Media by Associated Press – Virginia Tech’s Sean Pedulla (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Notre Dame Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Conference tournament season is in full swing as conferences from coast to coast are in various stages of where their tournaments sit.
When it comes to trying to continue their seasons or better their resumes, each team will want to put their best foot forward. Here’s a look at some games to bet on for Tuesday, March 7.
Farleigh Dickinson Knights (+3.5) at Merrimack Warriors
Merrimack will be chomping at the bit to finish its transition from Division II to Division I.
Despite the fact that the Warriors finished with the Northeast Conference’s best record and will play for the title Tuesday, Merrimack is still ineligible for the conference’s auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament due to the organization’s rules. What that means is that Merrimack’s appearance in the NEC title game will be the last game for the school this season, win or loss.
Despite covering four of their past five games against the spread, the Warriors’ game against Farleigh Dickinson won’t be a gimme. The Knights actually swept the regular season series between Merrick, winning 71-63 at home and 78-71 on the road.
Farleigh Dickinson hasn’t been great against the spread this season and has only covered in three of its past ten games. The Knights tend to get in run-and-gun affairs, scoring 78.2 points per game while allowing their opponents to average 75.2.
Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (-7)
Sports send-offs usually don’t end well for coaches and players trying to hang on too long. Mike Brey, the long-time Notre Dame coach, announced he would be leaving at the end of the season a few months ago.
The Fightin’ Irish finished 3-17 in ACC play this season and will have a tough time in the first round against Virginia Tech, which rallied late in the season after having injury issues.
The Hokies are likely an NIT team at best unless Virginia Tech miraculously repeats as tournament champions. The Hokies score 74.4 points per game and also shoot 36.1 percent from the 3-point line. Notre Dame has struggled to protect the glass.
The Fightin’ Irish get outrebounded by 4.9 rebounds per contest. Virginia Tech will exploit that and win by double figures.
CSU Northridge Matadors (+104) vs. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
Big West play was unkind to the Matadors. They lost five of their final six conference games to end the season. CSU Northridge’s one victory during that stretch was a win over the Roadrunners. The Matadors are 4-3 against the spread over their past seven games.
CSU Northridge is led by guard Atin Wright, who scores 17 points per game. The Matadors average 63.9 points per game. The Roadrunners closed their regular season with five straight losses.
Cal State Bakersfield also struggles to score, only averaging 61.1 points per game. This will be an ugly game, but the Matadors will put a mild first-round upset.
You can find more NCAA basketball picks here.