NCAA Tournament Picks: Butler Bulldogs vs. Bucknell Bison

The Butler Bulldogs are 17-3 against the spread in their last 20 games on a neutral floor, which is important to consider when making your NCAA basketball picks Thursday as they prepare to take on the Bucknell Bison.

Sports bettors will find that the Bulldogs are 3.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total sits at 122.5 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this second-round matchup in the East Region from a betting perspective, while offering up an against-the-spread pick along the way. 

The Butler Bulldogs will be making their 11th NCAA tournament appearance since 1997, which includes back-to-back trips to the title game in 2010 and 2011.

Over the last two-plus seasons, the Bulldogs are 18-5 against the spread in all tournament games, with the OVER going 12-11-1 in that situation.

The Bucknell Bison will go as far as senior center Mike Muscala can take them, as he led the nation in tallying 22 double-doubles.

Sports bettors will find that the Bison are 2-9 against the spread in their last 11 games against a team with a winning record.

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Butler Bulldogs as one of their NCAA tournament picks Thursday, as they've gone 16-5 against the spread in their last 21 games in this event.

NCAA Basketball Pick: Butler Bulldogs -3.5

Follow Jeff Grant on Twitter