6:30 p.m. ET: Providence Friars (24-3) at Villanova Wildcats (21-7)
Spread: Villanova -9
Total: 134.5
The #11 Providence Friars take on the #8 Villanova Wildcats after A.J. Reeves scored 23 points in Providence’s 72-51 win over the Creighton Bluejays. The Wildcats have gone 11-1 in home games and the Friars are 14-2 in Big East play. These teams square off for the 2nd time in conference play this season after the Wildcats won the first meeting 89-84 on Feb. 16. Collin Gillespie scored 33 points to help lead the Wildcats to the victory. Gillespie is averaging 16.6 points for the Wildcats and Nate Watson is averaging 14 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Friars. The public thinks this line is too high and they’re jumping on Providence. Despite this lopsided betting action, the line has moved further toward Villanova from -9 to -10 at some books, signaling sharp money laying the chalk. In ranked matchups, the favorite is 59% ATS this season. The Favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings. This game means more for Villanova than it does for Providence since the Friars have their regular-season title locked up. Providence has been able to pull off late and overtime wins in recent games but will have a tough challenge to stay in the game against this hungry Villanova squad.
8:00 p.m. ET: Kansas Jayhawks (23-5) at TCU Horned Frogs (18-9)
Spread: Kansas -5.5
Total: 143.5
The #5 Kansas Jayhawks face the TCU Horned Frogs after Ochai Agbaji scored 27 points in Kansas’ 80-70 loss to the Baylor Bears. The Horned Frogs are 11-4 on their home court. TCU is the Big 12 leader with 11.6 offensive rebounds per game. The Jayhawks are 12-3 in Big 12 play. Damion Baugh is averaging 10.4 points and 4.1 assists for the Horned Frogs. Agbaji is shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc with 3.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Jayhawks, while averaging 20.4 points and 5.2 rebounds. TCU has been playing well in recent games with a big win over Texas Tech. Kansas is coming off a tough road loss against Baylor and will be hungry for a win. Kansas is at the top of the Big 12 standings and is looking to seal the Big 12 conference title. Kansas also is still trying to get into a 1 seed for the big dance. TCU may be playing well right now but if this game comes down to free throws the Horned Frogs will be in trouble with their 66% team free-throw shooting. The road team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
8:30 p.m. ET: Michigan St. Spartans (19-9) at Michigan Wolverines(15-12)
Spread: Michigan -4.5
Total: 142.5
The Michigan Wolverines face the Michigan State Spartans after DeVante Jones scored 25 points in Michigan’s 93-85 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Wolverines are 9-4 on their home court and the Spartans are 10-7 against Big Ten opponents. Michigan averages 11.3 turnovers per game. These teams square off for the 2nd time this season in Big Ten play after the Spartans won the first meeting 83-67 on Jan. 29. Max Christie scored 16 points to help lead the Spartans to the win. Michigan State has the rebounding, 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting, and defensive advantages in the matchup. Michigan is seeking revenge and is at home playing for its NCAA Tournament life but Michigan State is in a similar situation and you have to keep in mind that Tom Izzo has a history of taking mediocre teams deep into March. The Wolverines won’t be making the big dance this season but we will see the Spartans. This line is a bit fishy but we’ll take the bait on the better team.
9:00 p.m. ET: Purdue Boilermakers (24-5) at Wisconsin Badgers (23-5)
Spread: Purdue -2.5
Total: 144
The #4 Purdue Boilermakers will play the #13 Wisconsin Badgers after Zach Edey scored 25 points in Purdue’s 68-65 loss to the Michigan State Spartans. The Badgers are 11-3 in home games and the Boilermakers have gone 13-5 against Big Ten opponents. Wisconsin is 5-0 in games decided by less than 4 points. Purdue is second in the Big Ten scoring 81.6 points per game and is shooting 50.3%. These teams play for the 2nd time this season in Big Ten play after the Badgers won the first matchup 74-69 on Jan. 4. Jonathan Davis scored 37 points to help lead the Badgers to the victory. With Purdue coming off the bad performance and tough loss at Michigan State over the weekend, they will be more than ready to get back out on the court, especially against the only team that beat them this season on their home court. Wisconsin played their best game of the season with Davis going for 37 points in that game and will have a hard time repeating that performance, even on their home court. Purdue also needs this win to get back to the top spot of the Big Ten to have a chance at the regular-season title. The favorite is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
11:00 p.m. ET: Arizona Wildcats (25-3) at USC Trojans (25-4)
Spread: Arizona -4.5
Total: 150.5
The #16 USC Trojans host the #2 Arizona Wildcats after Drew Peterson scored 20 points in USC’s 70-69 victory over the Oregon Ducks. The Trojans have gone 13-2 at home and the Wildcats are 15-2 against Pac-12 opponents. USC ranks second in the Pac-12 with 14.6 assists per game and Arizona leads the Pac-12 with 20.2 assists. These teams square off for the 2nd time this season in Pac-12 play after the Wildcats won the first meeting 72-63 on Feb. 5. Azuolas Tubelis scored 18 points to help lead the Wildcats to the victory. Arizona will try to clinch the Pac-12 regular-season title in this game facing the #2 team. The Wildcats are coming off Saturday’s 79-63 loss at Colorado in which they were uncharacteristically out-performed in the paint. Arizona had the advantage down low in the first meeting against USC, with a +5 rebounding edge and 14 more points in the paint. Arizona leads USC in almost every statistical category and is the much better team. USC has a home-court advantage on their side but with Arizona coming off the terrible road loss performance against the Buffs, you can expect this team to show up. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.