Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
Through the end of March Madness, we will be providing a daily update with everything you need to know about the NCAA Tournament. Covering line movements to betting trends, statistics, quotes, and more, we will provide you with everything you need to know about all of happenings in Indiana.
With the Elite Eight beginning on Monday, let’s take another daily in-depth look at the Big Dance by previewing the matchups will determine spots in the Final Four.
Line movements
Move for the favorite
Baylor -6.5 to -7.5 vs. Arkansas
Move for the under
Houston-Oregon State 131 to 129
Baylor-Arkansas 150 to 148.5
Public Money
Let’s take one last look at where the money is going in advance of Monday’s Elite Eight showdowns.
Oregon State +8 vs. Houston
The public is currently on Oregon State in its upcoming matchup with Houston, a No. 12 vs. No. 2 meeting in the Midwest Region. A total of 71 percent of the money and 64 percent of the bets are coming in on the Beavers +8. Bettors have no interest in Oregon State on the money line, however.
Oregon State Beavers vs. Houston Cougars preview and picks
Baylor vs. Arkansas Under 149
Punters are also hammering the under in Baylor vs. Arkansas, a No. 1 vs. No. 3 meeting in the South Region. With 61 percent of the wagers backing Under 149, 70 percent of the handle is going in that direction.
Baylor Bears vs. Arkansas Razorbacks preview and picks
Stats of the Day
9.6 – Steals per game averaged by Baylor through three rounds in the NCAA Tournament
13.1 – Turnovers per game averaged by Arkansas this season
Arkansas will have to take care of the basketball if it wants to have any chance of upsetting Baylor. The Razorbacks have often failed to do that but are generally good enough to overcome those flaws when they happen. Baylor, though, is too good to let the Hogs get away with such carelessness. The Bears’ theft machines are Jared Butler (2.1 spg) and Davion Mitchell (2.0 spg).
Quote of the Day
“I don’t think you should…and I really do mean this…I don’t think anybody should say, ‘Well, it’s about time we did this.’ A lot of programs have never done it once. And it’s not easy to do. It’s hard to win games. It’s hard to make the tournament. It’s hard to advance in the tournament.”
— Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson after the Cougars advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1984
This is the first time in 37 years that Houston has been to the Elite Eight. No, not since Phi Slama Jama have the Cougars been this far. They reached the Final Four three straight years from 1982 through 1984, twice losing in the championship game (famously to Jim Valvano’s N.C. State squad and then to Georgetown). Sampson’s Cougars will try to keep their own run going when they face Oregon State on Monday night.
Pickswise is the home of March Madness Predictions. Check out all of our March Madness Picks, including daily March Madness Parlays throughout the NCAA Tournament.
