Ncaa March Madness Brackets - December 18, 2008
We roll with five plays today...
Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:
Game: Mississippi State vs. Cincinnati (6:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Cincinnati -5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Bulldogs preparation for this one may have been reduced by the fact that head coach Rick Stansbury was out sick with a viral infection, which caused him some time in the hospital. Both of these teams have been exceptional on the defensive end as they are each limiting opponents to 35%, and both have key go-to type players in Varando for the Bulldogs and Vaughn for the Bearcats. The difference here is likely to be the venue. Although this is considered a neutral-court game, it is being played in Cincinnati. The Bearcats have done an impressive job against good teams as they are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 against teams with a winning percentage of over .600. I expect the Bearcats to get it done once again over a solid Bulldog team and I will lay the points here.
Game: Evansville at North Carolina (7:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 157.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The No. 1 ranked Tar Heels will look to go to 10-0 as many feel this team has a shot of an unbeaten season. The Tar Heels have future NBA players in all five spots on the floor and a few more on the bench. It has translated into a lot of early blowouts. The Purple Aces have gotten off to a surprisingly fast start at 7-1 the season. They have to realize they are going to have to shorten this game to have any chance of avoiding embarrassment to the Heels. That has been their style all season as four teams have been held in the 50s or less. The Tar Heels have been a scoring machine, but when you get to a total this high it takes two teams scoring. The Tar Heels have established a track record of when they score 100 in their previous game the oddsmakers have bumped the total in their next one. The result has been the Tar Heels playing UNDER in five of their last six after scoring 100+. I'll back the UNDER in this one.
Game: Niagara at Drexel (7:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 129.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
This game will likely turn out to be a battle of wills. The Purple Eagles like to get up and down the court, while the Dragons are content in the half-court game. So, the total appears to be hedged down too much here. The better team here is the Purple Eagles and I'm sure to take advantage of that they are going to pressure and force a more uptempo game in this one. The Dragons have more trunovers than assists and are definately a team that can be pressured. One indicator of that might be the Dragons 4-1 mark to the OVER vs. teams that are .600 or better. In addition, their inability to control tempo is shown by the fact they are 9-4 to the UNDER when listed as an underdog. I will back the OVER in this one.
Game: Iona at Western Michigan (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 126.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Both of these teams have been struggling, at least in terms of record, but Iona has been better as they enter this contest at 4-5. The Gaels have however; won their last two and they have made some adjustments at the offensive end. They were limited to just 61.6 points per game in their first six, but have since come on offensively scoring 74 ppg in their last three. The Broncos have now gone winless in their last four and have been giving up 73.5 ppg in the process. Iona has produced OVERS at the rate of 9-3-1 when playing outside their conference, and has been scoring much better of late. As a small favorite up to 6.5 the Broncos have played to 5-2 to the OVER in their last 7. I'll back the OVER in this one.
Game: Pepperdine at C S Northridge (10:05 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 145 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Pepperdine, the once proud program from Malibu, has really fallen on hard times. The Waves have managed just one win in their 10 games this season, and that was to a non Division I team. They have really struggled at the offensive end in particular. Their games against D1 opponents have shown them scoring just 6 1ppg. Northridge hasn't exactly been burning up the court either as they enter here just 2-6 on the season. They too have struggled at times as shown by the 47 point performance at Drexel and their inconsistencies are shown with their 12-5 mark to the UNDER after a win in their last 17. The Waves have played four of five UNDER when facing teams with a losing record. There simply is not enough offense on the floor to push this one OVER.
Results: 1-4
NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-17-2008
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NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-16-2008
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NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-15-2008
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NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-14-2008
UTEP is 3-1 at home, shooting very well there. On the road it's a different story as they are 1-2, hitting just 36.1% from the field. They have no one in the front court averaging double-digits. O...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-13-2008
The Cuse is off to a big start at 8-0, but suffered a severe blow in their last game as Eric Devendorf has been suspended for disiplinary reasons. He will however suit up, and likely play as he is app...
