Thursday March Madness Free Pick
(The Spread) – The First Round of the March Madness Tournament continues and for our Friday free pick, we take a look at the Illinois–UNLV matchup.
View Current March Madness Tournament Odds
Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com have made UNLV a 2-point favorite over Illinois, while the over/under total is currently sitting at 135 points. The Rebels are an eighth seed, while the Fighting Illini are a No. 9.
In its five neutral site games this season, Illinois is 1-4 and has failed to cover in all five games according to latest college basketball trends. The under is 3-2 in those five games, as the Illini have averaged 67.4 points for and 71.6 points against.
The Rebels are a solid 4-1 in their five neutral site games this year and covered in three of those five games. The under is also 3-2 in UNLV’s five neutral-site contests, as the Rebs have averaged 71.0 points for and 63.6 points against.
March Madness Free Pick: I’ve been in a major slump with college basketball of late, but I’ve got a fever, and I need more UNLV. What? Ah, whatever – I like the Rebels tonight. UNLV has faced stiff competition this season and has more than held its own. The Rebels won at Kansas State and against Wisconsin, and also closed with six-straight wins before falling to two-seeded San Diego State. Illinois has a ton of experience, which is big at this time of year. But the Illini have been awfully inconsistent of late and I like UNLV’s perimeter game. The Rebs have won six of their last seven games and 21 of their last 25 as a favorite. They’ve also won 15 of their last 18 games when the total posted is between 130 and 139.5, while Illinois has failed to cover in 10 of its lat 11 neutral site games. Run with the Rebs.
FRIDAY MARCH MADNESS FREE PICK: UNLV –2
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