March Madness Odds: 2 Best Bets for Wednesday's First Four Games The First Four games of the NCAA Tournament kicked off on Wednesday, featuring matchups between Lehigh and Prairie View A&M, as well as Miami (OH) and SMU. Analysts from FanDuel Sportsbook identified two key betting opportunities based on team performance metrics and historical trends. The first game, Lehigh (16th seed) vs. Prairie View A&M (16th seed), presented a strong case for backing the under 143.5 points line at -110 odds. Both teams struggled offensively, ranking 290th and 310th, respectively, in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. Their defensive capabilities were also limited, with neither team in the top 230 in defensive rankings. However, both squads excelled at limiting three-point attempts, with Lehigh allowing just 32.2% of opponents’ three-pointers and Prairie View A&M keeping the rate at 34.6%. This trend toward fewer long-range shots made the under line an appealing option. The second matchup, Miami (OH) (11th seed) vs. SMU (11th seed), leaned heavily on statistical analysis. Despite Miami’s 11-1 record, their performance in close games raised concerns about their overall strength. The RedHawks had won their last three contests by exactly two points, suggesting a team reliant on narrow margins. KenPom ranked SMU 42nd overall compared to Miami’s 93rd, while Torvik’s projections placed SMU at 42nd and Miami at 86th. SMU’s offensive efficiency (26th) and defensive ranking (91st) also outpaced Miami’s offensive (70th) and defensive (156th) marks. Although SMU had a recent losing streak, their stronger schedule (51st strength of schedule) contrasted with Miami’s weaker slate (269th). The analysis favored SMU to cover the spread despite their recent struggles.#ncaa_tournament #smu #miami_oh #lehigh #prairie_view_am
