For this subsequent spherical of March Madness, I am placing my cash on a four-team teaser. That is my greatest wager of the season.
What might go mistaken?
However let’s talk about earlier than we dive into it, as a result of the teaser received’t be standard for a lot of causes.
The primary motive is that you simply shouldn’t tease basketball — ever. Nonetheless, I’m towards blanket guidelines in the case of playing. Guidelines like by no means betting on double-digit favorites within the NFL needs to be damaged — a minimum of generally.
I feel you’ll be able to pull it off right here should you consider the 1-seeds are very, superb. By internet ranking, these groups are in a category by themselves, a transparent 3.50 plus above Tennessee and Alabama, who rank fifth and sixth.
Take a look at my teaser, together with a few my Candy 16 wagers.
4-team, 6.5-point teaser (+200): Duke, Auburn, Houston, Florida
The Blue Devils are the perfect crew within the nation, and the vibes are just like UConn from the final two years.
That being stated, there’s trigger for concern. Arizona’s Caleb Love — a former UNC star — might go postal, drop 30 and this sport might find yourself being a one-possession contest within the ultimate minutes. Duke’s offense is so good, although. The Blue Devils shot 17-for-23 on 2-pointers towards Baylor. They received an earlier assembly in November at Arizona by double digits. The Blue Devils began three freshmen.
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 1 Florida
The Gators survived the scare from UConn. Now they need to go towards the “Crab 5,” who received on the buzzer on a financial institution shot by freshman Derik Queen.
The Terps have zero depth. The shortage of depth will probably be an enormous problem when dealing with Florida. And that is as a result of the Gators go eight deep and may deal with foul bother on the frontline, as they did towards the Huskies. Florida has 4 gamers 6-foot-9 or taller to throw at Queen.
No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 1 Auburn
Sure, I’m going towards Michigan once more.
The Wolverines flip the ball over means an excessive amount of (324th within the nation), and they’re horrible at capturing the 3-ball (201st within the nation). Auburn has too many weapons. They have gamers like freshman Tahaad Pettiford, who scored 23 factors towards Creighton and All-American Johni Broome. They have a sniper in Miles Kelly, who had 30 factors towards Kentucky and 25-year-old Chad Baker-Mazara.
I did wager Auburn to cowl the unfold, but when that is not for you, teasing them right down to win this sport by one towards a scrappy — however restricted — Michigan crew feels safer.
No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 1 Houston
That is essentially the most harmful sport within the quartet as a result of it’s in Indianapolis. And that is the place Purdue can have a determined home-court benefit.
However the Boilermakers have the second-worst protection left within the event, they usually beat two low majors (High Point, McNeese State) to get right here. The Cougars scare me, although. On the finish, towards Gonzaga, they couldn’t deal with the full-court press, they usually would possibly battle defensively towards rugged Trey Kaufman-Renn, who went for 22 and 15 of their second-round win.
PICK: 4-team teaser
Duke -8.5 to -2
Florida -6 to +.5
Auburn -8 to -1.5
Houston -8 to -1.5
Bruce Pearl on Auburn’s success, expectations for Candy 16
No. 10 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Texas Tech
I’m fading John Calipari after an upset of his rival Rick Pitino on Saturday.
I’m unsure Arkansas has sufficient offense to win this, until the Crimson Raiders shoot as horribly as St. John’s did towards the Razorbacks (35% discipline targets, 2-for-22 on 3s).
As a result of they’ve so many guys with NBA potential, the Razorbacks by no means know who would possibly present up. Your entire roster may be very growth or bust. Texas Tech is anticipated to get again third-leading scorer Chance McMillian for this one, and his offense will probably be big. He’s received 4 video games of 20 factors or extra this season, together with 23 towards Houston.
Between Darrion Williams (28 factors towards Drake) and All-American middle JT Toppin, the Crimson Raiders are a matchup nightmare. Do not make me record Calipari’s memorable March collapses. Moreover, he would not have the perfect crew right here.
PICK: Texas Tech (-5.5) to win by greater than 5.5 factors
I’m going to take an opportunity on BYU +5 in what needs to be a monitor meet.
The Cougars haven’t fared nicely after they’ve stepped up in school towards super-athletic groups. They misplaced to Ole Miss in November, received smacked 31 by Houston and misplaced to Texas Tech. However that was all early within the season. They dealt with the pace of VCU nicely within the opening spherical after which survived a livid late Wisconsin rally.
BYU goes 9 deep, and whereas no rotation participant is taller than level guard Egor Demin, the Cougars play large. They grabbed 13 offensive boards towards the Badgers.
I don’t see both crew getting stops. BYU is the worst protection left within the Match. Outdoors of final yr’s run to the Ultimate 4, Alabama’s Nate Oats has had two large Candy 16 clunkers — shedding to San Diego State two years in the past and falling in OT to UCLA in 2021.
And if both of those groups is looking forward to Duke, it’s actually Alabama. The Tide got here into the season rated No. 2 within the nation.
PICK: BYU (+5) to lose by fewer than 5 factors or win outright
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports activities betting analyst who additionally writes in regards to the NFL and NBA Draft. Earlier than arriving at FOX, he created the web site The Huge Lead. Comply with him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.
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