The Brigham Young Cougars are one of two teams from the Mountain West to make this year's NCAA national title tournament, and with the March Madness betting Sweet 16 upon us both are still alive. The Cougars and MWC conference champion San Diego State Aztecs have both advanced through their first two tournament games, but will be tested with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line. BYU will be the first to put its title hopes on the line, as they take on the Florida Gators in the South East region on Thursday.
Brigham Young Cougars vs. Florida Gators
Thursday March 23, 2011 – 7:27 PM ET
New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
Online Sports Betting Odds: Florida Gators - 3
The Cougars will battle a Florida team that finished first in the SEC East during the regular season, but are still looking to make a statement in the Madness after falling to Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC title tournament. The Gators had little trouble with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and the UCLA Bruins through their first two tournament games, and will need to be ready for a step up in competition.
March Madness Betting Preview: Brigham Young
Jimmer Fredette has taken the Cougars on his shoulders since the team lost Brandon Davies to a season-ending suspension in the final days of the Mountain West season. Fredette has been a one-man show through BYU's first two tournament games in registering a combined 66 points, and it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up against a tough Gators' defense. Jackson Emery has complimented Fredette well in Davies' absence, including the 16 points and four assist he put up against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the third round. Fredette will be the focal point to the Cougars' success, but the further BYU goes the more he will need his teammates to step up around him.
March Madness Betting Preview: Florida
The Gators haven't been tested much through the first two rounds, and the most important factor for their next game will be to expect a tougher challenge. Erving Walker has been the team's biggest star so far in the tournament, but he hasn't done it alone with Kenny Boyton and Vernon Macklin both playing key roles in the team's first two pay per head wins. Boynton's health will be one of the keys to Florida moving any further forward in the Madness, as the Gators will need their best defender to be able to at least slow Fredette.
March Madness Betting: Outlook & Pick
The Gators have cruised through the first couple of sports betting bonus tournament rounds, but will be in for a major wakeup call against BYU. Fredette will continue to perform at the highest level with the injury to Boynton keeping him from playing his best defense. Florida should be able to keep this game close down to the wire, but it will be the Cougars that advance to the Elite Eight.
Gambling Advisor blog Betting Pick: BYU Cougars + 3
