Friday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Seton Hall Pirates at South Florida Bulls (1.5, 118.5)
Seton Hall has won and covered in four straight since losing at No. 1 Syracuse, three of them at home.
The Pirates will now take to the road for the next two games, starting at South Florida Friday. The 4-1 start in the Big East is Seton Hall’s best since 1999-2000 when it finished 10-6 in the league.
The key battle may be at the point where Seton Hall senior Jordan Theodore, one of the nation’s leaders in assists, will face off against South Florida’s talented freshman Anthony Collins.
The Bulls will have to avoid turnovers against Seton Hall’s ball-hawking defense, led by Fuquan Edwin who led the nation in steals through Wednesday.
South Florida had won two straight before dropping a 60-49 decision at Notre Dame Tuesday, but will have their hands full with the Pirates.
Pick: Pirates
Creighton Bluejays at Illinois State Redbirds (2.5, 143)
Creighton travels to Illinois State in search of its sixth road win, while the Redbirds hope to end a 21-game losing streak against ranked opponents.
The Bluejays won just three road games last year but are off to a 5-1 start this season, including wins at San Diego State and Wichita State. No.21 Creighton sits in a three-way tie at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference with Illinois State a game back. Illinois State is 8-1 at home.
With Player of the Year candidate Doug McDermott (24.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg) attracting double and triple teams, Creighton excels at finding the open man leading to just under 20 assists per game.
After a 44-point outburst against Bradley, Northern Iowa keyed on McDermott, holding him to 14 points. Senior point guard Antoine Young took over with 21 points to lead the Bluejays to a 63-60 win.
We like the way the Bluejays are stepping up.
Pick: Bluejays
Games to Watch
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
Creighton Bluejays vs. Illinois State Redbirds
Creighton’s 92-83 win over Bradley on Saturday as an 11-point road favorite boosted its overall record this season to 13-2 SU. It is 8-3 ATS overall and 4-2 ATS on the road. The Bluejays are ranked seventh in the nation in scoring with 83.2 points a game and first in shooting with a field goal percentage of 51.3.
Illinois State is 3-1 SU in the Missouri Valley Conference and 11-4 SU overall. They Redbirds face Wichita State this Tuesday and are coming off a 75-73 victory over Evansville this past Saturday, but failed to cover as 7½-point home favorites to fall to 6-5 ATS overall and 2-3 ATS at home. They are averaging 69.3 points a game and shooting 44.7 percent from the floor.
NCAAB Preview
Seton Hall won eight of last nine games with South Florida, but lost in OT last time they visited here (76-74 in '10); Pirates are 2-1 in last three visits to USF. Hall won four in row, 12 of last 13 games; they're 3-1 on road, winning at Dayton/Providence. Only teams to beat Pirates are #4 and #59 in country. #110 USF is 2-2 in Big East, scoring 57-49 points in losses, 67-74 in the wins. Big East favorites are 5-2 when spread is 3 or less points.
Columbia is much-improved, winning 11 of last 12 games after 0-4 start, but only one of their 11 victims is ranked better than #178; Lions are 5-2 at home, winning last four by 1-10-10-15 points. Pennsylvania lost last two visits to Columbia by 1-13 points; four of last seven series games were decided by 4 or less points. Quakers are 3-5 in last eight games, but all five teams that beat them are in top 100; Penn is 7-1 vs teams ranked lower than #100, with only loss to #234 James Madison.
Cleveland State lost five in row, 13 of last 15 games vs Butler, losing six in row at Hinkle by 29-25-5-2-9-23 points. Vikings won nine of last 11 games, but lost last two games against top 200 teams. Butler is 3-2 in league, with three wins by total of nine points. Horizon home favorites of 5 or less points are 2-6 vs spread. State is 7-1 on road, with only loss at South Florida- they've won games at Vandy/Kent State. Vikings lead the country in forcing turnovers, getting one on 28.7% of possessions.
Princeton beat Cornell twice LY, by 2-18 points, after losing seven of previous eight series games; Tigers lost four of last five visits to Ithaca, losing by 20-11-9-3 points. Princeton won six of last eight D-I games, including a triple-OT win over Florida State; Tigers won five of their last seven road games. Big Red lost its last five games vs D-I teams (they beat a D-III team in last game), but none of them were by more than 9 points; their last two D-I wins both came in OT.
Youngstown State is 0-9 vs Valparaiso since teams have been Horizon rivals, losing here by 19-8-4-24 points. Penguins are surprising 4-1 so far in Horizon, with only loss by point at Wright State; they're 8-2 against teams ranked below #120. Horizon home favorites of 5 or less points are 2-6 vs spread. Valparaiso is 3-2 in league, with all three wins by 3 or less points, or in OT; they're poor defensive team (#277) but are #2 in nation making 56.7% of their 2-point shots.
Evansville lost its last three games by total of five points after starting out 2-0 in MVC; Purple Aces allow opponents to make 55% of 2-point shots (331st). Drake is 10-6 in its last 16 games vs Evansville, 4-3 in last seven visits here, with losses by 21-11-16 points; Bulldogs are 2-3 in Valley, losing road games by 11-17 points. Drake won five of last six games vs teams ranked below #100, with only loss at Iowa. MVC home favorites of less than 8 points are 2-7 vs spread.
Indiana State won its last three games over Southern Illinois by 3-5-15 points; they're 3-2 in last five visits to Carbondale. Sycamores are 2-3 in Valley, losing both their road games, at Drake/No Iowa, by 15-17 points. MVC underdogs are 5-1 vs spread if number is 3 or less points. Salukis are 1-9 vs teams ranked in top 200; only one of their five wins was bvs a team rankied higher than #225. Indiana State won nine of its eleven games vs teams ranked lower than #100.
Bradley was 0-3 vs Wichita State LY, losing by 16-20-14 points; Braves are 2-6 in last eight visits here, with losses by 21-15-21-2-12-20 points. Bradley lost its last eight games, allowing average of 81.5 ppg in last six games- they're 0-7 vs top 100 teams, but only two of their 12 losses are by more than 17 points. MVC double digit favorites are 3-5 vs spread, 2-2 at home. Wichita is 4-1 in Valley, but last three wins are by total of 14 points; Shockers are 0-2 as an MVC home favorite this season.
Missouri State lost five of last six games vs Northern Iowa, losing three of last four visits here, with losses by 15-14-8 points. Bears are 4-1 in MVC with road wins at Creighton/Indiana State; they're 2-6 vs teams in top 100, winning at Nevada/Creighton, but with three losses of five or less points. UNI is 2-4 in last six games after starting season 10-1; they split first two Valley home games. MVC home favorites of less than 8 points are 2-7 vs spread. UNI's MVC wins are by 15-17 points.
14-2 Creighton is 4-1 in Valley, winning road games by 7-9 points; they swept Illinois State by 11-16 points LY, after losing eight of previous 10 games against Redbirds. Bluejays are shooting 45.2% behind arc (#3 in country) but only one of their five Valley opponents scored more than 65 points, so they defend, too. 11-5 State won both its conference home games by total of six points; they're 3-2 vs top 100 teams, losing to Illinois by 4, Wichita by 3. MVC home underdogs are 6-2 vs spread.
Loyola Md lost five of last six games against Fairfield, losing last three visits here by 14-5-10 points; 11-4 Greyhounds split last six games after 8-1 start- they're 4-1 in MAAC, winning by 7 at Siena in only road game so far. Stags lost four of last five games, scoring 55.5 ppg in losing last two league games, to Siena/Manhattan. MAAC home favorites of 7 or less points are 6-3 vs spread. Fairfield is 3-1 in its only four home tilts, with all three wins against teams ranked #222 or worse.
St Peter's won its last four games vs Niagara, winning 74-65/70-47 in last two visits here, but Peacocks are just 3-13 this year, losing 9 of last ten games, with only win vs #299 Canisius. Peacocks are 3-0 if they allow 61 or less points, 0-13 if they allow more. MAAC home favorites of 7 or less points are 6-3 vs spread. Niagara is 1-4 in MAAC, with only win a pretty big upset at Loyola; Purple Eagles are 3-8 in last 11 games, with only one of three wins against a team in top 300.
Marist lost six of last seven games with Canisius, losing last three visits here by 26-15-26 points; Red Foxes are 2-3 in MAAC, allowing 99-100 points in last two- four of five MAAC foes scored 75+ points. MAAC home favorites of 4 or less points are 5-1 vs spread. 3-12 Canisius lost all five MAAC games, scoring 62 or less points in all five games. Marist is 6-2 vs teams not ranked in top 200. Griffins haven't beaten any team ranked above #279 this season.
SETON HALL (15 - 2) at S FLORIDA (9 - 8) - 1/13/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SETON HALL is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
SETON HALL is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in all games this season.
SETON HALL is 10-3 ATS (+6.7 Units) in all lined games this season.
SETON HALL is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
S FLORIDA is 1-1 against the spread versus SETON HALL over the last 3 seasons
S FLORIDA is 1-1 straight up against SETON HALL over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PENNSYLVANIA (7 - 9) at COLUMBIA (11 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PENNSYLVANIA is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.
PENNSYLVANIA is 63-35 ATS (+24.5 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBIA is 2-2 against the spread versus PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
COLUMBIA is 3-1 straight up against PENNSYLVANIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEVELAND ST (14 - 3) at BUTLER (9 - 8) - 1/13/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUTLER is 143-111 ATS (+20.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
BUTLER is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in all games this season.
BUTLER is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUTLER is 4-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND ST over the last 3 seasons
BUTLER is 5-0 straight up against CLEVELAND ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PRINCETON (9 - 7) at CORNELL (5 - 9) - 1/13/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CORNELL is 95-65 ATS (+23.5 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
CORNELL is 53-34 ATS (+15.6 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
PRINCETON is 42-23 ATS (+16.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 42-23 ATS (+16.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in a road game where the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
PRINCETON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
CORNELL is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PRINCETON is 3-1 against the spread versus CORNELL over the last 3 seasons
CORNELL is 2-2 straight up against PRINCETON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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YOUNGSTOWN ST (9 - 6) at VALPARAISO (10 - 7) - 1/13/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VALPARAISO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
YOUNGSTOWN ST is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
VALPARAISO is 3-2 against the spread versus YOUNGSTOWN ST over the last 3 seasons
VALPARAISO is 5-0 straight up against YOUNGSTOWN ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DRAKE (9 - 7) at EVANSVILLE (7 - 8) - 1/13/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DRAKE is 26-43 ATS (-21.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
EVANSVILLE is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
EVANSVILLE is 2-2 against the spread versus DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
EVANSVILLE is 2-2 straight up against DRAKE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA ST (11 - 5) at S ILLINOIS (5 - 11) - 1/13/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA ST is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
S ILLINOIS is 16-27 ATS (-13.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
S ILLINOIS is 16-27 ATS (-13.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
S ILLINOIS is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA ST is 3-1 against the spread versus S ILLINOIS over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA ST is 3-1 straight up against S ILLINOIS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BRADLEY (5 - 12) at WICHITA ST (13 - 3) - 1/13/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BRADLEY is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game since 1997.
WICHITA ST is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WICHITA ST is 5-1 against the spread versus BRADLEY over the last 3 seasons
WICHITA ST is 5-1 straight up against BRADLEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MISSOURI ST (11 - 6) at N IOWA (12 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MISSOURI ST is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 since 1997.
MISSOURI ST is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
MISSOURI ST is 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
N IOWA is 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
N IOWA is 3-1 against the spread versus MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
N IOWA is 3-1 straight up against MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CREIGHTON (14 - 2) at ILLINOIS ST (11 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CREIGHTON is 30-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CREIGHTON is 30-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
CREIGHTON is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CREIGHTON is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS ST is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS ST is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ILLINOIS ST is 2-2 against the spread versus CREIGHTON over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS ST is 2-2 straight up against CREIGHTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LOYOLA-MD (11 - 4) at FAIRFIELD (8 - 8) - 1/13/2012, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MD is 20-4 ATS (+15.6 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 92-48 ATS (+39.2 Units) in road games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 92-48 ATS (+39.2 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 76-37 ATS (+35.3 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 34-16 ATS (+16.4 Units) in road games in January games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 71-43 ATS (+23.7 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
FAIRFIELD is 13-28 ATS (-17.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
FAIRFIELD is 2-2 against the spread versus LOYOLA-MD over the last 3 seasons
FAIRFIELD is 3-1 straight up against LOYOLA-MD over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ST PETERS (3 - 13) at NIAGARA (6 - 11) - 1/13/2012, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST PETERS is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 78-54 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road games since 1997.
ST PETERS is 78-54 ATS (+18.6 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
ST PETERS is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ST PETERS is 4-0 against the spread versus NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
ST PETERS is 4-0 straight up against NIAGARA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MARIST (7 - 9) at CANISIUS (3 - 12) - 1/13/2012, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CANISIUS is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
CANISIUS is 40-60 ATS (-26.0 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
CANISIUS is 4-1 against the spread versus MARIST over the last 3 seasons
CANISIUS is 4-1 straight up against MARIST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SETON HALL vs. SOUTH FLORIDA
Seton Hall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
South Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
South Florida is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Seton Hall
MARIST vs. CANISIUS
Marist is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Marist is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Canisius
Canisius is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games
Canisius is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
PENNSYLVANIA vs. COLUMBIA
Pennsylvania is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pennsylvania is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Columbia
Columbia is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Columbia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
CLEVELAND STATE vs. BUTLER
Cleveland State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland State is 6-12-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Butler
Butler is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Butler is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
PRINCETON vs. CORNELL
Princeton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Princeton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cornell
Cornell is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Cornell is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
MISSOURI STATE vs. NORTHERN IOWA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Missouri State's last 6 games on the road
Missouri State is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing on the road against Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
Northern Iowa is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
INDIANA STATE vs. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Indiana State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Indiana State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Southern Illinois is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Southern Illinois's last 5 games
BRADLEY vs. WICHITA STATE
Bradley is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Bradley's last 5 games on the road
Wichita State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Wichita State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
YOUNGSTOWN STATE vs. VALPARAISO
Youngstown State is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Youngstown State's last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Valparaiso's last 7 games
DRAKE vs. EVANSVILLE
Drake is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Drake is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Evansville's last 7 games
Evansville is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games at home
CREIGHTON vs. ILLINOIS STATE
Creighton is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Creighton's last 5 games on the road
Illinois State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois State's last 6 games
SAINT PETER'S vs. NIAGARA
Saint Peter's is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Saint Peter's is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Niagara
Niagara is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Niagara is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
LOYOLA vs. FAIRFIELD
Loyola is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Loyola is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Fairfield
Fairfield is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Fairfield is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Friday's Top College Basketball Trends
VALPARAISO is 10-0 ATS off double digit road loss (vs Youngstown State)
COLUMBIA is 3-16 ATS at home if both teams scored 70+ pts L3 games (vs Penn)
PENNSYLVANIA is 9-0 ATS Away if they made 88% or better FT's last game (vs COLUMBIA)
EVANSVILLE is 15-3 ATS off an Over (vs Drake)
DRAKE is 1-10 ATS Away off a win (vs Evansville)
LOYOLA-MD is 20-4 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 pts (vs Fairfield)
INDIANA ST is 8-0 ATS off a win by 3 pts or less (vs S ILLINOIS)
BRADLEY is 8-0 ATS Away off a road game (vs Wichita St)