Best NCAA Tournament Teams Against the Spread
by Aaron Torres
Best NCAA Tournament Teams Against the Spread:
With the NCAA Tournament just set to get underway, everyone is wondering which teams will pull the biggest upsets? While it’s hard to say, we can tell you there are quite a few smart picks in the NCAAB betting odds. Let’s look at some of this year’s NCAA Tournament teams who had the best record against the spread in 2010.
North Texas Mean Green (24-8 SU, 17-6-1 ATS): The Mean Green huh? You better believe it, as few teams were better against the spread this year or come into the NCAA Tournament hotter than them.
The numbers on North Texas are nothing short of staggering. They have now won 11 games in a row straight up, 15 of their last 17, and lost by more than three points just once since the middle of January. Maybe even more impressive is that they’re 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games. The Mean Green are pretty mean after all huh?
Northern Iowa Panthers (28-4 SU, 21-10 ATS): Watching Northern Iowa, they don’t do an awful lot to impress you. They aren’t overly physical, athletic, and only average 63 points a game. So how can they be one of the favorites of the bettors in 2010? Because of their defense.
They ranked second in all of college basketball, allowing just 54 points a game, and were even better in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, as in three games, they allowed an average of just 44. They enter the NCAA Tournament as a smart pick, as they’ve won 12 of their last 14 games, but are just 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
St. Mary’s Gaels (26-5, 20-9-1): We all know about St. Mary’s for their upset of Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference final, but the bettors have been on them all year.
The Gaels come into the NCAA’s as one of the most underrated offensive teams in all of college basketball, as their 79 points a game, and close to 49 percent field goal percentage both rank in the top 20 in college basketball.
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However, it is important to note that St. Mary’s was not great down the stretch, as they were just 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games, but did rebound to go 4-1 ATS in their last five.
Temple Owls (28-5, 22-11): It’ll be hard for Temple to sneak up on anyone once in the tournament kicks off, but over the course of the season, they’ve been one of the best bets in the NCAA Betting Odds.
The Owls are red-hot as they come into the tournament on a 10-game winning streak, with their last loss coming all the way back on February 6 against Richmond. However, they avenged that loss with a 66-62 win over the Spiders Sunday, covering the 3.5 points they were giving.
That’s been a trend of late with the Owls, as they are a staggering 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games, and 5-0 ATS in their last five.
There may not be a smarter play, as we enter the NCAA Tournament than the Owls.
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