Play In Game – Catamounts vs Cardinals CBB Handicapping Prediction
In the play-in game for the Midwest Region Vermont faces Lamar and the winner will get to play top seed North Carolina in the next Big Dance game.
Venue/ Stadium: University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OH
Time/Date: 6:40 PM EST Wednesday, March 14, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): Lamar -3
Over/Under: 129
Vermont Catamounts vs. Lamar Cardinals Preview
After head coach Pat Knight blew up at his Lamar players they caught fire and won every game, including winning the Southland Conference tournament, to qualify for the NCAA tourney. Vermont won the America East tournament and is making their 5th appearance in the Big Dance.
In the finals of their respective conference tournament finals Vermont beat Stony Brook 51-43 and Lamar beat McNeese State 70-49.
This season Vermont is 3-1 ATS with an O/U record of 2-2 and Lamar is 5-1 ATS with an O/U record of 2-3-1.
Lamar starts 4 seniors with 3 of them averaging over 11 ppg led by the G duo of Mike James (17.2 ppg) and G Anthony Miles (14.5 ppg). Both of these guys can drain the 3 and Vermont will have to play good perimeter D and not allow these guys to bomb away from deep.
Where Lamar is strong is on the boards, as they rank 10th in the nation in rebounds per game. Devon Lamb (11.9 ppg 7.9 rpg) is the leading rebounder for Lamar, but he is only 6’2″ while Vermont’s leading rebounder Brian Voelkel (4.8 ppg 8.6 rpg). [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Lamar is a more athletic team and Vermont has to keep the quick and speedy Lamar guards not only from scoring, but getting to the glass.
Vermont is led G Four McGlynn (12 ppg) and F Matt Glass (11.9 ppg) and both can also drain the 3.
These is a match up of a couple of teams with 2 contrasting styles, as Lamar likes to run and gun while Vermont likes to slow the pace and play a half-court game. The team that can play to their strength has a HUGE advantage in this game. Vermont has to hold onto the rock facing a very athletic Lamar team that ranks 37th in the nation in steals per game.
In some betting trends for this Midwest Region play in game Vermont is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog, and they have an Over record of 8-3 in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Lamar is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win, and they have an Under record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Jason’s Pick: Have to go with red-hot Lamar in this game, as they have a better backcourt and they will win this game and cover the spread.
