Tag: College Basketball betting

Michigan State basketball has 25-1 odds to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament per BetMGM

The Spartans rank fifth among Big Ten teams in the futures odds.

Michigan State might just be the best value bet in college basketball to win the 2021 national title.

BetMGM has MSU listed at +2500, or 25-1, to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament. That means a bet of $100 placed today would net a $2500 profit.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated 4/5/20.

Those odds place MSU at a tie for 19th with North Carolina, UCLA, Houston, and Auburn for the shortest odds to win it all. Four Big Ten teams–Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State–are listed above MSU. Iowa is tops among the conference at 10-1. Gonzaga and Baylor are currently the favorite among all teams at 8-1.

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Patriot Final: Colgate vs. Boston U college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Patriot Final between the Colgate Raiders and Boston Terriers, with college basketball betting odds, picks and bets.

The Colgate Raiders (25-8) will take on the Boston U Terriers (20-13) in the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Cotterell Court in Hamilton, NY. We analyze the Colgate-Boston odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Colgate vs. Boston U: Three things you need to know

  1. Wednesday’s contest will be held at Cotterell Court, the home venue for the No. 1-seeded Colgate Raiders, who won the Patriot League’s regular-season title with a record of 14-4. Third-seeded Boston finished two games back, at 12-6. The Raiders are looking to make the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year. The Terriers are in search of their first NCAA bid since 2011.
  2. Colgate has defeated Boston twice this season. The Raiders downed the Terriers 79-70 at Cotterell Court Jan. 18. CU defeated BU 79-63 in Boston Feb. 10. Wednesday’s contest pits the Patriot League’s No. 1 offense (76.6 points per game) and No. 3 defense (68.2 PPG) of Colgate against the circuit’s No. 4 and No. 2 ranked units, respectively (71.1 PPG, 66.9 PPG) of Boston.
  3. BU has advanced to the Patriot League with two wins — over Navy and Bucknell — by six or fewer points. The Terriers have been involved in six such games in a row, going 4-2. On the season, Boston is 7-18 in games played within two possessions.

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Colgate vs. Boston U: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Colgate 69, Boston 64

Moneyline (ML)

PASS on the moneyline. Colgate: -278, Boston U: +220. Colgate is a safe pick to win, but there isn’t any value with a $10 moneyline bet returning a profit of just $3.60.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Colgate is 10-5 ATS at home. Boston is 8-10 against the number on the road. Colgate has won three in a row in its series with Boston, and the Raiders are 4-1 ATS over their last five games against the Terriers.

The line here is on the mark. Respect the line — Colgate -6.5 (-110) — and PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

Here is the profit potential in this one. The Under is 22-8 in the Raiders’ last 30 games vs. a team with a win percentage north of .600, 4-1 in the Terriers’ last five games as an underdog and 6-2 in Boston’s last eight games lined at 7.5 points or under.

Both teams are solid in preventing free-throw attempts. Colgate has been on what figures as an unsustainable shooting run in culling together high-scoring games of late, and the Raiders also logged lofty percentages in each of their previous two games against Boston. BACK THE UNDER 139.5 (-106).

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2020 American Athletic Conference College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 American Athletic Conference Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament kicks off Thursday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Tex. There are a few teams from the AAC which should be shoe-ins for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, should they come up short for a championship bid. A few others are on the bubble, and need impressive showings, and help in other tourneys, to catch the eye of the selection committee. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the AAC tournament.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednsday, March 11 at 11 a.m. ET.

2020 AAC odds: Houston Cougars (+200)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 13-5 AAC)

The Cougars will have a lot less pressure than some of the teams below them, as they’re a lock for a bid to the dance. They’re simply playing for seeding at this point and could use a couple of wins to bump them up. They could be on the 8-line right now, which would give them a coin-flip game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Houston scratched out a win and non-cover against a solid Memphis side over the weekend in the regular-season finale. The Cougars have the defense to make at least an Elite Eight run if they’re on top of their game. They ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed (62.1 points per game), and they ranked seventh in defensive field-goal percentage (38.3). While Houston isn’t the best scoring team, posting just 72.3 PPG on offense, checking in a middling 135th, it creates plenty of second chances, ranking second in the country in offensive rebounding.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +200, as the Cougars are the class of the AAC.

2020 AAC odds: Cincinnati Bearcats (+350)

Regular-season record: (20-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Bearcats stumbled down the stretch, going just 5-3 straight up and 1-7 against the spread across their final eight games. File that away if you bet their games individually going forward. As far as winning the AAC Tournament, the Bearcats are a talented team, especially defensively. While not as tenacious as Houston, Cincy did rank 31st in the country in defensive FG% (39.8). G Jarron Cumberland (15.5 points, 4.9 assists) is a talented scorer, and 7-foot-1 C Chris Vogt had 1.6 blocked shots per outing with F Tre Scott cleaning the glass to the tune of 10.5 rebounds per game with 1.5 steals per outing. CINCINNATI IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT BET AT +350, but don’t get ridiculous.

2020 AAC odds: Wichita State Shockers (+400)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 11-7 AAC)

The Shockers certainly made plenty of waves, rising from mid-major power in the Missouri Valley Conference to an invitation to the AAC. After a brief adjustment period, the Shockers are doing what we’ve come to expect from them – win a lot of games. While they lost two road games to Cincinnati and Memphis down the stretch, a 22-point win in the final over a good Tulsa team snapped them back on track. WICHITA STATE IS A GOOD VALUE BET AT +400.

2020 AAC odds: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Golden Hurricane were humbled by 22 points at Wichita in the finale. Tulsa beat the teams they were supposed to beat, and were hammered by the good teams. A 33-point loss in Houston Feb. 19 was also alarming. They’ll be a good NIT team, and a loss Friday in their first game, potentially against Memphis, wouldn’t be surprising. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Memphis Tigers (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 10-8 AAC)

The Tigers had a chance to get off the bubble with a win in Houston in the finale. While they covered, they faltered, and covers do not impress the committee. Memphis likely needs at least two wins, perhaps three, to feel comfortable on selection Saturday. If the Tigers still had James Weisman in the middle, their chances of winning here would be better. They’re a good defensive team, but offensively they’re rather bland. A SMALL-UNIT PLAY TO WIN THE AAC AT +600 is OK, as their defense is good enough, but they’re a better bet in individual games against the spread and on Under plays.

2020 AAC odds: UConn Huskies (+1500)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 10-8 AAC)

UConn is on the bubble, and likely needs at least a run to the final to have a chance at an NCAA bid. The Huskies are matched up with Tulane in the 5-12 matchup, a team they scraped by 80-76 in the regular-season finale. They won both meetings with Tulane, but went 0-2 ATS. The good news is UConn enters this tournament on a five-game winning streak. Still, the Huskies are a mediocre team, and their odds are rather inflated based upon that. Not a good value, so AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: SMU Mustangs (+2500)

Regular-season record: (19-11, 9-9 AAC)

The Mustangs looked like a certain NCAA team, but they ended the regular season on a 1-5 SU/ATS slide, including shocking road losses to Tulane, UCF and South Florida. There’s a reason UConn is a 19-win team and just +600, and SMU has a better record but are long shots. What have you done for me lately? AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Temple Owls (+5000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 6-12 AAC)

The Owls could spring a mild upset over a skidding SMU in the first round, but that’s as far as they go. They enter on their own five-game slide. It seems like regular-season wins over USC, Texas A&M and Wichita State were in another century. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: UCF Knights (+5000)

Regular-season record: (16-14, 7-11 AAC)

The Knights won their final two regular-season games, and they won at Cincinnati Feb. 19. They split with first-round opponent South Florida, so they could win one game, but they’re not going far. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: South Florida Bulls (+8000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 7-11 AAC)

The Bulls won’t be on parade. They did top SMU in the regular-season finale and won in Memphis Feb. 8, but their opening game vs. UCF is a toss-up. If they win that one, they go no further. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: East Carolina Pirates (+10000)

Regular-season record: (11-20, 5-13 AAC)

The Pirates lost their final three games of the regular season, and are the only 20-loss team in the AAC. They beat SMU Jan. 11 but also lost by 20 to the Mustangs. That’s a microcosm of their season, and how inconsistent, and awful, they can be. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Tulane Green Wave (+10000)

Regular-season record: (12-18, 4-14 AAC)

The Green Wave opened 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS, and looked like they were in line for a big season, including a win in Utah. They also beat Cincinnati and SMU at home, but this game isn’t in New Orleans, and they dropped five of their last six away from their home floor. The Green Wave will crash early in this tourney. AVOID.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @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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2020 Big 12 College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 Big 12 Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 Big 12 Conference Tournament kicks off Wednesday at Sprint Center in Kansas City. The tournament features two matchups Wednesday, and four battles Thursday. The Kansas Jayhawks secured the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, and a handful of teams are in good shape for at-large bids whether they win the tourney or not, while others need a deep run. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the Big 12 tournament.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, March 11 at 10:45 a.m. ET.

2020 Big 12 odds: Kansas Jayhawks (+105)

Regular-season record: (28-3, 17-1 Big 12)

The Jayhawks enter the tourney as the hottest team in the conference, winners of 16 in a row. They’re also a very impressive 7-2 ATS across their past nine outings, so remember that as you bet single games through the postseason. Kansas is likely to land as one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament barring an absolute disaster in their first game in this tournament.

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Kansas will be challenged by Baylor, a team they split with during the regular season. They won in Waco against the Bears 64-61 Feb. 22, so if they match up in the Final, expect to sweat out every minute. They’ll have a pro-Jayhawks crowd filling the seats in Kansas City, so that adds to their chances.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +105, as the Jayhawks are on a tear right now.

2020 Big 12 odds: Baylor Bears (+315)

Regular-season record: (26-4, 15-3 Big 12)

The Bears looked like they were a slam-dunk No. 1 seed for most of the season, but they faltered down the stretch, going 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread, losing to Kansas, at TCU and at West Virginia in the final month. As such, they’re not nearly as strong of a play as the favored Jayhawks. In fact, it’s Kansas, and then the drop-off is precipitous.

If you pick two teams to play, BAYLOR IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT BET AT +315, but they’re playing their worst ball of the season.

2020 Big 12 odds: West Virginia Mountaineers (+375)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 9-9 Big 12)

The Mountaineers humbled Baylor 76-63 in the regular-season finale March 7, bouncing back after a late three-game skid, and a 1-6 SU stretch between Feb. 8-29. Their late-season swoon really makes this a wide-open tourney, especially if Kansas somehow stumbles. Still, the Mountaineers were really bad down the stretch, and they played .500 ball in the conference. There’s not much value at this price. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Texas Tech Red Raiders (+800)

Regular-season record: (18-13, 9-9 Big 12)

The Red Raiders gave Kansas a scare in the regular-season finale, but they dropped each of their past four to go from an NCAA Tournament certainly to a bubble team in need of some quality wins. They got hot last season en route to their first-ever Final Four. Can they do it again? A four-game skid to close out the season suggests otherwise. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Oklahoma Sooners (+1600)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 9-9 Big 12)

The Sooners might be the best value on the entire board. Some talking heads have them projected as a 9-seed for the NCAA Tournament, but they will likely breathe easier on Selection Sunday with a win or two in this tournament. Like Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia, the Sooner had their issues down the stretch. They lost three in a row from Feb. 15-22, although two of those losses were to Baylor and Kansas, so there’s no shame in that.

A SMALL-UNIT PLAY TO WIN THE BIG 12 AT +1600 IS A GREAT VALUE. Their defense ranks 36th in the country with a 39.9 defensive field-goal percentage. They’re also 20th in the nation in free-throw percentage at 76.6.

2020 Big 12 odds: Texas Longhorns (+4000)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 9-9 Big 12)

The Longhorns looked to be rolling into the postseason, winning and covering five in a row from Feb. 19-March 3; however, they were smashed 81-59 at home by a mediocre Oklahoma State team, casting doubt on their viability and landing them right back on the bubble in need of two wins to realistically have a shot at the NCAA Tournament, if not an overall win. Confidence is low, as they were swept by Baylor, swept by Kansas and went 1-1 against Texas Tech and West Virginia. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: TCU Horned Frogs (+4500)

Regular-season record: (16-15, 7-11 Big 12)

The Horned Frogs were a thorn in people’s sides down the stretch, and they even beat Baylor Feb. 29 by a 75-72 count in Fort Worth. They were 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS in their final six games, and they lost two games to Kansas by a total of 23 points, showing they have nothing for the top seed. They also had an ugly 46-point loss at Texas Tech Feb. 10 which sticks out like a sore thumb. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Oklahoma State Cowboys (+12500)

Regular-season record: (17-14, 7-11 Big 12)

The Cowboys finished with three wins to close out the regular season, hotter than any lower seed. In a wide-open Big 12, they have just as good of a chance as any to run to the Final, but can they beat Kansas? They lost by 15 and 25 to the Jayhawks, and were swept by Baylor by a total of 15 points. They were also pounded by West Virginia in two games by an average of 16 points. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Kansas State Wildcats (+15000)

Regular-season record: (10-21, 3-15 Big 12)

K-State lost 10 straight games from Feb. 1 to March 4 before winning the final against Iowa State. Nothing to see here. AVOID.

2020 Big 12 odds: Iowa State Cyclones (+20000)

Regular-season record: (12-19, 5-13 Big 12)

The Cyclones dropped 10 of their final 13 contests, and they were 1-5 ATS in their final six, so remember that for their first-round matchup. I-State lost two games to Kansas by a total of 46 points, two to Baylor by a total of 27, etc. No chance the Cyclones find any magic. AVOID.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @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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2020 Pac-12 College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 Pac-12 Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 Pac-12 Conference Tournament starts Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The tournament features four games Wednesday, and four more battles Thursday. The Oregon Ducks earned the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, while UCLA, Arizona State and USC also secured first-round byes as the next three top seeds. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the Pac-12 tournament, which has eight teams tipping off the action Wednesday.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, March 11 at 10:20 a.m. ET.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Oregon Ducks (+175)

Regular season record: (24-7, 13-5 Pac-12)

The Ducks were the class of the Pac-12, scratching out a regular-season conference title. While that’s all well and good, they were a perfect 17-0 at home, but just 7-7 in their 14 games either on the road or on a neutral-site court. Oregon rolls into the tourney on a 4-0 straight up and against the spread run, and they’re 6-1 SU/ATS across their past seven games, with only a loss at Arizona State in the mix.

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G Payton Pritchard is a stud, rolling up 20.5 points and 5.5 assists per game this season. The Ducks are among the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation, hitting at a 39.6% clip from behind the arc.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +175, as Oregon is playing better ball than anyone in the conference.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Arizona Wildcats (+340)

Regular-season record: (20-11, 10-8 Pac-12)

The Wildcats have rather short odds considering they stumbled hard down the stretch. Arizona dropped four of its final five regular-season games, also going 1-4 ATS during the run.

There is just no value here, as the Wildcats are ice cold. ARIZONA IS A TERRIBLE PLAY AT +340, AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Colorado Buffaloes (+350)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 10-8 Pac-12)

The Buffaloes were at or near the top of the Pac-12 standings all season, but they ended the campaign on a four-game skid, and they failed to cover in five straight and eight of their final nine games. Confidence is EXTREMELY low they’ll win one game in the tourney, let alone a championship. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: UCLA Bruins (+600)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 12-6 Pac-12)

The Bruins really got their act together down the stretch, winning seven in a row before losing a defensive nail-biter at USC in the regular-season finale. The Bruins might need a win to feel more confident on Selection Sunday, and it’s possible this team is one of the First Four teams. A conference title would go a long way in seeding, and they’re playing the second-best basketball of anyone in the conference besides Oregon. A SMALL-UNIT PLAY AT +600 IS WARRANTED.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Arizona State Sun Devils (+800)

Regular-season record: (20-11, 11-7 Pac-12)

The Sun Devils dropped three in a row at UCLA, at USC and at home against lowly Washington, splashing cold water on their momentum after a seven-game winning streak from Feb. 1-22. The Sun Devils are a very mediocre team who will be NIT-bound barring a championship. It’s not happening. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: USC Trojans (+1200)

Regular-season record: (22-9, 11-7 Pac-12)

The Trojans are a tremendous sleeper most people give little credit. They rattled off a three-game winning streak against Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA to close out the season, and if you’re looking for a mid-tier value, they’re it. They lost their only meeting against Oregon in Eugene Jan. 23, but they took the Ducks to overtime before falling 79-70. USC IS A TREMENDOUS VALUE WITH UPSIDE AT +1200.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Stanford Cardinal (+1500)

Regular-season record: (20-11, 9-9 Pac-12)

The Cardinal split the season series with Oregon, they split with Colorado and they also had a win at UCLA, while losing an OT thriller at USC. Stanford has a strong defense, and it slows it down with a methodical offense. The Cardinal are a good 3-point shooting team when they do hoist them up, and they’re accurate from the floor. A SMALL-UNIT PLAY AT +1500 ISN’T A WASTE OF MONEY.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Oregon State Beavers (+5000)

Regular-season record: (17-13, 7-11 Pac-12)

The Beavers topped the top-seeded Ducks by a 63-53 count, but could they do it in Vegas? They were swept by Arizona State, but played them tough, too. The Beavers can hang around and be a pain, but they’re likely one-and-done after running out of steam in the second half. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Washington Huskies (+5000)

Regular-season record: (15-16, 5-13 Pac-12)

Washington stunned Arizona State and Arizona on the road to close out the regular season, and has the talent to give anyone fits, but can they go 4-for-4 to win a title? Nah. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Utah Utes (+7000)

Regular-season record: (16-14, 7-11 Pac-12)

The Utes ended the season on a high note, adding to Colorado’s woes. They upset USC Feb. 23, but they also lost to California, and were dusted by Oregon State. Utah is too inconsistent, thus the long odds. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: Washington State Cougars (+7000)

Regular-season record: (15-16, 6-12 Pac-12)

The Cougs closed the season on a 1-6 SU/3-4 ATS run in the final seven regular-season games. They have wins against Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA this season, but they were also swept by Cal and Stanford. AVOID.

2020 Pac-12 odds: California Bears (+8000)

Regular-season record: (13-18, 7-11 Pac-12)

The Bears won just three of their final 10 games, and they closed out the season with a 24-point loss in Oregon and 18-point loss in Oregon State. There’s a reason they have the worst odds. They’re skidding hard. AVOID.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @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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Why the Seton Hall Pirates will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament

Three reasons why the Seton Hall Pirates will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.

The Seton Hall Pirates (21-9) enter the Big East Conference Tournament ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, making them a lock to be invited to the Big Dance. This will be Seton Hall’s fifth straight season in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Kevin Willard, which is the longest streak in the school’s history, but they haven’t advanced past the second round.

Below are a few good reasons why the Seton Hall Pirates will finally have its One Shining Moment and win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.

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Battle-tested

Seton Hall played the 20th-most difficult strength of schedule in the country, and despite not getting the hype it did back in its glory days, the Big East Conference is still a conference of champions. Four of the National Champions the last decade were Big East teams—the Connecticut Huskies and Villanova Wildcats each claimed two titles—which was second behind the Atlantic Coast Conference’s five National Championship teams.

The Pirates went just 4-5 against their nine ranked opponents, and aside from the 17-point dusting they took at the hands of the No. 9 Creighton Bluejays in their last regular-season game, Seton Hall played all of them tough. The Pirates didn’t have a bad loss—four of them were by one possession and the other was a five-point loss to Creighton. Their season highlights included a 52-48 home win over then-No. 7 Maryland Terrapins on Dec. 19 and splitting the season series with perennial powerhouse No. 8 Villanova Wildcats.

Interior presence 

Seton Hall is a low-key big team as they are one of the few ranked teams with a legit seven-footer in their starting lineup. Starting C Romaro Gill—who leads the Big East in blocks per game—is listed at 7-foot-2, and starting PF Sandro Mamukelashvili is 6-foot-11. Their size could create headaches for opposing offenses in a win-or-go-home game. The novelty alone of going against bigs like the Pirates have could cause teams to force up ill-timed threes, dissuade foes from attack the basket and, in turn, opponents getting to less foul shots.

Experience

All five of Seton Hall’s starters are upperclassmen, including three seniors and four starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team. Their two leading scorers are PG Quincy McKnight and SG Myles Powell, who is second in the Big East in points per game (21 PPG). One of the key attributes of the recent title-winning programs is to have upperclassmen guards to run the offense. Five of the previous seven national title winners had two upperclassmen guards in their starting lineup, with the previous two champions trotting out a three-guard starting lineup. Powell will start in his third consecutive NCAA Tournament, and McKnight his second, so their veteran leadership will be relied upon in the big moments of the tournament. Powell and Co. will have to play their best six games of their lives if they want to be this year’s Cinderella story.

These factors make it plausible the 2020 Seton Hall Pirates win the program’s first-ever national championship.

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

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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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Why Dayton will win the 2020 NCAA National Championship

The reasons why the Dayton Flyers will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament

A lot of March Madness fans are familiar with Dayton college basketball as the host of the midweek play-in games, which it has done every year since 2001. Then, before even the first Cinderella loses a slipper, the tournament is elsewhere, grinding out overlapping games on televisions, laptop screens, tablets and phones. And Dayton is relegated in memory as a pre-bracket before the real bracket.

Enter the 2019-20 Dayton Flyers (29-2) — a well-constructed, talented, versatile basketball team. One that may well put Dayton at the other end of the bracket this year. As the last team in that bracket — as national champion. Below, we lay out the key reasons Dayton will weave its way through the brackets and win the title.

Shooting

Dayton’s 80 points per game lead a talented Atlantic-10 which can boast five top-60 teams. Three of those teams — VCU, St. Louis, Rhode Island — are exceptional defensively. And the Flyers have averaged 76.5 PPG against them. The scoring comes from being the nation’s top shooting team. UD owns an effective field-goal accuracy mark (a shooting measure that equalizes 33.3% on 3-pointers with 50% on 2-pointers) of 59.7%.

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Defense

UD defends well: the Flyers rank 51st in the nation with a 46.6% eFG. Dayton is average in forcing turnovers and well above average in blocking shots. What the Flyers do best is the flip side of their shooting coin: they defend shots. Also notable in Dayton’s shooting and defense thereof is the broad base on both sides. Offensively, UD is proficient in the paint, on mid-range jumpers and on 3s. On defense, the Flyers put a stop sign on the same shot types.

Flexibility

Dayton sports a deep rotation with a near-perfect mix of seniors, juniors, and sophomores … of 6-foot-1, 6-5, 6-7, and 6-9 athletes. It all equates to balance on both sides of the floor and makes for a variety and flexibility that can be tough to match up against.

Star power

When all of the above works in a fluid team environment, all is well. But when that breaks down, it’s nice to have some elite talent on which to lean. Enter 6-9 sophomore forward Obi Toppin, a tremendously athletic go-to player in the running for national player of the year. Toppin is averaging 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 63.3% from the floor and 39% from 3-point-land. Jalen Crutcher, a 6-1 junior guard, is averaging 15.1 points and 4.9 assists per contest. Crutcher is the lead distributor on an unselfish team that passes the ball with purpose and fluidity.

Intangibles

Peripheral analytics reveal a high level, well-coached basketball team that plays well away from home and puts together consistent performances without big peaks and valleys. The Flyers are remarkably efficient on offense, adequately efficient on defense, and above-all-others efficient in establishing, building upon and protecting leads in basketball games.

All of this is what they’re going to want to do six times in a row in the NCAA Tournament.

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

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Summit Final: North Dakota vs. North Dakota State odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s North Dakota vs North Dakota State college basketball Summit League Tournament championship matchup, with college basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (15-17) square off with the North Dakota State Bison (24-8) in the Summit League title game Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. We analyze the North Dakota-North Dakota State odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

North Dakota vs. North Dakota State: Three things you need to know

  1. It’s a battle for state of North Dakota bragging rights — and also a trip to the big dance — while being played in the state of South Dakota.
  2. NoDak State won the first meeting, 83-74 at home Jan. 19 to cover the eight-point spread; UND won the rematch Feb. 22, winning on its home floor 71-68 despite being a 4.5-point ‘dog. The over/under split in both meetings.
  3.  North Dakota State enters this one just 3-4 against the spread across the past seven outings, while UND has covered in four of its past five games overall.

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North Dakota vs. North Dakota State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

North Dakota State 71, North Dakota 68

Moneyline (ML)

North Dakota State (-250) is favored to win this one, but rival North Dakota (+200) has really given the Bison fits this season. PASS and look to the spread for better value.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on North Dakota State to win outright would profit $4; a $10 bet on North Dakota to win outright would profit $20.

Against the Spread (ATS)

North Dakota (+6, -110) looks for the miracle 3-for-3 run in the Summit tourney to get into the NCAA Tournament as a sub-.500 team. North Dakota State (-6, -110) will win this game, but look for the Fighting Hawks to cover. They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now.

UND has only been to the NCAA Tournament once, in 2017; NoDak State has four appearances since 2009, including last season when they topped North Carolina Central in the First Four. They also stunned Oklahoma in a 5-12 game back in 2014, winning in overtime.

Take NORTH DAKOTA +6 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 1-0-1 in two meetings this season. This one (138.5; Over +100 / Under -121) is going to be close — perhaps very close — and the lean is to the Under because nerves might get the better of the teams in the early going.

The best choice is to just AVOID.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2017]

Colonial Final: Northeastern vs. Hofstra odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Colonial Final between the Northeastern Huskies and Hofstra Pride, with college basketball betting picks, tips and bets

The Northeastern Huskies (17-15) take on the Hofstra Pride (25-8) at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington DC at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (on CBSSN). We analyze the Northeastern-Hofstra odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice for this Colonial Final matchup.

Northeastern vs. Hofstra: Three things you need to know

  1. The 6-seed Huskies of Northeastern hope the third time is the charm. They fell to 1-seed Hofstra Jan. 9 by a 74-72 score in Boston, while losing 75-71 on Long Island Feb. 8. The Huskies covered the spread in both outings.
  2. Northeastern enters with 71.5 points per game to rank 166th in the country while allowing 66.6 PPG, ranking 104th in the country in scoring defense.
  3. Hofstra ranks 35th in the nation with 77.1 PPG, ranking 35th, while checking in 11th in the country with a 77.9 free-throw percentage. Defensively, the Pride rank 185th in scoring defense at 69.7 PPG.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Northeastern vs. Hofstra: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Hofstra 63, Northeastern 59

Moneyline (ML)

HOFSTRA (-121) is the play in this CAA Final. Take the Pride to win outright at a reasonable price, but there’s better value on the spread.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Northeastern (+1.5, -110) has played HOFSTRA (-1.5, -110) just about as well as anyone this season. While the Huskies haven’t been able to get over the hump, they have covered each game while losing two games to the Pride by a total of six points. Back the Pride with such a small spread as the better value play. They’ll need to win by just 2 or more points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 133.5 (-110) went 1-0-1 in two meetings during the season. The Under is also 2-0 in the two CAA tourney games for Hofstra, while going 8-2 in the past 10 outings and 12-3 over the previous 15. The Under has hit in six of the past nine outings for Northeastern.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2017]

Why the Kansas Jayhawks will win the NCAA Tournament

Thre reasons why the Kansas Jayhawks will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament

The Kansas Jayhawks (28-3) are one of the blueblood programs in college basketball. They haven’t won a national title since 2008 despite winning or sharing the Big 12 regular-season crown in 15 of the last 16 seasons. But here they are again, No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll after the regular season.

Here are three good reasons why the Kansas Jayhawks will win the 2020 NCAA Tournament.

The six-pack challenge

The Jayhawks have the players to make a long run in the tournament, facing the task of beating six teams that will present different styles and personnel. After dropping its season opener to Duke, Kansas rattled off nine consecutive wins before losing to Villanova and Baylor four games later. Since then, the Jayhawks have strung together 16 straight wins (eight by double digits), including a “payback” victory at then-No. 1 Baylor Feb. 22.

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Sharing the wealth

Kansas has seven players who average more than 10 minutes a game, five that average more than 24.5 minutes and three – G Devon Dotson, G Ochai Agbaji and G Marcus Garrett – who average more than 32 minutes. Four Jayhawks played in all 31 games, while three others played 30 and one played 29. The team is a well-oiled machine with tons of experience – the starting five has two seniors, two sophomores and a junior. Seven different players have been the leading scorer in games led by Dotson (13 times) and C Udoka Azubuike (8 times). The Jayhawks’ balance is such that Dotson (18.1 PPG) is the only player who has averaged 14 or more points. They are unselfish and go with the hot hand. Few teams have the kind of balance the Jayhawks do, which allows them to survive when a key player or two gets in foul trouble.

Home cookin’

The NCAA has a special affinity (an unfair affinity in some minds) that consistently leaves Kansas playing close to home, not forcing fans to travel far. Even when Kansas hasn’t been a No. 1 seed, it somehow ends up with a decent home-court advantage. It has happened too often to be denied and, with a first-/second-round site in St. Louis this year, one can probably bet Kansas will end up there. For more than 40 years, the NCAA was headquartered in Kansas City and it still seems to favor the Jayhawks every Selection Sunday.

It’s been more than a decade since Kansas won it all, but this could be the best team it has to bring the championship back to Lawrence in years.

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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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