When did the ACC regular season champion last get a seed as low as a five? The Hurricanes are a minuscule favorite over Drake despite a fresh trohye in the case, a veteran tournament coach (Jim Larranaga) and two big-time scorers (Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller). As a bonus, their gifted big man, Norchad Omier, appears likely to play after an ankle injury put his status in doubt. The no-respect pitch to a team is overdone but it might fit here as a motivator.

We're going to go ahead and lock this in even knowing the status of Norchad Omier is pivotal to the handicap. Omier is Miami's best defensive post player and drawing Drake means having to defend last year's conference player of the year Tucker DeVries. But regardless of Omier's status, Miami's defense has been backsliding for the last six weeks, frequently getting carved up as teams get good looks near the rim -- the Canes' 2-point defense has been downright horrendous (No. 358) since Feb. 1. Miami should be able to do its part for this play with any number of its stellar bucket-getters, be it Isaiah Wong or Nijel Pack or Jordan Miller, so I like the chances of a high-scoring evening in Albany.

Midwest Region first-round action from Albany. The ACC regular-season champion is only -2.5 against Drake!? That's not something I expected to type ever unless I was handicapping a cribbage showdown between the schools or the like. I was a tad leery of Miami because the team's top big man, Norchad Omier, was hurt early in the team's ACC Tournament loss to Duke. However, Omier was seen at practice today and while he may not be able to play normal minutes, it seems like he will go. That should be enough to advance, although Drake is very good. That UM doesn't have to play until Friday certainly helps. I was today years old when I learned this: Ari Gold/George Costanza stand-in Jeremy Piven is a Drake alum. Love that dude.

The Drake Bulldogs looked dominant in the MVC tournament. They are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games. On the other side, the Hurricanes haven't felt like the same team recently. They are 0-4 ATS in their last four games including an egregious loss to Florida State. Drake will be leaning on the coach's son, Tucker DeVries, to have a big game. DeVries was second in the MVC in scoring at 19.0 PPG this season. This line is clearly a trap line trying to get people to take Miami. There is a reason the line is where it is. The Bulldogs are a good team that should be able to upset the Hurricanes.