ProSportsOnlineSports news with a vegas edge.

One of the biggest shockers of the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, came from Jacksonville, where the No. 12 seeded Cornell Big Red beat Temple. But can they top that feat with another upset in Sunday’s betting odds?

No. 12 Cornell Big Red (29-4 SU, 17-10 ATS) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (24-8 SU, 17-13 ATS): NCAA Tournament Second Round

Sunday, March 21: 2:50 p.m. CBS

NCAA Betting Odds: Wisconsin -4

Here are some NCAA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Cornell: 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
Cornell: 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games

Wisconsin: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games
Wisconsin: 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games

What was maybe the most surprising part of Cornell’s victory on Friday, was the ease with which they did it. The Big Red outscored Temple in the first half and second half and really never let the No. 5 seed get comfortable in the game. Guards Louis Dale and Ryan Wittman led Cornell with 41 points combined, as Cornell finished the game as a team shooting 58 percent from the field.

As for Wisconsin, it wasn’t nearly as easy of a go around on Friday, as they needed all 40 minutes to hold on against Wofford. The game was one of the worst of the season for the Badgers, as they had just a miserable day as a team. Wisconsin shot just 37 percent from the field, 63 percent from the foul line, and made just one three-pointer. Looking at their stats, it really is no wonder that it was close.

In their matchup Sunday, what the outcome will come down to, is if Wisconsin’s offense will be able to have a better showing. We all know that the Badgers can play defense: On the season, they ranked No. 4 in college basketball, allowing just 56 points a game.

But on offense it was a totally different story. Wisconsin averaged just 67 points a game, which ranked 206th nationally, hardly the mark of a top-flight team. So much of Wisconsin’s offense comes from the hands of Trevon Hughes and Jon Leuer, who combined to average over 30 points a game. What happens if one of them has an off night?

As crazy as this may sound, the play here is Cornell. Looking at the Big Red, they do everything well. They average 75 points a game, while also allowing just 63, both of which rank in the top 50 nationally. Their offensive field goal percentage is a more than impressive 48 percent (ranked 15th in the country). And they get scoring from both inside and out, thanks to Wittman and Dale on the perimeter, and center Jeff Foote, who averages 12 points a game as well.

Cornell entered their game on Friday as a four point underdog against Temple, and covered easily. You know what? They’re going to do the same Sunday.

Make them your pick in the NCAA Tournament betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Cornell +4

Even without their star player, Purdue seems to keep the magic happening. With a 72-64 victory over Siena, a team that many touted as having the nuts to win in the first round, the Boilermakers finally beat the spread for the first time in nearly a month of basketball betting. Now they have the somewhat daunting task of making it two spread victories in a row with the major problem being that Texas A&M is a very formidable fifth-seed.

Purdue used depth, speed and power to overcome a surge from Siena which was paced by Keaton Grant who ended the game with 11-points. JaJuan Johnson scored a team-high 23-points and E’Twuan Moore, who has taken over as the leader of the team, chipped in 12-points.

I can’t get over the fact that 1-6-1 ATS in their past 8 games. Their strong play against Siena was definitely crowd pleasing, especially if you sided with them on the betting line, but playing against the Aggies is a whole different ball game.

Texas A&M (24-9) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (28-5)
Sunday, March 21st — Spokane Arena — 5:00pm EST
NCAAB Betting Line: Texas A&M -1.5 (125.5)

Texas A&M blew the doors off of Utah State and never looked back. The 69-53 victory was the first spread win in three games, and lifted the Aggies back to an 11-2 ATS record over the past 13 games.

The one guy who is really enjoying the tournament style of play is freshman forward Khris Middleton, who averaged just 7.3 points per game this season. But against Utah State he led the team in scoring with 19-points and also dropped 14-points against Kansas.

Purdue’s run has been pretty strong all things considered, but they’re no match for the Aggies. Simply put, the Boilermakers are about to wilt under the pressure. You can only play so long at this level without your best player.

Furious Free Pick: Texas A&M -1.5 (OVER)

Last year’s NCAA Tournament runners-up, the Michigan State Spartans, needed to sweat for all 40 minutes of their opener this year, on Friday night against New Mexico State. Can they make things easier on themselves in Sunday’s betting odds?

No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (25-8 SU, 12-20 ATS) vs. No. 4 Maryland Terrapins (24-8 SU, 18-10 ATS): NCAA Tournament Second Round

Sunday, March 21: 2:30 p.m. CBS

NCAA Betting Odds: Maryland -1

Here are some NCAA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Michigan State: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
Michigan State: 4-2 SU in their last 6 games

Maryland: 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
Maryland: Total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games

If you watched Michigan State’s win Friday night you know, it didn’t come easy for the Spartans. Despite dominating the first half, and taking a 42-29 lead to the locker room at intermission, the second half belong to New Mexico State. The Aggies outscored Michigan State 38-28 in the final period, and if it weren’t for a few dubious calls, the Spartans might be at home for this one.

The Spartans were ultimately saved by the steady hand of Kalin Lucas, one of the best point guards in the country. Lucas was at his best Friday night, scoring 25 points in victory. His backcourt mate Durrell Summers added 14 as well.

As for Maryland, they played maybe even a more entertaining game, in a back and forth, up and down affair with Houston. The Terrapins got a career day from freshman center Jordan Williams who finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Not bad for the first year player from Torrington, CT. Whether Williams can repeat that performance, will be one of the biggest questions in Sunday afternoon’s game.

It’s no secret that Michigan State basketball is predicated on two things, defense and rebounding, two things which they did phenomenally well this year. They ranked in the top 55 nationally in both points allowed and defensive field goal percentage, and 29th in rebounding, averaging over 39 a game. Limiting Williams on the boards will be key to their victory.

But here’s the thing: Watching the Spartans Friday, they just don’t seem like a typical Michigan State team. They were one of the NCAA’s worst teams against the spread in 2010, and didn’t cover against New Mexico State in their opener. If the front of their jerseys didn’t say “Michigan State,” would you bet on them Sunday?

Which is why Maryland is the play. They may not have the name recognition, or the flashiness, but they just go out and win games. They’ve covered in six of their last seven games, and should be able to do the same in Sunday’s betting odds.

Make them your pick.

Aaron’s Pick: Maryland -1