The probabilities are countless as we get set for the primary spherical of the boys’s NCAA match, however which video games do you have to wager on? And which do you have to keep away from?
Listed here are our males’s school basketball consultants Dalen Cuff, Jeff Borzello, Tyler Fulghum, Anita Marks and Mackenzie Kraemer to elucidate which video games they’re keying in on for Thursday and Friday.
What’s your favourite decide in opposition to the unfold?
San Diego State (-6.5) vs. UAB. UAB’s offense carried it down the stretch of the season, but it surely hasn’t confronted a protection like San Diego State, which ranks within the high 10 nationally in adjusted defensive effectivity. And the Blazers’ protection would not drive turnovers, which means it can seemingly must play in opposition to a settled Aztecs protection a lot of the recreation. — Borzello
Kentucky (-13.5) vs. Oakland. The Grizzlies haven’t got the firepower to hold with the Wildcats, who’ve 5 gamers who common double digits. Kentucky has dimension, teaching expertise and a top-five offense per KenPom, averaging nearly 90 PPG. — Marks
Alabama (-10.5) vs. Charleston. The Cougars play the same type because the Tide that’s tempo, area and 3s. The Tide simply do it significantly better and extra effectively than Charleston. Roll Tide. — Cuff
Auburn (-12.5) vs. Yale. Yale is a good story with its buzzer-beater to win the Ivy League, however Auburn is not any Brown. The Tigers have shorter odds than each 2-seed however Arizona to win all of it. — Fulghum
Baylor (-13.5) vs. Colgate. Colgate lacks the offensive firepower that earlier match groups had. Baylor ought to overwhelm Colgate offensively, and Colgate will not sustain. — Kraemer
What’s your ‘favourite favourite’ that is below -200 moneyline?
Florida Atlantic (-145) vs. Northwestern. If Matthew Nicholson would not play for Northwestern, I do not assume they’ve a prayer of defending Vlad Goldin on the inside. And if he does swimsuit up, I nonetheless assume FAU has an excessive amount of firepower. Boo Buie can solely achieve this a lot. — Borzello
South Carolina (-120) vs. Oregon. The Geese are the fashionable decide, which is par for the course all 12 months for South Carolina. Lamont Paris will use all of the Oregon hype like he did their preseason media ballot choice of 14th in SEC. He is now Coach of the Yr in that league and the Gamecocks are 22-9 ATS. — Cuff
New Mexico (-140) vs. Clemson. New Mexico opened as a 1.5-point favourite and at the moment are up some extent to -2.5. At the least one 11-seed has gained a first-round recreation in 18 consecutive NCAA tournaments. — Fulghum
Drake (-120) vs. Washington State. Drake has match expertise, Tucker DeVries, and is among the greatest rebounding groups within the tourney. They’re solely 14th in turnover price and can play in Omaha, which is correct up I-80. — Marks
Dayton (Even) vs. Nevada. Dayton is not technically the favourite, but it surely has the perfect participant on the ground (DaRon Holmes) and the higher coach. When doubtful, fade the Mountain West in March. BPI offers Dayton a 58% likelihood to win. — Kraemer
What’s your favourite upset decide?
McNeese (+225) vs. Gonzaga. Buckle up, as a result of the Cowboys (30-3) are going to shock some people. McNeese holds opponents to below 40% taking pictures, whereas they shoot near 50% from the sector. They’re scrapy and defensively drive 17 turnovers a recreation with a 14% steal price. — Marks
James Madison (+190) vs. Wisconsin. JMU is 31-3 and may even be the higher group, as they confirmed after they beat Michigan State in November. Are we certain Wisconsin is the higher group? — Kraemer
Morehead State (+550) vs. Illinois. The Illini are flying excessive after successful the Massive Ten match behind the dominance of Terrence Shannon, however the Eagles have a star of their very own who might assist them steal this recreation and make a Cinderella run. Keep in mind the identify: Riley Minix. — Fulghum
Samford (+250) vs. Kansas. The Jayhawks lack of depth made them susceptible to upset even earlier than Invoice Self introduced that Kevin McCullar is out for the match. Samford performs 10-deep, presses all recreation and will wreak havoc on the Jayhawks’ at altitude in Salt Lake Metropolis. — Cuff
Texas A&M (Even) vs. Nebraska. I truly favor Samford (+225), McNeese (+220) and James Madison (+190), however yet another underdog decide I like is the Aggies. A&M’s offensive struggles appear to be behind them, and Wade Taylor is enjoying his best basketball of the season. — Borzello
What’s your favourite decide in opposition to the purpose complete?
Alabama vs. Charleston OVER 173.5. Two groups that like to play with tempo, will look to shoot throughout the first 15 seconds of the shot clock and wish to rating. Alabama has gone over in 10 of its previous 11 video games, and Charleston will not have an issue maintaining. — Borzello
Lengthy Seashore State vs. Arizona OVER 163.5. Each play with a excessive tempo, with Lengthy Seashore first in tempo of play. Lengthy Seashore additionally has one of many worst transition defenses, which can play proper into the arms of what Arizona does nicely — rating! — Marks
Illinois vs. Morehead State OVER 147.5. Illinois can actually rating and has adopted a “we’ll attempt to outscore you” mentality lately. Morehead State can attempt to decelerate the sport, however I believe the Illini push it to an over for the thirteenth time of their previous 15 video games. — Cuff
South Dakota State vs. Iowa State UNDER 135.5. Iowa State has been the perfect defensive group within the nation, however its taking pictures takes a step again away from residence. South Dakota State will battle to attain, but it surely can do sufficient defensively to drive an below. — Kraemer
Kentucky vs. Oakland OVER 163.5. If the Wildcats are concerned in a recreation, I am betting the over. Coach Calipari’s squad noticed 23 of their 32 video games end over the closing complete this 12 months, by a median of +10.5 factors per recreation. — Fulghum
Which recreation are you avoiding totally?
Arizona vs. Lengthy Seashore State. The Wildcats have persistently not performed to their stage after they assume they’re dealing with an inferior opponent. They’re right here and may punish The Seashore however I would not be shocked if they do not get out of second gear and fail to cowl. — Cuff
McNeese vs. Gonzaga. McNeese has been dominant in opposition to an terrible schedule. Gonzaga is gifted and battle-tested. The winner could make a deep run, however good luck determining which group that’s. — Kraemer
Tennessee vs. St. Peter’s. Rick Barnes has been a tough coach to belief in opposition to the unfold, although his Volunteers profile as one of many match favorites. I am going to take a wait and see method earlier than getting invested. — Fulghum
BYU vs. Duquesne. BYU is all the time a tough learn as a result of the Cougars shoot extra 3s than nearly anybody in school basketball, however they seem to be a middle-of-the-road group in relation to making them. And so they’re enjoying a group in Duquesne that was the perfect within the Atlantic 10 in defending the 3-point line. It won’t matter as a result of BYU shoots so lots of them, however I am steering clear anyway. — Borzello
Michigan State vs. Mississippi State. This matchup is a toss-up. These leaning towards the Spartans are doing so due to Tom Izzo, and people who have the Bulldogs are hoping they pull off a win with their stellar 3-point protection. Flip a coin. — Marks
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