We’re one step closer to March Madness after Selection Sunday delivered some surprises.
Of course, the NFL didn’t take the weekend off, bringing an end to the offseason’s biggest storyline.
It’s Time To Dance
What Happened: Get that bracket ready because March Madness is finally here! The 68 teams comprising the NCAA Tournament field are set. Your number-one seeds are UConn, Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina.
Why It Matters: Because there are no sweeter bragging rights than nailing the winner of this grueling tourney. But who do you throw your lot in with?
Do you stay chalk with UConn (+375), opt for a lower-seeded analytics darling such as Auburn (+1600), or take a complete dart throw like the run-and-gun Lobos of New Mexico (+10000)? The tournament provides plenty of ways to spice up an already thrilling format via some fun wagers, if you know where to look.
How We’re Feeling Today
Perplexed by the whole Justin Fields saga. Over the weekend, Fields was dealt to Pittsburgh for a mere sixth-round choice in next year’s draft. The fact that Fields was traded came as no surprise, but the low return certainly was.
It’s obvious now that Bears GM Ryan Poles badly misread the QB market and sold extremely low on a once-prized prospect. If Caleb Williams becomes a star in the NFL, no one will care about the return for Fields. But it was jarring to see the low price the Steelers paid for a potential starting passer. Poles better hope he is better as evaluating draft prospects than he is the trade market.
The Look Ahead
Harrison Barnes – With a 14.4 P+A line tonight, Barnes’ season averages don’t point to a sure thing here. But the skilled forward has scored 16+ points in three straight games, with at least two assists in each. This is still plus-money at DraftKings, so ride the hot hand while you can.
Clint Capela POINTS + REBOUNDS – The Hawks big man enters tonight on a five-game double-double streak, including three games of 15+ points. Capela is averaging 13.4 boards during that stretch too. With Anthony Davis questionable to play, it could be a big Monday night for Capela. We wouldn’t even hate a P+R+A bet in this case.
Jonathan Kuminga – The Warriors continue to scrape and claw for positioning in the tight Western Conference playoff picture, and Kuminga has answered the call. Golden State’s power forward is averaging 23.4 points in his last five games, with decent rebound numbers. Facing a banged-up Knicks team at home should mean the good times roll for Kuminga.
