Saturday's NCAAB tournament betting cheat sheet
SOUTH REGION:
(14) UAB Blazers vs. (11) UCLA Bruins (-6, 133)
The Blazers stifled Iowa State's potent attack by dominating the boards, limiting second chances for the Cyclones and picking up plenty of their own. William Lee had 12 rebounds and Tyler Madison secured 11 in just 14 minutes off the bench, nine of which came on the offensive end. UAB struggled from long-distance with a 3-of-18 showing, but Brown hit a big one on the final minute to help the Blazers produce a second-round upset of a No. 3 seed for the third straight season.
Bryce Alford was 9-of-11 from 3-point range while becoming the 10th player to reach that mark in a tournament game and the first since 2012, a masterful performance that pleased his father, head coach Steve Alford. "Well, nobody's been critiqued any more than he has on our basketball team throughout the year, and he's been very consistent," the elder Alford said.
TRENDS:
* Under is 8-2 in Bruins last 10 games following a S.U. win.
* Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six neutral site games.
* Bruins are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
(5) Utah Utes vs. (4) Georgetown Hoyas (+4.5, 125.5)
The Utes committed 17 turnovers Thursday - one shy of their season high, but junior guard Brandon Taylor (10.4 points per game) told reporters: "I think we got the jitters out." Utah needs stronger games from Taylor and senior guard Delon Wright (team bests of 14.8 points and 5.2 assists), who combined to shoot 3-for-12 from the field and record 10 turnovers.
The Hoyas enter their first meeting with Utah after ending a five-game NCAA Tournament losing streak against double-digit seeds. "We just have to go out and prepare for a very tough Utah team,'' coach John Thompson III said. "You keep doing your business, you keep doing what you're supposed to do, eventually people will be quiet (about the streak).''
TRENDS:
* Utes are 21-6-2 ATS in their last 29 non-conference games.
* Hoyas are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 4-1 in Hoyas last five non-conference games.
MIDWEST REGION:
(8) Cincinnati Bearcats vs. (1) Kentucky Wildcats (-16.5, 118.5)
“We’ll go out there with a lot of confidence,” Bearcats guard Kevin Johnson told reporters. “We’ve got nothing to lose. That’s not a bad position to be in.” Cincinnati joins Kentucky among the top defenses in the country, but must deal with a balanced Wildcats squad that has won 35 games by an average of 21 points.
Freshman Karl-Anthony Towns rebounded from making only three field goals combined in his previous two games to drain 8-of-12 from the field and produce his eighth double-double of the season against Hampton. Leading scorer Aaron Harrison (11.1) registered only three points on 0-of-5 shooting and backcourt mate Devin Booker (10.2) was 1-of-6 against Hampton.
TRENDS:
* Bearcats are 1-6 ATS in their last seven neutral site games.
* Bearcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four NCAA Tournament games.
* Wildcats are 12-3-3 ATS in their last 18 neutral site games.
(6) Butler Bulldgos vs. (3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-4.5, 133.5)
The Bulldogs defeated the Longhorns despite shooting 33.3 percent, missing nine of their 13 3-pointers and collecting a total of five offensive rebounds on 32 missed shots en route to a 41-28 deficit on the boards. “We've been able to grind out a lot of wins,” Butler coach Chris Holtmann told the media. “It was a back-and-forth game. ... I can't give our guys enough credit for grinding out this one. To have five field goals in the second half and come away with the win says a lot about them.”
The Fighting Irish enter this matchup having won six in a row overall, although they have not defeated their Indiana rival since 1990, losing each of the last six matchups. They will have a good chance of snapping that streak if they can get another standout performance from Zach Auguste, who shot 10-of-14 for 25 points in Thursday's hard-fought 69-65 win over No. 14 Northeastern.
TRENDS:
* Fighting Irish are 0-7 ATS in their last seven NCAA Tournament games.
* Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in their last seven vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Over is 5-0 in Fighting Irish last five vs. Big East.
WEST REGION:
(10) Ohio State Buckeyes vs. (2) Arizona Wildcats (-9, 140)
Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell scored 28 in a 75-72 overtime win over VCU on Thursday and is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 boards and five assists. Russell (666) passed former Ohio State star Michael Redd (638) for most points by a freshman in school history and now faces a talented squad that was unhappy with its defense in its tournament opener. “I think the point is that we have to get back to being an excellent defensive team, which takes a lot of effort and concentration,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said at his postgame press conference. “We certainly can do it.”
Wildcats star Stanley Johnson had 22 points in a 93-72 victory over Texas Southern on Thursday to continue his strong season and is averaging 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. Forward Brandon Ashley missed the NCAA Tournament last season due to a foot injury and he had 14 points against Texas Southern to continue his strong late-season play. Ashley is averaging 18.2 points with three 20-point outings over the last six games to raise his season average to 12.4, second on the squad behind Johnson.
TRENDS:
* Buckeyes are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 neutral site games.
* Over is 7-0 in Buckeyes last seven non-conference games.
* Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games.
(14) Georgia State Panthers vs. (6) Xavier Musketeers (-6.5, 133)
R.J. Hunter hit the shot, Ron Hunter hit the floor and Georgia State hit this NCAA Tournament with one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory, but the next challenge awaits. Somehow the Panthers – playing in their first NCAA Tournament in 14 years – advanced despite leading scorer R.J. Hunter (19.6 points per game) missing seven of his first eight shots and second-leading scorer Ryan Harrow not playing due to a hamstring injury.
The Musketeers shoot 47.3 percent from the field and average 16.3 assists per contest, leading the Big East in both categories, and Matt Stainbrook’s 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game provide Xavier a formidable inside presence. Guard Trevon Bluiett finished second in the conference among freshmen in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Davis averages 6.1 assists (12th nationally) and is fifth on the school’s career assist list.
TRENDS:
* Under is 9-2 in Panthers last 11 games following a S.U. win.
* Under is 5-0 in Musketeers last five neutral site games.
* Panthers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
(5) Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (4) North Carolina Tar Heels (-4.5, 157)
Two teams that barely avoided the upset bug in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64 meet Saturday when No. 5 seed Arkansas faces fourth-seeded North Carolina in Jacksonville, Fla. The Razorbacks advanced with a 56-53 win over No. 12 seed Wofford, while the Tar Heels needed four points by Justin Jackson in the final minute to edge Harvard 67-65. “It’s the luckiest I’ve ever felt after a basketball game in my entire life,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams told reporters.
Williams can become the 15th coach in Division I history to win 750 games with a victory over Arkansas, but the Tar Heels will need a complete effort to get past the Razorbacks. Both teams average at least 77 points and bring plenty of star power to the floor, starting with SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis (17.5 points, 8.8 rebounds), who led Arkansas to its conference championship game. Portis should be tested by a formidable Tar Heels frontline led by Jackson and Brice Johnson, who averages a team-high 7.7 rebounds.
TRENDS:
* Razorbacks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Tar Heels are 0-4 ATS in their last four NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 5-1 in Razorbacks last six neutral site games.
EAST REGION:
(8) North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. (1) Villanova Wildcats (-9.5, 139)
Villanova may have been considered by some as the most likely No. 1 seed to be bounced from the NCAA Tournament early, but were among the most dominant teams to take the floor in its first game. The Wildcats look to extend their school-record winning streak to 17 games Friday when they meet North Carolina State in the third round at Pittsburgh. Villanova routed No. 16 Lafayette 93-52 on Thursday, rolling to the second-largest margin of victory in its tournament history.
The Wildcats, who have not advanced past the first weekend in four NCAAs since a Final Four berth in 2009, amassed their best offensive output at the Big Dance since a 101-point outburst in a win over LIU Brooklyn in 1997. The eighth-seeded Wolfpack overcame a late 14-point second-half deficit against LSU on Thursday to edge the Tigers 66-65. "It's crazy being on the other end this year; this is a whole lot better,” N.C. State guard Ralston Turner told The News & Observer after the Wolfpack were unable to hold a late 14-point lead before losing in overtime to Saint Louis in the second round of last year’s tournament.
TRENDS:
* Wolfpack are 2-6 ATS in their last eight non-conference games.
* Under is 10-2 in Wolfpack last 12 NCAA Tournament games.
* Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last eight neutral site games.
SOUTH REGION:
(14) UAB Blazers vs. (11) UCLA Bruins (-6, 133)
The Blazers stifled Iowa State's potent attack by dominating the boards, limiting second chances for the Cyclones and picking up plenty of their own. William Lee had 12 rebounds and Tyler Madison secured 11 in just 14 minutes off the bench, nine of which came on the offensive end. UAB struggled from long-distance with a 3-of-18 showing, but Brown hit a big one on the final minute to help the Blazers produce a second-round upset of a No. 3 seed for the third straight season.
Bryce Alford was 9-of-11 from 3-point range while becoming the 10th player to reach that mark in a tournament game and the first since 2012, a masterful performance that pleased his father, head coach Steve Alford. "Well, nobody's been critiqued any more than he has on our basketball team throughout the year, and he's been very consistent," the elder Alford said.
TRENDS:
* Under is 8-2 in Bruins last 10 games following a S.U. win.
* Blazers are 5-1 ATS in their last six neutral site games.
* Bruins are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
(5) Utah Utes vs. (4) Georgetown Hoyas (+4.5, 125.5)
The Utes committed 17 turnovers Thursday - one shy of their season high, but junior guard Brandon Taylor (10.4 points per game) told reporters: "I think we got the jitters out." Utah needs stronger games from Taylor and senior guard Delon Wright (team bests of 14.8 points and 5.2 assists), who combined to shoot 3-for-12 from the field and record 10 turnovers.
The Hoyas enter their first meeting with Utah after ending a five-game NCAA Tournament losing streak against double-digit seeds. "We just have to go out and prepare for a very tough Utah team,'' coach John Thompson III said. "You keep doing your business, you keep doing what you're supposed to do, eventually people will be quiet (about the streak).''
TRENDS:
* Utes are 21-6-2 ATS in their last 29 non-conference games.
* Hoyas are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 4-1 in Hoyas last five non-conference games.
MIDWEST REGION:
(8) Cincinnati Bearcats vs. (1) Kentucky Wildcats (-16.5, 118.5)
“We’ll go out there with a lot of confidence,” Bearcats guard Kevin Johnson told reporters. “We’ve got nothing to lose. That’s not a bad position to be in.” Cincinnati joins Kentucky among the top defenses in the country, but must deal with a balanced Wildcats squad that has won 35 games by an average of 21 points.
Freshman Karl-Anthony Towns rebounded from making only three field goals combined in his previous two games to drain 8-of-12 from the field and produce his eighth double-double of the season against Hampton. Leading scorer Aaron Harrison (11.1) registered only three points on 0-of-5 shooting and backcourt mate Devin Booker (10.2) was 1-of-6 against Hampton.
TRENDS:
* Bearcats are 1-6 ATS in their last seven neutral site games.
* Bearcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four NCAA Tournament games.
* Wildcats are 12-3-3 ATS in their last 18 neutral site games.
(6) Butler Bulldgos vs. (3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-4.5, 133.5)
The Bulldogs defeated the Longhorns despite shooting 33.3 percent, missing nine of their 13 3-pointers and collecting a total of five offensive rebounds on 32 missed shots en route to a 41-28 deficit on the boards. “We've been able to grind out a lot of wins,” Butler coach Chris Holtmann told the media. “It was a back-and-forth game. ... I can't give our guys enough credit for grinding out this one. To have five field goals in the second half and come away with the win says a lot about them.”
The Fighting Irish enter this matchup having won six in a row overall, although they have not defeated their Indiana rival since 1990, losing each of the last six matchups. They will have a good chance of snapping that streak if they can get another standout performance from Zach Auguste, who shot 10-of-14 for 25 points in Thursday's hard-fought 69-65 win over No. 14 Northeastern.
TRENDS:
* Fighting Irish are 0-7 ATS in their last seven NCAA Tournament games.
* Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in their last seven vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Over is 5-0 in Fighting Irish last five vs. Big East.
WEST REGION:
(10) Ohio State Buckeyes vs. (2) Arizona Wildcats (-9, 140)
Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell scored 28 in a 75-72 overtime win over VCU on Thursday and is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 boards and five assists. Russell (666) passed former Ohio State star Michael Redd (638) for most points by a freshman in school history and now faces a talented squad that was unhappy with its defense in its tournament opener. “I think the point is that we have to get back to being an excellent defensive team, which takes a lot of effort and concentration,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said at his postgame press conference. “We certainly can do it.”
Wildcats star Stanley Johnson had 22 points in a 93-72 victory over Texas Southern on Thursday to continue his strong season and is averaging 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. Forward Brandon Ashley missed the NCAA Tournament last season due to a foot injury and he had 14 points against Texas Southern to continue his strong late-season play. Ashley is averaging 18.2 points with three 20-point outings over the last six games to raise his season average to 12.4, second on the squad behind Johnson.
TRENDS:
* Buckeyes are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 neutral site games.
* Over is 7-0 in Buckeyes last seven non-conference games.
* Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last five NCAA Tournament games.
(14) Georgia State Panthers vs. (6) Xavier Musketeers (-6.5, 133)
R.J. Hunter hit the shot, Ron Hunter hit the floor and Georgia State hit this NCAA Tournament with one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent memory, but the next challenge awaits. Somehow the Panthers – playing in their first NCAA Tournament in 14 years – advanced despite leading scorer R.J. Hunter (19.6 points per game) missing seven of his first eight shots and second-leading scorer Ryan Harrow not playing due to a hamstring injury.
The Musketeers shoot 47.3 percent from the field and average 16.3 assists per contest, leading the Big East in both categories, and Matt Stainbrook’s 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game provide Xavier a formidable inside presence. Guard Trevon Bluiett finished second in the conference among freshmen in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Davis averages 6.1 assists (12th nationally) and is fifth on the school’s career assist list.
TRENDS:
* Under is 9-2 in Panthers last 11 games following a S.U. win.
* Under is 5-0 in Musketeers last five neutral site games.
* Panthers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
(5) Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (4) North Carolina Tar Heels (-4.5, 157)
Two teams that barely avoided the upset bug in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64 meet Saturday when No. 5 seed Arkansas faces fourth-seeded North Carolina in Jacksonville, Fla. The Razorbacks advanced with a 56-53 win over No. 12 seed Wofford, while the Tar Heels needed four points by Justin Jackson in the final minute to edge Harvard 67-65. “It’s the luckiest I’ve ever felt after a basketball game in my entire life,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams told reporters.
Williams can become the 15th coach in Division I history to win 750 games with a victory over Arkansas, but the Tar Heels will need a complete effort to get past the Razorbacks. Both teams average at least 77 points and bring plenty of star power to the floor, starting with SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis (17.5 points, 8.8 rebounds), who led Arkansas to its conference championship game. Portis should be tested by a formidable Tar Heels frontline led by Jackson and Brice Johnson, who averages a team-high 7.7 rebounds.
TRENDS:
* Razorbacks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Tar Heels are 0-4 ATS in their last four NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 5-1 in Razorbacks last six neutral site games.
EAST REGION:
(8) North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. (1) Villanova Wildcats (-9.5, 139)
Villanova may have been considered by some as the most likely No. 1 seed to be bounced from the NCAA Tournament early, but were among the most dominant teams to take the floor in its first game. The Wildcats look to extend their school-record winning streak to 17 games Friday when they meet North Carolina State in the third round at Pittsburgh. Villanova routed No. 16 Lafayette 93-52 on Thursday, rolling to the second-largest margin of victory in its tournament history.
The Wildcats, who have not advanced past the first weekend in four NCAAs since a Final Four berth in 2009, amassed their best offensive output at the Big Dance since a 101-point outburst in a win over LIU Brooklyn in 1997. The eighth-seeded Wolfpack overcame a late 14-point second-half deficit against LSU on Thursday to edge the Tigers 66-65. "It's crazy being on the other end this year; this is a whole lot better,” N.C. State guard Ralston Turner told The News & Observer after the Wolfpack were unable to hold a late 14-point lead before losing in overtime to Saint Louis in the second round of last year’s tournament.
TRENDS:
* Wolfpack are 2-6 ATS in their last eight non-conference games.
* Under is 10-2 in Wolfpack last 12 NCAA Tournament games.
* Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last eight neutral site games.