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While the situation might seem bleak at the moment, it’s important to remember how quickly circumstances can shift.
On Tuesday night, Sean Miller and Will Wade will go head-to-head in the NCAA Tournament. Not so long ago, both coaches were embroiled in controversy, having been caught on FBI wiretaps.
UMBC (-1.5) over Howard (6:40 p.m.)
The Bison, who faced defeat against Wagner in the First Four of 2024, play a game style that’s not well-suited to the big stage they rarely find themselves on.
Renowned for their fast-paced yet offensively inconsistent play, the Bison rank 283rd nationally, which often leads to missteps. Their struggle with maintaining composure and securing the ball contributes to one of the highest turnover rates in the country.
UMBC, returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their historic upset as a No. 16 seed in 2018, is unlikely to give Howard many chances to recover from their errors.
UMBC ranks in the top 25 in turnovers committed, 15th in defensive rebounding percentage and top three in fouls committed, while shooting better than 36 percent from 3-point range.
The Retrievers, led by former LIU coach Jim Ferry, haven’t lost since January, and 13 of their past 15 wins have come by double digits.
NC State (+1.5) over Texas (9:15 p.m.)
The Longhorns claimed victory over the Wolfpack in November, 102-97, but it’s safe to say that Texas won’t shoot 16-for-32 from deep again.
NC State is much more likely to light it up, ranked 10th in the nation in 3-point percentage (38.8) and facing a perimeter defense that allows opponents to shoot 36 percent from deep (299th nationally).
The Pack’s best shooting nights have also come away from home, where they’ve hit better than 41 percent of 3s.
Betting on College Basketball?
NC State played at its preferred pace in the shootout in Hawaii, and it should be even easier to lure the Longhorns into an up-tempo affair with the added adrenaline of the tournament.
As long as the Wolfpack can avoid getting destroyed on the glass while maintaining their top 10 turnover rate, Wade — who led No. 12 seed McNeese to the second round last year — should earn a tournament win at his fourth different school.
This season: 0-0
2011-25 record: 403-371-12
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).