Sitting at the Big Boys Table Saturday Afternoon

The five matchups for the Round of 32 afternoon session has a distinct flavor of brand names. Several conference champions, be it regular season or postseason tournaments, plus a few others that are playing their best basketball at just the right time. With the field having been cut in half, this is where skill matters most in assessing the chances of each team and coaching is extremely important, having just one day to completely prepare for new opponent in one and done scenario. Here is a wagering look at the contests.

Maryland vs Memphis 3:20E

Memphis looked anything but imposing as second seed, surviving against Cal-State Northridge 81-70, thanks to unlikely source. Roburt Sallie came off the bench steaming hot, making 10 three-pointers on the way to career high 35-point game. Having allowed just one team to shoot 40 percent or higher since early February, the Tigers were repeatedly late in transition defense and the Matadors scored a number of easy buckets, in converting 44.4 percent. Memphis is a nine-point favorite at Bookmaker.com over Maryland and will have to play much better to improve to 12-3 ATS against teams with winning records. Behind 27 points from Grievis Vasquez, the Terrapins pulled away from California with 50-point second half. Maryland used a press to disrupt the Bears and they may trot it out against Memphis also, in seeking the big upset. The Terps are 5-0 ATS in neutral situations. Watch this closely, since No.10 seeds are 10-5 and 12-3 ATS against No.2’s off an upset.

Texas A&M vs Connecticut 3:35E

Coach Jim Calhoun was hospitalized for Connecticut’s opening contest and he might want to stay away if his Huskies can continue to play the same way. UConn shot 52.1 percent and limited Chattanooga to 25.8 percent in registering the third biggest tournament margin differential in 103-47 massacre. The Huskies will have to quickly refocus after rout and are 0-7 ATS after leading in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. Texas A&M quickly buried any beliefs of hangover from Big 12 tourney meltdown against Texas Tech, blitzing BYU by making its first 10 shots and built a 22-7 lead less than eight minutes in. That gives the Aggies seven wins in last eight games and they are 9-2 against the number since late January. Texas A&M can’t expect to shoot 57.7 percent versus Connecticut defense, however this young squad has nothing to fear being a 10-point underdog. The Aggies are 10-3 ATS in that position this season, however double digit dogs are 2-28 and 12-18 ATS in second round.

Purdue vs Washington 5:40E

Based on Thursday’s results, this sets up as one heck a matchup. Purdue let up a little early and Northern Iowa covered the 8.5-point spread against the Boilermakers. Nonetheless, the Panthers were limited to 37 percent shooting by persistent Purdue defense. The Boilers are listed as single point underdog and are 11-5-1 ATS catching points, however they will have to do better than 3 for 15 from behind the three-point line to take down Washington. The Huskies defense was also impressive in holding what appeared to be a tired Mississippi State club to 34.5 percent. Quincy Pondexter had a breakout game, with a season-high 23 points to lead Washington. The Huskies guards Justin Dentmon and freshman Isaiah Thomas played well below average and will have to improve for Washington to advance Sweet 16 and raise record to 5-2-1 ATS as favorites. The Huskies are the fourth seed and 4’s are 6-16 ATS since 2002 in this round.

LSU vs North Carolina 5:45E

North Carolina didn’t need Ty Lawson and probably didn’t need Tyler Hansbrough to polish off Radford. Wayne Ellington spearheaded the Tar Heels attack and he will be called on again and an equally veteran LSU club. North Carolina is an 11.5-point favorite and 22-11 ATS versus good three-point shooting teams like LSU, who make 37 percent or of their attempts (37.1 percent). For the Tigers to pull off the gigantic upset, center Chris Johnson must hold his own with Hansbrough and stay out of foul trouble. Tasmin Mitchell and Garrett Temple are tenacious defenders and if Marcus Thornton gets hot like a Louisiana summer day, suddenly this becomes interesting for squad that is 9-1 ATS versus up-tempo teams averaging 62 or more shots a game. ACC double digit favorites are 25-1 and 12-14 ATS the last seven years in the tournament.

Michigan vs Oklahoma 5:50E

Michigan was one of four lower seeds to come away with a victory the first day, with upset of Clemson and will go for bigger fish against No. 2 Oklahoma. The Tigers had no answers for Wolverines zone defense and Manny Harris led the charge with 23 points for Michigan. You can’t look at Michigan’s numbers and expect to find answers, since they don’t do a lot of things well studying a statsheet, what they do well is hang around and they are 8-0 ATS after playing two consecutive games as an underdog this season. The Sooners played with renewed energy and shot over 60 percent in mauling Morgan State. Blake Griffin looked more like the player that had been dominating college basketball all season. Griffin’s brother Blake, was factor and will be needed to control the boards against Michigan. Oklahoma is 9-2 ATS in road games versus teams like Michigan, who hoist 21 or more three-point shots a game on the season.

For more on the other three games Saturday, click here.