DTM’s College Hoops NCAA Tourney Special | UVM vs. PUR

NCAA TOURNEY 1ST ROUND – MIDWEST REGION

#4 Purdue Boilermakers vs. #13 Vermont Catamounts

When: 7:27 PM ET, Thursday, March 16, 2017

Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

America’s Bookie Line: Purdue -9

TV Coverage: TruTV

By Dan Leach

Follow Dan on Twitter @DanLeach971

What a juicy matchup we have as the night session begins on day one in the Midwest region. The Boilers got upended by red hot Michigan in the Quarters of the B1G tourney last week while all Vermont has done is win 21 straight en route to the America east Title. With the way Purdue struggled mighty at times late in the season and the overall quality of the Big Ten, on top of how hot the Catamounts have been, this is a perfect recipe for an upset.

I thought Purdue was over seeded with a 4 and that Vermont was under seeded with a 13 and I think you will be able to tell that right as this game tips off. Purdue has a ton of horses though, which is the reason they won the regular season B1G crown and none more important than Big Ten Player of The Year Caleb Swanigan. He can take over games and will be very tough for the Vermont D to slow down.

The Catamounts have their own game changers in 6-6 freshman Anthony Lamb and his almost 13 points per game as well as junior Payton Hensen who at 6-8 is a beast in the lane on both ends and averages 11.4 and 5.3 boards a game. Both these teams can score in bunches, so the defensive end is going to be key. I see Purdue being in front most of the way, but a late push by the red hot Catamounts won’t only cover the 9 point spread, but might advance them to the second round with a stunning upset over the B1G regular season champs.

7.8 DTM Bagels and Locks on the Catamounts (UVM +9)

Dan Leach was the world’s first human to live under the sea for more than 60 days, created what is now used as the International Olympic Flag, was the basis of Denzel Washington’s character Frank Lucas in “American Gangster”, Is often consulted on matters of national “Sports Security”, was the first human to interview Dracula, started the American Revolution on a dare, once sat in on drums with Led Zeppelin, and is a noted expert in the field of Time Travel.