The Cincinnati Bearcats are zeroing in on the American Conference regular season title but have one big hurdle remaining. Cincy must go on the road and knock off fellow ranked team the Wichita State Shockers in order to claim the hardware. The Shockers won the first matchup and would hold the tiebreaker if the teams each finished 15-3 in conference, which would be the case if they can come away with the win.
While these teams are both focused on making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, the first order of business is working out the conference champion. Even though Cincinnati is ahead in the standings, the Shockers are at home in this one and should be considered the favorites to come away with the victory.
Don't miss the hardwood action from Charles Koch Arena at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on CBS.
We'll have NCAA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NCAA Sunday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Bearcats are 25-4 straight up and 16-12 against the spread. They have covered in five of nine attempts on the road this season. Cincinnati has only been the underdog once this season and failed to cover in that matchup.
Wichita State is 23-5 straight up and 12-14 against the spread. The Shockers have covered in six of 13 tries at home. Wichita State is 11-14 against the spread as the favorite.
Last Meeting
Wichita State pulled off the upset against Cincinnati earlier this season, setting up an intriguing season finale this Sunday. The Shockers, ranked No. 19 in the nation at the time, defeated the Bearcats, who had climbed all the way to No. 5 in the country, 76-72 in Cincinnati on February 18th.
It was a huge win for Wichita State, which had not defeated a Top 5 team on the road since 1964. Sophomore guard Landry Shamet finished with 19 points in the win for the Shockers and had two assists that led to critical baskets in the final seconds to help secure the win.
The loss marked the second straight defeat for Cincinnati, which came into the game after falling to unranked Houston. This rematch for the will be a tough final test for both squads who are each hoping to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
Player To Watch
18.9 That’s how many assists per game Wichita State averages this year. The team ranks No. 3 in the nation for assists, distributing the ball chiefly among four players who average 10 points or more per game.
Shamet and Shaquille Morris are the leading scorers for the Shockers, combining for 28.6 points a game but Darral Willis Jr. and Conner Frankamp are not far behind, each averaging 10-plus points per game.
Their ability to effectively move the ball around on offense is a big strength for the Shockers and it comes in handy when facing a team like Cincinnati. The Bearcats rank No. 2 in the nation for points against with 57.5, a mark the Shockers were able to beat by nearly 20 points in that first meeting.
Free NCAA ATS Picks
Wichita State was able to come away with the win on Cincinnati’s home court, and the Bearcats will return the favor in this one. Look for Cincinnati’s defense to really bother the Shockers on the way to an upset win.
The Bearcats will be able to claim the conference title and remain in contention for a high seed in March Madness with a key road victory against a top-tier foe. Take Cincinnati to not just cover the spread but also on the moneyline, which could pay off nicely.
NCAA Odds: Cincinnati 67, Wichita State 65
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