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The No. 12 seed Liberty Flames (28-6) and No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks (24-9) meet in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in the East Region Friday night. Tip-off from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Liberty vs. Oregon odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Liberty has won 5 games in a row after defeating Jacksonville State 79-67 in the CUSA Tournament final Saturday, covering as a 5.5-point favorite. The Flames trailed by 8 points early but extended their lead to as many as 20 in the second half of the ticket-punching victory. They are led by G Taelon Peter, who averages 13.9 points per game (PPG), and G Kaden Metheny, who averages 13.5 PPG.
Oregon snapped an 8-game winning streak with a 74-64 loss against Michigan State in the Big Ten quarterfinals last Friday (March 14). The Ducks are led by C Nate Bittle, who averages 14.1 PPG and 7.4 rebounds. Bittle had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds vs. Michigan State last Friday.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Liberty vs. Oregon odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Liberty +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Oregon -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Liberty +7.5 (-115) | Oregon -7.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Liberty vs. Oregon picks and predictions
Prediction
Liberty 75, Oregon 73
Moneyline
BET LIBERTY (+240).
While winning Friday will certainly be a tall task for the Flames, they have all the pieces to compete. They boast one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just 62.9 PPG (ninth-fewest), while shooting 49.4% from the field — sixth-best nationally. They have won 9 of their last 10 games and excel at ball movement, averaging 16.9 assists per game. If the Flames can capitalize on their free throws, they have a real shot at pulling off an upset.
Against the spread
PASS.
The moneyline has the best value on the Flames.
Over/Under
BET OVER 139.5 (-105).
While the Flames stand out on defense, this total is too low to bet the Under. The Flames have scored 79 or more points in 6 straight games, while allowing 67 or more in 4 of their last 6 outings.
The Ducks have allowed 73 or more points in 6 of their last 10 games, including 2 of their last 3 outings.
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