UConn has covered every NCAA Tournament game under Dan Hurley.
North Carolina State has covered every game in the NCAA Tournament under coach Hubert Davis.
In some cases, it’s okay to wear a band shirt to a concert.
University College (-10.5) vs. San Diego State University
What has changed in the more than 11 months since the Huskies defeated the Aztecs 76-59 in the national title game? The champions got even better.
It may be jarring to score so many points in the Sweet 16, but you can’t ignore UConn’s dominance in the NCAA Tournament.
On an eight-game winning streak, the Huskies won tournament games by an average margin of 22 points.
This season, the Huskies have won 10 of their last 12 games by at least 14 points.
San Diego State (6-9 against NCAA Tournament teams this season despite not playing a school seeded higher than No. 5 this season) has enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with the nation’s top teams. do not have.
North Carolina (-4.5) vs. Alabama
If you leave your worst defense alone, you won’t survive for long.
The Crimson Tide entered the NCAA Tournament with a 6-4 record, shooting 60 percent from the field against the 13th seed and just 2 of 20 from 3-point range against the 12th seed. , advanced to the Sweet 16.
Alabama is 2-6 against the spread, but won’t count on much luck against the top-seeded Tar Heels. The Tar Heels will easily rack up points and dominate the glass — Alabama ranks 238th in opponent offensive rebounding percentage — while the No. 6 defense will stop the Tide from running wild.
Clemson (+7.5) vs. Arizona
It may be time to treat the Tigers as a real threat, but Brad Brownell’s team is best listed as the second-biggest underdog in the district semifinals.
They were the only 6 seed in the tournament and lost in the first round until they stunned New Mexico State.
They faced a national championship coach and an elite offense in Baylor in the second round, then defeated a team with multiple NBA prospects.
Perhaps the lack of respect comes from being a football school, making no noise in tournaments, and going decades without sending any impactful stars to the league.
Either way, the Tigers run 10 deep and show strength on both ends and inside.
They had the best record against the nation’s best teams, with wins over North Carolina and Alabama and a one-point decision at Duke.
Clemson is 8-1 against the spread.
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Iowa State (-1.5) vs. Illinois
Illinois State’s offense is the best in the nation.
Iowa State’s defense ranks No. 1 nationally in efficiency. If you play 10 times, each team has a chance of winning 5 times.
But in a do-or-die matchup, Iowa State’s defense — which shut down No. 6 Baylor’s offense in two games and defeated No. 1 seed Houston by 28 points in the Big 12 title game — won. It’s a safer bet to participate. Considering Illinois has failed in all of its major matchups this season (Marquette, Tennessee, Purdue).
This season: 22-24
Records from 2011-23: 349-308-12
