Evan Wessel and Wichita State are looking for their second Elite 8 appearance in 3 years. (Getty)
The only thing shocking about Wichita State’s NCAA Tournament run is its No. 7 seed. Clearly the oddsmakers and the Selection Committee don’t see eye-to-eye on this.
The Shockers were 6.5-point favorites over No. 10 seed Indiana, then were an easy pick ’em winner over second-seeded Kansas. Now Wichita plays Midwest No. 3 seed Notre Dame on Thursday night and the Shockers have opened as 1-point favorites. Normally 2 and 3 seeds would get the edge over a typical 7 seed. At 30-4 and with a top 15 ranking, Wichita State clearly isn’t a typical No. 7 seed.
The Irish had a string of 5 consecutive wins against the spread snapped in their first tournament game. And they also failed to cover the spread in their win over Butler on Saturday. They’ve won their 2 games by a combined 7 points.
For OddsShark’s game preview, click here.
The below numbers are supplied by sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com and are subject to change.
Notre Dame-Wichita State Point Spread
Notre Dame … +1
Wichita State … -1
Notre Dame is 15-13 against the spread, including 7-3 over the last 10 games.
Wichita State is 18-14-1 ATS, with a 6-3-1 mark over the past 10.
Both teams are 9-1 straight up in the last 10.
Notre Dame has failed to cover the spread in each of its Tournament games, Wichita is 1-1.
To read OddsShark’s odds and stats game preview, click here.
Notre Dame-Wichita State Over-Under
Over-Under … 137
Wichita State is 17-13 on the Over-Under, while Notre Dame is 13-13.
The UNDER has won in 6 of Notre Dame’s last 8 games, including both Tournament games.
The OVER has won in 4 of Wichita’s past 5 games, including 3 straight.
Notre Dame-Wichita State Money Line
Notre Dame … +102
Wichita State … -122
The Basics
Who:
No. 3 Notre Dame (31-5) vs. No. 7 Wichita State (30-4)
What:
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
When:
Thursday, March 26
Where:
Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
Bracket Region:
Midwest
Time:
7:15 p.m. Eastern
Channel:
CBS
