Sun, 21 Mar 2021

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – Midwest Region
12:10 PM EST

809 Loyola Chicago
810 Illinois -7 / 133½

Prediction:  Illinois is playing dominant in recent games and Loyola will be up against a type of beast that they have not seen yet this season. Loyola specializes in defense but stopping the Fighting Illini is a tough challenge. Loyola will have a hard time scoring against this Illinois team that is locking down on the defensive end in recent games. Illinois will dominate the offensive and defensive glass giving Loyola no chance at second-chance points as they did against Georgia Tech. If you watched that game the only reason Loyola won is that GT’s best player was out and Loyola cleaned up on the offensive glass with second-chance buckets. The total on this game is fishy indicating it could either be a close game or an Illinois blowout. Take Illinois to cover the spread in this game that should go Under the total in either scenario.

The Bookie:  Illinois -7 / Under 133.5
Fade the Public: Loyola / Under
Sharp Action: Illinois / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – South Region
2:40 PM EST

801 Wisconsin
802 Baylor -6 / 137

Prediction:  The Badgers shot lights out against UNC which is why they were able to win. If Wisconsin can score over 80 points they can beat anyone the problem is that they rarely score over 70 points. In the Badger’s last 10 games they have scored over 70 points just 3 times. Baylor on the other hand averages 84 points per game on 48.9% field goal shooting. Wisconsin plays tough defense but Baylor doesn’t turn the ball over much. The Badgers again will have a chance if they shoot lights out and Baylor is ice cold from three. Otherwise, expect Wisconsin to regress in this game. Look for Baylor to cover the spread and win by double-digits.

The Bookie:  Baylor -6 / Over 137
Fade the Public:  Wisconsin / Under
Sharp Action:  Baylor / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – Midwest Region
5:15 PM EST

813 Syracuse
814 West Virginia -3½ / 147½

Prediction:  West Virginia is a much more talented team however in recent games, Syracuse is shooting lights out which will always give them a chance to win. WVU holds teams to 33% from three-point land which will be the most important defensive stat for the Mountaineers in this game. The Mountaineers get to the free-throw line more than any other team in Division 1 which will give them extra opportunities to score and get key players from Syracuse in foul-trouble. The Orange are not a deep team so any one of its players in foul trouble is a problem. Take West Virginia to win and cover the spread in this game that will go Under the total if WVU shuts down Cuse.

The Bookie:  WVU / Under 147.5
Fade the Public:  Syracuse / Under
Sharp Action:  WVU / Under

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – South Region
@ Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
6:10 PM EST

805 Texas Tech -1 / 140½
806 Arkansas

Prediction:  The obvious play here is Texas Tech to the average bettor given its recent history in March Madness. So why is this line only -1? Texas Tech might be a solid defensive team but this Arkansas team can score. The Razorbacks average 83 points per game and have only scored less than 80 in 3 out of the last 10 games. Texas Tech is not playing very well as they rely on McClung but he has been struggling big time. The only reason the Red Raiders beat Utah State was because of a comeback after benching McClung. Arkansas is a well-coached team that will dominate the offensive end to win this game straight up.

The Bookie:  Arkansas +1 / Over 140.5
Fade the Public:  Arkansas / Under
Sharp Action:  Arkansas / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – Midwest Region
7:10 PM EST

815 Rutgers
816 Houston -8 / 132

Prediction:  Rutgers is a team that has a lot of experience in comparison to Houston between the starting lineup. Rutgers can rebound and defend just as well as Houston so you can count on this game being an intense defensive matchup. Houston is expected to be without its most important player and star point guard Dejon Jarreau who averages 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game which will have this team looking for someone to take over. This is not a position you want to replace this time of the tournament. Rutgers guards should be able to dominate this game to keep it close and cover the spread.

The Bookie:  Rutgers +8 / Under 132
Fade the Public: Rutgers / Under
Sharp Action: Rutgers / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – South Region
7:45 PM EST

807 Oral Roberts
808 Florida -8½ / 148

Prediction:   Oral Roberts has won 6 straight games by an average of almost 10 points per game. Florida has not been playing well towards the end of the season even with the win over a Virginia Tech team that couldn’t score in the 2nd half. Florida could be without Appleby since he had a hard elbow that required stitches late in the 2nd half. He wobbled off the court so he could be under concussion protocol. Oral Roberts on the other hand is playing its best basketball of the season and has one of the best scoring teams in the country. They are first in foul shooting and 12th in three-point shooting. Look for Oral Roberts to cover the spread and possibly with one straight up.

The Bookie:  Oral Roberts +8.5 / Over 148
Fade the Public:  Oral Roberts / Under
Sharp Action:  Florida / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – South Region
8:45 PM EST

803 North Texas
804 Villanova -6½ / 127

Prediction:  The North Texas Mean Green is a team that plays a slow-paced ball game. When they control the tempo they can get open shots. This will be a game that both teams will have to grind it out on the offensive end because of how hard each team works defensively. Villanova is struggling without its point guard but they have found ways to win without him. Villanova is the better team with the better coach, all they have to do is stop the Mean Green from hitting threes as they did against Purdue. Take the Villanova Wildcats to get a big win and cover the spread.

The Bookie:  Villanova -6.5 / Under 127
Fade the Public:  Villanova / Under
Sharp Action:  Villanova / Under

 

NCAA TOURNAMENT – Second Round – Midwest Region
9:40 PM EST

811 Oregon State
812 Oklahoma State -6 / 140½

Prediction: Oregon State is playing good basketball dominating its last 4 opponents as its offense has been rolling. The Beavers offense might be able to continue against Oklahoma State because the defense isn’t the strong suit.  Cade Cunningham is what Oregon State will have to figure out as it will be the biggest challenge. The best defensive teams in the Big 12 haven’t been able to figure it out so Cunningham will continue to dominate. Take Oklahoma State to cover the spread in this game that will go Over as the Oregon State offense continues to score.

The Bookie: Ok. St. -6 / Over 140.5
Fade the Public:  Ok. St. / Under
Sharp Action:  Ok. St. / Over