Upsets, Surprises and Parity takes us to Sweet 16

Butler Bulldogs vs. Syracuse Orange -6.5
The fans at EnergySolutions Arena will be treated to a game between the Butler Bulldogs and the Syracuse Orange when they take their seats on Thursday. Oddsmakers currently have the Orange listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Bulldogs, while the game's total is sitting at 138. Butler's defense caused a critical turnover in the dying seconds of the game, giving them a 54-52 win over Murray State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at HP Pavilion Saturday. Murray State covered as a 4-point underdog while the final score played UNDER the 131.5-point total. Syracuse defeated Gonzaga 87-65 as a 6.5-point favorite in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (147.5). Considering these stats we think in this game The Orange will cover and move on to Elite8.


Washington Huskies vs. West Virginia Mountaineers -4
The Washington Huskies and the West Virginia Mountaineers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Carrier Dome. Oddsmakers currently have the Mountaineers listed as 4-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game's total is sitting at 141. Washington roared out to a 12-point lead and never looked back in a convincing 82-64 victory over New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. Washington covered the 2.5-point spread, while the teams played UNDER the posted total of 151. Quincy Pondexter led Washington with 18 points, while Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Isaiah Thomas had 15 points each in that win. West Virginia defeated Missouri 68-59 as a 6-point favorite on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (138.5). WV is no slouch and either are the Huskies. Washington won their game with such ease don’t be surprised if we see a very close game here. This is a tough pick. If the Huskies stay focused they could cause another upset.


Xavier Musketeers vs. Kansas State Wildcats -5
The fans at EnergySolutions Arena will be treated to a game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Kansas State Wildcats when they take their seats on Thursday. Oddsmakers currently have the Wildcats listed as 5-point favorites versus the Musketeers, while the game's total is sitting at 152. Xavier defeated Pittsburgh 71-68 as a 2-point underdog on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (134.5). Jordan Crawford poured in 27 points for Xavier and Jason Love added 14 points in the win. Jacob Pullen dropped a game-high 34 points as Kansas State defeated BYU 84-72 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. Kansas State covered the 4-point spread, while the 156 points went UNDER the posted total of 156.5. Xavier has played well but beating KS St. or even covering the spread looks like too much. Wildcats move to “8”


Cornell Big Red vs. Kentucky Wildcats -9
The surprising Ivy League team and Cinderella story Cornell Big Red and the Kentucky Wildcats will be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Carrier Dome. Currently the line has the Wildcats listed as 9-point favorites versus the Big Red, while the game's total is sitting at 147. Cornell upset Wisconsin 87-69 as a 4-point underdog on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (126.5). Louis Dale scored a game-high 26 points for Cornell and Ryan Wittman added 24 points in the win. Kentucky jumped out to a 16-point halftime lead and went on to defeat Wake Forest 90-60 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. Kentucky covered the 9.5-point spread, while the 150 points went UNDER the posted total of 147. Darius Miller netted 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Kentucky, while DeMarcus Cousins added 19 in that win. The #2 seed Kentucky may very well put the stop to the pumpkin carriage. Look to see these Wildcats handle the upstart Big Red.


Tennessee Volunteers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes -5
The Tennessee Volunteers and the Ohio State Buckeyes will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Edward Jones Dome. Vegas have the Buckeyes listed as 5-point favorites versus the Volunteers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Tennessee put an end to Ohio's Cinderella run, winning 83-68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Dunkin Donuts Center Saturday. Tennessee covered as a 9-point favorite while the final score played OVER the 143.5-point total. Ohio State defeated Georgia Tech 75-66 as a 6.5-point favorite in their tourney matchup on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (134.5). Tennessee has outplayed their odds but the Buckeyes have even done better. In a close game Ohio St. may not cover but should win.


St. Mary's Gaels vs. Baylor Bears -4.5
The St. Mary's Gaels and the Baylor Bears will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Reliant Stadium. Vegas currently have the Bears listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Gaels, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Tenth-seeded St. Mary's is throwing its hat in the ring as this year's Cinderella after knocking off second-seeded Villanova 75-68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Dunkin Donuts Center Saturday. St. Mary's covered as a 4-point underdog while the final score played UNDER the 153-point total. LaceDarius Dunn netted a game-high 26 points to lead Baylor to a 76-68 victory over Old Dominion in the second-round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Baylor covered the 4.5-point spread, and the 144 points sailed OVER the posted total of 129.5. Josh Lomers added 14 points for Baylor, and Tweety Carter chipped in with 12 in the win. Baylor had better be ready to shoot sharply. The West coast teams just don’t get the respect they deserve. Very possible upset here in a squeaker. SMU


Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Michigan State Spartans -1
The Northern Iowa Panthers and the Michigan State Spartans will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Edward Jones Dome. Oddsmakers now have the Spartans listed as only 1-point favorites versus the Panthers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Northern Iowa clawed their way out to an eight-point halftime lead and held on for a 69-67 upset victory over Kansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday. Northern Iowa won the game as 11.5-point underdogs, and the game's 136 points made it OVER the posted total of 127.5. Ali Farokhmanesh led the way with 16 points and Jordan Eglseder added 14 in that win. Michigan State defeated Maryland 85-83 as a 1.5-point underdog on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (147.5). Tom Izzo was truly touched with his teams effort last weekend. This will be a great game and if the giant killer Panthers played like they did in their last two games they win.


Purdue Boilermakers vs. Duke Blue Devils -8.5
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Duke Blue Devils will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Reliant Stadium. The current line has the Blue Devils listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Boilermakers, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Purdue defeated Texas A&M 63-61 in overtime as a 2-point underdog on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (127). Chris Kramer scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds for Purdue, while E'Twaun Moore added 15 points in the win. Duke defeated California 68-53 as a 6.5-point favorite on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (148). Nolan smith delivered 20 points for Duke and Brian Zoubek had 14 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Duke is being bet and bet often even what may be -9 by game time. This game is the most likely go as it looks. This Duke team is going to Elite 8.


Of these 16 teams we see Kentucky, Duke, Ohio St. and Syracuse in next week’s Final 4. But hope to see either Washington & Northern Iowa there as well.