So, how are your brackets doing? Yes same. But each round brings renewed hope, whether you need more chaos or a return to normalcy. Better yet, you can forget about your March Madness pool and place bets on individual games as a way to recover some of those lost entry fees. Whatever your situation, please be sure to have a full slate of NCAA tournament action on Sunday, as the second-round tips end with an in-state clash (Illinois vs. Loyola Chicago) after ET in the afternoon and end by midnight Doesn’t happen when a fight wraps up in OSUs (Oklahoma State vs. Oregon State).
After being upset early in the tournament’s opening round, Sunday’s action featured five double-digit seeds, including 15-seed Oral Roberts, who made the biggest start of the first round, beating Ohio State in overtime. A second-round tilt against Florida is certainly an admirable game for the Golden Eagles, but Vegas still lists them as 8.5-point underdogs. North Texas, which stunned Purdue, will also surprisingly take action against the Villanova team was not Getting upset in the first round. Figure out that one.
There is also a battle of two strongholds on Sunday, known for “hard to prepare for a two-day rest”: the Syracuse zone and the West Virginia Press. Based on those clichés, it would be the thinnest game in NCAA tournament history.
Between those stories, Sister Jean, the projected top pick in the NBA Draft in Action, and a low seed who is actually a favorite, figures to be another wild day. If you’re wagging against the spread, SN has some insight into straightforward pics, as well as betting trends and tips.
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March Madness picks, predictions for round 2
No. 1 Illinois (-7.5) vs. No. 8 Loyola Chicago (Midwest)
Loyola Chicago is probably better than a typical 8-seed, at least according to kenpom.com, Which was the Ramblers’ ninth tournament. It won’t be an easy game for the Illini, but Illinois has enough scoring options to overcome Loyola Chicago’s fast defense. In particular, big man Kofi Cockburn should feast against the underscored Loyola Chicago frontcourt. The Ramblers could keep it close enough to cover it late, but Illinois should move on.
pick up the: Illinois
No. 1 Baylor (-6.5) vs. No. 9 Wisconsin (South)
Like Illinois, the top-seeded boiler is barely getting a second-round matchup, at least according to computers. Kenpom.com Wisconsin was ranked as their No. 11 team prior to the tournament, and like Loyola Chicago, the Badgers had no problem with their first-round bout. However, Wisconsin has defeated an upper-level team this season, with their “best” wins being UNC, Rutgers, Michigan State, Loyola Chicago and Maryland. The boiler has too many weapons, and the Bears must not only win, but also cover this somewhat-astonishingly minor line.
pick up the: Boiler
No. 3 West Virginia (-4) vs. No. 11 Syracuse (Midwest)
One thing is certain: It is scientifically impossible for the team to be prepared to protect the other over a two-day rest. Can not, will not. Now that it’s out of the way, we also feel confident that Syracuse, who shot 33.9 percent from three Before the tournament, 15 of the 27 will not be hit again from deep. It is not saying that Orange cannot disturb another, but there is a possibility of some regression. No west virginia Great shooting team
Either (tied for 227th in effective field goal percentage) – and surprisingly Does not grade out specifically defensively (Tied for 151st in defensive efficiency) – so it is as much as any coin on Sunday’s slate. Syracuse has enough experience to navigate the pressure of West Virginia, so we’ll advance Orange to the Sweet 16.
pick up the: Syracuse
No. 6 Texas Tech (-1.5) vs. No. 3 Arkansas (South)
It is a little surprising to see Texas Tech in its favor, as the Red Raiders were not highly influential despite a double-digit victory in the first round. Arkansas grew up in the first half of Colgate, then stormed back and won by 17. These teams are similarly balanced – and neither is great from deep – so one can easily see this as another coin. After picking against Arkansas in the first round, we like the hogs here because of their poems, speed and ferocity. Arkansas is average About eight more possessions of the game Compared to Texas Tech before the tournament, and we envision another scenario where they eventually undress their opponent.
pick up the: Arkansas
No. 2 Houston (-8) vs. No. 10 Rutgers (Midwest)
Houston took care of business against an overbearing opponent in the first round, but the Rutgers will not be as easy. The Scarlet Knights play hard defense (in the 18th) kenpom.comDefense matriculation) will be adjusted and will be just the team from the second tournament the Cougars have faced all season, so the uptick in talent levels could be a bit of a shock. However, Rutgers Lack of three-point shooting (31.1 percent before the tournament) is a serious concern and Houston has the talent to score points against anyone. We are almost not convinced that the Cougars will cover, but we like them moving forward.
pick up the: Houston
No. 7 Florida (-8.5) vs. No. 15 Oral Roberts (South)
Oral Roberts’ win over Ohio State was not a total fluck. Max Abamus, who scored 29 in the opening round, is a legal talent 50-40-90 shooting averaged 24.2 points Prior to the tournament, and Kevin Obanor, who dropped 30 and 11 against Buckeye, is a versatile elder who can produce in a variety of ways. The problem for the Golden Eagles is that they are not far ahead of that pair, so if Florida can limit one of them as well, it should be able to exploit the talent gap and move on to the Sweet 16. The prevalence of 8.5 seems a bit high for a mediocre Florida team, but we know that when the clock strikes midnight on Cinderellas like Oral Roberts, it can be particularly brutal.
pick up the: Florida
No. 5 Villanova (-5.5) vs. No. 13 North Texas (South)
There are not many people who have expected these teams to be here, both will never feel bad. Short-Villanova was “considered” to have lost to Winthrop, while North Texas should have had a minor bump on the road to the final four contenders Purdue. If it was a first-round matchup, many would have chosen Meane Green for the same reason many have chosen Winthrop – Villanova is without its second leading scorer, Coleen Gillespie (knee). Good coaching and experience – two things Nova has – is definitely something, but mean Green Shoot it well from deep (Tied for 31st in three-point percentage) and Play solid defense (Tied for 19th in defensive efficiency), so we are choosing this Cinderella to keep our dreams alive.
pick up the: North texas
No. 4 Oklahoma State (-6) vs. No. 12 Oregon State (Midwest)
Oaks State certainly qualified as a “hot” team after walking through the Pac-12 tournament and dominating Tennessee in the first round. The Beavers continue to avoid the odds, but it is not anticipated that NBA pick Cade Cunningham has another 3-for-14 shooting game. See Cowboys to exploit Oregon State Shooting shortcomings (Ranked 226th in effective field goal percentage) and win it in double digits.
pick up the: Oklahoma state
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