March is here, and major conference tournaments are starting to pick up steam. Make sure you’re keeping your eyes on the DraftKings Sportsbook betting splits when doing your research, available for free on DK Network.
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Let’s breakdown some best bets on Friday’s college hoops card.
North Carolina vs. Duke (7:00pm ET)
I was a Carolina backer on Saturday, getting 11.5 points with the home team in the regular season finale. That wound up being good closing line value, and UNC even had a six-point lead well into the second half. However, it wasn’t enough, as Duke ultimately pulled away late and won the game by 13 points. Now, on a neutral floor that should see both fan bases well represented, the Tar Heels are catching just 7.5, and the number is getting bet down.
The key factor here is that Cooper Flagg suffered an ugly ankle injury against Georgia Tech on Thursday, and will likely be out until at least the start of the NCAA Tournament. Aside from Flagg, glue-guy Maliq Brown also suffered a shoulder injury. So Duke is coming into this one pretty dinged up, and catch a UNC team hungry for some pay back for Saturday night. The Tar Heels just proved to themselves that they can play with Duke, but just let the game get away from them down the stretch. Without Flagg, UNC should be able to stay even more competitive, particularly in a game that likely gets the Heels into the NCAA Tournament field if they win.
With Flagg sidelined much of the game on Thursday, Kon Knueppel went for career-highs of 28 points and eight assists against GT. But this time around, North Carolina will be prepared to focus on Knueppel with Flagg off the floor, and the Heels have far superior combinations of size and athleticism to throw at Knueppel than GT.
Look for the best effort of the season from the Tar Heels, in what should be an extremely competitive game in Charlotte.
College Basketball Pick: UNC +7.5 (-110) 2.5-units
Purdue vs. Michigan (9:00pm ET)
Purdue got off to a sluggish start against USC on Thursday, but pulled out the win. Now the Boilermakers will take on a Michigan team that has higher seeding, but limped into the Big Ten Tournament. The Wolverines have lost three straight games, but even when they were winning in conference play, they had some fortunate luck scrapping by in coin flip games — going 2-13 ATS over their last 15. One of those narrow Michigan wins was at home by two points over Purdue in a game the Boilermakers controlled the game most of the way. Sets up a nice revenge spot for Purdue, which has terrific veteran guard play that I expect to play a role in the win.
College Basketball Pick: Purdue ML (-140) 1.5-units
Clemson vs. Louisville (9:30pm ET)
Both of these teams come into Friday night red-hot, interestingly each losing their last game to Georgia Tech as big favorites back in early February. They also both won narrowly on Thursday night, with the Cardinals even needing a buzzer beater to advance. Louisville won the only regular season matchup between these schools as the home team, but I’m expecting some payback from the Tigers on a neutral floor.
The bad news for Clemson is that they’ll be without Dillon Hunter for the rest of the season after the guard broke his hand on Thursday. However, the rest of the Tigers’ roster is still full of tough veteran players, many of which have a lot of experience in March — don’t forget this way an Elite Eight team last season.
I trust Clemson’s duo of senior guards and senior bigs to exploit some mismatches and play with a ton of composure in this game, ultimately advancing to the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night.
College Basketball Pick: Clemson ML (-120) 1.5-units
Marquette vs. Saint John’s (6:30pm ET)
Kentucky vs. Alabama (9:30pm ET)
Kentucky somehow needed a last second shot to sneak by Oklahoma late on Thursday night, blowing a late 12-point lead to nearly lose. Sure, the Wildcats advanced, but they have a ton working against them on Friday night. Lamont Butler was injured once again, meaning Kentucky will be without its starting backcourt once again in this game. The Wildcats also tipped off super late, playing past midnight, creating a tough quick turnaround against a ‘Bama roster that plays with NBA pace.
I like a wire to wire win for Alabama here, hence the double result play. I think the Crimson Tide are the best moneyline parlay piece of the day, so feel free to tie them in as you please. I’ll pair ‘Bama with a tough Saint John’s team that just seems to be allergic to down spots. The Red Storm had a stress free win over Butler on Thursday, while Marquette had to grind out a comeback victory over Xavier in a later game.
College Basketball Pick: Saint John’s/Alabama ML Parlay (+102) 1.5-units
College Basketball Pick: Alabama Halftime/Fulltime (-120) 1-unit
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
