NCAA Tournament betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets – Page 2

March Madness: Stetson vs. UConn odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Stetson vs. UConn odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Stetson Hatters (22-12) and UConn Huskies (31-3) meet Friday for an NCAA Tournament 1st-round game. Tip-off from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn is scheduled for approximately 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Stetson vs. UConn odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Stetson will be playing its 1st NCAA Tournament game in program history, and it gets the defending national champion, and favorite to win it all again. Ouch.

The Hatters, from DeLand, Fla., won all 3 games of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, although Stetson was just 1-2 against the spread (ATS) in those outings. Stetson pumped in 83 or more points in each of the games, and it hit 3-pointers at a 36.3% clip during the season.

Stetson once had John B. Stetson, the famous hat maker, on its Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the name of the university was changed in his honor in 1901. With an enrollment of around 2,300 undergraduate students, Stetson is one of the smallest school at the Division I level.

Stetson faced another No. 1 seed, Houston, back on Nov. 13 in Texas. The Cougars pounded the Hatters 79-48, although Stetson covered as a 32.5-point underdog as the Under (136.5) cashed. Stetson also beat UCF, another Big 12 school, 85-82 in Orlando on Nov. 26 as a 12.5-point underdog.

The defending champ Huskies — who are No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll — topped Xavier, St. John’s and Marquette en route to the Big East Tournament championship, covering 2 of those games. The most impressive win was in the final, dumping Marquette by 16 points. UConn has won 7 in a row, while covering 6 of those outings. The Under is 5-2 in the previous 7 contests.

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Stetson vs. UConn odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Stetson +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | UConn -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Stetson +26.5 (-110) | UConn -26.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Stetson vs. UConn picks and predictions

Prediction

UConn 85, Stetson 54

Moneyline

It shouldn’t need to be said, but UConn (-10000) is not worth pursuing in any way, shape or form, either straight or in a multi-team parlay. You would need to risk $100 to win just 10 cents on a moneyline play.

PASS.

Against the spread

UCONN -26.5 (-110) is the best team in the nation, and the No. 1 overall seed. It will get the job done against the undersized Hatters, and it should get off to a quick start in Brooklyn.

Again, we saw Stetson +26.5 (-110) take on a top seed in Houston earlier this season, and the Hatters were overwhelmed. It is happy to be there, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this game decided by 30 or more when the dust clears.

Look for the Hatters to get crowned by the defending champs.

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Over/Under

UNDER 146.5 (-115) is the play in this 1st-round mismatch.

It’s hard to imagine Stetson is going to be able to score much in the 1st half, and most of its points are likely going to come once the game has all but been decided.

Going back to that Houston game, Stetson managed just 48 points against the much bigger Cougars team. Expect more of the same here.

UConn split the Over-Under 3-3-1 in 7 games against non-Power 6 conference teams this season. But it allowed just 64.0 PPG overall, while limiting teams to only 39.8% from the field. It’s hard to imagine Stetson coming close to those totals.

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March Madness: Northwestern vs. FAU odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Northwestern vs. FAU odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Northwestern Wildcats (21-11) and FAU Owls (25-8) meet Friday for an NCAA Tournament 1st-round game. Tip-off from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Northwestern vs. FAU odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Northwestern lost 70-61 to No. 24 Wisconsin in its 1st game of the Big Ten Tournament, and the Wildcats are just 1-3 straight up (SU) in the past 4 games. On a positive note, 9th-seeded Northwestern is 10-4 against the spread (ATS) across the past 14 games since Jan. 24. The Under has cashed in 4 of the past 6 outings.

FAU is still smarting after falling 74-73 to Temple in the AAC Tournament semifinals as a 14-point favorite. It didn’t cost the Owls a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but it likely hurt its seeding. However, FAU is an 8-seed, which is its highest-ever seed in 3 all-time trips to the tournament. The Owls advanced to the Final Four last season as a 9-seed.

This is just the 2nd-ever meeting between these teams on the college hardwood. Northwestern won 69-59 in Evanston, Ill., on Nov. 21, 2005.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Northwestern vs. FAU odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:02 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Northwestern +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | FAU -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Against the spread: Northwestern +3.5 (-115) | FAU -3.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Northwestern vs. FAU picks and predictions

Prediction

FAU 74, Northwestern 71

Moneyline

FAU (-165) is worth a play on the moneyline, if you want action on the game, but don’t want to fiddle around with the points.

Northwestern (+135) has dropped 3 of the past 4 games, although the past 2 are against teams in the NCAA Tournament field, including Michigan State, which has already advanced to the 2nd round.

Against the spread

NORTHWESTERN +3.5 (-115) is worth playing in what could be a tight 8 vs. 9 game in Brooklyn to open Friday’s play.

FAU -3.5 (-105) opened as a 1.5-point favorite at most shops, and the money has come in on the Owls quite frequently, as a trip to the Final Four last season really caught the attention of the public.

The Owls will be without Tre Carroll, a key reserve, due to an elbow injury. However, the Wildcats are also dealing with an injury, as C Matthew Nicholson is out indefinitely due to a leg ailment.

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Over/Under

OVER 142.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

The Wildcats averaged just 74.1 PPG this season, which was rather middle of the road, as far as the rest of the country is concerned. And Northwestern allows 69.0 PPG, which is pretty good defensively, although it allowed the opposition to hit 35.5% from behind the 3-point line, and that’s a concern.

The Owls cashed the Over in both games of the AAC Tournament, and the total has gone high in 4 straight outings. FAU averaged 83.0 PPG in the regular season, and it hits triples at a 36.2% rate.

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

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March Madness: Nevada vs. Dayton odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Nevada vs. Dayton odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Nevada Wolf Pack (26-7) and Dayton Flyers (24-7) meet Thursday for an NCAA Tournament first-round game. Tip-off from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nevada vs. Dayton odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Nevada, the 10th seed in the West Region, won the final 7 games of the regular season, but it lost 85-78 against Colorado State in the 1st game of the Mountain West Tournament. Still, the Wolf Pack have posted an impressive 6-2 against the spread (ATS) mark in the past 8 games while going 9-3 ATS in the previous 12 outings. The Over has cashed in 6 in a row for the Pack.

No. 7 seed Dayton was stunned in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in the 1st game by Duquesne, which eventually went on to win the tourney. Still, UD has managed just a 3-3 straight up (SU) mark across the past 6 outings while going 2-5 ATS in the past 7 contests. The Over is on a 6-1 run for the Flyers.

This is the 1st time in school history that these teams have met each other on the hardwood.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Nevada vs. Dayton odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:40 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nevada -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Dayton +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Nevada -1.5 (-105) | Dayton +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Nevada vs. Dayton and predictions

Prediction

Nevada 75, Dayton 70

Moneyline

NEVADA (-120) is worth playing straight up, if you don’t want to fool around with the small amount of points.

The Wolf Pack are the lower seed, but the slight favorites. Nevada has been playing arguably better basketball than the Flyers, going 7-1 SU in the past 8 games, while going 10-2 SU in 12 games dating back to Feb. 2.

Dayton (+100) limped to the finish line of the regular season, dropping 3 of the final 8 games, while getting ousted by Duquesne in the A-10 quarterfinals last Thursday.

Against the spread

NEVADA -1.5 (-105) is slightly cheaper laying the little bit of points. Unless you’re dead set on Nevada winning, but only by a single point, then betting the moneyline over the spread makes sense. If not, save a little bit, and take Nevada to cover.

Dayton +1.5 (-115) is just 2-5 ATS in the past 7 games, while Nevada has managed an impressive 6-2 ATS mark in the previous 8 outings.

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Over/Under

OVER 136.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.

The Over has connected in 6 consecutive games for the Wolf Pack, with UNR going for 74 or more points in each of the past 7 contests.

The Over has been a frequent occurrence for the Flyers, too, cashing in 6 of the past 7 games, while going 10-4-1 in the past 15 outings.

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

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March Madness: Long Beach State vs. Arizona odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Long Beach State vs. Arizona odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Long Beach State Beach (21-14) and Arizona Wildcats (25-8) meet Thursday for an NCAA Tournament first-round game. Tip-off from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Long Beach State vs. Arizona odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Long Beach State, the 15th seed in the West Region, fired coach Dan Monson prior to the Big West Tournament, but allowed him to finish out the season. All he did was lead his team to a Big West Tournament championship, winning over UC Riverside, UC Irvine and UC Davis en route to a trophy. It also covered all 3 games while cashing the Over in 2 of the 3 outings.

Arizona secured the No. 2 seed in the West Region despite losing in the 2nd game of the Pac-12 Tournament March 15. The Under cashed in both of the tourney games while going 6-2 across the past 8 outings. Arizona is just 5-3 straight up (SU) in the 8-game span.

These teams meet for the 1st time since Nov. 24, 2019, a 104-67 win by the Wildcats. Arizona has won 5 straight meetings dating back to Nov. 19, 2012, going 4-1 against the spread (ATS) with the Over going 3-1-1 in the 5-game span.

Arizona is No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Long Beach State vs. Arizona odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Long Beach State +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300) | Arizona -3000 (bet $3,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Long Beach State +20.5 (-120) | Arizona -20.5 (+100)
Over/Under (O/U): 163.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Long Beach State vs. Arizona picks and predictions

Prediction

Arizona 94, Long Beach State 71

Moneyline

Arizona (-3000) will cost you 30 times your potential return, and there is never a reason to ever bet such a heavy favorite. You would need to risk $100 just to net $3.33 in profit. It makes no sense, even including Arizona as part of a multi-team parlay.

AVOID.

Against the spread

ARIZONA -20.5 (+100) is a decent play at even-money. Long Beach State +20.5 (-120) might be able to hang for 10-15 minutes, but look for the Wildcats to pull away, using their size to beat down the Beach.

C Oumar Ballo will especially be a handful down low, as Long Beach State just doesn’t have to size to match up with the 7-foot Malian center.

Arizona is 9-5 SU/ATS in 14 games against teams in the NCAA Tournament, while Long Beach State is 1-1 SU and 2-0 ATS in 2 games against tournament teams.

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Over/Under

OVER 163.5 (-110) is worth a look.

The Over has cashed in 3 of the past 4 games for Long Beach State, going for 74 or more points on offense in 5 in a row while allowing 70 or more points in 7 of the previous 8 contests.

Arizona was 1 of the highest scoring offenses in the nation, going for 89.5 PPG, while hitting at a 49.2% clip from the field and 37.4% mark from behind the arc. Defensively, Arizona allowed 73.2 PPG, which was in the bottom 3rd in the nation. The Wildcats score plenty, and allow plenty, leading to frequent Over results.

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

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March Madness: Grambling vs. Montana State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Grambling vs. Montana State odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Grambling Tigers (20-14) and Montana State Bobcats (17-17) play for the 16th seed in the Midwest Region when they meet in an NCAA Tournament First Four game Wednesday. Tip-off from UD Arena in Dayton is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Grambling vs. Montana State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

Grambling won the SWAC Tournament with a convincing 75-66 victory against Texas Southern in the final Saturday. Grambling covered all 3 games en route to the SWAC title, and it is 9-1 straight up (SU) across the past 10 games, with only an OT loss at Alabama State in the regular-season finale March 9 as the only setback. Grambling is 7-3 against the spread (ATS) in the past 10 games.

Montana State won the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 5 seed, topping Weber State, Sacramento State and rival Montana for the automatic bid. The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS in the past 6 games while cashing the Over in 4 of the previous 5 contests.

– Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Grambling vs. Montana State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Grambling +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Montana State -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Grambling +3.5 (-110) | Montana State -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Grambling vs. Montana State and predictions

Prediction

Montana State 71, Grambling 66

Moneyline

Montana State (-175) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and it is too expensive as a standalone wager in this First Four battle. However, if you were to include the Bobcats as part of a multi-team parlay, it’s not terribly priced out of line.

AVOID as a singular wager.

Against the spread

MONTANA STATE -3.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly in Dayton. The Bobcats have covered 5 of the past 6 games, and they caught fire shooting against Montana in the 2nd half of the Big Sky title game.

Grambling +3.5 (-110) won’t be satisfied just to get to the First Four, but it has already made history just by getting to Dayton. It was 1 of just 2 SWAC teams which hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament until qualifying this season.

The Tigers are a tempting play, as they’re 7-1 ATS in the past 8 tries as underdogs, but the Bobcats streak in with a little more confidence and better 3-point shooting, which will be key.

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Over/Under

OVER 134.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most. We’ll likely get some nerves, as this is the 1st game to tip off Wednesday night. It generally takes teams a little while to get a lay of the land at UD Arena before the shots start falling.

The Over has a slight 3-2 advantage in the past 5 games for Grambling, while the total went high in all 3 Big Sky tourney games for Montana State while cashing at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 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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