on being a one-and-done.

Best Bet #2: Ohio State/South Dakota St Over 147

After losing in their first game of the Big 10 tournament, the Ohio State Buckeyes may have a bit of rust to worry about as it will be nearly two full weeks in between games for them. The good news is they are a #5 seed so they shouldn't be tested right out of the gate in theory, but everyone knows about the history of #5 seeds going down to #12's.

South Dakota State is in that underdog role here and if the Jackrabbits are going to pull off the upset, they'll have to fill up the bucket and play their style of game to do so.

South Dakota State loves to get games in the 80's as they averaged 83.4 points per game scored and gave up 75.6/game as well. They've got three talented scorers in Mike Daum (23.8 ppg), David Jenkins Jr (16.1 ppg), and Reed Tellinghuisen (12 ppg), and none of those guys will be scared to put up quick shots against this Buckeyes team.

Even if you take the averages of South Dakota States points per game (83.4) and combine it with Ohio State's points allowed per game (66.7), you still come out with South Dakota State scoring 75 points in this contest win or lose. As +8 underdogs, if things go somewhat according to plan ATS-wise, then 75 points from the Jackrabbits easily puts this game over the number.

Ohio State won't shy away from an uptempo contest either as they know they are the better team here and will be fine with going out there and running with the Jackrabbits for awhile. The extra rest may actually help the Buckeyes in determining to push the pace and push advantages when they get them more often with fatigue being non-existent, and a 9-3 O/U run in their last 12 NCAA tournament games as a program suggests Ohio State prefers to run on this stage.

But what settles it for me on this play is the fact that South Dakota State is 41-19-1 O/U in their last 61 games against non-conference teams. That means that they are often quite successful at playing their quick style of play and filling up the bucket against opponents that don't know them well, and defensively, they'll never be anything special.

The Jackrabbits are often overmatched talent-wise in many of those non-conference games so their already suspect defense simply can't hold up. Just going back through some of South Dakota St's non-conference games this year shows that tournament teams like Kansas, Buffalo, and Wichita State scored 98, 80, and 95 points respectively against them.

Ohio State could easily follow suit in this first round game as anything below the 150 mark for this game is much too low in my opinion.


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

Thursday's Late Best Bets
March 14, 2018

NCAA Tournament First Round Best Bets

By the time the 7 pm dinner hour arrives on Thursday we will only be through half of the 16 NCAA tournament games available for digestion that day. Eight more contests will send us to our beds later that night and I'm hoping that these late Best Bets will make sleep come a lot easier with no bad beat nightmares on the horizon.

The late games on Thursday have some intriguing matchups out there for consumption as it will be interesting to see how teams like Michigan, Arizona, Villanova, and Texas Tech begin their 2018 tournaments. But there are two other games during this block that I'll be more interested in as another big name school known for being a great one-and-done spot might fall to that fate in this year's tournament.

Best Bet #1: Davidson +5.5

The Davidson Wildcats stole Notre Dame's at-large bid when they won the Atlantic 10 tournament to get into the big dance. The school now known as the alumni of Steph Curry is back in the tournament for the first time since 2015, but truth be told, the school has not one a tournament game in three tries since Curry moved on to the pros. Now they get to deal with the big, bad Kentucky Wildcats fresh off a SEC tournament win themselves.

Kentucky is the school that will always get plenty of love as a “public darling” every year, but even a SEC Tournament victory couldn't keep them out of the dreaded #5 spot in the South region. Everyone knows the history behind 12 seeds beating a #5 and while many are already pencilling in New Mexico State as the best #12 seed to move on to the round of 32, I believe that this Davidson bunch will get there first.

Davidson is in fine form after running through the Atlantic 10 tournament, and they've got plenty of shooters in the Steph Curry mold that could cause plenty of headaches for Kentucky on defense. The blue bloods from the SEC are going to have to rely on their size inside to get the job done, but this is still a very young team overall that's littered with freshman. Yes, Kentucky seemed to find their way as the season went on, but a #5 seed with as big of a brand as Kentucky only laying 5.5 points here should tell you that this Davidson team is for real.

Kentucky ending the year having won seven of their last eight can't be ignored, and while without question those foes were much better on an overall basis then what Davidson has seen recently, there comes a point when the gas tank starts to run low. For a Kentucky program that tends to me more about the individual rather than the collective, this is not a bunch I'd want to back to go far in this tournament. Guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Knox know the NBA draft is waiting for them right around the corner, and one poor game by either guy likely ends Kentucky's season.

So with Davidson on a 4-0 ATS run against winning teams and Kentucky just 3-7-3 ATS in their last 13 NCAA tournament games, I'm rolling with the underdog here. Kentucky could end up winning this game SU, but if they do it won't be until the final shot. This line of -5.5 looks like such a bait line that bettors could drive this price up, but I'd advise not falling for this trap.

Best Bet #2: Houston -4

The Houston Cougars saw a nice American Athletic Conference tournament run end up one-point short in the final and are now hoping that's the last loss they experience this year. They get into the tournament as a #6 seed – likely boosted a spot or two because of that AAC tournament run – and host a red hot San Diego State team who has won nine in a row. San Diego State got into the tournament by winning their conference dance, beating the only other Mountain West team in this field (Nevada) by 17 in the semi-finals and then coming out on top in the final over New Mexico. So why am I going against a red hot Aztecs squad?

Well for one, there is the idea of the Aztecs peaking a bit too early here but from perspective they had no choice because they had to go on a run just to get invited to this stage. Secondly, the Mountain West doesn't have anywhere near the talent and depth that the AAC does on a given night and the Cougars 26-7 ATS mark in that conference is really quite impressive. Houston also enters the tournament on a 4-0 ATS run off a SU loss, and a 5-1 ATS run in non-conference play.

Looking back at Houston's resume this year you'll see that they have double-digit victories over tournament teams like Arkansas, Providence, Wichita State, and a five-point win over Cincinnati. The fact that this Cougars team didn't pack it in in that conference tourney final against the Bearcats again knowing that they were already in the dance speaks to their “iron sharpens iron” mentality, and served as a great tune-up for the pressures the NCAA tournament brings. Having been tested numerous times this year against elite competition and passing the test the majority of the time, puts Houston in a nice spot to possibly make a deep run in this tournament. Before they get there though, they've got to take care of business against San Diego State and I believe they will rather easily.

San Diego State's resume does have some bright spots with wins over the Gonzaga and Nevada (twice), but when you lost by 22 to an Arizona State team that many questioned their inclusion in the field and are a First Four team, you know there are plenty of holes on this Aztecs squad. Yes, that game was at the beginning of the season and SD State has improved greatly since then, but shutting down G Trey Kell is basically the key to stopping these Aztecs and great guard play is a hallmark of this Houston team.

Houston finished the year as one of the best defenses in the country with 64.9 points allowed per game, and enter the NCAA tournament ranked 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency. That unit will slow the Aztecs offense to a halt, and the one advantage San Diego did exploit during much of their play in the Mountain West (size and rebounding) is going to be negated as well. Houston ranks 8th in the country in rebounding margin (+7.9) while San Diego State comes in at 44th. That 44th ranking was by far and away the best of any Mountain West squad but the Aztecs are up against the big boys now and will see their hot streak and 2018 season come to a quick stop here.

[StarDust Bum]

march madness record: ( overall record+ best bets ) all wagers based on 5 units

03/14/2018 15-8-1 65.22% +31.00
03/13/2018 7-14-1 33.33% -41.50
03/12/2018 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00

best bets:

Ats

03/14/2018.............................................. .7 - 5..............................+ 7.50
03/13/2018.............................................. .2 - 4...............................-12.00
03/12/2018.............................................. 1 - 0..............................+ 5.00

TOTALS............................................ .......10 - 9..............................+ 0.50

over/under

03/14/2018.............................................. .2 - 1................................+ 4.50
03/13/2018.............................................. .0 - 5.................................-27.50
03/12/2018.............................................. 1 - 0.................................+ 5.00

TOTALS............................................ . .......3 - 6.................................- 18.00

[StarDust Bum]

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

(14) Wright St. Raiders vs (3) Tennessee Volunteers (-12, 132)

Game to be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 14 Wright State
The No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers are 13-point favorites versus No. 14 Wright State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Third-seeded Tennessee looks to make a splash in the NCAA Tournament when it faces No. 14 seed Wright State in the first round of the South Regional on Thursday in Dallas, Texas. The Volunteers won over 20 games in the regular season for the first time since 2013-14 before advancing to the SEC Tournament final where they suffered a 77-72 loss to Kentucky on Sunday, and hope to live up to their lofty seed in their first-ever meeting with the Raiders.

"To have the kind of year to put yourself in position to play in the tournament is in itself a great accomplishment," Tennessee coach Rick Barnes told reporters. "I'm really proud of the guys to put us in that position." Wright State won three straight games en route to the Horizon League Tournament title and clinched its first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 years. The Raiders set a school record with 25 wins, but have dropped their last three meetings with SEC opponents by an average margin of 13 points and hope to buck the trend by notching their first NCAA Tournament win in program history. "It will be my job to bring them back down to earth and then get them to really believe it can happen," Wright State coach Scott Nagy told reporters. "I've seen teams at our level do it."

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, truTV

LINE HISTORY: Tennessee opened as 13-point favorites and as of Wednesday night that pointspread was down slightly to -12. The total hit betting boards at 131.5 and went up to 132 before falling back to the opening number. Check out the complete line history here.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT WRIGHT STATE: Grant Benzinger was named the Most Valuable Player of the Horizon League Tournament after averaging 14 points and 9.6 rebounds in victories over Green Bay, Milwaukee and Cleveland State. Benzinger led the way with 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the 74-57 win against the Vikings in the championship game while Cole Gentry and Jaylon Hall each added 11 points. Loudon Love was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 14.6 points and 10.3 rebounds, including nine points in the final, to set a freshman record for points in a season previously held by Bill Edwards in 1990.

ABOUT TENNESSEE: Junior forward Admiral Schofield was named to the All-SEC Tournament team after averaging 17 points and 8.3 rebounds over three games. Schofield scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the loss to Kentucky in the title game to notch his third double-double of the season while Grant Williams, who was named the SEC Player of the Year, added 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jordan Bone tallied 12 points and reigning SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year Lamonte Turner scored 10, but it wasn't enough as the Volunteers were held to 37.1 percent shooting.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Raiders are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Volunteers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 4-1 in Raiders' last 5 neutral site games.
* Under is 5-0 in Volunteers' last 5 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 58 percent of bettors taking the underdogs from Wright State, while 52 percent of totals wagers are on the Under.




(11) Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs (6) Miami-Florida Hurricanes (-1.5, 133)

Game to be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 6 Miami vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago
The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes face No. 11 Loyola-Chicago as 2.5-point favorites in the Round of 64 in the NCAA tournament.

Miami would love nothing more than to rebound from last year's poor showing at the NCAA Tournament - and has already gone through plenty of big-game moments in preparation - as it faces Loyola-Chicago in the first round of the South Region on Thursday at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The sixth-seeded Hurricanes are also hoping to get a boost with the possible return of Bruce Brown Jr.

The Hurricanes gave fans more than their share of thrills to close out the regular season, winning each of their final four games by a combined eight points - a stretch that included a three-point triumph over North Carolina and a one-point victory over Virginia Tech. But whatever heroics Miami displayed over that stretch ran out when the ACC Tournament got underway as the Hurricanes were trounced 82-65 by the Tar Heels. Miami's quest for a first Final Four appearance begins against the No. 11 Ramblers, who locked up their sixth tournament berth in school history - and first since 1985 - by claiming the Missouri Valley Conference title. The Ramblers won the national title in 1963, but have won only four tournament games since.

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

LINE HISTORY: Miami opened as 3-point favorites and early money on the underdog Ramblers has pushed that number down to -1.5. The total hit betting boards at 133.5 and has dropped slightly to 133 as of Wednesday night.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT LOYOLA-CHICAGO: The Ramblers ended their 33-year NCAA Tournament drought by playing some of the most relentless defense in the nation - they allowed the fifth-fewest points in the country (62.2) while limiting opponents to fewer than 10 made free throws per game. And Loyola-Chicago's offense wasn't so bad either as it boasted a 57.8-percent effective shooting rate that ranked in the top 10 nationally. Five players averaged double figures in scoring this season, led by Clayton Custer's 13.4 points as he'll be looking to end a frightful offensive slump that has seen him held to a total of 23 points over his past four games while shooting 4-for-20 from beyond the arc over that stretch.

ABOUT MIAMI: Brown's return would invigorate the Hurricanes' offense and rebounding as he ranks tied for second on the roster in scoring at 11.4 points while contributing a team-best 7.1 boards. But Miami hasn't had to worry much in his absence, boasting seven players who average between 8.7 and 11.5 points per game, but the Hurricanes will need to be much better from the free-throw line, where they ranked last in the ACC at 66.3 percent this season. Look for the Hurricanes to put plenty of pressure on Loyola-Chicago in the early going as Miami allowed just over 30 first-half points per game this season, ranking inside the top 30 in the country in that category.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Ramblers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Hurricanes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 5-0 in Ramblers' last 5 overall.
* Over is 11-2 in Hurricanes' last 13 NCAA Tournament games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 51 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Miami, while 65 percent of totals wagers are on the Under.




(12) Davidson Wildcats vs (5) Kentucky Wildcats (-5, 143)

Game to be played at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Davidson
The No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats take on the No. 12 Davidson Wildcats a 6-point favorites in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Davidson stole an NCAA Tournament bid from a bubble team with a surprising run to the Atlantic 10 tournament title and is looking for its first Tournament win since Stephen Curry led Davidson to the 2008 Elite Eight. Standing in the way is fifth-seeded Kentucky, which rolled to the SEC tournament title and hosts No. 12 seed Davidson in the first round of the South regional in Boise, Idaho, on Thursday.

Davidson picked up its first A-10 tournament title by knocking off top-seeded Rhode Island in the title game and cruises into its 14th NCAA Tournament with wins in four straight, during which it allowed an average of 62 points. Davidson won 11 of its last 13 games to come into March Madness hot and will lean on defense after forcing the Rams into 14 turnovers and 38.5 percent shooting in Sunday's 58-57 triumph. That defense will have its work cut out for it against Kentucky, which is averaging 80.4 points over its last eight games and features four players averaging double figures in scoring. "Every situation and experience is new to them, so you don't really know what they're going to do, and we need as many of these kinds of things as we can going into next weekend," Kentucky coach John Calipari told reporters of his young team. "So proud of them. Really proud of them."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Kentucky opened the betting Sunday night as 6-point favorites however early money on the upset-minded Davidson Wildcats has pushed that number down to -5. The total hit betting boards at 142.5 and was bumped up to 143.5 before dropping back slightly to 143 on Wednesday.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT DAVIDSON: Davidson will counter Kentucky's young, balanced attack with some experienced scoring in senior forward Peyton Aldridge, who averages over 21 points and was named the co-Player of the Year in the Atlantic 10. Aldridge was held to 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting in Sunday's win over Rhode Island but went over 30 points five times on the season, including a 45-point outburst in a triple-overtime loss at St. Bonaventure on Feb. 27 - the team's lone setback in the last nine contests. Davidson can't match Kentucky's young talent but does have a freshman in guard Kellan Grady averaging over 18 points.

ABOUT KENTUCKY: Freshman guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 29 points in Sunday's SEC championship game win over Tennessee and is averaging 18.4 points over the last seven games. The Canada native is also emerging as a team leader due to his hard work. "He will miss guys sometimes, but he's gotten so much better," Calipari told reporters of Gilgeous-Alexander. "But it's taken film and practice and talks and one-on-ones. The kid is a great kid in trying to do the right thing. These kids know, if a guy's - it's hard to lead if you're not the hardest guy working it. It's hard to lead if you're not the first one in there. It's hard to lead if you're not a guy that's capable to go on the court and win games. I'm not following you. Who wants to follow you? I mean, you've got to be that guy."

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Davidson is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
* Kentucky is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Davidson's last 4 NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 8-0 in Kentucky's last 8 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Covers consensus data is showing 64 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Kentucky, while 63 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(13) Buffalo Bulls vs (4) Arizona Wildcats (-8.5, 158.5)

Game to be played at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 13 Buffalo
The No. 4 Arizona Wildcats take on the No. 13 Buffalo Bulls as 9.5-point favorites in the Round of 64 in the NCAA tournament.

After a controversy-filled few weeks, Arizona has regained its swagger just in time for the NCAA Tournament. The fourth-seeded Wildcats claimed both the Pac-12 regular-season title and the conference tournament championship but will need to be careful not to overlook No. 13 seed Buffalo when the teams meet Thursday in the first round of the South Region in Boise, Idaho.

Buffalo set a school record for wins and owns the No. 6 scoring offense in the nation at 84.8 points per game, but the Bulls face an uphill battle against national player of the year candidate Deandre Ayton, a 7-1 freshman who averaged 32 points and 16 rebounds in back-to-back wins over UCLA and USC in the Pac-12 Tournament. “Deandre, the dominance that he put forth – if there’s another player better, I’d like to meet him,” coach Sean Miller told reporters. “He absolutely was a one-man wrecking crew.” The Wildcats extended their winning streak to five with Saturday's 75-61 victory over USC in Las Vegas, while Buffalo defeated Toledo in the Mid-American Conference Tournament title game in Cleveland. Four different players average double figures in scoring for Arizona, which dropped three straight games in the Bahamas in late November without injured guard Rawle Alkins but had little trouble during Pac-12 play.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Arizona opened as 8.5-point favorites and as of Tuesday evening that pointspread has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 158 and was bet down to 157.5 before bouncing to 158.5 on Wednesday.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT BUFFALO: Senior guard Wes Clark, a transfer from Missouri, was named Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP after scoring 26 points in the 76-66 win over Toledo. The Bulls’ impressive backcourt includes junior guard CJ Massinburg, who led the team in scoring at 16.9 points per game but was held to four points on 1-of-7 shooting in the championship game against Toledo. Junior forwards Nick Perkins and Jeremy Harris combined for 26 points against the Rockets, but the undersized duo will be tested early and often by Arizona’s imposing frontline.

ABOUT ARIZONA: In addition to Ayton, the Wildcats' frontcourt includes 7-foot senior Dusan Ristic, who averages 12.1 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 56.1 percent from the field. Junior guard Allonzo Trier ranks second on the team in scoring at 18.4 points per game and will be looking to get untracked after averaging nine points while shooting 5-of-19 from the field against UCLA and USC in the Pac-12 Tournament. Senior point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright started all 34 games and provides steady leadership for the Wildcats, who averaged 81.1 points per game but struggled defensively at times during the regular season.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
* Over is 11-4 in Bulls' last 15 non-conference games.
* Under is 8-2 in Wildcats' last 10 overall.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 65 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Arizona, while 59 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

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

(13) NC-Greensboro Spartans vs (4) Gonzaga Bulldogs (-12.5, 136)

Game to be played at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 4 Gonzaga vs. No. 13 UNC Greensboro
The No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs take on No. 13 No. 13 UNC Greensboro as 12.5-point favorites in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

When fourth-seeded Gonzaga faces No. 13 seed UNC Greensboro on Thursday in the first round of the West Region at Boise, Idaho, the Zags might have flashbacks to their former Cinderella days. Gonzaga, making its 20th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, enters as confident favorites against upset-minded UNC Greensboro, which is making its first trip to the Big Dance since 2001.

Five players average double figures in scoring for Gonzaga, which claimed its sixth consecutive West Coast Conference Tournament championship with Tuesday’s 74-54 victory over BYU. The Zags fell in last season’s NCAA championship game and figured to take a step back after losing four of their top five scorers, but coach Mark Few reloaded and saw his team reach the 30-win mark for the fourth time in six seasons. The Zags dominated at the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas with three wins by an average of 20.7 points, with sophomore forward Killian Tillie averaging 24.0 points on a remarkable 77.8 percent shooting to win tournament MVP honors. While the Zags are aiming for another deep run, they’ll need to be careful not to overlook UNC Greensboro, which boasts a veteran backcourt and ranks sixth in the nation in scoring defense at 62.4 points per game.

TV: 1:20 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Gonzaga opened as 13-point favorites and that number has been bet down slightly to -12.5. The total hit betting boards at 135.5 and has been bumped up slightly to 136. Check out the complete line history here.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT UNC GREENSBORO (27-7): The Spartans earned an automatic bid after point guard Demetrius Troy and forward Jordy Kuiper scored 13 points apiece in a 62-47 victory over East Tennessee State in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game. The team’s leading scorers, guard Francis Alonso and forward Marvin Smith, were held to a combined 13 points on 3-for-18 shooting in the title game, but the Spartans’ stingy defense proved to be the difference. James Dickey, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, made the all-tournament team and will be a key factor against Gonzaga’s formidable front line.

ABOUT GONZAGA (30-4): The Zags dominated the All-WCC selections as forwards Johnathan Williams and Rui Hachimura were named to the First Team along with guard Josh Perkins, while freshman guard Zach Norvell Jr. was named Newcomer of the Year. Williams, one of two seniors in the starting lineup, led the team in scoring at 13.5 points per game and had 10 points and 13 rebounds to help the Zags pull away from BYU. “That last 20 minutes was scary, and fun to be part of,” Perkins told reporters. “If we keep doing that, the sky is the limit for this group. I’m feeling really confident going into the NCAA Tournament.”

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Spartans are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
* Bulldogs are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 18-8 in Spartans' last 26 non-conference games.
* Over is 7-1 in Bulldogs' last 8 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 74 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Gonzaga, while 63 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(12) South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs (5) Ohio St. Buckeyes (-7.5, 147)

Game to be played at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 12 South Dakota State
The No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes are 8-point favorites facing No. 12 South Dakota State in the Round of 64 in the NCAA tournament.

Ohio State owns the higher seed and the more recognizable name, but South Dakota State has more recent NCAA Tournament experience on its ledger entering their first-round West Regional matchup Thursday. That’s the challenge awaiting the fifth-seeded Buckeyes as they take on the 12th-seeded Jackrabbits in Boise, Idaho.

A No. 12 seed has beaten a No. 5 seed in nine of the last 10 NCAA Tournaments, and 12s have won 11 of the last 24 such first-round matchups overall. The Buckeyes, who earned an at-large bid out of the Big Ten, are making their 28th Big Dance appearance overall but their first since 2015 under former coach Thad Matta. South Dakota State, meanwhile, captured an automatic NCAA bid by winning the Summit League championship and also finished first in the conference with a 13-1 league record during the regular season. It will be the third straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the Jackrabbits and fifth in the last seven seasons for the program which moved up to the Division I level in 2005.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: Ohio St. opened as 7-5-point favorites and early action on the Buckeyes push the pointspread to -8 before returning to the opening number Wednesday night. The total hit betting boards at 148.5 and was been dropped considerably to 146.5 before rebounding slightly to 147 on Wednesday. Check out the complete line history here.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE: The Jackrabbits, guided by second-year coach T.J. Otzelberger, won their 11th straight game with a 97-87 victory over South Dakota in the Summit League championship game, and also notched wins over the Big Ten’s Iowa (80-72) and the SEC’s Ole Miss (99-97) during non-conference play. South Dakota State does boast a national-headline name in 6-9 junior forward Mike Daum who paced the Summit League in scoring (23.8 points per game) and rebounding (10.4) while connecting on a team-most 91 pointers on 216 attempts (42.1 percent). Guards David Jenkins Jr. (16.1 points) and Reed Tellinghuisen (12.1) also average double figures for South Dakota State, which ranks sixth nationally with 84.9 points per game and shoots 40.3 percent as a team from 3-point range (12th nationally).

ABOUT OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes have had a stronger-than-expected season under new coach Chris Holtmann, finishing in a tie for second in the Big Ten at 15-3 before getting upended by Penn State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. That 69-68 loss March 2 in New York was the third defeat in five games for Ohio State, which boasts four double-digit scorers, led by 6-7 junior forward Keita Bates-Diop, the Big Ten’s Player of the Year who averages 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds. Forward Jae’Sean Tate (12.5 points), guard C.J. Jackson (12.2) and freshman forward Kaleb Wesson (10.8) also average double digits for the Buckeyes, who finished fourth in the conference by averaging 75.8 points per outing.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Jackrabbits are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Buckeyes are 5-21 ATS in their last 26 neutral site games.
* Over is 6-2 in Jackrabbits' last 8 vs. Big Ten.
* Under is 8-1 in Buckeyes' last 9 neutral site games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 68 percent of bettors taking the underdogs from South Dakota State, while 52 percent of totals wagers are on the Under.




(11) San Diego St. Aztecs vs (6) Houston Cougars (-4, 142.5)

Game to be played at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 6 Houston vs. No. 11 San Diego State
The No. 6 Houston Cougars are 4-point favorites facing No. 11 San Diego State in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Sixth-seeded Houston will have to cool off red-hot San Diego State to win its first NCAA Tournament game in 34 years. The 11th-seeded Aztecs head to Thursday's West Region first-round game in Wichita, Kan., on a nine-game win streak.

San Diego State's streak includes two victories against Mountain West Conference regular-season champ - and NCAA Tournament at-large pick - Nevada and Saturday's 82-75 win against New Mexico in the conference tournament finals. A healthy and full roster has helped the Aztecs - who feature balanced scoring from the starting five and the bench - get hot at the right time. The Cougars are in the Big Dance for the first time since 2010 and haven't won a tournament game since reaching the championship game in 1984. Senior guard Rob Gray leads a high-scoring Houston squad that can also play tough defense, allowing 64.9 points.

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

LINE HISTORY: Houston opened as 4-point favorites for this opening round matchup and as of Wednesday afternoon that pointspread has not moved. The total hit betting boards at 142.5 and has also been steady in early betting.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE: Senior forward Malik Pope - who missed one game after his name was included in a report for possible impermissible benefits but was later cleared by his school - leads the Aztecs with 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds. Freshmen forwards Jalen McDaniels (10.2 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Matt Mitchell (10.7, 4.0) give the Aztecs additional options in the frontcourt, while senior playmaker Trey Kell - who had a career-high 28 points in Saturday's title game - does a little bit of everything with 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals. Junior guard Devin Watson (12.3 points, 3.8 assists) is the fifth Wolf Pack starter averaging double digits.

ABOUT HOUSTON: Gray leads the Cougars with 18.5 points and 4.5 assists, while senior forward Devin Davis adds 10.8 points and a team-best 6.2 rebounds. Junior Corey Davis Jr. contributes 13.5 points while shooting 44 percent from the 3-point line and sophomore Armoni Brooks - the American Athletic Conference's Sixth Man of the Year - adds 9.8 points and shoots 42.3 percent beyond the arc. The Cougars can get defensive - holding opponents to 39.6 percent shooting, forcing 13.3 turnovers and control the boards - as shown in Sunday's 56-55 loss to Cincinnati in the AAC championship.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Aztecs are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Cougars are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Over is 6-1 in Aztecs' last 7 neutral site games.
* Over is 4-1 in Cougars' last 5 vs. Mountain West.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 59 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Houston, while 52 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(14) Montana Grizzlies vs (3) Michigan Wolverines (-11, 135)

Game to be played at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 14 Montana
The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines are 11-point chalk versus No. 14 Montana in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Third-seeded Michigan looks to continue its winning ways when it faces No. 14 seed Montana in the first round of the West regional on Thursday in Wichita, Kan. The Wolverines have ripped off nine consecutive wins, including four victories in four days in New York City to claim their second Big Ten tournament title in as many years, and hope a 10-day layoff doesn't rob them of their momentum as they strive to advance to the second round of March Madness for the fourth time in their last five appearances.

"We got back to the gym to be competitive and get motivated for a really tough tournament," Michigan forward Moritz Wagner told reporters. "We've been doing a great job and I don't think this team needs a lot of help to be hungry." Michigan is 11-4 in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and hopes to make another deep run by taming the Grizzlies in the first-ever matchup between the teams. Montana went 16-2 in Big Sky Conference play before winning three straight in the conference tournament, including an 82-65 triumph over Eastern Washington in the final, to punch its Big Dance ticket for the first time since 2013. The Grizzlies have dropped 11 of their last 14 meetings with teams currently in the Big Ten and hope to notch their first win in the tournament since knocking off Nevada 87-79 in 2006.

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

LINE HISTORY: Michigan opened as 12-point favorites as as of Wednesday afternoon that number has been bet down to -11. The total hit betting boards at 134.5 and has been bumped up slightly to 135.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT MONTANA: Michael Oguine was named the Big Sky tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21 points and five rebounds in wins against North Dakota, Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington. Oguine scored 15 of his team-leading 21 points in the second half while Ahmaad Rorie added 15 points and five assists to help the Grizzlies overcome a 10-point halftime deficit to win the conference tournament title. "We have a senior (Fabijan Krslovic) who has given his all to the program," Rorie told reporters. "We didn't want to play in the NIT as we wanted to get him in the tournament."

ABOUT MICHIGAN: Wagner was named the MVP of the Big Ten tournament after averaging 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds over four games at Madison Square Garden. Wagner scored 17 points while Muhammad-Ali-Abdur Rahkman, who was also named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team, added 15 points and four assists as the Wolverines knocked off Purdue 75-66 in the title game to avenge two regular-season losses to the Boilermakers. Starting forward Isaiah Livers suffered an ankle sprain early in the first half against the Boilermakers, but practiced during the week and is expected to be available Thursday.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
* Wolverines are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-0 in Grizzlies' last 4 neutral site games.
* Over is 5-0-2 in Wolverines' last 7 overall.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 66 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Michigan, while 55 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's NCAA Tournament first round betting preview: East Region

(16) Radford Highlanders vs (1) Villanova Wildcats (-23.5, 140)

Game to be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats are 22-point chalk facing No. 16 in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Top-seeded Villanova starts the quest for a second NCAA Tournament championship in three years when it when takes on No. 16 seed Radford in the first round of the East Region on Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Wildcats take a five-game winning streak into the Big Dance after outlasting Providence 76-66 in overtime in the Big East title game and set their sights on the Highlanders, who advanced out of the First Four on Tuesday.

“The biggest challenge is always this first game,” Villanova coach Jay Wright told ESPN. “One game at a time.” Wildcats junior guard Jalen Brunson, the Big East Player of the Year, matched his career high with 31 points in the conference title game and leads the nation’s most productive offense that boasts six players averaging in double figures, 87.1 points per contest and 388 made 3-pointers - second-most in the country. Villanova, which is the top seed in the East for the third time in four seasons, will face a Radford team that has won a program record 23 games and lost to Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech earlier in the season. Ed Polite Jr. and Carlik Jones each notched double-doubles as the Highlanders won their first NCAA Tournament game by knocking off LIU Brooklyn 71-61 in Dayton on Tuesday.

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

LINE HISTORY: Villanova opened the betting for this matchup as massive 23.5-point favorites and as of Wednesday afternoon that number has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 141 and has been bet down slightly to 140.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT RADFORD: Polite, a junior forward, leads the team in scoring (13.5), rebounds (7.9) and steals (1.9) while going over 1,100 points for his career after scoring 13 on Tuesday. Jones, a freshman who drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer in the Big South Tournament final to send the Highlanders to the NCAA Tournament for the third time, averages 11.8 points (13.5 in the last four) and 3.1 assists. Sophomore guard Travis Fields Jr. is averaging 12 points in the last three games (12-for-18 from the field) to push his season mark to 6.3.

ABOUT VILLANOVA: Brunson averages team highs of 19.4 points and 4.7 assists while draining 53.1 percent from the field and fellow junior guard Mikal Bridges (18.0 points, 52.1 from the field) is scoring 23 per game over the last five. Junior guard Phil Booth, who missed seven games with a hand injury earlier this season, is also a major threat but must recover from an 0-for-5 shooting effort in the Big East final. The Wildcats will also need a big tournament from sophomore guard Donte DiVicenzo (13.1 points), but he has scored only 6.3 per game in his last three outings.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Highlanders are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
* Under is 6-1 in Highlanders' last 7 neutral site games.
* Over is 10-2 in Wildcats' last 12 games following a straight up win.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 70 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Villanova, while 66 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(14) Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs (3) Texas Tech Red Raiders (-11, 137.5)

Game to be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin
No. 3 Texas Tech is an 11.5-point favorite facing No. 14 Stephen F. Austin in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Texas Tech didn’t win the Big 12 regular-season or tournament title, but it did earn a favorable NCAA Tournament draw. The Red Raiders, third-seeded in the East region, will stay in the Lone Star State to open the Big Dance in Dallas, facing 14th-seeded and in-state foe Stephen F. Austin on Thursday.

Coach Chris Beard’s Red Raiders finished second in the Big 12 behind perennial champion Kansas and beat Texas 73-69 in their Big 12 Tournament opener before falling to third-seeded West Virginia 66-63 in the semifinals. Overall, Texas Tech enters the NCAA Tourney with a 24-9 record – its first 20-win season in 11 years and its most wins since a school-record 30-2 season in 1995-96. It also will be the second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last decade for the Red Raiders and their first since 2016 when coach Tubby Smith’s eighth-seeded squad was upended 71-61 in the first round by ninth-seeded Butler. Stephen F. Austin, located in Nacogdoches, Texas, also has punched its first Big Dance ticket since 2016 and got there by winning the Southland Conference tournament title as a third seed.

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

LINE HISTORY: Texas Tech opened as 11-point favorites for this opening round matchup and that number was not high enough for bettors as steady early action on the Raiders pushed the pointspread up slightly to -11.5. Some buy-back on the underdog brought the number back down to the opener Wednesday evening. The total hit betting boards at 139 and was quickly bet down to 137.5.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN: The Lumberjacks enter the NCAA Tournament – their fourth appearance in the last five years – with 10 wins in the their last 11 games, including a 59-55 upset win over top-seeded Southeast Louisiana in the Southland championship game. Forward T.J. Holyfield closed the Southland Tournament with consecutive double-doubles and averages 13.0 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Guards Shannon Bogues (15.4 points) and Kevon Harris (14.6) also average double figures with the latter shooting a team-best 43.2 percent from 3-point range, which ranked second in the Southland.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH: The Red Raiders started 14-1 and were 22-4 a little more than a month later when they climbed to No. 6 in the national polls – the high-water mark in program history. But guard Keenan Evans, the team’s leading scorer at 17.5 points, suffered a toe injury in a Feb. 17 loss to Baylor and totaled only 12 points in the school’s final four games in February, including a Feb. 26 contest at West Virginia where he sat out entirely, contributing heavily to Texas Tech’s four-game tailspin entering March. Evans has averaged 20.3 points in the Red Raiders’ three games since and is joined by freshmen guards Jarrett Culver (11.7, team-best 4.8 rebounds) and Zhaire Smith (11.2) in double figures on the season.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Lumberjacks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Red Raiders are 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Under is 7-1 in Lumberjacks' last 8 neutral site games.
* Over is 5-0 in Red Raiders' last 5 games following a straight up loss.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 54 percent of bettors taking the underdogs from Stephen F. Austin, while 53 percent of totals wagers are on the Under.




(9) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (8) Virginia Tech Hokies (-2, 141.5)

Game to be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Alabama
The No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies face the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide as 2-point favorites in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

A pair of high-scoring teams will do battle in the NCAA Tournament's East Region first round when No. 8 seed Virginia Tech takes on No. 9 Alabama on Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Hokies average 79.7 points and have five double-figure scorers, while the Crimson Tide averages 72.4 with both teams allowing at least 70 points a contest.

Alabama is powered by one of the top freshmen in the country, guard Collin Sexton, who leads the team in scoring (19 points) and assists (3.5) and is able to take games over, as he did with 21 second-half points in a quarterfinal win over Auburn in the SEC tournament. Coach Avery Johnson will need to get more offense from the rest of the lineup as the Hokies will certainly focus on stopping Sexton and forcing other Alabama players to beat them. Guard Justin Robinson paces the high-powered Hokies attack, averaging 13.8 points and 5.6 assists, both team-highs. Four different players -- Robinson, Justin Bibbs, Ahmed Hill and Nickeil Alexander-Walker -- have hit at least 50 3-pointers this season, which will stretch the Alabama defense.

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

LINE HISTORY: Virginia Tech opened as 2-point favorites and as of Tuesday evening that number has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 142 and has come down slightly to 141.5.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT ALABAMA: Crimson Tide coach Avery Johnson is confident he'll have forward Donta Hall available for the NCAA Tournament after Hall suffered a concussion in the team's quarterfinal win over Auburn in the SEC tournament Friday. Hall missed the semifinal loss to Kentucky on Saturday, but Johnson says the 6-10 junior is in concussion protocol and he's optimistic he'll have the team's second-leading scorer (10.9 points per game) and top rebounder (6.8) and shot-blocker (2.1) against the Hokies. Freshman Alex Reese started in Hall's place against Kentucky, finishing with five points and four rebounds in 19 minutes in his first-ever collegiate starting assignment.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH: Coach Buzz Williams is hoping his team got their postseason stinker out of its system at the ACC tournament, when the Hokies led Notre Dame by 21 with just over 15 minutes to play and lost. Virginia Tech likes to dare teams to beat it from the outside because of the small lineup Williams plays, trying to pack the lane and prevent easy drives to the basket, and the Irish were able to take advantage from the perimeter. Williams will certainly be on the lookout for a hot shooting team, whether it be Alabama or any future opponent, and try to extend the defense more, but the Hokies have at least learned that no lead is safe in a one-and-done situation.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Crimson Tide are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
* Hokies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
* Under is 14-6 in Crimson Tide's last 20 overall.
* Under is 9-0 in Hokies' last 9 overall.

CONSENSUS: Covers consensus data is showing 63 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Virginia Tech, while 53 percent of totals wagers are on the Under.




(11) St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs (6) Florida Gators (-5.5, 143)

Game to be played at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 6 Florida vs. No. 11 St. Bonaventure
No. 6 Florida opened a pick and is now a 5.5-point favorite versus No. 11 St. Bonaventure in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Sixth-seeded Florida hopes to find the best version of itself when it begins play in the NCAA Tournament against No. 11 seed St. Bonaventure in the first round of the East Region on Thursday in Dallas. The Gators owns impressive victories over Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Kentucky (two) and Auburn, but dropped five of their last eight games against non-NCAA teams before falling in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals against Arkansas.

“We have competitors, there’s no doubt about that. We see that every day at practice,” Florida senior guard Igor Koulechov told Floridagators.com. “Where we’re lacking sometimes is with our emotion.” As Koulechov said, it’s back to the rollercoaster for the Gators as they try to put strong performances on both sides of the floor together and make a run with a capable group that boasts four players averaging at least 11 points. St. Bonaventure will create quite a challenge after the Bonnies knocked off UCLA 65-58 on Tuesday in the First Four at Dayton, Ohio, for its school-record 26th win and first NCAA Tournament victory since 1970. St. Bonaventure advanced without big nights from its leading scorers - senior guards Jaylen Adams (19.4) and Matt Mobley (18.4), who finished with 22 points combined against the Bruins.

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

LINE HISTORY: Florida opened as 5.5-point favorites and as of Wednesday morning that pointspread has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 143 and has also been steady.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT ST. BONAVENTURE: Mobley recorded 14 points Tuesday, but was 2-for-7 from 3-point range and 4-for-12 overall, while Adams missed 14 of his 16 field goals attempts and all five of his tries from behind the arc. Courtney Stockard (13.3 points) stepped up by scoring 26 and is averaging 23.8 over the last five contests, but the 6-5 junior lauded the team’s defense Tuesday. “We played the same defense all year,” Stockard told reporters. “UCLA is a good offensive team, high-scoring team. But. … we did a good job taking away their knowns, making them take contested shots.”

ABOUT FLORIDA: The Gators got hammered on the boards against Arkansas 43-28 and shot 41.7 percent from the field after winning the final three regular-season games in impressive fashion. Junior guard Jalen Hudson (15.3 points) scored 22.7 per game during those wins, but went 2-for-9 from the field against Arkansas while Koulechov (13.6 points) missed nine of 11 shots from the floor against the Razorbacks. Junior guard KeVaughn Allen (11.3) is averaging 14.8 points over the last four contests and experienced senior point guard Chris Chiozza (11.2 points, team-high 6.1 assists) runs the show.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Bonnies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
* Gators are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
* Under is 6-1 in Bonnies' last 7 non-conference games.
* Under is 14-3 in Gators' last 17 games following a straight up loss.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 63 percent of bettors taking the favorites from St. Bonaventure, while 58 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

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

(10) Oklahoma Sooners vs (7) Rhode Island Rams (-2, 158)

Game to be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 7 Rhode Island vs. No. 10 Oklahoma
No. 7 Rhode Island is a 2-point favorite versus No. 10 Oklahoma in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

In what may go down as one of the more controversial selections of the NCAA Tournament, Oklahoma not only made it but garnered a No. 10 seed and will meet No. 7 Rhode Island on Thursday in the Midwest Region in Pittsburgh. The Sooners went 6-12 down the stretch and were bounced from the Big 12 Tournament in the first round but will still get to face the Rams, who are the Atlantic 10 regular-season champions.

The fact that they play in a major conference that sent seven teams to the tournament and have Freshman of the Year candidate Trae Young certainly helped the Sooners, who were the only team in the field, including First Four teams, to make it with fewer than 19 victories. Young led the nation in scoring (27.4 points per game) and assists (8.8) while grabbing 3.9 rebounds for coach Lon Kruger. The 6-2 guard helped his team to a 12-1 start, including three wins over ranked teams, but things started to go south in mid-January. The Rams, who were unable to capture a second straight Atlantic 10 Tournament title, got a tough draw, including a possible second-round game with No. 2 seed Duke, for a team that won 25 games, including its first 13 in the Atlantic 10.

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

LINE HISTORY: Rhode Island opened as 1-point favorites and that number has been bet up slightly to -2. The total hit betting boards at 160.5 and has been bet down to 158.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT OKLAHOMA: Everyone knows what Young can do, but it's the rest of the team that will decide if the Sooners can advance out of the first round after missing the tournament last season. Junior guard Christian James had been solid with seven straight games in double figures before going scoreless in the Sooner's 71-60 loss to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament. Freshman forward Brady Manek is the only other player averaging in double figures for Kruger, but has only scored more than nine points once in the past seven games.

ABOUT RHODE ISLAND: Redshirt senior E.C. Matthews recorded 20 points and eight rebounds, but the Rams lost their second low-scoring game to Davidson in the last two weeks in the Atlantic 10 final. Dan Hurley's team is well-rounded with a top scorer in Jared Terrell, a defensive specialist in Stanford Robinson and a solid point guard and leader in Jeff Dowtin. Andre Berry, Cyril Langevine and Jarvis Garrett also see considerable playing time for the Rams, who are in the tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since going to three straight from 1997-1999.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Sooners are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
* Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Over is 9-2 in Sooners' last 11 non-conference games.
* Under is 5-1 in Rams' last 6 overall.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 58 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Rhode Island, while 54 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(16) Pennsylvania Quakers vs (1) Kansas Jayhawks (-13.5, 146)

Game to be played at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

The No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks are 14-point favorites versu No. 16 Penn in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

Pennsylvania's reward for winning the Ivy League is a No. 16 seed and a date in the NCAA Tournament with top-seeded Kansas in Wichita, Kan., on Thursday. The Jayhawks earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region by winning their 11th Big 12 tournament, which came a week after they sewed up at least a share of their 14th consecutive Big 12 regular-season crown.

Kansas was throwing up some inconsistent performances before going into the Big 12 championship game and knocking off West Virginia 81-70. "I think it should give us confidence moving forward," Jayhawks coach Bill Self told reporters after the win. "The best thing that can happen for our team right now is to get some rest, but to try to somewhat bottle the energy and how well we played together today." Kansas earned a No. 1 seed for the third straight season and the eighth time in the last 12 NCAA Tournaments while making its 29th consecutive Tournament appearance. The Quakers are not quite as storied a program when it comes to March Madness and are returning for the first time since 2007 after knocking off Harvard 68-65 in the Ivy League title game Sunday.

TV: 1:50 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: No. 1 seed Kansas opened as 15-point favorites and that number appears to be too high for early bettors as books were forced to drop the number down to -13.5. The total hit betting boards at 147.5 and has been dropped to 146.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA: The Quakers are bidding to become the first No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament and were surprised to get this far. "Honestly, I didn't even dream about this, I didn't think we could do it," Pennsylvania coach Steve Donahue told reporters after the win in the Ivy League title game. "I drove home last night saying, 'I gotta get that out of my head, I gotta show some confidence. I didn't think it was possible for us to get to the NCAA Tournament until that horn went off. In a building I grew up in, and watching the kids storm the floor for our guys, it's magic." The Quakers have four scorers averaging double figures, led by sophomore guard Ryan Betley (14.4 points).

ABOUT KANSAS: The Jayhawks are led by Big 12 Player of the Year Devonte' Graham but have five players averaging at least 12 points, and watched sophomore guard Malik Newman step up in the Big 12 tournament while averaging 24 points and winning Most Outstanding Player honors. "He has had a great attitude," Self told reporters of Newman. "He works hard. He's really starting to understand exactly how he needs to play in order for him to have total confidence and freedom, and I think he's buying into that better than he has all year long." Graham handed out 13 assists in the Big 12 title game and is averaging 9.8 over the last five contests.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Quakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Jayhawks are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 6-0 in Quakers' last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 5-0 in Jayhawks' last 5 vs. Ivy League.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 65 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Kansas, while 63 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(15) Iona Gaels vs (2) Duke Blue Devils (-20.5, 157)

Game to be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Iona
The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils are 19.5-point favorites facing No. 15 Iona in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

With one of the most talented freshman classes in recent NCAA history, Duke earned a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils take aim at another deep run through the bracket beginning with Thursday's date with 15th-seeded Iona in Pittsburgh.

This is the 23rd straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament for Duke, which finished second in the ACC during the regular season and then fell to rival North Carolina in the semifinals of the league tournament. Marvin Bagley Jr. (21.1 points, 11.5 rebounds per game) and Wendell Carter Jr. (13.8, 9.3) highlight the Blue Devils' young front line, while Gary Trent Jr. (14.3 points, 85 3-pointers) is their top freshman on the perimeter. Grayson Allen (15.7 points) helped Duke secure a national championship as a freshman and is back for a final go-round in hopes of bookending his career with NCAA Tournament titles. The first team in his path is a Gaels squad that won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as the No. 4 seed in the league tournament.

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

LINE HISTORY: Duke opened as massive 19.5-point favorites and as of Wednesday afternoon that number has been bet up even further to -20.5. The total hit betting boards at 156.5 and has been bumped up slightly to 157.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT IONA: The Gaels average nearly 80 points per game and were led in the MAAC championship game by a pair of transfers, Roland Griffin and Zach Lewis. Griffin, who averages 10.9 points, exploded for 29 in the title game, while Lewis had 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Five Iona players average at least 10 points per game, led by Rickey McGill (13.5), who made only 5-of-22 shots during the league tournament, although he had a career-high 40 points in the regular-season finale.

ABOUT DUKE: The Blue Devils will continue to feed the 6-11 Bagley, who has three straight double-doubles and is averaging 24.3 points and 15 rebounds over that stretch. Trent led the team with 20 points in the loss to North Carolina, while Carter pitched in 14 points and nine boards in a game where only four players scored for Duke, as Bagley added 19 and Allen 16. First-year point guard Trevon Duval was 0-of-6 from the field versus the Tar Heels and has not scored more than seven points in any of his last six games.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Gaels are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
* Blue Devils are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Metro Atlantic Athletic.
* Over is 10-3-1 in Gaels' last 14 overall.
* Over is 11-1 in Blue Devils' last 12 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 58 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Duke, while 67 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.




(9) NC State Wolfpack vs (8) Seton Hall Pirates (-2.5, 157.5)

Game to be played at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

March Madness Betting Breakdown: No. 8 Seton Hall vs. No. 9 North Carolina State
No. 8 Seton Hall is a 2.5-point favorite versus No. 9 NC State in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Ninth-seeded North Carolina State takes on eighth-seeded Seton Hall in the first-round of the Midwest Region from Wichita, Kan., on Thursday. The Wolfpack and Pirates had successful regular seasons but both are coming off early losses in their conference tournaments, with N.C. State losing to Boston College 91-87 in its first ACC tournament game and Seton Hall being upset by Butler 75-74 in its opening match at the Big East Conference tournament.

N.C. State scored 56 second-half points as it erased a 14-point halftime deficit but BC's Jerome Robinson broke a tie with 17 seconds remaining and then forced a turnover on an inbounds play to give the Eagles the upset win. "Every time we made a basket, they would come down and make a basket," N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts told reporters after the game after he watched his team tie the contest five times late in the second half but saw its only lead on the game's opening basket. Seton Hall's loss in the Big East quarterfinal was a heartbreaker as Khadeen Carrington converted a three-point play with 11 seconds to play, giving the Pirates a one-point lead, but Butler's Tyler Wideman scored on a putback with 4 seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs the win. "It's a tough loss," Carrington told reporters after the game. "You never want to lose, but I feel like everyone put it out on the floor, but we knew it was going to be a tough battle when we came in, so it was a tough Big East game."

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

LINE HISTORY: Seton Hall opened as 2.5-point favorites and as of Wednesday afternoon that number has yet to move. The total hit betting boards at 157 and has been bumped up slightly to 157.5. Check out the complete line history here.

BETTING STATS:



ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Senior guard Allerik Freeman, the team's leading scorer at 15.4 points per game, had a team-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting -- including 5-of-7 from behind the arc -- against the Eagles while All-ACC third-team center Omer Yurtseven added 20 points and nine rebounds. Markell Johnson, the ACC assists leader with 7.4 per game, had 10 points and six helpers, but also committed a crucial mistake when he asked for a timeout with 7.3 seconds left even though the Wolfpack didn't have any, resulting in a technical foul and two made free throws for BC. "I knew in my head we didn't have any," Johnson told reporters after the loss. "I was so caught up in the game."

ABOUT SETON HALL: The Pirates are a veteran team that features four senior starters, including Carrington and leading scorer Desi Rodriguez who averages 17.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. And then there's senior center Angel Delgado, the Big East's all-time leader in rebounds and just the second player in history to lead the Big East in rebounding in three different seasons. But don't sleep on sophomore guard Myles Powell who was named the Big East Most Improved Player after averaging 15.4 points per game -- second-most on the team -- and is shot 38.5 percent from behind the 3-point arc this season.

MATCHUP CHART:



TRENDS:

* Wolfpack are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Pirates are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Under is 10-4 in Wolfpack's last 14 NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 6-1-1 in Pirates last 8 NCAA Tournament games.

CONSENSUS: Consensus data is showing 55 percent of bettors taking the favorites from Seton Hall, while 52 percent of totals wagers are on the Over.

[StarDust Bum]

These First Round tourney totals have had sharps salivating
Patrick Everson

Plenty of teams are drawing plenty of action on the NCAA Tournament’s 16-game dockets for Thursday and Friday. But there are certainly opportunities to be had on totals, as well. Patrick Everson checks in on a few games seeing such action, with insights from Matthew Holt, CEO of CG Analytics; Jeff Stoneback, director of trading for MGM Resorts sportsbooks; and Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US.

No. 14 Wright State Raiders vs. No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers – Open: 132; Move: 131

Wright State rolled to the Horizon League title to nab an automatic NCAA berth. The Raiders (25-9 SU, 18-13-1 ATS) dropped Cleveland State 74-57 as a 9.5-point favorite in the March 6 final. While that game cleared the total of 126.5, it’s worth noting that the Under is 20-12 for Wright State this season.

Tennessee is one of the more surprising teams of the year, rising up among the best in a very competitive Southeastern Conference. The Volunteers (25-8 SU, 18-13 ATS) lost in the SEC title game to Kentucky, 77-72 as a 2-point favorite. That Over hit in that game and in Tennessee’s semifinal win over Arkansas, ending a five-game run of Unders, and for the season, the Under is 18-13 for the Vols.

“We’re seeing Under action on Tennessee vs Wright State,” Holt said of activity at CG books, including at The Cosmopolitan and Venetian on the Vegas Strip. “The market is 132 or at least 131.5, and we are at 131 due to large sharp action on Under.”

The Raiders-Vols contest is among the earliest tipoffs Thursday, at 12:40 p.m. ET.

No. 13 North Carolina-Greensboro vs. No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs – Open: 136; Move: 135

Gonzaga rolled through the West Coast Conference Tournament here in Vegas. The Bulldogs (30-4 SU, 14-16-1 ATS) dropped Brigham Young 74-54 laying 9 points in the March 6 final, with the 128 points falling well short of the 141.5 total. However, the Zags are basically 50/50 on the Over/Under this year, at 15-16.

UNC-Greensboro won the Southern Conference automatic bid with a run in which all three of its SoCon Tournament games went Under. In the March 5 final, the Spartans rolled over East Tennessee State 62-47 as a 2-point underdog, going way Under despite a low 125.5-point total. For the season, the Under is 16-11 for UNC-Greensboro.

“Sharp action on UNC-Greensboro vs. Gonzaga Under, which is not a surprise, as both teams are so good defensively,” Holt said of this 1:30 p.m. ET tip Thursday.

Virginia, Cincinnati, and Arizona top the odds board in the NCAA tournament South Regional
The South Regional has some basketball heavyweights atop the odds board in Las Vegas, but it could be No.1 seed Virginia that has the toughest time cashing in for bettors. We're inside the Wynn Las Vegas talking March Madness odds and action with Johnny Avello, executive director of race and sports.

No. 16 Pennsylvania Quakers vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks – Open: 147.5; Move: 146.5

Kansas claimed the Big 12’s regular-season and tournament titles, finishing with an 81-70 victory over West Virginia as a 1.5-point underdog in Saturday’s conference final. Penn (24-8 SU, 13-14 ATS) won the Ivy League Tournament by edging Harvard 68-65 as a 2.5-point fave in Sunday’s final.

The Jayhawks (27-7 SU, 18-14-1 ATS) are split on the Over/Under this year, at 16-16, though the Over is 5-1-1 in their last seven. The Over is 4-1 in the Quakers’ last five outings and 17-10 on the year.

However, Stoneback said sharp action on the Under for this 2 p.m. ET start took the total down a point at MGM books, including his home base at The Mirage on the Vegas Strip.

No. 10 Butler Bulldogs vs. No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks – Open: 153; Move: 152.5; Move: 151.5

Butler reached the Big East Tournament semifinals, then got blown out by Villanova 87-68 catching 8 points on Friday. The Bulldogs (20-13 SU, 15-17 ATS) tend to play more to the Over this season, with a 19-13 mark (59.4 percent).

Arkansas (23-11, 17-16-1 ATS) made it to the SEC semifinals before getting run by Tennessee 84-66 as a 3-point pup. The Over is 6-2 in the Razorbacks’ last eight games, but early activity on this one is heading the other way.

“Someone liked the Under. That’s the biggest move of them all,” Bogdanovich said of activity that led to a 1.5-point dip on the total at William Hill. “I’d imagine that’s sharp play. It looks like the total moved basically everywhere.”

Indeed, Holt said CG books also had a 1.5-point move, from 152.5 to 151, and MGM books went from 152.5 to 151.5 for this 3:10 p.m. ET Friday start.

“That’s all sharp money right there,” Stoneback said. “The sharps usually come in on the Under, and the public likes to come in and bet the Over.”

No. 10 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 7 Nevada Wolf Pack – Open: 144; Move: None

Texas squeaked into the NCAA Tournament, likely bolstered by a home overtime win against West Virginia in the regular-season finale. The Longhorns (19-14 SU, 15-14 ATS) got to the second round of the Big 12 Tourney, losing to Texas Tech 73-69 as a 6.5-point ‘dog.

Nevada (27-7 SU, 16-14-3 ATS) was the top seed in the Mountain West Tournament, but got blown out by San Diego State in the semis, 90-73 as a 2-point chalk.

The Longhorns and Wolf Pack are in the middle on Over/Under this season, at 14-14 and 17-15 respectively. CG books have seen an early lean from bettors, but not enough to move the total for this 4:30 p.m. ET Friday matchup.

“Sharp action on Texas-Nevada Under,” Holt said. “Nevada has not been as efficient offensively since point guard Lindsey Drew (torn Achilles) went down for the season, and Texas is not a great offensive team.”

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Thursday, March 15


Radford @ Villanova

Game 719-720
March 15, 2018 @ 6:50 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Radford
52.338
Villanova
77.867
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Villanova
by 25 1/2
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Villanova
by 23
140 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Villanova
(-23); Over

Alabama @ Virginia Tech

Game 721-722
March 15, 2018 @ 9:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Alabama
65.019
Virginia Tech
69.562
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Virginia Tech
by 4 1/2
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Virginia Tech
by 1 1/2
141 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Virginia Tech
(-1 1/2); Over

Oklahoma @ Rhode Island

Game 723-724
March 15, 2018 @ 12:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma
63.418
Rhode Island
62.529
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oklahoma
by 1
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Rhode Island
by 2
161
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma
(+2); Under

Iona @ Duke

Game 725-726
March 15, 2018 @ 2:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Iona
57.819
Duke
75.439
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Duke
by 17 1/2
152
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Duke
by 21
156 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Iona
(+21); Under

Pennsylvania @ Kansas

Game 727-728
March 15, 2018 @ 2:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pennsylvania
60.418
Kansas
70.895
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas
by 10 1/2
152
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas
by 16
147
Dunkel Pick:
Pennsylvania
(+16); Over

NC State @ Seton Hall

Game 729-730
March 15, 2018 @ 4:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC State
68.563
Seton Hall
67.449
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NC State
by 1
162
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seton Hall
by 2 1/2
157
Dunkel Pick:
NC State
(+2 1/2); Over

San Diego St @ Houston

Game 731-732
March 15, 2018 @ 7:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego St
67.117
Houston
73.675
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 6 1/2
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
by 3 1/2
144
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-3 1/2); Under

Montana @ Michigan

Game 733-734
March 15, 2018 @ 9:50 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montana
61.394
Michigan
74.512
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Michigan
by 13
128
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Michigan
by 11
135
Dunkel Pick:
Michigan
(-11); Under

Loyola-Chicago @ Miami-FL

Game 735-736
March 15, 2018 @ 3:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Loyola-Chicago
64.578
Miami-FL
68.552
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami-FL
by 4
128
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami-FL
by 1 1/2
135
Dunkel Pick:
Miami-FL
(-1 1/2); Under

Wright State @ Tennessee

Game 737-738
March 15, 2018 @ 12:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Wright State
57.717
Tennessee
72.808
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tennessee
by 15
127
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tennessee
by 12 1/2
132 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tennessee
(-12 1/2); Under

St Bonaventure @ Florida

Game 739-740
March 15, 2018 @ 9:55 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St Bonaventure
65.409
Florida
68.583
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida
by 3
148
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
by 5 1/2
143
Dunkel Pick:
St Bonaventure
(+5 1/2); Over

Stephen F Austin @ Texas Tech

Game 741-742
March 15, 2018 @ 7:25 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stephen F Austin
59.548
Texas Tech
68.421
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas Tech
by 9
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas Tech
by 12
138 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Stephen F Austin
(+12); Over

Davidson @ Kentucky

Game 743-744
March 15, 2018 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Davidson
65.534
Kentucky
73.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kentucky
by 8
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kentucky
by 5 1/2
143
Dunkel Pick:
Kentucky
(-5 1/2); Over

Buffalo @ Arizona

Game 745-746
March 15, 2018 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Buffalo
61.409
Arizona
72.528
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 11
163
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
by 9
157 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-9); Over

South Dakota St @ Ohio State

Game 747-748
March 15, 2018 @ 4:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
South Dakota St
62.785
Ohio State
68.563
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ohio State
by 6
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Ohio State
by 8 1/2
149 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
South Dakota St
(+8 1/2); Under

NC-Greensboro @ Gonzaga

Game 749-750
March 15, 2018 @ 1:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC-Greensboro
60.375
Gonzaga
69.784
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Gonzaga
by 9 1/2
130
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Gonzaga
by 12 1/2
136 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC-Greensboro
(+12 1/2); Under

LA-Monroe @ Austin Peay

Game 755-756
March 15, 2018 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA-Monroe
52.019
Austin Peay
51.127
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA-Monroe
by 1
138
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Austin Peay
by 3 1/2
144 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA-Monroe
(+3 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 15

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RADFORD (23 - 12) vs. VILLANOVA (30 - 4) - 3/15/2018, 6:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VILLANOVA is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all games this season.
VILLANOVA is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
VILLANOVA is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
VILLANOVA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in non-conference games this season.
VILLANOVA is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


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




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ALABAMA (19 - 15) vs. VIRGINIA TECH (21 - 11) - 3/15/2018, 9:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA TECH is 34-23 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 34-23 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 46-30 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 33-17 ATS (+14.3 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.




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OKLAHOMA (18 - 13) vs. RHODE ISLAND (25 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 12:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
OKLAHOMA is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when the total is 150 to 159.5 this season.
OKLAHOMA is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
OKLAHOMA is 30-48 ATS (-22.8 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
OKLAHOMA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
OKLAHOMA is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 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.




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IONA (20 - 13) vs. DUKE (26 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 2:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IONA is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
DUKE is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
DUKE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
DUKE is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) after a conference game this season.


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




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PENNSYLVANIA (24 - 8) vs. KANSAS (27 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.


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




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NC STATE (21 - 11) vs. SETON HALL (21 - 11) - 3/15/2018, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SETON HALL is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) when playing with 5 or 6 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
NC STATE is 53-34 ATS (+15.6 Units) in road games in March games since 1997.
NC STATE is 63-40 ATS (+19.0 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.


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




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SAN DIEGO ST (22 - 10) vs. HOUSTON (26 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 7:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO ST is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) in all games this season.
SAN DIEGO ST is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
SAN DIEGO ST is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) after a conference game this season.
SAN DIEGO ST is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
SAN DIEGO ST is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


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




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MONTANA (26 - 7) vs. MICHIGAN (28 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 9:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MICHIGAN is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all games this season.
MICHIGAN is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
MICHIGAN is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a conference game this season.
MICHIGAN is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
MICHIGAN is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
MICHIGAN is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.


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




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LOYOLA-IL (28 - 5) vs. MIAMI (22 - 9) - 3/15/2018, 3:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 144-111 ATS (+21.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
LOYOLA-IL is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a conference game this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 12-5 ATS (+6.5 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOYOLA-IL is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
MIAMI is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after a conference game this season.


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




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WRIGHT ST (25 - 9) vs. TENNESSEE (25 - 8) - 3/15/2018, 12:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
WRIGHT ST is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 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.




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ST BONAVENTURE (26 - 7) vs. FLORIDA (20 - 12) - 3/15/2018, 9:55 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST BONAVENTURE is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 132-99 ATS (+23.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
FLORIDA is 77-50 ATS (+22.0 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
ST BONAVENTURE is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 1-0 straight up against ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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SF AUSTIN ST (28 - 6) vs. TEXAS TECH (24 - 9) - 3/15/2018, 7:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS TECH is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a neutral court game where the total is 135 to 139.5 since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS TECH is 82-120 ATS (-50.0 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.
TEXAS TECH is 107-139 ATS (-45.9 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.




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DAVIDSON (21 - 11) vs. KENTUCKY (24 - 10) - 3/15/2018, 7:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 89-60 ATS (+23.0 Units) in March games since 1997.
DAVIDSON is 19-11 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games this season.
DAVIDSON is 19-11 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
DAVIDSON is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
DAVIDSON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
DAVIDSON is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 159-123 ATS (+23.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
DAVIDSON is 100-60 ATS (+34.0 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.




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BUFFALO (26 - 8) vs. ARIZONA (27 - 7) - 3/15/2018, 9:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games in March games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 36-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
ARIZONA is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


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




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S DAKOTA ST (28 - 6) vs. OHIO ST (24 - 8) - 3/15/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S DAKOTA ST is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games this season.
S DAKOTA ST is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
S DAKOTA ST is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
S DAKOTA ST is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
S DAKOTA ST is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.


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




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UNC-GREENSBORO (27 - 7) vs. GONZAGA (30 - 4) - 3/15/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GONZAGA is 36-25 ATS (+8.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in all games this season.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in non-conference games this season.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.


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




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LA-MONROE (16 - 15) at AUSTIN PEAY (18 - 14) - 3/15/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA-MONROE is 47-69 ATS (-28.9 Units) after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.


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