Bigtime NCAA Matchups
Just like that meteor in the movie Armageddon, we’re on a crash course to Selection Sunday for the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament.
While there is only a smattering of teams from the Big East in the polls, the upper echelon of the rankings has a strong Eastern flavor.
Pitt Panthers at Seton Hall
Going into the weekend, the Pittsburgh Panthers are the No. 1 team in the land but they haven’t done much to make a case to still be there next week.
On Tuesday, the Panthers had a date in Providence, Rhode Island against the Friars, listed as 9.5-point favorites. Not only didn’t they cover the spread, they get beat straight up and beat convincingly, 81-73.
Not only did that lose sting for the Panthers, but it stung sports bettors as well. Top online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com reported that over 80% of the action in that matchup was on Pitt.
It won’t be the first time this season the Panthers have been knocked out of the #1 ranking (if indeed they are)…Pitt were kings of the NCAA hoops hill between Weeks eight and nine but dropped to #4 in Week 10.
Pitt can get back on track if they can hand it to Seton Hall this weekend in New Jersey.
The Panthers are currently 25-3 with a conference record of 12-3. They sport an ATS mark of 14-8. Based on recent history, they might have their work cut out for them if they want to not only win straight up, but cover the number as well.
In the last eight trips to Seton Hall to play the Pirates, Pitt is merely 3-5 SU and 3-4-1 ATS and in its last 20 road games on Saturday, are an unprofitable 6-14 ATS.
In their last 20 road games overall, Pittsburgh is 12-8 SU and 11-9 ATS.
Bettors have found Seton Hall a solid bet at home, as in the last 20 games in front of the home town fans, the Pirates have been 13-7 SU and 9-6 ATS.
Notre Dame at UConn
With the aforementioned Selection Sunday set for March 15, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish better roll up their sleeves and get to work.
Currently with a record of 16-11 SU the Irish are considered one of the Big East’s Bubble teams and have been unlucky to bettors with an ATS record of 7-15.
The Irish can drastically improve their chances of a March Madness selection by defeating the No. 2 UConn Huskies on Saturday…but that might be asking a little too much.
The Fighting Irish have been anything but lucky when visiting the Huskies going 1-10 SU and 4-7 ATS in the last 11 trips to Connecticut.
Notre Dame has been almost as bad in its last 20 road games overall, both SU and ATS, going 9-11 SU and 8-12 ATS. Total bettors might want to take note that the Irish have trended to higher scoring games on the road, posting a mark of 14 overs and 6 unders in their last 20 away games.
On the other side of the court, UConn may be the second-best team in college basketball and tough to beat at home (16-2 SU mark), but they struggle to cover the points. They are only 6-8 ATS in their home starts this year.
A win would do wonders for the ND program, who are 4-8 SU and 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games.
Georgetown at Villanova
Sitting at 14-12 SU with a horrible 5-10 conference record and a record of 8-13-1 ATS, the odds of the Georgetown Hoyas missing the March Madness tournament are high.
Georgetown is a dismal 9-11 SU and 6-11-1 ATS in the last 20 games which is why ESPN is quoted as saying, “Georgetown is finished after losing for the ninth time in 11 games.”
On the other hand, the Villanova Wildcats look to have their invite wrapped up, ranked 10th in the AP poll with a record of 23-5 SU, 14-10 ATS.
The two meet this Saturday in Philly.
Georgetown has a slight edge in the last nine road games against Villanova, going 5-4 SU and ATS. In their last 20 road games, the Hoyas have been an “Under” play, sporting a mark of 6 Overs and 14 Unders.
With March Madness looming, Bubble Teams have to make their moves now, while the top of the rankings need to try and secure the best seeding they can, so wins are important for everyone.
It is time to seize the day in college basketball.
Enjoy the weekend college hoops.
Visit SPORTSBETTING.com to check out their great bonus program (sign up bonus, re-load bonuses) and to take advantage of their half-juice Fridays. Pay only -105 on your basketball wagers.
One reply on “NCAA Hoops: Weekend Preview”
I have my spotlight of focus on Pittsburgh this week. They need a strong finish to stay in the top of the pack and still have a chance to lock up a number one seed in the Tournament. I agree, some of the luster is gone, but I still like them playing deep into March .