Free College Basketball NCAA Tournament Pick
#1 Kentucky Wildcats (35-2, 14-2 SEC) vs. #2 West Virginia Mountaineers (30-6, 13-5 Big East) Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY, 3/27, 7:05 PM
In what has been one of the more upset-filled tournaments in recent years, this East Region is the only one to send both its number 1 and 2 seed to the Elite 8. While most expected Kentucky to be here, not too many thought that at this point West Virginia would be the only Big East team remaining.
West Virginia has been battle-tested all year long, and they have proven to be ready with wins over Morgan State and Missouri in the first two rounds of the tournament. Their Sweet 16 game against Washington was a little more difficult, though. Playing without guard Darryl Bryant, who broke his foot in practice this week, the Mountaineers were already shorthanded. But then leading scorer Da’Sean Butler (17.5 points per game) injured his hand, which initially looked like it could be career threatening. After a minute though, Butler got up, and was able to continue playing. After playing it close for nearly the entire game, West Virginia finally got some separation with about 14 minutes left, and went onto win 69-56, reaching the Elite 8 for the first time since 2005.
Like Washington, Cornell was a team that was in the Sweet 16 after upsetting their opponents. Kentucky had seen enough. Playing only about an hour away from their campus couldn’t help Cornell though, as Kentucky was clearly the superior team. Cornell jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, but the Wildcats clawed back, and took control. Demarcus Cousins led the team with 16 points. Kentucky’s leading scorer on the season, John Wall (16.8 points per game), played with a different strategy in this game, scoring just eight points, but grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out eight assists.
After another number 1 seed, Syracuse, fell, Kentucky found itself as even stronger favorites. Once again in the Carrier Dome, though, fans will be pulling for the other team on Sunday. West Virginia is the only team left for the Big East, and Syracuse fans will want their conference represented in the Final Four. Fans’ dislike for Kentucky has already been evident, as the Wildcats were even booed during an open practice prior to their game.
Kentucky is favored by 4 points. The total is listed at 134.
Kentucky Betting Trends:
Kentucky is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
West Virginia Betting Trends:
West Virginia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Pick: Take West Virginia +4
Betting Trends by Bodog.com |
