March Madness First Four odds, picks, best bet | Sports News

March Madness First Four odds, picks, best bet…

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After a pair of thrilling video games Tuesday, the First Four of March Madness resumes Wednesday with Lehigh taking on Prairie View A&M. 

Tip-off for this battle of 16 seeds is set for 6:40 p.m. ET on TruTV, with a date against No. 1 Florida in the South Region up for grabs. 

The Patriot League champion Lehigh is favored by 3.5 factors over Prairie View A&M, with the Over/Under sitting at 142.5 factors at BetMGM.

Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M prediction, best bet

Upon first look at both groups, this matchup firmly matches the outline of why the First Four exists. 

Lehigh rattled off six consecutive victories to end its schedule, a run that culminated in a Patriot League Tournament Final win on its home ground over Boston University.

The Mountain Hawks are led by level guard Nasir Whitlock’s 21 factors per recreation and ahead Hank Alvey, who averages 15 factors per contest.  

Lehigh Mountain Hawks guard Nasir Whitlock (1) dribbles the ball. James Lang-Imagn Images

Their strength lies in 3-point capturing. They are a top-40 staff metrics clever, knocking down 36.5% of their makes an attempt per contest, good enough for Thirty eighth-best in the nation, according to Torvik rankings. 

The Mountain Hawks are in search of their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012, when they upset No. 2 Duke as the No. 15 seed behind CJ McCollum’s breakthrough efficiency.

On the alternative facet of the ground, A&M’s run to this stage is equal to a Hollywood script. 

The Panthers have been exterior the top 12 of the SWAC standings with a 4-8 convention file and sitting seven video games below .500 in February. 

Prairie View rallied, successful 5 of its next six ultimate regular-season video games to earn the No. 8 seed in the convention event. 

A&M then strung together 4 wins in 5 days, including a major upset of top seed Bethune-Cookman in the second spherical, to earn the SWAC’s at-large bid.

Dontae Horne paces the Panthers with 20.2 factors per recreation, while backcourt mate Tai’reon Joseph provides 18.2 factors.

The Panthers don’t shoot as many 3s as the Mountain Hawks, but instead assault the basket at will. 

Their protection, on average, forces 15.3 turnovers per recreation, main to fast-break alternatives and drawing fouls on the opposition. 

Betting on College Basketball?

I’m backing Prairie View on the unfold.  

The First Four surroundings often sees a frantic, faster-paced recreation, which fits the Panthers, whereas Lehigh, dwelling and dying by the three, might have points.

Take into account groups from the SWAC are 4-1 in the convention’s last 5 appearances in the First Four. 

The Play: Prairie View A&M +3.5 (-110, BetMGM)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Mike Turay is a sports activities journalist and editor who intently follows the NBA, NFL, faculty sports activities and UFC. He has demonstrated experience in both NBA and NFL participant prop bets for practically three years. Mike is also extremely educated about the sportsbook offer panorama, continuously making an attempt and reviewing the latest apps and websites.

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