Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (20-11) vs. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (28-6), 12:25 p.m. ET, Line GT -1 ½ (141 total). The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels have not received much respect since the Jerry “Tark the Shark” Tarkanian era ended in the 90’s but current coach Lon Kruger has found the right ingredient and has the school back in the Big Dance for the first time in 16 years. The Runnin’Rebels, a veteran team led by Kruger’s son Kevin along with fellow seniors guard Wendell White and post man Joel Anthony, could slap the Yellow Jackets nest. Georgia Tech of the powerful ACC is a very young team as evidenced in starting freshman Javaris Crittenton and forward Thaddeus Young, both guards averaging over 14 points per game. This game is almost a dead even match up between two schools who like to get up and down the court. Point-Spreads.com pick: OVER 141.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (24-7) vs. Winthrop Eagles (28-4), 2:35 p.m. Line ND -4.0 (149 ½ total). The Eagles will not be intimidated by the Irish as they have played bigger fish this season. Winners of the BIG SOUTH regular season and tournament, played an out of conference schedule that looked like a who’s-who list of powerhouse programs including North Carolina and Wisconsin and were not blown out of the gym. However, they didn’t win any of those power-house games either. Winthrop did well against known mid-majors with wins over Old Dominion and Missouri State. The Eagles have the potential to defeat Notre Dame but it seems unlikely. Point-Spreads.com pick: ND -3 ½ (149 ½ total).
Wisconsin Badgers (29-5) vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (26-6), 2:45 p.m., Line -12 ½ (132 total). The 15-seed Islanders are some what of a mystery to the world of “March Madness” and are getting a reasonable amount of respect. Why should Wisconsin be worried about a tiny school out of the Southland Conference? Ask Iowa, losers last year to Northwestern State of Louisiana. You can be rest assured Bo Ryan will have his troops heads screwed on straight for this one. Wisconsin has bigger plans: Point-Spreads.com pick: Wisconsin -12 ½. Note: See the full Point-Spreads.com feature on this game in College Basketball News.
Oregon Ducks (26-7) vs. Miami Red Hawks (OH) (18-14), 4:55 p.m., Line Oregon -8.0 (122 total). Miami is not one of the high-octane mid-major programs that is expected to make much of a fuss while the Ducks are potential final-four material. The Red Hawks are getting some respect, installed by oddsmakers with a single digit line. The Ducks will take that as a challenge. Point-Spreads.com pick: Oregon -8.
Arizona Wildcats (21-11) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (21-11), 7:20 p.m. ET, Line Arizona -3.0 (138 total). Eight and Nine seed games are always great match ups and this one is no different. Arizona coach Lute Olson has brought his Wildcats to the dance 23 straight times while Purdue is back for the first time since 2003. Coach Matt Painter’s Boilermakers are led by seniors Carl Landry and David Teague who helped guide the team on a four game winning stretch at the end of the season before losing to Ohio State in the Big 10 tournament. Arizona, led by senior point guard Mustafa Shakur, sealed its bid to the Big Dance by winning six of eight games at the end of the regular season. This game should be a close one. Point-Spreads.com pick: Arizona -3.0.
Florida Gators (29-5) vs. Jackson State Tigers (21-13) 9:40 p.m. ET, Line Florida -28 (144 ½ total). The Tigers have no chance in this game as long as the top-seeded Gators show up. No offense to Jackson State. They belong in the dance as the SWAC Champions but they are out of their league going toe to toe with the defending national champions. Point-Spreads pick: Florida -28.
