Latest news with #Chris"TheBear"Fallica
Fox Sports
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby: Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's expert picks, best bets
"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making. Every year, sports fans shift their attention to Louisville on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby. There's just something incredibly special about the event, dubbed "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." This is the 151st "Run for the Roses," and regardless of whether you indulge in a few Mint Juleps, there is fun to be had for all — particularly when it comes to laying a few wagers. So, let's jump into the action. 1. Citizen Bull: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia The Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion appears to be an outsider here. Stuck on the rail, he's destined to be part of what is expected to be a fast pace and that doesn't bode well for his chances. Add in a ridiculously fast work at Churchill Downs earlier this week, and he just might have left his race on the track. He'd be someone I'd look at fading in head-to-head matchups and potentially finishing last. 2. Neoequos: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Luis Saez He wasn't embarrassed by Sovereignty in either Derby prep in Florida. But he, too, appears to be a pace casualty, given where he drew down inside. He might hang around for a bit, but he can't win. 3. Final Gambit: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luan Machado The upset winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks on the synthetic surface should be coming from off the pace and does have some distance breeding. But this is a far tougher ask than anything this colt has seen so far. And it's also the first time he'll race on a traditional dirt track. Could he pass the tiring speed horses in front of him and finish in the top half of the field? Sure. But that's about it. 4. Rodriguez: SCRATCHED Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Mike Smith 5. American Promise: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez Don't expect anything close to the 30-1 ML, as he's been an extremely popular long-shot play this week. His Virginia Derby was great, but that was a terrible field on a different surface at Colonial Downs. He was nowhere at Oaklawn in the Risen Star and Southwest, so my gut says he's a cut below here. He, too, should be part of the early pace and does have distance breeding, but I'm worried about a regression and about the step-up in competition. None of D. Wayne Lukas' last 11 Derby starters have finished better than sixth. Great story if he wins — or even hits the board — but I have mixed feelings. 6. Admire Daytona: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Jockey: Christophe Lemaire I don't see it here. He won the 1 3/16 UAE Derby by a nose, but a 20-horse field at Churchill Downs is an entirely different story. Sire was primarily a sprinter to miler, and I think 1 1/4 is out of this horse's scope. I will not be using this. 7. Luxor Cafe: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) Trainer: Noriyuki Hori Jockey: Joao Moreira This is the Japanese runner that interests me. I'm a little concerned he could be a bit of an underlay, given Forever Young's near-win last year. But so far, it seems like he hasn't gotten the hype that Forever Young got last year. As was the case in 2024, interpretation of his workout at Churchill Downs varies, but I'm not going to overreact one way or the other. What I do think, however, is that it's clear they plan on taking the horse back, given the way he worked. That's a wise plan, as we expect a fast pace. We don't know what he has been facing in Japan, but he's won his last four races and should have the right running-style profile for the winner here, and it will be a nice price. He's one of the few horses in which I see an upside. The last six Derby winners were the seventh choice, eighth choice, longest shot in the field (20th), eighth choice, third choice and 18th choice. None was shorter than 8-1 and five were at least 15-1. He's one of the few horses I can see winning this race and will be prominent on my tickets. 8. Journalism: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total) Trainer: Mike McCarthy Jockey: Umberto Rispoli He's a well-deserved favorite, as he's undefeated in route races and has a running style that is desired to win. If you want to knock the horse and his chances, about the only thing you can say is, in four of his five races, he's faced just four horses. So he'll face more horses here than he has in four of his five lifetime starts combined. His jockey, Umberto Rispoli, doesn't have a ton of Derby experience. How will he react in a 20-horse field? Trainer Mike McCarthy is as good as they come at shipping horses to different circuits for big-stakes races. So I have no concerns about Journalism taking to the Churchill surface, unless he just doesn't like a potential off going. His daddy, Curlin, sure liked the off going, so I'm not too concerned about that. My bets will involve him occupying one spot in the exacta and trifecta, as 11 of the last 13 favorites have finished in the money. I'll have to press pick four and pick five tickets with him as well. I think he's that good and will be tough to deny. 9. Burnham Square: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) Trainer: Ian Wilkes Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. The 2024 Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount on the winner of the Holy Bull and Blue Grass. He was beaten pretty soundly by Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth, but Ian Wilkes isn't someone just to show up for a Derby party. He's had just one Derby starter (McCraken, who was eighth in 2017), so my guess is he's in here with a solid chance to hit the board. A win might be out of the question for the late runner that began his career in a 150k maiden claimer, but he could be a decently priced option in the exotics. 10. Grande: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez It feels like Grande has some upside in just the fourth start of his lifetime. He wasn't getting to Rodriguez in the Wood at Aqueduct, but if he improves here, nobody should be surprised. However, I wonder if he might be a need-the-lead type based on his wins in his maiden and second starts. Was the Wood run an educational run? I doubt it, considering he needed to finish second to get a spot in the gate here. Remember, too, the Todd Pletcher-John Velazquez, trainer-jockey combo isn't a positive ROI in the Derby. There have been 14 starters — with seven being top-five betting choices — and the duo has one win with Always Dreaming, one runner-up back in 2001 with Invisible Ink and only one other runner even finished in the top five. Ten of the 14 starters finished ninth or worse. So you may get a shorter price on a horse that may not have a chance reflective of the price. He'll be sporadically used on my tickets, as I do think he has some upside, and maybe he runs evenly around the track to grab a piece of the tri or super. 11. Flying Mohawk: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Joseph Ramos A no-chancer who is here based on a second-place finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. He's a turf horse (by Karakontie) that has points to run, so they are. 12. East Avenue: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Trainer: Brendan Walsh Jockey: Manny Franco The Breeders' Cup Juvenile favorite has been a disappointment, as he was never in it at Del Mar and then ran terribly at 4/5 in the Risen Star. He did run an admirable Blue Grass, cutting out a speedy half mile and nearly holding off Burnham Square. That was huge, as it guaranteed him a spot in the gate and ensured the pace to be hot (we think). He's shown no affinity to pass horses if he doesn't break on top, and with blinkers on again, I don't think we'll have to worry about that being an option. He's much more likely to finish last than first. 13. Publisher: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. No trainer has sent more horses to the Derby starting gate without a win than Steve Asmussen's 26. I don't think Publisher will be breaking his maiden — or Asmussen's — in this race, but he could be a non-threatening third or fourth. He was a massive beneficiary of the pace collapse in the Arkansas Derby, and maybe we get a situation like that here. Asmussen's string wasn't great at Oaklawn this year, so we could totally see an improvement. Whether it's good enough — or how good it is — remains to be seen. 14. Tiztastic: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Joel Rosario Of the two Asmussen runners, this is the one I prefer. Remember, at least one 15-1 shot or longer has hit the board each of the last six years, so it wouldn't be too unreasonable to think Tiztastic could be that runner this year. I mentioned earlier how Asmussen's barn wasn't great at Oaklawn Park this year. He's a great example. He didn't run exceptionally well, although he had a couple of troubled trips at Oaklawn, then exploded to win the Louisiana Derby. Granted, Chunk of Gold was the second-place horse, so let's not overreact. But add it all up, and we have a closer who has a second- and third-place finish in graded stakes at Churchill Downs as a two-year-old, someone who has finished in front of Sandman and has a Derby-winning jockey. He might not be good enough to win, but hitting the board in a non-threatening fashion is something I can see. 15. Render Judgment: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Ken McPeek Jockey: Julien Leparoux He's taking up space in the starting gate. That's all. 16. Coal Battle: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Lonnie Briley Jockey: Juan Vargas There's plenty of reason to be skeptical of the runner that has done most of his running on minor circuits, but his last two races have me rethinking my skeptical stance on him. He was great in the Rebel, beating what was thought to be Bob Baffert's big gun in Madaket Road and then still managed to stay for third in the Arkansas Derby when he was much closer to a ridiculous pace than either Sandman or Publisher. Mike Joyce mentioned on the "Bear Bets Pod" that trainer Lonnie Briley even said he had a short horse that day — that he decided to only work him three times as opposed to four and that loss was on him. He will not have a short horse on Saturday. Maybe he will have a horse that's not good enough, but he will be plenty fit. The 30-1 odds seem ridiculously long on a horse that was 3-1 last race and finished third. If you're looking for a stalker that could be bombs away, you could do a lot worse than him. I'll be using in my exacta bets. 17. Sandman: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total) Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Jose Ortiz I'll be standing against someone who will be a massive publicly backed horse because of the connections. He has a maiden win, a win in an optional claimer and then ran a huge figure in the Arkansas Derby when a 45.1 and 1:10.1 pace on the front end just collapsed and set it up for a closer. His races at Churchill haven't been great either — fifth beaten ten lengths and third beaten five (by Sovereignty). His best running has come at Oaklawn. None of Mark Casse's then-Derby runners have hit the board, but in fairness, only Classic Empire was single digits. You can't bet them all and need to find a way to maximize your value. He's a closer that's been beaten by one of the top choices, will be heavily bet and hasn't necessarily run well yet at Churchill Downs. If you like him, that's fine. But I'm opposed. 18. Sovereignty: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total) Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado The biggest threat to Sovereignty and the list that prefer him to Journalism isn't short. A run through his past performances shows a perfect Bill Mott progression. Didn't take much money on his debut and used the race to just get a foundation. In the second race, he stretched out and just missed, losing to a very nice Chad Brown colt named Praetor — one who might be headed to the Preakness. Next start, he was favored in the Street Sense at Churchill and absolutely crushed a field that included Tiztastic and Sandman. Off a four-month layoff, he secured his spot in the Derby with a huge turn of foot to win the Fountain of Youth. Then he got a perfect prep for the Derby in the Florida Derby, where he wasn't fully extended and was second to the perfect trip winner Tappan Street. As is always the case with closers, traffic is the concern. But reports are that Bill Mott couldn't be in a better mood this week and is exuding confidence. On the negative side, in Derby history, just two of Mott's 13 runners finished in the money. That's Country House, who crossed the wire second and was put up, and Tacitus, who was third. The second choice hasn't won since Super Saver in 2010. That said, he's got a huge shot and would be no surprise. 19. Chunk of Gold: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Trainer: Ethan West Jockey: Jareth Loveberry He was a distant second at boxcars in the Risen Star and a distant second at double-digit odds to Tiztastic in the Louisiana Derby. I'm not seeing it. 20. Owen Almighty: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total Trainer: Brian Lynch Jockey: Javier Castellano An honest horse that was 7/2 in the Blue Grass, which is the only time he's finished off the board. This will be the second time in his career he's finished off the board, as a speed horse from post 20 that has all the makings of being in the five path pressing a fast pace. He's someone you might want to look at finishing last. 21. Baeza: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) Trainer: John Shirreffs Jockey: Flavien Prat This is a horse most people wanted to see draw in. He was a game second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby, in what was his first race against winners. This was Flavien Prat's first call, and he'll cede the mount on Neoequos to Luis Saez. Was his Santa Anita Derby the result of a small field and the fact that someone had to be second to Journalism? After all, he's been north of 14-1 in two of his four races. What type of trip can he work out from post 20? He's someone who is kind of in between being a pace presser and a stalker, so what will Flavien Prat do? Remember, Prat worked out a trip for Country House from a far outside post in 2019. He's definitely in with a shot. However, the surrounding hype may result in an underlay. I'll still be using. Suggested Ways to Bet the Derby $10 Win 8 ($10) $5 Win-Place 7 ($10)$4 Win-Place 16 (8) $5 Win-Place 21 ($10) $5 Exacta Key ($20) 8/7-13-14-16-21 $4 Exacta Key ($16) 18/7-13-14-16-21 $4 Exacta Key ($12) 7-16-21/8 $3 Exacta Key ($9) 7-16-21/18 $1 Trifecta ($45) 8/7-13-14-16-18-21/5-7-9-10-13-14-16-17-18-21 $1 Trifecta ($36) 7-16-18-21/8/5-7-9-10-13-14-16-17-18-21 Other plays I like this weekend. I'd play these win-place or in an exacta box with a couple of others. Friday Eight Belles (ninth race) 11 Look Forward 12-1 Mike McCarthy can get the weekend started right with this one. She's two-for-two sprinting and should be full of run on the cutback from 1 1/16 to 7 furlongs. Kentucky Oaks (11th race) Exacta Key Box 11 Good Cheer (6-5)with 1 Early On (30-1)3 Fondly (20-1)9 Tenma (12-1) 10 Take Charge Milady (12-1) The undefeated favorite will be hard to beat, so I will use her first and second in the exacts, with four price horses. Good Cheer should get a nice setup up front, and I'll be looking for one of the other four to complete the other exacta spot. Saturday CD Distaff Turf Mile (fifth race) 5 Five Towns 10-1 She's run huge in her second off a layoff in her previous two instances. Guess what? This is also her second race off a layoff. Graham Motion's filly gets a huge rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr., who is the best finisher in the business. Turf Sprint (seventh race) 11 Eamonn 12-1 Eamonn needs a pace set up and clear path to close but might get it from post 11. He just has to avoid getting hung out too wide. American Turf (ninth race) 12 Golden Afternoon 20-1 I think the favorites are vulnerable here and the pace doesn't look superfast, so I'll take a shot with a huge price. I'm totally drawing a line through her last race because she was rank and never comfortable. With a very good rider on the front end (Mike Smith), she might get brave on or near the lead and have a big say in the outcome. Derby City Distaff (10th race) 7 Vahva 6-1 I'll be a bit surprised if we get 6-1 odds on her. She's four-for-four at Churchill Downs, including a win in this race last year. She's worked bullets gearing up for her return, so that's good enough for me. I can appreciate those who are concerned with her last two races, but I'm taking the approach that she simply didn't like the Del Mar surface in the Breeders' Cup and the track at Saratoga on Ballerina Day was very speed favoring and working against her. This is a really good race. Turf Classic (11th race) 4 Redistricting 10-1 I absolutely love this horse. There's no way we're gonna get 10-1, but I'll take what we can get. He's been favored in four of his seven starts, was 5-2 in his last race at FG off the nearly four-month layoff and just never had a great trip. Chad Brown has his main man Irad Ortiz Jr. up, and that tells me it's all systems go for a horse that should be finishing like a freight train. Chris "The Bear" Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an "occasional" wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He's a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, "The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!" Follow him on Twitter @ chrisfallica . 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Fox News
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
2025 March Madness Final Four predictions, best bets by Chris "The Bear" Fallica
"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making. We're heading to the Final Four for college basketball, and I'm back with a few wagers for the next round of March Madness hoops. Let's dive into my picks. No. 1 Houston vs. No. 1 Duke I'll be the fool to step in front of the Duke train here. If you look at the composite of KenPom, Torvik and Haslam, that grades the game out as a pick 'em. Duke has lost three times all season. Houston has lost just four times, with three of those losses coming in OT. We've got the top-ranked offense in Duke against the top-ranked defense in Houston, according to KenPom. The Cougars have bodies like Joseph Tugler and J'Wan Roberts to make life miserable on the interior and deny Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel clean looks. That also negates some of the impact Khaman Malauch has on the other end of the floor where, remember, Houston is the No. 2 3-point shooting team in the country (39.7%). The Cougars struggled in the first half of the Sweet 16 against Purdue but have been much better since. It really should be a fascinating matchup as to which numbers we think are more representative. The ACC was down bad this year and that's where Duke accumulated many of its numbers. Sure, the Blue Devils had non-conference wins, including against Auburn and Arizona, but wasn't the Big 12 a lot better than the ACC this year? And Houston ripped through it, barring an OT loss to Texas Tech, which really should be playing this weekend. Houston has seven wins over top 15 KenPom teams (and three losses). Duke is 4-0. I wonder, too, how much extra motivation Houston has after last year's Sweet 16. The Cougars likely would have beaten the Blue Devils, but Jamal Shead injured his ankle with the Cougars up six with about seven minutes left in the first half, and they scored just 35 points in 27 minutes without him. Sure, it's a different — and better — Duke team, but also a healthy and more complete Houston team. Duke might win and win easily, and I'll be proven wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. But I think the Duke brand has this number higher than it should be and there's a tad of disrespect for Kelvin Sampson's squad. PICK: Houston (+5) to lose by fewer than 5 points or win outright No. 1 Florida vs. No. 1 Auburn Call me skeptical, but I don't think Johni Broome is anywhere near 100 percent and that's obviously a massive problem. I think his return to the Elite Eight game was more cosmetic. "Can you just be a decoy for a few minutes until the result is academic?" Yes, he knocked down a 3, but he looked like he wanted no part of using his right arm on that one big rebound where he flung the outlet immediately with his left arm. The Gators put up 90 earlier this season at Auburn and Alijah Martin and Micah Handgloten didn't even play. If Broome isn't fully healthy, the effect on the defensive end will be huge. The Gators will get a ton of second and third chances and that's the only reason they are still alive here. I'm a bit surprised the side hasn't run here (Florida is still -2.5) but I do think, at minimum, the Gators will put up their share of points. And it will be up to Auburn's perimeter shooters to match them. PICK: Florida team total Over 81.5 points Chris "The Bear" Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an "occasional" wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He's a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, "The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!" Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox News
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
2025 College Basketball Crown odds: Who will win the inaugural CBC?
The first-ever College Basketball Crown kicks off Monday. The men's college basketball tournament will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring 16 teams from conferences across the college hoops landscape, including the Big East, Big Ten and Big 12. RELATED: 10 names to know in the CBC Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 31. 2025 College Basketball Crown winner Boise State: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)Cincinnati: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)Nebraska: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)Villanova: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)USC: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)UCF: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)Arizona State: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)Colorado: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Butler: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Georgetown: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Utah: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)DePaul: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Oregon State: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)Washington State: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)George Washington: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)Tulane: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total) The College Basketball Crown is a new 16-team, single-elimination postseason tournament. Scheduled from March 31 to April 6, 2025, the tournament will be hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with all games broadcast on FOX and FS1. And though it features several squads from the Power 4 conferences, a team from the Mountain West actually opens as the favorite to win the CBC. Boise State finished the regular season with a record of 24-10, landing fourth in the MWC. The Broncos made it to the Mountain West Conference title game, where they fell to Colorado State, which earned a 12-seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, on its way to the MWC title game, Boise State defeated both New Mexico and San Diego State, teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. FOX Sports wagering expert Chris "The Bear" Fallica had this to say about the Broncos heading into the CBC: " … I'm all in on Boise State. It played in a conference that saw three teams make the NCAA Tournament (New Mexico, Colorado State, Utah State), along with the usual powerhouse of San Diego State. Tyson Degenhart is a stud and Leon Rice is a coach with lots of postseason experience. I truly think this is the Broncos' tournament to lose, and that they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder given they were among the first four out." Second on the oddsboard is Cincinnati, a Big 12 squad with regular-season wins over NCAA Tournament teams Baylor and BYU. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 College Basketball Crown odds: Who will win the inaugural CBC?
The first-ever College Basketball Crown kicks off Monday. The men's college basketball tournament will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring 16 teams from conferences across the college hoops landscape, including the Big East, Big Ten and Big 12. RELATED: 10 names to know in the CBC Let's check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 31. 2025 College Basketball Crown winner Boise State: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total) Cincinnati: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total) Nebraska: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total) Villanova: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) USC: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) UCF: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) Arizona State: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) Colorado: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Butler: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Georgetown: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Utah: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) DePaul: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Oregon State: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Washington State: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total) George Washington: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total) Tulane: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total) The College Basketball Crown is a new 16-team, single-elimination postseason tournament. Scheduled from March 31 to April 6, 2025, the tournament will be hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with all games broadcast on FOX and FS1. And though it features several squads from the Power 4 conferences, a team from the Mountain West actually opens as the favorite to win the CBC. Boise State finished the regular season with a record of 24-10, landing fourth in the MWC. The Broncos made it to the Mountain West Conference title game, where they fell to Colorado State, which earned a 12-seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, on its way to the MWC title game, Boise State defeated both New Mexico and San Diego State, teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. FOX Sports wagering expert Chris "The Bear" Fallica had this to say about the Broncos heading into the CBC: " … I'm all in on Boise State. It played in a conference that saw three teams make the NCAA Tournament (New Mexico, Colorado State, Utah State), along with the usual powerhouse of San Diego State. Tyson Degenhart is a stud and Leon Rice is a coach with lots of postseason experience. I truly think this is the Broncos' tournament to lose, and that they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder given they were among the first four out." Second on the oddsboard is Cincinnati, a Big 12 squad with regular-season wins over NCAA Tournament teams Baylor and BYU. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
26-03-2025
- Sport
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2025 March Madness Sweet 16 best bets, picks by Chris "The Bear" Fallica
"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making. We're heading to the Sweet 16 for college basketball , and I'm back with a few wagers for the next round of March Madness hoops. Let's dive into my picks. No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 10 Arkansas I love this Texas Tech team. I know there are concerns about Darrion Williams and his calf and about if Chance McMillian will return. But the Red Raiders have shown they can win by knocking down 3s like they did in the Big 12 tourney. And they've also shown they can win when they're off — like the last game against Drake. I get the Arkansas love, I do. But let's take a look at the draw the Hogs have had so far. Kansas had that game won. Then the Jayhawks suffered a crushing injury to KJ Adams and then turned the ball over four straight possessions. This all led to the Razorbacks pulling the upset. Then St. John's couldn't throw one into the ocean in what was a horrible game to sit through. It was more about bad St. John's than good Arkansas. I still think Tech is underappreciated and should the Red Raiders take care of business here, I think they would be super live in the Elite Eight. PICK: Texas Tech (-5.5) to win by more than 5.5 points No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 5 Michigan I'm staying away from the side. And that's because the thing I am most confident about here is that Auburn will score points. Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin can be exposed defensively and that should lead to a parade of baskets for the Tigers. On the flip side, we know Michigan can turn the ball over, but the Wolverines can also knock down 3s, which could result in them hanging around a big number. I'm not interested in playing Plinko. I'll just take Auburn's team total Over. PICK: Auburn team total Over 80.5 points No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 1 Florida The narrative is that Florida will just wear down Maryland since the Terps aren't very deep. I'm not buying it. Television timeouts are long. There are so many reviews during these games, that they amount to an extra timeout. Maryland's starting five is excellent. Remember, too, UConn missed a ton of open looks. Florida was ripe for the upset and the Huskies couldn't put the hammer down to get it to a three-possession game. Maybe Maryland isn't as suited to muck it up as UConn was, but the Terps sure can score. The assumption is the Gators got their scare and will bounce back here. I'm not so sure. PICK: Maryland (+6.5) to lose by fewer than 6.5 points or win outright No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Purdue Houston got a bad deal geographically, and we know that. I also don't think Kelvin Sampson cares one bit. He'll probably use that as a massive motivator as well. But that won't be the deciding factor here. Houston made a bit of a mess late against Gonzaga, but this team can score — L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp from the perimeter, J'Wan Roberts inside, and the Cougars defend and rebound as always. Can Purdue's backcourt handle that pressure? Will Trey Kaufman-Renn have as much success inside as he did in the first two rounds? I'm not sure about that. The Sweet 16 is usually where trendy underdogs go to die, and I'll bank on that continuing here. PICK: Houston (-8) to win by more than 8 points Chris "The Bear" Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an "occasional" wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He's a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, "The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!" Follow him on Twitter @ chrisfallica . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from College Basketball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
