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USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Florida vs. Houston odds, picks and predictions
The No. 1 seed Florida Gators (35-4) and the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars (35-4) meet Monday in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game. Tip-off from the Alamodome in San Antonio is scheduled for 8:50 p.m. ET (CBS). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Florida vs. Houston odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. After winning the West Region, Florida took care of the Auburn Tigers in Saturday's semifinal 79-73, covering as a 2-point favorite as the Under (158) cashed. It was the second victory and cover of the season against the SEC rival Tigers. The Gators shot 47.2% (25 of 53) from the field, while hitting 38.1% (8 of 21) from behind the 3-point line. It wasn't all great for Florida, as it hit just 70.0% (21 of 30) from the free-throw line, and it turned the ball over 16 times. Luckily for Florida, Auburn was just 69.6% (16 of 23) from the charity stripe, and an abysmal 28.0% (7 of 25) from downtown. Florida outrebounded Auburn at a 39-30 margin, too. Gators G Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with 34 points, including 5 triples, while going 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. G Alijah Martin, who missed the first game at Auburn due to a hip pointer, went for 17 points in his second Final 4 game. He appeared in the Final 4 with the FAU Owls in 2023. Houston, champions of the Midwest Region, stunned Duke 70-67 Saturday. The Cougars were down 14 points to the Blue Devils with 8 minutes to go, but Houston chipped away at that lead, using timely offense and suffocating defense to get into position for its first national title game appearance since 1983. The Cougars are 3-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in 5 NCAA Tournament games, and 5-1-1 ATS in the past 7 outings. The Under is 5-1-1 in the 7-game span, too. Houston faced 3 SEC teams this season, losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn in neutral floor games in the regular season, before ousting the Tennessee Volunteers 69-50 in the Elite 8, punching its ticket to San Antonio. In the win over Duke, G L.J. Cryer led the way with 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 6 of 9 from behind the 3-point line. The Cougars were a very impressive 45.5% (10 of 22) from downtown as a team, and UH turned it over just 9 times. Houston was plus-11 on rebounds, too. Houston is No. 2 and Florida is No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll. Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ Florida vs. Houston odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:18 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Florida -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Houston –110 (bet $110 to $100) : Florida -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Houston –110 (bet $110 to $100) Against the spread : Florida -1.5 (+100) | Houston +1.5 (-120) : Florida -1.5 (+100) | Houston +1.5 (-120) Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -105 | U: -115) Florida vs. Houston picks and predictions Prediction Florida 71, Houston 66 Florida (-110) is cheap on the moneyline, but it makes little sense to back the Gators straight up unless you feel it will win, but only by a single point. AVOID, and look to the spread instead. FLORIDA -1.5 (+100) is the play if you like the Gators to get the victory Monday. The Gators have managed just a 2-3 ATS mark in 5 NCAA Tournament games, which might make this look like a bit of a risk. However, as a favorite of 5.5 or fewer points this season, Florida is perfect — 7-0 ATS. The Cougars are playing in the state of Texas, so perhaps the defensive-minded Houston side will have a little bit of a bump there. However, the Cougars just aren't nearly as deep as the Gators, who should be able to solve the defense of UH to hoist their third national championship on the hardwood. UNDER 141.5 (-115) is worth a look, but be careful. The Over cashed in 11 straight games for Florida from Feb. 25 to March 29, including the final 4 regular-season games, all 3 SEC Tournament battles and the first 4 NCAA Tournament outings before the Under cashed against Auburn in Saturday's semifinal. The Under is 5-1-1 in the past 7 games for Houston, as the nation's top defensive team (58.5 PPG) has allowed 68 or fewer points in 17 of the past 18 games. In fact, UH allowed just 67 points to Duke on Saturday, the second-lowest offensive production for the high-flying Blue Devils. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Michigan State vs. Auburn odds, picks and predictions
The No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans (30-6) and the No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers (31-5) meet at State Farm Arena in Atlanta for an NCAA Tournament South Region Elite 8 game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. ET (CBS). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Michigan State vs. Auburn odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. The Tigers, ranked No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, are back in the Elite 8 for the first time since 2019 when it topped the Kentucky Wildcats 77-71 in OT to advance to the Final 4 for the first time in school history. Auburn is 1-1 SU in 2 previous trips to the Elite 8. Auburn has set a program record with 31 victories. It went on a 34-8 run in the second half Friday to turn things around against the Michigan Wolverines in a 78-65 win as 9-point favorites as the Under (156) cashed. F Johni Broome was on fire, going for 22 points with 16 rebounds and 2 steals before fouling out. Auburn has covered in consecutive games, but it is still just 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 7 games, and 4-7 ATS in the past 11 outings. The Under is 4-1 in 5 games in the postseason. Michigan State is ranked No. 7 in the Coaches Poll. Sparty outlasted the Ole Miss Rebels 73-70 Friday as a 3.5-point favorite as the Under (144.5) hit. G Jase Richardson paced MSU with 20 points and 6 rebounds with 4 triples. Michigan State appeared to have a cover against Ole Miss, but the Rebels hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for one of the worst bad beats you're ever going to see. The Under is 4-1 in the postseason for Michigan State, and 14-3 in the previous 17 outings. Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ Michigan State vs. Auburn odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:29 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Michigan State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Auburn -220 (bet $220 to win $100) : Michigan State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Auburn -220 (bet $220 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : Michigan State +4.5 (-105) | Auburn -4.5 (-115) : Michigan State +4.5 (-105) | Auburn -4.5 (-115) Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -110 | U: -110) Michigan State vs. Auburn picks and predictions Prediction Michigan State 74, Auburn 70 MICHIGAN STATE (+180) is worth a look for the opportunity to nearly double up. Sparty heads into this one with 11 wins in the past 12 outings since Feb. 15. The lone loss was 77-74 in the Big Ten Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers on March 15. Auburn did a good job with the comeback against Michigan, but if it falls into a deep hole against Michigan State, the top seed could be in trouble. MICHIGAN STATE +4.5 (-105) is worth a look if you're a little on the conservative side, and you just can't bring yourself to pick the No. 2 seed straight up. Sparty has been on fire against the number since Feb. 15, covering the final 7 games of the regular season, while going 10-2 ATS in the previous 12 outings. And that non-cover against Ole Miss was a disgusting bad beat, as Michigan State should have covered then, too. Auburn has covered in the past 2 games of the NCAA Tournament, but it is still just 2-5 ATS in the past 7 games since March 4. UNDER 147.5 (-110) is worth a look in this South Region final. The Under is 4-1 in 5 postseason games for both Auburn and Michigan State. The total has gone low in 14 of the past 17 games for the Spartans, too. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Alabama vs. Duke odds, picks and predictions
The No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (28-8) and the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils (34-3) meet Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for an NCAA Tournament East Region Elite 8 game. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Alabama vs. Duke odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. The No. 1 seed Blue Devils, also ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, are back in the Elite 8 for the first time since 2022. As a No. 2 seed, Duke topped Arkansas 78-69 to advance to the Final 4 that year. The Blue Devils have dropped 2 of their past 3 games in the Elite 8, however. As a No. 1 seed, Duke is 5-4 straight up (SU) all-time against the No. 2 seed, including a win over Arizona in the 2001 National Championship game. Duke advanced to the Elite 8 with a 100-93 win over Arizona in the Sweet 16 Thursday, holding off a furious second-half rally and a 35-point effort from Wildcats G Caleb Love. ACC Player and Rookie of the Year F Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils with 30 points, 6 rebounds, and a career-high 7 assists. G Kon Knueppel added 20 points, while G Sion James chipped in 16, including 3 triples. Duke's non-cover against Arizona was its first in 3 NCAA Tournament games, after covering as a double-digit favorite in its first 2 matchups in Raleigh. The Over has hit in all 3 tournament games and is 10-3 over the past 13 contests. Alabama stayed true to form in the Sweet 16, lighting up the scoreboard while giving up plenty of points in a 113-88 win over BYU as a 4.5-point favorite Thursday. The Over (175) easily hit, as the teams combined for 201 points — just as joked about on last weekend's telecast. Alabama G Mark Sears put on a show, dropping 34 points on an efficient 11-of-18 shooting, including 10-for-16 from beyond the arc. He also tallied 8 assists and 3 steals. G Aden Holloway contributed 23 points off the bench, while F Grant Nelson grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. For the second straight season, Alabama is vying for a trip to the Final Four. Last year, the Crimson Tide defeated sixth-seeded Clemson 89-82, advancing to the national semifinals before falling to eventual champion UConn, 86-72. This marks Alabama's third-ever Elite 8 appearance, and the first time it will face a team other than UConn. Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ Alabama vs. Duke odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:01 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Alabama +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Duke -300 (bet $300 to win $100) : Alabama +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Duke -300 (bet $300 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : Alabama +7.5 (-118) | Duke -7.5 (-102) : Alabama +7.5 (-118) | Duke -7.5 (-102) Over/Under (O/U): 174.5 (O: -115 | U: -105) Alabama vs. Duke picks and predictions Prediction Duke 96, Alabama 91 Duke (-300) will set you back 3 times your potential return, and that's way too much to risk on a standalone bet. Over the long term, betting favorites like that SU is a losing strategy. Even if you were to include the Blue Devils in a multi-leg parlay, it is only profitable if you're able to toss in an odds boost and/or no-sweat bet. AVOID, and look to the spread instead. ALABAMA +7.5 (-118) is worth playing with the points. The Crimson Tide continue to impress with their relentless offensive firepower. They know how to put up big numbers, and they'll have the opportunity to do so against Duke. However, the Blue Devils know a thing or two about scoring, too, and this Duke team is one of the deepest teams Alabama has seen all season. It will have its hands full with Flagg and company all night long. OVER 174.5 (-115) is the best play on the board, and the scoreboard operator at The Rock better limber up his/her fingers for a busy night with frequent scoring. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Texas Tech vs. Florida odds, picks and predictions
The No. 3 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders (28-8) and the No. 1 seed Florida Gators (33-4) meet Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco for an NCAA Tournament West Region Elite 8 game. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS/truTV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Texas Tech vs. Florida odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. The Gators, ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll, are back in the Elite 8 for the first time since 2017. Florida lost 77-70 to fellow SEC school the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Elite 8. Prior to that, it topped the No. 11 Dayton Flyers in 2014 as a 1-seed, advancing to the Final 4. Florida is 1-4 SU in the past 5 trips to the Elite 8. The Red Raiders, ranked No. 9 in the Coaches Poll, are making their first trip to the Elite 8 since 2019, when it was a national runner-up to the Virginia Cavaliers . It topped the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs 75-69 to punch its ticket to the Final 4 that season. Texas Tech made a historic comeback Thursday night against the 10th-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks, yet another SEC opponent. The Red Raiders were down as much as 16 points in the second half, posting the second-largest comeback in Sweet 16 history with the 85-83 OT win over the Razorbacks. G Christian Anderson paced the Red Raiders with 22 points, including 3 triples. While TTU has won all 3 NCAA Tournament games to date, it is just 1-2 against the spread (ATS), while the Over is 3-0. The total has gone high in 7 of the past 8 games since March 1 in the regular season. The No. 1 Gators routed the Maryland Terrapins 87-71 in San Francisco, easily covering a 6.5-point spread as the Over (156.5) cashed. The Over is perfect (10-0) in the past 10 games for the Gators. Florida G Alijah Martin, instrumental in the FAU Owls' miraculous 2023 Final 4 run, notched 14 points with 3 triples, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. He was one of 6 Gators with at least 10 points, as G Will Richard also had 3 successful makes from behind the arc, enroute to 15 points. Florida's cover over UMD was its first of the NCAA Tournament. Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ Texas Tech vs. Florida odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:11 p.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Texas Tech +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Florida -300 (bet $300 to win $100) : Texas Tech +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Florida -300 (bet $300 to win $100) Against the spread : Texas Tech +6.5 (-105) | Florida -6.5 (-115) : Texas Tech +6.5 (-105) | Florida -6.5 (-115) Over/Under (O/U): 156.5 (O: -110 | U: -110) Texas Tech vs. Florida picks and predictions Prediction Florida 85, Texas Tech 73 Florida (-300) will cost you 3 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. Even as part of a multi-leg parlay, including the No. 1 Gators sucks a lot of the value out of your ticket. Unless you have a profit boost, it's a good idea to leave Florida off of your betslip. AVOID, and look to the spread instead. FLORIDA -6.5 (-115) is better play laying the points. If Texas Tech comes out flat like it did early on against Arkansas, the Red Raiders are going to get steamrolled by the Gators. The Red Raiders shot just 41.0% (34-of-83) from the field for the game, and a dismal 25.0% (8-of-32) from behind the arc. The good news is that TTU outrebounded Arkansas with a plus-12 margin, while turning it over just 8 times. The Gators were peerless against the Terps, though, going 50.0% (30-of-60) from the field, and 39.3% (11-of-28) from the perimeter, overcoming 17 turnovers. That's because Florida used its sized for a 42-20 rebounding margin. If the Gators can take better care of the ball, we might get a rout here. OVER 156.5 (-110) is the lean based on Florida's recent trends. The total has gone high in 10 consecutive games for the Gators. The Over is also perfect in the postseason for the Red Raiders (5-0), although we needed overtime to get across the finish line in the Sweet 16 game against Arkansas. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
March Madness: Ole Miss vs. Michigan State odds, picks and predictions
The No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels (24-11) face the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans (29-6) in the NCAA Tournament South Region Friday for a chance at an Elite Eight berth. Tip from State Farm Arena in Atlanta is set for 7:09 p.m. ET (CBS). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Ole Miss vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions. The Rebels opened their NCAA Tournament play with a 71-64 win over the No. 11 seed North Carolina Tar Heels, closing as a 1.5-point underdog. They then took down the No. 3 seed Iowa State Cyclones 91-78 on March 23, covering as a 5-point underdog. Ole Miss has covered in 3 straight games, all as an underdog. It is 18-16-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season. The Rebels are strong on both sides of the court, sitting 23rd in offensive and 21st in Kenpom's defensive rating. The Spartans have only played double-digit seeds so far, taking down the No. 15 seed Bryant Bulldogs 87-62 on March 21 and then the No. 10 seed New Mexico Lobos 71-63 two days later, respectively covering as a 17-point and 6.5-point favorite. Michigan State has covered 10 of its last 11 games and is 24-10-1 ATS. The Spartans strength is on the defensive end of the court, ranking fourth in defensive rating. – Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+ Ole Miss vs. Michigan State odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:36 p.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Ole Miss +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Michigan State -175 (bet $175 to win $100) : Ole Miss +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Michigan State -175 (bet $175 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : Ole Miss +3.5 (-110) | Michigan State -3.5 (-110) : Ole Miss +3.5 (-110) | Michigan State -3.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 144.5 (O: -110 | U: -110) Ole Miss vs. Michigan State picks and predictions Prediction Michigan State 75, Ole Miss 68 PASS. The Spartans (-175) are just a little too expensive to consider here while the Rebels (+145) aren't worth a play either as they aren't predicted to pull off the Sweet 16 upset. BET MICHIGAN STATE -3.5 (-110). As a favorite, the Spartans have been on a roll. They have gone 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite and 19-9 ATS on the season in that position. Michigan State has a similar offense and a far better defense which should help propel it to cover as well. The Rebels are playing well too, but they lost 4 of their last 6 games to close out the regular season, including a 10-point home loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. They have gone just 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games. Ole Miss also drew an Iowa State side without its second-best scoring option, so it'll have a much more difficult challenge Friday evening. Take the red-hot Spartans and back MICHIGAN STATE -3.5 (-110). BET UNDER 144.5 (-110). The stakes are high, and the defense should be intense. The Rebels have allowed 64 or fewer points in 2 of their last 3 games, including giving up just 62 points in the SEC Tournament to the Auburn Tigers, the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed. Michigan State, which is 11-24 O/U on the season, has allowed just 64 or fewer points in 4 of its last 5 contests. It ranks 171st in adjusted tempo as well, so the Tom Izzo-led team doesn't push the pace often. Considering those trends, back UNDER 144.5 (-110). Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group: Alabama / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / College Sports Wire / High School / Recruiting
