Furman, a 13-seed, upset No. 4 Virginia on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
How’s your bracket?
Busted? Join the club.
Thursday’s first-round games once again proved why it’s called March Madness as we saw three double-digit seed upsets, which included No. 13 Furman over No. 4 Virginia, No. 10 Penn State over No. 7 Texas A&M and, the biggest of them all, No. 15 Princeton knocking off No. 2 Arizona in the South Region.
People are also reading…
Boy, howdy.
Now the Big Dance moves into the second round Saturday with eight games being played across the four regions.
FrontPageBets takes a look at three games to consider for best bets as the madness will no doubt continue.
(All odds courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
No. 13 Furman vs. No. 5 San Diego State; South Region
When: 12:10 p.m., Saturday; Orlando, Fla.
TV: CBS
Spread: San Diego State -5.5 (-110); Furman +5.5 (-110)
Money line: San Diego State -240; Furman +200
O/U: 138 (-110)
Road to 2nd Round: San Diego State (28-6) beat a game 12-seeded College of Charleston team Thursday in the first round, 63-57. Guard Matt Bradley led the Aztecs with 17 points, the only SDSU player to reach double figures. … Furman (28-7) stunned 4th-seeded Virginia on Thursday, battling back from a 12-point deficit late in the game and capitalizing on an ill-fated Hail Mary pass attempt by fifth-year senior guard Kihei Clark when JP Pegues buried a 3-pointer off the steal with 2.4 seconds to play, giving the Paladins the 68-67 win. This is the first appearance in the NCAA Tournament for Furman in 43 years, and the Paladins made it count. Forward Jalen Slawson scored 19 points to lead Furman, while three other players scored in double figures. The Paladins entered the NCAAs as the seventh-best scoring team in the nation, averaging 82.1 points per game.
The pick: Furman, 70-60
No. 5 Duke vs. No. 4 Tennessee; East Region
When: 2:40 p.m., Saturday; Orlando, Fla.
TV: CBS
Spread: Duke -3 (-110); Tennessee +3 (-110)
Money line: Duke -150; Tennessee +130
O/U: 129.5 (-110)
Road to 2nd Round: Duke (27-8) beat No. 12 Oral Roberts, 74-51, in Thursday’s first-round game to advance in the East Region, winning its 10th consecutive game. Guard Jeremy Roach tied a career high, scoring 23 points in the victory, helping the Blue Devils jump out to a 15-0 lead. Duke also did it on defense, holding one of the nation’s top scoring teams (84.2 ppg) to just 51 points, the second-lowest point total the Golden Eagles have been held to all season. … Tennessee (24-10) had a much tougher time with its first-round opponent, holding on to beat 13th-seeded Louisiana, 58-55, on Thursday night. Tyreke Key led the way for the Vols with 12 points, while Jahmai Mashack scored 11. Tennessee has struggled lately, winning for just the sixth time in the last 13 games. The Vols turned the ball over 18 times in Thursday’s win.
The pick: Duke, 59-55
No. 9 Auburn vs. No. 1 Houston; Midwest Region
When: 7:10 p.m., Saturday; Birmingham, Ala.
TV: TBS
Spread: Houston -5.5 (-110); Auburn +5.5 (-110)
Money line: Houston -250; Auburn +210
O/U: 132.5 (-110)
Road to 2nd Round: Houston (32-3) held off a feisty No. 16-seed in Northern Kentucky, 63-52, on Thursday in Birmingham. While they earned the victory, the Cougars did suffer a scare as All-American guard Marcus Sasser re-aggravated the groin injury he suffered last week in the ACC tournament, playing not even a full half before heading to the bench. Sasser came into the NCAA Tournament averaging 16.7 points per game. He had 5 points on Thursday before leaving. Jarace Walker, a freshman forward, led Houston with 16 points, one of four Cougars to score double figures. … Auburn (21-12) beat No. 8 Iowa on Thursday, 83-75, playing in front of a near-hometown crowd, just 100 miles or so away from The Plains. The Tigers will need that crowd again Saturday to upset the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region. Sophomore forward Johni Broome once again led Auburn with 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Guard Wendell Green Jr. added 15 points, as four Tigers scored double digits. … This will be a matchup of two very good defenses – Houston is second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 56.5 points per game; while Auburn is holding opponents to under 40% field goal shooting, which is in the top 30 in Division I.
The pick: Houston, 66-63
Gambling problem? There is help. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help.
A list of top NFL players on the move this offseason
Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams will get Miami's third-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft and tight end Hunter Long.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr spoke enthusiastically of his opportunity to “reinvent” himself in New Orleans after spending the first nine years of his career with the Raiders in Oakland, California, and Las Vegas.The four-time Pro Bowler is the Raiders' all-time leader in yards passing (35,222) and touchdown passes (217), but the team made the playoffs just twice with Carr at QB and did not win a postseason game.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield was among other players on the move Wednesday, agreeing to an $8.5 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Mayfield, the top pick by Cleveland in 2018, joins his third team since last July. He gets an opportunity to compete with Kyle Trask to replace Tom Brady, who retired after three seasons with the Buccaneers.
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Running back Miles Sanders, coming off his best season with the NFC champion Eagles in which he ran for a career-high 1,269 yards with 11 touchdowns, is heading to Carolina.
Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears made two big additions at linebacker, agreeing to contracts with two-time Buffalo Bills Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmunds and former Philadelphia Eagle T.J. Edwards. Edmunds’ deal is worth $72 million over four years with $50 million guaranteed.
Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers made a big addition to their stellar defense, agreeing to a four-year, $84 million contract with star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. The 30-year-old Hargrave is coming off his most productive season in seven years as a pro with a career-high 11 sacks that helped Philadelphia beat San Francisco in the NFC title game and reach the Super Bowl.
Orlando Brown Jr., Cincinnati Bengals
Four-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. agreed on a $64.09 million, four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Brown’s agent, Michael Portner, confirmed the deal to the AP. He said it includes a $31 million signing bonus. Brown goes from protecting Patrick Mahomes for the Super Bowl champion Chiefs to blocking for Joe Burrow and the AFC runnerup Bengals.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots made their first big pickup of free agency, adding wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. A person with knowledge of the deal said it is for three years and could be worth as much as $33 million. Smith-Schuster had 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns last season for Kansas City.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders
Jimmy Garoppolo is finally out of San Francisco, ready to start the next phase of his career wearing the Raiders' silver and black. He agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with Las Vegas, where he'll replace Derek Carr, who signed with the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason after being cut by the Raiders. Garoppolo’s contract includes $34 million in guaranteed money.
Stephon Gilmore, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys acquired cornerback Stephon Gilmore from the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round draft pick. The 32-year-old Gilmore played 16 games for the Colts last season, finishing with two interceptions and 11 pass breakups as a four-year Pro Bowl run ended.
Juan Thornhill, Cleveland Browns
The Browns agreed with safety Juan Thornhill on a three-year contract worth $21 million — $14 million guaranteed — a person familiar with the negotiations told the AP. Thornhill leaves the Super Bowl champion Chiefs after four seasons. He’s the third defensive player to join the Browns in free agency along with run stopper Dalvin Tomlinson and end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers
Carolina added former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst on a three-year contract. Hurst caught 52 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns last season with another 13 receptions for 141 yards and a TD in the playoffs.
Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders
Jacoby Brissett, who replaced Mayfield in Cleveland while Deshaun Watson served a suspension, agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract worth $10 million with $8 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Brissett will compete with projected starter Sam Howell, a second-year pro. Brissett threw for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions last season for the Browns in 11 starts.
Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons
Setting up a competition at quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with Taylor Heinicke on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million. For Heinicke, it's a homecoming. He was born in Lawrenceville and played at Collins Hills High School in suburban Atlanta.
Darren Waller, New York Giants
Tight end Darren Waller is being traded to the New York Giants, who will send the Las Vegas Raiders a 2023 third-round draft pick, two people familiar with the deal said Tuesday.
Byron Murphy Jr., Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a contract with former Arizona cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. The deal was announced on the first day of NFL free agency along with agreements with former New Orleans outside linebacker Marcus Davenport and former Miami tight end Josh Oliver.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with former Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who reunites with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels, his former offensive coordinator in New England.
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have found their stop-gap quarterback, agreeing to a two-year, $10 million contract with unrestricted free agent Andy Dalton.
Mike White, Miami Dolphins
Mike White is staying within the AFC East, leaving the New York Jets for the Miami Dolphins to back up Tua Tagovailoa.
Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
Sam Darnold is heading West to replace Garoppolo on the San Francisco 49ers' roster.
Eric Kendricks, Los Angeles Chargers
Eric Kendricks agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers, giving the franchise a veteran inside linebacker on a unit that has struggled the past couple seasons. Kendricks was drafted by Minnesota in the second round in 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Vikings before being released on March 6. The 31-year old linebacker has started 113 regular-season and six playoff games.
DeMarcus Walker, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have added help on the defensive line, agreeing to a deal with former Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 23-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
