It's March and the Madness is in the air. With college basketball conference tournaments underway, we're searching far and wide for the very best NCAAB bets for Saturday, March 16th. Today's college basketball slate gives us hoop heads a ton of opportunity to build the bankroll on our way to March Madness.
Here are my three college basketball expert picks of the day:
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Pick 1: New Mexico +2.5 vs San Diego State
Matchup: New Mexico vs San Diego State
New Mexico split the season series with San Diego State.
The Lobos defense has been the story of their tournament so far, and that will spill over into this one. New Mexico's been on the March Madness bubble for some time now, but have held all three of their tournament opponents to under 66 points. In fact, New Mexico have held their opponents to just 34% shooting over their past three games.
Combine that defense with an offense scoring over 82 points per game on the year, and we've got a live dog folks.
I like New Mexico to win and earn the automatic NCAA Tournament bid and cover the spread.
Pick 2: Western Kentucky -3 vs UTEP
Matchup: Western Kentucky vs UTEP
Western Kentucky is rolling through the Conference USA Tournament. The Hilltoppers sent New Mexico State home with a 89-69 win, before blowing the doors off of Middle Tennessee last night 85-54. Western Kentucky has been lighting it up from beyond the arc, dropping 11 three-pointers on Middle Tennessee and running away with the game. They love to get out on the break, ranking first in pace, and put up over 80 points per game on the season.
Crucially, the Hilltoppers have an advantage shooting the ball, and on the glass. They force more turnovers (13.9) than Middle Tennessee (6.6) and crash the glass with reckless abandon. Plus, they've held opponents to an average of 61.5 points per game and under 50% shooting in two tournament games. The Hilltoppers are rolling, and we're riding that momentum. Expect Western Kentucky to both win and cover the spread in the Conference USA Tournament Championship game.
Our computers picks are also on the Hilltoppers to both win and cover the spread.
Pick 3: Colorado -2.5 vs Oregon
Matchup: Colorado vs Oregon
Colorado have now won eight straight games, and covered the spread in four on the hop. They beat Oregon 79-75 in Eugene in early March, and smacked the Ducks at home 86-70 in January.
The Buffaloes are one of the greatest offensive teams in the nation, shooting over 50% from field versus the average opponent. They're a team full of dead-eye three-point shooters, with five players averaging double-digit points per game. KJ Simpsons leads the team with 19.5 points per game on an unreal 45.8% from three.
KJ Simpson with another big game today vs Utah, helping keep Colorado’s tournament hopes alive
— nbadraftpoint (@draftpoint2024) March 15, 2024
18 points
10 boards
6 assists
1 steal
7-16 FG
4-6 3P
0 FT#NBADraft
pic.twitter.com/a9qXt3hB0B
On top of that Colorado owns the 26th ranked defense in the country, allowing only 96 points per 100 possessions. There are few paths for Oregon to win this game. The Buffaloes hold the advantage in shooting, all major defensive statistics, and they own the offensive glass. Look for Colorado to run away with the Pac-12 Tournament Championship. The Buffaloes are a team to watch out for in your March Madness brackets.
