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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. What Sweet 16 pick has the attention of The Gaming Juice’s Brad Evans?
No. 6 BYU (26-9) vs. No. 2 Alabama (27-8)
Date: Thursday, March 27
Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
The pick — BYU +5.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Scoring is pleasurable. Just ask the various characters on “The White Lotus.” OK, maybe not the mentally compromised by uncomfortable situations.
In a game with first-to-100 vibes, BYU-Alabama could be a game reminiscent of the classic Loyola Marymount and UNLV days of the early 1990s.
Points. Little defense. Points. Brisk pace. Points. Long-range chucks. Points.
Pour your favorite beverage. Buckle up. And enjoy the heart-racing ride.
Kevin Young’s BYU crew didn’t reach the Sweet 16 by accident. The pride of Provo has ridden a heater for the last several weeks, repeatedly upending nationally ranked teams. And by ousting VCU and Wisconsin to reach the East Region semifinals, it planted flags atop several offensive mountains.
In their last eight games, the well-lathered Cougars have netted an absurd 1.315 points per possession, shooting 55.7% on 2-pointers and 38.4% on 3s. And along the arc is where they’re most dangerous.
Over the last month, 46.2% of BYU's shots have come from distance. This season, Richie Saunders (43.1 3PT%), Trevin Knell (44.0%), Mawot Mag (39.1%), Dawson Baker (38.7%) and Dallin Hall (36.4%) have rained a combined 255 triples.
When you toss in the facilitations of Egor Demin (5.4 assists per game) and the glass command of Keba Keita (7.9 rebounds per game) Fousseyni Traore (5.4 rebounds), the Cougars are a power grid.
POLL DANCING!
— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) March 26, 2025
What is your favorite underdog on Sweet 16 night one?
ML odds from @BetMGM. Results and your comments @BetMGMTonight on the @BETMGMNetwork from 7-11 PM ET.
Alabama packs just as many ohms on offense.
The fastest tempo team in the nation, Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide are the definition of “run and gun.” In their last five games, they compiled an equally ridiculous 1.291 points per possession, converting 57.9% from inside the arc and 37.6% outside of it. Mark Sears is capable of eruptions, but Aden Holloway, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, Labaron Philon and Cliff Omoruyi also burst occasionally.
Alabama is almost as flimsy defensively compared to its adversary (No. 98 in eFG D vs. No. 173 over the last eight games). And the Tide does surrender their fair share of uncontested buckets. So defense is sure to be optional at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Whichever team is hottest from three will determine the outcome. Both squads exceed speed limits. Both score outright. Both hardly challenge shots.
In a contest with a stratospheric total (175.5), BYU keeps it within one possession.
Throw a dozen down, Cosmo.
Season record: 31-26, +3.02 units
BONUS TIME — Maryland-Florida UNDER 156.5 (-110, BetMGM)