NCAAB · 2 years ago

NCAA March Madness Picks for Sunday’s Second-Round Early Games

David Connelly

Host · Writer

#6 Clemson vs. #3 Baylor - West Region | Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET | TNT
Baylor's offense was a fireball against Colgate in the first round, averaging 1.44 points per possession on 16-for-30 from beyond the arc. Colgate still had some flashes on the offensive end, which is slightly concerning for a Bears team that has really struggled to defend all season. That being said, Clemson just doesn't have the horses to hang with Baylor's athleticism and shotmaking ability. Their below-average quickness at the guard position will do them in here.

The Pick: Baylor -4.5
#10 Colorado vs. #2 Marquette - South Region | Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET | CBS
The Buffs won a thriller against Florida, knocking them off after a last-second jumper from KJ Simpson to push them to the next round. Now they get Marquette, who got a bit of a scare from Western Kentucky. Shaka is 2-5 against the spread during his time at Marquette and Texas in the NCAA Tournament and needed a monster second half to cover against the Hilltoppers. We're willing to fade the Golden Eagles here with a talented team that seems to be peeking at the right time.

The Pick: Colorado +3.5
#8 Utah State vs. #1 Purdue - Midwest Region | Sunday, 2:40 p.m. ET | CBS
Zach Edey reminded everyone who he was on Friday night. Grambling had zero answer for him as he notched the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in the NCAA Tournament since 1995. We're not sure what Utah State can do differently to stop him, and we know that the Boilermakers are on a revenge tour after the disrespect they got all season long. There's a case to be made that this is the best team in the field, and we're backing them to take care of business, even at a double-digit spread.

The Pick: Purdue -11.5
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#12 James Madison vs. #4 Duke - South Region | Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET | CBS
The Dukes led wire-to-wire against Wisconsin and looked far from a #12 seed in the victory. They looked like a team that had only lost to two teams all season long. It was a stereotypical all-around performance from James Madison with six different players scoring eight or more points in the victory. There have been some questions about Duke's toughness, but they did prevail over a talented Vermont team. They'll be tested much further here and in this battle of the Dukes, we'll take the Dukes. And don't be afraid to sprinkle a bit on James Madison moneyline.
#6 Clemson vs. #3 Baylor - West Region | Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET | TNT
Baylor's offense was a fireball against Colgate in the first round, averaging 1.44 points per possession on 16-for-30 from beyond the arc. Colgate still had some flashes on the offensive end, which is slightly concerning for a Bears team that has really struggled to defend all season. That being said, Clemson just doesn't have the horses to hang with Baylor's athleticism and shotmaking ability. Their below-average quickness at the guard position will do them in here.

The Pick: Baylor -4.5
#10 Colorado vs. #2 Marquette - South Region | Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET | CBS
The Buffs won a thriller against Florida, knocking them off after a last-second jumper from KJ Simpson to push them to the next round. Now they get Marquette, who got a bit of a scare from Western Kentucky. Shaka is 2-5 against the spread during his time at Marquette and Texas in the NCAA Tournament and needed a monster second half to cover against the Hilltoppers. We're willing to fade the Golden Eagles here with a talented team that seems to be peeking at the right time.

The Pick: Colorado +3.5

NCAA March Madness Picks for Sunday’s Second-Round Early Games

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