Tag: UAB Blazers

March Madness: Friday’s best first-round underdog picks and predictions

Beat the Sportsbook: Here’s Friday’s 3 best underdog bets for the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

Being a proud alum of George Mason University, I know a thing or two about a Cinderella story. “By George, the dream is alive” are words that echo through my mind every year during this tournament.

Did you forget about 2022 when 15-seed Saint Peter’s went on an amazing run to the Elite 8. They took down 2-seed Kentucky, 7-seed Murray State and 3-seed Purdue before finally falling to the 8th-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels.

There will be upsets during this tournament, but when will they happen? That’s the question on everyone’s mind and what I aim to uncover here.

Below, we break down BetMGM Sportsbook’s (OR FanDuel Sportsbook’s) NCAA Tournament odds and lines and list Friday’s best 1st-round upset bets to cash in on among SportbookWire’s expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Can you survive? USA TODAY Sports’ Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament Survivor Pools are here with a $2,500 prize for each contest! Free to enter, 21+. Terms apply, void where prohibited by law. See Official Rules. Play now!

NCAA Tournament best Friday first-round underdog picks

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 4:03 p.m. ET. All game times ET; ML = moneyline.

JAMES MADISON (+176) vs. Wisconsin – 9:40 p.m.

The Dukes are one of only 4 teams in the country to win 30 games this season. Their 31st victory came in the Sun Belt Tournament title game, 91-71 over Arkansas State. They are led by Sun Belt player of the year Terrence Edwards Jr., who averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. James Madison won 16 of their last 17 games, which includes a current 13 game win streak.

Wisconsin limped to the finish of the regular season, losing 3 of their last 4 games before making a run to the Big Ten Tournament title game. The Badgers were 3-9 away from Madison this season.

In the past 40 years, there have been 53 No. 12 over No. 5 seed upsets. This is crazy to think about, we’ve had as many years without a 12-over-5 upset as we’ve had 3 12-over-5 upsets in the tournament.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

UAB (+240) vs. San Diego State – 1:45 p.m.

The Blazers won their final 5 games including 3 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to earn their ticket to the Big Dance. UAB beat  Wichita State, South Florida and then Temple in the title game 85-69. They are led by 1st-team All AAC player Yaxel Lendeborg, who averaged 13.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. UAB is one of the nation’s best at drawing fouls and making free throws. They were 2-1 against Top 25 teams this season.

San Diego State was inconsistent down the stretch, going 4-4 over their final 8 games of the regular season. This team is known for playing tough defensively which could get them into foul trouble in this matchup. They are one of the best teams in the country at guarding the 3, but UAB is not known for their outside shooting. The Aztecs offense can be inconsistent which can be a problem in this tournament.

I already gave you all the stats on why we love a 12-over-5 seed in this tournament.

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

UTAH STATE (+146) vs. TCU – 9:55 p.m.

Utah State had won 7 straight games before falling in the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament 86-70 to San Diego State. First-team All Mountain West player Great Osobor averaged 18 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and shot nearly 60% from the field. He should have his way on the interior against a TCU defense which struggles in the paint. The Aggies were 2-0 against teams in the Top 25 this season.

The Horned Frogs lost 3 of their last 4 games of the regular season before falling in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament 60-45 to Houston.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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

Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

6 things to know about Georgia football’s opponent: UAB

UAB is a more familiar opponent for Georgia football than you may think.

The Georgia Bulldogs (3-0) host the UAB Blazers (1-2) on Sept. 23. The game will be Georgia’s fourth straight home game to start the 2023 college football season.

The Georgia-UAB game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.

The defending back-to-back national champions are coming off a 24-14 home win over South Carolina. Georgia is 3-0, but still looking for a complete performance.

Georgia has won 21 straight home games entering the UAB game. The Blazers last traveled to Athens, Georgia, in 2021. Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck actually played a fair amount against the Blazers back in 2021.

What should Georgia football fans know about UAB?

Alabama transfer portal target Jaylen Key set to be in Tuscaloosa on Monday

Alabama to host transfer portal target Jaylen Key on Monday!

I am not sure there is anything more headline-dominating in college football than the NCAA transfer portal. [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide are not exempt from the conversation.

Alabama has lost its fair share of players to the portal but has also gained some very impactful players from the abyss.

On Monday, Alabama is expected to host one such portal prospect in former UAB Blazer Jaylen Key.

Jaylen Key announced on Sunday evening on his Twitter account that he would be in Tuscaloosa the following day.

Key is one of the most coveted defensive back prospects in the portal after having a spectacular season in 2022 for the Blazers where he accumulated 60 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions from his safety position.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitor Jaylen’s portal status and will provide an update when it becomes available!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

[mm-video type=video id=01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf/01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf-960ba811c97e8ebaaa0d6b320d8ab805.jpg]

Alabama lands in top 6 for UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key recently took a visit to Alabama. Key has narrowed his list down to six finalists with Alabama being included among others.

UAB safety transfer Jaylen Key is down to six schools: Alabama, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Florida State, Oregon, and North Carolina. He recently took an unofficial visit to Alabama last week.

Key has spent the past five seasons playing for the Blazers. During that stretch, he has recorded 78 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. As a redshirt-junior, Key was listed as a All-Conference USA Honorable Mention.

He is recently visited to Ole Miss. At this time, we can not confirm if Key plans to take any other visits.

With Alabama losing three safeties, DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, and Jordan Battle to the NFL draft, it could open up an opportunity for the Tallahassee native to see some playing time.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama football program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[mm-video type=video id=01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf/01gzbxw8bn5vhvb98gpf-960ba811c97e8ebaaa0d6b320d8ab805.jpg]

5 reasons UAB RB DeWayne McBride will excite Vikings fans

The Minnesota Vikings drafted a player in Dewayne McBride in round 7 that they believe can be a starter. @TheKevinFielder has the details.

With the uncertainty around Dalvin Cook’s future, the Minnesota Vikings were expected to be in the running back market during the 2023 NFL Draft.

With the 222nd overall pick in the draft, the Vikings selected UAB running back Dewayne McBride.

According to Pro Football Network’s Consensus Big Board, McBride was the RB12 in this year’s draft. He was ranked 139th overall, meaning the Vikings got solid value in the seventh round.

Here are five reasons why DeWayne McBride should excite Vikings fans.

Oklahoma offers rising star in 2025 TE prospect DaSaahn Brame

Oklahoma is one of the early schools to offer a potential national recruit in 2025 TE prospect DaSaahn Brame from Kansas.

Oklahoma’s focus is squarely on recruiting and building another top-five class with the class of 2024 to complement the top-five class they built in the 2023 recruiting cycle. However, they still need to be cognizant of building and nurturing relationships with the class of 2025. In the blink of an eye, the 2025 prospects will be the next prospects up and ready to make those final decisions.

The Sooners want to position themselves early in the fight, and that starts years in advance. Oklahoma knows this, and it’s precisely why they offered a rising star in 2025 prospect DaSaahn Brame. Brame is a tight-end prospect with impressive measurables.

Brame stands 6-foot-6 and is over 220 pounds as a sophomore. He’s a massive mismatch for opposing defenses simply because of his size and his athleticism. For an Oklahoma team that has an offensive coordinator in Jeff Lebby, that loves size in the passing game, Brame fits the Oklahoma offense to a tee.

Brame hails from Derby, Kansas, and is the son of not one but two former Kansas State athletes. Kansas State figures to be a big force in his recruitment because of this, and it will be hard to pull him out of the Sunflower State. However a player of his caliber is worth the effort.

Brame confirmed to 247Sports that he will be taking an unofficial visit to Norman on March 25th.

DaSaahn Brame’s Recruiting Profile

Hudl

Kevin Mawae replaces Trent Dilfer at Nashville high school

The former LSU star has found a new home.

A former LSU standout and pro football hall of famer is taking a new job heading up a Nashville high school.

[autotag]Kevin Mawae[/autotag], who played offensive line for LSU in the ’90s, is set to lead Lipscomb Academy. He replaces former NFL QB Trent Dilfer, who took the UAB job late last year.

Lipscomb Academy went 13-0 under Dilfer last year. According to a report, it also targeted former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

Mawae spent the last couple of years on the Indianapolis Colts staff. Prior to that, he was an offensive analyst at Arizona State.  In the past, LSU fans suggested he could eventually end up in Baton Rouge, but LSU’s offensive line is in good shape with Brad Davis.

Mawae earned all-conference and All-American honors while at LSU. In the NFL, he played for the Seahawks, Jets and Titans. He was First-Team All-Pro on seven occasions and made eight Pro Bowls.

[mm-video type=video id=01gq6ggxfx33kgp0546z playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gq6ggxfx33kgp0546z/01gq6ggxfx33kgp0546z-d2aead9a153e0cba3aea759fc65febc0.jpg]

[listicle id=63171]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Former Alabama analyst Alex Mortensen hired as UAB’s new offensive coordinator

Alabama analyst Alex Mortensen was recently hired by UAB head coach Trent Dilfer to be the team’s new offensive coordinator.

Alabama football analyst Alex Mortensen was recently hired to become UAB’s new offensive coordinator.

The news comes days after the Blazers announced that they were hiring NFL quarterback guru Trent Dilfer as their next head coach.

Mortensen had two different stints at Alabama. The son of NFL insider Chris Mortensen originally joined the staff as a graduate assistant in 2014. He would remain with the team until 2018 when he was hired to be the wide receivers coach for the Birmingham Iron of the American Alliance Football League.

After the league ended after just one season, Mortensen returned to Alabama to be an analyst. He spent the next four years as an analyst on Nick Saban’s staff.

Now, the former Arkansas quarterback will be able to call his own plays as UAB’s offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how he fairs in a larger role at a new program.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Mortensen’s coaching career as well as other former Nick Saban assitants that coached at Alabama.

[mm-video type=video id=01gfryjanzw75451km3d playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gfryjanzw75451km3d/01gfryjanzw75451km3d-3e430ab583ecf5cb4529c3055785acea.jpg]

[listicle id=60217]

[listicle id=60270]

Brian Kelly talks about Noah Cain’s breakout night

Cain, a transfer from Penn State, scored three touchdowns in what was his best game in a Tigers uniform.

[autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag] spent three years at Penn State before deciding that there’s no place like home and coming back to Baton Rouge. Cain has played 11 games this season and started in one of those games. He’s carried the ball 54 times for 296 yards and seven touchdowns.

On Saturday night against the UAB Blazers, he had one of the best games of his short LSU career as he scored three touchdowns. Cain ran the ball 13 times for 76 yards, which wasn’t a season-high as far as yards, but three touchdowns are the most he has scored in one game.

According to [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], he always had faith in him.

“Opportunity. It’s just a crowded backfield, and you look at that across college football there’s really good backs that sometimes don’t get the carries, but when they get their opportunity make the best of it. He did, we’ve always had faith in him. He’s a kid that wanted to come back to Louisiana, and it’s great to see him on this night, last opportunity in Tiger Stadium this year… have the kind of game that he had.”

Cain might receive a higher workload than usual against Texas A&M as the running back room deals with a few injuries.

[mm-video type=video id=01gjbb70q2veexkqf85z playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gjbb70q2veexkqf85z/01gjbb70q2veexkqf85z-b68ebd99e4d9dc8d202eb86f82c5e847.jpg]

[listicle id=60989]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Breaking down the SEC standings entering the final week of the regular season

Week 12 saw some shakeup in the standings even though both divisions have been clinched.

It’s hard to believe the 2022 regular season is almost in the books, but there’s only one more week of action before we reach conference championship weekend, where LSU will face Georgia in Atlanta with an SEC title (and potential CFP spot for the Tigers) on the line.

After clinching the SEC West, the Tigers had the week off from conference play and won 41-10 against UAB on Senior Night. They will wrap up their SEC slate next weekend on the road against Texas A&M.

Several teams have already finished their conference gauntlets, while others will close things out next weekend. Regardless, only pride will be at stake next weekend as far as the SEC divisional races go, as both have already been clinched.

Here’s how the SEC standings look after Week 12.