MARCH MADNESS BAD BEATS BLOG: Unders sweep the board

Three double-digit seeds look to continue their Cinderella runs as the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament tips off today in Indianapolis.

In the opener, Midwest No. 12 seed Oregon State will try to stay hot against No. 8 Loyola Chicago, which ousted No. 1 Illinois in the second round. The winner will face either No. 2 Houston or No. 11 Syracuse, which romped past two higher-seeded foes last week.

In the South Region, the biggest underdog of all, No. 15 seed Oral Roberts, meets No. 3 Arkansas, and No. 1 Baylor will try to eliminate No. 5 Villanova. Oral Roberts knocked off No. 2 Ohio State and No. 7 Florida in the first two rounds.

We’ll be following the action from all the NCAA Tournament games. Refresh this blog throughout the day to track bad beats, movement on the live betting line, props, halftime bets and much more.

UPDATES

9:30 p.m.: That’s it for today. Unders were the way to make money today, going 4-0 in the Sweet 16 games. Favorites were 2-2 against the spread. Oregon State (+250 vs. Loyola Chicago) was the only underdog to win outright, though Oral Roberts missed a 3 at the buzzer that would have made the Golden Eagles a winner at +500.

Betting results for every game today — full game, first half and second half — are listed at the bottom of this story.

Thanks for reading. We’ll be back Sunday for the second half of the Sweet 16.

9:13 p.m.: Houston-Syracuse player props: Houston’s Quentin Grimes under 18½ points (14), Marcus Sasser under 12½ points (12); Syracuse’s Buddy Boeheim under 20½ points (12), Quincy Guerrier under 10½ points (eight).

9:11 p.m.: The largest lead by either team was over 15 points. Houston was +160 at Boyd Gaming to win by 11 or more. The Cougars were +625 at BetMGM to win by 16 to 20 points. Houston also covers the alternate line of -12½ (+220).

9:09 p.m.: FINAL: Houston 62, Syracuse 46. The Midwest No. 2 seed Cougars cover with relative ease as 6½-point favorites, -270 ML against the No. 11 Orange. The game stays way under 141. Houston will face No. 12 Oregon State in the Elite Eight. Both teams stay under their team totals: Houston 73½, Syracuse 67.

9:01 p.m.: Houston has extended the lead to 58-43 with 3:07 left and appears to be headed to covering -6½.

8:55 p.m.: Nothing has changed. Houston is keeping Syracuse at arm’s length, up 53-43 with 3:51 left in the second half. The Cougars are -10½ on the live spread (live line turned off).

8:43 p.m.: Syracuse can’t cut the deficit. Houston leads 48-39 with 7:51 left in the second half, and the Cougars are -2,500 on the live line (Orange +1,040), spread -9½, total 117½.

8:33 p.m.: Houston leads 43-37 with 11:57 left in the second half, and the Cougars are -620 on the live line (Syracuse +430), spread -7½, total 124½.

8:20 p.m.: Houston leads 39-27 with 15:54 left in the second half. The Cougars are -2,200 on the live line (Syracuse +980), spread -11½, total 124½.

8:13 p.m.: The second half is underway.

7:54 p.m.: Second-half line: Houston -1, total 73.

7:52 p.m.: HALFTIME: Houston 30, Syracuse 20. First-half winners: Houston -3½, under 65½. The Cougars closed the half on a 10-0 run.

7:42 p.m.: Houston leads 23-20 with 2:20 left in the first half. The Cougars are -300 on the live line (Syracuse +235), spread -5½, total 124½.

7:26 p.m.: Houston leads 17-13 with 7:54 left in the first half. The Cougars are -430 on the live line (Syracuse +320), spread -8½, total 130½.

7:17 p.m.: Houston wins the race to 10 points at -135 and the race to 15 at -150. The Cougars lead Syracuse 15-5 with 11:43 left in the first half and are -950 on the live line (Orange +590), spread -12½, total 132½.

7:07 p.m.: Houston leads Syracuse 5-2 with 15:37 left in the first half. Houston is -400 on the live line (Orange +300), spread -7½, total 132½.

6:55 p.m.: The last game of the day is about to tip off:

— No. 2 Houston (-6½, 141, -270) vs. No. 11 Syracuse (+230), 6:55 p.m.

6:40 p.m.: Arkansas-Oral Roberts player props: Arkansas’ Moses Moody under 17½ points (14), Justin Smith under 16½ points (12); Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas just over 24½ (25), Kevin Obanor under 19½ (12).

6:35 p.m.: The largest lead by either team was under 17½ points. Arkansas was +450 at BetMGM to win by one to five points. Oral Roberts covers the alternate line of +3½ (+295).

6:30 p.m.: FINAL: Arkansas 72, Oral Roberts 70. The South No. 15 seed Golden Eagles cover easily as 11½-point underdogs, but the No. 3 Razorbacks hit a shot with 3.1 seconds left to win outright at -700 ML. The game stays under 157½. Arkansas will face No. 1 Baylor in the Elite Eight. Both teams stay under their team totals: Arkansas 84½, Oral Roberts 73. Oral Roberts missed a 3 at the buzzer to win.

6:17 p.m.: Arkansas has taken the lead for the first time since the first half. The Razorbacks are up 66-62 with 3:31 left in the second half and are now -600 on the live line (Oral Roberts +420).

6:07 p.m.: Oral Roberts is clinging to a 57-54 lead with 7:55 left in the second half. The Golden Eagles are favored at -128 on the live line (Arkansas +104), spread -1½, total 148½.

5:56 p.m.: Arkansas surges. Oral Roberts’ lead is down to 48-45 with 11:51 left in the second half. The Razorbacks are favored again at -164 on the live line (Oral Roberts +134), spread -2½, total 143½.

5:43 p.m.: Arkansas is in trouble. Oral Roberts leads 46-34 with 15:21 left in the second half and is now favored to win at -245 (Arkansas +194), spread -4½, total 144½.

5:22 p.m.: Arkansas is still favored at -142 on the live line (Oral Roberts +116), spread -2½, total 145½.

5:21 p.m.: A 7-point or better favorite trails by seven or more at halftime for the third straight game today. Baylor came back to win (and cover); Loyola Chicago didn’t and was eliminated.

5:17 p.m.: Second-half line: Arkansas -8½, total 82.

5:15 p.m.: HALFTIME: Oral Roberts 35, Arkansas 28. First-half winners: Oral Roberts +6, under 74½, Oral Roberts +260 ML.

5:07 p.m.: Oral Roberts holds a 27-24 lead with 3:09 left in the first half. Arkansas is still -188 on the live line (Oral Roberts +152), spread -3½, total 146½.

4:59 p.m.: Arkansas and Oral Roberts are tied at 19 with 7:54 left in the first half. Arkansas is -500 on the live line (Oral Roberts +360), spread -7½, total 150½.

4:51 p.m.: Oral Roberts won the race to 10 points at +145 and the race to 15 at +165.

4:50 p.m.: Oral Roberts had a 15-7 lead, but it’s down to 15-13 with 11:31 left in the first half. Arkansas is -400 on the live line (Oral Roberts +300), spread -7½, total 153½.

4:38 p.m.: Oral Roberts has a 9-6 lead on Arkansas with 14:41 left in the first half. Arkansas is -380 on the live line (Oral Roberts +290), spread -7½, total 152½.

4:33 p.m.: Results on Baylor-Villanova player props: Baylor’s Jared Butler under 16½ points (nine), Davion Mitchell under 14½ points (14); Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl under 17½ points (eight), Justin Moore over 12½ points (15).

4:32 p.m.: The first made field goal in Arkansas-Oral Roberts was a 3-pointer (+175).

4:30 p.m.: The largest lead was under 15½ points (Circa prop).

4:29 p.m.: Baylor was +130 to win by 11 or more at Boyd Gaming. The Bears were 4-1 at BetMGM to win by 11 to 15 points.

4:25 p.m.: FINAL: Baylor 62, Villanova 51. The South No. 1 seed Bears rally from a seven-point halftime deficit to cover as 7½-point favorites, -335 ML. The game stays well under 142½. Baylor will face the winner of No. 3 Arkansas and No. 15 Oral Roberts in the Elite Eight. Both teams stay well under their team totals: Baylor 74½, Villanova 67.

4:20 p.m.: The next game is about to tip off:

— No. 3 Arkansas (-11½, 157½, -700) vs. No. 15 Oral Roberts (+500), 4:25 p.m.

4:14 p.m.: Baylor is going to win, but the spread (-7½) is in doubt. The Bears are up 56-47 with 1:09 to play, and Villanova has started to foul.

4:07 p.m.: Now Villanova spread backers (+7½) have to sweat. Baylor leads 52-45 with 3:49 left in the second half. The Bears are -3,500 on the live line (Villanova +1,200), spread -6½.

3:59 p.m.: Baylor is turning the tide. The Bears take a 47-41 lead with 7:00 remaining and are now -1,800 on the live line (Villanova +880), spread -7½, total 115½.

3:49 p.m.: Baylor hasn’t taken the lead back, but the Bears are favored again. Villanova is up 41-39 with 11:01 left in the second half, but Baylor is favored at -168 on the live line (Villanova +136), spread -2½, total 122½.

3:39 p.m.: Villanova leads Baylor 37-31 with 14:42 left in the second half. The Wildcats are -138 on the live line (Baylor +112), spread -1½, total 122½.

3:11 p.m.: Second-half line: Baylor -5½, total 75.

3:09 p.m.: HALFTIME: Villanova 30, Baylor 23. First-half winners: Villanova +4½, under 66, Villanova +200 ML.

2:56 p.m.: Villanova grabs the lead. The Wildcats are up 24-20 with 3:40 left in the first half. Baylor is still favored at -134 on the live line (Villanova +110), spread -1½, total 131½.

2:46 p.m.: Baylor leads Villanova 18-17 with 6:59 left in the first half. The Bears are -420 on the live line (Villanova +310), spread -6½, total 134½. Baylor led 18-11, then Villanova hit two straight 3-pointers to close the gap.

2:42 p.m.: Baylor grabs a 15-11 lead with 9:35 left in the first half. The Bears win the race to 15 points at -165.

2:37 p.m.: Villanova leads 11-10 with 10:57 left in the first half. Baylor is -300 on the live line (Wildcats +235), spread -5½, total 134½. Villanova won the race to 10 points at +130.

2:26 p.m.: Baylor and Villanova are tied at 6 with 15:43 left in the first half. Baylor is -400 on the live line (Villanova +300), spread -7½, total 140½.

2:15 p.m.: The next game is about to tip off:

— No. 1 Baylor (-7½, 142½, -335) vs. No. 5 Villanova (+275), 2:15 p.m.

2:11 p.m.: Some props from the first game: Largest lead stayed just under 13½. Oregon State’s Ethan Thompson over 14½ points (+100, 22), Jarod Lucas under 12½ points (eight); Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig under 15½ points (14), Lucas Williamson under 10½ points (10).

2:09 p.m.: Oregon State was +750 at BetMGM to win by six to 10 points. The Beavers cover the alternate line of -2½ (+280).

1:56 p.m.: FINAL: Oregon State 65, Loyola Chicago 58. The Midwest No. 12 seed Beavers win outright over the Ramblers as 7-point underdogs, +250 ML. The game stays under 125. Oregon State will face the winner of No. 2 Houston and No. 11 Syracuse in the Elite Eight. Oregon State goes over its team total of 59 points; Loyola stays under 66.

— No. 8 Loyola Chicago (-7, 125, -300) vs. No. 12 Oregon State (+250), 11:40 a.m.

1:48 p.m.: Not happening for Loyola. Just didn’t make some open 3-pointers and missed some free throws. Oregon State leads 58-51 with 35.8 seconds left.

1:38 p.m.: Loyola is finally cutting the deficit. Oregon State’s lead is down to 49-44 with 2:43 left in the second half. The Beavers are -850 on the live line (Loyola +500).

1:27 p.m.: Loyola is battling, but Oregon State still leads 45-37 with 7:47 left in the second half. The Beavers are -480 on the live line (Loyola +350), spread -5½, total 110½.

1:11 p.m.: Loyola can’t cut into the lead. Oregon State is up 37-24 with 12:42 left in the second half, and the Beavers are -900 on the live line (Loyola +570), spread -8½, total 104½.

1:01 p.m.: Oregon State is extending its lead. The Beavers are up 33-22 with 15:49 left in the second half. Oregon State is -310 on the live line (Loyola +240), spread -5½, total 108½.

12:57 p.m.: The second half is underway.

12:37 p.m.: Live line at halftime: Oregon State -170 (Loyola +138), spread -2½, total 105½.

12:35 p.m.: Second-half line: Loyola -5½, total 66.

12:33 p.m.: HALFTIME: Oregon State 24, Loyola Chicago 16. First-half winners: Oregon State +3½, under 57½, Oregon State +180 ML. The Beavers closed on an 11-0 run to end the half and take the biggest lead by either team so far.

12:23 p.m.: Oregon State leads 18-16 with 3:52 left in the first half. Loyola is still favored at -210 on the live line (Beavers +168), spread -3½, total 111½.

12:20 p.m.: Loyola retakes the lead at 16-13, winning the race to 15 at -155.

12:15 p.m.: Oregon State leads 13-12 with 6:37 left in the first half, but Loyola is still solidly favored at -265 on the live line (Beavers +210), spread -4½, total 112½.

12:13 p.m.: Oregon State rallies from a 9-3 deficit to take a 10-9 lead, and the Beavers actually win the race to 10 points at +120.

12:08 p.m.: Loyola’s lead is down to one at 9-8 with 8:55 left in the first half. The Ramblers are down to -290 on the live line (Oregon State +225), spread -5½, total 111½.

12:01 p.m.: It’s a dream for under bettors so far. Loyola leads 9-3 with 11:50 left in the first half. The Ramblers have controlled the game but have missed several open 3-pointers. Loyola is -520 on the live line (Oregon State +370), spread -8½, total 113½.

11:50 a.m.: Loyola grabs a 5-1 lead with 14:56 left in the first half. The Ramblers are -550 on the live line (Oregon State +390), spread -9½, total 115½.

11:44 a.m.: First made field goal was a 2-point shot (-265), made by Loyola.

11:43 a.m.: Some props to track in this first game:

— Oregon State’s Ethan Thompson points prop: 14½ (under -120)

— Oregon State’s Jarod Lucas points: 12½

— Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig points: 15½

— Loyola’s Lucas Williamson points: 10½

— Largest lead by either team: 13½

11:39 a.m.: The first game is about to tip off:

— No. 8 Loyola Chicago (-7, 125, -300) vs. No. 12 Oregon State (+250), 11:40 a.m.

11:30 a.m.: Here are the biggest line moves this morning:

Baylor-Villanova total from 141½ to 142½

Arkansas-Oral Roberts total from 158½ to 157½