The Madness has lived up to its name already, with three No. 12 seeds advancing (and the fourth losing in OT), along with a 13 and a 14 joining the Round of 32.
March Madness picks, Saturday betting trends and predictions
None of the No. 7 seeds will advance. Both of the No. 12 seeds will cover the spread. What else is happening in bracket odds Saturday?
On Saturday, the Odds Shark March Madness prediction computer sees the North Dakota State Bison beating the San Diego State Aztecs, along with other key betting trends that should make you reconsider betting on favorites today.
Beware the Pittsburgh Panthers as the No. 9 seed. Top seeds are 0-4 against the spread when facing 9 seeds.
Beware the Harvard Crimson and North Dakota State, as 12 seeds own a 6-1 ATS streak when facing 4 seeds. The Michigan State Spartans and San Diego State would be in spread trouble if that trend continues.
And don’t bet on No. 7s advancing, as the No. 2 seeds own a 10-0 SU streak against them dating back to 2010.
Check out the trends and computer picks on every Saturday bracket game.
South Region Trends
Pitt 9 vs Florida 1 - predicted score 72.6-70.7 Gators
- Florida has won 27 straight games as favorites
- Florida won and covered three straight Round 2 games
- No. 9 seeds covered four in a row vs No. 1 seeds
Dayton 11 vs Syracuse 3 - predicted score 70.4-67.2 Orange
- 11 seeds have won four of past six meetings vs 3 seeds
- Dayton 9-4 ATS past 13 games overall
- Dayton 7-3 ATS past 10 games as underdogs
- Syracuse played five straight OVERs
- Syracuse lost as a No. 3 seed to a No. 11 in 2011 (Marquette)
East Region trends
Harvard 12 vs Michigan State 4 - predicted score 73.6-71.7 Michigan State
- No. 12 seeds are 6-1 ATS vs No. 4 seeds since 2006
- Harvard 7-1 ATS past eight games
- UNDER is 9-2 past 11 Harvard games when underdog
- Michigan State 6-0 ATS past six games
- Michigan State 8-2 ATS past 10 games as favorites
- Michigan State 7-2 ATS in nine second-round games since 2001
UConn 7 vs Villanova 2 - predicted score 70.1-62.9 Wildcats
- No. 2 seeds have won 10 straight vs No. 7 seeds
- UNDER is 13-2 past 15 UConn games
- UConn 2-8-2 ATS past 12 games vs Villanova
- Villanova 9-3 ATS past 12 games as favorites
- UConn 6-2 ATS past eight tournament games
West Region trends
North Dakota State 12 vs San Diego State 4 - predicted score 68-63 ND State
- No. 12 seeds are 6-1 ATS vs No. 4 seeds since 2006
- San Diego State 24-2 SU past 26 games when favored
- San Diego State 1-4 ATS in tournament after ATS loss Thursday to NM St
Oregon 7 vs Wisconsin 2 - predicted score 76.9-75.4 Badgers
- No. 2 seeds have won 10 straight vs No. 7 seeds
- Oregon 9-2-1 ATS past 12 games overall
- Oregon 9-2 ATS past 11 games as underdog
- Oregon 4-0 ATS past four tournament games
- Wisconsin was upset twice against 7 seeds (UNLV in 2007, Texas in 1997)
Midwest region trends
Saint Louis 5 vs Louisville 4 - predicted score 72.8-61.6 Cardinals
- No. 4 seeds are 6-1 ATS vs No. 5 seeds since 2010
- Saint Louis 1-8-1 ATS past 10 games overall
- Louisville is 4-1 ATS when favored in second round since 1996
Texas 7 vs Michigan 2 - predicted score 74.1-69.3 Michigan Wolverines
- No. 2 seeds have won 10 straight vs No. 7 seeds
- Texas 2-6-1 ATS past nine games overall
- Michigan won eight straight games when favored
- First meeting since 1996 (UT won 80-76)
- Texas 0-3 SU, 3-0 ATS vs No. 2 seeds since 1996
