Line: Purdue -2, Total: 118.5 ( current NCAA Tournament spreads and totals ) 

Purdue Record 21-12 ATS 20-10 O/U 10-18 Overview: Sure, this is an 8-9 game, but Purdue is one of the few teams favored over a higher seed in second round of the Tournament.   The Boilermakers went on a run of covering eight-straight games, and 10 of 11, in the latter part of the season, but enter the Tourney having missed the cash in three-straight games. Their last three games stayed UNDER the total, continuing a season-long trend. This is Purdue’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.

Team page: Purdue

Cincinnati Record 22-11 ATS 15-13 O/U 10-13-1 Overview: The Bearcats’ run of five straight wins and covers was stymied by a 57-54 loss as 1-point favorites to UConn in their first game of the AAC tournament.  Like Purdue, Cincy’s been an UNDER team, too, but it’s all accounted for by one of the lowest totals on the second-round board.  Mick Cronin’s club has been ousted from the Tournament in its opening game each of the last two seasons.

Team page: Cincinnati

Handicapping tools: Matchup analysis | Power ratings | ATS standings

The Linemakers’ lean: Purdue is a well-coached team with some big-time Big Ten players. Cincinnati may have success making this game ugly, but the excellent free-throw shooting of the Boilermakers turns the tide for us. We’ll lay the short price with Purdue. Also, both teams, especially the Boilermakers, have been solid UNDER bets, and we’ll offer a lean to the UNDER as well.

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