Friday NCAA: Midwest Region – Siena vs. Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes caught a huge break with their placement in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed Buckeyes get to open in Dayton, not far from campus. No doubt that was noticed by Siena, the No. 9, heading into Friday’s Midwest Region game.
Ohio State, the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament, is a 3.5-point favorite on WagerWeb.com.
At least Siena has NCAA Tournament experience on its side, having upset Vanderbilt last year. The Buckeyes lack a single senior on their roster and start three sophomores and a freshman — none of whom have NCAA Tournament experience, because Ohio State played in — and won — the 2008 NIT.
“A lot of times in the NCAA Tournament, experience is a huge factor. Since these guys have been in that environment before and in those arenas before, it is very advantageous,” OSU coach Thad Matta said.
OSU is led by sophomore Evan Turner, who was a first-team All-Big Ten pick, He earned the league’s player of the week honor three times and led the Buckeyes in scoring in 19 games, reaching 10 or more points 27 times and 20 or more in nine games. Turner was the only unanimous first team selection by both the coaches and league media.
The No. 9 seed is the highest ever for the Saints which are making their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament, and their 26 wins are the most since Siena went Division I in 1976-77.
Siena is led by guard Kenny Hasbrouck (14.8 ppg), an explosive player with range. He led four Saints averaging double-figures in points this year and had 30 points in the upset of Vandy in last year’s tournament. In addition, point guard Ronald Moore had a near 3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio this season despite the fact that the Saints play most games at a very fast pace.
But the Saints’ biggest player is 6-9, so they can’t get stuck in a halfcourt game with the bigger Buckeyes. Siena’s turnover margin ranked among the top 15 teams in the country this season. The Saints committed 431 turnovers while forcing opponents into 555, and OSU is prone to coughing up the ball.
Siena and Ohio State had one common opponent this year in Iona. The Buckeyes defeated the Gaels 71-53 on Dec. 20 in Columbus, while Siena swept their regular season MAAC series with Iona.
The winner of this game faces Louisville on Sunday.
WagerWeb.com Trends
* Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
* Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
* Saints are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games as an underdog.
* Saints are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 neutral site games.
* Saints are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games as an underdog.
* Buckeyes are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
* Buckeyes are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 non-conference games.
* Buckeyes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games as a favorite.
* Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Buckeyes are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
* Buckeyes are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Buckeyes are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games following a ATS win.
* Buckeyes are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
* Buckeyes are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
* Buckeyes are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 NCAA Tournament games.
* Buckeyes are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
* Buckeyes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
NCAA Basketball Betting at WagerWeb.com
