Sunday’s Best 2023 NCAA Tournament East Region Bets
The first weekend of the 2023 NCAA Tournament is coming to an end today across the bracket as teams try to put their first-round wins behind them and refocus on the task at hand. In the East region, much is left to be decided as we take a closer look at Sunday’s three best bets.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Sunday’s Best 2023 NCAA Tournament East Region Bets
Here are betting previews and picks for second-round matchups.
(3) Kansas State (+3) vs. (6) Kentucky | Total 147.5
At the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, a second-round matchup of Wildcats will pit the third-seeded Kansas State (24-9) against sixth-seeded Kentucky (22-11). In the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Kentucky defeated Providence with ease, and K-State defeated Montana State by a margin of multiple digits as well.
I can see why the books and the professionals here appreciate Kentucky a little bit more, with advantages everywhere but especially in the coaching box under coach Calipari. That said, K-State has consistently impressed me more throughout the entire season. The Big 12 is currently the most competitive college basketball conference remaining. Despite the fact that the SEC is not without merit on the court, I think both records are built differently coming into this one.
Kansas State is currently playing well on both ends of the floor under Coach Jerome Tang, and I think they can shock lower-seeded Kentucky.
The pick: Kansas State ML (+130)
(5) Marquette (-3) vs. (7) Michigan State | Total 140
After defeating No. 10 USC, the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans advanced to the second round, where they will face the No. 2 Marquette Golden Eagles, who earlier this week defeated No. 15 Vermont.
MSU performed admirably against USC, but it will be difficult for anyone to stop Marquette’s offense. The Eagles ought to be able to win this one if they can effectively defend the perimeter.
The pick: Marquette -3 (-110)
(9) Florida Atlantic (-15.5) vs. (16) Fairleigh Dickinson | Total 145.5
The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (21-15), coming off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history, will try to shock the world once more when they play the Florida Atlantic Owls (32-3) in the second round. Of course, FDU defeated top-seeded Purdue by playing a dominating defense and winning 63-58 on a night no one from Purdue wanted to shoot the ball. Nonetheless, Florida Atlantic is also a very competent group, particularly confident after defeating 8-seeded Memphis in a thrilling 66-65 victory.
The Knights have consistently left me in awe this season, and I predicted they would win the First Four. With that said, I believe FAU, who hasn’t lost in more than a month, will end their Cinderella run but still manage to keep it close in the process.
The pick: Fairleigh Dickinson +15.5 (+210)
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