Monday was all about the Texas two-step in the NCAA Tournament, with Houston getting a Final Four spot for the first time since Phi Slama Jama in 1984 and Baylor reaching the national semis for the first time ever. Now the other two slots are gonna be filled tonight, with Gonzaga three wins from immortality and the UCLA Bruins trying to slay the Michigan Wolverines goliath and go from last four in to last four left. Will the one seeds prevail or will it be an LA night?
As always, our trusty, heroic, indispensable TomBox AI algorithm is here to give you the best picks for the quarterfinal doubleheader. We’re up so far in the tournament and we’ll keep it that way with these bets:
Best Moneyline Pick
USC Trojans @ Gonzaga Bulldogs: Gonzaga ML (-435)
It’s hard to lose games in college hoops when you shoot over 50% from the field. And the TomBox algorithm expects Gonzaga to shoot 50.4% to USC’s 43.7. We also expect the Bulldogs to win the rebounding battle 34.4 to 30.4 over the Mobleys and commit 2.7 fewer turnovers. Drew Timme’s 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds will lead the Zags to an 85.2-74.3 win and another step closer to perfection. The TomBox algorithm gives this result a 78.2% chance of going down.
Best Spread Pick
UCLA Bruins @ Michigan Wolverines: Michigan -7 (+100)
After toppling Alabama in the Sweet 16, UCLA is playing a basketball school for its place in the Final Four. But the Bruins won’t get any further with an expected 39.4% clip shooting against Michigans’ strong defense. They’re slated to win the turnover battle by a slim margin. But making 5.5 three-pointers to the Wolverines’ 8.2 just isn’t gonna cut it. The TomBox algorithm projects a 74.8-64.7 victory for Michigan, giving the spread of -7 a 58.6% chance of coming through here.
Best Over/Under Pick
USC Trojans @ Gonzaga Bulldogs: Over 153 (-109)
The Trojans are gonna live and die by the three in this one. And the TomBox algorithm thinks USC is gonna live relatively large here. With 7.8 made triples on 39.3% shooting from deep, that’s how they’ll keep this game relatively close and high-scoring. With the above scoreline going above 153, the TomBox algorithm gives the over a 58% chance of hitting in this one.
