2026 NCAA match odds, picks, predictions: Finest bets for Saturday's second-round video games

[ad_1] The general No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils fell behind 16-seed Siena by double digits on Thursday, and whereas the Blue Devils got here again to win 71-65, Duke was by no means inside shouting distance of protecting the 28.5-point unfold. The Blue Devils will tackle 9-seed TCU on Saturday, and opened as a double-digit favourite.

Underdogs went 10-6 towards the unfold on Thursday, together with six outright wins, resulting in some large spreads for Saturday's video games.

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Under you will discover the favourite wagers for Saturday's Spherical 2 video games from our faculty basketball handicappers — Corbie Craig, Matt Jacob, Matt Russell and Frank Schwab.

Finest bets for Saturday's Spherical 2 video games (9) TCU vs. (1) Duke (-11.5, 139.5)

Russell: How far more do we have to see? Duke isn’t the identical staff with out Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster.

What staff would be capable to play on the similar super-high normal that the Blue Devils set for themselves, with out two essential starters?

We’ve received 4 information factors of what Duke is with out these two, and so they’re essentially an under-sized, shallow, high quality match staff. The problem is that the Blue Devils are nonetheless rated within the betting market like one of many high 4 groups within the nation.

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By comparability, TCU simply performed Kansas on a (debatably) impartial court docket in Kansas Metropolis and the road was -5.5, with the Horned Frogs protecting the unfold by the hook. Nothing in Duke’s 4 video games (1-3 ATS) with out Ngongba and Foster ought to make us consider they’re acting at Kansas’ stage, not to mention 5.5 factors increased.

So, utilizing level unfold math, there needs to be worth on a TCU staff that may match up a lot better with Duke within the paint than Siena did.

Guess: TCU +11.5

No. 11 Texas vs. No. 3 Gonzaga (-6.5, 147.5)

Russell: It appears like we see it yearly, however hardly ever is the staff within the position of “play-in downside” one which has the expertise (and price range) of Texas. The Longhorns have taken benefit of a pair of porous defenses in NC State and BYU, and Gonzaga’s top-10 protection (by KenPom) will likely be extra suffocating. Nevertheless, 7-footer Matas Vokietaitas has taken a extra concerned position within the offense and is a troublesome matchup for the Zags. Plus, Texas has the athleticism and size of Dailyn Swain and Tramon Mark that may match up nicely with Gonzaga’s guards.

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With a line at THE WINDOW projected tighter than this one, there’s a simple case for why this sport may come right down to the wire, simply as long as Texas has any legs left after a busy week with intensive journey.

Guess: Texas +6.5

No. 12 Excessive Level vs. No. 4 Arkansas (-11.5, 168.5)

Russell: We have been in a position to sniff out Excessive Level’s capability to hold with Wisconsin sufficient to say inside the quantity, however the Panthers took it up a notch by pulling off the patented 12-5 upset of the Badgers.

Beginning inside-outside duo Terry Anderson and Rob Martin every had a double-double, and so did Cam’Ron Fletcher off the bench, enjoying his most minutes (33) since a late-season damage.

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With these three at full-speed, and Chase Johnston mixing in among the wildest 3s you’ve ever seen in your life, the Panthers’ energy score within the betting market isn’t as excessive appropriately.

As anticipated, the Razorbacks overwhelmed Hawaii bodily, and have been by no means at risk of being upset. Arkansas did have occasional lapses, although, permitting the Rainbow Warriors to provide us a scare late in relation to the purpose unfold.

Athletically extra similar to Arkansas, Excessive Level will make the Hogs pay for any defensive lulls, and with a line this excessive, there’s loads of room for the Panthers to scare Arkansas even with out pulling off one other stunner.