It’s Championship Saturday! Many college teams will be punching in their automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament today, along with a conference championship! With so much at stake, here are our three NCAAB best bets for March 16.
Let’s look at the NCAAB odds available at the top-rated sportsbooks and let us know which ones you’re tailing!
Top NCAAB Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 03:30 PM ET at Target Center
Nebraska is in line for an NCAA Tournament spot. But it’s not guaranteed just yet.
A win against Illinois would lock them in. The Cornhuskers have won seven of their last eight games, including the first Big Ten Conference Tournament game.
Same Vibes?
Nebraska knocked off Indiana, 93-66, in an incredible showing from the Cornhuskers. They’ll take on an Illinois group that earned a tight win over Ohio State. Most teams have had trouble earning wins against the Buckeyes recently. But Illinois escaped with a massive win.
The last time Illinois and Nebraska played, the Cornhuskers took Illinois to overtime and lost 87-84. This game has the same vibes.
Illinois won’t earn many turnovers and hasn’t defended the three all that well this season, allowing teams to shoot 34.5% from downtown. Meanwhile, Nebraska takes many threes and has nailed 36% from downtown while doing so.
The Cornhuskers shot the ball yesterday and probably will do the same in this game. However, Nebraska won’t earn many offensive rebounds or get to the foul line consistently.
Best Bet
On the other hand, Illinois has been more consistent offensively. The Fighting Illini will earn more second chances and also keep turnovers down.
However, they’ll have to face a more difficult defense. Nebraska has held teams to 31.7% from deep and 44.9% from inside the arc. The rate inside the arc is 11th-best in the nation heading into today.
I’ll back Nebraska at +4.5.
NCAAB Pick: Nebraska +4.5 (-110) at BetOnline
New Mexico Lobos vs. San Diego State Aztecs
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET at Thomas & Mack Center
The Mountain West is ready to find a champion.
The New Mexico Lobos will take on the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Championship tonight.
Physicality
In the last meeting between these two teams, San Diego State added an 81-70 win at home.
Both teams are more known for their defense heading into this game. New Mexico is ranked 24th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, San Diego State is ranked 8th in the nation in that same category.
New Mexico has held opponents to 30.9% from downtown, while SDSU has kept teams to 30.5% from three. New Mexico doesn’t take many threes, while the Aztecs take an average amount. But neither team turns the ball over often, and the rebounding battle should be pretty tight.
Best Bet
These teams match up very well against one another. Neither side has a clear advantage, so I’ll take the Under 142.5 in the Championship game.
Defense wins championships, right?
NCAAB Pick: Under 142.5 (-110) at BetOnline
Oregon Ducks vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena
The Oregon Ducks knocked off Arizona and now have a chance to steal a bid in the NCAA Tournament with a Pac-12 championship.
The Ducks are just one win away. All they have to do is beat Colorado.
One Win Away
Oregon most recently played Colorado at home and lost by four points. The Ducks also lost to Colorado on the road in January, 86-70. But it’s hard to beat the same team twice. At least that’s what people think.
Colorado matches up better. The Buffaloes have nailed 39.7% from three and 53.7% from inside the arc. They should have no problems scoring against an Oregon defense that has allowed 34.5% from deep and 51.5% from inside the arc this season.
On the other hand, Oregon will likely win the turnover battle. But the Ducks will struggle on the offensive glass and won’t hit shots at the same rate as Colorado. The Buffaloes have held teams to 32.3% from deep and 49.8% from inside the arc.
Best Bet
Colorado has also given up just 24.2% of offensive rebounds and has limited fouls way more than Colorado.
That said, I’ve got Colorado winning the Pac-12. Oregon won’t make the NCAA Tournament with a loss.
NCAAB Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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