Let’s get right to it. I’ve been all over Gonzaga basketball for the past several seasons. Year in and year out, the Bulldogs dominate the West Coast Conference, play high quality basketball in their out-of-league schedule, and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

But they’ve failed to get over the hump.

This doesn’t matter for oddsmakers, though. For the third year in a row – Gonzaga is the betting favorite to win the NCAA Tournament according to BetOnline.ag. Here are their top ten:

2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion

Gonzaga                                   +750

North Carolina                       +800

Kentucky                               +1000

Houston                                 +1100

Kansas                                    +1400

Baylor                                     +1400

Arkansas                                +1600

Creighton                              +1800

Duke                                       +1800

UCLA                                     +1800

Forward Drew Timme is returning to Gonzaga for his senior season and will look to lead the Bulldogs to the promised land. The 2x Second-Team All American and 2022 WCC Player of the Year is starved for another chance at a title.

Junior Julian Strawther will also return to the team in 2022. The 6’7″ guard started 31 games for the Zags last year and scored 11.8 points per game. They’ll lean on him to continue improving in his third year in Spokane.

Malachi Smith is a massive addition to the Gonzaga team. A transfer guard from UT-Chattanooga, Smith led the Mocs to the NCAA Tournament in 2021-22 and was the Mid-Major player of the year. The addition of Smith is the reason why I will again be taking the Bulldogs to win the NCAA Title in 2022-23.

My pick: Gonzaga +750

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

Also be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Can Gonzaga Finally Win an NCAA Championship in 2022-23? appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Friday’s East Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Kansas vs. Miami – 2:20pm

Odds

Spread: Kansas -6

Total: 147.5

Moneyline: Kansas -260/Miami +220

Storylines

Kansas avoided a serious scare against Providence on Friday night, beating the Friars 66-61. The Jayhawks held Providence to just 17 first half points, but a 25-11 second half run gave the Friars a lead before Kansas ultimately got the job done. Remy Martin led the way for Kansas with 23 points.

The Jayhawks will take on the Miami Hurricanes, the 10-seed in the Midwest who has gotten through USC, Auburn, and Iowa State on their way to their first Elite Eight in program history. Though I have touted the ACC all tournament, the Big 12’s Kansas Jayhawks will be the Hurricanes biggest test all season.

Prediction/Pick

Miami’s run stops here. Kansas is too good. Bill Self get’s the Jayhawks to their first Final Four since 2018.

Prediction: Kansas 68 – Miami 58

Side: Kansas -6

Total: UNDER 147.5

North Carolina vs. Saint Peter’s – 5:05pm

Odds

Spread: UNC -8

Total: 137

Moneyline: UNC -360/Saint Peter’s +290

Storylines

Yup – they did it again. The Saint Peter’s Peacocks rattled off yet another victory and have made in to the Elite Eight, the first time a 15-seed has done this in the history of the tournament. They took down Purdue 67-64 on Friday night, with guard Daryl Banks III leading the way with 14 points. Coach Holloway’s team held Purdue’s 7’4″ center Zach Edey to just 11 points and NBA prospect Jaden Ivey to just 9.

Their opponent for Sunday? The North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC took down UCLA on Friday night behind guard Caleb Love’s dominant second half performance. Love went 6 for 13 from the 3-point line and scored 25 of his 28 points in the second half. The Tar Heels finished the game on a 12-2 run over the final two minutes – cementing themselves into the Elite Eight for the first time since 2017.

Prediction/Pick

It’s getting harder and harder to pick against Saint Peter’s, but the Cinderella story has to end at some point. The ACC is the best conference in college basketball, and unfortunately I think UNC is too big of a task for the Peacocks.

They’ll fight again and cover the spread, but the Tar Heels get themselves back to the Final Four.

Prediction: UNC 75 – Saint Peter’s 70

Side: Saint Peter’s +8

Total: OVER 137

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight – Kansas vs. Miami and North Carolina vs. Saint Peter’s – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Saturday’s Elite Eight games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Houston vs. Villanova – 6:09pm

Odds

Spread: Houston -2

Total: 128

Moneyline: Houston -138/Villanova +118

Storylines

Houston and Villanova will face off Saturday night from the AT&T Center in San Antonio for the chance to reach the Final Four.

For Houston, it would be their second Final Four in as many years. The Cougars have won six in a row, and have won all three of their tournament games by 12+ points. Guard Kyler Edwards led Houston with 14.1 point per game this season, but is averaging just under 20 in the tournament. They’ll need to ride Edward’s offense if they want to move on.

For Villanova, it would be their third Final Four appearance since 2016 – and head coach Jay Wright’s fourth as the coach of the Wildcats. Nova is led by senior Collin Gilespie – who I mentioned in January is making a case for himself to play in the NBA:

Villanova is 15-5 on the year and is currently ranked 14th in the country. Senior guard Collin Gillespie leads the Wildcats in scoring averaging 17.2 points per game – and could be making a case for himself to be a late second-round draft pick in April’s NBA draft.

Prediction/Pick

This game is going to be grinded out by both teams. The experience of Villanova mixed with Houston’s tenacious defense will make it appointment television on Saturday.

I ultimately think experience prevails, and Villanova gets back to the Final Four.

Prediction: Villanova 60 – Houston 58

Side: Villanova +2

Total: UNDER 128

Arkansas vs. Duke – 8:49pm

Odds

Spread: Duke -3.5

Total: 146

Moneyline: Duke -175/Arkansas -155

Storylines

Arkansas and Duke are both coming off of monster victories against Gonzaga and Texas Tech respectively – and are steamrolling their way to a Final Four birth.

The Razorbacks took down the number one team in the country on Thursday night, beating Spokane’s greatest 74-68. They held Gonzaga’s Chet Holgren to just 11 points and forced him to foul out towards the end of the game, essentially sealing the deal for them. Drew Timme put up 25 for the Bulldogs, but it wasn’t enough and Arkansas came out victorious.

Duke and Texas Tech followed this up with a barn burner that went down to the wire. Down four at half – Duke cut the deficit before going on a 7-0 late in the second half to ultimately sealed the deal. NBA draft prospect Paulo Banchero led the Blue Devils with 22 points in the win, extending Coach K’s career by at least one more game.

Prediction/Pick

I expect another hard fought Elite Eight matchup from Arkansas and Duke, and coach Muss and the Razorbacks feel like the perfect villain to ruin Coach K’s retirement tour.

Unfortunately, it feels like destiny that the Blue Devils continue on and get back to the Final Four for the first time since 2015.

Prediction: Duke 78 – Arkansas 76

Side: Arkansas +3.5

Total: OVER 146

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post NCAA Men’s Basketball Elite Eight – Houston vs. Villanova and Arkansas vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Friday’s East Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

St. Peters vs. Purdue – 7:09pm

Odds

Spread: Purdue -13

Total: 134

Moneyline: Purdue -1000/St. Peter’s +660

Storylines

In what is arguably the story of the tournament – the St. Peter’s Peacocks continue to defy odds as they rummage through the bracket like it’s a bacon egg and cheese SPK on a Sunday morning. Head coach Shaheen Holloway has the Jersey boys hoopin’ – led by junior guard Doug Edert – and although they’re already playing with house money, I’m sure they have their sights set on more than just a Sweet Sixteen birth.

Purdue, however, will be a different beast. Led by top NBA prospect Jaden Ivey – the Boilermakers are the 3-seed in the East region and have the fourth shortest odds to win the entire tournament at +500 according to BetOnline.ag. Head coach Matt Painter is in his 17th season at the helm in West Lafayette – so he’ll have his guys ready to go against the Peacocks.

Prediction/Pick

I unfortunately think the Cinderella run stops here. What coach Holloway has done for St. Peter’s this season has been nothing short of sensational, and frankly it’ll probably land him a power five job. However, Purdue will squeak by on Friday night. I’m sure the Peacocks will fight hard, and I expect them to cover the spread – but the Boilermakers advance to the Elite Eight.

Prediction: Purdue 65 – St. Peter’s 58

Side: St. Peter’s +13

Total: UNDER 134

North Carolina vs. UCLA – 9:39pm

Odds

Spread: UCLA -2

Total: 141.5

Moneyline: UCLA -135/UNC +115

Storylines

All of these Sweet Sixteen games have been spectacular – but this one truly feels like it will be the game of the round. Two storied programs in UNC and UCLA are set to face off on Friday night in what should set up to be an instant classic. Last Saturday, the Tarheels of North Carolina had Baylor down for the count before allowing them to come back from 25 down and force overtime. However, UNC stood their ground and was able to outlast the Bears 93-86. The ACC has been the conference of the tournament, and the Heels will look to continue that narrative on Friday.

On the other side, head coach Mick Cronin and UCLA are coming off of an improbable Final Four appearance last season, and are looking to build off of that this year. Led by guards Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr., the Bears have won 7 of their last 8 games and don’t look to be stopping anytime soon.

Prediction/Pick

Although I’ve pumped up how good the ACC has been all year long, I think the buck stops here for the Tarheels.  UCLA proved last season that they know how to compete in the tournament, and they’ll continue that on Friday night. It’ll be tight, but the Bears move on.

Prediction: UCLA 76 – UNC 73

Side: UCLA -2

Total: OVER 141.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Sweet Sixteen East Region – St. Peter’s vs. Purdue and North Carolina vs. UCLA – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Friday’s Midwest Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Providence vs. Kansas – 7:29pm

Odds

Spread: Kansas -7.5

Total: 141.5

Moneyline: Kansas -330/Providence +275

Storylines

Though they’re a 4-seed in the Midwest and finished the season ranked #15 in the country – the Providence Friars got to this point against all odds. They were favored by just 3 points in their first round game against South Dakota State and by just four against Richmond last round, but beat both of them handily. A few weeks ago, I had the Friars as my fifth favorite pick to win the title. Here’s what I wrote:

Call me crazy, but Ed Cooley has something going down in Providence. They are the ninth ranked team in the country, and are coming off of a dominant home win against the Creighton Jays. Center Nate Watson has been an outstanding interior player for Providence, and is shooting 65% from the field in the team’s last four games.

They head to Villanova on Tuesday night to take on the 11th ranked Wildcats – a true test to see if Providence is for real in 2022. If they can get some momentum going heading into the Big East tournament, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the 24-3 Friars playing basketball into April.

As for Kansas, they finished the season as the number 3 team in the country – led by senior guard Ochai Agbaji. Agbaji has gone for 11 and 16 point so far in the tournament, and has +1000 odds to win Most Outstanding Player according to BetOnline. That’ll be tough to do if they don’t get past the Friars…

Prediction/Pick

Which is exactly what I’m predicting. Providence continues to defy the odds and gets to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1997.

Prediction: Providence 77 – Kansas 76

Side: Providence +7.5

Total: OVER 141.5

Iowa State vs. Miami

Odds

Spread: Miami -2

Total: 133

Moneyline: Miami -145/Iowa State +125

Storylines

Both of these teams are coming off of major upsets last weekend as Miami beat #2 Auburn 79-61 and Iowa State beat #3 Wisconsin 54-49. Now, the Cyclones and Hurricanes face off in the Windy City for a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. Poetic isn’t it?

Miami plays in arguably the best conference in the country in the ACC and is led by an experienced coach in Jim Larrañaga. So their two round run isn’t terribly shocking. Their guard play is simply outstanding led by guard’s Kameron McGusty and Ian Wong, and although their front court could use some work, their backcourt is what got them here, so you have to respect it.

The Cyclones, on the other hand, are somehow riding high after going 7-11 in the Big 12 this season – good for just 11th in the conference.

Prediction/Pick

Iowa State can’t compete with Miami. The ACC is a much stronger conference – and that will show on Friday night. The Hurricanes continue their run and will take on the Providence Friars in the Elite Eight.

Prediction: Miami 74 – Iowa State 62

Side: Miami -2

Total: OVER 133

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Sweet Sixteen Midwest Region – Providence vs. Kansas and Iowa State vs. Miami – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks

And here are my previews and predictions for Thursday’s South Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Michigan vs. Villanova – 7:29pm

Odds

Spread: Villanova -5.5

Total: 135

Moneyline: Villanova -215/Michigan +185

Storylines

Thursday is filled with some A+ games – and Michigan vs. Villanova is only the second on the slate. Standout guard Colin Gillespie has had an outstanding career at Villanova, and the two-time Big East Player of the Year is looking to close it out with his second National Championship. The Wildcats are the #1 free-throw shooting team in the country, which in theory should give them a major boost down the stretch of a tourney run.

The Michigan Wolverines are already playing with house money this tournament. They were on the bubble towards the end of the season and are the #11 seed in the South. Head coach Juwan Howard’s team is led by sophomore center Hunter Dickinson, who was named to the Big Ten’s All-Defensive team and was Second Team All-Big Ten. Though they do have momentum on their side, they’ll certainly have their work cut out for them against Jay Wright’s Wildcats.

Prediction/Pick

The buck stops here with Michigan. Villanova is tournament tested and will be tough to stop. Give Juwan Howard’s PR team an A+ rating though, as we have all seemed to forget that he was throwing punches at opposing coaches just a few short weeks ago.

Wildcats win and cover.

Prediction: Villanova 69 – Michigan 62

Side: Villanova -5.5

Total: UNDER 135

Arizona vs. Houston – 9:59pm

Odds

Spread: Arizona -1.5

Total: 145

Moneyline: Arizona -125/Houston +105

Storylines

Arizona has arguably the second best player left in the tournament on their side in guard Benedict Mathurin – and he’s arguably the reason they’re still alive. TCU played the Wildcats tough on Sunday night, but the sophomore guard led the way with 30 points in an overtime win. They’ll need him to be on his game Thursday night if they want to advance.

Houston is probably the longest team I’ve ever seen. It seems like each of their guys have a 7’1″ wingspan or longer, and they just eat opposing offenses up. Though their offense can be choppy – they’ve put it together over the last few games when it’s mattered most. This can be a sneaky great game.

Prediction/Pick

I’m picking my first true “upset” of the sweet sixteen here, as I think Houston will keep the ball rolling. I’m turning against myself too as I originally had Arizona in the title game, but the Cougars have impressed me throughout the first two rounds – so I’m riding the hot hand.

Kelvin Sampson gets Houston to their second consecutive Elite Eight.

Prediction: Houston 75 – Arizona 73

Side: Houston +1.5

Total: OVER 145

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Sweet Sixteen South Region – Michigan vs. Villanova and Arizona vs. Houston – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

Who Will Win Each Region of the NCAA Tournament?

March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen

And here are my previews and predictions for Thursday’s West Region games with odds – as always –  from BetOnline.ag:

Arkansas vs. Gonzaga – 7:09pm

Odds

Spread: Gonzaga -9.5

Total: 155

Moneyline: Gonzaga -470/Arkansas +380

Storylines

The first thing that comes to mind when I see Arkansas verus Gonzaga is the coaching matchup – and boy these guys could not be more opposite. Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman has coached all over the map since he came on the basketball scene 1989 – coaching in the CBA, the NBA, and now for Arkansas’ since 2019. Musselman is fiery, outspoken, and looks like he physically wills his team to victory on the sideline.

Meanwhile, Mark Few is a man of few words up in Spokane, and he’s a Gonzaga lifer. The soft spoken head coach has been at the helm of the Bulldogs program since 1999 – and was only a GA and an assistant coach for the school before that. He has dominated the WCC for 20+ years and frankly has no reason to leave Washington.

Prediction/Pick

This game is filled with elite talent as guys like Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme, and J.D. Notae have dominated college hoops all season long. We should be in for a good one on Thursday night.

Though I think it will be close early, Gonzaga will it out in the end. The Bulldogs win, cover, and get themselves to the Elite Eight.

Prediction: Gonzaga 84 – Arkansas – 73

Side: Gonzaga -9.5

Total: OVER 155

Texas Tech vs. Duke – 9:39pm

Odds

Spread: Texas Tech -1

Total: 137

Moneyline: Texas Tech -118/Duke -102

Storylines

Coach K is fighting for his basketball life day in and day out it seems. The five-time National Champion had his own little retirement tour this season after announcing in June that 2021-22 will be his last season coaching, and every time you think it’s over he keeps crawling back.

This was especially true when Duke was down 5 with just over 5 minutes to go on Sunday. However, the Blue Devils put Coach K on their back – finishing the game on a 20-6 run to keep their hopes alive for a few more days.

Texas Tech had themselves quite the scare on Sunday as well before taking care of business in the final minute against Notre Dame. Tech has been a rather surprising program over the last several seasons, having qualified for four consecutive tournaments and three of the last four sweet sixteens. The loss of head coach Chris Beard to rival Texas hasn’t mattered much at all, as Mark Adams took over and led the Red Raiders to a promising 27-9 record in 2021-22.

Prediction/Pick

This should be a great game. Both team’s are playing great basketball so it should be fun to watch. Though Texas Tech has been impressive, I think Duke wins on Thursday as they win both the talent and the coaching matchup.

In what will be Coach K’s final win (as they’ll be no match for Gonzaga on Saturday), the Blue Devils get by Tech in a tight one.

Prediction: Duke 63 – Texas Tech 60

Side: Duke +1

Total: UNDER 137

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Sweet Sixteen West Region – Gonzaga vs. Arkansas and Texas Tech vs. Duke – Betting Predictions and Picks appeared first on CLNS Media.

We’ll have you covered all month long with March Madness betting content powered by our partners at @betonline_ag ???

Check out their latest Final Four odds HERE with picks from @mikekadlick on who he thinks will be facing off in New Orleans! https://t.co/ipSrs6GpU3

— CLNS Bet (@CLNSBetting) March 16, 2022

Last week I previewed who I thought would win each region (using betting odds provided by BetOnline.ag), and I was pretty much dead wrong. I went 2 out of 4 as the Kentucky Wildcats lost to the 15-seeded St. Peter’s on Thursday, and the Auburn Tigers forgot how to play basketball on Sunday night against the Miami Hurricanes.

We do still have our championship game in tact with Gonzaga and Arizona still alive.

Below I’ve outlined each remaining team’s odds to win the tournament, and each Sweet Sixteen matchup with the spread, point total, and moneyline. Per usual, all of our odds are provided by the online sportsbook BetOnline.ag.

Odds to Win NCAA Tournament

Gonzaga                  +225

Kansas                     +500

Arizona                    +500

Houston                  +800

Purdue                     +900

Texas Tech            +1200

Duke                       +1400

Villanova                +1400

UCLA                      +1400

North Carolina     +2500

Arkansas                +4000

Michigan                +6000

Providence             +6600

Miami                      +7500

Iowa State            +10000

St. Peter’s             +15000

Sweet 16 Matchups and Odds

Arkansas vs. Gonzaga

Spread: Gonzaga -8.5

Total: 154.5

Moneyline: Gonzaga -415/Arkansas +335

Michigan vs. Villanova

Spread: Villanova -5

Total: 135

Moneyline: Villanova -205/Michigan +175

Texas Tech vs. Duke

Spread: Texas Tech -1

Total: 136.5

Moneyline: Texas Tech -118/Duke -102

Arizona vs. Houston

Spread: Arizona -2.5

Total: 145

Moneyline: Arizona -145/Houston +125

Providence vs. Kansas

Spread: Kansas -7.5

Total: 141.5

Moneyline: Kansas -350/Providence +280

North Carolina vs. UCLA

Spread: UCLA -2

Total: 142.5

Moneyline: UCLA -140/UNC +120

Saint Peter’s vs. Purdue

Spread: Purdue -12.5

Total: 136

Moneyline: Purdue -1100/St. Peters +700

Iowa State vs. Miami

Spread: Miami -2

Total: 133

Moneyline: Miami -130/Iowa State +110

There’s still plenty of great action coming up, so keep it here with me all week on CLNSMedia.com where
I will preview and predict each sweet sixteen game coming up.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

Also, be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Betting Odds Heading into the Sweet Sixteen appeared first on CLNS Media.

We’ll have you covered all month long with March Madness betting content powered by our partners at @betonline_ag ???

Check out their latest Final Four odds HERE with picks from @mikekadlick on who he thinks will be facing off in New Orleans! https://t.co/ipSrs6GpU3

— CLNS Bet (@CLNSBetting) March 16, 2022

Speaking of BetOnline, here’s a look at some of their best bets for the first round, and a blurb and a quick pick for each:

Round of 64 Props

Highest margin of victory in one game Round 64

Over/Under                               38½

Ther are always an abundance of close games and upsets in the early days of the NCAA tournament, but there’s also always blow outs. Especially in the 1 vs 16 games (outside of Virginia and UMBC), it’s a clear mismatch. I like the over  38.5 for the highest margin of victory.

Highest Combined Pts scored by two teams Round 64

Over/Under                               182½

I’m sure a few of first round games games will go to overtime, so taking the chance on over 182.5 makes sense.

Highest Point Total scored by one team Round 64

Over/Under                               99½

Back to the overs! A 1 or a 2 seed will score 100+ points in the first round. Over 99.5 is the play.

Lowest Combined Pts scored by 2 teams Round 64

Over/Under                               106½

This is a lowwwww total, but I’m sure two teams will be ice cold at the same time. Rooting for misses can be painful but under 106.5 is a fun one.

Lowest Point Total scored by one team Round 64

Over/Under                               47½

Staying consistent for the under lowest game total, someone will score under 47.5 points in a game in round one as well.

Most Points scored in game by one player Round 64

Over/Under                               35½

March Madness is super star season, but the first round is all about playing conservative basketball and getting bye. No one goes over the point total in the round of 64. Take under 35.5.

Total Games Go Into OT Round 64

Over/Under                               1½

Over 1.5. Easy one.

Game Winning Buzzer Beaters Round 64

0                        5/7

1                        2/1

2                        5/1

3                        14/1

4                        22/1

5                        25/1

6 or more          50/1

Picking the exact number of games is tough, but theres no way it will be zero. I think betting both 1 game at +200 and 2 games at +500 would be safe.

Will a 1 Seed be Losing or Tied at Halftime in Rd of 64?

Yes       +300     (3/1)

No        -500     (1/5)

The one seeds basically always win, but the games can sometimes be close – at least in the first half. I’d take the plus odds here at Yes +300.

Will a 14 to 16 seed beat a 1 to 3 seed Round of 64?

Yes       -140     (5/7)

No        +100     (1/1)

Take the even money. The 1’s, 2’s and 3’s all move on.

Will a 12 seed beat a 5 seed Round of 64?

Yes       -260     (5/13)

No        +175     (7/4)

A 12 seed almost always beats a 5 seed, but I really like the 5’s this season. I’d risk No +175 to go chalky again.

Will a 13 seed beat a 4 seed Round of 64?

Yes       -300     (1/3)

No        +200     (2/1)

Chattanooga or Vermont can do it, but laying -300 isn’t worth it. I’d hold off on this one.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston Sports news!

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The post March Madness – Betting Odds and Ends For the Round of 64 appeared first on CLNS Media.

The field is truly wide open, and you can bet on who will win it all using BetOnline.ag. Here’s a list of their top ten to win the NCAA Tournament:

NCAA Tourney Odds to Win

Gonzaga               +400

Kentucky              +650

Arizona                  +775

Duke                      +900

Kansas                 +1200

Baylor                  +1200

Purdue                 +1200

Auburn                +1200

Villanova             +1800

Texas Tech          +2200

This past Saturday, the top SIX teams in the country lost. Like I said – wide open.

A historic day in college basketball

No. 1 Gonzaga LOST
No. 2 Arizona LOST
No. 3 Auburn LOST
No. 4 Purdue LOST
No. 5 Kansas LOST
No. 6 Kentucky LOST

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 27, 2022

A majority of the top 25 are your common blue blood power houses, but others (Saint Mary’s, Murray State, Arkansas) are a surprise.

With that being said, no one has really separated themselves as the elite talent in the field, and it may be a crapshoot right up until the end, Here are my top five favorite bets to tournament:

5. Providence (+6600)

Call me crazy, but Ed Cooley has something going down in Providence. They are the ninth ranked team in the country, and are coming off of a dominant home win against the Creighton Jays. Center Nate Watson has been an outstanding interior player for Providence, and is shooting 65% from the field in the team’s last four games.

They head to Villanova on Tuesday night to take on the 11th ranked Wildcats – a true test to see if Providence is for real in 2022. If they can get some momentum going heading into the Big East tournament, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the 24-3 Friars playing basketball into April.

4. Baylor (+1200)

Baylor shocked the world last season by beating down on the undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament final, and have kept that domination going into this season. The Bears are 24-5 and are currently the third ranked team in the country.

As they proved last year, they can compete with anybody. If they get a good pull in the tournament, Baylor can easily make the Final Four again and set themselves up to repeat as National Champions.

3. Kentucky (+650)

Kentucky has actually been a bit of a surprise this season. Although they currently have the second highest odds at +650 to win the tournament, this wasn’t always the case for John Calipari’s Wildcats. They opened the year at +1400, and junior forward Oscar Tshiebwe, who is the heavy favorite to win this season’s Wooden Award (-400 according to BetOnline.ag), wasn’t even on their board when the season began.

Tshiebwe has been the anchor for the Wildcats, averaging 16.9 points per game and 15.3 rebounds per game this season. He is the key to a successful Kentucky tournament run.

2. Duke (+900)

I’m always down on Duke when it comes to NCAA tournament time. They are constantly underperforming (according to their standards), and haven’t been to a Final Four since 2015.

That being said, this is Coach K’s last season in Durham, and he’s going to do everything in his power to go out on a high note. He has a program great in forward Paolo Banchero leading the way for his Blue Devils, and frankly it’ll be a bust if this team isn’t playing in the Final Four.

1. Gonzaga (+400)

Gonzaga will forever be dominant under Mark Few – but can they finally get the championship monkey off of their back in 2022? Projected number one overall pick Chet Holmgren has been a godsend for the Bulldogs, and senior Drew Timme continues to dominate down low.

Playing in the WCC may be this team’s only true downfall, and it’s something that they need to get over. They have the talent to play against the elite in college basketball, and I think this is the year they finally get their ring.

I am sitting on a Gonzaga future at +550, so here’s to hoping this is actually their year.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @CLNSMedia for the latest up-to-date Boston sports news!

Also be sure to check out our new sports betting Twitter account @CLNSBetting for all the latest odds and content from CLNS Media.

Use code CLNS50 for 50% off your first deposit at Betonline.ag.

The post Let the Madness Begin – My Top Five Picks to Win the NCAA Tournament appeared first on CLNS Media.