SDSU vs Uconn
It is time for the National Championship, and we have a very unexpected matchup between a 5 seed in San Diego State and a 4 seed in Uconn. This is the first National Championship game for SDSU since they won the Men’s Volleyball championship in 1973. I don’t know anyone who had SDSU going this far but as the stats show only 0.3% of brackets had SDSU to win the championship. So, if one of these brackets are yours then congrats, your smarter than everyone I’ve ever met. There were much more people who had Uconn winning the national title since 2.4% of people picked them to win.
This tournament has already been a historic one since there were no one seeds in the final four for the first time in a long time and the #4 and #5 seeds being in the finals is also something that I have never seen in my lifetime. The odds of these two teams to win the tournament, before the tournament started, were absolutely wild (less wild for Uconn). 
These two teams are sure to put up a fight and I am very excited to watch this national title game tonight. But let’s move onto some stats.
SDSU had a remarkable win over FAU two days ago with the first buzzer beater of the tournament so far.
I didn’t think they had any shot in winning this game while I was watching is because FAU was playing lights out the whole game. Uconn on the other hand had a much easier time in their game against Miami as they manhandled them and won by 13 pts. SDSU has played some close ass games so far this tournament as their last two games have been decided by one point on some lucky plays. Uconn has just been dicking down everyone that they’ve seen so far in this tournament and that may or may not change here.
Besides in their game against FAU, SDSU defense has been lights out defending the 3-point shot. They have allowed percentages of less than 30% from three-point land all tournament long including their games against Alabama and Creighton. Uconn’s defense has been insane as well as they have allowed under 70 pts to all of their opponents so far this tournament. Uconn has one thing SDSU does not though, a big man who scores more than 15 pts consistently. Adomo Sanogo has been lethal for Uconn all year as he averages over 17 points per game and is getting almost 8 rebounds per game. I believe that his physical style of play could cause some problems for SDSU even though they have some big guys of their own.
I’ve thrown a lot of information at you in this article so let’s break it down a little bit. Both of these teams have been rock solid on defense so far this tournament. Uconn has been extremely dominant, but SDSU has been scrapy and able to keep games close with this kind of play. Even though I think this game is going to be pretty close, I have some quality plays for you guys.
Hammer: total U132 Hammer: Uconn -7.5 - Jacob
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Virginia Tech vs ohio state
For the first time in program history the Virginia Tech Hokies Women’s Basketball team has reached the Elite 8. The Hokies easily defeated the Tennessee Lady Vol’s on Saturday after a physical game. VT held a double-digit lead for most of the game and never trailed once. Tennessee came back briefly in the fourth quarter making it a one-score game, but thanks to the heroics of Georgia Amoore the Hokies quickly went on a game-sealing run.
This was a physical game with a lot of missed calls. The most egregious example being what should have been an obvious flagrant 2 foul on Tennessee's Jordan Walker.
This is nothing the Hokie Women aren’t used to though as In almost every game back-to-back ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitey gets hacked in the paint with rarely an appropriate whistle heard.
The Hokies are the hottest team in women’s college basketball right now. They’ve won 14 straight games, including an ACC Tournament Championship, and haven’t lost since January. The main reason being the All-ACC and All-American duo of Liz Kitley and Georgia Amoore
Amoore is a highlight machine and even got approval from the GOAT with this insane step back 3 Saturday
Amoore has been doing this all year and never shy’s away from the game's biggest moments. And neither does Naismith-finalist Liz Kitley
Kitley is typically the best player on most courts she plays on.
Virginia Tech has been cruising along the last few months and I don’t think their run is going to stop at the Elite 8. This team is special and has the juice to go the distance this March. I believe that the Hokies will beat Ohio St by 10 points, easily cover the spread of 3.5 points, and join Iowa, LSU, and the winner of UMD V South Carolina in Dallas for the Final Four.
The Pick: Virginia Tech WBB -3.5
- Jake
SDSU vs Bama This matchup between Alabama and San Diego St. is sure to be a thriller. Alabama has won their first two games of the tournament by a million while San Diego St. struggled a little bit with the College of Charleston in their first game but killed Furman. The one thing that San Diego St. has going for them is that their defense is outstanding. They have held both of their opponents in the tournament to under 60 pts and they have been scoring an immense number of points as well. Alabama on the other hand has scored so many points so far this tournament. They almost put up 100 in their first matchup and put up almost 80 in their second. So, the question is whether or not SDSU defense can handle Bama’s offense.
The answer to this question is going to be yes. SDSU struggled against Arizona earlier this year, but they are going to show up in the Sweet Sixteen of the tournament. Many people are going to disagree with this statement, but I really do believe that SDSU is going to show up tonight. SDSU is going to show up in a big way tonight and I wish I could say that they are going to win this matchup, but I cannot. What I will say is that this matchup is going to be a defensive battle and I don’t think the over is gonna hit. Hammer: SDSU/Bama U138 Hammer: Bama -7 - Jacob FAU vs tennessee
The Sweet Sixteen has finally arrived on this beautiful Thursday evening. I don’t know where you guys are but where I am it is absolutely beautiful outside for the first time in a while. I’m currently sitting on my porch and writing this article while listening to some Jimmy Buffett. The spring vibes are amazing. But now, let’s get to the matchup. FAU in the sweet sixteen is something that almost nobody probably predicted. But since the round of 32 was a cakewalk for them since they’re a real basketball school who can beat a 16 seed, they advanced easily.
Tennessee on the other hand had a tester of a second-round matchup against Duke, which they handled with ease.
Tennessee has been playing some great defense so far this tournament allowing under 60 pts to their opponents in both games so far. FAU on the other hand has been relying on their offense to put up points for them. The problem that will arise for FAU is that Tennessee’s defense is better than their offense. I don’t believe that FAU’s offense is going to be able to do what they have done so much of this season on offense against the Vols. Tenessee’s offense has struggles slightly so far this tournament, but it looked like they were getting their groove back at the end of the Duke game. I don’t see a world where FAU finds a way to advance tonight. I love the owls run as much as the next guy, but this Tennessee team has weapons that are greater than what FAU has. But then again, it’s March Madness so what do I know. Still taking Vols though. Hammer: Tennessee -4.5 - Jacob Maryland vs Alabama
Maryland vs Alabama
Maryland is not as bad as some people say. It was ridiculous how only one “expert” picked Mayland to win their first-round game. — Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) March 16, 2023
And of course the only person to pick Maryland was Andy Katz because he’s a reporter for the Big 10 network so he’s actually seen a good amount of Maryland basketball this season. It was an 8-9 matchup for christ’s sake I mean COME ON!
Do I think Maryland is going to beat Alabama? No, probably not, however, I do believe that 8.5 points is way too big of a line. Maryland realistically could F around and win the damn game, I mean they have experience beating a one seed this season.
Maryland has the juice to cover. Roll Terps
The Pick: Maryland +8.5 Penn State vs TexasWe have a lovely game here with a 2 seed versus a 10 seed. Texas is coming off of a dominant win over Colgate which was never particularly close down the wire. Penn State had a very convincing win over Texas A&M behind stellar 3 point shooting from senior guard Andrew Funk. This matchup has potential to be close if things go the Nittany Lions way.
Penn State has the 13th most efficient offense in the nation and can get hot from beyond the arc. Their defense is quite the opposite, repping the 97th best efficiency. Texas can play on both sides of the ball. They boast the 16th and 11th ratings in these categories, respectively. I can’t see the Nittany Lions putting up such an impressive performance against the Longhorns. They shot 59% from 3 point range against Texas A&M and this won’t happen again. Texas A&M is far from the same team as their in-state rivals, and Texas will come out and play with no fear. The Longhorns will be productive on both ends of the court. Horns up! Pick: Penn State vs Texas -5 (-110 DK) - Judson Houston vs auburnWith a wild round of 64 complete, we head into an interesting looking round of 32. This matchup is a battle between two extremely talented squads. Houston, being the favorites to win the whole tournament, had a very questionable performance. They struggled to beat 16 seed Northern KY. Auburn on the other hand also didn't play the best game against Iowa, but still put together a scrappy win and had a solid defensive showing against Iowa’s top ranked offense. This game is probably going to be a low scoring affair, with both these teams having solid defenses, and Houston’s slow offensive tempo. I think after seeing Houston's game one performance, this game could be the perfect setup for this scrappy Auburn team to pull off a huge upset. On top of this the game is being placed in Alabama, so the Auburn crowd will be huge for this matchup. It’s March, the atmosphere is going to be rambunctious, with a huge home advantage you have to take the points. No need to overthink, I’m picking the War Eagle’s +4.5.
Pick: Auburn +4.5 Fairleigh Dickinson vs PurdueGame: Fairleigh Dickinson vs Purdue
Here we have a March Madness game that includes a 1 seed, the Boilermakers, versus a 16 seed, the Knights. Purdue has been in and out of the rank 1 in the NCAA throughout the season, but has found their way back to a 1 seed after winning the Big Ten championship. I couldn’t tell you much about FDU, but I bet against them in their First Four game and they dominated to seal a NCAA tournament berth. The Knights play a full court press which can cause opponents like Texas Southern some trouble. If an opposing offense can get past that, they’re then going up against the 359th most efficient defense. This is below teams like Green Bay and LIU who hold records of 3-29 and 3-26 respectively. FDU has never gone against a player like Zach Edey, as no other team in the NCAA has because of how unique the 7’4” junior is. Purdue has ball handlers in Braden Smith and Brandon Newman that can break a press. Their offense will thrive against one of the worst defenses in the nation, and Zach Edey will have his way. Pick: Fairleigh Dickinson vs Purdue 1H o68 - Judson Providence vs KentuckyProvidence vs Kentucky
This is big east matchup, and it’s going to be an electric game. Providence a very underrated team is playing a Kentucky who has been a very on and off team. This is a very either way matchup, either team could have a day, which is why I think the spread for this game is very disrespectful. Both the teams have the same record 21-11, and with that being said Providence is still a -4.5 underdog. Both teams have played a pretty hefty schedule, with both teams playing a plethora of ranked teams. I honestly think this Providence team headed by forward Bryce Hopkins, have been absolutely by this spread as mentioned before. The game in my personal opinion should be valued as a pick,’em considering both teams records are identical, and both teams share their same inconsistency. Both teams have won against big opponents, and lost against teams, that they shouldn’t have. That being said these are identical teams, which means that providence should cover this spread pretty easily. The game from my perspective should be a 1–3-point margin max. So, let’s have a day, and my pick is the Providence +4.5. Pick: Providence +4.5 - Jason Kansas St vs. Montana St. Both of these teams have had a tremendous year and being such a high seed in the tournaments should have been huge for Kansas State. Unfortunately, I think they got matchup up against the most difficult 14 seed in the tournament. Montana State handles most of the teams that they played this season with ease as we can see from their 25-9 record. But, in the games against the bigger teams like Arizona and Oregon, they got obliterated. Kansas State had a shaky start to the season with two early losses against WVU and TCU, but they won 6 inn a row to end the year.
Montana State has struggled in games against power 5 opponents this year, but Kansas St. Has been keeping it close against not power 5 schools as well. They only beat Wichita St. by 5 pts and Radford by 8. Montana State is better than both of these teams and I think that they find a way to keep is close again today. It’s called March Madness for a reason, and we could have another huge upset tonight. Hammer: Montana State +7.5 |