March Madness – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Joe Girard’s heartfelt message to Clemson fans

Clemson Basketball: Few players in the history of Clemson basketball left more of an impact in just one season than senior guard Joe Girard did.

Few players in the history of Clemson basketball left more of an impact in just one season than Joe Girard did.

The Glens Falls, N.Y. native, who transferred to Clemson from Syracuse after legendary coach Jim Boeheim announced his retirement last year, helped lead the Tigers to only their second all-time Elite Eight appearance — and first since 1980.

With his decision to transfer to Clemson, Girard gave the Tigers not only an instant scoring threat; he lended a certain layer of credibility to the program.

Girard averaged 15 points per game for Clemson and played in all 36 contests this season. He had a 25-point night in the Tigers’ ACC opener at Pitt and had nine games with 20 or more points, including a season-high 26 against Boston College on January 13.

Girard scored 19 points in the Tigers’ 89-82 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Girard took to social media to issue a special heartfelt message to Clemson fans.

“Clemson family,

“I just wanted to give you all a big thank you! Although I was only here for a year, you guys gave me a home away from home.

“To Coach Brownell & staff, the managers, and my incredible teammates, thank you for giving me another historic run in March Madness capped off with an Elite 8!

“The decision to transfer here was everything I wanted and more.

“I’m proud to be able to call myself a Clemson Tiger for life. Tiger Pride! -JG3 Out”

Unbelievable Year With Unbelievable People! All Love For CU! #BeDifferent 💜🐅🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/y7M5Qlhsc6

— Joseph Girard III (@JG3_____) April 2, 2024

Iowa-LSU championship rematch breaks viewership record

Iowa and LSU shattered their previous record for viewership in the Hawkeyes Elite 8 victory.

On Monday night the Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers women’s basketball teams faced off in a rematch of the 2023 NCAA women’s national championship game. That game set viewership records with an average of 9.9 million viewers and peaked at 12.6 million.

The Elite 8 showdown shattered those numbers. According to a report from Scooby Axson of USA TODAY Sports, this game was the most-watched women’s basketball game ever with 16.1 million viewers.

According to ESPN, the game drew the second-most viewers of any basketball game since 2012.

Caitlin Clark got a bit of redemption from last year after pouring in 41 points with 7 rebounds and 12 assists. She continues to set records in her swan song season as Clark is set to take her talents to the WNBA following the season.

Likewise, Angel Reese of LSU announced that she would also head to the professional level after the Tigers’ defeat at the hands of Iowa.

Next up for the Hawkeyes will be another rematch. Clark and Iowa will take on Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies in the Final Four. The Huskies defeated Iowa 92-72 in the 2021 Sweet 16. Clark scored 21 in that game while Bueckers scored 18.

Recently, UConn’s head coach Geno Auriemma called Bueckers the “best player in the country.” It will all get settled on the court in this matchup of two basketball powerhouses. The winner will face off with the winner of South Carolina-North Carolina State in the national championship on Sunday.

WATCH: Shawn Poppie introduced as Clemson women’s basketball coach

Clemson women’s basketball: Shawn Poppie formally met with the media as part of his introduction as Clemson’s new women’s basketball coach Tuesday.

Clemson has a new face for its women’s basketball program.

Shawn Poppie was officially introduced as the school’s new coach at an introductory press conference with reporters Tuesday.

Poppie was hired last month after Clemson parted ways with Amanda Butler, who had led the program for six years. Clemson hasn’t been to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament since 2019, Butler’s first season.

“This (hire) coincides with the tremendous growth of women’s basketball,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said during his opening statement at Tuesday’s press conference. “It’s undeniable, watching games (Monday) and certainly over the last couple weeks, couple years. .. Really, really significant growth in that sport and really, really exciting for Clemson to double down on our anticipation, our excitement, and our investment in all 21 of our programs. But in particular, on this day, women’s basketball.”

Poppie joins Clemson after two seasons at Chattanooga. He posted a 48-18 record as head coach there and led the Mocs to NCAA Tournament appearances in both years.

Here’s everything Poppie said at Tuesday’s introductory press conference, as well as remarks from Neff.

Can Alabama upset top-seeded UConn in the Final Four?

Alabama to face top-seed UConn in first-ever Final Four appearance.

For the Alabama Crimson Tide, their run through the NCAA Tournament has been nothing short of special.

Making the first Final Four appearance in program history, Alabama started their run through March Madness with two victories over double-digit seeds, Charleston and Grand Canyon, and then backed that up with a pair of wins over the North Carolina Tar Heels and Clemson Tigers. Two of the biggest victories in program history, North Carolina was the No. 1 seed in the West Region, while their win over Clemson in the Elite Eight avenged a home loss to the Tigers from earlier this year.

Next up for Alabama is the Final Four, which, as mentioned above, is the Crimson Tide’s first-ever trip to college basketball’s biggest stage. This is also where a date with the top-seeded UConn Huskies awaits. This will likely be Alabama’s toughest test faced so far this season.

UConn, who are also the defending national champions, are the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies enter this matchup sitting at 35-3 overall for the season, as well as 18-2 in Big East play. The Big East regular season and tournament champions, UConn also ranks No. 9 nationally in points per game allowed to opponents at only 63.3 PPG, and have a strong offense that averages 81.4 PPG.

A deep team, UConn has five different players averaging in double-figures, led by All-American guard Tristen Newton. The Huskies also have a true difference maker inside in 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan, along with others in double-figures that include Cam Spencer, Alex Karaban, and Stephon Castle.

In what is the first meeting between the Crimson Tide and Huskies since an 82-67 victory for UConn back in 2022, can Alabama potentially pick up the upset to advance to their first national championship game ever?

Prediction: UConn 85, Alabama 78

NC State’s Final Four run continues recent stretch of ACC dominance in NCAA Tournament

The Atlantic Coast Conference has found success in the Final Four with the latest run from NC State.

It’s going to be weird watching the Final Four with no UNC in it, but we’ll be fine.

Thursday’s loss to Alabama was certainly heartbreaking, but there’s no denying that what North Carolina did was special. The Tar Heels missed the NCAA Tournament entirely last year, came back with a majority of the same players and won their first, outright ACC Regular Season Title since 2016.

Right now, college basketball’s attention (UNC fans, too) has turned to rival NC State.

The Wolfpack wouldn’t be playing in the Final Four if it weren’t for Michael O’Connell’s game-tying, buzzer-beating shot in the ACC Tournament Semifinal against UVA. Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely bricked the front end of a one-and-one, NC State pushed it up court, then O’Connell drained an insane attempt.

The Wolfpack later won that game in overtime, downed North Carolina in the ACC Championship and now sport a 9-game winning streak. They’ll be playing the Zach Edey-led Purdue Boilermakers in the Final Four on Saturday, April 6 at 6:09 p.m. ET

With NC State’s win over Duke, it became the fifth different ACC program to reach a Final Four in the past five NCAA Men’s Tournaments.

NC State is the 5th different ACC team to reach a Final Flour in the past five NCAA Men's Tournaments.

No other conference has more than three Final Fours in that time span, let alone all different teams. #GoACC

— Danny Neckel (@DNeckel19) March 31, 2024

Please excuse sports blogger Danny Neckel’s typo in the post. He even has some fun with it in the comment thread.

Miami represented the ACC last year, making its first Final Four appearance in school history. UNC and Duke, two of the conference’s premier programs, did the same in 2022. No ACC program made the Final Four in 2021, COVID cancelled the 2020 Big Dance, while UVA won it all in 2019.

I rarely root for NC State, but how can you not fall in love with them when they’re led by DJ Burns, who has unofficially become America’s Sweetheart?

The Wolfpack’s bruising, Shaq-esque center already has two 20-point games in the NCAA Tournament, including a 29-point explosion on Easter against Duke. When Burns isn’t terrorizing opponents on the court, he’s smiling and acting as NC State’s fun-loving, big-hearted hero.

Will the Wolfpack be able to continue their Cinderella run against Purdue?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

March Madness: Final Four strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the NCAA Men’s Tournament Survivor Pool: Final Four pick and prediction.

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The 2024 NCAA Tournament has been pared down to the Final Four. Only 68 entries in USA TODAY’s NCAA Men’s Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 7,821 who signed up.

The Final Four will be played Saturday at State Farm Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Surprising 11th seed NC State Wolfpack and fan favorite F DJ Burns Jr. take on the top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers and behemoth C Zach Edey in the opener at 6:09 p.m. ET.

In the nightcap, the 4th-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide will square off with the defending national champions and No. 1 seed UConn Huskies. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET. Both games will be on TBS.

I was bumped out of the Survivor Pool in the 1st round with upsets by 11th-seeded Oregon and 13th-seeded Yale. They knocked out my 2 SEC picks of No. 6 seed South Carolina and No. 4 seed Auburn, respectively.

Though unofficially eliminated — I couldn’t win as an employee anyway, but my goal was to steer you in the right direction for the $2.5K first prize — I continued to offer out picks.

I bounced back in Round 2 with NC State (for 11 points) and No. 5 seed San Diego State (5 points). In the Sweet 16, I scored with Illinois (3 points). In the Elite 8, Alabama (4 points) was a winner for me.

Here’s my strategy of how to advance in the Final Four and eventually win the Men’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pool.

Remaining entries are required to pick 1 winner out of Saturday’s semifinals and then the winner of the National Championship Game — if they still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds. At this point, there actually aren’t many points available in the Final Four and championship game, especially if you’ve already used NC State in a previous round.

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Final Four pick

PICK: PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (33-4)

Who they play: NC State Wolfpack (26-14)

I’ve already used both NC State and Alabama, so my strategy is to play Purdue, hope UConn gets the job done in the other game, and then play the Huskies against the Boilermakers in the title game Monday.

If the Tide beat the Boilermakers, I won’t have a team left to play in the championship and I’ll be eliminated (again).

The Boilermakers got the job done against Tennessee 72-68 in the Elite 8, hitting 45.3% (24-of-53). That made up for the fact Purdue hit just 20% (3-of-15) from behind the 3-point line, and a dismal 63.6% (21-of-33) from the free-throw line. That simply won’t do against a red-hot NC State team playing with house money.

Edey was a one-man wrecking crew, posting 40 points with 16 rebounds and a blocked shot. He got to the free-throw line 22 times, hitting 14 of those attempts. With 40 of his team’s 72 points, Edey was good for 55.6% of the team’s offensive production.

NC State beat Duke 76-64 in the Elite 8 for the biggest stakes yet in that ACC rivalry. Burns continues to be a star, going for 29 points — on 13-of-19 shooting — with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. G D.J. Horne ended up with 20 points, while G Michael O’Connell pulled down 11 boards with 6 assists and 6 points.

It’s been an amazing run, as the Wolfpack have partied like it’s 1983, but all good things come to an end. The Boilermakers were dumped by a 16 seed last season, and appear to be motivated to go from rock bottom to the cusp of a championship — just like Virginia did in 2019 after losing to a 16 seed the year before.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

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NIT semifinal: Georgia vs. Seton Hall odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Georgia vs. Seton Hall odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) and Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) meet Tuesday in an NIT Semifinal. Tip-off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Georgia vs. Sethon Hall odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The Bulldogs have caught fire in the postseason, winning 3 straight in the NIT, and 4 of 5 outings. Georgia has covered the spread 7 games in a row, including covered in all 5 postseason games — 2 in the SEC Tournament and 3 straight in the NIT.

Georgia is averaging 76.3 points per game (PPG) in the NIT, although the Over cashed only in the most recent game at Ohio State March 26.

The Pirates were sour about being snubbed by the NCAA Tournament committee. Instead of pouting, Seton Hall is making a statement, winning 3 in a row since getting shown the door by St. John’s in its 1st Big East Tournament game.

Seton Hall pounded UNLV 91-68 as a 6.5-point home favorite in an NIT quarterfinal Wednesday, cashing the Over (143.5). However, Seton Hall is still just 3-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 8 games with the Over going 5-3.

Utah and Indiana State are playing in the other NIT semifinal — scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Georgia vs. Seton Hall odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:39 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Georgia +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Seton Hall -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
Against the spread: Georgia +4.5 (-110) | Seton Hall -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Georgia vs. Seton Hall and predictions

Prediction

Seton Hall 75, Georgia 73

Moneyline

Seton Hall (-210) will cost 2.1 times the potential return. That’s way too much risk for not enough reward for a singular bet. However, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to include the Pirates in a multi-team parlay or a bonus bet with a boost.

PASS.

Against the spread

GEORGIA +4.5 (-110) is worth a play catching the points. Georgia has been hot, including a surprising outright win at Ohio State as an 8.5-point underdog.

Seton Hall is on a mission, and it appears it’s on a collision course with fellow NCAA Tournament snub Indiana State for the NIT crown. However, the Pirates are just 2-2 ATS in the postseason, and 1-3 ATS in 4 neutral-site games. Look for UGA to keep it close.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Over/Under

OVER 145.5 (-105) is worth playing lightly.

The Over has split in 4 postseason games for the Pirates, but there is a slight 8-5 edge to the Over in the previous 13 contests.

For the Bulldogs, the Over-Under has split 2-2 in the past 4 postseason games. The Dawgs have hit 72 or more points in 4 straight games, while allowing 76 or more points in 3 of the previous 4 outings.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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NIT semifinal: Utah vs. Indiana State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Utah vs. Indiana State odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Utah Utes (22-14) and Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) meet Tuesday in an NIT semifinal. Tip-off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis is slated for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah vs. Indiana State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The Utes have rattled off 3 straight wins and covers in the NIT since getting knocked out of the Pac-12 Tournament by Colorado on March 14. The Utes have averaged 83.0 points per game (PPG) in 3 NIT contests, while cashing the Over in 2 of those outings.

The Sycamores have won 3 in a row since getting bumped in the Missouri Valley Conference final against Drake on March 10. The Indiana State offense has been fire in the NIT, going for 87.3 PPG in 3 games, while going 2-1 against the spread (ATS). The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 postseason outings, too.

Georgia and Seton Hall will play in the other NIT semifinal — scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Utah vs. Indiana State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:16 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Utah +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Indiana State -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Against the spread: Utah +3.5 (-110) | Indiana State -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 163.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Utah vs. Indiana State and predictions

Prediction

Indiana State 86, Utah 81

Moneyline

INDIANA STATE (-175) will cost you, but it isn’t priced out of line if you just want to play the winner and you don’t want to fiddle around with the points.

The Sycamores have ripped off 5 wins in 6 outings in the postseason, while posting 9 victories in the past 10 outings since Feb. 21.

Utah (+145), on the other hand, is just 8-9 in the past 17 games despite the run to the NIT semis.

Against the spread

INDIANA STATE -3.5 (-110) is worth a look as it tries to advance to the NIT title game despite the fact Utah +3.5 (-110) has been red-hot against the number. The Utes have cashed at a 4-1 ATS pace in the postseason, while going 7-2 ATS in the past 9 games since Feb. 29.

However, the Sycamores are a solid 4-2 ATS in 6 games in the postseason, and this team has posted 9 wins in the past 10 outings. As a single-digit favorite, Indiana State is 9-5 ATS in the past 14 instances.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Over/Under

OVER 163.5 (-110) is the lean in this NIT semifinal matchup.

The total has gone high in 4 of the past 5 games for Indiana State, while going 6-3 in the past 9 outings since Feb. 24. The Sycamores were one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, going for 84.5 PPG, while hitting at a 50.4% pace from the field, and 38.4% from behind the 3-point line.

Indiana State doesn’t leave many points on the floor, either, cashing in at a 79.7% pace from the free-throw line, for which Over bettors are thankful. And the defense is just so-so, conceding 72.0 PPG.

For Utah, it is hitting at a 78.3 PPG clip this season, and it is a respectable 46.6% from the field, and 35.8% from three. But the Utes are horrific at the free-throw line, cashing in at just a 65.0% clip, so that’s a concern. Defensively, they’re not very good, allowing 73.2 PPG, and teams hit triples at a 34.2% pace, which was in the bottom third in the nation.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Furious comeback comes up short as Penn State Lady Lions fall to Villanova in WBIT semifinal

The Penn State women’s basketball team saw its season end with a hard-fought loss to Villanova in the WBIT semifinal round.

Despite a heroic effort by [autotag]Leilani Kapinus[/autotag], Penn State was unable to keep its women’s basketball season going for one more game. The Lady Lions fell to Villanova in a seminal matchup in the Women’s Basketball Invitational tournament in Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Monday afternoon. Penn State’s 58-53 loss to the Wildcats brought a tough ending to a season in which the program took some big steps forward overall.

Kapinus led the Lady Lions with 18 points in a defensive battle with Villanova. The Wildcats had three players score in double figures for a much more balanced offensive attack, led by a 21-point effort by Lucy Olsen. Kapinus nearly brought Penn State all the way back in the fourth quarter alone, but she received a helping hand from [autotag]Ashley Owusu[/autotag] as well. Owusu hit a three-point shot with five seconds remaining in the game to bring the Nittany Lions to within three points.

Villanova outscored Penn State by one point in each of the first two quarters of the semifinal matchup to hold a two-point lead at halftime. The Wildcats created some separation after halftime with a 17-9 advantage on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Penn State chipped away in the fourth quarter and outscored Villanova by five points, but it was just enough of a hole that was too big to climb out of for the Lady Lions.

Penn State’s season ends with a 22-13 record, an improvement of 8 wins from the previous season. ending the season with a loss will be tough to take, but the Lady Lions have improved their win total each of the last few seasons and the program does appear to be heading in a positive direction once again, which should bring some sense of optimism for the 2024-25 season.

Villanova will now get a chance to play for the first WBIT championship in NCAA history. The Wildcats will face the winner of Monday’s other semifinal matchup between Illinois and Washington State. The WBIT championship will be played on Wednesday evening. There is no third-place game.

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