After an eventful weekend that saw a pair of exciting games in the NCAA Men’s Final Four and LSU crowned as the champion of the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament, Monday’s slate features a showdown in Houston between the San Diego State Aztecs and UConn Huskies. Pickswise expert handicapper Mark Zinno has a pair of best bets for the national title game on the hardwood, along with a best bet in Major League Baseball between the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals.
Let’s get into his best bets for Monday’s college basketball and MLB action.
You can bet on all today’s sports at FanDuel, America’s #1 sportsbook, which has a great new customer offer where you can earn yourself a no sweat first bet up to $1,000. Click here to take advantage of this awesome offer.
March Madness National Championship Game point spread pick: UConn -7.5 (-110)
San Diego State has to got to this point because of their defense. They’ve shut down some of the best offenses in the country. But the Aztecs offense, or lack thereof, may finally catch up with them. They ranked 114th in the nation in offensive efficiency. Over their last 3 games of the tournament, their offensive efficiency numbers would have them ranked 256th in the country. That’s a bad sign going up against a UConn defense that is 12th in the nation in defensive efficiency and over their last three games would be the best in America.
Bet365 – the world’s #1 sportsbook – has arrived in the United States! If you sign up right now and bet just $1, you can immediately get $200 in bonus bets! Join Bet365 by clicking this link.
March Madness National Championship Game game totals pick: Over 131.5 (-110)
The total for this game came in lower than I expected. But there is much reason for oddsmakers to show respect for the San Diego State defense. That said this line opened basically in the same spot at the Aztecs game against Florida Atlantic. Are we to believe that the Owls offense is in the same category as the Huskies? I don’t believe that. UConn has better weapons all around, better shooters and more size than FAU.
This is a correlated bet situation, as in UConn and the over or San Diego State and the under. There’s only two scenarios where UConn covers a game and it stays under this total is 1) A blowout similar to the UConn/St. Mary’s game in the Round of 32 that ended with UConn winning 70-55, where the UConn defense allowed just 10 points over the final 10:24 of that game, or 2) a 69-60 final that is a very tight squeeze because one more bucket could push the total over depending on the number you have. If UConn gets to 70, and I think they will, this total will go over.
MLB best bet: Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals Over 8 (-110)
The Blue Jays went from one from one side of Missouri to the other as they left St. Louis after losing two of three from the Cardinals and open up a series against the Royals in Kansas City. While Toronto hasn’t had trouble scoring runs in opening series, the Royals have. But I’m hoping for a little “baseball regression” here and Kansas City snaps out of it against Jose Berrios of Toronto. Berrios finished last year with 5.23 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He also gave up 29 home runs last year, 18 of them on the road, while allowing opponents to hit. 288 off him. I’m hopeful the Royals should snap out of it tonight.
Brady Singer starts for Kansas City and his numbers have been very solid. But Toronto can hit anyone. They beat up on Miles Mikolas in the opener and were able to touch up Jordan Montgomery for three runs in five innings. And strangely, the Blue Jays have not hit a home run yet this season joining the Brewers as the only teams not to go yard. That ends tonight. I’m going over 8 runs between the Jays and Royals.
If you want the best odds and best betting offers, then Unibet is the sportsbook for you. Click this link to sign up now and secure $100 in bonus bets.
Pickswise is the home of free sports picks, news and best bets. Check out our expert NFL Picks, NBA Picks, Soccer Picks and NHL Picks pages for our latest game picks.
