**Louisiana State (4) versus Duke (1)**
–Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Duke as a 6 1/2-point ‘chalk’ over Louisiana State, with the total set at 147 ½. CBS Sports will begin broadcast of this Sweet 16 matchup Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
–The Atlanta Region has pretty much followed its seedings, with three of the four top seeds making it this far. The one notable exception is third-seed Iowa which was bumped off in the first round by 14th-seed Northwestern State.
–Louisiana State (25-8 straight up, 13-15 against the spread) began its NCAA Tournament run by throttling Iona last Thursday as a 7 1/2-point favorite, 80-64. The Tigers followed up that effort by slipping past Texas A&M Saturday as a 4 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 58-57.
–Guard Darrel Mitchell, the team’s lone senior, drilled a 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining to slip past the Aggies. Mitchell finished the contest with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, while forward Glen Davis led all scorers with 21 points and eight rebounds.
–LSU is now 11-6 SU and 9-7 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 70-66.
–Top-seed Duke (32-3 SU, 14-16 ATS) continued its winning ways by steamrolling its first two opponents this tournament. The Blue Devils beat Southern last Thursday as a 26-point ‘chalk,’ 70-54, before downing George Washington Saturday as a nine-point favorite, 74-61.
–Duke is making its ninth straight appearance in the Sweet 16 after shooting a blistering 48 percent (21-of-44) from the field, and limiting the Colonials to just 31 percent (21-of-68). JJ Redick stepped up with 20 points, while Shelden Williams added 17 and 14 rebounds.
–The Blue Devils are a robust 18-2 SU on the road, but 8-11 ATS. Duke has been winning those affairs by an average score of 81-71.
**West Virginia (6) versus Texas (2)**
–LVSC opened Texas as a five-point favorite over West Virginia, with the total set at 132. This Sweet 16 affair takes place at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome Thursday, with CBS Sports providing coverage starting at 9:40 p.m. ET.
–West Virginia (22-10 SU, 14-14 ATS) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season after pounding Southern Illinois in Friday’s first round as a four-point favorite, 64-46, and Northwestern State Sunday as an eight-point ‘chalk,’ 67-54.
–The Mountaineers entered the NCAA Tournament mired in a two-game SU and ATS losing skid. West Virginia cruised past Northwestern State after jumping out to a 41-19 halftime advantage.
–The Mountaineers prevailed despite being outrebounded, 41-28, while shooting a modest 39 percent (18-of-46). Four players reached double digits in scoring, led by Kevin Pittsnogle’s 14 points while Mike Gansey accounted for 11 and 12 rebounds.
–West Virginia claims a 9-7 SU and 8-7 ATS ledger away from home, prevailing by an average score of 68-65.
–Texas toppled the Mountaineers Nov. 21 as a six-point favorite, 76-75. This contest took place at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, with the Longhorns prevailing when LaMarcus Aldridge scored on a putback with just 3.6 seconds remaining.
–Texas (29-6 SU, 14-15 ATS) advanced to this stage after beating Pennsylvania Friday as a 14 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 60-52, and North Carolina State Sunday as an eight-point favorite, 75-54. The Longhorns had dropped four games in a row ATS before covering versus the Wolfpack.
–Texas broke open a close contest at halftime, 38-33, by outscoring N.C. State in the second half, 37-21. The Longhorns controlled the boards, 38-28, while shooting a solid 47 percent (26-of-56) from the field. P.J. Tucker paced the offense with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while teammate Daniel Gibson contributed with 17 and six assists.
–Texas claims a 13-5 SU and 7-11 ATS road record, prevailing in those contests by an average score of 69-64.
**Gonzaga (3) versus UCLA (2)**
–LVSC has UCLA listed as a 3 1/2-point ‘chalk’ over Gonzaga, with the total set at 138. CBS Sports starts its coverage of Thursday’s contest at 9:55 p.m. ET from Oakland Arena.
–Gonzaga (29-3 SU, 13-19 ATS) knocked off Xavier in Thursday’s first round as a 5 1/2-point favorite, 79-75, before beating Indiana Saturday as a three-point ‘chalk,’ 90-80. The Bulldogs had failed to cover their last four games before facing the Hoosiers.
–Gonzaga, playing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight time, advanced past the first weekend of the tournament for the first time since 2001. The Bulldogs connected at a 46-percent clip (28-of-61) versus Indiana, led by J.P. Batista’s 20 points and nine rebounds along with Adam Morrison’s 14 and nine.
–Gonzaga owns a solid 12-3 SU and 10-5 ATS road record, beating opponents by an average score of 81-75.
–UCLA (29-6 SU, 20-11 ATS) routed Belmont in Thursday’s opening round as a 17-point favorite, 78-44, before holding off Alabama Saturday as an 8 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 62-59. The Bruins had covered eight games in a row before failing to do so versus the Crimson Tide.
–UCLA was outrebounded, 30-21, but shot a solid 51 percent (24-of-47) from the field. The Bruins made the game closer than it should have been by converting just 5-of-13 free throws. Point guard Jordan Farmar led the way with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Arron Afflalo added 13.
–UCLA maintains a solid 15-3 SU and 13-5 ATS road record, winning those affairs by an average score of 68-58.
–Gonzaga’s Morrison (flu) is ‘probable’ versus the Bruins, while forward Larry Gurganious (fever) is ‘questionable.’
**Bradley (13) versus Memphis (1)**
–LVSC opened Memphis as a 6 1/2-point favorite over Bradley, with the total set at 142. CBS Sports will provide coverage of Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup at 7:25 p.m. ET from Oakland Arena.
–Bradley (22-10 SU, 19-10 ATS) is one of two Missouri Valley Conference teams still in the running, advancing this far for the first time since 1955. The Braves surprised Kansas in Friday’s opening round as an eight-point underdog, 77-73, before upending Pittsburgh Sunday as a 5 1/2-point ‘dog, 72-66.
–Bradley shot a modest 37 percent (22-of-59) from the field, but prevailed at the free-throw line by connecting on 26-of-32 attempts. Patrick O’Bryant led all scorers with 28 points and seven rebounds, while Marcellus Sommerville contributed 18 and six.
–The Braves are 9-9 SU and 10-8 ATS away from home, prevailing by an average score of 66-65.
–Memphis (32-3 SU, 17-15 ATS) has won six games in a row SU and four consecutive ATS after prevailing its first two NCAA Tournament games. The Tigers dumped Oral Roberts Friday as an 11-point favorite, 94-78, before disposing of Bucknell Sunday as an eight-point ‘chalk,’ 72-56.
–Memphis cruised past Bucknell by shooting 48 percent (23-of-48) from the field, and limiting the Bison to 37 percent (15-of-41). Four players reached double digits in scoring for the Tigers, led by Antonio Anderson’s 13 and Joey Dorsey’s 12.
–Memphis is a solid 16-2 SU and 11-7 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 82-69.
–Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Duke as a 6 1/2-point ‘chalk’ over Louisiana State, with the total set at 147 ½. CBS Sports will begin broadcast of this Sweet 16 matchup Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET from Atlanta’s Georgia Dome.
–The Atlanta Region has pretty much followed its seedings, with three of the four top seeds making it this far. The one notable exception is third-seed Iowa which was bumped off in the first round by 14th-seed Northwestern State.
–Louisiana State (25-8 straight up, 13-15 against the spread) began its NCAA Tournament run by throttling Iona last Thursday as a 7 1/2-point favorite, 80-64. The Tigers followed up that effort by slipping past Texas A&M Saturday as a 4 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 58-57.
–Guard Darrel Mitchell, the team’s lone senior, drilled a 3-pointer with 3.9 seconds remaining to slip past the Aggies. Mitchell finished the contest with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, while forward Glen Davis led all scorers with 21 points and eight rebounds.
–LSU is now 11-6 SU and 9-7 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 70-66.
–Top-seed Duke (32-3 SU, 14-16 ATS) continued its winning ways by steamrolling its first two opponents this tournament. The Blue Devils beat Southern last Thursday as a 26-point ‘chalk,’ 70-54, before downing George Washington Saturday as a nine-point favorite, 74-61.
–Duke is making its ninth straight appearance in the Sweet 16 after shooting a blistering 48 percent (21-of-44) from the field, and limiting the Colonials to just 31 percent (21-of-68). JJ Redick stepped up with 20 points, while Shelden Williams added 17 and 14 rebounds.
–The Blue Devils are a robust 18-2 SU on the road, but 8-11 ATS. Duke has been winning those affairs by an average score of 81-71.
**West Virginia (6) versus Texas (2)**
–LVSC opened Texas as a five-point favorite over West Virginia, with the total set at 132. This Sweet 16 affair takes place at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome Thursday, with CBS Sports providing coverage starting at 9:40 p.m. ET.
–West Virginia (22-10 SU, 14-14 ATS) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season after pounding Southern Illinois in Friday’s first round as a four-point favorite, 64-46, and Northwestern State Sunday as an eight-point ‘chalk,’ 67-54.
–The Mountaineers entered the NCAA Tournament mired in a two-game SU and ATS losing skid. West Virginia cruised past Northwestern State after jumping out to a 41-19 halftime advantage.
–The Mountaineers prevailed despite being outrebounded, 41-28, while shooting a modest 39 percent (18-of-46). Four players reached double digits in scoring, led by Kevin Pittsnogle’s 14 points while Mike Gansey accounted for 11 and 12 rebounds.
–West Virginia claims a 9-7 SU and 8-7 ATS ledger away from home, prevailing by an average score of 68-65.
–Texas toppled the Mountaineers Nov. 21 as a six-point favorite, 76-75. This contest took place at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, with the Longhorns prevailing when LaMarcus Aldridge scored on a putback with just 3.6 seconds remaining.
–Texas (29-6 SU, 14-15 ATS) advanced to this stage after beating Pennsylvania Friday as a 14 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 60-52, and North Carolina State Sunday as an eight-point favorite, 75-54. The Longhorns had dropped four games in a row ATS before covering versus the Wolfpack.
–Texas broke open a close contest at halftime, 38-33, by outscoring N.C. State in the second half, 37-21. The Longhorns controlled the boards, 38-28, while shooting a solid 47 percent (26-of-56) from the field. P.J. Tucker paced the offense with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while teammate Daniel Gibson contributed with 17 and six assists.
–Texas claims a 13-5 SU and 7-11 ATS road record, prevailing in those contests by an average score of 69-64.
**Gonzaga (3) versus UCLA (2)**
–LVSC has UCLA listed as a 3 1/2-point ‘chalk’ over Gonzaga, with the total set at 138. CBS Sports starts its coverage of Thursday’s contest at 9:55 p.m. ET from Oakland Arena.
–Gonzaga (29-3 SU, 13-19 ATS) knocked off Xavier in Thursday’s first round as a 5 1/2-point favorite, 79-75, before beating Indiana Saturday as a three-point ‘chalk,’ 90-80. The Bulldogs had failed to cover their last four games before facing the Hoosiers.
–Gonzaga, playing in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight time, advanced past the first weekend of the tournament for the first time since 2001. The Bulldogs connected at a 46-percent clip (28-of-61) versus Indiana, led by J.P. Batista’s 20 points and nine rebounds along with Adam Morrison’s 14 and nine.
–Gonzaga owns a solid 12-3 SU and 10-5 ATS road record, beating opponents by an average score of 81-75.
–UCLA (29-6 SU, 20-11 ATS) routed Belmont in Thursday’s opening round as a 17-point favorite, 78-44, before holding off Alabama Saturday as an 8 1/2-point ‘chalk,’ 62-59. The Bruins had covered eight games in a row before failing to do so versus the Crimson Tide.
–UCLA was outrebounded, 30-21, but shot a solid 51 percent (24-of-47) from the field. The Bruins made the game closer than it should have been by converting just 5-of-13 free throws. Point guard Jordan Farmar led the way with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Arron Afflalo added 13.
–UCLA maintains a solid 15-3 SU and 13-5 ATS road record, winning those affairs by an average score of 68-58.
–Gonzaga’s Morrison (flu) is ‘probable’ versus the Bruins, while forward Larry Gurganious (fever) is ‘questionable.’
**Bradley (13) versus Memphis (1)**
–LVSC opened Memphis as a 6 1/2-point favorite over Bradley, with the total set at 142. CBS Sports will provide coverage of Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup at 7:25 p.m. ET from Oakland Arena.
–Bradley (22-10 SU, 19-10 ATS) is one of two Missouri Valley Conference teams still in the running, advancing this far for the first time since 1955. The Braves surprised Kansas in Friday’s opening round as an eight-point underdog, 77-73, before upending Pittsburgh Sunday as a 5 1/2-point ‘dog, 72-66.
–Bradley shot a modest 37 percent (22-of-59) from the field, but prevailed at the free-throw line by connecting on 26-of-32 attempts. Patrick O’Bryant led all scorers with 28 points and seven rebounds, while Marcellus Sommerville contributed 18 and six.
–The Braves are 9-9 SU and 10-8 ATS away from home, prevailing by an average score of 66-65.
–Memphis (32-3 SU, 17-15 ATS) has won six games in a row SU and four consecutive ATS after prevailing its first two NCAA Tournament games. The Tigers dumped Oral Roberts Friday as an 11-point favorite, 94-78, before disposing of Bucknell Sunday as an eight-point ‘chalk,’ 72-56.
–Memphis cruised past Bucknell by shooting 48 percent (23-of-48) from the field, and limiting the Bison to 37 percent (15-of-41). Four players reached double digits in scoring for the Tigers, led by Antonio Anderson’s 13 and Joey Dorsey’s 12.
–Memphis is a solid 16-2 SU and 11-7 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 82-69.