At the moment of yr, it’s vital to have a robust protection. I’m nonetheless engaged on mine.
UConn (-8.5) over Illinois
The purpose unfold is the one potential supply of suspense.
I suppose UConn might lose. It did occur thrice this season, together with as soon as previously 25 video games.
Groups that impressed better aura and intimidation (1974 UCLA, 1985 Georgetown, 1991 UNLV) have fallen brief.
However there is no such thing as a proof that hints on the Huskies hitting a velocity bump.
And there’s no purpose to consider Illinois is constructed to shred tens of millions of brackets.
In a battle of the top-two offenses within the nation, protection will resolve the day. Whereas UConn — which suffered its three losses in true street video games in opposition to top-50 defenses — boasts a top-10 protection that hasn’t allowed a crew to shoot higher than 40 % from the sector previously two tournaments, the Illini rank 2 hundredth in factors allowed, 229th in opponents’ 3-point proportion and 84th in defensive effectivity.
Dan Hurley is unbeaten in opposition to the unfold in 9 match video games at UConn, with the Huskies profitable by a mean of practically 23 factors per sport. Experience till it dies.
Clemson (+2.5) over Alabama
Since a minimum of 2002, no title sport participant has ranked decrease than forty sixth within the nation in defensive effectivity.
Sooner or later, Alabama’s 104th-ranked unit will reduce its season brief.
Betting on School Basketball?
Even probably the most explosive offense within the nation can’t be counted on to run sprints in opposition to the Tigers, who’ve gained their previous two NCAA Event video games in opposition to top-10 offenses and beforehand beat the Tide in November in Tuscaloosa, 85-77, whereas holding Alabama to its fourth-lowest output of the season.
By leaning on PJ Corridor and Ian Schieffelin — who mixed for 30 factors and 22 rebounds within the earlier assembly — Clemson ought to management the within and sluggish the tempo, giving the Tigers one other alternative for an outright upset.
If not, Clemson is 9-1 in opposition to the unfold as an underdog this season.
This season: 26-28
2011-23 file: 349-308-12
