NCAAB Betting – #9 Purdue, #5 Duke and #19 UConn vs. #11 Syracuse

We’re only a few days away from the NCAA Selection Committee handing out seeds for this year’s NCAA Tournament!  The bet online sportsbook should be heavy with amazing college hoops action on Friday night.

We’re going to have free picks galore not only today, but all through the NCAA Tournament.  Make sure to keep logging back on to get those free picks!  Below is a preview of 3 key games tonight, Michigan State vs. #9 Purdue, Maryland taking on #5 Duke and the #19 Connecticut Huskies battling #11 Syracuse.

March 11 – NCAAB Games

Michigan State Spartans (18-13) vs. #9 Purdue Boilermakers (25-6)

Where:  Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

When:  6:30 pm EST

TV:  TBD

Fair NCAAB Odds:  Purdue -6 ½         

Analysis:  This will not be an easy game for the Boilermakers.  Although I predict at least a -8 ½ point NCAAB betting spread for the Boilers in this contest, that’s not what I believe is fair.  To me, the fair spread is on Purdue at -6 ½ or less.  That’s the fair spread.  The Boilermakers are obviously the better team in this contest, but that Tom Izzo Big Ten Tournament magic could have a decided affect on games.  Sparty is only 1 and 3 against the spread in their last 4 games.  They should have no shot against the Boilermakers in this one but the creative side of my brain, the one that comes up with the world where I was the one who led the Saints to the Super Bowl victory a couple of years ago, is telling me that Michigan State could come up with a huge, huge game on Friday night.  Demand fair value before dumping on Purdue is all I’m saying.  

Maryland Terrapins (19-13) at #5 Duke Blue Devils (27-4)

Where:  Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina

When:  7:00 pm EST

TV:  ESPN2

Fair NCAAB Odds:  Duke -12 ½    

Analysis:  Oh, man, what do we do with Coach K’s bunch when it comes to the online NCAA odds in this contest?  I get it that Duke destroyed Maryland by 18 points the last time the two teams faced each other, 80 to 62, but the Dookies are 0 and 3 ATS in their last 3 games.  Maryland is only 1 and 3 ATS in their last 4 games, however, adding to the intrigue.  The truth is that when Coach K’s bunch is on, when Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, Seth Curry and the Plumlee brothers are playing as a unit, there are very few teams, maybe none, that can beat them.  But, will they be on?  I guess I’m going to have to side with “yes”.  I mean, I can’t possibly back Maryland in this game, can I?  Okay.  So, I’ll hope that the 81.2 points per game Duke shows up and not the one that scored only 60 versus Virginia Tech in that 60 to 64 loss on Feb. 26.  

#19 Connecticut Huskies (24-9) at #11 Syracuse Orange (26-6)

Where:  Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

When:  7:00 pm EST

TV:  ESPN

NCAAB Odds:  Syracuse -3    

Analysis:  What a huge game!  I can’t wait for this one.  This should be the best game of the early evening.  Here’s a secret that might push some basketball betting fans towards the Huskies:  yes, Kemba Walker has been fantastic in Connecticut’s last two games, but the rest of the Huskies have stepped it up as well.  That’s going to be the key for UConn against the ‘Cuse.  Syracuse beat the Huskies 66 to 58 on March 11.  The Orange is on a big time roll right now.  They’re 4 and 0 straight up and against the spread, but they languished versus St. John’s in the first half on Thursday getting outscored 37 to 32.  If Connecticut does that to the Orange in the first half of this contest, then Syracuse should lose the game.  Maybe, we need to simplify things.  ‘Cuse guard Brandon Triche outscored Walker 16 to 8 the last time the two teams faced each other.  If Triche can do that on Friday night, not just shut down Walker but also outplay him offensively, then Syracuse should win and cover the spread.