As we await the official 2017 NCAA Final Tournament tip-off, the excitement for the March Madness drama arises and we cannot wait to see who will continue their great form and which teams will pull some upsets and shock us all. Therefore, in our following posts, we will break down all four regions of the bracket and give you the lines and totals for all 32 scheduled games.
Starting off with the Region West, take a look at the bracket side and the scheduled games, lines and totals, while also making sure to read our Quick Matchup Previews.
# 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. # 16 South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Line: Gonzaga Bulldogs -21.5 (-118)
Total: 153 points (-106 Over/Under )
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (32-1) suffered a 71-79 loss to the BYU in the final game of the conference play, but went to connect the next three conference tournament games, claiming the WCC Championship title with a 74-56 win against the St. Mary’s in the final game. Although it might seem impossible looking at the schools record, but in fact the Zags have a negative record against the Jackrabbits. In their lone meeting ever dating back to 1956, the Jackrabbits emerged victorious with a 88-78 win over the Zags. The current form indicates that the final score will surely be different this time they meet. This will be the Zags 20th all-time NCAA tournament appearance. Last season the Zags made it to the Sweet 16.
The #16 South Dakota State Jackrabbits (18-16) have clinched the Summit League title and a spot at the Final tournament, defeating Omaha with 79-77 in the final game. Their trip to the Big Dance will mark their 4th appearance at the Final tournament over the last six seasons. During their previous three trips to the tournament, the Jacks have made it through the 2nd round but never managed to go deeper. This time, we doubt that they will make it to the second round at all.
# 8 Northwestern Wildcats vs. # 9 Vanderbilt Commodores
Line: Vanderbilt Commodores -1 (-122)
Total: 130 points (-108 Over/Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #8 Northwestern Wildcats (23-11) were stopped in the Big Ten Conference tournament with a thrashing 48-76 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers. Despite the loss, the Wildcats earned their first ever ticket to the NCAA tournament where they have been seeded as the #8 in the West regional side of the bracket. They will try to extend their magical journey with a win against their first opponent, the Vanderbilt Commodores who come into the game with a shady overall record.
The #9 Vanderbilt Commodores (19-15) first year coach Bryce Drew has managed to pull out the best from his team during the most important stretch of the season and when it mattered. The Commodores have won 7 of their last 6 overall games (including w straight SEC wins) prior to suffering a 62-76 loss to Arkansas in the final game of the Conference tournament. Despite the loss, the Commodores received an at large bid sending them to the Big Dance for the 15th time in programs history. It will be interesting to see if their good form can carry on in the first round on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
# 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. # 12 Princeton Tigers
Line: Notre Dame Fighting Irish -6.5 (-108)
Total: 134 points (-108 0ver/Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (25-9) have made it all the way to the ACC Conference tournament title game, with high hopes after defeating Virginia and Florida State, but came short of pulling an upset against the Duke Blue Devils who went on to claim the title with a 75-69 win over the Irish. Their first round matchup with the Tigers will mark the 36th first round NCAA final tournament appearance for the Irish. Over their past two season, the Irish have made it to the Elite Eight at the NCAA tournament, recording 6 wins during the period.
The #12 Princeton Tigers (23-6) have extended their winning streak to 19 straight with a superb performance in the Ivy League Championship title game, defeating Yale with a 71-59 score. They will try to endure the magical streak on Thursday when they face the Notre Dame Irish at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. It has been a while since the Tigers have made it to the Big Dance, dating back to 2011. Their 2017 trip to the final tournament will be their 25th all-time.
# 4 West Virginia Mountaineers vs. # 13 Bucknell Bison
Line: West Virginia -14 (-105)
Total: 148 points (-105 Over; -106 Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #4 West Virginia Mountaineers (26-8) have not managed to claim the Big 12 conference title for the second straight year, after losing to the Iowa State Cyclones with 74-80 in the title game. Their first opponent in the NCAA final tournament will be the Bucknell Bison, who the Mountaineers have meet 8 times in the program history, with the last meeting dating back to 1977. The Mountaineers have won all eight meetings with the Bison. This will be the Mountaineers 28th overall NCAA tournament appearance.
The #13 Bucknell Bison (26-8) topped Lehigh in the Patriot League final game, earning their 7th trip to the NCAA final tournament. The Bison will certainly not be an easy task for the Mountaineers, considering their shooting abilities, especially from the perimeter. The Bison have also defeated some quality teams this season (read Vanderbilt and Richmond) and could give a real headache to the Mountaineers, making this matchup one to watch!!!
# 6 Maryland Terrapins vs. # 11 Xavier Musketeers
Line: Maryland Terrapins -2 (-101)
Total: 142.5 points (-105 Over; -108 Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #6 Maryland Terrapins (24-8) went on to split their last 12 games of the season, including the 64-72 loss in the game of the Big Ten tournament to Northwestern. The Terps will have a great chance to wash all their troubles away and start off the NCAA final tournament with a fresh mindset and live to its full potential. The Terps can definitely hit some big shots from the perimeter and if they do get off early, then the next round is guaranteed.
The #11 Xavier Musketeers (21-13) simply can’t recover from the Edmond Sumner injury that caused them to go 0-6 since his injury prior to wrapping up the conference play with a win against DePaul. Their up play continued in the Big East Tournament where the Musketeers connected two straight wins but came up short in the title game, suffering a 72-75 loss to Creighton. We will see if they can continue their improved play and stop the Terps sharp outside shooting.
# 3 Florida State Seminoles vs. # 14 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Line: Florida State -10.5 (-101)
Total: 145.5 points (-105 Over; -108 Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #3 Florida State Seminoles (25-8) have defeated some tough competition this season with couple of ACC ranked foes, but also have suffered several upsets to teams not matching their qualities. The Seminoles came close of advancing into the ACC Conference title game but came up short with a 73-77 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Seminoles trip to the Big Dance will be their first in the last five years.
The #14 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (26-7) have dominated the Atlantic Sun conference throughout the season. The Eagles stormed the conference play with 4 straight wins prior to the conference tournament, where they were unmatched winning the title game with 77-61 final score over North Florida. Although their chances are slim facing the Seminoles, I would still expect the Eagles to put a hard battle and make it an interesting and fun match to watch.
# 7 St. Mary’s College California Gaels vs. # 10 Virginia Commonwealth Rams
Line: St. Mary’s -4 (-106)
Total: 126.5 points (-108 Over; -105 Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #7 St. Mary’s College Gaels (28-4) will return to the Big Dance for the first time over the last 5 years. The Gaels finished of the conference play with 4 wins and continue their positive form in the conference tournament defeating BYU and Pepperdine. However, Gonzaga was simply too strong in the WCC conference tournament Championship game thrashing the Gaels with 56-74. Despite the great season record, the Gaels lack of experience come March Madness, which is why this game could be an upset.
The #10 Virginia Commonwealth Rams (26-8) went through their season defeating some respectable teams and entered the A-10 conference tournament defeating George Mason and Richmond but failed to upset Rhode Island suffering a 63-70 loss in the title game. The Rams will appear at the Big Dance for the 16th time in the program history and with making their presence at the tournament in the last 7 straight seasons.
# 2 Arizona Wildcats vs. # 15 North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Line: Arizona Wildcats -16.5 (-106)
Total: 147.5 points (-105 Over; +100 Under)
Quick Matchup Preview:
The #2 Arizona Wildcats (30-4) claimed the Pac-12 conference title defeating the Oregon Ducks with 83-80 in the Championship game. Prior to the win, the Wildcats defeated Colorado and UCLA. The Wildcats are the clear favorite in this game and it would be a true wonder if the Hawks can cover the points.
The #15 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (22-9) have fought a tough battle throughout the season, eventually to return home as the Big Sky Champions. During the conference tournament, the Hawks defeated Portland State and Idaho, prior to taking down the #3 seed Weber State in the title game with 93-89 overtime win. The tough journey have been worth it as the Hawks get ready to tip-off the NCAA final tournament for the first time in the program history. This by itself is a goal accomplished and anything that comes from it would be considered as a bonus.
