Kansas State vs. Syracuse 2012 NCAA Tournament Picks: It will be interesting to see what adjustments Kansas State Coach Frank Martin makes in preperation for the Wildcats third-round game versus Syracuse this Saturday, 12:15 p.m. ET tip-off at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was noticiable how out of sync Jim Boeheim’s Orange were Thursday in their second round game against UNC-Asheville playing without their big inside man, Fab Melo. Without Melo, Syracuse fell behind 16-seed Asheville having to rally from a 4-point half-time deficit before winning by seven 72-65. No telling what the outcome would have been if a couple of questionable calls had not gone Syracuse’s way. Kansas State (22-10) advanced after defeating Southern Mississippi 70-64 in the second-round.
Odds makers at online sports book TopBet.com list the Orange as 4 1/2-chalk favorites with a combined score total (over/under) of 134 1/2. Wildcats’ backers are getting +180 College Basketball Odds on the off shore money line while the price of a winning SU wager on Syracuse is -220 ($220 to win $100).
Early betting trends show the public backing Kansas State to cover the chalk by 82 percent while 62 percent are risking the Wildcats on the money line. Syracuse has won 12 of its last 13 games SU but has failed to cover the point-spread in eight out of 10 games. Kansas State has won six out of its last 10 games both SU and ATS.
College Basketball Picks: I’m not sure if Syracuse can advance far without their best player, Melo. My Pick – Kansas State +4 1/2.
No more bubble talk and bracket guessing now, as the 68 schools are set to play in the 2012 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. Now that March Madness is officially here, college sports handicapper Reno Gold will be making College Basketball Odds picks and predictions for the Big Dance all the way to the championship game. The good news for college sports bettors – RENO’S PICKS ARE FREE. Check daily for Reno Gold’s opinion on all the top games each week for free. We also encourage you to sign up to get Free NCAA Basketball Picks now!
