Rob Nelson of ESPN Stats & Information revisits the worst bad beats from the weekend's gambling action.
Note: Closing lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and pick percentages are via Wunderdog sports.
Friday
Wisconsin Badgers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Closing line: Notre Dame -1, Demetrius Jackson over/under 15 points
This turned out to be a rough finish for bettors who took either Wisconsin or the under on Demetrius Jackson's point total. The Fighting Irish trailed for over 33 minutes of game time, and by five with 3:30 left in the second half. Notre Dame would close the game on 17-7 run, including an 8-0 spurt in the final 19 seconds.
Who fueled the Irish comeback? That would be Demetrious Jackson, who scored six of those points in the final 19 seconds. The over/under prop for Jackson's points at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook was 15. At the 10:14 mark in the second half, Jackson had just two points, so it was a tough loss for those on the under who saw him finish with 16.
Final score: Notre Dame 61, Wisconsin 56 (Jackson: 16 points)
Saturday
Oklahoma Sooners vs Oregon Ducks
Closing line: Over/under 152.5
In a game that many will remember Buddy Hield and Oklahoma shooting lights out, the 76 percent of folks who took the over might not see it that way. The Sooners led 48-30 at halftime, as the game was on pace to go over the closing total of 152.5.
While Oklahoma ended up winning, it cooled down significantly in the second half. After shooting 50 percent and making nine of their 14 3-point attempts in the first half, the Sooners were 3-10 from deep after halftime. In fact, Oklahoma didn't make a single field goal in the final 5:21 of the game. Oregon wasn't able to take advantage, and much to the dismay of those who bet the over, shot 38.7 percent from the field including 18.2 on 3-pointers in the second half.
Final score: Oklahoma 80, Oregon 68 (game goes under)
Sunday
Syracuse Orange vs Virginia Cavaliers
UVA closing moneyline/future: -450 to win game, -110 to win region
For most of the game, it looked like Virginia would easily cover the 8-point spread, let alone win straight up. The Cavaliers led by 14 at halftime, and 54-39 with less than 10 minutes left. At that point, it didn't appear that Virginia -- who was 68-0 under Tony Bennett when leading by double-digits at halftime -- was in any danger of losing the game. Until we witnessed yet another memorable comeback/collapse in this year's tournament.
Syracuse outscored Virginia 29-8 over the final 9:16, and ended up winning by six. The 47 second-half points for the Orange were the most allowed in a half by the Cavaliers this season. It was a tough loss for bettors who took Virginia -8, but it was even worse for those on the moneyline before the game or for the folks who took the 'Hoos at -110 to win the region prior to the Sweet 16.
Final score: Syracuse 68, Virginia 62
NJIT Highlanders vs Columbia Lions
Closing line: Over/under 144
With just two NCAA Tournament games on Sunday, some bettors looked to the CIT Semifinals for some hoops action. Those who took the under in the NJIT/Columbia game are wishing they stayed away.
At halftime, Columbia led 33-22, as the combined points were 89 short of the closing total. NJIT would proceed to score more points in the first 10 minutes of the second half than it had at halftime. The Highlanders continued to trade buckets down the stretch, and a 90-point second half resulted in the over hitting by one point.
Final score: Columbia 80, NJIT 65 (game goes over)