March Madness NCAAB Betting Preview and Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Kentucky Wildcats

March 28, 2015 by R Keough

“March Madness NCAAB Betting Preview and Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Kentucky Wildcats + Between the Chalk”

8:49 PM ET, March 28, 2015
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

The NCAA Basketball Elite Eight gets going today with two games on the schedule, including undefeated No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats (37-0, 19-16-2 ATS) going up against No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (32-5, 16-13-0 ATS) at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The winner will play the winner of today’s other USA online sports betting matchup between Wisconsin and Arizona.

Experts using bookie software such as Premier Per Head currently have the Wildcats 11-point favorites with the total at 136½. For those preferring to bet on the total using sites for local bookies know Kentucky are 15-22-0 against the total while Notre Dame are 14-13-0.

Kentucky, who are looking to become the first undefeated team in college basketball since Bobby Knight’s team did it in Indiana in 1976, have pretty much destroyed anyone that has gotten in their way. Cincinnati gave them their best run, keeping within 13 points with a final USA online sports betting score of 64-51.

On Thursday, No. 5 West Virginia didn’t stand a chance against a Kentucky team that shot 48% from the field and allowed only 18 first half points. At the half, the Mountaineers had almost as many fouls (14) as points. It was said some Wildcat players wanted to win by 50 after West Virginia freshman guard Daxter Miles Jr. said his team would end Kentucky’s winning streak.

Kentucky showed their depth, with five players scoring double figures, led by Trey Lyles with 14 who added 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block. Willie Cauley-Stein led the Wildcats with 10 boards while scoring 8 points, 2 assists, 3 blocks and one USA online sports betting steal.

Notre Dame supporters using sites for local bookies know they are on an epic streak themselves, nowhere close to the season Kentucky are enjoying, but the Irish have won their last 8, including a 90-82 victory over North Carolina to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship prior to the start of the tournament on March 14th.

Notre Dame’s last game was a SU and ATS win versus No. 7 Wichita State on Thursday 81-70 as 2-point dogs. The Shockers took their first and only lead of the game with under 17-minutes to go, only to be outscored 38-15 for the remainder of the game with the Irish shooting 75% (18 of 24).

Pay Per Head agents using sites such as Premier Per Head watched as the Irish showed their prowess; with four of five starters scoring 15 or more points with season scoring leader Jerian Grant scoring 9. Demetrius Jackson led the Irish in scoring with 20 and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Pat Connaughton took charge in the paint, hauling down 10 rebounds and chipped in with 16 points, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 USA online sports betting blocks.

Those looking for bookie advice when betting on the total need to know the Irish have played to the UNDER in 4 of their last 6, while Kentucky has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7. Dating back to 2002, when these two play, the UNDER has paid in 4 of 6.

Both teams are riding high, with a great starting line and good depth making this Kentucky’s toughest contest to date. In order for the Irish to win, they will need a better game from Grant than what he gave them against Wichita and Notre Dame will need to continue their hot shooting from the perimeter. The Irish will also need Connaughton to be the presence he’s been so far.

It’s tough to bet against Kentucky after their dismantling of West Virginia though, who are as advertised…too big, too strong, too relentless! The Harrison’s (Aaron and Andrew) and company will be too much down the stretch for the Irish to handle and will move on to the Final Four to meet the winner of the West on April 4th.