It wasn’t the “blueblood” program everyone was expecting to win it all in 2023, but the UConn Huskies capped the most unpredictable of NCAA tournaments by beating San Diego State 76-59 on Monday night. Now that the final is in the books, there’s no better time than the present to look forward to next year.

Sportsbooks have already released the odds to win the NCAA Tournament in 2024, and the shortest odds belong to the Duke Blue Devils at +1000, followed by Kentucky (+1200) and UConn (+1400).

No team has repeated as champions since Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007, the only school to win the NCAA tournament twice in a row in the last 30 years. Next year’s tournament will begin on March 19th and conclude with the championship game on April 8th, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

2024 NCAA Tournament Champion Odds

Odds as of April 3rd at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

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Duke Favored to Win March Madness in 2024

Inevitably, there will be departures and additions, but it’s the returnees, that can bring Duke back to national prominence and give Jon Scheyer some credibility in his 2nd season after taking over for Blue Devils’ legend, Mike Krzyzewski.

Leading scorer, Kyle Filipowski is fully expected to declare for the NBA Draft, but it’s the backcourt combination that has many expecting big things for this team next season.

Tyrese Proctor and Jeremy Roach finished 2nd and 3rd on the squad in scoring and helped the team win 10 in a row down the stretch before their offense fell short in the Round of 32, going down 65-52 to Tennessee.

Tyrese Proctor is BACK! 👀

The Duke guard announced he is returning for his sophomore year 👏 pic.twitter.com/vdxRsYfn8W

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 27, 2023

The lure of playing for Duke is always strong, so expect them to hit big in the transfer portal. Add in a strong recruiting class, headlined by talented big wing Mackenzie Mgbako who has already committed, and you have the makings of a championship caliber squad.

Can UConn Go Back-To-Back?

What a statement Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies made this season. It was just a short while ago that this once proud program seemed to be in tatters, finishing with more losses than wins three times in a row.

Time to turn the page. Not only did the Huskies win the 2023 NCAA tournament, they smashed every team along the way, covering the spread every single time in the college basketball odds, with their slimmest margin of victory coming by 13 points.

Granted, their two best players, Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo may both feel they have nothing left to prove at the college level, but that’s not a guarantee, and Hurley will still have reinforcements.

Rising sophomore Donovan Clingan, has the potential to be an All-American and looked terrific at times as a freshman. Add in the presence of a loaded freshman class headlined by combo guard Stephon Castle, and the upside here is obvious. Especially if Hawkins and/or Sanogo return.

Calipari Loading Up Like The Old Days

Finally, let’s talk about Kentucky. It appears as though the one and done nature that made John Calipari’s teams so spectacular for so many years in a row will return in 2023.

Kentucky with three of the top four recruits in the McDonalds game.
Coach Cal not messing around..

— Alan Covington (@Alan_Covington) March 29, 2023

One glance at the ESPN top 100 recruiting list reveals that the Wildcats have three of the top four high school players in the country signed to play for them next season. By far, Kentucky has the best freshmen class for next year.

Guard D.J. Wagner and wing Justin Edwards are expected to make big contributions right away. There is also tremendous defensive upside with the two-headed monster of freshman Aaron Bradshaw and sophomore Ugonna Onyenso in tow to block shots.

After not making it past the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament for the last four years, it appears as if Coach Cal has had enough and will be intent on bringing respect back to Kentucky next year.

The post Opening 2024 NCAA Tournament Odds Favor Duke; UConn +1400 to Repeat appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

If past results were a determining factor, then the March Madness national championship game would be a slam dunk for the Connecticut Huskies (30-8, 26-11-1 ATS) over the San Diego State Aztecs (32-6, 19-16-2 ATS).

Connecticut is a four-time NCAA champion, tying the Huskies with Kansas for the sixth-most titles won. This is their fifth visit to the Final Four and fourth appearance in the title game since 2004.

On the other hand, this is all new for the Aztecs. They’d never advanced beyond the Elite Eight prior to this season.

Oddsmakers are certainly leaning toward the Huskies to be solid victors in this game. Connecticut is set as 7-point favorites. The Huskies are 5-0 against the spread in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Aztecs vs Huskies Odds

UConn beat San Diego State 74-67 in the Sweet 16 en route to the school’s 2011 NCAA Tournament title. The 7-point spread is the largest on a March Madness final since 2009. North Carolina beat Michigan State 89-72 that year, covering as the 7.5-point chalk. That game was also played inside an indoor NFL stadium at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Tip-off for this game is set for 9:20pm ET on Monday, April 3 at NRG Stadium. The game is being carried by CBS in the USA and TSN in Canada.

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Aztecs vs Huskies Betting Trends

The #4  seed in the West Region, Connecticut was the betting favorite in the March Madness odds entering the Elite Eight and people are seeing no reason not to sled with the Huskies all the way. In the March Madness betting trends, Connecticut is drawing 79% of handle and 73% of bets in the spread splits. Moneyline splits, though, are less supportive. The Huskies are garnering 56% of handle and 58% of bets.

There’s a difference of opinion regarding the total of 132.5 points. While 55% of handle is backing the over, 80% of bets are going with the under. Three of Connecticut’s last four games have gone under. San Diego State’s 72-71 semifinal win over FAU marked the first time in 13 games that an Aztecs game has gone over.

San Diego State vs Connecticut Injury Report

Connecticut starting guard Jordan Hawkins (food poisoning) is listed as probable. However, he was given the same injury designation for the semifinal against Miami. Hawkins not only started that game, he finished up scoring 13 points.

San Diego State is reporting no injuries.

UConn a Dominant Force

Connecticut isn’t just winning NCAA Tournament games, the Huskies are absolutely steamrolling over the opposition. They’ve won all five games so far by no less than 13 points.

The Huskies beat Gonzaga by 28, Arkansas by 23 and Iona by 24. Connecticut’s average margin of victory during March Madness is 20.6 points per game.

Teams reaching the title game winning by double digits each game (since 1985):
Michigan St. 2000
Duke 2001
North Carolina 2009
North Carolina 2016
Villanova 2018
UConn 2023

All won the title except 2016 UNC.

— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) April 2, 2023

Hawkins has hit 19 3-pointers during the NCAA Tournament. Center Adama Sanogo delivered a double-double in the semifinals with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Aztecs Are Cardiac Kids

San Diego State is arriving at the title game off back-to-back buzzer-beating victories. In their 72-71 semifinal win over FAU, Lamont Butler’s buzzer beater made San Diego State the first school in Final Four history to win on a buzzer beater while trailing in the game.

POV: You're a San Diego State fan watching the Aztecs hit a buzzer beater to advance to the National Championship 👀#MarchMadness @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/zheVeQsLTe

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023

Along with seeking the school’s first NCAA Title, the Aztecs are also trying to bring the Mountain West Conference its first March Madness crown.

Balanced scoring is helping the Aztecs along the way. They’ve had four different top scorers in five NCAA tourney games.

San Diego State vs UConn Prediction

Since the NCAA Tournament went to its 64-team format in 1985, teams favored by 7+ points are 5-4 straight up and 3-6 ATS. However, on the last four occasions in that scenario, favorites are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS.

Connecticut is simply a team with too many weapons. The Huskies are scoring 78.6 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. San Diego State will seek to utilize its defensive prowess to keep the score close, but it’s unlikely that the Aztecs can score enough to overcome the Huskies. UConn held Miami to a season-low 59 points in the semifinals.

Pick: UConn Huskies -7 (-110)

The post UConn vs San Diego State Odds, Predictions & Injury Report for National Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Hands up if your preseason March Madness odds had the UConn Huskies taking on the San Diego State Aztecs in the NCAA Tournament Final.

Perhaps in theory, but hard to imagine anyone had money on either UConn (+7500) or SDSU (+6000) and those distant preseason odds eventually winding to the title final in Houston.

Thankfully, we aren’t barred from betting on the big game, and can really cash in if we look at the player prop market.

Don’t forget to check the UConn vs SDSU preview, but let’s dive into the props and share a few of our favorite picks.

UConn vs San Diego State Player Props

Only two players have a scoring total set in double digits, and they’re both Huskies: big man Adama Sanogo (15.5) and Jordan Hawkins (14.5).

Sanogo also has the highest rebound total at 7.5, but a pair of Aztecs, Jaedon LeDee and Nathan Mensah are also expected to have a decent rebounding output with each set at 5.5.

We’re going to focus our attention on some props that seem to overlook what’s been transpiring on the court, beginning with a senior guard who’s been strong on the glass despite his 5’10” frame.

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Odds as of  April 3 at DraftKings Sportsbook. See the list of March Madness betting apps.

UConn vs SDSU Prop #1: Darrion Trammell Rebounds

Save for a 25-point blowout win over Furman, Trammell has been a boon on the glass for San Diego State, crossing his total for the title game four times in five tournament games.

He grabbed five rebounds each in a Sweet 16 win over Alabama and an Elite 8 victory over Creighton. Trammell’s scoring has been good, too scoring a tourney-high 21 against ‘Bama, 13 points vs Furman in Round 2 and 12 against Creighton.

Darrion Trammell came up BIG in @Aztec_MBB's upset win over Alabama 💪#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hbi4xfr56O

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2023

That’s been sandwiched in between just five points in a First Round win over Charleston and five against FAU in the Final Four. The scoring bounce back is definitely possible against the Huskies, with a 9.5 total set, but we’ll stick with the consistent board work for the win.

Pick: Darrion Trammell OVER 2.5 Rebounds (-105) 

UConn vs SDSU Prop #2: Adama Sanogo Rebounds

You’ve got to believe the books overlooked this one, or they are confident San Diego State’s game plan will be centered on containing the UConn big man.

The Huskies are 10th in rebounding in the NCAA, while the Aztecs check in at 83rd. Sanogo is a big part of that stat, and he’s been a beast all tournament, registering three double-doubles during March Madness, and grabbing at least eight boards in every game of the tournament.

Adama Sanogo is the first UConn player with 100+ points and 40+ rebounds in a single Men's NCAA Tournament pic.twitter.com/FjKQuAZxNb

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 2, 2023

He’s coming off a brilliant 25-point, 10-rebound, 2-block night in the domination of Miami in the Final Four, after a 10-point, 10-board outing in a blowout of Gonzaga in the Elite Eight.

SDSU has at least four regulars that check in at 6’7″ or taller, and their defense is legit, so they’ll throw every wrinkle possible at Sanogo to slow him down. While it might help slow his scoring, Sango should still work the glass as usual.

Pick: Adama Sanogo OVER 7.5 Rebounds (-135)

The post Connecticut vs SDSU Player Props & Picks for March Madness Final appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

For the first time in program history San Diego State is playing for a National Championship. UConn on the other hand, can win its fifth title since 1985 on Monday night, tying Duke for the most championships during that stretch.

There are a number of ways to bet this contest, but our focus is going to be in the same-game parlay streets. We’re going to combine three picks into one wager, and if all three hit we’re looking at a nice little payday.

San Diego State vs UConn Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our San Diego State vs UConn same-game parlay pays out +245 odds, and focuses on the Huskies continuing to suffocate enemy offenses. That’s a role usually reserved for the Aztecs, but they’re about to get a taste of their own medicine.

Odds as of April 2 at DraftKings Sportsbook. See full list of March Madness betting promos. 

SGP Pick #1:  San Diego State Under 63.5 Points

UConn is fresh off holding Miami to its lowest point total of the season in the Final Four. The Huskies cruised to a 72-59 victory, which marked their fifth straight 13+ point victory at the NCAA Tournament. They’ve navigated the March Madness bracket with ease, rarely being threatened.

They limited the Hurricanes to just 31% on two-point attempts, and held Miami without a field goal over the final six minutes. The Canes offense was no joke, entering play fifth in offensive efficiency, but they couldn’t get anything going against this tenacious UConn D.

☝️ more. #MFinalFour x @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/D8MwyGtJKT

— NCAA Men's Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 2, 2023

The game prior, the Huskies limited Gonzaga to a season-low 54 points in a rout. The Zags were the nation’s number one offense in both efficiency and points per game, but shot only 33.3% from the field.

Now UConn gets SDSU, a program built entirely on defense. The Aztecs ranked fourth in defensive efficiency this season, but 68th on offense. They’ve put up 63 points or less twice already during March Madness, against much weaker defenses than what they’ll see on Monday.

SGP Pick #2: UConn -6.5

UConn has a +103 point differential so far through five March Madness games. They’re the seventh team all-time to outscore their opponents by 100+ points entering the National Championship Game, with five of the previous six going on to win the title.

The lone exception was Duke in 1999, who would up losing to a Huskies team that featured Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin.

Since the NCAA Tournament expanded in 1985, there have been five teams to enter an appearance in the National Championship having won each tournament game by double digits:

🏀2018 Villanova
🏀2016 UNC
🏀2009 UNC
🏀2001 Duke
🏀2000 Michigan State

And now 2023 UConn. pic.twitter.com/DhqvnZ4ejT

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 2, 2023

UConn is just the sixth team to win each of their first five games by double figures, and are statistically the most balanced team in college hoops. The Huskies rank third in offensive efficiency and eighth in defensive efficiency, the only team to grade out top-10 in both categories.

Dating back to late February, they’ve won 10 of their last 11, winning by at least 7 points in each of those victories.

SGP Pick #3: Adama Sanogo 8+ Rebounds

No need to go to in depth with this one. Adama Sanogo has gobbled up at least eight boards in six straight, pulling down double-digit rebounds in back-to-back outings.

The Aztecs are small in the front court outside of Nathan Mensah, and Sanogo has 15 pounds on him. The 6-9 forward averaged eight boards per game during the regular season, and helped UConn finish inside the top-10 in the country in rebounding.

Adama Sanogo is the first UConn player with 100+ points and 40+ rebounds in a single Men's NCAA Tournament pic.twitter.com/FjKQuAZxNb

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 2, 2023

San Diego State meanwhile, were 72nd in total rebounding and 98th on the defensive glass. The offensive end is where Sanogo does some of his best work, averaging three boards per night in enemy territory. Often times those leads to easy buckets in tight, which is one of the reasons he shoots such a high percentage (61%) from the field.

The post Best San Diego State vs UConn Same-Game Parlay for Title Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

UConn has opened as a 5.5-point favorite over San Diego State in the NCAA Tournament national championship game Monday night at NRG Stadium in Houston.

San Diego State (32-6, 19-17-1 ATS) advanced by edging Florida Atlantic 72-71 on Saturday in the first semifinal at the Final Four. In the second semi, UConn (30-8, 25-12 ATS) defeated Miami 72-59.

The title game is set to tip off at 9:20 p.m. ET and be televised by CBS.

National Championship Game Opening Odds

The Huskies are -230 to win on the moneyline while the Aztecs come back as a +195 underdog to win their first national championship in school history. The game total has opened at 135.5.

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San Diego State Wins Dramatically

Lamont Butler’s jumper at the buzzer lifted San Diego State over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night. That capped the Aztecs’ rally from a 14-point deficit in their first-ever Final Four game.

Matt Bradley led San Diego State with 21 points and made 4 of 8 three-point attempts. Jaedon LeDee scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench.

LAMONT BUTLER WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 😱

THE AZTECS ARE #NATIONALCHAMPIONSHIP BOUND 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/2sqxu5g05j

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 2, 2023

San Diego State is on a nine-game winning streak and has won 15 of its last 16 games.

The Aztecs opened the tournament by beating Charleston 63-57 and Furman 75-52. In the South Region semifinals, San Diego State posted a 71-64 victory over overall #1 seed Alabama in the semifinals before defeating Creighton 57-56 in the final.

San Diego State won both the Mountain West Conference regular-season and tournament titles.

UConn Rolls Into Title Game

Adama Sanogo had a double-double with 21 points and 10 points to lead UConn over Miami on Saturday night. Jordan Hawkins added 13 points despite being slowed by illness.

The Huskies shot 50% (28 of 56) and held Miami to 32.3% (20 of 62).

First ever @UConnMBB player w/ 100+ points and 40+ rebounds in a single NCAA Tournament:

Adama Sanogo pic.twitter.com/19QP9jxq1I

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 2, 2023

UConn has won 11 of its last 12 games. The Huskies will be looking to capture their fourth national championship after cutting down the nets after the 1999, 2011 and 2014 tournaments.

UConn beat Iona 87-63 and Saint Mary’s 70-55 to begin the NCAAs. The Huskies then routed Arkansas 88-65 in the West Region semifinals before rolling over Gonzaga 82-54 in the championship game.

In the regular season, UConn finished fourth in the Big East. The Huskies then lost in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

Movement on the Line?

Considering UConn has won each of its five games in the tournament by a minimum of 13 points, the 5.5-point line seems a little low. Look for early money to go on the Huskies and drive the line up by at least a point.

The post San Diego State vs UConn Opening Odds for National Championship Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Miami will be making its first-ever Final Four appearance when it meets UConn in an NCAA Tournament national semifinal at 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Miami (29-7, 22-14 ATS) has won 13 of its last 15 games after rallying to beat Texas 88-81 in the Midwest Region final. UConn (29-8, 25-12 ATS) routed Gonzaga 82-54 in the West Regional championship game to win for the 10^th time in its last 11 games.

CBS will televise the game.

Miami vs UConn Odds

UConn is a 5.5-point favorite over Miami and a -245 choice on the moneyline, giving it a 71.01% implied win probability in the college basketball odds. The Huskies are favored at -125 in the NCAA Tournament championship odds and the Hurricanes are listed at +475.

The winner advances to the championship game Monday night to play the winner of the other semifinal between Florida Atlantic (35-3) or San Diego State (31-6).

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Miami Hurricanes Betting Trends

Miami has one of the most potent offensives in the country. The Hurricanes are 12^th in free throw percentage (78.0), 14^th in field goal shooting (48.4%), 21^st in scoring (79.6) and 42^nd in three-point percentage (36.9).

Junior guard Isaiah Wong was the ACC Player of the Year and is averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game.

Wong scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half in the win over Texas as Miami rallied from a 13-point deficit. The Hurricanes trailed 64-51 with 13:22 left.

Senior guard Jordan Miller was perfect while scoring a season-high 27 points. He made all seven field goal attempts and was 13 of 13 at the free throw line.

Over the last 25 seasons, there have been 134,377 instances of a Division I player taking at least 20 total shots (FG or FT) in a game, NCAA Tournament or otherwise.

Jordan Miller of @CanesHoops is the only one of those to make every single one. pic.twitter.com/UeQMB7PvgT

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) March 27, 2023

Miller became just the second player to go a combined 20 for 20 from the floor and foul line combined in an NCAA Tournament game since 1960, joining former Duke standout Christian Laettner.

For the season, Miller has averages of 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He has five games of at least 20 points.

Sophomore guard Nigel Pack has a 13.8 scoring average and sophomore forward Norchad Omier is scoring 13.3 points and pulling down 10.1 rebounds a game. Omier is third in the ACC in rebounding and his 57.9 field goal percentage is second.

Pack scored 15 points against Texas. Omier had 11 points and nine rebounds and sophomore guard Wooga Poplar contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Miami shot 59.2%, making 29 of 49 field goal attempts.

UConn Huskies Betting Trends

UConn has rolled through the NCAAs, winning all four games by double digits with an average margin of victory of 22.5 points.

The Huskies are one of the top all-round teams in the nation as they are 28^th in scoring offense (78.8) and 35^th in scoring defense (64.4). They also rank 13^th in three-point defense (29.7%), 20^th in overall field goal defense (40.4%) and 35^th in free throw shooting (76.0%).

Junior forward Adama Sanogo is averaging a Big East-best 17.1 points a game as well as 7.5 rebounds. He is fifth in field goal percentage with a 60.2 mark.

Sanogo had his eighth double-double of 2022-23 against Gonzaga with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He also helped UConn hold the Bulldogs to just 33.3% shooting (20 of 60), including 2 for 20 (10.0%) on three-pointers.

Adama Sanogo from downtown!

And Bill Murray was loving it 🤣#MarchMadness @UConnMBB pic.twitter.com/Mj3183QhUS

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2023

Sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins knocked down 6 of 10 shots from three-point range on his way to a game-high 20 points. It was the 15^th game of 20 or more points this season for Hawkins, who is third in the Big East in scoring with a 16.3 average.

Freshman forward Alex Karaban chipped in with 12 points.

UConn won the national championship the last time it reached the Final Four in 2014. The Huskies are also 8-1 all-time in Final Four games.

Miami vs UConn Prediction

UConn has won the last three games in the series, including rolling to an 80-55 rout during the 2019-20 season. Wong, who has +20000 Wooden Award odds, is the only player remaining on either team from that game. He scored seven points for Miami.

The way UConn is playing, this game could wind up being nearly as lopsided.

Pick: UConn -5.5 (-110)

Season Record: 35-32 (-0.2) ATS, 4-10 (-5.5 units) ML

The post UConn vs Miami Odds, Picks & Predictions for Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Raise your hand if you had the Miami Hurricanes (29-7, 22-14 ATS) matching up with the UConn Huskies (29-8, 25-11-1 ATS) in your March Madness bracket. It’s likely nobody will have to put a hand down as the Final Four for this tournament of surprises continues on Saturday, April 1st in Houston.

Tipoff between the Canes and Huskies is set for 8:49 pm ET from NRG Stadium with CBS providing the broadcast coverage. These are two of the top offenses in the nation.

We’ve taken that into consideration while building a three leg same-game parlay for you to consider for this contest. Find our Miami vs UConn same-game parlay picks and the odds below.

Miami vs UConn Same-Game Parlay Picks

It’s not often a No. 4 seed finds itself as the highest seeded team remaining in the tournament, but that’s the case for the Huskies in this tournament of upsets. Taking that into account, UConn have been made 5.5-point favorites to defeat Miami and advance to the National Championship.

We’ve mapped out a three-leg parlay that pays out at very attractive +310 odds. It starts with a lot of buckets between two sides that thrive on offense.

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Odds as of March 31st at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the March Madness betting promos before making your SGP.

SGP Pick #1: Over 149.5 Points

Get this number while you still can because the total has been trending upwards for this contest in the college basketball odds. According to KenPom, these squads own two of the top five adjusted offensive efficiencies in the nation, as opposed to the other Final Four contest where FAU ranks 24th and San Diego State ranks 75th in the country.

Miami has scored at least 80 points in each of their last three tournament wins, while UConn surpassed the 80-point plateau in both of last week’s victories. Only twice in the Hurricanes’ last 10 games have they scored less than 75 points, so combined, this should be an easy smashing of the over.

Jordan Miller is the second player to shoot 7-for-7 or better from both the field and the free throw line in an NCAA Tournament game over the last 60 years.

The other: Christian Laettner in the 1992 Elite Eight vs Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/QYO2GF43Of

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 26, 2023

On the season, Miami averaged 79.6 points per contest, while UConn has put up 78.8 per outing with neither side showing any signs of slowing down. The beautiful thing about each team is that neither is reliant on one player to carry the offense, so if one player is slumping, there are a number of others that can pick up the slack.

SGP Pick #2: Adama Sanogo 8+ Rebounds

Arguably their best player in the tournament, Adama Sanogo has picked up at least eight rebounds in every game so far, and five straight going back to the Big East Tourney. All of this, while fasting for Ramadan.

Adama Sanogo NCAA Tournament Rebounding Stats

As the later of the two Final Four games, the Mali native will be able to get some nourishment in his body before tipoff, making him an even tougher player to deal with on the glass. Sanogo is the leading rebounder on the 12th best rebounding team in the country.

On the other end, attacking the boards is not something the Hurricanes do very well. They rank 185th overall amongst Division I teams and have allowed at least eight boards to the opposition’s leading rebounder in each of their four tournament games. If anybody is going to feast on this problem area for Miami, it’s Sanogo.

SGP Pick #3: UConn Huskies Moneyline

Undoubtedly, it’s been a tournament where you should expect the unexpected, but UConn is the best team remaining here and at -125, are healthy favorites in the odds to win March Madness.

Jay Bilas ranks UConn as his No. 1 team left in the men’s NCAA tournament https://t.co/Hsu5Gock36

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 25, 2023

Miami might be able to keep this one close, but the cream should rise to the top here. At one point this season, the Huskies were ranked number one in the country. Currently, they are the best team overall in adjusted efficiency margin according to KenPom.

Straight up, they are 10-1 in their last 11 games overall, with that one loss coming by just a single bucket to Marquette in the Big East tournament. The duo of Sanogo and Hawkins has been formidable and it feels like Dan Hurley will restore UConn to college basketball prominence, with the first stop this weekend coming in a win over the Hurricanes.

Miami vs UConn Same-Game Parlay Odds (+310)

The post Miami vs UConn Props, Picks & Same-Game Parlay appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

It’s not the Final Four that anyone predicted, but this weekend at the NCAA Tournament should produce plenty of entertainment. The action gets underway at 6:09 pm ET on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, as Florida Atlantic challenges San Diego State.

The Owls are this year’s Cinderella, becoming just the third No. 9 seed ever to reach the Final Four, while the Aztecs have ridden one of the nation’s top defenses to get this far. Defense will be a common theme in our San Diego State vs FAU same-game parlay, as the Owls are tough in their own end as well.

San Diego State vs FAU Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our San Diego State vs FAU same-game parlay features only three legs, but pays out +300 odds if it hits. The SGP starts with a play on the under, which has been an incredibly profitable wager to target in SDSU games.

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SGP Pick #1:  Game Total Under 131.5 Points

Let’s start with the trends. The under has hit in each of the Aztecs last 12 games. Their contest versus Creighton fell 21.5 points under the total, while six of their last eight games have come in at least 11 points under the number.

San Diego State is relentless on defense, holding opponents to just 57 points through four games at the NCAA Tournament. It’s the primary reason they’ve advanced this far in the March Madness bracket, as their offense doesn’t instill fear in any opponent.

Last year's Final Four:
Duke
North Carolina
Kansas
Villanova

This year:
Connecticut
Florida Atlantic
San Diego State
Miami

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 26, 2023

The Aztecs ranked 178th in points per game this season, and have failed to reach 64 points in two of four NCAA Tournament games.

The Owls meanwhile, have seen five of their past seven outings fall under the total, and are nearly as tough on enemy shooters as SDSU. FAU has held three of its past seven opponents below 57 points, and rank 15th in all of college hoops in opponent effective field goal percentage.

SGP Pick #2: Johnell Davis 10+ Points

As good as the Aztecs defense is, they’ll be hard pressed to hold Johnell Davis below 10 points. The 6-4 sophomore has scored in double-figures in 10 straight, and sees a ton of usage out of the FAU back court.

Davis leads the team in scoring and gets to the free throw line at a much greater clip than any of his teammates. He doesn’t settle for jump shots and is willing to attack the rim. That will be key against the Aztecs as they lack size and secondary rim protectors in the front court outside of Nathan Mensah.

Johnell Davis Points – Last 5 Games

Davis has gotten to line 23 times over the last three games, making 20 of the free throws. That kind of volume and efficiency will help get him to double figures, even if he struggles from the field.

SGP Pick #3: FAU +4.5

We referred to the Owls as Cinderella earlier, but it should be noted they have won the most games in college hoops this season. FAU has arguably beaten a stronger case of opponents than SDSU during March Madness, despite the Aztecs taking down Alabama, the pre-tournament favorites in the NCAA Tournament odds.

THE HISTORIC RUN FOR FLORIDA ATLANTIC CONTINUES‼️ pic.twitter.com/L4vT9meqr6

— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2023

The Owls are the more balanced team, grading out in the top-30 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and enter play having won 11 straight. They’ve won outright in each of their past four games as underdogs, and have lost by more than four points only once since November 11th.

The Aztecs on the other hand, struggle to find offense in key moments. In the Elite Eight, they were bailed out by their offensive rebounding late in the game, which helped overshadow a horrific 37% shooting performance. That was versus a Creighton defense that was far weaker than FAU’s, which should make bettors feel even more bullish that the Owls surprising run can continue.

The post San Diego State vs FAU Picks, Player Props & Same-Game Parlay appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

South Region No. 5 seed San Diego State (31-6, Mountain West) is a 2.5-point favorite over FAU in an NCAA Final Four game at 3:09 pm ET Saturday at the NRG Stadium in Houston Texas. The Aztecs have won 14 of their last 15.

East Region No. 9 seed FAU (35-3, Conference USA) has won 11 in a row after upsetting Kansas State in the Elite Eight since a Feb. 16 loss at Middle Tennessee. The Owls are 7-0 SU at neutral site games this season.

FAU vs San Diego State Odds

San Diego State is a 2.5-point favorite over FAU in an NCAA national semifinal game in Houston. The Aztecs have won the previous two meetings, both in San Diego. The most recent was in 2002, the Aztecs’ 91-75 victory.

FAU is 24-11-1 ATS is tied with Pitt for the fifth-best cover percentage in Division I this season. The Owls’ plus-12.9 average victory margin is tied for seventh in Division I. San Diego State is 19-15-2 ATS, and its plus-8.5 victory margin leads the Mountain West. The Aztecs have covered all four of their NCAA Tournament games, the last two as an underdog, and are 11-4 ATS in their last 15.

The Aztecs are 14-22 against the over, and their last 12 games have gone under the total. FAU is 18-17-1 against the over.

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San Diego State Plays ‘D’

It is no secret how the Aztecs have put together their run. They have limited opponents to 37.4 percent shooting from the floor and 23.2 percent from three-point range during the last 15 games. Creighton shot 40 percent in the Aztecs’ 57-56 Elite Eight victory, but the Bluejays are the only opponent in the last eight to shoot that well. The Aztecs limited Alabama to 32.4 percent from the field in their 71-64 Sweet Sixteen victory; the Bluejays and Crimson Tide combined to go 5 for 44 from distance.

Mensah REJECTION 🚫 @Aztec_MBB pic.twitter.com/zzL0GEMzC8

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 25, 2023

Rim protector senior 6’10” Nathan Mensah (6.1 points, 5.9 rebounds) is more than his numbers. He is a consummate role player — he guards the basket while his teammates score. Mensah has 63 blocked shots this season, and he was there to keep Alabama and Creighton at bay down the stretch. His block on Jahvon Quinerly’s drive sealed the victory over Alabama. He had three blocked shots and made the Aztecs’ final basket against Creighton, and had two defensive rebounds on two of the Jays’ final three possessions.

Guard 5’10” Darrion Trammell (9.9 points, 3.1 assists) and 6’2″ Lamont Butler (8.7, 3.3) average a combined three steals per game while harassing on the perimeter. Big guard Matt Bradley (12.5 points) is the Aztecs’ leading scorer, but they do not need him to score. He has 35 points on 13 of 42 shooting in the NCAA Tournament. Trammell has come up big, with 21 points against Bama and 12 including the game-winning free throw against Creighton.

FAU Relies on Balance

Much like San Diego State, the Owls have made it this far by relying on a balanced offense and consequential big man who can protect the basket. Athletic sophomore guards 6’4″ Johnell Davis (13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds) and 6’2″ Alijah Martin (13.1, 5.2) are the leading scorers for a group that likes the perimeter. Martin has a team-high 70 3-pointers, sophomore guard Nick Boyd (8.9 points) has 64, and the Owls average 9.6 three-point makes per game, 14th in Division I. They shoot 36.5 percent from distance.

Since seeding began in 1979, only one men's national champ has had pre-tourney odds longer than 35-1: 2014 UConn at 95-1.

With two more wins, FAU would shatter that mark! pic.twitter.com/5Ry1HNZCBF

— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2023

Sophomore center Vladislav Goldin (10.3 points, 6.6 rebounds), at 7’1″ the only starter over 6’4,” had 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in the victory over Kansas State. He helped negat the WIldcats’ inside presence and had a hand in stifling Keyonte Johnson, who had nine points on seven shots before fouling out. The Owls have outrebounded each of their four NCAA opponents and are plus-9.8 on the glass, much of that coming with the 41-16 edge against K-State. They have 52 offensive rebounds in the tourney.

FAU vs San Diego State Prediction

Underseeded underdogs meet. Entering the tournament, Florida State (No. 13 NET) and San Diego State (No. 14 NET) and  were ranked higher in the NCAA Net rankings and in KenPom than Baylor, Duke, Kansas State, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, Michigan State, Miami and Northwestern. So at least someone saw these teams coming, even if the NCAA Selection Committee was asleep at the wheel.

The game will be decided on the perimeter, where FAU thrives on offense and San Diego State bristles on defense. The points are tempting, especially for a cover-champ like FAU, but the Aztecs’ defense will prevail.

• Pick: San Diego State -2.5 (-115)
• Season CBK: 50-29 ATS

The post FAU vs San Diego State Odds, Spread & Predictions for Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

UConn has opened as a six-point favorite over Miami in a Final Four national semifinal next Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET. That will follow the first semifinal between Florida Atlantic and San Diego State.

The championship game is set for April 3.

Miami vs UConn Odds

UConn is a six-point favorite over Miami and a -260 pick on the moneyline in the college basketball odds, giving the Huskies a 72.22% implied win probability. UConn is a -125 favorite in the NCAA Tournament championship odds while the Hurricanes are now sitting at +475.

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UConn Rolling Into Houston

UConn advanced to the Final Four by routing Gonzaga 82-54 on Saturday in the West Region final in Las Vegas.

Jordan Hawkins made 6 of 10 three-point field attempts to finish with a game-high 20 points for the Huskies. Alex Karaban added 12 points and Adama Sanogo had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing six assists.

Here's all SIX of Jordan Hawkins' threes tonight in UConn's surgical 82-54 win over Gonzaga to secure their spot in the Final Four. The 6-foot-5 sniper has hit 17 threes in 4 NCAA Tournament games, igniting runs for a Huskies team that steals momentum like no other team in CBB. pic.twitter.com/dqE3hSAbI4

— League Him (@League_Him) March 26, 2023

UConn (29-8) has won all four games in the tournament by double digits after entering as the #4 seed in the West.

It beat Iona 87-63 and Saint Mary’s 70-55 in the first two rounds. In the regional semifinals, the Huskies rolled to an 88-65 victory over Arkansas.

UConn tied for fourth place in the Big East in the regular season then lost to Marquette 70-68 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

This will be UConn’s first trip to the Final Four since 2014. The Huskies are an impressive 8-1 all-time Final Four games.

First Final Four for Miami

Miami qualified for the Final Four on Sunday by defeating Texas 89-81 in the Midwest Region final in Kansas City, Mo.

The Hurricanes rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half. Jordan Miller was a perfect 7 of 7 from the field and 13 of 13 at the foul line as he scored 27 points.

JORDAN MILLER TODAY:

27 PTS
7/7 FG
13/13 FT
100 FG%

PERFECT THE WHOLE GAME pic.twitter.com/UAbSkPL7jW

— Buhownz (@Demar305) March 26, 2023

Four other Miami players also scored in double figures – Wooga Poplar had 16 points, Nijel Pack scored 15, Isaiah Wong added 14 and Norchad Omier chipped in with 11. Wong’s Wooden Award odds are +20000.

Miami, a #5 seed, opened tournament play by defeating Drake 63-56 and Indiana 85-69. The Hurricanes then dumped #1 seeded Houston 89-75 in the regional semifinals.

Miami (29-7) tied Virginia for first place in the ACC during the regular season. The Hurricanes then reached the conference tournament final where they lost to Duke 85-78.

This will be Miami’s first-ever Final Four appearance. The Hurricanes also made it to the Elite Eight last year but lost to eventual nation champion Kansas.

Potential Line Movement

UConn is clearly the best team in the Final Four and has rolled through the tournament. Look for this line to at least stay at six points or possibly go a little higher.

The post UConn vs Miami Odds – Opening Spread, Game Total & Moneyline for Final Four appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

San Diego State (31-6 Mountain West) is a 2-point favorite over FAU in an NCAA Tournament Final Four semifinal on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Aztecs have won 14 of their last 15.

Florida Atlantic (35-5, Conference USA) enters its first Final Four appearance on an 11-game winning streak. The Owls overcame a seven-point deficit in the second half to beat Kansas State 79-76 in the Elite Eight.

FAU vs San Diego State Odds

FAU is 24-11-1 ATS, the fifth-best cover percentage in Division I this season. The Owls are 8-3 ATS in their 11-game winning streak and have covered two of their three NCAA Tournament games, beating both Tennessee and Kansas State as a small underdog. The Owls are 18-17-1 against the over.

San Diego State is 18-16-2 ATS and 14-22 against the over. The Owls and Aztecs have met twice, the Aztecs winning both at home in the 2001 and 2003 seasons.

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FAU Finds a Balance

Florida Atlantic will win the most games in Division I this season no matter what happens Saturday, and the Owls have done it with a balanced mix on both sides of the floor. Nine players — and only one senior — average at least 19.9 minutes per game, and because of that, the scoring is spread out.

All-purpose 6’4″ guard Johnell Davis (13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds), sophomore 6’2″ guard Alijah Martin (13.1, 5.2 ) and 7’1″ center Vladislav Goldin (10.3, 6.6) are the only double-figure scorers, but the Owls would not be in Houston without Nick Boyd’s layup with 2.5 seconds left after Brandon Weatherspoon’s steal for a 66-65 victory over No. 8 seed Memphis in the first round.

NICK BOYD. BALLGAME. THIS. IS. MARCH!!!!! pic.twitter.com/oiEgM3bF9t

— BarstoolFAU (@barstool_fau) March 18, 2023

Davis had 29 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the 78-70 second-round victory over Fairleigh Dickinson, an easier matchup that could have been expected after the Knights became the second No. 16 seed in NCAA Tournament history to take down a No. 1 seed Purdue with a 63-58 first-round victory. It has been something every game. The Owls limited Tennessee to 33.3 percent shooting from the field in a 62-55 win in the Sweet Sixteen, and guard Bryan Greenlee had a tournament-high 16 points against Kansas State.

Goldin, the only player to start all 33 games, provides critical rim protection for a team that holds opponents 40.2 shooting, 18th in Division I. He had his best game in helding neutralize Kansas State’s inside game with 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. The Owls had a 44-22 rebounding edge and had 15 second-chance points.

San Diego State Clamps Down

The Aztecs are 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS after their 57-56 victory over Creighton, when Darrion Trammell made the second of two free throws with one second remaining. They have not lost since falling to Mountain West regular-season runner-up Boise State on Feb. 28, and have made it this far combining coach Brian Dutcher’s in-your-face defense with a whose-turn-is-it today offense that features only one double-digit  scorer in 6’4″ wing Matt Bradley (12.8 points).

Darrion Trammell came up BIG in @Aztec_MBB's upset win over Alabama 💪#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hbi4xfr56O

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2023

Bradley had 17 points in a first-round victory over the College of Charleston but has ceded the scoring load to 5’10” guard Darrion Trammell, who had 13 points against Furman and 31 points (with three three-pointers) in the 71-64 takedown of overall No. 1 seed Alabama.

With harassing Trammell on the perimeter and a frontline anchored by 6’9″ senior Nathan Mensah,  the Aztecs limit opponents to 40.8 percent shooting from the floor, 28.2 percent from three-point range. Mensah had five blocked shots against Alabama and has nineplus in four tournament games. Junior guard Lamont Butler had 18 points against Creighton, when the Aztecs overcame an eight-point lead late in the first half. Mensah made the tying field goal in the final 33 seconds.

FAU vs San Diego State Expected Line Movement

Both these teams have been undervalued, at least in the public’s eyes, Florida Atlantic more so because of its lower profile.  San Diego State made history over the weekend, winning its first Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games for its first Final Four spot. FAU is the ninth team to open the tournament as a lower seed (9 through 16) to make the NCAA Final Four, although it has happened six times in the last 12 events. Expect the line to move in favor of the Aztecs, who like a grind-it-out game.

The post Opening Final Four Odds – FAU vs San Diego State Spread, Total & Moneyline appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

What a two-night March Madness marathon! This season’s tournament has certainly lived up to the hype, and the Sweet 16 did nothing to disappoint. Only eight teams remain. Let’s find the value in this interesting Miami vs Texas Elite Eight matchup.

The Miami Hurricanes (24-6,11-7 ACC) pulled off the upset on Friday night, defeating  the no.1 seed Houston Cougars 86-75 to advance to the Elite Eight. Miami’s victory assures that, for the first time in NCAA tournament history, all of the top seeds fail to advance to the Elite Eight.

On the other side of the court stand the formidable Texas Longhorns (29-8,12-6 Big 12). Making its first Elite Eight appearance since 2008, Texas is +360 in the latest NCAA tournament championship odds after a convincing blowout win over Xavier.

Miami vs Texas tips off at 5:05 pm ET on Sunday, March 26th, from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  Catch all the action on CBS.

Miami vs Texas Odds

Texas enters this Elite Eight matchup as a 4-point favorites and -190 favorites on the moneyline in Sunday’s college basketball odds. While the Miami Hurricanes come back as +120 moneyline underdogs. The total for this Miami vs Texas Elite Eight matchup sits at 148 after opening at 150.

The winner of this #5 Miami vs #2 Texas contest will advance to face the winner of #4 UConn vs #3 Gonzaga in the Final Four of the March Madness bracket.

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How far can the Hurricanes Go?

Nigel Pack’s unconscious three-point shooting led the Hurricanes to victory against Houston. Pack was unbelievable on Friday night, shooting 7/10 from three, and dropping 26 points on one of the best defenses in the country.

Heading into Friday’s Sweet 16 match up, the Cougars led the country in opponent field goal percentage (36%) this season. Miami didn’t get the memo. Junior guard Isaiah Wong added 20 points for the Hurricanes who shot an incredibly efficient 52% from the floor. Sophomore forward Norchad Omier added 12 points and 13 key rebounds for the Hurricanes.

Miami getting after it on both ends 👀#MarchMadness @CanesHoops pic.twitter.com/VRHb5YvQJ9

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2023

Appealingly for bettors, Miami are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 against a team with a winning record. While the under is 7-1 in the Hurricanes last eight NCAA tournament games. Per KenPom, the Hurricanes are the 6th ranked offense in the nation in adjusted efficiency. Miami will try to ride their blazing offense all the way to the Final Four.

Longhorns Ready to Ride to NCAA Tournament Victory

Interim head coach Rodney Terry has these Longhorns ready to play.

Texas blitzed Xavier on Friday night, racing out to a 42-25 halftime lead from which the Knights never recovered. Five players scored in double figures for the Longhorns, led by sophomore guard Tyrese Hunter’s 19 points.

Tyrese Hunter from downtown! 💥#MarchMadness @TexasMBB pic.twitter.com/hWfi0LWRfM

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2023

The Longhorns are far and away the better defensive team entering Sunday afternoon’s showdown. Texas have surrendered just 61 points per game over their last 3. Per KenPom, the Longhorns have allowed just 91.8 points per 100 possessions this season, good for 10th in the nation.

Additionally, Texas have covered the spread in six straight games.

Miami vs Texas Prediction

While the Longhorns defense has gotten them this far, Texas has struggled against free-flowing offensive attacks this season. As seen in the Baylor and Kansas State games the Longhorns have trouble containing quick, dynamic scoring guards.

In Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, and Nijel Pack, Miami has the firepower and shooting depth to keep this one close. Take the points.

Miami vs Texas Pick: Miami Hurricanes +4 (-110)

March Madness Elite Eight articles:

• San Diego State vs Creighton Odds & Predictions
• March Madness Elite Eight Player Props – Picks & Odds
• UConn vs Gonzaga Odds, Spread & Picks
• FAU vs Kansas State Odds, Lines & Picks

The post Texas vs Miami Picks & Odds for Elite Eight (March 26) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

After knocking off the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, #5-seeded San Diego State faces #6-seeded Creighton in the South Region final at 2:20 p.m. ET Sunday at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

San Diego State (30-6, 18-16-1 ATS) ran its winning streak to seven games Friday night by stunning Alabama 71-64 in a regional semifinal. The Aztecs have won 13 of their last 14 games.

Creighton (23-12, 18-17 ATS) beat Princeton 86-75 in the other semifinal for its sixth win in the last seven games.

CBS will televise the game as both schools seek their first trip to the Final Four.

Creighton vs San Diego State Odds

Creighton is favored by two points over San Diego State and a -139 pick on the moneyline in the college basketball odds, giving the Bluejays an implied win probability of 58.16%. Creighton is listed at +600 in the NCAA Tournament championship odds and the Aztecs are at +700.

The winner advances to the Final Four to play Kansas State (25-9) or Florida Atlantic (33-3) in the national semifinals on April 1 in Houston in the March Madness bracket.

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Dynamic Duo Leads Creighton

Creighton’s duo of junior center Ryan Kalkbrenner and senior guard Baylor Scheierman was too much for Princeton, the tournament’ Cinderella, to handle.

Kalkbrenner scored 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting as Creighton drained 58.2% (32 of 55) of its field goal attempts. It was the ninth time this season Kalkbrenner scored at least 20 points.

Scheireman had a fine all-round game as he finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists and helped Creighton hold a 37-26 rebounding edge. It marked the South Dakota State transfer’s third 20-point game of 2022-23.

For the second straight season, Kalkbrenner was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and he is first in the conference in blocked shots (2.2) and first with his 70.6 field goal percentage. Kalkbrenner is also averaging 15.7 points and 6.2 rebounds a game.

Ryan Kalkbrenner WITH AUTHORITY 😤 @BluejayMBB pic.twitter.com/AEgL72xEXH

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 25, 2023

Scheierman has averages of 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He is third in the Big East in boards.

Sophomore guard Trey Alexander added 19 points on Friday and sophomore forward Arthur Kaluma chipped in with 10 points.

Alexander (13.6), sophomore guard Ryan Nembhard (12.4) and Kaluma (11.8) also have double-figure scoring averages. Nembhard is dishing 4.8 assists a game to rank third in the conference and Kaluma is averaging 6.0 rebounds.

The Bluejays are an outstanding free throw shooting team and are 11^th in Division I at 78.0%.

Defense Keys San Diego State Upset

San Diego State used a strong defensive effort to knock off Alabama.

The Aztecs held the Crimson Tide to 37.7% (26 of 69) shooting, including an ice-cold 3 for 27 (11.1%) on three-pointers. All-America freshman Brandon Miller managed just nine points on 3-of-19 shooting and had six turnovers

San Diego State also blocked eight shots with senior forward Nathan Mensah having five rejections.

The Aztecs are sixth in the nation in three-point defense (28.8%), 25^th in scoring defense (63.1) and 43^rd in overall field goal defense (41.1%).

Senior guard Darrion Trammell scored a game-high 21 points for San Diego State and added five rebounds. Senior forward Jaedon LeDee added 12 points and six boards off the bench.

Darrion Trammell came up BIG in @Aztec_MBB's upset win over Alabama 💪#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/hbi4xfr56O

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2023

Senior guard Matt Bradley is the only San Diego State player with a double-digit scoring average with a 13.0 mark. However, he was limited to six points on Friday as he made just 2 of 9 field goal attempts.

Trammell’s 9.5 scoring average ranks second on the team.

Mensah is averaging just 6.1 points a game and had four against Alabama. However, he is pulling down 5.9 rebounds and blocking 1.5 shots a game. Mensah is second in the Mountain West Conference in blocks.

Creighton vs San Diego State Prediction

The teams met in the first round of last year’s NCAAs with Creighton notching a 72-69 victory. Alexander scored 18 points for the Bluejays and Bradley had 16 points for San Diego State.

Look for this game to be just as close. Take the points.

Pick: San Diego State +2 (-110)

Season record: 34-32 (-1.2 units) ATS, 4-10 (-5.5 units) ML

March Madness Elite Eight articles:

• Miami vs Texas Odds & Picks
• March Madness Elite Eight Player Props – Picks & Odds

The post Creighton vs San Diego State Predictions & Odds (March 26) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The last Elite Eight matchup takes place on Sunday, March 26th at 5:05 pm ET when the Miami Hurricanes (28-7, 21-14 ATS) play the Texas Longhorns (29-8, 19-17-1 ATS) at T-Mobile Arena. Both sides are coming off emphatic double digit victories in the Sweet 16.

Winning this matchup will set up a Final Four showdown with UConn, who came out of the West Region in the March Madness bracket. First things first though, it’s time to narrow down the field to four teams. We’ve got a three leg same-game parlay for you between the Hurricanes and Longhorns to maximize your winnings.

Miami vs Texas Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our three leg same-game parlay between Miami and Texas pays out at hefty +290 odds if each pick hits. Texas are 4.5-point favorites to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2003.

Although both teams had fairly comfortable wins in their previous contests, we think this will be a much tighter affair and that’s where our same-game parlay begins.

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SGP Pick #1: Miami Hurricanes Alternate Spread +7.5

One of the best things about making a same-game parlay is moving the lines on certain picks and still receiving a good payout when you combine it with other bets. That’s what were doing with the first leg of our same-game parlay.

While they’re officially 4.5-point underdogs in the college basketball odds, we’ve pushed the spread to 7.5 because the chances of the Hurricanes losing by that margin is very remote when you look at the season they’ve had.

Back-to-back Elite Eight appearances for Jim Larrañaga and the Miami Hurricanes.

Are they the most underrated program in the country? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HLhJGHBEE8

— ESPN (@espn) March 25, 2023

Miami has only lost two games outright since the beginning of February. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, their biggest margin of defeat was just seven points. They just beat the pre-tournament favorites in the odds to win March Madness by 14 points, so a big loss to Texas is highly unlikely.

SGP Pick #2: Isaiah Wong Over 15.5 Points

A number of players could potentially lead the Hurricanes in scoring on any given night, but it’s their point guard, Isaiah Wong, who is the straw that stirs the drink.

The junior drew a number of fouls last contest, going to the line 11 times. As an 84% free throw shooter, those are free buckets, helping push his point total up in each contest. He’s scored 20 or more points in three of his last four games and is just shy of the 40% mark from beyond the arc this year.

Isaiah Wong went off in the upset win against Houston. He finished with 20 Points, 6 Rebounds, and 3 Assists. Wong was also efficient shooting 46% from the field and 50% from three. pic.twitter.com/s7w24sGP9U

— KJ (@Kjpistons) March 25, 2023

Over the course of the year, he’s averaged 16.2 points per game and has shown an ability to elevate his play when the stakes are higher. No game is much bigger than this one, with a Final Four berth on the line, so we predict Wong to come up big for the Canes in this spot.

SGP Pick #3: Texas Longhorns Over 70.5 Points

For the first time in NCAA history, not a single No. 1 seed made it to the Elite Eight, but that suits the Longhorns just fine as they currently own the shortest Final Four odds of the teams that are left.

Among the squads remaining in the tournament, Miami has by far the worst adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom, ranking 104th in the nation. On the flip side, Texas is in the top 5% of teams in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, so they should have no problem exceeding the 70-point plateau.

Going back to the regular season, Texas has scored at least 71 points in nine of their last 11 games. In their first three tournament games, they’ve averaged 78.3 points per outing. Taking all these factors into account, we feel very confident they will go over the point total we’ve selected.

Miami vs Texas Same-Game Parlay Odds (+290)

The post Miami vs Texas Props, Picks & Same-Game Parlay (March 26) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Raise your hand if you had either San Diego State or Creighton advancing to the Final Four this year. I have to assume that there aren’t too many hands in the air, but nevertheless the winner of the Aztecs vs Bluejays tilt on Sunday will be one of the last four teams standing at March Madness.

The action tips off at 2:20 pm ET in Louisville, KY and we’ve put together a same-game parlay to make the action even more enjoyable to sweat.

San Diego State vs Creighton Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our San Diego State vs Creighton same-game parlay features only three legs, but pays out +350 odds if it hits. The SGP starts with a fade of Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard, who faces a tough matchup versus the Aztecs suffocating defense.

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SGP Pick #1:  Ryan Nembhard Under 11.5 Points

Through three games, San Diego State is allowing only 57.6 points. That’s despite facing (and beating) Alabama, who ranked fourth this season in scoring. No wonder SDSU keeps advancing in the March Madness bracket.

The Aztecs are tenacious in their own end especially versus enemy guards. They’re fresh off holding the Crimson Tide’s starting backcourt to a 33.3% field goal percentage, which doesn’t bode well for Nembhard.

SAN DIEGO STATE UPSETS NO. 1 OVERALL SEED ALABAMA 🤯

The Aztecs are heading to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history ‼️ pic.twitter.com/tiePuX9AdO

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 25, 2023

The Canadian balled out in the second round with a 30 point effort versus Baylor, but that’s the lone time in his last four contests he’s exceeded 10 points.

Nembhard’s production is heavily tied to his outside shooting which plays right into SDSU’s strengths. The Aztecs have limited enemy shooters to the 20th lowest effective field goal percentage this season, while only two teams in the country surrender a lower three-point shooting percentage.

SGP Pick #2: Game Total Under 134.5

San Diego State’s impressive defense was been thwarting opponents all season, which has led to plenty of low scoring games. Each of their last eight regular season and conference tournament games fell under the total, as have all three of their NCAA Tournament contests.

Sunday’s total currently sits at 134.5, a number that only one of their past seven outings have exceeded. Just one of their past seven opponents have cleared 61 points, while five of those teams have failed to reach 60 points.

San Diego State vs Creighton Head-to-Head

Creighton on the other hand, can get white hot at times. The Bluejays are the nation’s 24th best shooting team, averaging 77 points per contest. They’ve cleared 84 points in back-to-back games, but they’ve yet to tangle with a program as committed as the Aztecs in their own end.

Creighton’s last two meetings came against Princeton and Baylor, who both rank outside the top-95 in adjusted defensive efficiency. The lone teams they’ve faced this season with defenses comparable to San Diego State are UConn and Texas, and the Bluejays averaged only 61 points in three meetings versus those two schools.

SGP Pick #3: Matt Bradley 12+ Points and Assists

Back to Bradley now, who represents the final leg of our SGP. The senior guard is in the midst of a down season, but he’s still the team’s top scorer and one of their three leading distributors.

With six points last night, Matt Bradley became the fifth player since the start of the 1996-97 season to record at least 1,000 points for two different programs (1,289 at California and 1,002 at San Diego State).

— Jon Schaeffer (@jonschaeffer) March 25, 2023

Bradley is coming a horrific shooting performance versus Alabama, but let’s not forget the Crimson Tide rank number one in opponent effective field goal percentage. Expect a much more favorable matchup for Bradley on Sunday, as the Bluejays are far less efficient on defense than they are on offense.

Creighton ranks outside the top-120 in scoring defense and opponent three-point field goal percentage. They’re also one of the worst teams in the nation at forcing turnovers, ranking 350th out of 363 programs.

Bradley averages over 12 points per contest this season, and having the extra cushion from his assists total makes this an easy bet to target.

The post San Diego State vs Creighton Picks, Player Props & Same-Game Parlay appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

And then there were eight. Four weekend matchups to decide who will advance to the Final Four and it all begins at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 25th when the Florida Atlantic Owls (34-3, 23-11-1 ATS) look to pull off another upset, this time against the Kansas State Wildcats (26-9, 23-12 ATS).

Tipoff for this contest is scheduled for 6:09 pm ET and will be broadcast on TBS. All of a sudden, the Owls own Final Four odds of +110 after scoring a knockout over Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

However, they’ll be dealing with the Wildcats’ Markquis Nowell, who will likely have the overwhelming majority of the fan base behind him. The Harlem, New York native is part of our same-game parlay below in the Owls vs Wildcats contest. All of our picks are bullish on the New York City Point God leading his team to Houston next week.

Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our three leg same-game parlay between the Owls and Wildcats pays out at odds of +175 and is relying heavily on the Kansas State offense to roll to the Final Four.

Following an epic overtime victory over Michigan State at the mecca of basketball, the public was understandably gushing over this Kansas State side. Currently, the Wildcats are 2.5-point favorites to finally end FAU’s storybook ride.

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SGP Pick #1: Kansas State Moneyline

Undoubtedly, the East Region has caused many fans to tear up their March Madness bracket, so we shall see if FAU has yet another big performance in store. Only once previously has a No. 9 seed advanced to the Final Four, when Wichita State accomplished the feat back in 2013. Our prediction is that it’s unlikely to happen again this time around.

The Wildcats have been perfect straight up when handicapped as the chalk all season. Yes, you read that right, they are perfect on the moneyline when they’ve been made favorites in the college basketball odds, going 20-for-20 so far this year.

Kansas State Moneyline!!!! pic.twitter.com/zfiJkDZ174

— Greg Peterson (@GUnit_81) March 24, 2023

We’re not going to bet against a 100% ratio with that big of a sample size to choose from. If you’re feeling ambitious, they’re also 17-3 against the spread as favorites, but we don’t want to get stung if it’s close, so our advice is to go the safe route.

SGP Pick #2: Markquis Nowell 25+ Points + Assists

After sustaining an ankle injury, Nowell has said he’s flipped the page and that he’s at 85-90% health for this Elite Eight clash, but left zero doubt about his status for Saturday’s game, saying he’ll be ready to go.

He just set an NCAA tournament record for assists in a game, with 19 against the Spartans, and has flown by a combined total of 25 points and assists in each of his three tournament outings so far.

Markquis Nowell 2023 NCAA Tournament Stats

With each game, his total is growing more and more and after his performance at MSG, the New York Post declared him the King of New York. He is the main reason Kansas State is a fantastic wager at +1200 in the odds to win March Madness, and our most confident pick in this same-game parlay.

SGP Pick #3: Kansas State Over 71.5 Points

Once again, we took a cautious approach here to make sure you get paid. After taking on the best defensive team in the nation, FAU will likely engage in a more up-tempo affair with a Wildcats team who almost hit the century mark in their Sweet 16 win over Michigan State.

The Wildcats averaged 76.2 points per game on the season, and have scored at least 72 points against seven of their last eight opponents. Having a point guard like Nowell distributing the way he does makes for lots of alley-oops and wide open looks.

Markquis Nowell to Keyontae Johnson.

Kansas State has shown all season it will throw lobs under any circumstances. Jerome Tang’s team is always aggressive and comfortable in the moment.pic.twitter.com/btkehp9H2G

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 24, 2023

Both these sides are amongst the top 10 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom, so there should be a steady stream of buckets. Since we’re picking the Wildcats to win outright, scoring at least 72 points feels like the minimum offensive output they’ll need to advance.

Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Same-Game Parlay Odds (+175)

The post Kansas State vs Florida Atlantic Picks, Player Props & Same-Game Parlay appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Gonzaga entered the past two NCAA Tournaments as the number one overall seed and the favorite to win it all. This season the Bulldogs came into March Madness flying under the radar, despite a scorching hot finish to the season.

That impressive play has carried over to the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament, and now Gonzaga faces UConn on Saturday with a chance to punch their ticket to the Final Four.

There’s a plethora of ways to bet this contest, including the ever popular same-game parlay.

Gonzaga vs UConn Same-Game Parlay Picks

Our Gonzaga vs UConn same-game parlay features just three legs, but still pays out +140 odds if it hits. It starts with a bet on Drew Timme, who’s making the most of his final chance to win a National Championship.

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SGP Pick #1: Drew Timme Over 25 Points + Rebounds

Timme’s matchup is certainly challenging, as we’ll discuss later, but fading the wily veteran at March Madness has been backfiring on bettors for the past three years.

Timme has poured in at least 21 points in 10 of his past 11 NCAA Tournament contests. He’s also grabbed at least five rebounds in all but one of those outings, pulling down double-digit boards on four separate occasions.

DREW TIMME TONIGHT VS. BRUINS:

36 PTS
13 REB
4 AST

This will be his 2nd appearance in the Elite 8 🤯🙌 pic.twitter.com/xipkNAd8we

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 24, 2023

In three games during this year’s March Madness he’s averaging 28 points and nine rebounds, and is fresh off one of the greatest games of his career.

Timme led the ‘Zags to a 79-76 upset victory over UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen, posting 36 points on 16-of-24 shooting, while grabbing 13 boards. Along the way, he became the first player ever with ten 20+ point games at the NCAA Tournament.

SGP Pick #2: Gonzaga +6.5

We’ll take an alternate line with the second leg of our SGP, grabbing the Bulldogs at +6.5. Gonzaga has won 12 straight dating back to February 9th, and features the most efficient offense in the nation this season.

The Bulldogs lead college hoops in points per game and field goal percentage, while ranking top-10 in three point efficiency.

If Gonzaga beats UConn on Saturday, we'll be guaranteed a first-time national champion. Would be the first Final Four without at least one former national champion since 1990.

— Mike Rutherford (@CardChronicle) March 24, 2023

They’re going to need to maintain that efficiency versus the Huskies, who boast KenPom’s 13th highest graded defense. UConn has won each of its three March Madness games so far by 15+ points, but it’s important to note they’ve yet to face an offense anywhere close to as good as Gonzaga’s.

The top ranked offensive team they’ve battled so far is Saint Mary’s, but they check in at number 45 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency metric. UConn has dropped only three of its past 15 games, but each of those defeats was also to a program that featured a top-22 offense (Maquette, Creighton, Xavier).

SGP Pick #3: Over 145.5

The final leg of our Gonzaga vs UConn same-game parlay is also an alternate line, taking over 145.5 points. That’s eight points less than the game’s current over/under of 153.5, and there’s plenty of reasons in addition to the Bulldogs’ offensive efficiency to expect a high-scoring affair.

For starters, the Huskies offense is no joke. They’re a top-three unit per KenPom’s metrics and have produced an average of 82 points through their first three March Madness contests. They’re arguably the most complete team remaining and the current favorite in the NCAA Tournament odds.

Gonzaga vs UConn Head-to-Head

Both Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins average north of 16 points per outing, and Hawkins is fresh off a 24-point effort in a win over Arkansas. UConn is a top-30 shooting team in the country, while only three programs average more assists.

As good as the Bulldogs offense is, their defense allows opponents to stay close. Gonzaga finished 266th in scoring defense this season, and 235th in opponent effective field goal percentage. They’re outside the top-100 in both steal and block percentage, and outside the top-250 in opponent three-point efficiency.

The post Gonzaga vs UConn Props, Picks and Same-Game Parlay (March 25) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

March Madness continues on Saturday with the first of back-to-back days of Elite Eight action. The top contenders in the March Madness odds have been dropping like flies, but a program that was at the top of the rankings each of the previous two seasons is still standing.

That of course would be Gonzaga, who are playing the role of an underdog for the second consecutive game. The Bulldogs upset UCLA in the Sweet Sixteen and now eye another upset over UConn.

March Madness Player Props – Elite Eight

Gonzaga’s Drew Timme has the highest over/under points total in the player props market on Saturday, but we’re not looking to buy or fade him on our card. We will be fading a different Bulldog however in the rebounds category, as guard Rasir Bolton faces a very difficult matchup.

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March Madness Prop #1: Rasir Bolton Under 2.5 Rebounds

There’s plenty of reasons to fade Bolton on the glass, even if you expect Gonzaga to advance in the March Madness Bracket. Bolton is the eighth best rebounder on the team averaging just 1.9 boards per contest. That’s over a half a rebound less than his Elite Eight rebounding prop.

He’s cleared 1.5 boards just once so far in three NCAA Tournament games, and only three times in his past 12 outings overall.

UConn will play Gonzaga in the Elite Eight in Saturday.

It's the same matchup we saw in 1999 in the Elite Eight when the Huskies went to the Final Four for the first time.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 24, 2023

That alone would be grounds for fading him, but the matchup versus the Huskies is the icing on the cake. UConn is one of the best rebounding teams in the country. They rank 13th on the glass overall, and third at the offensive end. That’s going to make things tough for Bolton to grab some cheap boards on defense, as will the size discrepancy he’ll be dealing with.

Bolton stands 6-foot-3, but will be giving up multiple inches to the Huskies top three guards. Expect a down game for him and the rest of the ‘Zags on the glass.

Pick: Rasir Bolton Under 2.5 Rebounds (-155) 

March Madness Prop #2: Cam Carter Under 6.5 Points

Saturday’s other Elite Eight contest features Florida Atlantic and Kansas State. The Wildcats Markquis Nowell set the college hoops world on fire with his Sweet Sixteen performance, but his ankle injury is serious enough that online sportsbooks don’t want to post lines for his player props just yet.

Odds are out for the rest of his teammates though, and one Kansas State player we’re looking to fade is Cam Carter.

This wager is all about a lack of opportunity and a tough matchup. Carter averages just six shots per game and is not efficient from the field. He’s shooting only 38.4% this season and has taken fewer than six shots in eight of his past 14 contests.

The Florida Atlantic Owls are the 4th team since the field expanded in 1985 to reach the Elite 8 after entering the year with no NCAA Tournament wins. pic.twitter.com/4FqXpYJzbG

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 24, 2023

To make matters worse, the Owls defense is no joke. Florida Atlantic has held its opponents to an average of 63.3 points per game so far in the NCAA Tournament, but that won’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s watched them play this season.

The Owls boast a top-36 scoring defense, and rank 13th in opponent effective field goal percentage. They hold enemy shooters to just 31% from three which is especially problematic for Carter. 46% of Carter’s looks this season have come from long range, and he’s been able to knock down just 30% of those shots.

Pick: Cam Carter Under 6.5 Points (-115)

March Madness Elite Eight articles:

• Miami vs Texas Odds & Picks
• San Diego State vs Creighton Odds & Predictions
• UConn vs Gonzaga Odds, Spread & Picks
• FAU vs Kansas State Odds, Lines & Picks

The post March Madness Elite Eight Player Props – Picks & Odds for UConn vs Gonzaga & More appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

No. 4 seed UConn (28-8, 13-7 Big East) is a 2-point favorite over Gonzaga in the NCAA West Regional final at 8:49 pm ET Saturday on TBS at the T-Mobile Arena. The Huskies have won four NCAA Tournaments, the last in 2014.

No. 3 seed Gonzaga (31-5, 14-2 West Coast) overcame a 13-point deficit behind Drew Timme’s 36 points to beat UCLA 79-76 Thursday. The Zags are in the Elite Eight for the third time in five seasons.

UConn vs UCLA Odds

UConn is 24-11-1 ATS, the sixth-best cover percentage in Division I this season, and have covered all three games in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies are 7-1 at a neutral site and are 21-16 against the over. Gonzaga is 14-20-1 ATS  but 5-3 ATS in its last eight. The Zags are 21-14 against the over.

UConn has won three of the previous five games between the two, all decided by five points or less. The Zags won the last meeting 73-70 in the third place game in the Battle4Atlantis on Nov. 27, 2015 in the Bahamas. The teams have met once before in the West Regional final, when UConn posted a 67-62 victory over the Bulldogs in Phoenix en route to its first NCAA title.

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Gonzaga Comes on Strong

The Zags overcame a 13-point deficit three minutes into the second half to beat favored UCLA 79-76 on Julian Strawther’s late long-distance three-pointer, but the game turned when reserve guard Malachi Smith became Robin to Drew Timme’s Batman. Timme had his way against the Bruins’ interior defense with a 36-point, 13-rebound double-double, but it was not until Smith asserted himself that the Zags found the gear they needed. Smith scored 14 points in 24 minutes, and he had 10 points in the Zags’ 20-3 run for a 72-62 lead with 2:40 left, capping that streak with a three-pointer from the top of the key.

Malachi Smith was +14 in 24 minutes https://t.co/mx2TofWTGv

— Connor Hope (@HoopsHopeCBB) March 24, 2023

Timme has scored at least 20 points in his last 10 NCAA Tournament games, an NCAA record, and he has 85 points and 27 rebounds in the first three tournament games . He was 16 of 24 from the field against the Bruins, who were at a severe disadvantage when center Adem Bona could not play because of a shoulder injury. Because of Timme’s accuracy, the Zags lead Division I in field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage while averaging Division I-high 87 points per game.

Strawther entered the UCLA game averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds with a team-high 77 threes, and while he was only 5- of 15 from the field, his third three-pointer of the game pushed the Zags into the Elite Eight for the third time in five seasons. Strawther missed the same long three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation in an overtime loss at Saint Mary’s this season, but that was then.

UConn Has No Trouble Advancing

UConn has played like the team that spent spent two weeks at No. 2 in the AP Top 25 after starting 14-0 while boat-racing its three NCAA Tournament opponents, most recently Arkansas. The Huskies dominated the paint and the boards in an 88-65 victory over the Hogs in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday. UConn shot 57.4 percent from the field, had a 43-31 rebounding edge and held the the out-sized Porker Pigs to 31.3 percent shooting. UConn, which led by 29 points five minutes into the second half, has out-scsored its three NCAA Tournament foes by 72 points.

1. Favorite: #4 UConn – Huskies join Houston & Texas as only 3 teams remaining w/ top 15 KenPom offense & defense. UConn was dominant in 2H of opening NCAA wins, outscoring Iona & SMC 89-49. With renewed focus on feeding Sanogo, UConn has been dominant both inside and out. pic.twitter.com/RV0gMgHXoU

— Rush the Court (@rushthecourt) March 23, 2023

UConn 6’9″, 240-pound big man Adama Sanogo (17.9 points, 7.4 rebounds) will be found in the low second round of NBA mock draft boards, but he is a physical presence inside and can bully his way through less physical opponents. Sanogo had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots in 24 minutes Thursday after getting 52 points and 21 rebounds in the first two NCAA games.

The Huskies have a variety of offensive options — catch-and-shoot guards Jordan Hawkins and Tristan Newton can score inside and out, point guard Andre Jackson Jr. distributes, and they can get even bigger when agile 7’2″ freshman Donovan Clingan enters.

UConn vs Gonzaga Prediction

The Huskies looked like their current version for the first two months of the season, beating Alabama by 15 points before hitting a rough patch early in Big East play, losing five of six. Their four losses since Jan. 15 have been by one, three, three and two points, the last three to NCAA entries Marquette, Creighton and Xavier. The game will be billed as a matchup of big men in Timme and Sanogo, but they are different players. Timme is more athletic and has better footwork around the basket; Sanogo just keeps pounding. Both teams have strong supporting casts, but Timme and his Zags are the play here.

• Pick: Gonzaga +2 (-110)
• Season CBK: 50-28 ATS

March Madness Elite Eight articles:

• Miami vs Texas Odds & Picks
• San Diego State vs Creighton Odds & Predictions
• FAU vs Kansas State Odds, Lines & Picks
• March Madness Elite Eight Player Props – Picks & Odds

The post UConn vs Gonzaga Odds, Spread & Picks for Elite Eight appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

After emerging victorious in a blow for blow, overtime slugfest against Michigan State, the No. 3 Kansas State Wildcats (26-9, 23-11-1 ATS) get set for a date with No. 9 Florida Atlantic (34-3, 23-11-1 ATS), who stunned the Tennessee Volunteers as the East region continues to wreak havoc on March Madness brackets.

On Saturday, March 25th, these two teams meet up at the mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden with a berth in the Final Four on the line. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm ET and will be broadcast on TBS.

Florida Atlantic vs Tennessee Odds

It’s a very narrow 2-point spread favoring Kansas State when these teams hook up on Saturday evening. The Wildcats have a .743 win percentage this season, but that mark seems to be something the Owls will embrace.

Florida Atlantic are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games versus teams with a winning percentage above .600. Both teams have terrific ATS marks recently, with the Wildcats 7-2 ATS in their last nine, while the Owls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10.

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FAU Shock Tennessee

When this tournament began, 9th seeded Florida Atlantic were nowhere to be seen in the odds to win March Madness. Well, those odds keep getting shorter and shorter. Only Princeton had longer odds entering the Sweet 16, but after stunning Tennessee in the Elite Eight, the Owls are commanding everyone’s respect.

The Florida Atlantic Owls are the 4th team since the field expanded in 1985 to reach the Elite 8 after entering the year with no NCAA Tournament wins. pic.twitter.com/4FqXpYJzbG

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 24, 2023

Down six points with just over eight minutes remaining in the 2nd half, FAU took over against the Volunteers and didn’t look back. The Owls went on an 18-2 run over the next six minutes and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.

No team in college basketball has won more games than the Owls this season who now have 34 victories, including 10 in a row. The Owls seem to embrace playing tough competition, owning an 8-1 record straight up when battling teams who are positioned in the top 100 of KenPom’s overall adjusted efficiency.

Kansas State in New York State of Mind

What a story the Wildcats are writing in New York City. A kid from Harlem put in a tour de force performance for Kansas State against Michigan in the Sweet 16 at Madison Square Garden, leading his team to the Elite Eight.

Standing only 5’8, Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell played bigger than anybody else on the floor. Dealing with an ankle sprain he sustained in the 2nd half, Nowell still managed to dish out an NCAA tournament record, 19 assists, and iced the game with his fifth steal and a lay in capping off a 20 point performance in his home city.

Of course it’s Markquis Nowell to Keyontae Johnson on an alley oop to tie the March Madness assist record. Iconic as it’s ever been pic.twitter.com/JWnPUyIo8G

— Sully Engels (@sullyengels) March 24, 2023

Expect their Final Four odds to continue to shorten as they are favorites in this one to advance to the tournament semifinals for the first time since 1964.

Only one Wildcats player put up more buckets than Nowell against the Spartans, and that was Keyontae Johnson, who has a fairy tale story of his own.

In December of 2020, Johnson collapsed on the court during a game while at Florida and put in a medically induced coma. He came out of it, but didn’t play basketball again until this season at Kansas State. Now, him and his teammates are one win away from the Final Four.

Needless to say, there’s going to be a lot of people at the Garden rooting for this Wildcats team that has pulled at a neutral fan’s heartstrings in many different ways.

Florida Atlantic vs Kansas State Prediction

Contrary to their seedings, the analytics would have you believe in a Florida Atlantic victory. According to KenPom, they are the 17th ranked team in the nation in overall adjusted efficiency, while Kansas State currently rank 21st in the country.

FAU vs Kansas State Head-to-Head Stats*

*Stats Prior To Sweet 16 Matchups*

Nevertheless, we think this will be FAU’s swan song. Kansas State is coming off wins over a couple of college basketball’s blue bloods, and have the feel of a squad destined for greater things before this competition is done.

Unlike Tennessee, they can score the ball with the best of them, pouring in at least 75 points in five of their last six games. It won’t be a walkover, but we’re going to stick with the higher seed and chalk in the college basketball odds to travel to Houston next week.

Pick: Florida Atlantic Owls Moneyline (+195)

March Madness Elite Eight articles:

• Miami vs Texas Odds & Picks
• San Diego State vs Creighton Odds & Predictions
• March Madness Elite Eight Player Props – Picks & Odds
• UConn vs Gonzaga Odds, Spread & Picks

The post FAU vs Kansas State Odds, Lines & Picks – Wildcats Favored in 2023 Elite Eight appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.