Four March Madness Matchups on Tap from Pittsburgh on Friday

Ohio State was considered a strong March Madness betting candidate for the first half of the season.  But the Buckeyes faded down the stretch with four losses in their last five games.  Of great concern was an abysmal 71-68 loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament.  Ohio State faces plenty of skeptics entering the Big Dance against Loyola Chicago on Friday.  Of course, the Ramblers are best known for Sister Jean, the nun that inspired them to the Final Four.  Loyola Chicago epitomizes what a Cinderella program is all about.

2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

Ohio State has a best sportsbook online record of 19-11 straight up, 15-15 against the spread, and 18-12 over the total.  In sum, the Buckeyes have national metrics of 107^th for scoring offense and 158^th for points allowed.  OSU has failed to cover four of its most recent five games.

Loyola Chicago brings a mark of 25-7 straight up, 12-15-4 against the spread, and 17-14 over the total.  Overall, the Ramblers have national metrics of 91^st for scoring offense and 29^th for points allowed.  Loyola Chicago has covered four of its last five games.  Last time out, the Ramblers beat Drake 64-58 for the Missouri Valley Conference title.

CashBet Best Bet: 

Loyola Chicago Ramblers

Villanova brings a 2022 March Madness betting record of 26-7 straight up, 16-16-1 against the spread, and 16-17 under the total.  Accordingly, the Wildcats have national metrics of 115^th for scoring offense and 36^th for points allowed.  Nova has covered only four of its most recent 13 games.  Of course, Villanova is a popular team with the public as recent 2-time national champions.

By contrast, Delaware is 22-12 straight up, 15-18 against the spread, and 18-15 over the total.  The Blue Hens have national metrics of 92^nd for scoring offense and 247^th for points allowed.  Delaware has covered three straight games.  Above all, Delaware won the Colonial Athletic Association title.

CashBet Best Bet: 

Delaware Blue Hens

Illinois brings a bet on NCAA basketball record of 22-9 straight up, 13-18 against the spread, and 17-13-1 over the total.  To summarize, the Fighting Illini have national metrics of 52^nd for scoring offense and 136^th for points allowed.  Illinois has covered only seven of its last nine games.  Also, the Fighting Illini was upset by Indiana 65-63 in the Big Ten tournament.  Illinois will boast the best player on the court in Kofi Cockburn.  Problematic is that Illinois will draw a massive wave of public money.

Chattanooga stands at 27-7 straight up, 17-15 against the spread, and 17-15 over the total.  Overall, the Mocs have national metrics of 75^th for scoring offense and 53^rd for points allowed.  Chattanooga has covered five of its most recent eight games.

CashBet Best Bet: 

Chattanooga Mocs

Houston brings a 2022 March Madness betting record of 29-5 straight up, 22-12 against the spread, and 14-18-2 under the total.  Accordingly, the Cougars have national metrics of 60^th for scoring offense and 7^th for points allowed.  Houston has covered the spread in seven of their last eight games.  Last year Houston made the Final Four.  What concerns their opponents is that the Cougars are considered to be even better this season.

UAB is 27-7 straight up, 18-13-1 against the spread, and 21-10-1 over the total.  In sum, the Blazers have national metrics of 14^th for scoring offense and 55^th for points allowed.  UAB has covered three of its most recent four games.

CashBet Best Bet: 

UAB Blazers