“Siena-derella” was so close to making history — as the most-used headline since Lawrence’s “Third Tynes a Charm” kick sent the Giants to the Super Bowl.
Akron (+7.5) over Texas Tech
One month ago, the Red Raiders were a Final Four contender, but reaching the second round will be difficult without injured All-American JT Toppin.
In his absence, Texas Tech has lost three straight games and lost its way, morphing into a 3-obsessed offense.
The Zips — appearing in their third straight NCAA Tournament — will happily sign up for a 5 vs. 12 shootout, carrying seven players who hit more than 37 percent of their 3s.
The 29-win MAC champions rank 14th nationally shooting 3s (38.5 percent), 13th in field goal percentage (49.8), seventh in scoring (88.3) and seventh in assists (18.4).
Utah State (-1.5) over Villanova
Jerrod Calhoun has the Aggies (28-6) back in the dance for the second straight year, with MJ Collins and Mason Falslev leading a deep rotation whose top six scorers are upperclassmen.
Utah State ranks among the top 15 in the nation in shooting percentage (49.8), top 25 in assists and is nearly as strong on the defensive end.
Excluding low-major opponents, Villanova went 1-6 against tournament teams. Kevin Willard has gone 2-4 in similar Round of 64 toss-ups.
Miami (Ohio) (+11.5) over Tennessee
If the RedHawks go down, they will go down swinging.
The magic at the First Four in Dayton was undeniable, but it was also evident all season: The 32-1 mid-major led the nation in field goal percentage, averaged over 90 points per game and committed the fifth-fewest turnovers in the nation.
Tennessee’s defensive strength and dominance on the glass make the upset unlikely, but the Vols’ inconsistent shooting and Rick Barnes’ tourney reputation put anything in play.
Miami is 5-0 as an underdog this season, while Tennessee — which is 2-4 in its past six games — has barely covered 40 percent of its games as a favorite.
Purdue (-25.5) over Queens
It is a little terrifying to back Matt Painter — who lost to a 15 seed and 16 seed in recent years — in the NCAA Tournament, but the Boilermakers’ top-rated offense could set records against the nation’s 319th-rated defense (no other tourney team finished outside the top 215).
The Charlotte, N.C.-based Royals — who rank 235th in rebounding rate, while the Boilermakers are 12th — allowed an average of more than 102 points in five meetings against power conference teams this season, losing by an average of more than 30 points.
Betting on College Basketball?
UConn (-20.5) over Furman
Dan Hurley gets the benefit of the doubt, having led the Huskies to 14 straight covers in the NCAA Tournament during a run that included two national titles in the past three years and a near-upset of last year’s champion.
Furman’s failures against the Big South champion (a 26-point loss to High Point) and the Missouri Valley champion (a 16-point loss to Northern Iowa) don’t bode well for its upcoming battle against the Big East.
This season: 4-5
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).