Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

The Cowboys have a better-than-average chance of reaching the final 16 teams with a win on Saturday. They come into this game riding high after picking up their first-ever tourney win and should have a significant advantage on the defensive end against Purdue. They are 12th in the country in scoring defense and come off an opener that saw them hold a talented Clemson offense to just 13 points at the half. Some of the comeback came in the latter stages of the game and Clemson was going for broke. Until then, the Cowboys were able to dictate pace and dominate the painted area. The Cowboys will need to get out on the perimeter against the Boilermakers, a team coming off just a 5-of-15 performance from 3-point range. Momentum is a curious thing and the Cowboys certainly have it. This will come down to their ability to rebound, defend the three, and hit their free throws. Wade has his team playing loose and confident. That'll carry over today.

Rating: 2 Units

In this Dayton Flyers vs Chattanooga Mocs Prediction, Dayton is coming as -3-point favorites. Maybe the wrong team is favored in this matchup, as Chattanooga had more total wins this season and also more wins away from home than Dayton (11 to 6). The Mocs are coming in this matchup red-hot, as they are 9-1 in their last 10 games and 4-1 against the spread in their last 5. The Flyers are 5-1 in their last 6 games but only 5-5 against the spread. Given both teams’ recent form and overall records, the value lies with the underdog in this matchup. Give me the Chattanooga Mocs and the plus points in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

The UCLA Bruins will play a very strong defense to keep Tennessee close throughout. The Bruins gave up just 47 points to Utah State in the first round and during the regular season allowed an average of only 65.1 points per game. UCLA has covered the spread in three of the last four games and seven of the last 10. Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in each of its last two games and the Volunteers have covered the spread in just two of the last eight games. Tennessee's offense is not the most potent, as they shot just 45.5% overall which was 140th, and 34.0% from 3-point territory, which was 183rd, but its defense kept the Vols ahead. However, Tennessee will face a tough UCLA defense which will keep the score low and help UCLA to steal a win late.

Rating: 3 Units

I’m going to go with Drake. This should be a pretty interesting matchup regardless, though. The Bulldogs are coming off a nice win over a great Missouri team, shooting 54.3 percent from the field with a 31-26 rebounding edge. It wasn’t perfect though, as Drake struggled from the line (12-of-24 for 50 percent) and had 15 turnovers for 13 Tigers points. The Bulldogs are currently riding an eight-game win streak, and they’ve been doing it with defense. Drake has been below 69 points in six of those victories. As for Texas Tech, they shot a rough 39.1 percent from the field in the win over UNC Wilmington but saved themselves with 16 points off 13 Seahawks turnovers. The Raiders weren’t great from 3-point range (28.3 percent) or the line (65.2 percent) either, which was fairly uncharacteristic of them. I do like Texas Tech to rebound in this one during a competitive game, though. 

Rating; 3 Units

Don't let Pitino's words fool you, this game has special meaning. First, this will be the fifth time that he and Calipari lock horns in the NCAA Tournament and they currently are tied at two apiece. Pitino has bristled in the past about comparing the two coaches and going a game up in the rivalry will be on his mind. Second, this game will be played in Providence, a place in which Pitino led his first-ever team to a Final Four back in 1987. Pitino is still very much revered at Providence and the crowd will be backing the Red Storm. How about numbers? You can be sure that Pitino has drilled into his team about their modest +2 rebounding margin in their first game. Arkansas is ranked just 182nd in the country in rebounding while the Red Storm check in at 3rd. Freshman Bland will be under fire in just his second game back for the Razorbacks. The Red Storm are 7th in the country in forcing turnovers. Pitino will certainly pressure the Arkansas guards into mistakes. Ultimately, too much depth, too much size, and too much talent will spell victory for the Red Storm.

Rating: 3 Units

I’m going to try Creighton in this one. The Bluejays looked pretty good in their Thursday victory over Louisville, shooting a stellar 57.1 percent from the field with 45.8 percent (11-of-24) from 3-point range and a 37-32 rebounding advantage. Creighton wasn’t spectacular from the line though (14-of-21 for 66.7 percent) and had 10 turnovers for 14 Louisville points. Still, it was a nice effort against a tricky team and Creighton has now posted 71 or more points in five of the last six games (all five were wins).  As for Auburn, they didn’t have too many issues with an overmatched Alabama State team on Thursday. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the field with a 46-36 rebounding advantage, but did cough up 12 turnovers for 14 Hornets points. Auburn held Alabama State to just 37.1 percent shooting from the field so there wasn’t much danger of an upset. In six of the previous seven games however, the Tigers had give up 70 or more points. If Creighton can get that trend going again, I can see the Bluejays powering one out here. Should be an interesting matchup.

NCAAB Dog of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

The Wisconsin Badgers (27-9, 22-13-1 ATS) didn't play their best basketball late in the regular season as they lost three of the final five games. Wisconsin lost to Oregon, Michigan State, and Penn State, but managed to clinch the No. 5 seed for the Big Ten tournament. The Badgers beat Northwestern, UCLA, and the No. 1 Michigan State to reach the conference finals, but Michigan was better 59-53.  Wisconsin is averaging 79.9 PPG (43rd) and is allowing 70.3 PPG (124th). The Badgers are getting 36.6 RPG (129th) and dish out 14.6 APG (123rd). John Tonje is the team’s top performer with 19.1 PPG and 5.3 RPG. John Blackwell has 15.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 2.2 APG, while Steven Crowl contributes 9.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.5 APG.

NCAAB Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

Texas A&M was able to pick up a comfortable win against Yale in their opening game and they will look to continue their hot shooting here. The Aggies have had problems shooting from the field this season, but they did shoot 51% against Yale. Michigan nearly collapsed in the second half against UC San Diego, with turnovers and poor free throw shooting being a big issue. Michigan has had issues rebounding at times this season and I think that is going to be a big issue for them in this matchup. The Wolverines will need a huge game from Wolf and Goldin in order to keep it close.

Rating: 2 Units

The Detroit Red Wings are a desperate team playing for a wildcard spot. They stand four points out and need wins now. They have the confidence they can beat Vegas after posting a 3-0 home win against them just last weekend. The Vegas Golden Knights have cooled down, going 2-4 in their past six games including a loss against a Penguins squad that is out of a playoff spot. The Red Wings have been sharp defensively recently, conceding only 11 goals in their past four games. The Red Wings shut out the Golden Knights in a 3-0 win last week. Vegas has been kept in check recently, managing only 14 goals in their past five games.

Rating: 2 Units

Calvin Pickard has done a good job so far this season. He’s registered a 2.30 GAA and a .925 save percentage across four starts and one relief appearance in March. Last Tuesday, Pickard posted 29 saves in a 7-1 thrashing of the Utah Hockey Club. On the other side, Joey Daccord has struggled so far this month, going 3-3-1 with a 3.32 GAA and a .877 save percentage. Seattle will struggle to contain the Oilers’ powerful offense. I think the Oilers have enough weapons to torture the Kraken even if Leon Draisaitl (G49, A52) remains on the sidelines. Draisaitl missed the Jets game with an undisclosed injury and is considered day-to-day. Connor McDavid (G26, A64) will undergo an MRI after suffering an injury last Thursday and won’t play against the Kraken. Seattle, on the other side, might miss its top scorer Chandler Stephenson (G11, A37)

Rating: 2 Units

The Wizards are still missing some players with Marcus Smart, Corey Kispert and Bilal Coulibaly all out, while the Knicks have ruled out Jalen Brunson again, and they have Miles McBride listed as questionable with a groin strain. It's not surprising to see the Knicks open as massive favorites at home, as they've already blown out the Wizards in two of their three meetings this season. However, the Knicks have gone cold lately, and I just don't feel comfortable laying this many points. With that being said, I will lean towards the Wizards and the hefty start in this spot.