At the onset the First Four has been a source of controversy in college basketball. Instead of the old 64 team tournament format the First Four expands the qualifying teams to a total of 68. All told there will be a total of four matchups with the college basketball betting line. Following the four games the winning teams will advance into the regular bracket of 64 teams for the NCAA national tournament. Despite the criticism of the First Four there have been many memorable moments and runs. Last year St. Bonaventure scored a stunning win over UCLA.
NCAA Basketball First Four
Date and Time: Tuesday March, 19 and Wednesday, March 20
Location: University of Dayton Arena, Dayton Ohio
NCAA TV Coverage: Tru TV
At the onset Virginia Commonwealth gave the First Four considerable credibility in 2011. Indeed, in that first year of the current format VCU went all the way to the Final Four from their First Four win over USC. Head coach Shaka Smart was set for life with that Cinderella run for the ages with the college basketball betting line. He cashed in with massive contract at the University of Texas a couple of years later. And VCU left a First Four benchmark that may be unrealistic to follow going forward. Let’s now look at the 2019 First Four Games.
Tuesday March 19
Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Farleigh Dickinson Knights, 6:40 p.m.ET
To begin with Prairie View is hot with six straight NCAA Basketball payouts. Additionally, the Panthers are champions of the SWAC. Along the same lines Farleigh Dickinson is cranking cash with seven covers in their last ten games. The Knights won the NEC title.
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Dickinson | -1½ (-110) | 149 (-110) | |
| Prairie View A&M | +1½ (-110) | 149 (-110) | |
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Temple Knights vs. Belmont Bruins, 9:10 p.m. ET
Against most of the First Four Teams Temple is one of the better-known brands. The Owls finished fourth in the AAC this year and finished in the red at 15-15-2 against the spread. By contrast Belmont was one of the most profitable teams on the board with a record of 19-10 vs. the spread. Just two losses in their last 10 games against the odds impress gamblers. Belmont finished second in the OVC.
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | -3 (-110) | 155½ (-110) | |
| Temple | +3 (-110) | 155½ (-110) | |
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Wednesday, March 20
North Carolina Central Eagles vs. North Dakota State Bison, 6:40 p.m. ET
In view of just three losses in their last 10 games on the board has North Dakota State caught the attention of handicappers. Overall the Bison were the third-place team in the Summit. Correspondingly North Carolina Central has lost just one of their last 10 games vs. the line after finishing fourth in the MEAC. It also bears mentioning that the Eagles boast one of the best defenses in the country.
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC Central | +5 (-110) | 135 (-110) | |
| North Dakota St | -5 (-110) | 135 (-110) | |
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St. Johns Red Storm vs. Arizona State Sun Devils, 9:10 p.m. ET
Indeed, it was a red ink storm for St. John’s as they paid in only 14 of 33 games. By contrast Arizona State lost just 14 out of 32 games on the board.
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State | -1 (-110) | 152½ (-110) | |
| St. Johns | +1 (-110) | 152½ (-110) | |
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Matchup to Watch
In this situation Arizona State rates the best advantage with the college basketball betting line. The Sun Devils prolific offense matches up well against the leaky St. John’s defense.
NCAA Betting Odds Picks
Increasingly Arizona State looks like the best team in the First Four!
NCAA First Four Betting Online Pick: Arizona State Sun Devils
NCAA First Four Betting Online Score Prediction: Arizona State 8, St. John’s 74
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