Free College Basketball NCAA Tournament Pick
#4 Vanderbilt Commodores (24-8, 12-4 SEC) vs. #13 Murray State Racers (30-4, 17-1 Ohio Valley Conference) HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA, 3/18, 2:30 PM
The Vanderbilt Commodores and Murray State Racers will go head-to-head in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, trying to advance in the West bracket and be one of 32 teams left with a chance to win the NCAA title.
Murray State is on a role. The Racers have won 21 of their last 22 games. Granted they are in the Ohio Valley Conference, which does not feature any other teams in the tournament. But a nearly perfect 17-1 conference record says something good about this team. It’s not like they are barely beating teams either. They have an almost 17-point win margin this year. This team is well balanced, featuring five players that average double figures. They are deep too, with ten players playing at least ten minutes per game, and no one playing over 27 minutes per game.
A bit of sad new comes along with this game for Murray State. One of the reserve guards, Picasso Simmons, learned that his mother was killed as the Racers were heading west to prepare for their first game.
Vanderbilt has been tough all year. They swept Tennessee in two games, and played Kentucky tough, losing by just two in their most recent meeting. The Commodores finished second in the SEC behind only Kentucky. They were knocked out of the SEC tournament by Mississippi State in the second round. Vanderbilt is led by A.J. Ogilvy and his 13.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
The number 4 seed is not a sure thing. Although a 16 seed has never beaten a 1 seed, 13 seeds have beaten 4 seeds. Just two years ago, the Commodores didn’t just lose, but were blown out by Siena. That was the first round of the NCAA tournament. Vanderbilt was a 4 seed, Siena a 13 seed. Vanderbilt is hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.
The winner of this game will face the winner of the Butler-UTEP game.
Vanderbilt is favored by 2 points. The total is listed at 140.
Vanderbilt Betting Trends:
Vanderbilt is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games |
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Vanderbilt's last 16 games |
Murray State Betting Trends:
Murray State is 21-1 SU in its last 22 games |
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Murray State's last 6 games |
Pick: Take Vanderbilt -2
Betting Trends by Bodog.com |
