Sunday's Early Action
By Judd Hall
Friday’s battles in the NCAA Tournament were mostly anticlimactic when compared with the opening day showdowns. That boring second day of action helps the early games of Sunday’s card offer up quality matchups between teams from the power conferences and everyone’s favorite mid-major program. Let’s see how they stack up.
Gonzaga (8) vs. Syracuse (1) – 12:10 p.m. EDT
Las Vegas Sports Consultants initially opened Syracuse (29-4 straight up, 20-9 against the spread) as a 3 ½-point favorite with a total of 117. As of Saturday afternoon, the Orange were 7 ½-point faves with the total bolting up to 150. Gamblers can take the Bulldogs to move onto Salt Lake City for a plus-270 return (risk $100 to win $270).
Gonzaga (27-6 SU, 16-12-1 ATS) almost squandered an 18-point lead before finally putting away the Seminoles 67-60 as a one-point underdog on Friday night. The Zags actually allowed Florida State to find its way to the free thrown line five times in the final four minutes of the game, when they were only up 55-50. Luckily for the Bulldogs, the ‘Noles only hit two of those shots. Matt Bouldin helped Gonzaga move on with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
The Orange looked like they were playing some street ball against Vermont at the start of their first round contest, surging out to a 35-10 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. Syracuse called off the dogs for the most part in the second half, but still came away with a dominating 79-56 victory as a 15 ½-point “chalk.” Wes Johnson led the ‘Cuse with 18 points, six boards and had three helpers.
Jim Boeheim’s club has been a single-digit favorite 12 times this season. In those games, they’ve gone 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS with the ‘under’ going 6-5-1.
Bettors have enjoyed great success when the Bulldogs have been listed as underdogs, evidenced by a 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS mark for the season. The totals have gone just 3-3 in those matches.
The ‘over’ is 12-10-2 for the Zags this season. However, the ‘under’ has hit in three straight and eight of their last 11 games with a number on the board.
Syracuse has seen the ‘under’ go 13-10-1 this season, but the ‘over’ is 5-1-1 in its last seven games.
The winner of this contest will go on to face either Butler or Murray State in the Sweet Sixteen.
Georgia Tech (10) vs. Ohio State (2) – 2:20 p.m. EDT
LVSC posted the Buckeyes as five-point favorites with a total of 138. Ohio State (28-7 SU, 18-14 ATS) has since been pushed up to a 7 ½-point favorite with a total of 133 ½. The Yellow Jackets can be had on the money line at plus-240 (risk $100 to win $240).
Georgia Tech (23-12 SU, 16-12-1 ATS) moved onto the second round after taking everything the Cowboys could give them in a 10/7 contest. When all was said and done, the Yellow Jackets advanced in a 64-59 victory as 1 ½-point pups. GT was almost automatic from the charity stripe, draining 24-of-25 free throws. Folks backing Oklahoma State weren’t expecting to see that since the Ramblin’ Wreck is shooting 64 percent at the free throw line for the whole season. Derrick Favors was the main cog in the Jackets’ offense with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bucks had no problems in dispatching Cal-Santa Barbara in a 68-51 win in Milwaukee. Ohio State wasn’t able to cover as a 17 ½-point favorite. That could have been because Evan Turner had just nine points on 2-for-13 shooting – one of the worst nights from the field from the Buckeyes’ best player. Luckily for OSU, Jon Diebler was on target with 23 points, 21 of those points coming from downtown.
The Yellow Jackets are 4-7 SU when posted as single-digit underdogs this season, but 7-4 ATS in those contests. The ‘under’ has gone 7-3 as well.
Ohio State has gone just 2-3 SU and ATS in five games against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2007. The ‘over’ is a stellar 4-1 in that stretch.
Georgia Tech has won and covered the spread in its last two meetings with the Buckeyes. However, the Jackets were favored in both of those meetings. The ‘under’ cashed in those spots to boot.
The Bobcats or Volunteers await the survivor of this contest.
Michigan State (5) vs. Maryland (4) – 2:30 p.m. EDT
LVSC opened Maryland (24-8 SU, 18-10 ATS) as a one-point favorite with a total of 146. As of Saturday afternoon, the total has shifted down to 143. You can pull in even-money if you decide to back the Spartans on the money line.
Michigan State (25-8 SU, 12-19 ATS) needed a big night from its biggest star to get past the Aggies 70-67 as a 13-point favorite in a 4/12 showdown. Kalin Lucas dropped in a career high 25 points. The Spartans were able to close the deal by hitting 70 percent from the free throw line, which included an extra shot due to New Mexico State’s Troy Gillenwater’s lane violation late in the game. That foul pushed the lead to three and force the Aggies into a desperation shot with .3 seconds on the clock.
The Terrapins had their hands full with the nation’s top scorer in an 89-77 win over Houston as 9 ½-point favorites. Greivis Vasquez came through with 16 points, but freshman Jordan Williams was their top performer with 21 points and 17 rebounds.
Maryland has faced off with 12 teams that made the NCAA Tournament. In those games, the Terps are 6-6 SU and ATS. Yet they are 3-1 ATS in the last four games against qualifiers. The ‘over’ has gone 9-3 in those tilts.
The Spartans have been single-digit underdogs five times this season; they were 2-3 SU and ATS with the ‘under going 3-2.
Either Northern Iowa or Kansas will be awaiting the winner of this contest at the Edward Jones Dome next week.
Missouri (10) vs. West Virginia (2) – 2:40 p.m. EDT
LVSC initially opened up with the Mountaineers as six-point favorites with a total of 138. Most sportsbooks have pushed them down to 5 ½-point faves with the total going to 137 ½. Missouri (23-10 SU, 15-12 ATS) can be backed for a healthy plus-200 return (risk $100 to win $200).
The Tigers advanced to the second round after a comfortable 86-78 win over Clemson as 1 ½-point ‘dogs last Friday. Mizzou had the ACC’s Tigers on their heels for most of the game, running up and down the court. They hit 52 percent of its shots and committed just nine turnovers. Keith Ramsey led Missouri to the next round with 20 points, eight boards and four helpers.
West Virginia (28-6 SU, 14-19 ATS) looked like they were going to carry on the shoddy play of the Big East in this tourney after trailing 10-0 to the Bears on Friday afternoon. The ‘Neers picked themselves up with plenty of time in the first half to cruise to a 77-50 trouncing of Morgan State as 17-point favorites. Devin Ebanks secured a double-double with his 16 points and 13 boards. Da’Sean Butler was off of his game, scoring just nine points but had five steals.
Mizzou has only been an underdog six times this year. And the Tigers have gone 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS in that situation. In fact, that lone win came for Mike Anderson’s crew last Friday against Clemson. Totals bettors will note that the ‘under’ has gone 4-2 for Missouri when posted as a pup.
The Mountaineers have gone 12-5 SU and 7-10 ATS in the 17 tests they were in as single-digit faves. The ‘over’ achieved a 9-7-1 mark in that moment.
The survivor of this contest will take on either Washington or New Mexico in the regional semifinals.
vegasinsider.com
Sunday's Late Action
By Brian Edwards
The field of 65 has been reduced to just 24 going into Sunday’s play. Eight more teams will get sent home, while eight more will qualify for the Sweet 16. Let’s get you ready for another day of bets and ballgames.
**Cornell vs. Wisconsin**
This is a 4/12 matchup between the Ivy League champs and one of the premier programs from out of the Big Ten. Tip-off in Jacksonville at Veterans Memorial Arena is slated for 2:50 p.m. Eastern.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Wisconsin (24-8 straight up, 17-13 against the spread) as a 3 ½-point favorite with a total of 117. As of early Saturday night, most books had the Badgers favored by 4 ½ with the total in the 120-121 range. Bettors can take the Big Red to win outright for a plus-170 payout.
Bo Ryan’s squad was fortunate to dodge the upset attempt of 13th-seeded Wofford on Thursday. The Terrier were an abysmal 6-of-13 from the free-throw line, which essentially cost them the game in a 53-49 loss. Nevertheless, gamblers backing Wofford cashed winners while catching 10 ½ points. Jon Leuer paced the Badgers with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Trevon Hughes added 19 points.
Cornell (28-4 SU, 17-10 ATS) advanced to the second round by pounding fifth-seeded Temple by a 78-65 count as a three-point underdog. Louis Dale, one of the country’s most underrated point guards, led the way with 21 points and seven assists. Ryan Wittman added 20 points even though he only got 10 shots. Wittman, the son of Randy, the former Indiana star who had a catch-and-shoot jumper that was as smooth as Tupelo Honey, buried 4-of-6 shots from 3-point range to shoot down the Owls.
Wittman averages a team-high 17.5 points per game, shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc. Dale averages 11.9 PPG and dishes out a team-high 4.8 assists per game. Jeff Foote, the team’s 7-foot senior center, averages 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Foote also averages 1.9 blocked shots per contest.
Steve Donahue’s team is an underdog in this spot for the seventh time this season. The Big Red have previously posted a 5-1 spread record in six ‘dog situations. They have now faced four teams in the NCAA field, going 2-2 SU and 3-1 versus the number. CU has wins over Temple and Vermont, but it lost at Syracuse (88-73) and at Kansas (71-66).
Wisconsin is one of the best coached teams in America. The Badgers play hard-nosed defense, are fundamentally sound at both ends and rarely take poor shots. They are led by senior guard Hughes, who averages a team-high 15.5 PPG and 1.7 steals per contest. Jason Bohannon is a lights-out perimeter shooter who shares the backcourt with Hughes. Bohannon averages 12.0 PPG and drains 3-balls at a 40-percent clip. He dropped a career-high 30 points on Indiana earlier this year.
Wisconsin owns a 6-7 spread record in 13 games as a single-digit favorite.
The ‘under’ is 12-9 overall for Cornell.
The ‘under’ has been a huge money maker in Wisconsin games, cashing at a 19-10 overall clip this season. Dating back to last year, the ‘under’ is 27-11 in the Badgers’ last 38 games.
**Xavier vs. Pittsburgh**
LVSC opened third-seeded Pittsburgh (25-8 SU, 17-11-2 ATS) as a 2 ½-point favorite with a total of 135. As of early Saturday night, most books were listing the Panthers as one-point favorites with the total in the 135-136 range.
Xavier (25-8 SU, 21-11 ATS) broke open a tight game midway through the second half and pulled away for a 65-54 win over Minnesota in a pick ‘em affair. Jordan Crawford dominated for the Muskateers, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Jamel McLean added seven points and 14 boards.
Jamie Dixon did one of the best coaching jobs in the country this year. After going to the Elite Eight and losing four key players last year, Pitt is back in the Round of 32 in what some believed would be a rebuilding year for the Panthers. They advanced to the second round by stroking 14th-seeded Oakland 89-66 Friday as 9 ½-point favorites. Jermaine Dixon led four starters in double figures with 17 points, five rebounds and five steals.
Chris Mackey’s team will be looking to avenge last season’s gut-wrenching loss to Pitt in Boston at the Sweet 16. Xavier led the Panthers by eight at intermission and by two with 1:49 remaining, but LeVance Fields took over down the stretch, draining the go-ahead 3-pointer and then getting a crucial steal at the defensive end. Nevertheless, the Muskateers took the money as 6 ½-point underdogs in the 60-55 loss.
The ‘over’ is a lucrative 20-11 overall for Xavier.
Totals have been a wash for Pitt, going 13-13 overall.
I called Xavier as my sleeper in this Tournament and actually predicted that it will make the Final Four. I stand by the assertion and obviously like the Muskateers a bunch in this spot.
Tip-off at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. Eastern.
**Texas A&M vs. Purdue**
LVSC opened this 4/5 showdown in Spokane as a pick ‘em with a total of 126 ½. As of early Saturday night, most spots had Texas A&M (24-9 SU, 19-10 ATS) listed as the 1 ½-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 125 ½.
Purdue (28-5 SU, 13-18-2 ATS) had been counted out by most pundits coming into the NCAA Tournament. The reason was obviously the loss of junior forward Robbie Hummel, arguably the team’s best player who went down with a torn ACL several weeks ago. However, the Boilermakers were impressive in the first round, sending Siena home by capturing a 72-64 win as 4 ½-point favorites.
JaJuan Johnson was the catalyst against the Saints, producing 23 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots. E’Twaun Moore added 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Mark Turgeon’s squad advanced to the second round by taking out Utah St. 69-53 as a 2 ½-point favorite. Khris Middleton scored a team-high 19 points for the Aggies, who are an incredible 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games.
Purdue has been an underdog twice this year, cashing tickets both times. Meanwhile, the Aggies are 9-3 ATS in their 12 games as single-digit favorites.
The ‘under’ is 17-11 overall for Texas A&M.
Totals have been a wash for Purdue (15-15), but the ‘under’ is on a 7-3 run in the Boilers’ last 10 games.
**Duke vs. California**
Most books are listing top-seeded Duke (30-5 SU, 19-13-2 ATS) as a six-point favorite with a total of 143. Bettors can back the Bears on the money line for a plus-215 return (risk $100 to win $215).
California (24-10 SU, 20-13 ATS) was one of the more impressive teams in the first round, trouncing Louisville 77-62 as a one-point favorite. Theo Robertson and Jerome Randle both scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Duke took care of Arkansas Pine-Bluff early and often in their first round meeting, cruising to a 73-44 triumph as a 24 ½-point favorite. Kyle Singler went off for 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jon Scheyer chipped in 13 points.
Mike Montgomery’s team has been cashing tickets galore, compiling a 10-2 spread record in its last 12 games. However, as underdogs this year, the Bears are 1-5 both SU and ATS.
Duke owns a 6-6-1 spread record in 13 games as a single-digit ‘chalk.’
The ‘over’ is 17-14-1 overall for Cal, 3-1 in its last four games.
The ‘under’ is 20-14 overall for Duke, 7-2 in its last nine games.
This game will be played in Jacksonville and come off the board 30 minutes after the conclusion of Cornell-Wisconsin.
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East Regional Day 4 Picks
By DAVID PAYNE
No. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers (-5.5, 138.5) vs. No. 10 Missouri Tigers
Is anyone playing better than West Virginia right now?
The Mountaineers (28-6, 14-19 ATS) manhandled Morgan State in the opening round for their seventh straight win.
Missouri (23-10, 15-12) also was impressive in the first round. The Tigers ratcheted up their trademark pressure defense to pull away from Clemson in the second half. It was the best Missouri’s looked in a month, even though coach Mike Anderson’s team was out-rebounded by 12.
Rebounding has been an issue for Missouri all season (-2.9 rebounding margin). That’s a major concern against a West Virginia squad that lives off the offensive glass.
Missouri makes up for its lack of rebounding prowess with pressure, something Anderson said his team will be increasing throughout the tournament. The Tigers harassed Clemson into 20 turnovers and lead the nation in steals.
West Virginia struggled in high-scoring affairs against Villanova and Pittsburgh in early February.
Prediction: West Virginia 71, Missouri 67
No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (-4, 121) vs. No. 12 Cornell Big Red
Cornell is talking a good game, but can the tournament darlings back it up?
“We’re just getting started,” 7-foot center Jeff Foote told reporters after Friday’s dominating win over A-10 champion Temple. "We have a really special team and we're capable of a special run. I don't think the mission is accomplished at all."
Always-gritty Wisconsin stands in the way of Cornell (28-4, 17-10) and the Sweet 16. The Badgers (24-8, 17-13 ATS) failed to put away Wofford on Friday, but survived and now must figure out how to slow down the hot-shooting Big Red.
The Badgers boast the fourth-ranked scoring defense and commit the fewest turnovers in the nation. That will certainly help, but where will the offense come from? Wisconsin hasn’t scored over 55 points in its last two games. Cornell has averaged over 80 in its last three.
The Big Red, of course, shoots a ton of 3’s. They average close to 10 made 3-pointers per game. Wisconsin made just 1-of-9 attempts from downtown against Wofford.
Prediction: Cornell 69, Wisconsin 62
South Regional Day 4 Picks
By PATRICK GARBIN
No. 5 Texas A&M Aggies vs. No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers (+1.5, 125.5)
Receiving little respect because of its loss of forward Robbie Hummel and a trendy pick to be upset, Purdue began the second half of Friday’s opening round with a 20-3 run to eventually defeat Siena, 72-64.
Keaton Grant (6.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg), who became a starter after Hummel’s knee injury, scored all 11 of his points in a span of only 5:10 during the Boilermakers’ decisive run. JaJuan Johnson (15.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 blocks) had a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.
In the victory, Purdue, a 4.5-point favorite, covered its first game in eight tries since mid-February. The Boilermakers are 13-18-2 ATS this season.
Texas A&M has been on a roll and it continued Friday. The Aggies had little trouble with Utah State, winning 69-53 and advancing to the tournament’s second round for the fifth consecutive year.
Freshman forward Khris Middleton (7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg) had a career-high 19 points and made 5-of-6 3-point attempts. Texas A&M is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games and 19-10 ATS this season – the 11th-best mark in the nation.
The second round game between Texas A&M and Purdue will pit two solid defenses against one another. In their last 10 games, the Aggies are yielding an average of less than 62 points per game while only two opponents have shot 44 percent or better from the floor. The Boilermakers are allowing only 61 points per game the entire season (29th in nation) while opponents shoot just 40 percent on field goals (36th).
The difference is, besides playing well defensively, Texas A&M is also extremely athletic. The sluggish Boilermakers will have a difficult time keeping up with the Aggies.
Final score prediction: Texas A&M 64, Purdue 57
No. 8 California Golden Bears vs. No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (-6, 143)
Entering Friday’s opening round against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Duke had struggled in recent NCAA tourneys, going 2-10 ATS since 2005. However, the Blue Devils’ blowout win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff helps prove this Duke team may be a little better and more confident than previous editions.
Duke’s “big three” of guards Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and forward Kyle Singler combined for 45 points while all three reached double digits for the 28th time in the Blue Devils’ 35 games this season. In addition, forward Lance Thomas added 12 points – more than twice his season scoring average.
“This is behind us,” said Smith of the 73-44 victory. “We’ve got to get ready for whoever we play next.”
“Whoever” is the California Golden Bears, who had little trouble with Louisville in a 77-62 opening-round win. Pac-10 player of the year Jerome Randle (18.7 ppg, 4.5 apg) and forward Theo Robertson (14.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg) each scored 21 points as California, a 1-point favorite, covered its 10th game of its last 12.
The Bears did struggle against the Cardinals’ height. California was out-rebounded 32-to-25 and Louisville’s big men, Samardo Samuels and Rakeem Buckles, combined for 36 points and 16-of-19 shooting from the field.
California, a relatively small team, is going to have a hard time matching up with Duke. The Blue Devils routinely out-rebound their opponents while, after their big three, four of the top five players are 6-foot-8 or taller. No Bear starter is taller than 6-foot-8.
This is the best Duke team in years and it should prove it today with a double-digit victory over an out-manned Cal team.
Final score prediction: Duke 75, California 63
Midwest Regional Day 4 Picks
By ADAM THOMPSON
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 10 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+6.5, 133.5)
Free-throw shooting has been a concern for Georgia Tech (23-12). The Jackets were under 65 percent for the season before going a blazing 24-of-25 (96 percent) in Friday’s 64-59 upset of Oklahoma State.
Georgia Tech’s frontcourt duo of 6-foot-9 junior Gani Lawal and 6-foot-10 freshman Derrick Favors got it done, with a combined 26 points and 15 rebounds.
The team also did a great job on Cowboys star guard James Anderson, who went just 3-of-12 for 11 points. Iman Shumpert is most credited for slowing Anderson.
No time to rest on those laurels. Here comes Evan Turner and Ohio State (27-7).
“I was a defensive stopper in high school,” Shumpert told Yahoo Sports. “Evan is another tough assignment. Whatever I have to do.”
Turner didn’t have to do much in the Buckeyes’ 68-51 win over UC Santa Barbara. He scored only nine points on 2-of-13 shooting (with 10 rebounds and five assists), but the backcourt of Jon Diebler and William Buford combined for 39 points.
Despite the comfortable win, Ohio State still didn’t go to its bench. Three starters played 37 or more minutes. Tech had eight players see 17 minutes or more in Friday’s win.
The two teams do have similar opponents. Ohio State beat Florida State 77-64, while Georgia Tech lost to the Seminoles twice, 66-59 and 68-66. The Buckeyes did lose to North Carolina 77-73 back when the Tar Heels were ranked No. 7. The Jackets beat the Heels three times in ACC play.
Georgia Tech is a perfect 5-0 in NCAA games played at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. If the physical Jackets can wear down the Buckeyes – and most teams have not - they have a very real chance.
Prediction: Ohio State 70, Georgia Tech 67
No. 4 Maryland Terrapins vs. No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (+1, 142)
Michigan State (25-8) escaped past New Mexico State 70-67 Friday, with the help of an ill-timed lane violation by the Aggies.
At this point, it’s all about surviving and Michigan State kept its hopes of getting back to the NCAA title game alive.
Spartans star point guard Kalin Lucas, usually a top playmaker, called his own number and scored a career-high 25 points. Spartans coach Tom Izzo improved to 32-11 in the NCAA Tournament with the win.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the years I’ve been in this tournament, the words ‘survive and advance’ that everybody preaches is the truth,” Izzo said after Friday’s win. “I don’t want to say I’m glad we had a close game, but I learned something about these guys that I had been looking for this year. … We played well early. We struggled in the second half. And we finished the game. We’ve survived and advanced.”
In other words, Izzo is hoping his Spartans are out of their late-season funk.
Four players scored in double figures for Maryland (24-8) in its 89-77 win over Houston. The Terps’ multiple scoring options have been a source of strength and it’s also allowed leading scorer Greivis Vasquez (19.5 ppg) to avoid major extra attention.
Freshman Jordan Williams, a starter all season, arrived onto the national scene Friday, busting out a career-high 21 points and 17 rebounds.
Both teams go eight deep and have three common opponents, but not much can be deduced from them. Maryland lost to Wisconsin 78-69, beat Indiana handily and beat North Carolina 92-71. Michigan State lost to UNC 89-82 (again, back when the Heels were good), split with Wisconsin (54-47 win and 67-49 loss) and also handled the Hoosiers.
One big concern for Maryland will be keeping the physical Spartans off the board. Michigan State is averaging a plus-9.4 rebounding margin on the season. Maryland is at plus-1.4. The Terps will need to run down the floor and hit their shots and not many teams are as good at either - 15th nationally in scoring, 79.6 ppg and 29th in field goal percentage, 47.2 percent – as the Terps.
Prediction: Maryland 69, Michigan State 67
West Regional Day 4 Picks
By SCOTT COOLEY
Syracuse Orange vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs (+7.5, 150)
The Syracuse smothering zone defense was in full force Friday night, holding Vermont to 34.8 percent shooting in the game and 5-for-22 from 3-point range.
The Orange motto coming into the NCAA Tournament was “Shut it Down” and they will have to recreate that shutdown defensive effort against a Gonzaga team that can bang the boards and has efficient perimeter shooters.
“We haven’t played anyone that plays a zone like Syracuse,” coach Mark Few told reporters. "With only one day to get ready for it, it's going to be a huge task (to win), especially in front of this crowd.”
With the game being played two and a half hours from the Syracuse campus, it will essentially be a home game for the Orange, much like their opening-round blowout.
Bulldogs guard Matt Bouldin said they will have to get their “bigs” some touches to be effective against the zone and that starts with NBA prospect Elias Harris.
Harris totaled 13 points in the win over Florida State and when the big German scored in double figures this season the Zags went 20-3.
The Bulldogs bench totaled 25 minutes and zero points in their first game, so fatigue has to be a concern for the five starters in this game.
But with Arinze Onuaku sidelined, Boeheim’s rotation only goes six deep with Scoop Jardine coming off the bench. Onuaku’s status for the game remains uncertain.
Prediction: Syracuse 82, Gonzaga 77
Xavier Musketeers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (PK, 136)
Jordan Crawford made a name for himself this summer after dunking on LeBron James, but he made a splash in Xavier’s first-round win over Minnesota after leading the team with 28 points.
The Musketeers have advanced to the second round of the Big Dance four straight years and four of the team’s five starters were in this position last year.
"There are different ways to motivate kids and we're really tired of being The Little Engine that Could," first-year coach Chris Mack told the media. "We're a really good program and our kids aren't scared to play anybody."
Pittsburgh was extremely balanced in its 23-point rout over Oakland Friday. The Panthers shot better than 53 percent from the field, had six players score double figures and all but one of their nine players saw 10 minutes of action or more.
Pitt’s strength down low will be a concern for Xavier, which was manhandled on the boards at times in the Minnesota game which didn’t afford the team many second-chance opportunities.
It should be a tight game throughout but the more experienced coach in Jamie Dixon will prove to be the difference in the end.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 67, Xavier 63
Sunday's Tournament NCAA games
Missouri is 2-3 in last five games, scoring 57.8 ppg in its losses; they're going to press for 40:00, but West Virginia can run with htem, and will defend well enough that if Mizzou can't score, they can't press as much. Huggins is just 2-7 in last nine second round games, but 1-0 here, with an upset win over Duke in '08. As I type this, 2-seeds 7-14 vs spread this round, pending the Kansas State result later Saturday.
Syracuse will have bigger home court edge than they do in Carrier Dome, as smaller arena will be filled with orange; Gonzaga goes anywhere and plays everyone; they lost by 4 at Michigan State, won at Maui tourney, played Duke in NYC, won at Illinois/Memphis- they're 5-1 as underdog this year- don't think St Mary's win over Villanova doesn't help, as the Big East is 0-3 n this tournament vs teams from the west coast.
Cornell shot 56% vs Temple, 68% in first half; they shoot 40.2% from arc, have six seniors in rotation. Big Red won at Alabama, took Kansas to last minute in Lawrence, went 1-2 vs Big East teams, so they're fairly well battle-rested. Wisconsin is 2-4 in this round last seven years, with a win over Cinderella Bucknell team in '05. Badgers survived vs Wofford on day where they shot 37% (1-9 on 3's) but had only four turnovers.
Cal starts four seniors, shoot 3's well; they were 8-15 from arc Friday, on season, they're 37.7% behind arc. Bears played lot of good teams in fall, but were banged-up- they're healthy now, but missing suspended Amoke. Duke beat Arizona State by 11 in only game vs Pac-10 team this season; they're 10-1 in this round since '98; Coach K lost to Jason Kidd's Cal team as 12-point favorite in this round 17 years ago.
Xavier won eight of last nine games; Pitt won eight of ten. Panthers beat Duquesne by 9 in only game vs A-14 team. X-men beat Cincinnati, lost to Marquette in its games vs Big East foes; Musketeers played the #12 non-league schedule, so they're battle tested, especially since A-14 is a real good league too (Pitt played #188 non-conf slate). Xavier shot only 34% vs Minnesota; their only loss in last nine games came in overtime.
Georgia Tech outscored Oklahoma State 24-9 from line Friday; they've got two NBA big men inside; Jackets are 48th in pace, Ohio State 235th; Buckeyes used only six guys in few games this year. Aside from their Final Fours in '99/'07, Ohio State has been knocked out in 1st/2nd round five times this decade, and were favored in all five games. Jackets are 6-5 vs spread as an underdog this year, covering three of last four.
Texas A&M/Purdue are both down a key starter; Aggies lost Roland at Christmastime, so they've adjusted to playing without him better than Boilers, who are 14-2 in last 16 games, but 1-7 vs spread in last eight. In Friday's win, Purdue got past a Siena team whose best 3-point shooter didn't play. Aggies are 12-2 vs spread in last 14 games, 8-2 as a favorite. Aggies beat Minnesota in November, team that waxed Purdue last week.
Maryland won five of last six games; they split pair vs Big 11 foes, with loss to Wisconsin in Maui and win at Indiana. Terps will see much more physical opponent that they saw Friday, when they scored on 14 of 15 possessions at one point. Izzo is 8-1 in this round, with only loss as a 10.5-point to North Carolina three years ago. Allen/Lucas both tweaked ankles late in Friday's win. Can Terps' Williams dominate inside again?
Tips and Trends
Missouri Tigers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Tigers: Missouri had lost 3 of their previous 4 games SU as they entered the NCAA Tournament. Missouri nation was certainly on pins and needles, as it appeared the Tigers were a shell of what they were earlier in the season. All of their recent struggles have been forgotten thanks to their SU win over Clemson in the 1st Round. The Tigers scored 86 PTS against Clemson, the 1st time they had scored more than 70 PTS in 5 games. The Tigers are 6-8 SU and 6-7 ATS on the road this season. Missouri is 2-4 ATS as the listed underdog this season. The Tigers entered the NCAA Tournament with a 23-10 SU record, including a 10-6 SU record in Big 12 play. The Tigers are also making their 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have made it this far thanks to their high pressure defense and their ability to play at break-neck speed. Missouri led the nation in steals and turnovers forced this season, averaging 11.1 steals and 19.7 turnovers forced per game. G Kim English leads 3 different Tigers averaging double figures in PTS this season, averaging 14.1 PPG.
Missouri is 6-2 ATS last 8 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog.
Over is 9-0 last 9 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - F Justin Safford (knee) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 72
Mountaineers (-5.5, O/U 137.5): West Virginia is arguably playing their best basketball of the season, as they have won 7 consecutive games SU including the Big East Championship. West Virginia has played some amazing defense of late, as they've held each of their past 4 opponents under 60 PTS. The Mountaineers are only allowing 63.8 PPG for the entire season, and they are 24-0 SU when holding their opposition under 70 PTS this season. The Mountaineers are making their 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament. West Virginia had played in close games prior to their opening round blowout, as they had played 4 consecutive games decided within 3 PTS. 3 different forwards average double figures in PTS this season for West Virginia. F Da'Sean Butler averages a team high 17.2 PPG, along with 6.3 RPG this season. West Virginia is 15-4 SU and 8-11 ATS away from home this season. The Mountaineers are 7-10 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. West Virginia is a perfect 8-0 SU in neutral court settings this season.
West Virginia is 9-2-1 ATS last 12 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 5-0 last 5 neutral site games as a favorite.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 74 (OVER - Total of the Day)