Friday's Best NCAAB Bets
By Covers.com
Idaho State Bengals at Utah Utes (1.5, 130)
It has been more than a month and eight straight losses since Utah opened the season with its only victory.
The Utes, who have covered just one spread this year, need to gain some confidence with three non-conference games left before starting their first Pac-12 season on New Year’s Eve. The Utes have improved their ball handling of late and were within four points of talented BYU in the second half before losing 61-42 Saturday.
Leading scorer Josh Watkins came back against BYU after a one-game suspension for violating team rules, but Utah will have to get its offense in gear for league play. The Utes are averaging just 56.9 points.
Meanwhile, Idaho State is also struggling but did take Loyola Marymount to overtime in its latest loss, covering as a 10.5-point underdog.
Pick: Under
Weber State Wildcats at California Golden Bears (-17, 142)
The Golden Bears haven’t had much trouble covering big numbers lately. They have cashed in each of their last four games when laying double-digits, thanks in large part to the work that 6-foot-6 guard Allen Crabbe.
He’s putting up 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and has scored at least 15 points in each of his last five. He was held out of the starting lineup in California’s 73-46 blowout of Jackson State for being late to the team’s morning shootaround and still finished with 17 points and five boards.
Damian Lillard is the big attraction at Weber State as he’s putting up 26.9 points per game and is coming off a 31-point effort in Saturday’s win over Southern Utah. However, the Wildcats are just just 2-4-1 against the spread this season and allow almost 73 points per game.
We like the Golden Bears to get it done as the big chalk again here.
Pick: Golden Bears
Games to Watch
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
Weber State Wildcats vs. California Golden Bears
Weber State is off to a solid 6-2 start SU, but it is 2-4-1 ATS overall and 0-2-1 ATS on the road. The Wildcats are coming off an 84-66 victory over Southern Utah this past Saturday as 12-point home favorites. The total has gone ‘over’ in six of their first seven games as they have averaged 80.3 points a game.
California moved to 8-2 SU on the year with a 73-46 pasting of Jackson State this past Sunday. The Golden Bears are 5-3 ATS and a profitable 4-1 ATS at home. Behind a stifling defense that is holding opponents to an average of just 56.5 points a game, the total has stayed ‘under’ in seven of the Bears’ first eight games.
Weber State at California Preview
Covers.com
Weber State Wildcats at California Golden Bears (-17, 142)
THE STORY: One season after Jimmer Fredette led the nation in scoring at BYU, it seemed unlikely that the state of Utah could boast another such player. However, Weber State junior guard Damian Lillard has bounced back from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season in grand fashion with 26.9 points per game in 2011. His all-around game was on full display once again in Saturday’s 84-68 win over Southern Utah as he finished with 31 points – his third 30-point effort in four games – and a career-high nine assists. However, he figures to face his most difficult challenge yet Friday against California, which is 7-0 at home this season and owns the 20th-ranked scoring defense in the country. The Golden Bears had little problem routing Jackson State, 73-46, on Sunday.
ABOUT WEBER STATE (6-2): The Wildcats lead the Big Sky and rank sixth in the nation in free throw percent*age (78.5 percent) while ranking second in the conference in 3-point shooting (38.8 percent). Thanks in large part to Lillard’s contributions, Weber State is also second in the conference in scoring (80.2 points per game). Following this contest, the Wildcats complete the calendar year with four consecutive home games.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA (8-2): Sophomore guard Allen Crabbe, the Golden Bears' leading scorer, did not start for the first time against the Tigers after being late for the team's morning shoot-around, but still managed to score 17 points in the win. It marked the third straight game Crabbe led the team in scoring and the seventh time this season he has scored at least 15 points.
TIP-INS
1. This game will mark just the second meeting between the schools, with the first one coming in December 1970.
2. With 18 more points, Lillard will move into sole possession of seventh place on the school’s all-time scoring list.
3. The Golden Bears have held consecutive opponents under 50 points for the first time since the 1984-85 season when they did it in three straight games.
NCAAB Preview
Illinois-Chicago lost four of last five games, getting crushed 95-53 in last game, Tuesday at Oregon State; Flames are 0-5 on road, with three of the five losses by 11+ points. Central Michigan lost last three games, by 12-8-20 points, but they're 3-1 vs teams ranked lower than #200, winning by 10-10-17. Horizon road underdogs of 9+ points are 7-8-1 vs spread. MAC home favorites of 9 or less points are 7-1-1 against spread.
UCSB's last three games were all decided by 4 or less points or in OT; they won first road game by 4 at San Diego Tuesday. Gauchos are 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing at home in OT to both UNLV/San Diego State. Washington lost last three games, but last two were by combined eight points to Marquette/Duke, top 10 teams. Big West single digit road underdogs are 7-4 vs spread; Pac-12 single digit home favorites are 6-11.
NC-Greensboro changed coaches this week; they're 1-8 vs D-I teams, its only win vs winless Towson State. East Carolina is 1-4 vs D-I teams, with only win vs #253 Appalachian State; they have three non-D-I wins. ECU scored 60 ppg in losing last three games- they're 1-2 on road, losing by 2 at Campbell, 5 at ODU. C-USA road favorites are 3-9 vs spread; SoCon home underdogs are 1-4 if spread is less than 5 points.
Utah is 0-8 vs D-I teams, with only one loss by less than 14 points, to Big Sky's Montana State by 6- they scored 48 ppg in last three games. Idaho State is 1-7 vs D-I teams, 0-5 on the road; its only win was over North Dakota by 13. Big Sky road teams are 5-2 vs spread if number is less than 5 points, 2-1 if they're favored; Pac-12 home teams are 1-5 if spread is 5 or less. Idaho State already has couple of overtime losses.
Cal Bears are 8-2 with no wins by less than 16 points, with seven of its eight wins at home. Weber State is 5-2 vs D-I teams; #124 Utah State is best team they beat; Wildcats lost by 17 at #28 St Mary's, by 28 at #17 BYU. Pac-12 home favorites of 13+ points are 7-15 vs spread; Big Sky road underdogs of 13+ points are 9-3. Except for lowly Utah, this is the worst team Cal plays rest of season, and Weber is pretty good team.
1-7 Canisius lost last six games, with five losses by 12+ points; they are 1-4 on road, losing by 9-25-35-19 points- its only win was by 4 at #305 Longwood. Five of Griffins' seven losses are vs teams ranked #102 or higher. UMKC won five of last six games, but best win in group was vs #206 Wofford, in OT; Kangaroos are making 40.4% of shots behind arc. MAAC road underdogs of 11 or less points are 9-5 vs spread.
IL-CHICAGO (3 - 6) at C MICHIGAN (4 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
IL-CHICAGO is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) against MAC opponents over the last 2 seasons.
IL-CHICAGO is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
IL-CHICAGO is 19-34 ATS (-18.4 Units) in road games after scoring 60 points or less since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 59-36 ATS (+19.4 Units) in December games since 1997.
C MICHIGAN is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 23-44 ATS (-25.4 Units) in December games since 1997.
C MICHIGAN is 48-70 ATS (-29.0 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
C MICHIGAN is 2-0 against the spread versus IL-CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
C MICHIGAN is 2-0 straight up against IL-CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UC-SANTA BARBARA (5 - 2) at WASHINGTON (4 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
E CAROLINA (4 - 4) at UNC-GREENSBORO (2 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
E CAROLINA is 139-180 ATS (-59.0 Units) in all games since 1997.
E CAROLINA is 139-180 ATS (-59.0 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
E CAROLINA is 35-55 ATS (-25.5 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 since 1997.
E CAROLINA is 33-55 ATS (-27.5 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
E CAROLINA is 39-59 ATS (-25.9 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 35-61 ATS (-32.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1997.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 31-57 ATS (-31.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
UNC-GREENSBORO is 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.
Head-to-Head Series History
E CAROLINA is 2-0 against the spread versus UNC-GREENSBORO over the last 3 seasons
E CAROLINA is 2-0 straight up against UNC-GREENSBORO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
IDAHO ST (2 - 7) at UTAH (1 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
IDAHO ST is 113-155 ATS (-57.5 Units) in all games since 1997.
IDAHO ST is 113-155 ATS (-57.5 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
IDAHO ST is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 2 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 20-42 ATS (-26.2 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
IDAHO ST is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) after allowing 80 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
IDAHO ST is 43-64 ATS (-27.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
UTAH is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 1-0 against the spread versus IDAHO ST over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 1-0 straight up against IDAHO ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WEBER ST (6 - 2) at CALIFORNIA (8 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
CALIFORNIA is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) when the total is 140 to 149.5 over the last 3 seasons.
CALIFORNIA is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
CALIFORNIA is 9-0 ATS (+9.0 Units) in a home game where the total is 140 to 144.5 over the last 3 seasons.
WEBER ST is 80-49 ATS (+26.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
CALIFORNIA is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
CANISIUS (1 - 7) at MISSOURI-KC (6 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
MISSOURI-KC is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 2 seasons.
MISSOURI-KC is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Illinois-Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Illinois-Chicago's last 5 games on the road
Central Michigan is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Central Michigan is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
EAST CAROLINA vs. UNC GREENSBORO
East Carolina is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
UNC Greensboro is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
UNC Greensboro is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games at home
CANISIUS vs. UMKC
Canisius is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
No trends available
IDAHO STATE vs. UTAH
Idaho State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Utah is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Utah is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
PACIFIC LUTHERAN vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON
No trends available
Eastern Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
SANTA BARBARA vs. WASHINGTON
Santa Barbara is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Santa Barbara is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
WEBER STATE vs. CALIFORNIA
Weber State is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Weber State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
California is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Friday's Top Trends
CALIFORNIA is 9-0 ATS at home if the total is 140 to 144.5 (vs Weber State)
IDAHO ST is 5-17 ATS off ATS win (vs Utah)
IL-CHICAGO is 23-8 ATS after trailing previous game by 15+ at the half (vs Gonzaga)
C MICHIGAN is 6-21 ATS at home off 3+ non-conf games (vs IL Chicago)
UC SANTA BARBARA is 1-9 ATS after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games (vs Washington)
WASHINGTON is 7-0 ATS at home off BB non-conf games (vs UC Santa Barbara)