Friday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Winthrop Eagles vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (-18)
Early in the year, so coaches will try to hammer a system into his team, forcing it upon its players in hopes that it will eventually become second nature. You wouldn’t classify Marquette bench boss Buzz Williams as one of those coaches.
Marquette is coming off a 99-68 destruction of Norfolk State Monday night and Williams didn’t exactly run out of ink in his whiteboard marker.
"We're always pretty good toward the end of the year because we're not teaching our guys a play, we're teaching guys how to play," Williams told reporters. “We ran three plays out of 80-something possessions."
It’s probably a good tactic to help boost confidence, especially when this team isn’t going to struggle offensively anyway. Jae Crowder paced Marquette with 25 points and 10 boards.
The Golden Eagles now face off against Winthrop in their first game of the Paradise Jam Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands and should come out flying again.
Pick: Marquette
Davidson Wildcats at Duke Blue Devils (-18.5)
After notching his historic 903rd victory at Madison Square Garden, Mike Krzyzewski brings his Blue Devils back to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It was a great night for Coach K on Tuesday, but don’t expect any sort of letdown for Friday’s game.
Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins combined for 46 points and 10 rebounds in Duke’s 74-69 victory over Michigan State as a 7-point favorite.
Curry will be pivotal to Duke’s success this season as he has been handed the keys to the offense as the squad’s point guard again. He wasn’t ready for the role last season, but he’s saying all the right things this year.
“I need to be a vocal leader, to get my team in set plays, and kind of tell everybody where to go and have control of the system,” Curry told reporters. “I’ve been off the ball a lot and just worried about the scoring. Now I’m handling the ball and having everyone rely on me to get into the offense.”
We like Duke's makeup this year, but this line seems pretty inflated already.
Pick: Davidson
BALL ST (0 - 1) at INDIANA ST (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA ST is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA ST is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA ST is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
INDIANA 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
BALL ST is 2-0 against the spread versus INDIANA ST over the last 3 seasons
BALL ST is 2-0 straight up against INDIANA ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DELAWARE (0 - 1) at VILLANOVA (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DELAWARE is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
DELAWARE is 21-41 ATS (-24.1 Units) after allowing 60 points or less since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
VILLANOVA is 2-0 against the spread versus DELAWARE over the last 3 seasons
VILLANOVA is 2-0 straight up against DELAWARE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UC-RIVERSIDE (1 - 1) at YOUNGSTOWN ST (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
YOUNGSTOWN ST is 1-0 against the spread versus UC-RIVERSIDE over the last 3 seasons
UC-RIVERSIDE is 1-0 straight up against YOUNGSTOWN ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ARK-LITTLE ROCK (2 - 1) at E MICHIGAN (1 - 1) - 11/18/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
ARK-LITTLE ROCK is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 23-42 ATS (-23.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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ST BONAVENTURE (1 - 0) at CLEVELAND ST (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND ST is 1-1 against the spread versus ST BONAVENTURE over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND ST is 1-1 straight up against ST BONAVENTURE 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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MIAMI OHIO (1 - 0) at XAVIER (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI OHIO is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
XAVIER is 183-145 ATS (+23.5 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
XAVIER is 144-107 ATS (+26.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI OHIO is 2-0 against the spread versus XAVIER over the last 3 seasons
XAVIER is 1-1 straight up against MIAMI OHIO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (2 - 0) at ARKANSAS (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARKANSAS is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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NEW MEXICO (1 - 1) at ARIZONA ST (1 - 1) - 11/18/2011, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in November games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA ST is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA ST is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW MEXICO is 1-0 against the spread versus ARIZONA ST over the last 3 seasons
NEW MEXICO is 1-0 straight up against ARIZONA ST over the last 3 seasons
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STANFORD (3 - 0) at CAL DAVIS (1 - 3) - 11/18/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
STANFORD is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
STANFORD is 93-67 ATS (+19.3 Units) in road games since 1997.
STANFORD is 93-67 ATS (+19.3 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
CAL DAVIS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
CAL DAVIS is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CAL DAVIS is 1-0 against the spread versus STANFORD over the last 3 seasons
STANFORD is 1-0 straight up against CAL DAVIS over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NORFOLK ST (1 - 1) vs. DREXEL (1 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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DRAKE (2 - 0) vs. OLE MISS (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 3:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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TCU (2 - 0) vs. VIRGINIA (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TCU is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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WINTHROP (0 - 2) vs. MARQUETTE (2 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARQUETTE is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in November games since 1997.
MARQUETTE is 75-50 ATS (+20.0 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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WM & MARY (0 - 3) vs. LEHIGH (1 - 2) - 11/18/2011, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LEHIGH is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LEHIGH is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
LEHIGH is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in all tournament games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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E KENTUCKY (1 - 2) at LIBERTY (2 - 1) - 11/18/2011, 7:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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CS-FULLERTON (1 - 0) vs. NICHOLLS ST (0 - 2) - 11/18/2011, 6:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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HOUSTN BAPTIST (1 - 1) at LA-LAFAYETTE (1 - 2) - 11/18/2011, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA-LAFAYETTE is 45-67 ATS (-28.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
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AKRON (2 - 0) at VALPARAISO (2 - 1) - 11/18/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VALPARAISO is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
AKRON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
AKRON is 1-0 against the spread versus VALPARAISO over the last 3 seasons
AKRON is 1-0 straight up against VALPARAISO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DAVIDSON (2 - 0) at DUKE (3 - 0) - 11/18/2011, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DAVIDSON is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 21-39 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
DUKE is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
DUKE is 93-60 ATS (+27.0 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
DUKE is 112-83 ATS (+20.7 Units) in all home games since 1997.
DUKE is 112-83 ATS (+20.7 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
DUKE is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in a home game where the total is 145 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
DAVIDSON is 98-69 ATS (+22.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
NORFOLK STATE vs. DREXEL
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Drexel's last 14 games
Drexel is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
MD-EASTERN SHORE vs. TULANE
No trends available
Tulane is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games at home
Tulane is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
DRAKE vs. MISSISSIPPI
No trends available
Mississippi is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
WILLIAM & MARY vs. LEHIGH
William & Mary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
No trends available
BALL STATE vs. INDIANA STATE
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Ball State's last 9 games on the road
Ball State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana State is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana State's last 6 games when playing Ball State
CS FULLERTON vs. NICHOLLS STATE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of CS Fullerton's last 5 games on the road
CS Fullerton is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games on the road
No trends available
TCU vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
DAVIDSON vs. DUKE
Davidson is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Duke
Davidson is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Duke is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Duke's last 5 games when playing at home against Davidson
TEXAS SOUTHERN vs. MICHIGAN STATE
No trends available
Michigan State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Michigan State is 6-15-1 ATS in its last 22 games
EASTERN KENTUCKY vs. LIBERTY
Eastern Kentucky is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
No trends available
MIAMI (OHIO) vs. XAVIER
Miami (Ohio) is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Xavier
Miami (Ohio) is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Xavier is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Miami (Ohio)
Xavier is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami (Ohio)
SAINT PETER'S vs. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Saint Peter's last 11 games on the road
No trends available
HIGH POINT vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA
No trends available
Central Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
SAMFORD vs. JACKSONVILLE
Samford is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Samford's last 6 games on the road
No trends available
ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN
Arkansas-Little Rock is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Arkansas-Little Rock is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Eastern Michigan's last 5 games at home
Eastern Michigan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
MCNEESE STATE vs. GEORGIA STATE
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia State's last 6 games
Georgia State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
ST. BONAVENTURE vs. CLEVELAND STATE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Bonaventure's last 8 games on the road
St. Bonaventure is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cleveland State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Bonaventure
Cleveland State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
DELAWARE vs. VILLANOVA
Delaware is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Villanova is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Villanova is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
UC RIVERSIDE vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
UC Riverside is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
UC Riverside is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Youngstown State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Youngstown State is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games
BOSTON COLLEGE vs. HOLY CROSS
Boston College is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
No trends available
COPPIN STATE vs. OKLAHOMA
No trends available
Oklahoma is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 6 games
HOUSTON vs. ARKANSAS
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Houston is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Arkansas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
IUPUI vs. WISC-MILWAUKEE
No trends available
Wisc-Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Wisc-Milwaukee is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
NEW MEXICO vs. ARIZONA STATE
New Mexico is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Mexico is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Arizona State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
AKRON vs. VALPARAISO
Akron is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
Valparaiso is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
WINTHROP vs. MARQUETTE
No trends available
Marquette is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
JACKSON STATE vs. OHIO STATE
No trends available
Ohio State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Ohio State is 24-1 SU in its last 25 games at home
LONGWOOD vs. BYU
No trends available
BYU is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games
BYU is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
DELAWARE STATE vs. NOTRE DAME
No trends available
Notre Dame is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games
Notre Dame is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
STANFORD vs. UC DAVIS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Stanford's last 5 games on the road
Stanford is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
UC Davis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Stanford
UC Davis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
PURDUE vs. TEMPLE
No trends available
Temple is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Temple is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games
WESTERN KENTUCKY vs. LSU
No trends available
LSU is 2-16 SU in its last 18 games
WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. IONA
No trends available
Iona is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
NORTHWESTERN vs. TULSA
No trends available
Tulsa is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
TEXAS A&M vs. ST. JOHN'S
No trends available
St. John's is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
BALL STATE vs. INDIANA STATE
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Ball State's last 9 games on the road
Ball State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Indiana State is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Ball State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana State's last 6 games when playing Ball State
SETON HALL vs. SAINT JOSEPH'S
No trends available
Saint Joseph's is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Saint Joseph's last 20 games
MARYLAND vs. COLORADO
No trends available
Colorado is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
MISSISSIPPI STATE vs. ARIZONA
No trends available
Arizona is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
CONCORDIA MI vs. DETROIT
No trends available
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
BINGHAMTON vs. FORDHAM
No trends available
Fordham is 1-18 SU in its last 19 games
Fordham is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
DELAWARE vs. VILLANOVA
Delaware is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Villanova is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Villanova is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
HIGH POINT vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA
No trends available
Central Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
MIAMI (OHIO) vs. XAVIER
Miami (Ohio) is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Xavier
Miami (Ohio) is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Xavier is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami (Ohio)
Xavier is 18-3 SU in its last 21 games
SAINT PETER'S vs. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Saint Peter's last 11 games on the road
No trends available
EASTERN KENTUCKY vs. LIBERTY
Eastern Kentucky is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
No trends available
SAMFORD vs. JACKSONVILLE
Samford is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Samford is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
No trends available
UC RIVERSIDE vs. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
UC Riverside is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
UC Riverside is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Youngstown State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Youngstown State is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games
BOSTON COLLEGE vs. HOLY CROSS
Boston College is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
No trends available
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH vs. GEORGIA TECH
No trends available
Georgia Tech is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Georgia Tech is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
NEW MEXICO vs. ARIZONA STATE
New Mexico is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Mexico is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Arizona State is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
Arizona State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
AKRON vs. VALPARAISO
Akron is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
Valparaiso is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
WICHITA STATE vs. ALABAMA
No trends available
Alabama is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
NCAAB Preview
Puerto Rico tournament
Temple won its first two games by 6-14 points; they won 69-55 in first game here, holding Western Michigan to 35% from floor, while forcing 17 turnoveers. Owls are picked #2 in MAC; they've got four starters back from 26-8 team that was 14-2 in A-14. Purdue made 12-25 on arc and had just seven turnovers in 91-90 win Thursday. Interesting game that could have a bearing on what happens Selection Sunday.
Wichita State beat Alabama 66-57 in NIT finals last spring. Bama held Maryland to 27% from floor in 62-42 win yesterday; Tide was +16 on boards- they've allowed only 47.7 ppg in winning their first three games, by 20-17-20 points. Wichita State made 8-20 from arc, got to foul line only 8 times in 67-58 yesterday; Shockers have three starters back from 29-8 team that was 14-4 in Valley.
Maryland scored only 42 points in loss to Alabama yesterday, shooting 27% from floor, 14-25 from line; they lost three starters after a 19-14 year (7-9 ACC) LY. Colorado turned ball over 17 times, was minus-11 on boards yesterday- they lost 74% of scoring from LY, are picked to finish 10th in Pac-12. Pac-12 teams are 4-3-1 vs spread in games with single digit spread.
Charleston tournament
Tulsa won its first three games by 15-16-16 points, allowing 50.0 ppg; Hurricane held Western Kentucky to 27% from floor while putting them on line only seven times in easy win. Princeton offense is tough to prep for in a day, advantage for Northwestern squad that was 12-31 from arc vs LSU and whose best player played all 40 minutes Thursday, scoring 37 points. Wildcats had 10 offensive boards, a lot for them.
Seton Hall has only two upperclassmen as they rebuild; Pirates got 20 points from excellent guard Theodore in suprisingly easy win over VCU, as Pirates won despite getting no points in 43 minutes (0-3 FG) from their bench. St Joe's held first two opponents 27-37% from floor in winning first two games, by 11-13 points. A-14 teams are 8-4 vs spread in games with single-digit spread.
Coaches vs Cancer Tournament at Madison Square Garden
Middleton is out for Texas A&M, who turned ball over 16 times in loss to Miss State last night; Aggies also put State on line 31 times. St John's has home court edge, but has almost whole new team after LY's senior-laden group went 21-12. Red Storm won three of their first four games, scoring 76.5 ppg- last night was their first game in the Garden. Big X teams are 1-7 vs spread in games with single digit spread.
Mississippi State is 3-1, losing at home to Akron; their young guards gave them big spark in win over Texas A&M, and the talented transfer Moultrie from UTEP has been big help. Arizona won its first four games by 9-8-10-9 points- they made 14-29 from arc last night. Wildcats gave up an average of 65.3 ppg in those four wins. Bulldogs have older guys; if Sidney is effective playing second night in row, they'll be a handful.
Other games
Home team won last eight Ball State-Indiana State games; Cardinals lost last four visits here, by 1-1-11-5 points. Ball lost its opener at Arizona by 10, game they led by 9 at half, but were outscored 31-6 at foul line. Sycamores won their first two games, scoring 75 ppg. MAC underdogs are 7-3 vs spread, 4-2 on road. Indiana State is picked #3 in NVC; Ball State is picked #2 in its half of the MAC.
Home team won last five Miami-Xavier games; Red Hawks lost four of last five visits here, losing last three by 15-7-3 points. Musketeers won first two games by 11-23 points, allowing 63 points in both games. A-14 favorites are 10-5 vs spread this season, 4-2 at home. Miami forced 22 Dayton turnovers in upetting the Flyers in OT in its opener.
Veteran Cleveland State team won by 13 at Vanderbilt, holding Vandy to 35% from floor while forcing 20 turnovers; home side won the last three Cleveland-St Bonaventure contests, with Bonnies losing 69-51 here LY. Bonnies pounded Cornell its their opener- Nicholson might be best kid Bonnies have had since Bob Lanier 40 years ago. Vikings are picked #2 in Horizon, Bonnies are picked #7 in A-14, so they're getting better.
Home team won last two Akron-Valparaiso games; teams didn't play last year, but Zips lost here by 8 in '08, win by 20 at home next season. Zips already have win at talented Mississippi State; they've taken only 26 fouls hots in two games. Valpo lost by 9 at Arizona, beat Georgia Southern by 9; they're picked #5 in Horizon. Akron is picked second behind Kent State in their half of the MAC.
Arkansas now coached by Mike Anderson, so they're going to run and press for 40 minutes; Hogs/Houston used to be SWC rivals, but now are in different leagues. Hogs scored 87 ppg in winning first two games, with a 24-point win over Oakland. Houston scored 86 ppg in winning first two games, with 13-point win over Utah Valley. Double digit favorites from SEC are 2-4 against spread; C-USA road underdogs are 0-3.
Arizona State lost 76-62 in LY's opener at New Mexico; Sun Devils and Lobos both got upset at home in last game, with Lobos losing to in-state rival New Mexico State, shooting 28% with 20 turnovers- they miss the graduated PG Gary. Sun Devils lost 66-60 at home to Pepperdine, bad loss for team that finished last in Pac-10 LY. ASU shot 34%, and if you take away Lockett's 8-11, they made just 23.8% of their shots.