First Four In

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Developing Stories 📰

Two teams who previously met early in the 2022-23 season are set to compete intensely on Wednesday night. This South Region First Four game will determine the #10 seed and is slated to commence at 9:00 p.m. EDT in Dayton's UD Arena. The Colorado Buffaloes hold a record of 24-10 entering the NCAA Tournament while the Boise State Broncos, victorious in their 2022 encounter with a score of 68-55, stand at 22-10.

Colorado reached the Pac-12 Tournament Finals before losing to a formidable Oregon team losing 75-68. Their prior momentum propelled them this far. Offensively, the Buffs have been formidable, averaging 79.3 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 49.3%. Their proficiency beyond the arc stands at 39.4%, the best in the Pac-12, while their free throw success rate of 77.8% also leads the conference. The defensive end showcases their prowess, limiting opponents to 71.2 points per game, with the lowest three-point shooting percentage in the Pac-12 at 31.8%. Despite these strengths, opponents manage to shoot 43.6% overall, and the Buffs concede 16.9 free throw attempts per game. Their dominance on the boards with a +7.4 rebounding margin is countered by a -2.0 turnover differential.

In terms of efficiency, Colorado ranks 26th nationally in KenPom's adjusted efficiency margin, 25th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and 42nd in adjusted defensive efficiency. They also hold the 25th spot in net rankings.

Contrary to last year's early exit, the Boise State Broncos, despite their lack of success in the MWC Tournament this season, find themselves in the NCAA Tournament. Their strength lies in a formidable defense, restricting opponents to 67.5 points per game, with shooting percentages of 43.8% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. They concede 17.7 free throws per game, yet maintain a +0.2 turnover margin and a +7.4 rebounding differential. Offensively, they average 75.8 points per game, exhibiting efficiency with a shooting accuracy of 45.2% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range, alongside a free throw success rate of 73.5%.

Boise State's efficiency rankings place them 39th nationally in KenPom's adjusted efficiency margin, 52nd in adjusted offensive efficiency, and 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency. They also rank 26th in net rankings, akin to their opponents, the Buffaloes.

Headlines 🚨

On this Day in Sport History: 1973 Pirates RF Roberto Clemente elected to Baseball Hall of Fame,

1989 Baseball announces Reds manager Pete Rose is under investigation,

1990 La Lakers retire Kareem Abduk-Jabbar’s #33.

The NY Jets sign ex-Chargers WR Mike Williams to a one-year deal worth up to $15 million.

New Orleans Saints DE Chase Young to have neck procedure done and will miss part of training camp.

The Cleveland Browns will sign Jerry Jeudy to a three-year $58 million extension.

Lion’s Veteran DE Romeo Okwara announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons.

Blake Snell signs a two-year contract with the Giants for $62 million.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🎓🏀 SMU at INST

• The total has gone OVER in 15 of Southern Methodist's last 22 games on the road

• Southern Methodist is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

• Indiana State is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana State's last 7 games at home

🎓🏀 VCU at NOVA

• The total has gone UNDER in 10 of VCU's last 13 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Villanova's last 6 games at home

🏀 Pacers at Pistons

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Indiana's last 22 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games at home

🏀 Bucks at Celtics

• The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Milwaukee's last 15 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Milwaukee's last 22 games

• Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games 

🏀 Jazz at Thunder

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City

• Oklahoma City is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah

🏀 Clippers at Trailblazers

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing LA Clippers 

🏀 76ers at Suns

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games at home

• Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🎓🏀 NCAAB

3.20.24

43% of bets and 65% of money is on OVER 148 JOES at HALL

34% of bets and 59% of money is on OVER 158 SMU at INST

13% of bets and 53% of money is on APP +275

46% of bets and 71% of money is on UNDER 143.5 SF at CIN

3.21.24

35% of bets and 60% of money is on AKR 12.5

22% of bets and 69% of money is on ARK +600

28% of bets and 54% of money is on OVER 163.5 LONG at ARI

36% of bets and 91% of money is on LONG +1500

32% of bets and 84% of money is on MORE +575

47% of bets and 76% of money is on UNDER 136.5 NEV at DAY

24% of bets and 77% of money is on OAK +675

53% of bets and 85% of money is on MCNS at ZAGA

36% of bets and 62% of money is on SDSU +16

52% of bets and 74% of money is on SAM +7

🏀 NBA

52% of bets and 86% of money is on BOS -10.5

11% of bets and 39% of money is on UTA +850

41% of bets and 73% of money is on UNDER 215.5 LAC at POR

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Picks 🔒

CBB 3/20

Colorado -2.5 | Colorado is favored due to their efficient offense and strong defense. Boise State's rebounding won't stand out against Colorado, and the Buffaloes are more reliable at free throws. Choose Colorado to win, advance, and cover on Wednesday night.

CBB 3/21

Samford +8 | Kansas has compiled a 12-18-0 record against the spread this season, while Samford is 18-14-0. The Bulldogs have a +409 scoring differential, topping opponents by 12.1 points per game. They're putting up 86 points per game, fifth in college basketball, and are allowing 73.9 per contest to rank 243rd in college basketball.

MS State +1 | Mississippi State participated in two games against the Big Ten this season, beating both Rutgers and Northwestern. If you've watched Mississippi State this season you know Josh Hubbard's competitiveness and he should  set for a significant display here. Hubbard wrapped up the season with seven of his last eight games scoring 20 points or more, including two games with 30 points or more.

Valspar Championship:

Tony Finau +2700

Doug Ghim +4500

Keith Mitchell +5000