Category: NCAA-B

The 0-1 Niagara Purple Eagles will travel to Rhode Island today to take on the 0-1 Brown Bears. In Niagara’s first game against Buffalo, they put up 66 points and gave up 76. On the flip side, in their first game the Brown Bears scored 55 points against Cincinnati and gave up 84. Comparing offensive field goal percentages, the Brown Bears are ranked 246 while the Purple Eagles are ranked 173. The Western New Yorkers have the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, defense and rebounding. I like the road dog Niagara, +6.

Today’s pick:

Niagara Purple Eagles +6

I have been riding Syracuse throughout this tournament and I’m not going to abandon them now. This is not the team the Tar Heels beat February 29th, 75-70. Boheim did his magic and got this team here when no one gave them a chance. These kids are playing with confidence and if the Q plays their A game on defense, which averages 65.8 against on a neutral site, they can cover the 9.5 and maybe even win it!

Tonight’s pick:

Syracuse Orange +9.5

The Morehead State Eagles and the Nevada Wolf Pack meet in Reno tonight to decide who wins the CBI Championship. Despite having 21 turnovers on Wednesday night, the Wolf Pack prevailed 77-68. The Pack are 15-3 at home and are averaging 74.1 points per game and allowing an average of 68.9 at home. The Eagles are 8-10 on the road and are averaging 70.1 points per game and allowing an average of 71.0 on the road. If Nevada can limit their turnovers, they should win this game. The line has dropped to -3.5 Wolf Pack, so I’m siding with Nevada money line -160.

Tonight’s pick:

Nevada Wolf Pack -160 M/L

Oakland Golden Grizzlies and the Old Dominion Monarchs square off tonight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The Monarchs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Horizon league, and are only 5-11 ATS in their last 16 non-conference games. On a neutral site, Old Dominion is averaging 65.7 points per game. Their opponent, the Golden Grizzlies are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games and are averaging 85.2 points per game on a neutral site. Oakland has the edge in points per game, field goals, free throws, rebounding and bench. With that being said, I’m taking the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, -1.5.

Today’s pick:

Oakland -1.5

Jim Boheim is in the Elite Eight for his 7th time and with a win today, it will be his 5th Final Four appearance. The Orange defense has been stifling, in tournament play opponents are averaging just 53.7 points per game. The Q have been here before – they could absolutely win this game.

Today’s pick:

Syracuse Orange +8

Tonight I like the Syracuse Orange plus the 4.5 points against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Gonzaga is 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 vs. the ACC, and are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games. The Orange are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 non-conference games and 5-1 ATS at a neutral site. Tournament play comes down to coaching. Who would you like to have – Jim Boheim with a 55-30 NCAA tournament record, 4 Final Fours and 1 championship or Mark Few with a 21-16 NCAA tournament record, no Final Four appearances and no championships. I like the future Hall-of-Famer Boheim and the Q.

Tonight’s pick:

Syracuse Orange +4.5

The Duke Blue Devils and the Oregon Ducks square off tonight and I like the Ducks in this one to advance to the elite eight. On a neutral court, Oregon is averaging 79.2 points per game and allowing an average of 66.8. On the flip side, Duke is averaging 79.8 points per game but giving up an average of 78.5 points on a neutral site. The Ducks are a perfect 10-0 over their last 10, and when leading at the half they are 25-0 in their last 25. The number has climbed to 3 with the hook so I’m siding with Oregon and the money line -165. That half a point could come into play.

Tonight’s pick:

Oregon Ducks -165