Prime-Time First TD Bets — Monday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
March Madness is finally upon us, taking a look at the bracket there are many potential upsets that can take place in the first round. Here's a look at five upsets that could bust your brackets in the first round.
Ohio State vs. Oral Roberts Odds
Ohio State opened up at -17 in an exciting matchup between them and the red hot Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. This matchup is one I’ve had my eyes on since the brackets released. Oral Roberts is my Cinderella team. They are a team that's going to come into this game confident and unfazed. These guys can let it fly from deep, and if shots are falling they have the ability to beat any team in the nation! The Golden Eagles are led by Sophomore point guard Max Abmas who is leading the nation in scoring averaging 24.2 points per game! Abmas is someone that can match Duane Washington Jr bucket for bucket. Two other players to look out for from this Oral Roberts team Kareem Thompson and Kevin Obanor. Obanor is shooting 50% from the field and 47% from three, while Thompson can also shoot from deep shooting over 40% from three as well. This Golden Eagles team does not have a problem with scoring. I'm taking them with the 17 points and I think they push Ohio State to the limit.
Michigan State vs. BYU Odds
Michigan State takes on UCLA in the play-in game and I have them moving on to face BYU then defeating BYU. While Michigan State had struggles early in the season they are coming into the tournament with wins over the likes of Michigan and Illinois who are both one seeds! Coach Izzo has the Spartans playing great basketball at the right time. I think the Spartans can come in, take out UCLA then take out BYU in the first round. If you look at this team defensively they have been solid all year their issues have been putting the ball in the basket, but with Aaron Henry and Joshua Langford playing great ball at the moment they can beat anyone at any time.
Georgetown vs. Colorado Odds
The Georgetown Hoyas are playing great basketball at the perfect time. They are coming off a magical run in the Big East tournament defeating Villanova, Creighton, Marquette, and Seton Hall enroute to the Big East title. Led by head coach Patrick Ewing this team is coming in with lots of momentum. They are 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 games. Led by Jahvon Blair the Hoyas have put together an incredible run of great basketball. Look for them to push Colorado to the limit.
Winthrop vs Villanova Odds
Villanova will be entering the tournament without their best player Collin Gillespie. Without Gillespie the Wildcats are very vulnerable. We saw in the Big East tournament the Wildcats fall in the first round to the eighth seeded Hoyas. They will look to lean onto Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for the scoring load but I’m afraid without Gillespie Villanova will crumble. With Villanova coming into the tournament losing three of their last four I think they will come into the madness playing flat.
Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago Odds
Georgia Tech is coming into this game as an eighth seed against Loyola Chicago, and I think they can possibly run away with a lead and win this game big. The Yellow Jackets had an incredible run in the ACC Tournament defeating Florida State in the championship game. Loyola Chicago not playing tough opponents throughout the season may come back to haunt them. Even though Loyola is coming off a dominant championship run they might come out cold given their long layoff between games. I like the Georgia Tech side here taking them on the moneyline is a great bet!
