I thought the only thing that would ruin the March magic was expanding the NCAA Tournament and minimizing the role of the mid-majors.
I’m now facing another threat. It’s a never-ending review near the end of the game.
Perfect accuracy cannot be achieved (see: Samford’s game-changing blocks). Entertainment should be a priority.
Texas A&M (+10.5) vs. Houston
Few coaches prepare for the day better than Buzz Williams. Buzz Williams has advanced to the Round of 32 four times and is one win away from becoming the third school to reach the Sweet 16.
The Aggies, who have already upset Tennessee, Iowa State, and Kentucky (twice) this season, had their best offense of the season, scoring 98 points against a 31st-ranked Nebraska defense. It was his 6th win in the match.
The upset of the top-seeded Cougars was a shock for a group that leads the nation in offensive rebounds and commits less than 10 turnovers per game (they struggled to shoot in the regular-season game against Houston, but lost by four). Probably not.
James Madison (+7.5) against Duke
The Dukes deserve more than a 12th seed. Duke will soon find out.
Unlike other double-digit seeded schools that needed unparalleled shooting performance to advance, James Madison controlled its wire win over Wisconsin despite shooting below its season average. did.
James Madison, which opened the season with a win over Michigan State, has the nation’s longest winning streak (14 games), a 2-0 mark against the spread against ranked teams, and the second-best 3-point defense ( 28.9%). In the country.
Grand Canyon of Alabama (+6.5)
Few teams were as impressive as the Crimson Tide in the first round.
Few schools have fared worse on what appears to be a dance mismatch.
In 2021, the second-seeded University of Alabama lost to No. 11 seed UCLA.
Alabama, selected as a No. 6 seed in 2022, was upset in the first round.
They were the No. 1 overall seed in last year’s tournament, but couldn’t get past No. 5 seed San Diego State.
Unlike last year, Nate Oats is no longer balanced and the team ranks 117th nationally in defensive efficiency and 352nd in scoring defense.
Do you want to bet on college basketball?
San Diego State University (-5) vs. Yale University
In the past 43 years, only two Ivy League teams have advanced to the Sweet 16.
Don’t expect that to happen in the next few years.
Yale’s first-round upset of Auburn was thrilling but also shaky, requiring a career-high 28 points from John Poulakidas and leading the Tigers to a meltdown that included unforced turnovers and missed free throws. It took a down.
The Aztecs, last year’s tournament runner-up, will enjoy playing against a team that plays at their preferred pace and could lock up a top-10 defense in half-court battles.
This season: 20-22
Records from 2011-23: 349-308-12
