The first round of the NCAA Tournament heats up with a clash of contrasting styles as the Oregon Ducks (11-seed) take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-seed) in the Midwest Region.
Tip-Off: Thursday, March 21st, 2024 | 4:00 PM ET | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
Ducks Soar with Offensive Firepower:
- Record: 23-11
- Playing Style: Up-tempo offense fueled by speed and perimeter shooting.
- Key Players:
- N’Faly Dante: Inside presence and rebounding leader.
- Jermaine Couisnard: Scoring guard with a revenge game against his former team (South Carolina).
Gamecocks Clamp Down with Defense:
- Record: 26-7
- Playing Style: Physical defense and strong post play.
- Key Players:
- Meechie Johnson: Defensive leader and facilitator.
- B.J. Mack: Versatile forward with scoring ability inside and out.
Matchup to Watch:
- Pace of Play: Can Oregon’s fast break attack South Carolina’s deliberate, half-court defense?
- Dante vs. The Paint: Can Dante overpower the Gamecocks inside or will they neutralize his presence?
- Perimeter Shooting: Will the Ducks’ outside shooting open up driving lanes or will South Carolina disrupt their rhythm?
Predictions and Betting Insights:
- Odds: South Carolina is favored by 1.5 points at wagerweb and betonline
- Over/Under: Set at 133
- Model Prediction: A close contest with South Carolina edging out the Ducks 76-72, covering the spread and going over the current posted total.
Intrigue Abounds:
- Revenge Narrative: Couisnard returns to his former team, adding an emotional layer to the matchup.
- Tournament Experience: Both teams have reached the Final Four before (2017). Will their experience come into play?
- X-Factors: Emerging players on both sides could swing the momentum in this tightly contested matchup.
Our Pick
We’re going to go against our model here. The last games for these two teams could not have been any different. Oregon went on a run and won the PAC 12 Championship by beating Colorado in the finals. They also knocked off top ranked Arizona in the semi finals. South Carolina on the other hand was clobbered by Auburn, 86-55 to end their ACC tournament play. They didn’t show up. Who wants it more? Looks like Oregon does.
Oregon +1.5