Ricky Dimon
NCAAB
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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 two rounds having come and gone, let’s take another daily in-depth look at the Big Dance by previewing this weekend’s Sweet 16 action.
Line movements
Move for the favorite
Alabama -4.5 to -6 vs. UCLA
USC -1 to -2.5 vs. Oregon
Baylor -6.5 to -7.5 vs. Villanova
Move for the underdog
Oregon State +7 to +6 vs. Loyola Chicago
Move for the over
Baylor-Villanova 138 to 140.5
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
In the previous March Madness daily update we focused on Houston vs. Syracuse and Baylor vs. Villanova. In this piece we will discuss Arkansas vs. Oral Roberts and Alabama vs. UCLA.
Oral Roberts +11.5 vs. Arkansas
The public is all over Oral Roberts in Saturday’s matchup with Houston, a No. 3 vs. No. 15 meeting in the South Region. A total of 72 percent of the money and 78 percent of the bets are coming in on the Golden Eagles +11.5. Bettors are also sprinkling a few bucks on the money line, with 72 percent of the handle and 63 percent of the wagers taking Oral Roberts to win outright at +440.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles preview and picks
Alabama vs. UCLA Over 142.5
Punters are also hammering the over in Sunday’s battle between Alabama and UCLA, a No. 2 vs. No. 11 meeting in the East Region. With 83 percent of the bets coming in on Over 142.5, 88 percent of the handle is going in that direction.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. UCLA Bruins preview and picks
Stat of the Day
13 – The number of times Oregon State has been an underdog in its last 13 games.
The Beavers will be underdogs (+6) for the 14th time in the span of 15 games when they face Loyola Chicago in the Sweet 16 on Saturday. In its previous 13 as a ‘dog, Oregon State is 11-2 ATS. Head coach Wayne Tinkle’s team is 5-0 SU in its last five, as well, having won the Pac-12 Tournament prior to beating Tennessee and Oklahoma State in the Big Dance.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Oregon State Beavers preview and picks
Quote of the Day
“You gotta like it when [Jesuit schools] have basketball teams that are at the Big Dance. People from Omaha, people from Spokane…it’s like we don’t have to back down to New York or Los Angeles or anybody…. As it is, unfortunately the Zags are going to have to eliminate Creighton.”
— Father Pat Conroy, a Jesuit priest at Gonzaga, in advance of Sunday’s all-Jesuit showdown between the Zags and Bluejays.
Gonzaga and Creighton are two of only 28 Jesuit schools in the country. The last such program to win the National Championship was Georgetown in 1984. As Conroy mentioned, Gonzaga especially has no reason to back down from anyone on the basketball court. The Bulldogs are undefeated (28-0) and favored at +150 to win the title. They are -13.5 favorites over Creighton in the Sweet 16.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Creighton Bluejays preview and picks
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