Account of their number one in the nation ranking much of the year does Gonzaga loom large in the Salt Lake Regional. Most important of all the Bulldogs have been a reliable bet for NCAA basketball championship odds. Few teams were as profitable as the Zags were this year. But Gonzaga is not perfect by any means. Saint Mary’s rendered them helpless in a 60-47 shocker in the WCC championship game. The Zags boast the nation’s top ranked offense. Yet they were completely suffocated by the Gaels. Was it a one game blip or a portent of things to come?
2019 NCAA Tournament Salt Lake Regional
Date and Time: Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23
Location: Vivant Smart Homes Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click Here!
Salt Lake City Regional TV Coverage: TNT and Tru TV
Let’s look over Thursday’s matchups from Salt Lake City!
New Mexico State Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
To begin with Auburn could prove to be the surprise of the Big Dance. Head coach Bruce Pearl’s team is in fine form with an impressive championship in the SEC Tournament. Aubie is peaking for NCAA basketball championship odds with five payouts in their last six games. Along the same lines New Mexico State has proven to be one of the most complete teams in college basketball. Auburn’s Bryce Brown should be the difference with 16 points per game.
Northeastern Huskies vs. Kansas Jayhawks, 4 p.m. ET, TNT
Although it is true that Kansas was a major online wagering favorite in the preseason, they proved to be a major disappointment. Of great concern was KU’s persistent overlay status. Kansas was in the red with 18 losses to the line in 34 tries. On the other hand, Northeastern lost only 12 of 33 games to the oddsmakers. And the Huskies are undefeated against the line in their last seven games. Kansas head coach Bill Self’s incriminating comments on an FBI tape hardly help the Jayhawks cause.
First Four Winner vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs, 7:27 p.m. ET, Tru TV
To begin with Gonzaga gets a virtual bye in this setup. Rui Hachimura leads the Zags with 20.1 points per game. Overall Gonzaga covered 21 out of 33 games on the season and scores the most points per game in the country.
Baylor Bears vs. Syracuse Orange, 9:57 p.m. ET, Tru TV
Certainly, this is one of the better first round matchups for Thursday. Baylor’s lackluster offense may find the going extra tough against the famed Syracuse zone. Most of all Baylor is gushing red ink with just one payout in their last 10 games. Syracuse finished in the black this season and covered seven out of ten away matchups. Tyus Battle may be the best player on the court with 17.2 points per game for the Orange.
Matchup to Watch
Northeastern catches a Kansas team that has proven to be overrated with the NCAA basketball championship odds. As was previously noted the Huskies have been a much more reliable bet than KU.
Salt Lake City Regional NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
In short Northeastern could be rocking Cinderella shoes for the Big Dance!
Salt Lake City Regional NCAA Betting Online Pick: Northeastern Wildcats
Salt Lake City Regional NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Northeastern 79, Kansas 71
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