2 min read • March 20, 2024
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Welcome to the thrilling kickoff of the NCAA 2024 Opening Round! As college basketball takes center stage, we're here to guide you with the most promising betting tips and predictions using our SIC Score algorithm. For bets throughout the tournament, sign up for SIC picks here. Our expert injury analysis aims to elevate your game-watching experience by identifying key matchups, underdog opportunities, and potential upsets. Dive in to all things injury-related as we navigate the path to March Madness glory together:
For College Basketball this week Thursday 3/21 until Sunday 3/24, WE GUARANTEE A WINNING RECORD for our Best Bets! Last week we went 13-4 (76%) on College Basketball bets using the SIC Health Score algorithm injury edge!
Choosing North Carolina State with a +5.5 spread against Texas Tech is a strategic move rooted in recent developments and performance trends. Texas Tech's lineup has been compromised by notable injuries (Guard Darrion Williams, Forwards Warren Washington and Devan Cambridge) weakening their depth and overall gameplay.
NC State's impressive run to the ACC tournament final showcased their capability to excel against high-caliber opponents. This momentum is a significant factor, as well as the team's clean bill of health going into the first round.
Taking North Carolina State +5.5 against Texas Tech is a calculated choice, bolstered by Texas Tech's injury woes. These factors present a compelling case for NC State's ability to cover the spread, if not secure an outright victory.
TCU enters the NCAA tournament in an enviable position health-wise, with no significant injuries impacting their lineup. This contrasts slightly with Utah State’s situation, where injuries could potentially hinder their performance.
Utah State has been without one of their better forwards (Max Agbonkpolo) since December, a solid blow to their depth.
The clean bill of health for TCU means they can bring their best players to the tournament. A full-strength squad allows for optimal rotations and the ability to execute their game plan without restrictions.
The combination of TCU's health and Utah State's challenges in forward depth make TCU at -4.5 a solid pick on the second day of the first round.
Taking Kenan Blackshear to score over 14.5 points against Dayton is a compelling bet for several reasons. Dayton's defense has been compromised due to an injury to guard Javon Bennet. Bennet, a crucial component of Dayton's overall scheme, has struggled to play through his injury, impacting both his scoring ability and, more importantly, his defensive effectiveness. This situation creates an opportunity for opposing players, particularly someone of Blackshear's caliber, to exploit these defensive gaps.
The prop number for Blackshear stands at a modest 14.5 points, which is lower than his season average. Blackshear has consistently demonstrated his scoring prowess throughout the season, averaging 15.1 points per game, making him the second leading scorer for Nevada going into the tournament.
Dayton's difficulty in compensating for Bennet's compromised defensive capabilities could play directly into Blackshear's hands. As a key offensive weapon for Nevada, Blackshear is likely to be heavily involved in the game plan, especially in a tournament setting where maximizing reliable scoring options becomes even more critical.
This scenario sets the stage for Blackshear to play a pivotal role in Nevada's offensive strategy and exceed his prop number of 14.5.
The most pivotal reason for targeting this prop is the injury to Hunter Dickinson's shoulder. This injury is expected to significantly hamper his performance across key facets of the game: scoring, rebounding, and defending with a slight chance he sits all together. Given Dickinson's integral role in his team's structure, his compromised capability opens up opportunities for opposing players, notably Achor Achor.
Achor stands as the primary offensive force and rebounding cornerstone for Samford. The prop number being set at 22.5 for points and rebounds seems conservative when considering Achor's season averages and recent performances. Averaging 15.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over the season, he has already demonstrated the ability to rack up significant numbers.
The significance of Achor's role becomes even more pronounced in light of Dickinson's injury. With Dickinson struggling to maintain his usual defensive prowess and rebounding efficiency, Achor is likely to find more space and opportunities on the floor to score and collect rebounds. This is particularly important considering that Achor has exceeded this prop in three of his last four games.
The impact of Hunter Dickinson's shoulder injury on Kansas's defensive and rebounding capabilities is massive and Achor's prominence in Samford's offensive scheme and rebounding efforts allow him to capitalize on the situation.
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