Creighton, NC State, North Carolina, Gonzaga and more NCAA Tournament quick picks

Sometimes you want to make a quick pitstop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot winning image, here are quick thoughts and leans on a few NCAA Tournament second-round games.

SGP: Gonzaga ML vs. Kansas, Game OVER 141.5 (+100, MGM)

Once the surprise of the initial -5 line wears off, step back, take a second look and reassess. The full-strength Zags should be a sizable favorite against a Kansas team without its star floor general, Kevin McCullar Jr., and 48 hours removed from a near-disastrous choke against Samford. Throw in the massive advanced numbers edge — Gonzaga this month ranks top-60 in eFG offense and eFG defense, while Kansas is 200-plus in both categories — and it’s obvious why the Bulldogs are the favored squad. Tack on what will likely be an in-the-70s outcome, and the outlined SGP becomes even more buyable.

SGP: North Carolina ML, Michigan State +14.5 (+115, MGM)

NEVER FADE TOM IZZO IN MARCH! After picking against the Spartans in Round 1, this idiotic loudmouth has heard this incessantly. Though somewhat sipping from the same poisoned well, North Carolina should survive what will likely be a D-dominated affair. In March matchups, the Fightin’ Shawn Resperts have allowed only 0.902 points per possession. Not far off that pace, the Fightin’ Leaky Blacks have given up a mere 0.951 points per possession. Armando Bacot’s interior, both-ends brawn and Michigan State’s unreliable offense give UNC the upper hand in a mostly competitive clash.

SGP: Iowa State ML, Washington State +16.5, Game UNDER 141.5 (+115, MGM)

This battle will almost certainly be the antithesis of the 102-100 Colorado-Florida nuclear war. Defense is the name of the game for the Cyclones and Cougars. Over their respective last seven contests, Washington State allowed 0.926 points per possession, while — and hold my beer, Kyle Smith — Iowa State surrendered 0.834 points per possession. Gasp! With both clubs also 250-plus in adjusted tempo over that stretch, middling the action while slamming an alt-line under makes complete sense. The projected slog shouldn’t escape the 60s, which probably means a 210-208 finish in quadruple overtime.

North Carolina State -6.5 vs. Oakland (-105, DraftKings)

Arguably the most unexpected second-round square-off, the Wolfpack and the mid-major darling from Auburn Hills should grind it out in a likely entertaining entanglement. Kevin Keatts’ crew has the advantage in the biggest way possible — emphasis on biggest — with buffet destroyer DJ Burns. The wide-bodied Baryshnikov is a tough matchup for the Golden Grizzlies, who are 3-point-reliant and defense-suspect (No. 142 in 2PT% D in March). If Burns asserts his will inside, DJ Horne, Jayden Taylor and Casey Morsell should feast from the mid-range and along the arc. Unless Jack Gohlke continues to mimic Steph Curry, the pumpkin carriage arrives.

SGP: Creighton ML, Oregon +10.5, Baylor Scheierman 3+ threes (+402, w/DK boost)

Admittedly ensnared by the attached profit boost, the above SGP isn’t far-fetched. The Ducks have flapped to stratospheric heights over the last three weeks, as their top-35 BartTorvik overall standing during the stretch suggests. A healthy and nearly unstoppable N’Faly Dante has made all the difference. However, Ryan Kalkbrenner is a supreme rim protector and the primary reason why Creighton ranks No. 13 in near-proximity field-goal percentage D on the season. If the 7-foot-1 senior repeatedly wins around-the-tin tussles, the Bluejays should sneak by with a single-digit win. Throw in Scheierman’s expected marksmanship — Oregon has allowed 39.0% from three in March — and the juice gets very loose.

Season record: 20-21, +1.28 units