Tip off: 8:40 PM EST
Spread: BAY -7.5
Total: 133.5
M/L: BAY -375, COL +315
Baylor
Baylor has turned it around in a big way following last year’s 18-13 campaign, which featured a first round loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 tournament.
This year, their sites are set on much larger goals after finishing 27-7 this season with a 12-6 record in the Big 12. The blowout loss to Missouri in the Conference championship game put a damper on an otherwise bright regular season. Also, the Bears have now lost 2 of their last 4 games, though one of the two wins was a big upset over Kansas in the Big 12 semifinals.
All five Baylor starters reached double figures in that win, led by Perry Jones III’s 18 points, which he scored on 7 of 16 shooting from the floor. Jones leads the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game and is also the team leader in rebounding (7.7 per game). He’s expected to be a lottery pick in this June’s NBA Draft.
In addition to the strong play of Jones, Baylor also has Pierre Jackson, Quincy Acy, and Quincy Miller all averaging double figure scoring as well, as the Bears put up 75 points per game (38th best in the nation), mainly due to the fact that they convert 47% of their field goals.
Bears Betting Trends:
Baylor is 12-14 ATS the last 26, 2-8 ATS in Saturday games, 11-12 ATS vs teams with winning records, 7-10 ATS as a favorite, 6-4 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5
Colorado
The Bufflaloes accomplished just what they wanted to this season: They won the Pac-12 and earned their berth into the Big Dance. Now, what they do with it from here is what will completely define their season.
The Buffaloes did not face a ranked opponent all season and are going to have their hands full with the Runnin’ Rebels, because while they won 23 of their 34 games this season, they did so without putting up overly impressive stats. They rank in the middle of the pack in scoring (67.6 per game) and are a slightly above average rebounding team (35.7 per game).
Their attack is very balanced. Four of their five starters average double figure scoring, but Carlon Brown leads the way with only 12.6 points per game. Andre Roberson contributes a double double, with 11.6 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. The 6’7? sophomore gets off the floor well and blocks 1.9 shots per game, up per-minute and per game over last year’s 1.1 per game. His field goal percentage has declined from his standout freshman campaign from 58% to 50%, but that is because he is taking twice as many shots (roughly) and has had to sacrifice shot quality as a result. In games in which Roberson records a double double, the Buffaloes are 14-5.
Buffaloes Betting Trends:
17-14 ATS last 31, 8-8 ATS total 130 to 139.5, 7-7 ATS on one days rest or less, 11-8 ATS vs teams with winning records, total OVER 29 of 51 last games, total OVER 11 of 19 in March games
