March Madness Betting Odds and Capsules: March 22
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The second round continues on Friday and how about those exciting upsets on Thursday, including Harvard over New Mexico? We'll highlight the today's most thrilling games in a March Madness betting primer. Get out your March Madness Bracket and check all the sports betting resources.
The second round of action continues today with more great NCAA Tournament basketball! Also click for the latest March Madness odds.
#10 Colorado Buffaloes (21-11 SU, 16-13-1 ATS) vs. #7 Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12 SU, 13-18 ATS)
Intangibles:
Colorado is very inexperienced.
Illinois shoots just 32.3 percent from three-point range.
Colorado is 4-1 on neutral courts.
Keys to Success:
The Colorado Buffaloes are led by Andre Roberson, a 6-foot-7 junior forward, who was named Pac-12 defensive player of the year. He leads the nation in rebounding at 11.3 per game. He did miss the final two regular season games with mono but came back in the Pac-12 tournament. Illinois will need a big game from point guard Brandon Paul, who may see Roberson on him. Paul averages 16.6 points per game. Illinois will have to keep Roberson off the boards to win this.
Colorado lost in the Pac-12 tournament on March 14, 79-69 to Arizona, 79-69, getting 4.5. Illinois has lost three of the last four including an 80-64 loss to Indiana in the Big 10 tournament on March 15, getting 10. Colorado is 7-2-1 ATS last 10 neutral site games. College Basketball Lines: Illinois is a 1-point betting odds favorite. Total: 127.0.
#10 Oklahoma Sooners (20-11 SU, 17-10 ATS) vs. #7 San Diego State Aztecs (22-10 SU, 13-13-1 ATS)
Intangibles:
San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin is one of the nation's most versatile players.
Oklahoma is averaging 78.7 points in their last 10 games.
Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger has taken five Division I programs to the NCAA Tournament.
Keys to Success:
Oklahoma is led by first-team all-Big 12 pick Romero Osby (6-8, 232), who averages 15.8 points and seven rebounds. They Sooners have to take advantage of their strength up front when they can. San Diego State has the better backcourt, led by Franklin (6-5, 205), who averages 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Aztecs also have a very good senior in Chase Tapley (6-3, 195), who averages 13.5 points and has made 66 three-pointers.
Oklahoma dropped their last two games, falling to Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament, 73-66, getting 2 on March 14. San Diego State lost to New Mexico in the Mountain West tournament semifinals, 60-50, getting 2. They lost two of their last three games. Oklahoma is 7-3 ATS last 10 overall. College Basketball Odds: San Diego State is a 3-point betting odds favorite. Total: 133.
#10 Iowa State Cyclones (22-11 SU, 15-13 ATS) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (25-9 SU, 16-15 ATS)
Intangibles:
Iowa State leads the nation in three-pointers made per game (9.8).
Iowa State's Will Clyburn creates matchup problems as a 6-foot-7, 210-pound guard.
Notre Dame's Jack Cooley is near the top in the nation in double-doubles with 19.
Keys to Success:
Notre Dame has a balanced offense and won't overwhelm you with great athleticism. Iowa State wants to get out and run as they average 79.6 points per game and they shoot 37 percent from beyond the arc. But they allow 71.2 points per game. Eric Atkins (11.4 points) and Jelani Grant (13.4 points) are one of the nation's top tandems and control the tempo for the Fighting Irish. Iowa State needs a big game from guard Korie Lucious, who is a transfer from Michigan State. He was with their Final Four team in 2010.
Iowa State has won three of four but fell to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament, 88-73, getting 5.5. Notre Dame has won two of three, falling to Louisville, 69-57 in the Big East tournament semifinals, getting 8.5. Notre Dame is 1-7 ATS last 8 Friday games. College Hoops Odds: Iowa State is a 1-point betting odds favorite. Total: 139.