First Round Madness

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

A 15-seed winning for a third straight year, a 13-seed winning on a turnover in the final seconds, a 1-seed being pushed deep into the second half; The first Thursday of the NCAA tournament always seems to deliver, and this year was no different. The action started off with an 8 vs. 9 matchups in the South Region, as the Maryland Terrapins pulled off a comeback to take down West Virginia, and No. 13 Furman stunned No. 4 Virginia with a last-second bucket. 15-seed Princeton upset 2-seed Arizona, capturing its first tournament win since 1998 to become the first Ivy League team to win in the tournament since 2016. The Midwest, East and West Regions take center stage this evening. 9-seed Auburn was in control for much of its victory over 8-seed Iowa. 10-seed Penn State blew out 7-seed Texas A&M, winning by 17 to set up a Round of 32 matchup against 2-seed Texas on Saturday. 

Day 2 of the first round of the NCAA tournament is today, and there are some amazing matchups with potential upsets filling up the afternoon.

12 VCU vs 5 Saint Mary's at 2:00 ET. Making the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, HC Randy Bennett has a team that can shoot the three and defend the basket. The Gaels are 39th in the country in three-point percentage (37.2%) and allow just 60.1 points per game defensively, fifth best in the country. They play slow pace, and average just 71.4 points per game. Saint Mary’s has a handful of impressive wins on their schedule, beating Oral Roberts, San Diego State and Gonzaga while hanging with Houston in December comes into the tourney on a hot streak, winning nine straight, including a win over Dayton in the A10 Championship Game.

11 Pittsburgh vs 6 Iowa State at 3:10 eastern. An interesting matchup in Greensboro as the Panthers find their way into the tournament after beating MS State in the First Four game. It’s been a turnaround for PITT in Jeff Capel’s fifth season as head coach.  After going 11-21 in 2021-2022, Pittsburgh experienced a 12-game improvement, going 23-11 in 2022-2023. Iowa State is holding teams to 62.8 points per game and forcing nearly 17 turnovers per game. The Cyclones are led by two senior guards Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalscheur who combine to average 26.3 points per game. Iowa State can struggle offensively, averaging just 68.4 points per game. The Cyclones have two starters from last year’s team that made a run to the Sweet 16.

11 Providence vs 6 Kentucky at 7:10 Eastern. Calipari No. 4 team went 1-3 in the SEC to start the year, but Kentucky fixed their flaws, finishing the season 12-6 in conference play. They’re led by reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tsheibwe, who is averaging 16.5 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. Kentucky was shocked by St. Peter’s in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will face a Providence team that can score, 36th in the country with 78.1 points per game. The Friars are led by sophomore forward Bryce Hopkins a Kentucky transfer –who leads the team in points and rebounds per game.

13 Kent State vs 4 Indiana at 9:55 Eastern. It’s a matchup between two excellent players as Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana and Sincere Carry of Kent State. Jackson-Davis averages 20.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 blocks per game and was named a first team Associated Press All-American. Carry leads Kent State averaging 17.6 points and 4.9 assists per game. Kent State is battle-tested, playing a tough non-conference schedule that included close losses to Houston, College of Charleston, and Gonzaga. The Hoosiers have had an up-and-down season, going 15-2 at home but 5-7 on the road.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sports History: 1994 It is announced there is no smoking in the Cleveland Indians new ballpark.

Ja Morant has been suspended by the NBA for three more games and is eligible to return Monday 3.20.23 vs Dallas

The New England Patriots have agreed to a one-year agreement with tight end Mike Gesicki worth up to $9 million.

Michael Jordan is engaged in serious talks to sell a majority stake in the Hornets.

TE Robert Tonyan and RB D’onta Foreman agree to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

Eagles CB Darius Slay agreed to a $42 million extension that includes $23 million guaranteed.

Lonzo Ball to undergo his third surgery on his knee, could cost him the 2023-2024 season.

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are now tied at -105 to win the MVP, Jokic was -350 before their 4-game losing streak.

Mets closer Edwin Diaz to miss 2023 season with a torn patellar tendon.

Mike Trout lifts the United States into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.

Houston Star Sasser pulled at half, status unknown for second round.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏀 Warriors at Hawks

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games 

• The total has gone OVER in 20 of Golden State's last 24 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home

• Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State

🏀 Timberwolves at Bulls

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Chicago

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago

🏀 Pelicans at Rockets

• New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston

• New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against New Orleans

• Houston is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against New Orleans

🏀 Grizzlies at Spurs

• Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio

• Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games 

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games at home

🏀 Celtics at Trail Blazers

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Portland

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing Portland

🏀 Mavericks at Lakers

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers

• Dallas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing LA Lakers

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Lakers's last 8 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏀 NBA

35% of bets and 60% of money is on ATL -4

51% of bets and 81% of money is on UNDER 230.5 NO at HOU

53% of bets and 72% of money is on OVER 234 MEM at SAS 

43% of bets and 73% of money is on LAL -5.5

🎓🏀 NCAAB 

49% of bets and 71% of money is on UNDER 141.5 UCSB vs BAY

56% of bets and 71% of money is on UNDER 144 UVM vs MARQ

33% of bets and 48% of money is on UNDER 131.5 PITT vs ISU

39% of bets and 59% of money is on OVER 148.5 NCST vs CREI

54% of bets and 85% of money is on 141.5 IONA vs UCONN

43% of bets and 57% of money is on UNDER 155 GC vs GONZ

23% of bets and 37% of money is on FAU +1.5

27% of bets and 58% of money is on OVER 152.5 FAU vs MEM 

32% of bets and 57% of money is on MTST +7.5

30% of bets and 56% of money is on UNDER 140 KENT vs IND

49% of bets and 52% of money is on OVER 142.5 ASU vs TCU

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

ATL (SF) Jalen Johnson | Probable - Hamstring

BOS (PG) Payton Pritchard | Out - Heel

BOS (SF) Jayson Tatum | Questionable - Hip

CHI (SF) Javonte Green | Doubtful - Knee

CHI (SG) Alex Caruso | Questionable - Illness

CLE (C) Jarrett Allen | Out - Eye

DAL (PF) Markieff Morris | Questionable - Knee

DAL (C) JaVale McGee | Questionable - Ankle

DAL (PG) Kyrie Irving | Questionable - Foot

DAL (PG) Luka Doncic | Out - Thigh

DAL (SF) Tim Hardaway Jr | Questionable - Calf

GSW (PG) Steph Curry | Questionable - Thumb

GSW (F) Kevon Looney | Probable - Back

GSW (PF) Draymond Green | Questionable 

GSW (SG) Ty Jerome | Questionable 

LAL (PF) Anthony Davis | Probable - Foot

MEM (PG) Ja Morant | Out - Guns

MEM (F) Jake LaRavia | Questionable - Back

MEM (G) Vince Williams Jr | Out - Shoulder

MIN (SG) Jaylen Nowell | Out - Knee

MIN (SG) Austin Rivers | Questionable - Back

MIN (C) Naz Reid | Questionable - Calf 

MIN (C) Rudy Gobert | Questionable - Ankle

PHI (PF) Jalen McDaniels | Questionable - Hip

POR (PG) Damien Lillard | Probable - Calf

POR (SF) Jerami Grant | Questionable - Quadriceps 

SAS (SG) Romeo Langford | Out - Adductor 

SAS (C) Khem Birch | Out - Knee

SAS (PG) Devonte’ Graham | Out - Quadriceps 

SAS (SF) Keita Bates-Diop | Questionable - Achilles 

 Weekend Picks 🔒

Kent State +4.5 | The Golden Flashes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games. They have only played in 5 games this season as an underdog and are 5-0 ATS. Kent has momentum after an impressive end to the regular season and the MAC tournament.

Memphis -5 | going 4-1 ATS in the past 5 games and cashing in 5 of the past 6 outings on a neutral floor. Memphis has covered 5 of its last 7 games against winning teams.

Auburn +5.5 | When Auburn allows fewer than 74.7 points, it is 13-10 against the spread and 20-3 overall. Houston has scored more than 75 3 out of its last 10 games. With Sasser’s status questionable we think the Tigers are a good look here.