2010 NCAA Tournament Possible Upsets in the Midwest Regional

With the NCAA Tournament just about to get underway, why not start placing some of your bets right now? Today, we’ll look at some of the teams in the Midwest region that can go against the grain, and make you some money in the NCAAB betting odds:

No. 12 New Mexico State Aggies (22-11 SU, 16-12 ATS) vs. No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (24-8 SU, 12-19 ATS): Friday, 7:20 p.m.

Opening Line: Michigan State -13.5

The Michigan State Spartans have been one of the great enigmas in college basketball this season, winners of 24 games and one of three Big 10 regular season champions. But they were also a team that always seemed to take two steps forward and one step in pursuit of a high NCAA bid. Will the real Michigan State please stand up?

As you can see, the Spartans have been a headache for bettors all season long as they are just 4-6 against the spread in their last 10 games, while at the same time, just 5-5 overall during that same stretch. And they seem to have hit controversy at the worst time, as key guard Chris Allen was suspended for the Big 10 Tournament. It is unsure whether or not he’ll see action in Friday’s opener.

On the other hand, New Mexico State comes into this game red hot, as they are 7-2 against the spread, as well straight up in their last nine games. Maybe what’s most impressive is how they beat Nevada (on Nevada’s home court) and NCAA Tournament at-large team Utah State to claim the WAC Conference championship and the automatic bid.

Michigan State’s season is quickly going into the tank, while New Mexico State’s is soaring. While we won’t say that New Mexico State will win straight up, taking the 13.5 points they are getting seems like a great play.

Want a parlay, an if-bet, a teaser, a round-robbin? Click here to get started with BetUS.com

No. 13 Houston Cougars (19-15 SU, 15-16 ATS) vs. No. 4 Maryland Terrapins (23-8 SU, 17-10 ATS): Friday, 9:40 p.m.

Opening Line: Maryland -9

Could we see back-to-back upsets in the Spokane regional on Friday night? It sure seems like a possibility when Houston and Maryland square off in the betting odds.

It seems almost unfair for Maryland, as Houston hardly has the makeup of a No. 13 seed. They come from the always tough Conference USA, and beat NCAA at-large team UTEP twice this season, including in the conference championship game. Maybe even scarier is that they are one of the highest scoring teams in college basketball averaging 78 points per game (ranked No. 20 in the entire country).

The Cougars best player was also the nation’s leading scorer, guard Aubrey Coleman. Coleman averaged over 25 points per game, and went for over 30 on nine separate occasions this year. Think he couldn’t do it again against a Maryland that wants to run all day (They themselves average over 79 points a game)?

It’s going to be a high-scoring, back and forth game late in Spokane on Friday. And with so many shots being thrown up expect it to be close.

Take Houston and the nine points they’re getting in the betting odds.