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The Madness is HERE! A certifiable college hoops nut, The Gaming Juice’s Brad Evans gives his NCAA Tournament region-by-region thoughts, discussing his favorite picks to reach San Antonio and what under-the-radar squad could wear a glass slipper.
The pick — Wisconsin to reach the Final Four (+1000, FanDuel)
Highly drinkable beer, Sargento cheese, Great Lakes, Green Bay Packers and basketball.
Regarding the latter, Wisconsin’s “Badger State” nickname seems mildly appropriate.
That’s no purposeful slight on Marquette. Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles — who are a No. 7 seed in the South Region — are snoozing quite hard given their marvelous guard play led by Kam Jones. But when it comes to the land of milk and honey, gamers looking to boost the bankroll should back Bucky.
There’s value hidden in those dense woods outside Madison — especially at +1000.
Head coach Greg Gard, once ardent at employing a stubborn, knuckle-dragging offensive system, has greatly evolved the Red and White attack. Wisconsin can still grind out half-court wins if necessary, but it also excels in pace-pushed contests.
The identity shift is stark. Once known for shot-clock-draining sluggishness, which resulted in many games played in the 50s and 60s, Gard upgraded the old clunker for a sexy European racer. The change has ushered in unprecedented production. This season, the Badgers are averaging 79.7 points per game — their highest mark in over a half century.
Featuring more ball screens and other modernized innovations, the schematic alterations have revolutionized Wisconsin basketball. The Badgers are No. 13 nationally in offensive efficiency, netting a tremendous 1.222 points per possession. Most uncharacteristically, they rank No. 152 in adjusted tempo, the program’s highest category output since the 2005-06 campaign.
The veteran group may lack depth, but the experience and cohesiveness make it a well-oiled machine on both ends. According to BartTorvik, Bucky is No. 14 overall in its last 10 games.
Wisconsin is terrifically built for emerging unscathed in sweaty March games.
The Badgers commit few turnovers, blasts the glass and are No. 1 in the nation in free-throw percentage (82.8%). Equally important, Max Klesmit, John Blackwell and Kamari McGee make up a savvy backcourt. With that trio — along with supreme bucket-getter John Tonje, interior enforcer Steven Crowl and versatile stretch four Nolan Winter — Wisconsin has the personnel to wreck brackets.
Tonje gives off Carmelo Anthony vibes. Averaging 19.2 points per game, he’s capable of being that dude in March.
In the East Region, Duke is the heavy chalk. But gamers who are eyeing a more handsome payout should jump “On, Wisconsin!”
CINDERELLA SPECIAL (No. 10+ seed that could advance one or more lines)
The pick — Akron to reach the Round of 32 (+570)
John Groce and his wonderfully shiny dome is once again in the NCAA Tournament.
Throughout the season, Akron received multiple A’s on offense. It ranks No. 31 nationally in effective field goal percentage offense, shooting 55.8% inside the arc and 36.6% from 3-point range, where over 38% of its points came on equalizers. Tavari Johnson, Shammah Scott, Sharron Young, Bowen Hardman and Isaiah Gray each converted at least 36.9% from deep. Solid.
Over the final 10 games of the regular season, the Zips didn’t exactly zap the competition on defense, slotting outside the top 180 in effective field goal percentage D. They’re also No. 361 in effective height, so formidable frontcourts can bully them.
However, given Akron’s plus depth, arc execution and bouncy offensive glass energy, it’s hardly a “gross” double-digit seed. Ba-dum-tss!
The Zips should challenge, if not outright upset, Arizona in Round 1. The Wildcats’ bigs could feast, but U of A is giving up a laughable 38.7% on 3-pointers (No. 318 nationally) over its last 10 games. Tommy Lloyd’s team is far from an automatic advance.