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NCAA Tournament Free Round 2 Projections

Cappers picks brings you all the 2009 free Second round projections based on our Round 1 predictions article. This is your one-stop shop for the first two rounds of March Madness betting picks…

March Madness Betting – Second-Round Predictions/Picks

(Based On our Picks From Our Round 1 Picks Article >>>)

Now that the first round has been primed, previewed and predicted, let’s take a look at the matchups and results for the second round of March Madness betting based on our first-round picks.

CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR EXPERTS PICKS FOR ROUND 2 GAMES —->

2nd Round – Midwest Region 

No. 1 Louisville vs No. 9 Siena

Projected sportsbook odds: Louisville -13

A first round win over Ohio State would be a success for Siena but they don’t have what it takes to beat a team like Louisville. Also, Louisville should have an easy time of their first round matchup with Morehead State so they should be fresh for this contest.

Pick: Louisville

No. 4 Wake Forest vs No. 12 Arizona

Projected sportsbook odds: Wake Forest -7

Arizona has the talent to get by in their first round matchup but they will require some serious focus to get past Wake Forest. Arizona has stubbed its toe against premier competition all season long and this game won’t be any different.

Pick: Wake Forest

No. 6 West Virginia vs No. 3 Kansas

Projected sportsbook odds: Kansas -4

The West Virginia Mountaineers have a real chance to crash the Sweet Sixteen party as Kansas is a potentially vulnerable No. 3 seed. Kansas doesn’t have a ton of experience left after most of their Championship-winning roster went to the NBA. The Mountaineers are freshmen based, but they are well-coached by Bob Huggins. Don’t be surprised to see this talented team make a run.

Pick: West Virginia

No. 2 Michigan State vs No. 10 USC

Projected sportsbook odds: Michigan State -9

Pulling an upset in the first sound would be adequate for the USC Trojans to view their season as successful while the Spartans have big plans. The Trojans are a 10-seed for a reason and they simply don’t have the entire package required to take down Michigan State.

Pick: Michigan State

2nd Round – West Region

No. 1 UConn vs No. 9 Texas A&M

Projected sportsbook odds: UConn -9.5

This is a matchup that could easily be BYU versus UConn but focusing on this specific one, UConn is clearly the superior team. Texas A&M did win six straight heading into the Big 12 Tournament but it lost to Texas Tech in the first round. UConn is humming right now and it will take a strong team to knock them off. A&M isn’t that team.

Pick: UConn

No. 5 Purdue vs No. 4 Washington

Projected sportsbook odds: Washington -1

Washington is overrated as No. 4 seed while Purdue is underrated as No. 5 seed. The Huskies had an excellent regular season but the postseason is a different story. Purdue is finally healthy with Robbie Hummel and company clicking. Purdue should ride some hot shooting into the Sweet Sixteen.

Pick: Purdue

No. 11 Utah State vs No. 3 Missouri

Projected sportsbook odds: Missouri -11

The Aggies pulled a nice upset over Marquette in the first round but Missouri is nowhere near as vulnerable. While experience may be an issue for Mizzou, their stellar defense will allow them to stay in games and work those butterflies off. The Big 12 team moves on to the Sweet Sixteen.

Pick: Missouri

No. 10 Maryland vs No. 2 Memphis

Projected sportsbook odds: Memphis -11

The Memphis Tigers are simply too good to lose to Maryland. They are versatile, athletic and deep, which Maryland won’t be able to match. On top of that, the Tigers are a solid defensive team, which has seemingly gone unnoticed. They can still score with ease but now they play well at both ends of the court.

Pick: Memphis

 

2nd Round – East Region 

No. 1 Pittsburgh vs No. 8 Oklahoma State

Projected sportsbook odds: Pittsburgh -8

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have won eight of their last 10 games – and would be at nine of their last 11 if they made this point – but they are a perimeter team. The Panthers have a big beast in the middle in DeJuan Blair and the Cowboys won’t have any answers for that. They are an undersized squad.

Pick: Pittsburgh

No. 12 Wisconsin vs No. 4 Xavier

Projected sportsbook odds: Xavier -6

This is a matchup that should be nip-tuck but Wisconsin could be able to pull another surprise. Xavier doesn’t have great point guards and Wisconsin is a very solid defensive team. If they crank up the pressure, the pipes might burst for Xavier. Wisconsin has won seven of its last 10 and heads into this tournament on a high, which is not how Xavier walks in having lost four of its last nine games.

Pick: Wisconsin

No. 6 UCLA vs No. 3 Villanova

Projected sportsbook odds: Villanova -4

The UCLA Bruins might have a problem if Darren Collison’s tailbone isn’t 100 per cent healed. They might not even be at this point if he’s not healthy. But in a matchup against a superior Big East squad, even if Collison is around, it would be difficult to expect UCLA to advance. They are young and inexperienced, and also played in a much worse conference.

Pick: Villanova

No. 10 Minnesota vs No. 2 Duke

Minnesota will be happy to just be in the second round but Duke is focused to make sure that they at least make the Sweet Sixteen. Both teams are well coached but Duke has been playing well since they shook their lineup. Minnesota won’t make it easy on them, though.

Pick: Duke

2nd Round – South Region 

No. 1 North Carolina vs No. 9 Butler

Projected sportsbook odds: North Carolina -14

Butler is actually capable of pulling this upset if Ty Lawson doesn’t play, so keep that in mind. If he does and is completely healthy, Butler will likely keep it close for about a half, but eventually get run off the court. They just can’t match UNC part-for-part.

Pick: North Carolina

No. 12 Western Kentucky vs No. 4 Gonzaga

Projected sportsbook odds: Gonzaga -9

Gonzaga is a fraud but Western Kentucky isn’t a team that is likely to expose them. Gonzaga’s five losses came against Arizona, Memphis, Connecticut, Portland State and Utah, but all of those teams are better than Western Kentucky. Look for the ‘Zags to go one more round before being shown the exit.

Pick: Gonzaga

No. 3 Syracuse vs No. 6 Arizona State

Projected sportsbook odds: Syracuse -2

This will be a great matchup of two of the best individuals in the Tournament: Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn and Arizona State’s James Harden. Syracuse is the more complete team, though, and has more weapons than just Flynn. But the Sun Devils play stellar defense, which is likely to be the difference. Also, at this point, fatigue might be an issue for Syracuse as Arizona State will make this game into a grind.

Pick: Arizona State

No. 7 Clemson vs No. 2 Oklahoma

Projected sportsbook odds: Oklahoma -11.5

The Oklahoma Sooners will get a challenge in this game as Clemson is clearly a step up from Morgan State. The Tigers faltered down the stretch of the season with losses in three of their last four games. Clemson won’t have any answers for Blake Griffin.

Pick: Oklahoma


CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR EXPERTS FREE MARCH MADNESS PICKS FOR ROUND 2 Tournament GAMES —->

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