#March Madness 2021: Handicapping second-round matchups

VSiN’s college hoops handicapper makes some plays for some of the Sunday’s second-round NCAA Tournament games.

No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 3 West Virginia

A renewal of an old Big East rivalry should provide the Mountaineers with an advantage on the glass, as Syracuse is allowing opponents to rebound 36.7 percent of misses in road and neutral-court games, third-worst in the nation. West Virginia shoots better from the outside away from Morgantown, making 37.1 percent of its 3-pointers away from home as opposed to 34.2 percent from distance at home. Of the points Syracuse allows, 36.1 percent are on 3-pointers.

Pick: West Virginia -3.5.

No. 10 Rutgers vs. No. 2 Houston

The Cougars are giving up the third-fewest points on a per-possession basis in the nation, and now face a Rutgers team that has been scuffling on offense and scores 12.3 points per 100 possessions fewer in road and neutral-court games than at home. Rutgers is also the worst free-throw shooting team remaining in the field at 63.3 percent and is a team that makes just 30.8 percent of its 3-pointers. The Scarlet Knights must try to knock down outside shots against a Cougars team that ranks seventh in the country in 3-point shooting percentage defense. Note, New Jersey sportsbooks do not take action on Rutgers, but the game is on the board in neighboring states and across the country.

Pick: Under 131.5.

No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 3 Arkansas

Texas Tech’s opponents are shooting 42.2 percent from 3-point range in road and neutral-court games. And while the Red Raiders do a solid job of generating turnovers, ranking seventh in the country in turnovers forced on a per-possession basis, Arkansas has six different players who grab at least one steal per game. Texas Tech is 4-9 against the spread away from Lubbock this season and Arkansas has been stout inside, ranking 11th in the country in blocks per game.

Pick: Arkansas, moneyline (+100).

No. 15 Oral Roberts vs. No. 7 Florida

Oral Roberts has scored at least 75 points in each of its past 10 games, but the Golden Eagles give it up as well, ranking 281st in the country in points allowed on a per-possession basis. Oral Roberts shoots 83.3 percent at the free-throw line in road and neutral-court games while each of Florida’s top four scorers shoots at least 77.2 percent from the free-throw line. Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor are the top scoring duo in the country with a combined 43.1 points per game, and the Gators are allowing opponents to rebound 29.9 percent of their misses, which ranks 291st in the country.

Pick: Over 148.5.

No. 12 Oregon State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State

Oregon State enters having covered 11 of its past 12 games, but has yet to face a wing the caliber of Cade Cunningham. Though the Oklahoma State star is sixth in the nation in turnovers per game with 4.2 and the Cowboys rank 292nd in turnovers on a per-possession basis, Cunningham has been a consistent producer with at least 15 points in each of his past 15 games. Oregon State ranks 201st in the country in steals forced on a per-possession basis and has been vulnerable inside, ranking 268th in opponents 2-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Oklahoma State, -5.5.