Posted at 10:00 AM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle +6 -106 BET365 +6 -110 Sportsinteraction +6 -110   888Sport +6 -110 

Oakland +6 -106 over N.C. State

PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second Round

Streaming: TBS/truTV

7:10 PM EST. Usually we would expect the #14 seed Oakland to be the center of attention here, as they pulled off a stunning 80-76 upset of college basketball royalty when they upended #3 seed Kentucky in the first round. However, that result has been chalked up to Kentucky being a shell of its former self and being a collection of talent that cannot translate to results in the big dance. The Oakland upset of Kentucky was not heralded for the stellar long-range shooting from the Golden Grizzlies combined with a defensive showing that prompted Kentucky to commit many costly turnovers; instead it was an indictment on Coach Cal and the state of Big Blue basketball.

The market is overlooking Oakland’s upset bid and even went as far as to put it on the shoulders of a magnificent spectacle of sharpshooting by Jack Gohlke, which came at the right place at the right time. Perhaps if Kentucky and Oakland played each other on 100 occasions, the Wildcats may very well win 95 times out of 100. The ‘Cats nearly survived the upset bid despite an underwhelming showing but we still have to question if Oakland is being overlooked. When we consider who the Golden Grizzlies are facing in the second round, we are presented with an opportunity to move in on a dangerous underdog who may still remain undervalued.

N.C. State is one of the most hyped programs in March Madness because of the storied run they have embarked upon to this point. We are referring to the six-game winning streak that the Wolfpack are now riding, starting with their dismantling of the ACC Mount Rushmore in route to an incredulous ACC Championship and tournament appearance. Couple that with a thumping of #6 seed Texas Tech in the first round of action and here we are. As a five-point underdog, State crushed the number in an 80-67 victory over the Red Raiders. If N.C State’s market credibility was through the ceiling before this contest, it is now somewhere in orbit after it. 

N.C. State now switches from a bunch of games as a pooch into the role of the favorite, something they haven’t done since March 12th when they were a 9½-point choice against Louisville in the first round of the ACC Tournament. With that comes the weight of expectations against an Oakland team that won 25 games this year and played the 12th (!) ranked non-conference Strength of Schedule in America out of 362 teams. The Grizzlies are tough and tested. They play an interesting matchup zone defense and they will not be overwhelmed by the situation or opponent. Greg Kampe is one of the best coaches you have never heard of and has been at the helm at Oakland for more than 40 years. We’re calling the upset here. 

Sherwood

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