NCAA Tournament: FAMU Rattlers and Niagara Purple Eagles set to face off in opening play-in game

Monday, 12 March 2007

NCAA Tournament: FAMU Rattlers and Niagara Purple Eagles set to face off in opening play-in game The Niagara Purple Eagles of the MAAC (22-11) will face Florida A&M University (21-13) of the MEAC at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 13^th) in the Opening Round game of the NCAA basketball tournament at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Call it what you may, the opening round is a single game play-in by teams from leagues the NCAA deems inadequate to get an outright berth. It didn’t take oddsmakers long to get a betting line out on this game with Niagara installed as a -8.5 point favorite with a 150.5 point total at most offshore sportsbooks.

The wagering public is probably more familiar with teams from the MAAC based on the fact that lines on MAAC games are available during the regular season from offshore and Las Vegas sportsbooks while games between MEAC teams are not board listed. In other words, it’s hard to handicap a team when they haven’t been available for wagering.

First let’s look at what we do know. According to RealTimeRPI.com, a reputable online rating service, the MEAC is ranked 30^th of 31 leagues that play NCAA Div-1 basketball. Though handicapping this game presents a challenge, it’s not impossible by any stretch. while the MAAC is ranked 22^nd. Of the 336 schools that play major college hoops Niagara is ranked No. 242 while Florida A&M can be found 48 schools down the list at No. 290.

If No.1 Ohio State were to play the team ranked 48 spots below them, who happens to be Alabama, how would the wagering public bet that game if the Buckeyes were favored by -8.0 points? Personally, I would take that bet. Alabama turned out to be not so great this year as they faded down the stretch. I think Ohio State would cover the eight points. Of course Ohio State isn’t playing Alabama but you should get an idea about the separation between the schools.

The schedule plays a hand in how these teams stack up against each other as well. The Rattlers played six quality teams out of conference this past season and lost all six by an average of 24 points per game. Once the Rattlers commence league play at their own level of competition they are a decent team going 12-6 but finished second behind Delaware State. Florida A&M upset Delaware State in the MEAC tournament and snatching the NCAA tournament bid in the process.

Niagara fared a little better than FAMU out of conference and did better in a league that is considered more competitive than the MEAC. The Purple Eagles didn’t set the world on fire against quality competition by any stretch losing by 20 to Saint Johns at home and how can they explain an 18 point loss to woeful Delaware. The Purple Eagles got a good win at MAC member Central Michigan and looked even better in defeating Patriot League champion Holy Cross 67-61 as a +7.0 home underdog.

All lines and totals on NCAA Tournament games can be found at BetUS.com.