Cinderella got 86’d from the Big Dance.
The Sweet 16 pairings are set with the four biggest conferences closing out all the mid-majors. The SEC leads with seven teams, followed by the Big 12 (4), Big Ten 4) and ACC (1). This is first time there have been fewer than 7 conferences represented in the final 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament
There is only one double-digit seed left, but I think you would have a hard time giving the Cinderella role to Arkansas, which has the largest NIL program in college basketball.
At least we finally got our buzzer beat, right? Or was it a travel?
VSiN.com managing editor Adam Burke and senior editor Zach Cohen preview the eight games:
Thursday
>No. 6 BYU (+4.5) vs. No. 2 Alabama (7:09 p.m. ET)
>No. 4 Maryland (+6) vs. No. 1 Florida (7:39 p.m. ET)
>No. 1 Duke (-9.5) vs. No. 4 Arizona (9:39 p.m. ET)
>No. 3 Texas Tech (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Arkansas (10:09 p.m. ET)
Friday
>No. 6 Michigan State (-3.5) vs. No. 2 Mississippi (7:09 p.m. ET)
>No. 2 Tennessee (-4.5) vs. No. 3 Kentucky (7:39 p.m. ET)
>No. 1 Auburn (-8) vs. No. 5 Michigan (9:39 p.m. ET)
>No. 1 Houston (-7.5) vs. No. 4 Purdue (10:09 p.m. ET)
Tournament ATS record-keeper Dave Tuley recaps the numbers: In round of 32, favorites led 11-5 SU but underdogs led 9-7 ATS while Overs led 9-6-1. Overall, favorites are 36-12 SU & still lead 26-22 ATS (54.2%) after dominating the first round; Unders’ lead dipped to 27-20-1 (57.4%).
Circa College Hoops Challenge recap: Texas pro handicapper Paul Stone has a commanding six-point lead in the field of 15 handicappers with a 25-13 record (6-0 on Best Bets).
VSiN March Bracket Challenge: There is. three-way tie with 32 points and a winning percentage of higher than 75 percent. One contestant went 10-0 in the second round. >>Standings.
Quick Hits
NBA: Zach Cohen will have his plays later this morning.
NHL: Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later, too.
Tennis: Zach has posted his plays for today’s action at the Miami Open.
MLB: The season opens Thursday. Adam Burke previews every team with his prediction on the season win total.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Monday, March 24. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
