Dan Kaiser Sports Picks

UConn has now won 8 out of 10 games. They have averaged 36 points in the paint in their two tournament games and are shooting almost 45% from the 3pt line. The Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a win and are 6-1 ATS in their last seven against a team with a winning record. Arkansas seemed to flip the switch during the tournament but their inability to shoot the three consistently will cost them in this one.

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Tennessee caught a break with FDU beating Purdue in the first round. To make the Great Eight all they have to do is get by Florida Atlantic U. Florida Atlantic struggled to beat FDU and their 350th-ranked defense. They now face the number 1 defense in the nation in Tennessee. The Volunteers have been playing well without their point guard and should be able to get by FAU without him. This will be FAU's toughest game this season. They like to shoot the three-ball but Tennessee has the best three-point defense in the country. Tennessee will have a distinct height advantage in this game which should lead to second-chance points. FAU is 2-13 in its last 15 games against SEC opponents, while Tennessee is 9-3 in its last 12 March games.

Play on Tennessee. This is a 5% play.

The Golden Knights have won six of their last seven games and five straight road games. They have scored four or more goals in six of their last seven games. The Flames have lost four of their last seven games and six of their last seven home games. They have given up 15 goals over their last 3 games while scoring 12 goals in their last three games. They will be facing a defense that has allowed nine goals in their last four road games.  I like Vegas to get the job done on the defensive end and come away with a win. 

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The Flyers are not playing well having lost five of the past six games against the spread and two of three at home. The Wild have won two of their last three against the spread and are 3-1 ATS in their past four road games. Minnesota has had its way with the Flyers, winning five in a row.  The Wild are 7-1-2 in their last ten games. The Flyers are stumbling, have won three of their last ten games. The Wild have allowed 2.5 goals in their last ten games while the Flyers are the second-lowest-scoring team in the NHL. The Wild will be able to shut down the Flyers and come away with a win.

Play on Minnesota.

A rematch of a fantastic semifinal a couple of seasons ago, second-seeded UCLA takes on third-seeded Gonzaga.  The Zags are the best offense in the country, as they shoot 52.6% from the field. They will try and duplicate that against the second-best defense in the country. UCLA has held five straight opponents under 70 points a game. The Bruins are also 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games. UCLA has been playing well despite losing one of their best players to injury but that will change in this one. I like Gonzaga and Timme to get the job done in this one.

Play on Gonzaga.

The Thunder will be going for their second win over the Clippers in LA in the last three days. Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU in their last six games against Los Angeles and they’ve covered the spread in seven of their last eight meetings. The Thunder have the league’s best record against the spread at 43-26-3. George was carried off the court in the last game and will not be playing in this one. The Thunder has won all three games this season. OKC has won eight of thier last 10 overall. The Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last six while Los Angeles is 0-5 ATS in their last five games when playing on one day’s rest. The George injury could be devastating for the Clippers. Take OKC in this one.

Play on OKC