Yes, New York’s team is gone. But at least New Yorkers have no more bets off the board.
UConn (+5.5) over Duke
The warning signs are there.
The top-seeded Blue Devils were lucky to escape against St. John’s after looking like sixth-graders facing a full-court press for the first time. They were tied with TCU through 26 minutes. They trailed by 13 to No. 16 seed Siena. It is reminiscent of a seemingly more unstoppable No. 1 overall seed from 2019 that was nearly stunned on back-to-back buzzer-beaters in the second and third rounds. Then, Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Duke were upset in the Elite Eight.
The inexperience is evident on the freshmen-led team, which is now far too reliant on a star (Cameron Boozer) who seems to second-guess every shot outside 10 feet. And who knows what Caleb Foster will look like after saving Duke’s season and needing to use a scooter following his Sweet 16 return.
The Huskies’ top 10 defense has the size and athleticism to handle Duke’s best shot. Senior big Tarris Reed Jr. has been one of the best players in the tournament. Braylon Mullins is breaking out of his slump. Silas DeMary Jr. is back. Two-time national champion Alex Karaban is the safest bet with the ball in his hands. And Dan Hurley is even more dangerous as an underdog, having gone 16-1 against the spread in the past three NCAA Tournaments.
Duke’s ever-inflated number is partly responsible for the team failing to cover four of its past six tournament games.
Michigan (-7.5) over Tennessee
Rick Barnes has lost each of his past four trips to the Elite Eight, including the past two years, largely due to an untrustworthy offense that scored only 50 points in a 19-point loss to Houston last season.
The Wolverines’ top-rated defense could similarly embarrass a group that hasn’t played a top-10 defense since losing by 24 to Florida.
Betting on College Basketball?
The Vols rely on second chances, dominating the offensive glass better than any team in the nation, but Michigan has the country’s best frontline, featuring three future first-round picks (Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. Aday Mara), who contribute to the team’s top-five two-point defense and block percentage, forcing opponents to beat them from outside.
Alabama had the shooters to throw a brief scare into Michigan. Tennessee averages fewer 3-pointers per game than 300 other teams.
For three rounds, the Vols had an edge the inside. Against No. 11 Miami (Ohio). Against undersized Virginia. Against Iowa State, sans All-American Joshua Jefferson. No. 1 Michigan is too big to fail.
This season: 14-16 (entering Saturday)
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).
