March Madness daily update: Colorado vs. Georgetown a battle of teams in fine form

Colorado Buffaloes forward Evan Battey reacts to play against the UCLA Bruins.
Photo of Ricky Dimon

Ricky Dimon

NCAAB

Show Bio

Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me.

From now through the end of March Madness, we will be providing a daily update with everything you need to know about the NCAA Tournament. Covering line movements to betting trends, statistics, quotes, and more, we will provide you with everything you need to know about all of happenings in Indiana.

With the First Four underway and less than 24 hours away from the real madness, let’s take our third daily in-depth look at the Big Dance. In addition to helping you fill out your bracket before the festivities begin, we also want to help you make the best possible bets each day during the tournament.

Line movements

Check out our daily in depth line movement analysis, but here is a quick summary:

Move for the favorite

San Diego State -2 to -3 vs. Syracuse
West Virginia -12 to -13 vs. Morehead State
Tennessee -7.5 to -8.5 vs. Oregon State
Colorado -5 to -6.5 vs. Georgetown
Loyola Chicago -2 to -5.5 vs. Georgia Tech

Move for the underdog
Ohio +9.5 to +7.5 vs. Virginia
Liberty +9.5 to +7.5 vs. Oklahoma State
Colgate +10 to +8.5 vs. Arkansas
Missouri +2 to +1 vs. Oklahoma
VCU +6 to +5 vs. Oregon

Move for the over
Villanova-Winthrop total 138.5 to 142.5
Arkansas-Colgate total 157.5 to 161.5
Kansas-Eastern Washington total 142.5 to 146.5
Alabama-Iona total 145.5 to 147
Purdue-North Texas 125 to 126.5

Move for the under
Oklahoma State-Liberty total 142.5 to 139.5
Florida-Virginia Tech total 137.5 to 135.5
Creighton-UCSB total 140.5 to 138.5
Oklahoma-Missouri 141 to 139.5
Virginia-Ohio 132 to 131
Arkansas-Colgate 162 to 161
Illinois-Drexel 144.5 to 143.5
Texas Tech-Utah State 132 to 131
Tennessee-Oregon State 133.5 to 131
North Carolina-Wisconsin 139.5 to 137.5

Public Money

In Wednesday’s March Madness daily update, we noted that bettors like Purdue -7.5 against North Texas. That still hasn’t changed, with 82 percent of the handle and 85 percent of the bets backing the Boilermakers to cover the spread. Even though the money line has increased from -315 to -335, Purdue is still drawing 90 percent of the handle and 92 percent of the wagers for an outright win.

Another Friday game getting plenty of attention is Villanova vs. Winthrop. The Wildcats are without point guard Collin Gillespie, which is a big reason why the Eagles are inspiring 70 percent of the money and 76 percent of the wagers against the spread (+6). Bettors also love the over. A total of 94 percent of the handle despite a more modest 71 percent of the bets are hammering Over 143.

In Thursday’s daily public money update across all sports, we also discussed the public’s enthusiasm for Michigan State. We touched on several other games in our March Madness public money update.

Purdue vs. North Texas preview and picks

Villanova vs. Winthrop preview and picks

Stat of the Day

17.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 blocks per game – Moses Wright’s season averages for Georgia Tech

Those numbers earned Wright ACC Player of the Year honors. He helped lead the Yellow Jackets to an improbable ACC Tournament title, but the star big man won’t be around for their first game in the Big Dance. Reportedly due to a positive Covid-19 test, Wright will miss Friday’s contest against Loyola Chicago and he would also be sidelined from a potential second-round date with either Illinois or Drexel.

Loyola Chicago vs. Georgia Tech preview and picks

Quote of the Day

I’m glad we don’t play until Saturday. It gives us some time to kind of recoup, and there’s some grieving that’s going on with this team regarding the loss (to Oregon State in the Pac-12 Tournament Final) and not winning a championship—which is what we were all set on doing. But we’ll get over that. We’ll give ourselves a day or two and start getting ready for Georgetown.”
          — Colorado head coach Tad Boyle

“The task is still the same; there’s nothing different. The only difference is we’re in the NCAA tournament…. Why can we make a run? We believe in ourselves. We have worked hard to get to this point in the season. Anything is possible.”
— Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing

Saturday’s Colorado vs. Georgetown showdown features two teams that advanced to their respective conference tournament finals. As Boyle referenced, the Buffaloes were upset by Oregon State in the Pac-12. Ewing’s Hoyas rolled to an improbable Big East title.

Colorado vs. Georgetown preview and picks

Pickswise is the home of March Madness Predictions. Check out all of our March Madness Picks, including daily March Madness Parlays throughout the NCAA Tournament.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Bet on CBB Tournament and get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
Get a $1,000 No Sweat Bet on any CBB Tournament Game!

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook

New customers get their first bet paid back in bonus bets up to $1,000 if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ any College Basketball Pre-Game ML And Get $150 in Bonus Bets if your Team Wins

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any pre-game ML

Get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com..
Unibet
Virginia Bettors- Get a $100 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get refunded up if you lose up to $100

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
bet365
Bet $1 on the CBB Tournament and Get $365 in Bonus Bets at bet365!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $365 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 on the CBB Tournament & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get a $500 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code PICKSWISE

Make your first deposit & get up to $500 in free bets

To get $500 in free bets, wager $500

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet on the CBB Tournament Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus When you bet on the CBB Tournament

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win your CBB Tournament Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
DraftKings
Get a +1000 Odds Boost for Any Golfer to Win The Masters

Create a New DraftKings Account

Make Your First Deposit Of $5+ Into Your Sportsbook Account

Following Sign Up, You’ll Be Issued With One (1) Single-Use +1000 Odds Surge Token For Any Golfer To Win Any Tournament

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus with Twinspires Racebook!

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.