Overall, it was a decent but unfulfilling College Basketball lines season for the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky was in the upper half of the SEC race but never seriously threatened for the title. However, one positive note is that Kentucky did finish in the black against the oddsmakers. Correlate that head coach John Calipari has raised the white flag about defense. Kentucky does not play any and Calipari has given up on the project of trying to develop defensive commitment. Instead, the Wildcats use one of the nation’s best offenses to try and outscore opponents.
2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First Round – Pittsburgh Regional
| Date and Time: | March 21, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| TV Coverage: | CBS, TNT, TBS, Tru TV |
| 2024 National Championship SBG Odds: | Click Here |
Pittsburgh Regional – First Round Schedule
South Carolina vs Oregon, 4 p.m. ET, TNT
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | +1½ -110 | 132½ -110 | EV | |
| South Carolina | -1½ -110 | 132½ -110 | -120 | |
| ||||
Creighton vs Akron, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | +12½ -110 | 141 -110 | +595 | |
| Creighton | -12½ -110 | 141 -110 | -845 | |
| ||||
Texas Tech vs NC State, 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC State | +5 -110 | 145½ -110 | +180 | |
| Texas Tech | -5 -110 | 145½ -110 | -220 | |
| ||||
Kentucky vs Oakland, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | +13½ -110 | 163 -110 | +705 | |
| Kentucky | -13½ -110 | 163 -110 | -1010 | |
| ||||
Kentucky vs. Oakland
Overall, the Kentucky Wildcats are 23-8 straight up, 18-13 against the spread, and 22-9 over/under the sportsbook total. Kentucky has national metrics of 2nd for scoring offense, 7th for field goal percentage, 1st for 3-point field goal percentage, 20th for free throw percentage, and 77th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Kentucky is 339th for scoring defense, 120th for field goal percentage permitted, 105th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 281st for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Kentucky has covered three of its previous seven March Madness lines games. Kentucky has gone over the total in five of its last six outings. First among Kentucky scorers is G Antonio Reeves, with 20.0 points per game.
Overall, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies are 20-11 straight up, 19-12 against the spread, and 18-12 over/under the NCAA Tournament odds total. Oakland has national metrics of 106th for scoring offense, 157th for field goal percentage, 114th for 3-point field goal percentage, 50th for free throw percentage, and 123rd for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Oakland is 220th for scoring defense, 197th for field goal percentage permitted, 237th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 198th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Oakland has covered six of its previous nine games. Oakland has gone over the total in four of its last five outings.
Creighton vs. Akron
Overall, the Akron Zips are 21-10 straight up, 14-15 against the spread, and 11-18 over/under the total. Akron has national metrics of 154th for scoring offense, 104th for field goal percentage, 214th for 3-point field goal percentage, 146th for free throw percentage, and 146th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Akron is 34th for scoring defense, 139th for field goal percentage permitted, 20th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 46th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Akron has covered two of its previous ten games. Akron has gone under the total in three of its last four outings. First among Akron scorers is F Enrique Freeman, with 18.6 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. G Ali Ali averages 15.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Overall, the Creighton Bluejays are 23-8 straight up, 17-14 against the spread, and 15-16 over/under the total. Creighton has national metrics of 34th for scoring offense, 18th for field goal percentage, 54th for 3-point field goal percentage, 19th for free throw percentage, and 43rd for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Creighton is 100th for scoring defense, 73rd for field goal percentage permitted, 111th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 150th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Creighton has covered seven of its previous nine games. Creighton has gone over the total in four of its last six outings. First among Creighton scorers is G Baylor Scheierman, with 18.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. G Trey Alexander brings 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. And then C Ryan Kalkbrenner averages 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.