March Madness daily update: Contrast in styles between Alabama and UCLA

Alabama Crimson Tide guard Jaden Shackelford (5) and guard Joshua Primo (11) react after a play against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
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Ricky Dimon

NCAAB

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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 Sweet 16 halfway over, let’s take another daily in-depth look at the Big Dance by previewing Sunday’s action.

Line movements

Move for the favorite
Alabama -4.5 to -6 vs. UCLA
USC -1 to -2.5 vs. Oregon

Move for the over
Alabama-UCLA 143.5 to 145.5

Move for the under
Michigan-Florida State 146 to 143.5

Be sure to check out our in-depth line movement summary.

Public Money

Let’s take one last look at where the money is going in advance of Sunday’s Sweet 16 showdowns.

Gonzaga -13 vs. Creighton

The public is all over Gonzaga in its upcoming matchup with Creighton, a No. 1 vs. No. 5 meeting in the West Region. A total of 71 percent of the money and 71 percent of the bets are coming in on the Bulldogs -13. Bettors are also sprinkling a few bucks on the money -1000 money line, with 66 percent of the handle and 75 percent of the wagers taking Gonzaga to win outright.

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays preview and picks

USC -2 vs. Oregon

Punters are also hammering USC in this Pac-12 battle with Oregon, a No. 6 vs. No. 7 meeting in the West Region. With 75 percent of the wagers going in the direction of the Ducks -2, 75 percent of the money is doing the same.

USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks preview and picks

Mar 1, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Chris Duarte (5) dribbles the ball as Arizona Wildcats guard Bennedict Mathurin (0) defends during the second half at Matthew Knight Arena.

Stats of the Day

73.7 – Alabama’s possessions per game (24th in the nation)

66.2 – UCLA’s possessions per game (305th in the nation)

Sunday’s contest between Alabama and UCLA will be an interesting contrast of styles that may be decided by which team controls the temp. The Crimson Tide obviously want to run up and down the floor, while the Bruins will try to turn this into a half-court game.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. UCLA Bruins preview and picks

Quote of the Day

“Our relationship runs deep. The respect that I have for (Leonard Hamilton) as a man, as a father, and also as a coach, obviously, during his time coaching University of Miami as well as Florida State…. He’s had amazing success, great knowledge for the game of basketball, people, and his resume speaks for himself. Our conversations were very good. I learned a lot. I will continue to use coach Hamilton as a mentor, a father figure, an example of what great successful coaches look like on this collegiate level.”
— Michigan head coach Juwan Howard on Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton

Howard played for Hamilton in the latter’s lone season in the NBA (Hamilton was at the helm of the Washington Wizards in 2000-01, in between stints at Miami and Florida State. Howard’s Wolverines and Hamilton’s Seminoles will square off in the Sweet 16 on Sunday, when their friendship will have to be put on hold for at least 40 minutes of basketball.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Florida State Seminoles 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.

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