Saturday NCAA Tournament Preview: 3 Best Bets for March 22

We are rolling with the underdogs in Saturday’s NCAA Tournament action. Michigan and BYU are both coming off of gritty wins against potential underdogs and with two of the best coaches in the field, they should be able to move onto the Round of 32 behind their star performers.

Gonzaga against Houston has the potential to be a classic. With this current line, take Gonzaga and Mark Few to take this game down to the last few possessions behind what looks like one of the best starting lineups among any team in the tournament.

Michigan +2.5 over Texas A&M

The Wolverines won a tight one against UCSD last night in what feels like a gritty win that will catapult them into a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 run. In a three-point victory in the 50s, Dusty May has asserted himself as a program builder and changer.

Michigan finds themselves in a R32 matchup against a Texas A&M team coming off a solid SEC campaign and a win over Yale by 9 points in their opening game. A&M had 10 offensive boards, shot 57% from the charity strike, and 48 points in the paint.

Insert Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf and these numbers will drastically change with the Wolverines forcing Wade Taylor and the A&M shooters to make plays for themselves – which is exactly where they will struggle. Take the Big 10 champs to move on in a game I personally believe they should be favored in.

BYU +1.5 over Wisconsin

Unfairly placed in this section of the region, Wisconsin will have its hands full against NBA lottery pick Egor Demin, Richie Saunders, and this Kevin Young-led BYU squad in Denver. The home game aspect, elevation impact, and overall momentum the Cougars have going into this game will make the difference.

John Tonje is a fantastic player but can be quiet at times when Wisco needs him the most. Montana showed us that the Badgers have large holes on both ends of the floor and with BYU’s bigs playing extremely well in that VCU win, I think Crowl will make less of an impact in a BYU win and Sweet 16 berth for Kevin Young in his first year in Provo.

Gonzaga +5.5 over Houston

The Zags are here to stay. Gonzaga dominated Georgia in every facet, scoring 89 points against the nine-seed in the first round of action. Led by the backcourt of Battle/Nembhard/Hickman and a frontcourt of Huff and Ike, the Zags are playing like a top 10 team in the country.

Ranked 8th on Kenpom coming into the tournament, Houston has to feel a ton of pressure to outscore the Zags in this game which could cause problems for Kelvin Sampson’s squad.

Yes, this Houston offense is the best we have seen in many years from this program, but Gonzaga has the size, speed, and shooting to win this ball game or at least take it down to the last few possessions. With a +5.5 line, I’d take the Zags to cover here in what will be the best Round of 32 matchup this year.