Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Saturday 3/20/21
763NORFOLK ST -764 GONZAGA
NORFOLK ST is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in road games vs. good free throw shooting teams - making >=72% of their attempts over the last 2 seasons.
765MISSOURI -766 OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
767UC-SANTA BARBARA -768 CREIGHTON
UC-SANTA BARBARA is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) after a game committing 8 or less turnovers over the last 2 seasons.
769OHIO U -770 VIRGINIA
OHIO U is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
771DRAKE -772 USC
DRAKE is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) after 1 or more consecutive unders in the current season.
773E WASHINGTON -774 KANSAS
KANSAS are 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.
777GRAND CANYON -778 IOWA
IOWA is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons.
779TEXAS SOUTHERN -780 MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN is 11-2 ATS (8.8 Units) versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% in the current season.
781ST BONAVENTURE -782 LSU
ST BONAVENTURE is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
783GEORGETOWN -784 COLORADO
COLORADO is 9-25 ATS (-18.5 Units) in road games after 2 straight games giving up 9 or less offensive rebounds in the last 3 seasons.
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, March 20
Georgetown (12) vs Colorado (5)
Georgetown (13-12, 17-4)
— ranked #56 by KenPom
— Tempo: #113
— Experience: #67
— Continuity: #248
— Hoyas are 2-3 outside the Big East
— Hoyas were 9-12 before winning Big East tourney.
— Georgetown is turning ball over 21.7% of time (#309)
— This is Georgetown’s first NCAA tourney since 2015.
— This is Patrick Ewing’s first NCAA game as a head coach.
Colorado (22-8)
— ranked #17 by KenPom
— Tempo: #280
— Experience: #30
— Continuity: #85
— Colorado won six of its last seven games.
— Colorado is shooting 36.7% on the arc (#48)
— Opponents are shooting 46.4% inside arc (#59)
— Buffs lost Pac-12 title game by hoop to Oregon State.
— Colorado is in NCAA’s for first time since 2016.
— Tad Boyle is 1-3 SU in first round games.
— Last four years, underdogs are 10-5-1 ATS in 5-12 games.
— Last three years, Big East teams are 18-14 SU in first round.
— Since Big East re-configured, their teams are 3-7 ATS as first round underdogs.
— Since 2013, Pac-12 teams are 19-13 SU in first round games.
NC-Greensboro (13) vs Florida State (4)
NC-Greensboro (21-8)
— ranked #99 by KenPom
— Tempo: #174
— Experience: #189
— Continuity: #90
— Spartans are 5-3 outside SoCon, vs non-conf schedule #189
— UNCG won 15 of its last 18 games.
— Spartans force turnovers 21% of time (#58), grab 32.4% of their missed shots (#45).
— UNCG lost 68-64 to Gonzaga in first round three years ago, their last NCAA.
Florida State (16-6)
— ranked #15 by KenPom
— Tempo: #84
— Experience: #100
— Continuity: #103
— FSU lost three of its last five games, after a 14-3 start.
— Seminoles have #33 eFG% defense in country.
— Florida State is shooting 39% on the arc (#9)
— Deep team; they’re #23 in bench minutes.
— Seminoles won their last five first round games.
— Last four years, #13-seeds are 10-6 ATS in this round.
— Last three years, ACC teams are 7-17 ATS in the first round
— SoCon teams are 7-4-1 ATS in last dozen NCAA games.
Eastern Washington (14) vs Kansas (3)
Eastern Washington (16-7)
— ranked #110 by KenPom
— Tempo: #28
— Experience: #217
— Continuity: #72
— Eagles won 13 of their last 14 games.
— EWU is shooting 54.2% inside arc (#32)
— Eagles are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 3-17-5 points.
— EWU lost 84-74 to Georgetown in 2015, their last NCAA tourney.
Kansas (20-8)
— ranked #22 by KenPom
— Tempo: #186
— Experience: #263
— Continuity: #122
— Jalen Wilson is out for Kansas, a big blow. McCormack may play, but his minutes would appear to be limited.
— Kansas played 7 guys in last game and that was with Wilson playing.
— Jayhawks won eight of their last nine games.
— Kansas has #46 eFG% defense in country.
— Jayhawks won their last 13 first round games; they were #1 or #2 seed 11 of those 13 years.
— Last three years, #3-seeds are 7-5 ATS in first round games.
— Big Sky teams are 1-7-1 ATS in last nine first round games.
— Last three years, Big X teams are 7-5 ATS as a favorite in first round games.
St Bonaventure (9) vs LSU (8)
St Bonaventure (16-4)
— ranked #24 by KenPom
— Tempo: #319
— Experience: #115
— Continuity: #30
— Bonnies won six of their last seven games.
— Bonnies have #13 eFG% defense in country.
— Bonnies are grabbing 33.6% of their missed shots (#31)
— St Bonaventure is 4-3 vs teams ranked in top 100.
— St Bonaventure won play-in game three years ago, then lost 77-62 to Florida in this round.
LSU (18-9)
— ranked #29 by KenPom
— Tempo: #78
— Experience: #329
— Continuity: #135
— LSU won four of their last five games.
— Tigers don’t pass much (#338 in assist/basket ratio)
— LSU is shooting 53% inside arc (#54)
— Tigers are poor on defensive boards (#325)
— Will Wade is 2-1 in first round games; LSU made Sweet 16 two years ago.
— Last four years, underdogs are 10-6 ATS in 8-9 games.
— Last five years, A-14 teams are 6-10 SU in the first round.
— Last four years, SEC teams are 17-6 SU in NCAA games, 7-10 when favored.
Texas Southern (16) vs Michigan (1)
Texas Southern (17-8)
— ranked #220 by KenPom
— Tempo: #47
— Experience: #5
— Continuity: #238
— Tigers won 10 in row, 15 of last 16 games.
— Texas Southern is 4-5 outside SWAC this season- they finished 3rd in the SWAC.
— Tigers have #30 eFG% defense in country.
— Texas Southern won yesterday after trailing by 10 at the half.
— Tigers are shooting 28.2% on arc (#341)
— Texas Southern is 2-5 in NCAA tourney games; Jones is 1-3.
Michigan (20-4)
— ranked #24 by KenPom
— Tempo: #295
— Experience: #15
— Continuity: #145
— Michigan lost three of last five games, after an 18-1 start.
— Key player Livers missed last game (check status)
— Michigan has #8 eFG% defense in country.
— Wolverines are shooting 38.7% on arc (#12)
— Michigan won five of last six first round games; this is Juwan Howard’s first NCAA tourney game as a head coach.
— Last three years, #1-seeds are 5-7 ATS in first round games.
— Since 2003, SWAC teams are 3-6 ATS in this round.
— Since 2016, Big 14 favorites are 8-10 ATS in first round.
Cal-Santa Barbara (12) vs Creighton (5)
UCSB (22-4)
— ranked #68 by KenPom
— Tempo: #295
— Experience: #26
— Continuity: #55
— Gauchos won 18 of their last 19 games.
— UCSB has #56 eFG% in country.
— UCSB hasn’t played top 100 team this year; they’re 3-4 vs teams ranked #101-111
— This is Santa Barbara’s first NCAA Tournament in ten years.
Creighton (20-8)
— ranked #20 by KenPom
— Tempo: #143
— Experience: #40
— Continuity: #19
— Creighton split its last six games; coach/players have issues between them, after the coach made inappropriate comments after a February 27 game.
— Bluejays are shooting 56.3% inside the arc (#12)
— Creighton has #42 eFG% defense in country.
— Under McDermott, Bluejays are 3-2 in first round; last win was 2014.
— Last four years, underdogs are 10-5-1 ATS in 5-12 games.
— Since 2014, Big West teams are 4-4 in play-in/first round games.
— Big East teams are 10-6-1 ATS in last 17 games as first round favorites.
Iona (15) vs Alabama (2)
Iona (12-5)
— ranked #182 by KenPom
— Tempo: #185
— Experience: #185
— Continuity: #273
— Iona is fifth school Pitino has led to the NCAA’s.
— Gaels won six in row, 10 of last 12 games.
— Iona lost its only top 100 game, 86-64 to Seton Hall in their opener.
— Iona had a 52-day COVID pause; they didn’t play in January.
— Gaels have #18 eFG% defense in country.
— Iona is in 5th straight NCAA Tournament; over last 24 years, they’re 0-10 SU this round.
Alabama (24-6)
— ranked #8 by KenPom
— Tempo: #9
— Experience: #135
— Continuity: #152
— Alabama won six in row, nine of last ten games.
— Crimson Tide has #10 eFG% defense in country.
— Alabama gets 40.2% of its points on 3-pointers (#13)
— Alabama is 4-0 vs teams ranked outside top 100, losing by 24-12-16-3 points.
— Alabama is in 3rd NCAA since 2008; they beat Va Tech in 1st round in ’18.
— Last four years, #2-seeds are 9-6-1 ATS in first round games.
— Since 2010, MAAC teams are 0-11 SU, 2-9 ATS in NCAA first round.
— Last four years, SEC teams are 7-10 ATS as a first round favorite.
Drake (11) vs USC (6)
Drake (26-4)
— ranked #53 by KenPom
— Tempo: #270
— Experience: #87
— Continuity: #181
— Hemphill played 10:00 yesterday; he missed previous nine games.
— Drake’s PG is out for the year.
— Drake is 10-0 outside MVC
— Bulldogs played three starters 37:00+ Thursday.
— Drake is 8-4 in last 12 games, after an 18-0 start.
— Bulldogs are in NCAAs for first time since 2008; yesterday was the 50th anniversary of their last win in NCAA’s.
USC (22-7)
— ranked #13 by KenPom
— Tempo: #236
— Experience: #202
— Continuity: #317
— USC spilt its last eight games, after an 18-3 start.
— USC has #11 eFG% defense in country.
— Opponents are shooting 42.2% inside arc (#2)
— Trojans are shooting only 64.7% on foul line (#326)
— This is USC’s first NCAA since 2017.
— Enfield is 2-1 in first round games, winning one at Florida Gulf Coast.
— Last five years, underdogs are 12-7-1 ATS in 6-11 games.
— Since 2013, MVC teams are 10-1 SU, 9-2 ATS in NCAA games.
— Since 2013, Pac-12 teams are 19-13 SU in first round games.
Grand Canyon (2) vs Iowa (15)
Grand Canyon (17-6)
— ranked #108 by KenPom
— Tempo: #314
— Experience: #52
— Continuity: #218
— Antelopes lost by 1 to Arizona State, by 10 Colorado- they beat Nevada.
— Grand Canyon has #6 eFG% defense in country.
— Antelopes went 4-3 in last seven games, after a 13-3 start.
— This is Grand Canyon’s first-ever NCAA Tournament.
— Bryce Drew is 0-3 in first round games, at Vandy/Valparaiso, losing by 11-2-3 points.
Iowa (21-8)
— ranked #6 by KenPom
— Tempo: #100
— Experience: #200
— Continuity: #44
— Iowa won eight of its last 10 games.
— Iowa is shooting 38.6% on arc (#13)
— Hawkeyes are 5-0 vs teams outside top 100; all wins were by 27+ points.
— Under McCaffery, Iowa is 3-1 in its first tournament game.
— Last four years, #2-seeds are 9-6-1 ATS in first round games.
— Last six years, WAC teams are 3-3 ATS in this round.
— Since 2016, Big 14 favorites are 8-10 ATS in first round.
Maryland (10) vs UConn (7)
Maryland (16-13)
— ranked #31 by KenPom
— Tempo: #317
— Experience: #125
— Continuity: #93
— Maryland lost three of their last four games.
— Terrapins are shooting 52.8% inside arc (#46)
— Maryland gets 35.1% of its points on 3-pointers (#64)
— Since 1998, Maryland won 13 of 14 first round games.
UConn (15-7)
— ranked #16 by KenPom
— Tempo: #301
— Experience: #165
— Continuity: #165
— UConn won five of its last six games.
— UConn is grabbing 36.8% of their missed shots (#8)
— Huskies have #28 eFG% defense in country.
— UConn is in NCAA’s for first time since 2016.
— Last six years, favorites are 14-10 ATS in 7-10 games.
— Last three years, Big 14 teams are 16-3 SU in first round
— Big East teams are 10-6-1 ATS in last 17 games as first round favorites.
Ohio (13) vs Virginia (4)
Ohio (16-7)
— ranked #79 by KenPom
— Tempo: #130
— Experience: #271
— Continuity: #84
— Ohio won eight of its last nine games.
— Bobcats are shooting 56.4% inside the arc (#11)
— Opponents are shooting 51.5% inside arc (#245)
— Ohio is in NCAA’s for first time since 2012.
Virginia (18-6)
— ranked #10 by KenPom
— Tempo: #357
— Experience: #110
— Continuity: #162
— Virginia has had COVID issues; unsure how much they’ve practiced.
— Virginia needed OT to beat MAC’s Kent State 71-64 December 4.
— Cavaliers are shooting 38.1% on arc (#16)
— Virginia is 12-2 vs teams outside top 50.
— Virginia won five of last seven first round games, losing in 2012, 2018.
— Last four years, #13-seeds are 10-6 ATS in this round.
— Last three years, ACC teams are 7-17 ATS in the first round
— MAC teams covered their last four first round games.
Missouri (9) vs Oklahoma (8)
Missouri (16-9)
— ranked #51 by KenPom
— Tempo: #158
— Experience: #11
— Continuity: #7
— Mizzou lost six of their last nine games.
— Mizzou shoots only 32% on the arc (#252)
— Tigers are 7-6 vs top 50 teams this season.
— Missouri lost its last four first round games; their last NCAA win was 2010.
— Martin lost two of his three first round games.
Oklahoma (15-10)
— ranked #39 by KenPom
— Tempo: #222
— Experience: #61
— Continuity: #50
— Oklahoma lost five of their last six games.
— Oklahoma’s #2 scorer Harmon is out for this game.
— Opponents are shooting 46.3% inside arc (#51)
— Their last six games were all decided by 7 or fewer points.
— Under Kruger, Oklahoma is 3-3 SU in first round games.
— Last four years, underdogs are 10-6 ATS in 8-9 games.
— Last four years, SEC teams are 17-6 SU in NCAA games, 11-12 ATS
— Last three years, Big X teams are 12-7 SU in first round games.
Norfolk State (16) vs Gonzaga (1)
Norfolk State (17-7)
— ranked #200 by KenPom
— Tempo: #215
— Experience: #21
— Continuity: #126
— Norfolk State won nine of its last ten games.
— Spartans have #33 eFG% defense in country.
— Norfolk played only one guy 30:00+ Thursday.
— Spartans are shooting 37.4% on arc (#30)
— Norfolk State made NCAAs in 2012, upsetting Missouri as a 15-seed, then losing 84-50 to Florida in second round.
Gonzaga (26-0)
— ranked #1 by KenPom
— Tempo: #4
— Experience: #249
— Continuity: #179
— This is Gonzaga’s first game in 11 days.
— Zags are shooting 63.9% inside arc (#1)
— Gonzaga gets 58.3% of its points on 2-point shots (#21)
— Gonzaga hasn’t lost a first round game since 2008 (Davidson/Steph Curry)
— Last three years, #1-seeds are 5-7 ATS in first round games.
— Since 2003, MEAC teams are 5-8 ATS in this round.
— Last ten years, Gonzaga is 6-4 ATS in this round.
UCLA (11) vs BYU (6)
UCLA (18-9)
— ranked #44 by KenPom
— Tempo: #332
— Experience: #279
— Continuity: #25
— UCLA lost four of its last four games.
— UCLA is shooting 36.7% on the arc (#47)
— Bruins are 8-8 vs teams ranked in top 100.
— Since 2009, UCLA is 9-7 in NCAAs.
— Cronin is 7-11 in NCAAs, 1-4 after the first round.
BYU (20-6)
— ranked #24 by KenPom
— Tempo: #200
— Experience: #86
— Continuity: #284
— First game in 11 days for BYU.
— Cougars won five of their last six games.
— BYU is shooting 37.3% on arc (#34), has #21 eFG%.
— This is BYU’s first NCAA Tournament since 2015.
— Last five years, underdogs are 12-7-1 ATS in 6-11 games.
— Since 2003, WCC teams other than Gonzaga are 3-8 ATS in this round.
— Since 2013, Pac-12 teams are 19-13 SU in first round games.
Abilene Christian (14) vs Texas (3)
Abilene Christian (23-4)
— ranked #85 by KenPom
— Tempo: #102
— Experience: #34
— Continuity: #20
— Wildcats won 12 of their last 13 games.
— ACU lost 51-44 at Texas Tech, 85-72 at Arkansas.
— ACU is forcing turnovers 26.7% of time (#1)
— Abilene Christian is shooting 37.7% on arc (#21)
— ACU lost 79-44 to UCLA in first round two years ago.
Texas (19-7)
— ranked #26 by KenPom
— Tempo: #138
— Experience: #104
— Continuity: #4
— Texas won its last five games, after a 4-6 skid.
— Longhorns have #38 eFG% defense in country.
— 41.9% of their shots are 3-pointers (#57)
— Texas is 2-5 in its last seven first round games.
— Shaka Smart brought VCU to Final Four in 2011; since then, his teams are 2-6 in NCAA Tournament games.
— Last three years, #3-seeds are 7-5 ATS in first round games.
— Since 2014, Southland teams are 7-6-1 ATS in this round.
— Last three years, Big X teams are 7-5 ATS as a favorite in first round games.
VCU (10) vs Oregon (7)
VCU (19-7)
— ranked #46 by KenPom
— Tempo: #110
— Experience: #305
— Continuity: #283
— VCU split its last six games, after a 16-4 start.
— Rams are forcing turnovers 23.7% of the time (#9)
— VCU is 4-4 vs top 50 teams this season.
— Rams lost four of last five first round games; their last win was 2016.
Oregon (20-6)
— ranked #37 by KenPom
— Tempo: #242
— Experience: #33
— Continuity: #267
— Oregon won 11 of their last 13 games.
— Ducks are shooting 37.9% on arc (#19)
— Oregon is 4-2 this season vs top 50 teams.
— Under Altman, Ducks are 6-0 SU in first round games.
NIT tournament (@ Denton, TX)
Dayton @ Memphis
Dayton (14-9)
— ranked #81 by KenPom
— Tempo: #289
— Experience: #126
— Continuity: #217
— Dayton is 4-5 in its last nine games, after a 10-4 start.
— Flyers are shooting 55.0% inside arc (#23)
— This is Dayton’s first game in fifteen days.
Memphis (16-8)
— ranked #38 by KenPom
— Tempo: #38
— Experience: #321
— Continuity: #74
— Memphis won seven of last nine games.
— Tigers have #3 eFG% defense in country.
— Memphis is turning ball over 22.4% of time (#324)
Mississippi State vs Saint Louis (@ Frisco, TX))
Mississippi State (15-14)
— ranked #83 by KenPom
— Tempo: #121
— Experience: #271
— Continuity: #85
— Bulldogs are 7-10 in their last 17 games.
— Miss State is grabbing 36.4% of their missed shots (#8)
— Bulldogs have #45 eFG% defense in country.
— This is Miss State’s first game in eight days.
Saint Louis (14-6)
— ranked #47 by KenPom
— Tempo: #212
— Experience: #120
— Continuity: #16
— This is Billikens’ first game in two weeks.
— Saint Louis is a top 5 rebounding team in country.
— Billikens split last six games, after an 11-3 start.