Cnotes March NCAABB Conference Playoffs Thru The Madness Picks-Trends-News-Stats !!

[CNOTES]

Handicapping the "OFF" Schools
March 16, 2016


"OFF THE BOARD" CONFERENCES IN BIG DANCE


Following are straight-up and against the spread results for all of the lower-echelon and “off the board” conferences in NCAA Tournament play since 1994.


While straight-up wins are certainly not common for these lower-echelon conference reps in NCAA action, they are not unheard of, either, as the best of this lot has been able to cause real damage in recent years.


Some of those who have famously succeeded in sub-regionals over the past decade include Mercer, North Dakota State, and Stephen F. Austin in 2014, Florida Gulf Coast in 2013, plus several others from recent memory including Morehead State, Siena, Winthrop, Bucknell, Vermont, Northwestern State, Montana, Lehigh, and Norfolk State.


Keep in mind that the lower-rung leagues have often tended to cover spreads, or not cover spread, en masse during sub-regional action.


In the past two seasons, those reps have fared quite well, including last season when the listed conferences below stood 7-4 vs. the line (excluding the 16 vs. 16 play-in games), bringing their two-season spread mark since 2014 to 15-7.


And while there were no straightaway upsets last season, there were in 2014, when aforementioned Mercer, North Dakota State, and Stephen F. Austin notched straight-up wins. Proceed with some caution, however, as those results have often reversed quickly in past years.


Some of these lower-echelon leagues that have tended to fare better than others in recent years. Note that SoCon entries, helped by a 4-0 spread mark by Steph Curry’s Wildcats in 2008, are 14-3-1 vs. the number their last 18 in the Dance, while America East reps have covered 6 of their last 7. Big South teams are undefeated their last four. And since 2005, Ohio Valley reps are 11-4 vs. the number.


Conversely, the Big Sky is just 2-7 vs. the spread its last nine in the Dance, while the SWAC is 3-7 vs. the points it last ten. Meanwhile, the Patriot has dropped four of its last six, with heavy losses the past two seasons (American U in 2014, and Lafayette a year ago).


While each game must be handicapped upon its own specifics, tourney-wide trends such as similar spread performance by the lower-echelon leagues have recurred often enough that we suggest particular attention be paid to these teams in the Thursday action in next week’s sub-regionals, which could provide similar clues about the Friday games.


“Ws” and “Ls” below reflect the pointspread result for the “off” team in the matchup:


AMERICA EAST (4-23 Straight Up since 1994, 10-17 Against the Spread):


1994-Drexel (+9½) 39-61 L vs. Temple 39-61
1995-Drexel (+16) 49-73 L vs. Ok. State
1996-Drexel (+6) 75-63 W vs. Memphis, Drexel (+6) 58-69 L vs. Syracuse
1997-Bucknell (+7½) 52-81 L vs. Tulsa
1998-Delaware (+16) 56-95 L vs. Purdue
1999-Delaware (+10½) 52-62 W vs. Tennessee
2000-Hofstra (+12½) 66-86 L vs. Ok. State
2001-Hofstra (+7) 48-61 L vs. UCLA
2002-Boston U. (+24) 52-90 L vs. Cincinnati
2003-Vermont (+25½) 51-80 L vs. Arizona
2004-Vermont (+20) 53-70 W vs. UConn
2005-Vermont (+20) 60-57 (OT) W vs. Syracuse, Vermont (+8½) 61-72 L vs. Michigan State
2006-Albany (+21½) 59-72 W vs. UConn
2007-Albany (+8½) 57-84 L vs. Virginia
2008-UM-Baltimore County (+16½) 47-66 L vs. Georgetown
2009-Binghamton (+22) 62-86 L vs. Duke
2010-Vermont (+16) 56-79 L vs. Syracuse
2011-Boston U (+22½) 53-72 W vs. Kansas
2012-Vermont (-4) 71-59 W play-in vs. Lamar, Vermont (+16) 58-77 L vs. North Carolina
2013-Albany (+19) 61-73 W vs. Duke
2014-Albany (-2½) 71-64 W play-in game vs. Mount Saint Mary’s, Albany (+22) 55-67 W vs. Florida
2015-Albany (+13) 60-69 W vs. Oklahoma


ATLANTIC SUN (5-23 SU, 14-13-1 ATS):


1994-Charleston (+9) 58-68 L vs. Wake Forest, Central Florida (+23½) 67-98 L vs. Purdue 67-98
1995-Florida International (+31) 56-92 L vs. UCLA
1996-Central Florida (+30) 70-92 W vs. UMass
1997-Charleston (+6½) 75-66 W vs. Maryland, Charleston (+5½) 69-73 W vs. Arizona
1998-Charleston (+14) 57-67 W vs. Stanford
1999 Samford (+15½) 43-69 L vs. St. John’s
2000-Samford (+13½) 65-79 L vs. Syracuse
2001-Georgia State (+7½) 50-49 W vs. Wisconsin, Georgia State (+14) 60-79 L vs. Maryland
2002-Florida Atlantic (+18) 78-86 W vs. Alabama
2003-Troy State (+12) 59-71 N vs. Xavier
2004-Central Florida (+14) 44-53 W Pittsburgh
2005-Central Florida (+18) 71-77 W vs. UConn
2006-Belmont (+24) 44-78 L vs. UCLA
2007-Belmont (+16½) 55-80 L vs. Georgetown
2008-Belmont (+20) W 70-71 W vs. Duke
2009-East Tennessee State (+20) 62-72 W vs. Pitt
2010-East Tennessee State (+19) 71-100 L vs. Kentucky
2011-Belmont (+4) 58-72 L vs. Wisconsin
2012-Belmont (+3½) 59-74 L vs. Georgetown
2013-Florida Gulf Coast (+13½) 78-68 W vs. Georgetown, Florida Gulf Coast (+7) 81-71 W vs. San Diego State, Florida Gulf Coast (+13) 50-62 W vs. Florida
2014-Mercer (+13) 78-71 W vs. Duke, Mercer (+8) 63-83 L vs. Tennessee
2015-North Florida (-3½) 77-81 L play-in game vs. Robert Morris.


Note: known as Trans-America Conference until 2001


BIG SKY (3-22 SU, 11-13-1 ATS):


1994-Boise State (+18) 58-67 W vs. Louisville
1995-Weber State (+15) 79-72 W vs. Michigan State, Weber State (+7½) 51-53 W vs. Georgetown
1996-Montana St. (+9) 55-88 L vs. Syracuse
1997 Montana (+20½) 54-92 L vs. Kentucky
1998-Northern Arizona (+14½) 62-65 W vs. Cincinnati
1999-Weber State (+13) 76-74 W vs. North Carolina, Weber State (+8) 72-80 OT N vs. Florida
2000-Northern Arizona (+14) 56-61 W vs. St. John’s
2001-CS Northridge 75-99 L (+12½) vs. Kansas
2002-Montana (+20½) 62-81 W vs. Oregon
2003-Weber State (+6½) 74-81 L vs. Wisconsin
2004-Eastern Washington (+16½) 56-75 L vs. Oklahoma
2005-Montana (+20½) 77-88 W vs. Washington
2006-Montana +7) 87-79 W vs. Nevada, Montana (+10½) 56-69 L vs. Boston College
2007-Weber State (+20) 42-70 L vs. UCLA
2008-Portland State (+22) 61-85 L vs. Kansas
2009-Portland State (+10½) 59-77 L vs. Xavier
2010-Montana (+9) 57-62 W vs. New Mexico
2011-Northern Colorado (+14½) 50-68 L vs. San Diego State
2012-Montana (+9) 49-73 L vs. Wisconsin
2013- Montana (+12 ½) 34-81 L vs. Syracuse
2014-Weber State (+20) 59-68 W vs. Arizona
2015-Eastern Washington (+8) 74-84 L vs. Georgetown


BIG SOUTH: (3-20 SU, 10-13 ATS):


1996-UNC Greensboro (+18) 61-66 W vs. Cincinnati
1997-Charleston Southern (+18) 75-109 L vs. UCLA
1998-Radford (+31) 63-99 L vs. Duke 63-99
1999-Winthrop (+28) 41-80 L vs. Auburn
2000-Winthrop (+16½) 50-74 L vs. Oklahoma
2001-Winthrop (-2½) 67-71 L play-in vs. Northwestern State
2002-Winthrop (+33½) 37-84 L vs. Duke
2003-UNC Asheville (+1) 82-74 W play-in vs. Texas Southern, UNC Asheville (+27½) 61-82 W vs. Texas
2004-Liberty (+24) 63-82 W vs. Saint Joseph’s
2005-Winthrop (+13½) 64-74 W vs. Gonzaga
2006-Winthrop (+7) 61-63 W vs. Tennessee
2007-Winthrop (-3½) 74-64 W vs. Notre Dame, Winthrop (+3) 61-75 L vs. Oregon
2008-Winthrop (+9½) 40-71 L vs. Washington State
2009-Radford (+25½) 58-101 L North Carolina
2010-Winthrop (-3) 44-61 L play-in vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2011-UNC Asheville (-4½) 81-77 L play-in vs. UA-Little Rock, UNC Asheville (+18) 51-74 L vs. Pittsburgh
2012-UNC Asheville (15½) W 65-72 vs. Syracuse
2013-Liberty (+2½) 72-73 W play-in vs. North Carolina A&T
2014-Coastal Carolina (+21) 59-70 W vs. Virginia
2015-Coastal Carolina (+20) 72-86 W vs. Wisconsin. No reps ‘94-95


METRO-ATLANTIC (6-23 SU, 13-16 ATS):


1994-Loyola Md. (+24½) 55-81 L vs. Arizona
1995-St. Peter’s (+22) 51-68 W vs. UMass, Manhattan (+7½) 77-67 W vs. Oklahoma, Manhattan (+6½) 54-64 L vs. Arizona
1996-Canisius (+13) 43-72 L vs. Utah
1997-Fairfield (+27) 74-82 W vs. North Carolina
1998-Iona (+5½) 61-63 W vs. Syracuse 61-63 W
1999-Siena (+7) 80-94 L Arkansas
2001-Iona (+14½) 59-74 L vs. Maryland
2001-Iona (+10½) 70-72 W vs. Ole Miss
2002-Siena (-4½) 81-77 L play-in vs. Alcorn State, Siena (+28½) 70-85 W vs. Maryland
2003-Manhattan (+7½) 65-76 L vs. Syracuse
2004-Manhattan (+5) 75-60 W vs. Florida, Manhattan (+7) 80-84 W vs. Wake Forest
2005-Niagara (+12) L 67-84 vs. Oklahoma
2006-Iona (+7½) 64-80 L vs. LSU
2007-Niagara (-2½) 77-69 W play-in vs. Florida A&M, Niagara (+19) 67-107 L vs. Kansas
2008-Siena (+6½) 83-62 W vs. Vanderbilt, Siena (+5½) 72-84 L vs. Villanova
2009-Siena (+3) 74-72 W 2-OT vs. Ohio State, Siena (+12) 72-79 W vs. Louisville
2010-Siena (+4½) 64-72 L vs. Purdue
2011-St. Peter’s (+14½) 43-65 L vs. Purdue
2012-Loyola Md. (+17½) 59-78 L vs. Ohio State
2013-Iona (+14½) 70-95 L vs. Syracuse
2014-Manhattan (+16½) 64-71 W vs. Louisville
2015-Manhattan (-9) 64-74 L play-in game vs. Hampton


MEAC (6-22 SU, 16-12 ATS):


1994-NC A&T (+29) 79-94 W vs. Arkansas
1995-NC A&T (+23) 47-79 L vs. Wake Forest
1996-S.C. State (+30½) 54-92 L vs. Kansas
1997-Coppin State (+18½) 78-65 W vs. South Carolina, Coppin State (+11½) 81-82 W vs. Texas
1998-S.C. State (+26½) 67-82 W vs. Kentucky
1999-Florida A&M (+46) 58-99 W vs. Duke
2000-S.C. State (+31½) 65-84 W vs. Stanford
2001-Hampton (+17½) 58-57 W vs. Iowa State, Hampton (+13) 57-76 L vs. Georgetown
2002-Hampton (+12½) 67-78 W vs. UConn
2003-S.C. State (+27) 54-71 W vs. Oklahoma
2004-Florida A&M (+4) 72-57 W play-in vs. Lehigh, Florida A&M (+28) 76-96 W vs. Kentucky
2005-Delaware State (+26½) 46-57 W vs. Duke
2006-Hampton (+3½) 49-71 L play-in game vs. Monmouth
2007-Florida A&M (+2½) 69-77 L play-in vs. Niagara
2008-Coppin State (+3) 60-69 L play-in vs. Mount Saint Mary’s
2009-Morgan State (+16) L 54-82 vs. Oklahoma
2010-Morgan State (+16½) 50-77 L vs. West Virginia
2011-Hampton (+23) 45-87 W vs. Duke
2012-Norfolk State (+21½) 86-84 W vs. Missouri, Norfolk State (+14½) 50-84 L vs. Florida
2013-North Carolina A&T (-2½) 73-72 L play-in vs. Liberty, North Carolina A&T (+26) 48-79 L vs. Louisville
2014-NC Central (+8½) 75-93 L vs. Iowa State
2015-Hampton (+) 74-64 W play-in game vs. Manhattan, Hampton (+34) 56-79 W vs. Kentucky


NORTHEAST (3-22 SU, 13-11-1 ATS):


1994-Rider (+19) 46-64 W vs. UConn
1995-Mt. St, Mary’s (+31) 67-113 L vs. Kentucky
1996-Monmouth (+14) 44-68 L vs. Marquette
1997-Long Island (+13½) 91-101 W vs. Villanova
1998-FDU (+14½) 85-93 W vs. UConn
1999-Mt. St. Mary’s (+26) 53-76 W vs. Michigan State
2000-Central Connecticut (+18) 78-88 W vs. Iowa State
2001-Monmouth (+35½) 52-95 L vs. Duke
2002-Central Connecticut (+15) 54-71 L vs. Pittsburgh
2003-Wagner (+20½) 61-87 L vs. Pittsburgh
2004-Monmouth (+20½) 52-85 L vs. Mississippi State
2005-Fairleigh Dickinson (+26) 55-67 W vs. Illinois
2006-Monmouth (-3½) 71-49 W play-in vs. Hampton, Monmouth (+19½) 45-58 W vs. Villanova
2007-Central Connecticut (+21) 57-78 N vs. Ohio State
2008-Mount Saint Mary’s (-3) 69-60 W play-in vs. Coppin State, Mount Saint Mary’s (+25) 74-113 L vs. North Carolina
2009-Robert Morris (+17) 62-77 W vs. Michigan State
2010-Robert Morris (+17) 70-73 W (OT) vs. Villanova
2011-Long Island (+18) 87-102 W vs. North Carolina
2012-Long Island (+19) 67-89 L vs. Michigan State
2013-Long Island (+1) L 55-68 play-in vs. James Madison
2014-Mount Saint Mary’s +2½ 64-71 L play-in game vs. Albany
2015-Robert Morris (+3½) 81-77 W play-in game vs. North Florida, Robert Morris (+22½) 56-85 L vs. Duke


OHIO VALLEY (4-22 SU, 16-10 ATS):


1994-Tennessee State (+18½) 70-83 W vs. Kentucky
1995-Murray State (+20) 70-80 W vs. North Carolina
1996-Austin Peay (+15) 79-90 W vs. Georgia Tech
1997-Murray State (+23½) 68-71 W vs. Duke
1998-Murray State (+12½) 74-97 L vs. Rhode Island
1999-Murray State (+8) 58-72 L vs. Ohio State
2000-SE Missouri State (+12½) 61-64 W vs. LSU
2001-Eastern Illinois (+21½) 76-101 L vs. Arizona
2002-Murray State (+9) 68-85 L vs. Georgia
2003-Austin Peay (+16) 64-86 L vs. Louisville
2004-Murray State (+9) 53-72 L vs. Illinois
2005-Eastern Kentucky (+16½) 64-72 W vs. Kentucky
2006-Murray State (+11½) 65-69 W vs. North Carolina
2007-Eastern Kentucky (+27½) 65-86 W vs. North Carolina
2008-Austin Peay (+15½) 54-74 L vs. Texas
2009-Morehead State (-3) 58-43 W play-in vs. Alabama State, 58-43, Morehead State (+21) W vs. Louisville, 54-74
2010-Murray State (+2½) 66-65 W vs. Vanderbilt, Murray State (+4½) 52-54 W vs. Butler
2011-Morehead State (+9½) 62-61 W vs. Louisville, Morehead State (+4) 48-65 L vs. Richmond
2012-Murray State (-5) 58-41 W vs. Colorado State, Murray State (+5) 53-62 L vs. Marquette
2013-Belmont (+4½) 64-81 L vs. Arizona
2014-Eastern Kentucky (+14) 69-80 W vs. Kansas
2015-Belmont (+16½) 67-79 W vs. Virginia


PATRIOT (3-22 SU, 13-12 ATS):


1994-Navy (+20½) 53-76 L vs. Missouri
1995-Colgate (+27) 68-82 W vs. Kansas
1996-Colgate (+28) 59-68 W vs. UConn
1997-Navy (+19½) 61-75 W vs. Utah
1998-Navy (+28) 52-88 L vs. North Carolina
1999-Lafayette (+17½) 54-75 L vs. Miami Florida
2000-Lafayette (+21½) 47-73 L vs. Temple
Holy Cross (+20) 68-72 W vs. Kentucky
2002-Holy Cross (+28½) 59-70 W vs. Kansas
2003-Holy Cross (+10) 68-72 W vs. Marquette
2004-Lehigh (-4) 57-72 L play-in vs. Florida A&M
2005-Bucknell (+13½) 64-63 W vs. Kansas, Bucknell (+8) 62-71 L vs. Wisconsin
2006-Bucknell (+5) 59-55 W vs. Arkansas, Bucknell (+8) 56-72 L vs. Memphis
2007-Holy Cross (+7½) 51-61 L vs. Southern Illinois
2008-American (+19½) 57-72 W vs. Tennessee
2009-American (+16) 67-80 W vs. Villanova
2010-Lehigh (+25½) 74-90 W vs. Kansas
2011-Bucknell (+20) 52-81 L vs. UConn
2012-Lehigh (+12) 75-70 W vs. Duke
Lehigh (+4) 58-70 L vs. Xavier
2013-Bucknell (+3½) 56-58 W vs. Butler
2014-American (+14) 35-75 L vs. Wisconsin
2015-Lafayette (+22½) 52-93 L vs. Villanova


SOUTHERN (5-22 SU, 18-8-1 ATS):


1994-UT Chattanooga (+12) 73-102 L vs. Kansas
1995-UT Chattanooga (+16) 71-100 L vs. UConn
1996-Western Carolina (+20) 71-73 W vs. Purdue
1997-UT Chattanooga (+9) 73-70 W vs. Georgia, UT Chattanooga (+10) 75-63 W vs. Illinois, UT Chattanooga (+8) 65-71 W vs. Purdue
1998-Davidson (+15) 61-80 L vs. Michigan
1999-Charleston (-2) 53-62 L vs. Tulsa
2000-Appalachian State (+13½) 61-87 L vs. Ohio State
2001-UNC Greensboro (+30) 60-89 W vs. Stanford
2002-Davidson (+12½) 64-69 W vs. Ohio State
2003-East Tennessee State (+12½) 73-76 W vs. Wake Forest
2004-East Tennessee State (+9) 77-80 W vs. Cincinnati
2005-Chattanooga (+17½) 54-70 W vs. Wake Forest
2006-Davidson (+10½) 62-70 W vs. Ohio State
2007-Davidson (+7) 70-82 L vs. Maryland
2008-Davidson (-2) 82-76 W vs. Gonzaga, Davidson (+5) 74-70 W vs. Georgetown, Davidson (+4½) 73-56 W vs. Wisconsin, Davidson (+9½) 57-59 W vs. Kansas
2009-Chattanooga (+20½) 47-103 L vs. UConn
2010-Wofford (+10) 49-53 W vs. Wisconsin
2011-Wofford (+8½) 66-74 W vs. BYU
2012-Davidson (+7) 62-69 N vs. Louisville
2013-Davidson (+3½) 58-59 W vs. Marquette
2014-Wofford (+15) 40-57 L vs. Michigan
2015-Wofford (+7½) 53-56 W vs. Arkansas


SOUTHLAND (4-22 SU, 10-15-1 ATS):


1994-SW Texas State (+16) 60-78 L vs. UMass
1995-Nicholls State (+13½) 72-96 L vs. Virginia
1996-NE Louisiana (+19½) 50-62 W vs. Wake Forest
1997-SW Texas State (+22) 46-78 L vs. Minnesota
1998-Nicholls State (+26) 60-99 L vs. Arizona
1999-UT San Antonio (+26½) 66-91 W vs. UConn
2000-Lamar (+32½) 55-82 W vs. Duke
2001-Northwestern State (+2½) 71-67 W play-in vs. Winthrop, Northwestern State (+26½) 54-96 L vs. Illinois
2002-McNeese State (+10½) 58-70 L vs. Mississippi State
2003-Sam Houston (+19) 55-85 L vs. Florida
2004-UT San Antonio (+24) 45-71 L vs. Stanford
2005-SE Louisiana (+18½) 50-63 W vs. Oklahoma State
2006-Northwestern State (+6½) 64-63 W vs. Iowa, Northwestern State (+8) 54-67 L vs. West Virginia
2007-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (+13) 63-76 N vs. Wisconsin
2008-UT-Arlington (+25) 63-87 W vs. Memphis
2009-Stephen F. Austin (+12) 44-59 L vs. Syracuse
2010-Sam Houston State (+12½) 59-68 W vs. Baylor
2011-UT San Antonio (-3) 70-61 W play-in vs. Alabama State, UT San Antonio (+24½) 46-75 L vs. Ohio State
2012-Lamar (+4) 59-71 L play-in vs. Vermont
2013-Northwestern State (+20) 47-79 L vs. Florida.
2014-Stephen F. Austin (+6½) 77-75 W in OT vs. Virginia Commonwealth, Stephen F. Austin (+9½) 60-77 L vs. UCLA
2015-Stephen F. Austin (+6½) 50-57 L vs. Utah


SWAC (1-22 SU, 10-13 ATS):


1994-Texas Southern (+20) 70-82 W vs. Duke
1995-Texas Southern (+18) 78-79 W vs. Arkansas
1996-Miss. Valley St. (+26) 56-93 L vs. Georgetown
1997-Jackson State (+35½) 64-78 W vs. Kansas
1998-Prairie View (+36½) 52-110 L vs. Kansas
1999-Alcorn State (+22) 57-69 W vs. Stanford
2000-Jackson State (+27½) 47-71 W vs. Arizona
2001-Alabama State (+28½) 35-69 L vs. Michigan State
2002-Alcorn State (+4½) 77-81 W play-in vs. Siena
2003-Texas Southern (-1) 74-82 L play-in vs. UNC Asheville
2004-Alabama State (+34) 61-96 L vs. Duke
2005-Alabama A&M (+6) 69-79 L play-in vs. Oakland
2006-Southern U (+24½) 54-70 W vs. Duke
2007-Jackson State (+28) 69-112 L vs. Florida
2008-Mississippi Valley State (+31½) 29-70 L vs. UCLA
2009-Alabama State (+3) 43-58 L play-in vs. Morehead State
2010-Arkansas-Pine Bluff (+3) 61-44 W play-in vs. Winthrop, Arkansas Pine-Bluff (+14½) 44-73 L vs. Duke
2011-Alabama State (+3) 61-70 L play-in vs. UT San Antonio
2012-Mississippi Valley State (-1) 58-59 L vs. Western Kentucky
2013-Southern U (+22½) 58-64 W vs. Gonzaga
2014-Texas Southern (+3½) 69-81 L play-in game vs. Cal Poly
2015-Texas Southern (+23 ½) 72-93 W vs. Arizona


SUMMIT (4-20 SU, 9-14-1 ATS):


1996-Valparaiso (+18) 51-90 L vs. Arizona
1997-Valparaiso (+10) 66-73 W vs. Boston College
1998-Valparaiso (+12) 70-69 W vs. Ole Miss, Valparaiso (+7½) 83-77 OT W vs. Florida State, Valparaiso (+8) 68-74 W vs. Rhode Island
1999-Valparaiso (+20) 60-82 L vs. Maryland
2000-Valparaiso (+25½) 38-65 L vs. Michigan State
2001-Southern Utah (+14) 65-68 W vs. Boston College
2002-Valparaiso (+7½) 68-83 L vs. Kentucky
2003-IUPUI (+26½) 64-95 L vs. Kentucky
2004-Valparaiso (+18½) 49-76 L vs. Gonzaga
2005-Oakland (-6) W 79-69 play-in vs. Alabama A&M, Oakland (+27½) L 68-96 vs. North Carolina
2006-Oral Roberts (+12) 78-94 L vs. Memphis
2007-Oral Roberts (+6½) 54-70 L vs. Washington State
2008-Oral Roberts (+8½) 63-82 L vs. Pittsburgh
2009-North Dakota State (+10) 74-84 N vs. Kansas
2010-Oakland (+10) L 66-89 vs. Pittsburgh
2011-Oakland (+10) 81-85 W vs. Texas
2012-South Dakota State (+7½) 60-68 L vs. Baylor
2013-South Dakota State (+11) L 56-71 Michigan
2014-North Dakota State (+3½) 80-75 W in OT vs. Oklahoma, North Dakota State (+4) 44-63 L vs. San Diego State (+22)
2015-North Dakota State (+17½) 76-86 W vs. Gonzaga. No reps ‘94-95.


Note: known as Mid-Continent Conference until 2007

 

[CNOTES]

2016 NCAA Tournament Results
March 16, 2016


NIT, CBI, CIT


NCAA TOURNAMENT BETTING RESULTS


Wager Favorites-Underdogs


Straight Up 3-1


Against the Spread 3-1


Total
Over-Under 1-3



First-Four Games


TUESDAY, MARCH 15


Matchup Score ATS Result


Florida Gulf Coast (-5.5) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 96-65 Over (153.5)
Vanderbilt vs. Wichita State (-3.5) 70-50 Under (134)


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18


Holy Cross (+2, +115) vs. Southern 59-55 Under (129)
Michigan (-2) vs. Tulsa 67-62 Under (142.5)

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAB
Dunkel


Thursday, March 17




Arkansas-Little Rock @ Purdue


Game 741-742
March 17, 2016 @ 4:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Arkansas-Little R
64.105
Purdue
70.620
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Purdue
by 6 1/2
137
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Purdue
by 9
130 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arkansas-Little R
(+9); Over


Iona @ Iowa State


Game 743-744
March 17, 2016 @ 2:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Iona
62.170
Iowa State
67.337
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Iowa State
by 5
170
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Iowa State
by 8
166 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Iona
(+8); Over


Fresno State @ Utah


Game 745-746
March 17, 2016 @ 7:25 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Fresno State
57.975
Utah
69.492
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
by 11 1/2
136
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Utah
by 9
143
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(-9); Under


Gonzaga @ Seton Hall


Game 747-748
March 17, 2016 @ 9:55 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Gonzaga
71.173
Seton Hall
67.166
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Gonzaga
by 4
140
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Gonzaga
by 1
145 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Gonzaga
(-1); Under


Austin Peay @ Kansas


Game 733-734
March 17, 2016 @ 4:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Austin Peay
50.395
Kansas
78.901
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas
by 28 1/2
146
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas
by 25 1/2
152
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas
(-25 1/2); Under


Connecticut @ Colorado


Game 735-736
March 17, 2016 @ 1:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
68.890
Colorado
63.589
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Connecticut
by 5 1/2
132
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Connecticut
by 3
136 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Connecticut
(-3); Under


Chattanooga @ Indiana


Game 737-738
March 17, 2016 @ 7:10 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Chattanooga
57.333
Indiana
66.707
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Indiana
by 9 1/2
151
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Indiana
by 12
145
Dunkel Pick:
Chattanooga
(+12); Over


Stony Brook @ Kentucky


Game 739-740
March 17, 2016 @ 9:40 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Stony Brook
60.263
Kentucky
70.773
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kentucky
by 10 1/2
149
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kentucky
by 14 1/2
143
Dunkel Pick:
Stony Brook
(+14 1/2); Over

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Thursday, March 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BUFFALO (20 - 14) vs. MIAMI (25 - 7) - 3/17/2016, 6:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 105-74 ATS (+23.6 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
MIAMI is 28-11 ATS (+15.9 Units) after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games since 1997.
MIAMI is 130-94 ATS (+26.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
MIAMI is 51-32 ATS (+15.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.
MIAMI is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
BUFFALO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


YALE (22 - 6) vs. BAYLOR (22 - 11) - 3/17/2016, 2:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BAYLOR is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
YALE is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
YALE is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
YALE is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
YALE is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) after a conference game this season.
YALE is 57-35 ATS (+18.5 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1997.
YALE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
YALE is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games after allowing 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
YALE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in road games in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UNC-WILMINGTON (25 - 7) vs. DUKE (23 - 10) - 3/17/2016, 12:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DUKE is 59-33 ATS (+22.7 Units) after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
DUKE is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a NCAA tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 35-24 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 38-17 ATS (+19.3 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 153-117 ATS (+24.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
UNC-WILMINGTON is 96-62 ATS (+27.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
DUKE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
DUKE is 54-81 ATS (-35.1 Units) in March games since 1997.
DUKE is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


PROVIDENCE (23 - 10) vs. USC (21 - 12) - 3/17/2016, 9:50 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PROVIDENCE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
PROVIDENCE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
PROVIDENCE is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


HAMPTON (21 - 10) vs. VIRGINIA (26 - 7) - 3/17/2016, 3:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 46-30 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
HAMPTON is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
HAMPTON is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
VIRGINIA is 31-50 ATS (-24.0 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
VIRGINIA is 1-0 straight up against HAMPTON over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


BUTLER (21 - 10) vs. TEXAS TECH (19 - 12) - 3/17/2016, 12:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUTLER is 65-33 ATS (+28.7 Units) in all neutral court games since 1997.
BUTLER is 51-31 ATS (+16.9 Units) in March games since 1997.
BUTLER is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in road games when playing with 5 or 6 days rest since 1997.
BUTLER is 65-33 ATS (+28.7 Units) when playing on a neutral court since 1997.
BUTLER is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
BUTLER is 78-54 ATS (+18.6 Units) after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
BUTLER is 70-41 ATS (+24.9 Units) in all tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 17-4 ATS (+12.6 Units) in first round tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) in a NCAA tournament games since 1997.
BUTLER is 195-156 ATS (+23.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 127-171 ATS (-61.1 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 75-106 ATS (-41.6 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
TEXAS TECH is 40-60 ATS (-26.0 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AUSTIN PEAY (18 - 17) vs. KANSAS (30 - 4) - 3/17/2016, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KANSAS is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all games this season.
KANSAS is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
KANSAS is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
KANSAS is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
AUSTIN PEAY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 3 seasons.
AUSTIN PEAY is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 3 seasons.
AUSTIN PEAY is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in all tournament games this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CONNECTICUT (24 - 10) vs. COLORADO (22 - 11) - 3/17/2016, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 19-11 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games this season.
COLORADO is 19-11 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all lined games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in a NCAA tournament games over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UT-CHATTANOOGA (29 - 5) vs. INDIANA (25 - 7) - 3/17/2016, 7:10 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UT-CHATTANOOGA is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
UT-CHATTANOOGA is 14-29 ATS (-17.9 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.
UT-CHATTANOOGA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STONY BROOK (26 - 6) vs. KENTUCKY (26 - 8) - 3/17/2016, 9:40 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 82-55 ATS (+21.5 Units) in March games since 1997.
KENTUCKY is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KENTUCKY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ARK-LITTLE ROCK (29 - 4) vs. PURDUE (26 - 8) - 3/17/2016, 4:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PURDUE is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PURDUE is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game after 15+ games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


IONA (22 - 10) vs. IOWA ST (21 - 11) - 3/17/2016, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IONA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IONA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 51-29 ATS (+19.1 Units) in March games since 1997.
IOWA ST is 225-175 ATS (+32.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
IONA is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in road games after a conference game this season.
IONA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FRESNO ST (25 - 9) vs. UTAH (26 - 8) - 3/17/2016, 7:25 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FRESNO ST is 70-96 ATS (-35.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
UTAH is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 55-35 ATS (+16.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 14-7 ATS (+6.3 Units) after a conference game this season.
FRESNO ST is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.


Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 1-0 against the spread versus FRESNO ST over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 1-0 straight up against FRESNO ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


GONZAGA (26 - 7) vs. SETON HALL (25 - 8) - 3/17/2016, 9:55 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SETON HALL is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in all games this season.
SETON HALL is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in all lined games this season.
SETON HALL is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 this season.
SETON HALL is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
SETON HALL is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a conference game this season.
SETON HALL is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
SETON HALL is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SETON HALL is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
SETON HALL is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.
GONZAGA is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) against Big East conference opponents since 1997.
GONZAGA is 69-47 ATS (+17.3 Units) in road games in all tournament games since 1997.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAB


Armadillo's Write-Up


Thursday, March 17


Thursday's games


afternoon games


Since 2003, Duke is 5-8 vs spread in first round games; they are lower than a 3-seed for first time since '07, when they lost in first round to VCU as 6-seed. Duke's subs play 7th-least minutes in country; longer TV timeouts will help, but UNCW is pressing team with lot of depth. Seahawks are 16-2 in last 18 games; they haven't played in 10 days- Duke played Friday. Wilmington is a young team, but five pf seven guys in Duke rotation are frosh/sophs. ACC teams are 5-3 vs CAA teams this year, 3-5 vs spread. #4 seeds in the West are 3-12 vs spread in 1st round the last 16 years.


Since 2003, underdogs are 31-21 vs spread in 8-9 first round games. Butler is 4-0 in last four first round games, dating back to their days in Horizon League. Bulldogs went 11-1 in pre-conference schedule (#279), went 7-3 last 10 games but lost to Providence in first round of Big East tourney- they're only team to beat Seton Hall since Jan 23 (beat Pirates twice). Texas Tech is in NCAAs for first time since '07; Tubby Smith is 7-2 in last nine first round games, but he was 1-2 at Minnesota, 6-0 at Kentucky. Big East teams are just 9-9 SU in first round last three years; Big X teams are 8-10.


UConn is 17-2 in last 19 first round games; they won in OT vs St Joe's in first round in '14, when they won national title. Huskies came off deck Friday, won in 4OTs, won AAC tourney. UConn are #5 eFG% defense in country, #1 foul shooting team, but they also finished 6th in 11-team AAC; Colorado is in for 4th time in five years- they went 1-2 in first round those years. Buffs are 1-6 in last seven games away from Boulder. Since 2003, underdogs are 31-21 vs spread in 8-9 first round games. AAC teams are 2-3 vs Pac-12 teams this year; Colorado lost 70-66 to AAC kingpin SMU in December in Las Vegas.


Selection committee did Yale a favor, putting game in Providence, 100 miles from New Haven campus; Yale is in tourney for first time since 1962- they're going to have lot of fans there. Baylor is 5-7 in last 12 games- their last four losses were to Top 10 teams. Bears are 3-2 in last five first round games; they got upset as a 3-seed by Georgia State LY. Baylor is 10-2 out of conference, losing to Oregon/Texas A&M. Ivy League teams are 3-3 SU in first round last six years, after losing six in row before that; Big X teams are 3-0 vs Ivy teams this year, winning by 10-6-12 points.


Hampton is 0-4 vs top 100 teams, losing by 19-33-42-30 points. Virginia beat Pirates 69-40 at home three years ago; game was 40-19 at half. Cavaliers lost in ACC tourney final Saturday; they're 13-3 in last 16 games, won 11 of 12 out of conference, beating MEAC's Morgan State by 38 in opener. Last three years, underdogs are 8-4 vs spread in 1-16 games, as 1-seeds tend to look ahead to secnd round games. Since '09, MEAC teams are 2-5 vs spread in non-play-in games; Hampton won play-in game LY, then lost to Kentucky by 23, so they shouldn't be in awe. Playing team from same state isn't a bad thing.


Austin Peay finished 7-9 in OVC but won last six games, are here for first time since 2008; Governors lost by 39-26 in only two top 100 games, vs Vandy and Indiana. OVC teams are 8-3 vs spread in first round game last 11 years-- this isn't best OVC team, though. Kansas is 2-5 vs spread in 1st round last seven years- they will have ton of pressure on them Saturday, having lost in second round last two years, to Stanford/Wichita- this is 7th year in a row Jayhawks are 1 or 2-seed and they've KO'd on first weekend three times. Austin Peay is turning ball over 20.4% of time, playing against schedule #230.


Last seven years, underdogs are 18-10 vs spread in 5-12 games. Little Rock is 29-4, a deep team with wins at San Diego St, Tulsa; they're #13 in experience- bench is #44 in minutes played- this is their first NCAA in eight years, when they lost play-in game. Trojans play 7th-slowest tempo in country; they're not a big team and Purdue is a top 25 rebounding team. Since '07, Sun Belt teams are 6-3 vs spread in this round. Not sure if it is relevant; since 1994, #12 seed in Midwest is 17-5 vs spread in 1st round. Boilers don't force lot of turnovers; they've got #6 eFG% defense, have won five of last six games overall.


Buffalo lost 68-62 to West Virginia in this round LY; game was tied with 2:42 left; Bulls have new coach now, won six of last eight games- they're 1-7 vs top 100 teams, with only win in MAC title game over Akron- they play #25 tempo Miami is #23 in experience but is in NCAAs for first time in three years; 'canes lost two of last three games- they're 7-1 vs teams outside top 100- this is first game vs team outside top 100 since January 23, vs Wake Forest. Underdogs are 8-4 vs spread in 3-14 games last three years. ACC teams are 4-0 vs MAC teams this year, winning by 9-9-23-33 points (2-2 vs spread).


night games


Southern Conference teams haven't won NCAA game since Steph Curry was at Davidson, but since '03, they're 9-3-1 vs spread in this round. Chattanooga is 42-10 in SoCon last three years but is in NCAAs for first time since '09 with rookie coach. Mocs beat Georgia/Dayton/Illinois by total of 8 points back in fall- they're #17 in experience. Indiana makes 41.5% on arc, has senior PG and is #2 eFG% offense in country, but they did lose first conference tourney tilt, often a red flag. Chattanooga forces turnovers 20.3% of time, #53 in country. Last seven years, underdogs are 18-10 against the spread in 5-12 games.


North Carolina won its last 13 first round games, last two by hoop each; they are 1-4 vs spread in last five first round games. This is first time they're a 1-seed since '12, when they made Elite 8- their last Final Four was '09. UNC is 21-4 in last 25 games, with all four losses to top 40 teams. Last three years, underdogs are 8-4 vs spread in 1-16 games.


Fresno State has an experienced backcourt but won Mountain West tourney in very down year for league; Bulldogs are in NCAAs for first time since 2001, they lost by 5 at Oregon, 13 at Arizona last fall. Utah won nine of last 10 tilts; they beat San Diego State by 5 in its only MW game. Utes made Sweet 16 LY; they're 8-1 vs teams ranked outside top 100. Fresno is #19 in experience; they start three senior guards, but Poeltl is going to kill their inside guys. Pac-12 teams are 13-3 vs Mountain West this year, 8-8 vs spread (8-5 as favorites). Underdogs are 8-4 against the spread in 3-14 games last three years.


Arizona is #6 seed in South; last six years, #6-seed in South is 1-5 with three one-point losses in this round. Wildcats are 4-0 in first round games under Miller (1-3 vs spread); they split their last six games, with five of them decided by 6 or less points. Since 2009, Pac-12 teams are 23-6 in this round.


Kentucky is 5-0 in first round under Calipari (2-3 vs spread); they made Final Four last four times they were in tournament. Wildcats opened season with a 78-65 win over Albany, one of Stony Brook's rivals in America East. Stony Brook is in NCAAs for first time; they had 18-game win streak during season. Seawolves lost at Vandy in OT, by 25 at Notre Dame- they're #24 experience team in country. America East teams covered four of last five non-play-in games. Last 10 years, favorites are 23-17 vs spread in 4-13 first round games. Kentucky has to guard against looking ahead to Indiana in second round.


Since 2009, Pac-12 teams are 23-6 in this round. USC lost seven of its last ten games overall, Providence won four of its last five. USC is 3-7 vs top 50 teams this season- this is their first NCAA since 2011, but Enfield was in Sweet 16 three years ago with Florida Gulf Coast, beating Georgetown in 1st round. Providence has two really good players, Dunn/Bentil; they beat Arizona of Pac-12 in November and made NCAAs last two years, but lost in first round both times. Big East teams are just 9-9 in this round last three years. Since 2003, underdogs are 31-21 vs spread in 8-9 first round games. Weird game; chances are no seniors will play for either team.


Gonzaga is in only because they won WCC tourney- they haven't been on court in 11 days, but also won last seven first round games, winning as 7, 8 (twice) and 11-seeds, so they've been in this boat before. Seton Hall is in NCAAs for first time in 10 years; they won eight of last nine games, winning Big East tourney for first time since 1993. Pirates start five sophs, don't play many subs. Hall played Saturday night. Big East teams are just 9-9 in this round last three years. Gonzaga scored 88.3 in winning the WCC tourney. Last four years, faves are 11-4-1 vs spread in 6-11 games. Zags start two seniors, have slight edge in experience, big edge in height inside.


MAAC teams are 0-7 in first round (0-7 vs spread) since Siena beat Ohio State in an 8-9 game in '09; Iona lost by 25-16 points its last two times in this round. Gaels are 12-1 in last 13 games, but 2-7 vs top 100 teams, with two wins vs Monmouth. Iowa State is #4 in experience; their bench plays 5th-least minutes in country. Cyclones got upset in first round as 3-seed LY, after making Sweet 16 the year before. ISU beat Chattanooga by 20 in November, a team with similar profile to Iona. Last 10 years, favorites are 23-17 vs spread in 4-13 first round games. Two thin teams who like to run playing in Denver; total was posted at 166.

 

[CNOTES]

NCAAB


Thursday, March 17


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1:15 PM
UNC WILMINGTON vs. DUKE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Duke's last 10 games
Duke is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 1:40 PM
BUTLER vs. TEXAS TECH
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas Tech's last 6 games
Texas Tech is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 3:00 PM
IONA vs. IOWA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Iowa State's last 9 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 3:45 PM
YALE vs. BAYLOR
No trends available
Baylor is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 4:10 PM
HAMPTON vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Hampton
Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 5:00 PM
AUSTIN PEAY vs. KANSAS
No trends available
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Kansas's last 13 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 5:30 PM
ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK vs. PURDUE
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Purdue's last 7 games
Purdue is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 7:50 PM
BUFFALO vs. MIAMI
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Miami's last 21 games
Miami is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 8:10 PM
CHATTANOOGA vs. INDIANA
No trends available
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 8:27 PM
FRESNO STATE vs. UTAH
No trends available
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Fresno State
Utah is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 10:40 PM
STONY BROOK vs. KENTUCKY
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kentucky's last 5 games
Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 10:50 PM
PROVIDENCE vs. USC
No trends available
USC is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
USC is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games


See more trends!
MARCH 17, 10:57 PM
GONZAGA vs. SETON HALL
No trends available
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seton Hall's last 6 games
Seton Hall is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games

 

[CNOTES]

CBB ATS


CBB > (725) FLA GULF COAST@ (726) N CAROLINA | 2016-03-17 19:20:00 - 2016-03-17 19:20:00
Play ON FLA GULF COAST against the spread in Road games in all tournament games
The record is 15 Wins and 1 Losses for the since 1992 (+13.9 units)


CBB > (747) GONZAGA@ (748) SETON HALL | 2016-03-17 21:55:00 - 2016-03-17 21:55:00
Play ON SETON HALL against the spread in All games as an underdog
The record is 12 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+9.8 units)

CBB > (721) YALE@ (722) BAYLOR | 2016-03-17 14:45:00 - 2016-03-17 14:45:00
Play ON YALE against the spread in Road games after a conference game
The record is 13 Wins and 2 Losses for the last two seasons (+10.8 units)


CBB > (741) ARK-LITTLE ROCK@ (742) PURDUE | 2016-03-17 16:30:00 - 2016-03-17 16:30:00
Play ON PURDUE against the spread in Road games in March games
The record is 11 Wins and 1 Losses for the last three seasons (+9.9 units)


CBB > (747) GONZAGA@ (748) SETON HALL | 2016-03-17 21:55:00 - 2016-03-17 21:55:00
Play ON SETON HALL against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 17 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+11.5 units)

CBB > (741) ARK-LITTLE ROCK@ (742) PURDUE | 2016-03-17 16:30:00 - 2016-03-17 16:30:00
Play ON ARK-LITTLE ROCK against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games
The record is 7 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+7 units)


------------------


CBB MONEYLINE


CBB > (733) AUSTIN PEAY@ (734) KANSAS | 2016-03-17 16:00:00 - 2016-03-17 16:00:00
Play ON AUSTIN PEAY using money line in All games in March games
The record is 5 Wins and 0 Losses for the last three seasons (+10.35 units)

CBB > (733) AUSTIN PEAY@ (734) KANSAS | 2016-03-17 16:00:00 - 2016-03-17 16:00:00
Play ON AUSTIN PEAY using money line in Road games in March games
The record is 5 Wins and 0 Losses for the last three seasons (+10.35 units)


CBB > (747) GONZAGA@ (748) SETON HALL | 2016-03-17 21:55:00 - 2016-03-17 21:55:00
Play ON SETON HALL using money line in All games in all games
The record is 21 Wins and 7 Losses for the this season (+16.4 units)

CBB > (747) GONZAGA@ (748) SETON HALL | 2016-03-17 21:55:00 - 2016-03-17 21:55:00
Play ON SETON HALL using money line in All games in all lined games
The record is 21 Wins and 7 Losses for the this season (+16.4 units)


CBB > (737) UT-CHATTANOOGA@ (738) INDIANA | 2016-03-17 19:10:00 - 2016-03-17 19:10:00
Play ON UT-CHATTANOOGA using money line in All games as an underdog
The record is 3 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+11.8 units)


--------------------


CBB FIRST HALF


CBB > (735) CONNECTICUT@ (736) COLORADO | 2016-03-17 13:30:00 - 2016-03-17 13:30:00
Play AGAINST COLORADO ?>in the first halfin Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 5 Wins and 22 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.2 units)


CBB > (735) CONNECTICUT@ (736) COLORADO | 2016-03-17 13:30:00 - 2016-03-17 13:30:00
Play AGAINST COLORADO ?>in the first halfin Road games in non-conference games
The record is 2 Wins and 14 Losses for the last three seasons (-13.4 units)


CBB > (739) STONY BROOK@ (740) KENTUCKY | 2016-03-17 21:40:00 - 2016-03-17 21:40:00
Play ON KENTUCKY ?>in the first halfin All games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games
The record is 11 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+8.8 units)


CBB > (719) WICHITA ST@ (720) ARIZONA | 2016-03-17 21:20:00 - 2016-03-17 21:20:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA ?>in the first halfin All games in a neutral court game where the first half total is 63 to 65.5
The record is 3 Wins and 16 Losses for the since 1992 (-14.6 units)


CBB > (739) STONY BROOK@ (740) KENTUCKY | 2016-03-17 21:40:00 - 2016-03-17 21:40:00
Play ON KENTUCKY ?>in the first halfin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 16 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+10.5 units)


---------------


CBB TOTALS


CBB > (741) ARK-LITTLE ROCK@ (742) PURDUE | 2016-03-17 16:30:00 - 2016-03-17 16:30:00
Play UNDER ARK-LITTLE ROCK on the totalin All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 1 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+10.9 units)


CBB > (719) WICHITA ST@ (720) ARIZONA | 2016-03-17 21:20:00 - 2016-03-17 21:20:00
Play UNDER WICHITA ST on the totalin All games in all neutral court games vs. the 1rst half line
The record is 1 Overs and 13 Unders for the last two seasons (+11.9 units)


CBB > (717) BUFFALO@ (718) MIAMI | 2016-03-17 18:50:00 - 2016-03-17 18:50:00
Play OVER BUFFALO on the totalin All games when the total is 140 to 149.5
The record is 11 Overs and 1 Unders for the this season (+9.9 units)


CBB > (733) AUSTIN PEAY@ (734) KANSAS | 2016-03-17 16:00:00 - 2016-03-17 16:00:00
Play OVER AUSTIN PEAY on the totalin All games off a win against a conference rival
The record is 12 Overs and 1 Unders for the last two seasons (+10.9 units)


CBB > (741) ARK-LITTLE ROCK@ (742) PURDUE | 2016-03-17 16:30:00 - 2016-03-17 16:30:00
Play UNDER ARK-LITTLE ROCK on the totalin Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 1 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+8.9 units)


CBB > (737) UT-CHATTANOOGA@ (738) INDIANA | 2016-03-17 19:10:00 - 2016-03-17 19:10:00
Play OVER INDIANA on the totalin All games in non-conference games
The record is 20 Overs and 5 Unders for the last two seasons (+14.5 units)

CBB > (743) IONA@ (744) IOWA ST | 2016-03-17 14:00:00 - 2016-03-17 14:00:00
Play UNDER IOWA ST on the totalin All games in March games
The record is 0 Overs and 8 Unders for the last two seasons (+8 units)

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack


Six of the more interesting first round games the next two days.........


-- Gonzaga-Seton Hall-- Zags won their last seven first round games. Seton Hall is on heels of winning first Big East tournament since 1993.


-- Wichita State-Arizona-- Wildcats are only favored by 1.5 points.


-- Iona-Iowa State-- Fast-paced game with thin rosters in high altitude.


-- Providence-USC-- How far can Dunn/Bentil carry the Friars?


-- VCU-Oregon State-- Beavers' first appearance in NCAAs since 1990.


-- South Dakota State-Maryland-- Jackrabbits get a shot at one of the big boys.


**********


Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Welcome to best four days of year.....


These are my favorite four days of the year; wall-to-wall basketball; I've been retired for over a year now, but the last time I worked this week was in 1986. Ha!!!! Here are some tidbits you might find interesting while you watch today's games.


13) I'll start by amusing you with my Final Four pick:
West Virginia-Kansas-St Joseph's-Michigan State


12) Teams that won Big East tournament are 6-2-1 vs spread in their first NCAA tournament game; thats Seton Hall this year- they play a Gonzaga squad thats won its last seven first round games.


11) Over last decade, teams that lost those Big East tournament finals are 6-4 vs spread in their first tournament game- that would be Villanova this year.


10) Arizona is 10-3 in its last 13 first round games; its losses came when they were seeded 8-8-10th- they're a 6 this year. Last time Arizona lost in first round as higher than an 8-seed was 1999, when they lost to West Virginia as a 4-seed.


9) Utah-Fresno State pits the Pac-12 against Mountain West. So far this season, teams from Pac-12 are 14-1 against Mountain West teams, 10-5 against the spread.


8) Since 2003, Ivy League champ is 1-3 vs spread in NCAAs if they're an underdog of less than 10 points; they're 5-4 if getting 10+ points (they're always underdogs). Yale is getting 5.5 points from Baylor- we're rooting for our old friend James Jones.


7) When Holy Cross plays Oregon Friday, and the TV guys start talking about Bob Cousy and Tom Heinsohn back in the 50's, one of your kids might ask you who Bob Cousy is. Show them this clip, from the movie Blue Chips-- I'm guessing your kids have heard of Shaquille O'Neal- he was in this movie, too.


6) There are two first-round matchups where both teams rank in bottom 50 in the country, in terms of tempo. Northern Iowa-Texas, Pitt-Wisconsin. Slow-paced games.


5) Iona-Iowa State is only first round game where both teams are in top 100 as far as tempo goes. Neither team is deep, game is in high altitude of Denver.


4) Stony Brook-Kentucky is only first round game where both teams won regular season in their league and then also won the conference tournament.


3) Since 2003, underdogs are 31-21 vs spread in games with 8-9 seeds playing.


2) Big Sky teams are 0-9 in NCAAs since Montana beat Nevada in a 2006 first round game. Wolf Pack beat Montana 79-75 last night, in a CBI game.


1) Last 22 years, the #12 seed in the midwest is 17-5 vs spread in its first round game. That #12 seed this year is Ark-Little Rock, getting nine points from Purdue.

 

[CNOTES]

NCAA Tournament 1st Round Betting Previews




Thursday's South Region First Round betting preview


Devonte’ Graham was named Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring a career high-tying 27 points in the 81-71 championship game win over West Virginia.


No. 9 Connecticut Huskies vs. No. 8 Colorado Buffaloes (+3, 131.5)


Game to be played at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA


Connecticut took the drama out of Selection Sunday with a dramatic run to the American Athletic Conference title over the weekend. The Huskies, seeded ninth in the South Region, will begin their quest for a fifth national title when they meet No. 8 Colorado in the first round on Thursday at Des Moines, Iowa.


UConn may not have even been in the NCAA field if it weren't for freshman guard Jalen Adams' miraculous 62-foot game-tying prayer at the third-overtime buzzer in its four-overtime win over Cincinnati on Friday. The Huskies steamrolled their way past Temple and Memphis after that to win its first AAC title and the automatic NCAA bid. Some felt that Colorado was a bubble team, but the Buffaloes earned their way into the 68-team field with a fifth-place finish in the Pac-12. Thursday's winner will most likely face the tournament's top-seeded Kansas in the second round if the Jayhawks get past Austin Peay.


TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT


LINE HISTORY: The point spread opened with UConn as three-point favorites. The line fluxuated a bit early - even getting as high as 4 at one point - but it seems to have settled in at Cunnecticut -3. The total started at too high of a number in the mind of the betting public. This game had a starting number of 134.5 and was quickly bet all the way down to 131.5.


ABOUT CONNECTICUT (24-10, 16-13-1 ATS, 13-16-1 O/U): Running through conference tournaments on the way to the NCAA is nothing new for the Huskies, who embarked on magical rides to the national title in 2011 with the heroics and Kemba Walker and then again in 2014 paced by guard Shabazz Napier. This year's Huskies needed another strong finish to earn a bid and got it thanks to the resurgence of Daniel Hamilton, who has three straight double-doubles and scored a career-high 32 points in 55 minutes against Cincinnati in the ACC quarterfinals. Adams has also blossomed into a budding star, scoring a career-high 22 points against Cincinnati while getting extended playing time while Shonn Miller and Sterling Gibbs both scored team-high 13 points in Sunday's championship game.


ABOUT COLORADO (22-11, 19-11 ATS, 15-15 O/U): The Buffaloes nearly erased a 22-point deficit but fell short in their last outing, an 82-78 loss against Arizona in the Pac-12 quarterfinals. Colorado, however, got a much-needed win in its conference tournament opener, blowing out Washington State and are in the field for the fourth time in six years under coach Tad Boyle. The Buffaloes won 11 straight games early in the season before ending the campaign losers of six of their last 11, but are a formidable bunch ranked fourth in the nation in rebounding (42.4 per game) and own big victories over Arizona and Oregon, which earned the No. 1 seed in the West Region.


TRENDS:


* Huskies are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 NCAA Tournament games.
* Buffaloes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Over is 4-0 in Huskies last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 6-2 in Buffaloes last 8 games following a straight up loss.




No. 16 Austin Peay Governors vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (-26, 152)


Game to be played at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA


Kansas is the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed and will tip off tourney play Thursday against 16th-seeded Austin Peay in a South Region matchup in Des Moines, Iowa. Of course, a No. 16 seed never has beaten a No. 1, but there is definite later-in-the-bracket concern about the Jayhawks, who have been ousted by lower-seeded teams in five of the last six NCAA tourneys and have failed to advance past the second round in each of their last two appearances.


Coach Bill Self has seen the complete March range in his 13 seasons at the Kansas helm, also guiding the program to five Elite Eight appearances, including a national title in 2008. This will be the fifth time the Jayhawks have been a No. 1 seed under Self and the first time since 2013, when they lost to fourth-seeded Michigan in the Sweet 16. “We’ve had some (NCAA Tournaments) where we’ve under-performed ... but, really, there’s pressure on everyone in this tournament,” Self told the media after the South bracket had been revealed. “We’ve done a lot of good things this season, winning our 12th straight (regular-season) Big 12 championship and winning the Big 12 Tournament, but to have a truly successful season, we know you have to have success later in March.” Austin Peay, meanwhile, is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008 after winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title on March 5 as an eighth seed.


TV: 4 p.m. ET, TNT


LINE HISTORY: The Kansas Jayhawks opened as 26-point favorites and the total opened at 152. Both numbers have stayed relatively steady and any wobble in either number was quickly returned to the opening figure.


ABOUT AUSTIN PEAY (18-17, 13-15-1 ATS, 19-9-1 O/U): The Governors enter the Big Dance on a six-game win streak, including four victories in four days at the Ohio Valley tourney in Nashville. The Clarksville, Tenn., program is led by 6-8 senior Chris Horton, who is averaging a team-best 18.9 points and 12 rebounds and was named the Ohio Valley Tournament MVP despite being limited by an ankle injury suffered late in the first half of the title game. Guards Josh Robinson (16.7 points) and Khalil Davis (11.2) also are averaging double figures while freshman guard Jared Savage is coming off a career-high 24-point outing in the Ohio Valley championship game, with all the scoring coming on an 8-of-10 showing from 3-point range.


ABOUT KANSAS (30-4, 21-11 ATS, 12-19-1 O/U): The Jayhawks enter the Big Dance as one of the nation’s hottest teams, riding a 14-game win streak which includes three Big 12 Tournament victories by an average of 12 points apiece. Guard Devonte’ Graham was named the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring a career high-tying 27 points in the 81-71 championship game win over West Virginia, and he was joined on the all-tournament team by senior forward Perry Ellis, who totaled 58 points in the three games and is averaging a team-best 16.7 points per contest. Guards Wayne Selden Jr. (13.3 points), Frank Mason III (13.1) and Graham (11.7) also are averaging double digits for Kansas while forward Landen Lucas (6.3 rebounds) and Ellis (5.9) are the team’s pace-setters on the glass.


TRENDS:


* Governors are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Jayhawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
* Over is 10-1 in Governors last 11 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 24-6 in Jayhawks last 30 NCAA Tournament games.






No. 14 Buffalo Bulls vs. No. 3 Miami Hurricanes (-14, 148.5)


Game to be played at Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI


Jim Larranaga - who coached George Mason to the 2006 Final Four - looks to conjure up some old March magic as his Miami squad returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013 when it takes on Buffalo in a South Region first-round game Thursday in Providence, R.I. The Hurricanes, the No. 3 seed in the West region, come in having won nine of their last 11, while the Bulls took the Mid-American Conference tournament championship for the second straight season.


Miami sports a balanced offense, with four players averaging in double figures - led by Sheldon McClellan (15.8 points), Angel Rodriguez (11.8) and Davon Reed (11.5), each of whom hit more than 40 3-pointers this year. The Hurricanes are also solid defensively, holding opponents to 66.6 points on 43 percent shooting from the field. Buffalo became the first team in 14 years to defend its MAC tournament title despite being the No. 3 seed, upsetting top-seeded Akron on Saturday. The Bulls also feature four double-figure scorers, with Lamonte Bearden and Blake Hamilton leading the way at 13.6 and 13.1 points, respectively.


TV: 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT


LINE HISTORY: Miami opened at -13.5 and were quickly bet up to -14. After sitting at -14 for about 24 hours the line settled back down to -13.5. The total opened and 149.5 and has gradually dropped to it's current status of 148.5.


ABOUT BUFFALO (20-14, 17-13-2 ATS, 18-13-1 O/U): After making a trip to the Big Dance last season, Buffalo should be a little more relaxed when it takes the floor against Miami. The Bulls weren't expected to come back to the NCAA Tournament, especially early in the season under first-year head coach Nate Oats, but the team seems to be coming together at just the right time and could give the Hurricanes a tough go. "Nobody was predicting this back in October, November," Oats told reporters. "So I can't say enough about the character of these guys. We got hot at the right time. It's the best basketball we played all year. And we picked the right time to do it, for sure."


ABOUT MIAMI (25-7, 18-12-1 ATS, 15-16 O/U): While everyone wants to go into the NCAA Tournament on a roll, more than half of the field will be coming off a loss, like the Hurricanes are after a loss to Virginia in the ACC tournament semifinals. In fact, Larranaga wasted no time reminding his team that last year's national champion, Duke, also lost in the ACC tournament semis, so there are bigger and better things to focus on. "Nobody's down on themselves because we have bigger things to worry about," forward Kamari Murphy told reporters. "Like Coach told us, Duke was in this exact situation last year and went on to win the title, so a tournament is a new season for us. We have to take one game at a time and hope to keep winning and compete for a national championship."


TRENDS:


* Bulls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Hurricanes are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 non-conference games.
* Over is 14-2 in Bulls last 16 Thursday games.
* Over is 8-1 in Hurricanes last 9 NCAA Tournament games.




No. 11 Wichita St. Shockers vs. No. 6 Arizona Wildcats (-1.5, 136.5)


Game to be played at Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI


Not only did Arizona receive a lower seed than expected, it must travel almost 2,600 miles to face a well-seasoned backcourt duo in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The sixth-seeded Wildcats take on 11th seed Wichita State, featuring senior guards Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker, on Thursday in the South Regional at Providence, R.I.


“We’ve had obstacles. We’ve had adversity strike us,” Arizona coach Sean Miller, whose team went 3-3 in its last six games, told reporters. “The resilience of this team really stands out.” The Wildcats took NCAA top seed Oregon to overtime before losing in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals and boasts three players that average at least 15 points. Arizona will be tested by the Shockers, who rolled away from Vanderbilt 70-50 in the First Four game at Dayton, Ohio on Tuesday as Baker and VanVleet totaled 28 points. “No doubt they’ll have momentum,” Miller told the Arizona Republic. “. … But I also know this: Rest at this time of year is real important. Sometimes, you can get beat up in your own conference tournament and it’s a quick turnaround.”


TV: 9:20 p.m. ET, TNT


LINE HISTORY: The spread and total were late arriving based on Wichita St. being involved in the First Four game on Tuesday night. Arizona opened as -1.5 favorites and the total sits at 136.5.


ABOUT WICHITA ST. (25-8, 19-12 ATS, 13-17-1 O/U): Baker scores 14.2 per game and VanVleet chips in with 12.1 while combining for 102 makes from 3-point range for the Shockers, who have won seven of their last eight contests. Half of their points came from bench players Tuesday as Anton Grady scored 11, Conner Frankamp eight and Markis McDuffie seven. “It just speaks volumes to our depth, VanVleet told reporters. “We worked so hard on the young guys. And for them to step up in those moments is huge for our team. This time of year, that’s what you need.”


ABOUT ARIZONA (25-8, 16-17 ATS, 22-11 O/U): Forward Ryan Anderson returns to New England where he played three seasons with Boston College and looks to rebound from a 2-for-13 shooting performance against Oregon. Anderson averages 15.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and shoots 54.7 percent from the field while senior guard Gabe York scores 15.2 per game - 21.8 over the past four contests. Freshman guard Allonzo Trier has made an impact by averaging 15 points, and 7-0 senior Kaleb Tarczewski (9.4 points, 9.3 boards) could be a key against Wichita State’s relatively small front line.


TRENDS:


* Shockers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games.
* Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
* Under is 6-1 in Shockers last 7 vs. Pacific-12.
* Over is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 non-conference games.








Thursday's East Region First Round betting preview


USC returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 when the eighth-seeded Trojans face No. 9 seed Providence.


No. 16 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles vs. No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (-22, 148)


Game to be played at PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC


Top-seeded North Carolina could be playing its best basketball of the season at the right time as it prepares to face the first test in the NCAA Tournament. The ACC champion Tar Heels look to extend their winning streak to six games when they take on 16th seed FGCU in the first round of the East Regional Thursday in Raleigh, N.C.


North Carolina allowed only 52 points per game and 33.6 percent shooting in the final two contests of the ACC tournament and hopes to continue that kind of work in the defensive end to add to its explosive offense. “We kept getting better all season,” Tar Heels coach Roy Williams told reporters of the team’s defense. “We saw the fruits of the labor immediately (at the ACC tournament) and that sort of gave us a little more confidence, too.” North Carolina will have to play well in the defensive end against FGCU, which shot 59.6 percent in the 96-65 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in the First Four on Tuesday. “We’re just going to stay confident and believe in ourselves and give it our best effort,” Eagles leading scorer Marc Eddy Norelia told reporters. “Anything can happen.”


TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, TBS


LINE HISTORY: The No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels opened as massive 22-point favorites over the FGCU Eagles. The total opened at 148.


ABOUT FLORIDA GULF COAST (21-13, 4-3-1 ATS, 4-4 O/U): Norelia recorded 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds in the First Four triumph for his fourth double-double in five games and had five of team's 27 assists - their most since becoming a Division I program for the 2011-12 season. Norelia tops three players in double figures scoring (17.3) and leads the team in rebounding (9.2) while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. Christian Terrell (12.7 points) is averaging 15 over the last four games and Zach Johnson (11.1) shoots 40.3 percent from behind the arc.


ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (28-6, 16-17-1 ATS, 17-17 O/U): Joel Berry II raised his level of play in the ACC tournament, averaging 17 points, and joins the talented Marcus Paige in a backcourt that will be a key moving forward. Paige, a preseason All-American who has been inconsistent (12.1 points, 3.7 assists, 39.3 percent shooting), must find his top form if the Tar Heels are to win it all and Berry was 17-of-24 from the field in the ACC tournament. Brice Johnson is the top threat inside, averaging 16.6 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 61.4 percent from the field.


TRENDS:


* Eagles are 13-1 ATS in their last 14 neutral site games.
* Tar Heels are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 8-0-1 in Eagles last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 5-0 in Tar Heels last 5 non-conference games.




No. 9 Providence Friars vs. No. 8 Southern California Trojans (+1.5, 149.5)


Game to be played at PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC


USC returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 when the eighth-seeded Trojans face No. 9 seed Providence, which finished fourth in the Big East and features future NBA lottery pick Kris Dunn in the backcourt, in the first round of the East Regional on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C. The Trojans can only hope they enjoy the kind of success that their third-year had coach Andy Enfield experienced in his last trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2013 when his Florida Gulf Coast "Dunk City" squad made an unexpected run to the Sweet 16.


Ironically, Florida Gulf Coast may be taking the court just before the USC-Providence contest if it wins its First Four play-in game and faces North Carolina, the top overall seed in the East and the likely opponent for the Providence-USC winner. The Trojans, who were considered a bubble team after finishing in a three-way tie for sixth in the ultra-competitive Pac-12 Conference and then losing to Utah, 80-72, in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament, exhaled when they finally saw their name appear on Sunday's selection show. "We figured we'd get in, but it was awesome to actually see it happen," guard Julian Jacobs said. "We're just super-glad to be in position to compete for a championship. We can't wait to get to North Carolina."


TV: 9:50 p.m. ET, TBS


LINE HISTORY: Providence opened as one-point favorites over the USC Trojans. The point spread got as high as 3.5 at one point in the week but it settled down as the Friars -1.5. The total had an up-and-down week as well with an opening number of 149.5, a rise to 150.5, and a drop down to the original number of 149.5.


ABOUT PROVIDENCE (23-10, 18-14 ATS, 19-13 O/U): There might not be a better 1-2 punch in the nation than 6-9 sophomore forward Ben Bentil and Dunn, considered a potential top-five pick in this summer's NBA Draft. Bentil leads the team in scoring (21.2 points per game) and rebounding (7.8) while Dunn is second in scoring (16.0) and also is averaging 6.4 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Forward Rodney Bullock also is averaging in double figures (11.6) and had a team-best 18 points, including 4-of-5 3-pointers, in the Friars' 76-68 loss to No. 1 seeded Villanova in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament on Friday.


ABOUT USC (21-12, 18-14-1 ATS, 18-14-1 O/U): The Trojans won a total of five conference games and were just 23-41 in Enfield's first two seasons before turning things around dramatically this year. USC has five players averaging in double figures led by sophomore guard Jordan McLaughlin (13.4 points) who is also shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range. Nikola Jovanovic, a 6-11 junior, mans the inside and is averaging 12.1 points and a team high 7.0 rebounds while Jacobs (11.8 points), Katin Reinhardt (11.5) and Bennie Boatwright (11.5) also are averaging double digits.


TRENDS:


* Friars are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games.
* Trojans are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 7-1 in Friars last 8 neutral site games.
* Over is 6-0-1 in Trojans last 7 games following a ATS loss.




No. 12 Chattanooga Mocs vs. No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers (-12, 145.5)


Game to be played at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA


After a disappointing Big Ten tournament showing, Indiana gets a chance to redeem itself as a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, taking on No. 12 Chattanooga in a first-round game in the East region on Thursday. As the top seed in the Big Ten tournament, the Hoosiers lost their opening game on a buzzer-beater against Michigan, while the Mocs come in having won five straight, including rolling to their 11th Southern Conference tournament title.


Indiana is led by one of the top point guards in the country in senior Yogi Ferrell (17 points, 5.5 assists) and has a pair of solid scorers in Troy Williams (13.1 points) and Thomas Bryant (11.6). The Hoosiers average nearly 16 assists a game as a team, shooting 50.1 percent from the field, including 41.5 percent from 3-point range. Chattanooga notched a school-record 29 victories this season with 6-5 forward Tre McLean leading the way with 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds. Justin Tuoyo, a 6-10 forward, adds 11.1 points, while senior Eric Robertson is a dangerous 3-point shooter, hitting 80 from beyond the arc on 40.4 percent shooting.


TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS


LINE HISTORY: The point spread opened with the Indiana Hoosiers favored by 11 but was quickly bet up to -12. The total opened at 144.5 and rose slightly during the week to 145.5.


ABOUT CHATTANOOGA (29-5, 16-13-1 ATS, 14-13-2 O/U): It's easier to say after the fact, but Chattanooga coach Matt McCall looks back on a Feb. 20 15-point loss to UNC Greensboro as a good thing. McCall's squad hasn't lost since the setback, which he said showed that his team wasn't ready for such a big moment but learned from it. "Everything was at stake (in the Southern tournament title game)," McCall told reporters. "Just trying to get the guys to understand that we've got to do our job and can't get caught up in the moment, so when the moment happened, we handled it well."


ABOUT INDIANA (25-7, 17-15 ATS, 15-17 O/U): Despite the disappointment of falling to Michigan in its Big Ten tournament opener, Indiana coach Tom Crean has his team confident it can shake off the loss and play well in the NCAA Tournament. Right after the contest, players were already talking about things they can improve on -- turnovers, motion on offense -- and looking forward to hitting the court in the Big Dance. "We're still confident," freshman OG Anunoby told reporters. "We think we can learn from it. And look forward to the next game."


TRENDS:


* Mocs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Hoosiers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 4-0-2 in Mocs last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 4-1 in Hoosiers last 5 Thursday games.




No. 13 Stony Brook Seawolves vs. No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats (-14, 143)


Game to be played at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA


After some regular-season struggles, Kentucky is once again a team that nobody wants to face in the NCAA Tournament. The SEC tournament champions begin their search for another Final Four trip Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, as the No. 4 seed in the East Region against 13th-seeded Stony Brook.


The Wildcats have won five straight games, including a strong run through the SEC tournament which they capped with an overtime victory over Texas A&M on Sunday. “I'm really proud of this basketball team, how much they've improved,” coach John Calipari said to reporters in his postgame press conference. “Individually, guys are becoming the best version of themselves.” Calipari's assessment certainly includes standout point guard Tyler Ulis, who recorded 30 points against Texas A&M, and backcourt mate Jamal Murray, who is the team's leading scorer (20.1 points). Stony Brook is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance but boasts a legitimate star in 6-8 senior forward Jameel Warney, who averages 19.8 points and 10.7 rebounds and poured in a school-record 43 points with 10 boards in the America East title game against Vermont.


TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS


LINE HISTORY: Kentucky opened at -13.5 and the line was bet up to -14. The total opened at 144 and the public felt that was too high and pounded the under early in the week, prompting a drop by the books to 143.


ABOUT STONY BROOK (26-6, 0-5-1 ATS, 4-2 O/U): The Seawolves played at Vanderbilt and Notre Dame in the non-conference portion of their schedule, losing by seven and 25, respectively, although the defeat to the Commodores came in overtime. Warney has scored in double figures every game this season and averaged 30.3 points and 15.3 rebounds over three America East tournament contests. Three other Stony Brook players average at least 10 points, including Carson Puriefoy (15.1), who has knocked down at least 40 percent of his 3-pointers in four of the last five games and has drained a team-high 81 3-pointers on the year.


ABOUT KENTUCKY (26-8, 18-16 ATS, 19-14-1 O/U): The Wildcats have reached the Final Four in each of their last four NCAA Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) and - as usual - enter the Big Dance with a deep roster of reigning McDonald's All-Americans mixed in with some veteran mainstays. One of the veterans in this case is Ulis, the diminutive sophomore who has totaled 55 points and two turnovers in his last two games and has not been held to single-digit points since early January. The freshman class for the Wildcats is highlighted by Murray, who has knocked down at least three 3-pointers in 12 of his last 13 games, and Isaiah Briscoe, who has endured an up-and-down season but registered 10 points, six assists and five rebounds in the conference title game.


TRENDS:


* Seawolves are 0-5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Wildcats are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 NCAA Tournament games.
* Under is 7-2 in Seawolves last 9 neutral site games.
* Over is 5-0 in Wildcats last 5 neutral site games.










Thursday's Midwest Region First Round betting preview


Virginia hopes their quest for a national title begins Thursday with a win against No. 16 seed Hampton.


No. 9 Butler Bulldogs vs. No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders (+4, 147)


Game to be played at PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC


Eighth-seeded Texas Tech, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007, will face tournament veteran and No. 9-seed Butler in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday in the first round of the Midwest region. Both teams enter the dance after disappointing exits in their respective conference tournaments.


Texas Tech got on a roll in February - winning five in a row, including three consecutive against top 25 teams - before a 1-3 finish capped by a loss to last-place TCU in the Big 12 tournament. Red Raiders coach Tubby Smith - named the league's coach of the year - joins Oklahoma's Lon Kruger - as the only coaches to take five teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs earned their eighth berth in the past 10 years and have won at least one game in seven of those appearances. Thursday's winner will face top-seeded Virginia or Hampton on Saturday.


TV: 12:40 p.m. ET, truTV


LINE HISTORY: Bookmakers think the selection committee got the seeding wrong on this one with the 9th seeded Bulldogs opening as 2.5-point favorites and bettors agree. The line has moved from Butler -2.5 to -4. The total has been bet down a point and a half, moving from 148.5 to 147. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT BUTLER (21-10, 16-14-1 ATS, 16-13-1 O/U): Sharp-shooting Kellen Dunham (42.8 percent from 3-point range) leads four players in double figures at 16.3 for the high-scoring Bulldogs (80.6 points). Forwards Kelan Martin (16.1 points, 6.8 rebounds), Roosevelt Jones (14, 6.6) and Andrew Chrabascz (10.1 points) give the Bulldogs plenty of scoring options all over the court. The Bulldogs - who went 2-7 against the Big East's four other NCAA Tournament teams - are looking for back-to-back opening round wins after beating Texas last year.


ABOUT TEXAS TECH (19-12, 15-13 ATS, 15-13 O/U): Toddrick Gotcher shoots 40 percent from behind the 3-point line and leads a balanced offensive attack - where seven players average at least eight points - with 11.1. Devaugntah Williams (10.6 points) and Aaron Ross (10.3) contribute off the bench and Zach Smith (10.1) leads the team with 7.4 rebounds per game. The Red Raiders, who led the Big 12 in free-throw shooting (74.6 percent), haven't won a tournament game since advancing to the 2005 Sweet 16.


TRENDS:


* Butler is 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall and 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 NCAA Tournament games.
* Texas Tech is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 neutral site games.
* Over is 5-1 in Butler's last six games overall.
* Under is 4-1 in Texas Tech's last five NCAA Tournament games.




No. 13 Iona Gaels vs. No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones (-7.5, 167)


Game to be played at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO


After a year to lament last season’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament, Iowa State gets its chance for redemption when the fourth-seeded Cyclones face No. 13 seed Iona in the Midwest Region on Thursday in Denver. The Cyclones are in the tournament for a school-record fifth consecutive year and are a top-four seed for the third straight season, but they flamed out early in a 60-59 first-round loss to No. 14 seed UAB a year ago.


Iona is no stranger to painful losses in March – in 10 previous trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Gaels have only one win (in 1980) and seven losses by five points or fewer. The Gaels enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the nation, having won eight straight and 12 of their last 13. Iowa State enters the tournament after consecutive losses to No. 1 Kansas in the regular-season finale and No. 6 Oklahoma in the Big 12 tournament, but the Cyclones have an impressive resume that includes wins over those same two teams. The Gaels won the only previous meeting, 89-72 at Iowa State on Nov. 26, 2005.


TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS


LINE HISTORY: Iowa State opened as eight point favorites and have been bet down to -7.5. The total here is the interesting number. With these two high flying teams the total opened at 167 - the highest of the First Round - and has actually been bet up to 167. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT IONA (22-10, 16-15 ATS, 15-16 O/U): The Gaels are in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in six seasons under coach Tim Cluess, whose teams play at a break-neck pace and love the 3-point shot. Star guard A.J. English (22.4 points, 6.2 assists) – the son of former NBA star Alex English – is one of three Gaels with at least 77 made 3-pointers and 171 attempts from beyond the arc. Volatile forward Jordan Washington (13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds) is a force inside when he can stay out of foul trouble, but he averages just 18.4 minutes.


ABOUT IOWA STATE (21-11, 15-13 ATS, 13-15-1 O/U): The Cyclones are one of the most balanced teams in the nation with seven players averaging double-digit scoring, but senior forward Georges Niang (19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds) is their star. Niang matched his career high with 31 points against Oklahoma on Thursday and has scored in double figures in 41 consecutive games and 112 in his career. If opponents focus too much effort on limiting Niang’s touches, though, there are plenty of other Cyclones who can make them pay, and point guard Monte Morris (13.9 points, 6.9 assists) is adept and doing it himself or finding the open teammate.


TRENDS:


* Iona is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games overall.
* Iowa State is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five non-conference games.
* Under is 4-0 in Iona's last four neutral site games.
* Under is 9-2 in Iowa State's last 11 neutral site games.




No. 16 Hampton Pirates vs. No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers (-23.5, 133)


Game to be played at PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC


Virginia has earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons and opens play Thursday in Raleigh, N.C., with a first-round matchup against No. 16 Hampton in the Midwest Region. The Cavaliers cannot look too far ahead but are facing a potential matchup with No. 2 seed Michigan State - which has knocked off Virginia in each of the last two tournaments - in the regional final.


Before they can even entertain such a thought, the Cavaliers must recover from a 61-57 loss to North Carolina in the ACC tournament title game on Saturday. For the fifth straight season under coach Tony Bennett, Virginia has held opponents to under 60 points per game, but this version averaged over 70 on the other end for the first time in Bennett's seven season, led by ACC Player of the Year Malcolm Brogdon (18.7). Hampton is in the Big Dance for the sixth time after rolling through the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Pirates had a memorable win as a 15-seed in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament and picked up another victory in the event with a triumph over Manhattan in a "First Four" game last season.


TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, truTV


LINE HISTORY: Virginia opened as big 24-point favorites over Hampton and have been bet down slightly to -23.5. The total has also been bet down a half point, moving from 133.5 to 133. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT HAMPTON (21-10, 3-2 ATS, 5-0 O/U): The Pirates have a two-headed monster in senior guards Reggie Johnson - who ranked second on the MEAC in scoring (18.3) and tied for third in assists (4.1) - and Quinton Chievous, the league's fourth-leading scorer (17.0) and top rebounder (11.0). The latter averaged 18.5 points and 11.5 boards in two tournament games a year ago and enters this one having averaged 18.5 points and 10.8 rebounds over his last four games. Brian Darden, also a senior, is the one other player scoring in double figures (13.2) and ranks as the team's most consistent perimeter threat, knocking down 8-of-14 3-pointers in the final two games of the conference tourney.


ABOUT VIRGINIA (26-7, 17-14 ATS, 12-19 O/U): Brogdon averaged 21.7 points during the ACC tournament but was just 6-of-22 from the floor against the Tar Heels and likely has motivation to improve upon his past performances in NCAAs. He shot 10-of-30 in the team's Sweet 16 run two seasons ago and was 9-of-29 last year, including 3-of-12 in the second straight elimination loss to Michigan State. Anthony Gill, the team's second-leading scorer, has reached double figures in four of his previous five NCAA Tournament games.


TRENDS:


* Hampton is 5-0 ATS in its last five non-conference games.
* Virginia is 5-1 ATS in its last six games overall.
* Over is 6-0 in Hampton's last six games overall (when a total was listed).
* Under is 11-2 in Virginia's last 13 games overall.




No. 12 Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans vs. No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers (-9, 128.5)


Game to be played at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO


Fifth-seeded Purdue looks to build on its deep run in the Big Ten tournament when it takes on No. 12 seed Little Rock in the first round of the Midwest Region in Denver on Thursday. The Boilermakers notched impressive victories over Illinois and Michigan before falling to red-hot Michigan State 66-62 in the tournament final but will make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance after missing out on March Madness in the previous two years.


Purdue has won the battle of the boards in all but two games this season and hopes to use its overwhelming height advantage to advance past the first round for the first time since 2012. Little Rock coach Chris Beard has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in the nation as the Trojans notched 16 more wins than they did in the previous season. Little Rock has won eight of its last nine games and captured the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament titles en route to setting a school record for most victories in a campaign with 29. The Trojans beat ULM 70-50 in the Sun Belt Tournament final to secure their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament and their first since 2011.


TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS


LINE HISTORY: Purdue opened as 8-point favorites and have been bet up a point to its current number of -9. The total has seen plenty of movement, going down 2.5-points from 131 to 128.5. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT LITTLE ROCK (29-4, 19-10 ATS, 10-19 O/U): Roger Woods went 8-of-10 from the field en route to a team-high 19 points against ULM and earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player award in the process. Marcus Johnson Jr. added 14 points while Jalen Jackson provided a spark off the bench by scoring 11 points. "I'm the luckiest man in the world to be coaching these guys," Beard told reporters. "We're not done yet and I think we can do some damage in the tournament."


ABOUT PURDUE (26-8, 18-11-1 ATS, 15-15 O/U): Vince Edwards led the Boilermakers with 19 points while A.J. Hammons added 11 points and nine rebounds against Michigan State to finish in double figures for the 15th consecutive game. Caleb Swanigan also scored 11 points but Purdue couldn't overcome a poor-shooting first half against the Spartans. "We came far from two years ago coming in last place in the Big Ten," senior defensive stopper Rapheal Davis told reporters. "To go out and get a five seed and play a good team like Little Rock will be good for us."


TRENDS:


* Arkansas-Little Rock is 7-1 ATS in its last eight non-conference games.
* Purdue is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Arkansas-Little Rock's last four neutral site games.
* Over is 5-2 in Purdue's last seven games overall.




No. 14 Fresno State Bulldogs vs. No. 3 Utah Utes (-8.5, 138.5)


Game to be played at Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado


Third-seeded Utah made a splash in its return to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and hopes to take a step - or four - further when it meets No. 14 seed Fresno State on Thursday in the first round of the Midwest Region in Denver. The Utes, appearing in their first NCAAs since 2009, lost to eventual national champion Duke in the Sweet 16 last season and return plenty of experience and firepower including Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year Jakob Poeltl.


Utah was crushed by Oregon - the No. 1 seed in the West Region - 88-57 in Saturday's Pac-12 tournament final, but coach Larry Krystkowiak wasn't too concerned after the Utes had their nine-game winning streak snapped. "I know our guys would trade for some success starting (Thursday),'' he told reporters. "If it means getting our butts waxed in the championship game, then we'll take our medicine and hopefully be focused for some practice on Monday." The Bulldogs earned their ninth straight victory and first NCAA bid since 2001 with a 68-63 win over San Diego State on Saturday in the Mountain West Conference tournament championship game behind senior guard and MWC Player of the Year Marvelle Harris, the school's all-time leading scorer. "It was incredible. Greatest feeling I've had in my whole basketball career," Harris told reporters after the title game. "It's a big win for the program, community, fans, everyone. ..."


TV: 7:27 p.m. ET, truTV


LINE HISTORY: Utah opened as 8-point favorites and have been bet up to -8.5. Meanwhile, the total has moved a whopping four points since opening, going down from 142.5 to 138.5. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT FRESNO STATE (25-9, 18-11 ATS, 17-12 O/U): Harris (20.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, team-high 4.4 assists) has 2,007 career points after averaging 17.7 in three MWC tournament games and scoring 34 against Utah State on March 5 to break the previous school record of 1,951 set by Melvin Ely in 2002. Harris, who was also named MWC tournament MVP, has 701 points this season - breaking the previous single-season school standard set by Carl Ray Harris in 1994. The Bulldogs boast six other players averaging at least 7.6 points including Torren Jones (10.5 points, team-high 7.9 rebounds) and fellow junior forward Karachi Edo (9.9, 6.4).


ABOUT UTAH (26-8, 16-15-1 ATS, 18-13-1 O/U): Poeltl, a 7-0 sophomore forward from Vienna, Austria, averages 17.6 points, nine rebounds and 1.6 blocks. The Utes have five players scoring at least 9.6 points with senior forward Jordan Loveridge (11.8) leading the group, which also includes sophomore forward Kyle Kuzma (10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds). Senior point guard Brandon Taylor (9.6 points, team-high 3.8 assists) runs the show while junior guard Lorenzo Bonam (9.9 points) also contributes.


TRENDS:


* Fresno State is 6-0 ATS in its last six games overall.
* Utah is 4-0-2 ATS in its last six games versus Mountain West opponents.
* Over is 5-1 in Fresno State's last six games overall.
* Over is 6-0 in Utah's last six neutral site games.




No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. No. 6 Seton Hall Pirates (Pick, 145.5)


Game to be played at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO


Seton Hall's shocking run to the Big East tournament title earned it an equally surprising No. 6 seed and a date with No. 11 Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Denver on Thursday. The Pirates, making their first appearance in the field in 10 years, will be looking to recapture some of their former glory, like when they reached the 1989 championship game, as they kick off play in the Midwest Region.


Gonzaga needed an extended run and perhaps even the West Coast Conference tournament title to secure its 18th straight appearance in the field. The Bulldogs, who reached the Elite Eight last year, losing to eventual national champion Duke, did just that by disposing of Saint Mary's in the final, leaving the top-seeded Gaels on the Big Dance sidelines. Gonzaga is one of only two teams to win its opening-round tournament game each of the last seven seasons -- Kansas is the other. Led by sophomore sensation Isaiah Whitehead, who scored 26 points in the Big East title game against Villanova, Seton Hall is making its 10th appearance in the tournament.


TV: 9:57 p.m. ET, truTV


LINE HISTORY: Another situation where the books feel the selection commitee got the seeding wrong opening the No. 11 seed Bulldogs as slight 2-point faves over the Pirates. Money has come in on Seton Hall since however and the line has moved to a Pick'em. The total has been bet up 2-points from 143.5 to 145.5. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT SETON HALL (25-8, 23-9 ATS, 14-18 O/U): Whitehead, who is expected to bolt for the NBA after the season, recorded a three-point play in the closing seconds to lead the Pirates to a 69-67 win over the Wildcats in the Big East title game. Another sophomore, Khadeen Carrington, scored a game-high 23 points as Seton Hall nipped Xavier 87-83 in the semifinal. The Pirates are certainly young but guided by coach Kevin Willard and, in his sixth year with the team, they have won 12 of their last 14 games in what was regarded as one of the toughest conferences in the nation.


ABOUT GONZAGA (26-7, 15-15-1 ATS, 16-15 O/U): Gonzaga's NCAA Tournament streak seemed to be in serious jeopardy after an early-season back injury cost them the services of star center Przemek Karnowski. But emerging power forward Domantas Sabonis, who some feel is a future NBA lottery choice, and sharp-shooting Kyle Wiltjer, who transferred from national champion Kentucky after the 2012-13 season and led the team in scoring at 20.7 points a game, helped keep the Bulldogs in the bubble picture. Led by coach Mark Few, Gonzaga has shunned the label of mid-major power and is 22-18 all-time in NCAA games with six trips to the Sweet 16 and two trips to the Elite Eight, although the team was just 1-3 against ranked opponents this season.


TRENDS:


* Gonzaga is 5-0 ATS in its last five games overall.
* Seton Hall is 4-0 ATS in its last four neutral site games.
* Over is 5-0 in Gonzaga's last five neutral site games.
* Over is 2-1 in Seton Hall's last six games overall.









Thursday's West Region First Round betting preview


Duke has been inconsistent this season, but will attempt to defend their national title, starting with a First Round matchup with UNC-Wilmington.


No. 13 UNC-Wilmington Seahawks vs. No. 4 Duke Blue Devils (-10.5, 157)


Games to be played at Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI


A Tar Heel State showdown is on tap Thursday in Providence, R.I., where fourth-seeded Duke will take on No. 13 seed UNC Wilmington in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's West Region. While the Blue Devils are in the NCAA Tournament for the 21st consecutive season, the Seahawks are making their first appearance in a decade.


The Blue Devils are the defending national champions, but they’ve struggled at times after losing big man Amile Jefferson to a broken foot just nine games into the season and won just one game in the ACC tournament before losing to Notre Dame in overtime in the quarterfinals. The Seahawks have been in tournament mode for more than a week after having to scrape through three close games in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. They won their first two games in the tournament by a total of five points and needed overtime to dispatch Hofstra in the championship game. The in-state foes have met only once before, with Duke winning 67-57 in overtime on Feb. 8, 1982.


TV: 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS


LINE HISTORY: Duke opened as 9.5-point faves and all the early money has been on the Blue Devils, who have been bet up a whole point to sit at -10.5. The total has been bet up a half point from 156.5 to 157. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT UNC WILMINGTON (25-7, 15-13 ATS, 16-12 O/U): The Seahawks were a fixture in the NCAA Tournament in the early 2000s but have only one win – a 93-89 overtime triumph over No. 4 seed USC in 2002. Wilmington employs a guard-oriented lineup with four starters listed at 6-5 or shorter and likes to push the pace. Junior guard Chris Flemmings (16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds) is the team’s top scorer and rebounder, but backcourt mates Denzel Ingram (12.5 points) and Craig Ponder (11.1 points) also can hurt defenses.


ABOUT DUKE (23-10, 13-17-2 ATS, 14-18 O/U): The Blue Devils took a huge hit when they lost Jefferson, a post presence and veteran leader, and their youth has shown at the defensive end. There is plenty of offensive firepower with sophomore guard Grayson Allen (21.6 points) leading the way, but two of the team’s top three – Brandon Ingram (16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds) and Luke Kennard (11.9 points) – are freshmen who are unproven on the big stage. Allen, Ingram and junior guard Matt Jones (10.8 points) all love to shoot from the outside and are the first trio in program history to each make at least 70 3-pointers in a season.


TRENDS:


* NC-Wilmington is 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Duke is 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall, but 6-0 ATS in its last six NCAA Tournament games.
* Over is 7-1 in UNC-Wilmington's last eight neutral site games.
* Under is 8-2 in Duke's last 10 games overall.




No. 12 Yale Bulldogs vs. No. 5 Baylor Bears (-5, 136.5)


Baylor was among the best teams in the nation's best conference this season and hopes the high level of competition puts it in a position to succeed in the NCAA Tournament beginning with Thursday's West Region first-round game against Yale in Providence, R.I. The fifth-seeded Bears are coming off a 70-66 loss to No. 1 Kansas on Friday in the Big 12 tournament semifinals and have lost three of their last four games - all against ranked teams.


Baylor should also be extra motivated after a stunning 57-56 loss to No. 14 seed Georgia State in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. "Last year, we didn't like how it ended," Bears coach Scott Drew told reporters. "We had had a lot of success in the tournament, and that was the first time we really got stung. I know the returning players and coaches are motivated to make sure we do better." The No. 12 seed Bulldogs are playing in their first NCAA Tournament since John F. Kennedy was president after winning their first Ivy League title since 1962. Yale, which went 13-1 in the Ivy League, is riding a five-game winning streak and has won seven of eight since captain Jack Montague was expelled from school after an alleged sexual assault incident.


LINE HISTORY: The No. 5 seed Bears opened as 5.5-point favorites, but money has come in on the Bulldogs, with Baylor now sitting at -5. As for the total, bettors like the over with the number moving up a point and a half from 135 to 136.5. Check out the complete line history here.


ABOUT YALE (22-6, 11-6-2 ATS, 11-8 O/U): The Bulldogs are expected to control the game with a slow tempo and frustrate the athletic Bears. Yale is led in scoring by senior forward Justin Sears and sophomore guard Makai Mason, who each average 15.8 points despite Sears scoring only nine total points in the last two games. Sears grabs a team-best 7.5 rebounds while senior forward Brandon Sherrod (12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds) is also a major contributor.


ABOUT BAYLOR (22-12, 12-14-1 ATS, 15-12 O/U): The Bears have five players who score roughly two-thirds of their points, led by senior forward Taurean Prince (15.5 points, 6.1 rebounds). Baylor will need senior forward Rico Gathers (11.4 points, 9.1 rebounds) to contribute offensively and control the boards against a solid rebounding team which is 20th nationally at 40.4 per game. Sophomore guard Al Freeman (11.5 points) and sophomore forward Johnathan Motley (11.0 points) are also offensive factors while senior point guard Lester Medford (9.1 points, 11th nationally with 6.5 assists) runs the show.


TRENDS:


* Yale is 6-0 ATS in its last six neutral site games.
* Baylor is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Yale's last four games following an ATS win.
* Under is 4-0 in Baylor's last four games overall.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday - Session 3
March 17, 2016




South Region – Providence, RI – Dunkin' Donuts Center


#4 Buffalo vs #3 Miami (-14.5, 148) – 6:50 PM ET, TNT


The Hurricanes struggled with Virginia Tech down the stretch, losing in Blacksburg and barely surviving the ACC Tournament’s first round. They did hang in there with elite Virginia, didn’t at North Carolina and are, all in all, 9-3 over their last 12. They’re 7-5 ATS in that span, but have failed to cover in each of their last three outings. They’ve got impressive freshman reserve Ja’Quan Newton back from a three-game suspension for a violation of team rules that forced him to miss the final regular-season contests, which gives them a pair of excellent point guards alongside veteran starter Angel Rodriguez. Miami is 9-1 as a double-digit favorite, going 7-2-1 in covering the number.


Bulls point guard Lamonte Bearden has something in common with Newton, having been suspended in February for three games, all of which resulted in losses. The sophomore was remorseful and instantly got results, leading the team to wins in six of eight, averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 assists upon his return. The Bulls have scored 87 or more points in six of those games, winning five. Junior wing Blake Hamilton has been the team’s best player since Bearden returned, picking up four double-doubles. Over the last six, he’s averaged 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds. He’s current pro Jordan Hamilton’s cousin. The Bulls have played fellow NCAA participants Duke, Iowa State, Saint Joseph’s and VCU, losing all four and going 1-2-1 ATS. The ‘over’ has prevailed in six of the last eight Buffalo games.


East Region – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena


#12 Chattanooga at #5 Indiana (-12, 147), 7:10 PM ET, CBS


The Mocs were one of the few top-seeds to actually win their conference tournaments, pulling off a double in addition to the regular-season title. Chattanooga’s 29 wins rank second in the country, but it did struggle some down the stretch, barely winning its regular-season finale at lowly VMI and then having trouble with No. 8 seed Samford in the SoCon Tournament. They beat No. 2 ETSU for a third time to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009, getting there under first-year head coach Matt McCall, who replaced Wil Wade went he left for VCU to replace mentor Shaka Smart. McCall is a Billy Donovan disciple. The Mocs overcame losing leading scorer Casey Jones, a former All-SoCon standout, just eight games in with an ankle injury. Seven players averaged more than 7.3 points per game or more. They’re among the best teams in the country in turnover percentage. Chattanooga owns wins over Dayton, Georgia and Illinois. The over has prevailed in five of the last seven Mocs games.


The Hoosiers also have experience in overcoming the loss of a key player, as No. 2 scorer James Blackmon was lost to a knee injury just before Big Ten play began. He was shooting 46 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line. PG Yogi Ferrell put Indiana on his back and led it to an unexpected conference title, potentially landing Tom Crean into the national Coach of the Year mix. Indiana won its final five regular-season games, but lost in the conference tournament quarterfinals on a last-second 3-pointer from Michigan. Versatile forwards Troy Williams and Max Biefeldt join big freshman Thomas Bryant to form a productive frontcourt, while senior transfer Nick Zeisloft and sophomore Robert Johnson have helped make up for Blackmon’s loss. Indiana started the season 5-3, losing to underachievers Wake Forest and UNLV before suffering a 20-point loss at Duke. The Hoosiers than won their next 10 games. The ‘under’ has prevailed in three of the last four IU games.


East Region – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena


#16 Florida Gulf Coast at #1 North Carolina (-22, 148) – 7:20 PM ET, TBS


The Eagles have shocked college basketball this time of year this decade once already, making them an interesting candidate to become the first to ever beat a No. 1. FGCU ran in fourth place in the Atlantic Sun this season, finishing just 8-6. They’ve turned it up with wins in eight of the last 10, the highlight of which was an 89-56 rout of A-Sun regular season champ North Florida in its house in the conference semis. They were impressive against Fairleigh Dickinson, crushing the Knights in both halves in recording a 96-65 win. Marc Eddy Norelia made 10-of-11 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds in imposing his will, so he’ll be counted on to lead the charge against the Tar Heels. He leads FGCU in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (9.2). The Eagles have won six of eight games that have been on the board this season, going 4-3-1 ATS. Their last two games have gone ‘over’ the posted total.


Brice Johnson will undoubtedly see some Norelia duty, coming off a tremendous season for the Tar Heels, averaging team-highs with 16.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and shooting over 61 percent. Together with Kennedy Meeks, he gives North Carolina an edge in quality size around the basket that few in this tournament can rely on. Guards Joel Berry and Marcus Paige have been at their best in wins in seven of their last eight, going 6-2 ATS in those games. The under has come through in 13 of the last 17 UNC games, and their defense really locked in, surrendering 47 points to Notre Dame in the ACC semis and 57 against Virginia in the finals. The Tar Heels have won at least one game in every NCAA Tournament they’ve appeared in since Roy Williams took over in 2004 (relegated to NIT in ’10). They’ve won two national championships and reached another Final Four. Williams is 11-0 in First Round games, but have only won by two points in the last two seasons (Providence, Harvard).


Midwest Region – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center


#14 Fresno State vs. #3 Utah (-9, 139) – 7:27 PM ET, TruTV


The Utes survived the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament in dramatic fashion, getting a Tyus Edney-like layup from SG Lorenzo Bonam to tie Cal at the buzzer, ultimately winning in OT on a great performance from potential All-America center Jakob Poeltl. Utah had nothing left the next day and suffered a 31-point loss to Oregon, snapping a nine-game winning streak. Poeltl, a potential NBA lottery pick, is averaging 17.6 points and 9.0 rebounds, shooting nearly 66 percent from the field. His footwork is sublime. Five Utes average 9.6 points per game or more, but this team thrives when the defense is locked in. Although Utah’s last three games have gone ‘over’, the ‘under’ had come in during five of the previous six and is a staple for Larry Krystkowiak, who has also coached the Bucks in the NBA. Utah owns wins over Duke and Texas Tech in non-conference play, but lost to Texas Tech and Miami. They defeated San Diego State, the regular-season champion of the Mountain West, on Nov. 16.


Fresno State defeated the Aztecs 68-63 in its conference championship game and take a nine-game winning streak into the NCAAs. The Bulldogs have covered the spread in six straight and have overcome the absence of Torren Jones, the second-leading scorer and top rebounder, since February. Marvelle Harris leads the Bulldogs in scoring (20.6) and assists (4.4) and takes a lot of 3-pointers. Guard Cezar Guerrero is also a strong perimeter shooter and streaky scorer. The over has come through in five of the last six games for Fresno. Forward Karachi Edo, a tremendous athlete, serves as this team’s top post defender. He had eight blocks in the Mountain West Tournament. Fresno State is 0-2 against Pac-12 competition, losing at Oregon and Arizona but going 1-1 ATS.

 

[CNOTES]

2016 NIT, CBI, CIT Results


National Invitation Tournament (NIT)


REGION 1 - ST. BONAVENTURE
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 Alabama at Creighton (-8.5) 72-54 Favorite-Under (144)
Mar. 16 Wagner (+9, +375) at St. Bonaventure 79-75 Underdog-Over (146)
Mar. 16 Princeton at Virginia Tech (-4) 86-81 (OT) Favorite-Over (153)
Mar. 16 UAB at BYU (-9.5) 97-79 Favorite-Over (167)
Mar. 18 Virginia Tech at BYU - -
Mar. 19 Wagner at Creighton - -
Mar. 21-23 TBD vs. TBD - -


REGION 2 - VALPARAISO
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 Texas Southern at Valparaiso (-15) 84-73 Underdog-Over (143)
Mar. 15 Davidson at Florida State (-9) 84-74 Underdog-Under (168)
Mar. 15 New Mexico State at St. Mary's-CA (-10.5) 58-56 Underdog-Under (131)
Mar. 16 Belmont at Georgia (-7.5) 93-84 Favorite-Over (158)
Mar. 17 Valparaiso at Florida State - -
Mar. 18-19 Georgia at St. Mary's-CA - -
Mar. 21-23 TBD vs. TBD - -


REGION 3 - SOUTH CAROLINA
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 High Point at South Carolina (-16.5) 88-66 Favorite-Over (145.5)
Mar. 15 Long Beach State at Washington (-9.5) 107-102 Underdog-Over (167.5)
Mar. 15 IUPU-Fort Wayne at San Diego State (-9.5) 79-55 Favorite-Under (143.5)
Mar. 16 Houston at Georgia Tech (-3.5) 81-62 Favorite-Under (154)
Mar. 21 Georgia Tech at South Carolina - -
Mar. 21 Washington at San Diego State - -
Mar. 23-25 TBD vs. TBD - -


REGION 4 - MONMOUTH-NJ
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 Akron at Ohio State (-4.5) 72-63 (OT) Favorite-Under (147.5)
Mar. 15 North Florida at Florida (-7.5) 97-68 Favorite-Over (162.5)
Mar. 16 Bucknell at Monmouth-NJ (-9) 90-80 Favorite-Over (161)
Mar. 16 Hofstra at George Washington (-6) 82-80 Underdog-Over (152.5)
Mar. 17-23 George Washington at Monmouth - -
Mar. 20 Florida at Ohio State - -
Mar. 21-23 TBD vs. TBD - -


SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 31 TBD vs. TBD - -


College Basketball Invitational (CBI)


FIRST ROUND


Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 15 Morehead State (+6, +220) at Siena 84-80 Underdog-Over (149)
Mar. 16 Omaha at Duquesne (-5) 120-112 Favorite-Over (180)
Mar. 16 Albany at Ohio (-3) 94-90 (OT) Favorite-Over (150.5)
Mar. 16 Houston Baptist at North Carolina-Greensboro (-8) 69-65 Underdog-Under (154)
Mar. 16 Western Carolina at Vermont (-6) 79-74 Underdog-Over (147.5)
Mar. 16 Pepperdine at Eastern Washington (+2, +110) 79-72 Underdog-Under (161)
Mar. 16 Montana at Nevada (-3.5) 79-75 Favorite-Over (138.5)
Mar. 16 Idaho at Seattle (+2.5, +125) 68-63 Underdog-Under (133)


QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 21 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 23 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 23 TBD vs. TBD - -


FINALS (BEST-OF-THREE)
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 28 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 30 TBD vs. TBD - -
April 1 TBD vs. TBD (if necessary) - -




CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT)


FIRST ROUND
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 14 Jackson State (+6.5, +250) at Sam Houston State 81-77 (OT) Underdog-Over (140)
Mar. 14 South Carolina State at Grand Canyon (-13) 78-74 Underdog-Over (151.5)
Mar. 15 Mercer at Coastal Carolina (-6) 65-57 Favorite-Under (142)
Mar. 15 Louisiana-Monroe at Furman (+2, +120) 58-57 Underdog-Under (142)
Mar. 15 Ball State (+2.5, +130) at Tennessee State 78-73 (2 OT) Underdog-Over (138.5)
Mar. 16 Boston University (+8, +320) at Fordham 69-66 Underdog-Under (148)
Mar. 16 Tennessee-Martin (+9, +350) at Central Michigan 76-73 Underdog-Push (149)
Mar. 16 New Hampshire (+5, +200) at Fairfield 77-62 Underdog-Under (150.5)
Mar. 16 Norfolk State at Columbia (-12.5) 86-54 Favorite-Under (151)
Mar. 16 Texas-Arlington (-13) at Savannah State 75-59 Favorite-Under (138)
Mar. 16 Army at New Jersey Tech (-3) 79-65 Favorite-Under (154)
Mar. 16 UC Irvine (-6.5) at North Dakota 89-86 (OT) Underdog-Over (143.5)
Mar. 16 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Louisiana-Lafayette (-9) 96-72 Favorite-Over (154)




SECOND ROUND AND QUARTERFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 17 Jackson State at Grand Canyon - -
Mar. 18-20 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 18-20 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 18-20 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 18-20 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 18-20 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 22-24 TBD vs. TBD - -


SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 27 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 27 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -


Vegas 8 Postseason Tournament
QUARTERFINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 28 Tennessee Tech vs. Old Dominion - -
Mar. 28 Northern Illinois vs. UC Santa Barbara - -
Mar. 28 Oakland vs. Towson - -
Mar. 28 Louisiana Tech vs. East Tennessee State - -


SEMIFINALS & FINALS
Date Matchup Score ATS Result
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 29 TBD vs. TBD - -
Mar. 30 TBD vs. TBD - -

 

[CNOTES]

2016 NCAA Tournament Results


NCAA TOURNAMENT BETTING RESULTS


Wager Favorites-Underdogs


Straight Up 3-1


Against the Spread 3-1


Total
Over-Under 1-3


First-Four Games


TUESDAY, MARCH 15


Matchup Score ATS Result


Florida Gulf Coast (-5.5) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson 96-65 Over (153.5)
Vanderbilt vs. Wichita State (-3.5) 70-50 Under (134)


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
Holy Cross (+2, +115) vs. Southern 59-55 Under (129)
Michigan (-2) vs. Tulsa 67-62 Under (142.5)


First Round - Thursday March 17


SESSION 1
Matchup Score ATS Result
UNC Wilmington vs. Duke - -
Butler vs. Texas Tech - -
Connecticut vs. Colorado - -
Iona vs. Iowa State - -


SESSION 2
Matchup Score ATS Result
Yale vs. Baylor - -
Hampton vs. Virginia - -
Austin Peay vs. Kansas - -
Arkansas-Little Rock vs. Purdue - -


SESSION 3
Matchup Score ATS Result
Buffalo vs. Miami-Florida - -
Chattanooga vs. Indiana - -
Florida Gulf Coast vs. North Carolina - -
Fresno State vs. Utah - -


SESSION 4
Matchup Score ATS Result
Wichita STate vs. Arizona - -
Stony Brook vs. Kentucky - -
Providence vs. Southern California - -
Gonzaga vs. Seton Hall - -

 

[CNOTES]

TIPPING OFF: What to look for on first day of the tourney
March 17, 2016


A look at the opening day of the NCAA Tournament:


---


MATCHUP OF THE ''I'' SCHOOLS


Iona and Iowa State get together in Denver, and the ''Mile High City'' and its thin air may be just what this high-octane matchup needs.


''There's always concern when you put two teams that run in this altitude,'' Iona coach Tim Cluess said. ''It's going to be interesting to see how this game does play out.


''We played in Denver in 2011. It can have an effect on the game, especially the first half. I thought the second half, our team got their legs better than earlier on.''


Iowa State got good news when point guard Monte Morris announced his health is at an ''all-time high.'' He was limited by a shoulder injury in the Big 12 Tournament.


''I have my legs back under me.'' He said. ''It's coming along great. ... I'm back smiling. Everything is getting better day to day.''


---


CATS FACE A STAR


Stony Brook's Jameel Warney is one of the best-kept secrets in college basketball, and Seawolves coach Steve Pikiell is ready to show him off.


''He's going to have to take 40 (shots) in this game,'' Pikiell said. ''Jameel is a unique player, and he's seen every defense known to man.''


Kentucky coach John Calipari said his team will be ready for a tough game.


'' The first game is the hardest. I will throw that out there,'' Calipari said. ''All the coaches in this tournament who have been here a number of years know the teams get better as you advance, but the first one is the hard one. Especially if you have guys like we do. We start three freshmen who have never played in an NCAA Tournament game.''


---


GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN


Arizona meets Wichita State in Providence, pitting one team that came across the country against one that played just 48 hours ago.


''The first good sign for us is that the weather was warm. If it was cold, I'd worry about our guys a little bit,'' Arizona coach Sean Miller said. ''They're so incredibly spoiled with the blue sky that they see almost every day of their life at Arizona.''


The quick turnaround and late-night trip didn't daunt one of the Shockers.


''This time of year I could stay up all day. It doesn't matter. It's what we love to do. I mean, we could have walked to Providence for all I care,'' guard Fred VanVleet said. ''I'm just happy to be in the tournament. We're hungry. We're ready to play. And we're not going to let some sleep or a late travel - we're blessed to be in this position. A late traveling schedule, whatever the case may be, we've got plenty of time to get rested up. ... I mean, we could have played this morning. Not that we would have been very good, but I think our energy would have been up.''


---


GET THAT BALL


Yale is in the tournament for the first time since 1962. It meets Baylor, which is trying to erase the memory of last season's first-round loss to Georgia State. Both teams can really rebound.


''I think the three things we do well, as Coach (James) Jones always alludes to, is we rebound the ball, we defend and we also share the ball on offense,'' Yale forward Brandon Sherrod said. ''That's a recipe for success, and hopefully we're able to show the country that we can do that on a big stage against a big-time team. We're looking forward to it.''


Baylor forward Rico Gathers knows getting to those missed shots should provide a key to victory.


''I think it should be a good game rebounding-wise for both teams. We take pride in rebounding, and obviously Yale does, too,'' he said. ''It's going to be one of those matchups that probably comes down to the last rebound, to be honest with you.''


---


SHORT-STAFFED


Duke has had problems with its depth since an injury to Amile Jefferson and coach Mike Krzyzewski said it might not be that big of a disadvantage for the Blue Devils.


''They've done it since Amile has been out, so they're accustomed to it,'' he said of the shortened rotation. ''I think one of the very best things that can happen to a player is that he knows he's going to play, and he knows when he's going to play and how he's going to be used and who he'll be on the court with. Our guys have had that opportunity.


''Our starters know that they could play 40 minutes, and they like that.''


UNC-Wilmington coach Kevin Keatts was thinking the same thing.


''Everybody says they're short-handed, which they are. I know they play six or seven guys,'' he said. ''But when you play six or seven guys all year long, you get used to it, and Coach K is brilliant. He understands that. He does a great job of mixing some man-to-man and playing some zone to make sure he protects the guys and make sure they don't get in foul trouble.


''I hope that our press comes into play. I hope we can wear them down. But I think they're in very good shape because you learn how to play with six or seven guys throughout the year.''

 

[CNOTES]

Yesterday's Results: 10 - 7
Madness Overall: 17 - 11
March YTD: 125 - 91 - 3




THURSDAY, MARCH 17


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


UNCW at DUKE 12:15 PM

UNCW +10.0


U 155.0




BUT at TTU 12:40 PM


BUT -4.0


U 145.0




UCONN at COLO 01:30 PM


COLO +3.5


U 132.0




IONA at ISU 02:00 PM


IONA +7.5


U 166.5




YALE at BAY
02:45 PM


BAY -6.0




HAMP at UVA 03:10 PM


U 131.0




PEAY at KU 04:00 PM


KU -26.0




UALR at PUR 04:30 PM


UALR +9.0




BUFF at MIA 06:50 PM

BUFF +14.0


U 148.0

 

[indiana]

C/note........BOL with the early games...........indy

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, MARCH 17


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS




BUFF at MIA 06:50 PM


BUFF +14.0


U 148.0




FSU at VALP 07:00 PM

VALP -4.5


O 147.5




CHAT at IND 07:10 PM


CHAT +11.0




FGCU at UNC 07:20 PM


FGCU +22.5




FRES at UTAH 07:27 PM


UTAH -9.0


O 139.0




WICH at ARIZ 09:20 PM


WICH +0.0




STON at UK 09:40 PM


UK -13.5




PROV at USC 09:50 PM


USC +2.0




GONZ at HALL 09:57 PM


HALL +2.0




JKST at GRC 10:00 PM


JKST +10.5

 

[CNOTES]

Friday's Top Action
March 17, 2016




TEMPLE OWLS (21-11) at IOWA HAWKEYES (21-10)


Barclays Center - Brooklyn, NY
Tip-off: Friday, 3:10 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Iowa -7, Total: 139.5


No. 7 seed Iowa and No. 10 seed Temple look to advance to the second round of the South Region in the NCAA tournament when they tip off on Friday afternoon in Brooklyn.


The Iowa Hawkeyes (14-14 ATS) come into Friday’s game against the Temple Owls (17-13 ATS) truly backing into postseason play. Iowa, a top-10 team with a season sweep over Michigan State plus a win at Purdue on its resume, finished out the season 2-6 SU (1-7 ATS). Their regular season was punctuated by a loss in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to Illinois last Thursday in the waning seconds (68-66, Iowa -10.5). Iowa is a frightening 1-5 SU (0-6 ATS) the last six times they were favorites. Coach Fran McCaffery will hope that eight days off will allow his club to regroup and rediscover the form that led them to a 10-1 start in conference play (from Dec. 29 through Feb. 7). Iowa is 9-6 SU (6-8 ATS) with 3+ days off and 2-3 SU (1-4 ATS) in neutral site games.


Coach Fran Dunphy’s Owls closed out their regular season 4-1 SU (3-2 ATS), losing in their conference tournament to eventual champion Connecticut, 77-62 (Temple, +4) on Saturday. Temple is an impressive 15-4 SU (12-6 ATS) with 3+ days of rest, and the Owls are 3-4 SU (5-2 ATS) in neutral site games. Temple wasn’t able to garner any out-of-conference wins over NCAA Tournament opponents, going 0-4 SU (2-2 ATS). The Owls did defeat common opponent Minnesota, 75-70 (PK) on a neutral court in Temple’s second game of the regular season.


Iowa went 1-3 SU (2-2 ATS) against non-conference NCAA Tournament opponents. Temple went 5-8 SU (7-6 ATS) overall against NCAA Tournament opponents while Iowa went 7-7 SU (8-6 ATS) against NCAA Tournament opponents overall. In total trends, four of Iowa’s last five games have gone UNDER. Coach Dunphy (3-15 NCAA record) has a well-documented history of getting into the NCAA tournament with regularity, but exiting early with just as much regularity. This is Temple’s first appearance in the field of 68 since 2012-13.


The Fran on the other sideline (Iowa’s McCaffery) also doesn’t have a sterling NCAA Tournament resume, as this is his seventh appearance and he has a 3-7 overall record (although he pulled two first-round upsets as the head man at Siena).

Temple’s offense can be confoundingly bad (40.5% FG, 306th NCAA), considering they have some talented offensive players. The Owls really struggle from inside the arc, shooting just 44.5% from two-point range (323rd NCAA). They don’t shoot well from three (34% 3PT, 205th NCAA) but they shoot it often (23.1 3PA, 66th NCAA). Compounding Temple’s struggles from the field, they seldom go to the free throw line (16.5 FTA, 334th NCAA).


What Temple does excel at is not turning the ball over, at only 9 TO/game (1st NCAA). While this is impressive, if Temple is taking bad shots, then the fact that they don’t literally “give it away” doesn’t stand out as much.


Temple’s scoring defense is solid (67.4 PPG, 60th NCAA) but buttressed by the Owls’ slow pace of play (68.9 possessions, 301st NCAA). Temple also sports a negative rebounding margin (-1.5, 240th NCAA) and they don’t force turnovers (11 TO/game, 307th NCAA). Temple does stifle three pointers (31.5% 3PT, 5.9 3PM), which is good considering the three is a main source of offense for Iowa.


Individually, the Owls are led by senior G Quenton DeCosey (15.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG). DeCosey really hit a wall in his last nine games, however, scoring above his season average just once and averaging 12.6 PPG on just 28.9% FG in that span. Picking up the offense in DeCosey’s stead was sophomore F Obi Enechionyia (11.2 PPG), who averaged 15.6 PPG and 41.8% 3PT (2.6 3PM) in those nine games to finish the regular season. Enechionyia couldn’t raise his level of play in Temple’s loss to Connecticut in the AAC tournament, however, going just 2-13 for five points.


F Jaylen Bond (10.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG) provides muscle in the paint for Temple, while G Josh Brown (8.1 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.4 TO) is the steady point guard behind the Owls’ sure-handed turnover statistics.


Iowa will have to raise its offense back to season-long levels (78.1 PPG, 44th NCAA) if they want to advance to further rounds in this tournament. Temple slows pace down to a crawl, and while Iowa still owns an efficient attack (1.102 points per poss, 93rd NCAA) and moves the ball well (16 APG, 29th NCAA), their offense has stagnated to average only 67.6 PPG in its last five games. Iowa holds a 45% FG (104th NCAA) shooting mark on the season and is stellar from three-point range (38.2% 3PT, 8.2 3PM), and they should also hold a solid advantage on the glass with their size (38.4 RPG, 60th NCAA). This should be a relatively clean game as both teams don’t foul and don’t commit many turnovers.


Iowa’s x-factor is what they bring with long-armed defenders, as the Hawkeyes boast 4.8 blocks per game (38th NCAA). Temple already has trouble scoring, and standout F Jarrod Uthoff (18.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.7 BPG) is one of the most imposing and unique players in the country to deal with. On defense, Uthoff excels at making up for a lack of foot speed with incredible timing contesting (and blocking) jump shots and getting his hands on shots in the paint from difficult angles.


On offense, Uthoff is efficient from mid-range and long range (45.2% FG, 39.2% 3PT). If Temple can avoid the disruptive Uthoff, however, 7-foot Adam Woodbury (7.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG) – while a possible impediment on the glass – does not pose a shot-blocking threat (0.3 BPG). Woodbury is averaging an impressive 11.5 RPG over his last six games.


G Peter Jok (16.2 PPG, 41.5 3PT, 2.5 3PM) is Iowa’s biggest threat from the perimeter and can shoot the Hawkeyes in (or out) of games single-handedly. Jok scored 29 points in the first round Big Ten tournament loss to Illinois. No other Iowa player is averaging more than 8.5 points per game over the Hawkeyes’ last six games, as McCaffery will need to find more contributors against a team of Temple’s defensive ilk.


PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (21-11) vs. WISCONSIN BADGERS (20-12)


Scottrade Center - St. Louis, MO
Tip-off: Friday, 6:50 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Wisconsin -2, Total: 130.5


#10 Pittsburgh will be hoping to prevent yet another lengthy tournament run for #7 Wisconsin when the teams meet on Friday.


Everything seemed to be going well for the Panthers after defeating Duke 76-62 as one-point home favorites on Feb. 28, but Pittsburgh responded to that victory by losing three of its next four games. The team failed to cover in all four of those contests and was beaten badly by North Carolina in the ACC tournament, falling 88-71 as a 7.5-point underdog. Fortunately for the Panthers, the tournament brings them a fresh start and they’ll certainly be confident heading into Friday’s game.


The Badgers did not end the season on the best note either, losing 91-80 as six-point underdogs in Purdue to end the regular season and following it up with a 70-58 loss against Nebraska as 5.5-point favorites in the Big Ten tournament. Wisconsin did, however, win eight of its previous nine games before losing those two contests.


The last time the Panthers and Badgers met was Dec. 16, 2006. Wisconsin won that game 89-75 as a four-point home favorite, but Pittsburgh has won-and-covered in two of the three games these teams have played against one another. One trend favoring the Panthers in this game is that they are 27-12 ATS on Friday nights since 1997. The Badgers, however, are 12-5 ATS after a conference game this season.


Pittsburgh was a solid team on both ends of the floor this season, averaging 76.0 PPG (104th in NCAA) and allowing just 67.9 PPG (79th in NCAA). One thing the Panthers are very good at is moving the basketball, as evidenced by their 16.9 APG (14th in NCAA). G James Robinson (10.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 1.2 SPG) is the catalyst for that type of play.


Robinson is a very smart point guard that takes extremely good care of the basketball. His assist to turnover ratio of 3.95 is good for fourth in the nation and he will need to avoid mistakes against this Badgers team. He isn’t just a passer, though, as he also hits 33.3% of his outside shots. If Wisconsin backs off of him then he’ll have no problem making the team pay for it.


The real scorers for this Pittsburgh team are Fs Michael Young (16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and Jamel Artis (14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.1 APG). Both guys really know how to get buckets and they do it in a variety of ways. Both of them are capable of finishing at the rim, but they do most of their damage with midrange jumpers. If they can get hot then Pittsburgh might just be marching to the next round.


The Panthers will need somebody like F Sheldon Jeter (8.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG) to step it up on the glass. Pittsburgh does not have a lot of size and Wisconsin likes to score in the paint. Jeter needs to be aggressive defensively and make sure he doesn’t give the Badgers too many second chances.


Unlike the Wisconsin teams of the past two years, this year’s group wins its games by digging in on the defensive end. The Badgers are allowing just 64.6 PPG (26th in NCAA) on the year and score just enough points to win games. One advantage that Wisconsin will have over Pittsburgh on Friday is size. The Badgers are normally overmatched in that department, but the Panthers are a relatively small team and that means Fs Nigel Hayes (16.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG) and Ethan Happ (12.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG) will be asked to go to work inside.


Happ is more of a traditional big man that does his job around the rim. He is very crafty and uses his body to shield off his defenders in order to finish at the basket. Happ also has incredible hands defensively and he’ll take the ball away from any Pittsburgh player that isn’t careful around him. Hayes, meanwhile, is one of the best players in college basketball and a lot of that is thanks to his versatility. He is capable of posting his defenders up, beating them off the dribble or making them pay by burying the outside shot.


Although Hayes shoots just 31.4% from the outside, he is a far better shooter than his numbers suggest. If he can get it going on Friday then the Badgers shouldn’t have any problem advancing to the next round.


G Bronson Koenig (13.4 PPG) will, however, need to play well in his matchup with Robinson. Koenig is a sniper from the outside at 39.4% from three, but he is also capable of getting to the basket. If he finds his stroke early then it will take a lot of pressure off of Hayes, but Koenig also happens to be very streaky and is capable of having a poor game on this type of stage. It’s important that the real Koenig shows up on Friday or Wisconsin might just be upset.


CINCINNATI BEARCATS (22-10) at ST JOSEPH'S HAWKS (27-7)


Spokane Veterans Arena - Spokane, WA
Tip-off: Friday, 9:55 p.m. ET
Sportsbook.ag Line: Cincinnati -3, Total: 136


No. 8 seed Saint Joseph’s—the Atlantic 10 Tournament champions—looks to keep winning as it goes up against No. 9 seed Cincinnati in the last game of the NCAA tournament’s first round.


St. Joseph’s (22-11 ATS) brings their stellar resume against the spread into Friday night’s game, as one of the few teams to be coming off of a win in their last game (defeating VCU in the A-10 tournament final, 87-74 – St. Joe’s +4.) The Hawks scorched the nets in Brooklyn, taking home their conference crown, shooting 64.8% FG in the championship game win. St. Joseph’s also shot 57.4% FG in their opening win over George Washington while defeating NCAA Tournament bound Dayton, 82-79 (St. Joe’s +2.5) in the semifinals on the strength of great shooting at the charity stripe (22-25) and timely bench scoring.


Coach Phil Martelli’s Hawks actually were squarely on the bubble going into conference tournament play, having dropped consecutive games at home to St. Bonaventure and bottom-feeder Duquesne. The Hawks only played three NCAA tournament teams in their non-conference schedule, going 2-1 (2-1 ATS) against “Big Six” foes Villanova (loss) and Temple (win), while also defeating MAC champion Buffalo in the third game of the Hawks season.


The Hawks have a “Power Six” win on a neutral court over Virginia Tech, which highlights their 5-2 (5-2 ATS) neutral site record. St. Joseph’s does well on 3+ days rest with a 14-2 (11-4 ATS) record. Even more impressively, St. Joseph’s is 8-2 (8-1-1 ATS) as an underdog.


Cincinnati (12-16 ATS) comes off one of the most memorable games of the season, a heartbreaking four overtime defeat in the American Athletic Conference tournament to eventual champion Connecticut, in which the Huskies needed a half-court shot to force a fourth overtime. The Bearcats had defeated Connecticut in their previous two regular season meetings. Cincinnati closed out the season at 6-4 (4-6 ATS). The Bearcats played more non-conference NCAA Tournament opponents than St. Joseph’s and went 1-3 (1-3 SU) with their only win coming against common opponent VCU on the road (69-63, Cincy -2) on Dec. 19. Cincinnati’s non-conference losses include at Xavier and at home versus Iowa State and Butler. The Bearcats did defeat Nebraska and George Washington in neutral site games before taking their one neutral site defeat to Connecticut last Friday.


As a favorite, Cincinnati is 17-7 (10-14 ATS). In total trends, the OVER is 11-2 in the last 13 games St. Joseph’s has played. This is only the third NCAA appearance for coach Martelli since St. Joseph’s famed 2003-04 Elite Eight team. The Hawks exited in the first round in both occasions since that Elite Eight run, their last appearance coming in 2013-14. Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin has taken his Bearcats to the tournament now for six straight seasons and is 3-4 overall. Cincinnati was a No. 8 seed last season, narrowly defeating Purdue (66-65) before losing to No. 1 overall seed Kentucky in the round of 32.


It will be interesting to see how coach Cronin gets his kids to rebound after the most draining loss of “Championship Week” last Friday. Cincinnati gets 7 days of rest but is only 10-7 (6-9 ATS) with 3+ days of rest or more. While the multiple overtime periods gave Cincinnati a chance to boost their scoring numbers, hitting 97 points for the game, the Bearcats do have big issues putting the ball in in the hoop (42.8% FG, 227th NCAA). Cincinnati has shot no better than 37.8% FG in their last three games and only have hit their season shooting average twice in their past nine games. While the Bearcats can hit from long range (7.6 3PM, 34.5% 3PT) they get frigid cold from beyond the arc at times (see 1-19 3PT versus SMU on Mar. 6 and 1-18 3PT at Temple on Jan. 16).


Cincinnati plays at a very slow tempo (69 poss. per game, 282nd NCAA) which helps their scoring defense rank 9th in the country (62.9 PPG). The Bearcats defense isn’t solely pace-aided, however, as they manage to play very physical (5.8 BPG, 5th NCAA; 7.9 SPG, 19th NCAA) and crash the glass (12.1 ORG) all without fouling (15.6 PF, 6th NCAA). Due to this, Cincinnati unsurprisingly owns the #2 two-point FG% defense in the country (40.9%). It should be interesting to see how the Bearcats play against a team, such as St. Joseph’s, who’s been difficult to deter at the rim or take the ball away from, and whether Cincinnati can impose its will on the offensive glass, as St. Joseph’s also excels on their defensive glass.


Shooting issues have been well-documented, but when Cincinnati is making shots, they have multiple options on offense (four double-figure scorers). G Troy Caupain (13.2 PPG, 4.8 APG) leads the way for the Bearcats and is coming off of a career-high 37 points (10 rebounds, 5 assists) in the loss to Connecticut. G Farad Cobb (10.7 PPG) provides a long range threat for the Bearcats (39.3% 3PT, 2.3 3PM) while F Gary Clark (10.7 PPG, 9 RPG) and F Octavius Ellis (10 PPG, 7.7 RPG) are both physical, long-armed forwards who block 1.5 shots each per game. Both Ellis and Clark closed out the season well, combining for 21.7 PPG and 21.9 RPG in their last eight games, and will be key in taking defensive responsibility for St. Joseph’s two best players.


The Hawks rely on standout forwards Isaiah Miles (18.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 52.4% FG) and DeAndre Bembry (17.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.5 APG). Unfortunately for St. Joseph’s, Cincinnati matches up very well on defense with St. Joseph’s, being able to (most likely) deploy the aforementioned Clark and Ellis on Miles and Bembry.


The Hawks proficient offense (77.6 PPG, 57th NCAA) runs through Bembry as a point-forward, and Cincinnati’s Caupain (at 6’4”) could also draw the defensive assignment. St. Joseph’s strengths on offense are highlighted by the Hawks ranking in the top 60 in assists per game, rebounds per game, and two-point FG%. St. Joseph’s shoots 45.4% FG overall (85th NCAA) but struggles mightily from beyond the arc (32.7% 3PT).


St. Joseph’s averaged 85 PPG in their three game run in Brooklyn to the conference tournament title. Miles and Bembry averaged 22.3 and 20 PPG, respectively, while G Aaron Brown (10.3 PPG) stepped up to provide a big third option with 16 PPG in the A-10 tournament. Brown’s continued contributions will be huge for St. Joseph’s chances at advancing beyond the first round.


St. Joseph’s is also very good at taking care of the ball (10 TO/game), as Bembry isn’t the only player they can run the offense through, given the emergence of freshman G Lamarr Kimble (6 PPG) and sophomore G Shavar Newkirk (8.1 PPG). While St. Joseph’s defense leaves much to be desired at times, they could make life rough for Cincinnati.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday - Session 1
March 16, 2016


Midwest Region (St. Louis, MO)
No. 10 Syracuse Orange vs. No. 7 Dayton Flyers (CBS, 12:15 p.m. ET)


Opening Odds: Syracuse -1, 131


Betting Matchup


Syracuse’s record with Jim Boeheim coaching the team proved to be good enough to earn a spot in the 68-team field, but the Orange still comes into this game with just one straight-up win in their last six games while going 3-3 against the spread. The total has gone OVER in six of their last eight outings. Senior forward Michael Gbinije led the team in both points (17.8) and assists (4.4) and he has been able to raise that scoring average to 24 points a game over his last four starts.


The Flyers run to an Atlantic 10 Tournament title was cut short in a stunning 82-79 loss to St. Joe’s as 2 ½-point favorites. They are now a costly 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 contests and the total has gone OVER in eight of their last 11 games. In that A-10 semifinals’ loss, senior forward Dyshawn Pierre put-up 22 points while going 8-15 from the field. Dayton is averaging 73 points a game while holding opponents to 65.8 points on defense.


Betting Trends


-- The Orange are 4-15 ATS in their last 19 games against a team from the A-10 and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five NCAA Tournament games.


-- The Flyers are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five ACC matchups and the total has stayed UNDER in six of their last eight games in this tournament.


-- These two met in the 2014 NCAA Tournament with Dayton squeezing-out a 55-53 win as an 8 ½-point underdog. The total stayed UNDER 131 points in that game.


South Region (Brooklyn, NY)
No. 15 UNC Asheville Bulldogs vs. No. 2 Villanova Wildcats (truTV, 12:40 p.m. ET)


Opening Odds: Villanova -16, 141 ½


Betting Matchup


The Bulldogs made their way back into the Big Dance with a run to the Big South Tournament Championship after finishing third in the regular season at 12-6 SU. They covered ATS in all three tournament games and the total stayed UNDER in two of the contests. Freshman guard Dylan Smith has led the team in scoring this season with 13.5 PPG.


Villanova’s bid to match its regular season Big East title in its conference tournament came up just short in a 69-67 loss to Seton Hall as a six-point favorite in the title game. It was only the second SU loss in the Wildcats last 14 games, but they are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 outings. The total has gone OVER in eight of their last nine games. Junior guard Josh Hart is averaging a team-high 15.5 PPG and he has exceeded that average in four of his last five starts.


Betting Trends


-- The Bulldogs have gone 3-1-1 ATS in five previous NCAA Tournament games and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five games at a neutral site.


-- The Wildcats have failed to cover in five of their last seven games in this tournament and the total has stayed UNDER in 10 of their last 15 neutral-site games.


West Region (Oklahoma City, OK)
No. 10 VCU Rams vs. No. 7 Oregon State Beavers (TNT, 1:30 p.m. ET)


Opening Odds: VCU -4, 141


Betting Matchup


VCU’s run at the A-10 Tournament title also came up short in its 87-74 loss to St. Joe’s in the title game. The Rams closed as four-point favorites and it was the first time they failed to cover in their last four games. Senior guard Melvin Johnson tweaked his ankle, but he is listed as probable for Friday. He led VCU in scoring this season with 17.4 PPG and the team as a whole is averaging 77.3 points.


The Beavers finished seventh in the Pac-12 with a SU record of 9-9 and their run in the conference tournament ended with a 76-68 loss to California in a game that ended as a PUSH. The total went OVER 137 ½-point line in that game and it has gone OVER in seven of their last eight outings. Senior guard Gary Payton II has led the way with 15.9 PPG as part of team scoring average of 72.1 points. He led the team in scoring in the loss to Cal with 20 points.


Betting Trends


-- The Rams are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site games and the total has stayed UNDER in four of their last five nonconference games.


-- The Beavers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU loss and the total has gone OVER in their last seven games at a neutral site.


South Region (Spokane, WA)
No. 13 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. No. 4 California Golden Bears (TBS, 2:00 p.m. ET)


Opening Odds: California -6 ½, 141 ½


Betting Matchup


Hawaii’s three-game run to the Big West Tournament Championship ended with a tight 64-60 victory against Long Beach State as a 4 ½-point favorite. The Warriors are now 11-2 SU in their last 13 games, but a costly 2-5 ATS in their last seven outings. They won the regular season title as well with a SU 13-3 run through conference play behind a scoring average of 77.6 PPG complementing a points-allowed average of 66.5.


The Golden Bear’s Pac-12 Tournament run ended after the win against Oregon State with an 82-78 loss to Utah as 2 ½-point underdogs. Cal remains one of the hottest teams in the conference coming into this tournament with a SU 9-2 record in its last 11 games while going 8-2-1 ATS. This is another well-balanced lineup with 75.1 PPG while holding teams to 67 points at the other end of the court.


Betting Trends


-- The Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Pac-12 and the total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six neutral-site games.


-- The Golden Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Big West and the total has stayed UNDER in their last five nonconference games.


-- These two last met in 2006 with California winning 72-56 as a three-point home favorite. The total stayed UNDER the closing 140 ½-point line.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday - Session 2
March 17, 2016


Midwest Region – St. Louis – Scottrade Center
#15 Middle Tennessee State vs. #2 Michigan State (-18, 143 ½) – 2:45 PM EST – CBS


Many people looked at Michigan State (29-5 SU, 22-11 ATS) as a potential top seed after topping Purdue to capture the Big 10 tournament championship. However, the Spartans were relegated to a second seed in the Midwest in spite of finishing the season with 13 wins in their final 14 games, while covering 12 times in this span. Tom Izzo’s team cashed in seven of their last eight opportunities as a double-digit favorite, as the ‘over’ hit six times in this stretch, meaning the Spartans are scoring a bunch of points in these blowouts.


Middle Tennessee State (24-9 SU, 17-15 ATS) pulled off several shockers en route to the Conference USA championship, which included knocking off Old Dominion in the title game, 55-53. The Blue Raiders are back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2013, when they lost in the First Four round to St. Mary’s. MTSU put together a 6-5 ATS record in the underdog role, but lost in both games against tournament teams this season, falling to VCU and South Dakota State.


The Spartans haven’t won a championship since 2000, but reached the second weekend in each of the past four postseasons, including a Final Four trip in 2015. Michigan State owns a 5-3-1 ATS record as a tournament favorite since 2013, while being listed at its biggest chalk number in the Big Dance since cashing as 19-point favorites in the opening round against LIU-Brooklyn in 2012.


South Region – Brooklyn – Barclays Center
#10 Temple vs. #7 Iowa (-7, 139 ½) – 3:10 PM EST – TruTV


The Hawkeyes (21-10 SU, 14-14 ATS) stormed out of the gate with an 11-2 record in Big 10 play, including four victories over Michigan State and Purdue. However, Iowa dropped four of its final five regular season games, followed up by a shocking 68-66 loss to Illinois as 10 ½-point favorites in the Big 10 tournament. For the exception of defeats to Illinois and Penn State, the Hawkeyes lost to quality opponents this season, including setbacks to Indiana (twice), Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa State, and Notre Dame.


Temple (21-11 SU, 17-13 ATS) rallied to win the American Athletic Conference regular season title by winning nine of its final 10 conference games. The Owls flamed out in the conference tournament by losing in the second round to UConn, 77-62 after sweeping the Huskies in the regular season. Fran Dunphy’s team compiled a solid 9-5 ATS record in the underdog role, which included covers in losses to Butler and Utah. Temple cashed the ‘under’ in five consecutive games prior to the AAC tournament, but hit the ‘over’ on low totals (127 ½) in each of the conference tournament contests.


Iowa has failed to cover its last six games in the favorite role, while losing five of those contests outright. The Hawkeyes are 1-2 SU/ATS under Fran McCaffery in the NCAA tournament, with the only victory coming against Davidson in the opening round last season by 31 points. Temple is back in the Big Dance for the first time since 2013, as the Owls made it to the round of 32 before getting eliminated by Indiana, but they covered both games as an underdog.


West Region – Oklahoma City – Chesapeake Energy Arena
#15 CS-Bakersfield vs. #2 Oklahoma (-14, 140) – 4:00 PM EST – TNT


For most of January, Oklahoma (25-7 SU, 12-18 ATS) sat atop the AP Top 25, but consecutive losses to Kansas and Texas Tech in mid-February knocked the Sooners out of the number one position. The Sooners settled for a second seed in the West region after losing to West Virginia by two points in the Big 12 tournament semifinals as Buddy Hield’s desperation three-pointer came after the buzzer. OU struggled to cover numbers throughout Big 12 play by going 6-15 ATS the last 21 games, which included a non-cover in a two-point victory at LSU in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.


What do you know about Cal-State Bakersfield? The Roadrunners (24-8 SU, 3-0 ATS) wrapped up their first WAC championship by beating New Mexico State in the conference tournament, 57-54 to cap off their sixth consecutive victory. CSUB joined Division I in 2007 as it made its first ever NCAA tournament, as its only game against a current tournament squad came in a mid-December loss at Fresno State by eight. The Roadrunners showcase five players that average double-figures in scoring, led by center Aly Ahmed, who puts up 12.9 points per game.


Oklahoma is riding a 10-game streak to the ‘under,’ as Lon Kruger’s team has busted the 75-point mark just twice in this stretch. In spite of the Sooners’ struggles against the number over the last two months, OU put together a 6-4 ATS record this season as a double-digit favorite. However, Oklahoma is 0-7 ATS in its past eight games as a favorite away from Norman, while not cashing as a 13-point favorite in their tournament opener last March, 69-60.


South Region – Spokane – Spokane Veterans Arena
#12 South Dakota State vs. #5 Maryland (-10, 143) – 4:30 PM EST – TBS


Maryland (25-8 SU, 15-16-1 ATS) put together an uneven finish to an otherwise solid season by losing five of its final eight contests, capped off by a 64-61 defeat to Michigan State in the Big 10 tournament semifinals. The Terrapins dropped five of their last six games away from College Park, while posting a 2-4 ATS record as a favorite of eight points or more dating back to mid-January. Maryland is making its second appearance in the Big Dance in Mark Turgeon’s five-year coaching tenure, as the Terps were tripped up by West Virginia in the round of 32 last March.


South Dakota State (26-7 SU, 15-14 ATS) is back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013 after grabbing the Summit League automatic bid. The Jackrabbits pulled away from rival North Dakota State in the conference championship game, 67-59, while finishing ‘under’ the total for the fifth consecutive contest. South Dakota State is listed as an underdog for the first time since losing at Weber State, 99-95 before Christmas, while winning its only game against a Big 10 opponent by beating Minnesota in December, 84-70 as three-point underdogs.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday - Session 4
March 17, 2016


East Regional - Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY (CBS, 9:40 p.m. ET)
**Notre Dame vs. Michigan**


-- The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas opened Notre Dame (21-11 straight up, 14-15 against the spread) as a three-point favorite early Thursday morning. The line moved to 2.5 within an hour. The total opened at 143. As of Thursday afternoon, the Wolverines were +125 on the money line (risk $100 to win $125).


-- This is a 6/11 matchup in the East Region that'll be contested at Barclays Arena in Brooklyn, N.Y. This game will be on CBS at around 9:40 p.m. Eastern.


-- Michigan (23-12 SU, 17-16 ATS) advanced to the Round of 64 by virtue of Wednesday's 67-62 win over Tulsa as a two-point 'chalk' in Dayton. The 129 combined points stayed 'under' the 142.5-point total. Zak Irvin and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 16 points apiece to lead the way. Duncan Robinson finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.


-- Michigan has been an underdog 12 times, limping to a 4-8 spread record with three outright victories.


-- Michigan has played eight games on a neutral court this year, posting a 6-2 SU record and a 4-4 ATS mark.


-- Michigan has an excellent backcourt featuring Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. Irvin is averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Walton (11.7 PPG) is averaging team-highs in rebounds (5.5 RPG), assists (4.5 APG) and steals (1.7 SPG). Robinson (11.2 PPG) is a pure shooter, draining 44.7 percent of his launches from 3-point range and 88.6 percent of his free-throw attempts.


-- John Beilein owns the seventh-best career winning percentage among head coaches in the NCAA Tournament. He has a 17-9 record (65.4%).


-- Mike Brey's squad beat Duke 84-79 in overtime as a two-point underdog at the ACC Tournament quarterfinals last Thursday. Zach Auguste was the catalyst with 19 points and 22 rebounds. On Friday, however, the Fighting Irish were run out of the Verizon Center in Washington D.C., where North Carolina cruised to a 78-47 win as a seven-point favorite in the semifinals. Bonzie Colson scored a team-best 15 points in the losing effort.


-- Notre Dame has been a single-digit favorite 14 times this season, going 7-6-1 ATS.


-- Notre Dame has played 11 games against teams in the NCAA field, struggling to a 4-7 record both SU and ATS.


-- Auguste is one of the nation's best post players, averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He's hitting 54.9 percent of his shots from the field and has 32 blocked shots. Junior point guard Demetrius Jackson is averaging team-highs in scoring (15.5 PPG), assists (4.8 APG) and steals (1.2 SPG).


-- Brey owns a 9-12 (42.9%) career record in the NCAA Tournament.


-- Totals have been an overall wash (15-15) for the Irish, but it has seen the 'under' hit in seven of its last 10 outings.


-- The 'over' is 19-13-1 overall for the Wolverines, but they have seen the 'under' cash in three straight games and five of their last six.


West Regional - Chesapeake Arena, Oklahoma City, OK (TBS, 9:50 p.m. ET)
**Northern Iowa vs. Texas**


-- This is another 6/11 showdown in the West Region with the winner advancing to face the Wisconsin-Green Bay-Texas A&M winner in Oklahoma City on Sunday. TBS will have the telecast at around 9:50 p.m. Eastern.


-- The Westgate opened Texas (20-12 SU, 16-15 ATS) as a 4.5-point 'chalk' with a total of 124. The tally has been adjusted to 125, but the Longhorns remain 4.5-point favorites. The Panthers are +175 on the money line (risk $100 to win $175).


-- Texas first-year head coach Shaka Smart owns a 7-5 career record (58.3%) in the NCAA Tournament with one Final Four appearance while he was at VCU.


-- Texas has lost five of its last nine games, including a 75-61 setback against Baylor as a 2.5-point underdog at the Big 12 Tournament. Connor Lammert had a team-best 15 points in the losing effort. Kerwin Roach Jr. had 13 points and six rebounds, while Shaquille Cleare was also in double figures with 12 points.


-- Texas has been a single-digit favorite 12 times, posting a 5-7 spread record.


-- Texas has played 18 games against teams in the NCAA field, going 8-10 SU and 10-8 ATS. The Longhorns own six victories over RPI Top-25 foes, including North Carolina, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Baylor and West Va. (twice).


-- Texas is led by Isaiah Taylor, who averages 14.8 points and 4.9 assists per game. The Longhorns are hoping to get 15-20 minutes out of center Cameron Ridley, who had missed 20 straight games with a foot injury before returning to the court at the Big 12 Tournament. Ridley only played two minutes against Baylor, hitting a pair of free throws and missing his only shot from the field. Ridley averages 11.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots per game.


-- No. Iowa (22-12 SU, 19-13-1 ATS) has been absolutely on fire since Jan. 27, compiling a 12-1 SU record and an 11-1-1 ATS mark. The Panthers have won six in a row while going 5-0-1 ATS. They won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with wins over So. Illinois (66-60), Wichita State (57-52 in OT) and Evansville (56-54).


-- Wes Washpun was the catalyst in the MVC finals win over Evansville, producing 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Klint Carlson knocked down 8-of-12 shots in a 17-point effort, while Jeremy Morgan was also in double figures with 14 points.


-- No. Iowa has been an underdog 11 times, producing a 5-6 record both SU and ATS. The Panthers have a 2-0 record against RPI Top-25 foes, a 4-1 mark versus the Top 50 and an 8-3 ledger against the Top 100. They won outright in five of seven games against teams in the NCAA field, including scalps of North Carolina, Iowa State, Stephen F. Austin and Wichita State (twice).


-- Washpun averages team-highs in scoring (14.3 PPG) and assists (5.2 APG), while Morgan (10.4 PPG) paces NIU in rebounding (5.1 RPG), field-goal percentage (47.7%), steals (1.9 SPG) and blocked shots (0.9 BPG).


-- The 'under' is 20-13 overall for No. Iowa, cashing in five straight games and seven of their last eight.


-- The 'under' is 17-13-1 overall for the Longhorns, going 3-0-1 in their last four outings.


East Regional - Scotttrade Center, St. Louis, MO (TNT, 9:20 p.m. ET)
**Weber State vs. Xavier**


-- This is a 2/15 East Region matchup that'll be played in St. Louis, MO. TNT will have the telecast at about 9:20 p.m. Eastern. The winner will face the survivor of Pitt vs. Wisconsin on Sunday.


-- The Westgate opened Xavier (27-5 SU, 19-13 ATS) as a 13-point favorite with a total of 147.5. The total hasn't moved, while the number for the side briefly went to 13.5 before coming back to 13. Gamblers can take the Wildcats to win outright for a +750 return (risk $100 to win $750).


-- Chris Mack's program is making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 11 seasons. Xavier has been to the Sweet 16 in three of the last six years. The Musketeers' No. 2 seed is their highest in school history.


-- Xavier lost an 87-83 decision to Seton Hall as a five-point favorite in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament last Friday. Edmond Sumner had 21 points, nine rebounds, two steals and four assists compared to only one turnover in the losing effort. James Farr finished with 18 points, 10 boards and three steals.


-- Xavier has a balance offensive attack with six players averaging 9.4 PPG or better. Trevon Bluiett averages a 15.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Sumner averages 11.3 points, 3.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per contest. Myles Davis (11.1 PPG) dishes out a team-high 4.2 APG and hits 85.1 percent of his free throws.


-- Xavier has been a double-digit favorite 15 times, compiling a 7-8 spread record.


-- Xavier has played 13 games against teams in the field, producing a 10-3 SU record and a 9-4 ATS mark. The Musketeers swept Butler and Providence, in addition to winning non-conference games over Michigan, Alabama, Southern Cal, Cincinnati and Dayton.


-- Mack owns a 6-5 career record (54.5%) in the Tournament.


-- Weber State (26-8 SU, 14-16 ATS) is making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance since 1995. The Wildcats beat Michigan State in the first round of the 1995 Tournament. In 1999, Harold 'The Show' Arceneaux, a New Orleans product, dropped 36 points on North Carolina in a stunning first-round upset.


-- Weber State won the Big Sky Tournament with victories over Portland State (78-74), North Dakota (83-78 in OT) and Montana (62-59). The Wildcats knocked off the Grizzlies as 1.5-point favorites in the finals. Jeremy Senglin led the way with 20 points, six assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Ryan Richardson added 15 points thanks to 3-of-5 shooting from downtown.


-- Weber State is mired in a 3-9 ATS slump in its last nine games. The Wildcats have been underdogs four times, posting a 2-2 record both SU and ATS. They faced only one opponent in the NCAA field, splitting a pair of games both SU and ATS against South Dakota State.


-- Weber State is led by forward Joel Bolomboy, who averages 17.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest.


-- The 'under' is 17-13-1 overall for the Wildcats.


-- The 'over' is 21-11 overall for the Musketeers, hitting in their last seven outings.


West Regional - Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA (truTV, 9:55 p.m. ET)
**Cincinnati vs. St. Joseph's**


-- This is a West Region 8/9 showdown in Spokane, WA., with the winner facing Oregon (assuming Holy Cross doesn't become the first No. 16 seed to ever advance) on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:55 p.m. Eastern on TruTV.


-- The Westgate opened Cincinnati as a two-point favorite. The number went down to 1.5, then up to as high as three early Thursday. By late Thursday afternoon, the Bearcats were favored by 2.5 and the total was 136. St. Joseph's was +120 on the money line.


-- Cincinnati (22-10 SU, 12-16 ATS) is just 3-3 SU in its last six games and 2-5 ATS in its last seven. The Bearcats are off last Friday's 104-97 loss to UConn in four overtimes. They seemed poised to advance at the AAC Tournament when Kevin Johnson buried a trey with 0.8 seconds left in the third extra session. However, UConn's Jalen Adams answered with a buzzer-beating 65-footer off the glass and the Huskies sealed the deal in the fourth OT. Troy Caupain had 37 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and five assists without a turnover in the gut-wrenching defeat. Octavius Ellis finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.


-- As always, Mick Cronin's team gets physical and aggressive with opponents at the defensive end. The Bearcats rank 10th in the nation in scoring defense (62.9 PPG) and 11th in field-goal percentage defense (39.0%).


-- Cincy owns a 5-8 spread record in 13 single-digit 'chalk' situations.


-- Cincy went 4-7 both SU and ATS in 11 games against teams in the field. The Bearcats' best wins came at VCU, vs. SMU and two regular-season scalps of UConn. We should note that they lost three games in overtime and four losses came by eight combined points, including a 59-57 loss at SMU and an 81-79 loss at Iowa State.


-- After losing back-to-back games to close the regular season, St. Joseph's (27-7 SU, 22-10 ATS) went to Brooklyn and won the Atlantic-10 Tournament with wins over George Washington (86-80), Dayton (82-79) and VCU (87-74). Phil Martelli's team took it to the Rams in the A-10 finals as a four-point underdog. DeAndre Bembry erupted for 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting from the field. Bembry also had five rebounds and four assists without committing a turnover. Isaiah Miles finished with 26 points and 12 boards, making 11-of-16 attempts from the floor. Aaron Brown was also in double figures with 13 points.


-- St. Joe's has been an underdog 10 times, compiling an 8-1-1 spread record with eight outright victories. The Hawks played seven games against teams in the field, posting a 5-2 SU record and a 5-1-1 ATS ledger.


-- Miles averages a team-high 18.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He makes 52.8 percent of his shots from the field and 88.3 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe. Bembry averages 17.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He has a 153/69 assists-to-turnovers ratio and has a team-best 46 steals.


-- The 'over' is 19-13-1 overall for the Hawks, going 11-2 in their last 13 games.


-- The 'under' is 17-10-1 overall for the Bearcats, 6-2-1 in their last nine games.