Let's make some more picks!

Now that we have reviewed how I did last week let's move on to the fun part and make some more picks! As a reminder these picks are based off of my models, and I will finalize them on twitter to make sure you don't think I'm pulling a "Chad Ford".

---

ATS Picks

Here is what my ATS models expect compared to the Vegas spreads¹:

Let me review some matchups:

• Wichita State (-2) vs. Notre Dame - The models really like the higher seed here (Notre Dame is 3 while Wichita is a 7). Vegas is high on Wichita because they beat Kansas big while the Irish only escaped past Butler in OT. A win against Kansas is big but in March even Bucknell can beat Kansas. I have no reason to doubt the models here. This could even be a good play straight up.
• Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. North Carolina - This spread started at 5. The data favored Tar Heels then so now its an even better bet. I don't know who will win but it has got to be a closer game than this spread.
• Kentucky (-13.5) vs. West Virginia - The spread seems pretty good here. I don't care what Daxter Miles Jr. says - Kentucky rolls, it is just a matter of by how much.
• Arizona (-10.5) vs. Xaiver - My numbers say the spread is good with maybe a slight nod to Xavier. However I like Zona and they are hot so I have nothing here.
• Gonzaga (-8.5) vs. UCLA - My numbers have favored UCLA in both games up until this point. Against the Zags not so much. I'll keep playing the numbers with UCLA and go Zags covering.
• Duke (-5.5) vs. Utah - Although the models I posted above would indicate a clear Utah pick. I have some more up my sleeve which don't seem to like Utah as much here. If I had to pick I would do Utah ATS but I wouldn't put my reputation on it.
• Michigan State (-2) vs. Oklahoma - The data says Oklahoma but the data isn't factoring in "the best coach in modern NCAA tournament history" as I mentioned in my original post. Is Izzo worth up to 3.5 points which one model says they need to make up? Maybe…
• Louisville (-3) vs. North Carolina State - The models are confused here. M1 has loved Louisville in both games so far (which has been a split) and once again it likes the Cards. M2 thinks Wolfpack big. Vegas added a point in Louisville's favor since the spreads opened so this might mean heavy Cards action. I like the contrarian here (and I also know what makes up the models and in this situation I'm leaning M2).

---

O/U Picks

Here are over/under model expectations compared to Vegas¹:

Let me review some matchups:

• Wichita State vs. Notre Dame (137.5) - Under if I had to pick but I'm not confident enough to play.
• Wisconsin vs. North Carolina (145) - Under for days.
• Kentucky vs. West Virginia (136.5) - My data says Vegas has Kentucky games spot on.
• Arizona vs. Xaiver (136) - I'll take one from Corso here: Over - "more than the experts think"
• Gonzaga vs. UCLA (145.5) - This total is high but these teams can score. Can I pick after I see how these teams come out in the first half?
• Duke vs. Utah (134) - Over for no reason other than the models said so
• Michigan State vs. Oklahoma (134.5) - Looks right to me
• Louisville vs. North Carolina State (130) - This total seems low, the numbers say more high than low…over?

---

Final Picks

ATS:

• Wichita State (-2) vs. Notre Dame - Irish
• Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. North Carolina - UNC
• Gonzaga (-8.5) vs. UCLA - Zags
• Louisville (-3) vs. North Carolina State - NC State

Over/Under:

• Wisconsin vs. North Carolina (145) - Under
• Arizona vs. Xaiver (136) - Over
• Duke vs. Utah (134) - Over
• Louisville vs. North Carolina State (130) - Over

Next up: Let's recap how these picks turned out