The sports activities world has acted appropriately, even human, extending well-wishes to Duke famous person Cooper Flagg after his ankle harm. I believe Christian Laettner, J.J. Redick or Grayson Allen wouldn’t have acquired the identical assist.
Tennessee (+4) over Auburn
The Tigers have been the very best staff within the nation this season, however they haven’t performed prefer it up to now 10 days, shedding consecutive video games for the primary time this season, earlier than scraping by with 62 factors towards Ole Miss yesterday. The nation’s high protection already has dragged the top-rated offense right into a rock combat, holding Auburn to 53 factors in a back-and-forth nail-biter that Tennessee had an opportunity to win on the highway on the ultimate shot. Now, the groups meet within the Volunteer State.
Michigan State (-1.5) over Wisconsin
Higher-tier matchups within the Huge Ten is usually a coin flip, however the Spartans (17-8 towards the unfold as a favourite) have proven way more consistency, getting into the semifinals with eight straight wins — six towards ranked groups, together with Wisconsin — fueled by a high 5 protection permitting 65 factors per recreation in the course of the streak. It has been a month for the reason that Badgers gained three straight video games.
Maine (+6.5) over Bryant
The Bulldogs have residence courtroom within the America East title recreation, however I’ve coated sufficient mid-major championship video games to know {that a} No. 1 seed is simply as more likely to see the benefit backfire. The gang expects to hurry the ground, already ready for the NCAA Match. If there’s a gradual begin, if there’s a chilly stretch — for a staff that ranks 187th in true capturing share — the constructing will quiet and the stress will develop. The Black Bears, who’re 7-4 towards the unfold as a highway underdog this season, are able to slowing the tempo towards the uptempo offense of Bryant, which has three residence losses and 5 outright losses to lower-ranked (KenPom) opponents.
Betting on School Basketball?
Princeton (+8) over Yale
The Bulldogs have dominated the Ivy League, dropping one recreation since Dec. 21, however 4 of their previous 5 video games have been determined by 9 factors or fewer, and the No. 1 seed has did not win the previous 5 convention tournaments. The Tigers are overmatched, however the Bulldogs’ below-average perimeter protection will permit Princeton to shut the hole with a bunch of shooters who hit practically 36 p.c from 3 and common practically 29 per recreation (tied for 14th nationally).
This season: 7-4
2011-24 file: 378-340-12
