5 Best NCAA Tournament Predictions Against The Spread, Point Total: Sweet 16

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into the Sweet 16?

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into the Sweet 16?


NCAA Tournament Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Every Game Preview & Prediction
CFN Expert Picks: Sweet 16

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Here are five NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 games that appear to be a wee bit favorable against the spread or with the point total.

Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.

5. (8) Loyola vs (12) Oregon State

POINT TOTAL: 125
PICK: Over
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

This is all on principle.

If someone wants to give you a 125 college basketball point total, go over.

1) It’s just not that hard a number to hit, and 2) you don’t want to be known as that guy who goes under on a total so low.

The worry here, of course, is the Loyola defense with a week to rest up and get ready. How many times have the Ramblers allowed more than 60 points this season?

Five times in 30 games. That’s it. That’s ridiculous.

Not even the high-powered Illinois team with as much talent as anyone in college basketball could hit the 60 mark. Of course, to math this up, both teams have to get to at least 60 or one side has to rock to get past 125.

The Loyola-Illinois game got to 129.

Oregon State has gone dead-cold at times this year, scoring fewer than 60 points in six games, but one of those went over 125 and every other game out of the 31 went over the mark.

There’s also a wee bit of a worry over an Oregon State D that can keep this tight, or if the thees aren’t falling, and …

You’re not going to take the under on 125. That’s not how you roll.

NEXT: Baylor vs Villanova

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks: Second Round Monday Predictions

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the second round Monday games.

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the second round Monday games.


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CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews

NCAA Tournament First Round: Sunday, March 21

(2) Iowa vs (7) Oregon

West Region: Second Round
12:10 pm, CBS
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Iowa -5.5, o/u: 147

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Iowa
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Oregon
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Iowa
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Iowa
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Iowa
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Oregon
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Iowa
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Iowa
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Iowa
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Iowa
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Iowa
CONSENSUS PICK: Iowa


(1) Gonzaga vs (8) Oklahoma

West Region: Second Round
2:40 pm, CBS
Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Gonzaga -14, o/u: 154

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Oklahoma
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Gonzaga*
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Gonzaga*
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Gonzaga
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Gonzaga
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Gonzaga
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Gonzaga
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Gonzaga
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Gonzaga
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Gonzaga
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Oklahoma
CONSENSUS PICK: Gonzaga

UCLA vs ACU | Creighton vs Ohio
LSU vs Michigan | Colorado vs FSU
Maryland vs Bama | USC vs Kansas

NEXT: UCLA vs Abilene Christian, Creighton vs Ohio

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks: Second Round Sunday Predictions

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the second round Sunday games.

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the second round Sunday games.


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CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews

NCAA Tournament First Round: Saturday, March 20

(1) Illinois vs (8) Loyola Chicago

Midwest Region: Second Round
12:00 pm, CBS
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Illinois -7.5, o/u: 133.5

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Illinois
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Illinois
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Illinois
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Illinois
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Illinois
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Illinois
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Illinois*
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Illinois
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Illinois
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Illinois
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Loyola
CONSENSUS PICK: Illinois


(1) Baylor vs (9) Wisconsin

South Region: Second Round
2:40 pm, CBS
Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Line: Baylor -6.5, o/u: 137

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Baylor*
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Wisconsin
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Baylor*
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Baylor
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Baylor
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Baylor
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Baylor
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Baylor
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Baylor
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Baylor
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Wisconsin
CONSENSUS PICK: Baylor

WVU vs Syracuse | Arkansas vs TTech
Houston vs Rutgers | Florida vs ORU
Villanova vs UNT | Ok St vs Oregon St

NEXT: West Virginia vs Syracuse, Arkansas vs Texas Tech

5 Best NCAA Tournament Predictions Against The Spread: First Round Saturday

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into first round on Saturday?

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into first round on Saturday?


NCAA Tournament Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Every Game Preview & Prediction
CFN Expert Picks: Every First Round Game

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Here are five NCAA Tournament first round Saturday games that appear to be a wee bit favorable against the spread.

Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.

5. (1) Michigan vs (16) Texas Southern

LINE: Michigan -26
ATS PICK: Texas Southern
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

The NCAA Tournament is obviously a whole separate thing from anything that happens during the regular season, but it’s still asking the world for something different and new to occur.

It’s not like Texas Southern didn’t play anyone. Yes, anything that happened in November shouldn’t really matter, but the Tigers lost to Washington State by four and wasn’t totally embarrassing in an 85-65 loss to Oklahoma State.

The key comp is Wyoming, an up-and-down, high-powered team that likes to  get moving, and Texas Southern shocked the Cowboys 76-74 in Laramie.

I’m stalling here … it’s Michigan, it’s a 1 seed vs a 16, and it’s going to win by whatever point total it wants to. However …

The Wolverines didn’t beat anyone this year by more than 26, and Texas Southern didn’t lose to anyone this year by more than 26.

The Tigers’ worst loss was that 85-65 thing against Oklahoma State, and Michigan’s biggest win was by 25 over Minnesota.

Oh, you’ll have to sweat it out – Michigan will be up 30-10 in a hiccup – but if the anomaly happens, so be it.

NEXT: Iowa vs Grand Canyon

5 Best Point Total NCAA Tournament Predictions: First Round Friday

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into first round on Friday?

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks for the over/under point totals going into first round on Friday?


NCAA Tournament Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Every Game Preview & Prediction
CFN Expert Picks: Every First Round Game

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The unpredictability and irrationality of the games themselves are what define the NCAA Tournament. As you’re reading this, your bracket is already busted – really, it is, you just don’t know it yet.

Point totals are different.

Point totals don’t care if that 14 beats the 3 or if the 2 beat the 15 by 54. Here, you should be a wee bit more in control of your investment.

Here are five NCAA Tournament first round Friday games that appear to be a wee bit favorable when it comes to the over/under and point total.

Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.

5. (3) Arkansas vs (14) Colgate

Point Total: 161.5
Pick: Under
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Even for two high-powered college offenses, 161.5 is a massive number.

Easy math, that means at least one team has to be in the 80s to get there, and that shouldn’t be a problem. The concern is likely going to be Arkansas and how much it wins by.

Colgate averages 86 points per game, but as I pointed out in the 5 Best Picks Against The Spread piece, you and four friends could’ve hung at least 70 on the board against the teams on the Raider schedule.

Arkansas averages over 82 a game, and it’s probably going to get there and then some. How much does the Hog D want to slow down a Colgate offense that scores in bunches, but again, is taking a massive step up in competition?

The best comp to use is the Arkansas 87-76 win over Oral Roberts back in late December. The Golden Eagles bomb away as well as any team in the country – they’re playing Ohio State in the first round – and that game barely got past the 161.5 mark.

Forget the seed, Oral Roberts is a more dangerous team than Colgate – again, forget the stats and look at the competition.

Arkansas-Colgate is more likely an 85-68 type of game than any sort of an even shootout, and even then, there’s a chance the Hogs put this away and sort of coast.

Only nine of the 28 games Arkansas played got to over 161.5 and one of them was in overtime.

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NEXT: Houston vs Cleveland State

NCAA Tournament 5 Best Predictions Against The Spread: First Round Friday

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into first round on Friday?

What 5 NCAA Tournament games appear to be the best bets and the best picks against the spread going into first round on Friday?


NCAA Tournament Fearless Predictions, Game Previews 
CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
Every Game Preview & Prediction
CFN Expert Picks: Every First Round Game

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Brackets schmackets. Anyone and everyone can fill one out. I did, and it’s already busted – I’m SO reading that Loyola – Georgia Tech matchup wrong – but the money you invest on these games is forever.

Or for five minutes until you reinvest, but that’s more fun than getting some 12-seed you never heard of right over that 5, right?

Here are five NCAA Tournament first round Friday games that appear to be a wee bit favorable against the spread.

Click on each game for the game preview and fearless prediction.

5. (5) Tennessee vs (12) Oregon State

LINE: Tennessee -8
ATS PICK: Tennessee
Bet on this, BetMGM latest line

Never be one of those people who gets weird over a half a point. It all evens out over a lifetime, so if you like a pick, make it, and don’t get into a twist over the line changing …

OH (bleep)ing (bleep) … Tennessee went from 7.5 to 8?

A half a point means a whole lot in basketball – not as much as people like to believe in football – but this whole tournament is just getting started, so I’m not bailing on my core beliefs quite yet.

Speaking of abandoning belief systems, I came into the bracket season determined to pick against the Pac-12 whenever possible, and I think I ended up picking Pac-12 teams whenever possible – except for the conference tournament champion.

Falling for the conference tournament champion that rises up out of the blue is always dicey. The gimmicky tournaments are the last things anyone sees, so the lines are always a wee bit skewed. This one is about right – even with the extra half a point, and it doesn’t matter.

Tennessee might be flaky, but the defense was the best in the SEC in field goal percentage, and Oregon State isn’t exactly automatic from the field. I’m not buying that the Beaver threes that were dropping like the beat around the 23 minute mark of any Carl Cox mix are going to keep going.

Tennessee is too good at slowing teams down on the inside, and it’ll hold up on the outside shooters. Oregon State won’t get the Vol turnovers.

NEXT: Arkansas vs Colgate

NCAA Tournament Predictions: College Basketball Expert First Four, First Round Picks

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the First Four and First Round.

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the First Four and First Round.


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CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews

NCAA Tournament First Four: Thursday, March 18

(16) Texas Southern vs (16) Mount St. Mary’s

East Region: First Four
5:10 pm, truTv
Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
Line: Mount St. Mary’s -2, o/u: 132.5

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Texas Southern
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Texas Southern
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Mount St Mary’s
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Texas Southern
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Texas Southern
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Mount St Mary’s
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Mount St Mary’s
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Mount St Mary’s
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Mount St Mary’s
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: COMING
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Mount St Mary’s
CONSENSUS PICK: Mount St Mary’s


(11) Drake vs (11) Wichita State

West Region: First Four
6:27 pm, TBS
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Line: Wichita State -2, o/u: 139.5

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Wichita State
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Drake
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Wichita State
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Drake
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Wichita State
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Wichita State
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Wichita State
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Wichita State
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Drake
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: COMING
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Drake
CONSENSUS PICK: Wichita State


(16) Appalachian State vs (16) Norfolk State

West Region: First Four
8:40 pm, truTV
Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
Line: Norfolk State -3, o/u: 134.5

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Norfolk State
Pete Fiutak, CFN: App State
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Norfolk State
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Norfolk State
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: App State
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Norfolk State
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Norfolk State
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Norfolk State
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: App State
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: COMING
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: App State
CONSENSUS PICK: Norfolk State


(11) UCLA vs (11) Michigan State

East Region: First Four
9:57 pm, TBS
Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Line: Michigan State -1.5, o/u: 13.5

Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Michigan State
Pete Fiutak, CFN: UCLA
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Michigan State
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Michigan State
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Michigan State
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire Michigan State
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Michigan State
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Michigan State
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: UCLA
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: COMING
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: UCLA
CONSENSUS PICK: Michigan State

NEXT NCAA Tournament Picks   
(7) Florida vs (10) Virginia Tech
(3) Arkansas vs (14) Colgate
(1) Illinois vs (16) Drexel
(6) Texas Tech vs (11) Utah State

NEXT: NCAA Tournament First Round: Friday, March 19

New Mexico at San Diego State college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s New Mexico at San Diego State college basketball matchup, with college basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The New Mexico Lobos (17-8, 6-6) will visit the undefeated San Diego State Aztecs (24-0, 13-0) in a late-night Mountain West matchup Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET at Viejas Arena. We analyze the New Mexico-San Diego State odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

New Mexico at San Diego State: Three things you need to know

1. The Aztecs have won all 24 of their games with a schedule that ranks around 120th in the nation (of 373). San Diego State plays tremendous defense — the Aztecs rank fourth in the nation in yielding just 58.3 points per game. Boise State shot 47.9% against the Aztecs at Viejas Arena Jan. 11. No Aztec foe has topped that in their 23 other games.

2. The Lobos lost five of six with JaQuan Lyle (knee) and Vance Jackson (knee) out of the lineup due to injury. Both returned to action in Saturday’s 97-68 win over Wyoming; they combined for 25 points and nine rebounds. At 16.5 PPG, Lyle is New Mexico’s leading scorer.

3. This contest features the two best-shooting teams in the Mountain West. New Mexico leads the circuit with a 48.5% mark; SDSU is right behind at 47.4%. The Aztecs have the higher effective field-goal mark: 54.9%. (That statistic accounts for 3- and 2-point field goals by their proper values.) San Diego State’s eFG percentage ranks 10th in the nation.


Get some action on this college basketball matchup or others by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.


New Mexico at San Diego State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

San Diego State 82, New Mexico 65

Moneyline (ML)

New Mexico isn’t winning this one, and the -2000 moneyline on SDSU is too much chalk to make a play. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE and play the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on San Diego State to win would return a profit of just 50 cents.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The Lobos are: 1-5 ATS in their last six games against teams playing .600-plus basketball … 0-6 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up win …  1-3 ATS (average margin -9 points off the spread) over four midweek road games. The Aztecs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against over-.500 teams.

SAN DIEGO STATE -15.5 (-110) is a fair price and one that has some moderate value.

Over/Under (O/U)

Slightly more value can be found here, on the total — if the number is at the right spot. The over is: 5-0 in the Lobos’ last five games following an ATS victory … 5-0 over the Aztecs’ last five … a combined 19-5 in UNM/SDSU conference games.

New Mexico plays at a slow pace, and that may be getting too much respect in the market. That fact is leveled by SDSU’s faster tempo and by the Aztecs’ habit of not putting teams away until the last five minutes of games. But with the over currently at 148.5, PASS ON THE O/U UNLESS IT DIPS BELOW 147.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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