Bettors banking on Elite Eight favorites in NCAA tournament

Las Vegas Review-Journal

7 years ago

Kansas State’s Kamau Stokes (3) and Mike McGuirl (0) celebrate after a play against UMBC during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Kansas State’s Barry Brown (5) and Xavier Sneed (20) celebrate after a basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU in the Big 12 men’s tournament Thursday, March 8, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas State won 66-64 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Underdogs have gone 13-3 against the spread with nine outright wins over the last three days of the NCAA Tournament, going 7-1 ATS on Sunday and 3-1 ATS on both Thursday and Friday.

“Hopefully it keeps going because we’ve got nothing but favorite money so far (on the Elite Eight),” Stratosphere sports book director Ed Malinowski said Saturday morning.

Kansas State vs. Loyola-Chicago, 3:09 p.m.

Opening line: Kansas State -1

Current line: Kansas State -1/-1.5

The action has been light so far on Saturday’s opener between Loyola-Chicago and Kansas State. The Wildcats were favored by as many as 2 points before money on the underdog moved the number to -1 at every place except the Stratosphere, where it’s holding steady at -1.5.

“We’re a little high on Kansas State,” Malinowski said. “We had some action last week from a group of guys on Kansas State to win the region and make it to the Final Four. We’re rooting against them today.”

Michigan vs. Florida State, 5:49 p.m.

Opening line: Michigan -4.5

Current line: Michigan -4/-3.5

“We’re seeing more Michigan money at 4 and 3½,” Malinowski said. “We’re staying at 4 as more people have been riding Michigan.”

Best bet

Handicapper and ESPN 1100 radio host Bernie Fratto has been riding the Wolverines and is sticking with them on Saturday.

“I do think they’re going to win today. Now that they’ve had their survive-and-advance game like UConn had against St. Joe’s a couple years ago,” said Fratto (BernieFratto.com). “They’ve found their offense and Florida State won’t be able to keep up offensively and I think Michigan will cover, too.”

More betting: Follow all of our sports betting coverage online at reviewjournal.com/betting and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.