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NCAA March Madness Betting Picks - Sunday March 20, 2022
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dimers Staff
A weekend to remember comes to a close today with the final games of the second round. Let's see the best bets out there according to our contributors.
It's Sunday March 20, 2022, and, as always, we've simulated all of the day's CBB games 10,000 times each to determine where the value lies for basketball bettors across the United States as we prepare to crown a new College Basketball Champion on April 4.
With March Madness betting picks, probabilities, odds and predicted scores featured each and every day, check out our top plays for Sunday's NCAAM games.
Given it's March, there's no doubt you're looking to bet on some College Hoops over the coming weeks? Well, our new Dimers Pro service is here to help!
Tap below to read all about it.
March Madness Picks Sunday March 20, 2022
Houston vs. Illinois, 12:10PM ET
Pick by Prospector Sam
One crucial factor to keep in mind when you gamble is recency bias. You never want to let the information you've just seen disproportionately affect your decisions, and there's a real risk of falling back on how these two teams played in Round 1 to decide that Illinois doesn't have a prayer. And sure, if Houston plays as well as they did against UAB and Illinois shoots as terribly as they did against Chattanooga then the Illini might lose by 30, but I wouldn't expect that. That said (and this may sound silly and counterintuitive based on what I just wrote), but I like Houston to cover here. Sorry for the bait and switch, but part of getting people to trust you and your expertise is showing you've thought about picks thoroughly.
Houston is, quite simply, one of the best teams in the country. Their 5 seed was preposterous, especially considering that their only out of conference losses were by 2 to Wisconsin and by 1 at Alabama, and I think they have a very real shot at the Final Four. This team is scary to deal with for a number of reasons, but the crucial factors for us in this matchup are their incredible defense and Jamal Shead. Illinois isn't shooting the ball well right now, and a date with a Top 10 defensive efficiency opponent is not good news for them to say the least. On the other side of the floor, Illinois has a bit more athleticism and a matchup nightmare for most teams in Kofi Cockburn, but the Cougars find points from all over the court, largely because Jamal Shead entered the tournament at third in the country in assists per game, and they'll find ways to score regardless.
If Illinois can get back to an effective inside out game on offense and hit some threes then they could cause problems, but Houston's perimeter defending is tight and I just don't see it turning around based on this matchup. Oh, and Illinois' free throw shooting, at 219th in the country, is a huge problem that almost killed them last time out. Houston wins this game comfortably and puts an end to Illinois' rollercoaster year.
DimersBOT probability: 39%
🏀 Houston vs. Illinois Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: Houston vs. Illinois
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Ohio State vs. Villanova, 2:40PM ET
Pick by The Degenerates
Since 2001, No. 2 seeds are 29-17 against No. 7 seeds and Sunday afternoon we will be riding with the Villanova Wildcats -5. Villanova has been playing excellent basketball and are 9-1 over their last 10 and 20-3 over their last 23 games. It’s been quite the opposite for OSU as they’ve lost 4 of their last six games and we expect a similar trend Sunday.
Villanova is one of the only teams in the country that ranks in the top 30 of KenPom rankings in both offensive and defensive efficiency, coming in at 9th and 29th in the respective categories.
On top of this, the Wildcats are the better free-throw shooting team (shoot it at 82%!) and they turn the ball over at a much lower rate than the Buckeyes.
Collin Gillespie is the heart and soul of this Villanova team, and he will make sure to control the game and put Villanova in great spots to capitalize. Expect Gillespie to regularly find open shooters as Ohio State is 216th in the country in defending the three. The key in this game will be Nova’s experience and ability to score points.
Ohio State is an abysmal 2-10 ATS in their last 12 NCAA tournament games and that will continue today in route to an easy Villanova win and cover.
DimersBOT probability: 47%
🏀 Ohio State vs. Villanova Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: Ohio State vs. Villanova
Texas vs. Purdue, 8:40PM ET
Pick by Greg Waddell (Sleepers)
If you haven’t noticed, Purdue’s region has opened up NICELY in a way that even Boilermaker fans couldn’t dream of before the season started. Goodbye Kentucky, goodbye Baylor goodbye Murray State. The teams standing between them and Matt Painter’s first Final Four are now officially Texas, Saint Peter’s, and…North Carolina or UCLA?
I’m banking on this realization leading to an extra-energized version of Purdue, who is much more talented in all areas than Chris Beard’s Texas squad. The biggest mismatch will be inside, where I expect Zach Edey and Trevion Williams to absolutely feast.
DimersBOT probability: 42%
🏀 Texas vs. Purdue Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: Texas vs. Purdue
Want to take Dimers Pro for a test drive? Well, new customers can open an account with BetMGM, deposit $10 and place a bet, and then get FREE access to Dimers Pro during the CBB Tournament.
Your game not here? Find out who we're betting on for every college basketball game on Sunday via our CBB Bet Hub, where we deliver you CBB predictions and suggested bets, or check out the CBB Betting News section.
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