NCAA March Madness Bets - South Bracket Sweet 16 OverviewBy Eric WilliamsThe Bodog.com NCAA Basketball Betting Community moves into overdrive with the beginning of this week's regional semifinal round matchups and this informative NCAA Championship Tournament wagering article will give collegiate hoops bettors all of the insight they need in order to make winning wagers in the Bodog.com Sportsbook on each of the two south regional semifinal matchups that will take place this coming Friday while also providing a quick glimpse at the region's possible finals showdown. First, let's look at the matchup between the region's top seed, the Memphis and No. 5 seed Michigan State before moving on to preview the other semifinal matchup between No.2 seed Texas and third-seeded Stanford. Memphis vs. Michigan State The Memphis Tigers, (35-1 SU, 15-19-2 ATS, 19-17 O/U), have been ranked in the nation's top five all season long and held the overall number one ranking for much of the regular season before falling at home to in-state rival Tennessee 66-62 on Feb. 23. Have you been studying up on your March Madness team and player statistics? Check out Bovada and start winning NOW! Bovada Sportsbook, Casino, Poker Room & Racebook is known in the online gambling industry for having phenomenal customer service, safe and secure deposit methods, fast & easy payouts and terrific bonuses! BET on Sports & play Poker at BOVADA and receive a 20% FREE BET on your first deposit! The Tigers enter their matchup against the Michigan State Spartans, (27-8 SU, 15-14-2 ATS, 16-15 O/U), coming off a convincing 87-63 first-round win over Texas-Arlington and closer-than-expected 77-74 second-round victory over eighth-seeded Mississippi State that was a physical test between the two clubs. The Tigers will see much more of the same physicality when they face the Spartans, who have used an overwhelming, stingy defense to reach this semifinal showdown. Head coach Tom Izzo watched his team put the clamps on the Temple Owls and fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers in consecutive games, winning 72-61 over the Owls in the first round before shutting down the Panthers 65-54 in the second round. The top-seeded Tigers have won nine consecutive games coming into this contest and are averaging a whopping 79.8 points per game for the season on 46.7 percent shooting from the field while limiting their opponents to just 61.1 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting. The Spartans have been a perplexing bunch at times this season despite their solid record this season but seem to have suddenly solved all their problems with the start of this tournament. Michigan State is averaging a respectable 71.1 points per game on a solid 48.0 percent shooting mark while limiting their opponents to just 61.7 points per game on 39.8 percent shooting. While the Tigers two starting guards are the only players on the roster to average double figures in scoring this season, Memphis routinely plays ten players and tends to simply wear teams down with their impressive depth and athleticism. Ten Tigers average at least 9.1 minutes per game. While Michigan State has nine players that average at least 10.8 minutes per game, the Spartan's talent thins out considerably when they go to their bench despite the fact that they have three players that average double figures in scoring. Michigan State has covered the spread in four consecutive games while the Tigers are a dismal 1-4 against the spread in their last five. Analysis: Despite their edge in physical low post players, the Spartans will be hard-pressed to keep up with John Calipari's go-go Tigers in the second half. Michigan State will also be in huge trouble if senior point guard Drew Neitzel is stymied by Memphis' pressure defense. Stanford vs. Texas The third-seeded Stanford Cardinal, (28-7 SU, 18-17 ATS, 16-18 O/U), have looked very impressive in their two tournament wins after losing to Pac-Ten rivals UCLA 67-64 on March 15 in their conference tournament championship showdown. The Cardinal routed the Ivy League's best team this season, the Cornell Big Red, in their opening round game, winning 77-53 in a cakewalk, but needed a last-second shot by gifted seven-footer Brook Lopez in order to beat a talented Marquette team in the second round 82-81 in overtime. Lopez and his twin brother Robin pounded the Golden Eagles inside for 30 and 18 points respectively and will need another huge effort from both players in order to beat a talented Texas Longhorns, (30-6 SU, 16-13-1 ATS, 13-17 O/U), team that holds the edge in athleticism in this meeting. The Longhorns have looked good in winning their first two tournament games, routing Austin Peay 74-54 in the first round and beating the Miami Hurricanes 75-72 in the second round. While the Cardinal rely on the 'bigs' to make plays, (B. Lopez, 19.0 ppg, R. Lopez, 10.3 ppg), in the low post, the Longhorns are fueled by their terrific three-headed backcourt of D.J. Augustin, (19.2 ppg), A.J. Abrams, (16.6 ppg) and Damion James, (13.2 ppg). With four players averaging over 31.5 minutes per contest, the Longhorns are at a decided disadvantage in the depth department as Stanford plays nine players a minimum of 10.4 minutes per game. Statistically, both teams are very evenly matched. Stanford averages 71.2 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting while Texas is putting up 74.8 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting. Defensively, both clubs have limited their opponents to an identical 39.3 percent shooting mark from the field, though the Cardinal only allow 61.0 points per game compared to Texas' 64.8 points per contest. Stanford has covered the spread in four of their last five games while the Longhorns have gone 2-2-1 against the spread over the same span. Analysis: While a lot of analysts like the Longhorns in this contest because of their athletic advantage, I think the Lopez brothers, and Brook in particular, could have their way in the low post against the Longhorns. Expect another down-to-the-wire finish in this contest. Regional Final Preview: I'm also fully the Memphis Tigers to come out of this region no matter which team wins the Stanford-Texas matchup, though I will admit that Stanford's height could cause problems for the Tigers in the low post should they meet in the regional final. The Tigers have had the look of a national champion all season long except for their lone loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. --- by BetUS at 1800-sports.com on March 27, 2008
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