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The NCAA Tournament is the single greatest betting event perennially. With the thrills, chills and heavy favorite spills, the Madness always delivers. Here are quick thoughts and the lean on High Point vs. Purdue in the first round of the Midwest Region.
No. 13 High Point (29-5) vs. No. 4 Purdue (22-11)
Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
TV: truTV
The pick — High Point +8.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Given its very appropriate school name, the Big South Tournament champs are about to reach a historical apex.
Alan Huss has a squad. The Panthers are athletic, deep and assertive in their downhill execution. Over their last 10 games, they’re a top-35 team nationally in effective field goal percentage offense, netting a downright ridiculous 59.9% on 2-pointers.
High Point features six players who are shooting 60% or higher inside the arc. Not to be overlooked, it’s also No. 2 in midrange efficiency. Nutty effective.
Slotting inside the eFG% offense top 20, Purdue can match the potential Cinderella bucket for bucket. However, the Boilermakers’ out-to-lunch defense has been nothing shy of vomit-inducing. In the last 10 games entering March’s main event, Purdue Pete allowed a staggering 63.3% on 2s to rank No. 363 nationally.
Huss’ fresh rotations and cast of shotmakers have the relatively thin Boilers at a disadvantage. Throw in the Panthers’ strong charity stripe contributions (76.3%), and it’s understandable why they’re a very trendy pick.
Season record: 26-23, +2.42