7* St. Mary’s/BYU WCC *BAILOUT* on OVER 145.5 

The Key: Books have made a big mistake and set this total lower than it should be tonight. The first 2 matchups between BYU and St. Mary’s were shootouts this season, and this one should fall in line as well.  They combined for 154 points at the end of regulation in their first matchup on January 9th and followed it up with a 160-point outburst in their rematch on January 1st.  BYU is averaging 83.1 PPG in conference play this year and has topped 80 points in 8 of its last 10 games overall.  St. Mary’s is scoring 77.4 PPG on the road this year and 83.4 PPG in their last 4 games overall.  The OVER is 20-7 in Gaels’ last 27 games overall.  The OVER is 5-0 in Gaels’ last 5 against teams that win more than 60% of their games.  The OVER is 5-0 in Cougars last 5 against teams that win more than 60% of their games.  Take the OVER.    

6* Wisconsin/Michigan State Big Ten *CA$H COW* on UNDER 131.5 

The Key: Defensive battles have been the norm when Michigan State and Wisconsin get together.  The UNDER is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings with the Spartans and Badgers not once combining for more than 131 points.  The Badgers are 38-13 UNDER int heir last 51 games as road underdogs.  Take the UNDER. 

6* Wednesday NCAAB *Total* Annihilator on Indiana/Rutgers UNDER 130 

The Key: The UNDER Is 5-0 in Indiana’s last 5 games and the UNDER is 5-0 in Rutgers’ last 5 games.  Rutgers has gone UNDER in its last 5 games by a total of 98.5 points.  Indiana has gone UNDER in its last 5 games by a total of 51.5 points.  The UNDER is 2-0 in the last 2 meetings at Rutgers.  Rutgers is 9-1 UNDER in Wednesday games over the last 2 years.  Rutgers is 7-0 UNDER in home games off 2 straight covers over the last 2 years.  Take the UNDER. 

7* Loyola/Michigan Final Four *Total* Annihilator on UNDER 130 

The Key: Loyola and Michigan are two of the best defensive teams in the entire country.  It’s how they got this far, and it’s the reason I like the UNDER 130 points in their Final Four matchup.  Loyola allows just 62.4 PPG and 41.4% shooting.  Michigan allows just 63.1 PPG and 42.4% shooting.  Points will be hard to come by in this matchup, especially with how well both teams defend the 3-pointer.  Loyola is 8-1 UNDER when playing just its 2nd game in 8 days this season.  Loyola is 10-1 UNDER vs. teams who attempt 21 or more 3-point shots per game after 15+ games this season.  Take the UNDER.

7* UNC/Gonzaga *Total* Annihilator on UNDER 155

The Key: While most believe that guard play is the key to making a run in the NCAA Tournament, both UNC and Gonzaga have shown that good old-fashioned big men can get the job done, too.  And these two teams have tremendous big men who have dominated on the boards to help their teams reach this level.  I think there will be fewer second-chance opportunities than normal for both of these teams, and thus scoring will be very hard to come by.  Gonzaga ranks 1st in the country in defensive efficiency.  UNC hasn't been the same offensively since PG Joel Berry suffered an ankle injury, and he struggled in the Final Four.  UNC is 6-0 UNDER vs. teams who allow 64 or fewer points per game this season.  Gonzaga is 10-1 UNDER vs. dominant rebounding teams who outrebound opponents by 7 or more boards per game over the last 2 seasons.  Take the UNDER.