It is Monday 29th of March, which means that we are ready to tip-off the Elite 8 round with the Midwest and South region Championships games on schedule.
This is our betting analysis and March Madness predictions for both games!
(12) Oregon State vs (2) Houston – 7:15pm ET
Oregon State Beaver (19-12) continue to be the Cinderella team of the tournament after taking down the Loyola Chicago Ramblers on Saturday with 65-58. It was their sixth win in a row in a win-or-go-home situation, which best describes the character of this team. The Beavers entered the game with a poor shooting, but went on an 11-0 run before the half-time and taking an 8-point lead to the second half. Oregon St. shot only 41.2% from the field but was almost perfect from the free-throw line, making 18-20 for 90%. Ethan Thompson led the way for the Beavers with 22 points and 4 assists, displaying another great night after dropping 26 points against Oklahoma State previously. Warith Alatishe had a big night with 10 points and 11 boards, while making power plays on both ends of the floor.
Thompson is having an outstanding senior year for the Beavers, averaging 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on the season. Thompson has stepped-up his game over the past three games, averaging 20.3 pts, 7.1 boards, and over 3 assist per game. Jarod Lucas had a poor shooting night against Loyola Chicago, scoring only 8 pts (3-9 FG), but will continue to be an offensive threat with his 13 pts per game.
The Houston Cougars are 5-0 all-time in the round of eight (Elite Eight). #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/eb4Q2IYOsy
— GoCoogs.com (@gocoogs1) March 28, 2021
Houston Cougars (27-3) came out to play highly motivated against Syracuse on Saturday night in a Sweet 16 clash. The Cougars defense was locked in as they held the Orange to only 46 points. After barely escaping an upset against the No.10 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (63-60) in the second round, the Cougars knew that they should take care of the business right from the opening tip-off. Quentin Grimes (14 pts) and Justin Gorham (13 pts, 10 rbs) helped the Cougars advance to their first regional final in 37 years.
Grimes continues his outstanding season in which he is posting 18.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 1.9 apg., pretty much the same numbers he is averaging in the tournament. Marcus Sasser had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists against Syracuse, but he will surely look to be an offensive threat on Monday afternoon against the Beavers.
March Madness Pick – Houston (-375)
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(3) Arkansas vs (1) Baylor – 9:57 pm ET
Arkansas (25-6) had to fight back from a 12-point deficit against Oral Roberts, avoiding an upset with a narrow 72-70 win. Davonte Davis made the late jumper with 2.9 seconds on the clock, lifting his team to the next round. It was a poor shooting night for Eric Musselmans team, who made only 1 out of 9 three-point attempts, while shooting only 37.7% from the field. Jalen Tate led the Razorbacks with 22 points and 6 dimes, while Davis finished the game with 16 points and 8 boards. Moody and Smith both scored in double figures, recording 14 and 12 points.
Moses Moody is the team’s leading scorer with 17 ppg, but has slightly underperformed in the tournament so far, recording just under 14 ppg. Justin Smith had a huge night against Oral Roberts with 12 points and 14 boards, and he will certainly look to continue his great form as he is averaging 13.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg for the Razorback.
.@BaylorMBB x ELITE 8
1-seed Baylor battles back to take down 5-seed Villanova and advance to their first Elite 8 since 2012 🐻 pic.twitter.com/AWeWZFrDdn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 27, 2021
Baylor (25-2) advance to the Elite 8 round with a hard-fought win over Villanova 62-51 on Saturday night. It was not a pretty night for the Bears, who shot only 3-19 from behind the arc, but managed to win the battle in the paint, earning them the next round and a matchup against the Arkansas Razorback. Davion Mitchell led the starters with 14 points, while Adam Flagler came up huge from the bench, scoring 16 points and pulling down 3 boards. Jared Butler scored only 9 points in 36 mins of action, shooting 4-14 from the floor.
Butler is the Bears leading scorer on the season, recording 16.6 ppg, while also adding 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. MaCio Teague will certainly be a threat as he brings 15.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg, while Davion Mitchell add 14.1 ppg, and team-high 5.3 apg.
March Madness Pick – Baylor (-303)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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