Championship Saturday may be dominated by college football, but in the Northeast, there are some mid-major basketball matchups that could introduce potential Cinderellas for March Madness.
Saint Joseph’s vs. Temple, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
The historic Big Five rivalry between Saint Joseph’s and Temple has recently been in Temple’s favor, with the Owls winning five of the last six meetings. However, the Hawks have recently shown promising performances, taking Kentucky to overtime and beating Villanova on the road.
St. Joe’s backcourt has been the key to their success this season, with Erik Reynolds II and Lynn Greer III leading the charge. Head coach Billy Lange has also turned the team around, and they are now considered a strong NCAA Tournament contender.
Temple’s shooting struggles make them the underdog in this matchup, and Saint Joseph’s is positioned as the favorite. This presents a betting opportunity on the Hawks.
Recommendation: Saint Joseph’s -6.5
Yale vs. Vermont, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
This matchup between Yale and Vermont may seem ordinary at first, but both teams are likely to compete for their respective conference’s automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Yale is the top-rated team in the Ivy League, while Vermont is a strong contender in the America East. Recent losses have affected Vermont’s overall perception, making them potentially undervalued in this matchup.
Vermont’s home-court advantage makes them a favorable bet as they have historically performed well as a home favorite. This presents a good betting opportunity, especially if the line moves closer to a pick ’em by game time.
Betting on College Basketball?
Yale has a significant advantage on the glass when at full strength, but Vermont’s ball-screen-centric offense could secure the win if Yale’s rebounding advantage is neutralized. This makes a bet on Vermont a potentially profitable choice.
Recommendation: Vermont -1 (play to -4)
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.