Cnotes College Hoops Picks,Trends News 2018-2918 !

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East Region NCAA bracket: March Madness betting odds and best bets
Jason Logan

The East is a beast this March Madness. That side of the NCAA Tournament bracket not only features No. 1 overall seed and national title favorite Duke, but also No. 2 Michigan State – the Big Ten tournament champ – and No. 3 LSU, which won the SEC regular season title.

Jason Logan breaks down the East Regional, pointing out the live underdogs, Cinderella sleeper, the best and worst ATS team, Over/Under value, and everything you need to tame the beasts in the East this March.

BETTING FAVORITE

The Duke Blue Devils, who are +220 favorites to win the national championship at FanDuel Sportsbooks, are -175 chalk to advance from the East Regional to the Final Four. And it’s easy to see why: top two NBA prospects, arguably the greatest college coach of all time, and the easiest path to Minneapolis in the entire bracket. Granted, Duke does have its soft spots, like scoring in a half-court set and shooting from the perimeter. But there’s no denying the talent on this team.

LIVE UNDERDOG

Central Florida has a very competitive No. 9-versus-No. 8 matchup with VCU in the Round of 64, but this Knights team is a tough matchup and checks off a lot of KenPom’s “Four Factors”, including ranking No. 58 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 36 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Central Florida plays a methodical pace, defends well, and has a game-changer in 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall. FanDuel Sportsbooks have UCF as a +5,550 long shot to win the East, due to being tracked for a second-round meeting with Duke.

POTENTIAL CINDERELLA

After Loyola-Chicago’s run to the Final Four last year, everyone is on the lookout for similarly-sculpted “Cinderellas”. Liberty fits the mold, with an efficient offense, solid 3-point shooting, and a defense that protects the rim and allows only 60.8 points per game. The Flames, who moved from +8 to +7 for an opening-round matchup with Mississippi State, suck all the energy out of the gym with one of the slowest tempos in the country (66.5 poss per game). Liberty is a +10,000 long shot to win the East Regional with a possible run in with Duke in the Sweet 16.

BEST ATS TEAM

The Spartans really put the green in “Go Green! Go White”, finishing the season with a 24-10 ATS record. Michigan State went 2-1 ATS in the Big Ten tournament, including covering as a 1.5-point underdog in a comeback win over rival Michigan in the final. Tom Izzo’s team opens as 18.5-point chalk versus Bradley (opened -20) but hasn’t covered just once in its last six NCAA Tournament games.

WORST ATS TEAM

The Saint Louis Billikens were a No. 6 seed in the A-10 tournament and headed for a life outside of the NCAA Tournament. However, a red-hot postseason run sees them among the field of 68. Saint Louis is just 16-18-1 ATS this season – worst among East Regional teams – but has covered in three straight games (all as a dog) and is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 contests. The Billikens are getting 10.5 points as a No. 13 seed versus No. 4 Virginia Tech in the opening round.

BEST OVER TEAM

The LSU Tigers topped the total in 61 percent of their games this season, posting a 19-12-1 Over/Under mark. Louisiana State put up more than 81 points per game while allowing an average of 73 points against and enters the tournament in turmoil. Head coach Will Wade has been suspended due to his role in a federal investigation, leaving interim Tony Benford to whether the madness of March.

BEST UNDER TEAM

When you think Duke, you think of all that offensive firepower behind Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett. That knee-jerk could be why Coach K’s kids have been a solid Under play this season. The Blue Devils are 9-23-1 Over/Under – staying below the total almost 72 percent of the time – and allowing just under 68 points per game. With the public puffing up their totals on a nightly basis, the wise move has been to swoop in and take the Under. It also helps that Duke doesn’t pose much threat from outside, making just 7.3 3-pointers per outing.

SHORTEST TRAVEL IN ROUND OF 64

The Duke Blue Devils will only have to travel about three and a half hours from Chapel Hill to Columbia, South Carolina for their opening round game versus the winner of NC Central and North Dakota State. Dukies generally travel well during the tournament, so expect a solid home-court edge for the Blue Devils inside for Colonial Life Arena. FYI: Zion is from South Carolina.

LONGEST TRAVEL IN THE ROUND OF 64

A pair of Virginia based teams rack up the frequent flyer miles in the East Regional, with Liberty traveling 2,751 miles and Virginia Tech going 2,674 miles to San Jose, California for the Round of 64. The No. 4 Hokies may have the worst hand out of these two programs, having to play Saint Louis at 9:57 p.m. ET on Friday night. Their latest start time all season was 8 p.m. ET.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Besides Duke’s star-studded roster, basketball bettors should keep a close eye on Yale standout Miye Oni in the East Regional. The 6-foot-6 guard ranks just behind Duke’s R.J. Barrett in KenPom’s offensive rating, averaging 17.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Bulldogs. He powers a Yale offense putting up 81 points and drew a reported 20 pro scouts to the Ivy League tournament.

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Midwest Region NCAA bracket: March Madness betting odds and best bets
Andrew Caley

The Midwest is probably the toughest region in this March Madness. That side of the NCAA Tournament bracket not only features top seed UNC, but fellow blue bloods No. 2 Kentucky and No. 4 Kansas. Plus, the SEC and Big 12 conference champions in No. 5 Auburn and No. 6 Iowa State.

Andrew Caley breaks down the Midwest Regional, pointing out the live underdogs, Cinderella sleeper, the best and worst ATS team, Over/Under value, and everything you need to tame the beasts in the Midwest this March.

BETTING FAVORITE

The Midwest Region is going to be a war of attrition in 2019. It is probably the deepest in the tournament, with at least five teams that you can a make a legitimate case to emerge victorious. However, it’s the North Carolina Tar Heels who are favorites to win the Midwest Region, as well as the third overall favorites to . And for good reason too. The Heels have two wins over Duke (albeit with Zion) and were a hair away from going 3-0 (against him). They won 15 of 16 before the loss to Duke (the other loss was to Virginia) and have a win over fellow No. 1 seed Gonzaga. North Carolina is well coached, has a fantastic mix of veteran leadership (Cameron Johnson/Luke Maye) and young talent (Coby White), and rank in the top 10 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. They are a real threat for the title.

LIVE UNDERDOG

There is no shortage of live dogs in the Midwest. But the value bets are No. 5 Auburn and No. 6 Iowa State at 8/1. Both are coming off conference tournament championship runs and are more than capable of extending those runs in the big dance. Auburn is one of the best 3-point shooting teams around and led the nation in steals, while Iowa State had some puzzling losses this year, but is playing its best basketball of the season right now. They are deep and are terrific shooters, while the defense is coming around. It wouldn’t be that surprising to see either of these teams in Minneapolis.

POTENTIAL CINDERELLA

No. 8-seed Utah State could make some serious noise in the tournament. The Aggies can really play at both ends of the floor and have the Mountain West player of the year in Sam Merril (21.2 points per game). But if you’re looking for the team with the real “it” factor, look no further than the Wofford Terriers. You might think a Southern Conference champion on the seven line is ranked too high, but they may actually be under-seeded. The Terriers and enter the tournament winners of 20 consecutive games rank in the top 20 in the KenPom rankings. They also shoot 3’s. A lot of ‘em. And they rank second in the nation hitting 41.6 percent of them. Fletcher Magee is awesome. This is the type of team the casual tourney can really get behind and they are 18/1 to win the Midwest.

BEST ATS TEAM

Not only is North Carolina the favorite to win the Midwest, it was a favorite among bettors as well. At 21-10-2 ATS the Tar Heels had the ninth best ATS record in the country, covering spreads of all sizes. They ended the season covering the number in their last four games, including as 4.5-point underdogs in their 74-73 loss to Duke in the ACC semifinals. However, the Tar Heels are just 8-10-1 ATS over the last five years in the NCAA Tournament.

WORST ATS TEAM

Is this fate? The worst ATS team in the Midwest is North Carolina’s Round 1 opponent, Iona. The Gaels went a less than profitable 13-19 ATS this year, but it could have been much worse. Iona failed to cover the spread in each of its first 11 games this season. But the Gaels enter their matchup with the Tar Heels hot ATS, covering eight of their last nine games down the stretch on their way to a fourth consecutive MAAC title. The 24.5 points they’ll be getting against UNC is the most they’ve seen all season.

BEST OVER TEAM

Kansas might be the most over-seeded team in the whole Tournament, while also being the best Over bet of all the Midwest squads. Only the VMI Keydets cashed more Overs than the Jayhawks did in Division I, going 21-12-1 O/U this season. Kansas scores 75.4 points per game while allowing 70.1, but the big reason for all the Overs has been inconsistent play at both ends of the floor. Kansas lost Udoka Azubuike to a season-ending injury as well as Lagerald Vick and the lack of depth behind Dedric Lawson has show. The total for Kansas’ opener against Northeastern is at 144.

BEST UNDER TEAM

Hey! A Pac-12 team is the best at something! Yup, Washington is the Midwest region’s best Under bet heading into the tournament at 23-11-1, fifth best in the country. The Pac-12’s, um, best team is the perfect recipe for Under success. The Huskies work their tails off on the defensive end and they can’t score. Washington ranks 30th in opponent points per game at a low 64.4, while scoring just 68.9. But that could also be a product of playing in a terrible conference. The total for the Huskies opening round matchup with Utah State is 135.

SHORTEST TRAVEL IN ROUND OF 64

If you were looking for another reason to back a team like Wofford in the tourney, here it is. The Terriers could have a strong backing in the stands for their opening round matchup against Seton Hall, as they only have to travel about 370 miles to Jacksonville, Florida.

LONGEST TRAVEL IN ROUND OF 64

Talk about jet lag. Two teams in the Midwest will have to log about 2.400 miles in order to reach the destination of their opening round matchups. Washington will have to cross the country for its matchup with Utah State (which isn’t exactly a short trip either). The Northeastern Huskies will also have to cover that distance as they head out west to Salt Lake City for their matchup with Kansas.

PLAYER TO WATCH

There are a lot of great players in this Region. Sam Merril of Utah State, Dedric Lawson of Kansas, Fletcher Magee can all take over games. But the player to watch is North Carolina freshman guard Coby White. When the season began all the talk about the freshman in Chapel Hill was centered around Nassir Little. But now it’s all White. He scores 16.2 points per game on 43.1 percent from the floor, while adding 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. It already feels like there is no moment too big for the 6-5 guard. White can fly down the court, take you off the dribble and shoot. And that hair is so cool.

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South Region NCAA bracket: March Madness betting odds and best bets
Rohit Ponnaiya

The South is all about defense this year with three of the top-five teams in the country in terms of Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (Virginia, Wisconsin and Kansas State) and other strong defensive units including Oregon, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Old Dominion and UC Irvine. Throw in a couple of high-scoring teams like Tennessee and Purdue and you've got the makings of an entertaining round of games and bets.

We break down the South Regional with a live underdog, Cinderella sleeper, the best and worst ATS and O/U teams, and other betting notes so you can beat the odds in your bracket.

BETTING FAVORITE

Virginia is the No. 2 ranked team in the county in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. UVA has a dominant defense (allowing an NCAA-low 55.1 points per game) and an offense featuring Kyle Guy, De'Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome who help the Cavs shoot at the fourth-best 3-point clip in the nation (40.9 percent).

According to KenPom, Virginia has the best Adjusted Efficiency Margin in the nation and currently have 6/1 odds to win the National Championship. UVA deserves the Chalk for good reason but their loss to Florida State in the ACC Tournament semifinals, proved that they are mortal, which brings us to...

LIVE UNDERDOG

It might be a bit unfair to have a #5 seed as a live dog, but if anyone has the ability to beat UVA at their own game in this region it's Wisconsin.

Like Virginia, Wisconsin also has an excellent defense. Wisconsin actually has the third-best defense in the country according to the KenPom Adjusted Defensive Efficiency rating, two spots ahead of Virginia. They also have one of the best big men in college in Ethan Happ, who can do pretty much everything (except hit free throws) with 17.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 4.5 apg for the Badgers.

The Badgers and Cavaliers played against each other back in November and while UVA pulled out a relatively comfortable victory thanks to a big first half, Wisconsin almost crawled back into the game by locking down on defense late. The final score in that matchup was 53-46 for Virginia. With both teams playing at a slow pace and having excellent defenses, Wisconsin should be able to keep things close and as long as they're within striking distance they could pull out ahead, just like FSU.

POTENTIAL CINDERELLA

UC Irvine. You might be seeing a pattern start to form but as the saying goes: "defense wins championships." The Anteaters are yet another team in this conference which prides itself on D, holding opponents to just 40.7 percent shooting from 2-point range, the best number in the nation. They're also 10th in the country in rebounding rate, snagging 54.7 percent of all available boards.

In the first round they have a matchup with Kansas State who also have a tough defense and play at a slow pace. KSU could also be missing one of their best players (and most efficient scorer) in Dean Wade who missed the Big 12 Tournament with a foot injury and might not be ready to go for Friday's game. The Anteaters also won't have to travel too far for this game in San Jose (less than 400 miles) while KSU will have to travel almost 1800 miles.

UC Irvin could be prime for an upset, and if they pulled that off they would play the winner of Wisconsin-Oregon which means yet another defensive battle of attrition which could give them a chance to sneak all the way into the Sweet Sixteen.

BEST ATS TEAM

It's little surprise that UVA has been so good at covering the spread, going 23-9 ATS this season. However, they are actually tied for the best ATS record in the entire field of 64 with another team in this region: Mississippi. Yep, the Rebels have flown under the radar with a 23-9 record ATS and have been an excellent underdog cover option going 10-3 ATS.

WORST ATS TEAM

The Iowa Hawkeyes started the season off with promise before fizzling and losing six of their last eight games. They've gone just 13-20 ATS this season, including just 1-9 ATS in their last 10 contests.

The second-worst ATS team in this region? The Hawkeyes' first round opponents: Cincinnati. The Bearcats are just 14-20 ATS this season and are just 2-9 ATS over their previous 11 games.

BEST OVER TEAM

The Colgate Raiders are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 23 years thanks to an explosive offense. They are 20-12 O/U this season and will be going up against another good Over bet in Tennessee (19-14 O/U) during the first round. The total for this game has been set at 150.

BEST UNDER TEAM

With so many strong defensive squads in this region, there are quite a few schools that have been money for Under bettors. Oregon has been the best bet though, having gone 24-11 to the Under this season, including 12-2 to the Under in their last 14 games. Their first round matchup with Wisconsin is expected to be very low-scoring with the O/U set at just 118.

SHORTEST TRAVEL IN ROUND OF 64

Cincinnati has to travel a mere 106 miles from their campus to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, so their first round matchup with Iowa should practically feel like a home game. Bad news for Iowa, who will be going up against a Bearcats team that's 16-2 this season at home.

LONGEST TRAVEL IN ROUND OF 64

If Wisconsin wants to live up to my choice of them as live underdog they'll have to overcome a doozy of a road trip in the first round. The Badgers have to travel more than 2100 miles from Madison to San Jose for their matchup with Oregon who will be travelling less than 600 miles and won't have to deal with jet-lag.

PLAYER TO WATCH

There are plenty of great players in this regional bracket from Happ, Hunter, Cinci's Jarron Cumberland, Villanova guard Phil Booth and Tenessee's Grant Williams. But we're going to shine the spotlight on Purdue's Carsen Edwards who averages 23 ppg.

According to KenPom, Purdue has the fifth-best Adjusted Offensive Efficiency in the country and Edwards plays a big role in that. Perhaps too big actually. Purdue's offense has a tendency to rely too much on Edwards (and to a lesser extent his backcourt mate Ryan Cline) to carry their attack. When Edwards has an off-shooting night the Boilermakers have nobody to step up and sink shots. That lack of balance on offense could really hurt them against the defenses in this region.

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West Region NCAA bracket: March Madness betting odds and best bets
Brandon DuBreuil

Gonzaga is the only No. 1 seed not from the ACC this March Madness, sitting atop the West Region of the NCAA Tournament bracket. The Bulldogs have plenty of competition, including No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Texas Tech, and No. 4 Florida State.

Brandon DuBreuil sizes up the West Region futures odds, from the favorites to a potential Cinderella, and highlights the best ATS bets and top total teams calling that side of the bracket home this March.

BETTING FAVORITE

No surprise here as the top seed in the region is the betting favorite to advance out of the West. Gonzaga pays +150 to reach the Final Four and is currently at +500 to win the NCAA Tournament.

No. 2-seed Michigan comes in at +250 to reach the Final Four, with Texas Tech and Nevada both sitting at +500. The Wolverines are paying out +1400 to win the tournament outright, while the Red Raiders are +2500 and the Wolf Pack +3000.

LIVE UNDERDOG

The West is possibly the most intriguing region when it comes to live underdogs. No. 3 Texas Tech has the fourth-best scoring defense in the nation had won nine in a row before losing to West Virginia in the Big 12 semifinals. No. 4 Florida State is possibly the deepest squad in the nation and showed it can compete with the top seeds when it knocked off Virginia in the ACC semifinals.

But for a true live underdog, we’re looking to No. 6 Buffalo. The MAC champs have won 12 straight and feature the fifth-highest scoring offense in the nation at 84.9 points. The Bulls have a roster full of seniors who know how to take down good teams after knocking off No. 4 Arizona in the first round of the tournament last season.

POTENTIAL CINDERELLA

Murray State. The Racers have been given the 12 seed, which is generally given to mid-major teams that have a legitimate chance to advance. Murray State enters the tournament winners of 11 straight, taking the Ohio Valley Conference title along the way. But most importantly, the Racers have Ja Morant, arguably the second-most exciting player in the entire tournament after Zion Williamson (see below).

BEST ATS TEAM

Too close to call between Gonzaga and Vermont. The Bulldogs went 21-12 ATS on the season, while the Catamounts finished with an impressive 20-10-2 mark. Vermont is a 10.5-point dog against Florida State on Thursday, while Gonzaga awaits the winner of a First Four play-in game.

Murray State also deserves a mention for its 19-10 ATS record and is currently a 4.5-point dog against Marquette.

WORST ATS TEAM

Northern Kentucky. The Norse sport an ugly 12-20 ATS record and are currently 14-point underdogs against Texas Tech on Friday. Montana (14-18) and St. John’s (14-18-1) are the next two worst ATS teams in the West.

BEST OVER TEAM

Another neck-and-neck battle between Montana, who went 20-12 to the Over, and Prairie View A&M and its 20-13 mark. The Grizzlies play Michigan with a total of 134 on Thursday, while the Panthers take on Fairleigh Dickinson with a total of 150 on Tuesday in the First Four.
BEST UNDER TEAM

A lot of solid options for Under bettors in the West. Florida leads the way with a 23-11 Under record, with Michigan a close second at 20-13. Nevada (19-13), Arizona State (19-13), Syracuse (19-14), and Texas Tech (17-14) also need to be mentioned in the Under conversation.

SHORTEST TRAVEL FOR ROUND OF 64

Vermont, the 13th seed, lucks out with only having to travel 190 miles to Hartford, Conn., for its first-round game against No. 4 Florida State (who will be travelling just over 1,000 miles). The Seminoles are a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 133.5.

Texas Tech has the second shortest commute as it travels roughly 375 miles to Tulsa, Ok., to take on Northern Kentucky, though the Norse don’t have to go overly far as their campus is about 660 miles from Tulsa.

LONGEST TRAVEL FOR ROUND OF 64

Syracuse could be road weary after it travels over 1,800 miles for its opener against Baylor in Salt Lake City. The Bears don’t have an easy travel either, however, as they’ll move over 1,000 miles to get to Utah.

The Orange actually might not have the worst travel schedule in the West. Should Fairleigh Dickinson advance from the First Four, it’ll have to go 1,965 miles to get to Salt Lake to face Gonzaga. If Prairie View A&M advances, it’ll face a much more reasonable 1,155 miles.

PLAYER TO WATCH

The West has two potential lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft in Murray State’s Ja Morant and Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura.

Morant (24.6 points per game, 10 assists per game) is doing things rarely seen in college basketball as he is the only player in Division I to average at least 20 points and eight assists. In his last two games during the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, the sophomore guard played all 40 minutes in each and put up 29 points and eight assists in the semis and then 36 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the finals.

Hachimura, a 6-8 junior forward from Tokyo, Japan, didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13 but is now destined to be a top pick in this year’s NBA Draft as he leads the Bulldogs with 20.1 points per game on 60.9 percent shooting from the floor — including a 46.9 percent clip from behind the arc — while also averaging 6.6 rebounds.

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CBB MARCH MADNESS RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/18/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00



Totals...........


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BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS


03/18/2019.............1 - 0......................+5.00.................1 - 0..................+5.00...............+10.00


Totals...................

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

FDU at PV 06:40 PM
PV +2.0
U 149.0

COR at RMU 07:00 PM
U 135.0

SFPA at IND 07:00 PM
IND -17.0

INDPU at MRSH 07:00 PM
INDPU +7.5
O 166.0

CAMP at UNCG 07:00 PM
UNCG -9.5
O 144.5

LIP at DAV 07:00 PM
DAV -2.5
U 149.0

HOF at NCST 07:00 PM
HOF +8.5
U 164.0

WRST at CLEM 07:00 PM
CLEM -12.0

USD at MEM 08:00 PM
USD +6.0
O 156.0

ARK at PROV 09:00 PM
PROV -7.0

L-IL at CRE 09:00 PM
L-IL +8.0
O 135.5

SDST at TEX 09:00 PM
SDST +8.5

CSN at UVU 09:00 PM
UVU -11.5

TEM at BEL 09:10 PM
BEL -3.0
U 155.5

DAY at COLO 11:00 PM
COLO -4.0
U 138.0

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NCAAB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, March 20

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WICHITA ST (19 - 14) at FURMAN (25 - 7) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WICHITA ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
FURMAN is 18-10 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games this season.
FURMAN is 18-10 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
FURMAN is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 2 seasons.
FURMAN is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
FURMAN is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a conference game this season.
WICHITA ST is 45-24 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games on Wednesday games since 1997.


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

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ARIZONA ST (22 - 10) vs. ST JOHNS (21 - 12) - 3/20/2019, 9:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST JOHNS is 43-24 ATS (+16.6 Units) in road games after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
ST JOHNS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
ST JOHNS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
ST JOHNS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ST JOHNS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
ARIZONA ST is 1-0 against the spread versus ST JOHNS over the last 3 seasons
ARIZONA ST is 1-0 straight up against ST JOHNS 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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NC CENTRAL (18 - 15) vs. N DAKOTA ST (18 - 15) - 3/20/2019, 6:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N DAKOTA ST is 33-48 ATS (-19.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
N DAKOTA ST is 33-48 ATS (-19.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
N DAKOTA ST is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
N DAKOTA ST is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
N DAKOTA ST is 28-48 ATS (-24.8 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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TOLEDO (25 - 7) at XAVIER (18 - 15) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TOLEDO is 31-49 ATS (-22.9 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
XAVIER is 368-312 ATS (+24.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
XAVIER is 368-312 ATS (+24.8 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
XAVIER is 43-23 ATS (+17.7 Units) in home games on Wednesday games since 1997.
XAVIER is 255-202 ATS (+32.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
XAVIER is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TOLEDO is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 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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NORFOLK ST (21 - 13) at ALABAMA (18 - 15) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


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

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HARVARD (18 - 11) at GEORGETOWN (19 - 13) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HARVARD is 50-74 ATS (-31.4 Units) off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
HARVARD is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
HARVARD is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
HARVARD is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
HARVARD is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
HARVARD is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
HARVARD is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 35-51 ATS (-21.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 35-51 ATS (-21.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) in all home games over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
GEORGETOWN is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games in non-conference 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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SAM HOUSTON ST (21 - 11) at TCU (20 - 13) - 3/20/2019, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAM HOUSTON ST is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
SAM HOUSTON ST is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
TCU is 117-159 ATS (-57.9 Units) in all home games since 1997.
TCU is 117-159 ATS (-57.9 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
TCU is 70-98 ATS (-37.8 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
TCU is 45-73 ATS (-35.3 Units) in home games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
TCU is 191-242 ATS (-75.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
TCU is 117-157 ATS (-55.7 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.

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


BUTLER (16 - 16) at NEBRASKA (18 - 16) - 3/20/2019, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUTLER is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BUTLER is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
BUTLER is 22-33 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NEBRASKA is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEBRASKA is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
NEBRASKA is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEBRASKA is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
NEBRASKA is 103-72 ATS (+23.8 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
NEBRASKA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
BUTLER is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) in road games when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
BUTLER is 165-101 ATS (+53.9 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
BUTLER is 82-58 ATS (+18.2 Units) after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
BUTLER is 81-49 ATS (+27.1 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 20-5 ATS (+14.5 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.
NEBRASKA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.


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

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


GRAND CANYON (20 - 13) at W VIRGINIA (14 - 20) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


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

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


C MICHIGAN (23 - 11) at DEPAUL (15 - 15) - 3/20/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DEPAUL is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in home games after allowing 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
C MICHIGAN is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
C MICHIGAN is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
C MICHIGAN is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games this season.
C MICHIGAN is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road lined games this season.
C MICHIGAN is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) after a conference game this season.
C MICHIGAN is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) after scoring 80 points or more this season.


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

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


HOWARD (17 - 16) at COASTAL CAROLINA (15 - 16) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOWARD is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) in all games since 1997.
HOWARD is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
HOWARD is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
HOWARD is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
COASTAL CAROLINA is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.


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

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


STONY BROOK (24 - 8) at S FLORIDA (18 - 13) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
STONY BROOK is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all games this season.
STONY BROOK is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
STONY BROOK is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games this season.
STONY BROOK is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road lined games this season.
STONY BROOK is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 124-158 ATS (-49.8 Units) in all home games since 1997.
S FLORIDA is 124-158 ATS (-49.8 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
S FLORIDA is 13-30 ATS (-20.0 Units) in a home game where the total is 135 to 139.5 since 1997.
S FLORIDA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) on Wednesday games over the last 3 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 76-104 ATS (-38.4 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
S FLORIDA is 49-77 ATS (-35.7 Units) in home games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
S FLORIDA is 78-110 ATS (-43.0 Units) in home 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.

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


LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT (20 - 11) at CAL BAPTIST (16 - 14) - 3/20/2019, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 66-96 ATS (-39.6 Units) as a favorite since 1997.


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

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


UAB (20 - 14) at BROWN (19 - 11) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UAB is 54-82 ATS (-36.2 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997.
BROWN is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in a home game where the total is 140 to 144.5 since 1997.


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

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


TEXAS SOUTHERN (21 - 13) at NEW ORLEANS (18 - 13) - 3/20/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
TEXAS SOUTHERN is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 14-30 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.

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


GRAMBLING (17 - 16) at UTRGV (19 - 16) - 3/20/2019, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GRAMBLING is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) off a loss against a conference rival this season.
UTRGV is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
UTRGV is 15-7 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
UTRGV is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
UTRGV is 1-1 straight up against GRAMBLING over the last 3 seasons

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


WI-GREEN BAY (17 - 16) at E TENN ST (24 - 9) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
E TENN ST is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
E TENN ST is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
E TENN ST is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WI-GREEN BAY is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
E TENN ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.


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

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


PRESBYTERIAN (18 - 15) at SEATTLE (18 - 14) - 3/20/2019, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in non-conference games this season.


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

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


SOUTHERN MISS (20 - 12) at LONGWOOD (15 - 17) - 3/20/2019, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


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

[StarDust Bum]

679Wichita St -680 Furman
FURMAN is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

715Nc Central -716 N Dakota St
N DAKOTA ST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game over the last 2 seasons.

717Toledo -718 Xavier
TOLEDO is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread in the current season.

719Norfolk St -720 Alabama
NORFOLK ST is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game since 1997.

723Harvard -724 Georgetown
GEORGETOWN is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games in non-conference games in the last 3 seasons.

725Sam Houston St -726 Tcu
TCU is 55-90 ATS (-44 Units) in home games after a game where they failed to cover the spread since 1997.

727Butler -728 Nebraska
NEBRASKA is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in home games after having won 3 of their last 4 games over the last 2 seasons.

737Grand Canyon -738 W Virginia
W VIRGINIA is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) versus excellent ball handling teams - committing <=12 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

739C Michigan -740 Depaul
C MICHIGAN is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in road games versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games in the current season.

741Howard -742 Coastal Carolina
HOWARD is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog in the last 3 seasons.

743Stony Brook -744 S Florida
S FLORIDA is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games after 3 straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers in the last 3 seasons.

745Loyola Marymount -746 Cal Baptist
LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT is 81-117 ATS (-47.7 Units) versus teams who average 6 or less steals/game on the season since 1997.

747Uab -748 Brown
UAB is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) in road games after 4 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last 2 seasons.

749Texas Southern -750 New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS are 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 in the current season.

755Presbyterian -756 Seattle
PRESBYTERIAN is 2-10 ATS (-9 Units) after 2 straight games forcing opponent to commit 11 or less turnovers since 1997.

757St Marys Ca -758 Villanova
VILLANOVA is 13-1 ATS (11.9 Units) off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.

759Old Dominion -760 Purdue
OLD DOMINION is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) in road games after having won 5 or 6 of their last 7 games in the last 3 seasons.

761Murray St -762 Marquette
MURRAY ST is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) versus good 3 point shooting teams - making >=37% of their attempts over the last 2 seasons.

763Vermont -764 Florida St
FLORIDA ST is 7-1 ATS (5.9 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game in the current season.

767Yale -768 Lsu
LSU is 7-1 ATS (5.9 Units) in road games vs. good free throw shooting teams - making >=72% of their attempts in the current season.

769Seton Hall -770 Wofford
WOFFORD is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in road games after having won 15 or more of their last 20 games in the current season.

771Abilene Christian -772 Kentucky
ABILENE CHRISTIAN is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) after having won 8 or more of their last 10 games in the last 3 seasons.

773Minnesota -774 Louisville
MINNESOTA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) versus bad pressure defensive teams - forcing <=12 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

775Bradley -776 Michigan St
MICHIGAN ST is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less in the current season.

777Florida -778 Nevada
FLORIDA is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game in the current season.

779Montana -780 Michigan
MICHIGAN is 11-1 ATS (9.9 Units) after 1 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.

781New Mexico St -782 Auburn
NEW MEXICO ST is 18-44 ATS (-30.4 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more 2 straight games since 1997.

783Northeastern -784 Kansas
NORTHEASTERN is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=45% of their shots after 15+ games in the current season.

787Baylor -788 Syracuse
SYRACUSE is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more in the current season.

793Fla Atlantic -794 Charleston So
FLA ATLANTIC is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) over the last 2 seasons.

795St Francis Ny -796 Hampton
HAMPTON is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting <=18 free throws/game after 15+ games in the current season.

799Ucf -800 Va Commonwealth
VA COMMONWEALTH is 10-2 ATS (7.8 Units) after having won 6 or 7 of their last 8 games in the current season.

801Gardner Webb -802 Virginia
VIRGINIA is 11-0 ATS (11 Units) in road games after a game where they failed to cover the spread over the last 2 seasons.

803Oklahoma -804 Ole Miss
OKLAHOMA is 11-1 ATS (9.9 Units) in non-conference games in the current season.

805Iowa -806 Cincinnati
IOWA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

807Colgate -808 Tennessee
COLGATE is 6-0 ATS (6 Units) vs. winning teams in the current season.

809Iona -810 N Carolina
N CAROLINA is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in road games after 1 or more consecutive unders in the current season.

811Washington -812 Utah St
WASHINGTON is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) after 1 or more consecutive losses in the last 3 seasons.

813Ohio St -814 Iowa St
OHIO ST is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting <=18 free throws/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

815Georgia St -816 Houston
GEORGIA ST is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) after 2 straight games - allowing a shooting pct. of 37% or less over the last 2 seasons.

819N Kentucky -820 Texas Tech
TEXAS TECH is 8-2 ATS (5.8 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games in the current season.

821Liberty -822 Mississippi St
MISSISSIPPI ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games vs. top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 12+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, March 20

Wednesday’s play-in games
North Carolina Central is in NCAA’s for 4th time in six years; they’re 0-2 in play-in games, losing by 4-18 points the last two years. Eagles finished in 6th place in MEAC this year, worst league in country- they turn ball over 22.9% of time- they’re #15 experience team that won eight of its last ten games. North Dakota State makes 36.8% of its 3’s, getting 40.3% of their points on 3’s- they’re experience team #277; Bison are in NCAAs for first time in four years- they’re not a good defensive team, with #305 eFG% on defense.

Arizona State beat St John’s 82-70 LY at Staples Center; ASU won six of last eight games overall; they get 22.3% of their points on foul line. St John’s subs play minutes #347, so they better not get in foul trouble. Hurley is 0-2 in NCAA’s as a head coach; this is Mullin’s first NCAA game as a coach. Johnnies started season 12-0, playing the #327 non-conference schedule, then went 9-12 in last 21 games- they beat Pac-12 cellar dweller Cal 82-79. Neither team subs very much. Last four years, Big East teams are 20-8 against Pac-12 opponents.

Wednesday’s other tournament games
Motivation is the main variable in these “other” tournaments; I’ll give you some stats and some knowledge, but these games are really tough to decipher from the outside.

Toledo won five of its last six games, got upset in first MAC tourney game; Rockets are #86 experience team that gets 38.5% of its points behind the arc. Toledo is 1-2 vs top 100 teams this year, losing twice to Buffalo, by 30-6 points- they beat Cal-Irvine. Xavier won by 27-21 in its two games vs MAC teams this season; they’re experience team #120 that won 7 of its last 9 games.

Norfolk State was 2-10 in its pre-conference schedule, with three other non-D-I wins; they lost by 19 to Michigan, 17 to South Carolina- they’re experience team #78 that turns ball over 20.6% of the time. Alabama lost seven of its last ten games; they’re experience team #208 that was 9-3 in its pre-conference schedule. Tide won by 20-8-10 points in its three non-top 200 games.

Harvard lost Ivy title game to arch-rival Yale Sunday afternoon; quick turnaround here for #258 experience team that beat Saint Mary’s but lost by 20 to North Carolina. Crimson turns ball over 22.3% of time. Georgetown was 10-3 in its pre-conference games, is 5-6 in its last 11 games; they’re experience team #263 that plays pace #23- they haven’t played since Thursday.

Sam Houston State won Southland by two games but lost in its first tourney game; Bearkats are #28 experience team that lost to Clemson by 15, Georgia by 11- they force turnovers 21.4% of time. TCU was disappointed not to make NCAA’s; they lost several players during year- their bench plays minutes #321. Horned Frogs lost seven of last ten games. Their motivation is a ?

Rumors are strong that Nebraska will fire coach Miles as soon as the Huskers lose in this event; how long will they stay? Nebraska beat Big East’s Seton Hall by 23, Creighton by 19 back in the fall, when Huskers had high hopes. Butler lost five of its last six games, despite being experience team #117- they play a slow (#260) pace, lost by 3 to Indiana in their only Big 14 game.

Long trip east for Dan Majerle’s Grand Canyon team, which is 20-13, 12-7 in WAC; Antelopes are experience team #99 that lost by 8 to Nevada, 7 to Seton Hall, 9 to Utah, 38 to Texas- they lost WAC final Saturday. West Virginia is young team with 14-20 record; they were 4-3 in last seven games after they ran couple guys off the team— this is prep work for next season.

Central Michigan is 23-11, losing MAC semis by 4 to Buffalo; Chippewas are experience team #27 that played a horrible (#346) pre-conference schedule. CMU shot 38.3% on arc, best in league, 46.9% inside arc, worst in MAC. DePaul is 15-15, but 7-1 against teams outside top 100; Blue Demons lost six of their last eight games- they’re experience team #79.

Howard lost by 21 to Little Rock, by 14 to Appalachian State, two Sun Belt teams; Bison are #313 experience team that plays pace #32- they’re 3-8 outside the MEAC. Coastal Carolina lost seven of last ten games after starting 6-3 in Sun Belt; Chanticleers are experience team #195 that beat NC Central by 4, their only MEAC opponent. CCU turn ball over 20.2% of time (#290).

Stony Brook’s coach has already bolted to Ohio U; Seawolves are 24-8 despite being experience team #305- they split last six games, are 12-3 outside America East (#257 non-conf schedule). /South Florida lost seven of its last eight D-I games; Bulls are experience team #328 that turns ball over 22.9% of time- they also force turnovers 22.2% of time- they shoot only 32.7% on arc.

Cal-Baptist is in its first year of D-I basketball, so they’re fired up to be playing; Lancers lost by 3 at Tulsa, lost by 3 at Cal-Irvine, 35 at Nevada- they’re experience team #174 that lost four of its last six games. LMU is 20-11, its first winning season in seven years; Lions are 10-2 outside WCC, beating UNLV, Georgetown- they force turnovers 21.2% of time (#40).

UAB comes north after winning six of last nine games; Blazers are experience team #188 that plays slow (#307) pace- they won three of their last four true road games. UAB is only 6-5 outside C-USA (#305 non-conf schedule). Brown is 19-11 but didn’t make 4-team Ivy tourney after going 7-7. Bears are experience team #177 that forces turnovers 21.4% of time (#34).

Texas Southern won at Baylor/Oregon before Christmas, but was 3-8 in pre-SWAC games, with two other non-D-I wins; they lost by 8 at Lamar in their only Southland game. TSU is #5 experience team that plays pace #4. New Orleans lost in Southland final; they’re experience team #246 that forces turnovers 22.6% of time (#17).

Grambling is 3-7 outside SWAC; they’re shooting 39.7% on arc (#6). Tigers are experience team #60 that subs a lot (bench minutes #45) but turns ball over 22.2% of time. Rio Grande Valley won eight of last 11 games; they beat SWAC champ Prairie View by 13 in November. Vaqueros are #72 experience team but have #334 eFG%, shooting 31% on arc, 45.8% inside arc.

Green Bay is 7-4 in its last 11 games; they’re #103 experience team that plays pace #12- they beat Belmont back in December. Phoenix split their last four road games. East Tennessee State won four of last six games but lost to Wofford in SoCon semis; Bucs are experience team #257 that is 7-4 outside SoCon. ETSU’s opponents shoot 38.8% on the arc (#344).

Long trip west for Presbyterian squad that is experience team #286- they went 9-7 in Big South. Blue Hose is shooting 38% on arc (#28) they get 41.4% of their points on arc; they’re not a good defensive team. Seattle won five of its last seven games; their last two wins were in OT; they’re experience team #212 who are 10-3 outside the WAC (non-conf #342).

Southern Miss won 12 of its last 17 games; they’re experience team #22 that is 3rd-shortest team in country. Eagles won four of their last six true road games. Longwood lost eight of its last ten games, is 15-17; they’re experience team #70 that lost 42-39 to Charlotte, the worst team in C-USA. Lancers turn ball over 20.9% of time; they went 5-11 in Big South.

Wichita State won 11 of its last 14 games, four of last five true road games. Shockers are #274 experience team that lost by 3 to Cincinnati in AAC semis; their eFG% is #325 but they’re riding star McDuffie’s scoring. Furman won nine of its last 11 games; they’re shooting 56.9% inside arc. Paladins won at Villanova in November, then went 13-5 in an improved SoCon.

[StarDust Bum]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Wednesday, March 20


NC Central @ North Dakota St

Game 715-716
March 20, 2019 @ 6:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC Central
45.896
North Dakota St
49.425
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
North Dakota St
by 3 1/2
127
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
North Dakota St
by 5 1/2
134 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC Central
(+5 1/2); Under

Arizona State @ St John's

Game 713-714
March 20, 2019 @ 9:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona State
59.444
St John's
60.881
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St John's
by 1 1/2
157
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona State
by 1 1/2
154
Dunkel Pick:
St John's
(+1 1/2); Over

Presbyterian @ Seattle

Game 755-756
March 20, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Presbyterian
52.758
Seattle
51.757
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Presbyterian
by 1
142
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 5
149
Dunkel Pick:
Presbyterian
(+5); Under

Loyola Marymount @ Cal Baptist

Game 745-746
March 20, 2019 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Loyola Marymount
52.342
Cal Baptist
57.207
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cal Baptist
by 5
136
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Loyola Marymount
by 1 1/2
140
Dunkel Pick:
Cal Baptist
(+1 1/2); Under

Butler @ Nebraska

Game 727-728
March 20, 2019 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Butler
58.793
Nebraska
66.337
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nebraska
by 7 1/2
150
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nebraska
by 5 1/2
143 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Nebraska
(-5 1/2); Over

Sam Houston St @ TCU

Game 725-726
March 20, 2019 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Sam Houston St
57.477
TCU
67.030
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
TCU
by 9 1/2
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TCU
by 14
146
Dunkel Pick:
Sam Houston St
(+14); Over

Central Michigan @ DePaul

Game 739-740
March 20, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Central Michigan
56.992
DePaul
65.800
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
DePaul
by 9
173
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
DePaul
by 5
166
Dunkel Pick:
DePaul
(-5); Over

Texas Southern @ New Orleans

Game 749-750
March 20, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas Southern
44.894
New Orleans
48.455
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 3 1/2
161
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 1 1/2
159
Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-1 1/2); Over

Grambling @ TX-Rio Grande

Game 751-752
March 20, 2019 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Grambling
41.238
TX-Rio Grande
55.290
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
TX-Rio Grande
by 14
141
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
TX-Rio Grande
by 10
144
Dunkel Pick:
TX-Rio Grande
(-10); Under

Green Bay @ E Tenn State

Game 753-754
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Green Bay
51.275
E Tenn State
56.978
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
E Tenn State
by 5 1/2
157
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
E Tenn State
by 11
155 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Green Bay
(+11); Over

Southern Miss @ Longwood

Game 887-888
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Southern Miss
60.748
Longwood
43.946
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Southern Miss
by 17
132
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Southern Miss
by 10 1/2
136 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Southern Miss
(-10 1/2); Under

UAB @ Brown

Game 747-748
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
UAB
56.835
Brown
54.470
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
UAB
by 2 1/2
150
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brown
by 2 1/2
138 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
UAB
(+2 1/2); Over

Stony Brook @ South Florida

Game 743-744
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Stony Brook
54.541
South Florida
59.021
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
South Florida
by 4 1/2
132
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
South Florida
by 6 1/2
139
Dunkel Pick:
Stony Brook
(+6 1/2); Under

Howard @ Coastal Carolina

Game 741-742
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Howard
43.920
Coastal Carolina
48.382
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Coastal Carolina
by 4 1/2
170
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Coastal Carolina
by 12 1/2
162 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Howard
(+12 1/2); Over

Grand Canyon @ West Virginia

Game 737-738
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Grand Canyon
55.388
West Virginia
64.838
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
West Virginia
by 9 1/2
144
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
West Virginia
by 4 1/2
150 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
West Virginia
(-4 1/2); Under

Wichita State @ Furman

Game 895-896
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Wichita State
00.000
Furman
00.000
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wichita State

Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wichita State

Dunkel Pick:
Wichita State
( );

Harvard @ Georgetown

Game 723-724
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Harvard
55.493
Georgetown
58.410
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Georgetown
by 3
144
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Georgetown
by 5 1/2
152
Dunkel Pick:
Harvard
(+5 1/2); Under

Norfolk State @ Alabama

Game 719-720
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Norfolk State
45.085
Alabama
64.590
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Alabama
by 19 1/2
147
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Alabama
by 15 1/2
142 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Alabama
(-15 1/2); Over

Toledo @ Xavier

Game 717-718
March 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toledo
59.098
Xavier
69.551
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Xavier
by 10 1/2
148
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Xavier
by 6 1/2
143
Dunkel Pick:
Xavier
(-6 1/2); Over

NC Central @ North Dakota St

Game 715-716
March 20, 2019 @ 6:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NC Central
45.896
North Dakota St
49.425
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
North Dakota St
by 3 1/2
127
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
North Dakota St
by 5 1/2
134 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NC Central
(+5 1/2); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's First-Four Tips
Brian Edwards

**North Carolina Central vs. North Dakota State**

-- As of early this morning, most books had North Dakota State (18-15 straight up, 14-15 against the spread) listed as a five-point favorite with a total of 132.5. The Eagles were +185 on the money line (risk $100 to win $185). For first-half wagers, the Bison were favored by 2.5 points with an ‘over/under’ of 61.

-- Tonight’s winner advances to take on the Tournament’s top overall seed, Duke, on Friday at 7:10 p.m. Eastern at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.

-- North Dakota State will bring a four-game winning streak to Dayton, the annual home of the First Four where Fairleigh Dickinson and Belmont prevailed last night to stay alive in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The Bison won the Summit League Tournament with victories over Oral Roberts, Western Illinois and Nebraska-Omaha. NDS won an 73-63 decision over the Mavericks in the finals in Sioux Falls, S.D., on March 12. The Bison took the cash as a 3.5-point underdog. They roared out to a 41-27 halftime advantage, only to see Nebraska Omaha rally with a 24-10 run to knot the score at 51-51 with 8:24 remaining. But it would be all NDS the rest of the way as it ripped off a 9-0 run to go ahead 60-51 and coast into the win column from there.

-- Vinnie Shahid led the way against the Mavericks with 22 points and three assists without a turnover. Shahid, a transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, buried 7-of-12 field-goal attempts and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to garner Summit League Tournament MVP honors. Tyson Ward added 15 points and seven rebounds on 6-of-9 FGAs. Cameron Hunter logged only 13 minutes of playing time but made them count, draining all three of his launces from 3-point range and all three attempts from the charity stripe in a 12-point effort. Hunter also dished out a pair of assists without committing a turnover.

-- NDS is ranked 11th in the nation in free-throw percentage, making 77.4 percent of its attempts from the charity stripe. The Bison are No. 69 in the nation in the country in 3-point accuracy (36.6%). On the flip side, NDS struggles defensively, ranking No. 196 in scoring ‘D’ (76.7 PPG), No. 300 in FG-percentage defense (46.1%) and No. 269 at defending the 3-point line (35.8%).

-- Shahid paces NDS in scoring with his 12.8 points-per-game average and dishes out a team-best 2.7 assists per game. He’s hitting 36.4 percent of his treys, 83.9 percent of his free-throw attempts and has an 88/44 assist-to-turnover ratio. Ward averages 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while Deng Geu averages 9.9 points and 5.0 RPG.

-- This is NDS’s third NCAA Tournament appearance in the past six years. The Bison have a 1-3 all-time record in four NCAA Tournament games, upsetting fifth-seeded Oklahoma in an 80-75 overtime win in 2015.

-- NDS faced six foes that are in KenPom.com’s Top 100. The Bison went 0-6 in those games, losing by 17 points or more five times. They gave South Dakota State (No. 94) fits, however, in a 78-77 loss as five-point home underdogs on Feb. 16. NDS has faced a No. 1 seed, getting blasted 102-60 at Gonzaga as a 26.5-point underdog back in non-conference play.

-- NDS is 9-3 SU and 8-3-1 ATS in its past 12 games. Four of those victories have come by double-digit margins.

-- NC Central (18-15 SU, 17-11 ATS) is on fire for our purposes, compiling a 7-1-2 spread record in its past 10 games. The Eagles are 8-2 SU over that span with one its defeats coming in overtime at Norfolk State, the MEAC’s regular-season champ that plays at Alabama in the NIT.

-- NC Central avenged the OT setback to Norfolk State by beating it by a 50-47 count in the MEAC Tournament finals, winning outright as a 4.5-point underdog. The Eagles overcame a 10-point intermission deficit by using a 25-6 run to start the second half. They used a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring at least seven points led by Zacarry Douglas’s 10 points and 12 rebounds. Raasean Davis added eight points, 14 boards, two assists, two blocked shots and one steal. The Eagles controlled the glass with a 37-24 rebounding edge.

-- NC Central is led by Davis, who averages team-bests in scoring (14.6 PPG), rebounding (8.9 RPG), FG percentage (64.5 %), steals (0.9 SPG) and blocked shots (1.2 BPG). The senior center was named the Most Outstanding Player of the MEAC Tournament.

-- NC Central is ranked 50th in the nation in scoring ‘D’, limiting opponents to an average of 66.3 PPG. The Eagles are 37th in the country at defending the 3-point line (31.3%). However, they can’t shoot it well from long distance, ranking No. 313 nationally with an abysmal 31.5 percentage.

-- NC Central is in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season, but it is still looking for its first victory.

-- The ‘under’ is on a 6-0 run for the Eagles to improve to 17-13 overall.

-- The ‘over’ is on a 13-6 run to improve to 19-11 overall for the Bison.

-- Tip-off from Dayton Arena is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Eastern on TruTV.

**Arizona State vs. St. John’s**

-- As of early this morning, most betting shops had Arizona State (22-10 SU, 17-14 ATS) installed as a two-point favorite with a total of 152.5. The winner advances to face sixth-seeded Buffalo on Friday in Tulsa.

-- The head-coaching matchup here might pit the two best college basketball players (among head coaches in this Tournament) from their playing days at Duke for Bobby Hurley (1990-93) and Chris Mullin (1981-85). Both were NBA lottery picks.

-- Bobby Hurley’s team has won six of its past eight games while posting a 5-3 spread record. ASU advanced past UCLA with an 83-72 win as a five-point favorite in its opening game of the Pac-12 Tournament. All five starters scored in double figures led by Romello White’s 19 points and seven rebounds.

-- In the semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ASU was eliminated from the Pac-12 Tournament by Oregon in a 79-75 overtime loss as a 2.5-point underdog. Luguentz Dort scored a team-high 16 points in the losing effort, while Rob Edwards finished with 15 points, five rebounds a pair of steals. Remy Martin and Zylan Cheatham had 14 points apiece.

-- Cheatham was the only Pac-12 player to average a double-double this season (11.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG), recording 13 of them. Dort was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year thanks to his team-high 16.1 PPG average. Martin, a sophomore guard, averaged 13.4 PPG and handed out a team-best 5.1 APG.

-- ASU has compiled an 8-4 spread record in 12 games as a single-digit ‘chalk.’

-- St. John’s (21-12 SU, 14-18 ATS) is in its first NCAA Tournament since 2015 and its first under Mullin, who led the Johnnies to the 1985 Final Four and is in his fourth season back at his alma mater. The Red Storm hasn’t been to a Sweet 16 since going all the way to the Elite Eight back in 1999.

-- Mullin’s team is led by junior guard and Brooklyn native Shamorie Ponds, who averages team-high in scoring (19.5 PPG), assists (5.2 APG) and steals (2.6 SPG). Ponds has a 165/64 assist-to-turnover ratio. Mustapha Heron, a transfer from Auburn, averages 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. Heron is knocking down 42.1 percent of his 3-pointers. L.J. Figueroa averages 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 SPG, while Marvin Clark (10.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and Justin Simon (10.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG) also average in double figures.

-- St. John’s is 5-5 ATS with three outright wins in 10 games as an underdog this season.

-- These schools met on Dec. 8 of 2017 at the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in Los Angeles, where ASU beat St. John’s 82-70 behind White’s 22 points. Ponds added 19 points for the Johnnies in the losing effort.

-- The ‘under’ cashed in each of ASU’s final five regular-season game before the ‘over’ hit on both of its Pac-12 Tournament contests. Nevertheless, the ‘under’ is 19-13 overall for the Sun Devils.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- Belmont advanced to face sixth-seeded Maryland in Jacksonville on Thursday by capturing an 81-70 First Four win over Temple as a 2.5-point favorite. The Bruins won their first NCAA Tournament game in program history and cashed tickets as 2.5-point ‘chalk.’ The 151 combined points dipped ‘under’ the 155-point total. Kevin McClain was the catalyst for Belmont, dropping a game-high 29 points on the Owls by draining 8-of-14 FGAs, 4-of-7 greys and 9-of-11 FTAs. Dylan Windler struggled with his shot, making only 2-of-7 FGAs and scoring merely five points. However, he pulled down 14 rebounds. The defensive attention Temple paid to Windler freed up Nick Muszynski to hit 8-of-12 FGAs in a 16-point effort. The OVC Freshman of the Year also added four rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocked shots.

-- Fairleigh Dickinson rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to advance past Prairie View A&M with an 82-76 win as a two-point favorite. The 158 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 148.5-point tally. Darnell Edge and Jahlil Jenkins were the catalyst for the Knights, who enjoyed a 39-24 advantage in the rebounding department. Edge played all 40 minutes and produced 33 points on 9-of-13 FGAs, 7-of-9 net splashes from long distance and 8-of-8 on FTAs. Jenkins finished with 22 points, four rebounds and six assists compared to only two turnovers.

-- VCU guard Marcus Evans has been upgraded to ‘probable’ (knee) for Friday’s first-round game vs. UCF. Evans averages 14.3 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

-- Toledo (25-7 SU, 17-13 ATS) will be down two of its best players in tonight’s NIT game at Xavier. Marreon Jackson (shoulder) and Willie Jackson (concussion) are both ‘out.’ Marreon Jackson (11.7 PPG) averages team-highs in assists (4.2 APG) and steals (1.4 SPG), while Willie Jackson averages 8.5 points and 8.8 RPG.

[StarDust Bum]

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

NCCU at NDSU 06:40 PM
NDSU -4.5

TOL at XAV 07:00 PM
TOL +6.0
U 143.0

NORF at ALA 07:00 PM
NORF +15.5

HARV at GTWN 07:00 PM
GTWN -6.0
O 152.5

HOW at CCAR 07:00 PM
CCAR -10.5

UAB at BRWN 07:00 PM
U 144.0

GB at ETSU 07:00 PM
GB +12.0
O 156.5

USM at LONG 07:00 PM
USM -9.0

STON at USF 07:00 PM
STON +8.0

GRC at WVU 07:00 PM
GRC +5.5

WICH at FUR 07:00 PM
FUR -4.5


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


CMU at DEP 08:00 PM
CMU +7.0

TXSO at UNO 08:00 PM
UNO +0.0
O 159.5

GRAM at UTRGV 08:00 PM
UTRGV -10.5


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


BUT at NEB 09:00 PM
BUT +4.5

SHSU at TCU 09:00 PM
SHSU +12.0
O 146.5

SJU at ASU 09:10 PM
ASU -2.0

PRE at SEA 10:00 PM
SEA -5.0

LMU at CALBA 10:30 PM
CALBA +2.0

[StarDust Bum]

CBB MARCH MADNESS RECORD OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

03/20/2019 10-14-0 41.67% -2700
03/19/2019 9-14-1 39.13% -3200
03/18/2019 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00

Totals..............21-28-1......42.85%.....-49.00


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


BEST BETS:

DATE........................ATS................... ..UNITS..................O/U..................UNITS.............TOTALS

03/20/2019.............3 - 7......................-23.00................1 - 1..................-0.50................-23.50
03/19/2019.............5 - 5......................-2.50..................2 - 6..................-23.00..............-25.50
03/18/2019.............1 - 0......................+5.00.................1 - 0..................+5.00..............+10.00


Totals.....................9 - 12.....................-20.50................4 - 7..................-18.50..............-38.50

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s 6-pack

Favorites to win each region:

— East: Duke 9-5, Michigan State +$275, Virginia Tech 11-1

— South: Virginia even, Tennessee +$325, Purdue 7-2

— Midwest: North Carolina 9-5, Kentucky 2-1, Houston 5-1

— West: Gonzaga 3-1, Michigan +$375, Texas Tech 9-2

— Over/under for wins by ACC teams in NCAA’s: 15

— Over/under for wins by Big 14 teams: 10.5

Tweet of the Day
“Most people come in groups of two to six. I always feel bad for that one guy who brings his girlfriend. There’s always that one guy who has to say, ‘Talk to you guys later, I’m going to the Forum shops.’”
Westgate SuperBook VP Jay Kornegay, talking about March Madness in Las Vegas

Thursday’s quiz
Remember the final basketball scenes in the movie Hoosiers? Which college still plays its home games in that arena?

Wednesday’s quiz
Philadelphia Eagles have played in three Super Bowls; Ron Jaworski, Donovan McNabb, Nick Foles started those games at QB for the Eagles.

Tuesday’s quiz
Penguins are the NHL team that has the longest active streak of consecutive years in the playoffs, making it the last dozen seasons.

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

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

13) I’m not fond of the baseball season starting at 5:30am on another continent.

If it wasn’t the A’s playing, I’d just sleep thru it and watch the replay later on. Only positive note about all this is that the last time Oakland played over in Japan, they wound up winning their division that year (2012).

12) Syracuse will be without starting PG Frank Howard when it plays Baylor Thursday; Howard was suspended for violating an athletic department policy. Howard scored 28 points against Duke in the ACC tournament last week.

11) Over/under betting line on largest margin of victory in first round of NCAA tournament Thursday/Friday: 37.5 points.

10) North Dakota State 78, North Carolina Central 74— Both teams shot over 40% on arc in this game. Bison bench outscored NC Central’s 17-0, now advances to get crushed by Duke Friday.

9) Arizona State 74, St John’s 65— This was an awful game; Red Storm starts three juniors and a senior, but they’re not good- they went 9-13 in last 22 games, after going 12-0 vs non-conference schedule #327. Chris Mullin seems like a good guy, but is a suspect coach.

Bobby Hurley continues to be an overbearing jerk on the sidelines; he got a technical near the end of the first half, when his team was up 15; you could tell the ref just got sick of listening to him carp constantly about everything.

8) Brooklyn Nets were down 25 in the 4th quarter Tuesday, rallied to win in Sacramento, just the 4th time in the shot clock era that has happened.

7) Been a rough 14 months for former U of San Diego basketball coach Lamont Smith; last year, he got into a fracas with a girlfriend during a Toreros’ road trip, which isn’t so bad, except that he was married at the time. He was shown the door before the season ended.

This week, Smith was named in that big college admissions scandal; now an assistant coach at UTEP, Smith resigned from that job Wednesday.

6) Norfolk State 80, Alabama 79 OT— Big win for MEAC over an SEC team; Jamerson scored 25 points off the bench for the Spartans, making 7-13 behind the arc.

5) Harvard 71, Georgetown 68— Hoyas played this game in McDonough Gym, an old gym on campus that looks like a pretty nice high school gym. Georgetown is 34-29 in two years under Patrick Ewing, 14-22 in Big East games.

4) Happy birthday to the greatest defenseman ever, Bobby Orr, who turned 71 Wednesday. A friend of my parents gave me a subscription to Sports Illustrated for my 9th birthday, and the first issue that arrived had Bobby Orr on the cover, which made me a big Bruins fan.

Bad knees shortened his career, but when he rushed the puck from behind the net, the crowd at Boston Garden would buzz. Bruins won the Stanley Cup in ’70 and ’72. Happy birthday!!!!

3) QB Tate Martell bolted from Ohio State to Miami, will be eligible this fall; kids who don’t start don’t stick around very much these days.

2) White Sox signed OF prospect Eloy Jimenez to a 6-year, $43M contract, despite fact that Jimenez hasn’t played in a major league game yet. If he is as good as everyone says, this will wind up being a tremendous bargain for the Pale Hose.

Tampa Bay signed utility guy Brandon Lowe to a 6-year deal with at least $24M; Lowe still qualifies as a rookie; he had 129 AB’s in 43 games last year, hitting .233 with six HR’s, six doubles, 25 RBIs. He made 24 starts at second base, 11 in center field and five in right field.

1) Alex Bregman signed a 6-year, $100M extension with the Astros, as every AL West team but the A’s spends a load of cash. A’s used their first round pick last June on a quarterback, which would be great, if they were a football team.

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday’s games

Richard Pitino vs the school that canned his father two years ago; Gophers won four of last six games- they don’t take many 3’s or sub a lot. Cardinals are 4-8 in last 12 games after a 16-5 start; they’re a top 20 team nationally in defensive eFG%. Pitino lost 81-72 as a 5-seed in his only NCAA game as a head coach, in 2017. Mack is 11-8 in NCAA games, 6-2 in first round. Last six years, favorites are 16-8 vs spread in 7-10 games. Last four years, ACC teams are 22-8 in first round; they’re 3-6 vs spread in last nine tries as a 1st round underdog. Louisville won its last five first round games. Big 14 teams are 19-7 in last 26 first round games.

LSU is experience team #324 whose coach is suspended for NCAA stuff; they lost in first round of SEC tourney LW. Tigers are a vulnerable favorite here. Yale upset Baylor 79-75 (+6) in a 5-12 game three years ago, their first NCAA game since 1959; Bulldogs shoot 37.4% on arc- they’re #33 experience team that lost in OT at Memphis but lost by 33 at Duke. LSU forces turnovers 20.7% of time; are they just too athletic for Yale? Ivy League teams split their last six first round games (5-1 vs spread). Last six years, underdogs are 14-10 vs spread in 3-14 games. Since 2014, SEC teams are 3-8 vs spread as a single digit favorite in first round games.

New Mexico State hasn’t lost since Jan 3; WAC doesn’t get on TV much, but they’re conference #14- Aggies lost by 3 to Kansas, by 15 to St Mary’s last fall. State lost by 11 to Clemson in NCAA’s LY; they’re experience team #73 that makes 56.6% of its 2’s, 36.2% of its 3’s. Auburn won SEC tourney last week; Tigers won their last eight games; they force turnovers 25.4% of time, #1 in country. Last 11 years, WAC teams are 0-12 SU in NCAA games, 4-8 vs spread; their last SU win was Nevada in 2007. Since 2014, SEC teams are 3-8 vs spread as a single digit favorite in first round gamesLast four years, favorites are 9-7 vs spread in 5-12 games.

Vermont is 24-3 in its last 27 games; last fall, they lost by 8 at Louisville, 16 at Kansas. Becker is 0-2 in NCAA games, losing by 19-10 points (0-2 vs spread) in NCAA games in ’12, ’17. Over last eight years, America East teams are 5-3 vs spread in this round. Catamounts are experience team #251 that plays tempo #285. Florida State forces turnovers 20.3% of time; Seminoles are experience team #82 that won 14 of last 16 games, losing ACC tourney final to Duke. Last five years, ACC teams are 6-12 vs spread as a double digit favorite in this round. Last five years, underdogs are 12-8 vs spread in 4-13 games.

Belmont played four starters 33:00+ in its 80-71 win over Temple Tuesday; Bruins got only five points from their star Windler, but scored 80 anyway. Belmont won at UCLA, lost at Purdue by 11 in its two games vs Power 5 opponents; they’re experience team #250 whose eFG% is #3 in whole country. Maryland went 13-7 in Big 14; they’re 3-4 in last seven games. Terrapins are #350 experience team whose defensive eFG% is #17 in country, but they don’t force many turnovers, only 14.3 per game. Maryland is 9-2 outside Big 14, losing to Virginia/Seton Hall by total of nine points. Turgeon is 8-8 in NCAA games, 6-2 in first round games.

Bradley is in NCAA’s for first time in 13 years; they beat Penn State by 3 in November, in their only top 100 game this season. Braves are experience team #65 that plays slowish pace and makes 36.8% of its 3’s- they haven’t played in 11 days, since Arch Madness ended. Michigan State won Big 14 tourney Sunday; last seven years. they’re 5-2 vs spread in first round games. Spartans won five in row, 10 of last 11 games; they’re experience team #138 whose defensive eFG% is #6 in country. Since 2013, MVC teams are 9-0 SU in this round, and were underdogs in four of those games. MVC teams covered 10 of their last 14 first round games.

Northeastern won seven in row, 16 of last 18 games; they’re experience team #59 that plays pace #252 and shoots 38.8% on arc- their eFG% is #5 in country. Huskies last made NCAAs in 2015, losing 69-65 (+12) as a 14-seed. CAA teams are 0-6 SU in this round the last six years, covering five of those games; since 2009, CAA teams are 11-2 vs spread in this round. Kansas didn’t win regular season or Big X tourney title this year; Jayhawks won last 12 first round games, going 3-0-1 vs spread in last four- last time they lost in first round was last time they were a #4-seed, in 2006. Last five years, underdogs are 12-8 vs spread in 4-13 games.

Murray State won its last 11 games; they’re #234 experience team that shoots 57.2% inside arc, has #21 eFG% in country. Racers lost 85-68 to West Virginia in first round LY; they lost by 5 to Auburn, by 6 to Alabama this year. Marquette lost five of its last six games; they’re shooting 39.3% on arc this season. OVC teams are 0-6 in this round (3-3 vs spread) the last six years; last OVC to win a game was Murray as a #6-seed in 2012 (they lost to Marquette in 2nd round that year). Last four years, favorites are 9-7 vs spread in 5-12 games.

Nevada is 5-3 in its last eight games after starting season 24-1; Wolf Pack starts five 5th-year seniors; their starting 5 are older than the Phoenix Suns’ starters. Wolf Pack shoots 55.1% inside arc, gets 21% of its points from foul line. Florida plays a slow (#346) pace; they force turnovers 22.6% of time. Gators are #271 experience team; they lost four of last six games. Since 2003, Mountain West teams are 14-25 in first round games, 3-5 the last five years; since ’04, SEC teams are 7-9 vs spread as a first round underdog. Last six years, favorites are 16-8 vs spread in 7-10 games. Florida coach White is 4-2 in NCAA’s, 2-0 in first round games.

On February 21, Abilene Christian tossed their leading scorer and another starter off their team; they’re 6-1 since then, and won Southland tourney. Wildcats lost by 34 to Texas Tech in their only game this season against a team ranked in top 150. Since ’07, Southland teams are 3-12 SU in NCAA games, 3-8 vs spread in last 11 tourney games. Kentucky is experience team #351- they are 3-2 in last five games. Wildcats play slowish pace (#265); teams are shooting only 43.6% inside arc against them. Last four years, favorites are 10-6 vs spread in 2-15 games. Wildcats are 2-5 vs spread in their last seven first round games.

Villanova won Big East tourney last week; they’re 25-9, winning five of last six games. Over last five years, Wildcats were in top 12 nationally in defensive efficiency every year, but this season, they’re #73. Villanova is experience team #178 that plays a slow (#333) pace- they get 42.8% of their points behind the arc (#9 in country). Saint Mary’s beat Gonzaga, won WCC tourney to get here; they haven’t played in nine days- they’re experience team #253. Gaels won seven of their last eight games, also play slow tempo (#347); they shoot 37.8% on arc. Saint Mary’s is 3-6 in NCAA games under Bennett, 2-4 in first round games.

FDU was down 7 at the half to Prairie View Tuesday, rallied to win 82-76; they played three guys 40:00 Tuesday- their subs played total of 14:00. Knights are 0-2 vs top 100 teams this season, losing by 35 at Rutgers, 10 at Providence- they’re experience team #151. Gonzaga lost WCC title game nine days ago; they’re 9-0 this season vs teams ranked outside top 200, with all the wins by 20+ points, seven by 30+. Bulldogs’ bench plays minutes #313; if they get way up in this game, do they sit starters earlier to get ready for Baylor-Syracuse winner Saturday? Last four years, #1 seeds are 9-7 against the spread in this round.

Michigan (-11.5) beat Montana 61-47 in first round of NCAA’s LY, after Grizzlies led 10-0 early on; game was 31-28 at half, but Montana shot only 32.1% for night. Teams meet again here; Montana is #6 experience team in country, shooting 38.1% on arc, 56.3% inside arc- they lost by 26 to Creighton, by 19 to Arizona in their highest profile games. Wolverines lost Big 14 tourney finals Sunday; they’re only 4-3 in last seven games. Michigan is experience team #242. Beilein is 17-8 in NCAA games at Michigan, 6-2 in first round. Big Sky teams haven’t won an NCAA game since 2006; they’re 1-6-1 vs spread in their last eight first round games.

SoCon teams lost their last ten first round games, going 5-4-1 vs spread as an underdog, but this year, Wofford is a #7-seed and is favored here. Last time a SoCon team won a first round game was in 2008, when Steph Curry’s Davidson team got to Elite 8 as a 10-seed- they were favored in their first round game. Terriers won their last 20 games, but last fall, they lost by 25 to Kansas, 11 at Miss State, 11 to North Carolina- they beat South Carolina by 20. Wofford makes 41.6% on arc; they’re experience team #135. Seton Hall won four of last five games; Willard is 1-3 in NCAA games, and he was a 6-9-8 seed those years. Pirates are a 10-seed here, and an underdog.

In last four years, Conference USA teams posted first round upsets, as 14-15-12-13 seeds, Old Dominion is 26-8; they play a slow pace (#325) and won 10 of last 12 games. Monarchs won at Syracuse, beat VCU by 10; they’re #149 experience team. ODU coach Jones is battling prostate cancer, so this is an emotional time for the ODU family. Purdue is 23-9 this year, but lost two of its last three games; they score 38.3% of their points on the arc, with Cline making 41.8% of his 3’s. ODU’s opponents have made only 32.5% of their 3’s this year. Painter is 11-11 in NCAA tilts, but 8-3 in first round games.

Baylor lost its last four games, making 22-80 on arc in last three games; they’ll need to shoot ball better against Syracuse’s 2-3 zone here. Bears are experience team #255 whose subs play a lot (minutes #56). Drew is 10-7 in NCAA games, 4-3 in first round. Baylor’s senior G Mason was 9-19 on arc in his last three games, after a dismal 3-22 skid which also included two missed games with a foot injury. Syracuse is 4-7 in its last 11 games; their best player Battle didn’t play in their last game. Orange forces turnovers 23.2% of the time while playing pace #251. Boeheim won his last eight first round games; last loss was in ’06, after his team won Big East tourney.