Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 tips off on Saturday and continues on Sunday. March Madness has already been completely mad and hopefully for entertainment purposes that continues this weekend. Let’s take a look at where some of the money has gone to sway certain lines one way or the other.
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
Loyola Chicago vs. Oregon State ATS
Loyola Chicago opened as a -7 favorite but is now giving six points to Oregon State at most books. The public has surely impressed with the way Oregon State has played over the past two weeks. After making a surprise run to the Pac-12 Tournament title, the Beavers knocked off No. 5 seed Tennessee and No. 4 Oklahoma State in the first two rounds of the Big Dance. And Oklahoma State was also one of the hottest teams around. Loyola Chicago generally gets the job done with defense as opposed to offense, so even if the Beavers lose they would have a good chance of covering in a low-scoring contest.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Oregon State Beavers preview and picks
Baylor vs. Villanova ATS
It has been slow going, but the line on Saturday’s showdown between Baylor and Villanova has finally gone up a point in favor of the Bears (-6.5 to -7.5). The Wildcats have done well to advance two rounds without guard Collin Gillespie, but the competition was unspectacular in the form of Winthrop and North Texas. Needless to say, Villanova’s favorable draw has come to an end. Baylor is the No. 2 overall seed in the Big Dance and could very well be undefeated along with Gonzaga if not for its coronavirus pause last month. The Bears just beat Wisconsin by 13 after leading by as many as 18, and it would be fair to argue that a Gillespie-less ‘Nova team is not much better than Wisconsin.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears preview and picks
Michigan vs. Florida State Game Totals
One Sunday game that has seen considerable movement is Michigan vs. Florida State, the only No. 1 vs. No. 4 battle on the entire Sweet 16 schedule. The total opened at 146 but has since fallen off a relative cliff down to 143.5. Florida State just held Colorado to 53 points, one game after the Buffaloes erupted for 96 points against Georgetown. As usual, the Seminoles are incredibly long and athletic on the defensive end of the floor. Michigan, meanwhile, is still missing second-leading scorer Isaiah Livers.
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.
