The NCAA Tournament field has been whittled down to 32 teams, and the winners from Thursday will take the court again on Saturday for second round action. There were clearly some jitters to begin March Madness, but now that the teams have one game under their belt and have a comfort level with their surroundings, the crispness should increase.
That is something to keep it mind when considering the scoring totals for Saturday’s games. The oddsmakers know it, too, so keep an eye on any movement with the numbers. There are some second-round matchups that are screaming for either “over” or “under” wagers. See below for the best Saturday total plays in NCAA men’s basketball gambling.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NCAA basketball season.
Odds Analysis
The Maryland Terrapins and LSU Tigers both put up 79 points in their opening round wins, proving that they can score buckets when needed. The oddsmakers believe their second-round matchup won’t have as much scoring, as the total has been listed at 146 points. LSU likes to push the ball, and as the slight favorite, may be able to dictate that pace. The “over” is the clear play in this one.
The Michigan State Spartans did not play very well in their first round game but nevertheless sneaked away with a win over No. 15 seed Bradley. The Minnesota Golden Gophers, meanwhile, looked really good in beating Louisville. Despite the first-round results, the Spartans are a double-digit favorite in this one. The scoring total is listed at 142 points, and that number is too high. Between Michigan State’s tough defense and an outcome that could be wrapped up with several minutes to go, the “under” is the correct call in this one.
The Murray State Racers were the bell of the ball in Thursday’s games, as star point guard Ja Morant came away with a triple-double in an easy win over Marquette. All eyes will be on Murray State in its second round game against Florida State, with the scoring total coming in at 144 points. The Racers will continue to outperform expectations by scoring more than expected, which will help push this game “over” the total.
The Auburn Tigers sneaked out a close win in its first round game and now has a tough showdown against the Kansas Jayhawks. This is one of the higher totals of Saturday, as the oddsmakers have put the number at 148 points. Auburn gave up 77 points in the first round but its defense has been much better than that of late. Look for the Tigers to put together a solid performance and stymie the Jayhawks. The “under” is the right call on this game.
Free NCAA Basketball ATS Picks
Wofford is a team that loves to rain threes on its opponents. Yes, the team has a really tough matchup against the length and athleticism of the Kentucky Wildcats, but Wofford has enough shooters to hit shots and stay close. Kentucky will get out and run when the opportunity arises, leading to some easy buckets in transition.
The scoring total is 138.5 for this matchup and that number is too low. This matchup between Kentucky and Wofford will be a fun one, and points will be flowing. Take the “over” for this second-round matchup as the best total play of Saturday’s games in NCAA men’s basketball betting.
NCAA Basketball Pick: Kentucky-Wofford to go “over” 138.5 points
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
