Free College Basketball NCAA Tournament Pick

#2 Villanova Wildcats (25-7, 13-5 Big East) vs. #10 Saint Mary’s Gaels (27-5, 11-3 West Coast Conference) Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, RI, 3/20, 1:05 PM

Villanova and Saint Mary’s weren’t the only two teams to play in exciting, nail-biting games in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Many are calling March Madness’ first day the greatest first day of the tournament ever. Now that first round jitters are out of the way, each team has the goal of making it out of the first weekend.

Saint Mary’s moves onto the round of 32 for just the second time ever, and first time in over 50 years. Way back in 1959 the Gaels beat Idaho State 80-71 for their first ever tournament victory. Coincidentally in their first round game against Richmond, they also won 80-71. The Gaels actually had one of the less exciting games of the day, as the result in their game was somewhat certain before the buzzer went off. Omar Samhan dominated in this game, scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Saint Mary’s also shot 28 free throws, and made 20 of them compared to just 11-13 from the line for Richmond.

Villanova got out of the first round by the skin of their teeth. In an otherwise disappointing day for the Big East, Villanova was able to hold off 15th seeded Robert Morris. Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds was benched to start the game for unspecified reasons, and when he did come in, couldn’t get any shots to fall. With just four minutes remaining in the game, Nova found themselves down eight. But then, they went on a run and the game was tied at the end of regulation. Reynolds (20 points) was able to hit clutch free throws to bring Nova back into the game.

Saint Mary’s has a lot to play for in this game. There were a lot of upsets in the first-round, but knocking out one of last year’s Final Four teams would put them into contention for the Cinderella story of the tournament. Saint Mary’s has never gotten through to the Sweet Sixteen. Villanova, meanwhile, will try to regroup and get back to playing the way that they did early in the season in an attempt to make it back-to-back Final Fours.

Villanova is favored by 4.5 points. 

St Mary’s Betting Trends:
4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
5-0 SU in their last 5 games

Villanova Betting Trends:

1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
2-3 SU in their last 5 games

Pick:  Take St. Mary’s +4.5

Betting Trends by Bodog.com