The probabilities are infinite 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 faculty basketball specialists 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 choose 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 does not power turnovers, that means it’s going to possible need to play in opposition to a settled Aztecs protection many of the recreation. — Borzello
Kentucky (-13.5) vs. Oakland. The Grizzlies do not have 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 virtually 90 PPG. — Marks
Alabama (-10.5) vs. Charleston. The Cougars play an identical model because the Tide that’s tempo, house 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 superb 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 beneath -200 moneyline?
Florida Atlantic (-145) vs. Northwestern. If Matthew Nicholson does not play for Northwestern, I do not assume they’ve a prayer of defending Vlad Goldin on the inside. And if he does go well with up, I nonetheless assume FAU has an excessive amount of firepower. Boo Buie can solely accomplish that a lot. — Borzello
South Carolina (-120) vs. Oregon. The Geese are the stylish choose, which is par for the course all yr 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 a degree to -2.5. No less than 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 without doubt one of the greatest rebounding groups within the tourney. They’re solely 14th in turnover charge and can play in Omaha, which is true up I-80. — Marks
Dayton (Even) vs. Nevada. Dayton is not technically the favourite, but it surely has the most effective participant on the ground (DaRon Holmes) and the higher coach. When unsure, fade the Mountain West in March. BPI offers Dayton a 58% likelihood to win. — Kraemer
What’s your favourite upset choose?
McNeese (+225) vs. Gonzaga. Buckle up, as a result of the Cowboys (30-3) are going to shock some people. McNeese holds opponents to beneath 40% taking pictures, whereas they shoot near 50% from the sector. They’re scrapy and defensively power 17 turnovers a recreation with a 14% steal charge. — Marks
James Madison (+190) vs. Wisconsin. JMU is 31-3 and would possibly even be the higher crew, as they confirmed after they beat Michigan State in November. Are we certain Wisconsin is the higher crew? — 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 may 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 weak 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 really desire Samford (+225), McNeese (+220) and James Madison (+190), however another underdog choose 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 choose in opposition to the purpose whole?
Alabama vs. Charleston OVER 173.5. Two groups that like to play with tempo, will look to shoot inside the first 15 seconds of the shot clock and need 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 is able to play proper into the palms of what Arizona does effectively — rating! — Marks
Illinois vs. Morehead State OVER 147.5. Illinois can actually rating and has adopted a “we’ll attempt to outscore you” mentality just lately. Morehead State can attempt to decelerate the sport, however I feel 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 most effective defensive crew within the nation, however its taking pictures takes a step again away from residence. South Dakota State will wrestle to attain, but it surely can do sufficient defensively to power an beneath. — 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 whole this yr, by a median of +10.5 factors per recreation. — Fulghum
Which recreation are you avoiding solely?
Arizona vs. Lengthy Seashore State. The Wildcats have persistently not performed to their degree after they assume they’re dealing with an inferior opponent. They’re right here and will punish The Seashore however I would not be stunned 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 crew 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 will take a wait and see strategy earlier than getting invested. — Fulghum
BYU vs. Duquesne. BYU is at all times a troublesome learn as a result of the Cougars shoot extra 3s than virtually anybody in faculty basketball, however they are a middle-of-the-road crew on the subject of making them. And so they’re enjoying a crew in Duquesne that was the most effective 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 those that have the Bulldogs are hoping they pull off a win with their stellar 3-point protection. Flip a coin. — Marks