We’re just one day away from the Round of 64, but don’t let that distract you from the two remaining First Four matchups. One of them includes the 16-seed play-in game with Wright State taking on Bryant. Let’s break down my March Madness bets for this one.
Click on the odds below to place a bet, and continue the discussion in our Discord betting chat, as we dive into all of the games in the big dance. Stay up-to-date on the top-68 programs with my college basketball power rankings.
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March Madness Bets: Wright State Raiders vs. Bryant Bulldogs
Bryant wing Peter Kiss is the leading scorer in the country (25.1 ppg), yet the Bulldogs deserve their fair share of praise at the other end.
Even though Wright State prefers to run its action through the 6-foot-9 Grant Brasile, Jared Grasso’s marchup zone owns an effective post-up defense that limits paint touches to begin with. It’s led by Hall Elisias, who’s producing the 16th-highest block rate across Division I.
Not only will Elisias stymie the Raiders’ interior attack, but he and his teammates also boast the 23rd-most efficient transition defense in the country (via ShotQuality). While both teams push the pace often, the Bulldogs’ ability to limit their opponent’s dribble penetration will be critical.
Moreover, Wright State doesn’t handle opponents’ fast-break opportunities nearly as well. It’s particularly poor at defending catch-and-shoot perimeter looks, which Bryant utilizes with Kiss & Co. Even though the Bulldogs are shooting just 30.7% on 3s, expect some positive variance if they’re controlling the tempo.
They’re adept at attacking the rim too, and the Raiders are susceptible in that regard when its defense isn’t set.
I grabbed a piece of Bryant +3, yet I’d still bet it down to +2.5. Look for the Bulldogs to at least stay within a possession.
Best Available Line: Bryant
Eli’s March Madness Bets:
