***Syracuse +12 over UCONN (12:00 Eastern)
Syracuse faces a tough match up in the game they play today against Connecticut, but no matter how tough the game is, Syracuse knows they have to win or they will not be in the big dance this year. UCONN on the other hand has all but locked up a #1 bid in one of the 4 areas of the bracket. G. McNamara is a wonderful player who leaves everything on the floor and that was seen last night as "willed" his team to a win by making a last second 3 point shot from the top of the key. Look for him to continue with his leadership and wonderful outside shooting to keep this game close until the end. An upset would all but lock up a seat for Syracuse in the big dance so they are going to leave everything they have on the court. UCONN on the other hand does not want to get any injuries before the tourney so they will not be diving for loose balls and the starters my find themselves on the bench near the end of this game. On a neutral floor this year, Syracuse is actually outscoring UCONN 78-74ppg and giving up almost 6ppg less. Look for this to be a better game than the average person may feel and the Orangemen to give UCONN a run for their money. Take the 12 points with the team that has more on the line in this game. Three stars on the Cuse.
**SMU +9 over UAB (1:00 Eastern)
Sure, UAB has won 18 of their last 20 straight up. But, ATS, they are just 4-7 in their last 11 games. Against common opponents this year, both teams share a 7-7 ATS mark. SMU is 5-4 ATS on the road and plays as good a defense as does UAB. Nine points is too much in this matchup and we'll back the dog for two stars.
**St. Joeseph's -3 over St. Louis (2:20 Eastern)
These two teams have only faced each other once in recent history and it happened to be this year. St. Louis was playing at home and and a one point favorite, the final score however shows that St. Joes won in a blow out (54-39). St. Louis is coming off two straight losses ATS while St. Joes has covered 4 in a row. Not only does St Joes score more ppg and shoot better from all over the floor, but they also turn the ball over less and that is always something to take into consideration when you are not playing on your home court. Without any injuries on either side of this game it looks as though St Joes will continue to move forward in the bracket; not quite the blowout we saw in their last match up but they will cover the 3 without trouble. Two stars on Joe's.
***W. Michigan +10 over Akron (2:20 Eastern)
As head coach of Western Michigan, Steve Hawkins is now 12-4 ATS revenging a road loss. He goes for one today after Akron's 22 point victory over W. Michigan in February. Western Michigan has hd a rough year, especialy on the road but they've actually fared fairly well against conference oppoennts. They actually own a 3-2 SU advantage over Akron over the past three years and the ATS mark advantage as well. Again, too many points as the public jumps on the "easy" choice Akron here. We'll go the opposite way and back Western Michigan for three stars.
**Oregon State +15 over UCLA (5:45 Eastern)
UCLA beat Oregon State by 18 points just a few weeks ago in UCLA. Now they are laying 14.5. OSU gave the Bruins a fight for most of that game. The Beavers actually led that game by six points at half in a game they were dominating. UCLA put together a 20-0 run midway through the second half to go on and win and cover. OSU fell apart. I don't think they let that happen today. I think they take the confidence from that first half of last game and parlay it into a strong performance here, covering. Two stars on OSU plus the points.
**Tulane +22 over Memphis (7:00 Eastern)
The public can't stay away from Memphis. Have they not noticed that this team is now 4-11 ATS in their last 15 lined games? Have they not noticed they are 0-4 in their last four? Sure, they are great. But, the lines have gotten way too big. Now they lay 22 points, the fourth highest spread they've faced all year. They lost 2 of the other 3 against the spread including only winning by 11 points as a 24.5 point favorite to Tulsa just three games ago. Versus common opponents this season, Memphis is 12-1 while Tulane is just 7-7. But - get this - Memphis is 3-10 ATS in those games vs. 8-6 for Tulsa! Everyone loves the #1 seed... Except us dog bettors! Take Tulane plus the points for two stars.
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