HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!!
Game of the Day: Tuesday’s NCAAB play-in games
*** Hampton Pirates vs. Manhattan Jaspers (-7.5, OFF)
Manhattan is playing its best basketball at the right time as it prepares to face Hampton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. The Jaspers have won four in a row and seven of eight, including a run to their second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic tournament title, and a victory over fellow 16th seed Hampton sets up a Midwest region second-round game against top-seeded Kentucky. The Pirates makes their fourth NCAA appearance after winning the MEAC tournament as the sixth seed.
Hampton has five players averaging at least 9.7 points, but leading scorer Dwight Meikle (13.0) and rebounder (7.5) missed the last three games with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain. Manhattan boasts an experienced group that has held its last eight opponents to 39.5 percent from the field combined and gave Louisville a battle before losing in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Senior Emmy Andujar leads the Jaspers in scoring (16.5), rebounding (7.6), assists (3.5) and steals (2.1).
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, TruTV
LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened Manhattan as 7.5-point faves.
INJURY REPORT: Hampton – G Dwight Meikle (Questionable, ankle). Manhattan – N/A.
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: “Hampton owns the distinction of being the 22nd team with a losing record to enter this tournament. Not only that they have also allowed more points than they have scored this season – the only team in the tourney to make that claim. On the flip side, Manhattan returns to the party for the 2nd year in a row after nearly upending Louisville in an opening round affair last season. Despite being a negative rebounding team, you would have to look to the Jaspers with the experienced they gained in this event last year.” Marc Lawrence
ABOUT HAMPTON (16-17 SU, 7-0 ATS, 3-2 O/U): The Pirates, who upset Iowa State in the 2001 NCAA Tournament, pulled away from Delaware State for an 82-61 victory after being tied at halftime in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference final. “I feel like it was just poise,” Hampton guard Deron Powers told reporters after being named tournament Most Outstanding Player. “I felt like in crunch time, we didn’t make as many mistakes.” Reginald Johnson recorded 16.5 points per game over the last four and is second on the team overall (11.9), just ahead of Powers (10.5).
ABOUT MANHATTAN (19-13 SU, 17-13-1 ATS, 12-9-1 O/U): The Jaspers will play in their eighth NCAA Tournament and has been a tough team to beat in February and March the last two years at 20-5. Andujar shoots 51.5 percent from the field and the 6-10 Ashton Pankey is second on the team in scoring (13.5) while making 54 percent of his shots and was the MAAC tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Shane Richards is Manhattan’s third major scoring option at 13.1 points per game and has drained a team-high 88 from 3-point range.
TRENDS:
* Pirates are 8-0 ATS in their last eight games overall.
* Jaspers are 4-0 ATS in their last four neutral site games.
* Under is 4-0 in Jaspers last four overall.
CONSENSUS: At the time of writing, 58 percent of bets were on Manhattan.
*** Ole Miss Rebels vs. BYU Cougars (-3, OFF)
BYU’s Kyle Collinsworth missed last year’s NCAA Tournament with an injury and gets a second chance when his Cougars take on Ole Miss in the first round Tuesday at Dayton, Ohio, in a battle of 11 seeds. Collinsworth, who set a NCAA single-season record with six triple-doubles, was a key factor along with Tyler Haws as BYU won eight of its last nine games. Ole Miss struggled to a 1-4 mark in its past five contests and gets a major test against the nation’s second-highest scoring team.
The Rebels return to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time with an experienced group that took top-ranked Kentucky to overtime in January. Stefan Moody finished fourth in the SEC in scoring (16.3) for Ole Miss and Haws boasts 2,687 career points while standing fourth in the nation at 21.9 per contest. The winner moves on to play sixth-seeded Xavier in the second round of the Western regional Thursday.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, TruTV
LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened BYU as a 2.5-point fave.
INJURY REPORT: Ole Miss – N/A. BYU – F Jamal Aytes (Questionable, ankle), G Anson Winder (Questionable, knee), G Skyler Halford (Questionable, leg).
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: “A pair of 20-win teams square off for the right to enter the Big Dance as a No. 11 seed. For BYU, they must overcome an inability to compete head-to-head against fellow tourney teams, going just 1-5 SU and ATS this season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss went 10-5 SU and 12-3 ATS away from Oxford this season. The Rebels are also the best free throw shooting team in this tourney, canning 77.8% from the charity stripe. You have to like the SEC pedigree here tonight.” Marc Lawrence
ABOUT OLE MISS (20-12 SU, 16-14-1 ATS, 15-12-1 O/U): The Rebels dropped their last two against non-NCAA tournament teams — Vanderbilt and South Carolina — and will have to find the form that allowed them to win eight of nine from mid-January to mid-February. Moody has made a team-best 71 from behind the arc and senior Jarvis Summers runs the show while averaging 12.4 points and a team-high 4.6 assists. Those two must get ample support from a deep team, including LaDarius White (11.2 points) and Sebastian Saiz (7.6 points, team-high 5.4 boards).
ABOUT BYU (25-9 SU, 16-17 ATS, 16-11 O/U): Collinsworth tore the ACL in his right knee in the WCC championship game last season and the Cougars have injury concerns again. Third-leading scorer Anson Winder (13.1) missed the last two games with a knee injury while guard Skyler Halford suffered a lower leg injury in the last game and their status is uncertain. Collinsworth averages 14 points – including a career-best 28 in the West Coast Conference final loss to Gonzaga – 8.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists while Chase Fischer (12.9 points) is 97-of-236 (41.1 percent) from 3-point range.
TRENDS:
* Rebels are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Cougars are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 5-0 in Cougars last five neutral site games.
CONSENSUS: 73 percent of wagers are backing the Cougars.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship opening odds released
The teams have been set and Selection Sunday is in the books. Nevada-based sports book CG Technology was the first shop to release opening odds for the Big Dance.
Here’s a look at who they’ve given the early edge to in the Round of 64:
South Regional – Houston, Texas
16 North Florida/Robert Morris vs. 1 Duke
15 North Dakota State vs. 2 Gonzaga (-17)
14 UAB vs. 3 Iowa State (-12.5)
13 Eastern Washington vs. 4 Georgetown (-9)
12 Stephen F. Austin vs. 5 Utah (-5.5)
11 UCLA vs. 6 SMU (-2)
10 Davidson vs. 7 Iowa (-1)
9 St. John’s vs. 8 San Diego State (-1)
West Regional – Los Angeles, California
16 Coastal Carolina vs. 1 Wisconsin (-19.5)
15 Texas Southern vs. 2 Arizona (-23)
14 Georgia State vs. 3 Baylor (-7.5)
13 Harvard vs. 4 North Carolina (-9)
12 Wofford vs. 5 Arkansas (-7)
11 BYU/Ole Miss vs. 6 Xavier
10 Ohio State vs. 7 VCU (+1)
9 Oklahoma State vs. 8 Oregon PICK
Midwest Regional – Cleveland, Ohio
16 Hampton/Manhattan vs. 1 Kentucky
15 New Mexico State vs. 2 Kansas (-12)
14 Northeastern vs. 3 Notre Dame (-12)
13 Valparaiso vs. 4 Maryland (-3.5)
12 Buffalo vs. 5 West Virginia (-4)
11 Texas vs. 6 Butler PICK
10 Indiana vs. 7 Wichita State (-5)
9 Purdue vs. 8 Cincinnati PICK
East Regional – Syracuse, New York
16 Lafayette vs. 1 Villanova (-22)
15 Belmont vs. 2 Virginia (-16.5)
14 Albany vs. 3 Oklahoma (-12.5)
13 UC Irvine vs. 4 Louisville (-9)
12 Wyoming vs. 5 Northern Iowa (-7.5)
11 Boise State/Dayton vs. 6 Providence
10 Georgia vs. 7 Michigan State (-4.5)
(9) LSU vs. (8) North Carolina State (-1.5)
Sixty-eight need-to-know Betting Notes for 68 NCAA Tournament Teams
It’s tough to track all the teams vying for the national title when the NCAA tournaments gets underway this week. If you need a quick crash course in college hoops, here’s one defining stat for all 68 teams doing the Big Dance this March.
• Kentucky Wildcats (1) – The Wildcats limited opponents to a minuscule 0.117 assists per possession – easily the best mark in the NCAA.
• Villanova Wildcats (1) – The Wildcats generate just 42.8 percent of their scoring from 2-point shots – the 13th-lowest mark in the country.
• Duke Blue Devils (1) – The Blue Devils lead the NCAA with a whopping +15.6 first-half scoring margin at home, but post a pedestrian +3.5-point first-half differential on the road.
• Wisconsin Badgers (1) – Point guard Traevon Jackson (foot) is on track to return in time for the Badgers’ tournament opener. Jackson hasn’t played since Jan. 11.
• Virginia Cavaliers (2) – The Cavaliers have held foes to nine made free throws per game – the third-lowest total in the nation.
• Kansas Jayhawks (2) – The Jayhawks are prepared to play without freshman forward Cliff Alexander, who has been sidelined by what is being reported as eligibility issues.
• Arizona Wildcats (2) – The Wildcats use the charity stripe to their advantage, ranking fifth in the NCAA in free throws made per 100 possessions (26.24).
• Gonzaga Bulldogs (2) – The Bulldogs are shooting a sizzling 52.2 percent from the field on the road. Only one other school (UC Davis) is above 50 percent for the season.
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3) – Senior guard Jerian Grant was named MVP of the ACC conference tournament and leads Notre Dame in both scoring (16.8) and assists (6.6).
• Oklahoma Sooners (3) – The Sooners allow opponents to score 29.4 percent of their total points from long range – 213th in the NCAA.
• Baylor Bears (3) – Junior guard/forward Taurean Prince earned Big 12 second-team all-conference and sixth man of the year honors, averaging 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
• Iowa State Cyclones (3) – The Cyclones commit a foul on just 19.3 percent of their defensive plays, the fifth-best mark in the country.
• Maryland Terrapins (4) – The Terrapins are the only team ranked in the Top 12 with an assist-to-turnover ratio below 1.000, ranked 232nd at 0.907.
• Louisville Cardinals (4) – The Cardinals are a dismal 11-18-2 ATS for the year – the second-worst mark of any team earning at least 24 SU wins.
• North Carolina Tar Heels (4) – The Tar Heels were without freshman swingman Theo Pinson (foot), though he felt healthy enough to play and should return for the tournament opener.
• Georgetown Hoyas (4) – The Hoyas prepared themselves for the NCAA tournament with the 11th toughest schedule in the country, boasting a SOS of 0.5883. That included non-conference opponents Kansas and Wisconsin.
• West Virginia Mountaineers (5) – Guards Gary Browne (leg) and Juwan Staten (knee) both missed the Mountaineers’ last three games and their status for the tournament opener is unknown.
• Northern Iowa Panthers (5) – The Panthers enter the NCAA tournament on a 13-3-3 ATS stretch, with one of those losses coming courtesy an 11-point win over Evansville as a 12-point fave.
• Arkansas Razorbacks (5) – The Razorbacks lead the SEC in assists per game (16.5) and fewest turnovers (11.7), good for a 1.41 assist-to-turnover ratio that ranks 10th in the nation.
• Utah Utes (5) – The Utes have one of the biggest home-road scoring margin discrepancies in college hoops, outscoring opponents by an average of 23.4 points at home but just 4.9 points on the road.
• Butler Bulldogs (6) – Bulldogs forward Andrew Chrabascz has averaged 11 points in three games since returning from surgery to repair a broken hand.
• Providence Friars (6) – The Friars are 18-11-1 ATS and 16-11 O/U for the year – making them one of only seven schools to go plus-5 or better in the win column in both categories.
• Xavier Musketeers (6) – The Musketeers are 2-8 O/U in their previous 10 games, with one of their Overs exceeding the total by just two points.
• SMU Mustangs (6) – The Mustangs record an assist on 24.3 percent of their possessions – good for seventh overall.
• Wichita State Shockers (7) – The Shockers shoot just 62.1 percent from the free-throw line at home compared to 74.8 percent on the road. It’s the largest negative home/road discrepancy in the country.
• Michigan State Spartans (7) – The Spartans average 0.257 assists per possession. Only Pittsburgh (0.260) has a better rate among Division I teams.
• VCU Rams (7) – The Rams are the only team in the NCAA with 20 ATS losses (12-20-0) and more than 20 SU victories (26-9).
• Iowa Hawkeyes (7) – The Hawkeyes rank outside the Top 200 in 2-point shooting (46.9 percent) and 3-point shooting (33.2 percent), but are 23rd overall from the free-throw line (74.5 percent).
• Cincinnati Bearcats (8) – The Bearcats have limited opponents to 17.3 defensive rebounds per game. Only New Mexico State (17.1) has permitted fewer.
• North Carolina State Wolfpack (8) – Wolfpack guard Anthony Barber has been cleared to play in the tournament after suffering a spasm in his neck muscles during an ACC tournament loss to Duke.
• Oregon Ducks (8) – The Ducks average better than 75 points but attempt just 0.295 free throws for every field goal attempt – the 15th-worst rate in the land.
• San Diego State Aztecs (8) – The Aztecs surrender just 23.4 first-half points per game, the second-best performance in the country.
• Purdue Boilermakers (9) – The Boilermakers are one of only four programs to register at least 20 ATS wins (20-10-0), but have posted the fewest Overs of the bunch (10-18).
• LSU Tigers (9) – The Tigers are one of the most careless teams in the nation, turning the ball over 14.6 times per game (326th) and on 17.5 percent of their offensive plays (260th).
• Oklahoma State Cowboys (9)- The Cowboys allow opponents to secure 31 percent of their missed shots – the worst mark among Big 12 teams.
• St. John’s Red Storm (9) – Forward Chris Obekpa, ranked fifth in the nation with 3.13 blocks per game, won’t be going to the tournament after being suspended for violating team rules.
• Indiana Hoosiers (10) – The Hoosiers will likely be without forward Hanner Mosquera-Perea, who suffered a scary-looking knee injury in Thursday’s 71-56 win over Northwestern.
• Georgia Bulldogs (10) – The Bulldogs are 10-4-2 ATS in 16 games away from Stegeman Coliseum, including a 7-3-2 ATS mark as road/neutral underdogs.
• Ohio State Buckeyes (10) – The Buckeyes’ plus-2.2 road scoring differential is the lowest of any team in the Top 20 in overall average scoring margin.
• Davidson Wildcats (10) – The Wildcats are this season’s ATS darlings, posting a stunning 22-6-0 ATS mark for the season, including an 11-2-0 ATS record on the road and a 7-0 ATS mark as road underdogs.
• Texas Longhorns (11) – The Longhorns are one of the top Under plays of any team from a major conference (9-17-0 O/U) thanks to a defense ranked fourth in field-goal percentage against (36.8).
• Boise State Broncos (11) – The Broncos were a scorching 15-5-0 ATS against the Mountain West conference, covering the spread by an average of 5.5 points per game.
• Dayton Flyers (11) – The Flyers rank ninth last in the NCAA in offensive rebounding at 5.8 per game, reclaiming a paltry 21.2 percent of their misses.
• BYU Cougars (11) – The Cougars are dealing with a pair of significant injuries, as Anson Winder is sidelined with a sprained knee and Skyler Halford left the WCC championship loss to Gonzaga with a lower leg nerve contusion.
• Ole Miss Rebels (11) – The Rebels lead the NCAA in road free-throw shooting at 79 percent, but attempt just 20.8 per game away from Oxford.
• UCLA Bruins (11) – The Bruins are one of the worst road teams in the tournament, going just 2-8 away from Pauley Pavilion while being outscored by an average margin of 6.8 points.
• Buffalo Bulls (12) – The Bulls draw 21 fouls per game and make those extra shots count – ranking fifth in the nation in made free throws per contest (17.9).
• Wyoming Cowboys (12) – Passing is a critical component of the Cowboys’ offense. They average 0.666 assists per made field goal, the third-highest rate in the country.
• Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (12) – The Lumberjacks rank second in the NCAA at 17.6 assists per game, the third straight season they’ve increased their assist total.
• Wofford Terriers (12) – The Terriers limit the opposition to 8.9 assists per game, good for seventh in the nation, and 0.424 assists per field goal made, which ranks sixth.
• Valparaiso Crusaders (13) – The Crusaders have some key players nursing injuries going into March Madness as Tevonn Walker (knee), Darien Walker (nose) and Keith Carter (toe) are all banged up.
• UC Irvine Anteaters (13) – The Anteaters rank outside the Top 300 in free throws made per game (11.5), free throws attempted (16.7) and free throws per field goal attempt (0.310).
• Harvard Crimson (13) – The Crimson limit opponents to 26.4 first-half points and 30.4 second-half points per game – both marks rank 13th in the NCAA.
• Eastern Washington Eagles (13) – Sophomore guard Tyler Harvey leads the nation in scoring at 22.9 points per game, highlighted by a 42-point performance against Idaho on March 12.
• Northeastern Huskies (14) – The Huskies were 8-1-0 O/U as a home favorite, going Over by an absurd average of 15.6 points.
• Albany Great Danes (14) – The Great Danes did a sensational job of keeping foes off the foul line, ranking 13th in opposing attempts per game (15.2) and 17th in makes (10.6).
• Georgia State Panthers (14) – Sun Belt No. 2 scorer Ryan Harrow made a brief appearance in the conference title game as he recovers from an injured hamstring, though he’s expected to play in the NCAA tournament opener.
• UAB Blazers (14) – The Blazers have been a solid bet in conference play, going 15-6-0 ATS versus C-USA foes while covering by an average of five points.
• New Mexico State Aggies (15) – The Aggies boast a 13-1 conference record despite ranking 321st in 3-point makes per game (4.7) and 344th in attempts (12.8).
• Belmont Bruins (15) – The Bruins rank sixth in the nation with a 56.5-percent success rate from 2-point range, but are just 166th overall in shot attempts per game at 54.3.
• Texas Southern Tigers (15) – The Tigers are great at getting to the free throw line, ranking 16th at 24.4 attempts per game, but struggle once there, shooting just 66.2 percent (272nd overall).
• North Dakota State Bison (15) – The Bison grab 79.2 percent of defensive boards, good for second in the NCAA, and limit opponents to 6.2 offensive rebounds per game – fourth-fewest overall.
• Manhattan Jaspers (16) – The Jaspers get to the line like few other teams, ranking in the Top 10 in attempts (25.2), makes (17.5) and free throw attempts per field goal attempts (0.479).
• Hampton Pirates (16) – The Pirates finished the season a perfect 7-0 ATS, covering the spread by an average of 14.4 points in their limited lined games.
• Lafayette Leopards (16) – The Leopards are one of the most dangerous teams in the country from deep, ranking second in 3-point percentage (41.4) and eighth in shooting efficiency (1.181).
• Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (16) – The Chanticleers are one of the top teams after halftime in the NCAA, ranked 31st overall in second-half scoring (38.6 points per game).
• Robert Morris Colonials (16) – The Colonials struggled to contain opposing big men, allowing foes to grab nearly 35 percent of misses – 338th in the nation.
• North Florida Ospreys (16) – The Ospreys earned their first trip to the NCAA tournament on the strength of a 53.6-percent effective field-goal percentage – 31st in the country.
Only the Biggest of the Big NCAA Betting Favorites cover the spread
By Jason Logan
NCAA tournament bettors are used to tangling with towering piles of chalk in the Round of 64, and this year’s Big Dance is no exception.
Oddsmakers have pegged the Arizona Wildcats as 23-point favorites versus Texas Southern, set Villanova as a 22.5-point fave against Lafayette, and are now dealing Wisconsin -20 versus Coastal Carolina in its tournament opener.
On top of those big spreads, the No. 1 overall seed, Kentucky Wildcats, will undoubtedly face a monstrous number of points when its Round of 64 opponent (either Manhattan or Hampton) is decided in the play-in game Tuesday.
Going back to 1998, teams favored by 20 points or more in the NCAA tournament are 74-1 SU and 36-37-2 ATS. That lone upset came in 2012 at the hands of No. 15 seed Norfolk State, which knocked off No. 2 Missouri 86-84 as a 21-point underdog in the Round of 64.
Breaking down those big favorites, teams giving between 20 and 23 points – like those three mentioned above – are just 10-15-1 (40%) ATS since 1998. NCAA favorites between 23.5 points and 28 points are 17-18-1 (48%) ATS in that same span. It’s been the biggest favorites, however, that have handled their business on the court and at the sports book during tournament tilts, with faves between 28.5 points and higher going 9-4 ATS (69%) since 1998.
The loftiest point spread in that 16-year stretch were the 1999 Duke Blue Devils, who were pegged as 47-point favorites versus Florida A&M in the Round of 64, falling short of that cover with a 99-58 win. In fact, six of the seven biggest tournament spreads in that time belong to Duke. The Blue Devils have been NCAA favorites of 20 or more points 14 times, going 8-6 ATS in those contests.
Arizona is facing a 20-plus spread for the fifth time in the past 17 tournaments, going 3-1 ATS in those previous games. The lone ATS loss came as 27.5-point chalk against Jackson State in 2000, with the Wildcats winning 71-47.
Note: Those 75 NCAA tournament games with spreads of 20 points or more since 1998 have produced a 35-40 Over/Under record, with spreads between 20 and 24 points going 13-18 Over/Under (58% Under).
Vegas Book Releases March Madness Regional Odds
By Stephen Campbell
Now that we know which teams will be meeting in the Round of 64, Vegas is gearing up for the Madness just like everyone else.
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook released odds Monday for each team’s chances to win the Regional Finals and advance to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s a full look at the book’s chances for every team:
ODDS TO WIN EAST REGIONAL
VILLANOVA 7-5
VIRGINIA 7-4
OKLAHOMA 6-1
LOUISVILLE 10-1
NORTHERN IOWA 8-1
PROVIDENCE 40-1
MICHIGAN ST 12-1
NC STATE 60-1
LSU 60-1
GEORGIA 75-1
DAYTON 100-1
BOISE ST 200-1
WYOMING 300-1
UC IRVINE 300-
ALBANY 1000-1
BELMONT 500-1
LAFAYETTE 5000-1
ODDS TO WIN MIDWEST REGIONAL
KENTUCKY 1-3
KANSAS 8-1
NOTRE DAME 8-1
MARYLAND 20-1
WEST VIRGINIA 30-1
BUTLER 35-1
WICHITA ST 8-1
CINCINNATI 60-1
PURDUE 60-1
INDIANA 100-1
TEXAS 20-1
BUFFALO 150-1
VALPARAISO 150-1
NORTHEASTERN 1000-1
NEW MEXICO ST 500-1
MANHATTAN 5000-1
HAMPTON 9999-1
ODDS TO WIN SOUTH REGIONAL
DUKE 8-5
GONZAGA 11-5
IOWA ST 9-2
GEORGETOWN 12-1
UTAH 11-2
SMU 15-1
IOWA 30-1
SAN DIEGO ST 30-1
ST JOHN’S 75-1
DAVIDSON 60-1
UCLA 75-1
SF AUSTIN 75-1
EASTERN WASHINGTON 1000-1
UAB 1000-1
NORTH DAKOTA ST 1000-1
NORTH FLORIDA 2000-1
ROBERT MORRIS 5000-1
ODDS TO WIN WEST REGIONAL
WISCONSIN 6-5
ARIZONA 6-5
BAYLOR 10-1
NORTH CAROLINA 10-1
ARKANSAS 25-1
XAVIER 40-1
VCU 50-1
OREGON 60-1
OKLAHOMA ST 60-1
OHIO ST 20-1
BYU 60-1
OLE MISS 75-1
WOFFORD 300-1
HARVARD 300-1
GEORGIA ST 300-1
TEXAS SOUTHERN 5000-1
COASTAL CAROLINA 5000-1
NCAA Basketball Betting 3-Point Play: Three Interesting Opening Lines Tuesday
by Alan Matthews
What a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with the start of the NCAA Tournament? The First Four kicks off in Dayton on Tuesday, and the First Four might look a bit different after this season. According to reports, NCAA officials may revisit the principle of locking in the last four at-large teams into the First Four after a possible UConn win Sunday would have sent the Huskies into the general at-large field despite being the last team on the bracket. Dayton would have dropped from the field if UConn had won. Instead the Flyers get a home game in the First Four on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the two First Four games Tuesday as well as an NIT matchup.
Hampton vs. Manhattan (-8.5)
This First Four opener is at 6:40 p.m. ET on truTV. The winner of this No. 16 vs. No. 16 matchup gets the misfortune of facing No. 1 overall seed and unbeaten Kentucky in the “second round” of the Big Dance in Louisville. Yeah, I’m not calling the Round of 64 the second round any longer.
Hampton (16-17) is the only team with a losing record in the NCAA Tournament. It was the No. 6 seed in the MEAC Tournament but won four games, knocking off Delaware State 82-61 on Saturday in the final. Junior guard Deron Powers was named MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 16.3 points per contest. You might remember Hampton from 2001 when it became the rare No. 15 seed to knock off a No. 2, upsetting Iowa State. The Pirates are the ninth team since 2000 to reach the Big Dance with a losing record, and it’s the fourth straight season it has happened. Hampton was last in the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and was crushed by Duke. Manhattan (19-13) beat top-seeded Iona for the MAAC Tournament title, the Jaspers’ second straight tournament title. You also might remember that Coach Steve Masiello was hired at South Florida after last season, but that was voided when it was revealed that Masiello never graduated from the University of Kentucky as he indicated on his resume. Manhattan’s best player is senior Emmy Andujar. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, averaging 16.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. Last year in the Big Dance, Manhattan gave Louisville a tough game in the first round.
Key trends: Hampton is 8-0 ATS in its past eight games. It is 12-5 ATS in its past 17 nonconference matchups. Manhattan is 6-0 ATS in its past six after a win.
Why take the underdog: I think Manhattan wins, but Hampton will keep it close.
Illinois at Alabama (-2.5)
This NIT matchup tips at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Even though Alabama is the No. 6 seed and Illinois a No. 3, the Crimson Tide will host the game because the Illini’s gym is being renovated. I’m very curious to see what kind of effort the Alabama players give in the wake of head coach Anthony Grant being fired Sunday. Grant, 48, was with the Tide for six seasons, winning at least 20 games three times and making an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012. He also led Alabama to three NIT appearances (reaching the championship game in 2011), including this season. Good luck getting a big-name coach to take that job at a football school. The Tide looked like an NCAA Tournament team off to a 12-3 start but finished 18-14 overall and 8-10 in the SEC. They closed the season with a 69-61 loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament.
Not a single team from the state of Illinois has made the Big Dance this year. The Illini (19-13, 9-9) have missed the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year so the pressure will really be on Coach John Groce next season. Illinois was in the field by most accounts before losing its final two games, at Purdue to close the regular season and then a really puzzling 73-55 loss to Michigan in Chicago in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois was just 1-for-13 from long range.
These teams haven’t played since the 1996 NIT. The winner faces the Miami/NC Central victor in the next round.
Key trends: Illinois is 1-5 ATS in its past six nonconference games. The Illini have covered just one of their past 11 on Tuesday. The Tide are 6-1 ATS in their past seven after a loss. Alabama is 1-5 ATS in its past six against teams with a losing record.
Why take the underdog: I think the Tide players will be deflated after losing their coach.
BYU vs. Ole Miss (+3.5)
This First Four matchup between No. 11 seeds tips at around 9:10 p.m. on truTV. The winner faces No. 6 Xavier in Jacksonville.
I’m glad that BYU (25-9) got in as it’s a fun team to watch, ranking second nationally in scoring at 83.6 points per game. Tyler Haws leads the nation in scoring at 21.9 points per game and Kyle Collinsworth leads college basketball in triple-doubles. I could see the Cougars reaching the regional final. They essentially got in with their 73-70 win at Gonzaga on Feb. 28, ending the Zags’ school-record 22-game winning streak and 41 straight at home. The Zags got revenge in the West Coast Conference Tournament title game, 91-75. It’s the second straight NCAA bid for BYU. Last season, BYU lost to Oregon in its first game, 87-68. This is BYU’s second trip to Dayton. In 2012, the Cougars defeated Iona 78-72 as a No. 14 seed. BYU trailed by 25 before rallying, the biggest comeback in NCAA Tournament history. Mississippi (20-12) is in the Big Dance for the first time since 2013. I question the Rebels’ selection over a team like Colorado State or Temple as Ole Miss closed the season with losses to Vanderbilt and then South Carolina in the Rebels’ NCAA Tournament opener. It’s Ole Miss’ first at-large bid since 2002. Junior guard Stefan Moody was named All-SEC first team after leading the SEC in scoring in conference games at 18.6 ppg. Moody also leads the league in steals.
Key trends: Ole Miss is 6-2 ATS in its past eight after a loss. The Rebels are 1-6 ATS in their past seven vs. teams with a winning record. BYU is 5-1 ATS in its past six against teams with a winning record.
Why take the favorite: I think BYU is pretty darn good.
High-powered BYU meets Ole Miss Tuesday
By: Zach Cohen
OLE MISS REBELS (20-12) vs. BYU COUGARS (25-9)
University of Dayton Arena – Dayton, OH
NCAA Tournament – First Round
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:10 p.m. ET
Line: BYU -3.0
Ole Miss and BYU will be looking to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament when the teams meet Tuesday.
Ole Miss stumbled its way into the tournament, losing 60-58 as a 4-point favorite against South Carolina in the SEC tournament. The Rebels lost four of their last five games heading into this game. They’ve now covered in just one of their past six games as well. BYU, however, lost for the first time in nine games when it lost 91-75 as an 8-point underdog against Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference championship. The Cougars covered in seven of the eight games they won before losing both SU and ATS to Gonzaga. The team has scored 75+ points in eight of its past nine games and that type of offense is going to be really tough to keep up with for a Rebels team that scored over 75 points in just three of their past 10 games. This will be the first time these teams have ever played one another. Ole Miss is 9-2 ATS when playing as an underdog this season. BYU, meanwhile, is 204-153 ATS when playing as a favorite since 1997. Gs Anson Winder (Knee) and Skyler Halford (Leg) are listed as questionable for the Cougars, who are already without F Nate Austin (Hamstring), G Jordan Chatman (Ankle) and F Jamal Aytes (Ankle) for the season. The Rebels aren’t dealing with any injuries heading into the tournament.
Ole Miss had a very good offensive team this season, averaging 72.6 PPG (52nd in NCAA) on 42.6% shooting (223rd in NCAA). The team took a lot of ill-advised shots, but was able to put up points when it needed to. On the other end, the Rebels gave up 67.5 PPG (200th in NCAA) and will have to be ready to defend an explosive Cougars offense. This is a deep Rebels squad but in order for the team to win, G Stefan Moody (16.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.8 SPG) must play well. Moody is a trigger-happy guard that can fall in love with his outside jumper (35% 3PT). He is an excellent on-ball defender and can really force a ton of turnovers, but he must be disciplined on offense. If he is forcing up too many shots then he will not help his team in this one. G Jarvis Summers (12.4 PPG, 4.6 APG) is a very smart player in this backcourt. Summers knows how to get to the basket to finish at the rim or draw fouls (5.2 FTA per game, 76% FT), but he is also a willing passer. He’ll need to set his teammates up for some open buckets in this one. G Ladarius White (11.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG) is another very productive player for this team. White is a lights-out shooter (41% 3PT) and can shoot his team into games or right out of them. He’ll need to catch fire in this game against a BYU team that is surely going to put up a ton of points on Tuesday. Fs M.J. Rhett (6.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG) and Dwight Coleby (5.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG) are going to be counted on to bang inside for this team. These two are some of the only rotation players with size for the Rebels. They combined for just 12 rebounds when the team got bounced by South Carolina in the SEC tournament and they must be more imposing on the glass Tuesday.
BYU ran one of the most potent offenses in college basketball, averaging 83.6 PPG (2nd in NCAA) on 46.7% shooting (46th in NCAA). The team knows how to pass the ball (16.8 APG, 5th in NCAA) and also hits the glass aggressively (38.5 RPG, 15th in NCAA). Defensively is where this team has had its issues, allowing 72.6 PPG (315th in NCAA). That is, however, a product of the pace the Cougars prefer to play at. G Tyler Haws (21.9 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG) is going to be a player the Rebels will have their attention on. Haws is one of the best scorers in college basketball and has the ability to score if his defender loses focus for less than a second. He is a tremendous three-point shooter (36% 3PT) and also gets himself to the free throw line often (6.9 FTA per game, 88% FT). While Haws is one of the best scorers in the nation, G Kyle Collinsworth (14.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.8 SPG) is one of the most versatile players in college basketball. There is nothing that Collinsworth is not capable of doing on the court and the guard posted six triple-doubles this season. He can score in a number of ways and is also just an excellent passer and rebounder. G Chase Fischer (12.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.0 APG) is a dangerous player in this backcourt. Fischer can really shoot the three-ball (41% 3PT) and will not hesitate to let it fly on Tuesday. G Skyler Halford (8.7 PPG) is another lethal outside shooter (48% 3PT) for this team. He is questionable for this game, but would see a major increase in minutes if G Anson Winder (13.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 SPG) were unable to suit up. If that is the case then this team shouldn’t skip a beat offensively. Halford’s ability to shoot the three will make sure the Rebels don’t key in on Haws or Collinsworth too much. If both are unable to play then some of the team’s other bench players will need to step it up offensively.
NBA Odds and Predictions: Tuesday, March 17 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews
Interesting schedule on Tuesday night in the NBA as there are only five games and all are matchups between Eastern and Western Conference clubs. None of the games may involve two playoff teams, although it’s possible that Charlotte at the L.A. Clippers will. I guess to get my basketball fix that I’ll be watching the NCAA Tournament’s First Four. But here’s a look at each NBA game on the schedule. Bucks-Pelicans is the only nationally televised matchup (NBA TV).
Grizzlies at Pistons (TBA)
It’s the second of a back-to-back for Memphis as it hosted Denver on Monday. Thus it wouldn’t surprise me if a starter or two gets the night off in Detroit. Mike Conley, for example, is dealing with a sprained ankle. Detroit has flat-out quit, having lost 88-85 in Utah for its 10th straight defeat. The Pistons’ best player, center Andre Drummond, was diagnosed with a concussion and didn’t play after halftime of that one, so he’s obviously questionable here. I doubt he plays. Detroit lost in Memphis 95-88 on Nov. 15. Zach Randolph had 17 points and 22 rebounds in perhaps his best game of the year.
Key trends: Memphis is 0-8 against the spread in its past eight against teams with a losing record. Detroit is 4-13 ATS in its past 17 at home against teams with a winning road record. The “over/under” is has gone under in 10 of Detroit’s past 12 on Tuesday. Memphis has covered six straight in Motown.
Early lean: Wait and see who plays.
Spurs at Knicks (+13, 195.5)
San Antonio bounced back from that crazy overtime home loss to Cleveland on Thursday with a 123-97 victory over visiting Minnesota on Sunday. The Spurs did lose Manu Ginobili to a sprained right ankle in that game, and he’s not going to play here. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gregg Popovich rests a guy or two as the Spurs play again on Wednesday. New York closed a five-game Western Conference road trip at 1-4 with a 102-89 loss in Phoenix on Sunday. Tim Hardaway sprained his right wrist late in the first quarter and did not return, while rookie Cleanthony Early left later with a sprained left ankle. The Knicks lost 109-95 in San Antonio on Dec. 10 when the Spurs sat Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Kawhi Leonard.
Key trends: The Spurs are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 on the road. New York is 1-7 ATS in its past eight on Tuesday. The over is 5-0 in San Antonio’s past five games. The over is 5-1 in the past six meetings.
Early lean: Knicks and over.
Magic at Rockets (-12, 202)
Orlando lost a fourth straight Sunday, 123-108 at home to Cleveland. Victor Oladipo led the Magic with 25 points. Tobias Harris scored 24, and Nik Vucevic finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Magic guard Evan Fournier sat out again with a hip injury. The Magic have given up an average of 108 points per game during their losing streak. I could see Houston being flat here after a big 100-98 win at the Clippers on Sunday to close a four-game road trip. James Harden had 34 points to lead the way. The Rockets are 30-3 when allowing fewer than 100 points. Houston lost 120-113 in Orlando on Jan. 14.
Key trends: Orlando is 5-1 ATS in its past six vs. the West. Houston is 6-1 ATS in its past seven vs. the East. Orlando is 9-1 ATS in the past 10 vs. Houston.
Early lean: Magic and under.
Bucks at Pelicans (TBA)
Milwaukee lost a second straight Saturday, 96-83 in Memphis, the Bucks’ eighth straight road defeat. They did force 15 Grizzlies turnovers and are the only team in the NBA to force at least 10 in every game this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo tweaked his ankle late in the game, so I’m presuming that’s why the TBA here. New Orleans saw a three-game winning streak end with Sunday’s 118-111 OT loss in Denver. Anthony Davis almost had the equivalent to a perfect game in MLB: a quadruple-double. Davis finished with 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists. No one in the NBA has had a game with totals that high in all four of those categories in at least 30 seasons. New Orleans won in Milwaukee on March 9, 114-103 behind 43 points from Davis.
Key trends: The Bucks are 1-9 ATS in their past 10 vs. the West. New Orleans is 1-7 ATS in its past eight at home vs. teams with a losing road record. The over is 4-1 in the past five meetings.
Early lean: Pelicans roll here.
Hornets at Clippers (TBA)
Charlotte started a five-game road trip at surging Utah on Monday, and it wasn’t clear if Al Jefferson would play in that one (thus the TBA here). The Clippers welcomed back Blake Griffin from his elbow surgery on Sunday but lost 100-98 at home to Houston. Griffin, who missed 15 games, had 11 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes. Chris Paul missed a close jumper as time expired. The Clippers won in Charlotte 113-92 earlier this season. Griffin had 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Paul had 22 points and 15 assists. The Clippers outscored the Hornets by 39 points from beyond the 3-point arc.
Key trends: Charlotte is 0-4 ATS in its past four vs. the West. The Clips are 2-7 ATS in their past nine vs. the East. The Hornets have failed to cover their past four at the Clippers.
Early lean: Wait on Jefferson.
POINTWISE
NBA BASKETBALL
TUESDAY, MARCH 17 SCORE
(7:35) San Antonio Spurs 112 – NEW YORK KNICKS 99 _____ _____
(7:35) Memphis Grizzlies 106 – DETROIT PISTONS 103 _____ _____
(8:05) Milwaukee 110 – NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 100 _____ _____
(8:05) HOUSTON ROCKETS 102 – Orlando Magic 94 _____ _____
(10:35) LA CLIPPERS 109 – Charlotte Hornets 89 _____ _____
BEST BETS: MILWAUKEE, LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (3)
ALLEN EASTMAN (NCAA Tournament)
7-Unit. Play Take #538 BYU -2 over Mississippi