NCAA Tournament: Vegas Vic is all over Gonzaga tonight
In Saturday's second game, Virginia has covered just two of the last six away from home, while Purdue has hit on four of its last five overall. Duke, Kentucky slight favorites on Sunday.
Inquirer handicapper Vegas Vic looks at Saturday’s NCAA Tournament games.
LAS VEGAS -- Double V is gonna roll with Gonzaga -4 points over Texas Tech in Saturday’s opener.
Are you feeling that Texas Tech’s breeze past Michigan was Tech’s stingy D, or, the fact that the Wolverines could not shoot a lick? We’re going with CAN’T shoot a LICK! The Wolves had only ONE guy that shot above 50% on the floor, and just ONE kid that shot over 40% on triples. So, yea, Tech looked fabulous, but they had help.
>>READ MORE: Duke, without Cam Reddish, escapes with win over V-Tech
However, the 'Zags are a high-powered offensive machine, actually, THE HIGHEST in the NCAA, averaging 88 points per game. Mark Few’s starting five boasts two kids -- Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura -- that tickle the twine at 68% and 59% respectively.
Appreciate what Chris Beard has done with the Red Raiders, but gotta put Gonzaga into the Final Four, and it’s $55 to win $50.
Vic is not gonna drop any cash on the Virginia/Purdue game, but I do have some pretty cool numbers.
>>The Cavaliers lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing an average of only 55 points per game. Purdue slots in at No. 45, giving up 66 ppg.
>>UVA does not mind packing a bag, winning 15 of 17 away from home. However, against the spread, they’ve covered only two of the last six outside of Charlottesville.
>>READ MORE: Michigan State takes care of LSU to move into Elite 8
>>And as you might suspect, the Cavs like to go low, posting four unders in the last five games.
>>The Boilermakers have covered four of the last five, six of the last eight, and three of four as an underdog this season.
>>Looking at the big picture, Virginia’s overall spread log sits at 24-11, 14-5 on the road and 22-11 as a favorite.
>>The Boilers overall spread mark is 20-15, 10-10 on the road and 3-1 as a dog.
Note: Final Four will be April 6 and 8 and televised on CBS. The Saturday, April 6 national semifinals will start shortly after 6 p.m. The national championship game on Monday, April 8 will start shortly after 9 p.m.