March Madness Betting Picks: Duke Blue Devils at Boston College Eagles

Traveling to Boston College Eagles would be the Duke Blue Devils in a game between an ACC have and have not. The No. 4 Blue Devils can go up to a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a win over the Eagles, who are tied for 10th and have the league’s worst overall winning percentage.

Expect to see a few 3-pointers: Duke leads the ACC with 8.2 per game and Boston College ranks third at 7.2. Duke leads the series 9-1 since the 2005-06 season.

Duke Blue Devils at Boston College Eagles
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 19, 2012
Where: Silvio O. Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

The Blue Devils have opened as 15-point favorites on several online sports books site. Check out what Sportsbook.com has for them in this March Madness betting season.

Duke Blue Devils (22-4)
The Blue Devils will attempt to win their sixth straight league game for the first time since the 2005-06 season. Brothers Masons and Miles Plumlee are combining to average 17.9 points and 16.3 on rebounds, and one of them has led the team in rebounding in 24 of 26 games. Seth Curry averaged 18.6 over the last five games, during which he’s been in double figures every time and shot 43.2 percent on 3-pointers. Austin Rivers, named the ACC Freshman of the Week for the fourth straight time, is averaging 15 points and has had 22 double-figure games.
The Duke Blue devils have trailed at the half in three of its last four games. This team is only one win short of winning at least 10 conference games for the fifth straight season.

Boston College Eagles (8-18)
Freshman Ryan Anderson has put up three straight impressive results that averages 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds and shooting 54.3 percent over that span. Anderson had 22 point and 10 rebounds in the last game against Maryland and improved his season average of 10.4 points.
Over the last six games, Matt Humphrey is averaging 12.7 points and has scored in double figures five times. He is averaging 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. Dennis Clifford (9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds) and Lonnie with 8.5 points, have also been steady freshman performers. Boston College is 0-11 when the opposition shoots 40-49 percent. The Eagles are proud to have at least eight 3-pointers in eight games.

Free March Madness Picks: Duke, Eagles

Pre-March Madness Betting Odds: South Florida Bulls and Pittsburgh Panthers

To close the regular season, South Florida Bulls starts its stretch of three road games in its last five. They are even quite the biggest surprise story of several in the Big East.
The Bulls managed to win three straight games since a 30-point drubbing by Georgetown, including 63-51 home victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers on February 8. South Florida has pushed five games above .500 for the first time in Big East play behind the league’s stingiest defense, which is yielding 58.6 points.

On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Panthers were surprisingly disappointing as they lost their dominance at the Petersen Events Center. The Panther’s loss to West Virginia there Thursday was their sixth – they’d dropped 12 home games over the previous nine seasons.

South Florida Bulls at Pittsburgh Panthers
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 19, 2012
Where: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Panthers opened as 7 point favorites on several online sports book sites, check out the pre March Madness Betting lines at Sportsbook.com now. March Madness Betting is coming in so why not practice your picking skills now?

South Florida Bulls (16-10)
They won over Villanova match last Wednesday, a team that matched the Bulls’ most conference victories (9-9 in 2009-10) They held the Wildcats to 30.2 percent shooting and 21 points below their average.

Senior Augustus Gilchrist (10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds) is the lone double-digit scorer, but has posted only 15 points combined the past two games. Senior guard Hugh Robertson took the lead against the Pittsburgh, delivering 18 points by going a perfect 7 for 7 from the field and 4 of 4 at the foul line. South Florida's 12-point victory margin in the first meeting was its largest in the series, which it trails 5-4
South Florida's only NCAA Tournament appearances came in 1990 and 1992.

Pittsburgh Panthers (15-12)
The Panthers’ three-game skid that has followed a four-game win streak began in South Florida, whose 60.5 percent shooting February 8 was the second highest allowed (and 38 shots the second fewest attempted) during coach Jamie Dixon’s tenure. At the other end, Pittsburgh mustered 34.6 percent from the floor 918 for 52) and got a season-low four points from leading scorer Ashton Gibbs. He is coming off an eight-point, 2-for-11 effort in the 66-48 loss against the Mountaineers.

Pre – March Madness Betting Picks and Predictions: Panthers 68, Bulls 54

Free March Madness Picks Wisconsin Badgers VS Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes wants to be a part of the Big ten regular season title then they better make out the most of their three-game stretch by starting with a win in its final home game over the Wisconsin Badgers – the conference’s most successful road team over the past 10 seasons.

The Buckeyes, who have already secured a 58-52 road victory over the Badgers last February 4 now comes to this contest with wins in 40 of their last 41 home games.
The Badgers, who trail Ohio State and Michigan by one game and conference leader Michigan State by two games, are 5-3 in conference road games and 8-4 overall away from home.

Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio State Buckeyes
When: 4:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 26, 2012
Where: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio

The Buckeyes have opened 9-points favorites on several online sports book sites. This free March Madness picks will help you on coming up with an opinion with the game, if you are betting then read our analysis below.

Wisconsin Badgers (20-8)
Since coach Bo Ryan took over the program before the 2001-02 season, the Badgers have accumulated 47 road wins in conference play and 61 overall – both marks are the best in the Big Ten over that time. One problem area recently has been Wisconsin’s renowned defense, which has allowed two of its last three opponents to shoot 48 percent or better from the field after not allowing a single opponent to shoot that well over its first 25 games. The Badgers have been hitting it really well lately as they hit at least 37.5 percent of their 3-pointers in consecutive games for only the second time in conference play.
The Badgers (51.7 points allowed per game and 27.9 percent 3-point shooting) are on pace to break their modern-day school records in scoring and 3-point field-goal percentage defense.

Ohio State Buckeyes (23-5)
The Buckeyes are in the top 10 in several NCAA statistical categories – second in scoring margin (plus – 17.9) fourth in turnover margin (plus – 4.9) and eighth in scoring defense (57.1 points per game). Ohio State also allows its opponents 0.86 points per possession – the best mark in the nation. In Ohio State’s earlier victory over Wisconsin, sophomore standout Jared Sullinger controlled the paint early and often, scoring 16 first-half points en route to posting one of his five double-doubles in Big Ten play.


Free March Madness Picks: Buckeyes 63, Badgers 57

Free March Madness Picks Wyoming Cowboys and San Diego State Aztecs

The San Diego State Aztecs are looking to regain footing as they lost three straight games for the very first time since 2008, they hope to regain momentum just in time for the Mountain West Tournament.

Fortunately at the start of the conference play the Aztecs had a great one with a 6-1, they remain tied for second with UNLV, behind first-place New Mexico. And just like the Aztecs, the Wyoming Cowboys are also looking to break a three-game losing streak.

The Cowboys have lost four straight to San Diego State, including a 52-42 defeat on January 22. The 42 points allowed were the fewest surrendered by the Aztecs in 70 contests between the teams.

Wyoming Cowboys at San Diego State Aztecs
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, California

The Aztecs opened as 5.5 points favorites on several online sports books. You can do some line shopping and don’t forget to include Sportsbook.com with it. This free march madness picks will help you clear the doubt you’re having so read on.

Wyoming Cowboys (18-8)
After shooting 1 of 10 against the Aztecs in January, JayDee Luster – a San Diego native would love to rebound with a strong showing in his hometown. The senior guard leads the Mountain West in assist-turnover ratio (2.3) and ranks sixth in assists (3.6). Guard Luke Martinez averages 12.8 points, and he scored 15 on five 3-pointers in the Cowboys’ 54-46 loss at Colorado State on Saturday.
Forward Leonard Washington, with 12 points and 8 rebounds during the first matchup with San Diego state, has an average of 12.5 points and a team-high 6.7 boards. Wyoming is 5-7 in games decided by fewer than 10 points, and the Cowboys have led at halftime in each of their last three losses.

San Diego State Aztecs (20-6)
The Aztecs are quite positive and optimistic that their leading scorer and rebounder Jamaal Franklin will be returning to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game against Air Force with a sprained ankle. Franklin had 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds against Wyoming in January. Garrett Green started in Franklin’s place against Air Force and grabbed 10 rebounds before leaving early n the second half with an ankle injury. It’s still a question if he’ll join the battle against the Cowboys. San Diego State had only seven scholarship players available at the end of the Air Force game, and its lack of depth is a concern. The Aztecs average 70.9 points, while Wyoming allows 54.2 points to lead the conference.

Free March Madness Picks: Aztecs 67, Cowboys 51

Free March Madness Picks Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes

Glancing back to history, the Iowa Hawkeyes has never beaten No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers twice in the same season since 1995, but the Hawkeyes are in a place for the sweep after stunning the Badgers in Madison 72-65 on December 31.

It seems that the Wisconsin Badgers are doomed in the first meeting, they were at 34.8 percent from the field. The Haweyes and Badgers have been polar opposites this season. The Iowa is riding with the Big Ten’s third-ranked scoring offense and Wisconsin is comfortably atop the conference in scoring defense.

The Badgers have been one of the league’s best teams on the road, having a 6-3 record in true away games.

Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, February 23, 2012
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa

The Badgers opened as 5.5 point favorites on several online sports book sites. Check out what Sportsbook.com has to offer when it comes to lines and odds. This free March madness picks will guide you which team to choose properly with these anaylsis.

Wisconsin Badgers (20-7)
The Badgers have one of the most effective defensive teams in the country, leading Division 1 in points allowed (51.1) and ranking fourth in field-goal percentage defense (36.3). Their offense, however, has not been as productive as in years past. Part of that is because of a tempo that creates fewer possessions per game at 59.3 than any other teams in the country, but the Badgers shoots at only 42.3 percent from the floor (11th in the Big Ten) and its free-throw percentage is at 73.4 has dropped significantly from last year’s NCAA-best figure of 81.8 percent. The Hawkeyes are 48-26 against the Badgers in Iowa City, but the Badgers have won three of the last four meetings there.

Iowa Hawkeyes (14-13)
Ranking third in the league the Hawkeyes are at a score of 73.6, but one thing may be certain as their lineup may be weakened without the services of senior point guard Bryce Cartwright who suffered an injured ankle and junior guard Eric with an injured back, both whom are questionable. Senior guard Matt Gatens (14.8 points) scored a career-high 30 in the win over Indiana and totaled 51 points, including 12-for-17 3-point shooting, in his last two games. Despite their defensive struggles (72.1 points allowed), Hawkeyes average a Big Ten-best of 7.9 steals. Iowa leads the series 78-77.

Free March Madness Picks: Badgers 67, Hawkeyes 59

Free March Madness Picks Wright State Raiders at Butler Bulldogs

The 8th seeded Wright State Raiders will be giving the 5th seeded Butler Bulldogs a visit this evening in the first round of the 2012 Horizon League Tournament.

Wright State ended the regular season with a subpar 13-18 overall record and a 7-11 mark in the Horizon League. The Raiders cost themselves a higher seed by struggling mightily in the last two month of the season, winning just 5 out of their 15 games since January 6. They did not perform so well on the road either, with 4-10 away from the Nutter Center.

Wright State Raiders (13-18) at Butler Bulldogs (18-13)
When: 7:00 PM ET Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Bulldogs opened as a 10.5 favorites on the NCAA odds. Take a look at updates on Sportsbook.com if there were any movement and don’t forget to read this free March madness picks completely if you want the in-depth analysis.

Butler lost on the tie breakers on the third and fourth seeds to Detroit and Milwaukee respectively. In the past two years in a row, the Bulldogs have always reached the finals of the NCAA Tournament but they had a down season by having a 18-13 overall record.

When it comes to an all-time series with the Wright State, the Bulldogs owns an advantage (26-16) which includes wins in 10 of the last 11 matchups. The Bulldogs and Raiders met in the HL Tournament title tilt as the top two seeds in 2010 with the Bulldogs coming out on top in a 70-45 final.

The offense of Wright State is not something to be proud of as it ranks next to the last in both points per game at 58.2 and field goal percentage at 0.399. It hasn’t been better either and it has put up 56 points or fewer in 9 out of its last 12 games. Julius Mays is the lone bright spot for the Raider’s offense as he leads the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), assists (2.5 apg), steals (1.4 spg), free-throw percentage (.837) and three-pointers (48). Wright State has been able to manage marginal success this season behind the strength of its second-ranked defense, as it gives up just 61.2 ppg to its opponents.

Write State would have to work harder with their defense since the Bulldogs have a better chance of outscoring them.

Free March Madness Picks: Butler 65, Wright State 60

March Madness Betting Picks for Baylor Bears and Texas Longhorns

After embarrassing losses over the weekend, both teams welcome their “Big Monday” showdown but the question is who will take the game victory? The 10th ranked Bears fell at home to Kansas State in a game that came down to the final seconds, while the Longhorns ran into a buzzsaw at Oklahoma State and lost in a rout. The two teams have met each year except on 1908, when Texas didn’t field a team ever since the series started in 1906.

The loss has cost Texas greatly, which requires all the wins it can get as it pursues a 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. A resume-boosting upset of the Bears on national TV would go a long way towards helping the Longhorn’s case.

Baylor Bears at Texas Longhorns
When: 9:00 PM ET, Monday, February 20, 2012
Where: Frank Erwin Special Events Center, Austin, Texas

The Texas Longhorns opened as a 2-point favorites on several online sports books site, check out what Sportsbook.com has to offer and if you are planning to be involved with March Madness betting then don’t forget to shop for the best lines online.

Baylor Bears (22-5)
On Saturday, for the first time this season, the Bears fell to a team other than Missouri or Kansas. In a rigorous attempt at defense, Baylor lost 58-57 to Kansas State despite having multiple chances in the final minute to win the game. The closet setback was out of character for the Bears, who have been great in tight contests this season with a 7-2 record in games decided by five points or less. Sophomore Perry Jones III will look to bounce back from a four-point, four-rebound performance in which he fouled out. Baylor is 4-0 against Big 12 schools from the state of Texas this season. The Bears are 20-0 when leading at halftime.

Texas Longhorns (17-10)
If the Longhorns hope to make the NCAA tournament then they better puck up a marquee victory. A trip to Kansas will close the regular season, but this matchup seems like a much more likely chance to a win. JCovan Brown, the Big 12’s leading scorer, had 32 points in Texas’ last meeting with Baylor, a 76-71 loss.
Including that game, Brown averaged 21.6 points over a seven-game stretch. The Freshman point guard Myck Kabongo is coming off a career –high 22-point outing.

March Madness Betting Picks and Predictions: Longhorns 71, Bears 67