College Basketball Betting News and Trends For Saturday, March 17, 2018

Saturday NCAA Tournament Best Bets – Round of 32

Thursday marks the day where conference tournament action all across the country really starts to resemble what the first two days of the NCAA tournament look like for fans with games all day for a good 12 hours. All of that action can bring plenty of profitable betting opportunities to help you grow your bankroll, so let's take a look at what I'm investing in early in the day.

Sixteen teams managed to get through the first Thursday of the NCAA tournament and now they are all looking to get through the first weekend with one more win. A win on Saturday gives them a Sweet 16 appearance and what happens after that is anybody's guess. But the focus for these clubs is all about a quick turnaround, consume as much film on your opponent as you can, and hopefully execute at a high level again on Saturday.

With that being said and odds slowly coming out today for Saturday's games, let's get to two games I don't think you should wait to get down on.

Odds per - BetOnline.ag

Best Bet #1: Kansas -4.5

I'm not sure if this is going to be a recurring pattern in this NCAA tournament for as long as the Kansas Jayhawks remain alive, but this line looks like huge disrespect to a #1 seed at first glance. Yes, I saw Kansas struggle for much of the first half against Penn in Round 1, and I know that Seton Hall comes from the highly touted Big East, but this number is easily too short by probably two points.

Comparing the Villanova/Alabama game on Saturday to this Kansas/Seton Hall tilt is apples to oranges, but when one of those #1 seeds is laying double-digits and the other is here at -4.5, there is some overvaluing or undervaluing going on. The common denominator in those two games (aside from two #1 seeds being involved) is the fact that Villanova and Seton Hall are Big East schools and for whatever reason(s), schools from that conference continue to get propped up on too high of a pedestal.

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Talking heads always speak to the talent and depth of the Big East, but when they all came out and made their bracket picks, practically no one gave any sort of respect to #1 Xavier, and while Villanova did get some love to go all the way by some, there is just too much contradictory thoughts being spewed out about the Big East in this tournament.

Without question Kansas has likely heard some of those thoughts on how Big East teams are so good and will probably have someone let them know how disrespected they are getting with a short point spread like this as a #1 seed in a 1 vs 8 matchup.

The Jayhawks woke up in the second half vs Penn to ultimately cover a -13.5 spread that had been bet down heavily to begin with (another sign of disrespect in their eyes), while Seton Hall shot the lights out against NC State and used their aggressiveness to their benefit. I can tell you one thing though, #8 Seton Hall will not go to the free throw line 39 times (for +12 attempts) against #1 Kansas like they did vs. NC State.

So while all this irrational Big East love continues to rain over this tournament for bettors, I've got no problem backing Kansas at a very short number in a role that nobody is really giving them enough credit for. The Jayhawks are on a 8-0-1 ATS run against teams that have won 60% of their games, 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games, and 20-8 ATS in their last 28 on a neutral floor.

Meanwhile, Seton Hall is just 4-9 ATS after scoring 90+ points in their last outing, as this game could be a very rude awakening for all those Big East “truthers” out there that continue to believe teams from their conference are akin to perfection against a school from any other “lesser” conference.

Odds per - BetOnline.ag

Best Bet #2: Florida +2

#6 Florida had a slow start in their first round game and now are slight dogs against a #3 Texas Tech team that struggled for the majority of their first round matchup as well. Both teams were able to turn it on late to pull away from their respective opponents, but the Gators being the only one of the two to cover was not lost on this bettor.

Texas Tech really limped into this tournament with a 2-5 SU run entering Thursday's game, but what may be more telling is the fact that they are now on a 0-7-1 ATS run over their last eight games. This is a team that continues to find ways to struggle against lesser competition (the Red Raiders were favored in six of those eight ATS non-wins) and that's going to be a problem for them here.

Ask any Florida player about their results this regular season and they'll probably use the words “inconsistent” and “not up to our standard.” The Gators are a very talented team and had they been a bit more consistent at times this year they would have been seeded probably on the 3 or 4 line.

But the results were what they were and what it gives us is a very talented team as a #6 seed that might get overlooked by many based on that seeding. They've got the size inside to match up with Texas Tech, but where the Gators do have an advantage is with their outside shooting.

That could very well end up being the difference in this game, one I believe the Gators win outright) as these struggles for Texas Tech are not going to go away and will eventually end their season. I'm betting it will be these Florida Gators that are the ones to be the team to do it.

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East Region – Pittsburgh – PPG Paints Arena
#9 Alabama vs. #1 Villanova (-11, 148) – 12:10 PM EST – CBS

Two seasons ago, Villanova (31-4 SU, 23-12 ATS) cut down the nets by hitting the game-winning three-pointer in the National Championship to edge North Carolina. The Wildcats couldn’t escape the opening weekend last season as a top seed when they were tripped up by Wisconsin in the second round. Villanova looks for its third Sweet 16 appearance since 2009, as Jay Wright’s squad has been bounced as the top seed in 2016 and 2014 in the round of 32.

‘Nova cruised past 16th-seeded Radford, 87-61 in Thursday’s opening round as the Wildcats cashed as 22 ½-point favorites. Six Wildcats scored in double-figures, led by Jalen Brunson’s 16 points, as Villanova shot nearly 60% from the floor, while knocking down 14 three-pointers. Villanova has covered in three of four postseason games, which includes a 2-1 ATS mark in the Big East tournament.

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Alabama (20-15 SU, 18-15-1 ATS) broke into the NCAA field thanks to a pair of victories in the SEC tournament over Texas A&M and Auburn. Avery Johnson’s team was in must-win mode in St. Louis after suffering five consecutive losses to close out the regular season. The clincher for the Big Dance came in a quarterfinals blowout of top-seeded (and rival) Auburn, 81-63 as 6 ½-point underdogs to beat the Tigers for the second time this season.

The Crimson Tide rallied past Virginia Tech in the first round, 86-83 as three-point underdogs to pick up their first NCAA tournament victory since 2006. Freshman star Colin Sexton paced the Tide with 25 points, while fellow guard John Petty contributed 20 points as Alabama shot a scorching 60% from the field.

The Tide are riding a 4-1 ATS run, while being listed as a double-digit underdog for the first time this season. The largest underdog number Alabama was listed at was nine points in a December setback at Arizona, 88-82. Villanova has cashed in 12 of its past 18 contests, while putting together a solid 17-8 ATS mark when laying at least 10 points this season.

Midwest Region – Pittsburgh – PPG Paints Arena
#7 Rhode Island vs. #2 Duke (-9 ½, 149 ½) – 2:40 PM EST – CBS

In 2015, the Blue Devils (27-7 SU, 21-11 ATS) captured the fifth championship in the famed Mike Krzyzewski era. However, Duke has gone backwards in the NCAA tournament since that title by losing in the Sweet 16 to Oregon in 2016, followed by a round of 32 exit to eventual Final Four participant South Carolina last season. Duke has won only one of its championships as a #2 seed, coming back in 1991 against Kansas for the first title in school history.

The Blue Devils rebounded from an ACC semifinals setback to rival North Carolina by routing Iona in the first round, 89-67. Duke barely cashed as 20 ½-point favorites, but freshman stud Marvin Bagley III pumped in 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the floor. Trevon Duval scored 19 points, while Grayson Allen and Gary Trent, Jr. each contributed 16 points as Duke improved to 19-3 in the last 22 tournament openers.

Rhode Island (26-7 SU, 17-13-1 ATS) fell short against Davidson in the Atlantic 10 championship by one point, but still managed to secure an at-large big to the dance. The Rams needed overtime to knock out Trae Young and Oklahoma in Thursday’s first round, 83-78 as URI erased a four-point halftime deficit. E.C. Matthews led the Rams with 16 points, while Rhode Island won in spite of shooting 39% from the field. However, URI limited Oklahoma to 4-of-20 shooting from three-point range.

There isn’t a rich history of NCAA tournament success for the Rams, who have not advanced past the second round since their run to the Elite Eight in 1998. Dan Hurley’s squad is currently on a 3-6 ATS run, but five of those ATS losses came in the favorite role. Rhode Island posted a 1-3-1 ATS record in the underdog role, as its highest ‘dog number (+6) came against Virginia in a 70-55 loss back in November.

Both Rhode Island and Duke are currently on solid UNDER runs, as the Rams have hit the UNDER in five of the past seven games. The Blue Devils have drilled the UNDER in eight of the last nine contests, while limiting nine of the previous 10 opponents to 70 points or fewer.

South Region – Boise – Taco Bell Arena
#13 Buffalo vs. #5 Kentucky (-5.5, 156) – 5:15 PM EST – CBS

After their impressively decisive 89-68 upset of Arizona, the Bulls were the talk of the NCAA Tournament. Although Buffalo has since been surpassed by UMBC as the new darling following their historic upset of Virginia, finally becoming the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1, the MAC champs would be able to steal back some of the spotlight by reaching the Sweet 16 with a win over college basketball's most storied programs.

UB head coach Nate Oats has refused to call his team the underdog and went on national television with a halftime edge and said his team could and would come out and do more. He was proven correct when they took apart Arizona and Sean Miller could come up with no answers, but he provided some bulletin board material for Kentucky afterward.

"(John) Calipari’s been whining about no experience — young, young, young," Oats said. "Well, we don’t have that problem. We got some veteran guys."

"When I said Calipari was whining about freshmen, that was maybe a misuse of the word," Oats clarified on Friday. "He’s a pretty dang good coach, but he has made note of the fact he has been very young all year, which is just a fact. It is what it is, and he’s right. "We’re experienced they’re inexperienced. It is what it is. It’s facts. I’m going to tell them they’re not freshmen? They are freshmen. Just like Cal’s been saying."

Oats went on to state that the same rationale he shared with his Bulls as to why they shouldn't fear DeAndre Ayton-led Arizona applies here. His guys are older. They're grown men. Kentucky is one of the youngest teams in the country, playing seven freshmen, two sophomores and zero seniors, while his Bulls are led by a graduate transfer who started playing at Missouri in 2013 in addtion to four juinors who play major minutes.

The Bulls will go into this game firmly believing they can pull off another shocker against an opponent from a major league despite going 0-4 during the regular season against Cincinnati, St. Bonaventure, Syracuse and Texas A&M.

For a little while last month, it appeared that Kentucky's run of consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances under John Calipari would end at four due to a four-game losing streak in SEC play. Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Auburn, all of whom went on to reach the Big Dance, took turns taking down Big Blue Nation in a stretch that Calipari has called vital to getting his team's attention and opening their eyes and ears. He's stated that they realized they needed him and his coaching, which led to a 7-1 finish and an SEC Tournament title.

The Wildcats held off Davidson 78-73 in the first round, holding on to cover despite surrendering a couple of cosmetic 3-pointers from their opponents since they closed as a 4.5-point favorite at many spots. UK did a fantastic job on their opposition's top scorers, holding Peyton Aldridge and Kellen Grady to 8-for-31 shooting.

Kentucky persevered despite shooting 0-for-5 from 3-point range, living at the free-throw line, where they imposed their will physically and made the most of 32 attempts, knocking down 26. SEC Tournament MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed up a 29-point, 7-rebound effort in the SEC Tournament championship against Tennessee with a 19-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist, 5-steal game in the first round of the NCAAs. Forward Kevin Knox led the 'Cats with 25 points against Davidson. If he's hitting from the perimeter, he's unguardable.

Wes Clark, the aforementioned Mizzou transfer, made 10 of his 14 shots, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range, to lead Buffalo with 25 points and seven assists, while wings Jeremy Harris and CJ Massinburg combined to score 42. The Bulls connected on 15-for-30 from beyond the arc but can't realistically expect similar success.

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Kentucky excels at preventing teams from getting comfortable from 3-point range, ranking 10th in the country in percentage allowed. It has won and covered in eight of its last nine games. The over is 8-1 in those contests.

Whether it can pull off another upset remains to be seen, but don't expect Buffalo to be intimidated or Oats to back down from telling you and his players how he really feels. Apparently, that extends to refs too, since he divulged that late in the Arizona win, "I told the ref, 'If we score here, I'm calling timeout to gets subs in. I don't want anyone to get hurt in the last minute. We got a chance to beat Kentucky!"

Buffalo has won seven straight games, last losing 84-81 at Miami (Ohio). The Bulls have won every games since by double-figures, covering on six of seven occasions, including five straight. The Bulls are 2-3 in games where they come in as an underdog, but are 4-1 ATS. They'll look to harass the Wildcats into turnovers with their ball pressure and look to prove their coach right by taking advantage of their experience against a team loaded with phenoms. Although Big Blue Nation travels better than most fan bases, Boise is far enough away from Lexington that it doesn't pack the same punch, further opening the door for an underdog to be adopted by locals.

South Region – Dallas – American Airlines Center
#11 Loyola-Chicago vs. #3 Tennessee (-5, 130) – 6:10 PM EST – TNT

Another double-digit seed will look to take down an SEC power in this one, which should tip right as Kentucky and Buffalo are coming out for the second half. With a similar spread, the Horizon League champs are being treated with respect, given a realistic chance to wear the Cinderella tag into the Sweet 16.

Despite closing as just a 1.5-point underdog, Loyola got the full tourney darling treatment due to the manner in which they defeated Miami (FL), getting a Donte Ingram 3-pointer to fall just before the final buzzer to escape 64-62, narrowly avoiding a defeat. The Hurricanes left the door open when Lonnie Walker missed the front end of a one-and-one with less than 10 seconds remaining.

The Ramblers will be looking for their 30th win of the season against the Vols, a team whose physical style they mirror. Loyola shares the ball on offense and locks you up on defense, which is why this total (130) is Saturday's lowest, challenged only by Michigan-Houston.

Tennessee recovered from its SEC championship round loss to Kentucky by trouncing Wright State 73-47, holding the Horizon League regular-season and conference tourney champs to 31.7 percent shooting. The Vols won both halves by double-digits and held Wright State to just 4-for-21 from 3-point range by contesting everything. They owned the glass by a 43-29 count and blocked six shots, dominating despite shooting just 5-for-18 on 3-pointers themselves.

Lamonte Turner scored a game-high 19 points off the bench and is Tennessee's top shooter, but the team relies most on versatile forwards Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield, dynamic 6-foot-5 athletes who are each built similarly and create matchup issues for most everybody. They'll certainly provide a challenge the Ramblers don't run into often in the Horizon League.

Loyola-Chicago is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1985, filling Valparaiso's shoes as the Horizon League's new power following the Crusaders' departure for the Missouri Valley. The Ramblers have won 18 of 19 games since Iowa State transfer Clayton Custer returned from an ankle injury that cost him a few games entering the calendar year.

Custer, a talented shooter and distributor, was rewarded for playing his role as the point guard and leader by earning the Larry Bird Trophy that the MVC gives its MVP. He played with the league's Defensive Player of the Year, shooting guard Ben Richardson, way back in grade school.

Freshman center Cameron Krutwig is a 260-pound load inside, while 6-foot-5 power forward Aundre Jackson will be tasked with helping him deal with Williams and Schofield. Ingram, a 6-foot-6 senior wing from Chicago who led the balanced Ramblers in rebounding, is also likely to be adriving force. Five Loyola players averaged double-figures in points this season.

Loyola has seen the under prevail in six consecutive games and share a few opponents in common with Tennessee, beating Wright State to start its season in addition to a Dec. 6 upset of Florida in Gainesville. The Ramblers are 2-1 against foes from Top-10 leagues, beating the 'Canes and Gators while being blown out by Boise State.

Rick Barnes' Vols are a perfect 6-0 against teams from non-power conferences. The under has prevailed in six of Tennessee's last eight games.It survived an 0-for-6 shooting start to cruise against Wright State.

Midwest Region – Wichita – Intrust Bank Arena
#8 Seton Hall vs. #1 Kansas (-4.5, 154) – 7:10 PM EST – TBS

The Jayhawks have been playing short-handed for most of the month, so they're looking forward to having a full roster in place as they try and avoid an upset against a talented, experienced team out of the Big East.

Udoka Azubuike, Kansas' top rebounder and primary enforcer, missed the Big 12 Tournament title run with a knee injury that forced the team to play small. He played just three minutes in a first-round win over Penn, but head coach Bill Self said he's counting on his center to give him 15-to-20 minutes against Angel Delgado and the Pirates. There are no Cinderella stories to be had here, even if the Pirates are able to pull off an upset. They're a heavyweight, led by dynamic veterans that include Delgado, one of the nation's top rebounders and the leading board-grabber in Big East history.

Seton Hall was ranked nationally to open 2017-18 and won nine of its first 10 games. Among the Pirates' early victims were Texas Tech and Indiana, and they were solid in opening Big East play, improving to 14-2 with a road win at Butler on Jan. 6 before inconsistency threatened to derail their season.

Inconsistency, injuries and suspect free-throw shooting contributed to losses in seven of 10 between Jan. 9-Feb. 14, which included a season-long four-game losing streak that threatened to derail the team's NCAA Tournament aspirations.

Besides Delgado, whose skills on the offensive glass are second to none among those left in these NCAAs, the Pirates can count on wing Desi Rodriguez (17.9 ppg), shooter Myles Powell (15.5) and point guard Khadeen Carrington (15.2), who is as capable as any of the elite floor generals in the Big 12 when he's right.

Over his last five games, Carrington has averaged 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and has shot 45 percent from 3-point range. He can be as dangerous a difference-maker in this matchup as Delgado.

Kansas has a different look than last season, where it count on the leadership of one of the top point guards in school history in Frank Mason in addition to the exploits of lottery lock Josh Jackson, who ended up being selected fourth by Phoenix. The Jayhawks won the Big 12 regular-season title again and improved on last year's exit in the conference tourney by winning in Kansas City this year, but it remains to be seen whether they can again reach an Elite Eight.

The Jayhawks won their first three NCAA Tournament games last season by a combined 90 points and cruised past Penn in the first round this year, but this game against Seton Hall will provide a better indication of just how much to expect from this less talented group.

Devonte Graham is the unquestioned sneior leader, averaging 17.6 points and 7.4 assists to help fill Mason's shoes, but there's no one of Jackson's class on this roster. Instead, head coach Bill Self is forced to rely upon the shooting of senior Svi Mykhailuk, sophomore Malik Newman and junior Lagerald Vick. KU isn't particularly deep, illustrated by their use of lightly regarded Mitch Lightfoot and Silvio DeSousa in the 7-foot Azubuike's absence. Azubuike averaged 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 77.4 percent from the field, so if he's truly back, it would be a game-changer.

While not mentioned above with Seton Hall's double-digit scorers, senior Ishmael Sanogo qualifies as a true x-factor after a 10-point, 10-rebound effort in the 94-83 win over N.C. State. His presence gives Kevin Willard a fourth senior tor rely on. Not wanting your career to end can be a major motivating factor in this type of setting.

Seton Hall is 4-4 as an underdog this season and will have to overcome a KU-friendly crowd in Wichita. The Pirates were 5-5 in true road games, but did win at Butler, Louisville and Providence. The over has prevailed in nine of their last 11 games.

West Region – Boise – Taco Bell Arena
#5 Ohio State vs. #4 Gonzaga (-3, 143) – 7:45 PM EST – CBS

-- As of late Friday afternoon, most betting shops had Gonzaga (31-4 straight up, 14-17 against the spread) installed as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 143. The Buckeyes were +150 on the money line (risk $100 to win $150).

-- Gonzaga survived a major scare in Thursday’s opening-round win over UNC Greensboro. With the game knotted at 64-64, Zach Norvell Jr. drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 20.1 seconds left to propel his team to the Round of 32 with a 68-64 victory. Mark Few’s team never got ahead of the number and failed to cover as a 13-point favorite. Down by three with 17 ticks remaining, UNC Greensboro’s Francis Alonso was whistled for a questionable offensive foul, but the Bulldogs’ Rui Hachimura missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity to give the Spartans one last chance. Marvin Smith’s potential tying three was off the mark, though, and Norvell made one free throw to put the game on ice.

-- Johnathan Williams was the catalyst against the Spartans, producing 19 points, and 13 rebounds on 8-of-12 field-goal attempts. Josh Perkins added 16 points and Norvell finished with 15 on 7-of-8 shooting from the free-throw line.

-- Williams leads Gonzaga in scoring (13.7 points per game), rebounding (8.4 RPG) and blocked shots (1.1 BPG). Perkins (12.5 PPG) paces the Bulldogs in assists (5.3 APG), steals (1.2 SPG) and is second in 3-point accuracy (40.4%), while Killian Tillie averages 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and makes 48.9 percent of his treys.

-- Gonzaga is 12th in the nation in scoring (84.0 PPG) and seventh in field-goal percentage (50.1%). The Bulldogs are ranked 22nd in the country in FG percentage defense (40.6%) and 48th in scoring ‘D’ (67.0 PPG).

-- Gonzaga is 11-3 in its past 14 NCAA Tournament games with the only defeats coming against North Carolina, Duke and Syracuse. The Bulldogs are attempting to make their third Sweet 16 in four seasons after they went five straight years (2010-14) without tasting a region semifinal.

-- Ohio State (25-8 SU, 15-16 ATS) advanced to the Round of 32 by pulling away late for an 81-73 victory over a very game South Dakota State squad. The 154 points climbed ‘over’ the 148.5-point total, while bets on the side resulted in pushes with the Buckeyes closing as eight-point favorites at most spots. The game was tied with 1:53 remaining before Chris Holtmann’s squad finished with an 11-3 run. Keita Bates-Diop was the difference, tallying 24 points and 12 rebounds. Kam Williams contributed 22 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists without a turnover, while C.J. Jackson had 20 points, nine boards and five assists. Jackson was good on 4-of-9 launches from downtown.

-- Bates-Diop paces Ohio State in scoring (19.5 PPG), rebounding (8.9 RPG) and blocks (1.6 BPG). Jackson averages 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while Jae’Sean Tate averages 12.3 points and 6.2 RPG.

-- Ohio State went to four straight Sweet 16’s from 2010-13, but it is just 2-2 in four Tournament games since then.

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-- Ohio State owns one national title from 1960. The Buckeyes have been to 11 Final Fours and own a 56-30 record in the program’s 86 all-time NCAA Tournament games.

-- Ohio State is mired in a 1-4-1 ATS slump in its past six games. The Buckeyes have been underdogs seven times this season, going 3-4 both SU and ATS.

-- This is a rematch of a PK80 Invitational first-round game in Portland on Nov. 23. Ohio State will be seeking revenge because it got absolutely obliterated by Gonzaga in an 86-59 loss as a five-point underdog. Williams led the winners with 21 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots on 8-of-10 shooting from the field. Perkins added 29 points, four assists, two steals and two rebounds, hitting 6-of-9 attempts from long distance. In the losing effort, Tate and Jackson shared team-best scoring honors with 12 points apiece. Bates-Diop was limited to seven points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-15-1 overall for the Bulldogs after cashing in their past two outings.

-- The ‘under’ is 21-10 overall for the Buckeyes, but they’ve watched the ‘over’ hit at a 4-1 clip in their past five contests.

-- The winner advances to face the Xavier-FSU/Missouri survivor in the West Region semifinals at Staples Center in Tinseltown.

East Region – Dallas – American Airlines Center
#6 Florida vs. #3 Texas Tech (-2, 133 ½) – 8:40 PM EST – TNT

-- As of late Friday afternoon, most books had Texas Tech (25-9 SU, 13-16 ATS) listed as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 134. Gamblers could take UF to win outright for a +110 return (risk $100 to win $110).

-- Texas Tech advanced to the Round of 32 with a 70-60 non-covering win over Stephen F. Austin as an 11-point favorite. The Red Raiders trailed nearly the entire game and by as many as eight points early in the second half, but they finished the game on a 26-9 run in the final 10:08. Keenan Evans scored 19 of his game-high 23 points after halftime. Evans made all 10 of his FTAs and 6-of-10 shots from the field. The senior guard, who was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, also had six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Zhaire Smith added 10 points and eight boards.

-- Evans sprained his ankle in mid-February, causing him to miss one game and play fewer minutes in three others. He scored only 12 points in a three-game stretch to pull his scoring average down. Since then, however, Evans has produced 23, 25, 13 and 23 points in the past four games.

-- Evans paces Texas Tech in scoring (17.7 PPG) and assists (3.1 APG), and he also averages 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Jarrett Culver averages 11.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He’s buried 40.2 percent of his 3-pointers. Smith averages 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game.

--Texas Tech is 0-4-1 ATS with three outright defeats in its past five games as a single-digit favorite. However, for the season, the Red Raiders are 8-9-1 ATS with five outright losses in 18 games as single-digit ‘chalk.’

-- Chris Beard’s squad is ranked 15th in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 64.6 PPG. Texas Tech is 14th in the country in FG percentage ‘D’ (40.3%).

-- Before beating SFA Thursday night, Texas Tech had not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2005 when Bobby Knight’s team lost a heartbreaker to West Virginia in the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders, who are now 8-16 in 24 NCAA Tournament games, have never advanced beyond the Sweet 16 in the program’s history.

-- Since 2006, Florida (21-12 SU, 16-15 ATS) owns a 29-6 record in the NCAA Tournament. Mike White is now 4-1 in the Tournament following Thursday’s 77-62 win over St. Bonaventure as a six-point ‘chalk.’ Egor Koulechov was the catalyst for the Gators, knocking down 4-of-10 launches from downtown. The grad transfer from Rice finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while Jalen Hudson had 16 points. Keith Stone contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots, and Chris Chiozza added eight points, four rebounds, three steals and 11 assists without a turnover.

-- Florida has been an underdog five times, compiling a 3-2 record both SU and ATS. Both non-covers were by merely one point, as the Gators lost 62-57 at Tennessee as four-point ‘dogs and dropped an 87-84 decision to Duke as two-point puppies. They blew a 10-point lead with four minutes remaining in the loss in Portland to the Blue Devils.

-- Florida has won four of its past five games both SU and ATS, including scalps of Kentucky, Auburn and Alabama. This surge was preceded by a three-game losing streak that had some pundits implying the Gators were teetering on the bubble. UF blew late leads in two of the defeats, vs. Georgia and at Vandy, and there’s no shame in getting beaten by five in Knoxville this year.

-- Florida has won 10 of 17 games it has played against team that are in the NCAA Tournament field. UF is 6-3 against RPI Top-25 opponents and 10-6 vs. the Top 50. The Gators swept a pair of games from Kentucky, beat Gonzaga in double overtime in Portland and knocked off Cincinnati in Newark, N.J. They also won at Texas A&M, at Missouri and at Alabama.

-- UF’s narrow defeats at Ole Miss and at Vandy were its only L’s to teams outside of the RPI Top 85.

-- Texas Tech went 4-1 against the RPI Top 25, 6-5 versus the Top 50 and 14-8 against the Top 100. The Red Raiders’ only bad loss came at Iowa St.

-- The ‘under’ is on a 9-3 run for UF in its past 12 games to improve to 17-14 overall.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-13 overall for the Red Raiders after hitting in back-to-back outings.

-- The winner advances to the East Region semifinals to take on the survivor of Butler vs. Purdue.

West Region – Wichita – Intrust Bank Arena
#6 Houston vs. #3 Michigan (-11, 148) – 9:40 PM EST – TBS

-- As of late Friday afternoon, most books had Michigan (29-7 SU, 23-11 ATS) listed as a three-point favorite with a total of 134. The Cougars were +135 on the money line (risk $100 to win $135).

-- John Beilein’s team has won 10 consecutive games while going 9-1 ATS and hasn’t tasted defeat since losing at Northwestern on Feb. 6. The Wolverines have won seven of those 10 games by double-digit margins and nine by at least nine points. They captured a 61-47 win over Montana on Thursday to take the money as 10-point ‘chalk.’ Charles Matthews led his team past the Big Sky champs by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman added 11 points, five rebounds and two steals.

-- Michigan has been a single-digit favorite 14 times this season, compiling a 9-5 spread record with only three outright losses.

-- Michigan has an extremely balanced offense with six players averaging 6.4 PPG. Mo Wagner is averaging team-highs in scoring (14.3 PPG), rebounding (7.1 RPG) and FG percentage (52.6%). Wagner also hits 40.0 percent of his treys but he’s prone to get into foul trouble. Matthews averages 12.8 points and 5.6 RPG, while Abdur-Rahkman (12.6 PPG) is splashing the nets at a 39.2 percent clip from 3-point land and has an incredible 118/26 assist-to-turnover ratio. Duncan Robinson (9.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG) is one of the nation’s best sixth men who makes 38.9 percent of his 3-balls and 89.3 percent of his FTs.

-- Michigan is 12-4 in its last 16 NCAA Tournament games dating back to 2013.

-- From 1982-84 under the leadership of the late Guy Lewis, Houston (27-7 SU, 18-11 ATS) went 12-3 in 15 NCAA Tournament games. UH went to three straight Final Fours and lost consecutive national-title games to N.C. St. and Georgetown in ’83 and ’84, respectively. The Cougars had not tasted a Tournament victory since beating Virginia (the year after Ralph Sampson graduated) 49-47 in the ’84 national semifinals at the Kingdome in Seattle until Thursday night. The five-game losing streak in NCAA Tournament games that spanned 34 years for UH finally ended in a 67-65 win over San Diego St.

-- Kelvin Sampson’s club failed to cover the number in the narrow victory over the Aztecs as a 4.5-point ‘chalk.’ Rob Gray stole the show for Houston by dropping 39 points on San Diego St. Gray, who averages 19.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, drained 12-of-25 FGAs, 4-of-6 treys and 11-of-15 FTs. He also had eight rebounds. Devin Davis added nine points and nine boards.

-- Houston has a 5-2 spread record with four outright wins in seven games as an underdog.

-- UH is 18th in the RPI Rankings, posting a 3-2 record versus the RPI Top 25, a 7-2 mark against the Top 50 and a 10-3 ledger vs. the Top 100. The Cougars have neutral-court wins over Providence and Wichita St., in addition to home triumphs over the likes of Arkansas, Temple, Wichita St. and Cincinnati.

-- Devin Davis (10.7 PPG) averages team-bests in rebounding (6.2 RPG) and FG percentage (49.4%). Corey Davis Jr. is scoring at a 13.4 PPG clip and has an 84/49 assist-to-turnover ratio. He also leads the Cougars in 3-point accuracy by knocking down 43.0 percent of his launches from distance.

-- The ‘under’ is 17-13 overall for the Cougars.

-- The ‘over’ is 5-1-2 in Michigan’s past eight games, but it has watched the ‘under’ go 17-15-2 overall.

-- The winner advances to the West Region semifinals to face the UNC-Texas A&M winner at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Preview: Penn State at Notre Dame
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Notre Dame hosts Penn State in the second round of the NIT on Saturday afternoon. The top-seeded Fighting Irish easily dispatched eighth-seeded Hampton in their first-round game Tuesday, while the No. 4 seed Nittany Lions edged fifth-seeded Temple 63-57 in their tournament opener Wednesday.

Notre Dame won its NIT opener without much push back, dominating the first three quarters to take a 23-point lead into the final frame and cruise to an 84-63 victory. Starters Martinas Geben, T.J. Gibbs and Bonzie Colson combined for 49 points and 24 rebounds and the Fighting Irish defense held Hampton to 30 percent shooting. Penn State guard Shep Garner hit two threes in the final 2:54 - his only baskets of the game - as the Nittany Lions rallied with an 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter for the comeback win over Temple. Junior guard Josh Reaves added 19 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, and 11 rebounds for his second career double-double as Penn State won for the third time in four games.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN

ABOUT PENN STATE (22-13): Penn State wins with its defense, which averages 66.6 points against, and the Nittany Lions now have 13 wins this season where they held an opponent to fewer than 60 points. But Penn State can score as well with 70 or more points on 25 occasions this season, the most in program history. Sophomore guard Tony Carr led the Big Ten in scoring at 19.9 points per game in the regular season, while four other players (Lamar Stevens, Mike Watkins, Garner and Reaves) averaged in double-digit scoring.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (21-14): Notre Dame's season can be broken down like this: With Colson in the lineup, and without him. When the Preseason ACC Player of the Year is on the court, the Irish are 15-5; without him, they're 6-9. The good news for Notre Dame fans is that Colson and his 19.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game will be on the court against Penn State.

TIP-INS

1. This is the fifth meeting and only the second this century. It is Penn State's first game at Notre Dame.

2. The Fighting Irish average the least amount of personal fouls committed per game in the country (12.9).

3. The Nittany Lions went 20-of-30 from the free-throw line against Temple.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 72, Penn State 67

Preview: Alabama vs. Villanova
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Villanova looked every bit the part of a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats aim for an encore performance Saturday when they take on ninth-seeded Alabama in the Round of 32 at Pittsburgh.

The Wildcats topped No. 16 Radford 87-61 on Thursday as the team shot nearly 60 percent from the floor and over 51 percent from 3-point range. That sets up a key game for Villanova, which has lost in the second round in four of its last seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including last year to Wisconsin. “When you are consistently a high seed, that means two things,” coach Jay Wright told reporters. “It means your players have consistently played well for quite a while. It also means the expectations you face are always going to be very high." Alabama snuck past No. 8 seed Virginia Tech in its NCAA opener as talented freshman Collin Sexton registered 21 of his 24 points in the second half.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT ALABAMA (20-15): The Crimson Tide overcame 17 turnovers and nine missed foul shots while shooting 60 percent from the floor in Thursday's 86-83 triumph over the Hokies. John Petty helped Sexton by draining 6-of-8 from 3-point range - he's 11-of-17 from behind the arc over the last two games - while Donta Hall was 5-of-5 from the field in Thursday's win. Sexton averages 19.2 points overall and has surpassed that average in five straight games with all of those performances coming against teams that are seeded eighth or better in the NCAA Tournament.

ABOUT VILLANOVA (31-4): Eight players for Villanova scored between seven and 16 points in the opening-round win, led by Jalen Brunson (16), who shot 7-of-9 from the floor and is shooting 60.3 percent over the last five outings. Mikal Bridges added 13 points and has made at least three 3-pointers in nine straight games, shooting at least 50 percent from beyond the arc in seven of those contests. One minor concern for the Wildcats is the scoring production from versatile guard Donte DiVincenzo, who had seven points against Radford and is 9-of-28 from the field over the last four outings.

TIP-INS

1. Alabama has not reached the Sweet 16 since advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 2004.

2. Villanova's top seven scorers all have drained at least 26 from 3-point range.

3. The winner of this game will face either No. 5 West Virginia or No. 13 Marshall.

PREDICTION: Villanova 70, Alabama 66

Preview: Rhode Island vs. Duke
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Rhode Island pulled off one of the more thrilling victories in the first full day of action in the NCAA Tournament and they have a chance for their first Sweet 16 berth in 20 years. To get there, the seventh-seeded Rams will need to find a way to slow down No. 2 seed Duke and standout freshman Marvin Bagley III when the teams meet in the second round of the Midwest Region on Saturday in Pittsburgh.

The Rams squeaked past Oklahoma 83-78 in overtime on Thursday behind E.C. Matthews (16 points), Jared Terrell (13, five assists) and clutch defense to win a tournament game for the second straight season under coach Dan Hurley. "Our program is built around defense and making our opponent uncomfortable," Hurley - whose brother, Bobby, starred at Duke under coach Mike Krzyzewski - told reporters after the victory. "You win championships, you advance in this tournament, you build programs around being a good-to-great defensive team and by being one of the hardest-playing teams in the country." Not many teams have made Bagley feel uncomfortable and the likely one-and-done forward had no issue slicing up Iona on Thursday, recording 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting to lead the Blue Devils to an 89-67 rout. Three others scored at least 16 points for Duke, which shot 53.7 percent from the floor while opening the tourney with a win for the fourth straight time.

TV: 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT RHODE ISLAND (26-7): Fatts Russell came off the bench to shine opposite fellow freshman Trae Young, the Sooners star who led the nation in scoring and assists, while finishing with 15 points in 21 minutes. "I told him when I recruited him: The only point guard I saw better than him at the Peach Jam last year was Trae Young, and he told me I was wrong about that and he was going to prove me wrong today," Hurley said of Russell. "And he put on a show." Cyril Langevine posted his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Terrell - who averaged 13.5 points and three steals in two tourney games last season - played 39 turnover-free minutes.

ABOUT DUKE (27-7): Bagley has often shared the freshman spotlight with fellow forward Wendell Carter Jr., who had nine points and eight boards but has been bothered by a sore Achilles since the ACC Tournament. Guard Trevon Duval, another of the Blue Devils' heralded freshmen, chipped in 19 points and eight assists as he wrestles with an ankle ailment, but any number of maladies can be rendered moot when Bagley dominates the way he did. "I woke up and felt a little anxious," Bagley told the media. "I was just anxious to play. When the first game came on, I was watching it a little bit until we left the hotel. From there it was time to lock in."

TIP-INS

1. Rhode Island shot 12-of-20 from the free-throw line in the first round, while Duke was just 4-of-8.

2. Blue Devils G Grayson Allen had 16 points and nine assists Thursday and is averaging 20.7 points over his last six NCAA Tournament games.

3. Duke has won each of the previous four meetings, including twice in the tournament in 1978 and 1988, and a 75-65 win in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament last season despite 22 points by Terrell.

PREDICTION: Duke 82, Rhode Island 76

Preview: Buffalo vs. Kentucky
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Two days after recording its biggest win in program history, No. 13 seed Buffalo looks to upset another perennial power Saturday when the Bulls face No. 5 seed Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament South Regional in Boise, Idaho. Buffalo stunned fourth-seeded Arizona 89-68 on Thursday while Kentucky advanced with a 78-73 victory over 12th-seeded Davidson.

Buffalo hardly looked overwhelmed against national player of the year candidate freshman Deandre Ayton and Arizona, which had a huge size advantage but was outrebounded by one and failed to contain the Bulls’ perimeter game. Senior guard Wes Clark scored a team-high 25 points to lead the Bulls, who made 15-of-30 three-point shots and shot 54.8 percent overall. “We got a lot of blue-collar guys, guys who come to work every day,” forward Nick Perkins told reporters. “Not that we’re the most skilled guys or guys who are first in the NBA draft or stuff like that. We just got guys who come to work every day and are consistent in what they do.” The Bulls will look for a repeat performance against Kentucky, which defeated Tennessee in the SEC Tournament championship game and scored 36 points in the paint against Davidson.

TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT BUFFALO (27-8): Perkins has averaged 19.3 points off the bench over his last 11 games for the Bulls, who rank sixth in the country in scoring at 84.9 points per game. The Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament champions are riding a seven-game winning streak and boast a veteran trio of proven scorers in Clark (15.0 points per game), Jeremy Harris (15.6) and CJ Massinburg (16.9) to go along with Perkins (16.9). The three guards combined for 67 points in the win over Arizona and helped limit the Wildcats to 2-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (25-10): Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals in the win over Davidson and has 27 assists against seven turnovers in his last four games. The Wildcats were held without a 3-pointer for the first time since 1988 and instead focused on the interior, where forward Kevin Knox took control with 25 points and six rebounds while shooting 9-of-11 from the foul line. Freshman forward PJ Washington averages 10.6 points on 51.2 percent shooting for the Wildcats, who have held their last four opponents to under 40 percent shooting from the field.

TIP-INS

1. The winner advances to face either No. 1 Virginia/No. 16 UMBC or No. 18 Creighton/No. 9 Kansas State in the Sweet 16.

2. Clark faced Kentucky four times as player at Missouri from 2013-16, losing all four meetings by an average of 26 points.

3. Kentucky is 232-5 under coach John Calipari when leading by at least 10 points at any time in the game.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 86, Buffalo 75

Preview: Loyola Chicago vs. Tennessee
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Third-seeded Tennessee hopes for another workmanlike effort when it takes on No. 11 seed Loyola Chicago on Saturday in the second round of the South Regional of the NCAA Tournament in Dallas. The Volunteers rolled to a 73-47 victory over Wright State in the first round for their seventh victory in eight contests and will try to put an end to Loyola’s 11-game winning streak after the Ramblers posted a buzzer-beating 64-62 triumph over Miami (Fla.) in the opening round.

Tennessee had a big edge on the boards while holding Wright State to 31.7 percent shooting in its first-round victory and will try to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2014, when it lost to Michigan by two points. The Volunteers allow 65.8 points per game while Loyola shoots 50.6 percent overall - and almost 40 percent from 3-point range - as it attempts to make its first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1985. Loyola, which defeated Florida early in the season, has won 18 of 19 games after forcing 16 turnovers in the first-round triumph over Miami in which Donte Ingram drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Ramblers, who won the Missouri Valley Conference, possess five players who average double digits in points and need one victory to break the school record set by 1962-63 team that won the NCAA title.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT LOYOLA CHICAGO (29-5): The Ramblers are a well-balanced offensive unit led by junior guard Clayton Custer (13.4 points), who is shooting 52.2 percent overall and 45.1 from beyond the arc. Ingram finished with 13 points against Miami and averages 11.7 per game along with a team-high 6.5 rebounds, while junior guard Marques Townes (11.1 points) has totaled just 11 points in his last two contests. Senior forward Aundre Jackson (10.9 points) scored 12 in the victory over Miami and is shooting 57.3 percent from the floor.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (26-8): Junior forward Admiral Schofield has led the way of late, averaging 19.7 points over the last seven games, and is second on the team in scoring (13.9 points) while topping the Volunteers at 6.5 rebounds per contest. Sophomore forward Grant Williams is the go-to player inside and averages a team-best 15.3 points along with 6.1 rebounds after scoring 14 and grabbing nine boards against Wright State. Sophomore guard Lamonte Turner (10.9 points), who is the top threat from long range with 68 3-pointers, collected 19 points and nine assists in the first-round win.

TIP-INS

1. Tennessee sophomore G Jordan Bowden averages 9.2 points but has totaled only 29 in his last six contests.

2. Loyola freshman C Cameron Krutwig averages 10.5 points and has shot 60.3 percent from the field.

3. Saturday marks the first meeting between the schools, and the winner will advance to face either Nevada or Cincinnati.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 77, Loyola Chicago 71

Preview: Seton Hall vs. Kansas
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Top-seeded Kansas was forced to fight through a difficult first-round game and hopes to use that experience to get off to a better start when it takes on No. 8 seed Seton Hall on Saturday in the Midwest Region quarterfinal at Wichita, Kan. The Jayhawks trailed by as much as 10 in the first half Thursday and grinded out a 76-60 victory over Pennsylvania to survive and advance.

“There’s always that pressure like, ‘You can’t lose to a 16 seed,” Kansas senior guard Devonte’ Graham told reporters after scoring 29 points. “So instead of just going out and playing loose, you’re going out and playing not to lose to the 16 seed. I feel we came out the first 10 minutes doing that. … Coach always says that’s the hardest game. You can’t win two without winning the first one.” The Jayhawks have won nine of their last 10 and things will get more difficult against the experienced Pirates, who outlasted North Carolina State 94-83 in the first round Thursday. Seton Hall matches Kansas with four players averaging at least 13 points and its seniors have won 84 games, including their first in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday after losing in the previous two opening rounds. “Our main focus was staying focused,” Pirates senior guard Khadeen Carrington told reporters. “I know that sounds funny, but the last two years we came here, the guys were kind of drained mentally. We couldn’t get over the hump. Guys came in real focused, real businesslike, and we’re not done yet.”

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT SETON HALL (22-11): Carrington led the way with 26 points in the victory over N.C State and is averaging 23 over the last six games to push his season mark to 15.2 - third on the team. Senior forward Desi Rodriguez added 20 on Thursday and leads the team in scoring overall (17.9) while sophomore Myles Powell (15.5) added 19 points and nine rebounds in the first round. Senior center Angel Delgado, who averages 13.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 50.1 percent shooting, will be key inside for the Pirates.

ABOUT KANSAS (28-7): The Jayhawks hope to get more out of sophomore center Udoka Azubuike (13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 77.4 percent field goal shooting) in the second round after the 7-foot Nigerian missed the Big 12 Tournament with a knee injury and played only three minutes on Thursday. His presence inside opens up the outside for Graham (17.6 points, 7.4 assists) and senior guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (15.0), who have combined to make 209 from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Malik Newman averaged 24 points in the Big 12 Tournament but had just 10 versus Penn.

TIP-INS

1. Carrington is eighth on the program’s all-time scoring list (1,818) and Rodriguez is tied for 12th (1,651).

2. Kansas, which has made 29 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, is 5-0 all-time in the event at Wichita.

3. The teams have split two previous meetings with the last in 2001 at the Maui Invitational when the Jayhawks earned an 80-62 victory.

PREDICTION: Kansas 80, Seton Hall 68

Preview: Ohio State vs. Gonzaga
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Gonzaga and Ohio State passed their tough tests Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Now they go head-to-head Saturday night in Boise, Idaho, with a West Regional Sweet 16 berth on the line.

Against UNC Greensboro, the fourth-seeded Bulldogs squandered a 12-point second-half lead and trailed 64-62 with 1:48 remaining. But guard Josh Perkins knotted things up with a long jumper and then redshirt freshman Zach Norvell Jr. drilled a go-ahead 3-pointer with 20.8 seconds left to secure Gonzaga’s 10th straight first-round NCAA tourney win and its 15th straight victory overall. In the following game Thursday at Taco Bell Arena, the fifth-seeded Buckeyes also saw a double-digit lead (13 points) slip away in the second half against a formidable South Dakota State squad. But after the Jackrabbits had pulled even at 70 with 1:53 remaining, Ohio State senior guard Kam Williams scored the game’s next seven points, starting with a go-ahead 3-pointer, to help secure the Buckeyes’ first Big Dance victory since 2015.

TV: 7:45 p.m. ET, CBS

ABOUT OHIO STATE (25-8): The Buckeyes continue to impress under first-year coach Chris Holtmann as they seek their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2013. Williams, fellow guard C.J. Jackson and forward Keita Bates-Diop, the Big Ten Player of the Year, combined for 66 of the team’s 81 points against South Dakota State, and added 26 rebounds, eight assists and four steals as Ohio State grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 19 second-chance points. After his 24-point, 12-rebound showing Saturday in his NCAA tourney debut, the 6-7 Bates-Diop is averaging 19.5 points and 8.9 boards overall, and the Buckeyes are 12-1 when the junior notches a double-double.

ABOUT GONZAGA (31-4): The Bulldogs also benefited from an individual double-double Thursday as senior forward Johnathan Williams notched his fourth straight with 19 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting. Perkins (16 points) and Norvell (15) also scored in double figures against UNC Greensboro, helping Gonzaga overcome poor shooting outings from 3-point range (5-of-23) and the free-throw stripe (13-of-25). The Bulldogs’ 68 points matched their lowest total in a game this season, and they rank 12th nationally with 84.0 points per outing with six players averaging at least 9.4, led by Williams (13.7), forward Killian Tillie (13.1) and Perkins (12.5).

TIP-INS

1. This will be the third meeting between the programs, and the second came earlier this season when Gonzaga cruised to an 86-59 win at the PK80 Invitational in Portland on Nov. 23.

2. Williams (21) and Perkins (20) both topped 20 points in the November win as the Bulldogs shot 58.5 percent, including making 12-of-25 3-pointers, while the Buckeyes shot a season-low 34.5 percent in absorbing their most lopsided loss of the year.

3. The only other meeting in the series came in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh, where second-seeded Ohio State beat seventh-seeded Gonzaga 73-67.

PREDICTION: Gonzaga 80, Ohio State 74

Preview: Florida vs. Texas Tech
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Sixth-seeded Florida will need another strong defensive performance in the NCAA Tournament when it faces third-seeded Texas Tech on Saturday in the second round of the East Region in Dallas. The Red Raiders will have plenty of offense, a tough defense and a home atmosphere as they play just five hours from their campus.

The Gators scored 25 points off 18 turnovers - including five quick miscues to start the second half - en route to a 77-62 first-round triumph over St. Bonaventure on Thursday. "That's what got us going," senior guard Chris Chiozza told reporters. "We got some stops early in the second half and we got out running and got some easy baskets in transition, and we just kind of built momentum from there and was able to maintain it for most of the second half." Chiozza and junior guard KeVaughn Allen were credited for slowing the Bonnies' talented guards and will have another test against Texas Tech senior guard Keenan Evans and company. The Red Raiders have scored at least 70 points in 13 of their last 15 games after rallying past Stephen F. Austin 70-60 in their Tournament opener.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT FLORIDA (21-12): Junior guard Jalen Hudson leads four Gators in double figures with 15.3 points while graduate transfer Egor Koulechov adds 13.8 and a team-high 6.5 rebounds. Chiozza (11.1 points) recorded 11 assists on Thursday to push his season average to 6.2 and leads the team with 1.9 steals. Allen also averages 11.1 points for the Gators, who ranked seventh nationally as of Thursday with 9.8 turnovers lost.

ABOUT TEXAS TECH (25-9): Evans leads the Red Raiders with 17.7 points and 3.2 assists, and has scored at least 20 in three of his last four games. Freshmen Jarrett Culver (11.5 points) and Zhaire Smith (11.1) and senior Niem Stevenson (7.5) add to the team's balanced attack. The Red Raiders (plus-4.4 rebound margin) have eight players averaging at least three rebounds and force 15.1 turnovers.

TIP-INS

1. Texas Tech is 12-1 this season when Evans scores at least 20 points.

2. Chiozza (205) became the second Florida player with more than 200 assists in a season on Thursday, joining Nick Calathes (221 in 2007-08 and 231 in 2008-09).

3. Texas Tech is trying to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2005. Florida has won two national championships while making seven trips to the Elite Eight in that span.

PREDICTION: Texas Tech 71, Florida 66

Preview: Houston vs. Michigan
Gracenote
Mar 16, 2018

Third-seeded Michigan looks to shut down No. 6 seed Houston in the second round of the West Regional on Saturday in Wichita, Kan. The Wolverines allowed the third-fewest points in their NCAA Tournament history in the 61-47 win over No. 14 seed Montana on Thursday and hope to reach 30 wins for the first time since 2012-13 by putting the defensive clamps on the Cougars, who have scored at least 80 points in five of their last nine outings.

"I'm happy we got the first one down," Michigan forward Moritz Wagner told reporters Thursday. "The show goes on, and Houston is a really good team… so it's going to be a heck of a challenge." Houston rode Rob Gray's hot hand to a thrilling 67-65 win against 11th-seeded San Diego State on Thursday to earn their first NCAA Tournament victory in 34 years. Gray exploded for a career-high 39 points against the Aztecs, including the go-ahead layup with 1.1 seconds remaining in the game, and hopes to lead the Cougars to their first Sweet 16 appearance since the days of Phi Slamma Jamma in 1983-84. "I just wanted to come through for us," Gray told reporters. "I was thinking to myself, 'I'm a senior, I've never been in March Madness and this is what I live for.'"

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, TBS

ABOUT HOUSTON (27-7): Gray went 4-of-6 from 3-point range en route to his career high in points and pulled down eight rebounds to finish as the lone Houston player in double figures against San Diego State. Devin Davis flirted with a double-double as he added nine points and nine rebounds while Corey Davis Jr. also scored nine points in the win against the Aztecs. "It means a lot to our program, especially sitting next to Coach (Kelvin) Sampson," Davis said. He's a big part of why I'm here and Rob's a big part too and we survived to play another day."

ABOUT MICHIGAN (29-7): Charles Matthews, who has been battling consistency issues for the last two months, led the way with 20 points and matched his career high with 11 rebounds in the win against Montana to notch his fourth double-double of the season. Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman overcame a sluggish start to finish with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals as the Wolverines held the Grizzlies to 32.1 percent shooting. Wagner, who leads the team in scoring (14.3 per game), was limited to five points on 2-of-6 shooting while Jaaron Simmons tallied six points deputizing for Zavier Simpson, who was plagued by foul trouble in the first half.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan has won 10 straight games overall.

2. Gray has scored at least 30 points in three of his last five games.

3. The Wolverines have advanced to the Sweet 16 in three of their previous four tournament appearances.

PREDICTION: Michigan 74, Houston 69