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Happy Tuesday Nova Nation! With many states now open for sports betting, more Americans than ever will be laying money down in the coming weeks in one of the world’s most gambled on sporting events. And in the betting world, #6 Villanova vs #11 St. Mary’s is somewhat of a trendy pick.
As soon as the brackets came out, odds were being laid and Villanova opened as a 6 point favorite over the Gaels. But according to ESPN’s Pick Center, the spread quickly started to shrink as the early money was coming in on the Gaels to cover. After dropping down to -5, it now sits at -5.5. While I’m no gambling expert, that tells me that people in the know expect St. Mary’s to cover but Villanova to win.
Then again, maybe they just think the Gaels will pull another upset:
Did @chadmillman, @Stuckey2 & @RandleRant go thru every game on the pod today? Yes.
— The Favorites Podcast (@TheFavoritesPod) March 18, 2019
Did they pick an entire bracket? Yes.
Is @NovaMBB going down Thursday night? You decide. pic.twitter.com/7Iaqa3PDkv
I don’t know a ton about betting, but I do know these “experts” are about to lose some money if they keep up that line of thinking. Where would you place your money with Villanova as a 5-point favorite?
Poll
Step up and place your bets:
This poll is closed
-
71%
Villanova Wildcats -5
-
28%
St. Mary’s Gaels +5
In other news, Paschall and Booth aren’t alone in repping their home towns, what to know while you’re in Hartford, and get ready to realize you know fewer current college slang terms than Charles Barkley. Enjoy!
Villanova Basketball
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Players with Baltimore ties in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament include one of the field’s biggest names, Villanova star and former Mount Saint Joseph standout Phil Booth. But how many others do you know?
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Basketball is a game of runs and March Madness is no different.
2019 NCAA Tournament Bracket Breakdown: Ideal March Madness Scenarios | The Ringer
From a Zion Williamson fantasy dunk experiment to a potential North Carolina–Kentucky matchup, it’s time to break down the best and worst from each region.
Hartford, CT
What You Need to Know About NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in Hartford | NBC Connecticut
Basketball fans will be coming to Connecticut later this week as March Madness comes to Hartford for the first time in 21 years and we now which know which teams will be playing here.
A guide for the NCAA men's tournament in Hartford | HartfordBusiness.com
The XL Center isn't hosting a top seed in this week's NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in Hartford, but several high-profile teams, including last year's national champion, will be on display downtown.
South Region
2019 NCAA Tournament South region breakdown: Virginia, Villanova vying for Final Four spot | The Inquirer
A team-by-team analysis of the South region.
March Madness: NCAA tournament bracket analysis for South Regional | USA Today
Virginia is the No. 1 seed in the South Regional but will the Cavaliers make the Final Four? Analysis if the South Regional of the NCAA tournament.
It’s not all about Duke: Here are 4 intriguing first round match-ups in the NCAA tournament | The Week
Official site of The Week Magazine, offering commentary and analysis of the day's breaking news and current events as well as arts, entertainment, people and gossip, and political cartoons.
Column: Boilers need to stop big men to advance in tournament | purdueexponent.org
The Boilermakers are going dancing for the fifth straight year. To go further than ever before in the Matt Painter era, they will need to stop opponents from keying in
NCAA Tournament Vegas Roundup: Sharp Bettors Hit Montana, Purdue | The Action Network
Read what Las Vegas bookmakers have to say about the betting action for Round 1 of the NCAA Tournament, including sharp action on Montana and Purdue.
Big 5
Temple, Villanova Head Into NCAA Tournament: Schedule, Brackets | Patch
Philly Schools Head Into NCAA Tournament - Norristown, PA - Villanova and Temple will fight to bring an NCAA championship back to the Philly area for the third time in four years.
Fran Dunphy, coaching legend, doing it his way | The Inquirer
One last shot at March Madness for Temple’s coach, after maybe his best coaching job.
March Madness
March Madness 2019: Ranking all 68 teams, starting with Duke | SI.com
Ready for the madness? Here's how every team in the 2019 NCAA tournament field stacks up.
March Madness 2019 picks: Duke, Virginia lead title contenders | SI.com
Only one team can cut down the nets in Minneapolis in April, but we think these 10 have the best shot at it.
Which Double-Digit Seeds Have A Chance To Pull A First-Round NCAA Tournament Upset? | Forbes
No. 12 seeds like Oregon, Murray State, Liberty and New Mexico State will rank among the most popular picks to record first-round upsets this week in the NCAA tournament. But if you want to pick a double-digit seed to make a deep run, the odds say No. 11 seeds (Belmont?) are where place to look.
5 NCAA tournament teams that can bust your bracket | SBNation.com
These teams can be the next Loyola-Chicago.
March Madness: NCAA tournament guide for college football fans | SI.com
Tired of Busted Brackets? Play SI’s Realtime Brackets game. Make the switch and host your tournament pool here. Click here to learn more.
The Catholic Guide to 2019 March Madness | CNA Blog
If your alma mater was not selected for this year’s tournament ( ) and you’re looking for a bandwagon to join for the next few weeks, here’s a capsule look at all of the Catholic colleges and universities who are part of the field of 68.
Charles Barkley, Jim Nantz and March Madness crew try to figure out college slang | YouTube
Charles Barkley, Jim Nantz, and the rest of the March Madness crew try to get with times and figure out college slang with Priscilla in College Speak!
March Madness: Ranking NCAA Tournament 2019 top coaches | NJ.com
Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Jay Wright of Villanova, Roy Williams of North Carolina, Mark Few of Gonzaga and Bill Self of Kansas are among the best coaches in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament.
NCAA Tournament 2019: Early Predictions for Sweet 16 Teams Post-Selection Sunday | Bleacher Report
The NCAA men's basketball tournament rarely goes to chalk. In fact, most of the recent tournaments have had a few surprise teams move into the Sweet 16...
1 in 5 American adults to bet on NCAA tourney | ESPN
Through bookies and brackets, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. will have a bet on the NCAA tournament, according to an American Gaming Association survey released Monday.
2019 NCAA tournament odds: The 10 most popular futures bets include one non-power conference team | SBNation.com
It’s mostly high profile programs, but a couple under-the-radar options.
March Madness 2019: All 68 NCAA Tournament mascots, ranked worst to best | masslive.com
What's the best mascot in March Madness? We pick the real champion.
NBA Wildcats
NBA Draft stock watch: New York products Eric Paschall and Shamorie Ponds | The Athletic
The respective Villanova and St. Johns players recently showcased their skills for scouts and execs at the Big East Tournament.
Talent Over Team: Examining the Connection Between Pro Prospects and March Success in the ‘One-and-Done’ Era | Eleven Warriors
With the 56th pick in 2005, the Detroit Pistons selected a 6’9” power forward who reneged on his pledge to attend the University of Louisville in favor of declaring for the NBA Draft.
NBA Daily: Is Starting That Big Of A Deal? | Basketball Insiders
It’s easy to conclude that a bench player should replace a starter in the lineup if the former is outplaying the latter, but Matt John explains why that may not
Class of 2019
Ranney Becomes a Basketball Powerhouse | WOBM
Four teammates since their freshman year at the Ranney School transformed the small independent school in Tinton Falls into a basketball powerhouse that on Sunday realized all its goals and dreams.
College Basketball
NIT 2019: Complete Bracket, 1st-Round Schedule and Teams to Watch | Bleacher Report
Every college basketball team wants to end its season with a national championship, but only 68 teams have the opportunity to try to do that in the NCAA tournament. However, there’s still postseason play for teams left out of March Madness...
NCAA College Basketball: Top 10 Rivalries | HNHH
These rivalries always get us excited come March Madness time. March is the best month of the year if you’re a college basketball fan. After a hard-fou...