Posted on 3/20/2008 12:38:59 PM

NCAA March Madness Basketball Betting Free Picks – Patriots To Plunder Irish

By Tim Furious

No.12 George Mason Patriots (23-10) vs. No.5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (24-7)
Thursday, March 20th --- Pepsi Center, Denver --- 9:50pm EST
NCAAB Betting Line: Notre Dame -6.5 (141.5)

It’s easy to get swept up in the Madness with George Mason again. They’re becoming a darling team because of their 2006 Final Four appearance. And this is overshadowing that they are 2-5-1 ATS in their past 8 games. They average 69.9 points per game, but were able to hold their opponents to 62.3 points against.

Will Thomas is their pace setter with 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He is an absolute monster in the paint and will give ND a handful tonight when they clash in Denver. But Folarin Campbell led the team with 15.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 6-foot-4 swingman is a versatile athlete that will give the Irish fits whenever he gets the ball in his capable hands.

Notre Dame is a solid team, and I’m not saying that they aren’t capable of showing some fight. They’re a solid Big East team that averaged 80.6 points per game, but were defensively lapsed allowing 70.5 against. They’re a great rebounding team overall, so Thomas will have his hands full. On top of that, they average 8.5 3-pointers per game. If anything, they’re the fully justified favorite and have rewarded their alumni by going 5-2 ATS in their past 7 games.

One of the problems with past Cinderella teams is that they get caught up in the hype of their own success. But believing in the hype and believing in yourself are two totally different things. George Mason is everyone’s “dark horse” pick this year because they have shown to emerge as solid contenders in the Big Dance picture. Bet on them as the underdogs as they at least challenge Notre Dame. I like them with anything +5 because of their deft shooting and ability to run the floor and keep up on the scoreboard.

Notre Dame is well balanced, but it’s always difficult to discount the heart that the George Mason roster has shown us all year round. Just don’t get caught with lint in your pockets as this Cinderella team leaves the ball with a win.

March Madness Free Pick: George Mason +6.5 (UNDER)

Go to the BetUS.com online sportsbook today to bet on NCAA basketball during March Madness. We have the most current NCAA basketball odds and lines, as well as player and game props. Join BetUS.com to experience the best in online sports betting action!