Free Picks: The Bobcats Look To Prey On The Bluejays

Josh Saslove
By: Josh Saslove
03/22/2021
College Basketball Free Picks
Creighton vs Ohio March Madness
Creighton Blue Jays vs Ohio Bobcats, NCAAB, Hinkle Fieldhouse

Jason Preston who averaged only 2PPG in his Senior Year of High School is the leader of the Ohio Bobcats and is the perfect poster boy for March’s Cinderella Story. After taking down the defending National Champions, the Cats now turn their attention to the Creighton Blue Jays who barely survived against a plucky UC Santa Barbara team in the Round of 64.

Cinderella Is Not Finished at this Ball

Preston and Ohio were not supposed to be here, they finished 5th in the Metro Athletic Conference, but entered their conference tournament on fire after a Covid-19 pause. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, they have 5 double-digit scorers and they are incredibly efficient. Their effective field goal percentage is 55.5% (14th in the country), they take 41.4% of their shots from in the paint and they shoot 36.3% from three.

However, Ohio’s recent string of success has largely come from improved perimeter defense. While the offense has been there all season, the defense has been amped up as the season reached the home stretch. In their last 7 games, Ohio has held their opponents to 28.2% from beyond the arc. Creighton’s offense has struggled of late. Aside from smoking Butler twice, in four of their last six games the Blue Jays have not eclipsed 70 points and falling below 65 points on three occasions.

Creighton could also run into trouble on the glass, Ohio’s rebounding margin is +1.6 but recently they have been much better, including outrebounding Virginia 38-29. Creighton’s rebounding margin is -0.6, which gives another edge to these Cats. If Ohio can get some extra possessions through offensive rebounding they will beat their over of 71.5. One of my free picks is take the over on Ohio points (-118 Bet10).

NCAAB odds have Creighton set as a medium favourite at 5.5 points, they are truly teasing bettors to bet the favourite, but I believe in Cinderella and Madness. We will be taking Ohio +5.5, as this will be a close game that will come down to the wire. I would personally have this line closer to Creighton being two point favourites and at five and a half, I see significant value in Ohio. My BetPicks best bet is the Ohio spread.

 

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FREE PICK: OHIO +5.5
-110

Stats

  • The Over has cashed in 13 of Creighton’s 29 games this season
  • Creighton is 11-15-0 ATS as favourites this season
  • The Over has cashed in 12 of Ohio’s 22 games this season
  • Ohio is 6-2-0 ATS as underdogs this season

Josh Saslove here, I am a passionate sports fan and have been consumed by sports for as long as I can remember. I have been a sports bettor for the past 4 years, starting out with betting on college basketball parlays. I currently write pieces for BetPicks, but have my own blog space. I am an avid fan of the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Raptors, Kansas City Chiefs and Toronto Blue Jays, so I know what it's like to cheer for the underdog. The 2017 ECF run by the Ottawa Senators and the Raptors 2019 NBA title are probably my fondest memories as a fan, as well of course the Chiefs Super Bowl win in 2020. I am also a big music fan and have been called Mac Miller by strangers on several occasions.

March Madness Schedule

Stage
Date & Time
Selection SundayMarch 14
First FourMarch 18
First roundMarch 19-20
Second roundMarch 21-22
Sweet 16March 27-28
Elite EightMarch 29-30
Final FourApril 3
Championship GameApril 5

Tournament History

Year
WinnerRunner-Up
2019VirginiaTexas Tech
2018VillanovaMichigan
2017North CarolinaGonzaga
2016VillanovaNorth Carolina
2015DukeWisconsin
2014ConnecticutKentucky
2013LouisvilleMichigan
2012KentuckyKansas
2011ConnecticutButler
2010DukeButler
2009North CarolinaMichigan State
2008KansasMemphis
2007FloridaOhio State
2006FloridaUCLA
2005North CarolinaIllinois
2004ConnecticutGeorgia Tech
2003SyracuseKansas
2002MarylandIndiana
2001DukeArizona
2000Michigan StateFlorida