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NCAA March Madness Betting Picks - Thursday March 17, 2022
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dimers Staff
We've brought together some of the sharpest mind in College Basketball to bring you daily picks throughout March Madness, starting with First Round action.
It's Thursday March 17, 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 Thursday'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 Thursday March 17, 2022
Michigan vs. Colorado State, 3:15PM ET
Pick by The Degenerates
Michigan and Colorado State travel to Indianapolis in a highly anticipated first-round matchup that features the six seed Rams and eleven seed Wolverines. Colorado State carries an overall record of 25-5 while Michigan comes into the matchup sitting at 17-14 with some impressive wins on their resume. This is the same, talented Michigan team that was ranked 4th in the preseason polls but was never able to get going this year due to having one of the harder strength of schedules in the country.
The Mountain West has been historically a weaker conference in the tournament and we already saw some of that in the matchup between Indiana and Wyoming. CSU is the higher seed but are underdogs from a gambling perspective which indicates there’s sharp money on Michigan. The Wolverines will come into this game rejuvenated with Juwan Howard back behind the bench, not to mention the home-court advantage they will have with the game being played in the Midwest. According to Kenpom, Michigan has the 19th rated offensive efficiency, and CSU’s offense doesn’t play at a pace that is convenient for comebacks.
It’s also important to look at the matchup between Hunter Dickinson and David Roddy, which might be one of the best individual matchups on Thursday. Roddy is much smaller than Dickinson sitting at only 6’6, whereas the Michigan big man measures 7’1. Even with this size difference, the two will be matched up on each other throughout the game as Colorado State traditionally plays a smaller lineup. Dickinson will have his toughest matchup of the season with Roddy and the different looks CSU will throw at him, but he will be able to manage Roddy’s efficiency and put up big numbers. Hunter Dickinson’s success will ultimately lead the Wolverines and the Degenerates to victory today.
BET: Michigan moneyline (-120)
DimersBOT probability: 52% of winning
🏀 Michigan vs. Colorado State Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: Bryant vs. Wright State
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South Dakota State vs. Providence, 12:40PM ET
Pick by Greg Waddell (Sleepers)
The trendiest upset pick of Round 1 seems to be South Dakota State knocking off Providence, and look, I get it. The metrics don't love the Friars. "Lucky" has been a term thrown around, and SDST ran through the Summit League, has won 21 straight games and has the 12th best offense in the country.
But to beat Providence, it takes more than a great offense. It takes a mix of toughness, balance and defense that I don't believe the Jackrabbits have. South Dakota State played only two top 75 teams on Kenpom all season long, and lost both comfortably (by 16 to Alabama and by 12 to Missouri State). Their best win this season is a win at home against Bradley. It's fine to be confident in the IDEA of South Dakota State, but their results don't back up that they are ready to hang with a team as gritty as Providence.
The Friars have the 31st best offense in the country, and are 17-0 this season against teams outside the Top 50 in defensive efficiency. Where does South Dakota State's defense rank? 220th. Nate Watson, Jared Bynum and Al Durham should get whatever they want in this game, and the team that has found a way all season long will find a way once again in the first round.
BET: Providence -2 (-110)
DimersBOT probability: 50% Likelihood of covering -2
🏀 South Dakota State vs. Providence Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: South Dakota State vs. Providence
St. Peters vs. Kentucky, 7:10PM ET
Pick by Jason Bevilacqua
It might be a little sacrilegious to use this phrase when talking about a game involving a Catholic school, but with a spread at 17.5-points, the only chance in hell St. Peters has of keeping this game against Kentucky respectable is to hope that their defense holds.
While the eye test would show that the Peacocks are a more than respectable team on the defensive end of the floor, ranking 24th in the country for opponent points scored per game at 62.4, they've only played one ranked team this season when they gave up 85 points to Providence back in December. That doesn't bode well against one of the teams who are expected to still be in the tournament once the calendar flicks over to April. Kentucky are powerful and efficient, scoring at more than 80 points per game this season. If they can match that figure again tonight - something that doesn't seem all that fanciful, only a limited amount of offensive production will be required from St. Peters to cash this over.
BET: Total points OVER 131.5 (-110)
DimersBOT probability: 50% of hitting the over.
🏀 St. Peters vs. Kentucky Simulator
🔥 Betting Preview: St. Peters vs. Kentucky
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 Thursday 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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