Weekend loaded with key matchups
We’re just days away from Selection Sunday and the 68 teams that will create March Madness 2018.
This weekend’s conference tournaments will go a long way in deciding the final picks for the annual single-elimination event. The committee reveals the seeds and regional draw March 11 at 6 p.m. ET.
Right now, it looks like Virginia, Michigan State, Villanova and Xavier will claim the No. 1 spots in the four regions, but we know better. Anything can happen at this time of year — it always does.
North Carolina overcame poor shooting in the opening half to win the 2017 championship over Gonzaga 71-65. Both teams will be among the higher seeds again this year.
Oddsmakers currently have Michigan State (+550) as the favorite to capture their third championship (1979, 2000). The Spartans have reached the Final Four nine times (odds provided by Bovada).
Virginia and Villanova are right behind at +600. The Wildcats have also claimed two titles (1985, 2016) along with five Final Fours. The Cavaliers have never won it all, even though they have been to the Final Four twice.
With a full slate of conference play this weekend, let’s try to pick a winner against the spread (ATS) in two games involving top-ranked schools and cash a winning parlay ticket.
**VGB’s college basketball parlay pick — Take Notre Dame (+9.5) over Virginia and North Carolina (+7) over Duke. If both teams cover the spread, the payoff is $66.13 for a $25 bet. If either team loses against the spread, the ticket is void.
Notre Dame (+9.5) at No. 1 Virginia — The Cavaliers (27-2) are 16-1 in ACC regular season play for the third time in five seasons.
They also won a heartstopper earlier in the week. Virginia, down four with 0.9 seconds left, completed a miraculous comeback over Louisville. The Cavs now meet a team fighting for their tournament life.
The Fighting Irish (18-12) have won five of their last seven. A victory or even a close game at John Paul Jones Arena would do a lot for their March Madness hopes.
Injuries to some of their top players have hampered Notre Dame all season. Bonzie Colson, who missed 15 games after breaking his foot in January, returned earlier this week — and at just the right time.
No. 9 North Carolina (+7) at No. 5 Duke — This is the definition of a marquee matchup.
These two storied programs have collided many times with much more than bragging rights on the line. This meeting is no different. This may have been a matchup for a top regional seed if both teams hadn’t lost earlier this week.
The Tar Heels (22-8) scored an upset win at Dean Smith Center 82-78 on Feb. 8. The Blue Devils (24-6) will be out to get even at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Duke, which is 5-1 in its last six and 6-4 ATS in its last 10, is led by Marvin Bagley, who averages 20.7 points a game. Joel Berry (18.2) and Luke Maye (17.9) are the leading scorers for North Carolina, which is 6-1 in its last seven but 5-5 ATS in its last 10.
(Current odds to win the Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship listed after team record. Odds provided by Bovada.)
Summary
Chris Wassel AA, AAS CURRENTLY Sports Writer and Journalist RESIDES IN Rahway, NJ EDUCATION Union County College, Montclair State University EXPERTISE Business, Writing, Sports, Food, Grilling, Olympics, Injuries, Politics, and more Summary Member of FSWA, FSGA, and a variety of Sports Betting Groups. Lead arranger of news and injury reports for Rotoballer Hockey. Also did the news lead for NASCAR on the same site coming out of COVID. Strategy and mapping out of various sports betting and sports articles for MyNHLTradeRumors and gambling.com. Runs a hockey and fantasy hockey podcast that teaches fantasy hockey players how to improve their skills. Experience Chris Wassel has 20+ years of sports journalistic experience in various disciplines.. His ability to play sports is well documented. Most people in the business just write. However, Chris will race cars and even a super Moto bike from time to time. There is that fitness and hiking/cycling aspect too. Chris has climbed mountains from Mount Washington to Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California. For those that do not know. Chris also dabbles in food eating contests and challenges. Having a unique background with friends including Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has the ability to eat a whole 16-pound turkey or a 32 inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, Chris has primarily focused on sports writing and fitness. On social media, he will answer any question in many different aspects. Even Chris's ability to wager on Entertainment and US Elections is well documented. He was able to predict Joe Biden's inevitable dip in approval rating below 40%. Throughout his career, Chris has worked at a lot of places from DraftKings to USA Today and much more. Finally, Chris has been nominated for quite a few awards from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for Hockey Writer Of The Year. Also, there have been a number of amazing fantasy hockey championships from expert to high-stake leagues. Education Chris received an Associates from Union Country College for business and accounting. Chris did sports journalism work at Montclair State University covering the hockey, baseball, and football teams. Quote from Chris Wassel "Do Not Think, Just Do.”
Education
1999 Graduate of Union County College
1993 Graduate of Rahway High School
Professional Achievements
Media credentialed member of the New Jersey Devils since 2010
Covered several NHL Drafts including the one day event in Newark in 2013
Been on countless podcasts, TV shows, and more including Sportsnet and even NHL Network