Time of Pick: 8:00 ET
TV: N/A
Vegas rotation #'s: 543, 544
Market Conditions
Covers opening line: -12.5
Current Odds: -12.5
Betonline: -12.5
Pinnacle: -12.5
5 Dimes: -12.5
Situational Analysis
Illinois Chicago is coming off an 80-69 win over Chicago State in the CIT on March 20th. Daniel Barnes had 22 points.
Northern Iowa is coming off a 77-66 win over North Dakota on the 20th. Anthony James had 24 points.
Statistical Analysis
Note that Illinois Chicago has struggled in every other arena for bettors this year, other than its own, going just 5-8 ATS in road contests.
Note that Northern Iowa is 5-4 ATS this year vs. good defensive teams that allow 64 points or less per contest.
Pick Analysis
This is a 1* free play on Northern Iowa. I simply can't understate how important being able to play on their home floor will be for the Panthers in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament tonight. UNI is 14-3 at home this year, and one more victory would set the single-season record for home wins. UIC on the other hand earned its first ever postseason victory last time out. Experience and familiar surroundings tip the scales in favor of the home side in this one; consider laying the points!
Good luck, David
Time of Pick: 9:20 ET
TV: TBS, DTV: 247
Vegas rotation #'s: 829, 830
Market Conditions
Covers opening line: -3
Current Odds: -3
Betonline: -3
Pinnacle: -3
5 Dimes: -3
Situational Analysis
Oklahoma is coming off a 73-66 loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 quarterfinals on March 14th. Romero Osby was a lone bright spot with 18 points.
San Diego State is coming off a 60-50 loss to New Mexico in the semi-final round of the MWC tournament on March 15th. Xavier Thames had 14 points.
Statistical Analysis
Note that Oklahoma is only 4-5 ATS in its last nine vs. good defensive teams that allow 64 points or less per contest.
Note that San Diego State is 10-9 ATS as a favorite this season, and 3-2 ATS in all tournament games.
Pick Analysis
This is a 10* play on San Diego State. The Aztecs get the job done with tough defensive play, and I believe this will ultimately be the difference in the outcome tonight; SDSU's unit is ranked 13th in the country. Oklahoma has a capable point guard in Sam Grooms, but the plethora of guards that the Aztecs employ to slow down teams will prove to be too much. SDSU is also one of the NCAA's best rebounding teams, averaging 37 per game, and outrebounding opponents by an average margin of 3.2. I expect the Aztecs to get out and push the pace of this one from the outset, and for the Sooners fall away down the stretch!
Good luck, David
Time of Pick: 7:20 ET
TV: TNT, DTV: 245
Vegas rotation #'s: 729, 730
Market Conditions
Covers opening line: -4.5
Current Odds: -4.5
Betonline: -4.5
Pinnacle: -4.5
5 Dimes: -4.5
Situational Analysis
Belmont is coming off a 70-68 OT win over Murray State in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game on March 9th. Kerron Johnson had 12 points; JJ Mann had 18.
Arizona is coming off a 66-65 loss to UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. The Wildcats had already been assured a spot in the Tournament. Brandon Ashley had 15 points; Mark Lyons had 13.
Statistical Analysis
Note that Belmont is 1-2 ATS its last three as an underdog, and only 1-6 ATS this season in all tournament games.
Note that Arizona is 7-5 ATS vs. good defensive teams that allow 64 points or less per contest.
Pick Analysis
This is a 1* free play on Arizona. There's some room to read between the lines in the Bruins victory over the Racers, as they were actually outshot 53.3 percent to 49.1 percent, and were outrebounded by a whopping 33 to 23. The Wildcats on the other hand are coming off a frustrating setback, and will be eager to take their frustrations out on someone: ''I don't know what seed we're going to get,'' Arizona coach Sean Miller said after the loss to UCLA. ''We played well from start to finish and we lost. It's hard when you lose to a team three times.'' Consider laying the points on the "better" team!
Good luck, David
Time of Pick: 7:00 ET
TV: N/A
Vegas rotation #'s: 653, 654
Market Conditions
Covers opening line: +1.5
Current Odds: +1.5
Betonline: +1.5
Pinnacle: +1.5
5 Dimes: +1.5
Situational Analysis
The last time these teams played against each other, The Bison won 86-73 back on February 18th, 2012.
North Dakota State is coming off a 73-67 loss to South Dakota State on March 12th in the Summit League title game. Taylor Braun had 23 points. Mike Felt had nine points.
Western Michigan is coming off a 74-63 loss at Ohio on March 15th in the MAC semi's. Nate Hutcheson had 16 points.
Statistical Analysis
Note that North Dakota State is a battle tested team, going 4-3 ATS in all tournament games this year.
Note that Western Michigan is just 3-5 ATS this year vs. good defensive teams that allow 64 points or less per contest.
Pick Analysis
This is a 1* free play on North Dakota State. The teams have three common opponents: Western Michigan beat Oakland 76-72 at home, lost 71-66 at Duquesne, and lost 65-43 at Akron. NDSU split home wins with Oakland, won 57-43 at Duquesne, and lost 68-53 at Akron. North Dakota State's grit, determination, and experience prove to be the difference in the end between these two very evenly matched teams!
Good luck, David
Time of Pick: 7:35 ET
TV: MSG-Buffalo, TSN, RDS, DTV: 638, 776
Vegas rotation #'s:
Market Conditions
Covers opening line: -176
Current Odds: -176
Betonline: -176
Pinnacle: -176
5 Dimes: -176
Situational Analysis
Buffalo has lost two straight, including a 5-3 loss at Washington on Sunday.
Montreal has won five straight, most recently a 2-1 win at New Jersey on Saturday.
These two teams are clearly moving in opposite directions.
Statistical Analysis
Note that Buffalo is 10-15-4 overall, and just 5-9-2 on the road.
Note that Montreal is 19-5-4 overall, and 9-3-2 at home.
Pick Analysis
This is a 1* free play on the Montreal Canadiens. I believe the Habs are worth the price in this matchup. These teams have played twice this season, with each winning on its home ice. This trend continues here, as the red-hot Habs deliver the goods in front of the home town crowd by taking advantage of a Sabres side which is struggling in every facet of the game right now; lay the price!
Good luck, David