By Chris Marler and Jacob Hester
We tried to tell you. Yesterday was going to be a bounceback day. Hester and Marler went a combined 6-3, including a 4-1 posting from Marler. We love to see it.
What we don’t love to see is the dwindling down of total games during March Madness. Nine days ago the field of 64 started and we got back to back days of 16 straight games and 48 total games over the first four days of the tournament.
Now, it’s time for the Elite Eight and we are sadly down to two games a day for Saturday and Sunday. Oh well, that’s life.
There are some great matchups over the next two days with two tickets to the Final Four getting punched on Saturday. Here are our best bets for Saturday’s Elite Eight games.
Jake’s Bets
- Illinois -6.5
- Purdue +5.5
- Arizona/Purdue Under 153.5
Jake’s Takes
Illinois is the more physical, defensive-minded team, and that matters big in Elite Eight games when things slow down.
Iowa relies heavily on offensive rhythm—Illinois can disrupt flow and make it a grind. In a half-court game late, Illinois has the edge.
As far as Arizona and Purdue go, this feels like too many points in a heavyweight matchup. Purdue can match Arizona physically and won’t get sped up easily. If Purdue controls inside play and the temp, they’re a live bet outright.
Marler’s Bets
- Illinois -3 1st Half
- Illinois -5.5
- Arizona 1st Half ML
- Jaden Bradley Over 12.5 Points
Marler’s Takes
I am here so I won’t get fined. I maintain that it’s been good luck to not explain any of the picks, because every time I do, the picks go horribly wrong. I was told that superstition had to give way to actual work, so here we are.
I love the Illinois and Iowa matchup for the Illini. They were my pick to make the Elite Eight in my bracket, so the upset to Houston wasn’t too shocking. They’re now in a phenomenal situation to get to the Final Four thanks to playing the lowest seed remaining in the field, Iowa.
The Hawkeyes have been a tremendous story in this year’s field, but I think it comes to an end on Saturday. Not only is Illinois one of the top ten first half scoring teams in the country, but they’re one of the best rebounding teams also. They rank No. 7 in the country in rebound margin at +10.1.
If that seems important or impressive, then you’d be right on both accounts. Five of the top eight rebounding teams in the country are all still in the tournament.
Iowa ranks No. 176 at +0.9. Take the Illini. Also, Arizona is an absolute wagon, and as good as this Purdue team is, nobody is getting in their way.
More SEC News
