No. 3 Iowa State showed that the fallen Georges Niang didn’t take the team’s Final Four hopes down with him. Their stud seniors made sure of that. The Cyclones must now contend with No. 7 Connecticut, who are reliving their own history of being pulled to the Sweet 16 by an all-world guard.
Which of these two powerhouses will stamp their ticket to the Elite 8? Read on for everything you need to know to bet this major March Madness tilt.
[sc:MarchMadness ]No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones vs. No. 7 Connecticut Huskies Betting Preview
Where: Madison Square Garden, NY
When: Friday, March 28, 7:27PM EST
Line: No. 7 Connecticut Huskies (+1.5) at No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones (-1.5); total 146.5
Betting on the Iowa State Cyclones
[sc:finalfour240 ]Even without third-leading scorer Georges Niang, Iowa State found enough offense to edge North Carolina, 85-83. Senior duo DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim picked up the slack for the Cyclones as they scored 43 of the team’s 85 points and shot 50% from the field.
Kane was playing especially inspired ball, with 10 rebounds and seven assists to go with his 24 points, including the game-winning layup. At 6-4 200 lbs, Kane should have a decided physical advantage over UConn’s slight starting guards, Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright, and could bully his way to another big night.
UConn is one of the best in the nation at defending two-point shots, which means that Cyclone guards Monte Morris and Naz Long, who went a combined 7-12 from beyond the arc against UNC, must be ready to make those shots again against the Huskies.
Betting on the Connecticut Huskies
UConn won the national championship in 2011 by riding their excellent point guard all the way, and the plan seems to be working again this year. Shabazz Napier has channeled his inner Kemba Walker in the tournament in averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to lead the Huskies in their two wins.
Napier was especially efficient in taking down No. 2 Villanova. He scored 25 points on 9-13 shooting in just 25 minutes of play. He suffered a shin injury late in the second half, but was not sufficiently hampered by the end of the game.
The Huskies have knocked down 20 threes at a 45% clip in the tournament, and they’ll get their fair share of looks against the Cyclones’ anemic defense.
Prediction
The total has gone over in both games for both teams so far in the tournament, and expect it to go over once again in what could be another tight contest between the two very capable offensive teams. Iowa State has proven that it can still score in bunches without Niang, but it will also give up points on the other end, especially from beyond the arc.
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