NCAA Basketball 10 Best Bets for 2022 NCAA Tournament First Round
By Greg Waddell
Providence -2 vs. South Dakota State
To beat Providence, you need more than a great offense. And sadly, that’s all I think South Dakota St. has to offer. The Jackrabbits played only two top 75 teams on KenPom the entire season and lost both big (by 16 to Alabama and by 12 to Missouri State). Their best win this season is a win at home against Bradley – and no disrespect to Bradley but in the words of Shania Twain, that don’t impress me much.
The Friars are 17-0 this season against teams outside the Top 50 in defensive efficiency. South Dakota State’s defense ranks 220th (KP). I don’t expect the Jackrabbits to put up any resistance to Nate Watson, Jared Bynum, and Al Durham. Ed Cooley’s team is too tough and too talented to go out in Round 1 to a one-trick pony.
Davidson +1 vs. Michigan State
The committee gave us the FOSTER LOYER revenge game everyone wanted, but the Spartans shouldn’t just be concerned with stopping their former point guard, they have their hands full with the entire Wildcats team.
It’s not Foster Loyer that should scare MSU fans.
— Greg Waddell (@gwizzy12) March 14, 2022
It’s that Davidson’s top 6 guys all shoot 38% from three (4 of them over 40% on lots of attempts) and they don’t turn the ball over. If they’re hot, it’s a nightmare matchup for lots of teams, Vegas line reflects that. https://t.co/7sUkFMIQTt
Davidson rarely turns the ball over (15th in the country in turnover rate), and Michigan St. has struggled with turnovers all year (329th). There are rumors Tyson Walker, who injured his ankle in their last game, could be limited for a Michigan St. team that is just 3-7 against top 75 opponents since Feb. 1.
dark. Next. Top 10 Round of 64 upsets to pick
I expect Davidson to win the turnover battle, limit offense rebounds, and hit 10+ threes en route to a cover.